Don’t wait for smoke on the horizon to prepare for a wildfire. While hot temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds increase wildfire threat, taking small manageable steps – like creating a noncombustible 5-foot buffer around your home – can significantly reduce its risk of ember ignition.

As fiery bits of debris, embers can travel miles ahead of the main fire front and often find vulnerable areas, including roofs; vegetation; landscaping; wood, wicker or plastic furniture; dried leaves; and other yard debris, making them the No. 1 reason homes ignite during wildfires.

To help homeowners take the guesswork out of wildfire prep and protect what matters most, experts at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed science-based guidance to reduce your home’s vulnerability and risk of ignition.

Check and Maintain Your Roof

More than 90% of U.S. homes already have a Class A fire-resistant-rated roof. However, if your roof is made of wood or other non-rated materials, replace it with a Class A roof to reduce fire risk. Also, regularly clear the roof of leaves, needles and other debris.

In addition, replace plastic or PVC gutters with noncombustible metal options, such as aluminum or steel, and regularly clear gutters and downspouts of all vegetative debris, which can provide fuel for embers to land on and ignite. When ignited, this debris could expose the fascia, roof and attic to flames.

Establish a Critical 0-5-Foot Noncombustible Zone

From the curb to just a few steps from the front door, lush lawn, native plants and healthy trees are part of a wildfire-prepared yard. However, the area closest to your home, a 5-foot buffer, often called “Zone Zero,” is key to keeping embers at bay without any material in this area to ignite.

In fact, a study from IBHS and ZestyAI found property owners who clear vegetation from the perimeter of their home can nearly double the likelihood of it surviving a wildfire.
This doesn’t mean you need to leave this area barren; in fact, a wildfire-prepared landscape is beautiful, green and safe.

Design your yard with healthy trees, plants and grass up to the last few steps to your home. In the last 5 feet, top landscape pavers or river rocks with ceramic flowerpots or noncombustible planters that can easily be moved on Red Flag days – which indicate weather conditions are optimal for wildfire spread – for a beautiful setting that also acts as a fire-resistant buffer. Trees overhanging the zone can serve as a connective path for fire to travel from the yard to the house. Trim them to prevent this risk as well as reduce debris accumulation on the roof, gutters and at the base of exterior walls.

Don’t forget to give the same care to your backyard. Just like looking in from the front curb, native landscaping, including trees and plants, as well as privacy fences, can extend all the way up to just a few steps from the back of your home. In the 5-foot area nearest your home, create an outdoor living space with hardscaping and add patio furniture, planters and other decor – choosing materials like ceramics and wrought iron that won’t burn.

Protect Exterior Features

Vents are weak points where embers can enter your home or build up and ignite materials inside. Install flame- and ember-resistant vents or retrofit existing vents – including attic, soffits, wall and crawlspace vents as well as roof openings – with 1/8-inch, corrosion-resistant metal mesh. Also ensure dryer vents have functional louvers or a self-closing flap to block embers.

Looking around your yard where blowing leaves gather is a good way to visualize the places embers can collect like at the base of a home’s exterior walls. Ensure at least 6 inches of vertical, noncombustible material at ground level (and above decks or patios) below your siding to prevent ember ignition. Materials can include exposed concrete foundation, fiber-cement siding, brick, stone, stucco or metal flashing.

No longer just a threat for western states, these mitigations can reduce wildfire risk in communities across the country. Homeowners in certain states can use this system of mitigation actions to receive a Wildfire Prepared Home designation.

Find more wildfire mitigation guidance by visiting wildfireprepared.org.

It’s a fact that the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house, especially during the holidays. In addition to kitchen fires and burns, knife and broken glass accidents affecting the hand and fingers are among the most common kitchen injuries. Each year, an estimated 350,000 people head to the ER with knife injuries alone.

“We see an increase in injuries from kitchen accidents over the holidays,” says Nitin Goyal, MD, hand, wrist and elbow surgeon, Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH (MOR). “Most often they are from people cutting themselves while carving turkeys or on broken holiday glasses.”

Hand and finger injuries can be very serious and potentially cause someone to lose function or feeling. “People who experience a laceration or deep cut should seek treatment right away,” explains Dr. Goyal. “If a tendon is cut, it should be reattached in a timely manner to maximize the chances for healing and mobility. Severing a nerve can cause feeling to be lost, and this should be treated expeditiously to maximize the potential outcome.”

Before you take a stab at carving or cooking, make sure you are using the right technique. Dr. Goyal has these tips:

• Make sure your knife is sharp. This will help keep the food or knife from slipping.
  
• Keep your cutting area well-lit and dry. Good lighting will help prevent accidental finger cuts and a dry surface will prevent food from slipping while chopping.
  
• Always slice away from your hand and keep your fingers clear of the blade.
  
• Never cut something on the palm of your hand. That’s what cutting boards are for.
  
• Make round objects easier to cut by slicing them in half first and then placing the flat side on a cutting board.
  
• Don’t let your dirty knives soak in the sink – wash them right away to prevent accidentally grabbing a blade.
  
• Never multi-task while cooking and focus on what you are doing. Turn off the TV and save the chatting until you are finished.
  
• NEVER put your hand or finger in a blender that is on or even plugged in.
  
• Avoid alcohol until you are done carving, cutting, or handling glass.
  
• If glass should break, let it fall and don’t try to catch it mid-air. Wear gloves when picking up shards – and clean and vacuum all surfaces carefully.

A freshly remodeled bathroom is a welcome addition to any home, from aesthetics that reflect your personal style to the glossy, untouched surfaces and the refreshing scent of a newly finished space. Done right, even more rewards come from the practical touches that enhance your everyday use and how they make you feel.

Bathrooms are among the most common spaces for home renovations, whether you’re updating outdated fixtures and decor or reimaging features to better suit your lifestyle. In a world where every dollar matters, transforming your bathroom into a personal haven that blends your style with functional purpose makes it a smart investment you’ll appreciate long after the renovation is complete.

For a renovation that not only represents a worthwhile investment for today and tomorrow but also delivers emotional ROI, consider these ideas from the experts at Bath Fitter, a leader in stress-free custom bath and shower remodels.

Quality

Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom may be where quality materials and workmanship matter most. Because it’s a confined space that sees a great deal of moisture and humidity, it’s essential that you use quality materials that stand up to the task and enlist professionals who know how to incorporate effective measures to prevent mold, mildew and other water-related damage.

Paying attention to quality throughout your renovation is also likely to bring you greater functional benefits, as well as increased home value and an overall more pleasing result.

Durability

Especially if you’re planning to be in your home well into the future, it’s a good idea to plan for durable features that can stand the test of time. Be sure to select premium materials and consider their durability and maintenance requirements. Some of the latest design options offered by Bath Fitter deliver the perfect blend of beauty and functionality, ensuring long-lasting durability. For example, the Lucca wall, a sophisticated textured and seamless Chevron tile pattern, offers the ideal combination of modern design and classic charm.

Another design-forward selection is the Sorrento wall, a large-scale 12-by-24 grout-free tile pattern featuring a textured design and a durable, easy-to-clean surface. Unlike tiles and grout, these walls combine on-trend beauty and innovative materials so homeowners can enjoy their bathrooms rather than stress about maintenance. Perfect for minimalist designs and traditional bathrooms alike, Ovation is a sleek and stylish skirted tub. The full line of brushed gold accessories, from trim kits and shower rods to doors and grab bars, can add a sense of warmth to your space.

Aging in Place

The wet and slippery surfaces in bathrooms can lead to injuries. While the risk can affect anyone at any age, bathroom safety is especially important for older adults with reduced mobility.

Planning ahead for your retirement years, or considering the needs of a future buyer, can help create a safe environment and reduce the risk of serious injuries. Some potential problems can be fixed with simple adjustments like rearranging the shelving, installing grab bars, adding seating or increasing lighting levels. In addition, a bathtub’s edge can be hard to navigate, but walk-in showers have a narrower edge, or can even be edge-less, making it easy for wheelchairs to roll in and out the shower.

Ease of Installation

Another important consideration is how the installation process will be carried out in your home. Installing a beautiful tub or shower doesn’t have to be complicated. A custom solution designed to fit your space and requirements may be more attainable than you expect. For example, with an option like Bath Fitter, you can have a premium-quality tub installed right over your existing one so there’s no demolition or mess involved in the remodel whatsoever. It’s the perfect blend of beauty and functionality without the stress and disruption of a traditional bath or shower remodel.

Because a local expert is with you every step of the way – from dreaming up the concept and selecting finishes to measuring, manufacturing and installation – there are no surprises. The result is a tub or shower with a seamless, grout-free watertight wall system that’s easy to keep looking great for years to come. All backed by a transferable lifetime warranty to provide peace of mind.

“As a renovator, I’ve seen firsthand how a bath or shower upgrade can completely transform not just a space but the way people feel about their homes,” said Scott McGillivray, HGTV star and home renovation expert. “That’s why Bath Fitter has been my go-to. Their installers provide high-quality workmanship while homeowners are left with the consistency, reliability and durability of beautiful products with lifetime warranties.”

Safety

A well-placed grab bar can mean the difference between a confident step and a dangerous slip in the bathroom for those aging in place, young children and everyone in between. Knowing where to place grab bars in the shower and around the tub creates a safer, more accessible space for everyone. Proper placement reduces the risk of falls and can bring added peace of mind and confidence to you and your family.

Professionals can guide you through selecting the best grab bars for your bathroom by considering the layout, your needs and design preferences, as well as ensuring your grab bars are installed at the correct height and securely anchored for maximum safety and convenience.

Discover more inspiration and design ideas to boost the long-term value and enjoyment of your bathroom renovation at bathfitter.com.