December 2007 Newsletter                               View an index of all our newsletters
 

Fire Safety at Home

The Holidays can be fun, they can be exciting, and they can be satisfying. They also can be dangerous. How many old and frayed strings of Christmas lights are hung in homes every year? Too many to count and the answer probably includes lights both inside the home on trees and outside on the home and shrubbery around the home.

At least Christmas trees no longer have lighted candles on them. To be safe, however, the recipe for fireproofing a live Christmas tree is included in this newsletter.

More than 4,000 deaths result from household fires each year. Focusing on how they start in a home is a first step towards protecting your home and its occupants.

Electrical circuits start many fires. A home’s electrical circuits are designed to safely carry specific electrical loads. If a circuit’s load capacity is surpassed, fuses or circuit breakers will open and shut off the current. Never try to increase the rated load of a circuit by replacing burntout fuses with those allowing higher current levels. If a fuse is not the correct size, do not use it, and never put anything other than a fuse in a fuse holder.

The same applies to circuit breakers. Replacing a 15 amp. breaker with a 20 amp. breaker will have the potential to overheat a wire properly sized for the smaller breaker. The wire overheats but the breaker does not recognize that it is carrying too much amperage.

If a homeowner experiences frequent circuit shut-offs, check the main electrical box to determine what section of the house is affected. Once identified, reduce the amount of electricity used on that circuit by unplugging appliances or moving them to another room. If this does not correct the problem, call a licensed electrician to
determine the cause of the overload.

When the wire from electrical equipment will not reach a wall outlet, extension cords are a common temporary solution. They are not meant to be permanent. If more outlets are needed because of the age of the home, have them installed by a qualified electrician rather than living with an octopus of extension cords. Never place extension cords under carpets or secure them with nails or staples.

Fires can start in many other ways besides due to electrical failures. For example, flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene and paint thinner are extremely dangerous and should never be stored on the inside of the house or near sources of heat, especially furnaces, water heaters, and other gas appliances. Keep flammable or volatile materials outside. Use plastic or metal storage containers, not breakable glass, and keep lids tightly sealed to prevent escaping flammable vapors.

Fire safety starts with smoke detectors. Do not forget carbon monoxide detectors if the home has combustion appliances. For maximum protection, place a smoke alarm on every level and near or in each bedroom. Test each detector at least once a month and replace batteries annually. Replace all smoke alarms every ten years. Also, whenever vacuuming or dusting, do not forget the vents on the smoke detectors, where grease, dust, spider webs, and dirt can build up and possibly cause a malfunction.

Here is a quick list of do’s and don’ts: Have your fireplace cleaned professionally whenever a cord of wood is burned. Burn only wood in the fireplace. Clear brush and leaves away from the home at least thirty feet.

For children in the home, they should wear fire-retardant clothing and they need to be taught about fire safety. Have a fire escape plan for your family that children understand. Do not allow children to play around electrical appliances or heaters. Matches and candles are no-no for children.

Kitchens are another area than can be dangerous. Do not overload extension cords and every appliance should have a UL (Underwriter’s Lab.) seal of approval. Check wiring on appliances routinely and replace worn, old or damaged appliance cords. For all rooms, place portable electrical heaters at least 3 feet from curtains, furniture, etc. and have an approved fire extinguisher handy.

Fire prevention requires advance planning and continuing vigilance. Be safe this holiday period and years to come.

Alban is proud to offer FREE Continuing Education Courses in Real Estate Offices!
Call Tina to schedule one of our educational seminars, for additional information, or to schedule our services at 800-822-7200 or 301-662-6565.

From the Desk of
Arthur Lazerow

This coming holiday season will be much
anticipated, especially by Realtors and
home inspectors, because it means 2007 is
nearly behind us and we can optimistically
anticipate 2008. Normally this year-end
column is my favorite, but 2007 has been
a difficult year for home inspectors and
Realtors. 2007 will be remembered as a
year we were thankful to survive. Besides,
many home inspectors have had to
struggle with a new bureaucracy in order
to obtain their Maryland home inspector’s license prior to January 1, 2008. Hopefully, 2008 will be more active for home inspectors.

I know many Realtors agree that 2007
was a struggle in their businesses also.
From a Realtor’s viewpoint, too much product on the market and not enough
people in the market. At present there is
no light at the end of the tunnel.

In fact, this is a very advantageous time to
buy. Prices have moderated and interest
rates remain historically low. For instance,
I performed a home inspection at a home
on Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda
last month. The purchase price was lower
than the value of the lot, which was nearly one-third of an acre. My client appreciated the opportunity to get a true bargain. Hopefully, 2008 will be better for Realtors also.

Happy Holidays to All! Our inspection
staff, Quintin Satterfield, Robert Montiel,
Marty Blackwood, Rodney Shull, Lee Eyler, and Joe Dempsey, and our administrative staff, Sandy Watkins (general manager), Terry Toms (accounting), Tina Yarborough
(scheduling) and Darlene Oriolo (accounting assistant) join me in wishing you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons and a joyous New Year.

Fire Retardant Christmas Trees

I have had a recipe to fireproof live Christmas trees for many years and every several years reprint it in our newsletter. The below formula is an improved version, coming from the FermiLabs’ scientists. Ingredients:

Two cups of Karo syrup
Two ounces liquid chlorine bleach
Two pinches Epsom salts
One-half teaspoon Borax
One teaspoon chelated iron
Hot water to fill two-gallon bucket
You can purchase the Karo syrup, Borax and liquid chlorine bleach from the supermarket. The Epsom salts can be purchased from the drug store and the chelated (pronounced KEY-lated) iron can be purchased from a garden shop or plant store. Procedure:

1. Fill a two-gallon bucket with hot water to
within one inch of the top and add the remaining ingredients. Stir thoroughly, dissolving ingredients. Set aside.

2. With a saw, cut an inch off the bottom of the trunk of your recently purchased tree. Try to make a level cut.

3. Immediately stand the trunk of the tree in the solution and leave for 24 hours.

4. Keepthe remaining solution. Place your tree in a tree stand that contains a well for liquid.

5. When the tree is in its final resting place, use a plastic cup to pour solution from the bucket into the tree well. Fill the well.

6. Every day without exception, “top off” the well of the tree with the solution from the two gallon bucket.
Following these directions will fireproof your
tree and help protect your home and family from fire. If you’re curious, after Christmas when you remove your tree, snap off a branch as an experiment and try to set the branch on fire, OUTDOORS.