Water Safety

WM-Pool-Time_5.22.19Warmer weather brings with it an excuse to take a dip into a pool, ocean or lake! In addition to brushing up on swim safety, having family members trained in CPR can be crucial in the event of an unlikely emergency. You should also to be vigilant against unwelcomed pests and mosquitos lurking near pools of standing water around your home or outdoor space. Walking, not running, around wet/damp areas is always a good way to prevent injury to family and friends. Using paper or plastic drinkware around the pool or deck areas will eliminate the risk of broken glass and related potential injuries. Finally, maintaining a buddy system is critical in helping prevent avoidable water accidents at home or elsewhere.

Remember to have fun & be safe!

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Spring Savings Home Maintenance

Take advantage of the longer daylight hours this springtime and tackle some much-needed home upkeep!  Our homes are often our biggest investment, so routine maintenance should be performed to keep it happy and healthy. Open up your windows, “Marie Kondo” (clean out) your closets and show your house a little love, both inside and out! A plan could be to start outside and work your way inward. Rake away leaves and clear debris to see if your home is in good condition or has any cracks around its foundation. Be proactive and catch problem spots before they present issues in the future. Also, be sure to check pipes, heater/AC lines, dryer vents and windows as these can all allot for unnecessary wasted utilities which can present a cost savings for you, the homeowner! Happy Spring cleaning to you!

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Rain Safety Tips

With all of the rain that we’ve been getting this year, we thought it was important to share some rain safety tips with you. Check out the list below to prepare your home for heavy rainfall, if you haven’t already:

  • Check your roof for missing tiles or coverage issues and fix it accordingly
  • Clean your rain gutters/eaves as if they are not cleared, rain water will begin to pool, causing damage
  • Make sure your downspouts are pointing away from your foundation as even minor water intrusions can cause mold and foundation issues
  • Store outdoor furniture, barbeques, and valuables in waterproof sheds or coverings
  • Close windows and doors to prevent from water intrusion
  • Finally, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage(s)

Visit our website or call us at 877-968-8825 to learn more about our coverages and what you can add on to your policy! Just one click could save you money on home insurance for you and your family!

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Fire Claims Video

These real-life claims, from families in Middletown, CA and Coffey Park, CA, were processed and completed with love, care and dedication. Thank you to our valued agents, adjusters and the talented contractors who made these stories end on a positive note.  We thank you for letting us protect you and your home and look forward to offering continued quality service in the years to come!

Fire Preparedness

In honor of the recent deadly fires that ravaged Southern California, we kindly remind you to brush up on your fire safety preparedness tips. Check out a Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist created by the Red Cross. We have created a video highlighting how Western Mutual has helped our customers rebuild in the face of destruction and will share it with you in the coming weeks! Be sure to check back soon! We thank you for letting us protect you and your home!

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Heater Safety

Heater safety is important to follow at home. This winter season, and all year long for that matter, be sure to remain vigilant and follow safety recommendations. If your home does not have a heater unit, Do NOT use the stove as a heat source. Instead, use extra blankets, dress in layers, light a fire in your fireplace or use a portable space heater. Note that you should not leave children unattended near a space heater and the units should never be placed on top of furniture or near water. In fact, keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture or drapes. Remember to always have a chemical fire extinguisher handy, working smoke alarms and up-to-date carbon monoxide detector.

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Cold Weather Prep

It is beginning to look a lot like winter!  In order to prepare you and your families for cooler weather, we have created a cold weather checklist! Check it out below and please add any ones we missed in the comments below!

  • Close off unneeded rooms and place towels or rugs over cracks under the doors to keep the warm air in and cool air out
  • If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a good supply of firewood that can keep you and your family warm in the event of power outages
  • Have flashlights and batteries available for blackouts and avoid using candles as they can become a fire hazard
  • Provide shelter for pets and the elderly
  • Bring plants inside to protect them from the elements
  • Use blackout curtains as they prevent heat loss
  • Reverse your ceiling fans to make them spin clockwise and create an updraft that pushes warm air around the room without creating a wind chill
  • Clean the gutters off of your roof as when clogged, rain and melted snow can cause leaks and damage to your home’s infrastructure
  • Maintain tree limbs and brush because wind, rain, snow and ice can cause them to break and fall

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Thanksgiving Day Fire Safety

Did you know that the greatest number of home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day? According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top causes range from leaving equipment unattended and having a heat source too close to flammable materials to misuse of products and accidentally leaving cooking equipment on. This week, please be mindful of this information and remain aware of what can happen if appliances turned on and left unattended.

We wish you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

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Rainy Season

Rainy season is just around the corner and there are some tasks we all need to add to our fall to-do list in order to be ready for the upcoming winter season! When is the last time you cleaned out your rain gutters? What about checked for signs of leakage in your home from the foundation or roof area? Are windows sealed, preventing warm air from escaping and cool air from entering? Do you have sandbags on hand to help protect your home in a downpour? When is the last time someone inspected your heater for carbon monoxide emissions to prevent deadly gasses from circulating in your home?

It looks like we all have our work cut out for us! Please share any tips and tricks or things we have missed in the comments below! Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

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Great ShakeOut

Established ten years ago, the Great American ShakeOut has encouraged children, adults and the community to be aware of new earthquake safety procedures! Today, millions of California residents will practice how to Drop, Cover & Hold On! Living in California, we have a greater risk of earthquakes…but it is smart for everyone to know what to do in the event of an earthquake.

Earthquakes can happen instantly and without warning. Do you know what to do? For example, if you are indoors, you should DROP to the ground, take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or furniture, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops! Additional safety tips can be found at Ready.gov and ways to participate in this day can be found at The Great American ShakeOut website.

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