Tips and Resources

Fire Prevention

Smoke Alarms
It is important to have one on each level of your home. Make sure you test them periodically and change the batteries once a year. Recommendations say to have one outside of each sleeping room in your home and replace if over 10 years old.

Candles

Keep away from air movement, decorations, pets and children to prevent a fire from occurring.

Cords

Check your cords periodically for damage such as broken wires, plug damage or cuts. Never use indoor rated cords for outdoors. Rugs should never be placed on top of extension cords.

LB White & other propane heaters

Make sure to have these serviced once a year to avoid potential fire loss.

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

This is a continuous flexible gas line marketed as an alternative to traditional black iron piping. It has the potential to leak if a structure is struck by lightning and it is not property bonded or grounded. You can easily identify if you have CSST by looking to see if the product is coming out of the furnace unit. If you have this is it strongly recommended that a licensed contractor verify that a bonding device is installed on the gas system in order to prevent a gas leak or fire from occurring.

Space Heaters

Extra caution is required when using a space heater. Make sure electric and kerosene heaters are not located next to walls or combustible material. They should also be plugged into an outlet—never use an extension cord as this has been the cause of many recent fires. Also make sure to shut the heater off when leaving the house. Space heaters are not intended to replace your furnace.

IN CASE OF FIRE

Grease fires: Turn off the heat source if possible, cover the fire with pan lid or damp towel with no excess water and once covered slide the pan off the heat source if it can be done without tipping the pan. If none of these items can be done safely, leave the kitchen and call 911.

THEFT PREVENTION WHILE ON VACATION

Keep your house from looking unoccupied.
Avoid letting mail accumulate
Use timers to turn lights on and off when away.
Let trusted neighbors know you will be gone.
Use an alarm system or alarm system warning sign

WATER LOSS PREVENTION

Periodic inspection of hoses and connections of appliances connected to water sources is important.
If away from home for an extended period of time turn off water supply.

WOOD & CORN BURNING:

If you are using any type of wood burning or corn burning appliance to heat your dwelling or outbuilding be sure to check your policy declaration pages for appropriate coverage wording. All wood burning & corn burning appliances must be inspected and approved by our Fire Safety Representative prior to offering coverage for your wood or corn burning appliance.