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Extreme Weather, Natural Disasters Can Hinder Medical Assistance

Scenes from Boston in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

When storms hit a populated area, like Hurricane Sandy did in late 2012, we usually think of devastation like what’s pictured above. We can imagine that it’s hard for emergency vehicles to get through, and that there’s chaos at hospitals across the affected areas.

But did you ever stop to think about how flooding and/or fire can affect the actual tools of the medical industry? Think of how many sterilized products go into just a simple, routine blood test, or even a throat swab. Now think about how you would perform these procedures when you’re entire storage facility has been flooded with rank stormwater, causing all of your hypodermic needles, gauze and other implements to be completely useless. Continue Reading →

Do You Have the Right Fire Insurance Coverage for Your Home?

A wildfire can mean heartbreak for homeowners in its path.

We hope that your home is never destroyed by a fire, because we’ve seen the aftermath. Southern California’s Santa Ana winds can make a simple fire widespread and deadly, and can burn a home to the ground. We’ve dealt with homeowners who have lost everything and this is just the first shock.

Some of these people have found out that this isn’t the worst part of losing your home. The worst part comes when you submit the insurance claim, only to find out that you’re underinsured.

According to a 2008 survey from industry watchdog United Policyholders, over 75 percent of claimants from San Bernardino and San Diego counties experienced this devastating scenario. The same survey found that these victims of wildfire were underinsured by an average of $240,000. Continue Reading →

Are Ethanol Portable Fireplaces Safe?

For the most part, yes—portable ethanol fireplaces are safe. But, as with any device or appliance that has an open flame, there are precautions that need to be taken.

It’s beautiful, but can be dangerous if not used properly.

Who doesn’t love sitting by an open fire when there’s a nip in the air? In recent years, the portable ethanol fireplace has made sitting by the fire, both indoors and outdoors, something that’s both easy and nice to look at. Some of them are very attractive, using colored rocks or sleek chrome for a modern, clean look for inside the house, and out.

What is ethanol anyway? It’s actually pretty cool—it’s a plant-based fuel product that does not release new carbon dioxide into the air. That means it’s much better for the environment than a wood fire, which causes all sorts of air pollution! Continue Reading →

Make Sure Holiday Gifts Are Covered Under Your Insurance Policy

We’d like to assume that you were all quite good this year, and were showered with presents at Hanukkah and Christmas. What did the holidays bring you? Perhaps you received new sporting gear, like skis, a snowboard, a stand-up paddle board or a road bike. Maybe you splurged on that ATV you always wanted, or bought a new diving watch to go with the lessons your wife gave you?

Did you buy your lovely wife some jewelry, perhaps a set of diamond earrings from Tiffany & Co. to match the tennis bracelet you bought her last year? A jacuzzi for the back yard? New golf clubs so that you both can play together? Continue Reading →

Don’t Let Your Christmas Tree Ruin Your Holiday With a Fire!

We know that many of you already put up your Christmas trees, and hopefully you’ve been enjoying their wonderful pine scent, festive looks and twinkling lights. Some people wait until closer to Christmas to choose the tree and decorate it.

Either way, you’ll probably hang treasured ornaments on it, and place your carefully chosen presents underneath it—presents you’ve probably spent a pretty penny on. Continue Reading →

Hanukkah Fire Safety Tips

Hanukkah starts this Saturday, December 8th, and for those of you who are not aware, one of the traditions of the Hanukkah celebration is the menorah. The menorah is a candelabra with nine branches that are lit during the eight-day Hanukkah holiday, and is used to celebrate a miracle, when the Jews found only enough pure olive oil to light the menorah for one day after a successful revolt centuries ago. The miracle was that the supply lasted eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. Nowadays, the menorah has eight candles to light each night during Hanukkah.

In addition to the menorah, another Hanukkah tradition is making latkes, pancakes made of potato and onion and fried in oil—another celebration of a small amount of oil keeping a long-lasting flame. And even as careful as you can be, most house fires are started in the kitchen, which means that you should be extra vigilant when using hot oil for cooking.

With one to eight candles burning nightly plus hot oil or grease, there’s bound to be some fire-related accidents. Please review this handy list of safety tips to practice during the Hanukkah celebration to keep your family safe and sound. Don’t ruin the holiday by accidentally burning your house down!

  1. This week is the perfect time to test the smoke detectors in your house, and change the batteries if needed.
  2. Buy a fire extinguisher and keep it near the place you’ll be setting up the menorah.
  3. Place the menorah on a non-flammable, solid and level surface.
  4. Make sure all candles are secure in their holders.
  5. Keep all flammable materials, including drapes, blinds, decorations and plants, away from the menorah.
  6. Before lighting your menorah, make sure that it is meant to be lit, and not for decorative purposes only.
  7. Electric menorahs should not be used if wiring insulation is frayed or broken.
  8. Never, and we mean NEVER, leave a lit menorah unattended.
  9. When cooking latkes, keep children away from the hot oil; ideally, keep children away from the kitchen.
  10. Keep frying pans on the back burners of the stove, and keep the handle of the pan(s) away from the edge so children cannot reach it.
  11. If cooking oil catches fire, turn off the gas or electric range and cover the pan with its lid—if you can do so at no risk to yourself. Ideally, use a fire extinguisher appropriate for grease fires.
  12. Never throw water or a wet towel on an oil fire, as that will cause the hot oil to splatter on you or ignite something nearby.

Please have a happy and safe Hanukkah celebration! If you do have an accident in the kitchen or with your menorah, please call us immediately after you call the emergency services: (877) 732-8471.

Preventing Kitchen Fires During Thanksgiving

Did you know that the top day each year for fires started by cooking equipment? It seems that the combination of families getting together, alcohol, gravy, wrestling a turkey into an oven and more alcohol add up to accidents that result in kitchen fires.

Our business is based on helping people recover from fires and floods, but that doesn’t mean we wish these accidents on anyone. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a quiet Thanksgiving holiday, and to help achieve that goal, we’ve listed these tips that come to you both from all of us at PDR Inland Empire, and also the NFPA: Continue Reading →

Be Safe, Inland Empire, With Our Halloween Fire Safety Tips

Carving pumpkins is fun, but don’t let the lit ones start a fire in your home.

No child can resist the lure of Halloween, it seems. And why not? Besides the promise of bags and bags of candy and treats, they get to dress up as their favorite princess, superhero or character. It’s when the whole nation comes together to let their alter egos run free!

But because children get so excited about the holiday, it’s up to us adults to keep them from mistakes and accidents that might happen on Halloween, and in the preparation. From costumes to decorations, there are dangers that can be easily avoided with just a little forethought. All of us at PDR Inland Empire wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween, so we wanted to share some safety tips that will keep both your house and its visitors free from fire-related accidents. Continue Reading →

Beware Inland Empire Scam Artists After Disaster Strikes

We might think that just because we’re in beautiful Southern California, where usually not much happens in the way of disasters, we’re safe from people who prey on the misfortunes of others. Sadly, you’ll be wrong.  Although we don’t have hurricanes, flooding rivers, tornadoes or blizzards, we have wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes, and criminals that are ready to make money off the back of someone losing their home or business.

Whenever a disaster happens, whether its as devastating as losing your entire company to a fire or less dire like a leak in your home’s roof, it is a troubling time for a homeowner or business owner. There are so many details to worry about, on top of the event itself—and this is exactly the time when unscrupulous fly-by-night contractors and other scam artists will move in to capitalize on their misfortune. Continue Reading →

Use National Fire Prevention Week to Protect Your Family

Do you know who to call if this happens?

At PDR Inland Empire, we take house fires very seriously. Contrary to how it may seem, we don’t want a lot of fires starting all over our area just because we’ll get more business. We truly care about our customers and their families, and want to make sure that they never have to call us when their house is a pile of ashes. But in case of a fire in your home, we also want to promote the best practices if and when that happens. Continue Reading →