Newsletter

It is that time of year when many of us give that special person in our lives a gift that they will enjoy year round. Valentine’s gifts typically include watches, jewelry, art, cameras and other valuable items.

Whatever you may do this year, if you purchase an expensive item for that special person, make sure you get it insured. Most homeowners or renters insurance policies restrict coverage for items like jewelry to $1,000 dollars. In addition, most policies cover named perils for fire and theft, etc.; however, they may exclude coverage for the ring that gets flushed down the toilet; that is unless the expensive item is scheduled. To cover such circumstances that the insurance industry has dubbed “mysterious disappearance”, you will need a valuable articles personal property endorsement on your homeowners or renters policy.
 
Tips to keep valuables safe

• Have your jewelry appraised by a qualified jewelry appraiser for insurance replacement purposes
• Take pictures
• Keep items in safe place
• Take off while working outside

 
Our homeowners and renters insurance can provide many benefits including:

• Additional Living Expense -This coverage pays for the extra, above normal costs of expenses such as food and lodging incurred while the policyholder’s home is being repaired.
• Extended Replacement Cost - Provides additional coverage up to 150% of the dwelling’s policy limits to rebuild your home in the event you suffer a covered loss.
• Personal Liability Protection- Pays for bodily injury or property damage caused to others as a result of a covered incident.
• Identity Theft Protection - Pays for expenses you incur as a result of criminal identity theft.

 Dave Reed Insurance can provide you with he right combination of coverage, and price, followed up with outstanding service. Call us today at  888-600-7333.

Winter is often the most sickly time of the year with folks suffering from colds, coughs, sniffles, achy joints and cold sores. There are many reasons blamed: confinement with others, cold weather, depression, stress, weak immune system or lack of exercise. Depending on whom you ask, all of them can be a part of the problem.

Here are some guidelines for winter wellness.

• Eat healthy and don’t over indulge. A healthy diet will keep your gut microbiome in order, preventing harmful bacteria from taking over. Consuming lactic acid consuming bacteria naturally found in raw food like fruits and vegetables support gut and respiratory health. Consumption of traditional comfort foods high in glucose causes oxidative stress in the blood and compromises your immune defenses. Eat plenty of leafy greens, beans and citrus. [1] In addition, including your own sprouts of alfalfa, broccoli, lentil and red clover in your daily diet are extremely beneficial. Don’t forget garlic, “nature’s penicillin,” which has been used to fight infections for thousands of years. [2]
• Get more sunshine. It’s easy to stay inside during winter. Get outside often, dressing appropriately, it will make you feel better, stimulate your metabolism (your body burns more calories keeping warm), and enhance your absorption of vitamin D. Remember to be careful about excessive exercise. It can be bad for your heart. Use a small shovel, and move small amounts of snow at a time. Take any chest pain seriously and seek medical help immediately. [3]
• Manage your stress level. Winter activities and obligations can get overwhelming. Spend sometime alone in meditation. It will help you refocus and be more mindful of your blessings. [4]
• Keep up your fluid intake. Avoid dryness both internally and externally. Apply extra lotion, moisturizer, turn on that humidifier you cleaned whenprepping your home for winter, and drink lots of water. Include herbs in your water like lemon and mint, use a straw and limit your alcoholic drink consumption. [4]
• Practice standard hygiene techniques. Cover your cough with your arm, wash your hands, gargle with salt water, and discard used tissues. Limit the length of time you spend closed up with other people. Steer clear of those you hear coughing and hacking.
• Consider herbal supplements to stimulate your immune system. Herbs like elderberry extract can be a preventative tonic, [5] oil from peppermint will open sinuses and help some headaches, [6] sage mixed with honey helps sore throats. [7]
• Find ways to serve others. When you change the vibrational rate in your body, by focusing on positive gratitude, it creates a dynamic energy and powerful healer. [2]
• Get plenty of sleep. Nothing restores the body more than getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Immune cells are most active during the sleep cycle. [1] Good sleep banishes depression, curbs junk food cravings, eliminates extra amounts of cortisol, the stress hormone, and burns calories. [2]
• Does a flu shot work for you? Flu symptoms include fever, chills, and body aches. You can catch it by droplet transmissions from up to 6 feet away. If you get sick, stay home don’t spread it around.

Alll of us at Dave Reed Insurance wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!


References
1.https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/how-to-stay-healthy-during-winter/
2.http://www.unity.org/resources/articles/top-10-tips-winter-wellness
3.https://www.drugs.com/slideshow/winter-wellness-tips-1147
4.https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-28333/5-tips-for-nailing-your-winter-wellness-routineno-matter-how-cold-it-gets.html
5.http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/winter-wellness-healing-herbs-for-the-dark-of-the-year
6.http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2012/02/winter-wellness-guide/

Have you taken time to give your home a winter-prep review? If you get to these projects before the weather gets nasty, you will enjoy the work more and help extend the life of your home’s components and make your property safer as well. Here are a few suggestions.

1. 1.Heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems are first on the list. If you’re using a fireplace or wood burning stove, inspect the firebox and flue system to ensure they’re clean of soot, creosote and free of cracks or mortar voids that could be a fire hazard. If you have a gas or electric furnace, give it a run through before the temperature changes to catch any problems before you need to turn on the heat. Change the air filters to provide maximum efficiency and improve indoor air quality. Clean the whole house humidifier and replace the evaporator pad. Get a programmable thermostat and set it to click on every time the daytime temperature drops below your desired room temperature. By arranging your thermostat to come on only when you are home, you’ll save money on your heating bill. Arrange furniture so that nothing is within three feet of heat ducts, space heaters or radiators. They block heat and can also be a fire hazard. Change batteries on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Remove window air conditioners or cover them with insulated liners to prevent drafts. Make sure ceiling fans are moving in a clockwise direction to push warm air down. To prevent costly, damaging leaks to the bricks on your chimney. seal it every five years with a water proofer. Check exposed duct work in attic, basement and crawl spaces. Use a sealant to plug any leaks. Check all the weather stripping around windows and doors for drafts. Replace it as needed. Caulk any gaps. If you are not using the fireplace, block it off so warm air can’t escape. Cardboard and foam sealant will work. Use a pretty fireplace screen in front of it and no one will see. Do you have an alternative heating system should the electricity fail? Service and test generator.
2. 2. Gutter, roof and drains should be examined next. Look for missing, damaged or warped shingles and replace before they begin to leak. Check the flashing around chimney, walls, vent pipes and skylights for deterioration. Seal joints where water could leak in with roofing cement and a caulking gun. Also check for moss and algae growth on your roof. This growth keeps the roof area below them permanently wet and causes rot. If you see any, make a mixture of 5 parts water, 1 part bleach and heaping tablespoon of trisodium phosphate. Spray it on the moss to kill it.Check the gutters and downspout fasteners and secure if they’re loose. Gutter covers help keep out debris. Clean your gutters if you don’t have them. Make sure downspouts extend away from your foundation to prevent flooding and water damage. Cover all vents and openings to prevent insects, birds, rodents or other vermin from getting inside to make a warm nest for the winter.
3. 3. Outdoor plumbing parts are susceptible to freezing during cold weather. Burst pipes can cause some of the most expensive repairs in your home. Insulate any exposed water or drain piping in any uninsulated space (like crawl space, attic, or outside walls) with electrical heating tape or foam insulation. Turn off the water supply to any exterior faucets and drain them. Adding an insulated cover can help, too. Disconnect and drain all garden hoses. If you are shutting down a seasonal property, be sure to turn off the water supply and drain the plumbing system.
4. 4. Outdoor Furnishings should be put away. Remove cushions, wash with dish-washing soap and allow to thoroughly dry, and store all inside. Use a car wash solution mixed with warm water to scrub outdoor furniture with a soft brush. Rinse with water and let air-dry. Rub off rust with a scouring pad. Hardwood furniture can stay outside, but soft woods, light weight aluminum and plastic or wicker need to be stored indoors. Do the same for any outside toys, like boats, RV, jet skis, motorcycles and lawnmowers. Do not drain them. Fill the tank if it is metal and add a gas stabilizer. Run them to get stabilizer into carburetors. Cover anything that’s staying outdoors with a breathable cover made of Gore-Tex-like fabric.
5. 5. Daylight hours are shorter during winter months. Be sure to check the bulbs on your outdoor lights to make sure they are working. Using CFL or LED flood lights will provide light and save money on your energy bill. ENERGY STAR makes these lights to withstand snow and rain. Lighting units that have daylight shut-off and motion sensors are also available.

References

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/502-winter-preparation-checklist/#.Vjfs2aTYlA8
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/toptenthingstodo
http://homerepair.about.com/od/exteriorhomerepair/ss/winterize.htm#step2
http://lifehacker.com/5953225/what-are-a-homeowners-must-do-tasks-before-winter-hits
http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/2902/what-are-the-must-do-tasks-before-winter-hits
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/do-these-7-things-now-to-prepare-your-home-for-winter-211916
https://www.sunoven.com/before-during-after-winter-storm/
http://www.womansday.com/home/crafts-projects/how-to/a1957/wds-guide-to-winter-proofing-your-house-110494/

Halloween is over and that means we are in the middle of the Holiday Season. During the next 30  plus days, we will all be busy shopping, eating out and traveling. Please keep these safety tips in mind, so that you can enjoy the season without incident:

Shopping Safety Tips

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Put your shopping bags in your trunk.
• NEVER leave car doors unlocked or windows open.
• ALWAYS park in lighted areas. Do NOT park in remote areas.
• Shop with a friend.
• Keep receipts in your wallet or purse.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• As you return to your car, make sure to keep your car key in your hand.
• If you make expensive purchases like jewelry or guns, call our office as we may need to add these to your policy.

Christmas Tree Safety (provided by the NFPA)

• Make sure the tree is at least four feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking any exit or door.
• Add water to the tree stand daily.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Only used approved lights.
• Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

Home Safety Tips

If you are planning to vacation during the holiday, here are few ideas to consider:

• Get a security system.
• Trim landscaping that is too close to your house.
• Don’t advertise your vacation on social media.
• Cancel mail and other deliveries.
• Leave lights on when gone.
• Have a neighbor check on your home.
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
• Use a variable light timer to activate lights inside your home.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• If you gone, arrange for your lawn to be mowed.
• Have adequate exterior lighting.

All of us at Dave Reed Insurance appreciate your continued business and hope you survive the next 7 weeks!
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Fill up on fiber. Not only does fiber help lower levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, it can aid weight management. Being overweight raises your risk of heart failure by a third, while being obese doubles it. While two-thirds of Americans are too heavy, only half get enough fiber. Top sources include oats, beans, raspberries, blackberries, oranges and green peas.

Go bananas. 99 percent of women and 90 percent of men don’t get enough potassium in their diet. Responsible for regulating the fluid balance in our cells, potassium also blunts the effects of excess sodium. Too much sodium and too little potassium is a recipe for high blood pressure.

Say “no” to that extra cup of joe. Four or more cups of daily brew could elevate blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Drinking more than two cups of coffee a day can harden the arteries and contribute to arteriosclerosis.

Become a better listener. University of Baltimore researchers found that people with “dominant personalities” had a 47 percent higher risk of heart disease when compared to their more patient, passive peers. So how do you know if you’re “dominant”? Another study identified several markers – including the tendency to interrupt!

Choose healthy fats. Monounsaturated fats (think olive oil, avocado, nuts) – when used in place of saturated fats (think butter, bacon, beef) -help lower cholesterol. Another healthy fat – omega-3 – helps reduce inflammation. Omega-3 sources include wild salmon, walnuts and flaxseed.

Don’t turn breakfast into break-feast. While skipping breakfast actually lowers your metabolism, going overboard is no better. A new study done at the University at Buffalo found that big fatty breakfasts trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals associated with clogged arteries. So skip the stack of flapjacks and opt for a strawberry-banana smoothie.

Go for a raise. In HDL cholesterol, that is. Higher levels of this “good” cholesterol can be almost as important as low levels of LDL cholesterol at keeping cardiovascular disease at bay. In addition to exercise, quitting smoking and limiting trans fats, a University of Scranton study found that drinking cranberry juice could help boost HDL levels.

All of us at Dave Reed Insurance would like to thank you for your continued business, and will be happy to help your family and friends with their insurance needs!