Now that another winter is in the books, it’s a good time to start checking off items on the home improvement to-do list.

One of the more important maintenance projects around the house is making sure you take precautions against dryer fires. ConsumerReports.org has a nice summary of the correct and incorrect assumptions made about how dryer fires happen.

Among the more important tips in that article: It’s better to use metal dryer ducts rather than foil or plastic, since metal ducts are less likely to sag, in turn collecting potentially flammable lint in the sagging sections. It’s also important to regularly clean inside and outside the dryer, especially in areas where lint can build up, like underneath the dryer.

It’s also essential to regularly clean the dryer ducts themselves to reduce the chance of a dryer fire. ThisOldHouse.com has a nice how-to for cleaning dryer ducts, recommending a fairly easy cleaning process with a vacuum twice a year.

Have your own story about dealing with preventable fires? Tell us about it in the comments or connect with us on Twitter or Facebook.

Get in touch today and let Bankers protect you from pesky risks.

Flint Fire had some help in starting what became a 1000-acre brush fire in Clermont, Fla. Officials say arson is the cause of the fire, which started Thursday night and thankfully isn’t threatening any homes due to a canal separating the homes from the blaze. The fire did cause portions of highways to be shut down due to poor visibility, giving Friday commuters headaches.

Find out how Bankers can make sure the Risks never catch you unprotected!

Have you run into Flint Fire? Tell us about it in the comments or connect with us on Twitter or Facebook, and check out our Pinterest page to see what all the Risks have been up to lately.

The insurance experts at Bankers are helping you fend off those pesky Risks using more than kind words. That’s why we thought you should know about the Emergency Data app from EMS Options, Chasing4Life Disaster Response Team and Sumter Disaster Animal Response Team.

These intrepid organizations have taken it upon themselves to create a mobile app that stores all of the critical information needed in the time of a crisis. That means you, your pets and your love ones can rest a little easier knowing you’re prepared.

The app stores medical data, emergency contacts and preferred hospitals. Having information – including your insurance documentation – close at hand and in electronic format can be a major time (and maybe life) saver.

Flint “Fires” Back

In keeping with journalistic best practices we asked resident risk Flint Fire what he thinks of the new app.

“It burns me up to think that these so-called smartphones are helping people avoid Risks! It’s a travesty and I’m currently in talks with my legal advisors to find out how to put a stop to this. What’s the world coming to when a risk like me can be sidelined with software!”

Check out the app here and let us know what you think.

The risk pros at Bankers Insurance Group are gearing up for a fun-filled Thanksgiving. It’s a time when we think about food, family and togetherness. It’s also a time when taking simple measures can keep you and your family out of harm’s way.

Here’s our top tips for avoiding the risks this Thanksgiving:

• When you’re baking, broiling, simmering or roasting stay close to the home. Set timers to make sure you turn off heat sources at the right time.
• When you’re grilling or broiling that Thanksgiving feast remember to stay in the kitchen until it’s done. If you do have to leave for any period of time turn the stove off.
• Never fry a turkey indoors (in fact we don’t recommend this dangerous method of cooking a turkey at all).
• Test all smoke alarms to make sure they are operational.
• Even though it’s tempting to keep the comfortable softies on all day, make sure to change out of loose-fitting clothing while cooking.

With the recent incendiary activity in Texas, See Through Insurance is taking a look at the largest wildfires of the decade. These fires scorched thousands of acres and homes, causing billions in property damage and in some cases loss of life. Lesson learned: wildfires are no laughing matter.

Wallow Fire
The intrastate wildfire created chaos and panic in 2011 when it burned over 500,000 acres in Arizona and New Mexico. Over 6,000 people were evacuated. The fire is now known as the worst in Arizona state history.

Evans Road Wildfire
In 2008 a peat fire started in Eastern North Carolina during an unusually dry season. Over 41,000 acres and three months later the fire was extinguished, making it one of the worst wildfires in recent memory.

Bastrop County Complex Fire
The worst fire in Texas state history burned through over 1,500 homes causing untold property damage across 34,000 acres. This 2011 fire qualified as national emergency status and federal aid was approved to assist in the relocation and rebuilding efforts.

Safety isn’t always pretty. We want to do the right thing, but doing so without ruining the décor is easier said than done. See Through Insurance is here to help. We’ve searched far and wide for essential safety products you won’t be ashamed to place in open, easily accessible areas of the home.

Fire Design
Say what you will about the French, these fire extinguishers made us swoon! Not only do they come in a plethora of colors and designs but they can actually save you in a household emergency. If you’re bilingual and don’t mind paying exorbitant shipping fees check out Fire Design’s website.

For something a little closer to home, check out:

HomeHero 5B
HomeHero’s futuristic extinguisher comes with an ergonomic form factor, push button dispensing and a wall-mounting bracket. We have to admit, it looks like Steve Jobs had a hand in crafting the aesthetically pleasing curves and glossy white finish. iExtinguisher anyone? Pick one up at Home Depot.

Kidde Pro 210
Simple can be beautiful. This stainless steel extinguisher adds a touch of sophistication and works well with the modern stainless appliances you have in the kitchen. It’s reflective surface is also a discreet way to make sure you don’t have an errant spinach leaf stuck in your teeth. View the Kidde on Amazon.

When we think of fire safety we immediately think of sprinklers, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. While those reactive measures are essential, take a proactive stance with children and young adults. Talk to your loved ones about the dangers of playing with lighters and matches and make sure to store flammable materials well out of reach. Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

Advances in home construction have lead the Institute for Home and Business Safety to create the FORTIFIED for Safer Living Program. The program is designed for new home constructions and helps to ensure that your home is safe guarded against natural disasters that are particular to your region. By strengthening the outer envelope, the program increases your home’s resistance to storm, flood and fire damage. Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate our nation’s independence See Through Insurance reminds you that fireworks are dangerous and should be handled by professionals. Despite that warning millions of Americans take to their back yards each year to put on a neighborhood display. If you do decide to set off fireworks make sure you practice safety and adhere to state laws. As our #riskymonday video pick today shows you can’t be too careful. Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.