Home Protection

House fires in the U.S. kill more than 5,000 people every year. Most of these deaths are not from burns but from inhaling smoke and other toxic gases.

Most household fires start in the kitchen through human error – not mechanical failure of stoves or ovens. Be smart in the kitchen and work to prevent house fires.

Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, are one of the best and least expensive ways to ensure your safety. In fact, you’re twice as likely to survive a fire if smoke detectors are working properly in your home.

In addition to placing a smoke detector on each level of the home, you should also place a carbon monoxide detector on each level. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless poisonous gas that can kill you without warning. Changing the batteries every six months is a good idea.

While burglaries sometimes occur, there are precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family:

Know your neighbors. Look out for each other.

Trim your shrubbery so it doesn’t cover any doors or windows.

Use deadbolt locks and secure all entries into your home. Keep doors locked while you’re there.

Have a peephole in your front door, and use it.

Don’t hide keys outside the house.

Mark valuable property with a code or number you would recognize.

Use timers to turn lights and radios on and off when you are on vacation, and stop newspaper and mail delivery until you return home.

Don’t let strangers into your house. Always ask for proper identification.

 For more crime prevention tips, visit the National Crime Prevention Council's website.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so beware! You have to be extra careful to avoid being scammed by a con artist. For instance, steer clear of:

“Get rich quick” schemes or other scams that ask for good faith money up-front.

Unexplained bargain deals on normally costly repairs or home improvement jobs.

Investments that promise unusually large returns.

Someone claiming you owe money for an item ordered for a deceased relative.

Work-at-home scams, door-to-door sales, health insurance that duplicates existing coverage, miracle cures, glasses and hearing aids from unknown sources at bargain prices, and other similar deals.

Trips and other prizes you “won,” but require you to pay some up-front money or disclose important information.

Do you know what to do if your identity is stolen?  

Depending on where you live, you may face some challenging weather situations. Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and freezing weather constantly cause their share of trouble. Find out which is the common natural disaster in your area, and prepare in case something happens. 

For example, every year as severe weather season approaches, Nationwide Insurance^® urges policyholders to review their insurance policies as part of storm season preparation.

Eight steps to help you prepare for severe weather:

Before severe weather occurs, examine your property to ensure that it’s safe and free of hazards.

Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high-wind regions. If you’re uncertain, call a qualified professional architect, engineer, building contractor or your local building department.

Make a list of valuables and contents in your home, including the value of each item and the purchase date. Take pictures or video. Send a copy of your list to a family member outside your region for safekeeping.

Make sure you store important documents, such as insurance policy or mortgage papers, in a safe deposit or fire-safe box.

Read and understand your homeowner and car insurance policies, especially their disclosures. Make sure you have adequate coverage and deductibles.

If you have expensive or specialty items (such as jewelry, furs, silverware, cameras and collectibles) speak with your agent about specific coverage for those items.

Familiarize yourself with the local severe weather warnings, such as street sirens or radio and television alerts.

Have an emergency kit handy. Include a generator, charged cell phone, battery-operated radio, food and water, first-aid kit, blanket and flashlights.

Six things to do when severe weather is heading your way:

In your home, protect the four critical areas where wind and rain can enter: roof, windows, doors and garage doors.

Turn off power and water.

Move anything in your yard that can become flying debris. Take items inside your house or garage.

Protect mementos in waterproof containers and take them with you if you evacuate.

Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark, and trim trees in precarious positions..

Listen to the radio and TV, and follow directions and evacuation orders from local authorities

For more tips on how to protect your home from catastrophes, visit Nationwide's Catastrophe Center.