Like most people, you’ve likely experienced the inconvenience of an appliance failure. Whether your washer stopped washing or your refrigerator stopped refrigerating, you may have been surprised at the impact it had on your daily routine. Read more

I’ve been babysitting a one-year-old and a three-year-old on a regular basis this year, so I’m constantly on the lookout for choking hazards. You’re probably familiar with the obvious ones like hot dogs, seeded grapes and marshmallows, but I was surprised when the children started coughing and choking on apple slices, french fries, and beans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can prevent choking by making sure your little ones sit up while eating and not giving them food while they’re in the car or stroller. Kids are still developing their swallowing skills up until they’re 24 months old, so keep this in mind when introducing solid foods. Read more

Above all else, a home should be a safe place. However, there are many basic safety measures most homeowners haven’t even considered. To help you improve safety in your home, we asked six Diamond Certified Expert contributors to share their tips. Read more

Due to concerns over high wildfire risk, PG&E has scheduled power blackouts throughout much of the Bay Area on Wednesday, October 9. Starting at midnight, the utility company will begin shutting off power to targeted areas in more than 30 counties, including Sonoma, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara. It’s estimated that up to 800,000 PG&E customers will be affected by the blackouts. Read more

October 17, 2019 marks the 30-year anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Triggered by a slip along the San Andreas Fault in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the 6.9 temblor was the largest to hit the San Francisco Bay Area since the infamous 1906 quake. While the shaking lasted a mere 15 seconds, it was more than enough time to unleash a volley of catastrophic effects. In the end, the earthquake took 63 lives and caused nearly 4,000 injuries, along with more than $6 billion ($13 billion in today’s money) in damage to infrastructure and property. Read more

Every year, there are thousands of ladder-related injuries in the United States, most of which occur in non-occupational settings like residential homes. This isn’t surprising: while workers are typically trained on ladder safety, few homeowners receive such instruction, which increases the chances of improper usage. That’s why, whether you need to clean your windows, clear your gutters or access your roof, it’s important to educate yourself on ladder safety before climbing one. Read more