We all rely on the appliances and systems in our homes for our health, comfort, convenience and security.

A backup power system can help you take care of your family in the event of a power failure.

Unfortunately, we often cannot rely on these systems when the [...]]]>

Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy in a Power Failure

We all rely on the appliances and systems in our homes for our health, comfort, convenience and security.

A backup power system can help you take care of your family in the event of a power failure.

Unfortunately, we often cannot rely on these systems when the power goes out.

A backup system can help you take care of your family in the event of a power failure. To make sure you’re prepared the next time the lights go out, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following tips on how to choose a backup power system for your home:

• To determine how large a backup system you need, decide what you really need to power and what you can do without for a few days. If you only need to power a sump pump to stop your basement from flooding, for example, then a gasoline-powered pump could be simpler than a full backup system. If you need to power your lights, refrigerator, microwave, furnace, well pump, medical equipment, garage door opener, smoke and fire detectors and a home office, then a more elaborate and expensive backup system would be required.
• Minimize energy demands by switching to energy-efficient lights and appliances and by making sure your home is well insulated and air-sealed. This can reduce the size and cost of the backup power system.
• To calculate how much backup power you need, add up the maximum power draw (in kilowatts) of all the fixtures and appliances you need to power. Then add about 25 per cent as a reserve for startup power.
• Consider installing a high-efficiency fuel-fired space heating stove that can operate without electricity, so the backup system does not have to be sized to run the heating system. For gas and oil furnaces and boilers, the backup system can be sized to operate the furnace fan or pump, burners and controllers. Never use unvented barbecues, cook stoves, propane or kerosene heaters, or other combustion appliances inside your house, as they can produce toxic gases and fumes.
• For new homes, consider installing a separate backup power circuit to only power the lighting, safety systems and appliances needed to get you through a power outage.
• When you’ve decided which backup system is right for you, hire an electrician or electrical-contractor with experience with such systems to install and prepare it.
• Finally, install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and test your system frequently to be sure it will be ready when you really need it.

For a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet Backup Power for Your Home, or for information on any other aspect of owning, maintaining or buying a home, visit our website atwww.cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For over 65 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing information.

Recent floods in Quebec and Manitoba remind us of the damage and the financial hardships homeowners experience after natural disasters.

If your home has been flooded, the best way to protect your property, your belongings and the health of your family

Brandon Flood 2011 - Photo Courtesy [...]]]>

Quick Action is Very Important

Recent floods in Quebec and Manitoba remind us of the damage and the financial hardships homeowners experience after natural disasters.

Dealing With the Impact of Flooding

If your home has been flooded, the best way to protect your property, your belongings and the health of your family

Brandon Flood 2011 - Photo Courtesy of Dwayne - Two Stout Monks

is by getting rid of the water and drying your house as quickly as possible.

Prior to starting the clean-up, it is essential to keep safety a priority and take all precautions to avoid electrical shock. It is also recommended that you document the damage and contact your insurance agent as soon as possible.

During the clean-up, it is important to establish a step-by-step action plan to remove all remaining water, mud and other debris from your house. Work from the top down, removing materials at least 50 cm above the high-water line and replacing any flooring that has been deeply penetrated by flood water or sewage. Next, wash and wipe down all surfaces wetted by the flood water with an unscented detergent and water, repeating as necessary until clean. Finally, ventilate or dehumidify the house until it is completely dry.

More detailed information on coping with flood damage can be found in CMHC`s publication After the Flood — A Homeowner’s Checklist.

Dealing with Mortgage Payment Difficulties as a Result of Flooding

Should you find yourself in this situation and are unable to make your mortgage payments, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) wishes to remind Canadians that there are options available to you.

It is important to take quick action and contact your lender at the first sign of any financial difficulty. Ask your lender about the options available to you and keep them informed of your situation.

For CMHC-insured mortgages, CMHC provides lenders with the tools and the flexibility they need to achieve a solution to your unique financial situation including:

• Temporary short-term payment deferral. Your lender may be prepared to offer greater payment flexibilities by allowing you to defer up to four monthly mortgage payments;
• Extending your repayment period (amortization) to lower your monthly payments up to the maximum allowable period;
• Adding any missed payments to your outstanding balance and spreading them out over the lifetime of your mortgage;
• Arranging special payments unique to your particular financial situation; or
• A combination of the above.

Clarify your financial picture by preparing a list of your income, financial obligations, savings and investments before meeting with your lender. This will help paint a more detailed picture of your financial situation and make it easier to find a viable solution.

Additional information on How to Deal with Mortgage Payment Difficulties, Fighting Mold — The Homeowner’s Guide and Water Damage, Mold and House Insurance can be found on CMHC’s website at www.cmhc.ca or by calling CMHC at 1-800-668-2642.

When seniors fall, the consequences for their health can be both severe and long-lasting. However, many of these falls can be prevented with a little careful planning and a few simple strategies. To help you protect your health, mobility and independence, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a [...]]]>

Reduce Your Risk of Injuries at Home

When seniors fall, the consequences for their health can be both severe and long-lasting. However, many of these falls can be prevented with a little careful planning and a few simple strategies. To help you protect your health, mobility and independence, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a number of tips on how seniors can help reduce the risk of falls on stairs at home. These include the following:

• Avoid visually distracting patterns on the tread (the horizontal part of a step) that can make it difficult to
  

  For winding or curved stairs, be sure to provide a handrail on both sides, especially where the stairway includes combinations of rectangular and tapered treads. Handrails are strongly recommended regardless of the number of steps and, where possible, should be installed on both sides of the stairs.

  distinguish one step from another. If the edges of the stairs can’t be seen clearly, mark them by painting a permanent stripe on the edge in a contrasting colour.

• Improve the lighting on steps and stairs. Use lighting that makes the edges of stairs visible without causing glare or strong shadows, and consider installing low-intensity night lighting, as well as a light switch at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
• For steps with short treads or a high rise (the vertical height of a step), keep any coverings thin and tightly affixed to maximize the useable tread space. Also, avoid soft treads with a large rounding at the edge.
• For winding or curved stairs, be sure to provide a handrail on both sides, especially where the stairway includes combinations of rectangular and tapered treads. Handrails are strongly recommended regardless of the number of steps and, where possible, should be installed on both sides of the stairs.
• Steps that are non-uniform in size are an especially common cause of missteps and falls. If you’re renovating or building new stairs, allow for ample tread space and a gentle rise, and make sure all the steps are of a uniform size and height.This is very important!
• Use a slip-resistant, rough finish on stairs that are prone to getting wet.
• Make sure to fasten all coverings on stairs securely.
• Don’t place any objects or loose rugs on steps, landings or at the top or bottom of the stairway.
• Position handrails at about adult elbow height, and extend them on both sides for the full length of the stairway as well as beyond the top and bottom of the stairs. Repair loose or broken handrails. Ensure that the handrails have a tactile indicator that warns when a stairway is coming to an end, and are easy to see even in low light or at night.
• Lastly, always be cautious, deliberate and not rushed when taking the stairs. Hold on to the handrails, wear shoes or slippers that fit properly and have a non-slip sole, remove reading glasses, switch on stair lights and — most importantly — always take your time, especially when using an unfamiliar stairway.

For more information or a free copy of the “About Your House” fact sheet Preventing Falls on Stairs or other fact sheets on owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit our Web site at www.cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For more than 60 years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.