If you wanted to, you could build a panic room for protection from robbers or kidnappers. But what about protecting your belongings when you’re not home? Perhaps you really don’t want to install an alarm system — or maybe you do. Either way, here are some no-cost and low-cost tricks to make your protection more complete, and help keep your belongings away from thieves.
Outside Areas:
Begin with the landscaping, which is the first thing a burglar sees and the first thing he will assess. To make it harder for a burglar to hide and gain entry:
- Prune lower limbs from any big trees.
- Trim bushes so a person could not use one for cover.
- Move any decorative trellises away from windows or porch roofs so they cannot be climbed for second-floor access.
- Consider planting thorny bushes below first-floor windows, and be sure they are close enough to the house so that an adult could not wedge behind one to jimmy a window without getting scratched.
- Remove any trees or bushes beside exterior doors. They can hide a burglar from passing cars and they can also hide intruders from your sight when you answer the door.
- Make sure all ladders and tools are secure inside the house, not inside a garden shed.
- If your yard is dim at night, install the biggest, brightest lights you can afford for all entries to your house. Use them. Turn them on when you leave the house at night; set up motion detectors to turn them on when you are away.
Inside the Home:
Windows generally provide easier access for criminals than doors. Here are some window tactics:
- Buy special window locks at your hardware store for all first-floor windows and any second-floor windows accessible from a porch or garage roof. DO NOT hang the keys on clever little hooks or nails beside the window. Crooks know that one and will simply break a pane and reach around until they find the key (but be sure the whole family knows where the keys are in case of emergency).
- Don’t demonstrate the easiest window to enter by climbing in it. If a family member regularly forgets his or her key, consider leaving keys with a trustworthy neighbor for emergency use. DON’T CLIMB IN THE WINDOW EVER. Even amateur burglars can figure that one out, especially if they’ve seen you do it and figure the neighbors won’t notice.
- For sliding windows, use the same techniques as for sliding doors, below.
Some burglars like to enter like a guest, through the door. Here are some ways to discourage that sort of burglar:
- Make every entry door solid core wood or metal; hollow-core doors are easily kicked in. The door should fit the frame snugly, with no more than 1/8 inch between door and jamb. If the gap is larger, replace the door, or install a heavy-gauge metal strip available at the hardware store.
- Replace doors with decorative glass windows or panels. If that’s too expensive, install break-resistant plastic panes, or install a decorative grille over the glass.
- It’s unlikely, but if an entry door has hinges on the outside, rehang it with hinges inside. If that’s impossible, re-install it with pin-less hinges. Burglars can pop pins and take off the door to enter.
- Make sure locks on all sliding glass doors are sturdy. Then use a solid stick of wood or broom handle in the track of the closed door.
If you would like to obtain a new Homeowners insurance quote simply contact the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666, or fill out the form below!
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Its Friday and Scurich Insurance Services would like to help you unwind for the weekend with this weeks joke of the week.
Tom, Dick and Harry went to a party. After the party they returned to the hotel. The hotel was 600 stories high.
Unfortunately for them, the elevator was not working. They made a plan for the first 200 stories, Tom will crack jokes.
The second 200 stories Dick will tell a happy story and lastly Harry will tell a sad story.They then started up the steps.
After 2 hours it was Harry’s turn. He turned to the other two and said “Ok guys, here’s my sad story. I forgot the keys downstairs.
For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666.
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Its that time of the year again, and the staff at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season. we will be closed Tuesday December 25th.
For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services today at 800-320-3666.
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Taken From: National Fire Protection Association
Written By: John Hall
“The winter holiday season should be a joyous time of year. However, certain types of fires and injuries associated with holiday decorating are much more common during this season.
Christmas tree fires
In 2006-2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of four civilian deaths, 21 civilian injuries, and $17.3 million in direct property damage per year.
Although these fires are not common, when they do occur, they are unusually likely to be serious. On average, one of every 66 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death compared to an average of one death per 144 total reported home structure fires.
Nearly half of the home Christmas tree structure fires were in December and one-third were in January. Fifty percent of home Christmas tree structure fires occurred on the 15 days from December 22 through January 5.
Electrical failures or malfunctions were involved in one-third (31%) of the home Christmas tree structure fires. Nearly one in five (18%) occurred because some type of heat source was too close to the tree. Decorative lights on line voltage were involved in 14% of these incidents. Nine percent of home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.
Nineteen percent of home Christmas tree structure fires were intentionally set. Nearly three-fourths (72%) of the intentional Christmas tree fires occurred in the 15 days after Christmas and may have been related to disposal.
The risk of fire is higher with natural trees than artificial ones. Researchers found that dry natural trees burned easily but trees that had been kept moist are unlikely to catch fire unintentionally.
Fires involving holiday lights or other decorative lighting with line voltage
Holiday lights and other decorative lighting with line voltage were involved in an estimated average of 160 home structure fires per year in this same period. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths, 13 civilian injuries, and $9.0 million in direct property damage per year. Almost half (45%) occurred in December and 12% were in January. Seventeen percent of these fires began with Christmas trees. Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in two-thirds (69%) of the fires involving holiday or decorative lights.
Falls related to holiday decorating
In a study of fall-related injuries during the holiday season, Stevens and Vajani estimated that an annual average of roughly 5,800 fall injuries related to holiday decorating were treated at hospital emergency rooms between November 1 and January 31 in 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003. Sixty-two percent of those injured were between 20 and 49 years of age, compared to 43% of the population in this age group. With 43% of the injuries resulting from falls from ladders and 13% caused by falls from the roof, it appears that the majority of these falls occurred during outdoor decorating. Falls from furniture, typically inside the structure, accounted for 11% of the injuries. Some falls occurred when people tripped over or slipped on tree skirts or other decorations.”
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Make sure your Homeowners Insurance policy is up-to-date. Simply contact the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666 for a free evaluation of your current Homeowners Insurance Policy.
Scurich Insurance Services did not originally write this content
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Taken from: About.com
By Charles Montaldo
“Shopping during the holiday season can present unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous.
The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips from the Los Angeles Police
Department Crime Prevention Section can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
- Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
- Dress casually and comfortably.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
- Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.
- Always carry your driver’s license or identification along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
- Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
- Keep cash in your front pocket.
- Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
- Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
- Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.”
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For a free insurance quote contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666, or fill out one of our quote request forms located on our Products and Services page.
Scurich Insurance Services did not originally write this content
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| sharon j. watsonville, CA |
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| We have been with Scurich Insurance for over twenty years and have always been extremely satisfied with the services they provide our company. No high pressure sales pitch, just professionals who work with us to find the right policies to fit our business needs. The entire staff makes us feel as if we are their most important client. A rarity in today’s business climate. |
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| Countlessadvertisements depict “Flo”, or a gecko, as possible advocates in theinsurance arena. Hopefully our competitors will take the bait and settle on afictitious character or a reptile to save a few bucks. Our firm sees the valuein the genuine article, the seasoned professional. The Scurich Family hasprovided both insurance products and valued advice to my family for threegenerations. Many uncertainties exist today in business; fortunately, theexcellence with which Scurich Insurance Services serves its clients is not oneof them. Their expertise, as a broker, to competitively shop for coverages, hashelped us manage costs–without unnecessary exposure. We have referred severalfriends and colleagues to the Scurich agency, for both commercial and personallines, all of whom have experienced the same high level of professionalism fromthe partners and their well-trained, courteous staff. I look forward to the daywhen the fourth generations of our two families are able to continue thismutually beneficial relationship.
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