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There are so many benefits to having trees around your house. Not only are they beautiful to look at and add curb appeal, but they also offer shade during the hot summer months.
However, trees can also be a liability. They’re hard to take care of, they require attention, and they can also damage your home. While snow and ice storms can cause trees to fall onto houses, it seems to happen the most often during thunderstorm seasons in the spring and summer.
Now, just because you have trees doesn’t mean they’re going to fall and damage your home. Don’t stress yourself out! But, in the case that they do, it’s important to know what to do next.
Here’s what to do if a tree ever falls on your house:
Oftentimes, when a tree falls down it, brings power lines down with it. While your power may already be out due to a big storm, it is a good idea to turn off your breakers just in case. We all know water and electricity do not mix, so it’s better to prevent any potential accidents by turning off the power completely.
Likewise, it’s also a good idea to shut the gas lines in your home. If a tree happens to fall where your gas line enters your home, that could be very dangerous.
Once you’ve managed to turn off your power and your gas lines, get everybody out of the home. If the storm is still happening, get your family inside your car and wait there until the storm has passed.
It is very important to take photos of the damage so you can file an insurance claim. Make sure to take photos both inside and outside and get as many different angles as possible. It’s also a good idea to have video footage as well, just to be safe.
It’s also a good idea to make a note of where the tree was originally located. If the tree was in your neighbor’s yard and happened to fall onto your home, the insurance company may want them to pay for the damage.
Once it is safe to do so, make sure to remove the tree for good. While you’re at it, check to see if there are any other trees nearby that may cause damage in the future. It’s also a good idea to cut any limbs that may hang over your home so they don’t fall on your roof and cause damage.
