Space heaters make cold rooms more comfortable in the winter, but if misused, they can be a safety hazard. In fact, space heaters account for 86 percent of home heating fire deaths. Keep your home and family safe with these tips for buying and operating a space heater. Select a Space Heater that Meets Your Needs Portable radiators heat the… Continue reading

Looking for New Year’s resolution ideas? How about one that will improve your safety and peace of mind in an emergency? Every family should have an emergency plan, and there’s no better time than now to start preparing! Plan for emergencies that happen in your area. For instance, California residents should plan for earthquakes, while Florida locals should get ready… Continue reading

Building an emergency kit can be daunting. That’s why so many people are unprepared for disasters when they strike their area. Show your loved ones how much you care by gifting them with emergency preparedness items for the holidays. Here are 10 ideas that won’t break the bank. Emergency light source: Whether it’s a lantern, flashlight, or headlamp, the gift… Continue reading

There’s something peaceful about lighting a candle on a snowy winter day. Without the proper precautions though, a beautiful decoration could become the source of a house fire. Each year, around 8,200 homes are damaged by fires that were ignited by candles. The top three days for these incidents include New Year’s Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Follow these… Continue reading

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