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Spring cleaning does more than remove dirt and grime...ll thank you.With these four spring cleaning tips, you're able to reduce maint...

Now that you know what damage not cleaning your gutter can do to your home, we ....diynetwork.com/remodeling/tips-for-cleaning-and-repairing-gutters/index.html

...r a prime opportunity for spring cleaning and home maintenance. After a long w...me and property all year long. From cleaning out your gutters and checking for dead trees and branches, to cleaning and inspecting your home mechanic...

Using our claim data, we have developed a list of the most common causes of fire-related losses as well as some things you can do to help prevent them. Faulty Wiring and Outlets Are One of the Top Causes of House Fires. Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires. Do not pinch or cover electrical cords with items such as rugs. Be aware of the capacity of your home's electrical system. Do not overload your circuits. If you have questions about your home's electrical system, you may want to consult a licensed electrician. Understand the difference between surge protectors and power strips - both allow you to plug in multiple electronic devices, but only the surge protector will help protect these devices from a power spike. Use surge protectors to protect valuable electronic devices, such as computers and televisions. Carelessness in the Kitchen May Also Lead to a House Fire. Never leave your pots or pans unattended on your stove. Keep a kitchen fire extinguisher readily available and know how to use it. Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up food splatter or grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking. Read more tips to help prevent cooking fires, and what to do if one occurs. Clothes Dryers are Another Common Source of House Fires. If you are installing your own dryer vent, follow the directions in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, using the recommended duct material. If you are unsure about how to properly install the vent, consider hiring a professional to do the installation. Clean out the dryer vent regularly. Clean out the lint filter after each load. Lint may also collect under and behind your dryer, so do not forget to clean these areas. Alternative Heating Sources May Also Create a Fire Hazard. Avoid using an older space heater, as it may not have adequate safety features compared to newer units. When purchasing a new space heater, ensure it is UL Listed and pay attention to the safety features. Do not place a space heater near furniture, curtains or other objects that could easily catch fire. If you plan to install an alternative heating system, such as a wood or pellet stove, follow the instructions. If you are unsure about how to properly install the system, consider hiring a professional to do the installation. Before installing a wood or pellet stove, check to ensure it complies with the laws of your state and municipality. Dirty Chimneys Also Pose a Fire Hazard. Have your chimney inspected annually by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweep. Have a professional clean and repair the chimney as needed, especially before the cold months, when you will be using it frequently. Use seasoned wood only. Never burn green or damp wood. Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or trees in your fireplace - these can all spark chimney fires.

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Enjoy longer days and warmer nights while protecting your investment. Summertime is the best time to be outside enjoying the weather. Make sure your deck or patio is ready for the summer sun by keeping in mind the seasonal maintenance tips below. Check deck or patio for possible deterioration and safety hazards such as loose boards and protruding nails. Check electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service. Check all window and door locks to ensure correct functioning. Make sure all locks are secure and there are no holes in any of the screens. Inspect recreational equipment for proper operation and possible dangers (e.g., Are swing sets secure, and do they contain any rusty bolts?). Carefully inspect your toilet. Look for the erosion of plastic floater valves, and check all pipe connections. Clean or replace your furnace filter. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust and pieces of material. Inspect washing machine hoses periodically, and replace hoses that show signs of wear or leakage. Have your roof inspected by a professional once every few years to identify areas of potential leakage.

Air, water, and soil pollution pose a serious financial threat for contractors. One small misstep can require thousands - or even millions - to clean up. Consider these scenarios: Remodeling a school kicks up dust. Using construction materials generates fumes that pollute the air. Hitting an underground storage tank leads to the release of liquid pollutants. Spraying to remove a bees' nest from a work area releases insecticides. Tying into a sewer line improperly causes sewage to back up. Your Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) policy provides severely limited protection against these types of pollution claims. Not to worry! Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) insurance can protect you. (These policies are sometimes written together with Contractors Professional Liability coverage - see the previous article). CPL covers Bodily Injury and Property Damage - whether by settlement or verdict - as well as the expenses of investigating, defending, or settling claims. Most policies also cover the costs of removing or neutralizing pollutants and restoring the damaged property. CPL policies usually include a "hammer clause" that works like this: if the contractor chooses to fight a claim, rather than settle it, the insurance company's liability for damages and claims expenses is limited to what it would have had to pay if the contractor had approved the settlement. As you can imagine, most contractors choose to settle when their insurer recommends this approach. As with Contractors Professional Liability coverage, CPL policies are usually written on a case-by-case basis, with the size of the policy depending on your situation (for example coverage might be worldwide or limited to the U.S). Our agency would be happy to work with you, and the quality insurance companies we represent, to tailor a program suited for your needs. Feel free to get in touch with us at any time.

More and more, people are vacationing in their own backyards. If you have turned yours into a “staycation” hot spot, here are some safety tips to consider to help keep your oasis fun and free of danger. The Pool The pool can be a refreshing way to get some relief from the hot sun. But it can also be dangerous. Get your pool swim-ready by understanding some of the most common ways accidents occur, and then learning more about proper swimming pool safety and maintenance to help prevent them: Unsupervised access or swimming, either by lack of close supervision or by failing to properly secure the pool to prevent entry. As a pool owner, you are responsible for making sure that access is restricted and people cannot enter pool areas unattended. Injury by diving or jumping improperly, or from water around the pool or deck area that may cause someone to slip and fall. Defective or broken spa or swimming pool components. Drains are often a dangerous pool part that can cause circulation entrapment if not properly covered. Faulty pool equipment and old pool lighting can also cause electrical shock. Prevent swimming pool accidents before they occur. Learn more about swimming pool safety. The Grill During warmer months, you might enjoy having a backyard barbecue. But according to the latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, gas and charcoal grills have been involved in an average of 8,800 home and outside fires per year. Some of the main causes of grilling fires are: Placing the grill too close to combustibles, such as siding or an overhang. Failure to keep the grill clean. Grease or fat buildup can catch and spread fire quickly. A leak or break in the grill’s gas hose. Leaving equipment unattended. Misuse of material or product, including using incorrect starter fluids. Cook safely outdoors this summer by reading our grilling safety tips. Trampolines Trampolines can be fun for kids, but according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they are the cause of nearly 100,000 injuries each year.  Avoid being a statistic: Limit the number of jumpers to one at a time. Supervision is needed for children at all times. Remove trampoline ladders after use to prevent unsupervised access by young children. Anchor the trampoline and enclosure to the ground by using a trampoline anchor kit. Playsets Playsets can be enjoyed by children of all ages, but damaged or weather-worn playsets can cause accidents. Stay safe by: Supervising children. Regularly checking for sturdiness, rusty bolts and wood rot, and making necessary repairs. Ensuring playsets do not have openings between pieces that could trap a child’s head or neck. Placing playsets securely on level ground and on wood chips or other soft materials to cushion falls and help prevent injuries. Fire Pits Warm nights are the perfect time to roast marshmallows. But out-of-control fires can cause injury. Be smart: Place the fire pit in a safe spot away from your home, backyard deck or low-hanging tree branches. Always require adult supervision around the fire pit while it is in use and until it has cooled off. Never leave the fire unattended. Use sand to fully extinguish the fire. Let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container. Lawn mowers During the spring and summer months, lawn mowers can easily cause injury. Follow these tips for safety: Read the mower’s manual, heed safety and operating instructions and learn the controls. Do not allow children to ride as passengers on a lawn mower, and be sure to keep children out of the yard while mowing. Clean up toys and other objects, such as rocks, from the yard to help prevent injuries from flying objects. Never leave a running mower unattended. Never operate the mower in an enclosed place where carbon monoxide can accumulate. Never unclog or work on a lawn mower while the engine is on or when the spark plug is connected. Wear non-slip shoes (no open toes or heels), long pants and hearing and eye protection. Grilling Fires: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/outdoors/grilling Trampolines: https://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/137868/085%20Trampoline%20Safety.pdf

When thinking of the cause of a kitchen fire, it is common to think of cooking. But not all kitchen fires start because of cooking hazards. Non-cooking related fires commonly involve refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers. The following tips can help prevent non-cooking related fires from occurring in your kitchen. Plug all kitchen appliances, including microwaves, toasters and coffee makers, directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord as it can overheat and cause a fire. Use the right outlet for the right appliance. For larger appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators, be sure to only use properly grounded outlets with circuits that match the rating plate on the appliance. If you have older 2-prong outlets in other locations of your kitchen, have a qualified electrician replace it with a properly grounded 3-prong outlet. Do not use an adapter. Replace any power cords that become frayed or otherwise damaged. Never use a cord that shows cracks or other damage. When moving kitchen appliances, be aware of power cords. Rolling over or pinching power cords can damage them. Unplug small appliances when not in use. Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up food splatter or grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking. Check and clean stove hoods and filters regularly. If your stove hood vents externally, make sure insects or birds do not build nests or otherwise impede air flow through it. Never use a gas or propane oven to heat your home. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also give off toxic gases. What to Do If a Kitchen Fire Flares Up By exercising caution at all times in your kitchen, you can help reduce the risk of a kitchen fire. But if a fire does flare up, you need to be prepared. Your safety should always come first. If you are unsure about whether it is safe to fight the fire, leave the scene, call 911 for help, and let the fire department control the fire. If a small fire flares up and you are going to attempt to extinguish it, call 911 for help first. A fire may grow out of control more quickly than you anticipate. It is safer to have help already on the way. Using a fire extinguisher