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Tragic Accident Takes Two Young Lives

Parents are scrambling to check for this hidden danger in their backyard

Jan 2, 2025 at 7:54AM

"No parents should ever have to bury their kids and the worst part is this could have been all prevented.” - Jennifer Whitmore, Parent

It was a Sunday afternoon. Zach and Emilia Whitmore went outside after spending hours indoors that morning, waiting for a storm to pass.

An hour later, their mom heard a loud scream and went outside to witness a horrific scene.

"I'll never forget that day," sighed the mother.

What caused this horrific accident?

A family tree that has been on the property for years. A heavy branch, loosened by winter storms, fell and caused the tragedy. This is not the first case of this happening.

In 2024, over 100 people have passed away due to falling trees and branches. Many of those were kids in ....

One way to prevent this is by simply checking your trees after every storm. Unfortunately, not all trees will show obvious signs of damage.

This is why experts always recommend cutting or trimming any trees that are more than 10 years old - especially if they hover over kids play areas or near your home.

What should you do about it?

If your home is more than 10 years old and you're relying on your gardener to raise an alarm - you're in for a bad surprise.

"My son Timmy was playing out back when I heard a thud. A tree branch fell and knocked him unconscious. I had to rush him to the hospital and it cost me over $7,000 in bills", recalled Rebecca, another parent affected by their trees.

How could this have been easily avoided?

What if we told you some inspections by certified arborists are free?

Arborists can identify weakened branches, signs of decay, or disease that could cause significant property and people damage.

⚠️Pro-tip: you can schedule multiple free inspections from multiple companies, with no obligation to move forward.

For parents like Rebecca, a quick inspection gave her the peace of mind she needed to let her kids play in the yard.

"I'm no longer worried about letting my kids play outside while I work. My inspection was quick, free and easy." - Rebecca, parent

How does this work?

The inspector drives to you at a scheduled time, walks your property with you, and explains any hazards they see. At the end, they give their recommendations for any work with a free quote. That's why finding the right tree inspector is not as easy as Googling.

Like a mechanic, it's hard to know if the inspector is honest about what work needs to be done.

Most homeowners don't know what to ask for when they call.

Here's a secret weapon you can use to keep tree services honest, reveals Certified Arborist Terry Miller:

"Always ask for proof of insurance, certifications and scope of work. Don't overpay just to waste your weekend hauling your own branches into a truck with an ugly, unfinished job in your front yard."

- Terry Miller, Certified Arborist

Here's the checklist:

✅Guarantee your family's safety: "Are you licensed to work on trees in ...?"

✅Stay financially protected against potential accidents: "Can you show me your proof of liability insurance for at least $1mm?"

✅Don't lose your hard-earned weekend: Ask if they haul away all the branches, leaves and debris after they're done. This is not always included.

✅Keep your yard beautiful (if you paid for it): Ask if they remove the stump. Ask what precautions they take to protect your lawn, roof and other obstructions.

✅Avoid getting scammed by the lowest bid: Ask for a written estimate so you know what work is included.

✅Always compare multiple quotes before deciding

⚠️Pro-tip: Avoid companies that request full payment upfront.

"Every month, we get emergency calls after unqualified contractors turn a simple tree removal into thousands in property damage."

- Terry, Arborist

This homeowner was shocked when they were slapped with a $20,000 repair bill. Shouldn't the tree service pay for the damage?

Turns out the company they hired was uninsured and undertrained. They were cheaper for a reason.

Luckily no one was inside the house when this happened.

Knowing the right questions to ask is one thing, but actually knowing the industry and getting those assurances is another.

But don't worry, we're here to help.

I'm Terry Miller, and I've been where you are

"After a tree fell on my home in 2003, our family struggled with overpriced, slow, and careless tree services who took months to complete the job. That's why I founded StormSafe Tree Service."

- Terry, Arborist

Terry helps ... residents find verified tree services who prioritize safety, efficiency, and transparency in every job, ensuring families feel confident and stress-free when it comes to protecting their homes and loved ones.

Terry's team will help you find a verified tree service inspector, free of charge.

How much does it cost?

Getting an inspection is absolutely free for you. There is no obligation to move forward after an inspector gives you their opinion.

Here's how you do it

Scheduling an inspection takes less than 2 minutes. No credit card required.

Step 1: Share what tree service you need

Step 2: Check if your zip code is serviced

That's it! Within moments, we'll match you with one of StormSafe's tree experts and get you scheduled.

With over 15,000+ verified inspections and more than 2 decades in business, StormSafe can help you find the right provider with our pre-vetted requirements and your specific project needs.

Testimonials

"I wasn't spammed with a billion texts"

"I didn't want my phone to get spammed by junk. I only received two texts from StormSafe: one to schedule, and another to confirm my appointment."

- Sarah, Parent

"They removed my trees within 24 hours"

"I was quoted within 15 minutes of calling. Most of my trees were gone the same day."

- George, Homeowner

"I saved over $1,000 on my tree removal"

"My trees were removed with zero damage to my house. Plus I saved over $1,000 by comparing StormSafe's quote to others."

- Robert, Homeowner

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