Winter storms can be unpredictable and dangerous. The best place to be is inside, where you’re safe from severe weather, car crashes, and slipping on ice. However, even staying hunkered down at home isn’t without its hazards. Here’s how to stay safe and warm until the storm passes. Heat Your Home Safely Your furnace or boiler may be your primary… Continue reading

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially around the holidays, but it’s also the most common place for house fires to ignite. Thanksgiving is the number one day for home cooking fires. In 2016, fire departments across the US responded to about 1,570 home cooking fires on this day. The other peak times for kitchen fires include Christmas… Continue reading

If a fire breaks out in your home or business, your top priority is to keep the property and people inside safe. Using a fire extinguisher is an effective way to prevent small fires from growing larger. The key is to use the right type of extinguisher for the class of fire you’re facing. Fire Classes Fires are categorized by… Continue reading

While outdoor pollen allergies decrease in the winter, indoor allergies tend to spike as you spend more time inside with the windows and doors shut tight. If you suspect you have winter allergies, learn more about them here so you can find relief. Causes of Indoor Winter Allergies A few different allergens can trigger winter allergies. These include: Mold: Mold… Continue reading

The recent onset of snow, ice, and colder temperatures encourages you to run your heating system to keep your home warm. Furnaces and other combustion heaters pose the threat of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, so brush up on the top tips to keep your family safe, just in time for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. What is Carbon Monoxide? Dubbed the… Continue reading

Are you prepared for the possibility of an earthquake? Everyone everywhere should learn and practice the fundamentals of earthquake safety. International ShakeOut Day was October 17, but you can schedule earthquake drills anytime. What to Do During an Earthquake Earthquakes can range in severity from tiny, hardly perceptible tremors to sudden, intense back-and-forth motions that jerk the ground sideways and… Continue reading

Nearly 400,000 house fires are reported to US fire departments every year, resulting in an average of 2,740 civilian deaths, 11,670 civilian injuries, and $7.3 billion in property damage. Learn about the five most common causes of house fires so you can take steps to keep your home and family safe during Fire Prevention Week, which takes place October 6-12,… Continue reading

Flooding can occur due to heavy rain, high tides, burst river banks, blocked drains, and more. You may feel safe from the rising waters in your car, but one-third of flood-related deaths occur because people are swept away in their vehicles. Just one foot of water is enough to shift your car, and two feet could sweep your car away.… Continue reading

Your kids do fire drills at school. Your boss schedules fire drills at work. Now it’s time to start doing fire drills at home, just in time for Home Fire Drill Day on October 13. How to Plan Home Fire Drills Everyone in your family should participate in planning how to escape during a fire. Here are the steps to… Continue reading

Molds are some of the most ubiquitous organisms on earth. Still, mold colonies can’t form just anywhere—they require a particular set of conditions to thrive. Here’s what mold needs to grow in your home. Mold Spores Fuzzy, slimy, or powdery mold growth on the wall, ceiling, or floor doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—there must already be mold spores floating… Continue reading