Tag Archives: fire

Prevention Tips, Residential

Halloween hacks that protect against rental property nightmares

So, you’ve done the hard part and purchased a rental property. You’ve bought deadbolts, security devices, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to keep your tenants safe. You’ve also created the perfect lease to outline the terms and conditions of what you expect from your tenants. If you haven’t talked to your American Modern® insurance agent about the right insurance coverage for your rental property, you could face some sleepless nights worrying about what could possibly go wrong.

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Prevention Tips, Residential

Light the holidays with cheer: Christmas tree safety tips

Many of us take our cheerful Christmas tree traditions seriously. It’s the place we gather, the protector of presents, the holiday home of ornamental memories. When brightly lit, no star shines brighter. But lights and trees don’t always mix. All those glittering bulbs and flickering candles also bring a higher risk of fire—lighting-related fires cause about $12 million dollars in damage each year.

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Prevention Tips, Residential

Fire Prevention Week: 12 tips to prevent kitchen fires

Did you know that October 8-14 is National Fire Prevention week? While it may not be something you’re going to actually celebrate, it’s a great time to refresh your memory and keep fire safety top of mind. And because more fires are likely to start in the kitchen than in any other room, we’ve combined 11 safety tips to help you prevent them.

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Prevention Tips, Residential

9 tips to help you prepare for a wildfire

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Wildfires happen quickly. Sometimes it’s only a matter of seconds from spark to blaze. And once a fire begins, it can spread at a rate of up to 14 miles per hour. With that in mind, the message to homeowners is simple: Be ready. You will have precious little time to react once a wildfire gets started. Since planning ahead is critically important, we created a lineup of important things to remember and prepare for as wildfire season approaches. 

  • Post a contact list in your home. The list you create will be unique to your situation, but it should include local emergency numbers, contact information for a friend or relative who lives outside your area, and information for getting in touch with your insurance agent. Be sure to add the emergency numbers to the contact list on your cell phone.
  • Know emergency warnings and alerts. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues red flag alerts when weather patterns are identified that could contribute to extreme fire danger. A fire weather watch is issued when critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent. A red flag warning urges residents to take extreme caution because fires are ongoing or expected to occur shortly. And an extreme fire behavior alert indicates that a wildfire is likely to rage out of control.    
  • Stay informed. Start by downloading the Be Smart. Know Your Alerts and Warnings document at ready.gov/prepare for a summary of available notifications. It’s important to know how to receive timely information about weather conditions and other emergency information, and this is a good place to start. You can also tune in to local news radio and television for up-to-the-minute coverage of the weather. Some communities offer text or email alerting systems, or you can purchase an NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) to receive broadcast alerts directly from the National Weather Service.
  • Gather important documents and belongings. If you and your family are forced to evacuate, you may need to take necessary medications and prescriptions with you, as well as eyeglasses, hearing aids and any medical equipment. Hard drives or portable flash drives with important documents should be on your to-go list, along with certain irreplaceable items, such as photos, mementos and jewelry that can be easily transported with you. Put everything in a to-go bag or container that you can grab in a hurry. You will also need quick and easy access to your car keys, driver’s license, cell phone (and charger), and credit cards or cash.
  • Plan your evacuation routes. Ideally, you should be familiar with at least two ways to exit your neighborhood in case some of the roads are blocked. Of course, you need to make sure your vehicle has plenty of gas at all times. Your community may have an evacuation plan of its own, which could include information for people with disabilities, pets, service animals and livestock. You probably won’t have much time to evacuate, so back your vehicle into the garage or driveway so it faces the direction of your escape.
  • Arrange for temporary housing. Identify a place to stay in the event that you have to leave your home. This could be the home of a friend or relative who lives outside your area. If you need to go to a shelter, find out ahead of time where the emergency shelters are located or contact the American Red Cross for additional information.      
  • Take care of your pets. You may need to find your furry friends in a hurry, so don’t let them wander off. Be sure to also include them in your evacuation plans. Shelters typically accept service animals, but they don’t always accommodate pets. Call ahead so you know the rules in advance.
  • Plan for communicating with your loved ones. Because you can’t assume that your entire family will be together when a wildfire strikes, it’s important to agree on how you will communicate and where you will meet. Texting is easier and often faster than calling someone, but cell phone batteries can die, so experts recommend recording important numbers on a piece of paper and stashing it in your wallet.
  • Prep your property. Click here for steps to take before, during and after a wildfire to help protect your home.

When it comes to wildfires, preparation is critical. Take some time to plan ahead, and you’ll be ready if and when a wildfire strikes.

Download this infographic and share it with all those who may be affected by wildfires this year.

CS_N_23052_PH_Wildfire-Infographic_FA-1

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips

Detect home emergencies with these 5 devices

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You work hard to protect your house, but you can’t be expected to detect every danger that threatens it. What if you’re out of the house when a fire starts or asleep? What about an invisible or undetectable threat like carbon monoxide? These home safety detectors can help protect you in these situations and more.

  1. Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed in and outside of every bedroom with at least one alarm per floor. Be sure to replace the batteries twice a year, even if your alarm is attached to the home’s electrical system. Run a quick test once a month to make sure those batteries and all the alarms are working properly.
  2. Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Install CO detectors in the same locations as smoke alarms or look into alarms that detect both. If your CO detectors ever go off, quickly evacuate the home and call 911 or your local fire department, even if nothing seems amiss. Wait outside for emergency personnel to access the situation.
  3. Radon Detector. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. It’s a colorless and odorless gas that can only be detected with home radon tests and detectors. Properly maintained radon detectors will continuously monitor radon gas levels in your home and alert you if it reaches unsafe levels.  Depending on the level, your home may need radon mitigation.
  4. Gas Leak Detector. Gas leaks can quickly turn from a smelly nuisance to an explosive situation. Natural gas is odorless, but utility companies add a distinctive scent to it. If you smell it or your natural gas leak detector alerts you, you should avoid turning anything on that might cause a spark or flame. Immediately evacuate the home and call 911 or your local fire department. You can choose from hand-held devices or plug-in devices which offer continuous monitoring.
  5. Water Sensors. Get notified of water leaks before the damage is done with smart water sensors. Place the sensors in areas where unwanted water is most likely to leak such as a by your toilet, hot water tank, or washing machine. When properly set up, most are designed to alert you if water touches the sensor, such as through an app on your smartphone or computer. Consider adding an automatic water shut-off valve to your main line which is designed to automatically turn the water off when a leak is detected.

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips, Residential

12 tips to prevent kitchen fires

Burning dinner can be something to laugh about. A burning kitchen? Not so much. More fires start in the kitchen than in any room of the house.1 Which makes sense, since that’s where the grease and open flames and oil and high temps and electrical appliances are. We can’t help you with dinner, but we can help you keep your kitchen fire-free. These 12 safety tips are a place to start.

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Prevention Tips, Residential

Wildfire emergency evacuation checklist

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During an emergency, there may be little or no time to think about what you need to do. This checklist is designed to help you prepare and respond quickly. You might want to post it where everyone in your household can see it, such as on the refrigerator or by the door. Or for easy access, simply take a picture of it with your cell phone.

Before You Evacuate

If time allows, here’s what you can do to help firefighters protect your property.

  • Turn on all the lights both inside and outside your home to make it more visible in smoky conditions.
  • Close all windows, doors, vents and fireplace screens to reduce drafts and radiant heat in your home.
  • Disconnect your automatic garage door opener so the garage can be opened by hand if power is lost.
  • Remove flammable curtains and other window treatments.
  • Move indoor and outdoor flammable furniture to the center of your home away from any windows.
  • Remove pillows, cushions and umbrellas from outdoor furniture.
  • Turn off the natural gas from the source, as well as pilot lights and air conditioning.
  • Move any propane or fuel oil supplies away from your home.
  • Connect the garden hose and fill any large containers with water.
  • Turn off the sprinklers and don’t leave water sources running as they might affect much-needed water pressure for fighting the fire.

When You Evacuate

Heed the advice of local authorities and leave when an evacuation order is first enacted.

  • Roll up the windows in your vehicle and close the air vents to minimize any harm from the smoke.
  • Drive slowly with your headlights on to improve visibility.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you’re trapped.
  • Use N95 masks, if you have them, to avoid breathing harmful particles.
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or other local alert systems for instructions and emergency information.

What to Take

Gather these items ahead of time and put them in a place where you can grab them at a moment’s notice. And keep your pets nearby so you can find them quickly.  

  • Important documents, such as birth certificates, passports and legal papers
  • Medications, prescriptions and medical equipment
  • Irreplaceable and nostalgic items, such as photographs, mementos and jewelry
  • Hard drives, laptops, portable flash drives with important information, and phone chargers
  • Car keys, wallet, driver’s license, credit cards and cash
  • Pets

When You Return

To avoid potential hazards, don’t return to your home until fire officials have given you the okay – most likely through a formal notification. Above all, only return when it is safe to do so.

  • Stay away from damaged or fallen power lines, poles and wires.
  • Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning the gas on. Have them inspected if necessary.
  • Examine the roof and exterior areas, as well as the attic and interior of the house, for sparks, embers or smoldering fires.
  • Beware of hidden embers. Keep small children and pets close by.
  • Find out if the water is safe to drink.
  • Dispose of any food that’s been exposed to heat or smoke.
  • Properly dispose of any paint, batteries, and damaged fuel containers.
  • Contact your insurance agent if your home is damaged or uninhabitable.

Download this infographic and share it with all those who may be affected by wildfires this year.

CS_R_20043_WildfireEvacuationTips_Infographic_V3-1

For Information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

  • Emergency Evacuation Checklist, Rivington Partners

Prevention Tips, Residential

Keep grilling safe this 4th of July

4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can also create dangerous situations. This week, we are sharing various safety tips to ensure your Independence Day is both fun and safe.  Part 4 is focused on grill safety!

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