What Should I Do If My Pipes Are Frozen?

The weatherman has warned you that a cold front is barreling its way into your local area. You go to sleep the night before with extra covers on the bed and the thermal blanket set to "high". When you awake in the morning, it takes all of your determination to crawl from between the warm covers to start your day. As you step to the sink and turn the faucet on, nothing happens. Oh no! You forgot to leave the water trickling over night. Obviously, water has frozen in the pipes. Thankfully, you look around everywhere in the house and you see no evidence of a water leak. You may assume that the only tragedy is that you'll have to go to work without a shower, but think again.

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Is It Time For The Christmas Tree ALREADY?

It is hard to believe that we are seeing these trees going up already. It seems that they are going up earlier and earlier each year. None the less it is time to review some important safety tips. The following link has some GREAT ideas on a variety of topics which I hope you find beneficial for your home safety. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_holiday_w002.asp

I hope you enjoy and please pass along any tips you find interesting and helpful to your family and friends.

All The Best!!

Peter Kanavas - Contents Supervisor

How To Protect Your Children From Fires

Children and Home Fires Facts

• Children make up 15%-20% of all fire deaths.


• Children younger than 5 are at greatest risk of fire deaths and injuries, with a fire death rate more than twice the national average. 


• Two thirds of fires that kill children younger than 5 are in homes that do not have a smoke alarm.


• Almost 55% of children ages 5 and under who die from home fires are asleep at the time.


• Nearly one third of children who die in fires are too young to react appropriately.


• Children set about 8,000 home fires each year.

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Protect Yourself From Winter Storms & Extreme Cold

Winter storms are considered "deceptive killers" because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather?

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a winter storm hazard:

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What To Do If Your Home Is Vandalized

The Do’s and Don’ts if you have a vandalism at your home or business:

DO:

• Report the damage to the police as soon as possible. They will need to collect evidence and take photographs.



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Cuddle Up to Fireplace Safety

More than one third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel fired appliances to heat their homes. Nothing is quite as cozy as that warm, crackling fire in the fireplace. But if you aren't careful, more than your toes could get toasty. An average of 6000 people end up in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireplaces and fireplace equipment and approximately 14,000 house fires each year are started by fireplaces.

Keep your family safe and warm by following these fireplace safety tips:

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What To Do If You Have A Fire Damage

The Do’s and Don’ts if you have a fire damage at your home or business:

DO:

• Call for professional help as soon as possible. Corrosive byproducts can cause irreversible etching.


• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, open windows to ventilate the home.



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What To Do If You Have A Water Damage

The Do’s and Don’ts if you have a water damage at your home or business:

DO:

• Have a professional plumbing contractor eliminate the water source.



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Holiday Fire Prevention

Trees

• When buying a live tree, check for freshness - green needles, trunk sticky with resin, and few lost needles when tapped on the ground.


• Never place a fresh Christmas tree next to a heat source. Heat dries out trees and makes them easier to catch on fire.


• Keep your tree stand filled with water at all times.


• When the tree gets dry, get rid of it. Look for a recycling center near you.


• Never burn a Christmas tree or its branches in a fireplace or wood stove.

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Cooking and Kitchen Safety - Fire Prevention

We have had numerous kitchen fires to respond to. One in particular was extinguished rapidly by a fast thinking and fast acting young lady. She knew in advance what to do so when she had to she jumped into action saving the home from any major structural damage and herself from any harm.

I know that just reading the above may not help you so please read the below and visit the linked site so you too will be properly prepared:

Cooking Safety

Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is often the favorite place to be together. But many injuries can happen there. To stay safe when you are cooking and eating, here are some tips. http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_cooking_w001.asp

Thanks, and stay safe!

Peter Kanavas - Contents Department Manager