Category: Homeowners

Residential alarm systems get a lot of attention when talking about home security, but what choices do you have and what benefits are there?  Can you get a discount on your homeowner’s insurance if you have a system installed?  It is possible that just a sign from a security company on your window or in your yard may deter potential burglars, but educating yourself about what security companies have to offer can help you determine if an alarm system is right for your home.

Security companies offer a host of options, including protection against burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide, as well as medical monitoring and mobile monitoring.  In security systems, you have two basic choices:  monitored and unmonitored systems. 

Monitored systems will contact your monitoring company by telephone when activated.  The monitoring company will then dispatch the police, fire department, or other emergency personnel to your home.  The drawbacks, however, could be quite serious, depending on the situation.  The monitored system uses your telephone line to notify emergency personnel.  That means that your phone line will be in use and you would need a secondary phone line or a cellular phone to call for additional help.  If an intruder is bold enough to cut your telephone line before entering your home, the advantages of a monitored system are cut short.  Also, in the case of a false alarm, the police department may charge you for a trip out to your home.

Some monitoring companies will sell you the security system, but will not act as your monitoring company.  They may sub-contract with a monitoring firm who will be handling your monitoring.  You can find a secure monitoring company on your own, but if your company has an Underwriters Laboratory rating, you can trust they will be secure.

Unmonitored systems have advantages and disadvantages as well.  An unmonitored system usually has an audible alarm and possibly flashing lights, which notify neighbors that the security of your home has been breached.  This, however, poses a specific problem:  you must rely on your neighbors to take action if they see or hear your alarm system activated.  Your neighbors may not be at home, or, unfortunately, some neighbors will not want to get involved.  Consider organizing your community by initiating a neighborhood watch program and having get-togethers, so that you become vested in protecting each others safety.

For many, the advantages of a home security system are also financial.  Informing your homeowner’s insurance company that you have certain security measures in place can save you 5% to 20% on your homeowner’s policy.  Insurers will routinely give a 15% to 20% discount for homes equipped with a burglary and fire alarm system that is monitored by a third-party monitoring company.¹

Considering an alarm system for your home may provide you with peace of mind, whether you are home or away.  Developing close ties to your neighbors can also provide you that same comfort.  If you are considering a monitored security system, contact your homeowner’s insurance company for details about discounts that may be available to you.  While the financial benefit from your insurance company may be an advantage to a security system, it may be greatly outweighed by the peace of mind you will feel in knowing your home is properly defended against burglary, fire, or other threats.

 

¹ See http://homes.wsj.com/buysell/taxesandinsurance/20031202-smartmoney.html.

A new survey commissioned by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) has shed considerable light on a serious problem:  electrical hazards in the home. 1  The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says that there are an annual average of 165,380 electrical-related home structure fires, taking an average of more than 900 lives, injuring almost 7,000 people, and causing nearly $1.7 billion in property damage.  Suffice it to say, electrical hazards in your home are a serious concern.

There are several areas in your home that can easily be checked to greatly eliminate risk of electrical hazards.  Wall outlets should be checked for loose-fitting plugs, which can overheat and lead to fire.  Never force a plug into an outlet.  If the plug does not fit into the outlet, it should not be plugged in.  Along those same lines, never remove a ground prong from a three-prong plug so that it can fit into a two-prong outlet, as this can cause electrical shock.  Do not overload plugs or circuits with too many items.  Make sure all switch plate covers are secure and take care to cover wall outlets when children are around.  If you notice any discolored or hot outlet plates, take action immediately, as this may indicate a dangerous heat build up and possible fire threat.

Power cords and extension cords are also a potential safety concern.  Make sure you are only using cords in good condition, with no frayed or cracked housing.  Never nail or staple an extension cord to the wall or baseboard and do not place cords in high-traffic areas, or under items such as rugs, carpets, or furniture.  Keep in mind that extension cords are not permanent wiring and should not be used for prolonged periods of time.  Additionally, use power cords approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or another independent testing facility.  Make sure the cord has been rated for the type of application you need it for.

Check your light fixtures and light bulbs.  Does the wattage of the light bulb exceed the recommendation on the fixture?  If so, replace it immediately with a light bulb that does not have higher wattage than what has been recommended by the manufacturer.  Make sure the bulb is screwed in tightly, as loose light bulbs may overheat and can be a potential safety hazard. 

Ensure that all appliances, from kitchen to bathroom, are certified by an independent testing laboratory, such as UL, CSA, or MET Labs, and follow the manufactures instructions carefully.

When it comes to circuit breakers in your home, get familiar with them.  Create a map to outline all outlets, rooms, fixtures, and appliances and where they are on your circuit breaker.  Circuit breakers and fuses should be the correct size and rating for their circuit.  Never replace a fuse with a different size from the one you are removing.

Required in homes since the early 1970’s, consider a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, on all general-purpose circuits in your home.  A GFCI can prevent accidental shock and electrocution by shutting off a circuit when a “leak” of electric current is detected off the circuit.  GFCIs should be tested monthly and after every major electrical storm.

AFCIs, or arc fault circuit interrupters, help prevent fires resulting from outlets, switches, and frayed or cracked power cords.  The AFCI senses the particular signature of an arc and acts to immediately shut off the circuit.  AFCIs are required in all new home construction in bedroom circuits, but should be considered as a safety measure in all homes and on general-purpose circuits.

In summary, there are many simple steps you can take to ensure safe electrical habits are used in your home.  If you have questions about avoiding electrical hazards or how to further protect your home, consult a trusted electrician who can ensure your home is up to code and safe for you and your family.

 

1  See Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and the Electrical Safety Foundation International’s safety tips at:http://na.iiaa.org/ESSafetyTips_FINAL.pdf.

The impact of mold has become a prevalent topic recently, but do you know all you need to know about its impact on you and your home?  Although certain molds may be discussed more than others, all molds are treated the same when it comes to their potential health risks and their removal. 

It is easy to know if you have a mold problem.  Large mold infestations can be seen or smelled.  Mold grows naturally in the environment and may enter your home through open doors, windows, and ventilation systems such as heating and air conditioning.  Mold spores may even attach themselves to your clothing and pets, which then bring them inside the home.  Once inside, mold attaches itself to areas with moisture, such as a leaky roof, pipes, wet wallboard, plant pots, areas of condensation, and where flooding has occurred.  Many building products make a hospitable place for mold to grow.  

Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold, which grows in areas with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint.  Even carpet, fabric and upholstery can easily support mold growth.  

The most common health concerns resulting from mold exposure are allergy-type symptoms.  The severity of the reaction depends on the amount and duration of the exposure to the mold.  Individuals with chronic respiratory disease, including asthma, may experience difficulty breathing.  Also, those on immune suppression therapy may be at an increased risk for health problems associated with mold.  If you feel that you or your family members are at risk for infection, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention is the key to combating mold. Just as with termites, buildings should be inspected for mold growth.  Areas affected by water damage should be inspected thoroughly.  Leaks and other conditions that supply moisture should be corrected, so as to prevent mold from taking root.  Remove and replace flood-damaged carpets and carpet pads.  Helpful tips are to keep humidity levels in your home below 50%, using air conditioning or a dehumidifier if necessary.  Also, make sure your home is well ventilated, checking heating and air conditioning units as well as exhaust fans.  Clean bathrooms and kitchens with mold-killing products.  And, consider using paint that contains a mold-inhibiting agent.

If you are going to rid your home of mold, a bleach and water solution will suffice for most jobs.  Mix 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach and never mix bleach with ammonia.  Clean walls and other flood-damaged items with the bleach solution and discard moldy items.  Professionals may be needed to clean larger areas of mold.

National estimates show that one in three houses has a moisture problem, and one in ten houses has enough mold that could cause allergic reactions.  All of us are exposed to some mold every day with no side effects. We may breathe in mold spores that are present in the air or eat foods in which mold has begun to grow. People with mold allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much of the fungus.

While not everyone is allergic to mold, if a person has a mold allergy it can cause a variety of reactions throughout the body, and in particular the central nervous system.  Symptoms can include the inability to concentrate, memory loss and headaches.  Children can react with behavioral and learning disorders, sometimes misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder or asthma.  One form of mold, black mold, is extremely toxic and can be deadly, especially to children with mold allergies.

Recently, a jury awarded a Wichita couple $1 million in damages because a house they bought was infested with mold the plaintiffs claimed had caused allergic reactions.  The jury ruled that the sellers were negligent in failing to disclose a leaky roof that caused the mold.  Around the nation, juries have awarded damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars for mold lawsuits, not only against previous property owners, but also construction firms, engineers, architects, and others alleged to be responsible for mold problems.  In fact, mold lawsuits have been one of the fastest growing areas of litigation in recent years. 

A homeowner’s insurance policy usually covers mold damage only if it results from something sudden and accidental, such as a burst washing machine hose.  But if the root cause was a maintenance defect or neglect, mold removal most likely would not be covered.  Due to skyrocketing losses from mold and other water-related damage claims, some homeowner’s policies in 44 states have exclusions for mold and other water-related damage in standard policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute.  Homeowners facing this change have two options:  purchase extra insurance for mold in the form of a rider or take measures to prevent the problem from occurring.  Riders can cost from $50 to $1,400 per year, depending on the insurer and location, according to a spokesman for Tillinghast, the insurance-consulting unit of Towers Perrin.

     What to Do About Mold

Whenever water gets into a house-through a leak in the roof, a burst pipe, a hard rain seeping into the basement, etc.-the affected area must be dried completely within 48 hours (72 hours tops) to prevent mold.

Mold can also result from high humidity, but this problem can usually be solved with a dehumidifier.  Yet another cause of mold is clogged air-conditioning coils.  Ask a service technician to check the air-conditioning coil to make sure the condensation drain line is free flowing and the coils are clean.

Mold may be present in your basement without your knowing.  Hold a flashlight toward the floor so that the light shines down the wall but not directly at it.  Look for shadows cast by the fuzz of mold, usually in a band on the bottom of the wall.  Also look at the tack strip under carpeting for signs of rot and behind baseboards for mold.  If you find mold anywhere, it may be advisable to contact a professional for further assessment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mold that covers an area smaller than a 3-by-3-foot square can be safely removed by a homeowner.  Many people use bleach on mold, but the EPA disagrees.  Bleach can kill mold, but the dead mold will remain and could cause the same allergic reactions as live mold.  Instead of bleach, just use detergent and water.  Detergent lifts the mold away.  Then dry the area as quickly as possible.   

For larger problems, you should consult a professional environmental consultant.  Fire and water damage restoration companies will provide free or low-cost assessments, too, but keep in mind there could be a conflict of interest with these companies.

For more information about mold, consult the EPA brochure, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.” It’s available online at www.epa.gov/mold.  For more in-depth information, see the EPA brochure “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings” which also applies to homeowners.