No one wants to contemplate what it would be like to have their home catch on fire, but if yours does, you’ll want firefighters to extinguish the flames as quickly as possible. Fortunately, you can help firefighters respond swiftly. In fact, one of the biggest factors affecting firefighters’ speed in putting out a home fire is what you do long before a fire sparks. Taking a little time now could make a huge difference later, reducing property damage and possibly saving lives.
Read MoreTopics: Home safety, Washington State, Disaster preparedness, fire departments, Home Fire Protection
Insurers have a long history of giving customer discounts for installing devices in their homes that reduce risk, such as alarm systems and automatic water-shutoff valves. Today’s smart home technologies are evolving quickly and giving consumers new ways to protect their property and belongings.
Read MoreTopics: Home safety, Washington State, insurance, Home Fire Protection, insurance agents, renters insurance, home owners insurance
We usually think of Western Washington as wet or at least damp, putting it at low risk for wildfires. But a reputation for rainy weather is not, unfortunately, protection against wildfires.
Read MoreTopics: Home safety, Washington State, wildfire, forest fires, fire departments, Home Fire Protection
We all take for granted that, if a fire strikes, firefighters will respond to protect our homes and businesses from devastation. What many people don’t realize is just how many of those firefighters are volunteers.
Read MoreTopics: fire departments, Home Fire Protection, FEMA, public protection
It may not surprise you to learn that fire is one of the major causes of loss in the United States. But it may come as a shock to realize that many fires are started on purpose.
Read MoreTopics: fire protection classes, fire departments, Home Fire Protection
If you live or own property in a community adjacent to a wildland area, you may realize you’re at a greater risk for wildfires. But even if you don’t, you still may have reason to be concerned. Just because a house is located outside of the designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone doesn’t mean it’s out of the woods, as far as wildfire is concerned.
Read MoreTopics: wildfire, forest fires, Home Fire Protection
It’s the season for home improvement. But while you may be eyeing a new kitchen island or a soaking tub in the master bath, there’s one project that could make a big difference in your safety and peace of mind.
Read MoreTopics: Automatic sprinkler systems, Home safety, Home Fire Protection
As an insurance professional, you’re well-versed in sprinkler system requirements, fire protection ratings, and what kind of losses might be covered after a blaze. But how many of you have experienced a fire firsthand? Hopefully, this will never happen, but if a fire does break out at work, here are some helpful things to know.
Read MoreTopics: fire departments, Home Fire Protection
The Arson Alarm Foundation (AAF) just launched their new website. If you are not familiar with this not-for-profit, check it out. AFF works to reduce the loss of life and property from arson in the state of Washington. They do this valuable work through public awareness, advertising and communications.
Read MoreTopics: Home Fire Protection
by Robert Lacy
A company’s storage design (what they're storing and how they’re storing it) determines the sprinkler system for a building. The amount of combustibles stored based on height, storage arrangements and materials all affect how fast a fire grows and thus the amount of water needed.
Read MoreTopics: Automatic sprinkler systems, loss cost, rating bureau, Field inspections, GIS Mapping, Inspections, Home Fire Protection
