Staying Safe During Summer Storms

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Summer’s heat and humidity presents the perfect conditions for thunderstorms. However, these storms can be dangerous to both your home and family. This is why Blais Insurance wants to suggest these safety ideas in the event of a storm.

Before a Thunderstorm:

· Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: If you hear thunder and cannot count to 30 seconds before the next thunder clap, head inside; stay indoors for 30 minutes after the storm is over
· Remove dead trees and branches that could fall and damage your home or vehicle(s)
· Secure outdoor objects that could blow away
· Unplug electronic equipment
· Prepare an emergency kit; items should include water, flashlights and batteries

During a Storm:

· Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords, including devices plugged in for recharging
· Remain inside and stay away from windows and doors
· If you are driving, safely exit or pull over and park; do not touch any surface that conducts electricity in or outside of the vehicle

After a Storm:

· Avoid driving through flooded roadways
· Avoid storm-damaged areas and fallen trees
· Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately

In addition, we suggest subscribing to an emergency alert service. Many phone applications now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to inform you of bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc.

For more information on summer safety, please call Blais Insurance at (401) 725-0070.


Information for this article provided by: Thunderstorm Safety and Family Communications

Why it is Important to Create a Home Inventory

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

If your home is struck by disaster and you’re faced with a loss, would you be able to remember all of your damaged or destroyed possessions?  This is why creating a home inventory is essential, especially when filing your insurance claim.  Having an up-to-date inventory can work to verify your losses and help determine the proper amount of coverage you need.

According to a 2012 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), more than half of Americans do not have a home inventory of their possessions – putting them at risk for inadequate home insurance coverage, should severe weather strike.   

Developing a proper and complete home inventory is a simple process. Though it may take some time, you’ll find that, should you ever need it, you will be relieved to have one on-hand and current.

Please see below for some useful tips on how to create a comprehensive home inventory:

Document valuable items: Items such as jewelry, fine art and other collectibles may have increased in value since you received them. Check with your agent to make certain that you have adequate insurance for these items, as they may need to be insured separately.

Take photos: In addition to your list, taking pictures of these items will help secure your inventory. On the back of these photos, you should note what is shown, when and where it was purchased, the serial number, and its estimated value. Remember to not forget things that are in closets or drawers.

Videotape belongings: You could also walk through your home or apartment videotaping and describing these contents for easier documentation.

Properly store your lists/photos/videos: Keep your inventory and available receipts in your safe deposit box or at a relative's home. This way if your home is damaged, your inventory will remain secure. Remember to update the information on your inventory regularly.

If you have any questions regarding a home inventory, or other insurance related topics, one of our friendly, knowledgeable agents will be happy to speak with you.  Call Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070 today to discuss how we may help to better protect your treasured possessions.

Traveling for April Vacation? Don’t Leave Your Home Unprotected

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

School vacation is fast approaching, and we know you’re eager to get away with your family for some much needed quality time.  As you pack your suitcases and tend to all of your last minute travel plans, don’t forget to take care of the most important task on your to-do list: protecting your home while you’re away.

At Blais Insurance, we take the safety and security of your home and family very seriously, and strive to prepare and protect you for whatever happens.  Therefore, we have provided you with tips and more for you to follow before taking some much needed time off this season.

1.     Make it appear that your home is still occupied.  Before going away, many homeowners wonder if they should leave their blinds open or closed.  The answer: keep them in the same position as you normally do when you are home. You should also consider installing motion sensor lights outside your home so that they turn on as soon as someone gets too close.  Leave a few lights on inside while you’re away to avoid a dead giveaway that the home is vacant.

2.     Ask a friend or neighbor to check on your home while you’re away.  Having someone monitor your residence on a regular basis may help avoid making your home a target for crime.  Ask them to hold your mail, check to see if there is any evidence of a break-in around your home, and contact the police immediately if they suspect anything out of the ordinary.

3.     Avoid posting a status about your vacation plans. Criminals actively search for these types of updates to see which homes will be easy to access.  Instead, wait to post pictures of your trip until after you return home.

4.     Unplug all unnecessary appliances.  Protect your home from an electrical fire or power surge by unplugging anything that will not be in use during your vacation. This includes your TV, toaster, coffee maker, and other small appliances.

Vacation is meant to be a time of relaxation. Before spending time away from home this season, be sure to take the necessary precautions, including insuring your valued possessions.  While making your vacation plans, be sure to call Blais Insurance at 725-0070 to make certain that your time away will be spent worry-free. 

Information provided by: Ten Ways to Protect Your Home While You’re On Vacation

Tips to Avoid Identity Theft

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

In today’s digital world, we can do just about everything online.  Shop, pay bills, sell items, you name it.  However, some have learned the hard way that this type of convenience comes with a high risk. 

Each year, over 15 million cases of identity theft are reported due to increased levels of information sharing and low levels of consumer protection knowledge.  At Blais Insurance, we want you to understand how to avoid these unfortunate instances by following these simple and effective tips:

Only carry essential documents with you

Not carrying extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport with you outside the house can help you prevent identity theft.

Keep new checks out of the mail

When ordering new checks, you can prevent identity theft by picking them up at the bank instead of having them sent to your home. This makes it harder for your checks to be stolen, altered and cashed by thieves.

Secure your network

If you have a wireless network at home or at work, make sure that you secure it. A hacker can gain access to information sent through an unsecured network in a matter of seconds.

Only make purchases on trusted sites

When shopping online, stick with trusted, well-known online retailers, or smaller sites that use reputable payment processors like PayPal or Google Checkout. Always make sure to look for the padlock icon on the bottom of your browser to verify that the page is safe.

Stay on top of your credit

Make sure your credit reports are accurate and that you sign up for a credit monitoring service, which can alert you about changes in your credit report by email.

Create passwords or PIN numbers out of a random mix of letters and numbers

Doing so makes it harder for identity thieves to discover these codes, and makes it easier for you to prevent identity theft.

Don’t reuse passwords

This way, if someone does find out what your password is for one credit card, they won’t also be able to access your other accounts.

Following these simple steps may not guarantee that your identity won’t be stolen, but they can definitely decrease your chances.  If you do find you have fallen victim to fraud, report it to your financial institution immediately. You can also contact the credit-reporting bureaus and ask them to flag your account with a fraud alert, which asks merchants not to grant new credit without your approval.

We thank you for trusting Blais Insurance for all your insurance needs.  While we may not be able to fully protect your identity online, we can protect you in all other aspects of life.  Many consumers are unaware that identity theft protection can be purchased by a simple endorsement on their homeowner's policy at a surprisingly low cost.  Please call us at 401-725-0070 today to learn more.

Information provided from: How to Prevent Identity Theft, Identity Theft, How to Report Identity Theft

Keeping Your Home Safe During the Holidays

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

The holiday season is a time to be spent with family and friends, reuniting and making lasting memories.  Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most common times of year in which many homes fall victim to burglary. According to the FBI, nearly 400,000 of these instances occur during November and December alone.

Criminals are aware that expensive gifts have been shared and material objects are likely unhidden. Therefore, your friends at Blais Insurance want to provide you with ways that you can protect your home this season.

Discard empty packages discreetly.

One of the easiest ways for thieves to tell if your home is a worthy target is from the waste and empty packages by your trash.  If you have big boxes that held TV’s or computers, be sure to break the packaging down and conceal it as much as possible. You may also want to wait to dispose of packing until the day trash/recycling is collected so it does not linger around and give would-be burglars any incentive.

Take pictures of your gifts and record serial numbers.

For any high price gifts, it’s a good idea to take note of as much information as possible. This is relatively easy to do and starts with taking a picture and saving it somewhere safe. You should also write down all serial numbers if items need to be traced. Additionally, any jewelry and other expensive items should be recorded with your agent to keep it documented in case of an unfortunate situation.

Use caution when posting on social media.

If your family is looking to get away after the holidays, be sure to filter your posts.  It’s an open invitation for burglars if they know a home will be vacant for an extended period of time. Additionally, be cautious about posting the larger, more expensive gifts you received for the holidays.  If they know what’s in the home, it’ll be easier to take.

Minimize visibility to outsiders.

Another mistake homeowners make is cautiously leaving their gifts under a Christmas tree in clear sight from the road.  If these items are visible from the street, potential burglars do not have to make much effort to break into your home. In order to try to avoid this problem, keep your curtains and/or blinds closed at night or position your Christmas tree at a more discreet location.

We understand that the holidays can be a stressful time of year, but it can also be the most wonderful.  Protect your home and loved ones this season by following these preventative measures and ensure your time spent together is joyful.  From all of us at Blais Insurance, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

Information for this article provided by: Security for the Holidays: Keeping Your Home Safe from Christmas Burglars

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Now that temperatures have begun to drop, your home requires extra maintenance to handle all that Winter can bring.  As colder days and harsh snowfalls journey northeast, it’s important that your home is properly “winterized” to survive the season.

Follow these five simple tips to ensure that your home is ten steps ahead of this year’s winter weather conditions:

1.     Clean your gutters: During Fall, leaves and other debris tend to accumulate in your gutters and will prevent them from performing properly.  Instead, excess rain water will pour out over the sides of the gutter, causing damage to the siding of your home and landscape. In addition, water that is trapped in clogged gutters can freeze in the winter, causing ice dams and damage to your gutters and roof. Learn how to properly clean your gutters here.

2.     Prepare your fireplace: If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned for some time, call a professional to remove the soot and creosote in order to prevent fires.  Also, cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and help stop birds from forming nests. If your fireplace runs on burning wood, purchase it ahead of time and store it in a dry place.

3.     Inspect and fix the exterior: Search around the outside of your home for any cracks or exposed entry points. Use weather-stripping around any doors or windows that might allow cold air to enter the home – this will save you money on heating bills. 

4.     Prevent plumbing freezes: Before they get buried in snow, drain all garden hoses around your home.  Be sure to insulate any exposed plumbing pipes to avoid bursts and inspect them for any damage.  If you go on vacation, be sure to leave your heat on and set it to at least 55 degrees.  Lastly, if you have an underground lawn sprinkler system, remember to blow out all the excess air and water to prevent damage.

5.     Check your heating system: Perform a survey of your home’s heating vents and check to see that they are not blocked or covered by anything (furniture, carpeting, etc).  Dust all of your vents and clean or replace any filters that appear damaged or dirty.  You can also call a professional to ensure your HVAC system is working properly and won’t cause any damage to your home.

Blais Insurance can offer you additional tips and services when preparing your home for winter.  Call us at 725-0070 to see what other measures you should take and to review your current homeowner’s policy to ensure your property is safe and protected for all seasons.

Information for this article provided by: Winterizing Your Home and How Often Should My Gutters Be Cleaned?

Preventing Puff Backs

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

It’s inevitable - colder days are coming.  Although winter isn’t on the horizon just yet, we at Blais Insurance always have your best interest at heart and want to make sure that you are ready and prepared.

As heating your home soon becomes a necessity, many will be turning to furnaces or wood stoves to keep warm. However, if not maintained these heat sources can create some unfortunate occurrences known as puff backs.  Frustrating as they may be, puff backs are preventable. 

Below you will find the basic facts and ways you can avoid these hassles and stay warm without worry:  

What are puff backs?

A puff back is a dirty and potentially dangerous event in which smoke and soot are released from a furnace, often resulting in oily black clumps of soot being distributed throughout the house. These occurrences create a foul odor and are quite difficult to clean.

How do they occur?

Puff backs occur when the furnace does not ignite properly due to a buildup of oil fumes and debris.  This faulty trigger sets off an explosion in which soot and other debris are sent through the exhaust system and then into the heating system vents.

How can I prevent puff backs?

The most effective form of prevention is inspecting and performing regular maintenance on your furnace to keep it in proper working condition.  This can include checking for oil leaks and paying close attention to any odd scents.   Be sure to keep the area clean of debris, hair and other particles that could ignite an issue.

What do I do if a puff back occurs?

In the instance that a puff back occurs, immediately turn your furnace off.  From there, we suggest following this checklist for optimal clean-up:

•    Assess the situation and the amount of damage that was done

•    Wash all affected clothing and fabrics in the house - some may require professional dry cleaning

•    Throw away all exposed food

•    Call a repairman to fix the malfunctioning oil furnace

•    Call a cleaning service to take care of the soot and chemicals

•    Locate a puff back specialist as they will be able to thoroughly clean and deodorize all affected items and surfaces.

Typically, your current homeowners policy will cover damage to your home and contents caused by a puff back. However if a puff back occurs, we recommend that you do not attempt to clean it yourself, as you could cause more unnecessary damage. Call us today at 725-0070 for more information and to ensure that you are properly covered.

Information for this article provided by: Puff Backs: What it is and How to Prevent it, Preventing Furnace Puff Backs,  What Causes Furnace Puff Back. Photo from: Anderson Contracting Co.