The recent and extensive rainfall across KwaZulu Natal and parts of Gauteng caused extensive damage to property, motor vehicles and roads across parts of the country. Extreme weather conditions such as these show the significant impact natural disasters can have on homes, buildings and infrastructure and the huge losses and associated costs to repair.
Change of season also brings about a change in weather conditions and presents different risks to businesses and households. You can also prepare for some of the risks winter presents and apply simple tools to prevent risk exposure.
THE RISK OF FIRE
As the weather gets colder, the use of fires and heaters in the home and office increases and it is important to understand the associated risks. Almost 99% of all fires are caused by human negligence, so we encourage you not to leave fires or heaters unattended and to ensure there are no flammable items in the vicinity of open heat sources. We also encourage you not to overload electrical sockets, which can cause fires.
Veld fires increase in prevalence during the drier winter months across most of the country, and we encourage you to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and potential threats of fire and eliminate risks wherever possible.
LOADSHEDDING AND POWER OUTAGES
Increased reliance on electricity, amongst other factors, will see a resultant increase in the risk of load shedding. In an article published by BusinessTech on 3 May, it states “South Africa’s energy supply appears to be worse than previously anticipated and is already on track for another record year of outages, say economists at Absa bank.”
If you have the means, having a generator on hand will help. Ensure that it is correctly installed and know how to operate it safely. Keep a torch or battery-operated lighting readily available.
Be prepared for potential damages to appliances that may be caused by power surges. Surge protectors can be installed to minimize the risk. A surge protector evens out the sudden peaks of electricity, thus protecting your electronic devices against random power spike damage. Load shedding and power outages may also pose an increased security risk to your home or commercial property, so be vigilant.
STORMY WEATHER
Some regions experience rain and windy weather conditions in the winter months and we encourage you to prepare your home accordingly. When it comes to storms, basic upkeep of your home or business property goes a long way. Trees lose their leaves during the autumn and winter months, so if your building structure has gutters, remove any leaves and debris to prevent blockages, and regularly trim your trees to prevent unnecessary damage to vehicles or property. Storms can also cause roof tiles to move, and these should also be checked.
GEYSERS AND PIPES
Pipes and geysers may expand when they are frozen. If they are unable to withstand the increased pressure of the water within, it can cause them to burst. You can apply insulation to your pipes to prevent damage.
It is important to take reasonable steps to protect your property and prevent potential threats during the colder winter months that lie ahead. There are also several types of risks you can obtain insurance cover for, and we encourage you to engage with one of our specialist brokers to assist you to protect your assets and counter against potential losses that may be suffered through weather-related damage.
