Home Maintenance Tips

To prevent damage to your home and to save yourself money, time and frustration, follow these tips to protect vital systems.

HVAC Systems

Inspect, clean or replace your system’s filter each month.

Check heating and cooling registers to make sure they are not blocked.

Hire a professional to inspect your heating and cooling system at the beginning of each season.

Buy a maintenance contract to cover regular service of major heating and cooling systems.

Hire a professional to inspect and clean the chimney and flue.

Call a professional if you see rust, hear odd sounds or detect odd smells from the system.

Electrical Systems

Don’t overload outlets, circuits or extension cords. If in doubt, have a professional check the current consumption of your plugged-in items, the capacity of the circuit, and the capacity of the cords.

Hire a professional to install ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets wherever they are required by the electrical code and particularly near water and outdoor locations.

Check electrical cords for fraying and cracking, and replace them if necessary.

Never run cords under rugs or furniture.

Consider hiring a professional to upgrade your electrical service from a fuse system to a circuit-breaker system.

Install a surge protector in your electrical service entrance panel (usually your main circuit breaker panel, where the power enters the house) and install individual surge protectors at all major appliance connections.

Plumbing Systems

Drain pipes and washing machine hoses if you will be away from your property for an extended period.

Hire a professional to install shut-offs in convenient locations, particularly before bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

Inspect the hot water heater for rust stains or water on or around the base. This can indicate a leaking valve or cracked tank.

Inspect and repair caulk around tub and toilet fixtures.

Turn off faucets leading to washing machine hoses when not using the washer.

Used with permission from Penn National Insurance. Please visit their website for more helpful information:  Penn National Insurance

A home maintenance checklist will help you stay on top of tasks like replacing air filters, testing smoke & carbon monoxide detectors and checking the water heater for leaks. Also, you will want to make sure your air conditioning system is working properly and clean the dryer vent to reduce fire hazards. By taking care of these maintenance tasks, you will keep your family safe and save money on repairs. 

Air Filters: Many types of heating and air conditioning systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. Check the instruction manual or search online by model number to confirm how often you should change the filters. 

Safety and Security: If you have a home security system, regularly check the alarms and circuit breakers to ensure they are in working order. Inspect the sensors one by one. The batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be checked twice a year to ensure they are working. Detectors should be replaced every 10 years. 

Roof, Gutters and Downspouts: A qualified roofer should inspect your roof every three years. Skylights should also be checked so leaks don’t develop from cracks around the seals, caulking and flashings. Make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other debris.

Windows and Doors: Inspect exterior windows and doors yearly to see if the caulking around them has split and cracked. If so, replace the caulk and clean any mildew. 

Siding: The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many cases, prolong the life of siding.

Garage: The moving parts of garage doors should be oiled every three months.

Source: National Association of Home Builders 

Easter is coming up very quickly.

Are you planning an Easter egg hunt for your family, church, school, or neighborhood?

Whether your Easter egg hunt is inside or outside, keep the fun going and the kids safe with these safety tips.

Inspect the area for potential hazards.

Pick up any objects that may present a tripping hazard.

For inside egg hunts, be aware of electrical outlets, sharp corners, open windows and stairs.

For outside egg hunts, look for holes and uneven ground that could lead to injury.

    Set boundaries to keep the kids in sight at all times and away from unsafe areas.  This includes places that are too high or near streets and driveways.

    Plan to have adult supervision at all times.

    Hide the eggs in safe areas.

For inside hunts, keep eggs away from electrical outlets, plugs, and light sockets.

For outside hunts, keep eggs away from thick or thorned bushes, areas where pesticides have been sprayed and potential areas for bees and snakes.

    Be cautious of food allergies and choking hazards if filling plastic eggs with candy or toys.

    Be cautious of using real eggs. Make sure to take steps to cook them properly, store them properly, and keep them clean.

---Content used in this post is used with permission and was originally published by Goodville Mutual Casualty Company.

Each year, construction related accidents in this country result in approximately 150,000 injuries and more than 1,000 deaths. If your employee has been injured in a work-related accident you may have many questions about how a Workers Compensation Claim is handled, how rates are determined, and how payments are calculated. If our agency has placed your Workers Compensation Coverage, we have WC Specialist to guide you through that process, but the best Workers Compensation Claims advice is prevention. The employer, employee, and insurance company are all in agreement that preventing the claim is in everyone's interest. 

We ask that you please review this resource to learn about common reasons injuries occur, construction site rules and regulations, suggested dress code and safety equipment, common areas/incidences of risk, and a safety checklist.

This year and every year, we wish you and your work family a safe, healthy, and prosperous year.

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Here's to appreciating all the little things we do and those everyday moments that shape our lives and give it meaning. In fact, our days are often filled with simple acts of love, one followed by another, that over time create a better future.

Getting life insurance is like that too. It's a simple act you can take today to ensure your loved ones are protected financially tomorrow. 

It's time to protect those everyday moments with life insurance.

Take a few moments now to see how we can help you protect those you love.