It’s hard to believe September is right around the corner! Where has the summer gone? If big, yellow school busses are driving through your neighborhood, it’s time to think safety. Hectic schedules along with distractions can lead to dangerous driving situations. Check out the infographic below for safety tips to keep in mind as we share the road with busses this school year.
When you’re choosing new window coverings for your home, it can be tempting to quickly pick the choice you find the most aesthetically attractive. With so many different styles to choose from, some homeowners choose based on outward appearance alone. However, there are several important factors that you should think about before making your final decision.
New curtains or shades are fundamental elements of a room and can have a much bigger effect on your home than you may expect. It’s important to take a step back and examine the safety, efficiency, and future value of the coverings you choose. In this article, we’ll look at a few different window covering precautions that many homeowners miss when making their final choices.
1. Curtain Safety in Kids’ Rooms. When choosing blinds for a kid’s room, be careful to avoid styles with long hanging cords. Ensure that the child’s bed is nowhere near the window and that you have secure screens on the outside of each window. Additionally, try to keep the bottoms of hanging curtains tied and out of reach. Motorized blinds may be a wise choice since they have no hanging chains or cords that can be hazardous to small children.
2. Sleep’s Connection With Mental Health. When you think about sleep quality, you may consider your mattress, blankets, and room temperature. However, window coverings can have an immense impact on the quality of your sleep, and furthermore, your mental health. Blackout curtains are becoming increasingly popular for their innovative light-blocking technology. Before you choose the thin curtains that match your bedroom’s decor, consider a blackout alternative to improve your sleep, mood, and mental state down the road.
3. Different Fabrics’ Upkeep Requirements. When you choose your curtains, you should consider how often you’ll need to wash and care for the fabric. If you’re choosing curtains for a kid’s room or your kitchen, consider fabrics like polyester or cotton. These materials are easy to wash and often don’t require dry cleaning.
4. Effects on Your Home’s Resale Value. When you’re showing your home for a sale, the curtains can truly make a statement to potential buyers. Not only can quality shades make the space feel larger, but they can also work to hide unflattering wallpaper or paneling during the showing. In addition, motorized shade systems are a big plus for homebuyers and are sure to leave a lasting impression.
5. Changes in Energy-Efficiency. For many homeowners, saving energy equates to using less water and turning off lights. However, the impact of the right window coverings on your energy bill is often quite significant. Utilizing thermal or cellular curtains can help keep your rooms warm, allowing you to avoid cranking up the thermostat. According to Energy Saver, installing cellular shades can improve your heating energy savings by 10%. Simply choosing the right material can save you money in the long run.
Without a doubt, there are several different crucial factors to consider before making your final decision on window coverings. Energy efficiency, child safety, and upkeep are only a few elements you should keep in mind. Take your time choosing your shades and don’t hesitate to do some more research before choosing your material.
Sheds have grown in popularity over the years. Not only are they great for storing personal belongings if you run out of space in your home, but they also make a great hangout for enjoying a warm summer day.
If you’re considering building a shed in your yard, here are some ways you can benefit from one. A shed can:
1. Declutter your home. The longer you live in your home, the more personal items you’ll collect throughout the years. If clutter stresses you out, a shed may be the right solution for you. Storing items out of sight can help reduce your stress level and help gain more organization in your home.
2. Help avoid storage rental fees. Depending on where you live, there are probably numerous options for renting a storage unit. Building a shed can help you avoid paying monthly rental fees and allow for more convenient access to your stuff.
3. Create space to enjoy your hobbies. If you enjoy woodworking, gardening, or tinkering on small engines, a shed can give you more space to expand. It may also allow you to park your car in your garage.
4. Increase the value of your home. Not only do you get to enjoy the benefits of your shed, when it comes time to sell your home, it’ll increase the value of your home as well as attract more buyers.
When it comes to building a shed, the sky’s the limit on how much money you can spend and the amount of creativity you put into it. Here are some things to know and do before starting your project.
1. Do your research. Before buying anything it’s important to think about what you want from a shed. Is it simply going to be used for storage? Do you want to make it your man cave or she shed? Look online or visit your local retailer to see what options are available. Be sure to write things down as this will help you stay organized as you continue through the process.
2. Choose the right size. After you’ve done your research and you have some ballpark numbers, start to think about what size shed you’ll need. Things to consider include:
How will you use it? If used for storage, what will you store? If used for a hangout or hoppy space, what amenities or features do you want to include?
What’s the size of your yard?
Do you want to grow into it?
3. Choose the right type. Buying a pre-built shed can be easy and stress free if you’re using it for light storage. If you plan to store larger items like recreational vehicles or plan to use it for one of your hobbies, then a custom build is probably best for you.
4. Use quality materials. With the increase in the cost of materials, it may be tempting to look for cheaper alternatives. Remember, spending extra money up front on quality materials can bring you more years of use and enjoyment.
5. Talk to your building inspector. Discuss your project with your local building inspector to see what city ordinances you must follow. The inspector may also be able to give you some building tips or information on current trends.
6. Check with your homeowners’ association. If you’re a part of a homeowners’ association, they may need to approve your plans. In addition, they may have requirements regarding size and cosmetic appearance. For example, the shingles on your shed roof may need to match your home. It’s best to find out what’s expected in the beginning of the process.
7. Talk to your independent insurance agent. Your agent can make sure you get the appropriate insurance coverage for your new shed.
Whether a contractor is hired for maintenance, renovations, or to repair damage from a covered claim, turning a home or business property into the hands of an inexperienced
or fraudulent contractor is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. In the worst-case scenario, the result could be that significant funds are spent, the project is incomplete, AND additional damage is done to the home. Homeowners policies do have exclusions for faulty or defective workmanship.
There are many good, diligent, talented, and qualified contractors out there. However, here’s a list of red flags that you should be aware of before hiring one.
1. The contractor doesn’t have a physical address on his estimate, bid, or card.
2. The contractor doesn’t have insurance or hold a license. WARNING: Words on a business card are not necessarily gospel. A legitimate contractor doesn’t mind if you ask for the name of his insurance agent and won’t hesitate to provide a certificate of insurance (dated timely). He’ll also give you the opportunity to check with a consumer agency such as the Better Business Bureau.
3. The contractor comes to your door without being called.
4. The contractor has requested a large down payment or asks for daily draws without doing a lot of work. This is a contractor who’s not trusted by a supplier or can’t make his employee payroll.
5. The contractor presses for an instant decision.
6. The contractor has been slow on providing a written quote. This isn’t necessarily indicative of faulty workmanship, but it bears asking, “If it takes so long to get the bid, how long will the project take?”
7. The estimate is vague.
8. The contractor leads you into larger and larger commitments.
9. The contractor doesn’t give you references to contact.
In the end, listen to your common sense. If this is for an insurance claim, it always sounds great if a contractor promises to absorb your deductible, or “hide” additional work into the estimates so the unwitting adjuster pays for it. But what does that say about the contractor’s ethics, and how does that type of practice affect YOUR job? Will they do shoddy work and cover it with fancy wrapping? Will they bring other unscrupulous workers into your home with little regard to your safety and security?
Recreational vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. With a variety of makes and models, it makes it easier to find the perfect one for you. However, it’s still important not to ignore safety considerations when operating these vehicles.
ATV stands for all-terrain vehicle; these are typically for a single rider and can be referred to as four-wheelers or quads. ATVs also use handlebars and a thumb or twist throttle to accelerate. UTV stands for utility terrain vehicle. UTVs are designed with a cabin for two or four riders and can be referred to as a side-by-sides. These vehicles have a steering wheel and foot pedals.
Now that you understand the difference between the two, it’s time to talk about safety. If you’re looking to operate one of these vehicles, a safety course is a great starting point. Some states may require this depending on your age, but it’s not a bad idea regardless. I’m going to discuss a few safety tips that are beneficial when choosing to ride a recreational vehicle.
1. Invest in appropriate safety gear. This may include over the ankle boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, goggles, and one of the most important pieces of safety gear, a helmet. Be sure you know the laws in the area you’re riding; some states may require a helmet. Even if you’re using a seat belt in a UTV, a crash, collision, or rollover could still cause a head injury. You’ll want to be sure the helmet meets The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and/or SNELL safety standards. Riding gloves are another great idea to improve your grip and protect your hands while riding.
2. Buy the right unit for you. There are many different sized machines, and some are higher powered than others. Additionally, some have age requirements and a driver’s license may be required to operate. Check out the vehicle’s owner’s manual for this information to ensure you’re riding a machine meant for your size/age.
3. Fully understand the controls and parts of the ATV/UTV before you start it up. Never assume you know how to operate a machine you aren’t familiar with. Be sure to review the owner’s manual and take time to practice in a safe, level area so you’re completely comfortable with the machine before you go riding.
4. Understand the laws and regulations. It’s important to be sure you’re not doing anything illegal or jeopardizing long-term trail access for other riders. When you’re riding on public terrain there can be many other riders. Always be considerate of other riders; don’t stop in the middle of a trail or ride side by side as there could be oncoming traffic. Keep yourself and others safe while practicing good trail etiquette.
5. Respect the machine. While riding, you could be on rough terrain, hills, or water, or you could be out after dark. When operating an ATV uphill while seated, you’ll want shift into a lower gear, gently throttle to maintain momentum, and slide far enough forward to position your torso over the front wheels or handlebars. When going downhill, shift your weight to the rear, use a lower gear, and maintain a slower speed while braking gradually. If you’re going to cross water at any point, you’ll want to be sure you’re familiar with the depth of the water and if the machine can handle it. In case you end up out after dark, be sure your headlights are clean and working properly before you leave for the day.
Lastly, avoid driving too fast. While it may seem fun or, you may feel the need to keep up with other riders, this can be very dangerous. At high speeds you have less control, and an obstacle can appear much quicker with less warning. Turns are also more difficult at high speeds, and you could run into ruts, potholes, etc. that could become very dangerous. Always keep a safe, comfortable, controllable speed when operating these machines.
While there are many safety tips for riding ATVs and UTVs, these are just a few ways to help stay safe, and hopefully ensure riding remains a fun sport for all. If you own a recreational vehicle, contact your independent agent to be sure you have the correct coverage on your unit(s).
Associated Insurance Counselors 