Ten ways to prepare a home for winter and the damage it can bring.
1. Clean out all gutters - It’s important to remove all sticks, leaves and debris. This helps the melting ice and snow flow smoothly. It also prevents ice collecting and forming a dam, which can result in water seeping into the house’s ceilings and walls.
2. Keep trees and branches trimmed - When branches hang over houses during the winter, they’re likely to accumulate snow and ice, which may make them break. Branches falling on homes can cause significant amounts of damage. They may also hurt people who enter the property.
3. Use gutter guards - These guards are useful for preventing interference of water flow from debris.
4. Seal cracks and holes - Caulk all holes and cracks to ensure that melted snow and wind can’t enter the home.
5. Keep steps and handrails safe - It’s important to ensure that steps and banisters are sturdy. If they accumulate snow or ice, they can contribute to serious injuries.
6. Use insulation liberally - Homeowners should add extra insulation to basements, attics and crawl spaces. When heat escapes through the roof, it contributes to ice and snow melting faster. As the moisture melts, re-freezes and accumulates, it can cause a roof to collapse.
7. Maintain a warm temperature - It’s best to keep the thermostat at 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing. The temperature in the walls is always colder than the temperature in the house.
8. Call the professionals - The heating system should be checked and serviced every year to prevent fires. It’s also important to ensure that smoke alarms are working. Carbon monoxide detectors are another valuable safety feature that should be placed in every home at a low level. In addition to this, homeowners should have a contractor evaluate the home for structural damage. It’s best to identify and repair minor problems before they become a disaster.
9. Be familiar with shutting off the water - Homeowners should know how to do this, and they should know where their pipes are located. When pipes freeze, it’s imperative to act quickly. When going away for an extended time, it’s best to have someone look after the home or have a service professional drain the system.
10. Add an emergency pressure release valve - By adding this to a current system, homeowners will have a system that is protected against increasing pressure from frozen pipes.
5th Annual Pumpkin Giveaway October 13, 2011
The Annual Pumpkin Giveaway brought to you by and Remax Team Galt will be from 5-7pm Thursday, October 13. As always, pumpkins are free with no strings attached. But wait! We have something new this year! Heather Jones Photography will be taking photos, posed and candid, and will share them with you. Come to our mini pumpkin patch and make it a family event!
Learn why it’s important to have an insurance check-up on an annual basis and read what things to discuss with your agent.
Questions to ask yourself to avoid gaps in insurance coverage
Here are some examples of changes that should be mentioned to your agent immediately. Ask yourself these questions every year:
*Have I gotten married or divorced?
*Have I had a baby or adopted a child?
*Is anyone living with me who wasn’t before? Will they be driving my car?
*Have I renovated the house or other structures?
*Do I have a personal umbrella policy? Do I need one?
*Have I purchased any new properties?
*Have I started a home business?
*Have I purchased or been given artwork, fine jewelry, or valuable guns?
If you are attending the Hamilton North Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Red Bridge in Cicero today at 11:30 a.m., please note you will either want to come in through the back entrance off of Tollgate or you will want to go through Morse Landing West. The front entrance is currently under construction
REFERRAL CONTEST
FALL 2011 REFERRAL CONTEST DETAILS
1) ALWAYS!
For every person you refer you will receive a $10 gas gift card.
2). NEW!
In addition, you will now be entered into a $25 gift card drawing in the month you provide the referral and every time you provide one. A drawing will take place each month in September, October & November 2011.
3). PLUS A BONUS!
Every time you send a referral in September, October, & November, you will also be entered into a December drawing for a $75 gift card.
The fine print: Once the person you refer is contacted, enough information must be collected in order to provide a quote. Names alone do not qualify as a referral and do not qualify for this contest. Home, Business, Auto, and Life referrals qualify. Call or email us stating you read this and we’ll add your name to this month’s drawing
Think twice before waiving someone on while driving or trusting someone who waives you on
A note about waiving people on while driving… while it may seem friendly to help someone, we suggest not waiving people on and not trusting those who waive you on. Many accidents occur this way and who is at fault is subject to the insurance companies and court decisions.
My pet was injured in a car accident. Will auto insurance cover any expenses for my pet?
Have you ever wondered about insurance coverage on Lassie or muffet if something happened to them when you were in an auto accident? Some auto insurance companies offer coverage automatically on your policy. Erie Insurance, for instance, will pay $500 for injuries for up to 2 dogs or cats & $1000 for the loss of a dog or cat. We think this is a nice added benefit for our clients with four legged friends.
Is your outdoor hot tub covered by insurance? A client called to inquire about this today.
It’s a good question. Hot tubs are usually covered subject to deductible but where is often determined by the installation. Hot tubs are typically covered under your personal property as long as they are not attached to anything (like sitting on a cement slab). It could be covered under other structures if it is attached to decking or a structure, not just sitting on top of it.
When purchasing a hot tub check with your insurance company to confirm coverage and make sure that the coverage amounts you have are still adequate with the addition of a hot tub. You can increase your current coverage for an additional premium.
Are your kids participating in the 1st Annual Lights Over Morse Youth Poster Contest? Entries due Friday, June 17th.
Contest organized by:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
410 South Pearl Street, Cicero, Indiana 46034
Create a poster of any size using crayons, paints, or pencils with the theme, “In God we trust”.
Grand Prize-1yr. Family membership at the Cicero Pool, your poster will be made into a Banner and will be carried in the 4th
of July Parade and displayed at the Kids Fair
.
Up to Kindergarten– Winner and Poster can walk in parade, the poster displayed at the Kids Fair following.
1st and 2nd grade- Winner and Poster can walk in parade, the poster displayed at the Kids Fair following.
3rd and 4th grade- Winner and Poster can walk in parade the poster displayed at the Kids Fair following.
5th and 6th grade- Winner and Poster can walk in parade the poster displayed at the Kids Fair following.
Details:
· Youth living in Jackson and White River Township are eligible to participate.
· Participants must be no older than 6th grade.
· Posters will be judged by a committee made up of members of the Lights Over Morse Board, Cicero Business Onwer and Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.
ENTRY IS DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH.
Entries will be accepted at Gymies, Penwell Insurance (30 S. Peru St.) and Edward Jones in Cicero or mailed to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 429 S. Main,
Cicero, Indiana, 46034.
“In God we trust” poster contest Sponsored by Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Church. Lights Over Morse 4th of July Celebration Youth event.
Include the entry form with the poster. Entry Forms are available at Penwell Insurance (30 S. Peru St), Gymies, and Edward Jones and will take approximately 1 minute to complete. Entry forms require the following information:
· Youth Name
· Address
· Parent/Guardian
Waterbed: A vinyl resting place. Apparently this sign made Chevy thirsty.
