General Home

Is it Time for a Roof Replacement? Look for These 6 Warning Signs

You may tend to overlook your roof, but it's actually one of the most important component of your home — and the most vulnerable. It protects you from the elements like rain, snow and sun, but roofs don't last forever!

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A mole with dirt around it sticking out of hole in the yard of a home

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A Guide on Getting Rid of Moles

Moles don't come above ground often. But when they do, they make their presence known. Unfortunately, the renovations they make aren't always the most desirable.

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How to Heat Your Home Cheaply

Why is my house so cold? Why does it cost so much to live in a warm house? Read on to discover some ideas about how to keep a house warm in the winter.

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How To Turn Off Home Water Supply

You may have to turn off the water supply for your home. Do you and everyone else in your household know how to do so?

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Fireplace Safety Tips

There's nothing quite like a warm, crackling fire in the fireplace to up the cozy factor during the holiday season, and all winter long.

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Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

June 1 marks the first day of hurricane season. Take time before then to prepare your home and household for any severe weather that comes your way. Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem; they can also affect inland areas with rain, water and high winds. Plan ahead and help prepare for a hurricane with this handy checklist.

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Front view of beautiful home with landscaping rocks and flowers

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Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Have you been thinking about updating your front yard landscaping? There are many reasons to invest in this space, including increasing your home value, improving safety and reduction of utility costs.

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Best Upgrades to Increase Your Home's Value

What adds value to a home? This is the question many homeowners ask when they're entering the housing market as a seller. While you may be able to sell your house as-is, you could earn more profit if you make some renovations first.

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White home for sale Sign with sold sign on top

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Mobile Home Exterior Makeover

Are you craving a new DIY project now that it's starting to warm up outside? Let's talk about how to give your mobile home curb appeal. Whether you live in a park or on private land, updating the visible land around your mobile home can increase its attractiveness.

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Tips on How to Win a Bidding War

The time has come. After searching for months on end, you've finally found the home of your dreams! However, you know that if you love the home, it's almost guaranteed that someone else does too, especially in this market. Read on for some suggestions on how to avoid this and put yourself in the best position possible before putting a bid on a home.

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Wildfire Preparedness: Are You Ready?

If you live in an area that's prone to wildfires, it's important to take steps in and around your home to reduce the risk of damage - aka “hardening” your home. Use this guide to learn how to make your property more resistant to wildfires and increase your home's likelihood of survival.

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Revamp Your Kitchen

Foremost has done some research for you and put together a list of ideas you can use to give your kitchen a more updated look!

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A neighborhood with a looming forest fire in the background

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Wildfire Safety

Wildfires are fast-moving natural disasters that typically happen without warning. If you know your neighborhood is at risk, there are steps you can take to protect your home and keep your loved ones safe!

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Portable Generator Safety Tips

Whenever you use your generator or if you decide to invest in one, keep these tips in mind to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and other serious issues that can happen with the misuse of generators.

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Plan for those with special needs

Be prepared ahead of time. Make arrangements with friends, relatives, neighbors or your local emergency management office if you'll need assistance in an evacuation.

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Preparing for severe weather

Try and put yourself in the shoes of those who have gone through a natural disaster, and imagine this: Before a severe weather event hits – you hear the warnings from state officials and your local news, but might not take them too seriously.

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A road that has buckled from earthquake damage

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Earthquake safety: Before, during and after

Earthquakes are natural disasters that come without much warning-if any! According to the California Integrated Seismic Network, warning times can be anywhere from a few minutes to just seconds.

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Things to consider before renting an apartment

It's no secret that apartment hunting can be stressful. It can be hard to find the perfect one that meets your checklist, and that's within your budget.

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Understanding the tiny house takeover

The tiny house movement refers to the social and architectural movement that encourages living simply, efficiently and sustainably in small homes.

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A comic book image of a dejected man in the process of moving

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Preparing to move

I feel like this comic accurately portrays every person's understanding of the moving process. People talk about the difficulties they face while moving across the country, across the world, or across the street, and none of them sound like anything I'm interested in living through.

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Know the electrical dangers lurking in your home

I love electricity. Without it, we wouldn't have Electric Avenue, The Electric Company, the Electric Slide, or Electric Light Orchestra. But as awesome as electricity is, it also causes approximately 53,600 home fires every year.

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Inspecting your home after winter

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year, and as a new homeowner, I am starting to observe new things on my home that I need to inspect, and projects I want to tackle this summer.

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Frozen pipes: How to take the chill out!

Are we in the midst of an "arctic hurricane" like the media describes? I'm not so sure. Even at 0 degrees with a -30 wind chill, it seems like it always gets this cold during the winter in Michigan. Nonetheless each year we see the same dilemmas that happen when the weather gets chilly.

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Tips to Heat Your Home Safely

Almost half of all families in the United States use alternate heating sources in place of or in addition to a furnace. However, heating equipment can be dangerous if not used properly.

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Keep your home healthy with gutters

Every time I'm in my house and hear the rain start to pound on my roof, the only thing that goes through my mind is — gutters. Were you expecting me to say, lush greenery or a beautiful rainbow? The fact is, my home doesn't have rain gutters and it needs them, badly.

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8 tips for keeping a fire safely in its fireplace

If you're anything like my husband, you like having a crackling fire in the fireplace on a cold winter's night. Watching the light dance on the walls and enjoying its warmth is one of the most charming aspects of the otherwise cold and harsh season.

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Is a condo right for you?

The time has come…do I keep renting, or do I buy? I've been renting various apartments for most of my life because it's been easy and convenient.

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Home pool safety

It's that time of the year — school is out, temperatures are warming up and pools are open for the summer. If you own a pool, you're probably aware of the maintenance and care that's involved. But have you considered taking that extra step to make sure it's safe for your kids?

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Preventing slips and falls in your home

While installing support rails, fixing broken steps and securing lifted corners of the carpet are all excellent ways to prevent falls, there also are some VERY simple things you can do in your own home in an instant to make you less susceptible to injury.

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What those big words mean: Tips for buying your first home

Buying your first home can be a great experience, but mine has been … complicated, to say the least. The market in West Michigan (where I live) is bursting at the seams with young dreamers hoping to make their first home...

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Questions you should ask before signing a lease

Moving into a new rental property is such an exciting process! Sure, it's also super time-consuming and can be pretty demanding, but finally settling in can bring so much joy. I recently made the move from my college house into a full-on adult apartment and I was giddy with anticipation!

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A frighten couple in bed barely peeking over bed sheet

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Don't let the bed bugs come home

Good night, sleep tight. We all know the rest of the rhyme. When I was little, my dad used to say that almost every night before I went to bed. What used to be a silly poem to me is now a serious fear when traveling. If you've encountered bed bugs while traveling, like my family has, you become paranoid of the little creatures and will do anything to avoid bringing them home.

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A mug of hot chocolate next to comfy socks and blanket.

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Getting your furnace ready for the winter

Let's admit it, summer is definitely the most cheery season of the year. That warm, sunny weather boosts our mood and allows us to go on adventures wrapped in the warmth of the sun.

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A Foremost claims story: Recovering from Louisiana tornado damage

On April 3, 2017, tornadoes struck the town of Jena, Louisiana, destroying Mary Lee Taunton's home.

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Children act fast — poison prevention for your kids

Last night I heard clamoring from our bathroom - not a good sign when you know your one-year-old can pull everything out of the cabinets within 10 seconds. I opened the door about two inches, but found that it quickly became lodged onto the bathroom cabinet.

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Children jumping through lawn sprinkler as parents look on

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Keeping your home cool in the summer

I always look forward to the warm weather that summer brings, but when I'm dreaming of sunny days, I usually forget how difficult it can be to adapt to the heat. Rising temperatures can make even those with the sunniest dispositions rather grumpy

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Blocks of letter spelling out 'Just Moved'

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Moving in — tips for taking control of your move

You did it! The key has been given, the contract has been signed and the first payment has been provided. Maybe you'll be staying in your new home for the rest of your life or maybe you'll be moving out in a few months - either way, it's an exciting time of life!

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Movin' on out

Moving is bittersweet. The excitement that comes from changing scenery and beginning a new adventure cannot be denied, but if you've enjoyed whatever living situation you've been in, leaving can be especially difficult.

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Packing your memories

Welcome back! In our first blog of this four-part series, Preparing to Move, we settled our various accounts and prepared our home and finances for the impending move. Now that we have everything in check, let's work through the packing process together.

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A mother helping her kids prepare a dessert in the kitchen

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Grooving in the kitchen with your kids

Some people seem to be naturally good at incorporating their kids into cooking. In fact, some of my friends look like they come right out of a family and food magazine they do it so well. Me on the other hand, all I think about is the mess that my kids will make, the extra time it will take to put the meal together, how the crackers can't touch the dip display, and the fact there may be a finger poke or two in the brownies by the time we serve them to our guests.

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Mastering the art of insulation

Insulation plays a leading role in keeping a house cool during hot seasons and warm during cold seasons. This protection from radiant heat and cold drafts helps you to save energy and money in the long run.

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'Tis the season for haunted homes

Do you believe in ghosts? Haunted homes? 'Tis the season since Halloween is right around the corner. It seems to be a scary subject with many people, but surprisingly I'm not one of them.

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A menacing tornado whirling across an open plain

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Pledge to be prepared, disasters can happen to you

If you're like many people you probably think a natural disaster will never happen in your town. You say things like, "I've lived here for X number of years and it hasn't happened yet."

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A girl climbing up monkey bars at playground

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Playground safety 101. Keep your children safe

A playground is a great environment to let your kids explore, develop motor and social skills and blow off some steam before bedtime. Am I right parents? It's important to teach your children how to be safe and act responsibly on a playground, which is what Playground Safety Week is all about.

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A worm's-eye outside view of an open window

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National Window Safety Week; Keep your family safe with these tips

As a mom and a safety crazy blogger, I am always concerned about the safety of my home. I have had many daydreams (or nightmares would be more appropriate) about the windows in my home and fires in relation to my three year old.

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Spiders! Making your home their home.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who doesn't want to share their home with eight-legged strangers. When I see those creepy spiders crawling across my floor I immediately feel like I need to check under every chair, table and rug for the rest of their families.

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Preparing your walls for painting

A good paint job is at least 50 percent preparation.

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Window treatments

Giving your windows a fresh look is easier than ever thanks to an astonishing array of high-tech shutters, shades, blinds, fabrics and decorative hardware in all sorts of colors, styles and finishes.

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How to hang pictures

Although selecting artwork and pictures for your home reflect personal taste and style, hanging them correctly is just as important as the theme and color.

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Home decorating resources

We have gathered a list of home decorating resources we thought would be helpful in giving ideas or inspiration for your next project. Happy decorating!

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A brick sidewalk being cleaned by a pressure washer

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Spring cleaning checklist

Nothing gets spring off to a good start like a thorough spring cleaning. Here are the big jobs to tackle.

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Managing clutter

Is clutter overpowering your manufactured home? Here's a list of some things you can do to optimize the space you have.

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Reclaim your kitchen space

Is your hard-working kitchen getting cluttered and unmanageable? Chances are you can reorganize and reclaim more storage than you ever thought possible.

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Home storage solutions

Storage space is at a premium for nearly everyone these days. The good news is that every home, no matter its size, has potential storage space that goes unnoticed. These simple but creative solutions can help you gain extra storage in unexpected places.

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How to get your closets organized

To maximize all the space you have, you want to make sure you're using every cubic inch in your closets – but that means you need to be really organized.

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A child doing homework in bedroom in front of window

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Big ideas for small spaces

Although today's manufactured home rooms are more spacious than ever before, finding enough space for a homework corner could present a decorating problem. Here are a few other ideas to maximize your child's study area.

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A child doing homework in front of window

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Create a homework station

Creating a homework station corner for your child is easier than you think — even if you have limited room.

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Modular desk furniture for homework corner

Buying modular desk furniture is another choice for a homework corner. Just be sure to select a desk surface that's big enough to serve your child all through school.

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Desk lighting for homework station

Make it easier on your child's eyes by providing a well-lit and glare-free homework station. Popular choices include gooseneck, dual head, banker's light, swing arm and adjustable desk lamps.

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A child's homework station with two seating spots

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Desk chair selection for homework station

Do you know what to look for when shopping for a desk chair for your child's homework station? Let us help you get some basic knowledge on what to look for.

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How to make a butterfly garden

Add beauty and life to your garden with a butterfly garden. Use our quick how to create a butterfly garden to get started.

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A group of potted plants containing different herbs

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Herb garden basics

Flavorful herbs are attractive, tasty and aromatic. Learn a few of the basics for growing your own herbs from Foremost Insurance.

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A group of potted plants holding baby plants

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Small vegetable garden

Don't have room for a large garden? Consider a small vegetable garden with containers. What is the right potting mix? Which veggies should you choose? Learn here.

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Hummingbird gardens

Improve your chances of attracting beautiful hummingbirds to your garden with our tips on flowers, hanging baskets, window baskets, and more.

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Lawn maintenance for your modular home

Don't miss an opportunity to renew your established lawn during autumn months. This is the best time of year to introduce healthy blends of new grass seed to your lawn.

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Landscaping with different varieties of plants

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Dividing perennials plants

Keep your garden looking good by dividing your perennials with our quick how to guide.

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A close-up view of flowers in full bloom

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Flower bulb planting guide

Learn what you need to plant your favorite flower bulbs in your garden, as well as when to do it.

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Landscaping with rocks with manicured bushes and trees

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How to transplant shrubs

It may seem the fall gardening season is coming to an end, but you're not finished until you tend to your larger landscape greenery. Most shrubs, trees and evergreens benefit from transplantation now because they receive two seasons of root growth before next summer's heat.

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How to attract birds to feeder

Bird feeders offer an eye-catching glimpse of nature right in your own yard. Whether you love watching wildlife or you just want to add a decorative element to your yard, a birdfeeder creates a charming interest point. Learn the basics of bird feeding with these ideas and helpful tips.

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A maintenance person inspecting a water heater

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Water heater maintenance

A leaking water heater can do a lot of damage to your home. Make sure you don't end up with any expensive surprises by doing regular water heater maintenance.

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Furnace safety

Regular furnace maintenence can keep your home comfortable and safe. Use this furnace safety tips as a guide.

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How to thaw frozen pipes

Frozen pipes in the winter can be costly and leave you without water. Follow our methods for thawing your frozen pipes here.

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Preventing water damage to your home

Know the signs inside and outside of your home for water damage, as well as preventative maintenance that will save you from big repair bills.

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Make your outdoor steps safe

Make your outdoor steps safe for your family and visitors by checking your steps for the factors listed here.

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What is Additional Living Expense?

Additional Living Expense (ALE) is a coverage that may be included with the policy you purchased to insure your home.

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Personal property inventory

Your insurance company will ask you to provide a personal property inventory list if your possessions are stolen, or destroyed. Be prepared with our suggestions for your list.

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Low hanging shelf clouds with a tornado in the distance

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Before a tornado

Be prepared in the event of a tornado by having a plan, a disaster supply kit, and know the signs. Learn more here.

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What to do during a tornado

Activate your tornado plan immediately; you may have only seconds to take cover. Knowing what to do can save your life and the lives of those you love.

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After a tornado

You should follow simple safety rules to follow after a tornado to keep you and your family safe. Learn what your next steps should be.

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A red first aid kit bag with supplies to keep in your first aid bag

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Prepare an earthquake first aid kit

Prepare an earthquake first aid kit with the items listed as they are essential to survival and recovery.

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Earthquake safety tips

Earthquakes can occur at anytime - with little to no warning. Know what to do to stay safe with our earthquake safety tips from Foremost Insurance.

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A mother and child under a sturdy table covering their heads with their hands

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Earthquake safety for your home

The most important component in earthquake safety is to create a plan for you and your family prior to the disaster, and to practice it. Be prepared with our key points.

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Emergency water storage

Loss of safe drinking water can be deadly in a natural disaster. Learn how to properly store water in case of an emergency.

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What to do after a house fire

There are a few things you will want to consider after a house fire. Read on to learn what steps to take.

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Crawl low under smoke when escaping a fire

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Home fire escape plan

A home fire escape plan can save your family's life. Follow our steps to help keep your family safe in the event of a fire.

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A red fire extinguisher sitting on the floor

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Simple fire prevention

Below are some simple fire prevention strategies that you can do to keep your family safe and protect your home from a fire.

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Holiday lights and an array of votive candles in front of a window

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Holiday fire safety

We have put together some important holiday fire safety tips to avoid hazards both inside and outside your home.

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A smoke detector on the ceiling with white smoke rising towards it

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Installing smoke detectors

We recommend at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. Here are some important things to keep in mind when installing smoke detectors.

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Storm safety preparation tips

You can't stop severe weather, but you can prepare for it. Learn storm safety preparation tips for preventing damage to your home.

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Lightning streaking across ominous night sky

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Emergency kit list for severe weather

Be prepared before severe weather strikes by putting together an emergency kit that can be grabbed at a moment's notice. We have listed some items that should be included.

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Staying safe during a severe storm

During a storm it is important to act with caution and follow our quick and easy steps to keep you and your loved ones safe.

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During a flood

Flooding can be quick and unexpected, and a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

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A wet road with a downed power poll laying across the road

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After a storm

Follow some simple safety rules after a severe storm to keep you and your family safe. Wait for clearance, learn what to take with you, beware of hazards.

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A wall of sandbags in front of flooded neighborhood

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After a flood

The recovery from a flood can be an expensive and intensive process. Here are some guidelines to start the recovery process.

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Preparing for winter storms and blizzards

Play it safe by preparing for a snow storm or blizzard ahead of time. Get your car and home prepared with our tips.

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A man holding a TV remote with a weather radar map on the TV

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During a winter storm safety tips

Learn safety tips to keep in mind during a winter storm to keep you and your family safe.

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After a winter storm

Take safety precautions after a winter storm has passed at home and in your car.

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A hurricane evacuation route highway sign

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Hurricane evacuation plan

Having a hurricane evacuation plan in place can save lives and reduce the amount of time it takes to get your family to safety.

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Pet safety during hurricanes

Don't forget your pets in the event of a hurricane. Follow some pet safety tips if disaster should hit.

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Mortgage calculator

Learn what you can afford when you purchase your manufactured home with our mortgage calculator from Foremost Insurance.

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