smoke alarm recall

Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm Due to Potential Safety Risk

by Tips for HomeownersUncategorized

At Landmark, we have restored many homes that have been extensively damaged by fire. Although we love remodeling homes, we prefer it when the homeowner has decided to remodel based on their family’s needs, rather than because of a devastating fire.

We wanted to let you know that Kidde has recalled one of their popular smoke detectors – more than 452,000 units need to be checked. Below, you’ll find simple instructions to determine if your smoke detector is part of the recall.  If it is, please proceed directly to Kidde’s web site for more information.

Recall Summary

Brand Name, Model of Affected Product: Kidde Dual Sensor (Photoelectric and Ionization) Smoke Alarms – Models PI2010 and PI9010

Hazard: A yellow protective cap in limited instances may have been left on one of the two smoke sensors in affected products during the manufacturing process, which could compromise the smoke alarms’ ability to detect smoke.

Remedy: Replace affected smoke alarms that contain the yellow protective cap.

To review the full CPSC press release, click here.

Review the below Identification Guide to help determine if you have an affected smoke alarm.

If your unit is affected, please continue and register for a replacement.

smoke alarm infographic

closing a deal

5 “Must-Dos” BEFORE You Hire that Contractor

by Property ManagersTips for HomeownersUncategorized

You’ve got a big project on the horizon – maybe a new bathroom, a kitchen remodel, or your roof needs to be redone.  Time to call a contractor!  But before you hire someone, here are some “must-dos” that will help insure that your project gets done safely, legally, and to your satisfaction.

    • Hire a licensed You need to know that your contractor knows what he/she is doing. For larger jobs, that means that they should have a Construction Supervisor’s License. Check your state’s web site to verify that the license is in good standing.  Click here for the MA state licensing board.
    • Make sure they are insured and follow safe practices. Obviously, you don’t want someone on your roof without a harness, but accidents can happen anywhere. A good general contractor has the proper insurance.
    • Check references. Ask the contractor for references for clients with similar projects. Follow up with an online search for reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau.
    • Are they using their own in-house team or are they hiring subs? Find out how long they have been working with their sub-contractors. Long-term relationships with sub-contractors, including plumbers, electricians, and painters, are very telling. If a general contractor has new subs it could be a red flag that he doesn’t pay them on time or there have been other issues.
    • Get it in writing. You should insist on a written contract that spells out exactly what work is included, the timeline, and a specific payment schedule that should be based on milestones (for example, electrical work complete = next payment due).
insurance claims fire restoration

Avoiding Holiday Hazards: Simple Ways to Prevent Home Fires

by Tips for HomeownersUncategorized

At Landmark, we do a lot of restoration contracting after fires – rebuilding rooms, or even entire homes, after the devastation occurs. It’s the one area of our business that I’d actually prefer to see decrease. So many fires would have been easily preventable!

Landmark Associates was called in to rebuild this home after a damaging fire.

With the holidays upon us, there are actually even more fire safety hazards right in our living rooms. If you have a Christmas tree, one of the best things you can do is keep it watered. A well-hydrated evergreen is harder to burn, and burns more slowly, than a dried-out tree. In fact, the National Fire Prevention Association shows us just how quickly that dried out bundle of branches can turn into an inferno – check out this video.

So maybe you’re thinking that was an obvious tip – well here’s one I didn’t know about until recently. I try and remember to test my smoke alarms every year and change the batteries. Nothing is more important than making sure your family gets out of the home quickly in case there is a fire. We need to make sure those alarms are going to blare! But what I didn’t realize is that the 9 volt batteries that power those smoke detectors can be a hazard themselves. Left out of their packaging in a drawer, 9 volt batteries that come into contact with metal can start a fire. Check out this news report.

All of us at Landmark Associates wish you a very Happy, AND SAFE, Holiday!

For more fire safety tips, please check out the American Red Cross web site.