Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Lead paint was widely used until 1978 when the federal government banned lead in residential paint. Homes built before 1978 likely have lead paint. Lead is
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. You spend most of your time indoors. The air you breathe affects your health. Poor indoor air quality causes respiratory problems, allergies, and discomfort. Indoor air
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. A security system sends an alert when doors or windows open. A monitored system sends those alerts to a 24/7 monitoring center that dispatches police
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Your home is a target. Not because you’re special, but because opportunistic burglars look for easy targets and avoid difficult ones. Most break-ins are crimes
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Flooding damages more homes than any other disaster. Most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Separate flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Fireplaces and wood stoves are appealing, but they require maintenance. A neglected chimney accumulates creosote (a flammable byproduct of burning wood) and can catch fire. A
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. A fire extinguisher is useful for small, contained fires before they spread. A large fire, fire spreading fast, or fire blocking your exit means evacuate immediately
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Fire spreads quickly. In a real fire, you have minutes, sometimes seconds, to escape. Panic, confusion about where exits are, or indecision about what to do
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. An emergency supply kit gets you through the hours or days after a disaster when services are disrupted. Water might be unavailable. Electricity fails. Stores are
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuel burns incompletely. Your furnace, water heater, and car all produce it as a byproduct. Normally it
Safety & security
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region. Asbestos was used in building materials for decades because it’s fireproof and insulating. Homes built before 1980 likely contain asbestos somewhere. Asbestos is dangerous only