Category: Safety Tips

5 Ways to Prevent Burglary While on Vacation

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As you plan for your vacation there are a variety of measures that must be taken before your big journey. Packing the perfect outfits, planning how you will get to you destination, and where you will sightsee are likely top on your list of priorities. However, have you begun planning how you will protect your home while you are away? Criminal activity skyrockets during the summer months because criminals have become experts at determining which homes have been left vulnerable. Burglary prevention is simple when you plan properly. Consider these 5 helpful tips to ensure that you do not return from your vacation with unpleasant surprises:

  1. Arrange for a close friend or neighbor to check on your house periodically. You will want this trusted person to check your mail, pick up your daily newspaper, and change the position of your car every few days. Piling up mail and newspapers screams empty home.
  2. If you will be going on a long vacation, you may want to notify the local police station so that they can parole the area periodically.
  3. As tempting as it may be, refrain from posting any vacation plans on social media. Those who post their departure and return dates on Facebook or Twitter often return to unpleasant surprises. Criminals know how tempting it is to inform your friends of your 2 week trip to the Bahamas so they look for those signs.
  4. Set timers on your lights and television so that it appears that someone is home.
  5. As simple as this may be, make sure all windows and side doors are locked. Criminals prefer houses that are easy to burglarize and require little effort.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency understands the importance of protecting your most valuable investment – your home. Contact us today for all of your California homeowners’ insurance needs. Allow us to provide you with the peace of mind knowing your home is adequately protected.

Why All Pool Owners Should Purchase A Pool Safety Net

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Swimming pools are a godsend during the blazing hot summer months. As a pool owner, if you have small children or animals, it can be hard to monitor their whereabouts for every second of every day. If you are unable to do this, they risk a tragic fall into your pool. However, situations like these are easily preventable with one convenient purchase! Invest in a pool safety net, and reduce your worry of a pool-related accident.

Pool nets are made of a polyethylene rope that is secured to a covering of open squares. The rope is then fastened to a number of anchors that surround the perimeter of the pool. It stretches to provide a secure barrier, without ruining the beautiful look of your backyard. It is easy to use, and requires mere minutes to put on or take off.

The squares are a perfect size. They are small enough to prohibit the entry of a toddler’s head or body, and too large to walk on. Only their arms or legs will be able to fit through the squares. In this case, the toddler will not drown, and will likely begin to cry, alerting an adult of their whereabouts. Safety nets are available in a variety of colors that are sure to complement your backyard’s color scheme. The safety net can conform to even the most unique pool shapes, and can accommodate things like waterfalls, rocks, and planters. Limit your liabilities, and make the responsible decision to purchase a safety net today. You won’t regret it!

If you have any insurance related questions, don’t hesitate to contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency! They employ experienced insurance professionals, and offer quality commercial and personal insurance policies. Stromsoe Insurance Agency is sure to meet all of your insurance needs!

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

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Living in southern California comes with the possibility of experiencing an earthquake. Keeping these earthquake safety tips in mind can help make sure that you and your family stay safe in the event of an earthquake.

  • Make sure you have an evacuation plan for your home and that everybody who lives there knows it. Also make sure that you know the evacuation route of any building that you regularly occupy, such as where you work.
  • Keep a flashlight and protective shoes next to everyone’s bed in case of an earthquake at night.
  • Bolt any tall furniture, such as bookcases or china cabinets to the walls.
  • Do not hang any heavy items, such as pictures or mirrors above couches or beds.
  • Install latches or locks on all cabinet doors. Also make sure to store any heavy items in the lowest cabinet possible.
  • Know how to shut off gas and water valves in your home and make sure you have the proper tools to do so.
  • Have an earthquake preparedness emergency kit handy with emergency supplies. Make sure everybody in your household knows where the kit is located.
  • Bolt the water heater and any gas appliances to wall studs to stop them from moving around in an earthquake.
  • Brace all overhead lighting fixtures.
  • Pick safe places in every room of your house. These should be places that are away from windows or tall furniture like bookcases or cabinets that could possibly fall
  • Practice “stop, cover, and hold on” in all the safe places. If there is no sturdy furniture around, brace yourself against an interior wall and cover your head and neck.

To find the perfect earthquake insurance for your home, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. As an independent insurance agency, they will do the research for you to make sure you get the best policy for all your needs.

How to Stay Safe in a Wildfire

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With hot, dry weather fast approaching, it is important to keep fire safety in mind. Southern California is prone to wildfires, and knowing how to protect you and your property can help save you thousands of dollars and lots of potential heartache. Following these fire safety tips can help keep your home and family safe in the event of a wildfire.

To prevent wildfires:

  • Never leave a campfire unattended. Douse the ashes with water and stir them until they are cold before leaving a campsite going to bed.
  • Call 911 if you spot any fire that seems to be out of control.
  • Do not throw out cigarettes, matches, or any smoking materials from a vehicle.

If you need to evacuate:

  • Evacuate immediately if advised by authorities.
  • Know your evacuation route and make sure to have an evacuation checklist and emergency supplies ready.
  • Wear protective footwear and clothing to help protect yourself from and flying ashes.

Before you leave:

  • Remove any combustible materials from your yard, including firewood, fuel, and grills before leaving.
  • Shut off all gas supplies, such as natural gas or propane.
  • Slow fires by filling any large vessels with water, such as swimming pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans.

If you are caught in a wildfire:

  • Do not try and outrun the blaze. If near any water, such as a pond, crouch down in the water.
  • If there is no water around, find a clear area that is void of any vegetation and stay as low as possible. Cover your body with wet clothing or soil.
  • Try to avoid breathing in smoke. Breathe the air closest to the ground and breathe through a moist cloth if possible.

When it comes to insuring your home in case of a fire, make sure to contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency to get the best policy for all your needs.

Staying Safe on Graduation

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Graduation is an exciting time for both parents and children. No matter where you are graduating from, either high school or college, it is important to remember these safety tips to make sure everyone stays safe on this exciting day.

If your teen is graduating high school:

  • Have an itinerary. Make sure you know where your teen is going after graduation and what time. Get any contact information of anybody who will be with your teen.
  • No hotel rooms. If your teen wants to celebrate graduation with a party, consider having it at your own home so that your can supervise. If the party is happening at a different location, think about volunteering as a chaperone or get the contact information of any adults that will be there.
  • Know who is driving. Whether it is your teen or a friend, make sure they are not drinking and driving and that there are the proper amount of seatbelts.
  • No drinking or drugs. Make sure your teen knows the consequences of underage drinking and illegal drug use. Make sure to set your own penalties and share them with your teen if they are caught in these illegal activities.

If your child is graduating college:

  • Know who is driving. For those who are old enough to enjoy alcoholic beverages to celebrate graduation, make sure you have a designated driver. If there is not a sober driver, make sure to get a taxi so that everyone can arrive home safely.
  • Limit passengers. Limiting the number of distractions of the driver concentrate while driving and will help ensure that everyone has a seatbelt.

Stromsoe Insurance Agency would like to congratulate all graduates for their big accomplishment!

BBQ Recipe and Safety Tips

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With summer just around the corner, it is time to pull out the grill and give it a good clean to get ready for barbecue season! Barbecuing may be one of your hobbies, but it is still a good idea to update yourself on the safety precautions that should be taken in order to keep your family fun memorable for the right reasons. The last thing you want is for someone to get sick with food poisoning, or even worse, a fire to happen. Keep these barbecue safety tips in mind when planning for your next family barbecue:

  • Having a fire extinguisher and knowing how to use it is one of the most important parts of grilling. You should also know how to cut fuel supplies in case of an accident.
  • When handling foods, it is important to remember to follow all safety precautions. Having a guest get sick with food poisoning is not going to make the RSVPs for your next BBQ flow in.
  • The smoke that is released from the grill contains harmful toxins that can cause cancer and get you sick. It is important to try and avoid those toxins whenever possible.
  • When lighting the charcoal on the barbecue, be sure to follow the instructions manual as to avoid a fire.
  • Location, location, location! Be sure to have your barbecue out of the walk way and far from children’s play, and away from combustibles such as picnic tables and wooden play sets.

Sample this amazing BBQ Steak after all the preparation of your grill! All you’ll need is a 2 pound tri-tip steak, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, freshly chopped rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt and black pepper. This amazing BBQ recipe will surely have your guests begging for more and looking forward to your next big event!

Contact the Stromsie Insurance Total Protection Team for all of your insurance needs. The Stromsie Insurance Total Protection Team works from Murrieta, California but serves 18 states.

Avoiding Drowsy Driving

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No matter how experienced of a driver you may be, it is always a bad idea to drive when you are feeling drowsy. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving intoxicated. Research shows that being awake for 18 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Each year, there are nearly 100,000 drowsy driving related accidents.

Many of us find ourselves daydreaming behind the wheel and then realizing you don’t remember driving the last few miles. It is important to be aware of your behavior behind the wheel and watch out for some of the key indicators of drowsy driving. Keep these safe driving tips in mind. For instance, if you find yourself having difficultly focusing with heavy eyelids and frequent blinking, it is probably best if you get off the road. Restlessness and irritability may also mean you are driving drowsy.

To avoid drowsy driving, it is important to be aware of the number of hours you are sleeping and schedule naps and caffeine breaks accordingly. Driving with a friend can also help avoid drowsy driving because you can alternate nap times or keep each other awake. Many people forget the side effects of medications so it is a good idea to make yourself aware of any drowsy effects and plan accordingly.

Although youth, shift workers with long hours, commercial drivers, and business travelers are at a higher risk of drowsy driving, everyone can be affected by drowsy driving. Be extra careful when driving after travels and always be aware of your driving behavior.

Contact the insurance specialists at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your insurance needs.

Safe Teen Driving Tips

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Getting a drivers license is one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life. It can also be the scariest time in a parent’s life. Making sure your child is prepared for the road can not only help keep your teen driver safe, but also help ease your mind as a parent. A few simple safe-driving tips can help your teen be a safer driver for the rest of their life.

Jumping a car – teaching your teen how to properly jump a car could be the difference of them making it home for dinner and being stuck in a parking lot.

Changing a tire – although changing a tire seems like something that you could call to have fixed, think of all the places that there is no cell reception. Relying on a cell phone to make a repair call can leave you stranded in unfamiliar places for many hours.

Knowing dashboard lights – dashboard lights are not just decorations. They all have specific meanings and knowing which ones need to be dealt with immediately can save you teen from a disaster and save you hundreds of dollars in additional repairs to a vehicle.

The most important step to making sure your teen is a safe driver is to make sure they have the proper auto insurance. Stromsoe Insurance Agency offers different auto insurance policies that fit into any lifestyle.

Knowing when to change your water heater

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

One of the most frustrating feelings in the world is turning on the hot water and not getting any. Whether you’re trying to wash your hands, wash dishes or take a shower, not having hot water is a truly irritating inconvenience. Of course, the first thing you’ll think of is replacing your hot water heater and how expensive that can be. However, you may not need to replace your hot water heater and here are some ways to tell:

  • If you examine the area around and under your hot water heater and find water, you may have a cracked tank. Not only can this cause water damage which may require you to file a homeowners insurance claim, but it would be cheaper to replace your hot water heater.
  • If you see no water around the water heater but the pipe leading out of the tank is cold and the heater exterior is cold, either your heating elements have gone bad or you may have a different electrical issue (for electric hot water heaters) or you may need to have your natural gas feed checked.
  • If your hot water tank is over 30 years old, parts are quite likely unavailable to repair it. This will require upgrading to a ‘modern’ hot water heater.

Regardless of the situation, calling in someone such as a plumber that specializes in water heaters will be your best move. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what the issue is and whether or not you truly do need to replace it. Unfortunately, hot water heaters do wear out and have to be replaced.

A great homeowners insurance policy will give you the financial protection you need if pipes burst or your tank leaks and if you live in California, calling Stromsoe Insurance Agency is your best move to making sure your homeowners policy gives you the protection you need.

Weekend Trip Home Safety Tip

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Weekend trips are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, but all that fun can easily be ruined or overshadowed by a burst or leaking hose on your washing machine! Before you leave, don’t forget to turn off the water for your washing machine. You can avoid the inconvenience of turning off the water by upgrading your washing machine hook-ups to braided stainless steel hoses. These types of hoses won’t burst.

Other safety tips include:

  • Tell a neighbor or friend that you’ll be away and ask him or her to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
  • Put away the spare key you keep under the mailbox or in the flower garden.
  • Stop your mail and newspaper subscription. Mail and uncollected packages are a tip-off to intruders that you’re out of town.
  • Unplug your television, computer and other appliances to protect them from electric surges.
  • Update your homeowners insurance policy. Should anything happen, you’ll want to know you’re protected. 

Stromsoe Insurance Agency can help you with this! Contact us today for a quote.