Home Safety Articles

High-Risk Homeowners Insurance Explained

What Is the Definition of Perils in Insurance?

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Basement Flooding?

How to Insulate Electrical Outlets

Does Renters Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

How to Drain a Water Heater: A Step-by-Step Guide

Find out how to drain a water heater — and why you may want to — with our guide covering tools, prep, step-by-step instructions and tips.

How to Start a Fire in the Fireplace

Start a fire safely in the fireplace with our guide covering materials, preparation and safety tips.

Insuring Homes with Swimming Pools: What to Know

How Can I Help Prevent Pipes From Freezing?

Fall Home Maintenance Tips : Farmers Insurance®

In a Flash, Lightning Can Fry Every Appliance (and More) in a Home. But Saving Homes From Lightning Strikes Isn’t Impossible.

Homeowner’s Guide to Summer Home Maintenance

Blackouts Can End in a Blink. What Happens When the Lights Are Out for Days or Weeks?

Own a Home Built Before 1980? Your Electrical System Might Need Some Attention

Old homes may have electrical system problems that require extra attention. Learn about potential electrical system issues and possible solutions.

What They Grabbed Before a Natural Disaster Hit

Natural disasters happen. What would you take with you during evacuation? Here are stories of real people saved & lost — & what really mattered in the aftermath.

When This Man Awoke to Strange Sounds, He Expected a Thief, Animal or Ghost

A Hurricane Destroyed His Home. The Renovation Was a Bigger Disaster.

Caught in Chaos, They Made the Best of a Worst-Case Scenario

“A Smoke Alarm Saved My Life”

From Scorpions to Monsoons to — Yes — Snow, Home Maintenance in Arizona Requires Ingenuity

In a Blackout, Reaching Out for Help Requires a Plan. Low-Tech Solutions Might Save the Day

Rescue Stories from the Houston Flooding: “We’d Bang on Roofs and Listen for People Inside”

Team Rubicon volunteer Breaux Burns talks about the rescue and disaster recovery mission after Hurricane Harvey and the Houston flooding.

You Have to Think like a Bad Guy to Protect Your Home

Security pros say you can help make your home more secure by thinking like the bad guys.

They Had Minutes to Pack and Flee Before the Flood

Homeowner's Guide to Spring Home Maintenance

They Stole His Identity and Made Off With $50,000 Before He Had a Clue He'd Been Robbed

It's One of the Smartest Ways to Add Square Footage (and Value) to Your Home

“We Prepared for Two Inches of Water, Not Five Feet.”

They Wanted a Bigger Living Room. They Got an Indoor Waterpark

She Raced a Fire That Scorched 40,000 Acres in 12 Hours and Lost Almost Everything

A harrowing first-person account of a family outrunning one of the worst blazes in California history.

It Sounded Like Artillery Shells Hitting the Roof

This Colorado car dealership lost its entire inventory in the Hailstorm of the Century. Learn more about hail-damage prevention and storm precautions to take if you live in a hail-prone region.

I Can Still Hear the Sound of the Fire

"You Could Hear Crackling and Popping... Like Kindling in a Fireplace."

When Your Teenager Tells You, “I've Got This”

This Mom’s Trouble Sounded like a Million Trains Coming

Living with the Parents Again, but under Your Roof

High Winds Can Cause More Havoc Than You Think. Is Your House Ready?

Evacuating Natural Disasters with Children

When disasters strike, parents face unique challenges when evacuating with children. Find out how these families evacuated, and how they're preparing for the next emergency.

Your Roof Can't Wear a Puffy Coat in Cold Weather. Here's How You Can Keep It Cozy.

Ice dams can cause major damage to your home and roof during the winter months. Learn ways to help keep them from forming.

Dog Showers, Catios (AKA Cat Patios) and More Home Renovations for the Truly Pet-Obsessed

How Can Insurance Help Me Prepare for a Flood Disaster?

This Guy Helped to Repair and Rebuild a Crucial Part of 22,000 Homes After Hurricane Katrina

A Home Fire Story: “the Cat Was Swaddled in a Firefighter's Jacket Getting Oxygen”

At 2 A.M., I Woke Up to See the Bedroom Walls Bowing In

The Backyard Disasters That Cause More than $118 Million in Damage Each Year

Nine Steps to Help Get Hurricane Ready

You may think you know what do in a disaster, but are you prepared? Here are nine manageable steps to help you get ready before the next extreme storm.

The Essential Survival Guide for Blizzards

Nine simple steps to help you prepare for a major winter snowstorm