So, as of publication time for this article, Georgians have been informed that we’re under a “shelter-in-place” quarantine order until April 30th. (Governor Kemp placed the order earlier this month.) Everyone has been adjusting to the new reality of being at home and not leaving the house except for what is deemed essential.
As a homeowner, you might be pretty content with your Atlanta home insurance. Maybe you don’t think about it too much, or maybe it falls into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. But what if there are a few things that could improve your insurance situation in the form of lower insurance rates? Intriguing, right? There are a few things that could really help when it comes to your insurance. If you’re in any of the following boats, you might want to think about your homeowner’s insurance.
Getting married is exciting, and it’s an occasion worthy of congratulations. It’s a really important milestone and it’s worth checking into your insurance situation with your partner. There’s a possibility that you’re in a position to get better home insurance rates. Tying the knot can be helpful to your home insurance situation for that reason, but you could be in a great place if you’re buying a home with your partner. Maybe home insurance companies offer discounts for being a new customer when you’ve bought a house. So, that’s something that you may want to look into if you’re a newlywed and you’re looking for home insurance.
If you’ve been working hard at improving your credit, that can also be a good thing for your home insurance. Your credit score can be a factor in determining your home insurance rates, so if you have a better credit score you could see better premiums. (And a poor credit score can lead to some not-so-great insurance rates.) So, it’s important to work on keeping up good credit. You can see it pay off when it comes to your insurance, so if you’ve seen your credit score get better, don’t keep it to yourself. Use it to your advantage and see if you can score better insurance rates.
Your roof might just seem like the convenient hat that keeps the rain out of your house, but it’s more than that. It takes the biggest beating when it rains, when it snows, when there’s sleet, and all of that nasty weather. A sturdy roof is likely going to be more effective at protecting your home than an old roof that’s weathered many a storm (literally). So, lots of insurance companies offer discounts for homes that have recently gotten new roofs made of certain materials that will hold up well in the midst of a storm. If you’ve gotten a new roof recently, don’t forget about your insurance. You might find that you’re in a better insurance situation.
If you also need auto insurance, you might want to consider getting your home insurance and car insurance from the same carrier. (This is called bundling in insurance-speak.) There are a few reasons to consider bundling. First of all, it’s convenient because you’re only dealing with one insurance company. (The fewer people you have to contact to deal with your insurance, the better, right?) So, there’s that. But the other great thing about bundling is that a lot of carriers offer discounts if you get more than one line of coverage from them. And that means that you could save money over getting these two coverages separately. You may want to give it some thought and see if this is a good option for you.
Another thing that could help your insurance situation is if you’ve gone a long time without having to file an insurance claim. Being claims-free can earn you another discount – you could see lower premiums. So, having a clean claims history is something to be quite pleased about, and not just because it means you haven’t had anything go wrong with your house. You may find yourself in a better insurance situation if you haven’t had claims, so keep that in mind.
So, these are just a few things that could help you find yourself in a better home insurance situation. It can also help to get Atlanta home insurance quotes, and our team can help you with that. We strive to make insurance easy and help people save money on their insurance. Get started with your quotes for Atlanta home insurance by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us in LiveChat.
If you’re going through a divorce, the last thing you want to deal with is more stress. And for a lot of people, insurance is synonymous with stress. You’re already going through enough, and maybe you just want to know what to expect through. What should you know about your home insurance and car insurance if you’re getting divorced? We’ll explain.
It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to start when it comes to your insurance situation when you’re going through a divorce. What should you do insurance-wise? You might not know where to begin. Here are a few tips for handling your insurance:
So, take it step by step. Review your policies and remind yourself of what coverages you have and take some notes.
When it comes to home insurance, this is (of course) the policy that protects the structure of your house. But what happens if one of you is moving out, leaving the other with the house? The spouse who remains will likely want to change the policy so that it only lists their name. So, that’s something that needs to happen. Another thing that needs to happen is a review of the insurance policy. Some things to look at…
Anyways, it’s important to make sure that the coverage for your house still fits.
You’ll also have to handle your car insurance. It’s essential to keep the proper coverage for your vehicle, of course, as it’s what protects your car from damage and protects you from the fallout of damage that you could cause to someone else’s car…or someone. Anyways, you’ll need to make the appropriate adjustments to the policy. If you are not going to be living in the same household, you may need to get separate car insurance policies. As a part of the divorce, you’ll need to take your spouse off of your car insurance policy. You also may want to consider other coverages, such as rental reimbursement, towing, or roadside assistance, as you review your car insurance policy.
Health insurance should be addressed in the final divorce decree. It should be made perfectly clear who’s paying for what, particularly if there are children involved – it needs to be perfectly clear as to who will provide coverage. (Typically whoever had the coverage for the kids before the divorce will carry on with providing it.) You also may want to establish who will be paying for medical expenses that aren’t reimbursed.
As far as life insurance goes, it’s important to review these policies to be sure that they’re still doing what you need them to do. It may be necessary to change beneficiaries. If you depend on your ex-spouse’s income for living expenses, you’ll need to make sure you’re still named as a beneficiary. (But check with an attorney before making changes to your beneficiaries.) The divorce decree should also explain who’s going to carry life insurance, how much, the beneficiaries, and the accrued cash values.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to close all joint accounts – this can help you avoid credit snafus later on.
Divorce is, of course, something that is emotional and stressful, and insurance is probably the last thing you want to deal with. Take things one day at a time, one policy at a time. And let us know if you need help getting your insurance quotes. If you give us a call, message us, or fill out our online form, we’d be happy to help.
If you’re planning on moving, you’ve got a lot on your plate. From house-hunting to actually buying a house to selling your current place, you might be at your wit’s end. But there’s one important piece of the puzzle that deserves special attention – and that’s choosing a moving company. You have to do your research and choose the right company, and here’s how you can do that.
You ought to get an estimate from several moving companies to see what kind of pricing you’re looking at. (Yes, it might be a bit of a sticker shock, but better to know early on in the game than at the last minute, right?) Keep in mind that these estimates ought to be based off an actual in-person inspection of your belongings. An online estimate or a number given over the phone is probably not going to cut it.
If you are moving between states, know that the moving company needs to have a USDOT Number. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a Mover Search Tool that you can use to look into different moving companies. Make sure that the company is properly insured and that they are registered to transport household goods from state to state. (Keep in mind that if the moving company doesn’t have a USDOT Number and MC Number listed in their advertisements, that’s not a great sign.
(Now, if you aren’t moving to a different state, you can check with your state Attorney General’s office to see what you should be looking for.)
The FMCSA also allows you to look into the complaint history of the moving company. You can get an idea of what kind of experience other consumers have had when they worked with the company you’re considering. You can also look at the Better Business Bureau for more information. Don’t underestimate the importance of doing a little bit of online research from reputable sources (like the FMCSA and the BBB) before hiring a moving company.
Your mover should supply you with a pamphlet entitled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” if you are moving to a different state. Make sure you take the time to look over this pamphlet, as it details helpful information about what to do if your belongings are lost or damaged. It also gives you an overview of the important documents you’ll have to sign.
It’s also important that you read over the documents provided by your moving company. The following are some of the documents you will probably see from the moving company:
Estimate – Provides a description (in writing) of all charges and services that the mover has billed.
Order for Service – Gives a list of all the services the mover is going to provide and gives the dates of pickup and delivery.
Bill of Lading – The contract between you and the mover and the receipt of your belongings. (You should be given a partially completed copy before the mover leaves.)
Inventory List – The receipt that shows every item you shipped along with its completed along with its condition. (You should get a written copy of the inventory after your belongings are loaded.)
PRO TIP: Don’t sign documents that are blank or incomplete.
You also have to consider what kind of insurance will be covering your belongings. Do you want Full Value Protection for your belongings? Does your home insurance say anything about this situation? It’s important to figure out how you’re going to make sure your prized possessions are protected as they’re transported to your new home.
You’ll probably want to take care to supervise the loading and unloading process. Not that you want to be hovering or anything, but it doesn’t hurt to politely oversee what’s going on. These are your belongings, after all, and you want to make sure they are all properly packed and arrive safely at their destination.
It’s also a good idea to be aware of the “red flags” that should make you think twice about working with a moving company. There are a few tip-offs that should make you a little leery and make you consider taking your business elsewhere. Here are a few…
PRO TIP: If the mover claims you have more belongings than expected, have the mover give you a revised estimate. This should list the extra items or services the mover will be providing along with a price that you both agree to and sign off on. Be sure this happens before the movers start packing or loading. (And get a copy of the revised estimate.)
So, that’s what you need to know if you are moving! It’s important to choose your moving company carefully so that you end up working with a reputable, trustworthy mover. Of course, there are plenty of wonderful moving companies that operate with integrity, but it doesn’t hurt to do your research and protect yourself against potential scams.
Need Atlanta home insurance quotes? We would be happy to help. Get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.
If you’re moving into your first apartment, congratulations! Getting your own place is a big deal, a true life milestone. Whether you’re moving out of your childhood home and away from your parents or you’re moving out of the college residence halls, the heady rush of freedom might seem intoxicating. But moving out is a lot, and it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Here are a few tips to set you up for success with your apartment finances.
There are a lot of apartment-related expenses you’ll have to cover as you move into your own place. First of all, you’ll probably have to pay an application fee. Then you’ll have to contend with what sort of deposit you’ll have to face. You’ll likely have to pay a safety deposit (which could be one month’s rent) and you will likely have to pay the first month’s rent. You may even have to pay last month’s rent (which would be unfortunate). We say this not to burst your bubble, but to prepare you for that reality. You might not expect the price tag of getting into your dream apartment.
Another expense you’ll have to plan for is getting any “extras” you want to turn your apartment into a home. For example, you might need some furniture. Towels. Linens. Cooking supplies. Clearing stuff. A lamp or two. Garbage cans. Decorative throw pillows. These things are apartment essentials, and they’ll also require, well, money. You’ll have to give yourself a budget for furnishing your apartment and turning it into your living space. Make a plan for buying the things you’ll need – being organized can help you avoid overspending. You don’t want to be caught off-guard when all of a sudden you have to spend a bunch of money on necessities.
So, the first tips (and some of the following) relate to budgeting and knowing where your money is going to go. Your budget should incorporate the monthly expenses you’ll have. You have to consider your income; a Forbes article explains that in general, about 1/3 of your income will go to rent, 1/3 to food and other living expenses (including having fun!), and 1/3 will go to savings. Anyways, you have to crunch some numbers, including rent, utilities, and even parking and gas…oh, and car insurance, speaking of cars. (And don’t forget things like your streaming services and Internet service, plus your phone bill.) Sorry – we’re probably not helping.
Whether you already have a fluffy buddy you’ll be taking with you (cat, dog, rabbit, what have you) or you’re looking forward to adopting one as soon as you’ve settled into your new place, you’ll need to make sure your apartment building is pet-friendly. A lot of places will have an additional fee for pets, so that’s another cost you’ll have to add to your rent.
Pro tip: Don’t overlook the other expenses associated with pets. Food, treats, kitty litter or doggie mess bags, toys, leashes, a carrier, a pet bed, and those adorable little pet clothes that you won’t be able to resist all cost money. As do vet bills…
You’re probably going to need some movers to help you get your stuff to your new place. The thing is that movers also charge money – you do have to pay them. However you’re going to be transporting your furniture and belongings, you need to factor those expenses into the whole moving endeavor and your apartment finances.
Before you move out, you need to set yourself up for success by saving up some money. It’s not a bad idea to have a comfortable little cushion before you strike out on your own and move into your own place. (That’s essentially what all of these tips have been building up to.) Think about all of the initial fees you’ll have to cover, and consider how much your rent is. Make sure that you’ll comfortably be able to afford a few months’ rent so you don’t end up getting stressed if funds are tight. Being able to build up savings is a great life skill to have, anyways.
(Also, you have to be conscious of your move-out date if you’re leaving one apartment complex for another. If your move-in date for the new place is before the move-out date of the old place, you may end up juggling two rents for a little bit before everything sorts itself out.)
If you’ve got your own place and you’re responsible for your own belongings, you probably want to protect them. That’s where renters’ insurance comes in – it can help protect your belongings against things like fire and theft. Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t really protect your belongings, so that’s why you may want to consider renters’ insurance. Don’t fret – you may be able to bundle it with your car insurance.
And it’s a lot to handle insurance on your own, which is why our team of agents makes insurance easy, We can assist you with your insurance needs – all you have to do is fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.
If you’re apartment hunting in Atlanta, you might feel a little overwhelmed. There are a lot of possibilities, and it can be hard to know where to start. Atlanta has a lot to offer. Deciding where to live is a big thing. We’ve got a few tips for searching for an apartment in the city, whether you’re moving to Atlanta or you’re just relocating within the city.
It’s important that you know when your move-in date will be. It seems like a small thing, but the first step is knowing when you need to be moved and how flexible you are with your move-in date. Do you need to be moved in by a specific date, or do you have a window of a couple weeks? (This could become important if you’re moving out of another place if they have a specific date they want you out of your old place.) Anyways – the details are important.
There are a lot of different neighborhoods in Atlanta, a lot of different places where you can get your apartment. Do you want to be in Buckhead? What about Druid Hills? How about Brookhaven? Or would you like to live in Decatur? Or would you like the hustle and bustle of Midtown? (Of course, the location that you’re looking at might depend on things like where you’ll be working.) Anyways, it might be helpful to do a little bit of research into the different neighborhoods so you know where to start your apartment hunting in Atlanta.
The next thing is that you need to have an idea of what kind of apartment you’re looking for. Would you like a studio apartment? A one-bedroom? Two-bedroom? (This might depend on your budget, whether you’ll have roommates, etc.) But still – if you’re trying to narrow your search, you need to know what you’re looking for. It’s important to know what sort of place will suit your needs.
Then you have to know what sort of price range you’re looking at. You have to think not only about the rent and such, but what the utilities are going to cost and what other monthly expenses you have to consider. Don’t forget to factor all of these things into your budgeting concerns.
It’s also a good idea to have an idea of what sort of amenities you’re looking for. For example, is there a fitness center? What is the laundry situation – are there washers and dryers in the apartment? What sort of appliances are going to be available to you? Do you want there to be a pool at your apartment complex? This can also help you narrow down your list and the search.
You also have to think about whether you want a roommate or not – this can affect the kind of apartment you’re looking for. If you are going to have a roommate or roommates, you should look at the places together when you’ve narrowed down the list of apartments that you want to see. That way you all see the same apartments and you’re all on the same page.
And that leads us quite neatly into our next point…
You have to prioritize the apartments you want to see in person. You can’t see all of the places in the city. So, once you start narrowing down your list of apartments from your online research, create a plan for which places you want to see in-person. Decide which places are the top priority.
It’s also a good idea to take notes so that you can distinguish the different places you visit in your mind. Whether you want to use a physical notebook and pen or type things into your phone, have a system for taking notes. Take note of relevant details about each place so that you can jog your memory later on, when you’re really narrowing down the places that could be contenders for where you want to live.
It’s also important to consider transportation. Are you going to be taking MARTA? Think about the proximity of your apartment complex to a station. Do you have a car? Think about the parking situation at the complexes you’re considering. How are you going to get around the city?
Another thing to consider when you’re apartment hunting is renters insurance. Why should you think about renters insurance, you ask? Well, because it can protect your personal belongings from losses like fire and theft, and it can provide you with liability coverage. (Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t protect your belongings, by the way. It just…doesn’t.)
Not quite sure how to get renters insurance? We can help! Our team would be happy to help you get renters insurance quotes. Get started with your Atlanta renters insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.
Source:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rent/2014/11/15/9-tips-for-an-efficient-apartment-search/#714cb6e610d5
Homeowners need to be aware of some areas that create liability risk for them. We live in a world that loves lawsuits, after all, and it’s important that you’re aware of those things so you can take steps to reduce the risk of someone getting hurt on your property. Of course, helping others avoid pain and injury is the top priority, but you can also save yourself a lot of grief (and money) by reducing liability at your house.
The things that can provide endless summer entertainment for the kids can also present a pretty big risk – specifically, we’re talking about trampolines and swimming pools. These are known as “attractive nuisances” because they draw people to them. Small kids can be especially susceptible, as they aren’t super aware of the potential dangers posed by these seemingly fun things. And the thing is, if a child were to sneak their way to your pool or trampoline and get hurt, you could be responsible. (And yes, you could be liable even if you weren’t aware that the child was on your property.)
This is why insurance companies aren’t too enthusiastic about insuring homes with “attractive nuisances”. However, some insurance companies will extend liability coverage for your pool. If you have a trampoline, you will likely need to have a sturdy safety net around the trampoline so no one accidentally falls off. Just be aware of that.
Okay, so your driveway might not seem as treacherous or dangerous as a trampoline or pool. But trips and falls do happen (we’ve all faceplanted at one point or another). If there are cracks in the pavement on your driveway or if you have an uneven step, someone could take a fall. And humans aren’t indestructible, so something as simple as a fall could cause major damage.
Dogs are great, let’s make no mistake about that. But they can increase your liability risk. Insurance companies tend to get concerned about the potential for a dog bite claim. They worry about certain breeds more than others. Truly it’s nothing personal about your dog. It’s about risk.
Let’s take a look at each of these sources of liability and go over ways you can manage your risk.
The pool.
The trampoline.
The driveway.
Maintaining your driveway and sidewalk is a necessary task. You need to make sure there are no holes or cracks that present a tripping hazard. Your front steps should be even so they don’t present a trip trap. If someone falls on brick, stone, or concrete, they’ll probably not be unscathed.
The dog.
You need to pay attention to your dog. Make sure your dog is exposed to various environments with people and dogs when they’re young so they get properly socialized. Also, be sure to train your dog to have positive, non-aggressive behavior. Make sure they walk well on the leash and make sure they know to listen to you. Spaying and neutering can help make a dog less prone to wandering, and it can help curb aggression towards both humans and other dogs.
Homeowners with a pool, trampoline, or dog may want to think about getting higher limits of liability coverage. It can’t hurt to find out how your rate would change if you added liability coverage. It might not drive up your premium by that much. You can also think about getting an umbrella policy, which sits on top of your underlying liability policy and gives coverage that extends above and beyond the coverage on your underlying policy.
Homeowners have to be aware of their risk of liability and they need to know how to reduce that risk, but it’s also important to have the right home insurance policy to both protect your home and cover your liability. Get in touch with our team to get started with home insurance quotes. You can get started with home insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.
There are a lot of perks to having an apartment and setting up your own space without having to buy a house. But along with the never-ending list of moving tasks or apartment tasks, there’s one thing you might not be looking forward to, and that’s renters’ insurance. Maybe you’ve decided that you want to get a quote for Nationwide Atlanta renters insurance. One problem, though – you’d prefer to get some help with that. Not a problem – here’s how our team can help you get your Nationwide renters insurance in Atlanta.
You don’t have to feel like you’re completely on your own when you’re getting renters insurance in Atlanta, Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or Brookhaven (or whatever neighborhood or suburb of Atlanta you call home). In fact, our team will do the work for you – we just need some information from you. Anyways, this is how we get renters insurance quotes and how we make insurance easy.
First things first – you have to let us know that you need to get an Atlanta renters insurance quote from Nationwide. That’s what gets the whole process started. And we like to keep things nice and convenient, so we’ve got a few different ways you can talk to us. (We don’t want you to feel like you’re jumping through inconvenient hoops to get insurance quotes.)
Phone. You might prefer talking on the phone to get your quote started. A quick phone call to let us know you’re on the hunt for insurance and we’ll connect you with an agent who can help with your insurance needs.
Online form. You can also fill out our online form to get started with your quote. This lets us get some of the necessary details we need to get you a quote for Nationwide renters insurance in Atlanta so we can jump right to the task at hand.
LiveChat. You can also use our LiveChat messenger to talk to an agent about getting Nationwide renters insurance. We don’t mind hopping in a chat if that’s easiest for you.
Email/Text. If none of the above options seem like the best thing for you, no problem. Just let us know that you’d like to email or text instead and we’re happy to do that. You might be on the move, and you can’t slow down to talk on the phone – and that’s fine.
We’ll connect you with one of our amazing insurance agents, who will need you to answer a few quick questions. (We need some information to get your quote.) Anyways, kick back and enjoy your interview! Your agent wants to get to know you so they can best assist with your insurance. And then you’re one step closer to getting your quote for Nationwide renters insurance in Atlanta.
The next part of the process is us retrieving that renters insurance quote for you. We’ll sort everything out on our end and come back to you with your Atlanta Nationwide renters insurance quote. We also do our best to be snappy about it, so we won’t drag our feet and keep you waiting.
We’re not just going to throw a number and some paperwork at you and then leave you to sort through it and figure out what it means. We’ll take the time to go over your quote with you, answering any questions you have about it. (And don’t hold back with your questions – send them all our way! We want you to feel confident in how your coverage protects you.) So, don’t hesitate to ask about things you need clarification on.
We’re not going to disappear and be unreachable after you get your insurance. If you have any questions or issues that come up afterwards, we’ll be here to help. Don’t hesitate to call, email, or message if you need anything – that’s what we’re here for. You’re not on your own to deal with insurance matters.
So that’s what going into the process of getting a Nationwide renters insurance quote in Atlanta. Whatever Atlanta suburb is your home (Woodstock, Kennesaw, Marietta, Dunwoody, Smyrna, you name it) we’d be happy to help you get your Atlanta renters insurance from Nationwide.
Kids love trampolines – the joy of bouncing up and down over and over is just unbeatable. There’s a lot of smiles and laughter involved, and many kids simply consider “trampoline” to be a synonym for “fun”. But, unfortunately, like a lot of things that are fun, trampolines come with a significant amount of risk. Whether your kids are begging you to get one for the backyard or you’ve already got one at your house, it’s important that you understand why trampolines are such a risk – and how to make safety key.
Your home can be a wonderful haven for friends and family during the holidays. It can also be a madhouse full of holiday hazards that can stop fun in its tracks. There are tons of accidents that can happen at home during this time of year. However, there are just as many ways to prevent these mishaps to keep you and your family out of harm’s way. Here are some holiday hazards to be wary of around your home and how to prevent your friends and family from being hurt.
Slips and falls are a common household injury. Around the holidays, there are a lot more ways to fall prey to this peril. To prevent some of these holiday spills:
Practice ladder safety.
If you’re hanging decorations inside or outside of your home, have someone spot the person at the top of the ladder. Have them hold the ladder steady while you avoid power lines and secure your footing. As you come down, make sure you’re not skipping rungs and that you have solid footing on each rung before moving to the next one.
Clean as you go.
If you’re whipping up your holiday specialty, be sure to address any floor spills as soon as possible. Keep a mop, paper towels, or cloths nearby to help absorb any messes you may make. Try not to rush around the kitchen, especially when moving hot dishes. Plus, use proper kitchen safety materials and practices so you can cook more safely and efficiently.
Stash the cords.
It can be easy for anyone, especially kids, to trip over loose cords while they’re not paying attention. If possible, stash loose cords along the bottoms of your walls or behind furniture. If there are cords out in the open, invest in some gaff or electrical tape from your local hardware store to tape them down to your floors.
Exposed wiring can pose a major hazard for curious kids, nosy pets, and even absent-minded adults. To stay away from shocking revelations this holiday:
Repair or replace broken lights.
Inspect your lights before using them. Wrap up any exposed wires with electrical tape or just replace the lights altogether. It’s not worth the potential shock or fire to keep the old lights around. Cover any broken bulbs or exposed filaments to prevent shocks and sharp glass from harming others.
Everyone loves to snuggle up by a fire, light a few holiday-scented candles, or heat up the oven for a holiday treat. However, it only takes a moment for a flickering flame to spread and get completely out of control. So, if fires or high temperatures are a part of your holiday plans, be sure to avoid holiday hazards by:
Keeping an eye on your stove and oven.
Don’t divide your attention outside of the kitchen while cooking. When nothing is in the oven or on a stove eye, make sure everything is turned off so that nothing flammable crosses a hot path.
Keeping small children and pets away.
The pitter-patter of all kinds of feet through your home don’t belong in the kitchen while you’re cooking, especially when handling hot or heavy dishes. You may even want to cook on the back-burners of the stove and keep food away from the edges of counters to keep it off the floor.
Extinguishing candles at the end of the night, and not using real candles on your tree.
Instead, use battery-powered candle lights. They’re safer and they won’t get messy wax everywhere!
Having your fireplace examined before you use it.
Flammable debris may have entered your chimney while your fireplace was out of use. So, make sure to maintain and sweep out your fireplace year-round, as well as open the flue when it is in use.
Checking your smoke detectors.
You’ll want to be properly alerted if something does go awry. So, make sure your smoke detectors have fresh batteries and are in working order.
Keeping objects AWAY from space heaters and radiators.
Keep a keen eye on either one of these if you’re using them to heat your home this winter. Don’t toss blankets, curtains, wrapping paper, or anything else flammable on or near a heat source. Additionally, don’t place your tree or other natural holiday decorations too close to heaters.
There are tasty treats to be had, possibly ones that are exclusive to this time of year. However, these treats should be the only things consumed heartily and safely. Help keep these holiday traditions safe from holiday hazards by:
Choosing age-appropriate toys.
Read the labels and age ranges for the types of toys you gift. Be careful of giving younger children playthings with small parts or batteries that could become choking hazards. Be aware that even if you give an older child an age-appropriate toy, younger siblings may steal some playtime. So, try to choose gifts that are appropriate for all ages in the household.
Checking expiration dates on canned foods and condiments.
Some canned goods may be marked as “non-perishable,” but they still have an expiration date. Before serving food, pay attention to when the food expires and how they should be stored. If you’re unsure about serving it, it’s best to steer clear and replace that item with a fresh one.
Prep carefully.
The same utensils should NOT be used for both cooked and raw meat. If you must use the same utensils, wash them thoroughly under hot soap and water. Limit cross-contamination by washing your hands between prepping, cooking, and serving, and don’t leave out any meat or dairy for long periods of time.
Enforce a cut-off.
If your holiday celebration is more geared towards adults, enforce cut-offs for alcoholic beverages. Encourage and accommodate designated drivers and provide resources for taxi or ride-sharing services to prevent drunk driving. Also, offer plenty of water and food to your guests in addition to these drinks.
The holidays can be prime time for thieves to snatch your belongings or your information. Keep your stuff secure by:
Limiting your posts on social media.
It can be tempting to post real-time happy memories as they’re being made. However, your picture in a new location can give thieves the heads-up that you’re not home. To prevent break-ins, save the posting on social media for after the parties or your travel plans.
Getting a house-sitter.
The best way to make sure that thieves believe that a home is occupied so they don’t break in is to have someone actually occupy the house. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, have someone house-sit and grab your mail until you come back. If you’re going to be gone for a short period of time, have a neighbor keep an eye out for anyone suspicious lurking around.
Using secure networks.
When online shopping, make sure that the web address has an https and a padlock at the beginning of the site name. This ensures that you’re shopping over a secure connection where your information is the most difficult for hackers to decode. Additionally, avoid putting personal information into a website when you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection. It can be extremely easy for a hacker to access all sorts of information on your computer from a network that’s not password protected.
These are just some of the common ways to protect you, your family, and your belongings from holiday hazards. At the end of the day, just make sure you’re not letting your guard down during this time of year to keep the holiday cheer going.
It’s also important to have good home insurance in case something does happen. Homeowners’ insurance can help you take care of the medical bills of someone hurt at your home, replace or repair your property in a covered loss, and lots more. The best news is that our agents can help you get great rates on the coverage you need. To start getting free quotes on customized coverage, give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!