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Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Many activities pollute the air we breathe, including driving cars and trucks; burning coal, oil, and other fossil fuels; and even such everyday activities as dry cleaning, painting operations, and filling your car with gas. When these gases and particles accumulate in the air in high enough concentrations, they can harm us and our environment. The Clean Air Act, first passed in 1970, was created to clean up air pollution and help protect the health of all Americans.
To learn more about your outdoor and indoor air quality, visit the links below.
On average, every three hours, someone in the United States dies from a fire. Learn ways to prevent a fire in your home and teach everyone in your family what to do if your home is on fire.
High Risk Factors
Cooking causes the most fires, while smoking leads to the most deaths.
Young children and the elderly are in the most danger from fire deaths.
Working smoke alarms cut your chance of dying in a home fire in half. Find out how to correctly use smoke alarms.
Make an escape plan and practice it. During a fire, you might not be able to see or breathe, which means you’ll need a plan you can follow quickly and with your eyes closed.
Smoke and other toxic gases kill far more often than heat. These gases disorient before they kill, so get out fast.
Homeowners and renters insurance protect your home and personal property against damage or loss, and insures you in case someone gets hurt while on your property. You may already have insurance on your home if you have a mortgage on the property, because most lenders make insurance a condition of the loan.
Renters insurance, or tenant insurance, offers renters coverage similar to homeowners insurance. If you are a renter, do not assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings; you may wish to purchase a separate policy.
What Can Homeowners or Renters Insurance Cover?
Homeowners or renters insurance may pay claims for:
damage to your home, garage, and other outbuildings
loss of furniture and other personal property due to damage or theft, both at home and away
additional living expenses if you rent temporary quarters while your house is being repaired
Homeowners or renters insurance may also:
include liability for bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others through negligence
include liability for accidents happening in and around your home, as well as away from home, for which you are responsible
pay for injuries occurring in and around your home to anyone other than you or your family
provide limited coverage for money, gold, jewelry, and stamp and coin collections
cover personal property in storage
Keep these tips in mind when shopping for homeowners insurance:
Insure your house, not the land under it. If you don't subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.
Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace what is insured. "Replacement Cost Coverage" gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents. An "Actual Cash Value" policy is cheaper but pays the difference between your property's worth at the time of loss minus the depreciation for age and wear.
Ask about special coverage you might need. You may have to pay extra for computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, stamp collections, etc.
Flood and earthquake damage are not covered by a standard homeowners policy. The cost of a separate earthquake policy will depend on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area. Homeowners who live in areas prone to flooding should take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
If you are a renter, do not assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings. Purchase a separate policy for renters.
Mold is a kind of fungus that grows in damp areas. It can cause health problems, such as cold-like symptoms, skin reactions, shortness of breath, or infections, depending on a person’s sensitivity to mold and current health condition. People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions, or people with weakened immune systems may be more sensitive to mold. Consult a health professional if you or your family members are experiencing health problems due to mold growth.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. We can't see, smell, or taste it, but it can get into our water supply and into the air we breathe. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
Know Your Radon Level
Living below ground level in a basement apartment or below the third floor of a dwelling may put a person at a higher risk for lung cancer because of greater exposure to radon in the soil. To find out the level of radon in your home:
Test it yourself by purchasing a test kit online from the National Radon Hotline or by phone at 1-800-767-7236.
Lead is a toxic metal used in various products or materials including paint. As an environmental hazard, the government banned the use of lead-based paint in 1978. Exposure to lead may cause lead poisoning, but it is 100% preventable knowing more about lead and the ways to protect your family from exposures to lead.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed programs to prevent lead poisoning in children and offers information for parents, prevention tips, tools, and other resources.
If you are hiring a contractor for renovating, remodeling or repairing your home (or any child-occupied facility) built before 1978, check to see if the contractor is certified in dealing with structures with lead paint. Look for a certified RRP (renovation, repair and painting) contractor.
If you opt for “do-it-yourself” projects for home renovations, learn how to prevent lead dust from spreading in your house.
