News Shorts

A Home Escape Plan Is Paramount

While the number of U.S. home fires has continued to decline over time, the home fire death rate has stagnated in recent years, with annual spikes like the most recent one seen in 2021. Now more than ever, you're going to want to “The latest number of home fire deaths reinforces that today’s home fires present real challenges,” says Lorraine Carli, VP of the Outreach and Advocacy division at NFPA.

According to NFPA data, home — the place people feel safest from fire — is actually where they are at greatest risk, with three-quarters (75 percent) of all U.S. fire deaths occurring in homes. Where people used to have more than 10 minutes to escape a typical home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds, today they may have as little as two minutes.

Multiple factors contribute to this much smaller window of escape time, including the way newer homes tend to be constructed and the fact that modern home furnishings are often made with synthetic materials that burn faster and generate toxic smoke, making it extremely difficult to see and breathe.

“To many, the concepts of home escape planning and practice may sound so simple that their value is underestimated, but the reality is that these advance preparations can truly mean the difference between life and death in a home fire - now more than ever,” says Carli. “Ask anyone who’s experienced a home fire and they will tell you how dark, scary, and disorienting a home fire can become within moments. Having a practiced plan with all members of the household builds the muscle memory needed to get out as quickly and safely as possible.”

Plan your escape

•Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound. •Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily. •Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet. •Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night. (NFPA.org)

Would You

Do This Deal?

Would you make a 40-year commitment in exchange for $300-$5000 cash, with no credit check or loan required? MV Realty, based in Delray Beach FL, thinks homeowners will which is why they came up with their "innovative" Homeowner Benefit Program. The program, currently available in 33 states according to their site, pays homeowners upfront money ranging from $300-$5000, based on the estimated value of their home, in exchange for the right to list their home for sale at some point in the future.

Homeowners who decide to sell any time within the 40-year length of the agreement must do so with MV Realty at a six percent commission. Violating the legally binding contract by listing with a different realtor or selling by owner will result in a financial penalty equal to three percent of the market value of the home. MV Realty states they file a memorandum to alert them to any breaches of contract on each covered house. Upon signing, homeowners waive the right to be party to a class action lawsuit, and agree MV Realty can delegate some or all of its obligations to others.

What happens of the homeowner who signed the agreement dies before the 40-year agreement ends? MV Realty's FAQ site page reads, "The agreement our clients sign has a 40-year term and remains in effect for the full-term - even if the original homeowner has passed away."

Thinking of canceling the agreement? - "Our agreement is fully binding and you may not repay our cash incentive in order to exit the agreement. If you need to cancel the agreement, you will be required to pay a 3% fee (equal to the fee we would receive for successfully selling your home)."

You can read more about MV Realty's Homeowner Benefit Program at homeownerbenefit.com or do a search for their business on the Better Business Bureau site. Always fully investigate and understand before you sign any legally binding agreement - especially one that spans 40 years.

Flooding The Market

Widespread flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ian potentially damaged as many as 358,000 vehicles. That number is on top of the 400,000 water-damaged cars that CARFAX data shows were already on the road in 2022 - before Hurricane Ian.

Used-car shoppers need to be aware that these waterlogged vehicles could resurface anywhere around the country. These vehicles can show up in states where flooding might not be top of mind for car shoppers.

"We are seeing these flooded cars show up all around the country, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk," said Emilie Voss, CARFAX spokesperson. "Cosmetically these cars might look great, but if you don't know what to look for, it's nearly impossible to tell they are literally rotting from the inside out. Floodwater can cause mechanical, electrical, health and safety issues in a vehicle even if it was submerged for only a short time."

Look for these 7 telltale signs of flooding:

•A musty odor in the interior, which sellers sometimes try to cover with a strong airfreshener. •Upholstery or carpeting that may be loose, new, stained or that doesn't match the rest of the interior. •Damp carpets. • Rust around doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals or inside the hood and trunk latches. •Mud or silt in the glove compartment or under the seats. •Brittle wires under the dashboard. • Fog or moisture beads in the interior lights, exterior lights or instrument panel.

For a free Flood Check® tool, a national map that shows where flood cars have washed up, and a flood damage checklist, visit carfax. com/flood. (PRNewswire)