Residential
Your guide to winter maintenance
Winter tends to ignore the calendar. Slush, sleet, frost and freezing temps can show up early, stay late and be extra hard on any home. Get ahead of...
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,...
5 easy steps to help winterize your home
Winter is right around the corner, follow these 5 simple home winterization steps to help save money and energy. (more…)
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...
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...
Your guide to fall home maintenance
Pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, haunted houses, apple picking—fall is full of outdoor fun. It’s also a sign that colder weather is on the way. As you head...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
The ultimate lake house safety guide
Nothing screams summer like packing up the car and heading down to the lake house. Living by the water provides a constant source of entertainment. But while swimming,...
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!...
Your guide to summer maintenance
The first day of summer is almost here! Time to start tackling some those home care projects on your list. Home improvement stores are full of warm-weather ideas...
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...
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...
Pet tips for apartment living
According to the LA Times, more than 70% of apartment renters own pets, with cats and dogs being the most popular types. Regardless of whether you’re a cat-...
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...
Your guide to spring maintenance
After this cold and gray winter, you’re surely looking forward to brighter days, spring blooms, and lots of sunshine. With warmer temperatures approaching, it’s time to gear up...
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...
6 advantages of manufactured homes
As housing prices continue to increase, many homebuyers are expanding their search beyond traditional houses. Manufactured homes present a viable option for potential homeowners. They’ve come a long...
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...
Tie-downs are crucial for manufactured homes
Tie-downs are crucial when it comes to the safety of any manufactured home. Because manufactured homes are very lightweight, strong winds are more likely to get under and...
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....
Why skirting is a must for manufactured homes
When choosing a manufactured home that fits your style and needs, it’s important to remember to buy and install the skirting. Not only is the skirting used to...
Protect your pocket from costly home repairs – like HVAC and appliances
In today’s world, we are all looking for more customizable options. Whether you’re building your computer’s system, picking out a band for your fitness tracker, or deciding if...
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...
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...
Top 5 reasons to buy a tiny home
Tiny living is the hot new housing trend that has people of all walks of life permanently downsizing. They’re cost-efficient, energy-efficient, and space-efficient. If you don’t mind sacrificing...
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...
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...
