Buying renters insurance to protect your belongings may seem like an unnecessary expense until you experience a theft or fire in your rented home or apartment and lose some of your most treasured belongings forever. Whether you're a longtime renter…

Home ownership is one of the biggest investments you're going to make, so protecting this investment with quality homeowners insurance is a key part of being a responsible homeowner. While many Americans understand the importance of homeowners insurance, some don't…

One of the most important home security issues is electrical safety involving outlets, plugs and extension cords. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 47,820 fire structures per year involving an electrical fire or malfunction, but steps can be…

Cooking has been the most common cause of home structure fires and home fire-related injuries for a long time and continues to be. Whether you're preparing a family dinner or a quick snack, safe cooking behaviors can help you and your family stay safe.Never leave your range or cooktop unattended while cooking. Turn off your range or cooktop if you need to leave the room.Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves. Loose clothing can hang on hot surfaces, and when it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner, it can catch fire.Keep your cooking area clean and free of combustible materials. It may catch fire with food wrappers, oven mitts or other materials left on or near the stove.Be sure to clean up any spilled or splattered grease. In the oven or on the cooktop, built-up grease can catch fire.Keep a fire extinguisher…

Is there a horizon winter storm? Take some time now to collect the supplies you need to ride home out of the storm, or to safely venture outside if you need to. You can concentrate on enjoying the winter wonderland outside your window once you have taken the appropriate precautions.Check Your SuppliesTo keep the walkways clear and safe, make sure you have a snow shovel and ice melt.If you have one, please check that you have enough heating fuel for your home and fuel for your generator.You should have a good supply of dry, seasoned wood if you're going to use a fireplace or wood-burning stove.Have warm clothes and blankets on hand and store non-perishable food items and medicines needed to last for several days for you and your family.Get Ready for a Power OutageTurn your heat up now and close any unused rooms.Check the insulation of the pipe and allow water to run at a trickle if you lose power so that the pipes do not freeze.Charge your electronic and communications devices powered by batteries.Keep on hand a battery-powered radio to keep an eye on changing weather.Get your flashlights, batteries, kit for first aid and other supplies for emergencies.Stay Warm — and SafeFollow all fireplace or woodstove safety precautions when you start a wood-burning fire.Do not use as a home heating device an oven or range.If you have a generator, use it only outside, where sufficient ventilation is available. Test all alarms for smoke and carbon monoxide to ensure proper functioning.Do not allow unattended candles to burn and keep them away from fuels. A safe, energy-efficient alternative to traditional candles is the battery-powered LED lights.Turn it on before the snow begins to fall if you have an ice dam prevention system.Stay Inside — and SafeDrive only if you absolutely have to, and make sure that your car is equipped with snow tires and has sufficient fuel and an emergency supply kit.Know your limits and try not to overtax yourself if you go outside to shovel snow.By wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia.Stay away from power lines that are down.Keep or make other suitable arrangements for your pets inside.1Traverlers.com