 Retrieved from: https://www.grangeinsurance.com/tips/how-to-handle-home-emergencies
You love your home. Make sure you know how to keep it — and you and your loved ones — safe and sound. Here are 10 common home emergencies and how to handle them. 1. Kitchen fire. The most common culprit of a kitchen fire is an inattentive cook. It’s never a good idea to leave your stovetop or oven unattended when food is cooking. Prevent kitchen fires by cooking during times when you won’t need to step away from the kitchen. If a kitchen fire happens, take these steps:
Also, remember to regularly check your smoke detectors. Put a reminder on your calendar to test all the smoke detectors in your home monthly, and promptly replace batteries when needed. Consider replacing all your smoke detectors every 10 years. 2. Water leak. Whether it’s a slow drip or a steady stream, the best thing you can do is know where your home’s main water valve is located — typically it’s in the basement or near the front of the house — which controls the flow of water into your home and learn how to turn off your water in an emergency to prevent water damage to your home. Then you will need to call a plumber for assistance. If your ceiling is leaking, gather buckets or plastic sheets under the leak to help prevent water damage. Then try to track down the source of the leak. If it’s likely a roofing issue, it’s best to call a professional right away to assess the situation and help with repairs. Finally, take steps to insulate your pipes before the weather turns cold to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. 3. Water overflow. Anything that holds a lot of water in your house can potentially overflow into the surrounding area. Here’s how to handle a water overflow:
4. Flooded basement. Whatever the cause, if your basement is flooded with water, the most important thing is that you NEVER enter a flooded basement. For your own health and safety call your utility companies first, and stay away until they have turned off the electricity and gas. Then, it’s best to hire a professional to help you clean up, mitigate the damage to your home and help prevent you and your family from becoming sick. You will need to throw out anything the flood water reached unless it can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. 5. Power outage. When the power goes out, check to see if nearby homes and streetlights still have power. If their lights are still on, check your breakers. If the neighborhood is dark too, then call your power company, or visit their website, to report the power outage and ask for an estimated repair time. Stay safe by following these steps:
If you anticipate having a power outage that lasts for days, such as after a hurricane, consider investing in a generator that can help provide electricity to essential things in your home, like a refrigerator or freezer. Be sure to follow all safety instructions while using it. 6. Carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas that can cause severe illness or even death. The symptoms are often like the flu without a fever. If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. The best way to prevent a carbon monoxide emergency is to:
7. Gas leak. When a natural gas line leaks, you may smell gas (it smells a lot like rotten eggs). While natural gas lines don’t leak often, you should always take it seriously if it does. A gas leak inside your home can make you sick or even lead to an explosion. If you notice the smell of natural gas inside your home:
8. Broken glass. Whether it’s a cracked window or a smashed dinner plate, broken glass can be a difficult mess to clean up. Whenever possible, take actions to prevent it, such as closing shutters, blinds and curtains ahead of severe weather or handling glass objects with care. But when it happens, here’s how to clean up broken glass safely:
9. HVAC goes out. When your air conditioning or heating decides to quit, your first call should be to a technician who can inspect it, and if needed, repair or replace it as soon as possible. If your A/C goes out during warm weather, take steps to keep your body temperature stable to prevent heat stroke and stay comfortable. Here are some things you can do:
If your furnace stops working during cold weather, stay warm and safe with these tips:
10. Ant or rodent infestation. If you have unwelcome house guests that have more than two legs, it’s time to assess the situation so you can send them packing.
References: - WebMD - Familyhandyman.com This article is provided for informational and suggestion purposes only. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. Contact your local independent insurance agent for complete details on your home insurance coverage and discounts.
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 A growing number of devices that are crucial to our daily lives are powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, the technology you’re using to read this is likely powered by lithium-ion batteries. But what happens if your device causes a fire in your vehicle, inside your home or on your property?
It’s important to learn how to use and store these batteries properly, as well as the risks of owning them. Proper use can decrease safety hazards, reduce the risk of property damage and even increase the life of your devices. Today, we’re going to teach you a thing or two about lithium-ion batteries and how to reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery related fires. We’ll also cover the types of insurance that cover lithium-ion battery fire damage. What are lithium-ion batteries? Lithium-ion batteries are different from lithium batteries. While they are made of different materials, there is one key feature that makes it easy to distinguish between the two. According to Powertron Battery Company, lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable which allows for multiple uses and an extended lifespan but lithium batteries primarily are non-rechargeable and are designed for single-use. Here are some additional differences between the battery types: Lithium-ion batteries
Common items that contain lithium-ion batteries Now that you know a little bit more about lithium-ion batteries, you probably won’t be surprised that the following consumer products usually have them:
Common lithium-ion battery risks Improper use and storage of lithium-ion batteries can lead to injury, property damage and environmental impacts. Some of the most common risks include:
6 tips to reduce your risk of a lithium-ion battery fire There are several safety precautions you can take to reduce the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire or other damage, including:
Types of insurance that may cover lithium-ion battery fires A battery fire can break out anywhere. Your car, home, garage, driveway or any other place where you use or store lithium-ion batteries is at risk. Here are some types of insurance that may cover the damage if a fire breaks out, plus some example scenarios to explain coverage parameters.
Stay informed! The best way to reduce the risk of insurance headaches is to understand your policy. Meet with your Grange Independent Agent today to learn the ins and outs of your coverage. References Check Fire Powertron Battery Company Recycle Nation Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact us, a local independent Grange agent, for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational, or suggestion purposes and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Grange Insurance policies are underwritten by Grange Insurance Company, Trustgard Insurance Company, Grange Indemnity Insurance Company, Grange Insurance Company of Michigan and Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Company*. Not all companies are licensed in all states. *Not licensed in Pennsylvania.  November 21, 2024 Retrieved from:https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/frozen-pipes-business?utm_source=eriefb&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawH3WTdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeCVDYFaIZOemSfYtMTjhUjX8bf-RxPw2Y50rrkIgLIeU08w2v8x5wjRFg_aem_WHmKoyDVmTN1KP8I56Z4AA Frozen pipes are more than just an inconvenience—they can cause severe damage to your property. Whether you’ve experienced it firsthand or have heard the stories, it’s important to stay prepared and know what to do if it does happen. Those deep-winter cold snaps can send temperatures plummeting, and homes with exposed or inadequately protected plumbing can have pipes freeze—or worse, burst—under the pressure of expanding ice. It’s not just homes that are at risk—your business property is just as vulnerable to a sudden freeze Commercial properties are susceptible to the same sorts of dramatic changes in temperature as residential properties. In fact, they can be even more vulnerable since business facilities are often unoccupied during off-hours and weekends. An undetected leak on a cold night can quickly escalate into significant water damage by morning. Let’s talk about protecting your business. No Way To Do Business Fixing broken pipes is not cheap, but water damage to your business from burst pipes can be considerable. Water damage from frozen pipes can lead to significant repair costs, including replacing plumbing, furniture and equipment. It also can be time consuming just to schedule repairs, and depending on the extent of the damage, profitable operations could be impaired until they’re completed. Remember: an arctic chill that takes out your plumbing will probably clobber other businesses too. You could get stuck waiting a while for a commercial contractor. So, the best solution is to understand why and where pipes freeze and burst, then put a plan in place to prevent it. Why Pipes Freeze The pipes that bring water to your taps are pressurized, meaning that they’re usually full of water at all times. At normal temperatures — anywhere between 32 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit — the water in the pipe remains liquid, and both the water and the pipes behave as expected. Once temperatures drop below freezing, water inside pipes can begin to freeze, leading to expansion and increased pressure. By contrast to most chemical compounds, water expands as it freezes. When that expansion occurs in a confined area such as a pipe, it eventually creates a blockage, and any water that has not yet frozen is pushed away from the expanding ice. This can ultimately produce excessive pressure that the pipe itself (or even one of the fittings along its length) is not structurally able to withstand, resulting in a crack or tear. At that point, you’re dealing with a burst pipe. Where Pipes Freeze Are there trouble spots where pipes are more likely to burst? Yes: the most vulnerable pipes are those that are not contained within the heated interior of a building. As a rule of thumb, any area that is warm enough for a person to comfortably work in without winter clothing would be relatively safe from pipe bursts — assuming a normal, uninterrupted supply of workplace heat. Conversely, any area that would be too cold for a person to sit in for an extended period would require additional measures to protect pipes from freezing. Some obvious areas where this could be a problem include attics, basements, wall voids and crawl spaces, but in thinly insulated zones, even enclosures like cabinets or vanities can get cold enough to allow a pipe to freeze. Preventing Frozen Pipes By making sure that pipes are adequately heated and monitored for problems, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of catastrophic damage from a burst pipe. Here are a few pointers that can help reduce your risk. Heating To prevent pipes from freezing, ensure that all areas of your facility are adequately heated—especially hidden spaces like cabinets and crawl spaces where pipes may be exposed. While that may sound a bit obvious, consider that much of a building’s plumbing is not directly exposed to the same comfortable atmosphere as its human inhabitants. Snoop around your facility — opening cabinets, drawers, crawl-space doors — and feel the surfaces inside those hidden spaces. If they’re cold, so are your pipes. Consider leaving those doors and drawers open, and if necessary, apply heat tape to the pipes. While that’s a small drag on your electric bill, it’s way less expensive than repairing a busted pipe. (Pro-tip: if you use heat tape without a thermostat or timed shut-off, you can set an October calendar reminder to plug the tape in and another in April to unplug it.) Insulation Bare pipes are vulnerable pipes. Wherever possible, make sure there’s a layer of insulation between the pipes and outer walls, and insulate the pipes themselves with fiberglass or polyethylene pipe insulation available at most well-stocked hardware or home repair stores. If you’re using heat tape along with pipe insulation, make sure the tape is wrapped around the pipe before fitting the insulation. Sealing While most of your facility’s outer shell (roof, siding,etc.) is adequate to keep the elements at bay, it may not be as good at keeping out the wind. While you’re inspecting your facility, be on the lookout for gaps or holes that allow outside air into spaces through which your piping runs. Heat transfers (escapes) much more rapidly in moving air, so plugging those holes can make a substantial difference in how quickly your pipes freeze. Monitoring Installing a monitoring system can provide real-time alerts when temperatures drop, helping you take action before a freeze occurs. ERIE’s risk control experts can advise on the best systems for your business.  Handling Frozen Pipes
Not every frozen pipe bursts, but ice in your plumbing is a sign of worse problems to come. If you detect pipe freeze (e.g., no water coming from an open tap), apply heat cautiously using tools like a hair dryer or hot water bottles. Avoid open flames, as they can cause further damage. The idea is to get a steady supply of heat back into the pipe. Also, be sure to leave a tap or two on to relieve the pressure and give that water someplace to escape. Protect Your Business Even with the best precautions in place, winter weather can throw some nasty curveballs. At ERIE, our risk control consultants work with you year-round to identify and address risks—ensuring that your business stays protected, no matter the weather. Don’t wait to find out if your business is protected in the event of a plumbing catastrophe. Commercial property policies from Erie Insurance may provide coverage that helps keep businesses safe in the event of unforeseen emergencies. Contact your local ERIE agent today to ensure your business has the coverage it needs to weather any storm. We're here to help you protect what matters most. Insurance Products mentioned herein are subject to terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and sub-limits not described in this article. Please see your policy or talk with your ERIE Agent.  by RaeAnna Barstow on July 31, 2024 from https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/plumbing-problems
Something going catastrophically wrong in your plumbing system can lead to one soggy and expensive mess. Standing in that mess can leave you wondering, does my homeowners insurance cover this? The answer is unfortunately not a very simple one as it can vary by the situation at hand. See what separates us from the competition with a personalized home insurance quote. So, What is Usually Covered? Homeowners insurance is designed to protect you and your property from sudden, accidental or unexpected damage. That means something like a burst pipe that damages your walls, floors, carpet, furniture and electronics very well could be something your homeowners policy can cover. Another common instance is damage from a neighbor’s leak spilling onto your property. In an instance like this, the neighbor’s insurance would typically step in under their liability coverage to repair the damage. What Isn’t Covered? The most common causes of plumbing issues that will not be covered by your homeowners policy are typically due to normal wear and tear or lack of maintaining the pipes. For example, if a leak is not repaired or improper maintenance is performed that leads to a larger issue, then the coverages in your policy will not apply. Negligence, such as leaving for vacation and turning your heat off which leads to your pipes freezing and bursting, is also not covered under an insurance policy. Another common issue that is not covered by standard homeowners policies is actually one that many people do not realize, flooding and sewer backup. And by common we mean flooding is the most destructive and expensive natural disaster across the United States, according to FEMA. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, if it can rain (or snow!) it can flood. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not learn that flooding or sewer and drain backups aren’t covered until after a costly event has already occurred. Anything I Can Do to Protect My Home? The best thing to do to protect your home from a major plumbing problem is to always be vigilant. Watch for changes like a drop in water pressure or a running toilet. Having your pipes inspected annually is also a great idea to help identify areas that are damaged or in need of repair or replacement before they cause any major issues. Another great tip is to be mindful of what you flush or dispose of as it can damage your pipes. Never put things that aren’t designed to be flushed or things like grease down your drains. Unfortunately, all the regular inspections and perfect maintenance cannot stop a flood. Floods can occur within minutes and happen in every single state across the U.S. That gap in flood coverage is exactly why we introduced our Extended Water coverage. Extended Water is a coverage designed to protect your home from backup of sewers, drains or floods, which also includes inland flooding, tidal water, storm surge or mudflow and mudslide. The coverage extends to protect your home, garage and other structures and personal property (which also includes the personal property in your basement). With Extended Water, you gain peace of mind knowing your home has coverage for:
When it comes to plumbing issues, nothing is scarier than being unsure if you’re covered or not when your house is a massive, soggy mess. While there are a number of things you can do to prevent these issues from happening, we’re also here to lessen that worry. Reach out to a local ERIE insurance agent today to learn more and make sure you’re covered.  Retrieved from: https://www.grangeinsurance.com/tips/understanding-and-preventing-cyberattacks?utm_source=grangeagent&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cyber All businesses are at risk for cyber security breaches. The first step in cyberattack prevention is understanding how damaging they could be to your operations. There are plenty of steps your business can take to make sure you’re at the top of your cyberattack prevention game. Educating yourself on what cyberattacks are and why they’re such a threat is a great place to start. What are cyberattacks and who is targeted? Cyberattacks can have many end goals: control a network, steal data, disable systems and more. Cyber criminals attack businesses of all sizes and industries, so it’s important to implement cyberattack prevention practices for the best protection. Many small businesses have an “it won’t happen to us” attitude regarding cyber security, until it actually does. Roughly 43% of all cyberattacks are targeted toward small businesses. This goes to show you don’t have to be a large corporation to benefit from cyberattack prevention measures. When it comes to your business operations and the protection of your employers, customers and clients, all data is valuable data. How and how often do cyberattacks happen? Cyberattacks occur about every 39 seconds and there are many reasons as to how they happen. Most of the time, they occur because hackers find a vulnerability in a business’s cyber security and exploit it. This could be anything from easy-to-guess passwords, clicking on a link riddled with malware or because your business doesn’t have any cyber security prevention or protection at all. That said, it’s best to follow online safety tips to avoid any attacks. Are cyberattacks really that dangerous? Yes! Cyberattacks are more sophisticated than ever and it doesn’t take much for hackers to access your, your customer’s or your client’s personal or financial information. For example, phreaks of the 1950s made free long-distance calls by hacking into telephone networks. The T-Mobile hack of 2021 exposed more than 50 million customers’ data with ease. Cyber security attacks saw a 600% increase since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cyberattacks are becoming more and more damaging with new methods emerging all the time. The cost of an attack The cost of a data breach is different from case to case but there are a few certainties. In the short term, your business may face loss of revenue or fines from data protection regulators. Depending on your size, these costs vary in seriousness. If you’re a large corporation, you can probably bounce back. However, small businesses don’t typically have that luxury. As many as 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyberattack. If you think those costs are bad, wait until you hear the long-term costs. The reputation damage businesses go through because of cyberattacks alone is enough to make you want to look into cyberattack prevention and cyber insurance, but the loss of trust among your customers is often the deciding factor in the future of a business after a cyberattack. Cyberattack prevention tips Follow these steps to protect your business, employees and customers from the actions of cyber criminals: Educate your employees - Believe it or not, data breaches can happen internally. Clicking links or responding to email phishing attacks happen all the time and are one of the most common cyberattacks affecting businesses. These links can steal your information as fast as you click on them. It’s best to have designated training sessions with employees to inform them about cybersecurity best practices. Only access secure sites - Sites that have ‘HTTPS’ before their URL indicate the site is secure. Be careful not to stumble upon unsecure sites because they’re perfect for hackers to add spyware or steal your information such as your credit card or date of birth. It’s good practice to block unsecure, untrustworthy sites so no one on your team accidentally happens upon one. Fortunately, there are countless site blockers out there to help you protect your business. Schedule company-wide password updates - It’s helpful to regularly update your passwords. Consider switching your password even before you’re prompted to. Encouraging unique passwords goes a long way in deterring any malicious activity too. For example, don’t use something easy to guess like your pet’s name. Only access sensitive data at the office - Network security, or lack thereof, is a big issue if many people work from home. Companies can’t ensure their employees have an advanced, secure WiFi network at home, making them targets for cyberattacks. If you’re working with sensitive data, it’s a good idea to set up schedules for employees to come into the office to work under a secured network. This is a small way you can help prevent cybercriminals from stealing your company’s or your customer’s information. Cyber Insurance - There are many ways to prevent cyberattacks with help from your Grange agent. Talk to an independent Grange agent to learn about cyber coverage for all eligible Business Owner Policies (BOP) and Commercial Package Policies (CPP). This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. Implementing these suggestions does not guarantee coverage. If any policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. For full details on Grange’s business insurance coverages and discounts, contact us! References Fundera AAG-IT CNET The Wall Street Journal PurpleSec Cybersecurity Ventures Retrieved from: https://www.grangeinsurance.com/tips/before-you-loan-your-car Have you ever loaned your car to a friend or family member when they were in need? It’s a kind gesture, but if they were to get in an accident behind the wheel of your vehicle, you may be uncertain whose insurance will cover the costs. Since accidents can happen at any time, it’s important to understand how your coverage works and ultimately who will cover accident-related costs. Here’s what to know before you loan your car. 1. Know your coverage. First, it’s important to know if the driver is covered by your insurance. Family members living in your household are typically covered by your insurance unless you expressly exclude them from your policy. If a friend or a family member who is not a member of the household borrows your vehicle with your permission and gets in an accident, you may or may not be liable for some of the costs depending on your policy, the state you live in, and if the other driver carries their own insurance. Always check your policy and be familiar with how your coverage works so you aren’t stuck with surprise costs after an accident. 2. Understand who pays. There’s a common misconception that the driver’s insurance will always cover an accident, but that’s not always the case. Most times, car insurance follows the vehicle. However, exact coverage will depend upon the language in your policy and the state you live in, which is why being familiar with the in’s and out’s of your policy is so important before someone loans your car. There are exceptions, of course. If the accident wasn’t your friend or family member’s fault, the other driver will pay for the accident and your insurance will be unaffected. Or, if your vehicle is stolen and crashes, you will not be held liable for damages or injuries. However, damage to your own vehicle will most likely be covered under your insurance. 3. Lend responsibly. If there’s a chance someone will regularly use your car, include them on your policy. And, always make sure you are lending responsibly. You could be sued for damages if you let an impaired or unlicensed driver operate your vehicle. There are many scenarios that can play out when someone borrows your car, which is why it’s important to understand the terms of your coverage and be familiar with who is covered under your insurance policy. Talk with us, your local independent agent, if you have questions about the terms of your insurance. This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. If the policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. To learn more about Grange’s auto insurance, speak with us directly.  Do you have an employee that your business simply would not thrive without? As business owners, we all have people in our company that we depend on in a unique way. These people are vital to the success of the company. The passing of a manager, owner, or other key people in your company is tragic. Your business should have protections in place to ensure that you can continue your operations, have the time you need to grieve, come up with a game plan, and find a quality replacement if the unimaginable happens. Key Person Life Insurance can help you do just that. Continuing Operations The “Key People” in your company are also the employees contributing to your business’s success and want to see the business continue to flourish, even under the worst of circumstances. With Key Person Life Insurance you’ll have the funds to help stabilize the business. You’ll be able to continue production, sales, and providing for the other stakeholders in your company. Finding A Replacement You have big shoes to fill when trying to replace a Key Person in your company and finding a quality candidate requires a lot of time, money, and patience. Key Person Life Insurance gives you the ability to take your time coming up with the best course of action, the funds you need to do it, and hopefully, the peace of mind to be patient in the process. Pro-Tip Now, I know what you’re thinking. What if I pay for this policy and never have to use it? Well first of all, Key Person Life Insurance is affordable, but did you know it can also be a benefit to your employees? Some policies build cash value over time that can be distributed to key employees in a retirement plan. These kinds of policies may also let you reward your key person so they might not consider leaving for another job. Having great benefits can create a lot of loyalty amongst your employees. Key Person Life Insurance is one of the many ways you can do that. The Big Picture When we think about business insurance, we think about protecting our income and assets. We insure our property, the vehicles we use for work, loss of business income, and the list goes on! Why would we not insure the people who keep our business moving every single day? Contact us for more information!   by The Foremost Creative Team
Retrieved from: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/pumpkin-carving-safety.asp Each year, many people look forward to carving pumpkins for Halloween! Scooping out the slimy guts, cutting out a scary face, and baking the seeds to eat as a snack is a fun experience your entire family can enjoy. But if you're not careful, carving a pumpkin can lead to painful cuts and injuries. According to the ASSH (American Society for Surgery of the Hand), thousands of people hurt themselves carving pumpkins every year during Halloween. Some of these injuries require surgery, but there could be worse cases. Use the Right Tools Using a specially designed pumpkin carving tool can be safer than using a kitchen knife. Carving saws, stencils and scoops are less likely to have sharp edges, meaning they are less likely to create deep, penetrating cuts. According to Jeffrey Wint, MD, "a sharper knife is not necessarily better, because it often becomes wedged in the thicker part of the pumpkin, requiring force to remove it." If your hand is in the wrong place, this force can easily transfer to an injury when the knife is finally dislodged. Do Decorative Work Before Removing the Inside of the Pumpkin Unless you're a carving pro, don't freestyle your design! Create a pattern on the surface of the pumpkin before you start carving. Draw or create a stencil with a sharpie that you can follow with your carving saw. This will help to decrease the likelihood that you’ll need to make corrections, which create more opportunities for injuries. Be patient Take your time and make sure you are carving with control. After all, carving a Halloween pumpkin is meant to be a fun activity. There's no need to rush! Plan on budgeting a few hours at least for this activity. If you take a little extra time to carve the pumpkin, it will probably look better, and it's still going to be faster than recovering from a nerve or tendon injury. Don't Burn Yourself! When putting a candle in the pumpkin after your design is complete, make sure the flame stays far away from your skin. Consider cutting the bottom out of the pumpkin instead of the top. That way, you can just lower the pumpkin down onto the candle without having to reach your hand inside. Also, remember to blow the candle out before you go to sleep. As you know, forgetting to blow the candle out can cause a fire. As an alternative, consider using battery-operated candle-shaped lights. by Erie Insurance on September 20, 2022 Retrieved from: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/dont-leave-leaves There’s nothing quite like the view of colorful leaves in autumn. But what do you do when they’ve all fallen and you’re left with a mess in your yard? Winter is quickly approaching, so it’s important to dispose of the leaves before the snow comes. But how can you do so safely (and legally)? Here’s what to know. CAN I BURN THE LEAVES? While many local governments are banning leaves and other yard trimmings from landfills, you may be tempted to burn the leaves in your yard. Leaf burning, however, becomes a fire hazard that can lead to air pollution and health problems. Burning leaves is not recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—nor is it legal in most states. The open burning of leaves produces toxic compounds like carbon monoxide. CAN I PUT THE LEAVES IN TRASH BAGS? If you’ve got a lot of time and a strong back (who has either, right?), bagging leaves is one option. But remember, sticks, rocks, pinecones, limbs and other debris should not be mixed with loose leaves. Also, check with your municipality or borough to see what, if any, weight limit or bag color has been specified for leaf-filled bags, Then, when they’re ready to go, put them at the curb on your regular trash collection day or as directed. WHAT IS COMPOSTING AND HOW CAN I DO IT? Composting is an environmentally friendly form of recycling that helps soil retain moisture and nutrients and increase fertility. When leaves are composted along with nitrogen-filled grass clippings, the resulting compost becomes organic fertilizer or mulch for flowerbeds, gardens or around shrubs. The EPA’s Web site offers a free detailed guide on how to create your own compost pile in your backyard. The most important thing to note is what can and cannot be composted. Stay away from meat trimmings and bones—they may attract pests. Here are a few different ways to compost:
LOOKING AFTER YOU Planning is smart, but life is always changing – just like the seasons. For whatever’s in store, we’re with you on the journey. Call an insurance professional like us about insuring your home.   Retrieved from: ReserveAmerica, Thu Jul 8 2021 https://www.reserveamerica.com/articles/camping/top-10-tips-for-campfire-safety Enjoying the pop and hiss of a glowing campfire—not to mention the light and warmth that the fire provides—is one of the most enjoyable parts of camping. But building campfires comes with responsibility. A campfire that is not properly built, maintained, and extinguished can quickly become a hazard to the people, animals, and land around it. In the United States, people start nearly nine out of 10 wildfires. It's important to understand how to safely and responsibly enjoy your campfire. These are the top 10 must-know tips for campfire safety. 1. Know the rules Before you strike a match, make sure you know the fire regulations of the campground or wilderness area in which you are planning to build a fire. Fire rules change, and a campground that allowed campfires the last time you visited my have a temporary ban on them if the risk of wildfires is high. Pay attention to posted signs and check the ranger’s station for current campfire regulations. 2. Use the pit Most campgrounds provide a fire pit or fire ring in which to build a campfire. If a pit is provided, this is the only place you should build a campfire. If you're in a remote area where campfires are allowed but a pit is not provided, dig a fire pit in an open area away from overhanging branches, power lines or other hazards that could catch on fire. Once the pit has been dug, circle the pit with rocks, ensuring there is a ten-foot area around the pit that is cleared of anything that could catch on fire. 3. Build a safe campfire Once your pit is in place, build a safe campfire. Start the fire with dried leaves or grass that will easily catch fire. Next, add kindling, small twigs and sticks that are less than an inch in diameter. As the fire builds, add the largest pieces of wood to the fire. They will keep the fire burning for a longer period of time and provide heat. Keep in mind that your fire does not have to be roaring. A small fire surrounded by rocks will produce plenty of heat for both cooking and warmth. 4. Mind the match Start your campfire with a match and then make sure it is completely extinguished before disposing of it. Pour water over the match or throw it directly into the fire to burn. Never use lighter fluid, gas, kerosene, or other flammable liquids to start a fire. 5. Use local firewood Though it may not be apparent to the naked eye, tree-killing insects and diseases can live on firewood. If you’re going camping six hours down the road and decide to bring firewood from home you could, without knowing it, transport insects and diseases and inadvertently introduce them into the forests where they weren’t found before. That’s why it’s so important to use local firewood. Local is defined as the closest convenient source of firewood that you can find. If possible, pick up firewood from the campground camp store or a nearby location. 6. Keep water handy Don’t start a campfire without having a bucket of water and a shovel nearby. The water can be used to douse any runaway flames and the shovel can be used to throw sand or dirt on any flames that jump the perimeter of your fire ring. It’s also smart practice to keep a few feet of ground outside of your fire ring watered down, so if a stray ember or flame jumps outside of your fire pit, it won’t gain any traction. 7. Pay attention to the wind A strong breeze can spread your fire in an instant. To make sure a sudden gust of wind doesn’t turn your campfire into a wildfire, keep anything flammable, including unused firewood, upwind and at least 15 feet away from the fire. The 15-foot rule also goes for your tent and clothing hung to dry. 8. Be careful with kids and pets It’s not just the risk of forest fires that you need to be mindful of while camping. Campfires are the leading cause of children’s camping injuries in the United States. Teach your kids about the danger of fire and don’t allow children or pets around the campfire unless they are on an adult’s lap. Teach kids how to stop, drop, and roll in the event that their clothes catch on fire. 9. Never leave a campfire unattended A campfire should not be left alone, even for one minute. A small breeze can spread fire quickly, so there should be at least one set of eyes monitoring the fire at all times. Even if you’re leaving the fire for a short period of time, like to take a quick hike, the fire should be completely extinguished. You’ll be able to restart it once you return. 10. Put the fire out properly—every time When you are done with your campfire make sure it is extinguished properly. Dump water on the fire, stir the ashes with a shovel, then dump more water on the fire. The campfire should be cold before you leave it unattended. If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot to leave. Large logs will be more difficult to extinguish than smaller logs so make sure they are also soaked with water. Move the stones around the campfire to check for hidden burning embers underneath. And never bury coals from the fire—they can smolder and start to burn again. |
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