Tag Archives: pests

General Safety Issues

FIVE THINGS YOUR HOME INSURANCE WON’T COVER (GUEST POST)

5 Things Your Home Insurance Won’t Cover

Most homeowners get lulled into a false sense of security after they purchase an insurance policy on their property investment. Unfortunately, your homeowner’s policy does not cover everything that could happen to your home. In fact, most people would be shocked to discover all of the potential issues that are specifically excluded from the average policy. Your best recourse is to make sure that you fully understand what your insurance will cover, and you should also find out if you are able to add optional coverage to protect you from specific high risk issues.

Fortunately, everything that is listed below will usually be covered if you buy an additional home emergency assistance policy. 

Five Things Your Home Insurance Will Not Cover 

1. Plumbing Issues – The standard homeowner’s policy will not provide any coverage for plumbing issues, so if you are looking to purchase your policy through a comparison site such as Monkey.co.uk, you need to check the policy wording first to understand just what you are covered for. If you are not covered and you have a massive backup or leak from any aspect of your home’s plumbing, you could be left with all of the expenses unless you have an emergency assistance policy. 

2. Pest Infestation – When most people think of pests in their home, they only consider the possibility of being temporarily inconvenienced while a pest management company performs the eradication process. However, there are some pests that pose a much greater risk to your home. For example, woodworm can cause extensive damage to your home’s woodwork, and even bees can end up costing you thousands if they set up residence inside your walls. 

3. Internal Water – If a flood causes your home to become filled with water, most insurance companies are not going to assist you. Unfortunately, whether the flooding is caused by an outside source or a massive plumbing issue, the internal water clause that is in most policies will allow your provider to deny your claim. Again, this is a good reason to consider buying a home emergency assistance policy in addition to your standard homeowner’s policy.

4. Damage Caused by a Radiator – Many policies will not offer coverage for damage that is caused by a radiator or other heating source. In other words, if one of these items starts a fire or causes any other type of damage to your property, you are unlikely to receive any financial assistance without a special policy.

5. Electrical Damage – The electrical system in any home could become fried due to a faulty appliance, bad wiring or even a thunderstorm. This issue is especially prevalent for homeowners who live in a building that was built more than a couple of decades ago. Sadly, without the proper additional coverage, most people could lose everything if an electrical issue causes the entire house to burn down. 

The best way to make sure that you receive the coverage that you need is to carefully read through the entire homeowner’s policy before you sign it. If there is something specific missing, you need to discuss whether or not it can be added before you move forward. Being proactive by adding on additional coverage options or a home emergency assistance policy is the best way to protect your investment. 

Georgina Clatworthy is a freelance writer and homeowner who understands the importance of ensuring comprehensive coverage when it comes to home insurance.  Insurance comparison websites such as Monkey.co.uk, provide a good way to search a wide number of providers and review the additional coverage options available.  

Georgina, thank you for this excellent information.  Understand your coverage.  Better to be safe than sorry! pb

 

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

HAVE A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

The Memorial Day holiday weekend ushers in the beginning of warm weather outings, as most students have finished their school year.  There is always much anticipation in the air about planned trips, summer jobs, or whatever new things are to be enjoyed.  We want to remind you that the highways will be heavily travelled, so leave a little early in order to not be rushed.  Be careful if you are traveling alone about where you take rest stops.  It is wiser to stop at convenience stores, or where there are many people, than some of the public roadside rest stops.  Also, be aware that your friendly state troopers will be out in full force, with the sole purpose of keeping you safe!  Don’t let any distractions get in the way of safety, stay off the cell phone (hands free, only), NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING, and don’t drink and drive!

One pesky little detail I’d like to mention is that, according to the travel organization, AAA, there should be almost 35 million Americans traveling either by train, plane, or cruises.  For those that are doing so, or staying in hotels, the National Pest Management Association advises people to keep bed bug prevention and detection tips in mind. “The good news is that summer is finally here; the bad news is that bed bugs continue to lurk in places people typically visit during a vacation,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Although bed bugs are a year-round pest, people have a greater chance of picking up this hitchhiker during the summer as travel increases. Bed bugs are a souvenir no one wants to bring home.”

Here are several NPMA tips to help travelers remain bed bug-free. More information can be found at AllThingsBedBugs.org.

  • Pull back hotel bed sheets, inspect the mattress seams, box spring, around and behind the headboard, sofas and chairs for telltale brownish or reddish spots, shed skins or bugs.
  • Avoid putting luggage on the bed or upholstered furniture.
  • If changing rooms, be sure the new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.
  • Use a large plastic bag to store luggage.
  • Upon returning home, inspect and vacuum suitcases thoroughly before bringing them into the house.
  • Wash and dry clothes on hot – whether worn or not or have them dry cleaned.
  • Consumers suspecting an infestation should contact a licensed pest professional.

Many people are wondering if the high price of gasoline will affect travel, beginning this Memorial Day weekend.  The American Auto Club Association’s holiday travel projection that was released nationally, is that about 100,000 more Americans will be traveling this year than last.  According to the group, travelers will find other ways to compensate for the near record fuel costs by cutting down on other areas of their travel budgets.  Many may make the choices of less expensive vacations, such as hiking and other outings rather than more expensive meals and shopping.  And others may simply choose to stay home, maybe throw some ribs on the grill, and enjoy watching the big race, basketball playoffs, and baseball games.  That’s not such a bad idea.  Sometimes waiting to travel when it isn’t a holiday is safer.

It should be a long, hot summer, so stock up on sunscreen, and don’t forget those safety safety sunglasses, and earplugs for any loud events you plan to attend, say, the Indianapolis 500? Don’t overdo it in the sun.  A tan looks great until you get older, and then just adds to the wrinkles!

Most important of all, don’t forget the reason for this holiday.  Memorial Day is always celebrated in the United States on the last Monday of May.  This is a legal holiday that pays tribute to the memory of those who died while serving the United States in wars.  It was first observed in 1866.  We continue to honor those who gave their lives in the process of holding on to the freedoms that we enjoy.  We must also honor those who are now serving in far-away places, away from the celebration of family, and pray for their safe return.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOU HAVE A PEST PROBLEM?

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Warm weather is sure to bring some friendly or not-so-friendly critters into our homes, schools, farms, and workplace.  Pests include cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, mice, rats, termites; outdoor pests are weeds, worms, aphids, and grubs, just to name a few.

Prevention is the main key to solving the problem of an insect invasion, so don’t let them get started!  To keep the creepy, crawly pests out of the house, store food in sealed containers, remove garbage regularly, don’t leave your pet food or water out, and keep your home free of clutter.  Roaches love to hide under papers, and in boxes.  Check boxes before bringing them into your house, to be sure you aren’t moving in an “uninvited family”.  They can also invade your luggage when you are on vacation, so check it well when you return.

Regular use of pesticides in homes, workplaces and schools helps keep pests away.  Professional services provide the proper amount of pesticides to be used in order to reduce risk to humans and pets.  Baits and traps can be used to eliminate rodents.  Fogging should not be done unless absolutely necessary.  Whether you are using some type of pesticide in your home, garden, farm, or workplace, be sure to know what you are dealing with and the proper use and disposal of leftover products. Use extra caution to not expose children or pet areas to the repellent you are using.

Use respiratory protection when necessary.  Many insects are our friends, and are just doing their jobs pollinating plants, etc.  But for the ones we don’t relish having around, there are ways to let them know they aren’t welcome.  Just be familiar with the types of sprays and powders you choose.

Source: EPA