D.I.Y Car Wash

It’s probably been weeks since you last washed your car, maybe even moved it. And on top of that your go to car wash place may be closed but you now have all the time to do it yourself. Here are some D.I.Y tips on how to get your car sparkly clean as if just came out of the wash tunnel;

  1. Start by cleaning the inside of your car first, vacuuming mats, seats and trunk. To maintain a fresh scent place dryer sheets under each floor mat for a continuous clean smell
  2. Don’t have any Armor-All to wipe the dashboard? No worries, mix equal parts water and baby oil and add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Spray onto paper towels and watch your interior shine
  3. When cleaning your window’s run a piece of lemon across the glass first, it will remove dried tree sap, sticky fingerprints and much more. Then apply your window cleaner and wipe away with newspaper for a streak free shine
  4. Foggy head lights? Squeeze some toothpaste onto a moist rag and rub onto headlight vigorously, then just wash away
  5. Use the same mixture you made for your tires for a nice glossy finish
  6. Try to wash your car in a shaded area and wash it in sections, this will allow you time to wipe it down properly and avoid getting dried water marks from the sun

We hope these tips and tricks help you getting that car looking like new again!

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Western Mutual Website

Did you know?

That on the Western Mutual website you can request, resolve or view many of the documents and/or questions you had in regards to your policy. That’s right! No more delay of waiting on hold or having to memorize a phone number. Simply visit the website and you can have access to view your coverages, pay your premium, request a change or even ask to suspend coverage all with a click of a button.

Online you’ll find many resources available to you as well like our Frequently Asked (FAQ) page with several common concerns, answered right on your screen. You can even check our media page with weekly informative blogs.

Visit www.Westernmutual.com and let us know what you think.

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Weekend Grill Hacks

A long holiday weekend calls for some good BBQ and tasty grilled food.

The following are some grill hacks for an enjoyable, safe and yummy time:

  1. Forget using expensive cleaners to wash off your grill grate, simply cut an onion and rub across each rung. The acidity will cut though residual grease and actually leave the flavor for whatever your grilling
  2. Use your empty paper egg cartons to place your coals in for a charcoal fire, this will act as your fire starter and allows you to recycle items you would have disposed of anyway
  3. If kebabs are on the menu, soak the skewers in water for at least 15 – 30 minutes before using to avoid them getting burned on the grill and breaking off when you lift them up to eat
  4. Checking propane tank levels has never been easier, heat up some water (not boiling but warm) and run down the side of a cooled tank, then run your hand down that same side…where you feel that the tank goes from warm to cold will show you the level of propane left. Please remember to do this before turning on the tank for grilling.

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How to Save and Make Money During COVID-19

Thousands of new job opportunities have come from the Covid-19 pandemic, ranging from the medical field to your local pizza shop. But during this time there are other ways one can also save some money without leaving their home. We would like to share some opportunities available to you, whether you’re looking to make or save money.

Local grocery stores and restaurants are seeking to hire several employees to fulfill positions immediately, ideal for someone who would like to continue working.

With most things being closed and more time on your hands, save some money by getting a quote on your homeowner’s insurance and allowing us to provide you excellent service at a competitive low rate.

Food banks, churches and local governments have gathered to offer residents help by providing produce bags, financial assistance and telecom support for those who seek therapy or medical advice.

Take this time to “spring clean” and set aside items that you no longer use or need and that are in good condition which can be sold in a yard-sale or online app once the shelter-at-home order is lifted.

If you have any ideas or recommendations on how to save or make money during this time, make sure to share it with us.

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Preventing Kitchen Fires

According to the American Red Cross, kitchen fires are the leading cause for structure damage and/or total loss. Research based on property claims show that fires are more likely to start in your kitchen than any other room and 90% of them are preventable.

As a preferred homeowners insurance company we know that dealing with this is not only stressful but tragic. We would like to provide you with some tips on ways to prevent and avoid ever having to deal with this situation:

  • Check your smoke alarms regularly and change batteries every year
  • Never leave your stove top unattended as 40% of all kitchen fires occurred while food was still in the pot/pan
  • Always heat oil, water or any substance slowly and be vigilant of your heat controls
  • Never put hot oil or fatty liquids in water as it will make thick smoke and can cause damage to surrounding areas
  • Keep appliances and flammable products such as lighters, cartons, etc. away from the stove top
  • Always use your air vent to help heat and smoke escape safely
  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and check expiration date on it
  • If a grease fire starts, do NOT attempt to put it out with water, this will combust and become a very dangerous situation. Instead, cover the flames with a metal lid or cookie sheet, turn off the heat.  If you can’t cover it, dump a cup or more of baking soda on it.

We hope these tips were useful in helping you prevent such a devastating situation. For more information visit redcross.org/homefires

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Homeschooling 101

In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis another crisis has arisen for parents who now have children staying home due to school closures.  Many parents are struggling to find ways to keep their children occupied with school work and activities. The following are some tips for parents who are either working from home or the stay – at – home spouses who need to fill in time.

For the stay at home parents that remember having a kid-free morning and afternoon, we present the following advice to help you get through your day;

  • Use their school routine as a framework for the day. Start with breakfast per usual and set aside lunch and snacks so that they’re already done when they come to you saying that they’re hungry
  • Help them in doing their school work in the morning when they have the most energy, remember that they are not being bothered by other students or unnecessary distractions so they can focus and potentially finish assignments faster
  • Do not skip out on recess or breaks (this is when they can use their phones or watch T.V.), for your sake and theirs
  • Break up the monotony of school work and have them help you cook dinner, take this opportunity to show them measurements, heating temperatures for foods and how to operate and clean appliances

For the parents that have to work from home during this time, allow them to treat their school work like a job. When you are working, they work, and when you take your break then so will they. If they need help with their work, have them mark the question and during your next available break you will show them how to solve the problem. For smaller children that do not go to school, educational resources and videos are offered online.

We hope these tips allow you to have a more planned and executed day and remember to practice proper hand washing for a healthy a safe homeschooling.

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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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