Westland Insurance

One of the best parts of the Christmas season is decorating the home and the tree. This activity can bring the family together as well as heighten the anticipation of the approaching day – a day of fun, festivities, food, and gift opening. Along with the festivities comes responsibility and care. You must use your common sense when decorating your home; both in the act itself as well as the materials that you choose.

Many of the everyday decorations that we use to adorn our homes come with potential hazards that can harm both pets and children, not to mention lead to devastating fires and the loss of one’s home. Following are some tips to keep in mind to ensure that your Christmas season remains merry and joyful:

Trees: Whether you are using a real or artificial tree this year, you need to pick out a stand that will be sturdy enough to hold up the tree. Many times, over excited children and pets can easily topple a tree, causing both damage to the home and possibly injuries to themselves. Also, make sure that the stand can easily accommodate the trunk, while at the same time offering easy access for watering (in the case of a real tree). Don’t place it near flammables or where it will be blocking an exit, in the case of an emergency.

When is comes to decoration the tree, never over load it with decorations, especially lights. Also, don’t use more than two strands of lights connected together and don’t overload electrical outlets. This can easily start a fire. Another cause of many electrical fires during the holiday season is faulty cords. If you are using cords from earlier years, inspect them for fraying or damages. This actually applies to new cords as well. There could be defects that occurred during their manufacture.

Never use candles or live flames on or near your tree. Again, this sets up the perfect scenario for a house fire. Countless numbers of families have found themselves homeless at Christmas time because of this.

Outdoor Decorations: The same rules apply when you are hanging outdoor light as with indoor lights. Ensure that you hang them where they will not sustain any water damage, which could result in a short, and ultimately a fire. Don’t overload the cords. In newer homes – 20 to 25 years old – the electrical systems in houses are equipped with a grounding feature that prevents them from shorting out.

** ALWAYS unplug your lights (inside and outside) every time you leave the house **


Other Decorations: Although there is less chance of starting an electrical fire with garland, tinsel, and wreaths, these decorations can still cause potential hazards. Anything containing small parts should be kept out of reach of small children and pets, as they can pose a choking hazard. Be exceptionally careful with ornaments that come equipped with wire hangers. These can also be swallowed and can tear the throat, as well as cause stabbing injuries. Avoid the use of glass ornaments if you have small children. They can easily be broken, causing cuts and scratches.

Greenery is also something that you must use great care with. Many Christmas plants – such as poinsettias and mistletoe are poisonous. Always keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

All in all, holiday safety is common sense and a natural routine that should be practiced by everyone. Make sure that your family has an escape plan in the case of a fire. By following the above rules, you will be guaranteed to have a happy and joyful Christmas season.

Labels: Home Insurance Vancouver

Empty homes are a surefire target for thieves. They are adept at spotting when a property has been vacant for a lengthy period of time. You can save yourself the worry and enjoy your vacation if you adhere to the following tips:

• The first thing to do is to make sure that your window and door locks are sturdy and strong. True, a good thief will always find a way to bypass security, but as a rule, break and enter is a crime of opportunity. The harder you make it for a potential thief, the less chance he will have of targeting your home.


• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway while you are away. This gives the impression that there is someone constantly in your house. A potential thief will think twice about targeting a home that they don’t think is empty. Also ask a neighbor to collect your daily mail and newspapers. Better yet, call the post office and newspaper to have them both suspended while you are away. A stuffed mailbox is a sure sign of a vacant home.


• Install motion detector lights in the front and back of your home. A bright light source will deter thieves, who prefer to break into a home under the cover of darkness if possible. Inside lights should be set on an automatic timer to give the appearance that someone is living there. Set the timer to go on and off at different times of the day and night. A good thief can pick up on timers that are set for the exact same time every day. Also consider putting your television or radio on a timer.


• Always hide your valuables. If a thief manages to break into your house, he or she will want to complete the job as quickly as possible. Again, the harder you make it for a thief, the less likely they are to target your home. It would be a good idea to find a storage area in your home and equip it with a sturdy padlock that will take a thief some time to break into.


• Another point regarding valuables – keep pictures or videotapes of your valuables in a separate area, away from your home. This makes it easier to identify the items if they are found by police. Many police forces can supply homeowners with identification numbers that can be etched into valuables. This also makes it easier to identify them should they be stolen. Because these items can be easily traced, they aren’t as valuable to a thief.


• Have your neighbor open the drapes in the daytime and close them at night. Again, this gives the impression that there is always someone at home.


• Leave your bathroom light on and the door slightly ajar. Any presence of light in a home will serve to deter a potential thief.


• Lock your garage door as well. This is a common entry point for thieves as it is less noticeable than trying to break into the front or back door of a home. Put a padlock on the garage door track to prevent it from being pried open and cover any windows to obscure the contents of the garage from the outside.


• Don’t announce your travel plans, except to family members and neighbors who will be watching your home while you are away.


• Check your home insurance policy to make sure that it is up to date and that it will cover all of your valuables in the case of theft.

Labels: Home Insurance Vancouver

In Canada, winter can arrive unexpectedly and with full force. It is important to make sure that you are fully prepared. This means winter proofing your home against any weather related accidents that can leave you and your family out in the cold – literally. Before the leaves even start to fall from the trees, you should begin an annual inspection of your home – inside and out. This will help reduce the chance of having to make a claim through your home insurance policy. Following is a checklist of what to look for:

Furnace: As this will be your primary source of heat during the cold, harsh winter months, you need to ensure that your furnace is in top working order. Have a professional inspect it for any malfunctions, damage, or dangerous blockages. Remove any flammable materials from around the furnace area and keep a supply of filters on hand. You should change the filters every month.

Fireplace: If you have a fireplace, arrange for a chimney sweeper to clean it before the first use. Ensure that animals or birds cannot enter through the top and clean out the fireplace opening. Buy lots of wood and store it in a dry place.

Exterior Doors/Windows: Meticulously inspect the doors and windows for cracks, spaces, and drafts. Remove screens and install storm windows if needed. Replace caulking around the windows and seal with plastic to keep out cold drafts.

Roof/Gutter/Eaves: Inspect the roof and replace any shingles that appear to be loose, lifting, or curling. Remove any leaves or debris from the gutters and downspouts. Trim any tree branches that may be hanging over the eaves and roof. As winter progresses, snow can tend to accumulate on the roof. Pack an extra layer of insulation in the attic to prevent cold from entering the home.

Plumbing: Prevent your pipes from freezing by insulating any that are exposed. Drain your air conditioning pipes as well as hoses. Pipes that burst due to freezing is one of the leading causes of home insurance claims in the winter. These precautions will prevent potential water damages inside your home.

Foundation: Seal up any cracks or holes in the foundation and secure crawlspaces to prevent moisture and animals from entering. Remove any debris or rotting vegetation that may have accumulated around the foundation during the fall months. Ensure that there are no rodent or insect infestations. If you notice an accumulation, call a pest control expert immediately.

Outdoor Surfaces: Slippery and icy sidewalks and stairs can pose serious hazards and potential liability issues. If someone happens to slip and get injured on your property, they can make a claim against your home insurance policy. If you notice any cracks or holes, have them filled in to prevent falls. Keep an ample supply of salt, sand, or kitty litter on hand to melt any snow or ice that may accumulate. Keep all walkways shoveled and clear.

These tips and suggestions will help to keep you, your home, and others safe over the winter season. Following these important steps will prevent potential disasters or claims on your home insurance policy, and leave you with peace of mind. Winter should be a season to enjoy the beautiful sights and snuggle up in front of a warm fire, not one to be mopping up water from burst pipes or worrying about a broken furnace. Avoiding the hassle and expense of winter related problems is well worth the small amount spent on winterizing your home.

Labels: Home Insurance Vancouver