Category: Lifestyle

The Stromsoe Insurance Family Wishes You a Safe Holiday Season

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Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.

With the holidays nearly here, we at Stromsoe Insurance Agency would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season. As a premier insurance provider, we understand that the holidays can pose some unique and very serious risks to the people and things you care about most. This is why we would like to offer you these holiday safety tips to ensure your holidays are truly happy, healthy, and safe.

Fire Safety

  • Do not leave your oven or stove unattended while they are in use.
  • Remove flammable items from around your stove and oven. Make sure you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen for cooking fire emergencies.
  • Do not use real candles to decorate your home. Use electric candles or other flameless alternatives to reduce your fire risk.
  • Before hanging up decorative lights, inspect them for broken bulbs, frayed cords, or exposed wires. Discard any damaged lights, as they increase your fire risk.
  • Do not plug more than three strings of lights into a single outlet or extension cord. Overloading a plug could cause it to overheat and spark a fire.

Traveling Safety

  • Before you set out on your holiday road trip, make sure you have your car professionally serviced. This will reduce your chances of breaking down in the middle of your journey.
  • Check to see which weather conditions you will encounter on your drive and prepare your car accordingly. For instance, if rain is expected, make sure your car has new tires, heavy-duty windshield wipers, and freshly cleaned headlights.
  • Pack an emergency car kit. Your kit should include things like basic tools, first aid supplies, food, water, emergency money, and other useful supplies in the event that you break down and get stranded.

Home Security Safety

  • If you are leaving for the holidays, keep your plans under wraps. You do not want many people to know your home will be uninhabited, as this increases the chance of your home being targeted for a robbery.
  • Hire a house sitter or ask a friend to collect your mail and keep an eye on your home while you are away. A human presence at your home will keep criminals away.
  • If you are particularly worried about a break-in, invest in a good home security system.

Business Safety

  • Put floor mats by your front door to reduce the amount of water that your customers and employees track in. Use “wet floor” signs to warn people about their slipping risk.
  • If you are closing for the holidays, consider hiring a security guard or invest in a security system to ensure your business isn’t broken into.
  • Before leaving for the holidays, unplug all non-essential electronics and appliances. This will save you money on energy costs while also reducing the chances of a power surge damaging these items.
  • Review your business insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage for the various risks that your business will face from winter weather conditions and other threats.

Try out these safety tips to protect the people and things you love most this holiday season. Want another way to ensure your safety this season? Make sure you have the right personal and commercial insurance protections in place. For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California today.

Tips to Get Your Kids Ready for School

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Try out these suggestions to get your child ready to return to the classroom.

The first day of school is right around the corner! However, after a long, fun summer, it may be difficult to get your child back into an academic mindset. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your student is ready for the start of school. Here are some of the tips you should try.

  • Re-Establish a Sleep Schedule

A sleepy child does not make for a very good student. This is why it’s important to get your child back onto a regular sleep schedule in the week leading up to the start of school. By enforcing stricter bed and wake-up times, you can ensure that your child is well-adjusted and well-rested for a day filled with learning.

  • Discuss Homework Plans

Before school starts, you should sit down with your child to come up with a plan for their daily homework assignments. For instance, you may want to discuss when and where they will complete their homework. By including your child in this discussion, they will feel like that have a say. This, in turn, will make them less resistant when homework time rolls around.

  • Go Back-to-School Shopping

Going back-to-school shopping is important for collecting all the supplies that your child will need during the year. In addition to essentials like notebooks and pencils, invite your child to pick out some fun things as well. When they have a new backpack, lunchbox, or outfit to show off, your child will be far more excited for the start of school!

These are some of the steps that you should take to prepare your child for the first day of school.  Want another way to be prepared for anything?  Then make sure that you have the right personal insurance protections in place.  For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California today.

Tips to Help You Get Your Home Ready for Barbecues

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Try out these suggestions to prepare your home for a spring or summer barbecue.

Warmer weather marks the beginning of barbecue season. Planning on hosting a barbecue in the near future? Then you know this requires more effort than simply throwing some food on the grill. Try out these suggestions to help you prepare your home for your barbecue.

Give Your Yard Some Attention

Before you have guests over, it’s important to take the time to tidy up your yard a little. Rake up leaves, trim overgrown bushes, and cut the lawn to give your yard a fresh look. While you are completing these maintenance tasks, keep your eye out for any potential tripping hazards such as holes in the lawn or an exposed tree root. If you do notice these issues, then take steps to address them to prevent your guests from having an accident. Nothing ruins a party faster than a medical emergency.

Repel Bugs

Unfortunately, outdoor parties always have to contend with pesky bugs. To keep bugs at bay, try burning citronella candles, spraying bug repellant, and running outdoor fans. Additionally, it’s a good idea to eliminate any puddles or pools of water on your property, as standing water attracts mosquitos.

Prep Your Grill

To get your grill ready, make sure you clean the grates thoroughly and oil them liberally so the food does not stick. If your grill is gas-powered, make sure your propane tank is full; if you have a charcoal grill, make sure you have fresh charcoal bricks on hand. Keep a spray bottle full of water within reach to help you control the flames and, in case of a more serious fire emergency, keep a fire extinguisher close by as well.

Try out some of these tips to help you prepare your home for a barbecue.  Want another way to be ready?  Then make sure you have the right homeowners insurance protections in place to keep you, your guests, and your home safe.  To find the right policies to meet your needs, contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all your coverage needs.

Keep Your Stress Under Control This April

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Learn how to better manage your stress this month.

April is National Stress Awareness Month, a campaign that asks Americans to recognize the damaging effects of stress on our mental, emotional, and physical health. In honor of this month, you should make an effort to minimize your stress. Not sure where you should start? Here are some tips to help you keep your stress under control this April.

Make Time to Relax

Whether you enjoy reading, exercising, watching television, or another activity, we all have something that helps us relax. Whatever works for you, it’s important that you set aside time every day to pursue these relaxing activities. When you make time to de-stress you can deal with some of the stress that has built up during the course of the day. By taking the time to relax, you will feel re-charged and better able to tackle the high-stress situations that might be awaiting you.

Talk Through Your Stress

Another great way to keep your stress levels down is by talking about the things that stress you out. When you bottle up your stress, it just builds up and becomes increasingly debilitating. Not only will talking through your stress leave you feeling relieved, but it can also help the stressful situation seem more manageable.

Learn to Say “No”

More often than not, people manufacture their own stress by taking on more responsibility than they can feasibly manage. While there’s nothing wrong with challenging yourself, there’s a difference between pushing your limits and ignoring them completely. When you learn to say “no” to the responsibilities that will spread you too thin, you will find that you are less stressed and better able to focus on the other tasks at hand.

Try out these suggestions to help you better manage your stress this month.  Want another way to avoid stress?  Turn to Stromsoe Insurance Agency for assistance with all your insurance needs.  Located in Murrieta, California we are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.  Contact us to get started today.

Show Your Home Some Love This Valentine’s Day

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Try these suggestions for your home this Valentine’s Day.

While Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love and appreciation for your significant other; your home also deserves a little love this holiday.  Not sure what you can do to show your home that you care?  Try out these suggestions this Valentine’s Day.

Tidy Up

One way to show your home some love this Valentine’s Day is by giving it a thorough cleaning.  Scrub your bathrooms, vacuum your carpets, and de-grease your kitchen.  While this is admittedly a lot of work, seeing your home at it’s best will give you a newfound appreciation for it.

Make Repairs

Have you been putting off certain home repairs for a while now?  If so, Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to make these fixes.  Whether you need to repair your roof or need to get your water heater serviced, invest the time, effort, and money necessary to get your home back into tip-top shape.

Protect It

Finally, the best way to show your home some love this Valentine’s Day is by making sure you have the proper homeowners insurance in place.  Take this opportunity to review your policy and verify that you have the appropriate coverage to protect your home against physical damages.

Try out these suggestions to show your home a little love this Valentine’s Day.  Do you need help finding the right coverage for your home?  Don’t hesitate to contact us at Stromsoe Insurance Agency.  Located in Murrieta, California, our dedicated team is ready to assist you with will all your insurance needs.

November is American Diabetes Month

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Learn more about diabetes in honor of American Diabetes Month.

This month is American Diabetes Month, an annual campaign that looks to spread awareness for this very serious health condition.  One of the main goals of this month is to encourage people to make their health a priority in the hopes of slowing the spread of diabetes.  This November, learn more about diabetes and find out how you can reduce your chances of developing this condition.

Diabetes Explained

Diabetes is a condition that affects the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin.  Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate the sugar levels in the blood stream.  Individuals who have diabetes often suffer from sudden blood sugar spikes and drops, plus a number of health issues related to their fluctuating blood glucose levels.  If not carefully monitored, these sudden spikes and drops can lead to diabetic coma and even death.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.  Type 1 is usually diagnosed in young children and is a life-long condition.  Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is normally developed later in life and is the more common form of the condition.  While some people are naturally more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes, there are certain lifestyle decisions that everyone can make to reduce their risk.

Make Your Health a Priority

In honor of American Diabetes Month, you should take a vested interest in your heath.  Schedule a doctor’s appointment and make sure you get a blood test to screen for diabetes.  Many Americans are pre-diabetic or already have diabetes without even knowing it.  Additionally, you should also celebrate this month by making healthier lifestyle decisions that will reduce your risk for diabetes.  For instance, make an effort to exercise regularly, eat balanced meals, and shed excess body fat.  Taking these steps will lower your chances of developing diabetes.

This November, get involved with American Diabetes Month by learning more about the condition and bettering your health.  Another way to make your health a priority is by having the right health insurance coverage.  To find the right policy to fit your needs, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you covered today.

Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

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Best you leave these home repairs to the experts.

While everyone loves a good home DIY project, there are certain home repairs that require professional experience.  If your home needs these repairs or updates, then don’t get in over your head.  Trust these fixes to the experts.

Repair 1: Electrical

We all know how dangerous electricity can be.  If handled incorrectly, electrical wiring can lead to a fire or, worse, a fatal electrical shock.  In addition to the danger, electrical repairs often require a permit to complete.  That’s why it’s better to leave your home electrical repairs to a licensed electrician.

Repair 2: Plumbing

Another home project that you shouldn’t undertake by yourself is plumbing repairs.  While you may have successfully installed your new showerhead, working with piping requires years of experience.  Additionally, even a minor water leak can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  It’s better to not take the risk; if you need plumbing repairs, just call a plumber.

Repair 3: Structural

Any time you want to make changes to or repair your home’s structure, you should call a licensed contractor.  Knocking down or opening up walls can weaken your home’s infrastructure and can cause serious damage if handled incorrectly.  If you still want to knock down a wall by yourself, at least get professional advice before you start.

Repair 4: Tree Removal

While removing a tree may seem very straight forward, if the tree’s roots are very deep, then things could get messy.  Even worse, if the roots are too close to your home’s foundation, then removing the tree incorrectly could cause structural damage to your home.  A trained professional knows how to handle this situation, so let them handle this home project.

If you see that your home needs these repairs, then don’t put yourself or your home at risk.  Trust these repairs to the professionals!  However, if you have a home DIY project that went south, then make sure you have the right insurance to cover you.  To find the right policy for your needs, trust the professionals at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  Contact us to get covered today!

Football is Back! Celebrate with This Fun Tailgating Recipe

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Football is Back! Celebrate with This Fun Tailgating RecipeIt’s finally football season!  Get back in the game with these tasty treats.

When September hits, it’s time to get your tailgate on!  Even if you don’t tailgate, celebrate the first game of the season with some delicious eats.  Round up your buddies, grab a drink, and get ready to ring in football season with this fun and easy recipe.

Field Goal Guacamole and Touchdown Tortilla Chips

For the Guacamole

Ingredients

3 avocados

2 roma tomatoes

1/2 red onion

1 clove garlic (finely chopped)

1 bunch cilantro (roughly chopped)

1 lime (juiced)

1 jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped)

Salt

Black pepper

Cumin

Directions

  • Seed the tomatoes and dice them. Dice the onion into slightly smaller pieces than the tomato.  Set aside.
  • Remove the pits and mash the avocados. Add the lime juice to help break down the avocado and make it smooth.
  • Mix tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeño into the avocado mash. Add salt, pepper, and cumin to taste.
  • Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to marry.
  • Serve in a chilled bowl and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro leaves.

For the Chips

Ingredients

Premade corn tortillas

Oil for frying (vegetable oil recommended)

1 Tbsp. Seasoned salt

1/2 tsp Cumin

¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper

Directions

  • Fill a pot or skillet with high sides about halfway with oil. Turn the burner to medium heat and wait until the oil reaches a temperature of 350°F.
  • While the oil is heating, cut the tortillas into triangles and mix the salt and spices together.
  • Fry the chips until golden brown, make sure not too add too many chips at a time. This could drop the temperature of the oil and make for soggy chips.
  • Place chips onto a paper towel-lined tray to drain, and sprinkle on spice mixture while the chips are still hot.
  • Serve alongside guacamole.

Follow this recipe for a delicious tailgate and remember to stay safe this football season!

Contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs.  We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Must-Have Home Organizations Tools

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Straighten and smarten up your home through organization techniques.

A home is meant to be a warm and comforting place for you and your family. It’s your Home Sweet Home after all, right? What happens when the house declines into an unsightly mess? If you need to pull on your cleaning gloves and start to eliminate the clutter, the time to do so is now! While spring has passed, the season of organization is yearlong. The last thing you want to do is end up with more clutter and a shoddy-looking home.

Whether your home needs a quick tidying or some serious elbow grease, here are some must-have home organizational tools for every house!

A Landing Strip

We all need a place to drop our keys, phone, wallet, credit card, and mail as soon as we step in the door. Set up a small table or a decorative bowl so that it the pile of belongings doesn’t overwhelm your doorway. The point is to see something when you walk in the door that is beautiful, and that can double as an organizing tool!

Under the Stairs Storage

Do you have space under your stairs suitable for storage? It’s time to put it to use! No, we’re not talking about making room for Harry Potter; a space under the stairs is often the most misused space in the home. Store your vacuum, jackets, and other items that can be bulky and in the way!

Cord Control

Many electrical cords can make any space unsightly. Use colorful ties to organize cables for your electronics, home entertainment systems, kitchen appliances, power tools, holiday lights, and more.

Now that your home has been updated with these organizational tips, it’s time to give your house the right protection that it needs and deserves. Contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs. We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Travel Tips for Your Electronics

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Our electronic devices are all but impossible to separate from our lives and that can pose a tricky problem when we travel to new locations. 

Electronic devices are as much a part of our travel experience in our present day as passports, suitcases or swimming suits. But they can sometimes cause confusion and lead to issues which are time consuming, should a device be lost. Here are few airport tips on how you can safely travel with your electronics.

  1. Set a limit as to how many electronics go in each bag. The fewer there are, the fewer the chances are of losing one of the devices.
  2. Use a label maker to add your contact information should an honest person find them.
  3. Many smart devices have a feature which allows the phone to completely restart should it be stolen, make sure to turn this feature on before you leave.
  4. Another key feature which needs to be turned on is GPS location service. If lost, you can access its location through another device.
  5. Don’t forget to pack your charger. The last thing you want is to be stranded in a foreign country with no means of communication.
  6. Always password protect your devices in order to deter criminals from stealing your private information.
  7. Never put your electronics in checked bags. Baggage handlers do not always follow “FRAGILE” tags on bags and can break if one throws your bag onto the plane.
  8. Write down the manufacturer, model, cost, and serial number of all your devices in order to ease the insurance filing process.
  9. Use the hotel safe. If you are going to be water rafting or hiking, you don’t need to bring every single device because it may break if there’s an accident.

Contact the Business Protection Team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your commercial insurance coverage needs.