Family Safety
Vacation Preparation Tips
Everyone gets excited for a vacation. Before you leave your house unattended for an extended period time, make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid a break-in or other household complications while you are away. Clean: Try cleaning your home with eco-friendly cleaning products before you leave. With other cleaners, noxious fumes can build up over time in a tightly-sealed home. Appliances: Appliances not in use but plugged in still use electricity. Unplug your television, computers and other costly. Read more...
Childproofing your home
Unintentional injury is the No. 1 killer of children in the U.S. Make sure your home is a safe environment for children by following these simple steps for child-proofing your home. Childproofing the Kitchen Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers to keep children from potentially poisonous household products. Use the stove’s back burners and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to keep hot pots and pans out of reach of children. Keep kitchenware and appliances out. Read more...
Fireproofing your home
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, over 362,000 residential fires occurred in 2010, killing over 2,500 people. To prevent a fire-related tragedy, assess the risks in your own home or business and follow these simple fire-prevention steps. Install smoke detectors on every level of the building and replace batteries regularly. Keep several fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them. When constructing or repairing a building, use fire-resistant materials like asphalt-fiberglass and masonry roofing; wood shingles and shakes. Read more...
It’s a twister!
It may be states away from the nearest ocean, but the Midwest is still at risk during hurricane and tornado season. In Indiana, the damage caused by 2009′s Hurricane Ike cost FEMA an alarming $78 million in home and public sector repairs. Because tornadoes can cause incredible damage in a heartbeat, it’s best to prepare your home long before disaster strikes. Getting started: To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. Learn the. Read more...
How to handle a flood
Your home or business doesn’t have to sit in the flood plane of a stream or river to be at risk for flooding. Excessive rain and snow can quickly cause dangerous flash flooding in even the most urban of areas. Here are some important tips for keeping your family safe and water damage to a minimum. Before a Flood: Waterproof: It’s important to waterproof your home or business before a flood strikes. Have any basement areas inspected and waterproofed by. Read more...
Preparing for a power outage
Whether it’s a thunderstorm, a downed power line, or worse, a power outage can be a dangerous inconvenience for you and your family. In the event of inclement weather, leaving the house might not be a safe option. Some power outages can last for days. Even if the roads are negotiable, supplies at nearby stores may be slim in the wake of an extended outage. Your best bet is to make a power outage plan before an outage strikes. Here. Read more...
Is solar power right for me?
Residential solar power is swiftly becoming an affordable option for American homeowners. Once installed, solar panels can be used to generate electricity, light and heat for your home. A shade-free, south-facing location is best. Your home should also fit at least one of the following criteria: You live in are remote location and your home is not connected to the utility grid. Using solar power might cost you less than extending a power line to the grid. Your power provider. Read more...
Stay warm, save energy this winter
Making sure your home is effectively insulated and sealing any possible air leaks are essential steps in keeping your home energy efficient. Keep the heat in this winter – caulk, seal and weather strip all unwanted openings to the outside. Sealing air leaks: Caulk and weather strip doors and windows that leak air. Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets. Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch. Read more...
Easy ways to save energy at home
With the heat turned up and the cold setting in, winter home utilities can be costly. Try adding these tips to your daily routine to save energy around the house. Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. Turn things off when you are not in the room such as lights, TVs, entertainment systems, and your computer and monitor. Plug home electronics,. Read more...
Winter Weather Driving Tips (Snow)
When the weather is really bad, the best tip is to stay home. We know this is not always an option, so below are 10 great tips to follow to help keep you as safe as possible when driving in the snow and ice. Make sure your tires have good grip and traction. It is best to get new tires that are specifically made for the snow and ice. Make sure you can see. Check your windshield wiper blades and. Read more...
