Oct 13 2009
KC Home Inventory provides preventative measures to protect property contents and prepare for the worst
With the holidays on the horizon, the home inventory experts at KC Home Inventory are advising homeowners and even renters to take steps to protect themselves from the dangers of a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday candles have doubled in popularity over the past 10 years, accounting for more than 15,000 home fires annually and a combined property loss of $540+ million. Christmas trees and electrical decorations are also common culprits behind home fires, with damages estimated at $13.1 billion annually.
Taking measures to prevent holiday-related home fires is crucial, but it's also important to realize that accidents do happen. Being equipped with a home inventory is a smart precautionary strategy. It provides peace of mind in that property-owners know they are prepared for all contingencies, according to Rick Bell, founder of the Kansas City-area KC Home Inventory, which has been providing premium home inventory services since 1993.
"It's not just decorating with candles and lights that can lead to home fires, but it's all the cooking, entertaining and use of heating equipment, too," Bell says. "People are stressed and not always paying attention to details, which means the oven could be left on or something placed on a hot furnace by mistake. A home inventory provides a record of the items that could be lost in a home fire, plus it ensures the best insurance award."
Bell provides a few tips for preventing fires:
- Blow out all candles when you leave a room or go to bed.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
- Use candle holders that won't tip over.
- If you have an artificial Christmas tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified as fire-retardant.
- Choose a live tree with green needles that do not fall off when touched.
- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory and use them according to their specification: indoor or outdoor.
In the unfortunate event of a fire, KC Home Inventory provides recommended steps at homeinventory.net/Home_Inventory_After_Fire.htm.
A home inventory is easy with the assistance of the KC Home Inventory Software. This state-of-the-art tool is available through a growing national network of KC Home Inventory trained professionals, who offer the personal assistance that's necessary for documenting customers' property. Nationwide, clients are now hiring KC Home Inventory to assess their belongings, capitalizing on the quieter fall days before the holiday rush kicks into gear.
"October and early November afford the perfect opportunity for organizing the house and doing small yet sensible projects like taking a home inventory," Bell says. "Our experts in home inventory can step in anytime to help, but it's particularly smart to do this just prior to the holidays. Then after the holidays, be sure to update your home inventory by including the new gifts of jewelry, electronics and more."
Source: KC Home Inventory