Prevention Tips
7 tips to help prevent theft during the holidays
“We live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.” – Buzz McCallister, Home Alone (more…)
Deep fry your turkey with a side of safety
For the perfect holiday dinner, casseroles and cranberries, stuffing and sweet potatoes are all crowd favorites. But turkey is still the start of the culinary show. Of course,...
Earthquakes can happen anywhere. Are you ready?
People living in earthquake-prone areas are generally more aware of earthquake safety than others. Consider California and its history of earthquakes, for instance. Awareness of the risk is...
Halloween hacks that protect against rental property nightmares
So, you’ve done the hard part and purchased a rental property. You’ve bought deadbolts, security devices, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to keep your tenants safe. You’ve also...
Light the holidays with cheer: Christmas tree safety tips
Many of us take our cheerful Christmas tree traditions seriously. It’s the place we gather, the protector of presents, the holiday home of ornamental memories. When brightly lit,...
Fire Prevention Week: 12 tips to prevent kitchen fires
Did you know that October 8-14 is National Fire Prevention week? While it may not be something you’re going to actually celebrate, it’s a great time to refresh...
10 safety tips to follow during Halloween
The apples have been bobbed, the pumpkins carved, the cobwebs hung, and the spooky movies survived (barely). Halloween. It’s one of the most anticipated nights of the year...
Prevent home water damage with these 3 devices
Walking into your home and seeing unexpected puddles of water pooling on the floor, or water leaking from the ceiling, can be a nightmare. Water damage is devastating...
Rethink the word “valuables”
Cash and jewelry aren’t the only items on thief’s must-have list. There are a lot of “soft” targets you may not have considered, too. Check out this list...
7 smart devices to protect your home
Keeping your home safe these days goes way beyond guard dogs, spotlights and deadbolts. Smart devices help you control access and keep an eye on things from anywhere...
Safety first: 5 tips for a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend
Barbeques, fireworks, bonfires, boating and long days in the sun are just some of the many ways millions of Americans celebrate Labor Day weekend. Whether they be traveling...
9 tips to help you prepare for a wildfire
Wildfires happen quickly. Sometimes it's only a matter of seconds from spark to blaze. And once a fire begins, it can spread at a rate of up to...
5 window safety tips
Everyone loves a warm summer breeze coming in from the window. Maybe you’re working or relaxing, or simply enjoying the nice weather. However, it’s always important to remember...
Your collector car & hurricanes: What you should know
August and September are prime months for hurricanes. Your state’s emergency management agency, or the local Red Cross office, can provide detailed emergency planning information for your life...
Start grilling with 6 safety tips
Sunburns are part of summer. Grill and fire burns shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, an average 8,800 backyard grill outs a year are involved in a home fire—that’s according to...
Help protect your home with fire-resistant landscaping
Californians are no strangers to wildfires. In 2019 alone, 8,194 wildfires burned 259,148 acres in the Golden State, according to the Insurance Information Institute. With that in mind,...
Hurricane safety kit
The heart of hurricane season is approaching. Are you ready? Preparation is key to staying safe and protecting your property. Here are some ideas to help your planning...
Detect home emergencies with these 5 devices
You work hard to protect your house, but you can’t be expected to detect every danger that threatens it. What if you’re out of the house when a fire...
Don’t let your bonfire go up in smoke with these 6 tips
Whether you’re roasting marshmallows at the campground or hanging out with friends in your backyard, bonfires are a fun way to keep warm and socialize. But fire is...
4th of July safety guide
The 4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can create dangerous situations. Keep these...
Check all your boxes with our insurance checklist
We know how life can get, so we totally get how easy it is to forget to update your home insurance policies when things change. But don’t worry!...
Dos and don’ts to safeguarding your home while on vacation
“We live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.” – Buzz McCallister, Home Alone This...
Prepare your pool for child safety
Now that summer is in full swing, it’s likely that you and your kids are spending a lot of time cooling off by the pool. Here are some...
5 steps to deter motorcycle theft
Summer is motorcycle riding season but also bike theft season. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, of all thefts, less than half are recovered. The NICB study indicates...
11 safety tips every pool owner should know
Days are getting longer, temps are rising, schools are closing. For people who own pools and hot tubs, that means two things: more time in the water, and...
5 things to know before you get back on the water
Summer is right around the corner—and that means it’s time to take the boat out of winter storage. Although there will always be risks, some marine losses can...
Spring flood protection: How to secure your home
While it's true that spring rains are great for new plant growth – which is a welcome sight after a long winter – some storms are capable of...
5 steps to cut your water heating bills
Did you know that heating water for your faucets, showers and appliances can consume up to 20% of your home’s energy? That’s a big slice of any homeowner’s...
12 tips to prevent kitchen fires
Burning dinner can be something to laugh about. A burning kitchen? Not so much. More fires start in the kitchen than in any room of the house.1 Which...
Heat up Valentine’s Day without burning down your home
Candles and romance go hand in hand on Valentine’s Day, but what starts as a warm glow could escalate into a dangerous fire. Although candles account for a...
How much snow can your roof handle?
With winter weather fast approaching, you might be expecting quite a bit of snow on your roof. The question: Can your roof handle it? The answer: It depends....
7 ways to stay safe while snowmobiling
If you’re lucky enough to live in a winter wonderland, hitting the trails on your snowmobile is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. However, snowmobiles are fast...
10 tips for space heater safety
Space heaters are pretty popular for a reason. When the furnace is on the fritz or when heating the whole house simply costs too much, they can take...
Beat the deep freeze: How to prevent frozen pipes
Freezing temperatures. Whiteout storms. Icy roads. And, worst of all, frozen pipes. You can’t do much about winter’s “wonderland,” but you can take steps to keep your pipes...
End-of-the-year insurance checklist
At the end of each year, we are whisked through a series of holiday celebrations, all leading up to the most contemplative day of the year: New Year’s...
How to keep your home (and Santa) safe from a chimney fire
The tradition of Santa Claus entering people’s homes through the chimney goes back to pre-Christian times when European folklore characters were believed to use the chimney to deliver...
9 Christmas tree pet safety tips
If you have seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you probably recall the tragic scene where Clark goes into the living room to find the string lights on the Christmas...
How not to be gobbled up by Thanksgiving Day fiascos
So, you’ve offered to host Thanksgiving this year. Hats off to you! Now for the fun part…a long list of holiday to-dos like braving the grocery store, ordering...
6 wildfire evacuation preparation tips
While wildfire season often occurs during the summer, a wildfire could start at any time if the conditions are right. With how unpredictable and fast the wildfires are, surviving begins...
Safety tips to keep in mind this Labor Day
Labor Day is all about having fun in the sun and spending time with family and friends. But vacant homes, fireworks, grills, and even the sun can pose...
Wildfire emergency evacuation checklist
During an emergency, there may be little or no time to think about what you need to do. This checklist is designed to help you prepare and respond...
Create a five-foot buffer to help protect your home from wildfires
People living in California are keenly familiar with the risk of wildfire. Of the 4.5 million U.S. homes at high or extreme risk, more than 2 million of...
7 safety tips for pet owners during hurricane season
Let’s be real, if a situation is dangerous for you, it’s going to be dangerous for your pets too. This is especially true during hurricane season. Hurricanes, as...
Smart thermostats: Heat-beaters and money-savers
Summer’s here and temperatures are on the rise. If you’re looking for new ways to beat the heat, a smart thermostat might be the right solution: It can...
Mid-year insurance checklist
With the year halfway through, summer is the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on the past few months. Take this opportunity to evaluate any...
11 tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays
It’s likely you are revving up for this holiday season’s festivities with as much spirit and drive as Santa himself. You’ve found the perfect tree. The holiday bins...
Keep grilling safe this 4th of July
4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can also create dangerous situations. This week,...
Red, white, and burnt: 4th of July sun safety
The 4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can also create dangerous situations. This...
Secure your home this 4th of July
4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can also create dangerous situations. This week,...
4 tips to keep 4th of July fireworks safe and fun
4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can also create dangerous situations. This week,...
Are you a new landlord? You’ll benefit from having a team of pros help you
Owning a rental property is an investment in your financial future, and managing it is a business. The temptation to save some money by doing everything yourself is...
6 simple steps can help minimize your exposure to wildfires
Wildfire risk used to be seasonal, but in many states, it is now a year-round risk. Brush and forest fires cause extensive damage every year, and it’s not...
11 safety tips to follow during Halloween
The apples have been bobbed, the pumpkins are carved, the cobwebs are hung, and the spooky movie marathon has been viewed, leading up to one of the most...
Stay free (from danger!) this 4th of July.
The 4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can create dangerous situations. The final...
