The milder days of spring are a perfect time to do a thorough spring cleaning and perform home maintenance. After a long winter, it is a good idea to spend time on preventive measures to help maintain your home and property throughout the year. Tasks such as cleaning out your gutters, checking for dead trees and branches and cleaning and inspecting home mechanical and plumbing systems, such as heating and air conditioning equipment, can help make spring a season of safety.

Cleaning and maintenance of your home should be done inside and out. Although the tasks are different, checking to see if all the elements of your home are in good working order can help keep your family safe and your maintenance expenses lower over the long run.

Inside Your Home

Here are a few things inside your home that should be inspected to determine if they are in good condition:

Electrical Outlets and Cords: Check electrical outlets and cords throughout your home for any potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Extension cords and power strips are not designed to be permanent fixtures and should only be used on an interim basis.

Fire Extinguishers: Check your fire extinguisher at least once yearly, including the hose, nozzle and other parts to determine if they are in good condition and that the pressure gauge is in the “green” range. Check the expiration date. If necessary, move your fire extinguisher to an accessible place so that you can get to it easily in an emergency.

Air Conditioning: Check around the unit for indications of leaks. Before turning it on for the season, have your air-conditioning system inspected and tuned up by a professional. Check the drain lines annually and clean them if they are clogged. Change the air filter.

Water Heater: Check for leaks and corrosion. Check your owner’s manual for any recommended maintenance.

Furnace or Boiler: Have your furnace or boiler cleaned or inspected annually.

Under Sinks and Around Toilets: Look for any signs of leaks or corrosion on pipes, supply lines and fixtures.

Plumbing: Check exposed pipes and valves in your basement or crawl spaces, if safely accessible, for signs of leaking or corrosion.

Appliances: Check supply lines for washing machines, ice makers and water dispensers, refrigerators, and dishwashers for signs of leaks or wear and tear.

Plumbing for Hose Spigots and Irrigation Systems: After opening valves for outdoor water supplies, be sure to inspect components for leaks. Don’t forget to check inside plumbing as well as outdoor spigots.

Dryers: Dryer lint can build up inside the vent pipe and collect around the duct. Clean both the clothes dryer exhaust duct and the space under the dryer. Use a brush to clean out the vent pipe. Look for lint buildup around the lint trap and clean it as needed.

Smoke Detectors: Daylight savings time is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Inspect each smoke detector to determine if all are in working order, and make sure to test them monthly. Ideally, there should be at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home, including outside of each bedroom, and one within each bedroom itself.

Light bulbs: Check each light bulb in every fixture for the correct recommended wattage and replace any burned out bulbs.

Outside Your Home

The cold winter months can do damage to your house as well. Here are a few things outside your home that should be inspected to ensure they are in good condition:

Roof: Check for any damage from snow or ice, and make any necessary repairs to reduce the possibility of leaks. If you have a skylight, check outside for a buildup of leaves and debris. Also, check the indoor ceiling for signs of leaks. Remember to put safety first any time you are on a roof. If you have any doubt, leave it to the professionals.

Gutters: Clean leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts to keep water flowing and reduce the possibility of water damage.

Trees: Visually inspect trees for damage or rot, and remove (consider hiring a licensed professional) any dead trees that might blow over in heavy winds or during a storm. Keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires.

Lawn Equipment: Make sure lawn mowers, tractors and other equipment are tuned up before using. Store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.

Walkways and Driveways: Repair any cracks and broken or uneven surfaces to provide a safer, level walking area.

A little home maintenance in the spring can go a long way to help keep your home safe and secure throughout the rest of the year. We can help you protect your home within your budget and needs. Give Bassler & Co. Insurance Agency in Northbrook, Illinois a call at (847) 480-0800 or visit our website at http://www.basslerins.com/ to request your free home insurance policy review or your free home insurance quote! Source: https://www.travelers.com/resources/home/maintenance/spring-home-maintenance-tips

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes are violent: they can completely destroy well-made structures, uproot trees and hurl objects through the air like deadly missiles. Tornadoes can destroy buildings, flip cars, and create deadly flying debris. A tornado can:

• Happen anytime and anywhere.
• Bring intense winds, over 200 miles per hour.
• Look like funnels.

Although severe tornadoes are most common in the Plains States, they can happen anywhere. Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe. Here are some tips in preparing for a tornado before it happens:

• Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the Southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes.
• –          Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If your community has sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone.
• Pay attention to weather reports. Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado.
• Identify and practice going to a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room or basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Plan for your pet. They are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.
• Prepare for long-term stay at home or sheltering in place by gathering emergency supplies, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies and medication.

If you are under a tornado or severe weather warning:

• Go to NOAA Weather Radio and your local news or official social media accounts for updated emergency information. Follow the instructions of state, local and tribal officials.
• Go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
• Do not go under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
• Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• If you can’t stay at home, make plans to go to a public shelter.

Staying Safe During a Tornado

• Immediately go to a safe location that you have identified.
• Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
• Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around or on top of you.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle if you are in a car. If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building, cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible.

Staying Safe After a Tornado

• Pay attention to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local authorities for updated information.
• Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and continue to shelter in place.
• Wear appropriate gear during clean-up such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

Not having enough coverage can be just as traumatic as experiencing damage to your home and personal belongings. Take a few minutes to review your policy to make sure you have enough coverage. Speak with one of our agents about tornado coverage and any other questions you might have.

Review your personal property coverage. Over time, we buy, sell, and replace items in our homes. You’ll want to have enough coverage to repair or replace your personal property in case of damage to your home and belongings. Optional replacement cost coverage for your personal property allows you to replace or repair items that were damaged or destroyed based on current market prices.

Review replacement cost. Make sure your home has the right coverage to replace/repair your home. Will the amount on your policy cover the cost to completely rebuild your home? Please keep in mind that this is not the same amount as the value of your home in the real estate market. It is the actual cost, including labor and materials, to rebuild.

Contact Bassler & Co. Insurance Agency in Northbrook, Illinois to protect your home and add this coverage. We can provide coverage from many insurance carriers so you receive the insurance for your budget and needs! You can reach us by phone at  (847) 480-0800 or visit our website at http://www.basslerins.com/. Source: https://www.ready.gov/tornadoes#:~:text=Go%20to%20a%20safe%20shelter,in%20a%20low%2C%20flat%20location and https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html

Job site theft has become a rising concern for construction employers across the country—resulting in the loss of valuable equipment and materials. In fact, the latest research revealed that such theft currently accounts for an estimated $1 billion in annual costs throughout the construction sector. What’s more, overall losses related to construction site theft have jumped by nearly 10% every year for the past two decades. Further, as the prices of various building materials—namely, steel and lumber—continue to surge, job site theft is only expected to worsen within the construction industry. Yet, there are several measures that construction employers like you can implement to ensure job site security and minimize theft concerns. Consider these theft prevention tips:

• Implement effective security measures. Bolstering the security of your construction site can make it more difficult for potential thieves to access work equipment and materials, as well as deter them from attempting to steal these items altogether. Important job site security protocols include:
• Keeping the premises properly lit (especially during evening hours)
• Utilizing video surveillance throughout the premises
• Installing an alarm system that will sound in the event of a trespassing incident
• Posting signage that outlines premises security measures and emphasizes that trespassers will face consequences

• Utilize proper inventory protocols. In addition to enhancing construction site security protocols, it’s crucial to closely monitor all work equipment and materials. Doing so will allow you and your employees to better keep track of these items and easily notice if they go missing. As such, be sure to conduct regular inventory checks and maintain accurate records for all equipment and materials. Require employees to sign equipment in and out of a logbook during use and instruct them to store any equipment not being used in a secure location (e.g., a locked cabinet or fenced-off area). Also, keep in mind that thieves often target construction sites containing large piles or groupings of materials under the impression that it will be less noticeable when only a few items are stolen. That being said, try to avoid storing excess materials at the job site by having your suppliers conduct deliveries on an as-needed basis.
• Ensure frequent communication. Lastly, make sure to discuss the value of effective security and inventory procedures with your staff during routine construction site meetings. Recognize and reward employees who uphold these procedures. Additionally, ask your staff to provide regular updates regarding project progress, equipment needs and material usage. Having such frequent communication will show your employees that you take theft prevention seriously—motivating them to do the same.

If you need more information regarding job site safety and security, or need to request your free contractors insurance quote, contact Bassler & Co. Insurance Agency in Northbrook, Illinois. You can reach us by phone at (847) 480-0800 or online at http://www.basslerins.com/.

Source: www.zywave.com

Life is unpredictable. Of course, you already know this. But have you considered all the risks you currently face? Distracted drivers. People using social media to expose others’ dirty laundry. Teen drivers, carpools, pets, parties, and even your occasional housekeeper are all examples of everyday risks.

Our society is also more litigious than ever, and lawsuits are commonplace. So, it isn’t a question of whether something unexpected will happen, it’s really a question of when, and how bad it will be.

Many people only carry $100,000 of liability coverage. It sounds like a lot of money, and it is! But, when you’re talking about serious injury, especially if multiple people are involved, $100,000 doesn’t go very far when you consider medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, emotional distress, residual pain and scarring, and more.

Here’s the scary question: what happens if someone gets hurt and you don’t have enough insurance?

That’s why umbrella insurance is so important!

If you’re like many people, you’ve never heard of umbrella insurance. Simply put, it adds an extra $1 million, or more, of coverage above your existing policies. It gives you greater peace of mind and protects you against life’s unexpected surprises.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be sued like it.

Umbrella coverage isn’t just for high earners. It’s for everyone, especially if you:

• Own a home
• Have regular income
• Have retirement savings and other assets to protect
• Entertain guests in your home
• Have a teenage driver
• Host sleepovers, children’s parties, carpool children or allow your teen to babysit
• Serve on a volunteer board or participate in your HOA
• Use social media
• Own rental properties
• Travel outside the U.S.
• Own a watercraft, RV, snowmobile, ATV, golf cart or other “toy”
• Have pets
• Own firearms or other recreational weapons

How many of these apply to your life? Each one increases your liability and your need for a risk assessment with an independent agent. Understanding your risk helps you better protect yourself and your family.

What if your home or auto insurance doesn’t cover a loss?

Were you aware that home and auto insurance doesn’t protect you against every type of liability?

Consider these two hypothetical scenarios:

You hear a juicy piece of gossip about one of your neighbors. You share it with your closest friends at a neighborhood BBQ and swear them to silence. Of course, as gossip often does, it gets back to this person. You get sued for slander, but many homeowners policies don’t cover slander.

Or,

You’ve saved the money to go on a romantic vacation to Europe. Instead of taking a tour, you decide to rent a car and see all the major sights on your own timeline. Unfortunately, you forget to drive on the other side of the road and cause a collision and someone is hurt – but your auto policy doesn’t cover you while you’re outside the U.S. or Canada.

In both these hypothetical scenarios, a Safeco umbrella policy may have provided coverage to protect you even though there was no coverage from the primary homeowners or auto insurance (subject to policy limitations and conditions, of course). It might also help with the attorney fees!

The bottom line: a Safeco personal umbrella policy could help protect you from a variety of risks when the unexpected happens.

Peace of mind costs less than you think.

Without an umbrella policy, your assets, savings, and even your future income could be at risk if you are held legally responsible for a claim. For about the cost of a dollar a day, umbrella coverage offers an affordable way to prepare for the unpredictable.

For more information regarding umbrella insurance or to request your free no-obligation umbrella insurance quote, contact Bassler & Co. Insurance Agency in Northbrook, Illinois. You can reach us by phone at (847) 480-0800 or visit our website at http://www.basslerins.com/.

Source:  https://www.safeco.com/blog/why-you-need-umbrella-insurance