Avoiding Animals and Accidents

Deer, moose, and other animals are often drawn to the roadways. The risk of hitting an animal is greatest at dawn and dusk – which is also when it’s hardest to see animals in the road. Keep your headlights on at all times and use your high beams when possible. Be on the lookout for yellow road signs warning of high danger areas and if you see one animal, slow down and assume there are more nearby.

Preventing Dryer Fires

You may not realize it, but your clothes dryer can represent a serious threat to your home in the form of fire damage. The high heat of a clothes dryer can ignite lint or other flammable materials. It’s estimated that in an average year, dryers start 15,500 fires, causing nearly $100 million dollars worth of property damage. To prevent fires:

Clean the filter screen after each use, and wash it every 6 months.
Never leave your house or go to bed with your dryer running.
Keep your external vent clean and free from lint.
Use only approved dryer ducts and always vent them to the outdoors.
Do not use screws to put your dryer duct together as they collect lint. 6. Keep the area around the dryer clean.

Repairing vs. Replacing Your Windshield

The advantages are clear. Why have a damaged windshield repaired instead of replaced? First, you’ll save money: most insurance companies will waive your deductible, so there’s no out-of-pocket expense to you. Second, you’ll probably save time—and you may gain the convenience of repair right at your home or office. Third, repair keeps your factory seal intact, and that means less chance of wind, noise and rain getting in. When can a windshield be repaired? If your windshield is cracked, pull a dollar bill from your wallet. If the bill covers the crack, a professional windshield repair company can fix it. When it comes to a rock chip or “ding”, the answer is also in your wallet: if a credit card covers the ding, the windshield can be repaired. What should I do if I get a crack or ding in my windshield? First, cover the damaged area with clear tape to prevent contaminants from lodging in the crack. Then, have it repaired as soon as possible. A repair can be done in as little as 30 to 45 minutes, often while you wait. Some glass companies come to your home or work to repair your windshield.

Renters Insurance: Why Get It?

Take a look around your rental (apartment, condo, or single family home)–what if the unexpected happened? A fire. Water damage. Could you replace all of your belongings out of your own pocket? Maybe, but it would be expensive. That’s where Renters Insurance comes in. Renters Insurance protects your things in the event of a loss. It may also help cover:

• The cost of lawsuits.
• Living expenses if you have to move out temporarily.
• Medical bills for a covered loss.

Your landlord may or may not require you to have Renters Insurance, but the bottom line is: if you’re interested in protecting your piece of the world and having peace of mind–it’s worth the investment! Contact our office for a quote.

Take Care with Candles

In the last 20 years, the number of home fires by candles has continued to increase. About 35% percent of candle fires were the result of unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled candles. Another 17% of candle fires occurred because some form of combustible material was left too close to the candle.

• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Burn on protected heat-resistant surfaces, away from combustible material and out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep wick trimmed to 1/4″ at all times.
• Prevent flame’s contact with glass.
• Keep wick centered and avoid drafts.
• Discontinue use when 1/2″ of wax remains.
• Jar may become hot: handle carefully.
• Only burn 3 hours at a time.
• Avoid jar to jar contact. Explosion may occur.
• Do not use if jar is chipped or cracked.
• Before lighting, remove wick trimmings, matches or any flammable material.

Once you’ve prepped your home for the colder weather, kick back and relax!

Fall Clean Up: Quick Tips for Homeowners

Now is the perfect time to focus on your fall clean up. The following tips will not only make your property look nicer, but they can also help reduce potential issues in the upcoming colder winter months as well.

• Properly clean out gutters, removing leaves and other buildup as this will help prevent potential water loss and/or ice dams in the colder months.
• Remove older branches from trees so they do not fall onto your house or property as snow accumulates.
• Repair loose or damaged window and door frames to prevent drafts and help reduce heating costs.
• Clear out debris around the exterior of your property to keep critters from making your home their home too.
• Drain all water from exterior hoses and pipes to prevent rotting and freezing.
• Check your chimney for any blockages and make sure your damper is working.
• Remove window AC units or if you cannot remove them, properly seal any openings.
• Clean out dryer vents to ensure clean airflow, especially in the cooler, dry fall months when static electricity is a bigger threat.