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Safe
& Sound
Home
Work: Summer 2006
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Make
sure all gates in the fence around your pool close securely. |
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Replace
your furnace filter every month to lighten the load on your
central air conditioner, lower your energy bills and lengthen
the system's life span. |
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Prevent
fires by properly disposing of ashes from your grill. Store
them in a metal container away from all flammables, and remember
-- ashes need 48 hours (two full days) to cool completely. |
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Look
for water stains on your home's foundation walls. These telltale
marks are easy to spot in an unfinished basement and can be
a sign of improper grading. |
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Check
for loose or rotting boards on all decks. |
Party
Like It's 1776
Fourth of July party planning means over-the-top red, white and
blue decorations as well as foot-long hot dogs and plenty of baked
beans. It also means looking out for your guests so they don't overindulge.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration,
in 2003 55 percent of U.S. traffic fatalities on and around the
Fourth were alcohol-related. So throw a party that's fun and safe
with these tips:
- Don't drink
-- or limit your alcohol consumption so you can monitor guests
who may be overdoing it. Remember: As the host, you may be legally
liable for any injuries to your guests.
- Provide a
variety of nonalcoholic beverages as well as lots of food.
- Hire a professional
bartender who is trained to know when to say when.
- Keep the
phone numbers of local cab companies handy, just in case.
Huff
and Puff
Hurricane season officially started June 1. Are you prepared?
Find out with this quick quiz:
| T/F |
Covering
windows with plywood is a smart way to protect your home from
high winds. |
| TRUE
|
Use
plywood that's at least 5/8-inch thick and buy supplies ahead
of time -- materials often sell out quickly after a hurricane
warning. Hurricane shutters are a good option, too. |
|
| T/F |
Your
pets will be welcome to stay with you at an emergency shelter. |
| FALSE
|
Most
shelters won't allow animals (except those that assist owners
with disabilities). Ask your local humane society to suggest
other arrangements. |
|
| T/F |
You
should designate one out-of-state friend as the emergency contact
for all family members. |
| TRUE
|
It's
easier than you may think to lose track of relatives during
an emergency evacuation. |
|
| T/F |
You
may need to shut off your home's gas, water and electricity
in the event of evacuation. |
| TRUE
|
This
may be recommended if you live in a hurricane surge area that
may experience flooding. Determine where the appropriate shutoffs
are located (and how they work) before a hurricane threat. |
|
| T/F |
If you're ordered to evacuate, you should wait until the last
possible moment to leave. |
| FALSE
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You'll
only increase your chances of getting stuck in traffic -- or
not being able to get out at all. |
| SOURCE:
National Weather Service National Hurricane Center |
Get
the Advantage with MetLife Auto & Home:
Did Your Identity Blow Away?
A storm blows through your home, and in an instant you've
lost your birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage license
-- essentially, proof of your identity. We can help you re-create
those documents at no charge. In response to similar situations
following Hurricane Katrina, MetLife Auto & Home has enhanced its
Identity Theft Resolution Service to assist victims of natural catastrophes
who have lost their identities. This service -- which also helps
victims of identity theft and travelers who have lost passports
-- is automatically included with most of our homeowners, renters,
condo and auto policies (where allowed). Click
here for details.
Pump
It Up (and Pay Less)
Filling up the gas tank can cost more than an admission ticket to
the kids' favorite theme park. Pinch your pennies with these anti-gas-guzzling
tips from the Federal Trade Commission:
- Put it
on cruise. Using cruise control on the highway improves a
car's fuel economy.
- Improve
your packing skills. Resist the urge to load up your car's
roof rack or carrier with extra items. They create wind resistance
that can decrease fuel economy by as much as five percent.
- Do errands
all at once. You'll not only save valuable minutes (giving
you more time to sit by the pool), you'll save gas. Several short
trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one
trip in the same distance when the engine is warm.
- Get rid
of junk in the trunk. Lugging around an extra 100 pounds in
your trunk will reduce fuel economy by two percent.
- Don't
feel the need for speed. Gas mileage goes down rapidly when
you push the speedometer above 60 miles per hour.
- Change
the air filters. Clogged filters can decrease gas mileage
up to 10 percent.
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