You may be ready to give your new puppy lots of love and attention, but how ready is your home? Puppy proofing a house is like baby proofing. And like babies, puppies are inquisitive explorers ready to get into whatever they can without a second thought. Use this puppy-proofing guide to help keep your furry...
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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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Fire prevention in the home is something we all need a refresher on from time to time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of fire deaths happen in the home, and those household fires are responsible for billions of dollars in property damages each year. The good news is that nearly all home fires are preventable by watching out for a few common fire hazards
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Be sure to light your home the right way. Electric lights are such a fixture of our everyday lives that we really don’t give them much thought. But every year, more than 28,000 residential electrical fires cause an estimated $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). So those simple lighting projects...
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Cleaning your chimney is essential for the safety of your home, as it can help prevent dangerous chimney fires caused by creosote buildup, a flammable residue from wood smoke. This article explains when and how to clean your chimney, the signs your chimney needs attention, DIY methods and more. [1] Why is chimney cleaning important?...
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If winter weather catches you off guard and your home is not prepared for heavy snow and cold, you can experience damage ranging from burst pipes to a collapsed roof. Costs for repairs of this scale add up quickly, so prepare in autumn to protect your house during the colder months. Follow these winterizing tips...
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Taking time to prepare your car for winter weather is a smart way to help make time on the road safer and more comfortable. Why car winterization is essential Snow, ice and freezing temperatures can affect the way cars operate and make driving more difficult and hazardous. Ensuring your car is prepared for winter can...
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What happens if lightning strikes your house Did you know that every year, the probability of your house getting struck by lightning is 1 in 2001? Luckily, the probability of you getting struck by lightning is only 1 in 500,0002, but that begs the question – what happens if your home is that 1 in...
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While many people think tornadoes impact only the Midwest, every state in the country is vulnerable to tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Approximately 1,200 tornadoes hit the U.S. each year, causing an average of $24,000 in home damage and $4,000 in auto damage Strong winds from tornadoes can seriously damage the structural...
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There’s nothing like the great outdoors, and camping is a great way to enjoy the fresh air. If you don’t want to pay campsite fees and travel costs, you can set up camp in your own backyard. Check out these tips on how to go camping in your own backyard. 1. Set up camp Just...
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Retailers do whatever they can to attract online shoppers—free shipping, easy returns, coupons and bargains on things for your favorite foodie or your animal lover. Online shopping days like Cyber Monday have been rivaling and beating brick-and-mortar sales in many industries. Unfortunately, increased online activity entices scam artists, putting your personal information at risk. Learning...
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A growing number of Americans will pack up their recreational vehicles and hit the road this year. Ownership of RVs has reached record highs, with 10 million households owning an RV. RV owners will trek across the U.S., visiting some of the 18,000 public and privately owned campgrounds that speckle the map. That’s sure to...
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As climate changes continue on a global scale, the world is experiencing more natural disasters than ever before. In 2017, the U.S. experienced a historic year of weather and climate disasters. Experts predict that this pattern will continue and even get worse.[1] Part of being ready for a disaster means having an evacuation and preparedness...
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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...
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