Old Man Winter is here. Ice, snow, and wind can wreak havoc on your home and your budget. Standard homeowners insurance policies can cover most disasters that result from a freeze, but it’s better to minimize the potential risks! Follow these tips to help prepare your home for the bitter cold. Clean out gutters and install gutter guards. Trim trees and remove dead branches Repair steps and handrails. Keep sidewalks and entrances to your home clear of snow and ice. Keep your garage doors closed. Add extra insulation to attics, basements, and around pipes. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors....

Leaning towards an old wood-burning fireplaces to help cut your heating bill this winter? Before you spark a log you should know, fireplaces and chimneys are involved in 42% of all home-heating fires. So before you use your fireplace, ensure you know how to properly use it and follow these safety tips. Hire a chimney sweep – The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys be swept at least once a year to remove soot and debris. A professional chimney sweep should also inspect for any damages. Cap your chimney – Chimney caps will keep rain, birds, squirrels, and debris...

As businesses become more dependent on technology, the risk for cyberattacks increase. Cyberattacks pose financial and reputational risks to the business. The cost of data breaches worldwide for businesses of all sizes could cumulatively grow to $5 trillion by 2024. There are many cost-effective ways to reduce your cyber risk. Understand Your Cyber Risks – Businesses are vulnerable to cyberattacks through hacking, phishing, malware, and other methods. Train Employees – Your exposures can be reduced by having and enforcing a computer password policy for your employees. Update Software – Routinely check and upgrade major software. Create Back-Up Files and Store...

What do we mean when we say personal watercraft? Personal watercrafts are Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, or WaveRunners. These watercrafts can be fun to take out on the water; however, safety needs to be a priority! Many people fail to realize that personal watercrafts can be very dangerous. In fact, each year there are thousands of serious injuries due to personal watercrafts. 80% of all injuries and fatalities occur when 2 personal watercrafts collide. You should always stay at least 100 yards behind another vessel, and at least 50 yards to one side. Don’t jump the wake of a passing boat....

Cars are essential to our everyday lives. When you need to head to work or the market, you walk out to your car and expect it to start right up. To keep your car running and avoid potentially costly breakdowns, you should get into the habit of conducting these regular vehicle maintenance tasks. Change the oil and oil filter. Oil lubricates the engine keeping important parts from grinding against each other. If not changed regularly, oil can also damage your engine by accumulating contaminants and causing friction. Check your tires monthly. The only thing separating your car from the road...

The dog days of summer have arrived. Escaping the heat can seem impossible some days, especially if you don’t have an air conditioner! Try some of these easy hacks to beat the heat and stay cool! Chill your beverages in a hurry by running a paper towel under cold water, wrapping it around your drink, and then put it in the freezer. Within 15 minutes or less your beverage will be chilled to perfection! Get a good night’s sleep by freezing your pillow case. It may sound strange, but freezing you pillow case for 10 minutes before bed can give...