The day after Thanksgiving every year the shopping malls and retail stores flood with people trying to find the best deals on products ranging from coffee pots to barbie dolls.  Whether you are shopping for holiday gifts or for things for yourself, you might want to check out the deals online this week.  Most stores offer the same prices online as they do on the web and the best part- you can completely avoid the crowds!

Here are some sales on home-related products you might find useful this Friday:

Best Buy- deals on TVs, cameras, GPS devices, DVD’s laptops and Video Games

HomeInsurance.com- save up to 20% on your home policy by insuring your car with the same company

Kmart-sale items include men’s and women’s clothing, jackets, toys and games

Home Depot- Black Friday Savings Event includes deals on grills, Christmas trees and more- the first 50 people to spend $350 or more get $50 off!

Lowes Home improvement- sales on power tools, shop vacs, and appliances

Linens and Things-Going out of Business Sale on duvets, bed skirts, vacuums, towels, pillows, etc.

For more deals, visit blackfriday.info.  Happy Shopping!

Programmable thermostats are all the craze recently as a new way to save energy and money when it comes to heating and cooling your home.  Energy Star claims that programmable thermostats can save you a few hundred dollars each year on your energy bills if used correctly.

What makes it different than a regular thermostat?

Programmable thermostats are designed to be programmed by the homeowners so that they can adjust their heating and cooling levels to conserve energy when the don’t need as much.  For example, during the winter time a programmable thermostat might be programmed to heat  the house at 70 degrees when you are home but only heat the house to 65 (producing less heat, less energy) when you are not home or sleeping. The same applies for the summer.  A programmable thermostat might be programmed to cool the house to 78 degrees while you are home but and to cool the house to 82 while you are at work or sleeping.

3 Types of Programmable Thermostats

There are three different types of programmable thermostats on the market today. To select the model that works best for your household, think about your schedule and how often you are home and away from home.  Visit Energy Star’s site where they explain the 3 model types.

A few years ago, deep fried turkeys became the craze around Thanksgiving time. But are they really worth the danger?

According to The U.S. Fire Administration, cooking was the cause of roughly 1300 reported home structure fires on Thanksgiving night 2005.  That is about 3 times the daily average!

The USFA claims that many of these fires occur becasue homeowners are busy entertaining guests while food is left unattended in the kitchen. However, one of the most recent culprits of spikes in Thanksgiving  cooking fires is the turkey fryer.

Why is the turkey fryer so dangerous?

1- Many models on the market pose a great danger of being easily tipped over

2- They contain a high quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures

Not only can turkey fryers cause devastating burns- but they have been responsible for extreemly destructive dwelling fires.

Cook Safe this Thanskgiving! Here are some tips for safe cooking:

• One major cause of turkey fryer accidents is that the turkey is not completely thawed, which can create a volatile situation. The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing: allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed.
• Use your turkey fryer outdoors, away from buildings and any material that can burn. Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages. Make sure to place the fryer on a flat surface.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. If you don’t watch it carefully, the oil may catch fire.
• Never overfill the fryer, and make sure to leave adequate room for the oil displaced by the turkey.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. And, even after the food is on the table, remember: turkey fryers remain dangerously hot for hours.
• Always use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when using a turkey fryer. And, even though they may look silly, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• If a fire breaks out, never use water to try to put it out. Adding water to a grease fire will only make things worse, quickly, and could result in significant fire damage, as well as devastating injury. Make certain you keep a fire extinguisher on hand, but if the fire appears unmanageable, call 9-1-1 for help, rather than fighting it yourself.
• Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, towels or curtains - away from your stove top.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
• Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
• Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool.
• If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.

 Look for the logo!

“The average home causes twice the greenhouse gas emissions as a car making homes a huge opportunity to reduce green house gas effects” - Maria Vargas, Spokesperson for Energy Star

We sat down with Maria Vargas, spokesperson for  the Energy Star program from the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A) and got some really amazing tips for saving on energy costs this winter while also helping to save the planet.

Some Background- Energy Star started in 1992 as an effort on the part of the E.P.A. to  promote more energy efficient homes, products and buildings. Today, over 50 different types of products as well as new homes, hotels, school and hospitals can earn an Energy Star Rating.

An Energy Star Rating means that the product, home or building is:

• more energy efficient
• is cost effective (costs less or equal to a similar non-energy star product)
• does not lack in performance

Top Ways to Save on Energy and Go Green this Holiday Season:

1- Buy and correctly install a programmable thermostat that has an Energy Star logo.  “Homeowners can save about $180/year by using a programmable thermostat,” said Vargas.

2- SEAL UP- the average home has so many leaks around windows, doors, and pipes that it is equivalent to leaving a window open all year round.  Use caulk, get better windows, insulate your attic and basement.  All of these will help.

3-Make sure your heating equipment is working properly.  Replace your filters regularly!  “Dirt and Neglect are the #1 causes of system failure,” said Vargas.  Get a professional to check your system once a year and if your system is more than 15 years old- you should consider buying a newer, more energy efficient model.

4- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs.  Lighting consumes 20 percent of your energy bills every month. Switching to energy efficient bulbs can save you a great deal of money on your bill.

5- Lastly, give the gift of green!  If you are planning on purchasing a television, game system or other electronic equipment as a gift this season, look for the Energy Star logo!

Scan through our Winter Checklist to make sure you are protecting your home from the elements this season:

 Check the walls, attic and basement for adequate insulation
 Find and seal any gaps around doors and windows where warm air can escape
 Feel around electrical outlets and switch plates for cold air or drafts and add insulation where necessary
 If you have old, drafty windows, consider replacing them with energy efficient double-paned windows
 Clean gutters and downspouts
 Have a contractor check your roof shingles and check for loose gutters
 Replace the filter in your furnace
 Have wood stoves and chimneys cleaned early in the season
 Check your home for any vents that may have been opened for the warn weather
 Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets
 Make sure you have a shovel and other necessary winter supplies

Only months after Hurricane Ike, Farmers Insurance is planning to impose a double-digit rate hike for hundreds of thousands of Texas homeowners. The rates are set to take place on February 16th 2009 and will affect homeowners from two of the company’s largest subsidiaries.

Homeowners across the state are highly against the timing of the  rate increase as they feel they are already hurting from the current economic crisis. Consumer groups are calling on State insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin to reject the proposal.

A spokesman for the commission said they will weigh all sides in the matter before making a decision whether to block the higher rates or let them go through.

Representatives from Farmers Insurance claim that the rate increase is caused by the rising cost of labor and materials. The company claims that the rate increase was well in the works before the two major hurricane losses (Ike and Dolly)  devastated homeowners across the state.

Texas homeowners already pay some of the highest homeowners insurance rates in the country. In 2005, Texas homeowners paid on average $1,372 per year for home insurance. Texas home insurance premiums  in 2005 were 79% higher than the U.S. average of $764.

THE TOP TEN MOST EXPENSIVE AND LEAST EXPENSIVE
STATES FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, 2005

Rank	Most expensive states	Homeowners average premium (1)	Rank	Least expensive states	Homeowners average premium  (1)
1	Texas (2)	$1,372	1	Idaho	$457
2	Louisiana	1,144	2	Utah	477
3	Florida	1,083	3	Oregon	491
4	Oklahoma	996	4	Wisconsin	495
5	D.C.	963	5	Delaware	498
6	Mississippi	939	6	Ohio	531
7	California (3)	895	7	Maine	553
8	Rhode Island	849	8	Washington	589
9	Alabama	847	9	Iowa	594
10	New York	842	10	New Mexico	605

President elect Obama claims to support legislation that creates a cap on insurance company losses from major hurricanes or other major storm losses. If insurance companies are protected from the major financial losses associated with these storms, they may be more willing to write policies in Florida, Louisiana and other disaster prone states.

What does this mean for homeowners?

If major companies that are currently refusing to write policies in states like Florida and Louisiana begin insuring homeowners again, the home insurance rates may decrease, creating more affordable home insurance for these homeowners.

Top 3 Most Expensive States for Homeowners Insurance:

• Texas $1,372
• Louisiana $1,144
• Florida: $1,083

If and when this bill will pass is uncertain at best. Some insurers don’t support the government’s intervention in the marketplace which has stalled the bill from passing in the Senate. One group however, coastal homeowners, we know are rooting for this one.

Home insurance rates can vary tremendously from one state to the next.  A great deal of factors weigh on how much certain state residents pay for their insurance.  First let’s take a look at the average premiums for the 10 most expensive and 10 least expensive states for home insurance premiums:

Top Ten Most Expensive States for homeowners Insurance:

 As you can see in the table to the left, Texas home insurance carriers pay the highest premiums in the country at around $1,372/year.  Louisiana and Florida are not far behind paying $1,144 and $1083 on average, respectively. It should be no surprise that the top 3 most expensive states are Gulf coast states- the most exposed to Hurricane risks.  Florida and Texas also rank 2nd and 3rd in the top states for coastal population growth.  California home insurance carriers also pay extremely high rates due to earthquake risks
DATA SOURCE: National Association of Insurance Commissioners

Florida and Texas can also be found in the top 3 ranks of states with the most valuable coastal properties vulnerable to Hurricane damage.  Texas and Florida homeowners have seen the greatest percent increase in rates over the past few years- especially coastal residents. However, inland homeowners are paying the increases as well and much debate has come over whether they should have to pay in increases that reflect risks of coastal homeowners.

However, in times of financial instability in our country- it’s reassuring to also take a look at some of the homeowners who pay the least amount in home insurance premiums each year.

Top Ten Least Expensive States for Homeowners Insurance:

As you can see in the table to the left, Idaho homeowners insurance carriers pay the cheapest home insurance premiums in the U.S.  At only $457/year, they are paying about 1/3 of what Texas homeowners pay each year.  Utah, Oregon, Wisconsin and Delaware follow close behind, where homeowners all pay under $500/year for homeowners premiums.

 While it is difficult to say exactly why these states’ premiums are lower, some home insurance professionals believe that it is a combination of multiple factors.  One factor is the insurance bureau in each state. Each insurance bureau operates independently and may determine rates differently.  Another observation is that most of states with the least expensive premiums are comprised of more rural areas than those with the most expensive premiums. A smaller population density may mean a smaller shared risk for these homeowners.
 
DATA SOURCE: National Association of Insurance Commissioners

When we light up the jack-o-lanterns are we putting ourselves at risk?

October 21, 2008 — According to the 3 year U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) study on Halloween fires, during the three days around Halloween there were 15,500 fires causing $92 million in property loss, 45 deaths and 175 injuries. The research also shows that open flame fires increase by 50 percent during this time period due to the increased use of candles.

“To prevent the spike in open-flame fire claims each year around October 31^st, homeowners should take necessary safety precautions.  These include using battery powered candles as opposed to open flame candles for jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween decorations”, said Carlos Lagomarsino, CEO for HomeInsurance.com.   

Because of the increased incidences of mischief on Halloween night, it is not surprising that a great deal of these fires are associated with suspicious behavior and arson.  The USFA reports that of the Halloween arson fires, it is estimated that 20 percent involve drugs or alcohol most likely attributed to holiday partying.

DATA SOURCE: USFA

Tips to help prevent home fires this Halloween:

·         Use battery powered candles to light up Jack-o-lanterns as opposed to open flame candles

·         If you must use candles, never leave them unattended

·         Make sure that decorations such as streamers, corn stalks and scarecrows are not able to be blown into open flames

·         Keep the front of your home well-lit to discourage mischievous behavior

If you experience a fire or or need to file any other type of home insurance claim, contact your home insurance company immediately.

Winter months mean an increase in fire claims for home insurance companies

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating fires were the second most common cause of residential fire loss in 2006. With 44 percent of heating fires occurring in December, January and February, homeowners should take safety precautions to protect their family and home from fire damage and loss this winter.

Confined heating fires, such as fires in chimneys, flues, fuel boxes or boilers account for 86 percent of all heating fires. For this reason, homeowners should always be sure to clean out their chimneys and flues before starting a fire in their fireplace this winter. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends hiring a professional, National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) chimney inspector who will address all fire risks and perform an inspection that meets NFPA inspection standards.

Other heating fires are often caused by the misuse or failure of heating equipment. According to the NFPA, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires from 2002-2005 was heating equipment being placed too close to things that can burn such as furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding. Space heaters have been found to be the most dangerous of all heating equipment as they are often placed close to beds and other furniture in common living areas in order to maximize heating. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following tips for safe function:

· When selecting a space heater, buy one that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory

· Select a space heater with a guard around the flame or heating element area

· Never use or store flammable liquids around a space heater

· Always keep space heaters at least 3 feet from objects

· NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or leave the immediate area where the heater is functioning.

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