Preparing your home for the winter months

Winter seems to be sneaking up on us rather quickly this year. The change from the warm summer weather to the cool air, colourful autumn leaves and longer nights is upon us. Preparing for the winter months is about making sure that you and your family stay warm, but it also includes ensuring your house is in good condition to withstand the effects that the colder weather brings. It is also important that we consider alternative and innovative ways to keep our homes warm this winter, given the environmental changes, loadshedding and the rising price of fuel and electricity.

Smart ways to save energy and keep warm:

1. Geyser blanket
This is a great way of saving energy and keeping the water warmer for longer. A geyser blanket insulates the geyser and retains the heat so you use less electricity to heat up the geyser.

2. Gas heaters and stoves
Gas is an easily accessible source and effective use of energy to heat up a room or warm up food. It is important that cylinders are properly closed after use and kept out of a child's reach.

3. Winter sheets, furniture and accessories
You can bring extra style and warmth into your home by using some winter home décor. Investing in quality winter sheets, cosy throws and adding some rugs will also bring in extra warmth into your home.

4. Alternative energy sources
With the increased chance and occurrence of loadshedding, you don't want to be left in the cold and dark. Exploring alternative energy sources such as a generator, solar panels, an inverter or UPS will help you keep your home lit and warm.

Tips to keep your house in good condition:

1. Clean your gutters
As the seasons change and the autumn leaves fall, it's a good idea to check your gutters for debris. Try and remove as much as you can with your hands, and then use a garden hose to spray away any remaining dust and dirt. This will prevent the gutters from being clogged which in turn causes damp, mould and potential damage.

2. Check the roof and ceilings
As we say goodbye to the summer rain, it is now the right time to check your roof for any damage and fix the leaks. This will ensure that the main structure of the house stays in good condition and prevents water damage and rot. This will save you a lot of money in the long run and make sure that your house can withstand the next summer rains.

3. Check the windows and doors
Have you ever felt that breeze while sitting indoors with all the windows closed? A small crack in the window or gap in the seal can bring in an uncomfortable breeze making difficult to keep the home warm. Seal off windows and block the gaps in the door frames.

4. Clean the fireplace
Nothing beats snuggling up by the fireplace on a cold winter's night. Before starting up your fire, clean out the ash tray, check that there is nothing obstructing the chimney and remove any flammable items around the fireplace.

Ensure that you and your family are comprehensively covered with Discovery Insure's building and household contents insurance.

Discovery Insure's building insurance includes:

• No excess for theft- and weather-related events (on the Classic and Purple Plans)
• Cover for accidental damage to the building structure, as well as fixed glass, mirrors or sanitary ware
• Emergency security or alternative accommodation
• Emergency plumbing, electrical and locksmith services
• Cover for accidental loss or damage to swimming pool filters, boreholes or other water pumps.

Household contents cover includes:

• No excess for theft (due to forced entry to your property) or weather-related events (on the Classic and Purple Plans)
• Power surge protection with the option to purchase more comprehensive cover
• Emergency security
• Emergency plumbing, electrical and locksmith services
• The Online Vault to store important documents, such as proof of ownership or valuation certificates.