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Safety & Maintenance Tips

Hail Stones

What to do after a Hailstorm

By Insurance, Safety & Maintenance Tips

Storm season continues in August and even into the fall months.  Wind and hail can, unfortunately, be quite common this time of year.  The following are steps you can take if your home sustains damage after a hailstorm:

  • Make note of the day and time of the hailstorm.
  • After the storm has passed and there is no risk, inspect your dwelling for damage.  Look at the roof, gutters, air conditioning unit, window screens, etc. Do not climb on the roof if it is steep and dangerous.  In addition, check for any interior water leaking in any of your interior rooms.
  • If you have any broken windows or interior water damage, contact a contractor to complete temporary repairs.  Keep the invoice.
  • You may wish to have a local, licensed contractor inspect your property and give you an estimate to determine if the repairs will exceed your deductible.
  • You can file a claim by contacting your agent.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help you.  

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

By Everyday Living, Safety & Maintenance Tips

Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), July is the peak month for grill fires?  Whether you prefer propane or charcoal, grilling safely is very important.  The NFPA provides the following safety tips for grilling this summer:

  • Make sure the grill is working properly and check for damage regularly.
  • Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
  • Place the grill away from the home or deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
  • Keep the grill clean by removing grease and fat buildup from the grates and trays below.
  • Never leave the grill unattended.

All of us at Danish Mutual hope you enjoy grilling this summer and stay safe!

 

Source:  https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2017/Summer-season-peak-time-for-grilling-fires

Fire Pit and Campfire Safety

Fire Pit and Campfire Safety Tips

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

Fire pits are wonderful inexpensive additions to any yard. They can be an outdoor getaway after a long day, or the centerpiece of a social event. Installing a new fire pit, whether its portable or permanent, can instantly boost the appeal of spending time in your yard without breaking the bank. If you’ve decided a fire pit is all your house is missing, be sure to review the following tips from this Mother Earth News article for safe installation, burning, and extinguishing.

Always make sure the fire pit is at least 10 feet away from any structure or neighboring yard. If you can, 25 feet is preferable. Be aware of what’s above the fire pit. Do not place it under a covered porch or low hanging tree branches. Always place it on a non-flammable surface such as patio blocks or concrete. If you have dug out and cleared a spot where it can sit on dirt, this is also an option. Never place on your wooden deck or directly on grass.

Similarly to campfires, you need to clear a firebreak. A break is the surrounding area that has been cleared of all flammable materials. A suggested break is 5 feet in all directions from the fire pit or campfire. This allows for any embers or logs that may fall or pop out of the fire to land on the ground without a heightened risk of an uncontrolled fire. You can also pile dirt or rocks around the pit to help prevent the ground fire from escaping.

A few fire pit/campfire rules to abide by:

  •        Never leave a fire pit unattended.
  •        Never leave children or pets unattended with the fire.
  •        Consider a wire mesh cover to keep embers contained and to keep children and pets safe from falling in.
  •        Limit the amount you burn. Add just enough to keep the fire going gently.
  •        Don’t put garbage or paper products into the fire. They can easily spark and throw off embers or burning remnants.
  •        Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes while tending to the fire.
  •        Avoid burning soft woods like pine or cedar as they tend to pop and throw sparks.

Be aware that even if you follow all of these suggestions, accidents can still happen so be sure to have a water source nearby for emergencies.

When you’re ready to extinguish the fire, add water and stir the ashes with a shovel or stick. Dispose of the ashes in a safe manner; keep a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. Even after 2 or 3 days, ashes can still be hot enough to cause a fire.

By doing your best to adhere to these guidelines, you can safely enjoy your fire pit all year round.

Source:  https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/5-fire-pit-safety-tips-zbcz1504

National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

June is National Safety Month and so we thought it would be appropriate to share some summer safety tips for our clients.

Grilling Safety:

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) suggests the following tips to prevent a fire:

  • Keep grills clean.
  • Place grills well way from the home, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Never leave your grill unattended to reduce the risk of fire.

Pool Safety:

The Pool Safely website provides these tips to be safe in and around the water:

  • Never leave a child unattended in or near water.
  • Teach children how to swim.
  • Teach children to stay away from drains.
  • Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers.
  • Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa.
  • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.

Trampoline Safety:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website offers the following tips on trampoline safety:

  • Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time.
  • Trampoline enclosures can help prevent injuries from falls.
  • Place the trampoline away from structures, trees and other play areas.
  • Children younger than 6 should not use a full-size trampoline.
  • Supervise children who use a trampoline.
  • Do not use if there is high wind because the trampoline can shift, move or blow away.
  • Inspect the trampoline regularly to make sure nothing is missing and there are no rips or tears in the pad.

We hope you find these tips useful and not only have a safe June but a safe summer!  

Summer Home Improvement Tips

Summer Home Improvement

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

At any point in time this past winter, did you notice some issues with your home? Maybe you noticed how drafty that window is, or you realized your gate is a little wobbly. Now that the weather has finally taken a turn for the better, you have the opportunity to get things fixed up.

Claims in the winter can be costly, partially because there is potential for more damage, and because prices are higher for service calls that involve higher risk. Ice, snow, freezing temperatures, these are all factors that play into the danger of a claim. Not to mention, winter claims take longer as they are difficult to resolve when the weather won’t cooperate. You can’t assess a roof that’s covered in ice. By making routine updates to your home during the warmer months, you can help prevent costly issues during winter.

Here are few items to consider upgrading or reinforcing:

  •        Correct cracked concrete
  •        Initiate inspections
  •        Invest in new windows
  •        Drain your water heater
  •        Re-stain the deck and/or fence

Not only do these options make your house look nice, but they help lessen claim risks.

Don’t spend another winter thinking up things you should have fixed when you had the chance. Instead, spend it cozy in your home protected from the elements, with the security in knowing you’ve already got everything covered.