With the arrival of warmer temperatures, most homeowners depend on air conditioners to keep cool in the summer months. Despite the comfort provided by air conditioners during sweltering weather, it’s important to know that ACs and even fans can cause fires if not...
Hurricanes can impact people living along coastlines, but they can also cause major damage hundreds of miles inland due to storm surges, heavy winds, rip currents, and flooding. The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30, while the Eastern...
Lightning strikes can happen any time there is a thunderstorm and can be a threat to both people and property. According to the National Weather Service, the threat of lightning increases as a storm approaches and peaks when it is overhead. It gradually diminishes as...
The summer months are perfect to spend with family and friends around a backyard swimming pool. But despite the fun they bring, pools do pose their own risks. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 6,700 children...
Warmer months mean there is more time to relax on your home’s deck. You’ll probably even have family and friends over for cookouts. But before you do either, there are several things you should do each year to ensure that your deck is safe. The Consumer Product Safety...
Whether you use an electric blanket to snuggle up on a cold winter night or need a heating pad to soothe an ailment, both personal heating appliances have the potential to cause fires if not used properly. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, electric...
If a storm causes a power outage at your home, you may turn to a generator for help. Although generators can provide a temporary source of power, they can also be dangerous if not used properly. Before using any type of generator, the manufacturer's instructions...
If you live in an area of the United States prone to cold weather and tend to get winter storms, you are most likely used to snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, and flooding. You may have also had to deal with nor'easters and blizzards on occasion. According to the...
Many devices we use nowadays come with lithium-ion batteries including smartphones, laptops, car fobs, cameras, watches, smoke alarms, e-cigarettes, toys, e-scooters, e-bikes, and even cars. Lithium-ion batteries are small in size but store a lot of energy. If not...