The Clean Water Act was first enacted in 1972 and made several key amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. In the EPA’s own language, the new Act was created “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters by preventing point and nonpoint pollution sources, providing assistance to publicly owned treatment works for the improvement of  wastewater treatment, and maintaining the integrity of wetlands.“ This very broad scope was backed up by a long series of standards for drinking and agricultural water sources.

Water Protection

In its natural state, water is subject to many different and often dangerous contaminants. Surface water can be contaminated by acid rain, pesticide runoff, and industrial waste of all kinds. Groundwater, more commonly used for drinking, can become tainted by pathogens, landfill leachate, septic system leaks, and hazardous toxins that are disposed of correctly. While water in the United States is rarely fatal to drink, such contaminants can cause nausea, lung irritation, rashes, and a host of chronic effects including liver, kidney, and nervous system damage.

These containments and the potential health hazards are what make the Clean Water Act necessary. First, the bill created national standards to ensure all states were prioritizing water quality. Prior to the 1972 change, states managed their own water standards, but many aquatic ecosystems across the country were left vulnerable. The Clean Water Act included key environmental legislation that showed the federal government was willing to become involved eco-protection. Second, the Act also updated regulations for U.S. farms and how they used irrigation water. Finally, the Act specified methods to maintain and restore aquatic habitats – not just lakes and reservoirs, but oceans, seashores, and all types of watersheds.

As time passed, industries became accustomed to meeting effluent limitations and water quality requirements set out by the laws. For example, industrial firms are now accustomed to obtaining permits for all types of pollutant discharge.

Over time, the Act has evolved and become more complex as it incorporates additions like the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990. However, the core purpose of the Act remained to protect environments and drinking water. When you pour a glass, or take a shower, or wash dishes, the water you use is safe because of the regulations the Clean Water Act set up.

Options for Water Care

If you believe that a nearby river or lake has become polluted, you can contact your state environmental agency and see if the body of water is on the “303(d)” list, a Clean Water Act list of polluted water bodies that states are required to clean up, sometimes with earmarked federal funds. Volunteer programs like the Beachkeeper and Waterkeeper groups help by voluntarily testing waters and working to keep pollution laws enforced.

The 1996 additions to the Safe Drinking Water Act, a partner to the Clean Water act, requires states to have Source Water Assessments for all drinking water sources. If you think your drinking water has become polluted, you can call your state environmental department and request to see the latest Assessment. If the Assessment has missed critical information, you can notify the community and contact local officials to deal with the problem.

The Clean Water Act remains vital to the health of Americans no matter where your water comes from. Water problems persist despite the law – in 2009, an Associated Press study showed that 41 million Americans were exposed to contaminated drinking water. Current legislation pinpoints 91 dangerous contaminants, but more may be added in the future as research continues. Fortunately the Clean Water Act is a living, adapting resource that helps protect communities across the country no matter what new contaminants surface.

Learn More:

EPA: Clean Water Act

River Network: Clean Water Act Course

Water Encyclopedia: Clean Water Act

Mold is a common but potentially dangerous substance found in many homes and other buildings. There are thousands of varieties, but the most common are greenish, white, brown or black in color and often have a dusty texture. While trace amounts of mold exist in the air and on surfaces, prolonged exposure to household mold can cause a number of health issues.

Exposure to molds like Alternaria can trigger hay fever-like allergic symptoms, coughing and wheezing, as well as nasal stuffiness and eye or skin irritation. People with chronic respiratory diseases may experience difficulty breathing or develop fungal infections in their lungs. More serious reactions to molds have been reported, but the link between these symptoms and mold exposure has not been conclusively proven.

Mold flourishes in moist, humid environments. Nutrients that encourage mold to develop can be found in many building supplies. Spores can enter the home from the outside through open doors and windows as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Airborne spores also attach themselves to people and animals and are thus carried indoors.

Common Household Sources of Mold

Paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles and wood products that have been exposed to moisture encourage the growth of certain molds. Mold can also grow in dust, lint, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet and upholstery. Leaking roofs, pipes, walls or even plant pots will support mold growth as well. Water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation or flooding all contribute to the spread of mold in the home, particularly the highly toxic Stachybotrys chartarum, a greenish black mold.

Best Treatments for Eliminating Mold

Mold can usually be eliminated from hard surfaces by a thorough cleaning with products like Mold Armor or Moldex, soap and water or a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. If the mold is present in porous or absorbent materials, those may need to be thrown away.

To keep mold out of the house, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises use of an air conditioner or dehumidifier. The home should have sufficient ventilation, including exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms. If repainting is necessary, mold inhibitors can be added to paints. Bathrooms should be carpet free and cleaned with mold-killing products. Water leaks, condensation, infiltration or flooding should be corrected to prevent mold from growing and the home inspected for indications of visible mold. Serious cases will require professional mold removal services such as ServiceMaster Clean.

Permanent Mold Solutions

Serious mold problems will require professional cleaning services and may even lead to extensive home repairs. Homeowners facing restoration issues can consult expert repair sites such as This Old House, Mr. Handyman or Bob Vila. It may be possible for homeowners to make minor repairs on their own; however, professional services from a company like SERVPRO, which offers restoration for significant mold damage, could become necessary.

Preparing an Emergency Kit
The most important element of an emergency kit is a minimum three day supply of both food and water. A flashlight with extra batteries and a first aid kit are crucial items as well. The Ready website provides a comprehensive list of necessary items, as well as additional emergency supplies, required for a first aid kit and supplies for those with special needs such as infants or the elderly. The Weather Channel and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) blog also offer advice on hurricane preparedness. Hurricanes arrive with several days of advance warning; these preparations should be made as soon as possible.

Evacuation Plan
Before evacuating, it is important to secure your house against the storm. Cover all of the windows with permanent storm shutters, or board them up with 5/8” marine plywood. Install straps or additional clips to fasten the roof to the frame structure in order to reduce roof damage. Trim any trees and shrubs around the home to increase wind resistance, and clear loose or congested rain gutters. Reinforce garage doors, as wind entering a garage can cause dangerous structural damage. Finally, bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and any other loose items. Close and lock doors and windows, and unplug electrical equipment and appliances. Additional suggestions can be found on the Ready website as well as The Weather Channel.

In the event that an evacuation becomes necessary, local officials will provide information to media outlets. Other warning methods such as sirens or telephone calls may be used as well. Some people simply choose to evacuate on their own when they feel threatened. Make sure the car to be used for evacuation has a full tank of gas, as gas stations may be closed or unable to pump gas during power outages. Most importantly, follow recommended evacuation routes. Shortcuts may be blocked or flooded, or there may be downed power lines and always be sure to designate a meeting spot in the event of a separation.

Further evacuation guidelines are provided by FEMA on their website.

Keeping Current on the Weather
During a severe storm like a hurricane, having up-to-date weather information is critical. The National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center tracks all developing storms and issues advisories; it also provides links to hurricane preparation. AccuWeather’s Hurricane Center is another source for information on current and developing storms as well as general facts about hurricanes. The Weather Channel’s Hurricane Central is an additional resource for current weather and storm preparedness.

Hurricane Insurance
Flood damage is one of the most common results of a hurricane, but it is not covered unless additional flood insurance, offered by the National Flood Insurance Program, is purchased. SmartMoney reports that flood insurance costs an average of $600 annually, while homeowners living on high-risk coastlines can expect to pay almost $6,000. Homeowner policies do pay for wind damage, including broken windows, torn roofs and interior damage from water falling into the home, as well as tree limbs or entire trees blown onto a home, garage or shed. Tree removal is typically covered up to $500.

Traditional insurance policies often do not cover the damage caused by hurricanes; as a result, 18 coastal states have allowed hurricane deductibles to be incorporated into homeowner policies, according to Insurance Information Institute. However, residents will have to pay a costly deductible, as high as 1% to 5% of the total amount the home is insured for, before the insurance policy takes effect. Some states allow policyholders to pay a higher premium in return for a traditional dollar deductible, depending on how close to the coast their home is located. On an encouraging note, most standard homeowner policies will pay for a family’s living expenses, including food and housing, while the home is being restored.

Preparing for a hurricane can be stressful; however, failing to do so could be the cause of even more stress. Remember, the earlier these precautions are taken, the better.

You may feel safer in your home than anywhere else, but statistics show that you might not be as secure as you imagine. In the United States, about 20 million people are hospitalized every year due to injuries that happen in their homes.  Roughly 7 million of those injuries cause some type of disability, and nearly 20,000 of them are fatal.

Children and pets are especially vulnerable to accidents, since tend to be more active and are less able to recognize danger. However, accidents are common among adults as well. The good news is that you can significantly reduce the chances of injury by following some simple home-safety tips.

Fall-Proof Your Home

The most common cause of injuries at home is falling, which can result in sprains, broken bones and even more serious injuries. Fortunately, it isn’t hard to remove potential falling hazards from your home.

Perform a quick walk-through, covering every room of the house. Look for any clutter in your doorways, halls and other walking spaces. Make sure children’s toys are put away safely. Loose rugs can trip you, so secure them under heavy furniture or remove them completely. Tuck away any wires or cables that protrude underfoot. If you see any broken or dim light bulbs, replace them. Poor lighting is a common cause of falls so be sure all rooms are properly lit.

Prevent Poisoning

Toxic substances are especially hazardous to children and pets, but a significant number of adults also poison themselves each year at home. Help prevent accidental poisoning with an inventory of all toxic chemicals in your house, such as cleaning products, lighter fluid and medications. Check all of the lids to make sure they are tightly closed. Sealed caps keep vapors locked inside the bottle, and prevent contents from spilling onto the ground where toddlers or animals might find them.

Use a mop or wet rag to wipe down windowsills and furniture. This will remove paint chips and other particles that could end up in children’s mouths. Also, keep prescription and over-the-counter drugs in their original containers and out of reach of children. Medicines are common sources of poisoning.

If you suspect poisoning, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers 24-hour hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Keep that number handy in case of emergency. The association will send refrigerator magnets and stickers for your phone upon request.

Minimize Carbon Monoxide

You may have given little thought to carbon monoxide in your home, but this colorless, odorless gas can be deadly in large quantities. All fuel-burning appliances, including gas stoves and heaters, burn oxygen and emit carbon monoxide. Wood-burning fireplaces can be a major source of carbon monoxide, as well.

Prevent poisoning by making sure vents and chimneys are not blocked, and open a window if you use a gas-powered space heater. To monitor levels in your home, buy a carbon monoxide detector. Similar to smoke detectors, these gadgets display a digital reading of carbon monoxide levels and emit an alarm sound if levels climb too high.

Additional Resources:
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Problems: Colorado State University identifies common sources of carbon monoxide in this guide, and offers steps to eradicate the deadly gas from  your home.

Home Fire Prevention: The United States Fire Administration provides this tip sheet to help you prevent fires and take the safest actions if a fire starts.

Poisoning: First Aid: This guide from the Mayo Clinic goes over the symptoms of poisoning and how to treat them, as well as when to call for help.

5 Ways to Make Your Home Safer: This article from This Old House outlines five suggestions for increasing the safety in your home. Topics include smoke alarm testing, kitchen habits and drowning prevention.

At the its worst point, 30,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders, during which they left behind their homes, not knowing whether or not their most valuable assets would be waiting for them once they return. Those fears were compounded by the threat of looting, which added insult to injury for residents who were temporarily uprooted. Thirty-seven homes and 28 vehicles were broken into by opportunistic thieves, who snatched thousands upon thousands of dollars of stolen possessions.

If you live in the South, where Hurricane season looms for six months each year, the Midwest, where Tornadoes can uproot a town in an instant, or out West, where wildfires can scorch hundreds of thousands of acres at a time, then you’re all too familiar with the destructiveness and mercilessness of Mother Nature. John Shelby Spong said it best: “Mother Nature is not sweet.”

At lot of things in life are unavoidable. But it’s how we prepare for those events that enables us to weather them. Enter disaster insurance coverage, the one thing that stands between us and the personal disaster that often arises from wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

The Very Real Threat of a Natural Disaster

Each year, FEMA releases the number of major disaster declarations that have occurred in the U.S. In 2011 the agency tallied 99, 18 more than the previous year, a record. According to the Insurance Information Institute, it was the second costliest year in insured losses from natural disasters. President Robert Hartwig summarized the financial toll in a statement released by the III.

“Catastrophes striking the United States in the first nine months of 2011 caused $32.6 billion in direct insured losses, nearly double the $18.6 billion in catastrophe-caused direct insured losses insurers generally incur over the first nine months of any given year.”

The period of high activity from January to September included the barrage of tornadoes that struck the Midwest and Southeast, the most infamous of which was the EF-5 that hit Joplin, Missouri, resulting in 158 deaths.

“The $32.6 billion figure doesn’t even include the significant insured losses which arose after the pre-Halloween snowstorm, which caused enormous damage to multiple states along the Atlantic seaboard,” Hartwig said in the statement. “Coupled with other events in 2011′s fourth quarter, direct insured losses could exceed $35 billion this year.”

Twelve different climate disasters occurred in the U.S. in 2011, the most since 2008, combining for a damage total of $52 billion in insured and uninsured losses, the III reported. One of those was Hurricane Irene, a Category 1 storm that swept through the Northeast. More than 900,000 properties suffered an estimated $59 billion-worth of flood-related damages, according to UPI.

Many homes were located outside designated FEMA hazard flood zones, meaning they weren’t required to be covered with flood insurance. Among those who faced the most risk during the storm due to the surge: the 63% of homes outside the flood zone in Virginia Beach, a statistic cited in the article from CoreLogic. Of course, floods can only be covered with flood insurance, as a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover floods and earthquakes.

Suffering major property loss caused by a natural disaster can spell the financial ruin of many uninsured Americans. Each year, countless people lose their homes and their valuable possessions, which have taken years to collect, and have no means to replace them. Because of their unpreparedness, picking up the pieces takes years.

The Necessity of Homeowners Insurance

Living though a natural disaster can be traumatic, but it’s the aftermath that determines its lasting impact. The recent upward trajectory in natural disasters and the resulting costs has forced many homeowners to come to terms with the reality that they could be next. The protection offered by homeowners insurance, a necessity for all homeowners, may cover you in the event your home is damaged by a tornado or wildfire.

Homeowners insurance encompasses the physical structure of the home and its contents. This affords you protection against the common perils, such as fire, smoke, vandalism, theft, riots or looting, and lightning strikes. If a storm blows a tree through your roof, then your insurance should ensure that it’s fixed and the items within your home that were damaged are replaced. It also covers medical payments and possible legal fees if someone on your property is injured. You can get additional coverage by upgrading to a larger policy that includes more perils.

Most lenders require borrowers to have a homeowners insurance policy to protect their investment. However, even the most generous policies exclude damage from floods and earthquakes. What’s more, some don’t provide adequate protection against hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. Review your policy to familiarize yourself with the details. Many homeowners buy extra coverage to ensure all bases are covered.

Types of Individual Disaster Insurance Policies

If you’re looking to add a disaster insurance policy to your homeowners insurance coverage, then you should consider your biggest vulnerabilities. Do you live in a high-risk area for hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes or wildfires? Even if you don’t live an area that’s traditionally considered high-risk, are you completely immune to the threat?

• Flood Coverage: Your homeowners policy covers water damage sustained within the home, such as from a burst pipe, but it does not cover floods. Floods are defined by insurance companies as water that rises from the ground – from heavy rains or storm surge – and rapidly melting snow. Homeowners in high-risk areas are often required by their lenders to purchase flood insurance. Those policies are generally more expensive than policies in low-risk areas. You can learn more about flood insurance by visiting the National Flood Insurance Program website.
• Hurricane Coverage: Although flooding is the most destructive outcome of hurricanes, you can purchase hurricane insurance separate from flood insurance. It’s designed to cover all the risks brought forth by hurricanes, including floods and high winds. The combination of a good homeowners and flood policy, however, will protect you against damage from water and debris.
• Earthquake Coverage: As with flood insurance, earthquake insurance must be purchased separately from your homeowners policy. According to the III, 90% of Americans live in seismically active areas, so even if you’ve never experienced an earthquake in your life, you’re probably not insusceptible to experiencing one in the future. With an earthquake insurance policy, coverage includes the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged property, including accessory structures such as your garage, the contents of your property, and your living expenses after the disaster occurs.
• Tornado Coverage: The Insurance Services Office reports that tornadoes and severe thunderstorms caused the highest amount of insured losses from natural disasters in the country in 2010. If your homeowners policy covers the damage from high winds and debris that accompanies powerful tornadoes, then tornado insurance may be superfluous. Again, it depends on the details of the policy.

Coverage Considerations

If you’re insured, the worst thing that can happen to you is finding out you’re underinsured – after a natural disaster strikes. A study released in 2009 by the research firm Marshall & Swift found that 64% of homes in the U.S. are “undervalued for insurance purposes” and “the average homeowner has enough insurance to rebuild only about 81% of his or her dwelling.” The remainder of the cost of damage has to be covered out-of-pocket by the owner. If your entire home has been destroyed, then rebuilding it to its previous state may not be financially feasible.

A common misconception by homeowners is that the amount of insurance they buy should reflect the real estate value of the home, when, in fact, it should cover the cost of rebuilding. Homeowners should get periodical cost estimates to ensure their policy is valued correctly so that, in the event of a disaster, their home is rebuilt entirely and all their belongings are replaced.

Additional levels of coverage beyond replacement cost are extended replacement cost and guaranteed replacement cost. The advantage of the former is that it accounts for inflation, as the insurer pays more than the replacement cost. The latter covers the entire cost of your home irrespective of price fluctuations that have occurred since the inception of the policy. You pay a higher premium, but you won’t have to get periodical cost estimates.

When taking out an insurance policy or reassessing an old one, keep these things in mind:

• If you’ve spent several thousand dollars remodeling your home, thus increasing its overall value, you should get a cost estimate as soon as possible. It’s generally advised that homeowners do this immediately after the work is performed.
• Account for every structure on your property, such as a garage or storage shed. These essential components to your home are often overlooked by homeowners.
• Take a thorough inventory of all your valuable belongings by taking photos and getting them appraised. Keep your recordings somewhere secure – not inside your home – such as in a safe deposit box.
• Do not choose an insurance company merely because it’s cheap. You’ll get what you pay for. Price matters, but you should pay close attention to consumer ratings as well.

Advantages of Renting Versus Owning

There are many advantages to renting versus owning a property, especially in the midst of a recession. Buying a house means putting a down payment on it which spurs on a mortgage, taxes, and maintenance without the luxury of being able to call your landlord when a pipe bursts or the air conditioning goes out. For some people renting simply makes more sense. Many young couples rent rather than buy a home because they don’t know where they’ll be in five years. Jobs could take them across the country. They could expand the size of their family, unexpectedly. Renting simply allows for more flexibility. Not to mention, if you’re renting at an apartment complex, many of them have attractive amenities. You could save on a monthly gym membership by utilizing your apartment complex’s workout facility, or work on your tan while lying out at the complex pool.

An Insurance Research Council poll found that only 43% of renters had renters insurance while 96% of homeowners have insurance on their home. Yet, Americans are choosing rentals over buying a home at increasing rates as a result of a poor real estate market. Going without coverage is risky business. The average premium for renters insurance in 2006 was $188 per year, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Considering the amount of protection you get from that coverage, the premium is well worth the expense.

The Basics of Renters Insurance

Renters insurance protects your belongings in the event of disaster while you’re leasing a home or apartment. The basic renters insurance policy is called an “HO-4″ policy. As a tenant, you may not think you need to obtain insurance because the landlord likely has insurance covering the property itself. However, the landlord’s insurance does not cover your assets. If your apartment complex or leased house were to burn down in a fire or become burglarized, you would be at loss for any missing or damaged personal belongings. If you purchase renters insurance, your policy will be outlined for you to clarify all of the perils your policy protects you against. Typically, these include things like fires, vandalism, water damage from faulty equipment, theft, and many other types of disasters that could jeopardize your personal assets. Renters insurance moves with you from property to property because it has no affiliation with the property itself — just your belongings. As a result, you may rest easy knowing your policy will apply to the various residences you inhabit.

You may be averse to paying for renters insurance because you see it as just another expense. Yet, renters insurance can be very affordable and is a necessary safety net. Nobody sees themselves as a potential house fire victim, but it happens every day. Renters insurance takes some of the stress out of a situation that could be wrought with tragedy; if you lose all of your high-dollar possessions in a robbery, the last thing you want to think about is how you will be able to replace everything. You will already feel attacked and vulnerable. Your renters’ insurance policy takes care of you in that time of need. You can control your policy’s affordability by coming up with a reasonable deductible for your coverage. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums will be. The deductible is how much you would pay out of pocket in the event of peril. For example, if your home flooded and all of your possessions were ruined amounting to $100,000 in damage and you had a $1,000 deductible, the insurance company would pay $90,000 and you would be responsible for the last grand.

Determining Property Value & Premiums

In order to determine how much you will be compensated in the event of property loss or damage, you will be required to come up with a value for your belongings. There are two methods for determining the value; in one system, you determine value for an item based on market pricing. This is referred to as the actual cash value. The actual cash value is determined by gauging the price for an item within the current market as opposed to the price it was when you bought it. Thus, an old DOS computer may have been worth significantly more when you bought it in 1998, but in 2012, it must be priced as its current value and not its original price. On the other hand, you may determine an item’s value by using a percentage that factors in the item’s gradual depreciation over time, which is known as the replacement cost. In some cases, using the item’s replacement cost can give you a better value than the actual cash value — that DOS computer may be valued higher when the percentage is applied than its market value. When you’re negotiating your policy, you will likely need to choose one value system over the other for all items involved, so it is worth your time to be strategic in your choice and discuss it over with your insurance agent. After a method is chosen, the policy will be written out for the value’s given amount.

The insurance company determines what your premium will be for your renters insurance coverage based on several different factors. The territory in which you live will be taken into consideration because some areas are more likely to come in contact with natural disasters. For example, coastal regions may be more prone to damage caused by hurricanes. The public fire protection class ranking — which is gauged on a scale between one and ten with ten being the worst — is also factored in. Your public fire protection class ranking is how well you are protected from a fire. If you’re far away from a fire department or are located at a distance from a water supply, the ranking will be worse. Furthermore, the construction of the building you live in affects your premium. The number of apartments in your complex, for example, is grouped with construction characteristics. Lastly, selecting any additional coverage will affect your premium.

Additional Coverage

Renters insurance also gives you the option of taking out personal liability protection. This type of coverage will protect you in the event that you are sued by someone else who is injured while at your residence and it is not subject to your deductible. For example, you may have a visitor over at your apartment that is bitten by your dog and requires stitches. The coverage could be applied towards medical bills incurred as well as legal costs. Personal liability protection usually comes at a minimum of $100,000. Likewise, if you are at fault for damage to the rental property, the landlord will use their insurance to cover the damage, but will come to you to cover the costs. With renter’s insurance, you won’t have to pay those costs out of pocket. When you’re at fault for the damage, your premiums will rise or your coverage could be dropped after the insurance company pays for the damage.

If a disaster occurs at your apartment or leased home that forces you to vacate the property until it can be addressed or repaired, you may also need a policy that covers additional living expenses. This can help you to cover the cost of a hotel, food, and other needs while you’re waiting for your property to become inhabitable again. Additional living expense coverage usually covers about 20% of your expenses. Likewise, you may have personal effects that you have upgraded over time. For example, you may have reupholstered a couch, which changes the value of the product from its market price. Such upgraded items may be subject to improvements coverage, in which 10% of your coverage goes toward a new altered item.

A basic renters’ insurance policy doesn’t cover earthquakes. If you live in a region where earthquakes are common, you might consider obtaining an earthquake endorsement as a supplement to your coverage. You should also consider a business pursuit endorsement, particularly if you work in your own home. Business materials that might otherwise not be covered by your policy or may only be marginally covered can be invaluable or even impossible to replace. The coverage might extend to the laptop itself that was damaged in a fire, for example, but not to the sensitive material on the laptop unless you have added a business pursuit endorsement to your coverage. Fine arts endorsements can be added for artwork or sculptures and such that are not specifically covered by your policy, especially if they are accidentally broken rather than stolen.

Common Restrictions to Look Out For

Any policy-owner should be aware of a couple of restrictions on coverage that insurance agents set for renters insurance. While most landlords are responsible for damage incurred to the property itself, some may only provide coverage for the exterior of a complex or leased home. In such an event, the landlord won’t replace carpeting, interior walls, and so forth. It is important that you make certain your landlord’s insurance covers the interior of your property before you sign a lease agreement. Your renters insurance won’t cover the actual property unless you have specified that as an additional policy, so you need to make sure that you don’t wind up having to pay for structural damage out of pocket.

You should also be aware that most renters insurance policies do not cover water damage caused by flooding, which may catch policy-owners by surprise. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage was responsible for 22% of all homeowners’ insurance claims in the United States in 2007. Yet, unless the renters knew to question their water damage coverage, they may have ended up with some out-of-pocket expenses. Renters insurance has some tricky stipulations about water damage. A good rule of thumb is that water damage that originates from below your property will not be covered, while water damage that originates above it will be covered. A burst pipe that causes a leak in your ceiling will likely be covered, while sewer backups and flood damage will not be covered. Oddly, the heavy rain that causes the flooding may be covered if it caves in or leaks into your roof.

This can be frustrating to policy-owners, since water damage is capable of causing incredible destruction to your property. Not only can it rot through wood and cause mildew and mold problems, but it can destroy your belongings that aren’t intended to get wet. If you live in a flood-prone area, you may need to acquire a separate policy to cover flood damage. The federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program provides sufficient coverage for those concerned about flooding in their home. According to their website, the average flood insurance policy costs $540 a year, which can certainly be worth it if you live below sea level. You can also usually purchase a sewer backup rider for your renter’s insurance policy for an additional annual cost.

Do I Really Need It?

You may live a frugal lifestyle with relatively few possessions and feel that renters insurance is an unnecessary use of your dollar. But, chances are that you do have at least a few valuable possessions. Commodities like a personal television, computer, jewelry, clothing, and furniture add up quickly to thousands of dollars, and most people don’t think out the cost of replacing all of those things at once. That is a reality you may have to face if your property is destroyed or looted. Renters insurance isn’t just for people who have fancy flat screen televisions and expensive stereo systems in their home. It can help with all of your personal property, no matter how old or inexpensive the item is. If you figure it in to your coverage, you will be compensated by your insurance company for it when it is gone and will be able to replace it much more easily than if you had to pay everything out of pocket.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million people are dog bite victims every year, with 800,000 Americans requiring medical attention for dog bites annually. Of the serious cases, 386,000 end up needing emergency services and there are 16 fatalities per year on average as a result of dog bites. Most attacks target children between the ages of five and nine, although they can happen to anyone.

Dog-Bite Liability Laws

There are three kinds of laws that hold the dog owner liable for their dog’s behavior. A dog-bite statute dictates that the dog’s owner is automatically liable for any damage incurred to another human or property as a result of their dog. The one-bite rule stipulates that the owner is only responsible if they knew beforehand that the biting dog was inclined toward aggression. The victim must be able to prove that the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive history. Negligence laws also come into effect when an owner allows their dog to bite or destroy property as a result of being unreasonably careless when trying to control the dog. Most insurance policies provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, but if that amount is exceeded, the dog’s owner is responsible for any expenses accrued as a result of injury caused by their dog. In some states, dogs that bite are either classified as dangerous or vicious, depending on the severity of the attack. Vicious dogs may need to be put down in accordance with local animal control.

Ohio state law recently changed concerning dangerous dogs. Originally, state law in Ohio stipulated that only Pit Bulls could be designated as dangerous dogs, a label that prevented the breed from being adopted out of shelters and resulted in many Pit Bulls being euthanized. However, state law now says that any dog breed may be classified as dangerous if it bites someone, and the dog’s behavior is the determining factor in whether or not the dog is deemed as dangerous, not its breed. When a dog is classified as dangerous, the owner has ten days to contest it in court before they must take several pains to ensure that others know about their dog. First, they must post “dangerous dog” signs outside the home, warding off potential strangers that might approach the dog in the yard. They must buy a $50 “dangerous dog” tag, which will dangle alongside their regular tag. The dog must be permanently identifiable with a microchip, it must be spayed or neutered, and it must be kept in a locked, fenced-in yard or other enclosure while on the property. If the owner wants to take their dog out, they must be leashed with a lead no longer than six feet. The long list of precautions may seem strict, but if your dog bites someone, there must be consequences.

In fact, in some places, if you don’t let people know that your dog is dangerous, you could wind up with a nasty lawsuit. In Tacoma, Washington a woman was attacked by two neighborhood Pit Bulls in her own home. The pit bulls’ owners were sued, as was the county for failing to note that the dogs were categorized as dangerous under a local ordinance. The woman won and was awarded $100,000 in medical bills and $2.1 million for pain and suffering. The county appealed the verdict. While nobody wants to admit that their dog may be a hazard, taking precautions with your dog may be necessary to ensure that you don’t swallow your words later on. In this scenario, the attacking dogs were likely aggressive as a result of owner neglect. The woman, Sue Gorman, had left the dog door in her home open for her own dog’s use when the Pit Bulls entered her home already worked up into a frenzy. They attacked her, her dog, and a neighbor’s dog that occasionally took respite at her home. The neighbor’s dog was killed and Gorman required 27 stitches on her face from dog bites. Neighbors testified that the Pit Bulls’ owners subjected them to obvious neglect, both mistreating them and failing to offer them food or water. Michael McKasy, the winning attorney, noted that “bad owners have bad dogs.”

Some insurance companies require that their clients sign liability waivers for reportedly aggressive dogs, saving the insurance company from losses accrued by repeated dog bite claims. They might not trust that their clients’ dogs will stay docile. Others will only cover a dog if the owner agrees to take them to a training class to modify their aggressive behavior. Liability waivers don’t always have solid footing, though. In California, for example, some daycares may require parents to sign liability waivers for their children while under their care. But if a child is bitten by a dog while at the daycare, that waiver is void against public policy and the daycare provider is held accountable.

Nature or Nurture

There are debates as to whether dog bites stem from innate aggression with certain breeds or if they are simply the result of humans misunderstanding dogs. Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Chow Chows, and German Shepherds are often regarded as being predisposed towards aggression. In reality, these breeds almost always must be trained toward aggression or provoked before they will express violent behavior. According to the American Temperament Test Society, small, feisty breeds such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Schnauzers are actually less even-keeled and likely to express aggression without being provoked. The American Temperament Test takes into consideration things like the breed’s behavior towards strangers, reaction to auditory and visual stimuli, aggressive behavior, and antisocial behavior. On the other hand, terriers and other small dogs will likely not do the same kind of damage as a large, provoked dog.

Melissa Berryman, author of People Training for Good Dogs: What Breeders Don’t Tell You and Trainers Don’t Teach, notes that dog bites are not caused by “bad dogs,” but that humans merely misinterpret a dog when it is trying to communicate with you. If you approach a dog, it will give very clearly signals as to whether it wants to be approached. Yet, people may misunderstand the dog, resulting in dog bites. Often a dog will stiffen if it doesn’t like something. A human can engage with the dog by first patting their side, speaking in a high voice, and remaining friendly to show that they are not a threat to the canine. If the dog wants to be left alone, you should not continue to interact with it. Some dogs are protective of their food and shouldn’t be approached while they are eating. If a food-protective dog senses that you might take their food away from them, they may bite to ward you off.

Likewise, dogs are pack animals, and dog bites can occur even in your own home when certain protocols aren’t adhered to. Your dog likely sees your entire family as its pack, with possibly smaller children below it in ranking. If your children step out of line, a dog may nip them at the heels as part of their herding instinct. A herding bite is generally not hard and won’t break the skin, but may scare a child into running, which will prompt a dog to instinctively chase them. Dogs may also be trained to bite when an owner uses their hand as a form of punishment to the dog. If a dog gets swatted every time they have an accident in the house, for example, they may learn to fear a human hand and will react with biting. The dog can’t differentiate between an owner using their hand to punish and a small child approaching with a hand out to pet the dog. This is why so many abused dogs are perceived as more aggressive in nature. In truth, they are fearful because of how they have been treated from other humans. Even if a current owner hasn’t personally abused their dog, they may have adopted the dog from a shelter where previous owners subjected the animal to neglect.

Lastly, a dog that hasn’t been spayed or neutered may show more signs of aggression than a dog that’s been fixed. According to the American Humane Association, un-neutered dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs. An intact dog has biological instincts, which can lead to aggression and anxiety if they are not fulfilled. Neutering produces a calmer, more agreeable dog. It also stops the dog from breeding unnecessarily, reducing the amount of strays in the general dog populous.

Homeowners Insurance and Pets

If there are a slew of dog bite incidents in your neighborhood, your insurance rates could rise even if you don’t own a dog. Such is the case in the tri-state area, according to KEPR News. Some insurance carriers will even flat out deny you home insurance if you own one of the commonly thought of as aggressive breeds. If a dog bite occurs in your yard, you might be liable even if neither the dog nor the victim is affiliated with you, merely because it took place on your property.

Your insurance premiums may vary depending on the dog’s size as well. If you have a smaller or medium sized dog, the rates will likely be less than they would for a large dog. Large dog owners may gripe about this, considering their dog a “gentle giant” while their neighbors own tiny, ankle-biting dogs. It may take some research to find an insurance provider that doesn’t unfairly discriminate against your dog based on size. If your insurer refuses to cover your dog, an umbrella policy may be considered. This could cover things outside your regular insurance, such as canines. Some brokers also offer separate canine liability insurance.

Dogs aren’t the only animals that raise your homeowners insurance rates, though. Insurers will charge more for exotic pets as well, given that wild animals are just as — if not more — likely to cause an injury. Some of the pets on the Exotic Pet Index include snakes, chinchillas, sugar gliders, skunks, alligators, or wild feline cubs. Of course, the owner must first ensure that they are complying with the law in terms of owning an exotic pet and that they have the proper licensing. Mitch Kalmanson, a Florida exotic pet insurer, sells multimillion-dollar policies to his clients so that they can have animals like tigers living next door to regular people. “I’ve got circuses, I’ve got fairs, zoological facilities, private facilities, some people who just want to have exotic animals because they have an interest in it,” Kalmanson told ABC’s Nightline.

1. Design Master

   Design Master is specifically formulated for your iPad, as it would be too difficult to navigate on an iPhone, and is extremely helpful if you can’t easily visualize what a piece of furniture might look like in your room. Simply snap a photo of your room using your iPad’s camera or choose a pre-existing photo from your library and then add items on top of the photo, choosing decor and other items from a catalogue within the app. You can resize and change the colors of furniture as you place them in the room as needed. You can also rotate them for different views. After completing your room, you can save it to your library for easy reference or email it to a friend. The app comes in three different versions depending on your designing needs — interior, hospitality, and exterior. The hospitality app works best for designers planning an event, with items like podiums and clothed tables in its inventory. Interior and exterior are self-explanatory, and both can be useful for home furnishing. Each version costs $9.99.

2. Color Capture

   The Color Capture app by Benjamin Moore allows you to take a photo of anything using your phone or tablet and match it to corresponding paint chips from Benjamin Moore’s extensive library. You can then locate Benjamin Moore retailers in your area from within the app. The app is especially useful if you’re trying to develop a specific color palette in a room. You may get inspiration from a color combination you see in nature, and the app allows you to capture that moment and take it to your walls and furnishings. You can also add notes concerning your findings. The app is free and distributed both for Apple and Android products.

3. MySurface

   Corian and Zodiaq produce different kinds of surfaces for homes, such as marble, granite, and tile. With the MySurface app, you can browse through the entire catalogue of surfaces from Corian and Zodiaq and save swatches of your favorites for quick reference. This makes it simple when you are discussing surface options with your decorator, or client if you happen to be an interior designer yourself. The photos used for surfaces are high-definition and you can hold them up to a surface to visualize what it might look like with a particular stone or tile. You can also browse through a gallery of furniture with different surface treatments for inspiration. The app is free for the iPhone or iPad.

4. Remodelista

   If you can’t seem to find that perfect light fixture for your kitchen, browse the Remodelista app for ideas. Remodelista is constantly updated to bring you the newest trends in design products for your home. You can search by the room — kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, you name it — and browse the ever-expanding list of top-of-the-line products. The app also has DIY instructions for projects. Browse through images of furnished rooms and click “steal this look” for broken down pricing and retail information on various items. The app does product roundups on a regular basis. Save your favorite items to customizable folders for individual projects as you see fit. If you fall in love with a product, you can click “Buy Now” to purchase it directly from your phone or tablet. The full Remodelista app costs $2.99, but also comes in a lite version for free.

5. Photo Measures

   The Photo Measures app by Big Blue Pixel allows you to photograph a room and input different dimensions for furniture, walls, and other objects in your virtual blueprint. You draw straight onto the photo and then add in the numerical values as measured out by hand. Measurements can be saved in imperial or metric units and the app intuitively recognizes angles. A high resolution copy of the photo can be exported to email to print out a hard copy. The app is a must for anyone trying to figure out if a specific piece of furniture will fit in a room before purchasing it. Given that you’ll have your exact measurements at hand on the go, you can claim that IKEA desk without worrying that it’ll be a tight squeeze next to your couch. The app costs $4.99, unless you purchase the free lite version.

6. iHandy Level

   The iHandy Level from iHandy Inc. is a functioning level that you can use right from your iPhone. Like any level, you place the iPhone on a surface and it determines whether the surface is straight or slanted. However, the app is not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing, with a wood grain background and lighting effects. Plus, it’s absolutely free. The iHandy Level is the perfect solution for aligning artwork on your wall. It calibrates with a variety of surfaces, detecting verticality, angle measurement, incline, and roof pitch calculation.

7. Pinterest

   You are probably more than acquainted with Pinterest already, but it can be a great website for getting decorating ideas. The Pinterest app is suitable for your iPhone and works almost identically to the website, in which you browse, favorite, and pin your own items to customizable boards. You can also take photos with your iPhone camera and pin them to Pinterest. If you’re looking for a specific decorating item, you can use the keyword search to narrow down the results. Pinterest also offers some of the best DIY ideas on the web.

8. Mark On Call

   The Mark On Call app comes in two different versions depending on whether you intend to use it on your iPhone or on your iPad, but both are great resources for anyone taking on the challenge of interior design. Created by interior designer Mark Lewison, the app helps you conceive and carry out any design you please. You can map out a design of an existing room or an imaginary room, add dimensions to furniture using a crosshair cursor, and add “skin” surface textures onto things to see what something would like with a particular surface. You can create shopping lists of various items you’ll need to bring your room to life. You can also see how your interior design measures up by applying Mark’s Ten Commandments of Interior Design to a room. Both the iPhone and the iPad version are sold for $1.99 in the iTunes store.

Entryway

Probably one of the most important rooms in your home is the entryway. The entryway will be the room that people see most when they come over to your home, but is also one that you will use on a daily basis and often take for granted. The outside entryway will also set a precedent of what people should expect in your home, so you want to make sure you start here.

• Make sure it is eye- catching: Everyone wants to believe that their house is the most beautiful house. Since most people won’t see the inside, you need to start with the outside. Make sure that you have bright lighting so that your walk way is visible. Also, use plants that will stay beautiful year round.
• Get rid of the cluster: Next time you think about droping your mail off inside the door, don’t. You do not want a lot of clutter upon entering the home. It needs to be as inviting as possible. Make sure that there are no broken steps and that the inside is as breathable as possible.

Kitchen

Another important room that is often overlooked in terms of decorating is the kitchen. In our fast paced society, not a lot of people have time to cook and spend hours slaving over the stove. So if you are never in there, why should you care what it looks like? Well first of all, you need to spend time there. Spend time with your family cooking great, nutritious meals. It will benefit your family in the long run. Not only will your health improve but so will your closeness.

• Color: Color is essential in any feng shui element, but particularly in the kitchen. With the use of water and your stove and appliances, you already have fire and water playing against each other. Therefore, you will want to stay away from fire colors such as red and orange. These colors have been proven to make your brain associate them with hunger so your waistline will appreciate it also. Make sure to use cooling colors. Pale yellow is thought to be one of the best options.
• Layout: Along with color, you will also want to think about the placement of your appliances. How easy would it be if your sink was across from the stove? Well, do not do it. You will put water and fire in direct contrast. This alignment is said to increase arguments in the household.

Bedroom

For some, their room is their sanctuary. They love to spend time cuddled up in their room, but is it really inviting? There are certain elements of feng shui that will make your bedroom more relaxing and will help aide your sleep habits.

• Bed: Obviously the most important part of the room should have the most rules associated with it. When it comes to placement of the bed you want to make sure that it is placed opposite the door and usually up against the farthest wall. You will want to have a solid headboard like wood or leather and new sheets. Why new sheets? When you replace the bedding every year, it adds fresh energy to the room.
• Decoration: As we mentioned, color is key to feng shui, so in the bedroom you will want to make sure that you use warm colors and flesh tones. These colors are said to spice up the room and increase romance. Any decoration elements should usually be displayed in pairs. Also, if you want to keep the room romantic then get rid of all electronics and exercise equipment. There are better places for these things.

1. Bob Vila

   A prominent name in the home improvement industry, Bob Vila is one of the most trusted contractors in America because of his expertise in home renovations. From 1979 to 1989 he was the host for This Old House where he completely renovated old and historic homes. He went on to host several other shows including Bob Vila’s Home Again, Bob Vila, and Restore America with Bob Vila. He has also written more than a dozen books on rehabilitating homes and other home improvement guides. Today, Bob is launching a new pilot series entitled Building Green, where he educates home owners on the newest green building technologies. Besides appearing on regular television, he is well-versed in carpentry tools, using his knowledge to create his own line of tools, now featured at Sears and the Home Shopping Network. Bob frequently answers any questions homeowners may have online at his webpage, Twitter account, and other social media outlets.

 

2. Tom Silva

   Tom Silva has been renovating homes since he was a child, working with his father and brother. Their first project was installing a basement fallout shelter underneath their 1787 colonial home in Massachusetts. With decades of experience in remodeling, renovation, and restoration, Silva has hosted the show This Old House for more than 25 years, contributed to home improvement magazines, and published books. Silva is now a practicing contractor in Boston; he founded his own company, Silva Brothers Construction where he works alongside his brother and nephew.

 

3. Karl Champley

   Award winning master builder, building consultant, and environmental home inspector Karl Champley has earned notoriety in the building industry for his projects in residential and commercial construction. Starting off as an apprentice carpenter, he soon gained certificates in structural engineering, earning his master builders license. In 1990, he started his own business, KJC Building Services, earning the Australian Achiever award in 2001. Since then, Karl has been featured on the DIY Network, HGTV, DIY To The Rescue, and Wasted Spaces. He is a great source when it comes to any carpentry needs and advice in the home renovation industry, even judging home improvement competitions across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

 

4. Danny Lipford

   A veteran remodeling contractor, Danny Lipford has been helping homeowners with both small and large projects for many years. As host and executive producer of the show, Today’s Homeowner With Danny Lipford, and the radio show Homefront With Danny Lipford, he provides expert tips and advice on the home improvement process. He has also contributed to The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, and other publications, offering guidance on a variety of home topics including design, materials, and key renovation decisions. One of his specialties is demonstrating a variety of “How-to” projects in studio and on location. He has been a home improvement contributor to The Early Show on CBS for more than a decade.

 

5. Paul F. Ryan

   A nationally recognized home improvement expert, licensed contractor, home inspector, and insurance adjustor, Ryan has all the experience needed to be the ultimate handy-man. He’s hosted several television shows on the DIY Network, TLC, and HGTV, where he shares his knowledge of carpentry, home remodeling, plumbing, and other aspects of construction. Today, he is a regular and reliable source in newspapers, magazines, TV shows, and online home improvement websites.

 

6. Ron Hazelton

   Offering expert home improvement advice, safety concerns, and design/repair issues on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Inside Edition, Ron was actually the pioneer of reality-based, on-location home improvement television when he hosted The House Doctor in 1989. The series was so successful, it ran for more than 200 episodes; then aired for many years after on HGTV. Today, he delivers instant solutions, advice, and how-to content online on his webpage. His simple, straightforward format of instruction has been a hit among home improvement enthusiasts.

 

7. Mike Holmes

   Today’s host of HGTV’s Holmes on Holmes, Mike shares his expert knowledge on home repairs, managing large renovations, new-home construction, and sustainability issues. He’s built hurricane resistant homes in New Orleans and trained youth in skilled trades through apprenticeships. He’s also written two successful books and contributes to a weekly newspaper column.

 

8. John Gidding

   After earning his masters in architecture from Harvard, Gidding went on to open his own design firm, John Gidding Design Inc. His portfolio includes impressive projects like Union Square in New York, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the master campus plan for Carnegie Mellon University. Now a host for HGTV’s show, Designed to Sell and Curb Appeal: The Block, he offers invaluable design and technical advice for any home or landscape improvement needs.