When you live in an area that receives a significant amount of snow accumulation over the winter, it is important to not only remove the snow from your driveway but also around any nearby fire hydrants. On those cold mornings, it can be easy to overlook the fire hydrant in front of your yard. You are just trying to get the driveway cleared so you can get on your way for the day. However, it is worthwhile to think about the importance of having an accessible fire hydrant. 

Imagine your house on fire. You follow the fire safety skills you have practiced as a family. Everyone gets out of the house and no one returns to the burning structure to retrieve anything. You meet at the designated family meeting location and call the fire department to come and fight the fire. At this point you want them to arrive and immediately start putting out the blaze.  

If your fire hydrant is covered in snow, this may not be the case. The fire department will have to waste critical time shoveling out the hydrant before they can hook up the hoses. This will increase the amount of time the fire burns in your house, adding to the damage. A few minutes can be the difference between having a house you can return to with just a few minor repairs and having a house that is destroyed because it becomes engulfed in flames. 

Next time you head out to clear the driveway of snow, look for the closest fire hydrant. Is it clear or covered in snow? If it is covered, take the time to remove the snow. Hopefully you won't have a home fire this winter but if you do you will be thankful you spent the extra minute clearing the fire hydrant the firefighters need to use. 

And as always, if a fire does ignite, your independent insurance agent can assist you with filing a claim on your homeowners insurance. 

Get the protection you need. Call Esplanade Insurance Agency Inc. at 504-273-1500 for more information on home insurance.