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How to protect your home from water damage

Avoid soggy disasters with these tips Water damage is one of the most common and costliest disasters your home can experience, costing billions of dollars annually. Safeguard your most important asset against water damage with the right insurance coverage and the following practical advice. Water damage and insurance Different types of water damage are insured by different types of policies. Homeowners and renters insurance provides coverage for burst pipes, wind driven rain and damage resulting from ice dams on your roof. Generally speaking, water that comes from the top down—such as rainfall and burst sprinklers—is covered by a standard homeowners policy. Some policies cover sewer and drain backups, but many do not; however, you can purchase a sewer backup rider to your homeowners or renters coverage. Typically, water that comes from the bottom up—such as an overflowing river—is covered by a separate flood insurance policy, which can be purchased from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and from some private insurers. If you live in a flood prone area, learn more about appropriate coverage. Properly maintaining a home is one of the best ways to prevent water damage from water disasters. Prevent basement water seepage Reseal your basement. Water in the basement is often caused by cracks in building foundations or floor slabs. If you notice water seepage after heavy rain when you’ve never had a problem, it may mean that your once-waterproof cement floors and basement walls have deteriorated. Painting vulnerable areas with water sealant can prevent seepage. Make sure water drains away from the building. Seepage is exacerbated by soil that has settled in a way to make water flow toward the building. After a storm, and especially if the ground is already saturated, rainwater that flows towards the building goes down the outside of the foundation wall potentially through any cracks. Install a backwater valve. Though less common than other causes of basement water, sewer backups are messy. Learn more about your sewer responsibilities and install and maintain a backwater valve, which allows sewage to go out, but not come back in. Maintain and understand your indoor plumbing systems Inspect appliance hoses and faucets. Make it a practice every year to check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerator icemakers. You may also want to invest in a water leak monitoring and shut-off system that can alert you to any leakage issues. Immediately replace any hoses that have cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years. Inspect showers and tubs. Check the seal and caulking around showers and tubs to make sure they are watertight and reseal if necessary. When away on vacation, shut off the water supply to the washing machine and never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running. Know the location of the main water shut-off valve in your home. A damaged hose or a burst pipe can send water racing into your home. Being able to locate and shut off the main water supply quickly will save stress, money and time. Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting. Check plumbing and heating pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have any necessary repairs made immediately. Repair and protect your home’s exterior Caulk and seal windows to guard against water seepage. Inspect your roof for missing, damaged and aging shingles and make necessary repairs. Check your downspouts. Remove debris that may have accumulated in downspouts and rain gutters. Position downspouts so that they direct water away from the house. Check sprinklers and irrigation systems to be sure they are not creating water damage to the walls and foundations of the house. Turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes. Install gutter guards to prevent gutter clogs and keep water flowing away from the house instead of accumulating on the roof. Protect your possessions Store off-season and other bulk belongings in waterproof bins, especially in areas where there are plumbing pipes or that are prone to dampness, such as basements and attics. Never store valuables or memorabilia where there is risk of destruction from water. Water and damp also brings with it the threat of mold damage. Keep belongings stored on shelving off the floor in basements. In case of water seepage or sewer backup, they’re less likely to get damaged. Keep an up-to-date home inventory. Having a comprehensive list of your possessions will save time, trouble and stress in case of loss from water damage.
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Climate change could worsen allergy season by up to 60%

Bad news for hay fever sufferers: Climate change could worsen allergy season by up to 60%, new model predicts. Experts studied pollen levels and weather conditions in Europe over decades. They found rain and air temperature before pollen season were key indicators. They can inform just how severe the pollen and allergens are expected to be. This could allow professionals and sufferers to plan in advance for a bad year. People suffering from hay fever could be in for a worse time of it in the future, as a new study shows that climate change could worsen allergy season by up to 60%. A team of scientists from the University of Worcester created new statistical models to forecast the changes in pollen severity as air temperature and rainfall changes. Based on long-term assessments looking at year-to-year changes in pollen concentration, they found that climate change would have a significant impact. Lead author Alexander Kurganskiy says projected changes in the climate could increase allergy season severity by up to 60% over current levels. It is hoped that by being able to forecast the risk, and understand potential changes, people with allergic rhinitis can prepare for the pollen season to reduce exposure. How can you treat hay fever? Vaseline: Apply the jelly around the nose to trap pollen particles Nasal filters: They make a physical barrier between the pollen particles and the nasal membrane Air purifiers: The home appliances remove pollen particles from the air Eye drops and tablets: They contain antihistamine to reduce inflammation Immunotherapy: The process involves consuming the allergen over a number of years to build the body’s tolerance While up to 40% of Europeans suffer from pollen allergies, there is currently no clear guidance on how best to prepare for upcoming allergy seasons. Until this new study it had also remained unknown how allergy season severity may change as the climate continues to warm due to human activities. To address these gaps, Kurganskiy and colleagues built a statistical model to simulate and predict the sum of pollen concentrations, also known as the seasonal pollen integral (SPIn) figure. They did this for each of 28 sites throughout the entire grass pollen season across Europe, and determined ‘no connection’ between pollen severity and different sites. This suggests each site should be considered individually when developing a long-term assessment approach to hay fever treatment, Kurganskiy explained. Each site was studied year-to-year to look at annual variations in grass SPIn based on the net production of organic carbon of grasses at 34 pollen monitoring stations. As part of the study they used the Joint UK Land Environmental Simulator (JULES) model to simulate the net production of organic carbon for more than 407 pollen seasons at these stations between 1996 and 2016. This aspect of the study allowed them to find that small variations in grass growth led to large variations in the quantity of pollen. ‘Our findings have the potential to be used in atmospheric dispersion models for Northwest Europe or larger regions throughout the world where sufficient robust pollen data are available,’ Kurganskiy said. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an inflammation in the nose caused by overreaction of the immune system to allergens in the air. Managing allergic rhinitis symptoms is challenging and requires timely intervention, including preparing for how severe the upcoming allergy season is going to be. The new research shows that the annual severity of any given season is government by the weather conditions on the run up to the pollen season. Knowing this will allow future forecasters to make predictions for the likely risk levels for high end allergy sufferers, giving people time to prepare. For example, the team found that each region they monitored had a different level of severity suggesting that it could be possible to plan holidays to avoid the worst effects of pollen in any given year. The findings have been published in the journal Science Advances. HAY FEVER: AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO POLLEN Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, a fine powder which comes from plants. There is more pollen in the air in the spring and summer when plants are flowering. The reaction usually happens when pollen comes into contact with someone’s eyes, nose, mouth or throat. Hay fever symptoms include coughing and sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; itching throat, nose, mouth or ears; headaches and tiredness. People suffering from the allergy can put Vaseline around their nose to trap the pollen, wear wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of their eyes, wash clothes regularly and vacuum and dust indoors. Avoiding grass, cut flowers and smoke can help reduce symptoms, as can drying clothes indoors where pollen is less likely to stick to them. Read more at DailyMail.co.uk
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Rich and diverse history of religions: Millenniums-long deception

Religion has been an integral part of human society for thousands of years, shaping cultures, beliefs, and values. From ancient civilizations to modern times, religion has played a major role in shaping the course of human history. But what is the history of religions, and how did religions develop over time? Religious beliefs can be traced back to the earliest civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians, who worshipped gods and goddesses associated with natural phenomena such as the sun and moon. These early beliefs were often polytheistic, meaning that they worshipped multiple gods, and were often tied to a specific place or location. As civilizations evolved, so did religious beliefs. In India, Hinduism emerged as a complex and diverse religion that incorporated a variety of gods, rituals, and practices. In China, Taoism and Confucianism developed as two distinct philosophical and religious traditions. One of the major turning points in the history of religions was the advent of monotheism or the belief in one God. This was a major shift from polytheistic beliefs and is seen in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These religions, which originated in the Middle East, would go on to have a major impact on world history and the development of western civilization. In addition to the major world religions, there are also numerous indigenous religions, which are tied to specific cultural and geographical locations. These religions often involve unique beliefs, rituals, and practices that have been passed down through generations and reflect the unique cultural heritage of a particular region. Religions always have been a source of conflict and division throughout history. Wars have been fought, and people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. However, despite this, religion continues to play a significant role in the lives of millions of people around the world, providing comfort, guidance, and a sense of community. The history of religions is a rich and diverse tapestry of beliefs, practices, and cultural traditions. From ancient civilizations to modern times, religion has been an integral part of human society, shaping cultures, beliefs, and values, and, unfortunately, continues to play a significant role in the lives of millions of people around the world. Religious Traditions of Ancient Times Religion has been a part of human society since ancient times, shaping the way people lived, thought, and interacted with one another. From the polytheistic beliefs of ancient civilizations to the monotheistic religions of today, religious systems have played a significant role in shaping humanity’s history. In ancient times, religion was deeply intertwined with every aspect of daily life. People believed in gods who controlled the forces of nature, and they made offerings and prayers to these deities in order to appease them. This helped them to feel a sense of control over their lives and the world around them. Religious Traditions of Actual Times Some common arguments are made against religion Lack of empirical evidence: One of the main criticisms of religion is that there is no scientific evidence to support many of the claims made by religious texts and teachings. This leads some people to believe that religion is based purely on faith and is not rooted in reality. Contradictions within religious texts: Some people point to inconsistencies and contradictions within religious texts as evidence that they are not truly divine or inspired by a higher power. The role of power and control: Some people argue that religion is often used as a tool by those in power to control and manipulate the masses. They claim that religious leaders use religious doctrine to maintain their power and influence over others. Lack of logical consistency: Many religious beliefs and practices are not logically consistent or do not stand up to scrutiny. Personal experience: Some individuals may reject religion based on their own personal experiences and observations, finding that their own beliefs and values do not align with what is taught by religious institutions. It’s important to note that these are just a few of the reasons some people might reject religion, and everyone’s experiences and beliefs are unique. If there is any all-powerful and omnipotent force, then it did nothing to prevent this post from being written.
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This smart window company is on a $1 trillion mission to eliminate blinds and shades

Smartphones forever changed the way the world communicates. View, a newly public tech firm, is hoping smart windows will transform the way people live and work — while simultaneously helping fight the climate crisis. Backed by SoftBank’s Vision Fund, View builds dynamic glass that acts as a digital skin on buildings. The company says its smart windows use artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize natural light, control heat and limit glare. The Silicon Valley firm debuted as a publicly-traded company Tuesday through a merger with a SPAC backed by Cantor Fitzgerald. The deal, including private sales of shares, is raising $800 million that View plans to use to pay off a pile of debt and build a product to dominate what it sees as a $1 trillion market. “We took a day-to-day object and fundamentally transformed it for the 21st century to make it more sustainable, better for health and wellness, and get better outcomes for businesses,” Rao Mulpuri, View’s chairman and CEO, told CNN Business. The view says it controls 80% of the market for next-generation smart windows. Its products are used in more than 750 buildings globally, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Kaiser health facilities. Major companies including Netflix (NFLX), Facebook (FB) and FedEx (FDX) also use View glass in their offices, the company said, and Google plans to install it at its new Manhattan headquarters. Conserving energy to cut costs and save the planet View’s predictive systems take into account a wide array of factors including local weather, the arc of the sun and how far workers are situated from windows to create different levels of tint, the company said. “Windows are your only connection to the outside. How sad to hang blinds on them,” Mulpuri said. “You bought the view, you paid for it with your rent. But the truth is, if the shades are down, then you have the allure of the view — without the actual view.” View, which is 12 years old and has more than 500 employees, is debuting on the Nasdaq at a time when investors are looking for ways to bet on solutions to the climate crisis. Major banks are promising to align their lending activities with the Paris climate agreement and solar and wind companies are booming. The view says its products reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by blocking more than 90% of solar radiation from entering buildings. “To get to net zero, you can load up the roof with renewables [like solar panels], but the majority still has to come from conserving energy in buildings,” Mulpuri said. “You need to do that without penalizing the quality of life of people. You can’t just say, ‘Suck it up. Turn up the thermostat.’ We can deliver on the path to net-zero while making it more comfortable and better for your health.” Cantor Fitzgerald believes in smart windows enough to bring View public in a merger that was announced in November. At the time, Howard Lutnick, Cantor’s chairman and CEO, hailed View’s glass as a “gamechanger that will revolutionize the real estate experience,” saying it will eventually mean “buildings will no longer need blinds and shades.” Debt has more than quadrupled since late 2018 But View faces real obstacles ahead. First, the company needs to figure out how to scale its product by rapidly building out manufacturing capabilities. And that process will require hefty investments — hence taking the company public. “It’s about how fast we can build out our own capabilities,” Mulpuri said. “We’re just getting started and it’s a $1 trillion market.” Mulpuri said the plan is to use the proceeds from the SPAC and PIPE (private investment in public equity) to add manufacturing capacity and invest in research and development. View also plans to use the cash influx to repay its debt, which has more than quadrupled since the end of 2018 to $262 million, according to slides presented to investors. And View also needs to find a path to profitability after losing an estimated $87 million last year. The company’s revenue is projected to spike 138% in 2021, but it still expects to lose $52 million this year. SPACs aren’t for everyone The view is the latest company to join the SPAC boom. Special purpose acquisition corporations, also known as blank-check companies, are shells that exist solely to bring private companies public. These alternatives to traditional IPOs were once reserved for the backwaters of Wall Street but major companies including DraftKings and Virgin Galactic have gone the SPAC route. “In the past, people generally looked down on them. But over the last year SPACs and sponsors have become more mainstream,” Mulpuri said. “We chose this route because we have a demonstrable need for capital.” PACs have raised vast amounts of money and recently celebrities including Alex Rodriguez, Ciara Wilson, Serena Williams and Shaquille O’Neal have gotten into the act. Mulpuri warned that startups without proven products could hit turbulence — and hurt investors — if they go public via a SPAC before they’re ready. “Some people will get burned in the process,” he said. “With anything that gets overhyped, these things have a chance to cause some trouble in the future.” Source: edition.cnn.com
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Fact sheet: Unclaimed life insurance policies

Unclaimed life insurance policies are a rare, and preventable, problem Clear communication is important when it comes to your life insurance policy. Life insurance policyholders should inform their primary beneficiaries, as well as their contingent beneficiaries, about the existence of a life insurance policy that names them. If there are valid reasons not to inform the beneficiaries—if, for example, they are young children—it is a good idea to provide this information to the executor of your estate. When informing beneficiaries and/or an estate executor that a life insurance policy exists, give them the name of the company, the policy number and, ideally, tell them what they intend the life policy’s proceeds to be used for. Life insurers keep track of their policyholders No life insurer can stay in business for very long if it develops a reputation for ignoring or not paying legitimate claims. Life insurers prioritize honoring their moral and contractual obligations and have paid out $1.1 trillion to the rightful beneficiaries of individual life insurance policies over the past two decades. However, there are times when an insured person dies and no one notifies the life insurer or initiates a claim. Fortunately, advances in technology have allowed insurers to create new processes to reduce the number of instances in which this occurs. Life insurers have begun using the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File as well as other search technologies to determine if a person insured under an individual life insurance policy has died; if they can confirm the death, the insurer will initiate a search for their beneficiaries. Retroactive application of these state-of-the-art search methods is for some companies time-consuming, expensive and not a process accounted for in the original life insurance policy contract. Forcing insurers to retroactively change the terms of the contract is a “slippery slope” that can potentially put all insurance contracts at risk. Beneficiaries have ways to track down unclaimed policies If a loved one dies, and you’re unsure about whether they purchased a life insurance policy, there are ways to find out if they did. The Insurance Information Institute, the American Council of Life Insurers and state Insurance Department websites offer consumer tips on finding unclaimed life insurance policies. Because it is vital that a life insurance policy remain in-force if at all possible, there are policies that include a mechanism to ensure the policy is not canceled even if the policyholder misses a premium payment. In cases such as these, the life insurer pays the premium out of monies that have accumulated in what is known as the “cash value account” of a permanent life insurance policy. This is an important consumer protection. It prevents a policy from lapsing if the policyholder is unable to pay their premium due to a job loss or if the bill was lost due to either a move or even a prolonged vacation. This feature is not used after the death of a policyholder. If the insured person dies, the rightful beneficiaries of their life insurance policy are able to receive the policy’s proceeds so long as the policy was in-force at the time of the insured’s death. Unclaimed life insurance policies are turned over to state government Life insurers do not keep unclaimed life insurance policies in their possession indefinitely. Unclaimed life insurance policy proceeds are turned over to the state in which the insured is last known to have resided (often with interest) after a certain number of years have passed, following state laws on unclaimed property.
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