Using Double-Handed Tools Safely

Even though they are small, hand tools can cause injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and muscle strain. To avoid these injuries, use double-handled hand tools ergonomically and safely by doing the following:

• Use a tool with a grip of at least 2 inches when closed and no more than 3 ½ inches when open for power tasks.
• Use a tool with a grip span of no less than 1 inch when closed and no more than 3 inches when open for precision tasks.
• Use spring-loaded handle tools only.
• Avoid tools with dull edges or those without finger grooves.
• Select tools with soft material coating and non-slip surfaces.
• Always keep your wrists straight while using hand tools, and select those that can be used in either hand.
• Use tools with a handle longer than the widest part of your hand for high-force tasks.

For more information on tool safety and how it can affect your home insurance, contact your agent.

Proper Temporary Wiring

Even though it will only be used for a limited time during a project, temporary wiring needs to be installed correctly. To ensure worker safety, OSHA requires certain practices for dealing with temporary wiring.  Your insurance company requires all employees to follow applicable OSHA standards, and thus, requires you to adhere to the following.

Installation Requirements

When installing temporary wiring, follow these guidelines established by the OSHA standard:

• Wiring systems cannot be installed in ducts used to transport dust, loose stock or flammable vapors. Wiring also cannot be placed in ducts used for vapor removal or for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment.
• Any noncurrent-carrying metal parts that are meant to serve as grounding conductors must be bonded to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current that may be imposed on them.
• Flexible cords or cables (extension cords) cannot be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure. They also cannot be concealed behind walls, ceilings or floors.  

Usage Restrictions

Temporary wiring systems for electrical power and lighting of 600 volts or less may be used as follows:

• During remodeling, maintenance, repair or similar activities to structures or equipment.
• For a period of no more than 90 days for decorative Christmas lighting, carnivals or other similar purposes.
• For experimental or development work.
• During emergencies.  

Inspecting

Since temporary wiring is often more exposed than permanent wiring, it is important to regularly inspect temporary installations to ensure that they are in proper working order. When inspecting temporary wiring ask yourself:

• Is wiring in good condition and firmly secured?
• Is this wiring capable of safely carrying the amount of current that is required?
• Is there a circuit breaker to prevent overload?
• Are all wires grounded properly?
• Do all conductors have the proper insulators?
• Are temporary light fixtures guarded properly?
• Are switches clearly labeled as to what they control and what positions are on and off?  

Removal

All temporary wiring must be removed as soon as the project that requires it is completed.

For more advice on temporary lighting throughout the year and during the holidays, go to your local home improvement store.  For any questions regarding how this affects your home insurance, contact your agent.

Save Money and Energy in Your Household

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical American family spends over $1,600 a year on home utility bills, and a large portion of that energy is wasted. Not to fear: there are several things you can do each month to conserve energy and reduce the strain on your wallet.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

An energy audit will show you which areas of your home use the most energy. You can conduct this yourself, contact your local utility or call an independent energy auditor. A comprehensive evaluation should include:

• Checking insulation levels
• Looking for open fireplace dampers
• Searching for holes or cracks around doors, light and plumbing fixtures, and other places where air may leak out
• Ensuring appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained.

Temperature Tips

• Weatherize your home – caulk and weather-strip any doors and windows that leak air.
• Install a programmable thermostat that will reduce heating (or turn air conditioning up) at night and when you are not home.
• Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane; they have coatings that reduce heat loss or gain, depending on the season.
  • Keep your thermostat under 70 degrees in the winter and a few degrees cooler than the outside temperature in the summer.

Water Use

• Repair leaky faucets immediately.
• Use low-flow shower heads.
• Insulate your hot-water storage tank and pipes.
• Drain a quart of water from your tank every three months to remove sediment (which impedes heat transfer and lowers efficiency).
• Lower the hot water heater to 120 degrees.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and/or laundry.
• Air-dry dishes and line-dry clothes if possible.

Renewable Energy

There are more options than ever to use renewable energy. When building a new home, orient it to avoid overhead summer sun and to benefit from winter sun in cooler climates. Try a solar pool heating system, which can cut costs for heating swimming pools or hot tubs. Under certain conditions, installing solar cells might be right for you.

Vehicle Use

Improve gas mileage by:

• Avoiding aggressive driving
• Observing the speed limit
• Removing roof racks or carriers if not used often
• Keeping up with maintenance – clean air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• Ensuring tires are properly inflated and aligned
• Using the correct grade of oil

Energy Star^® Products

Whenever you are purchasing new equipment or appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. These products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, go to www.energystar.gov.

Did you know…?

The key to achieving savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan; this ensures that the dollars you invest are spent wisely. Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, but can yield long-term financial rewards, such as bringing in a higher price when you sell it.

Contact your home insurance agent for more questions on energy savings and heating your home.

Prepare Your Home for Frigid Temperatures

As the weather starts to cool in the autumn months, many homeowners tackle winterizing projects to ensure that their homes are weather-ready for cooler temperatures. The best way to undertake these projects is to start by taking a walk around your home and assessing what needs to get done. Consider inspecting the following areas:

• While on the roof, examine your chimney for missing mortar, cracks and structural problems, as damage in your chimney or fireplace can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Also ensure that your damper is working correctly and has a tight seal. Your chimney cap should be snug as well.
• Remove clogs in your gutter and check for any water damage. Consider consulting a professional for guidance on how to prevent ice dams (water backup in cold temperatures).
• Check your doors and windows for missing weather stripping. Also make sure that door sweeps are not damaged and are aligned properly to block drafty air.
• Cover window-mounted air conditioning units if you are not going to remove them entirely. Fill in the gaps on the sides of the unit with insulation board and caulk. If you have central air, cover the unit loosely.
• Turn off the faucets outside of your home and cover them with a commercial cover or two old socks wrapped tightly around the faucets; seal with duct tape.
• Inspect the foundation for cracks and gaps to prevent animals from entering your home.
• Look at your home’s siding for missing pieces.
• Make sure your exterior light fixtures are working properly and are sealed tightly to the mounting.

It is very important to keep your home safe during these blistering months. Year-round maintenance is critical to your home insurance policy to avoid the need to file a claim. For more information on your winter preparation and your insurance, contact your agent.

Dig Safe… It’s the Law!

Did you just get a new puppy and need to put in an electric fence? Or maybe you are putting in some new privacy shrubs? If you are considering digging into the ground on your property, put down that shovel. Under federal and state law, all homeowners and contractors are required to notify the appropriate utility companies before doing any excavation work. Should anything go wrong, you can’t guarantee that the damages will be picked up by your Michigan home insurance… in cases like these, you need to be prepared.

Dig Safe

To help you comply with this legislation, many utility companies have banded together to form the Dig Safe system. By contacting the program, you can fulfill both state and federal requirements for notification during any digging, trenching, blasting, demolishing, boring, backfilling, grading, landscaping and similar projects.

When using the Dig Safe system, you and any hired contractors can avoid damaging underground utilities, and harming equipment or yourself. If you decide to hire a contractor, even for a project as simple as putting up a fence, you will want to make sure that they are covered under Michigan contractors insurance. This provides added protection should something go wrong during the process.

Making a Request

To determine whether the project you want to undertake is viable, you can simply visit www.digsafe.com or call 1-888-DIG-SAFE to request that a service person come to your property and mark the location of underground facilities. When you call, you will be given a permit number as a confirmation of your request. It is wise to contact the program well in advance of when you plan to start the project to allow for ample time for them to come to your residence and mark the utilities.

Marking utilities before beginning any earth moving project is not only the law…it may also protect you from a potentially life-threatening accident.

Contact your Michigan home insurance agent with any questions that you may have before you start a project.