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By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Save your holiday feast (and home) from being overcooked with these essential holiday cooking safety tips! Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Fire departments respond to an average 158,000 cooking fires annually. Unsurprisingly, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are the peak days for home cooking fires. "On Thanksgiving Day you're cooking probably more than you normally do," says Andrea Vastis, Senior Director of Public Education for the Nat... read more.

• November 21, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips, Weather Safety

Summer is in full swing, which means barbecues, swimming pools, and vacation. While we are all celebrating the warmer weather and relaxation, another season is beginning - hurricane season. With the threat of heavy rain, high winds and lightning strikes, now is the perfect time to inspect and trim your trees. The last thing you want is a storm to take down a large branch or tree and damage your or your neighbor’s property. Do my trees need a trim? Before getting out the clippers or calling a profe... read more.

• July 19, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

As you know, New Jersey summers can get hot, hot, hot. In 2022, the state saw 10 consecutive days of 90° weather, and it was the warmest August on record. Is your air conditioner up for the task of keeping you cool this year? Make sure by checking out our quick guide to HVAC preventative maintenance, so you can beat the heat this summer. Annual HVAC maintenance tips you need this summer Overall, air conditioners are an easy appliance to maintain. Central air conditioners generally require: Regular... read more.

• June 16, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

It’s National Barbecue Month! Stay safe this month and all summer long with the help of these top outdoor grilling safety tips! May is National Barbecue Month, which means it’s time to fire up the grill! Unfortunately, with a homemade char-grilled burger also comes danger. The National Fire Protection Association reports that approximately 9,079 home fires are caused by gas grills each year, and on average, more than 22,000 people end up in the emergency room each year with grill-related i... read more.

• May 26, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

As the weather warms up, many Americans head outside for some fun in the sun. Before you kick back and relax, make sure your yard and all its areas are safe for your family and guests. Check out these 10 tips that will help you create a fun and safe outdoor living space that you can enjoy all summer long!   Pool safety tips Enclose your pool A fence is one of the most important safety features your pool can have. The best option is to have a four sided, non-climbable fence and not use your house... read more.

• May 18, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Follow these tips to help deter would-be burglars. When you’re a homeowner, you realize right away just how many threats are out there. This is why home security has become such a big business, with so many products and services available. According to IBISWorld: “Revenue for the Security Alarm Services industry has increased at an annualized rate of 3.9% to 34.5 billion over the five years to 2022.” Whether you’re looking to install a new home security system or upgrade your cur... read more.

• May 10, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Moving into a new house comes with a lot of emotions. There is the elation of being a homeowner, the anticipation of making new memories, and the overwhelming fear that you may not know how to take care of your largest investment. In fact, 86 percent of homeowners say they have had at least one home repair to address since moving in. Fortunately, we can help make your transition into homeownership a little easier with the top 10 home maintenance tips every first-time homeowner needs to know!  &nb... read more.

• April 18, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

Did you know one of the biggest threats to your home is fire? With U.S. fire departments responding to more than 346,000 home structure fires annually, the best thing you can do to prevent a home fire is learn the common causes and how to avoid them.  #1 – Cooking  According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. In fact, between 2015 and 2019, cooking... read more.

• February 17, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Home Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Between 2016 and 2020, fire departments responded to an estimated 44,210 home fires caused by heating equipment annually. Almost one-fifth of all home fire fatalities came from home heating fires, and almost a quarter of all property damage from home heating fires came from chimney fires. That’s because chimney fires can reach remarkably high temperatures, up to 2,000°F! On the othe... read more.

• January 27, 2023

By Franklin Mutual Insurance, Posted in Weather Safety

It’s burst-pipe season! Prevent this costly insurance claim from happening in your home with these six simple tips! Did you know that one in five homeowners insurance claims is for water damage and freezing? Unfortunately, every time temperatures dip below freezing, your pipes can become interior popsicles, burst, and create expensive damage in your home (approximately $11,000 per claim). Rather than having to deal with the hassle, clean up, and possibly mold, prevent a water damage claim from a bur... read more.

• January 20, 2023