Steps to protect from the cold

National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for South Carolina. With parts of the state expected to feel record low temperatures, property owners are encouraged to protect themselves against weather-related disasters. South Carolina typically sees an increase in home fires around the start of winter. According to the Insurance Services Office, the average homeowner’s insurance claim for water damage and freezing can total nearly $6 thousand. And if no one is home, the price tag for unchecked flooding can go higher. Among tips to protect your property: make sure smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in good, working order. Keep the house warm and keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or protected device.