The September 23 autumnal equinox marks the first day of fall. Many people eagerly welcome the season, excited about cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and the start of football season. But not all fall activities are met with the same anticipation. The change in seasons also means it’s time for fall home maintenance.
Completing annual maintenance on the interior and exterior of your home in the fall can help prevent costly repairs that may or may not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.
The snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and harsh winds of Midwest winters present many hazards to your home. While you can’t avoid these perils completely, you can do several things to minimize your risk.
Clean out your gutters and downspouts. Falling leaves can quickly clog gutters and inhibit proper drainage. This can result in ice dams, leaks, foundation damage, and basement flooding.
Ensure windows and doorframes are properly sealed. Openings allow moisture to enter the home and potentially result in mold, cracks, or other damage.
For more recommend tasks, check out home improvement expert, Bob Vila’s Fall Home Maintenance Checklist.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 3,500 sleep-related deaths among US babies each year. These deaths include accidental suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation, as well as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than one year of age that doesn’t have a known cause even after a complete investigation, including autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of clinical history.
While the cause of SIDS is still unknown and there’s no known way to prevent it, there are ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths in babies. Visit the Safe to Sleep® site for more information on SIDS and safe infant sleep including:
According to Statista, there were an estimated 1,247,321 reported violent crimes and an estimated 7,694,086 reported cases of property crime in the United States in 2017.
October is National Crime Prevention Month. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) introduced this annual campaign in 1984. Each October, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations work to educate their communities about victimization, volunteerism, and the development of safe, more caring communities, while highlighting and celebrating successful crime prevention efforts.
Each year, NCPC selects weekly themes based on crime trends and local feedback. They then work with national partners to provide free online resources to help communities address these trends locally. This year’s themes are:
Week 1 – McGruff® Turns 40!
Week 2 – Stop Bullying
Week 3 – Crime Prevention Matters
Week 4 – Counterfeit Dangers
Week 5 – Ridesharing Safety
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