Owning a home is no small feat and maintaining a safe one can feel like a full time job.  While many take the steps to secure their home from intruders, pest and weather…there are some hazards that exist within the walls that you call home. Here are 5 hidden dangers that you may have overlooked;

1. Accidental fires. In 2018, there were more than 363,000 house fires which could have been prevented or contained. From an unattended candle, to an iron that was left plugged in…house fires cause the most severe damage. Steps that one can take to avoid this situation include updating and checking smoke alarms annually, purchasing a fire extinguisher and checking appliances and making sure all candles are put out before leaving the room.
2. Carbon monoxide.  Exposure to this can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and in severe cases death. Carbon monoxide is virtually impossible to detect by smell so installing a CO2 detector can help out with that. Along with installing your monitor, have your HVAC systems professionally inspected for any leaks or ruptures.
3. Choking Hazards. Choking was the fourth leading cause of death in 2015 and a majority of the 5000 cases could have been prevented.  Keep an eye out for toys, small parts or cords that kids may want to pick up.  Make sure to cut up food in small portions.  Monitor playtime and whereabouts of children at all times, especially if you have a pool, trampoline, etc.
4. Infected cuts. Remember to store sharp kitchen tools in higher drawers and always point knives, forks or sharp objects downward in a drying rack.  Ensure your trashcan is closed properly so that kids don’t find sharp scraps.  Put away yard tools to avoid any type of injury or wound.
5. Store medications properly and as recommended by label.  Never leave paint or chemicals easily accessible or in a room that has drastic temperature changes.  And last but not least, put your detergent in a secured location.

We hope these suggestions ensure you create a safe and happy home.

Lush green gardens make for a peaceful escape, but growing plants can be harder than it seems.  Here are some tips for planting the perfect indoor garden that is sure to bring some aesthetic and harmony to your home.

• Opt to grow plants that do well in low light or no sunlight. These plants include, succulents, aloes, pothos and bamboo.
• Rather than choosing blooming plants, go for evergreens like the ones named above. Not only are they low maintenance but help purify the air too.
• No space to put a pot? Install floating shelves in rooms where space is limited.
• Buy water globes for your plant, this makes watering your plant easy and hassle free

As our kids return to school this year, back to school shopping may be a little different. The good news though is that you may be saving yourself some money and helping out the economy at the same time. According to an article by ABC7, most schools will be distance teaching but projects and homework will still be on the agenda. So what does this mean? Students will still have to go school shopping for supplies and prepare their binder for another school year. However, being that they are at home it may not be necessary to go clothes shopping…at least for now.

It’s also important to keep them on a regular schedule even with distance learning. Students are asked to treat each day as a regular school day and participate in virtual sessions. As a parent, they recommend creating a designated homework spot for them and to do regular check-ups each day on progress and learning.

For more tips and hacks on your kids back to school year visit

abc7.com/back-to-school-hacks-school-shopping-parenting

With a little over a month left to enjoy our hot summer weekends, make the most of your grilling time!  As a staple of any backyard get-together, the BBQ grill serves food, smiles and memories.  Here are some safety tips for a safe and memorable gathering. Happy Grilling!

On this day in 1930 one of America’s greatest heroes was born.  Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neil Armstrong would make history as the first person to walk on the moon. His love for aerospace began as a college student studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University. Armstrong’s mission was to be part of NASA and that dream became true in the spring of 1966 when he was accepted into the astronaut corps which prepped him for his missions into space. Three years later, Neil and his fellow Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin were the first men to ever walk the moon’s surface. 51 years later and their mission still remains one of the most iconic moments in our history.  With the latest successful launch and splashdown of SpaceX and NASA, it’s a great time for our space exploration.  Next stop, Mars!

Western Mutual and Arizona Home Insurance invite you to review your experience with us and give feedback online via Yelp, Google or Clearsurance, or directly to us at direct@westernmutual.com. With over 75 years in business we know that our word of mouth growth and many years of service were made possible by our policyholders and we want to hear from you!  We thank you in advance for taking the time to do so and hope that we meet your expectations each and every time you call.

Happy Friday!

The weekend is here and today is the last day of July, making it a perfect time to complete our end of the month checklist just so that you know things are in order.

Here are 5 things you can do to ensure a better month ahead:

• Reconcile your accounts, make sure you have set aside what will be due and determine what you can save or spend
• Check the oil and tire pressure levels of your car
• Complete inventory of items you need or want to purchase for the following month, for example things like laundry detergent, trash bags, pet food and kitchen pantry supplies
• Test batteries on smoke/CO2 detectors throughout your home
• Empty out your recyclables and help clean the planet while getting paid to do it

Let us know what’s on your end of the month to do list.

It may seem impossible or even pointless to try and plan out your morning routine, but researchers from the Monash University in Australia discovered that waking up early with goals set in mind actually makes you a happier than normal person.

A small study that took place over a six-week period ended with some interesting results. It turns out that early birds are usually more energetic throughout the day and actually accomplish more goals than their counterparts accomplish.

The study also found that those who woke up early and had a morning routine turned out to not only feel healthier but also actually be healthier both physically and psychologically.

If you’re looking for help creating the perfect morning routine, here are some tips;

1. Set an early time that you will wake up at every morning, avoid hitting snooze and try to stretch it out as you’re getting up.
2. Drink a glass of water! Blurry vision, headaches, body soreness and drowsiness can all be signs of morning dehydration and can clear up almost instantly with water.
3. Practice saying some daily affirmations.  “Today is a good day”, “I am in charge of how I feel and today I feel happiness”, and “I don’t sweat the small stuff” are great examples of positive daily affirmations to start the day off right.
4. Depending on time, either do a workout or hit the shower. Allowing your body to get blood flow pumping and senses alert helps your body and mind wake up and prepare for the day.

So, no matter how you start off your day…we hope this advice enables you to create and build your perfect morning.

Did you know?

That according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) Americans eat an average of 20 billion hot dogs a year. Placing second on the list of favorite foods to eat (hamburgers being first), especially if it’s a holiday weekend.

So much so, that on the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend it is estimated billions of dollars’ worth of hot dogs will be sold in the city of New York alone!

Being not only one of the most popular foods but profitable ones as well.

So light up that BBQ while you keep calm and grill on.

With summer in full effect and longer daylight hours allowing for more bonding time with our fur babies, we must remember that the higher temperatures also means a higher risk of them becoming overheated.

Please remember that pets do not sweat the same way humans do and can easily become dehydrated and exhausted. Avoiding this is simple and easy if we remember the 4 S’s of pet care during these dog days of summer.

Shade and water- Probably the most important of all to make sure our furry companions can cool off properly

Signs of Exhaustion- Include panting, wobbly legs and drooling, so keep an eye out for this

Sunscreen or Shoes – Believe it or not, pets get sunburns and blisters too. This is more common in light colored coats and pets with bigger paws.  Especially avoid walking on dark surfaces such as asphalt in extreme heat

Schedule your walks- Taking them out earlier in the day or once the sun is down is ideal not only for you but for them

And one last thing, don’t forget the snacks.