SEPTEMBER 30 IS NATIONAL PREPAREATHON DAY - PROTECT YOUR HOME AND PROPERTY NOW

With signs of fall creeping up across the country, families may be feeling as if the hurricane season is over. The experts say no. In fact, September is not only the peak of hurricane season, September 30 is National PrepareAthon! Day the perfect time to take stock of disaster plans.

Today, National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb joined forces with Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson during a national satellite media tour to raise awareness about flood and hurricane safety, prevention and financial protection options.

“Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem,” said Knabb. “Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland. You need to find out what types of hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing for how to handle them.”

Chapman-Henderson concurs. “If a disaster strikes, having the proper insurance for your home is the best way to ensure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged.”

Before a disaster strikes, get #HurricaneStrong with these tips:

• Be Smart. Take Part. Document and Insure Your Property. Have an insurance check-up. Coverage amounts, deductibles, and payment caps can vary significantly. Consult with your insurance professional to be sure your policy is right for you. Make updates based on new purchases, renovations, increases in property value, or increases in costs to rebuild or replace items. Buy flood insurance. This is not part of your homeowners’ policy and there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.
• Know your evacuation zone. Plan your escape route, where you will stay and what you will do with your pets. Storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane regardless of wind speed.
• Family Preparedness - Build a disaster supply kit. You'll need to plan for two situations: Remaining in your home after a disaster or evacuating to a safer location. Keep cash on-hand because ATMs won’t function during a power outage.
• Damage Prevention - Strengthen your home. The best place to start is with a Do-It-Yourself Wind Inspection to find out what needs attention. Make a list of what needs to be done, such as securing loose items that could be blown away by high winds. Trim your trees of dead branches that could become windborne missiles.
• Community Service - Help your neighbor. Join with others to prepare for emergencies and participate in National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30.

For more information, visit ready.gov/prepare, flash.org or hurricanestrong.org.

'Tis the Season to Decorate Safely

During November and December 2014, there were 12 fatalities and an estimated 14,500 injuries treated in hospital ERs nationwide, due to holiday decorations.  That's an average of about 240 injuries per day during the holiday season!

Falls, lacerations, back strains and ingestion of foreign objects were among the top holiday decorating-related injuries last season. To prevent decorating disasters, CPSC counts down the 12 Ways to Celebrate Safely:

12. Take special care with sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations.

Lacerations were among the top reported decoration–related injuries last year.

11. Avoid trimmings that resemble food or candy that may tempt a child to mouth or swallow them.

10. Place decorations with small removable parts that can pose a choking hazard to young children out of reach.

9. Purchase only holiday light sets that bear the marking of a safety testing laboratory.

Fires sparked by holiday lights caused 10 deaths last year.

8.  Examine new and old light sets for damage. Discard sets with cracked or broken sockets, frayed or exposed wires, and loose connections.

7. Keep burning candles in sight and away from places where kids and pets can knock them over.

Between 2010 and 2012, candles were the source of an estimated 6,500 residential fires annually, causing 80 deaths, 650 injuries,and $237 million in property loss per year.

6. Place lighted candles away from items that can catch fire, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

5. Look for a label that reads "fire resistant" when purchasing an artificial tree. Check live trees for freshness—here's how.

From 2010 to 2012 there was an estimated annual average of 200 fires where the Christmas tree was the first item ignited, causing 10 deaths, 20 injuries, and $17 million in property loss per year.

4. Place live Christmas trees away from heat sources, and keep trees well watered.

3. Watch this dramatic fire demonstration of what happens when a dry tree comes in contact with a heat source.

2. Use caution on ladders. Read "Ladder Safety 101" for tips to prevent ladder falls this season.

Thirty-six percent of holiday decorating injuries involve falls. Falls from ladders account for about half of these incidents.

1.  Start with safety in mind. Download and follow CPSC's Holiday Decoration Safety Tips guide.

Download broadcast quality video of CPSC's press conference on holiday decorating safety at: https://www.hightail.com/e?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&sendId=2862850107&emailId=b72a0f843a10df74063987df80b509a6&s=19105&cid=tx-02002208350200000000

Halloween Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Home Renovations

With spring upon us, many homeowners are planning to catch up on maintenance and renovation projects that add to the beauty and value of their home. But in far too many cases each year, these projects unnecessarily end in disaster, warn loss prevention specialists at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.   

"Alarmingly, many major house fires we have seen are caused by contractors and others working in a home," said James King, assistant vice president and technical field manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. "Many of these incidents could have been prevented simply by following some common-sense rules such as properly disposing of oily rags at the end of the workday. Within minutes, those rags could spontaneously combust, igniting an oil-soaked deck or other surface, and then spreading to the rest of your home." 

Based on recent reports of increased spending on home renovations, more properties are likely to be exposed to such risks this spring. To help prevent some of these homes from going up in flames, Chubb advises homeowners to make sure that they and their contractors:

• Do not ball up, pile, stack or fold wiping cloths, rags, drop cloths, steel wool or work clothes that come into contact with solvents such as wood stain, Linseed oil, alkyd enamel resins, motor fuel, and oil-based paint and other products. Do not toss these items into a trashcan or plastic bucket. Instead, immerse them in water in a metal container with an airtight lid. After they are saturated, fully air dry the items by laying them flat on a non-combustible surface and then contact the local solid waste authority regarding safe disposal.
• Store paints, solvents and other flammable liquids that are not in use in a cabinet that complies with "NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code."
• Mount portable fire extinguishers, preferably multi-purpose (ABC) models of at least 10 pounds, in accessible areas throughout the worksite and on each level of the home.
• Remove scrap lumber, sawdust, cardboard containers and other highly combustible debris from the construction site every day.
• Do not allow smoking on the property, or restrict smoking to safe areas and ensure proper cigarette disposal. After workers leave for the day, watch for fires that can be ignited by smoldering materials left in wall cavities after torch use.

In advance of any major construction or renovation project, King suggested that homeowners install a centrally monitored fire and burglar alarm system. He also warned against the common practice of disconnecting these systems during construction to prevent false alarms from dust when workers sand or plaster. Instead, cover sensors with plastic bags or manufacturer-provided covers that should be removed after workers leave for the day, which is when fires often occur.

King also recommended installing motion-activated lighting, perimeter fencing, gates or chains across driveways and hiring security guards to protect a vacant home from unwanted visitors. "Vacant construction sites tend to attract unwanted attention and increase the chance of theft, vandalism and injury," he said.

Homeowners also should ask contractors or subcontractors they are considering hiring to furnish a copy of their certificate of liability to confirm they carry adequate insurance. In addition, homeowners should talk to their agent or broker about purchasing builder's risk insurance to cover their insurable interest in areas that are under construction and in any materials or equipment on the site.

"It's also a good idea to keep your insurance agent or broker informed about the status of the project, so your homeowner's policy limits can be increased as new rooms or other major additions or alterations are completed," added King.

King is the head of the technical specialist team in Chubb's Home Appraisal and Loss Prevention Department. Consisting of Chubb's most senior loss prevention experts from around the country, the team helps more than 150 Chubb residential appraisers evaluate emerging and complex risks they encounter at customers' homes. Each team member has extensive knowledge of risks prevalent in his or her region and holds specialist designations obtained through a rigorous program of internal and external coursework and on-the-job training. Their specialties include catastrophe management; infrared thermography; fire protection; security systems; and historic homes. Team members also have expertise in water intrusion, collector vehicle storage and green building techniques.

Established some 35 years ago, Chubb's Home Appraisal and Loss Prevention Department is the largest unit of its kind among 

Cooking is the Leading Cause of Fires During the Holidays

According to the US Fire Administration*, holiday cooking accounts for 41 percent of all residential building fires in the month of December. Heating fires follow at 28 percent and open flame fires at 9 percent. With more cooking, decorations and open flames, the risk of house fires and burns increases drastically during winter months.

To help families "Be Burn Aware" this holiday season, Shriners Hospitals for Children® is joining forces with actor Charlie Barnett of NBC's popular television show Chicago Fire.  As the newest Love to the rescue® Ambassador, Barnett will participate in public service announcements and other activities to let parents know what they can do to reduce the risk of house fires and burn injuries this holiday season.

"Working closely with the fire fighters of Chicago, I know a fire can turn a family celebration into tragedy within seconds, especially when there are young children in the home," said Barnett.  "Shriners Hospitals and I want to make sure parents know what they can do to keep their homes fire safe and kids burn free."

As the experts in pediatric burn treatment, Shriners Hospitals for Children's staff provide critical, surgical and rehabilitative burn care to children, regardless of a family's ability to pay.  Shriners Hospitals for Children recommends a few simple precautions parents can take to help reduce the risk of house fires and burn injuries this holiday season:

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them.
• Never leave a hot stove or oven unattended.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover a pan if it catches on fire.
• Water trees regularly. Discard when dry.
• Keep trees away from heaters and flames.
• Discard lights with bare wires, frays or kinks.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.

"A serious burn or scald can be a life-altering injury with an extremely painful recovery, especially for a child," said Dale Stauss, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. "We want to do everything we can to reduce the risk of children sustaining burn injuries.  Working with Charlie Barnett to prevent house fires and burn injuries is just another way we send Love to rescue."

Visit BeBurnAware.org for additional tips to prevent burn injuries, activity books for children and educational materials for the entire family.

* U.S. Fire Administration, Topical Fire Research Studies, Volume 6, Issue 4

Sixth Annual "National Clean Out Your Garage Day" Slated for Saturday, Sept. 6

New Survey Underscores Need for Safe, Effective and Versatile Storage Options

AURORA, Ill. -- From tools and stools to trunks and junk, it seems that the garage is home to just about everything these days – except the car. In fact, for the vast majority of Americans (nine out of 10*), the garage is much more likely to be serving double-duty as a workshop, tool shed or recreational area, according to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.* This multi-purpose situation often results in a hodgepodge of disorganized items ranging from gardening tools, old furniture and sports equipment to bikes, half-empty paint cans, and even moldy magazines. In sum, enough stuff to trip over, ding your auto, and fall from the rafters.

Making matters worse is that 70 percent of Americans use the garage to store potentially dangerous equipment such as saws and power tools, while nearly 60 percent store flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, propane and kerosene, as well as other dangerous chemicals, including pesticides and other lawn care products in their garage space.* Considering that only 27 percent of Americans report* feeling confident that their garage is "very organized," many garages aren't just cluttered and inconvenient – they're also a potential safety threat.

To help educate Americans about the importance of garage safety and organization, The Lehigh Group, maker of Crawford®-branded garage and home workshop organization products, declared "National Clean Out Your Garage Day." This annual observance, now in its sixth year, will be recognized across the country on Saturday, Sept. 6.

"We established 'National Clean Out Your Garage Day' to occur on the first weekend after Labor Day, a time when much of America moves from summer to fall, and items such as bikes, outdoor toys, sports and camping gear, lawnmowers and garden tools are put away for the season," said Deborah Hanson, director of external affairs for The Lehigh Group. "This is a great time to take stock of the safety of your garage, and to de-clutter and re-organize as needed to make this space safer and more functional."

According to the survey, the garage is the most disorganized area or room of the home by a wide margin, and 42 percent of Americans admit to either having never cleaned their garage or to only cleaning it once a year or less. However, the task need not be overwhelming or expensive. In fact, the addition of just a few shelves and other organization products can easily add functionality, safety, and peace of mind.

The experts at Lehigh offer these basic guidelines:

Sort the MessSeparate items into categories such as auto supplies, lawn and garden tools, holiday decorations, and sports equipment. Then, pitch, donate or sell items you don't use. Before organizing and storing, take a multipurpose push broom to sweep the garage floor, or wash down the floor with a water hose.

Zone It OutAfter deciding what stays, separate the garage into zones for storing each category of items, and then identify the most appropriate storage method.

Go VerticalOne great storage strategy is to use the vertical plane to keep the floor free of clutter. Garages provide ample wall and ceiling space that can easily be used for vertical storage through use of hanging shelves, pegboards, storing rails and overhead systems. For example, Crawford® brand has specially designed wall hooks that will hold a leaf blower and its power cord in place, and secure other equipment like wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels. Additionally available are the Crawford® 5' Adjustable Storage System and theCrawford® 3' Sliding Grip Clamp Organizer, both built for strength designed to easily hold more than 25 pounds of equipment. Flexible mesh storage products that hang on the wall are particularly suited to accommodate awkward items, from pet toys and work gloves to tennis balls.

Be an Organized SportEstablish a solid game plan to organize the typical plethora of sports gear as well as the family's fleet of bikes. Crawford® brand offers a wide range of products to help, such as grip clamps for bats, and complete sports organization systems to accommodate hockey sticks, balls, helmets and more. For bicycles, cost-effective screw-in hooks and flip-up bike hangers, along with pulleys, are ideal ways to keep bikes off the ground and out of the way while they're not in use.

Securely Store Hazardous ItemsPlace toxic materials such as paint, paint thinner, weed and bug killers, fertilizer and gasoline in high cabinets or lockable tool chests to keep out of the reach of children. Use well-supported shelves to store cleaning solutions and vehicle fluids. Be sure to secure tools and wrap up extension cords via tool hangers. 

"One final critical tip: Always remember to follow all manufacturer instructions regarding weight limits when using wall hooks, rails and shelving," said Hanson.

Water Damage and its Health Risks

Many people do not realize that there are a number of health risks that are involved with the issues of water damage. This article will help address a few of the major health risks.

BALTIMORE -- Flood and water damage are one of the worst things that can occur in your property. Not only are you often forced by these circumstances to relocate, but also many of your possessions may be lost to the issues in flooding. One of the main concerns is the after effects on an individual's health which needs to be taken into first and foremost. Also, you need to find an emergency restoration company to get the work done quickly and efficiently.

Water borne micrograms are prevalent in many cases in the water that has flooded an area of your home.  When there is standing water in an immediate area there is a great chance that microorganisms might be present. Examples of this may include mold, bacteria, and viruses, which are often left behind by the flood waters. The main concern is the allergic reaction that may be brought on by the various organisms that are remaining afterwards. What type of hazards could be posed by these organisms?

Examples of diseases and health symptoms that are effected by water damage include the following. These could include infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and influenza which are highly transferrable through the water. Other health risk concerns may include asthmatic severity intensification, which may include wheezing, coughing, and a higher chance of catching a disease. All of these factors are causes for water damage needing to be done in a timely and efficient manner.

Often people think that they can deal with the water damage weeks after the event that caused the issue in the first place could be resolved. However, it is advisable that you handle this damage immediately, because you might be able to salvage the items that were saturated with water, and will not be lost permanently. However, after three to five days without any resolution these could be considered permanent losses.

A water damage cleanup company can stop this from becoming a far more severe issue. One the primary things that need to be looked at is they are IICRC certified in handling this problem. If you have water damage restoration questions  please call a firm and they will be willing help you solve your water damage problems. 

Tips for Protecting Valuables from Floods

NEW YORK -- This spring, XL Group's Luxury Lines team is preparing clients to protect their valued possessions from the threat of spring showers and the flooding that may follow. 

According to Jennifer Schipf, Senior Underwriter in XL Group's Fine Art business, "The insurance market is paying closer attention to their clients' flood exposures.  In previous years, the market was providing broad coverage for the peril of flood with little to no deductibles.  After seeing losses from Superstorm Sandy and other storms, flood coverage is much more restricted in fine art and other policies so homeowners and collectors have to be wary that their high-value items are adequately protected."

"According to FloodSmart.gov, the website of the National Flood Insurance Program, a one inch flood in a 2,000 square feet home can result in $20,000 of loss, a 6 inch flood in the same space $39,000. And that does not take into account if a $100,000 painting that may have been stored in the basement or if the level of flood is significant, on the wall," said Ms. Schipf.  "Artwork is not the only valuable vulnerable to flood damage.  We've seen losses from flooding because everything from currency and securities to gold bullion was stored in subterranean vaults."

To help avoid flood damage or a loss in value of luxury items, XL Group's Luxury Lines team suggests taking some flood precautions:

• Know Your Value:  Unlike many items found in homes that depreciate, jewelry, fine art and other collectibles often do not.  "In fact, their value is more likely to grow," said Ms Schipf.  "An up-to-date appraisal can provide an accurate valuation that can help speed up the claims process.  And to get the best valuations, we encourage and can even help our clients find an appraiser who has expertise in their type of collection.
• Prepare Your Property:  According to Ms Schipf, XL's property risk engineers have lent some guidance to our gallery clients to see what precautions can be taken to minimized property damage.  Installing a sump pump or generator and changing on-site storage practices can do a lot in staving off flood damage.
• Have a Storage Plan:  According to Ms. Schipf, customers in coastal areas should consider reserving storage space ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season.  The art community suffered considerable loss after floods hit Chelsea during Superstorm Sandy.  And many warehouses in Brooklyn where art was stored were equally unprepared for Sandy's storm surge," she said.  "Not only is it important to have a pre-arrange storage plan, it's also important to make sure your storage facilities is truly prepared to handle your artwork.  It should be climate-controlled and has camera monitoring, firewalls and floor drains, for instance. And stored artwork should certainly be kept off the floor."
• Take Cover: "Congress' recent passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can only be increased a certain percentage," said Ms Schipf.  "Such coverage does not offer any more coverage and certainly doesn't protect high value items.   Specialty insurers provide standalone insurance protection to protect high-value collections including art, wine, coins or vintage cars, to name a few." 

Read more of Ms Schipf's thoughts on flood preparedness in "Water Damage" on XL Group's Fast Fast Forward.

Parents Urged to Check Their Window Coverings

NEW YORK  -- The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is reminding parents and caregivers of the potential dangers posed by window cords, and is urging them to only use cordless window covering products in homes with young children. Owners and renters alike should replace all corded window coverings in their homes with today's safer products.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children dying each year from accidentally strangling in window cords. Some of these incidents involve older products that are still in use and do not have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade.  

"Parents who replace their window coverings with the cordless products available can feel more confident about their child's safety," explains WCSC Executive Director Peter Rush. 

To maximize window cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace corded blinds, shades and draperies with today's safer products.
• If you cannot install newer products, order a free window cord retrofit kit from www.windowcoverings.org. The installation of the retrofit kit is not intended to be a substitute for installing cordless products in homes with young children.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• Ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, and that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitterfor more home safety ideas, and to help pass safety on.

Survey Reveals Millions of American Homeowners Are Unaware of Fire Safety Basics

With results from a recent survey indicating that a staggering number of Americans don't know the basics of home fire safety, Kidde, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys today introduced "Be a Hero, Save a Hero," a fire safety campaign focused on educating homeowners to reduce the risk that firefighters face every time they respond to a house fire call. Kidde is the leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products and a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of respondents to a nationwide survey by Kelton could not correctly describe where to install smoke alarms in the home, while 43 percent admitted they don't know how often to replace smoke alarms. These knowledge gaps may place millions of families at risk of not escaping a home fire.

The "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" pledge urges consumers to reduce the risk that firefighters face by pledging to ensure their home has enough up-to-date and working fire safety equipment and to have and practice a home fire escape plan.

For each person who takes the pledge, Kidde will make a donation to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Help the Good Guys, two organizations dedicated to helping the families of injured and fallen firefighters. Kidde will donate up to $10,000 to each organization.

In conjunction with the 46th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, Kidde also has teamed up with Bucky Covington, former American Idol contestant and rising country music star, to encourage consumers to take the pledge. Covington is the spokesperson for and an active supporter of Help the Good Guys.

"Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they answer a call, and the risk increases if they have to enter a burning home to rescue those inside," said Chris Rovenstine, vice president, marketing and sales, Kidde. "By working with the CMA and our non-profit partners, we are able to reach an extensive audience to share the 'Be a Hero, Save a Hero' pledge. We have no doubt this collaboration will help save the lives of families and firefighters across the nation."

The announcement took place at Nashville Fire Station #9. In addition to unveiling the pledge and public service announcement campaign, Kidde donated 500 of its new Worry-Free Smoke Alarms to the Nashville Fire Fighters Union Local 140 for installation in homes throughout the community. The Worry-Free alarms, powered by 10-year, sealed-in lithium batteries, offer continuous protection for a decade and never require a new battery.

"The sooner an alarm is heard after an emergency arises, the more time there is to respond. By taking the simple online pledge, consumers will know the steps to help be fire safe and significantly increase the chance that they will have enough time to escape their house should a fire occur. With everyone out of the house, it decreases the chance a firefighter would be injured or killed trying to save a life," said Chief Ronald Siarnicki, executive director, National Fallen Fighters Foundation. "National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show that two-thirds of all home fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarm or no working alarm, and the primary reasons smoke alarms fail to operate are dead or missing batteries."

Consumers can visit www.AlarmPledge.com to affirm their commitment to home fire safety by taking the "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" pledge. Participants can generate a donation by sharing their commitment via Facebook and Twitter, choosing to "Like" Kidde on Facebook, or by entering for the chance to win a six-day/five-night trip for two to the 2013 CMA Music Festival.

The referenced survey was conducted by Kelton on behalf of Kidde. Survey results are available at www.worryfreealarm.com.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rzBJ)