According to the National weather Service, La Niña is most likely to emerge in October-December 2024 (57% chance) and is expected to persist through January-March 2025. During a La Niña event, the water in the Pacific gets colder than normal near South America. This strengthens trade winds and alters worldwide weather patterns. Virginia is notorious for its fickle wintery ride of mild days with highs in the sixties to frigid days only in the twenties, but La Niña means less snow chances for the commonwealth. This polar coaster ride could still bring significant cold spells and you'll want your home to be safe and snug!
Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires
Did you know heating equipment is the number one cause of home fires in the U.S.? The majority of those occur in December, January, and February, and 44% of fires are caused by space heaters every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fireplaces and chimneys are the second most common cause, responsible for 29% of home fires. Central heating units and water heaters make up the remaining home fires.
We know from decades of home insurance experience that fire loss is the most costly of homeowners insurance claims. The good news is it’s also the most avoidable. Common reasons for home fires are dirty chimneys, wood stoves and fireplaces that need maintenance. No problem! Our guides will get your heating systems in tip-top shape. Here’s a little teaser:
So stay tuned. We'll start with a bit of outdoor final prep and shore up the nooks and crannies inside. Then we'll help you prepare your home heating systems and extra heating equipment for Virginia's coldest winter days. We'll also show you the best ways to keep your home's air healthy for the whole family and how to maintain your fireplace or wood stove throughout winter.
Learn more about homeowners insurance in Virginia >
Sources:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety
THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.
