It's pretty nerve racking to have a risk control consultant to evaluate your home. Even if you feel it is safe. Even if it is a warm calming presence with an open smile. Even if it reassures you in advance, "Do not worry about cleaning!"
Let's back up a moment.
Laurie Woodward, a consultant control higher risk who recently visited my house and his team have three main objectives:
- Prevent claims
- make sure that the building insurance are adequate
- recommend changes and improvements for safer things
His team mainly deals with companies to come to my house was an exception for the purposes of this column.
Our first stop was the basement, where Laurie concentrated on the wiring. aluminum wiring, common in the 1960s and 1970s, pose a fire hazard. It is the button wiring and even older tube, which can not withstand the typical electrical charge today. Our house, built in the late 190s, had neither. Wiring must be watched about every quarter of a century, so 17.5 years on, we are in the safe zone.
The electrical panel must be clear three feet so that it is possible to quickly access emergency. We were well here too.
Then Laurie approached the subject of plumbing. "Old cast iron or galvanized plumbing can corrode over time," she warned. "If I place, I'll always ask how old it is and who last checked. If the answer is "Gee, I do not know, I highly suggest a professional plumber look at it." Our plumbing was fine another gold star for our house! I was going to get an A +! But my overconfidence received a reality check when we arrived in the oven.
Each furnace should have a clearance of five feet around. Ours ... .didn't . (Think. Rubbermaid tubs filled with toys for a bunch of old children, Christmas decorations, etc., stacked both tall and wide)
"Yeah, you might want to clean it a little, "Laurie suggested. "Just add fuel to a fire if something would happen."
We then addressed the workshop of my husband, where he built all of Adirondack chairs to wine tables. Laurie wanted to be sure he did not paint or varnish inside and the wood stove was brought safely to the manufacturer's specifications. It was good on both counts.
We had sounded on one thing. Each floor of a home should have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Our basement was away, so we'll be taking care of this in addition to finding new homes for all trays.
In the post "8 simple ways to make your home safer," Laurie team rounded up their tips to make your home safer. Check them out and remember that you are in good company if your home does not quite rank for now.
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