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Home Organization Tips

Tips and Tricks to Organize Your Home

By Everyday Living

An organized home is a safe home. Have you ever noticed how cluttered the counters or tables get? It seems like you clean and the next day your house has already collected an array of miscellaneous items. Does your house have a place for everything?  Probably not. Today, we will provide some tricks to help keep your house organized.

Follow the 80/20 rule. It’s been stated that we only use 20% of what we actually own. When you think about that statistic, it’s pretty easy to put into perspective how much can be disposed of or donated. If you go through each room and first determine what can go and what can stay, then you’ll have a better idea of what type of storage you need, in addition to what you already have.

Once you’ve eliminated the extra 80%, (or realistically the extra 40-50% because it’s hard to let go of everything) you can get some storage options to get organized. Many jump at the opportunity to buy bins with lids because they stack and sort. However, if you’re going to be using the item fairly often, putting it in a bin with a lid hinders your ability to efficiently clean. Start with open containers. An open laundry bin that you can toss clothes into versus a bid with a lid can make a huge difference when cleaning up. The same goes for toiletries. If you use them often, leave them out on a shelf or counter and put the rest away.

For the items that must go in a drawer, get a drawer organizer. Drawer organizers are no longer restricted to separating your cutlery. You can use them to organize your sock drawer, your other utensils, bathroom supplies, etc. Anything you must place in a drawer can be slotted into its rightful place. This way, next time you need to find the can opener or potato peeler, you don’t have to sift through a giant drawer packed with miscellaneous kitchen utensils.

Be mindful when arranging the location of items. If you use something frequently, keep it towards the front of the shelf or drawer, if you use something rarely but it’s necessary to keep around, place it towards the back in a clearly labeled container. You should also consider if an item is worth keeping. If you haven’t worn that red sweater in a while, place it in a bag or box for donating later. Place a date on the bag or box and if you haven’t gotten the sweater out by the deadline, just donate it without looking in the container.

If you don’t need or love it, then don’t keep it. There are others out there that can fit your old shoes or t-shirts and they may need it more.

If you’d like more tips for organizing your home visit: https://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/g2801/life-changing-organization-tips/

This link provides 13 tips from professional organizers that can help you declutter. 

National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

September is National Preparedness Month.  FEMA and the Ready.gov website share not only this year’s theme “Prepared, Not Scared”, but several tips on how to be prepared for a disaster.  In this blog post, we are going to focus on a few items related to homes our readers may find helpful:

  • Most homeowners’ and renter’s insurance does not cover flood damage.  You can learn more about flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov.  Talk to your agent about your home insurance or renter’s insurance policy and see if flood insurance is something you should purchase to protect your home and contents in case of flood.
  • Prepare now for a disaster by snapping photos of important documents and personal belongings.  Having a home inventory can help immensely in filing a claim.
  • Review your fire escape plan with everyone in your home and have a fire drill in your home at least twice a year.  
  • Have an emergency kit in case there is a power outage.  Have enough food, water and medications for at least 72 hours.  You can view a list of items for your kit at www.ready.gov/kit.
  • Check-in with neighbors to see how you can help each other before or after a storm.  And don’t forget elderly friends and pets.

For more information on National Preparedness Month, go to https://www.ready.gov/september.  Have a safe fall!

Summer Grilling Tips

Summer Grilling Tips

By Safety & Maintenance Tips

Grilling season is in full swing!  Whether you grill veggies, chicken, pork, or beef, grilling safety tips are a must this time of year.  Here are a few tips to remain safe while grilling:

  • Both charcoal and propane grills use open flames and are a source of intense heat.  Keep your grill a safe distance away from your home, canopies or brush you may have around the patio and driveway.
  • If you are using a propane grill, keep the propane tank closed when not in use.  Make sure that any old tanks are traded in for a newer tank with a better seal.
  • If you are using a charcoal grill, do not overuse the lighter fluid. It’s also important to make sure that you are grilling over a concrete slab or use an ashtray to make sure that any hot coals that fall through the vent don’t start a fire on a wood deck or grass lawn.
  • Let your grill cool down prior to putting a cover over it or putting it back in your garage or shed.  A grill that is put away too soon can cause a fire if it is placed against something flammable for a long period of time.

Enjoy the rest of summer grilling season and be safe. 

Hail Stones

What to do after a Hailstorm

By Insurance, Safety & Maintenance Tips

Storm season continues in August and even into the fall months.  Wind and hail can, unfortunately, be quite common this time of year.  The following are steps you can take if your home sustains damage after a hailstorm:

  • Make note of the day and time of the hailstorm.
  • After the storm has passed and there is no risk, inspect your dwelling for damage.  Look at the roof, gutters, air conditioning unit, window screens, etc. Do not climb on the roof if it is steep and dangerous.  In addition, check for any interior water leaking in any of your interior rooms.
  • If you have any broken windows or interior water damage, contact a contractor to complete temporary repairs.  Keep the invoice.
  • You may wish to have a local, licensed contractor inspect your property and give you an estimate to determine if the repairs will exceed your deductible.
  • You can file a claim by contacting your agent.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we would be happy to help you.  

National Smile Week

National Smile Week

By Everyday Living, Insurance

The second week of August is National Smile Week.  You may be thinking why is this an insurance post and not a dentist post?  But we’re here to share that there is so much to smile about when it comes to home insurance.  

Home insurance gives peace of mind.  Whether it’s a wind and hail storm, a fire, burglary or another covered disaster, insurance is protection for not only your home but your contents as well.  Knowing you have protection to replace the things you could lose is definitely something to smile about.

Have you reviewed your home insurance policy with your agent lately?  Your agent would be happy to review your policy to make sure you’re properly covered.  And, your agent will probably do so with a smile. So, go ahead and partake in National Smile Week while you think about your home insurance.  Have a great week!