It’s fairly easy to visualize a fire in our home and we’re sure it will never happen at our house. There’s another killer. Carbon monoxide can invade our home and kill, and you’ll never see it. It’s especially deadly at night when you’re asleep and you won’t realize you’re getting sick. People with greater oxygen needs like pregnant women, babies, children, senior citizens and those with coronary/respiratory problems are more vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

You can’t see carbon monoxide because it’s a gas dispersed in the air, and it’s odorless and tasteless. This makes it difficult to detect carbon monoxide in your home unless you install a carbon monoxide detector. READ MORE

Emergencies happen. Severe weather may damage our homes, and some problems are more critical than others. Water emergencies should be dealt with immediately, whether the water is coming in from outside, or there’s a plumbing leak inside your home. Why?

Water or high levels of moisture may continue causing damage, often hidden damage, which increases the risk of mold along with higher repair costs. By the time you see a small stain on your ceiling, the water leak that probably caused it may be days or weeks old with more damage hidden between the ceiling and the walls or floors above. A small problem, might be small … or it might be a lot bigger once you start repairs and are able to see what’s hidden inside the ceiling/walls. READ MORE

How cold your home feels … is different for everyone. I like it toasty warm and I have to work hard to acclimate to colder winters by wearing extra layers and slowly lowering the thermostat. It’s frustrating sometimes when I’ve got a winter sweater on while my husband is comfy in short sleeves.

Getting your home warm enough for you and the rest of your family can also be a challenge, as you’re constantly juggling comfort versus cost. You have a range of temperature you can work with, generally from 50 or 55 degrees up to 70 or 72 degrees (and I do think older people need a warmer house). Get tips on figuring out how warm (cold) your home is, how to get what you want without robbing the bank … and when to be extra careful. READ MORE

Peace of mind is priceless, although we all have budget limitations so we have to prioritize. Many homeowners though, are moving a home generator to the top of their list of home improvements … for peace of mind. Why?

Weather patterns have shifted significantly over the last few years. We’re getting flooding, lots of wind storms, ice and snow storms with increasing regularity … and the reverse too, droughts where farmers need water. The question is whether you want to wait for one of these emergencies to leave you without power for several days, or do you want to plan ahead by installing a generator so you know you’re prepared for almost anything. READ MORE