Ask Liz: Flood Damage, Whitewall Tires & CFL Bulbs

Are home renters covered for damage caused by flooding?

Flood damage is usually NOT covered… even if you have renter’s insurance.
Just like homeowner’s insurance, renters can buy a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program and from a few private insurers.
And there is typically a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before the new policy goes into effect.

Why are car manufacturers no longer putting whitewall tires on cars?

The move from whitewall tires to blackwall tires began many years ago.
Vehicle manufacturers choose a specific tire style as part of the overall look of a car.
The current styling trend is a high rim diameter tire with black sidewalls.
Since the car manufacturers also drive replacement tire sales, the demand for whitewall tires is decreasing every year.

How do you clean up a broken CFL bulb, and how do you properly dispose of a CFL after it burns out?

The Environmental Protection Agency says there are important guidelines to follow:

Before cleaning up a broken bulb, air out the room for at least 15 minutes as a precaution.
Next, carefully scoop up glass fragments using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar or a sealed plastic bag.
Finally, place all clean-up materials and the bulb pieces outdoors in the trash.
For burnt out bulbs that aren’t broken, the EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of local recycling centers.
However, if your state environmental regulatory agency permits putting CFLs in the trash, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it in the outside trash.
For more information about CFLs and to find recycling centers near you, visit the Energy Star FAQ page.

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