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Home Safety During the Holidays

12/23/2019

Guys like Harry and Marv are busy around the holidays! Burglars are in a hurry, and anything that can slow them down can be enough to stop them. Adding high-security locks, safes, safety glass windows, and fortified doors would all be okay measures alone. However, layering all these simple home protections can be enough to send thieves down the street!

Lights & Dogs
Most burglaries happen during weekday afternoons, when many people are away from home at work or running errands. Creating activity that makes it appear as if someone is home during the day may deter many thieves. Try leaving lights on, a vehicle in the driveway, or create noise that can be heard from outside the house. Nighttime theft can be deterred by installing motion-sensor lights and locking up tool sheds and outdoor items. Dogs may also seem like a deterrent, but a “Beware” sign or barking may not be enough to keep thieves away. Some dogs become scared when intruders confront or harm them, or are easily tamed with treats. However, large, noisy dogs can act as an alarm system and create a sense of fear that sends thieves away. Breed and training really determines whether a dog can act as a added layer of protection.

Fences & Landscaping
Trees, landscaping, and fencing can help your yard feel secure, but it can also provide cover for thieves. However, wall and fences only provide cover after they have been scaled. Making fencing difficult to climb over can be enough to thwart opportunistic burglars. Other obstacles, like locked gates and thorny shrubbery, can help deter unwanted guests. Also, consider replacing the screws on the hinges and strike plates of all exterior doors with 3.5 inch star-drive screws. This can help stop bold burglars who would go straight for your home entrances.

Alarms & Security Services
Seasoned burglars know police response times. Once an alarm sounds, they know just how much time they have to grab all that they can. Many thieves cut wires or know that neighbors may still may not report a sounding alarm. Funnily enough, the real benefit of an alarm is the yard sign and window decals! Burglars know that homes with those signs have the potential to create noise and alert the police. Through HRS Insurance Group, you can access special burglar alarm discounts, choosing between a video doorbell or indoor camera to be the backbone of your home security system.

Protection for Valuables
Do you have any high value items in your home that need extra protection, like art, jewelry, or collector’s items? Getting coverage for valuables is easy and we can help! Most homeowners insurance policies have limited coverage for valuables. To ensure those items have coverage, we recommend adding a personal articles floater to your homeowners policy. This would provide coverage for personal items whose value is higher than the limits set in your policy. You may also want to consider getting appraisals to determine the value of certain items. This can help you to decide how much coverage your item needs and can help make the claims process fast and easy!

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A REAL Christmas Movie List!

12/1/2019

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Every year, I see the same list of movies recommended to be enjoyed during the Christmas season.

If you're like me, it doesn't take rocket science to notice the lack of diversity and inclusion in those lists. So this year, I've started a new tradition with my family and customized a Christmas movie list that is as diverse as it is inclusive and decided to share it with the world. We hope you and your friends and family enjoy it!