Category: Homeowner Tips

All About Thermostats: 3TV Segment
Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, walks through some basics on thermostats and HVAC units with 3TV.
This segment touches on questions like:

• What are the different types of thermostats available these days? (builder standard, programmable, wi-fi enabled, LED)
• Which types of thermostats can save you money, and how?
• What’s the best way to program your thermostat?
• How can you get your HVAC system ready for the season?

Aired: 3/13/2017 9:33AM

Need help getting your HVAC system ready for the warm weather? We’re here to help! We offer pre-season checkups, HVAC system upgrades and home warranties to keep you covered.

To learn more about how we can help you, just reach out! 602.733.5000.

It may not the most glamorous of tasks but cleaning your appliances is still a worthwhile endeavor. Routine home maintenance can mean the difference between spending a few dollars on preventative measures to thousands of dollars in costly repairs if something breaks. Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Services, shows us simple tasks that you can do at home to keep your appliances in shape.

Show Transcript
3TV
KTVK 01/24/2017 09:55:57 AM

Lina: Good morning! I have to confess to you — you said that this sounds boring. No. I’m telling you — it is the most exciting thing I have seen in an age. We’re going to get to that part in a second, but I want to introduce you to Steve Higgins with Platinum Home Warranty. You have some amazing tricks for us. Scott was saying he had no idea we are supposed to clean our appliances… I mean, he’s a guy. We know that we’re cleaning the inside of the refrigerator, right? We’re cleaning the front of it, but you’re saying there’s something else we need to pay attention to.

Steve: The seals around here need to be cleaned, probably twice a year. Just get all the gunk so it makes a good seal around here. So, clean both that and the inside here.

Lina: And that’s going to keep us from…

Steve: Losing energy, right. The unit will just run more and more. And a lot of people don’t know that half full or full refrigerator is better than an empty refrigerator. Empty uses more electricity than half full or full refrigerator.

Lina: Cha-ching. We’re already saving you some money. And, you should also do that with your dishwasher seal as well. We’re going to save you more money when it comes to the air filters. So, you probably think — you know what — I’m going to spend a little more. Get a better air filter. That is not what we want to do.

Steve: It’s not the case. No. We want to actually let it breathe. So these cheap filters that are sold in the big box stores. Change them once a month. They’re actually better for the utility consumption, than it is for these heavier ones.

Lina: Right, because all the air is going to push through this, and that’s going to take more energy.

Steve: Correct. The motor runs faster, runs harder to get the air through the filter.

Lina: Okay, so cheaper filters.

Steve: Right. Or you can use the one you can wash out. You cut it to fit, then pull it out when it’s dirty, and wash it off, let it try, put it back in.

Lina: And no matter which one you use though, we should be doing that once a month. One of my friends said — you know whenever you make your mortgage payment, do it then. Right? So you keep on schedule. Here’s the most exciting thing. And it doesn’t sound exciting, but we’re talking about cleaning out your garbage disposal and your drain.

Steve: Correct. When you get that smell in the house, just take time — you can use the home remedy one, which is a little lemon, the ice and the baking soda. Chop it up. Run it with warm water, and flush it down the disposal. Or, the big box stores sell these packs of ten. You can take the little orange ball. Just throw it in there. Let it run with hot water, and it will take the smell out too.

Lina: So, we’ve got a little less than a minute left, so let’s show the garbage disposal.

Steve: The disposal — when it clogs, it clogs because of the disk. There’s stuff jammed on the side. The tool that everybody thought the plumber left is really just to unclog this disposal. You can see how you can turn it and unclog it manually.

Lina: Easy and cheap. But guys, I have to tell you this — so at the box stores, this sucker right here — the pipethon is three bucks. This is what you use to get all of the dirty, nasty, gunky hair out of your drain, and it comes with a little bag — a disgusting bag we’re calling it — so that you don’t have to touch all the gunk. You guys. Thank you so much. We gotta go get these after the show. Alright guys, I’m going to send it back to you.

Check out our AZTV segment, featuring easy tips to keep your systems and appliances running smoothly.

 

AZ TV Cable 13 KAZT 01/17/2017 08:36:02 AM

Catherine: We always like giving you some great tips on how to save money. Right now, it’s all about things you can do right now to keep your home appliances from breaking… of course, costing you money. Steve Higgins is with Platinum Home Warranty. He is an expert. We’re talking about specifically if people don’t have a home warranty, there are some things that they should be doing to prevent their appliances from breaking and obviously having to shell out a lot of money. Simple fixes they can make to their appliances on their own. Walk me through some.

Steve: Let’s start with the refrigerator. A lot of people don’t — aren’t aware they have to clean the door seals annually. Baking soda and warm water around the door seals helps. You don’t want leaking, and refrigerators are designed for max mass, which means full or nearly full. So an empty refrigerator uses a lot more electricity than, say — some people say put jugs of water in. It helps with the rush of warm air as you open the refrigerator.

Catherine: If you are not doing these little things we are going to walk through, how much is it going to cost you annually on average?

Steve: To run a refrigerator? It’s about $200-300.

Catherine: You add that up with various appliances, that’s a lot of money.

Steve: That is true. All combined is a huge electric bill.

Catherine: Walk me through some of this.

Steve: Hot water tank. You should flush that annually. This is an example. Arizona has some of the hardest water out there, and so the calcium builds up. This is a temperature probe that is in the hot walker tank. When this gets coated with calcium, you can see it’s plugged completely.

Catherine: And those are expensive.

Steve: They are very expensive. This will take your hot water tank from going from 3 years to 10 years to 12 years.

Catherine: How should you flush it?

Steve: There is little knob on the base of the hot water tank. Hook up your garden hose. Do it two or three times, and then fill your tank back up.

Catherine: That’s it?

Steve: That’s it.

Catherine: What else?

Steve: There are little things you can do on unclogging the drain. This is something you can buy off the shelf from the big box stores. It’s a simple little plastic ribbed strip of plastic here. You put it down the drain. It goes down to the p trap and pulls the hair and debris. Stuff you can do on your own without having to call a plumber.

Catherine: And, they are expensive these days.

Steve: They are. Your garbage disposal — a lot of people think the plumber left behind a tool. What happens is the disk inside, it’s a plate with some teeth that climb around in here. Well, every once in awhile something will get wedged on the side of this disk, and it becomes inoperable. This thing is designed on the bottom, you just stick it in there and turn it to unclog. There you go. Unclog the thing. A lot of times if it’s a bone or something that’s got in there, this will unclog it, take it out, start it again, everything works fine.

Catherine: You like these, too. I use something similar.

Steve: I like these. We talked about the beads. Anything. They make a concoction or something online that says you can chop up lemons and ice cubes and baking soda, or you can buy these for $3-4, and there is a pack of 10. Put it in there as it’s running with warm water. Takes all the smell out of it. Cleans it all up.

Catherine: Great idea. I love what you have to say about the vents. The cheaper the better.

Steve: Everybody asks the same thing when we go out — how often do I replace the filter? The best filter is the one you can see through easily. Replace it once a month. You can get these in the big box stores for like $6 or $3. A lot of people have allergies, and so they’re talked into buying the big thick ones. Restricts the airflow. What I have to say is, because the analogy is the same when you put your hand over the vacuum cleaner to clean it, the motor speeds up. Well, the motor speeds up because it’s using more electricity to speed up. Same with your air conditioner. You are restricting that airflow. The motor is running faster and you are using more electricity.

Catherine: Who knew. Great advice.

Steve: Or you can get a washable one like these.

Catherine: That’s a great idea, too. If people do need to get a home warranty, what is the cost savings when you talk about a home warranty? Why is that so important? And how does it work.

Steve: It’s substantial. Basically you have an annual fee. It’s good for 12 months. You have a service fee that usually runs from $50 to $75 to $85 per call. Our call we handle up to two items for the same thing. If you have two toilets that are messed up, we do them both. Just do your research. A lot of the home warranties, the national home warranties, hire people that aren’t licensed — or whoever they can get to hire — to get to the call. We have our own techs in house.

Catherine: That’s key.

Steve: It’s key.

Catherine: platinumhw.com is where you can go for more information. Thank you, Steve. Good to have you here. When we come back, we will talk about investing in precious metals. More “Arizona Daily Mix” coming your way next.

You may have caught wind of a big change underway in the air conditioning industry. Freon is being phased out. Puron is the new go-to. If you’re wondering what this means and how it affects you, here’s the scoop. The story in a nutshell Freon (R22) used to be the standard refrigerant used in air conditioners. It’s being phased out due to environmental concerns and will eventually be unavailable. Instead, Puron (R410A) has become the refrigerant of choice. Though Freon and Puron serve similar functions, they cannot be used interchangeably. This means that you cannot just start using Puron if your air conditioning system was designed to use Freon. You actually need a different system altogether. Because manufacturing of Freon is intentionally being reduced each year, it’s becoming increasingly difficult and costly to acquire it. Prices have jumped significantly and are expected to keep skyrocketing as time goes on. Freon will be completely phased out by 2020. How does this affect me? If you have a maintenance issue that involves Freon (like a leak or compressor issue), what was once a basic repair may now be quite costly. Given the shortages of Freon, many homeowners are finding that paying top dollar for it no longer makes sense. Instead, they choose to put that money towards a new air conditioning system. Regardless of whether you have an immediate repair issue, we recommend that you begin to consider your upgrade options if your system uses Freon. Whether you choose to upgrade now or plan for the future, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) phase out plan will push you to make the switch eventually. How do I know my if system uses Freon? You’ll need to reference your system documentation or have a professional take a look. All air conditioners manufactured after December 31, 2014 use Puron and are already up to date. If your system was manufactured prior to 2015 though, the answer is less clear cut. Puron was introduced as early as 1995, so it’s possible to have an older system that uses it. If you are considering an upgrade, reach out to us. We can take a look and see whether your system uses Freon. If an upgrade is right, we’re happy to work with you to determine the best system and payment plan for your needs. What is Freon, and why is the EPA phasing it out? Freon is a type of refrigerant. Refrigerant plays a substantial role in the cooling process within your air conditioning system. The EPA has recognized Freon as an ozone-depleting substance that causes environmental harm. For more scoop, check out the EPA’s website. Is it true that you can convert an old system to use Puron? Yes, some people are more or less hacking their old system to use Puron in place of Freon. We don’t recommend this. In most cases, this conversion voids your warranty (whether that be your manufacturer’s warranty or your home warranty) and the cost of labor is high. In the long run, you’re much better off purchasing a new system designed to use Puron.  ]]>

We appreciate your referrals… so much so that when you refer a friend, we give you a cut! For each referral, we’ll send you $50. That’s straight up cash in your pocket. Got a friend to send our way? Give us a call at 602.733.5000 to give us the necessary info. Once their order is in place, we’ll cut your check. The fine print: An order for a Complete, Premium or Ultimate plan must be confirmed for this promotion to apply. This offer is not available for licensed real estate agents. We like to stay RESPA compliant.]]>

Your washer breaks down in the middle of a load and floods your basement. Your refrigerator fries, and you’re trying to figure out how to save food before it spoils. A power outage short-circuits your microwave oven, and your range won’t work properly, either.

When appliances break down, it’s stressful and inconvenient. That doesn’t even cover the thousands of dollars it takes to replace these items. The good news? With a home warranty in place, your wallet is less likely to take a huge punch to the gut. Ask About a Home Warranty Before You Buy Before you purchase a home, you can look into home warranties and even inquire if the seller already has one in place. In many cases, homes are under a certain kind of warranty for a period of months to a year after purchase. After that, it’s up to the buyer to renew and maintain a policy. Make Sure the Warranty Covers Your Needs Regardless of company or plan, read the policy carefully to make sure you understand what it does and does not cover. If you want your A/C and your pool pump covered, you need to make sure you choose the appropriate plan and coverage options. And, if you have questions, be sure to ask up front. The more you know, the more empowered you are to choose the right option for you. Choose a Plan That Makes You Comfortable You don’t have to choose the most expensive warranty just because it covers the most items. Choose coverage that makes you comfortable. You’ll want to consider your budget, property and appliances. Select a warranty that makes you confident that you will be taken care of if things around your house do start to fall apart. Consider Renewing Home warranties eventually expire, but you typically have the option to renew. Letting your policy expire might seem like an easy way to save money, but renewing will keep your home and appliances better protected. Warranties usually only cost hundreds of dollars a year, and this could end up saving you thousands of dollars if anything should happen to your refrigerator, range, dishwasher or other items. Just in Case The loss of expensive appliances can be financially devastating. The good news is that a home warranty can help you avoid these monetary blows. Whether you’re purchasing a new home or your current warranty soon expires, give careful consideration to the benefits that such a warranty can offer you.]]>

1. Skim Debris Skimming the pool’s surface by hand every few days is one of the fastest and easiest ways to keep your pool clean. Floating debris will eventually sink, becoming harder to remove. Use a long-handled net called a hand skimmer or leaf skimmer to remove leaves, bugs and other unwanted items. Skimming significantly increases the efficiency of the pool’s circulation system and lowers the amount of chlorine you’ll need to add to your pool. 2. Clean Out Baskets Cleaning out strainer baskets at least once a week also helps circulation and lowers chlorine demands. Locate strainer baskets attached to the side of aboveground pools and in the pool deck of in-ground pools. Simply remove the plastic basket and shake it out; spraying the inside with a hose can help dislodge stubborn objects. 3. Vacuum the Pool A pool should be vacuumed every week to keep water clear and reduce the amount of chemicals you need to add to it. There are many types of pool vacuums. If you have a manual design, work it back and forth all over the surface of the pool like you would if vacuuming carpet. It’s good form to slightly overlap each stroke. Check the filter each time you vacuum, and clean it if necessary. 4. Brush Walls and Tile Vacuuming isn’t the only maintenance that should be done once a week. Brushing the walls and tile helps minimize algae buildup and calcium deposits so they don’t fester and become larger problems. The material your pool walls are made of dictates what kind of cleaning tools you should use. Select a stiff brush for plaster-lined concrete pools and a softer brush for vinyl or fiberglass walls. For tiles, use a soft brush to prevent scratching or degradation of grout. A pumice stone, putty knife or a half-and-half mixture of water and muriatic acid can also work well. 5. Clean the Pool Filter There are three kinds of pool filters: cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth. While there are different maintenance procedures for each type, all require periodic cleaning depending on the type of filter and how often a pool is used. Cleaning the filter more often than recommended can actually hinder the filtration process. A clean filter is less efficient than one with a mild amount of dirt in it because the dirt helps trap other particles, which removes debris from the water. However, you don’t want to let the filter get too dirty. A sign that it’s time to clean is an increase in flow between the pressure gauge and flow meter. Clean the filter when the difference reaches 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 6.8 kilograms) per square inch. 6. Professionally Service the Heater Pool heaters typically require the least maintenance of all pool equipment. Gas heaters can work fine without being serviced for a couple years, and electric ones can last even longer. Consult your manufacturer’s manual for specific care instructions. Sometimes, calcium scales build up inside the tubes of a heater and restrict flow, preventing the water from heating adequately. If this happens, recruit the help of a professional because the heater may need to be disassembled and have its tubes cleaned out with a wire brush or acid. Hiring someone to service your pool can cost $100 or more per month, depending on the maintenance 7. Check and Maintain Water Level A lot of water will be lost throughout the swimming season largely because of evaporation and normal wear and tear, such as swimming, splashing and exiting the pool. When you remove debris with your skimmer throughout the week, that’s also a good time to check the water level. Ensure it doesn’t fall below the level of the skimmer, otherwise the pump could be damaged. If the water is low, use a garden hose to bring it up to safe levels. If you drain your pool to perform maintenance or once the swimming season has passed, be careful to not let the pool sit empty too long. As a general rule, it’s best to leave water in a pool throughout the winter because the weight of the water counteracts with forces from the ground pressing up against the pool from below. 8. Maintain the pH Level Pool water should be tested regularly to make sure it’s clean and healthy. The pH scale is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity that runs from 0 to 14. A reading between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal; this range is safe for swimmers and helps sanitizers work at top efficiency. You can monitor your pool’s pH level with a testing kit. There are many kinds of testing kits available; however, most homeowner versions are either reagent kits or test-strips. Reagent kits aren’t too difficult to use. You take a sample of pool water, then add liquids or tablets to it. The water changes color, indicating its chemical balance. Test-strips work differently. When you submerge them in the pool for a few seconds, dyes they contain cause them to change color. Next, match up the strip to a color chart to determine the pool’s pH level. Use this information to gauge what kind and how much of the chemicals your pool needs. 9. Supercholorinate Water Organic contaminants like ammonia or nitrogen build up in a pool over time. Massive amounts of such contaminants can interact with a pool’s chlorine to form chloramines, which give off that potent chlorine smell that many people associate with pools. To get rid of this harsh odor, it’s necessary to superchlorinate — or shock — pool water back to normal chlorine levels. While it may seem counterintuitive, adding a large amount of chlorine to a pool can make the undesired odor go away. Some pools should be shocked once a week, while others can go a significantly longer time. Follow manufacturers’ instructions before superchlorinating your pool to get the best results. 10. Find and Repair Leaks Sometimes it’s difficult to determine if low water levels are due to evaporation or a leak. You can discover leaks in your pool by conducting a simple bucket test. Fill a plastic bucket three-quarters full of water. On the inside of the bucket, mark the water line. Place the bucket in the pool, then mark the water line on the outside of the container. (If the bucket has a handle, remove it to allow for better stability while floating.) Let it float for two or three days. If the water inside and outside the bucket has gone down the same amount, your pool is losing water due to evaporation. However, if the pool water level has gone down more than the water inside the bucket, your pool has a leak. That’s your cue to call a professional to have it patched.]]>

June in metropolitan Phoenix. This isn’t exactly the month for thriving plants. Long days, soaring temperatures, minimal rainfall and low humidity all amount to a challenging season for our plants and flowers. So, how can you help your landscape survive during these tough summer months? First, learn to water plants properly. Surprisingly, over watering is a top reason plants and trees suffer in the summer. It’s easy to over compensate and over water during these hot months. Many do not realize that the clay soil commonly used in the Valley traps in moisture well. As ISA Certified Arborist John Eisenhower shares in UGA, “if you water too much the oxygen level drops and the plant can suffocate. The general rule is not to put water on water, you should let the root zone dry out before adding more water.” How much should you water? Different plants, of course, have different needs. We’ve rounded up some details for specific plant varieties common in our community. Agaves It’s helpful to place agaves on an irrigation drip line that delivers one gallon of water per hour. Desert Botanical Garden recommends watering agaves with 2-4 hours of drip irrigation once a week when temperatures are above 100. Do not fertilize during the summer months. Shrubs Desert Botanical Garden recommends the following watering schedule for shrubs: [table width=”500″  colalign=”left|left|left|left”] Temperature,1st Year,2nd Year,After 2 Years Over 108 degrees,every other day, every 3 days,once a week Over 100 degrees,once a week,every 10 days,every 2 weeks 90-100 degrees,every 10 days,every 2 weeks,every 3 weeks 75-90 degrees,every 2 weeks,every 3 weeks,every 4-5 weeks [/table] Roses Deep watering is essential for roses June through September. In June, hose off your roses with a strong spray at least twice a week. In July, increase this to every day. This should help control spider mites. The Consulting Rosarians of the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society also recommend, “Fertilize roses with a slow release fertilizer in June. In July and August use magnum grow at one-third strength (1 teaspoon per gallon of water) every two weeks.” Remove spent blooms.   Turf   Bermuda lawns benefit from one inch of water per week. It’s also good to apply iron once a month. Once every two or three years, it may be necessary to dethatch Bermuda lawns. If needed, this should be done during the active season, which is May through August.   Trees Desert Botanical Gardens recommends the following watering schedule for trees: [table width=”500″  colalign=”left|left|left|left”] Temperature,1st Year,2-5 Years,After 5 Years Over 108 degrees,every 2-3 days, every 10 days,every 3 weeks Over 100 degrees,once a week,every 10 days,gradually extend to 4 weeks 90-100 degrees,every 10 days,every 3 weeks,gradually extend to 6 weeks [/table] With monsoon season on the horizon, this is also an ideal time to take extra measures to protect trees. Most large trees benefit from pruning to reduce tree and branch failure. Pruning palms, in particular, once they have finished flowering helps prevent infestations of palm flowering caterpillars. To withstand monsoon winds, Integrity Tree Service recommends, “Install or adjust staking systems on younger trees. Staking ties should be strong enough to keep trees upright in strong winds but loose enough to allow the trunk to move slightly.”   A few other tips To help your plants survive the tough some months, you may also want to:

-Pay attention to how your plants and flowers look. If they begin to wilt and the leaves curl up, give them water. -Check your irrigation system, and adjust the timer for the hotter days. -Apply mulch to the ground around heat sensitive plants. -Consider purchasing a soil probe to confirm that the water is penetrating 2-3 feet deep for trees and shrubs.  A long handled screwdriver may be used as well.

We hope these tips help you keep your plants going during the difficult summer months. For more information about caring for your plants, we recommend the following resources:

–AZ Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County –Desert Botanical Garden –Goodman’s Landscape Maintenance, LLC –Integrity Tree Service –Mesa East Valley Rose Society

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Your home ought to be a safe abode, but even our homes can be a real threat to our children’s safety. To help keep your home as safe as possible for your little ones, consider the following: Look at your home through children’s eyes As Baby Center puts it, “the best way to childproof your home for babies and small children is to get down on your hands and knees to see what your baby sees. What looks tempting? Carefully lock up all cleaning products, medications, sharp objects and anything that could be a choking hazard.” Childproofing is an ongoing process that should be reevaluated as your child grows. Consider your kitchen appliances Your dishwasher is a potential accident waiting to happen. Make it a habit to point knives, forks and other sharp utensils down in the basket. Also, be sure to keep detergent stored safely in a locked cabinet. It is extremely corrosive and should not be handled or consumed by your kids. Kitchen ranges are another potential hazard. Teach your children the dangers of reaching up and touching the stove. Keep the handles of pots or pans out of your child’s reach by using the back burners. Never allow children to climb on oven doors, and be sure to install anti-tip brackets as an extra safeguard. Protect electrical outlets According to Baby Center, “It’s a good idea to protect electrical outlets with outlet covers. Unfortunately, the removable little plug-in caps can easily end up in your baby’s mouth. Instead, replace the outlet covers themselves – at least those that are accessible – with ones that include a sliding safety latch.” Tip-proof your furniture Children love to climb, but climbing on furniture can be dangerous. Large or heavy bookcases, dressers and appliances can all pose a threat. Make sure to put heavy items on the bottom of bookcases, so they are not top heavy. Keep dresser and bookcase drawers closed to discourage climbing. Place floor lamps behind a piece of furniture and out of children’s reach to prevent tipping. It’s also helpful to pad furniture corners with pads to soften any impacts. Give attention to windows and coverings Never place a baby’s or young child’s crib/bed beneath a window. Keep low windows locked, or install window guards, so they can only open a few inches. Keep furniture away from windows. Window blinds and curtain are can pose a threat as well. A baby’s neck could become caught in the loop. Use cordless window coverings, cut off the pull cord or use cords that wind-up. Lock away or replace hazardous products Cleaning products, toiletries and medications are just a few dangerous products you may have in your home. Read labels, and keep these products out of children’s reach. You may also consider replacing these products with safer alternatives where possible. Keep in mind that even baby products can pose a threat, and don’t be fooled by child resistant packaging. According to Parents.com, “Some bath and baby oils contain liquid hydrocarbons, which can cause a serious pneumonia-like condition, irreversible lung damage, and even death if a child aspirates the substance into their lungs.” Fence off-limits areas Most parents use gates to cordon off a room to keep babies and toddlers from entering or exiting. It’s important to purchase a brand new safety gate as designs have evolved to be safer in recent years. If you are using a gate at the top of stairs, be sure to install the type that screws to the wall. Practice water safety According to CPSC “an infant or toddler can drown in a few seconds in as little as a few inches of water.”  To protect your little ones:

– Never leave a bucket of water unattended. – Never leave you child alone in the tub for even a few seconds. Stay within an arm’s reach of your baby or toddler, and remember that ring or bath seats are not safety devices. – Install a safety latch on toilets. – Drain wading pools after use. – Keep pools gated, and never ever leave any child unattended.

Monitor interactions with pets Never leave young children alone with the family dog. Teach them to respect your pets, never disturb a dog while they are eating. Keep dog food and small dog toys out of your child’s reach, as both can be choking hazards. Keep visitors’ belongings out of reach When visitors stop by, it’s easy to get wrapped up in entertaining and forget about the extra safety concerns they may bring. Be sure to keep their belongings out of children’s reach. Purses often contain things that are intriguing but not safe such as pens, medication, hard candy, lighters or matches. These tips can help make your home a safer environment for babies, toddlers and young children. Remember, SUPERVISION is the best safety precaution for young ones.  ]]>

Here in the Valley, summer has already announced its presence with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. To escape the heat, many of us may leave town and head to the mountains, beach or other cooler climates. Unfortunately, this can leave our homes extra vulnerable to burglars. The majority of break-ins occur when nobody’s home. Whether you on vacation or simply at the office, school or shopping, it’s important to keep your home protected from burglars. We’ve compiled some tips to help you do so. Take basic acts to secure your home

● Always lock your house, including the door from the garage door. 40% of break-ins are not forced! ● Secure sliding windows and doors with a strong dowel or metal rod. Place it in the groove of the door or window. ● When you are away, keep curtains or blinds closed. ● Make sure that your windows and doors are visible from the street and have adequate lighting so that a passerby could see if someone were attempting to break into your home. ● NEVER leave a spare key outside.

Install safeguard tools

● Install deadbolts, and use them. The introduction of deadbolts in the 1960’s decreased home break-ins dramatically. They are a simple way to discourage burglaries. ● Consider investing in modern technology. We have more access to a obtaining a secure home. Invest in a burglar alarm system and or security cameras. Install motion detectors and adequate outdoor lighting as a deterrent a well.

Keep valuables out of sight and out of mind

● Keep valuables out of sight from the window or door. ● When you purchase a new computer or TV, do not leave the box in the trashcan. Potential burglars can see this as an invitation for burglary. ● Keep bikes, mopeds and scooters in the garage or out of sight. ● Park your car in the garage with the garage door closed.

Build a neighbor network

● Be informed about crime in your neighborhood, and get to know your neighbors. Becoming acquainted makes it easy to look out for one another and detect a stranger.

Eliminate obvious signs that you are away

● Have a friend or neighbor pick up your paper and mail, or stop delivery until you return. ● If you are gone for an extended time, have someone cut your lawn and maintain your landscape. ● Put a light or two on a timer to go on and off as if you were home.

Avoid over-sharing that you are away

● DO NOT talk about your upcoming trip in public. ● DO NOT change your voicemail to announce to the world that you will be out of town. ● DO NOT broadcast that you are on vacation by posting photos on social media.

Be smart, safe, and secure, and have a great summer!]]>