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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.

...ves. Here’s just one example: Cleaning the gutters costs nothing if you do ...Electric utility companies and tree services may have cheap or free wood chips...

...rtance of maintaining your home, cleaning out your gutter, and a general list ...riendly agents at Scurich Insurance Services. Content provided by Transform...

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.

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

In an earlier article, we discussed tips to get your home ready for the fall season.  These tips are important, so there could be no potential denial of coverage should you need to file a claim. In this article, we want you to know what happens when you don’t clean out your gutter and the potential damage it could cause. Leaking gutters.  On the extreme side leaky gutters can also cause leaky roofs, mold, and it can rot away at the surroundings. Leaky roofs.  If your gutter is filled with debris, any rain, snow, or ice, won’t be able to go anywhere, causing a leaky (and expensive repair) roof. Basement leaks.  Gutters usually end up at the foundation of the house.  If there is any damage to the run off, then the water can wind up in your basement. Rotted Wood.  Some houses and/or foundations are made of wood.  If the gutter is not properly taken care of, the build-up will cause wood to rot. Cracks in foundation.  Same principle as above.  Any debris left can create cracks in the foundation. This fall, don’t let your gutter get the best of you.  Stay tuned for Scurich’s tips to clean out your gutter. Content provided by Transformer Marketing.