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December 2014

Attic Storage Hazards for Homeowners

Picture by Roger Mommaerts (flickr.com)
Picture by Roger Mommaerts (flickr)

Homeowners who don’t pay attention to what’s going on in their attics can face costly damage that can spread throughout their entire home. Internet is full of videos made with wireless ip video surveillance cameras which capture critters such as mice, squirrels, bats and bees living in people’s attics; meanwhile, one in 10 homeowners have never even seen their attics.

Rodents in the attic can be a nuisance at best, and if they are not eradicated quickly, they can become home wreckers, as squirrels and rats have been known to chew through electrical wires in attics. While this almost always ends badly for the animals, sparks from their gnawing can set the house on fire.

Many attics also house mechanical equipment, such as central air conditioning systems, exhaust fans, electrical junction boxes and plumbing. Homeowners should regularly make sure that any system that is connected to an electrical or water source in their attic is in good working condition, as a burst pipe or a clogged drain in the attic could lead to widespread water damage on the floors below.
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Bright ideas: Holiday lighting safety tips

2015 holiday lights decoration safetyDecorating is an essential part of the holiday season in many homes across the country. Unfortunately, those decorations can increase your chances of a fire. Nearly 400 home fires a year are caused by holiday lights and decorations, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, resulting in more than $25 million in property damage. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your home and family safe all season long.

Maintain holiday lights. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, broken sockets or other signs of wear. Test each light string before hanging it on a tree or other flammable surface. Only use lights approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL).Read More »Bright ideas: Holiday lighting safety tips