How many times have you heard of a house fire and thought: Oh, that could have been prevented but it could never happen to me? The truth is, there are many fire hazards lurking in your home that are often overlooked. Becoming aware of them is your first step to prevention. Here are 10 fire risks in your home that need your attention. Distracted cooking According to Statistics Canada, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Do not leave a heating oven or pots and pans on a burning stovetop unattended. Eliminate all forms of distractions when cooking including the phone and TV ..read more

Along with snow, ice and colder temperatures, winter also brings potentially dangerous driving conditions. Follow these tips to drive safely during the blustery season. 1. Practice Defensive Driving Stay vigilant, drive slowly and leave more than normal distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Allow extra travel time when you brake, change lanes, make turns and curves. Avoid passing other vehicles when weather and road conditions are bad. 2. Get Winter TiresWinter tires provide good traction for turning and stopping on wet, slushy or icy surfaces. They allow you to stop 4 ..read more

Backyard pools are a lot of fun, but they also pose many dangers. Safety should always be a top priority to prevent any pool accidents. Statistics from the Canadian Government indicate that in the last 10 years, 55% of drownings occurred in swimming pools with 53% of these cases involving children and infants aged 4 years or younger. Here are ten simple steps families can take to prevent pool accidents. 1. Fence Up Always refer to your local municipal by-law requirements before installation. Generally, the recommended pool fence height is at least 1.5 metres (5 feet). The fence should enclos ..read more

Summer is in full swing. Before you take the kids on a much-needed vacation, take the necessary steps to keep your home safe. Here are seven helpful tips to prevent a break-in and to ensure your precious home stays safe and sound. Lock All Doors & WindowsLocking all doors and windows is a given but don’t forget to secure other openings like pet doors and mail slots. Burglars could reach in through these openings with a tool to unlock their way in. Draw shut the curtains or blinds to prevent outsiders from looking into the house. Should you choose to leave them opened, ensure that expensiv ..read more

For many of us, summer calls for epic road trips to amazing destinations. When you are on the road, being a safe and responsible driver who practices defensive driving is important. Defensive driving is the practice of drivers who consciously anticipate dangerous situations despite adverse conditions and mistakes by other road users, enabling drivers to take pro-active actions to avoid accidents. Driving defensively reduces the risk of collisions, injuries and fatalities and improves road safety for everyone. Being a big road safety advocate, we care about your safety and the safety of others ..read more

Did you know that 40% of all farm fires are caused by faulty electrical systems and wiring, making it one of the leading causes of farm fires? That’s why we’ve created an electrical checklist to assist farmers in preventing and mitigating electrical fire risks. Ensure that all electrical installations, maintenance, and repairs are performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Once a year, engage a qualified electrician to inspect electrical systems. Maintain electrical equipment to prevent malfunction and overheating. Unplug electrical equipment and deenergize circuits when they are not in u ..read more

After winter, it’s no wonder we welcome Spring with arms wide open – the warmer days, the chirping birds and the blooming flowers. However, along with these cheerful delights, Spring can also bring unwelcome surprises like basement flooding and roof leaks. The combination of heavy rainfall and snow and ice melting can cause large runoff amounts that overflow and flood homes. Learn how you can keep your home dry during Spring and avoid the risk of water damage that could cost you $43,000 to repair. Install a sump pump and backwater valve A sump pump’s job is to pump water out of your basement ..read more

The air is warmer, and the trees are budding. Ah, it’s beginning to feel like spring. You are about to take your vehicle for a spin downtown or out in the countryside, and suddenly the question crosses your mind: Is it time to swap out my winter tires? Many drivers struggle to figure out the right time to swap out their winter tires. Some would switch them over to all-season tires as soon as March Break is over. Some would wait well into April to avoid the month’s unpredictable weather. Most experts agree to using the 7-for-7 rule when it comes to switching your tires. When the weather stays a ..read more