What Is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance provides coverage for your lost, damaged, or stolen personal possessions. It also provides coverage for injuries to another person that might occur in your rented home or apartment.

For example, if someone is hurt in your apartment, and the injury is deemed to be your fault, that person can file a liability claim with your insurance company to cover the costs associated with the injury.

If the injured person chooses to file a lawsuit against you, your renters liability insurance would pay for your legal defense, up to the limits set on your policy. If you do not have renters insurance, these costs would be your responsibility to pay out of pocket.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance provides financial reimbursement to cover a tenant’s lost or damaged possessions as a result of fire, theft or vandalism. It also covers a tenant’s liability in the event that a visitor is injured on the premises.

Whether the renters insurance or the landlord insurance pays for the costs associated with the injury will depend on the circumstances of the incident, the location on the premises where the injury occurs, and who is at fault.

Renters insurance can also provide compensation for alternative living arrangements in the event that your rental unit or rented home becomes uninhabitable due to storm damage or an apartment fire.

How Does Renters Insurance Work?

Renters insurance will help to pay your costs if you suffer a loss, such as a burglary. The amount of compensation you will receive depends on the type of loss and the amount of coverage you have in place.

For example, you can buy “actual cash value” (depreciated) coverage for your personal property, or you can buy replacement cost coverage for your personal possessions.

Certain items such as jewelry, collectibles or other valuable items may have a value limit or require additional insurance coverage to provide full coverage for loss, theft or damage. You will also be responsible for a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket expense.

In the event that a visitor to your home, condo or apartment is severely injured, that person can file a claim with your insurance company, and your insurer will address the claim.

Is Renters Insurance Necessary?

Renters insurance is necessary if you are renting a home or apartment and want to be sure your valuable possessions are protected from loss, theft or damage, and protects you in the event of liability claims as well.

You are not required to carry renters insurance by law, but a landlord can require renters insurance in your rental agreement in your lease.

Carrying renters insurance protects you and the landlord by ensuring that no matter what happens on the premises, either your renters insurance or the landlord’s insurance will provide compensation.

As an example, what happens if a neighboring tenant leaves cooking unattended and starts an apartment fire that damages your unit and belongings?

It’s possible that some combination of the neighbor tenant’s renters insurance, the landlord’s property insurance, and the personal property insurance in your renters policy will come into play to cover the cost of repairs.

Why Is Renters Insurance Important?

Renters insurance is important because your possessions are not protected by the landlord’s insurance policy. Landlord insurance covers damage to the building but does not protect your possessions.

Another good reason to have renters insurance is for protection against liability claims. The liability portion of your renters insurance will provide compensation if a visitor to your rented home is injured. If that person files a lawsuit against you, your renters liability insurance will also help to cover the costs of your legal defense.

Renters insurance can also cover temporary accommodations in the event that you have to live elsewhere while your rental is being repaired due to fire, smoke or water damage.

How Much Is Renters Insurance?

The cost of renters insurance is generally quite affordable. You can typically expect to pay between $100 and $250 per year on average, depending on where you live and the coverage amount you carry on the insurance policy. The national average for renters insurance is $15 to $30 per month.

The best way to find the renters insurance you need and to find an affordable policy that meets your need is to contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: trustedchoice.com

A couple on a snowmobile about to start their day of adventure and discovery

When you ride the trail, put safety first! Follow the snowmobile safety tips listed below.

Know the law

Check with the local DNR, law enforcement agencies, dealers and clubs to make sure you follow all the rules in the area where you are riding.

Gear up

For optimum protection, always wear protective gear such as a safety-certified helmet, warm gloves, a windproof outer layer and boots.

Think ahead

Always carry your owner's manual, an extra belt, extra spark plugs, a tow rope, a small tool kit, spare parts, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and a few survival items such as a space blanket, waterproof matches and a compass.

Tread lightly

Respect nature and ride only in areas where it's permitted. Wait for enough snow to cover vegetation so you don't destroy it, avoid running over trees and shrubs and don't disturb wildlife around you.

Maintain control and stay sharp

Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience. Be aware of current terrain, visibility and weather conditions, potential hazards or obstacles. Ride only when your senses are sharp. Never do drugs or drink and then ride.

Check it out

Be sure your snowmobile is running properly before riding. Review your owner's manual. Follow the recommended service schedule and be sure an authorized service provider makes all repairs.

Take a friend

Don't snowmobile alone. It's more fun - and safer - to ride with a friend along.

Take care crossing roads

When crossing roads, make sure you stop completely and that no traffic is approaching from any direction. Remember basic hand signals when you are turning.

Slow down at night

At night your visibility is limited to the distance of your headlight. The slower you go, the more room you have to stop. Also, avoid riding along road shoulders at night where your headlight, and those of street traffic, could cause confusion.

Beware of water

Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Never cross over a frozen lake, pond or stream. You run the risk of breaking through the ice, and starting, stopping and turning are more difficult due to less traction.

Know your protected with Snowmobile Insurance

In addition to snowmobile safety, be sure you have proper snowmobile insurance coverage to protect your vehicle and provide liability coverage in case someone gets injured or property is damaged during the use of your vehicle. Learn more about coverage options for snowmobile insurance or contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: Foremost.com

Did you know that November is Child Safety and Protection Month? It was created to raise awareness about the potential dangers that children face each and every day.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Child Injury Report are a sobering reminder of the importance of this issue. It found that an estimated 9.2 million children annually had an initial emergency department visit for an unintentional injury. Furthermore, on average, 12,175 children 0 to 19 years of age die each year in the United States from an unintentional and often preventable injury.

Safety Starts At Home

However, before we take a look at the different ways to promote national child safety protection month within our communities, it is important to learn how to promote safety and protection in our own homes.

Household Safety

Thousands of children are treated or hospitalized each year because of accidental poisonings within their own homes. The CDC found that children between the ages of 1 to 4 years had the highest rates of poisoning. These tips from the American Association of Poison Control Centers can help make your home a safe environment:

• Keep cleaning supplies, medicines, garden chemicals, and toxic art supplies locked away or on a high shelf. Make sure these items are put away immediately after each use.
• Purchase over-the-counter and prescription medicines with childproof caps. Keep them on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet, not on your bedside table.
• Keep vitamins and minerals such as iron out of reach. They can be hazardous, even fatal, to children.
• Never use food containers to store nonfood substances.
• Program the contact number for Poison Control in your phone to use in the case of accidental poisoning.

Infant Safety

For children less than one year of age, two–thirds of injury deaths are due to suffocation. It is so important to place your baby on their back to sleep, remembering that “back is best,” and “face up to wake up.” Do not allow infants to sleep with blankets, stuffed animals, or other items before the age of 1. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, these are the Top 5 Tips to Protect Your Baby (you can also download a handy tipsheet from their website): A firm mattress and fitted sheet are all you need for your baby’s crib. Remove all blankets and toys as these could result in unintentional injury. Learn to use your child’s car seat, booster seat, and seat belt the right way in your vehicle. Use this basic car seat safety checklist to help. Make sure you have both a working smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas. Test the alarms to make sure they work. Place your baby’s crib and other furniture away from windows and blinds. Your baby is safer without any strings or cords within reach to prevent a choking hazard. Set your water heater to 120F to avoid scalds.

Outdoor Safety

Playing outside is so important, and kids love it! However, keeping children safe outdoors requires some special precautions. Here are some tips for outdoor safety and injury prevention: Never leave children alone outside. When using tricycles, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and ride-on toys, ensure that children of all ages are wearing a helmet to prevent head injury. Always use safety straps to secure children in strollers, and do not put children who cannot sit up well in wagons that have low sides. Teach children not to play near the street. Explain that children must ask for help if toys roll into the street or driveway. Ensure that all outdoor play areas are fenced, especially when they are near a street, parking lot, pond, well, or railroad tracks. Keep the gates closed and install childproof latches. Also, be sure that all storage sheds, barns, and garages remain locked. Check the outdoor play area routinely. Remove all trash, sharp objects (including branches or other foliage), tools, lawn equipment, and animal feces that could result in accidental injury. Surround electrical appliances in the play area, such as air conditioners, with fences so children cannot reach them. Also, remove gas grills from outdoor play areas. When playing at a park or playground, check to make sure that the equipment isn’t too wet or too hot.

Water Safety

According to the CDC, drowning has been the leading cause of injury or death for children 1 to 4 years of age. Whenever your young child is around water, it is important to follow these safety guidelines to prevent accidental injury:

• Be aware of all bodies of water, both big and small. Swimming pools, bathtubs, ponds, ditches, fountains, watering cans, kiddie pools, and even large buckets of water can be dangerous for children when left unattended. Be sure to empty containers of water of all sizes when you are finished using them.
• Always enforce safety rules with your kids, such as no running near the pool, and no pushing or holding others underwater.
• Ensure the deep and shallow ends of any pool your child swims in are clearly marked, and never allow your child to dive into the shallow end as this puts them at risk of serious head injury.
• When swimming, children should always be supervised by an adult (preferably one who knows CPR). The adult should be within arm’s length for older children, and fully touching the infant, toddler, or young child when they are in or around water. This is important, not only in deep swimming pools but kiddie pools as well. Always be sure to empty and put away kiddie pools after each play session.
• Your child should always wear a life jacket when he swims or rides in a boat. A life jacket fits properly if you can’t lift it off over your child’s head after he’s been fastened into it. For the child under age five, particularly the non-swimmer, it also should have a flotation collar to keep the head upright and the face out of the water. Don’t allow your small child to rely on inflatable toys, pool noodles, or loungers in place of a life jacket. These toys may deflate suddenly, or your child may slip off them into water that is too deep.
• If you have a backyard swimming pool, (or a large, inflatable above-ground pool), it should be completely surrounded with at least a 4-foot (1.2 meters) high fence that completely separates the pool from the house. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate that opens away from the pool, with the latch at least 54 inches high and out of the child’s reach. Check the gate frequently to be sure it is in good working order. Keep the gate closed and locked at all times. Be sure your child cannot manipulate the lock or climb the fence. No opening under the fence or between uprights should be more than 4 inches (10 cm) wide. Keep toys out of the pool area when not in use so that children are not tempted to try to get through the fence. Also, if your pool has a cover, be sure to remove it completely before swimming. Also, never allow your small child to walk on the pool cover. Do not use a pool cover in place of a four-sided fence.
• Spas and hot tubs are dangerous for young children, who can easily drown or become overheated in them. Don’t allow young children to use these facilities.
• If possible, have a phone in the pool area with emergency numbers clearly marked. Keep a safety ring with a rope beside the pool at all times.
• Be sure to eliminate distractions while children are in the water. Talking on the phone, working on the computer, and other tasks need to wait until children are out of the water. Additionally, adults should not drink alcohol when they are swimming. It presents a danger for them as well as for any children they might be supervising.

Awareness Activities at Home

In honor of Child Safety Protection Month, it is a good idea to print out the above safety tips, review them with your adult family members and children, and post them in your home. You can also print out safety tip sheets, fact sheets, infographics, checklists, and other resources from Safe Kids Worldwide to display in your home or give to family and friends. By always keeping these injury prevention tips in mind, you can better create a safe environment for all kids.

Safe Kids Worldwide also has fun, online activities for kids that you can print and complete at home to teach your children about safety and protection! Also, reading protection-themed books to your kids is a great way to teach them about safety!

Finally, take this opportunity to create a safety plan and emergency preparedness kit with your family, if you don’t have these already! Keep them visible and accessible at all times.

Raising Awareness in the Community

It truly does take a village to raise a child, and keeping them safe is also a team effort! Here are some ways that you can raise awareness of safety and protection in your community:

Share Resources

Every parent, caregiver, educator, child care provider, and community member should have access to the tips and tools to help keep the children in our communities safe! A big way that you and your family can help spread awareness is by printing out the tip sheets and other resources, and sharing them! Some examples of places to distribute or post them are at community activities, schools, child care centers, laundry rooms, apartment buildings, community recreation centers, churches, or wherever else parents are gathering in your neighborhood.

Find a Car Seat Technician (or become one)!

Car seat safety awareness is a huge issue in our communities! Child Passenger Safety Technicians are trained individuals who can give parents one-on-one personalized instruction in how to properly use and install a child safety seat, as well as information on seat belt guidelines, child restraints, booster seat recommendations, and more. You can host a car seat instructional event, find a local technician to instruct you or your family and friends, or even become trained on child safety seat installation yourself! Imagine what a tremendous asset this would be to your neighborhood! You can find all of the information regarding National Child Passenger Safety Technicians here.

Create a Cleaner and Safer Neighborhood

Do what you can to control the environment in which you live in by starting at home and ensuring that both your indoor and outdoor space is clean and clutter-free. To continue the commitment and raise awareness for Child Safety Protection Month, initiate a Community Clean-Up Day! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join you in keeping your community clean and safe for kids to learn and play, by removing litter and other hazards!

Additionally, a well cared-for neighborhood with mowed lawns, flowers, and freshly painted homes can help deter crime and positively affect child development. A well-kept yard also provides fewer places for suspicious persons to take cover. If there is an open lot or abandoned home nearby, work together as a neighborhood to clean up the weeds, plant trees, and do a bit of fixing up on the exterior. A little truly does go a long way!

Also, working to improve the lighting on your street or in your apartment complex is so important for child safety. While advocating for more streetlights is one way to do this, you can also ask your neighbors to turn on their porch lights in the evenings or to install motion-sensor lights in the backs or sides of the house. This helps ensure that kids stay visible when they are outside at night, and also deters potential intruders.

Get To Know Your Neighbors

In order to promote safety within your community, it is so important to get to know the people in your neighborhood. Those living next to you can often be the best form of protection available! Going on walks with your neighbors, working in your yard, and letting your kids safely play with the kids down the street helps you learn each other’s strengths and needs.

For example, do you live next to an elderly couple, who sometimes need help? Or is there a local teenager who is learning to drive? Are there small children that play outside, that drivers and other neighbors should look out for? Are there safe individuals who your kids can carpool with, or a responsible young person who can babysit your children in a pinch? Do you have each other’s phone numbers in case there is an emergency in the neighborhood? Having a way to reach your neighbors if they’re gone and something is amiss can be a tremendous asset. Organizing a neighborhood cookout, block party, or safety awareness event can encourage people to get to know one another and feel more comfortable spending time out in the neighborhood as well.

Overall, Child Safety and Protection month is a great opportunity to raise awareness, both at home and in your community! Source: all4kids.org

A favorite thing to do during fall is see the changing leaves on a color tour. The hues of red, yellow and orange leaves are beautiful, especially on a sunny day. There are a few different ways to do this; by foot, bike, or if you really want to have some fun…by packing into an RV and taking your adventure on the road!

The best time to schedule a trip to see fall foliage depends on where you want to go. According to Travel and Leisure, the colors are in full swing by mid-October in the Midwest and on the East coast. If you want to head to the Rockies or the West coast, plan your visit in early November.

Here are 15 must-see places to drive through this fall:

1. Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina
2. Michigan's Gold Coast, Traverse City
3. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
4. Coastal Maine
5. Olympic Peninsula, Washington
6. Ozarks, Arkansas
7. Moosehead Lake Region, Maine
8. The Green Mountain and Mad River Byways, Vermont
9. Lake Placid, New York
10. The Driftless Region, Wisconsin
11. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
12. Cades Cove, The Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
13. Crested Butte, Colorado
14. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, Taos, New Mexico
15. Eastern Sierras, California

If you've never been to these places, now is the time to explore.

It's a necessary task for any seasonal home owner, and you still have time to get it done: preparing your seasonal home for the rigors of winter. Properly planning now can help you avoid damage and expensive repairs in the spring.

The best preparation is to develop a checklist of tasks and then follow it faithfully. Here are the major areas for winterization that Foremost recommends your list includes:

Plumbing

This is one of the most important areas to address when winterizing a seasonal home. If your furnace fails, any water in the house could possibly freeze and cause major damage. Make sure the water system is turned off at its supply point and any pipes are cleared to prevent possible freezing and bursting. Further, the toilet as well as the shower and sink traps should be flushed and protected with non-toxic antifreeze.

Appliances

You should drain any appliance that may hold water, including the water heater, washing machines, dishwashers or ice makers Also make sure the refrigerator and freezer are properly defrosted and propped open to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Unplug all devices that don't need to be powered and shut off the valves for any gas appliances.

Furnace

Turn down the thermostat to about 55 degrees to help prevent freezing problems unless your home is an area that doesn't get too cold in the winter. If your heater will be turned off over the winter, follow the manufacturer's instructions for winterizing the system.

Structural repairs

Check the roof and siding to make sure it's secure and intact. If a shingle or piece were to blow off while the house is empty and go unnoticed, it could cause bigger water or structural damage problems. Examine the exterior around windows, doors and any pipe openings and caulk any areas that could let air, water, bugs or rodents into the house.

Outdoor work

Clean up the yard and trim back bushes from the home to make it harder for burglars to hide. Secure all outdoor furniture in a locked garage or shed.

Indoor cleaning

Thoroughly clean the house before closing it for winter to help prevent mold, mildew or insect and rodent problems. Remove all perishable items and any boxed food that animals could eat. Move electronics, TVs or computers from plain sight so anyone looking in the windows won't see them. Consider removing any other small valuables from the premises altogether.

Security

Make sure all windows are closed and locked and sliding doors are secured with bars in the track to prevent entry. Check door locks to make sure the latch plates are screwed into the wall studs and not just the door frame. Close the curtains and if any neighbors are permanent residents, consider giving a trustworthy one a spare key to check on the place. Otherwise, arrange to have someone check on the place weekly, or install a remotely monitored security system.

It's also important to do an insurance check-up with your insurance agency to make sure your home's policy adequately covers it while it's closed. Seasonal homes often require a specialized policy that addresses the specific situation of a homeowner who only occupies a residence for part of the year.

Cancer leaves families with a feeling of helplessness and devastation. Aside from the physicality’s- it also causes an enormous financial burden to families. Medical bills, treatments, and hospital stays are only a few of the expenses. In many cases, one or more parent needs to stop working to be available to attend appointments, causing extreme monetary hardship. Fortunately, there is hope for a cure through spreading awareness and donating to research, but families need immediate assistance on the road to a cure. Lallis & Higgins’ very own Anthony Lallis is doing just that!

As a survivor of childhood leukemia, Anthony knows firsthand the devastating impact a Cancer diagnoses brings to families- physically, mentally, and financially. In 2017 Anthony had successfully raised over $50,000 for Cancer research and was honorably titled Man of the Year by the Massachusetts’ Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The search for a cure is far from over, and neither is Anthony’s mission to help. With a new approach to raising money and awareness, Anthony hopes to raise another $50,000 by stepping into the ring, an d help lessen the financial burden to families by giving them direct funding for the expenditures that come with Cancer.

The Haymakers for hope Rock N Rumble event everyday people the once- in- a- lifetime opportunity to compete in their first sanctioned boxing event. The experience is impactful, challenging, and life- changing. Haymakers has raised over $14.5 million dollars over the last 10 years.

The event will take place on October 13th at Boston’s House of Blues. Ticket sales to the event go directly towards Anthony’s goal to “Knock out Cancer”. Click here to purchase tickets or to make a donation.

As one of the most common crimes, burglary is nothing to be taken lightly. And unlike common belief, most of these burglaries happen in the middle of the day. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, break-ins are more likely to happen between 6AM and 6PM, right in the middle of the day!

With the fall season upon us and the holidays approaching, it is important to make your home safe from break-ins. While there are many safety recommendations out there, HowStuffWorks has covered the seven most effective.

Don't showboat.

If you've just purchased a pricey new computer or television, breakdown the box and place it in the garbage bin instead of leaving it on the curb for everyone to see. Also, take a walk around your house to see how visible expensive items are with the curtains open. You may want to move some of them out of view to avoid enticing thieves.

Pretend to be home.

A break-in typically happens when no one is home, especially during the day while many people are at work. For that reason, create an illusion that someone is still there. You can leave a light on, along with music or your television.

Secure sliding doors and windows.

You can easily break into some older sliding doors by simply popping them off of their frame, even when locked. It's harder to do that with newer ones, but you should still take extra precaution to secure them since they can be an inviting entry for burglars. Simply take a strong dowel, steel bar or two-by-four and slide it into the back groove.

Although you should always lock your windows before leaving the house, you can install a simple pin or nail into the frame to stop it from raising more than a few inches. This will add an additional layer of security in case someone pops off the screen and you have left the window unlocked. Also remember to check window air conditioning units. If you can jimmy the window up from the outside, add a stopper to that frame.

Don't leave a spare key out.

It may seem like a good idea to leave a spare key hidden under a flower pot or doormat in case you get locked out of your house. But that's an open invitation for a burglar to walk inside without any difficulty. Instead, give a spare to a neighbor you know well or friend who lives nearby for safekeeping.

Remember to never put any identifying information on your house keys. If you lose them, and someone else finds them, it would be fairly easy to trace them back to your home and break-in.

Secure your yard.

Tall shrubs and overgrown trees are welcome hiding places for criminals to wait until the coast is clear to get into your house. That doesn't mean you need to cut down every plant in your yard. Just keep things manicured.

Prepare before vacation.

Alert neighbors you trust about your trip and ask that they keep an eye on your property during that time. More importantly, when you leave town, don't leave signs of an empty house. First, if you have a home phone, don't change your message to alert callers that you have left town. Also avoid having piled up mail, overgrown lawns and newspapers strewn about your yard that send surefire signals you're miles away. Last, but certainly not least, don't announce vacation on social media.

Lock it up.

More than 40% of break-ins happen without the use of force, which means a lot of people are leaving their houses without locking the doors and windows. If you have a thumb latch lock and a deadbolt on your doors, always lock the deadbolt. Double-check weaker doors such as patio and sliding ones to make sure their locks are strong enough to withstand kicks. When you leave your home, don't forget to lock up the door leading from the garage to inside. Even if your garage door is down, someone can easily open it.

Foremost.com

Meet the Williams Family

Happily married for eight years, Mike and Chris Williams are proud parents to four-year-old Peyton.

As avid cyclists, they first met at a bike race in downtown Chicago. When Chris had a flat tire, Mike stopped to help him. The rest was history. As the years went by, many of life’s important decisions were discussed on long bike rides. In fact, it’s where Mike proposed! Along with a ring, he gave Chris a small bicycle lapel pin with a diamond in the tire hub as a reminder of how their journey began.

The situation presented is hypothetical and not representative of any particular client.

Life Gets More Complicated

Once Peyton came along, long bike rides turned into short rides to a local playground, and long talks steered to the topics of daycare, student loans, the mortgage, and college planning. When Chris’ mother faced a terminal illness, he relied on Mike to boost his spirits and help take care of Peyton. That’s when it hit them. What would Chris do without Mike if anything ever happened to him? How would Mike function if Chris were not there?

They called a financial professional, who recommended term life insurance policies from Prudential. It was the answer they were looking for: affordable, reliable protection for the years their family needed it most.

The Unexpected Happens

Two years later, while they were training together for a race, Chris was hit by a truck. His injuries were serious, and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Mike rushed to Chris’ bedside but arrived just in time to say good-bye. Devastated, he removed the small bicycle pin and pinned it to his own shirt, over his heart.

Stability Despite Change

Facing life without his husband has been the hardest thing Mike has ever had to do. Although Chris often called Mike his rock, Mike thought the same of Chris. And now, amidst his grief and Peyton’s, he was faced with bills, childcare, and taking care of their home. When their financial professional reminded Mike that the death benefit from Chris’ policy could help cover funeral expenses, bills, childcare, and more, Mike was relieved. He could focus on his family instead of worrying about bills. He often shakes his head and smiles as he thinks about how Chris is still helping the family get through.

A year after Chris’ passing, Mike was ready to race again and, in Chris’ honor, entered the race they had trained for together. Wearing matching bicycle pins, each with a tiny diamond in the tire’s hub, Peyton cheered him on.

Chris and Mike were each other’s rock. Who’s yours?

Contact your financial professional today to get the life insurance protection you need. Life insurance is issued by Pruco Life Insurance Company (except in NY), and Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (in NY). All are Prudential Financial companies located in Newark, NJ.

All guarantees and benefits of the insurance policy are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

This material is being provided for informational or educational purposes only and does not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any clients or prospective clients. The information is not intended as investment advice and is not a recommendation about managing or investing a client’s retirement savings. Clients seeking information regarding their particular investment needs should contact a financial professional.

© 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities.
1051377-00001-00 Ed. 09/2021
ISG_CO_ILI103_01

Source: prudential.assetserv.com

In our last blog we showed you 25 fall maintenance tips, here are the next 25! You'll definitely regret skipping over any of these important home maintenance tasks this fall.

26. Make a winter driving kit

This kit is overkill for year-round driving, but it could be very useful during winter. It only takes a few minutes to put together and you probably already have most of the stuff! Then, make sure you make these winter car care fixes as well so your car survived the winter.

27. Stockpile firewood

Whether you have a source of wood on your property or need to purchase a cord or two, fall is a great time to spend cutting and chopping wood to burn in your fireplace all winter long. And if you’re using a chain saw, make sure to brush up on your safety knowledge before you hit the forest.

28. Cut your lawn short

Keep mowing your grass until it stops growing. And your last mow of the season should cut your grass nice and short. This reduces the chance that your lawn will get snow mold and vole damage.

29. Fertilize your lawn

It’s important to apply fertilizer to your lawn during the fall—in fact, if you only apply fertilizer once a year, fall is the time to do it. Your lawn has spent all summer growing and it’s hungry.

30. Bring paint inside

Freezing can ruin latex paint and other finishes, so make sure to move your paint inside before the first frost. Some latex paint can survive a couple of freeze/thaw cycles, but it’s better not to chance it.

31. Don’t let glue freeze

Many adhesives–wood glue especially–can be ruined by just one freeze/thaw cycle, so it’s a good idea to store them in a heated space during cold months. Even glue just left overnight in a car can freeze and make it unusable.

32. Water your lawn in the fall

Your lawn still needs water in autumn, even though the leaves are changing, the growing season is winding down and your grass isn’t growing fast. Fall watering helps your lawn recover from summer stress and gain strength for the winter ahead. Also, if you fertilize in the fall, watering is necessary for the fertilizer to dissolve and soak into the ground where it’s needed. So don’t put your hoses or sprinklers away until the ground starts to freeze, your fall grass needs it. Here are other secrets your landscaper won’t tell you.

33. Build a mitten and shoe dryer

Drill pairs of 1/8-in. holes in a scrap of 2×4 and insert U-shaped pieces of galvanized 14-gauge wire. If you have forced-air heat, drill 1-in. holes between the pairs of 1/8-in. holes using a spade bit, and set the rack on a register for fast drying.

34. Bleed hot water radiators

When trapped air clogs a hot water radiator, some or all of the ‘fins’ will stay cold. At the top of the radiator, look for a small valve like the one shown. Take a radiator key, 1/4-in. 12-point socket, or a flat screwdriver (depending on the valve type) and slowly turn the valve counter-clockwise until water starts dripping out. This releases the trapped air and lets hot water into the cold fins. While you’re at it, you might as well repeat the process on all of your radiators. Have a cup or dish handy to catch the water.

35. Clear steam radiator vents

Steam radiators have an air vent like the one shown. Unfortunately, many of these vents get painted over, plugging the air hole. Clear the air hole in the top of the vent with a small wire or sewing needle. If you’re still worried about the air vents working properly, consult a hot water/steam heat specialist who can replace the vents.

36. Install stovetop fire suppressors

Kitchen fires can quickly get out of hand, and with Thanksgiving on the horizon, you’ll likely be cooking more. Do yourself a favor and get a pair of fire suppressors. These magnetically-mounted cans live in your range hood and are activated when flames reach the fuze on the can. You find them for about $50, which may seem spendy, but they’re cheap insurance against something much worse.

37. Inspect and fix your garage door

Cold can wreak havoc on garage door tracks. Make sure your garage door is in good shape so you don’t find yourself stuck in the garage (or worse yet—stuck outside).

38. Check your detectors

With furnaces turned on, the windows closed and portable heaters humming along, fall is a great time to make sure your smoke and CO detectors are working. Check batteries and expiration dates—smoke detectors are typically good for 10 years, and CO detectors last for about six years.

39. Empty pots and planters

The water in soil left in flower pots and planters over winter can freeze and expand. Make sure to empty your clay and ceramic planters so they’ll survive for next season.

40. Fix your furniture

Not only is fixing your furniture a fun and easy indoor project, but you’ll also be glad to have sturdy, good-looking chairs and tables when guests stop by for holidays.

41. Insulate pipes

Pipes running through unheated basements and crawlspaces as well as exterior walls can be prone to freezing during winter (and causing bigger problems). Make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

42. How to seal outlets and ceiling boxes

The tiny gaps around outlets on exterior walls and ceiling boxes let cold air in (and warm air out). Sealing these areas takes just half a day and will help cut down on drafts (and your heating bill!).

43. Protect your house from critters

As temperatures drop, mice and other vermin will want to find a warm place to hunker down. Don’t let it be your house! Seal up any critter gaps and have a game plan for getting rid of any critters that might make themselves at home.

44. Test for radon

If you haven’t tested your house for radon, now is the time to do it. Sealing up your house for the winter also means you’re trapping potential cancer-causing radon gas. Get your house tested and take means to mitigate it if it’s a problem.

45. Clean dryers and vents

Thousands of dryer fires are caused by lint every year, yet they can be easily prevented with a few minutes of cleaning. With drier air and cooler temperatures approaching, make it a fall ritual to clean out your dryer and vent. Here’s what else all homeowners need to know ASAP.

46. Handrail safety check

Go around your property and test and secure any loose handrails. Think about someone grabbing a handrail when slipping on some ice or snow, and make sure it’s up to the task.

47. Fill your bird feeders

If you’ve been feeding birds around your property, make sure to keep the bird feeders full through winter. They’ll come back to the area looking for food, and you want to make sure they don’t go hungry.

48. Don’t prune your trees

While intuition might want to make you get out your chainsaw and start pruning after the leaves fall, you could do more harm than good. Most trees are still active in the fall and any pruning during fall will encourage new growth at the wrong time. Wait until your trees are truly dormant to do your tree trimming—during winter or early spring.

49. Save your tender bulbs

A lot of northern gardeners treat tender bulbs as annuals, allowing them to die at season’s end. Instead, overwinter them. To make it simpler, plant tender bulbs in containers. Then, after frost kills the tops, whisk the containers into cool storage in a basement or attached garage. Water sparingly—maybe once a month—while they’re dormant so the soil doesn’t totally dry out—and bring the containers back out in spring.

50. Store lawn chairs

Here’s how to store your lawn and folding chairs so they’re out of your way. Take two pieces of 1×4 lumber (any scrap lumber will do) and create some simple, cheap and useful brackets on the wall. Cut each board 7-3/4 in. long with a 30-degree angle on both ends. Fasten pairs of these brackets with three 2-in. screws to the side of the exposed wall studs, directly across from each other, and you’ve got a perfect place to hang your chairs. Now, learn other things that smart homeowners do once a year.

Source: rd.com

1. Aerate the soil

“Aerating” simply means making holes in the ground by removing plugs of soil. And it’s the single most important task you can perform to maintain a healthy, good-looking lawn. Nothing else comes close! It relieves compaction caused by foot traffic and creates extra pore space in the soil, allowing air, nutrients, and water to enter. All of that helps roots to thrive. Aerate your lawn at least once a year, preferably in the fall. Do it two or even three times each year if you can. The more, the better. You can rent a lawn aerator at any equipment rental store. Get one that will remove plugs of soil rather than one that pokes holes in the ground.

2. Gutter cleaner

An old plastic spatula makes a great tool for cleaning debris from gutters! It doesn’t scratch up the gutter, and you can cut it to fit gutter contours with snips. Grime wipes right off the spatula too, making cleanup a breeze. Don’t feel like putting in that much elbow grease? Consider a gutter cleaning robot!

3. Clean weep holes

Weep holes may be the tiniest feature of many sliding windows and vinyl replacement windows, but they serve a big function. The little holes, located on the exterior bottom of the frame, are an outlet for rainwater to drain away from the home, but they often can become clogged up with debris. To make sure they’re working properly, spray the outside of the window with a garden hose—a steady stream of clean water should exit from the holes. If it doesn’t, use a wire hanger or compressed air to force the blockage out. Re-test with fresh water to ensure they’re completely cleaned. While you’re at it, do these 10 more vital home maintenance tasks you’ll regret if you forget.

4. Reseed late in the growing season

Reseed in the late summer/early fall. Whether you’re seeding a small patch or a whole yard, you’re going to be much more successful if you wait for the cooler, damper weather of late summer or early fall. It’s almost impossible to get seed to survive during the dog days of summer. It’s simply too hot and dry. You’ll most likely just waste your time and expensive seed.

5. Get your gutters ready

Make sure your home is ready to deal with the rain and snow that comes as the seasons change. Walk around your home and check for loose gutters, broken pieces, and detached downspouts and make the necessary repairs. Ensure your gutters are clear of leaves and other debris and that your downspouts are directing water away from your foundation.

6. Check exterior caulking and weatherstripping

Fall is the perfect time to make sure your house is properly caulked and your weatherstripping is in good shape. Inspect around windows, doors, and anywhere else two materials meet to make sure the caulk is in good shape. Check the weatherstripping around doors and replace if it’s broken or missing—it’s super easy to do. Here are 40 more home repairs anyone can do.

7. Give your roof a once-over

No one wants to be fixing a roof in the dead of winter. Give it a once-over to make sure there aren’t any signs of trouble. Pay attention to broken or missing shingles, missing flashing and any discoloration.

8. Fix driveway and sidewalks before they get worse

Changing temperatures and moisture can turn a small concrete problem into a big one. Take some time to repair broken concrete and get some more time out of your sidewalk, driveway, and steps before they’re in need of full replacement.

9. Install frost-proof outdoor faucets

New outdoor faucets are frost-proof and also prevent unsanitary water from contaminating your water system. Installing a new outdoor faucet takes just a few hours and will give you peace of mind all winter long. These other fall to-dos are a little less work and a lot more fun.

10. Winterize your gas grill

If you’re not a winter griller, now’s the time to pack away your grill before it’s covered with a foot of snow. In addition to giving your grill a thorough cleaning to remove grease and food scraps, take these steps to help prevent any unpleasant surprises when you fire up your grill again next spring.

Shut off the gas at the LP tank, unfasten the burner, slip the gas tubes off the gas lines, and lift out the unit. Coat the burners and other metal parts with cooking oil to repel moisture that can build up over the winter and to prevent rust. Then wrap the burner unit in a plastic bag to keep spiders and insects from nesting in the gas tubes during the winter. This is a common problem that can make for balky starts, uneven flames or even a one-alarm fire the next time you light your grill.

If you’re storing your grill outside during the winter, just keep the propane tank connected (but shut off) and put a protective cover over the entire grill when you’re done cleaning it. If you’re storing the grill indoors, don’t bring the tank inside, even into the garage or a storage shed. A small gas leak can cause a huge explosion if the tank is stored in an enclosed space. Instead, disconnect the tank and store it outside in an upright position away from dryer and furnace vents and children’s play areas. Tape a plastic bag over the grill’s gas line opening to prevent insects from nesting.

11. Winterize your sprinkler system

ou don’t have to pay someone to blow out your sprinkler system. You can do it with your own compressor, but be aware that even the largest home compressor isn’t powerful enough to blow out the entire system at once.

If you like number crunching and you have the original irrigation layout showing the gallons per minute (gpm) of each sprinkler head, divide the gpm of each zone by 7.5. That’ll give you the cubic feet per minute (cfm) you need to blow it out. Otherwise, rent a 10-cfm compressor and hose from a tool rental center.

Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply and set the system timer to open just one zone. Next, open the manual drain valve at the end of that zone (if equipped). Then, connect the air line to the blow-out port, as shown. Close off both valves on the backflow preventer. Then remove the plug on the blow-out port and screw in a quick-connect hose adapter. Snap on the air hose and connect the other end to the compressor. Now blow out the line. The heads should pop up and spit out water. Disconnect the hose as soon as they run dry. Don’t overdo the blow-out—without water cooling the plastic gears, they can melt in less than a minute. Move on to the next zone and allow the heads to cool. Then go back and blow out each zone a second time.

12. Seasonal battery storage

You’ve emptied the gas, sealed the exhaust and prepared the engine for seasonal storage. But before you throw the tarp over your boat or roadster for the long winter sleep, think about how you’re going to care for the battery.

Batteries lose their charge when they sit idle, and when that happens, you could wind up with a worthless battery in the spring. To keep batteries healthy, they should be charged every six weeks. But leaving a standard battery charger connected for the whole season isn’t a good idea—that will overcharge the battery and shorten its life. Instead, invest in a ‘battery maintainer.’

Battery maintainers are designed to be left on for the entire offseason. They monitor battery voltage and automatically adjust the charge to avoid under- and over-charging.

13. Drain garden hoses or waste money on replacements

Due to circumstances (laziness), I sometimes neglect to drain garden hoses before putting them away for the winter. Usually, it’s not a problem. But every once in a while, freezing water splits a hose open. I’ve lost a few cheap hoses this way and a super-expensive one (ouch!). That’s just dumb because draining hoses is so quick and easy: Blast out the water with an air compressor or stretch them out on a sloped yard or driveway. If you need to buy a new garden hose, learn how to do a simple test, right in the store, to see if the hose will be kink-free!—Gary Wentz, Editor-in-Chief, Family Handyman

14. Drain mechanical sprinklers or buy a new one in the spring

I bought one of those sprinklers that looks like a little tractor. It’s designed to follow the path of the hose on the ground. It was expensive, but it worked perfectly for my irregular-shaped yard; that is until it spent the winter in my unheated garage. The residual water froze and destroyed the gears inside. The following spring, all it did was dribble water and make a clicking sound. I should have drained it before storing it. Just to be safe, I’ll keep the new one on a shelf in the basement. — Ken Collier

15. Change your furnace filter

Changing your furnace filter is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your furnace in good shape. If you haven’t changed it in a while, make sure you have a fresh one before you turn your furnace on for the first time. Check out the home maintenance tasks smart homeowners do every week.

16. Take a peek at your furnace

Make sure your furnace is in good shape before you really need to use it. With a few tools and some time, you can perform a DIY furnace inspection to head off problems before they start.

17. Check your chimney or risk a fire

Creosote buildup causes chimney fires. You should have your chimney professionally inspected or cleaned after every 70 fires. If you burn wet wood (which you shouldn’t), have it inspected or cleaned every 50 fires.

Don’t remember the last time you had it cleaned by a pro? A quick way to tell if your chimney needs cleaning is to run the point of your fireplace poker along the inside of your chimney liner. If you find a 1/8-in. layer (or more) of buildup, call a chimney sweep. For additional expert chimney maintenance advice, check out what two certified professional chimney sweeps have to say.

18. Stop airflow up the chimney

Fireplace chimneys can be very inefficient, letting your warm inside air disappear like smoke up a chimney. If you have airtight glass doors that seal the opening, you’re in good shape. (The doors are available at fireplace retailers and home centers.) If not, a special balloon or chimney-top damper will get the job done.

For fireplace chimneys that are seldom or never used, inflate a Chimney Balloon inside the chimney to stop the air leaks. Buy it directly from the company. Partially inflate the balloon by mouth or with a pump, then stick it into the chimney and blow it up the rest of the way.

Putting in and taking out the reusable balloon can be messy (here’s when to clean a chimney flue), so you don’t want to hassle with chimney balloons if you regularly use your fireplace. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for energy loss. Instead, you can install a chimney-top damper system, like the Chim-a-lator, which seals the top of the flue when the chimney’s not in use. A lever in the fireplace controls the damper via a long cable.

Installation involves attaching the damper and screened-in cap to the chimney top, then mounting the lever in the fireplace. If you don’t feel comfortable working on the roof, hire a chimney sweep or mason, who can install the system for you.

19. Check your water heater

Extend the life of your water heater tank and maintain your water heater’s efficiency and safety with a few minutes of basic maintenance once a year. Here are more maintenance tasks that’ll save you time and money in the long run.

20. Winterize your lawn mower

Don’t just shut off your lawnmower and leave it until spring—that’s a bad idea. But winterizing your mower only takes an hour. Give the deck a thorough cleaning. Then, add fuel stabilizer and a few ounces of oil to make sure the engine will start right up without hesitation in the spring.

21. Store outdoor furniture

on’t leave your outdoor furniture exposed to the elements all winter long. At the very least, give your furniture a thorough cleaning and cover it or bring it inside for the season.

22. Take care of those leaves

Once leaves are on the ground, put aside some time to tackle that chore.

23. Deep clean rugs and carpeting

Take advantage of one of those beautiful fall afternoons to give your rugs a deep clean. Take area rugs outside and give them a good shake (or a good whack), then give them a thorough vacuum with your shop vac. Don’t forget our interior carpets—you can rent a carpet cleaner and give your carpet a deep clean before you start hosting holiday gatherings.

24. Get your snowblower ready for service

You’ll want to be sure your snowblower starts before the first big snowfall. Take some time to get your snowblower running and in good order so it’ll be spitting snow as soon as it hits the ground.

25. Get your property ready for snow

Before the snow flies, take a few minutes to inspect your property. Remove rocks, dog tie-out cable, extension cords, holiday light cords, and garden hoses. Then stake out paths that run near gardens so you don’t accidentally suck up rocks and garden edging. Mark your walk and driveway perimeters by pounding in driveway markers. If the ground is frozen, just drill a hole using a masonry bit and your battery-powered drill.

Stayed tuned next week for the next 25 Fall maintenance tasks...

Source: rd.com