Winter Prep: Get Your Place Cozy and Winter-Ready, with a Dash of Fire Safety

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Hey homeowners and property champs! Winter is knocking, and it's time to give your place some love to make sure it stays warm, snug, and safe. Whether you're chilling at home or running a business, here's a laid-back guide to help you prep your spot for the winter chill.

1. Seal Those Drafts: Time to play detective! Check for sneaky gaps around windows and doors – the kind that lets cold air crash your cozy party. Grab some weatherstripping or caulking and patch those gaps up. Your heating bill will thank you later!

2. Warm-Up Your HVAC: Give your heating system some TLC. Change those air filters, make sure there are no leaks, and check if the thermostat is in tip-top shape. A little heating system pampering now can save you from icy surprises later.

3. Pipes Need Hugs Too: No one likes frozen pipes. Wrap 'em up in insulation, especially in those chilly spots like basements and attics. And don't forget to say goodbye to outdoor hoses – they need a winter break too.

4. Gutter Cleanup Party: Grab a ladder and clean out those gutters! Leaves and gunk can turn into icy trouble if you leave them hanging around. Make sure water flows smoothly, so you don't end up with a surprise waterfall on your doorstep.

5. Roof Check-Up: Give your roof some love – it's the unsung hero that keeps you dry. Check for missing or wonky shingles and patch 'em up. If you're not feeling adventurous, call in the pros for a roof date.

6. Landscaping TLC: Trim those wild branches and trees that could turn into winter troublemakers. Cover up delicate plants or give them a winter vacay indoors. Your green pals will thank you come spring.

7. Chimney Check for Fire Safety: If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, give that chimney some attention. Get it cleaned and inspected by a professional chimney sweep to avoid potential fire hazards. Stock up on quality firewood, and enjoy cozy evenings by the fire without worry.

8. Call Us for Peace of Mind: Feeling overwhelmed? We've got your back! Call us for any questions or concerns you may have. Our experts will ensure your home or commercial space is winter-ready, so you can relax and enjoy the season worry-free.

9. Emergency Kit Vibes: Put together a cool emergency kit – flashlights, batteries, blankets, and snacks. Just in case winter throws a curveball, you'll be ready for anything. Share the emergency plan with your crew so everyone's on the same snow-covered page.

Wrap it up, folks! With a bit of prep and our help, you'll be sipping cocoa in your winter wonderland, worry-free and safely warming up by the fire. Cheers to a cozy and stress-free winter! ?????

Earthquake Tips!

7/12/2019 (Permalink)

Living in California, you have to always be prepared for an earthquake since this state has been prone to some serious earthquakes in the past. Although, bigger earthquakes, such as the 6.7 one that hit Northridge area of Los Angeles are often pretty rare, even minor earthquakes can damage your homes and property and even cause injuries as well.

The key to preventing and lowering the risk of injury and surviving an earthquake is to plan, prepare, and practice what you will do when an earthquake happens.

Earthquake Drills

During an earthquake drill, practice:

• Get under a study table or desk and hold on to it
• Make sure you know where the disaster and emergency supplies are
• Practice the DROP, COVER, AND HOLD-ON in each safe place
• Drop under a sturdy table or desk and hold on to one of the legs of the table to desk and protect your eyes by keeping your head down
• Doorways are no stronger than any other part of a structure so do not rely on them for protection!
• Stay clear of windows or glass that could shatter or objects that could fall on you
• Always use the stairs if you are above the first floor of a building in the case of power outages or aftershocks
• Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped before you are sure it is safe to exit the building
• When outside of the building, move away from any structures since falling debris could fall and injure someone that is around surrounding buildings still
• Leave a structure when it is safe if you smell gas

Frequent practice will help reinforce safe behavior in an event of an actual earthquake.

Always keep a look out for a possibility of an aftershock. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the main large earthquake. Aftershock earthquakes can continue over a span of hours, days, and even months afterwards. Usually, the larger the earthquake, the more frequent and numerous the aftershocks are. They can cause as much damage as the main earthquake and some rare cases, a larger earthquake can occur.

More tips and how what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, visit this website here:

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake#Before