Hurricanes are one of nature’s largest and deadliest kinds of storms. These giant storms usually form during the warmer spring and summer months, and can have a profound effect on human lives and property. A hurricane forms over warm water, and changes in water temperature and air pressure cause it to grow in size and strength. The most recent tragic hurricane, Katrina, was one of the worst in United States history. In order to properly understand and prepare for how to deal with a hurricane, one must know the science behind them and preparation tips.
Scurich Insurance understands that sometimes it is harder to protect yourself from natural disasters than what it seems that why they want you to have these tips to help you stay safe! It is essential to stay safe during a hurricane, and there are several things people can do to be prepared. First, make sure your car has plenty of gasoline in the event of a mandatory evacuation. Prepare a hurricane readiness kit with a flashlight, handheld radio, plenty of batteries, prescription medication, fresh water, and non perishable food. Expect power to be out in your area for several days, if not weeks. Flooding is also a possibility so find out about your home’s insurance policy. Always have ice and food available to you in the event of an emergency storm. Stay away from windows and glass, and away from objects that can fall on top of you. Remain calm, and have an exit plan or a plan of what to do next in the event that a hurricane strikes your area. Speak with your homeowners insurance agency to see if they have a comprehensive guide available to help better prepare you and your home.
If you haven’t checked your Home Insurance coverage levels lately, now’s a good time to do it.
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-Tony Scurich
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Defective electrical wiring systems cause approximately 40,000 residential fires annually, according to a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study. In addition, electric cords and plugs are involved in about 7,000 fires annually. The National Electrical Safety Foundation offers numerous tips to safeguard the home against electrical fire and related losses, including the following.
- Verify that outlets and extension cords are not overloaded
- Examine electrical cords to ensure they are not frayed, damaged, or placed under rugs or carpets.
- Verify that the proper wattage bulbs are being used in light fixtures and lamps.
- Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in bathrooms, utility rooms, and kitchens. This device protects people against electrocution by shutting down the electrical system if it detects any imbalance in the electricity.
Take steps to safeguard electrical appliances from power surges. A power surge is a sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit that can last up to several seconds and can ruin electrical appliances and equipment, such as computers. Note that computer chips are now in many of the appliances you plug in. You can purchase surge protection devices to safeguard against this problem.
Consider updating the entire electrical system if the home is over 40 years old. Older homes are more susceptible to electrical fire. For example, many older homes contain aluminum wiring, which is much more likely to start fires than the copper wire required by modern building codes.
Install child tamper-resistant electrical outlets to prevent a child from inserting something into the outlet holes.
Install arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to avoid fires caused by arc faults. An arc fault is a discharge of electric current across a gap. This can be caused by improper electrical connections, pinched wire insulation, and overheated wires.
Note that many insurers offer discounts for some of these electrical safety improvements. Please call for details.
If you would like more information on Scurich Insurance and what services we can provide for you, we have a great website!
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