Eliminating Electrical Fire Hazards at Home

While electricity plays a major role in our daily lives, we often take its power and the conveniences it provides - along with its potential for fire-related hazards - for granted. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics, electrical fires resulted in $1.48 billion in property damage in a five-year period. To mitigate risks for electrical fire, protect your home and loved ones with these safety tips.

• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.

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• Only plug one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) into a receptacle outlet at a time.

• Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are a kind of circuit breaker that shuts off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs. Consider having them installed in your home by a qualified electrician.

• Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI-protected.

• Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month to make sure they’re working properly.

• Check electrical cords to make sure they’re not running across doorways or under carpets.

• Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords continuously.

• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. A sticker will indicate the maximum wattage light bulb to use.

Source: NFPA Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Planting on Your Property? 6 Tree Safety Tips

When selecting a tree to plant at home, it’s important to keep in mind the future growth of the tree, say the experts at SDG&E, a Sempra Energy utility. Note that as trees grow to mature heights, they can interfere with overhead power lines and, in some cases, underground utility lines. Before planting a new tree, follow these safety guidelines.

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1. Take the time to properly select a tree that is not only aesthetically pleasing but is safe to plant in your area.

2. Keep water conservation in mind, and consider planting drought-tolerant trees and vegetation on your property.

3. Take the time to choose the planting site as carefully as you chose the tree. Remember to always plant the "Right Tree in the Right Place" for the best chance of success.

4. Call Underground Service Alert at 8-1-1 to mark out underground utility lines two days before digging. With just one call, you can have your underground cable, water and energy lines marked out for free.

5. Don't plant shrubs directly in front of utility boxes or pad-mounted (box) transformers. Allow room for doors to swing open when shrubs are fully grown. The law requires that eight feet in front of and two feet on the other three sides of the transformer must be clear.

6. Contact your city arborist, parks department or public works department to find out whether your city has guidelines for planting trees, and whether a permit is required for planting trees in parkways or public areas.

Source: Sempra Energy

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

5 Questions to Ask about Your Insurance

Spring may be the time of year for cleaning, but it is also a great time to review your insurance coverage. As your life changes, so do your insurance needs, says the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Instead of dusting around the corners of your insurance policies this year, take the time to ask yourself the following:

1. Is my home covered for its full rebuilding cost?

Review your policy to make sure that you have enough insurance to rebuild your home. If you have made major improvements to your home, such as adding a new room, enclosing a porch or expanding a kitchen or bathroom, you risk being underinsured if you don’t adjust your homeowners insurance coverage limits.

And if you don’t yet have a separate flood insurance policy, now would be a great time to check whether your home is in a flood risk zone at FloodSmart.gov.

2. Do I have enough coverage for expensive items?

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Have you bought or received any valuable jewelry since you purchased/renewed your policy? When was the last time you had the items you owned appraised? Standard homeowners insurance has dollar limits for the theft of certain types of expensive items like jewelry, furs and silverware. This means that the insurer will only pay the amount specified in the policy – generally $1,000 to $2,000. To insure these items to their full dollar value, consider a special personal property endorsement or floater. This coverage includes “accidental disappearance,” meaning coverage if you simply lose an item, and there is no deductible.

Remember that items can go up or down in value. Floaters and endorsements are priced on the appraised value of an item or collection, so have periodic reappraisals done to make sure you are purchasing only the amount of coverage you actually need.

The best way to keep track of your belongings and make sure they are adequately insured is to create a home inventory.

3. Do I still need comprehensive/collision on my car?

If you’re driving an older car that is worth less than $1,000 – or less than 10 times the insurance premium – the optional coverage may no longer be cost-effective. Consider saving money on your premium by dropping either comprehensive or collision.

4. Do I have enough liability insurance to fully protect my assets?

Standard homeowners and auto policy liabilities pay for judgments against you and your legal fees up to a limit set in the policy. However, in our litigious society, you may want to have additional protection—that’s what an umbrella liability policy provides. An umbrella policy kicks in when you reach the limit on the underlying liability coverage in a homeowners, renters, condo or auto policy. If your assets have increased of late, you’ll have more to lose and may want to consider this extra layer of protection.

5. Should I rent out my house during the vacation period?

Whether you own a second home that you plan to lease to a tenant or want to rent out your primary residence though an online service such as Airbnb, your first step should be to call your insurance professional. Depending on the rental scenario, your standard homeowners policy may not cover losses incurred while your home is rented out, and you may require a more specialized insurance policy.

If you are taking an expensive, pre-paid vacation or an active vacation such as biking or hiking in an exotic locale, travel insurance can help protect the financial investment in your vacation.

Source: I.I.I.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

3 Ways to Keep Tires Safe during Wet Fall Weather

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In order to stay safe during stormy weather this fall, here are 3 safety tips for driving on wet roads:

Reduce speed - When roads are slick, stopping distances are longer than usual. In fact, stopping on a wet road can take up to four times longer than on a dry road. So, to keep yourself and your passengers safe, take your foot off the gas when the rain is coming down.

Keep a thick tire tread - Wear on a tire or poor drainage on the road will lead to an inability to move water out of the way fast enough, often causing a loss of control when steering. In fact, the primary function of tread on a tire is to divert water from beneath the tire to improve traction and avoid hydroplaning. Tires become unsafe when the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch. When tread is worn down, it can also make a tire more susceptible to a puncture caused by debris and road hazards.

Invest in a tire protection system - A tire is most reliable when it is properly pressurized and protected from punctures. One of the best ways to ensure this is through tire sealant. In addition to its ability to prevent flats by coating the inside of tires with a gel-like coating that's six times stronger than steel, the tire protection system helps to maintain tire pressure. The product lowers tire operating temperature, thereby helping tires to keep their set-point pressures by eliminating porosity air loss.

Source: www.ride-on.com

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Seven Ways to Protect Against Identity Theft

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Identity theft is a fast-growing problem, with multiple, large companies being victimized by major data breaches in the past year – and the pace is accelerating. More than 200 million data records were stolen in just the first quarter of 2014, according to research by SafeNet. One in three people who are victims of data breaches will quickly become victims of fraud, found Javelin Strategy and Research.

"Data breaches continue to be a pervasive problem in the digital age, and we expect that trend to

Whether viewing this information via computer, tablet or smartphone, your use of modern-day technologies increases your risk for identity theft. Equifax advises consumers to protect themselves by following these tips.

• Make sure your security software is updated on both your computer and smartphone. Free solutions are available from reputable sources.
• Keep your phone locked with an access code. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
• Download the latest software updates for your device to fix security holes.
• Be on the lookout for email scams.
• Keep your social media accounts private and don't share common identifying information like your mother's maiden name or your birth date.
• Use unique and complex passwords.
• After a data breach, change your passwords, place a fraud alert with the credit reporting agencies, close affected accounts and monitor your credit report.

"As we go about our daily lives, it can be easy to forget how the technology we use every day can makes us the target of identity thieves," said Mitic. "But by arming yourself with knowledge and the right techniques, you can help protect your personal information."

Source: Equifax Inc.
continue," said Scott Mitic, Senior Vice President at Equifax. "Our tendency to share personal information online leaves that information vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves."
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

More than 40 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 hit the trick-or-treat trails on Halloween. The nation's emergency physicians advise parents to review these safety guidelines with their children to avoid injury.

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1. If possible, have children trick-or-treat at organized Halloween festivities, such as local churches, shopping malls or schools.

2. Make sure your child stays on the sidewalks as much as possible (off streets) and obeys all traffic
signals.

3. Discuss the importance of staying together in a group. Require at least one adult to serve as chaperone during trick-or-treat gatherings.

4. Make sure your child knows the potential dangers from strangers. Make sure they know never to accept rides from strangers or visit unfamiliar homes or areas.

5. Avoid costumes that could cause children to trip, such as baggy pants, long hems, high heels and oversized shoes.

6. Avoid costumes that obstruct your child's sight or vision.

7. Avoid masks if possible. If your child must wear one, make sure it is well ventilated.

8. Make sure costume fabric, wigs and beards areas made of flame-resistant materials, such as nylon or polyester.

9. Keep candlelit Jack-O-Lanterns away from children so they can't get burned or set on fire.

10. Make sure costumes are visible at night: avoid dark colors. Add reflective tape to costumes so your child is more visible to motor vehicles.

11. Make sure you see all the candy before your child eats it. Avoid candy not wrapped in its original wrapper, as well as all fruit.

12. Take a flashlight while trick-or-treating as visibility decreases long before it gets really dark.

13. Check accessories such as swords, knives, wands and other pointed objects. Make sure they are made from flexible materials and have dulled edges.

Source: ACEP

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

13 Household Fire Safety Tips

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 17,500 Americans are injured in fires each year. Given that statistic, families must develop a fire escape plan. Aside from practicing fire drills with everyone in the household, take these steps to ensure safety.

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• Identify fire safety risks inside your home and immediate surroundings. Equip your garage with smoke detectors since garage fires can start easily and spread quickly.
• Identify two exits -- designate two exits from every room in your home -- a door and a window. Make sure doors and windows open quickly and easily to help ensure a quick exit; if not, replace them for safety's sake.
• Keep exit routes free of clutter to help reduce tripping or falling hazards, as you may be crawling through smoke or in the dark in a power outage to exit in an emergency.
• Create a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year with everyone in your household. Make sure house sitters or babysitters are also familiar with your plan.
• To make your own plan, download a fire escape grid from Pella and draw a floor plan of each level of your home.
• Install and regularly test smoke alarms in bedrooms and near sleeping areas on each level of your home.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child-resistant lock.
• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room, or before you go to sleep. Consider replacing traditional candles with electric candles, especially in homes with children and pets.
• Completely extinguish outdoor fires like fire pits or grills when you're done with them, and never leave outdoor fires unattended.
• If your home features more than one story, equip it with a fire escape ladder, easily accessed from upper-level bedrooms. Mark their location on your home fire plan and share this information with your family.
• Keep fire extinguishers in your home, especially in the kitchen where many home fires start. Replace expired extinguishers.
• Stay in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave for a short time, turn off the stove. When baking, check the oven regularly, and use a timer to help make sure it's shut off when cooking's done.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet from things that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room, or before you go to sleep. Keep flammable objects, like rugs, bedding, clothing, furniture, curtains and decorations, away from portable heaters.

Source: Pella Windows and Doors

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Six Tips for Keeping Teens Safe on Social Media

Going back to school is about more than shiny shoes and trendy notebooks. It's also about kids making new friends and adding those friends on social network sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

More than 60 percent of teens in the United States have at least one social media account, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. And while being online is a good way to keep in touch with friends, it's important for parents to be proactive about Internet safety.

Unfortunately, there are people who can use your child's personal information to steal identities, bully them or begin an inappropriate relationship. Help protect students from online dangers by following these safety tips:

1. Keep your child's profile private so that only family and people you know see photos, important dates and other information.
2. Make sure they're not posting personal details, like phone numbers, home addresses, the name of their school or Social Security number.
3. Only allow them to publish photos and videos that don't jeopardize their safety or integrity.
4. Make sure they choose a strong password that can't be guessed, and that it gets changed every three months.
5. Never allow them to accept friend requests from people they don't know.
6. Keep an open dialogue with your children. Ask them to let you know if they've received private messages from a stranger, or from someone at school who is teasing, harassing or threatening them. Those could be signs of cyber-bullying or even a sexual predator.

Source: USA.gov.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Protect Your Home from Wildfire

Wildfire season is approaching and it’s time to make sure you have done everything you can to protect your property. Firefighters must make snap judgments about which structures to try to save and which are too dangerous to defend. A defensible space is required to protect your home from approaching fire and to give some protection to the firefighters. Firefighters will risk their lives to protect your home, but not if you haven’t done your part.

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First, don’t start wildfires. Ninety percent of wild fires are started by people. Some fires are started by lightning, but most are caused by campfires, cook fires, cigarettes or matches, fireworks, and arson. In dry areas, many fires are started by improper disposal of ashes. Fireplace and woodstove ashes can smolder for a week and a half. A strong gust of wind can ignite buried ashes.

One recent wildfire was caused by a 20-year-veteran volunteer firefighter who buried ashes in a pit. He soaked and stirred the ashes, but several days later a strong wind fanned the smoldering ashes into a fire that consumed his home and 165 others. The humidity is so low in certain regions at times that organic material in soil may smolder seeming to burn dirt.

The second thing is to make the space around your house defensible. Clean away anything that might burn that is on or next to your house. Wildfires mainly spread through flying embers. Pine needles and leaves on your roof or in your gutters can catch fire. This is even more of a problem if your roof covering is not fire resistant. Class A materials are the most resistant to fire and include fiberglass shingles and tile materials. Untreated wooden shake shingles have the lowest fire rating and take little to ignite.

If you are in a wildfire-prone area, remove shrubs and trees within 10 feet of your house. Clean all combustibles from this immediate area. Trees and bushes within 30 feet of a structure need to be kept pruned with tree branches below 6 feet removed. Stack fire wood and store propane grill tanks, and other highly flammable materials. Install propane tanks for home heating at least 30 feet away from your house. This provides a buffer zone for firefighters to defend your house.

During an active fire your home will be evaluated if threatened. If you have prepared a proper defense zone no action may be required and precious manpower can be used elsewhere. If you have a fair defensive zone, firefighters may improve the zone and move on if possible. They may need to actively protect your property if weather conditions escalate the danger. If a functional defensive zone exists and it can be defended without a high probability of loss of life, firefighters will try to save it. If saving your house endangers their lives more than the house next door, they will put more energy into saving your neighbor.

Dead trees and are extremely flammable. If dead pine trees are next to and hanging over the house, temperatures in a forest fire can get hot enough to cause pine trees to explode spreading embers in all directions. Again, firefighters will defend the properties that can be saved with the least manpower and danger first. The more you do to protect them the more they can do to protect your property.

In grass land areas, fire can be just as threatening as in the forests. Grass fires burn extremely hot and can move at high speeds if wind driven. If your property has accessible fuel it can be consumed quickly. If there is no accessible fuel, it’s likely your property will survive where the house next door may not. Include your defensive zone in your spring clean-up and maintenance list.

Source: Carl Brahe, Certified Professional Inspector

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.

Exercise Safety this Spring

Spring is the ideal time to take on outdoor home improvement projects, however, only a few among us are truly qualified to take on the risks that are inherent in many landscaping or renovation projects – particularly when they involve electrical systems.

No matter what's on your agenda, electrical safety behaviors and an awareness of your surroundings should be part of your planning. 4 Over Electric offers valuable safety reminders to owners or managers of residential and commercial structures alike, a few of which are listed below:

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• Keep Electrical Cords Away from Water – When working outside this spring, remember to always keep electrical cords and equipment away from water or other wet areas.

• Inspect Cords on Power Tools and Electric Lawn Mowers – Many people will have neglected tools like power tools and lawn mowers over the winter months, only to bring them out for outdoor projects in the spring. In the preceding months, cords can become frayed for any number of reasons, leading to dangerous situations. Never use equipment that has frayed or broken plugs or cords until they have been properly repaired.

• Watch for Power Lines that are Hidden by Foliage – In highly populated areas, space is a luxury that is truly appreciated, making tree and shrub trimming a constant necessity. However, if a tree grows into power lines, the combination can be very dangerous. For these issues, it's often better to contact an electrical or landscaping professional.

These safety measures are important, but they are still only a small fraction of the potential risks that can occur when working with electricity. In most cases, it's best to contact a professional for interior and exterior electrical contracting alike.