Protecting your house from mold

When it comes to keeping your home mold-free, a strong offense is definitely your best defense. To prevent mold, eliminate moisture from your home and be on the lookout for signs of possible growth, such as musty smells or watermarks on walls and ceilings.

Caught early, mold can usually be removed by a thorough cleaning with bleach and water. To prevent mold from re-growing, however, it is essential that the source of the moisture be eliminated and the affected area properly dried, cleaned, and if necessary, replaced. Also, remember to bag and dispose of any material with moldy residue such as rags, paper or debris.

Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters that are sudden and accidental. They are not designed to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home. If, however, mold is the direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold is everywhere. It grows year-round and can be found both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, mold is commonly found in shady, damp areas and in soil. Indoors, it can be found where humidity and moisture levels are high, such as in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and on ceilings and wall interiors where water from leaky pipes, roofs or windows can accumulate. While most molds pose no threat to humans, the CDC warns that certain molds can produce hay fever-like allergic symptoms. If you or your children have symptoms associated with mold, see a physician. Keep in mind, that many symptoms associated with mold exposure are common to other illnesses.

To help prevent the growth of mold in your home, the I.I.I. suggests the following:

Reduce humidity in your home

• Keep the humidity level in your home between 30% to 60% by using air conditioners or dehumidifiers.
• Put exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Don’t install carpets in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms.
• Don’t let water accumulate under house plants.

Use mold-reducing products

• Clean bathrooms with bleach and other mold killing products.
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.

Keep your home and belongings dry

• Inspect hoses, pipes and fittings - Consider replacing hoses to major appliances like washer and dishwasher every five years. A typical water hose costs $5-$10
• Refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser
• Water heater
• Washer
• Dishwashers
• Kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Bathroom toilets
• Keep gutters clean of leaves and other debris.
• Maintain your roof to prevent water from seeping into your home.

Be careful after a flood or other water damage

• Properly dry or remove soaked carpets, padding and upholstery within 24-48 hours after a flood to prevent mold growth. Anything that can’t be properly dried should be discarded.
• Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and inhaled.
• Wash and disinfect all areas that have been flooded. This includes walls, floors, closets, shelves, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems.

Pool safety

Every year about 43,000 people are injured in and around swimming pools and more than 600 people drown in home or public pools. Half of the pool fatalities occur in the yards of single-family homes.

Here are some pool safety tips you should follow:

1. Never leave small children unsupervised–even for a few seconds.


2. Put fencing around the pool area to keep people from using the pool without your knowledge.


3. Keep children away from pool filters, as the suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing.


4. Be sure all pool users know how to swim. Learners should be accompanied by a good swimmer.


5. Don’t swim alone or allow others to swim alone.


6. Check the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys or other potential accident hazards.


7. Keep CD players, radios and other electrical devices away from pools or nearby wet surfaces.


8. Don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to use the pool.


9. Stay out of the pool during rain or lightning storms.


10. Never dive into an above-ground pool and check the water depth before plunging into an in-ground pool. Keep clear of the area near a diving board.


11. Don’t swim if you’re tired or have just finished eating.

Lawnmower safety

Each year, approximately 75,000 people are injured seriously enough by lawnmowers to require emergency room medical treatment. Only a small percentage of the injuries are caused by mechanical failure; most are the result of human error. Here are some tips to follow before and while mowing your lawn:

Become familiar with your mower.
Read the owner’s manual before using the mower for the first time. Note all safety and operating instructions. Learn the controls well enough to act instantly in an emergency and to stop the machine quickly.
Proper clothing is essential to protect your body from harm.
Always wear non-slip shoes instead of tennis shoes or sandals. Steel-toe safety footwear offers the most protection against the blade. Long pants help protect your legs from objects that may be thrown from under the mower. Use ear plugs to prevent hearing loss caused by exposure to the high noise levels.
Never leave a mower running unattended.
A mower left running unattended can be fascinating to a child. If the mower has an electric start, the key should never be left in the ignition.
Always start the mower outdoors.
Never operate a mower where carbon monoxide can collect, such as in a closed garage, storage shed or basement.
Police the area.
Before you satrt mowing, be sure the lawn is free of tree limbs, rocks, wires and other debris, which can get caught up in the blades.
The main source of danger is the blade.
To perform its task efficiently, the mower blade must be sharp and travel at a high speed. If a hand or foot gets under the mower while the engine is running, it can cause serious injury. Never attempt to unclog or work on a lawnmower while the engine is on.
Disconnect the sparkplug wire.
Any time it is necessary to reach under the mower, disconnect the spark plug wire to insure that the engine cannot start. It takes a little extra time, but not as long as it does to recover from a serious injury.
Check for frayed or cut wiring.
When using an electric lawnmower, wires can easily get cut by the blade. Keep an eye on the wiring as you move the mower and check for frayed or cut wiring every time you mow.
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