After Storms, Watch Out for ‘Storm Chaser’ Scammers

After property suffers storm damage, homeowners need to be careful as “storm chasers” and fake charities swoop in. In a scene that’s becoming increasingly common after a catastrophe, unscrupulous “storm chasers” are targeting people whose homes and premises have been damaged after a calamity, be that a snowstorm, tornado or a storm system, such as those that ravaged the West Coast in early 2023. Unfortunately, bad actors target homeowners when they are at their most vulnerable, and you should be wary of anyone who shows up at your door immediately after a storm. If someone pitches up offering to step in and handle repairs and your insurance, you should not take them up on their offer.

Protecting Your Home Against Garage Fires

After the kitchen, the garage is the second-most common place in the home where fires start. There are some 6,600 garage fires that cause an estimated $457 million in property losses every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. The danger is that these fires, after they start, are rarely confined to the garage, easily spreading into adjacent parts of the house and beyond. One reason garages are especially prone to fires is that many homeowners store chemicals and flammable liquids, boxes with personal effects, clothes and other flammable materials in them.

Windshield: Repair or Replace?

So your windshield got hit by a rock and now it's developed a chip or – even worse – a crack. Even if it's just a chip now, it could soon spread, eventually spanning the entire length of your windshield. So what do you do? Is it time for a full replacement, or should you consider fixing your windshield? Autotrader shares some advice.

10 Thunderstorm and Tornado Facts You Need to Know

Ever wonder just what makes a tornado a tornado? Here’s a handy FAQ on thunderstorms and tornadoes, with information on watches and warnings, and how to get weather information. 1. What is a severe thunderstorm? A severe thunderstorm produces large hail that is one inch in diameter or larger, damaging winds of 58 mph or greater, and/or a tornado.

It's Window Safety Week

Windows let in light and fresh air, and can provide breathtaking views, but they also are vital to safety. It's important to understand what you can do to observe window safety, especially when young children are in the home.

Avoid Falling Victim to the Staged Car Crash Scam

The staged car accident scam is growing as perpetrators are getting craftier about entrapping unsuspecting motorists. Scammers usually meticulously plan their staged car accidents, leaving nothing to chance. They practice until they get it right, and even if you can see the accident was staged, onlookers or witnesses may only catch a glimpse and think they see something they didn’t.

Smartphones Can Spell Trouble for Drivers

Distracted driving has skyrocketed in the past 13 years and experts say that smartphones are to blame. People are engaging on social media apps, reading text messages and e-mails — and even watching videos while behind the wheel. The result has been a surge in distracted-driving deaths, reversing decades of declines due to vehicle safety enhancements. In 2022, more than 46,000 died in motor vehicle incidents and about eight people are killed every day in distracted-driving crashes, according to the National Safety Council.

Fix Deck Problems Before Someone Is Injured

Everyone loves to spend time on the deck with the family or entertaining. That's why you bought a house with a deck or you built one yourself. Decks are part of the American way of life, but they require upkeep as they are subjected to the elements all year long from hot summer months and cold, rainy or snowy winter months — and everything in between. Collapses happen regularly and people are injured because the owners failed to maintain their deck.