Our Blog

October 19, 2016

With fall weather upon us, it’s time to do some winter preparation on your home.  Follow these tips to keep your home warm and safe during the cooler months.  Some can even be performed as do-it-yourself projects!

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For your home exterior:

• Clean your gutters and downspouts, and be sure to check for blockages from leaves and debris.  This maintenance can help prevent water damage to your home and pest infestations.
• Inspect your roof, and have repairs made if necessary.  Hire a professional if you are unsure of your abilities.  By keeping your roof in good condition year-round, you will be preventing future leaks and damage.
• Store your lawn equipment and furniture.  By protecting your outdoor belongings from the harsh winter weather, you can potentially prolong the life and usefulness of these objects.
• Check your outdoor lighting.  Replace any blown bulbs or improperly working automatic lights as days get shorter and nights get longer.
• Shut off water to your outside faucets.  Drain excess water and remove hoses from these exterior faucets to avoid freezing pipes this winter.

For your home interior:

• Seal around your doors and windows to keep out drafts.  You can also remove window screens and install storm windows to further keep cold air out.
• Inspect and test your heating system.  Clear furniture or debris away from heating vents or furnaces.  Then test your heating system to be sure it is working properly.
• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned.  Make any necessary repairs.  By regularly cleaning your chimney, you are reducing the risk of a chimney fire.  Remember, chimney fires do not always stay in the chimney.

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

September 01, 2016

Did you know that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most commonly reported on-campus crime is burglary?  Motor vehicle theft comes in at third place.  As you’re heading to college, you should consider taking these steps to protect yourself and your belongings from crimes on-campus:

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• Leave your high-value belongings at home.
• Document the belongings you do bring to college.  Take pictures.
• Purchase a safe for your room.
• Lock your room every time you leave.
• Lock up your bike and your vehicle every time you leave them unattended.

Theft isn’t the only risk to your belongings on-campus; personal property can be damaged by fire as well.  Follow these on-campus fire prevention tips from The Center for Campus Fire Safety:

• Check for working smoke detectors in your room.
• Know your campus policy on candles, decorations, and use of kitchen appliances.
• Plan an escape route and keep the path clear.
• Clean the lint trap on your dryer after each use.

In addition to taking these precautions, be sure to check if you are sufficiently covered for unplanned losses on-campus.  In many scenarios, a college student is covered by a parent’s homeowners’ policy for personal property, personal liability, and medical payments.  If not, you may need to invest in a renter’s insurance policy.  For automobile coverage, the student could be covered by a parent’s personal auto policy.

Reach out to your independent agent to discuss on-campus coverage.  Be sure to bring up coverage amounts too, because you don’t want to find out your belongings exceed the limit after a claim is reported.

Resources

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_22.asp

http://www.campusfiresafety.org/Portals/0/Documents/CFS%20For%20Students/Checklist-Poster.pdf

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

November 21, 2017

Thanksgiving is almost here!  Are you planning to cook a turkey?  Are you planning to fry it?  Because of the fire dangers associated with them, the NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers.  If you are still planning to fry your turkey, know the potential dangers, provided by the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA):

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1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over spilling hot oil across a large area.
2. A cooking pot that is overfilled will cause oil to spill over the top when the turkey is placed inside.
3. A partially frozen turkey will cause hot oil to splatter.
4. Turkey fryers can easily overheat and start a fire.
5. The pot, lid, and handles of a turkey fryer can get extremely hot and cause burns.

With these dangers in mind, be sure to follow these tips from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to keep you, your guests, and your property safe:

1. Read the owner’s manual for proper set up and safety tips.
2. Completely thaw the turkey before frying.
3. Use the correct amount of oil.
4. Never leave the fryer unattended.
5. Keep children and pets away from the fryer.
   • The USFA recommends having a “3-foot kid- and pet-free zone” around your turkey fryer.
6. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.  Never use water to extinguish an oil fire.
7. As the lid and handles of the cooking pot could get dangerously hot, be sure to protect yourself from burns.
   • The USFA recommends wearing long cooking gloves that protect hands and arms.
8. Do not deep fry your turkey inside your garage, on your porch, or inside your home.
9. Use your fryer outside, away from trees, walls, fences, and other structures.

No matter what or how you are cooking this Thanksgiving, be safe.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for home cooking fires.  Many of these fires are preventable by taking safety precautions.

And, as always, remember to test your smoke alarms ahead of time.

Resources

http://www.nfpa.org/thanksgiving

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/turkey_fryers_flyer.pdf

http://www.insurance.pa.gov/Coverage/Documents/Turkey_frying_tips.pdf

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only. Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company. The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.