You work hard to keep your home or business in good condition, so it’s frustrating to find evidence of leaks and floods. Review these five fast facts to understand water damage and how to address it should your property experience it. A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way You can’t always protect against leaks and floods, but taking a few… Continue reading

The severe weather season is broadly categorized as March through August. No matter where you reside in North America, you’re at risk for one type of storm or another. Take action today to prepare your home and business for potential inclement weather. How to Prepare for a Tornado Every state is at least minimally at risk for tornadoes, but cities… Continue reading

Recovering from a house fire can be an overwhelming task. You’re left to assess your losses and salvage what you can. What about the food in your pantry and refrigerator? Is it safe to eat? To avoid exposing you and your family to contaminated food, follow these tips when cleaning up your kitchen after a fire.  Why Does Fire Make Food Unsafe? … Continue reading

Consider what it’s like to recover from a house fire. You may picture discarding charred items that burned in the flames. However, smoke can be just as devastating, no matter the size or location of the fire. In the case of wildfires, buildings can be totally destroyed from smoke damage, even as they remain untouched by flames.  How Does Smoke Affect Your Home?  Smoke can devastate a building and its contents. Possessions… Continue reading

If a water leak damages your home, one of the first things you should do is find out whether your insurance covers the repair costs. Here are some points to consider as you conduct your search.  Homeowner’s Insurance Covers Some Types of Water Damage  Homeowners can expect their insurance to help pay for repairs any time water damage occurs because of a sudden, accidental plumbing leak. For instance: … Continue reading

The West Coast gets a lot of attention when it comes to earthquake preparation, but a whopping 45 US states and territories have at least moderate earthquake risk. February is Earthquake Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to learn more about earthquakes and how to prepare for them.  Facts About the New Madrid Seismic Zone  Most people are familiar with the Cascade… Continue reading

Everyone wants to reach their destination safely, but when the weather is bad, accidents occur more frequently. After following the tips from part one of this winter driving series, your car should be ready to take on less-than-favorable weather conditions. Now, the key is to maneuver your vehicle safely on icy, snow-packed roads. Remain Alert Attentive driving is important no… Continue reading

While your best option is to prevent frozen pipes, sometimes your efforts to keep freezing temperatures at bay aren’t enough. Watch for these signs of frozen pipes, and if you find one, follow our tips to thaw it safely. How to Identify Frozen Pipes Cold temperatures: Obviously, it must first be cold outside to create a risk for frozen pipes.… Continue reading

If you live in an area where snow and ice are the norm this time of year, it’s important to drive extra cautiously. In part one of this series, we’ll discuss how to prepare your car for winter driving conditions before you hit the road. Have Your Car Serviced The best way to prevent getting stranded in a snowstorm is… Continue reading

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