August, 2021 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership
Essential Items You’ll Need When You Purchase Your New Home
Buying your first home is one of those memorable accomplishments that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Once you have signed on the dotted line and taken official ownership of the property, you’re going to want to—if you haven’t already—think about some essential items to pick up for your home to make your experience of living in your home that much more enjoyable. Here is a substantial list of items to consider purchasing after you’ve bought your home.
Safety Equipment:
Smoke Alarms: You should have smoke alarms installed in every room of your house including each bedroom, outside your bedrooms, and on every level of your home. If your home has a basement, don’t forget to install a smoke alarm there, too.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Not to say that Carbon Monoxide is more dangerous than smoke, but it is an odorless, colorless gas that can prove deadly if it isn’t detected sooner rather than later. Be sure to install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, especially in places where people sleep.
Fire Extinguishers: It’s always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy in case a fire breaks out while you’re cooking in the kitchen.
Safety Ladder: If you live in a home that has more than one level, seriously consider purchasing a ladder. Ladders can make the difference between life and death in the event of an emergency.
First-Aid Kit: Having a healthy stash of bandages, ointments, wipes, and other products is a good idea in case someone gets injured in your home.
Emergency Kit: Water, canned foods, flashlights, batteries, a can opener, flares, dust masks, tools like a wrench or pliers, maps of your area, a cell phone and a charger, prescription medications, eyeglasses, matches, personal hygiene items, pet food and supplies, an extra change of clothes.
Essential Items for Security of Your Home:
New locks: Any time you purchase a new home, it’s important to change the locks immediately to ensure the safety and security of yourself and your family.
Motion-sensor lights: These kinds of lights illuminate when they sense movement in a given area. They’re not expensive and are relatively simple to install.
Home safe: A secure box in which to store valuable documents like IDs or passports, birth certificates, banking information, and other sensitive information is always a good idea.
Window treatments: Believe it or not, installing blinds is one way to deter criminals from breaking into your home.
Video doorbell: Cheaper than security cameras, video doorbells can provide you with the peace of mind you want by giving you access to video footage of any action taking place at your front door. You can also link this capability to your smartphone, so you can always keep an eye on these areas even when you’re away from your home.
Items for Indoors:
Vacuum: Not all vacuums are created equal and different vacuums work more efficiently depending on how they are designed and what kind of surface they are being used on. It’s okay if you want to spend your money on an automatic vacuum that will work its way around your home on its own, but if you want more of a deep clean, consider purchasing a standard one.
Mop: If you have a home that has hardwood or composite flooring, a dust mop will serve you well. Consider purchasing one with a long handle, so you don’t have to spend all of your time on your hands and knees.
Plunger: No further explanation is necessary here. This is a must-have.
Broom and dustpan: When you own a home, the time will inevitably come when you spill food crumbs on your floor. Also, dust can build up on your floor and in hard-to-reach areas. A broom and dust pan are a must-have. Consider buying a dust pan with a long handle to avoid having to squat down every time you need to reach something.
Air purifier: These are great if you want to reduce the amount of allergens and pollutants in the air. Also, green plants can help improve your air quality as well.
Pencil sharpener: The days of manual pencil sharpeners should have been gone a long time ago. Buy yourself an electric pencil sharpener that can rest on top of a desk or table. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle this way.
Dehumidifier: Humidifiers are great if you want to decrease the dryness of your living space. But, what if you have the problem of too much moisture in your home? Get yourself a dehumidifier to use in your basement and living areas.
Batteries: Having a healthy stockpile of batteries will save yourself at least a few trips to the store. Figure out which items you use regularly that require battery use and create an inventory. That way, you’ll have a better chance of not buying too few or too many.
Power strips: Power strips are nice to have because they can help you cut the costs of your energy use.
Outdoor Items
Lawn equipment: A lawnmower, a leaf blower, and hedge trimmers for your bushes. Make sure you have enough space in your storage areas as these items can take up quite a bit of space.
Shovels: Depending on what kind of work you’re about to do, not all shovels will get a particular job done. In any case, you should always get yourself a snow shovel.
Hose: Choose one that will suit your needs. You’ll also need a nozzle. Please do not forget to store it away during the winter because a frozen hose can present a big problem!
Door mats: Family and guests are bound to track in dirt into your home. A door mat can help your minimize what is carried into your home. If that fails, consider asking your guests to remove their shoes before entering your home.
Snowblower: Snowblowers can be your saving grace if a huge blizzard comes into your area and wreaks havoc. They’re far more efficient than shovels, alone.
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How to Prevent Your Home From Flooding
Have you ever experienced a catastrophic event that almost ruined you financially? Windstorms or hail damage are commonly covered perils under a typical homeowners insurance policy. A peril is something that has the potential to cause damage to your property i.e. fire and smoke, lightning, explosion, vandalism, damage from an aircraft, car or vehicle, theft, falling objects, weight of ice, snow and sleet, and water damage. You may think that, because water damage is listed here, that a flood would fall under that category. Actually, floods are not covered by homeowners policies. Floods are covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA.
Protecting your home against flooding is something that all home owners should consider. Before purchasing a flood insurance policy, however, you should take some time to consider just how likely the area in which you live will have to endure a flooding situation. To get a better idea and overall understanding of flood possibilities, take a look at this flood map provided by FEMA. Enter your address in the search bar to analyze your specific area’s flood zones or simply click “Search All Products” and choose your state, county, and community to view reports of your area’s flood history.
The process by which you prepare your home to combat flooding will depend greatly on where you live. If you do live in an area that is prone to flooding, consider these steps:
Raise your home on stilts or piers: The idea here to create enough space between flood water and the base of your home, so that water is not able to enter your home.
Install foundation vents or a sump pump: Foundation vents allow water to flow through your home as opposed to pooling around it. This method of flood prevention significantly decreases the pressure that flood water can place on your walls and basement windows. Using sump pumps are, oftentimes, an effective way of pumping water out of basements where flooding tends to occur frequently. To ensure that this method is fool-proof, consider installing a sump pump that has a battery backup just in case you lose power.
Apply coatings and sealants: Coating and sealants—when applied to cracks in walls, windows, or doorways—can help prevent flood water from seeping into your house.
Install check valves on your pipes: All pipes that lead into your home should be fixed with valve for the purpose of preventing sewage from entering your home. Ask one of our agents about Sewer Line Backup Coverage provided by Erie Insurance.
Raise your electrical outlets and switches: For the same reason as raising your home on stilts or piers, raising your electrical outlets and switches can help prevent a disaster in which you would experience significant electrical damage. Water and electricity are not a safe combination.
Grade your lawn away from your house: Using heavy soil that contains either and sand allows surface runoff to be lead to an appropriate, safe place. This way, you don’t have to worry about excess water building up around your home.
Leave space between mulch and siding: Wet mulch can lead to dangerous situations because it can rot your home’s siding, resulting in leaks. You want your home to have the ability to fully dry after rainstorms.
Point your downspouts away from your house: If runoff is not pointed away from your home, it could potentially pool around your home, eventually leading to leaks in your basement.
If you are experiencing an emergency flood situation, following these important steps could spell the difference between saving your home and a complete and utter disaster.
- Turn off your water line if you are certain that is where the water is coming from.
- Make sure your gutters and drains are cleared of any debris i.e. leaves, grass, etc.
- Remove all rugs, furniture, electronics, and other valuables from the flooded area. If you can, keep those valuables elevated to keep them dry.
- Turn off your electricity at the breaker panel! Electricity and water can prove to be a deadly combination. To avoid that danger, keep your electricity off.
- Open your windows to increase airflow in your home.
- An active sump pump can prove to be extremely helpful in removing excess water from your home.
- Take photos of any damages caused by the flood and submit them to your insurance company as evidence of what happened. This evidence can prove extremely important and helpful in any financial dispute.
Backyard Safety Tips
Spending time in the backyard with your friends or family should always be a joyous time. They provide families an opportunity for fresh air,
Establish Safety Rules
If you’ve ever been a parent, you know how much of a challenge it can be to keep your kids away from potentially dangerous situations. Babies are always putting objects into their mouths while toddlers or kids who are a little bit older and always running around getting their hands and faces dirty. It’s important to help your kids to understand that the rules you set in place and meant for their own safety.
Don’t chase, push, or wrestle while playing on slides, climbing walls, or swings.
Store your bikes, backpacks, and any other personal items away from play areas to avoid any potential tripping or falling.
Always wear close-toed shoes. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, or any other items that could potentially get caught in equipment.
Use equipment the way it is intended to be used. Do not stand stand on swings. Do not jump from high platforms. Do not walk up slides. In fact, when it comes to slides, be extra cautious, especially with slides made from metal as they tend to get extremely hot in the summer.
Stay clear of areas like the garage or shed as potentially dangerous tools are often stored here. Parents should always keep an eye on their children while they’re playing and should encourage them to always stay in sight.
Inspect Your Yard for Possible Hazards
Young kids are always testing their limits. Whether by themselves or through peer pressure from friends, kids may have a tendency to ignore certain signs or danger to be thought of as cool. Do your best to inspect your yard ahead of time to make sure there are no hazards that could hurt or injure your child.
Supervise children at all times
Kids should always have an adult supervising them as they play outside. If necessary, take rest breaks. Always remember to drink plenty of fluids and apply and re-apply sunscreen and insect repellant as needed.
Install a fence
Fences are great ways to ensure that you kids will stay in your yard. Of course, this isn’t to say that you should leave them unsupervised as they could jump over the fence. What is important is that you set clear boundaries with your children to help them understand where they can play and what areas are off limits. Another option is to fit your youngest children with GPS trackers just in case they wander off when you’re not looking.
Remove poisonous plants and flowers
Young kids tend to be unfamiliar with poisonous vegetation. Therefore, it’s probably best to remove these threats altogether. Before giving your kids permission to play in the backyard, do you due diligence and conduct a thorough inspection of your yard, being sure to remove any poisonous plants and/or flowers. If your child happens to ingest one of these plants or flowers, call the American Association of Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Improve the security in and around your pool
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children under four years of age; most of these tragedies occur in home swimming pools. In addition to your swimming pool, make sure your hot tub’s cover is securely fastened when it’s not being used.
Pool area doors should remain closed and locked when the pool is not being used. Always remember, no matter how many sensors or high-tech security gadgets you install, nothing beats having an adult supervising children as they play.
Use caution while grilling
Make sure that your grills are away from any play areas and always keep your kids away from the grilling area. Never leave a grill unattended. Once you’re finished grilling your delicious food, be sure to put away all items such as lighter fluid, matches, and propane.
Check play structures for signs of wear
Naturally, equipment wears over time. Be sure to periodically inspect your play sets and playground equipment for signs for wear. Obvious signs could be rotting wood, exposed bolts, damaged floor boards, or loose steps and railings. Repair these unsafe items before allowing your child to use them again.
Get rid of the trampoline
Although trampolines may seem like a lot of fun, they can be extremely dangerous if used improperly. Countless children have been injured while using trampolines—the majority of them suffering broken bones. Studies have shown that 75% of injuries related trampoline use have occurred when more than one person was using the trampoline at the same time. To ensure the safety of your children and their friends, do not allow this behavior. It is important to note that many homeowners insurance policies may not cover trampoline-related injuries.
In the event that an individual outside of your immediate family does suffer an injury while on your property, you may be at risk of a serious lawsuit. You may be held liable for such injuries. Because of this, it’s a good idea to get yourself a liability insurance policy to cover the cost of potential medical costs. Call our office to discuss a Personal Catastrophe Liability insurance policy with one of our experienced insurance professionals today!
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Are You Killing Your Car?
Ignoring Your Check Engine and Other Warning Lights
When you first purchase a vehicle, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual. There, you will learn how to properly care for and maintain your vehicle. If you follow the appropriate steps related to your vehicle’s maintenance, you will undoubtedly prolong the life of your car.
With the introduction of hybrid vehicles and other advancements in technology, car manufacturers have been able to modify cars in such a way that makes it very easy to know when it is time for you to take it in for a maintenance check. For example, the 2019 Honda Accord Hybrid has a 15% oil indicator that becomes illuminated once the vehicle reaches that point. Once you see this light, you know it is time to take your car in for an oil change. It is important to stick to these maintenance guidelines if you do not want your car to malfunction down the road (pun intended). Ignoring these warning signs could be extremely detrimental if not catastrophic for both your car and your wallet. Repairs for these circumstances are not cheap.
Waiting Too Long On Routine Vehicle Maintenance
If you skip routine engine coolant changes, you are risking early water pump and heater core and radiator failure. Coolant changes can cost around $175. Replacing a heater core is far more painful for your wallet, costing around $1,300.
Delaying oil or transmission fluid changes can cause problems for your car where the repairs cost even more. If your engine fails, you’re looking at forking up at least $4,000 while rebuilding your transmission will cost you around $3,500. These are not inexpensive repairs, so keeping up with fluid changes for your car are of paramount importance.
Ignoring Unusual Noises
Have you ever been distracted by something while behind the wheel that had forced you to brake suddenly? Did you hear an unusual or alarming sound? Whether your brakes are squeaking or grinding, you may have a problem on your hands.
Light squeaking may mean it’s time to change your brake pads and/or rotors. It definitely means it’s time to have your car serviced by a professional. Remember, ignoring these tell-tale signs could spell certain doom for your car if you don’t act sooner rather than later.
If you hear something that sounds more like a screeching or grinding sound, you may have a serious problem on your hands. What it could mean is that your brake pads are so wore down and thin that the brake disc and caliper and rubbing together. The average cost of replacing your brakes is roughly around $235. It may cost you more depending on how new your vehicle is. Just as there are different models and grades with cars, the same goes for brake pads. You pay more for higher quality pads.
Ignoring Smells
Another reason why it’s so important to keep up with regular maintenance checks is that by the time you notice an unusual smell coming from your car, you may be in trouble. An oily burning smell means either that oil or fluids are leaking onto your hot engine and exhaust components. If you don’t take care of this problem immediately, burning fluid has the potential to cause a fire under the hood of your car. This can outright destroy your vehicle!
If you smell burning rubber, it could mean that your drive-belt system is about to fail. If this happens, your car’s engine may overheat and become damaged. If you have a burning smell coming from your brakes, it means they are not operating the way they should be. The bottom line is if you smell anything unusual coming from your car, take it in for an inspection immediately!
Driving On Worn Tires
We all know that tires cost a lot of money. So, it is understandable when car owners try to wait as long as possible before having to replace them. The problem with that is, when you wait to replace your tires, you run the risk of getting into an accident.
When tires wear below the 4/32-in. mark, traction decreases. This makes it noticeably more difficult to have your vehicle come to a complete stop and increases the likelihood of hydroplaning on wet pavement. For example, a car traveling at 70 mph requires 100 more feet to stop with 2/32-in. tire tread than 4/32-in. tread.
It’s not just driving at high speeds with low tread tires that presents a problem. If you’re driving along with worn tires at just 20 mph and slide into a curb, you could potentially suffer damage to your vehicle amounting to around $1,500. Of course, you could file a claim through your insurance company, but, in that case, you’re still responsible for paying a $500 deductible before your insurance kicks in. Additionally, this incident would count as an “at-fault” accident on your driving record.
Driving Your Car When It’s Overheated
Several factors can contribute to having your car overheat. Coolant leaks, a failed radiator fan, and a failing water pump, and a handful of other reasons can cause overheating. Ignoring the warning signs of your car overheating can result in an enormous cost for repairs.
Many cars today have aluminum engines. When an aluminum engine overheats, it has the potential to suffer total head gasket failure. Once the gasket fails, coolant can then leak into the crankcase where it can completely destroy engine bearings. It can also leak into the exhaust, resulting in the destruction of the catalytic converter. It’s like the epitome of a snowball effect. When something goes wrong, and then something else, and then something else, your problems progressively and steadily get worse and worse. And when it comes to your car, those problems—when left unattended—can cost a considerable amount to fix (if they can be fixed at all).
If you ever see pools of wet stains on your driveway, it could mean that your car is leaking some kind of fluid. Motor oil is brown in color while coolant can either be green, yellow, orange, red, or blue. Transmission and power steering fluid is either bright or dark red. Sometimes, power steering fluid can be gray. New brake fluid is more of a honey color while older fluid is darker.
It’s extremely important to keep all of your vehicle’s fluid levels at the recommended levels to ensure it operates at its highest level. Ignoring the warning signs could spell catastrophe for your wallet.
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