Homeowner Reminders

Homeowner Reminders – our office took a call from an Alaskan family regarding a dispute with their homeowner insurance company after a house fire. The family was displaced out of their home and lost all their possessions after the devastating fire. Luckily for the clients we mentioned above, the mother and children were not at home at the time of the fire. The father sustained only minor injuries.

In addition to this loss, the family is now battling with the insurance company. The argument? Whether the insurance company will provide the coverage they bought so they can begin to rebuild their lives. We took the case and are currently in discussions with the insurance company. We investigated the details of this fire, the amount of loss felt by our clients and were able to help.

Homeowner Reminders

This case reminded our office of several tips for homeowners. Especially as we approach the holiday season. These thoughts may ease the difficulty in the event of a house fire. In fact, we hope some may help prevent serious loss and injury:

• Take pictures or video of every item worth $100 (or more) in every room of the house (include serial numbers) to strengthen potential insurance claims;
• Check/test fire alarms on a regular basis;
• Change fire alarm batteries as soon as they are getting low;
• Keep bar-b-que grills and supplies a safe distance from your home, including the charcoal for charcoal grills;
• Regularly maintain your chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, etc.;
• Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible on every level of your home;
• Have a fire escape plan for your family and practice it with your children.

Keep Children Safe Through the Holidays and Beyond

Children are at high risk during a home fire. The homeowner reminders for parents that help reduce injuries and damage include: installing and testing smoke alarms, and ensuring fire extinguishers are working, as well as creating practicing family escape plans. More critical than anything else is teaching children fire safety rules. For example:

• Never play with matches or lighters;
• How to drop low to the ground if a fire alarm sounds;
• How to stop, drop, and roll if clothing catches fire;
• How to follow the fire escape plan. In an emergency, children should know how to get out and stay out;
• How to call 9-1-1 after they are safely outside. 

We hope that these reminders help keep your home and more importantly your family safe in the event of a house fire. Family safety is always a first priority, Alaska. However, should such devastation strike and the insurance company deny coverage, give us a call. We are here to serve you and your family.

If the unthinkable happens, call Johnson Law at (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your homeowner insurance questions.

Johnson Law has been helping injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image Source: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER, Alaska)