Dog Bite Prevention Week

Today barks the beginning of National Dog Bite Prevention Week in which we aim to educate people with simple ways on avoiding a bad encounter with these furry friends. We all know dogs are loving, loyal, protective animals but they also need to be taken care of and respected. Our main goal is to make sure we can all give some good belly scratches with no rough play necessary.

Here are a few ways to prevent negative encounters:

  • Be respectful of every dog, always ask if you can pet some else’s dog
  • Let a dog sniff you first, it’s their way of ensuring you’re a human who wants to pet them and not a threatening predator
  • Never disturb a dog when they are eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or nurturing their little ones
  • Keep an eye on small children, teach them proper ways to approach and pet any dog
  • If you notice aggressive behavior, keep your distance
  • Always have your dog on a leash, even if he’s a good boy

If you are the owner, remember to take your furry friend to regular check-ups.

These tips were found on AmericanHumane.org, check them out for more information.

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National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

100-yards, 300 feet or the length of a football field, is the distance one can travel without looking at the road because they were distracted on their cellphone. On a typical day, more than 700 people are critically injured due to distracted driving.

Talking or texting on a phone – even if it’s hands-free – diverts attention away from the road and the potential to save a life.  Many companies have started campaigns asking people to take a pledge and commit to making our roads safer for everyone. We invite you to join us in a commitment to drive with no distractions, because all it takes is 100-yards, 300 feet or the length of a football field.

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Spring Cleaning Tips

As winter comes to an end and we prepare for spring to bloom, many people take this time to do some house cleaning in preparation with a nice little tune.

We would like to give you some tips on making this process a breeze, it’ll make your home look good by getting rid of the dust but it might make you sneeze.

So take on this task and prepare yourself well, here is the list to make this season go swell.

  • Create a list of all the rooms and the items that need to be taken care of in each, regardless of where you start just make sure you finish one room before moving on to the next
  • De-clutter before sanitizing or dusting as an organized room, pantry or closet compels the mind to continue cleaning and eliminates unnecessary stress
  • Always work from top to bottom, especially if removing cobwebs or dusting ceiling fans. And before vacuuming, clean table/counter tops to knock dust off
  • Eliminate the germs that ruled during winter by washing curtains in hot water, replacing shower curtains and sanitizing light switches, sink handles, remote controls and soap pumps as the hand touches that before getting washed!
  • Don’t forget about your air filters and air ducts which build up dust and are the entryway for unwanted outdoor allergies

We hope this makes your spring cleaning a little easier, let us know your tips and tricks.

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Energy Saving Tips

As winter begins its descent into spring and we begin to plan our family vacations, we would like to provide you with some helpful energy saving tips for the tail end of these cold days.

  • Take advantage of the sun during the day and open the curtains to allow natural light and heat to enter
  • Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature that you can tolerate and only increase heat when you go to sleep to save on your heating bill
  • Layer clothing and use weighted blankets to stay warm instead of running heating system
  • Use blackout curtains to help block the flow of cold air from entering your home

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Emergency Claim Assistance

If you are experiencing a claims emergency during our closed office hours, please call our after-hours claims line immediately at 1-866-926-2142. A claims representative will contact you and explain the process so that we can resolve the situation as soon as possible. If you have more questions about our claims process or how to file, visit our website at https://www.westernmutual.com/claims

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Do I Have Homeowners Insurance or Warranty?

Many people wonder who to call if something happens to their home that needs to be assessed, inspected or repaired due to damage. However, what company to call is the most important to know since home warranty is completely different then homeowner’s insurance.

A simple way to describe it is that your insurance company such as Western Mutual protects your home from things that MIGHT happen. This includes things like fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters except earthquake and flooding as not all homes are susceptible to those perils.

Home warranty on the other hand is optional and protects you from baring the entire expense of repairing or replacing home appliances and system components in the event that they break down. As stated, home warranty is optional and protects you, while home insurance protects your property from potential hazards.

We hope this helped you out for any future occurrences.

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Simple Ways to Prevent Losses

According to the Insurance Information Institute’s latest report about 1 in every 50 homes will file an insurance claim each year. The two reasons topping the chart as the most common losses are wind plus hail and water damage, followed by property damage and theft.  Some losses may be at least partially preventable.

We would like to provide some tips and info on how you could potentially avoid a claim in the coming year.

  • Check all water line connections; this includes appliances in your kitchen, bathroom, wash room and outside hose attachments
  • Inspect all drainage and vents of your home, make sure to sweep out and flush exterior gutters, degrease and clean range hoods as well as unclogging sink/tub drains monthly
  • Trim trees around the home that could potentially cause damage to the siding of your roof, upkeep your lawn and check the sprinkler system
  • Check exterior home for areas that show cracks or need to be repainted and refinished as needed
  • Inspect roof for loose or missing shingles, hire a licensed contractor to repair any damage and keep proof of completed work
  • Install a Wi-Fi Water Detector.  Wi-Fi Water Detectors, particularly those that automatically shut off the water supply to your home if they detect inconsistency in the flow of water, may reduce – or even eliminate – significant water leaks.  We have partnered with FLO Technologies to offer you half off a FLO by Moen device – with free installation!  Visit www.meetflo.com/western-mutual for more information.  If you elect to use another Wi-Fi Water Detection System with automatic water shutoff, we will reimburse you up to $200 for the cost of the system. You may also be eligible for a policy discount when you install a Wi-Fi Water Detection system.

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