Survey: Many homeowners are not prepared for an emergency (BPT) – If emergency officials in your community issued a mandatory evacuation order to get out of the path of a wildfire, hurricane or other natural disaster, would you know what to take with you, the evacuation route you would take and where you would go until it was safe to return home? Do you have a personal evacuation plan in place? If you answered “yes,” you’re like 49% of the 1,795 respondents Mercury Insurance recently surveyed for its emergency preparedness quiz. However, if the question was rephrased to inquire about “having an evacuation plan and practicing it at least once a year,” the results show only 23% meet this criteria. “Safety should be your first priority in any situation involving a possible disaster or emergency event, and you should respond to mandatory
evacuation orders immediately,” said Christopher O’Rourke, vice president of property claims at Mercury Insurance. “Your first instinct might be to panic, so having an evacuation plan in place and practicing it regularly will help ensure you and your family are ready to go at a moment’s notice. And it will also help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that will undoubtedly be a part of such a nerve-wracking situation.” The survey also revealed that 39% of homeowners were unsure if they have enough coverage to rebuild if their home is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, and 34% don’t have a home inventory they could provide to their insurance company to help get these items replaced. “Homeowners and renters should make a point of touching base with their insurance agents at least once a year to reassess coverage
needs,” said O’Rourke. “It’s a good idea to make sure you have enough coverage as you accumulate more belongings, make changes to your home or your family expands - these details may affect your policy limits, as well as create a need for endorsements you might want to consider adding to your policy.” There is some good news, however, as 88% of respondents said they have an in-home emergency kit stocked with essential items they will need if disaster strikes. If you don’t have a kit, here is a list of the items you may want to include in your kit: • A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person), non-perishable food items and pet food, if applicable; • A battery-powered or hand-crank radio (and extra batteries); • A flashlight;
• A first aid kit; • A whistle to signal for help; • A can opener; • Blankets;
• Fully charged battery packs so you can recharge your cell phone; and • Prescriptions for you and your pets.
The bottom line is that extreme weather events are anticipated • $200 in cash in to increase, and you can small bills, as power never be too cautious or may be out, making over-prepared to protect ATMs, debit and against Mother Nature. credit cards unusable; “It’s a bit alarming to • Tools to turn off utilities;
discover that, although natural disasters are in the news on a seemingly regular basis, many Americans still aren’t properly preparing themselves if one happens in their neighborhood or city,” said O’Rourke. “These events can have serious repercussions and adopting a wait-and-see attitude is not an option.”
Tips to get your house ready for entertaining schedule a carpet cleaning before your guests are scheduled to arrive. And, consider applying a fast-drying polish to hardwood floors for a squeaky-clean finish. It’s also a good idea to keep a multi-surface vacuum in an easy-to-access location for quick spot cleans and pick-ups.
(BPT) – Whether hosting family and friends for your first or fifteenth time, you want your home to be ready to impress. Here are five simple ways to make sure your home is refreshed and ready for any entertaining occasion.
1. Refresh kitchen counters Since the kitchen is where people mingle the most, don’t leave old, dirty caulk to be the focal point behind your delicious spread! Spruce up your countertop and backsplash by removing and replacing the old caulk. Consider using a caulk that’s formulated specifically to ward off dirt and mold.
2. Repair imperfections and paint on walls It’s inevitable that scuffs and scratches
will appear on walls on pink and dries white over time. A fresh coat so you know when it’s of paint in key areas, ready to sand and paint. like the living room, 3. Clean and prep bathroom and guest the floors bedroom, will help the If you have the time, entire home feel clean and fresh. Be sure to first prep walls by filling holes and cracks with spackling compound for a smooth finished surface. DAP DryDex Spackling takes the guesswork out of drying time with an indicator that goes
4. Salvage broken décor Don’t fret when you notice a décor item has cracked or broken. Instead, grab a strong, fast-setting glue to make simple, long-lasting repairs before guests
arrive. DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive sets in 30 seconds and is two times more durable than other super glues - there’s even a plastic primer available that will help with hard-to-fix plastic décor.
5. Update decorative accessories Small updates like adding plants, rugs and
throws to your space are low-cost but high impact. Lighting is another quick change that can really help warm a space. Consider swapping out the shades on your lamps or installing updated light fixtures for an entirely new look, but for a fraction of the cost. With these easy tips, your home will feel fresh and welcoming yearround.
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Essentials for a bathroom remodel What began as a utilitarian space for personal sanitation has, in modern times, transformed into one of the most coveted rooms in the house. Bathrooms have become a place to relax and unwind, and new bathrooms are on the tops of many homeowners’ wishlists. Bathrooms can be as lavish as budgets allow. Wish lists can include everything from luxurious soaking tubs to rainfall showerheads to chaise lounges to televisions or home entertainment systems contained in the space. Those contemplating their own bathroom renovations may draw inspiration from the following features. • Hot water recirculation system: Few things can be as disappointing as desiring a hot bath or shower only to find that the hot water tank has been drained. The home remodeling company Normandy Remodeling says that water
recirculation systems provide on-demand hot water. In such systems, hot water may continuously run through the pipes or there may be a pump underneath a sink. Either way, one needn’t wait for the water to warm up any longer. • Double undermount sinks: Bathroom time is at a premium, especially when people must prepare and leave the house together. Rather than jockeying for position around a single sink, dual sinks enable more breathing room and time efficiency. Undermount sinks are easy to clean because there is no lip around where the sink meets the vanity, preventing the accumulation of grime and gunk. • Glass-free shower: Soap scum and water deposits can form on shower doors, even for homeowners who are diligent with clean-
ing. A sizable shower prevents water spray and affords the ability to forgo glass doors or curtains, thereby cutting down on cleaning and making the room feel more modern. • Multihead shower: When redoing the shower, account for various shower heads so that the water can
warm shower onto a • Separate toilet room: A shared bath almost cold floor when heated necessitates this type flooring is part of the of set-up. The toilet equation. This option is housed inside its is available in various own small space and flooring materials as closed away from the well. rest of the bathroom. It’s more private and Remodeling a bathconvenient this way. room boils down to • Heated flooring: You certain coveted features need not worry about that can really set a space stepping out of a apart.
cascade across the body more completely. This provides a spa experience at home. • Touchless faucets and soap dispensers: These aren’t just for public bathrooms anymore. Touchless faucets and dispensers are more sanitary and convenient.
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