December, January and February are the leading months for home heating fires. Overall, heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths. There are between 350,000 and 400,000 house fires in the United States every year that result in almost $8 billion in annual damages, according to the National...
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Home maintenance is an ongoing process. From raking leaves and replacing shingles to cleaning disposals and replacing batteries in smoke detectors, there’s always something to take care of. And since many of us are spending more time than usual at home right now, this may be a good opportunity to tackle some of these important...
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According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 4,980 structure fires in educational buildings each year from 2011 – 2015. That’s why it’s so important to stress fire safety education in our schools. Take a look at the following school safety tips, and learn how you can teach school fire...
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Drafts, or air leaks, can come into your home through windows, fireplaces and even electrical outlets, making your house feel several degrees colder and driving up your heating bills. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts can range from 5% to 30% per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Here are several ways...
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Welcome to the second edition of our Fire Prevention Week 2014 series. Now that we’ve established fire safety tips for your home, let’s focus on the workplace. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to over 3,000 fire on office properties per year. Like at home, it’s your responsibility to take...
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We’re kicking off our Fire Prevention Week 2014 series with tips on how to protect your home and what’s in it. Think of each room as a separate entity with its own set of rules. Begin in the bedroom The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 600 Americans die in fires that start in bedrooms. Let’s start...
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Homeownership comes with lots of responsibilities, and one of the most expensive is replacing your roof at the end of its life expectancy. But before choosing to replace your roof, there are some things to consider—and you should always consult a professional before making any decisions. How often do roofs need to be replaced? How...
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Why do pipes freeze? Few cold-weather maladies are more irritating than frozen pipes, but what exactly causes them? During the drop in temperature, water may freeze inside plastic pipes, which causes it to expand and pressurize. Not only can frozen pipes prevent water from flowing properly, but they can potentially burst and cause flooding to...
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The forecast calls for a blizzard. School will be canceled and the office will close. But before you get too excited about a snow day, make sure your home, your car and yourself are prepared for a winter storm by following this blizzard preparation list. Preparing Your House Clean out gutters and remove tree branches...
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We’ve all heard myths and rumors about how safe or efficient household appliances are. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular ones and see what’s fact and what’s fiction. 1. Rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher Actually, rinsing dishes before loading them in the dishwasher doesn’t get them any...
Read more about 6 Common Household Myths Debunked