Every morning and every night we are seeing more major fires in out tri-state area on the news. The latest one in Edgewater, NJ at the Luxury Avalon Apartment complex was colossal. It started around 4:30pm Wednesday afternoon and over 1,000 residents had to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It started out as a small electrical fire, in fact the first responders told the tenants to go get a cup of coffee or a slice of pizza, and it’ll be under control in a short time.

Well, it got worse until it engulfed over 200 apartments and turned into an inferno. Residents were displaced and lost everything, clothes, wallets, drivers licenses, important documents, EVERYTHING! This was not caused by negligence or started on purpose, in fact authorities said everything was up to code, the units were equipped with fire alarms, sprinkler systems and emergency exits.

The thing is fire code in many states permit light weight wooden structures, including wooden trusses but this fueled the flames and made fighting the fire difficult.  As flames moved quickly through the 240-unit structure, firemen made three rescues and no one was injured or missing. The building complied with construction and fire codes, Fire Chief Thomas Jacobson said, but he added: “If it was made out of cinder block and concrete, with concrete fire barriers, we wouldn’t have this problem.”

I was watching the NBC evening news and Lynda Baquero (Better Get Baquero) had a great segment related to the fire. It was all about renters insurance and the importance of renters having it. Ninety percent of homeowners have home owners insurance but only thirty seven percent of condo/apartment renters purchase insurance. She also had a spokeswoman on from the Insurance Information Institute who explained, in addition to having renters insurance, you also need to perform an inventory, whether you bring in an experienced third party company like Fairfield Home Inventory or do it yourself, the important thing is to get an inventory of your personal possessions.

Remember, everything you treasure, you’re most valuable possessions – furniture, electronics, photo albums, art, collectables, mementos from your parents, grandparents and family are in this dwelling that can be destroyed and turned into ashes in a flash. Renter’s insurance is not expensive but not having it can be an expensive mistake.

Holidays are over, back to work and school and we’re heading into the winter freeze. We’ve been lucky so far but don’t let the relatively mild weather we’ve been having in lower Fairfield County, lull you into a false sense of security – it will get colder.

Take the time to check and insulate water pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Know the terms used to describe changing winter weather conditions and what actions to take. These terms can be used to determine the timeline and severity of an approaching storm.

Advisory/Watch/Warning – The National Weather Service issues advisories and warnings for other winter weather, including blizzards, freezes, wind chill, lake effect snow, and dense fog. Be alert to weather reports and tune in for specific guidance when these conditions develop.

Freezing Rain – Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.

Sleet – Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

Wind Chill– Wind chill is the temperature it “feels like” when you are outside. The NWS provides a Wind chill Chart to show the difference between air temperature and the perceived temperature and the amount of time until frostbite occurs. For more information, visit: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill.

Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening. The NWS issues winter weather advisory when conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is used, these situations should not be life-threatening.

Winter Storm Watch – A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information. The NWS issues a winter storm watch when severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, may affect your area but the location and timing are still uncertain. A winter storm watch is issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of a potential severe storm. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, TV, or other news sources for more information. Monitor alerts, check your emergency supplies, and gather any items you may need if you lose power.

Winter Storm Warning – A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

Blizzard Warning – Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.

Frost/Freeze Warning – Below freezing temperatures are expected

Make sure you have a good supply of rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency for a complete list of recommended products.

• Sand to improve traction.
• Have Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment on hand to remove ice and snow.
• Sufficient heating fuel. You may become isolated in your home and regular fuel sources may be cut off. Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• Adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm, sturdy and water proof work boots when out in the cold shoveling.

Spring is a right around the corner but in the meantime take care to get through the worst of the winter weather. Be safe around your home and minimize the dangers of slips and falls on snow and ice. Always remove snow/ice in your driveway and walkways before it builds up and becomes dangerous and harder to remove. Make sure you clean off your car regularly for easy access in an emergency – It’s also a good idea to keep the gas tank full to reduce the possibility of moisture build up in the fuel system.

Basic preparedness will always help with the odds when the weather turns nasty. Be aware of what’s heading our way and stay safe.

The holidays are here, time for giving and receiving. Shop till you drop but don’t forget to take stock of those high end gifts you’re buying for someone special or those great presents you’ll receive.

You might be rearranging your home to make room for the Christmas tree or creating space for the holiday parties and family gatherings you’re planning. It’s a perfect time, when moving those items from your home to the garage or storage unit, to take an inventory in case something unexpected happens. Even if you perform your own inventory, you will have complete documentation and proof to present to your Insurance Company for replacement items

Whether it’s creating space for the holidays, spring or fall cleaning, redecorating, or just downsizing, it’s always a good time to create an inventory of all your cherished possessions.

If you don’t have the time to perform one yourself and keep putting it off year after year, let the professionals at Fairfield Home Inventory help save you time and money with a non-biased third party photo documentation off all your valued possessions.

All of us at Fairfield Home Inventory wish everyone safe and Happy Holidays!

Although I don’t know why I should be happy about the unofficial end of summer, I wish you all a Happy Labor Day!

Yes, the summer has come and gone and it wasn’t really a good old fashioned “Hot, Lazy Days of Summer” summer (only a couple of 90 degree days).  I like my summers HOT because they don’t last long, not as long as the cold northeast winters we get here in lower Fairfield County, CT. Fret not, it’s still awhile before we hit the cold, cold winter, hopefully we’ll have a nice long Indian Summer.

Anyway, even though we still have some nice days ahead in September and October (I hope) it’s never to early to begin Fall and Winter preventative maintenance on your homes. Here are a few tips to prepare for yet another long Winter:

September

• Vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns to aid heating system air flow.
• If you don’t remove and store window ACs, then cover with plastic to protect them during winter and prevent heated air from escaping your home.
• Weekend project! If winter brings snow and ice your way, apply a coat of epoxy to the garage floor to help prevent road salt from eating holes in the concrete. Costs: Rust-Oleum garage floor kit: $60
• Drain and refill hot-water heater once a year to keep it fully functional. Also: a) Test the water heater’s temperature/ pressure relief valve, as shown in the manufacturer’s instructions. b) If little or no water flows out or the relief valve doesn’t shut off, replace it as soon as possible. Costs: Pro, $60 to $150 DIY, Search for “water-heater maintenance” on diynetwork.com.  

    October

• Examine weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows. Replace worn or damaged material that’s no longer blocking air. It’ll cost about 45¢ a foot
• A tip for the twice-a-year switch from window screens to storm windows (and vice versa): For the items going into storage, label them with room descriptions, so you can re-install them faster next time.
• Time again for new batteries in smoke and CO detectors.

And as you start putting Summer items away in the garage, attic or storage it’s a good time to start taking inventory on everything “Summer”.  At least that’s a starting point – if you could use some help organizing and taking inventory and you don’t want to take it on yourself or you don’t have the time, call us at Fairfield Home Inventory and we’ll sit down with you and make a list of things in your home that you want or need inventoried.

Your inventory can be as detailed as “everything in your home” (recommended) to an “Express Inventory”. An Express Inventory is a, let’s say a “Targeted Inventory” on just your high value items such as electronics or maybe a special collection. It takes less time and the cost is less than a complete Inventory. But we have some great affordable pricing packages – call or send us an email and FHI will set up an appointment for a free estimate – no charge, no obligation. If it’s just a price list you want, then send us an email requesting one – that’s all there is to it!

Anyway, enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekend and hopefully I’ll be hearing from you soon. Thanks

Frank

Thanks to the Fairfield County Business Journal for the article in their “Newsmakers” section in the August 18, 2014 edition. Thanks again FCBJ

Are you downsizing?  Kids are out of the house, trading in your house for a smaller house or a condo?  This is a great time to take stock of all your possessions or maybe only the most valuable items such as electronics (flat screens, PC’s, special collections, etc.).  Fairfield Home Inventory can help you take stock and document all your possessions or we can offer an Express Inventory to cover the items you most cherish.

Allow us to assist you in the difficult task of packing up and moving to a new home – a great time to take stock!

Happy New Year!

A brand new year is upon us and if you’re one to make resolutions maybe one of them is to inventory all your possessions (or at least the costly ones) and match them to your current home, business or renters insurance. Even if you do it yourself, at least do it and get something documented.  Total up the value and take photos of your possessions to see if what your insurance covers is enough to cover all your losses in case of a catastrophic event such as a fire or even a break in.

We’re in the middle of a snowstorm and on top of that a polar deep freeze on the Long Island Sound.  But I just can’t help thinking that spring is right around the corner (always the optimist). Soon it will be time to clean clutter, remove cobwebs and clean out the garage.

Right now the weather is forcing most of us to spend more time indoors – this is a great time to start your inventory project, take stock of all your personal/business possessions. Take the time now to organize and catalog your possessions. Creating a comprehensive home inventory can be very time consuming but it’s worth it in the long run to maximize and simplify insurance claims when needed.

If you’ve been thinking about performing your own inventory and just never get around to it Fairfield Home Inventory has a great software based method of cataloging all your possessions. When you work with us, we will create a tailor made inventory with full HD photos and detailed reports to identify all items you select.  It can be very detailed or maybe you’ll want our “Express” package, just documenting items like your electronics or special collections.

Whatever you decide to do now would be a great time to start that project. If you’re not up to it yourself then contact FHI for a free estimate. Starting your inventory now frees you up to enjoy the coming warm weather (I’m sure it’s coming soon) and longer days.

Gotta go shovel snow now – Good luck with your home inventory project, stay warm and think SPRING!

.

Hi all – summer is over and we’re well into Hurricane season. So far we’ve been lucky, let’s hope Mother Nature is good to us this year. 

September is National Preparedness Month – Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere without notice. Households, businesses and organizations should prepare in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities, electricity, or water, without access to a supermarket or local services or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing can start with four important steps:

1.) Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and
     identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before,
     during and after an emergency.
2.) Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
3.) Build an emergency supply kit.
4.) Get involved

Fairfield Home Inventory encourages our community to be better prepared and invites community members to join us in this effort.

We would also like to remind everyone that being prepared includes having a detailed Inventory of all your personal/business property and assets.  Know what you have and what it’s all worth by having a complete detailed Home/Business Inventory performed and having it stored somewhere other than your home – it’s part of being prepared!

You can never be too prepared for an emergency – keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least five (5) days. If possible keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container.  Each family should have their own emergency supply kit put together to match your own individual needs. Take into consideration those in your household with disabilities, seniors, young children and pets – build your kit to match your situation and needs.

 Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay)

* Design a safe shelter, preferably an inside room with no window
* Lock all doors and windows
* Find your emergency supply kit (See below)
* Use plastic and tape to seal your safe shelter from the inside
* Have supplies ready
* Care for family members with special needs
* Care for pets
* Check for news updates using your battery operated or hand crank radio
  

Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay or Go)

* Water: one gallon per person per day plus extra for pets
* Food: non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods and manual can opener
* Food for pets
* Flashlight: hand crank model or battery operated with extra batteries
* Water treatment: iodine tablets or unscented chlorine bleach and an eyedropper
* Phone: wireless phone, fully charged with charger or extra battery. Also
  have a wire line phone to plug-in to phone jack in case you just lose power
* Documents: copies of important documents (insurance, photo ID) place items in a
  waterproof, portable container like a zip lock bag.
* Emergency communication card: list of local and out-of-state friends and family and
  their emergency contact information
* Personal items: soap, feminine products, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc…
* Whistle:  for signaling family and rescuers
* First aid kit: to treat minor family injuries
* Cash: be sure to carry a mix of small bill cash and credit cards
* Keys: an extra set for home and car
* Clothing: extra seasonal clothing for changing weather
* Matches: in a waterproof container
* Fire extinguisher: for protection against fire
* Tarp, tent, umbrella or poncho: in case of rain
* Tools: wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Meal kit: a set of compact cooking and eating utensils for preparing meals
* Paper and pencil: to write important information.

For more preparedness information contact your local, state and federal emergency management resources. Stay safe and enjoy the great Autumn weather!

I hope everyone is enjoying the long lazy days of summer here in Fairfield County CT….best time of the year. I love the sun, hot weather and of course, hanging out at the beach here on Long Island Sound.

Before we know it summer will be another series of great memories  and we’ll be headed into fall. When the weather starts turning chilly and the leaves start messing up our beautiful lawns it might be time to begin checking out the exterior of your home before winter comes. Along with inspecting your house you might also want to begin that complete inventory you’ve been putting off for so long.

Whether you and your family do it yourselves or have a third party, like Fairfield Home Inventory, (recommended) perform it – just do it!   It’s so very important to know what you have – document everything along with whatever receipts, documentation, appraisals, etc. you might have for items of value such as jewelry, art work, electronics.

When you complete your inventory project and have it all documented, keep it – and all important paper work such as insurance policies (especially your home policy), passports, etc. off site at a family members home or in a safe deposit box. After all what’s the point of going doing all that work, documenting your possessions and keeping it in your home where it can be destroyed if disaster strikes.

I’ve been searching some Insurance websites, reading articles about how to take stock of all your possessions after disaster strikes. Yes, they actually describe how to, in your head, if your home is totally destroyed, make a mental image of what was in each room and write it down to the best of your recollection. They tell you to do this ASAP after the fire or hurricane or home invasion, so you stand a better chance of remembering as much as you can.  Now to me this is important BUT if you had a home inventory located off site it would be so much easier to work with your insurance company to start rebuilding after the disaster.

Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone how important it is to inventory your home, business, collections, those antique autos in the garage and of course that sailboat you’re probably enjoying right now on beautiful Long Island Sound. 

Now, get back to enjoying the rest of your summer – stay safe!