home safety
The following blog posts have the category Home safety
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Autumn is a season of spectacular transformation. The air turns crisp, leaves paint the landscape in hues of amber and crimson, and we trade our shorts for cozy sweaters. But as we enjoy the beauty of the season, a different kind of preparation should be on our minds. Fall is the perfect transitional period to ensure our homes are safe, secure, and ready for the colder, harsher weather that winter will bring.
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As the leaves start to change and fall approaches, homeowners should take time to think about tree safety on their property. Trees add beauty, shade, and value, but they can also pose risks if not cared for properly, especially during autumn when weather can be unpredictable. Here are some important tips to keep in mind.
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Dryers are one of the most commonly used appliances in many homes, and like any hard-working machine, they need proper care. While it's easy to remember to clean the lint trap after each use, one often-overlooked chore is cleaning the dryer vent system itself. This small act of home maintenance may help prevent serious problems, including fires, inefficient drying, and expensive repairs.
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The 4th of July is a time to celebrate our nation's independence with family, friends, and fun. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, heading to the lake, or watching fireworks, it's important to keep safety in mind. At Urbasek Insurance Services, Inc., we want your Independence Day to be memorable for all the right reasons. Here are some key safety tips to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property this holiday.
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When it comes to fire prevention, many homeowners focus on the inside of their house –but your yard, deck, and roof are just as important. Wildfires and stray embers can spread quickly, and maintaining a fire-conscious exterior can help reduce the risk of damage. Here are some practical ways to help protect the outside of your home from fire hazards.
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A simple slip-and-fall accident on your property could cost you thousands—or even more—if you don't have the right liability coverage in your homeowners insurance. Many homeowners focus on protecting their house and belongings from disasters like fire or storms, but liability protection is just as crucial. Without it, you could be left financially vulnerable to lawsuits, medical bills, and legal fees.
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As winter sets in, many households turn to various heating sources to keep warm, from space heaters to fireplaces and furnaces. While these options provide much-needed comfort during colder months, they also come with safety risks if not used properly. Here's a guide to help you stay warm and safe this winter with essential tips for home heating safety, covering everything from space heaters and fireplaces to carbon monoxide awareness.
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When it comes to home improvement projects, picking the right contractor can make all the difference. The right contractor will ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to your satisfaction. However, choosing a contractor can be daunting with so many options available. Here are some key factors to consider when picking a contractor for work on your home.
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As summer heats up, nothing beats the joy of taking a refreshing dip in the pool. However, ensuring safety around the pool, especially for kids and pets, is crucial. Here are some essential tips to keep everyone safe while enjoying the water.
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Spring is a time for renewal in Illinois, and that often means tackling some DIY projects around the house. But before you dive headfirst into those home improvement dreams, consider the potential hazards lurking beneath the surface. From electrical mishaps to structural risks, spring DIY projects come with a hidden layer of dangers that can turn a fun weekend project into a costly (and potentially dangerous) mess. Let's explore some of the common spring DIY risks and how to avoid them, ensuring your home improvements go off without a hitch.
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With colder temperatures and snow on the horizon for those located in the northern part of the country, this is the time of year to batten down the hatches as they say. In doing so, one of the most important factors to check is your insulation. Proper insulation not only keeps the cold out, but it also keeps the energy bills down.
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In a world full of visible dangers, the last thing anyone in Illinois wants to think about is the invisible ones. But they're there and, believe it or not, many of them may be lurking inside your home. According to the CDC, each year, approximately 430 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 are treated for it. Mold is prevalent in an estimated 70 percent of American homes. And the EPA and Surgeon General attribute more than 21,000 annual deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. to radon exposure.
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Swimming pools are wonderful complements to summer weather. Few things are better than stepping outside your home for a cool dip, hosting poolside parties or watching your kids play themselves to exhaustion in the water. Most of us understand that pools also pose a danger but it is important to understand the extent of that danger, the components and preventative measures we can take to keep our pools safe.
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Does your home need a new paint job or a quick refresh on the trim? Are the gutters overflowing with the remains of fall foliage? Or are larger issues demanding immediate attention, like doors and windows, the roof, or the foundation? Whether you thrive on weekends filled with do-it-yourself projects or hide at the mere suggestion, summer's long days and generally agreeable weather in Illinois offer the ideal opportunity to take on the range of home maintenance and improvement tasks to preserve value and functionality for years to come. Here are a few considerations for fixing up the exterior of your home in the months to come.
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For many, summer ushers in sunny afternoons spent lounging by pools, floating lazy rivers, and taking the boat out for waterskiing, fishing, and all things wet and wonderful in Illinois. And, whether by a backyard kiddie pool or a local pond, children are particularly enamored, making water safety a foremost concern for parents.
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It's one of those things that's overlooked until it's absolutely necessary: a first aid kit. Whether you're relaxing at home, navigating five-o-clock traffic, or summer adventuring in your new RV, having a simple first aid kit can mean the difference between an inconvenience and an emergency.
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Summer's generally agreeable weather and extended daylight hours in Illinois make it an ideal season to tackle renovations, remodels, and other household fix-its. Still, these projects aren't without inherent challenges and risks. A little due diligence at the onset can do much to minimize unhappy surprises and make for successful, stress-free (or, at least, as close as it gets) renovations.
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When Hurricane Katrina touched down in 2005, humans were not the only species affected by its destruction. And because emergency relief agencies were not in the business of saving pets, nearly half a million animals were left behind, devastating many owners and causing public outrage on their behalf. Passed in 2006 as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Act now requires state and local agencies to consider pets and service animals in their emergency preparedness plans. While most of us won't experience a disaster like Hurricane Katrina in our lifetimes, it's still up to us to consider our beloved companion animals when planning for emergencies, big and small. Here are a few things you can do:
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After your home is damaged by wind, hail, or other natural elements, the storm isn't necessarily over; in fact, it might be just the beginning. Here's what you need to know about the storm-induced insurance process from diagnosing the damage to filing a claim and making repairs so that weathering your home's recovery is as painless as possible.
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Between personal motor vehicles, factories, trains, and other sources of toxic fumes, the outside air would seem to be significantly more toxic than the air within our seemingly pristine indoor environments. Unfortunately, this is an illusion. The air you breathe at home or work can be seriously harmful. In fact, according to a study by the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution kills approximately four million people worldwide every year.
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Asbestos is a hidden health hazard that can lurk right in the place where you should feel the safest: home. While those who work in the construction industry are considered the most vulnerable to asbestos exposure, especially repeated exposure, it's important to keep in mind that even very limited exposure-such as what you might experience during a simple renovation project-can have long-term negative effects. Make it a priority to prevent you and your family members from coming into contact with this dangerous material.
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What would we do without our handy power strips? Those convenient blocks of electrical sockets, which enable us to convert one outlet into several, make it possible to plug in all the gear that we can't live without these days. A typical location for a power strip is the home office, where it helps computers, speakers, printer, monitors, and all sorts of other necessities come to life. But many households have power strips in multiple rooms, if not every room, since there are so many items that require plugging in these days. Hairstyling tools, cooking equipment, and phone chargers come to mind!
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It's the place where we seek rest and respite from the demands of the workday and the outside world. It's where we spend quality time with friends and family. It's where we cook, eat, sleep, shower, and sit by the fire. It's home, and it really is sweet.
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Before winter strikes in Illinois, most of us tuck away our summer clothes and bring out the sweaters, coats, and scarves that will keep our bodies cozy when there's a chill in the air. But how many of us take similar steps to prepare our homes for winter weather? Readying your home for winter, also known as "winterizing," will not only help you and your family to stay snug and warm while saving money on energy bills, but it may also protect your home from damage that can lead to costly repairs.
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As winter starts to set in most of us will be spending more time indoors. Now is a good time to review this checklist for safety, comfort, and savings. Around your home...
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Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to an organization. It is important for businesses of all sizes to have a risk management plan in place to protect themselves from financial losses.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the “silent killer” for a reason — it’s invisible, odorless, and tasteless, yet can be deadly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200 people in the United States die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, most often due to malfunctioning gas appliances. The American Medical Association reports even higher numbers and identifies CO poisoning as the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country.
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Download Hurricane/Flood Disaster Supply Kit (Excel)(PDF)
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Be prepared for storm season by knowing where to tune for weather updates, what to do before, during and after a storm hits. Go over your Hurricane Property Preparation Checklist to make sure you have time to complete all necessary preparations. Even in high hurricane winds, preparation can mean the difference between minor damage and devastation.
While the vast majority of products and toys produced for infants and children are safe, that is not always the case. In March of 2005, for instance, Graco agreed to a record 4 million dollar fine for failing to report deaths and injuries related to recalled goods or products about to be recalled. Each year, about one-third of the 350 or so products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission are intended for infants and small children. Small children are particularly susceptible to inherently unsafe products so it is a good idea to review recall information periodically.
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Exactly what is a tornado and what is a near tornado? When it comes to personal safety, it hardly matters. Even relatively wean tornadoes can be devastating, causing tremendous property damage. Learn a few facts about tornadoes and what you can do to keep you and your family safe before, during, and after a tornado.
Maintenance for your vacation or second home is pretty much the same as for your primary residence. There are a few reasons why you may need to take a few extra measures with your second home. You are most likely away from your vacation home for periods of time and, if you have nearby neighbors, they may be away from their homes during the same intervals. Many vacation homes are situated 'away from it all' so, if something were to happen to your home, it's possible no one would notice until too late.
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