Tag Archives: safety

Protect Your Holiday Gifts with a Home Inventory

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Planning on racking up the gifts this holiday season? In case of emergency, inventory them and the rest of your belongings with an app on your phone.

Will you be receiving new electronics, jewelry or other big-ticket items as gifts this holiday season? And (hint, hint), will you also be getting the receipts?

The holidays are an ideal time to take a home inventory and make sure all your pricey new gifts will be protected in the event of a loss: a fire, a burst pipe due to freezing, a natural disaster or even theft.

A home inventory of all the items you own with information about their value is a good way to prove ownership in the case of a loss. The inventory will assist your insurance carrier if you ever need to make a claim. Yet, according to an Allstate Insurance survey conducted in January, only 39 percent of Americans have ever made a home inventory.

If you don’t fall in that category, here are simple tips and resources that can make the task of documenting and protecting your holiday gifts — and everything else you own — a lot easier than you think.

Start with an app or checklist. A smartphone app can streamline the process of taking a home inventory. Allstate’s Digital Locker helps you quickly photograph and capture descriptions of all your possessions, and then stores the data in the cloud. You can also do it the analog way, with a clipboard and a household inventory checklist in tow.

Go from room to room. Organizing by room will keep you on track. Start at one end and catalog everything you see as you walk through; write detailed descriptions of each item, down to the make, model and serial numbers; and take pictures or a brief video. Don’t forget those new holiday gifts and any items tucked inside drawers, closets and cabinets.

Note what stuff is worth. Part of a home inventory is noting the cost and purchase date of each item. And while receipts are always your best bet, holiday gifts don’t typically include them. Take heart: Interactive tools like What’s Your Stuff Worth? can help you estimate the value of those new possessions along with the value of what you previously owned.

Keep your inventory safe. Once you’re done, find a good spot (or more than one) to store the inventory, along with receipts and any related documents. It should be safe from an event that might invite a claim, like sources of water damage, theft and fire, but also easily accessible enough to retrieve in the event of a claim. If you used an app to create the inventory, consider cloud storage or a thumb drive. Hard copies can be safely stored in a safe deposit box or with a family member or friend.

Now that your inventory is complete, you have a ballpark figure of what it would take to replace your belongings. (Is it more than you thought?) Use this figure as a starting point for a conversation with your agent to make sure you have the right coverage on your renter’s policy.

Also, make a mental note to update your home inventory any time you come into any valuable new possessions. After all, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

This guest post comes from the editors of The Allstate Blog, which helps people prepare for the unpredictability of life.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/tadamichi                    

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Fire Prevention Tips

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Use these tips to prevent fires from starting in your apartment.

Within minutes, a small fire can spread and grow into a deadly fire. But with a few steps, you can protect yourself, your home and your belongings. First, closely inspect your home to eliminate potential hazards. Then, use these fire prevention tips and strategies to safeguard your home.

Apartment Safety

  • Protect your appliances and your home by using surge protectors.
  • Do not overload circuits or extension cords.
  • Check electrical cords for appliances. Cords that are frayed or cracked are potential fire hazards. Unplug the cord immediately and replace.
  • Do not run cords underneath rugs or between rooms.
  • Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials, such as drapery.
  • Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Do not smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended.
  • Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.
  • Do not leave candles or incense unattended, and place these items away from drapes, curtains or other flammable materials.
  • Do not store flammable materials, such as gasoline cans or a propane tank, in your apartment.

Kitchen Safety

Laundry Room Safety

  • If possible, have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
  • Avoid using a dryer without a lint filter.
  • Clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry, and remove lint that has collected around the drum of your dryer.
  • Check to make sure the right plug and outlet are used, and make sure the machine is connected properly.
  • If you leave home or go to bed, turn the dryer off.

Smoke Alarms
Make sure there is a properly functioning smoke alarm installed in your apartment. To be extra cautious, install a smoke alarm outside of each sleeping area. These alarms can be battery-operated or electrically hardwired in your home. For renters who have hearing problems, use alarms that include flashing strobe lights and vibration. Test smoke alarms once a month, and replace batteries once a year. An easy reminder is to change the batteries when the clocks spring forward.

Escape Route
Though your apartment may be prepared, accidents do occur. Plan an escape route, and if you have roommates, plan for a safe place to meet outside.Have at least two escape routes planned in case one is blocked.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/esp_imaging

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8 Tips to Prevent Kitchen Fires

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Prevent kitchen fires by using these eight tips.

Don’t let your next dinner party go up in smoke! Cooking fires are the most common cause of household fires, and you don’t have to own a commercial-sized Viking range to feel the heat. From grease spills to stray dishtowels, even a tiny cooktop in a studio apartment can set a blaze. Follow these eight tips to reduce your risks for an apartment kitchen fire.

1. Stay in the kitchen. This may seem obvious, but, according to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is the number one cause of cooking fires. If you must leave a stove unattended, turn off the heat and move the pan to a cool burner.

2. Use a timer. Check food regularly, whether you’re simmering, baking, boiling or roasting. Using a timer can help remind you to check on your dish.

3. Keep the stove top clear. Keep dishtowels, oven mitts, paper towels—anything that can catch fire—away from your stovetop.

4. Dress for the occasion. Wear close-fitting clothes, and tightly roll up sleeves, when you’re cooking. Loose clothing can come in contact with burners and catch fire.

5. Wipe up spills. Cooking on a dirty stove, or in a dirty oven, is just inviting a potential fire. Grease buildup is flammable; clean your stove every time you cook and promptly wipe up any spills.

6. Don’t overheat your oils. Overheated cooking oil can start to smoke and bubble up, which can cause it to spill out and ignite. Not sure about the smoking point for your cooking oils? Refer to this handy chart.

7: Wait for grease to cool before disposing. Toss hot grease into your trashcan and it could go up in flames! Wait for it to cool before disposing of it in the garbage. Or, better yet, pour it into an old food can before tossing it out.

8. Keep your smoke detector working. A smoke detector is an important fire safety device and your first line of defense. Make sure your landlord has installed one. And make a mental note to change the batteries twice a year, when you change your clocks fordaylight savings time.

If a small fire does erupt on your stove top, you might try to smother it by sliding a lid over the pan; turn off the burner, and leave the pan uncovered until it has cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

But, when it doubt, just get out. Too many people have been injured trying to fight fires themselves. Close the door behind you to help contain the fire, and call 911. Renters insurance might help replace your valuables, but it can’t replace you!

This guest post comes from the editors of the the Allstate Blog, which helps people prepare for the unpredictability of life. Follow the Allstate Blog on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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How to Assess the Security of a New Apartment

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When you’re looking for an apartment, make sure you select one that has a peephole in the door.

A lot of apartment hunters worry more about being close to friends or near the right subway line than assessing apartment security before they move in.

Of course, finding the balance between location, price and security can be tricky. Here is a checklist to make sure apartment security is part of the evaluation. The next time you start looking for a place, ask the following questions:

How far can you get without a key?
Some apartment communities leave their main office doors unlocked during business hours for mail or other deliveries. If you’re looking at a place that follows this practice, try to choose one with 24/7 controlled access or a dedicated front desk security guard. And be sure that secondary entrances, such as the courtyard or garage, are also secured. In smaller buildings without a security guard, make sure the front door is always kept locked—with a deadbolt, ideally.

Does your door have a peephole and deadbolt?
Your apartment doors should be made of steel with a one-inch deadbolt. Wooden doors with a simple doorknob lock are no match for the ol’ credit card trick, much less a determined burglar. All apartment doors should come with a peephole so you can safely see who is on the other side without opening your door. (In some older apartments, peepholes have been painted over; ask maintenance to fix this prior to your move in). Also, confirm that your landlord will change the locks before you move in.

Can anyone see into your unit?
This is especially important if you live in a ground floor unit in a major city. Can a passerby on the street see inside your unit? Are there security bars on your ground-floor windows? Window security is a first line of defense against criminals. Make sure your window locks work, and if they don’t, have maintenance fix them ASAP.

Is there an open, well-lit parking area?
If your building offers parking, assess the parking lot or garage. Is it well lit, even at night? Is access controlled? Does a security guard patrol the lot? Is it covered or below ground? Covered parking may be great for keeping leaves off your car, but remember that it can be very dark at night. Keep an eye out for any dark corners, overgrown shrubbery or open courtyards.

Are the gym, pool or other amenities secure?
If your building offers amenities like a pool, gym, business center or recycling center, confirm that access is limited to residents. Pathways to these facilities should be well-lit and in an open area.

Apartment security requires everyone in your building to be mindful and alert. Be sure to talk to your landlord about the safety practices of residents and whether there are any additional community safeguards in place. And it doesn’t hurt to research the neighborhood before you sign a lease.

This guest post is from the the Allstate Blog, which helps people prepare for the unpredictability of life. Follow The Allstate Blog on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/sumnersgraphicsinc

Help Familiarize Your Tenants with Emergency Procedures and Home Safety

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If an emergency were to hit your apartment community, how would you react? Read on for ways to help ensure that you and your tenants are ready, should an emergency situation occur.

 Have a procedure

Emergency procedures may seem unnecessary — until you actually need them! It is a good idea to check with your local government to see if there are specific requirements or recommendations for procedures to inform your tenants about what to do in case of earthquake, fire, tornado or other disaster. Be sure that your plan features a clear evacuation route that guides tenants out of the building to a safe gathering spot, as well as noting the location of fire extinguishers.

 Be sure that you fully familiarize yourself with any automatic systems in your building. If corridor doors close automatically to prevent the spread of fire when an alarm sounds, for instance, you need to know this. In some buildings, elevators automatically descend to the ground level and become inoperable. Make your tenants aware of these details.

 Provide emergency information

Furnish your tenants with a detailed list of emergency procedures and building systems, as well as a building diagram, posting these items near or on the back of the front door. Tenants should also have a list of essential emergency numbers, including your emergency contact number and those for the fire department, police department, gas company, electric company and poison control center. Also be sure to post the building address on the page of vital information, as it’s easy to become disoriented when placing an emergency call.

 Help define “emergency”

To help tenants decide whether or not they need your help urgently, provide guidelines for the types of situations which constitute an emergency. Inconveniences such as a slow drain, an interior door off the hinges, or a stove burner that’s not working are items that likely can wait till morning. A sewer back-up, lack of heat in the winter, storm damage or flooding caused by a plumbing failure, however, could require immediate attention and might affect more than one tenant.

 In the case of burglary, vandalism or a domestic dispute, a tenant should contact the police first. For fire or a carbon monoxide leak, instruct the tenant to call the fire department immediately.

 Do practice drills

All the best planning in the world won’t help without regular trial runs, so be sure to work practice drills into your emergency preparedness plan. Your local government may have requirements or recommendations on how often your type of residential housing should hold drills. Contact your nearest fire department for details.

You can do your part as a property owner or manager to assist your tenants with safety and emergency preparedness. By providing a thorough emergency procedure and giving tenants the information they need to handle a variety of urgent situations, you help protect everyone involved.

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How to Select a Senior Friendly Apartment

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From independent living to assisted living, we've got you covered in senior-friendly apartments.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Alija

When the time comes to look for senior housing, so many options are available, from independent care to assisted living, from affordable to luxury apartments.

Reasons for moving to senior-friendly apartments vary and can include going through a divorce, becoming financially unable to continue making payments on a mortgage, death or relocation of relatives or friends, needing emotional support, desiring more close-to-home social activities, selling a home to free up equity or just a desire to be rid of home and garden maintenance.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the options, just learning what all of your choices are can help you decide what the right senior apartment is for you or a loved one. Most adults 55 years old and up will want to look into two types of senior living communities: independent living and assisted living.

Independent Living
These communities usually have a wide range of recreational and social activities and are designed for independent seniors who can live on their own but desire a secure, community-oriented environment. They offer little or no health services, such as on-site pharmacies or nursing care, but they have a variety of services on the campus, such as laundry facilities, transportation or cafeterias. Some of these villages have age restrictions (typically 55-plus), and some don’t. Some independent living complexes have constant planned events, such as socials, group outings and exercise classes, and others offer minimal activities.

To select the right independent living community, ask your loved one or determine for yourself how active and social you want to be in your new space. Do you crave the quiet of retirement, want non-stop activities or a combination of both? If you’re going to sell your car, find a place that has access to transportation or is in walking distance to grocery stores, shopping venues, post offices and similar businesses. If your health is generally good, an independent living apartment is perfect.

Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities combine housing, personalized support services and healthcare. They are for those who need some assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, some medication assistance and dressing, but for the most part, are able to function on their own. Assisted living apartments usually include meals, some housekeeping and laundry services, but do not provide the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home.

In choosing an assisted living facility, you must determine if you need assistance with medications, as the regulations on that differ from state to state. If you are healthy but only require assistance with routine daily activities, assisted living communities are ideal for you.

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How to Baby Proof Your Apartment

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Baby under blanket

Babyproof your apartment before your baby has a chance to be hurt or injured.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/ekinsdesigns

As a new parent, you know how fast your baby grows. Just when you get used to your baby’s feeding schedule and diaper changes, you realize you need to accommodate his or her ever-changing routine. As your baby grows older, take some precautions to make your apartment safe and secure for crawlers and toddlers.  Here is how you can baby-proof your apartment as your growing baby explores the world around him or her.

For the first three months, you may have not given much thought about how safe your entire apartment is for babies. They don’t really move much as you carry them back and forth to their cribs, playpens, car seats and strollers. But be prepared after four months to think about the nooks and crannies that your baby will be exposed to as soon as she starts to crawl.

Inspect from a baby’s eye-level

One of the best ways to see the potential household hazards to your baby is to crawl around your apartment floor. Dog bowls, nails, wires, dust and other small objects are some things that you may not even think about while standing upright, five or six feet above the ground. Babies have keen eyesight for small things up close. They will inspect things that you wouldn’t even notice if you were not looking for them. So, get down on all fours and remove anything from the floor that you would not want them putting in their mouths.

Remove or cover sharp edges

Furniture with sharp corners and clumsy babies learning to stand or walk are not a good combination.  You may want to exchange your square or rectangular coffee table with a round one or, better yet, just get rid of the coffee table so your baby has room to scoot about on the floor. If you absolutely cannot part with furniture, or sharp edges in your apartment are unavoidable, you can always buy safety guards to turn sharp corners into soft corners.  They are not very stylish, but you may as well face it: If you have a child, your apartment is probably not going to look stylish for the next several years.

Cover electrical outlets

Electrical outlets that are floor level should all have covers on them –unless they are being used, in which case they should be blocked from access to prevent your baby or toddler from playing with electrical plugs. Baby-safe outlet covers can be found on most online stores. One of the most popular outlet covers on the market is the sliding panel outlet cover. The cover automatically slides over the outlet when the plug is pulled out, protecting your baby from an exposed outlet.

Rearrange House Plants

What kid doesn’t love to play in the dirt? A potted plant is the perfect playground for babies and toddlers, so say goodbye to any house plants that are on the floor or within reach to a small gardener prodigy. If the weather is warm enough, put them outside or find another location for them, such as hanging them from the ceiling.

Install baby locks for cabinets

Kitchens are the most dangerous place in the house –especially for babies. No baby should be roaming around on the kitchen floor unattended, but even if you are keeping a close watch on your child, it is wise to secure your bottom kitchen cabinets with baby-proof locks. Accidents happen so fast, and the last thing you want is for your child to get into cleaning chemicals under the sink or cut himself on a sharp appliance.

Keep bathroom doors closed

Does your dog drink out of the toilet bowl? What about your baby? Bathrooms are the second-most dangerous place (after kitchens) for a baby or toddler to explore. Medicine cabinets, showers, tubs, faucets and chemicals are not baby-friendly. The best way to keep your baby safe from the bathroom is to get in the habit of closing the bathroom door – always.

Invest in a baby gate

In areas that do not have a door, the best investment you can make in your home is a baby gate. The safest baby gates are the plastic ones with solid panels. It’s best to avoid the kind with fancy bars, as babies can get their hands stuck or even heads stuck in between the rails. Accordion-style baby gates are not even made anymore, but if you happen to come across one, don’t even think about using it. They are very dangerous and can pinch or even strangle your baby.

By putting yourself in the mind of a curious baby, you can get ahead of the game and create a baby-safe apartment before your child has a chance to get hurt or injured.

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What to Do If Your Apartment Floods

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Sink overflowing

Don't panic if your apartment floods. Know who to call and how to fix the damage.

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Before you move in to an apartment, you should protect yourself from floods and other damage inflictors such as fire and theft, by purchasing renters insurance. It is relatively cheap, depending on your selected policy, and will cover damages and replacements of items in your apartment (and your car). Unlike most other types of insurance, renters is not required by law. However, it is highly recommended and many landlords require it to move into their properties.

Protect yourself from flooding by first noticing and reporting any leaks resulting from rain or an appliance. Insist that the problem is addressed quickly, and follow up by ensuring that the leak does not occur again with the next rain, appliance use. Also be sure to check ceilings for leaks, as water can often spill out of higher apartments and leak into yours.

If flooding from rain begins unexpectedly or an appliance in either your apartment or a neighbor’s breaks and begins to leak or flood, immediately move all items away from the water. Move any transportable values, such as computers, to your car, a neighbor or friend’s house or at least another room. Also, call the office and inform a manager of the issue immediately. If you can seal leaks, do so, and try to contain the water with plastic bins or barriers.

When it is time to fix the damage, landlord insurance will usually cover the building itself, including the carpet and provided appliances. Your renters insurance will typically cover damages to your personal property, as long as flooding is included in your policy. However, if you have previously informed your landlord or apartment manager of a leakage or risk for flooding and no action was taken, the complex may be responsible for covering your personal property as well as structural damage.

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