After a disaster strikes, returning to your home can be an emotional experience. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, it can also be a dangerous one. The disaster may have caused damages to your home that now present a safety hazard to you and your family. It is important that you properly inspect your home for potential hazards before you resume your life there.

Hazards to Look For

• Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Alert the gas company as soon as possible. Do not smoke or make use of any other items that have an open flame inside a damage house unless you are sure there are no gas leaks or other flammable materials present.
• Sparks and broken or frayed wires. Use a flashlight when first entering your home if you are unsure of the condition of your electrical system. Do not turn on any lights until you are sure they are safe to use. If you suspect damage to any part of your electrical system or if there is standing water in your home, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if you can safely do so.
• Roof, foundation and chimney cracks. A close examination of your home’s structural integrity is very important. If you feel that there is a chance for collapse, leave immediately.
• Appliances. If appliances are wet or appear to be damaged, turn off the electricity running to them at the main fuse box and then unplug them. Check that they, and your electrical system, work properly before plugging them back in.
• Water and sewage systems. If any pipes are damaged turn off your water at the main valve. Check with local authorities before using any water for cooking or cleaning as it may be contaminated. If you are supplied by your own well have a sample tested before use. Also, make sure sewer lines are intact before using toilers.
• Food and other supplies.  Throw out all food and other perishable items that may have been contaminated. This is especially important when goods have come into contact with standing water.
• Clean up hazardous materials. Household chemicals, raw sewage and other hazardous substances that have spilled or leaked throughout your home need to be cleaned up as soon as possible. Make sure you take the proper care to protect yourself from the substance during this process.
• Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of damages before you begin cleanup and keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.

Fun in the sun is even better when you have a swimming pool in your backyard to stay cool on hot, summer days. Despite all the entertainment that a swimming pool offers, there are also homeowner liabilities. To help you minimize your risk, we’ve gathered some safety tips to keep you in the know as you swim.

Sink Swimming Pool Dangers

To Minimize Drowning Risks:

• Install safety fences around the pool with a locked latch and place a cover over the pool when you are not using it. This should deter unwelcome guests from entering your property and trying to swim.
• Always supervise welcome swimmers at all times.
• Do not allow swimmers to dive in shallow water.
• Keep lifesaving equipment near the pool and learn how to properly use it.
• Do not allow swimmers to horseplay in the pool.

As the homeowner, you are liable for the safety of all swimmers. To ensure that you can adequately protect people on your property, consider taking lifeguarding, CPR and first aid courses so you know what to do in an emergency. 

To Minimize Disease Risks:

• Keep the pool water properly filtered and chemically treated.
• Do not allow swimmers with open wounds or illnesses to go in the water.
• Do not allow babies to swim unless they are wearing swim diapers. Regular diapers do not provide protection in water and will not protect against accidents.
• Keep pets out of the pool.
• Before going in the pool, make all swimmers take a shower.
• Do not allow swimmers to drink pool water.

To Minimize Chemical Risks:

• Avoid over-shocking the pool; keep chemicals at the proper levels.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully when adding chemicals to the pool or filtration system.
• Keep pool chemicals stored and locked away, so they are out of children’s reach and those who may try and enter your property to use the pool without your permission.
• Store chemicals in a cool, dry place where they are away from fire hazards and lawn care products.

Helping you to avoid claims is just one of the many value-added services we provide. Call us today to learn more about all of our personal risk management solutions for your auto, home and life.

Sprinkler systems are not just for commercial buildings—they can also be installed in your home. While there are many different types of sprinkler systems, wet-pipe sprinkler systems are the most popular for installation in homes. This type of sprinkler system uses pipes that are constantly filled with water, waiting to be released. Because homes are generally heated during the winter months, homeowners don’t have to worry about frozen pipes. Luckily, wet-pipe sprinkler systems are less expensive than other types, are easy to maintain and even come with sprinkler heads that can be recessed into the ceiling discreetly to avoid interfering with the home’s décor.

Safety First

According to the Canadian Association of Fire Marshals, around 80 per cent of deaths caused by fires are because young children, seniors, and people with limited mobility are unable to escape in time. However, the risk of dying in a home fire is reduced by 80 per cent when a wet-pipe sprinkler system is installed.

Shortly after her 2012 wedding, Natalia Esparra received the news no new bride wants to hear—something went wrong with the memory card in the photographer’s camera and nearly all of the photos from the couple’s big day had disappeared.

Unfortunately, problems with wedding vendors happen more often than you think. When vendors go out of business, don’t show up or have problems with their equipment, it puts a damper on your celebration. Inclement weather and unexpected injury or illness to key people involved in the wedding are other calamities that leave you scrambling to find an alternate location, or in some cases, a completely new date for your wedding. This adds even more expense to a day that has already cost you a lot of money and time to plan.

Sometimes navigating a parking lot can feel like a free for all. In fact, even though a parking lot accident can affect your car insurance premium just as much as a road accident, it can be very difficult to determine who's at fault. In most parking lot accidents all drivers are considered to be equally at fault.

According to Identity Theft Canada, ID theft is one of the most common crimes occurring in Canada today. Once a victim of ID theft, you may spend an average of $1,500 and 175 hours to get your life back in order. Even though that statistic may be alarming, with a few safety precautions you can stay one step ahead of ID thieves with the following precautions.

Many people enjoy travelling to learn about new and different cultures, history and traditions. As a result, many Canadians seek out extreme adventures, with their destinations becoming more and more remote. As this type of travel increases, so does risk of kidnappings, muggings, hotel break-ins and other crimes around the globe. Knowing how to protect yourself is the first step in helping you have a safe trip, too.

Since motorcycles are easily accessible, they are highly prone to theft. If you like to hit the open road on two wheels, be mindful of these theft prevention guidelines to avoid taking a one-way trip down “Loss Lane”.

Tips for Thwarting Thieves

• When you get off your bike, shut off the ignition and then lock it.
• Lock the forks (disk brakes). Purchase locks that are brightly coloured to discourage potential thieves.
• Lock multiple motorcycles together if you are travelling in a pack.
• If you are riding alone, lock your motorcycle to a stationary object that cannot be dismantled such as a light pole.
• Install an alarm on your bike that sounds when it is tampered with.

If you are looking to hire some additional help around the house to watch your children, clean, perform gardening tasks or cook, you have a lot of things to consider. In fact, if you wish to hire domestic help, you need to determine where to find assistance, what your insurance needs are and how to fulfil your legal obligations. Here’s what you need to know:

Hiring Domestic Help Options and Tips

Hire a Service Company

• Check references to verify the company’s reliability before hiring them.
• Consult your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) for complaints filed against the company.
• Ask the company how they conduct background checks on the help they provide.
• Ask to see proof of insurance in case your property is damaged by their hired help.

Hire Help through an Agency

• Check the agency’s background and the BBB for complaints.
• Inquire about the fees charged to you for using the agency’s services.
• Determine how the agency will work with you to find the necessary help that you need. Also determine how the agency will work with you if the candidate they select is not a good fit for your family.
• Determine how the agency screens its potential candidates.
• Insist that candidates are individually interviewed, have their references checked and that their criminal and driving records are investigated.
• Determine whether the candidate you choose is legally able to work in Canada.

Hire Help on Your Own

• Place an ad in your local newspaper or ask family and friends for a recommendation.
• Screen and interview all potential candidates and check references, criminal backgrounds, driving records and green card status (if necessary) for all potential finalists.
• Contact your local police department for more information on how to obtain a criminal background check and driving record.

Helpful Hints

Once you’ve hired someone on your own, you have several legal obligations. You must first confirm that the person is legally able to work in Canada. Then, once hired, you will need to pay taxes on their wages. You should also contact Armour Insurance Group Ltd. to determine whether your Homeowners Insurance policy covers Workers’ Compensation in case your hired help gets injured on the job.