Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

Posted on by agentinsure

Holiday season is upon us in Kissimmee, FL. For many people, this means time to pull out the holiday decorations and lights.  Homes are transformed into majestic displays of holiday spirit.  Unfortunately, some homes do not survive the holiday season. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association states that 860 home fires are caused by holiday decorations every year. Protect your home and your family by following these safety tips when putting up holiday lighting.

Tip #1:  Use Caution When Buying Electrical Decorations

Be careful where you buy lights and decorations. Purchase electrical decorations from reputable stores and vendors. Also, make sure they have a seal of approval from a nationally recognized testing lab such as CSA, Intertek, or UL. 

Tip #2:  Inspect All Equipment Before Use

Before you begin hanging lights and decorations, make sure extension cords are marked for proper use. Check for any damage to lights, cords and electrical decorations. Do not use electrical decorations that have damaged cords or wires. 

Tip #3:  Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Plugging too many lights and decorations into one outlet can cause it to overheat and catch fire. Outdoor lighting needs to be plugged into outlets that are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). And avoid stringing more than three sets of incandescent lights together.

Tip #4:  Be Mindful of Where Lights and Other Electrical Decorations are Placed

If there are power lines nearby, make sure that outdoor lights and decorations are at least 10 feet away from them. Inside the home, electrical decorations need to be kept at least three feet away from an open flame or any heating equipment.

Protect your Kissimmee, FL home this holiday season. By following these simple safety tips, you can avoid unexpected disasters caused by an electrical fire. 

Florida Home Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Your home is your castle, and no doubt you’ll do anything you can to protect it. But what happens when your home can’t be protected from a devastating tragedy? In places like Kissimmee, FL, homeowners are faced every year with the possibility of severe, potentially disastrous weather events like hurricanes. In these situations, the strength of one’s home insurance coverage can make all the difference.

Home insurance is the financial blanket that protects the value of your assets should they end up in harm’s way. In the case that your home is damaged by severe weather, hit by an errant vehicle, burned in a fire or burgled by a neighborhood thief, your home policy’s hazard insurance coverage can help you to recoup some of your losses by paying out a sum of money based on the value of the covered property that was lost. Plus, home liability insurance ensures that you’re covered in the case of any accident or injury that occurs on your property.

In addition to simply being the best-bet for protecting your personal assets, home insurance is required by Florida law. If you intend to carry a mortgage on your home, it’s also likely that your mortgage lender will require you to obtain home insurance before they will approve your loan and release the necessary funds.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes–get your home and family the coverage they deserve at an affordable price. Whether you’re purchasing home insurance for the first time or looking to add additional coverage/increase coverage limits, the friendly experts at Familia Insurance Agency in Kissimmee FL are ready to help you put together the perfect policy. To learn more about coverage options, monthly premiums and Florida state home insurance requirements, call Familia Insurance Agency today at (407) 847-8007.

Protect Your Home While on Vacation

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The Familia Insurance Agency in Kissimmee, FL understands your home insurance needs. They are able to help you secure the right kind of coverage in case an unexpected event occurs while you are away on vacation. So, before you leave for your trip, you should do everything you can to prevent dangers that could happen inside your home.

Normalcy is the Key

Make sure that things appear as normal as possible. Thieves are less likely to try and burglarize your home if they believe people are inside.

  • Set up night lighting. Get a timer for your lights. You could also have a trusted friend stay at your place for a few days to make your home look occupied.
  • Stop newspaper and mail delivery. When papers pile up on the front porch, people know you are away. This is the first thing thieves look for. Have the deliveries stopped several days before you leave.
  • Park the car inside. Seeing a car parked for several days without moving lets everyone know that you are not home. You could also have a neighbor pull their vehicle in your driveway each night to show your house has constant activity.

Find the Shut-off Valve

It’s unnecessary to leave your TV or toaster oven plugged in when you’re leaving for an extended period. It could be a costly mistake if your appliances breakdown and cause a fire or flood.

  • Unplug your items. Unplug small appliances such as toaster ovens, coffee makers, and microwaves. Electrical items like computers, televisions, and game systems should also be unplugged.
  • Shut off the water valves. The valve to the dishwasher and clothes washer should be shut off before you go on vacation. You don’t want to come back home to a minor flood because you left a water valve open and a pipe burst.

In Kissimmee, FL, the independent insurance agents at Familia Insurance Agency can help you organize a policy that will protect your home from mishaps while you’re at home or away on vacation.