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Guest Post - How to Prepare Your Home for Inclement Weather

All kinds of challenges come with owning a home, and preparing for bad weather is one of them. Being ready for whatever’s to come can be one of the most important things you can do, both for your family and your house. Here’s how you can prepare your home for inclement weather, both inside and out.

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All kinds of challenges come with owning a home, and preparing for bad weather is one of them. Being ready for whatever’s to come can be one of the most important things you can do, both for your family and your house. Here’s how you can prepare your home for inclement weather, both inside and out.

1. Have Salt on Hand

Using salt to coat your driveways and walkways can ensure nothing freezes over and causes people to slip. Keep a bag in your garage or shed at all times so you don’t have to worry about running out and restocking.

2. Pull Out Your Snowblower

There are plenty of places that get several feet of snow at a time. Whether you’re expecting mere inches or a total coating, pulling the snowblower out and having easy access can make cleaning things off a much easier endeavor.

3. Disconnect Your Garage Door Opener

If you have people coming and going by way of the garage, it’s important to make sure the doors can withstand the elements. Disconnecting the opener from the garage door can ensure it doesn’t get opened during the storm accidentally.

4. Clean Your Gutters

Ensuring your gutters are cleaned out before a storm hits can make things much less likely to freeze or get stuck. Usually, it’s best to do this early in the season if possible. Each fall and spring, climb up there and remove all the leaves and debris that has accumulated since the last cleaning.

Prepping Your Home for a Storm

Storms can sometimes be scary. If you’re adequately prepared for the inclement weather ahead, you’ll have a much easier time cozying up and waiting for it to pass. You can ride the storm out with the peace of mind that you’ve taken every precaution needed to stay safe.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

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Guest Post - How to Fire-Proof Your Home

A house fire is a scary experience for everyone involved. You never expect a fire to destroy your home, but it’s better to prepare for a disaster than assume it will never happen. As average temperatures on Earth continue to rise, wildfires are becoming more prominent. Plus, even in cooler regions, arson could occur.

A house fire is a scary experience for everyone involved. You never expect a fire to destroy your home, but it’s better to prepare for a disaster than assume it will never happen. As average temperatures on Earth continue to rise, wildfires are becoming more prominent. Plus, even in cooler regions, arson could occur.

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Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home and family safe from fires. Here are some tips on how to fire-proof your home to minimize the risk of damage and injuries.

1. Install Smoke Alarms

A cheap and easy defense system for fires is the smoke alarm. As soon as they sense smoke, they alert you to get out of your home. With advanced technology, there are even smart smoke alarms that will send an alert to you even if you’re not home.

Install smoke detectors in every room of your house for the best protection. Ensure you change the batteries once a year to ensure they function properly in case of a fire.

2. Add Fire-Resistant Windows

The typical glass window can easily crack or break with the intense heat from fires. Fire-resistant glass is an easy fix for that, especially when doubled-up. It can resist even the highest wildfire temperatures.

Without fireproof windows, you’re risking a wildfire spreading into your home. It’s a cost-effective option, as well.

3. Landscape to Stop Fires

Did you know that your landscaping could be putting you in danger of a house fire? If there’s a wildfire near your home, the first thing it’s going to reach is your landscaping. You can design your landscaping in a way that prevents a fire from reaching your home.

Make sure dry vegetation is cleared away. Additionally, instead of only having vegetation, opt for concrete or stone landscaping. You can also plant fire-resistant vegetation.

4. Purchase a Fire Extinguisher

A small fire can turn into an unmanageable one very quickly. Having and knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can be the difference between a little bit of fire damage and your whole house being consumed by fire.

Although there are various types of fire extinguishers, a Class A model should work for your home. They work on materials such as wood, cloth, paper, household items, and plastic.

5. Clean Your Chimney

If you have a chimney, regularly clean it. A chimney fire can be devastating for your home, and it’s easily preventable as long as you don’t let creosote build up in it. Creosote is impossible to avoid, but a chimney fire is definitely possible to avoid.

Schedule regular cleanings and maintenance on your chimney. It will allow your chimney to last longer and work as it’s supposed to. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a chimney fire.

6. Consider Fireproof Roofing

Living in a place where you are prone to wildfires can be risky, but there are other ways to fireproof your home to ensure safety. One of those ways is by replacing your roof with fireproof materials.

A roof replacement can be expensive, but it will be worth it for your safety. Common fireproof materials include metal tiles, slate tiles, and clay or concrete tiles.

7. Keep the Exterior Wet

On drier days, days when wildfire possibility is high, or when you know there is a wildfire coming towards your home, you can still keep your home safe. Sparks fly high, so if you have a hose, wet down your roof periodically to put out any sparks.

Additionally, if you have wood around your home anywhere, whether it be a wood pile or a wooden fence, wet it down as well. Make sure it is thoroughly soaked for the best prevention.

8. Exchange Your Doors

Wood doors won’t provide much protection against a raging fire. A fire can come through a wooden door in about 20 minutes. Exchange your doors for ones with a metal core for better fireproofing.

You can also exchange your garage doors. Most garage doors are plastic or wooden, which will burn quickly. Metal doors will provide more protection.

Prevention Is Key

By taking these precautions, you can better prevent a fire from destroying your home. If you live in a region prone to wildfires, consider taking extra precautions in an effort to save your home from fire damage.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

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Home Maintenance Ben Soreff Home Maintenance Ben Soreff

5 Electrical Safety Tips Every Homeowner Needs To Know

As a homeowner, it's essential to understand that there are several safety concerns relating to your home's electrical system and appliances. Your electrical system is present in almost every space of your home. There are five electrical safety tips every homeowner needs to know.

5 Electrical Safety Tips Every Homeowner Needs To Know

As a homeowner, it's essential to understand that there are several safety concerns relating to your home's electrical system and appliances. Your electrical system is present in almost every space of your home. There are five electrical safety tips every homeowner needs to know.

  1. Protection for kids. Take note of any unused outlets in your home. If ignored, they can cause serious harm to children. You can prevent an electrical shock by using plastic inserts to cover the outlets, which will also save energy by cutting down on drafts. You should also hide cords and keep all dangerous electrical devices are out of reach of children.

  2. Fuses. If a fuse in your home blows, it is essential to turn off any appliance that is on the same circuit as the blown fuse. A fuse often blows when there is a power surge or a disruption in the electrical flow. You can protect your valuables by using a surge protector. Just make sure you get the right surge protector for your needs and don't overload it. Furthermore, when you replace the fuse itself, replace it with one with the same rating to avoid any problems.

  3. Overload. As mentioned, putting too much strain on an outlet is one of the most dangerous things a homeowner can do. Doing so has caused thousands of fires in American homes. If you notice flickering lights or discolored wall outlets, that may be a sign that you have an overloaded outlet in your home. Reduce the use of all multi-line converters and plug major appliances directly into the wall.

  4. Extension cords. There are a few tips for extension cords that you likely have around the house. Always pull the plug itself, not the cord. Removing the plug will prevent fraying and stress on the end of the cord itself. Also, keep extension cords out of wet or damp areas. A situation like that is a recipe for disaster.

  5. Fire. If you have to face an electrical fire, it is essential to remember one thing: never try to put it out with water. You run the risk of electrocution and harming yourself even more. Make sure you have a household fire extinguisher with an A-B-C rating. This substance is safe for electrical fires.

Just like any other part of your home, it is essential to pay attention to your electrical system. We hope these five electrical safety tips every homeowner needs to know will help you understand your home’s electrical system a little better and keep you and your family safe for years to come.

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Home Maintenance Ben Soreff Home Maintenance Ben Soreff

Household Items You Need To Replace

There are some parts of our homes that we think are invincible, but in reality, they're not. Let's check out some household items you need to replace.

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You might be surprised to learn that certain household items are less durable and permanent than you originally thought. We tend to think our home's windows, the fireplace, and even our furnace are invincible, but they can wear down and become less effective over time, leading to inefficiency, higher bills, and damage. To improve your home's safety and function, it's a good idea to look through this list of household items you need to replace and swap out any out-of-date fixtures and items in your home as necessary.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

We might not think much of our home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but they're invaluable features. They're designed to keep us safe in case the unthinkable happens. A smoke detector will last up to ten years, and a carbon monoxide detector will last up to seven. Having a working smoke detector will increase your house fire survival chances by 50 percent, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Even if you don’t need to replace your detectors, you might want to inspect and replace their batteries on an annual basis.

Fire Extinguisher

Your fire extinguishers have a shelf life. A rechargeable fire extinguisher will last up to six years, and a disposable fire extinguisher will last up to twelve. You should check your fire extinguisher's pressure gauges monthly to ensure they're still charged or full, and recharge or replace them as necessary.

Baseboard Heater Cover

A well-designed and well-maintained baseboard cover can last you a lifetime, but less durable models might wear out sooner. On average, a baseboard cover will last around twenty years. When you're picking out a new cover, you'll want to pick out the right size and make sure to remove and replace the existing cover correctly.

Air Conditioner

Another household item you need to replace is your air conditioner. Your air conditioning unit will start to wear down over time, with the average unit lasting anywhere from eight to ten years. Regular maintenance can help prolong its lifespan, but eventually, you'll need to replace it. If you're experiencing humidity issues, temperature fluctuations, or excessive noise signals, the source could be an air conditioner that's on its last legs.

Windows

Depending on the manufacturer, vinyl windows can last twenty-five years or longer. If you notice minor leaks around the window, you can repair them with caulk or weather-stripping. A rotted frame or broken seal, on the other hand, are signs that you should have your windows replaced.

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