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Safety & Maintenance Tips

Snow Roof

Snow: It’s pretty until it’s a pain

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

There are two types of people in this world. Those that love the snow and all of its storybook beauty, and those that would rather never catch a single snowflake on their tongue. I think we can all agree that a freshly dusted roof is quaint to say the least, but is the pretty view enough to excuse the damages that it can trigger?  Although light and fluffy in small amounts, roofs can easily be damaged as a result of the weight of the snow or ice accumulating on the shingles.

Winter roof damage is additionally concerning if you’ve had any wind or hail damage earlier in the year that hasn’t been repaired yet. Previous damages weaken the structure, then the snow comes and sits on it. Imagine you fractured your leg and an elephant comes to rest on it. You now have a broken leg. That may be a bit of an extreme comparison, but you get the gist.

The weight of snow isn’t your only concern. If your gutters are backed up with leaves from the trees around the house, you have a risk of your gutters and downspouts backing up with water and freezing. Having ice in your gutters and downspouts can not only cause roof damage, but can also harm the gutters themselves because ice is so difficult to remove.

If you begin to notice leaks or water marks, the damage is already done and preventative measures need to be in place as soon as possible.

If the snow hasn’t settled in yet, be sure to double-check the roof and gutters for damages or clogs so that you can get ahead of any potential winter damage. For more information check out the article that inspired this post by HomeAdvisor: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/winter-roof-damage/

Holiday Safety Tips

Holiday Safety Tips Around the Home

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

The holiday season is here and we would like to share some safety tips for this special time of year from www.ems1.com:

Indoor vs Outdoor lights – Check to make sure your lights labeled for indoor-use only are not used outdoors, including covered porches.  

Candles –  Never leave a candle unattended and maintain a one-foot buffer zone around them to avoid anything catching fire.

Cooking – Keep an eye on the stove and stand by your pan during these busy times in the kitchen this time of year.  

Overloaded Outlets – An overloaded outlet is a fire hazard.  Use a power strip for your holiday lights and decor that requires electricity.  Check the watts as well to make sure you do not overload the outlet.  

We wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Source:  https://www.ems1.com/community-awareness/articles/8-holiday-safety-tips-for-2019-ZDokLkYnC1EMP9aK/

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

Did you know?  According to the NFPA, Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.  With so many activities and people in the home, it can be easy to forget some basic cooking safety tips on this special day.  The NFPA offers the following tips for cooking safely:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
  • Keep the floor clear so you do not trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

We hope you have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

Source:  https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Thanksgiving

carbon monoxide detectors

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

We all know we should have a smoke detector on each level of our home, but did you know you should also have a carbon monoxide detector on each level too?  As cold winter weather approaches, now is the time to remind ourselves about carbon monoxide poisoning and detection.  

Kidde.com provides the following information about carbon monoxide:

Carbon monoxide can come from any fuel-burning appliance this is malfunctioning or is improperly installed.  Examples include furnaces, gas range/stove, gas clothes dryer, water heater, portable fuel-burning space heaters, fireplaces, generators, and wood-burning stoves.  

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu without a fever – dizziness, severe headaches, nausea, sleepiness, fatigue, and disorientation.  

Steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning include installing carbon monoxide alarms on every level and in sleeping areas of your home.  Have the heating system, vents, chimney and flue inspected by a professional on a yearly basis. Never use a gas range/stove to heat your home.  More tips can be found on Kidde’s website here: https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/co-safety/carbon-monoxide-alarm-faqs 

Stay safe this fall with both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

Fall is upon us and that means it’s time to prep your home for cooler temperatures and winter weather like snow and ice.  HomeAdvisor’s website offers the following fall home maintenance tips:

  • Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent build-up of leaves and debris.  
  • Ensure that water drains properly and does not pool.  The pooling water can cause damage to foundations, driveways and walkways.  
  • Check seals of windows and doors to prevent drafts and lower home heating costs.
  • Replace the filter in your furnace.
  • Have a professional inspect your heating system.
  • Ensure that your pipes are well insulated to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
  • Know where your water shut-off valve is in case the pipes do freeze.
  • Have a professional inspect and clean your chimney to prevent dangerous chimney fires.
  • Trim any tree limbs that are close to power lines or the roof of your house.  Heavy snow and ice can cause damage to your home.

We hope you find these tips useful and have a great fall!