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![]() Solar panels can be economically and environmentally sound, and they’re more accessible than ever. According to one research firm, U.S. homes and businesses installed a new system every four minutes in 2013. But, is solar power right for you here in {city, state or region}? To help you address the question, here are five things to think about before making the switch:
Renewable power – it can help protect your from rising energy costs and even power outages, not to mention the good it does for the environment. Just be sure to consider your options and all the costs involved before making the leap. Content provided by Safeco Insurance.
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When I think of fall, the first images that pop into my head are colorful foliage, apple cider, Halloween, cold weather and shorter days. While the season is an exciting time for many people across the U.S., it can be a dangerous time for your pets! Between the sudden drop in temperatures, holidays and first few months of school, there are plenty of environmental factors to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your furry friends. Here are some seasonally-relevant precautions to remember when your pet is playing outside, or simply wandering inside of your house!
Remember to contact your local veterinarian right away if you believe your pet has ingested something toxic, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. If you have any other helpful tips, feel free to share them in the comments below! Sources: ![]() Summer is ending and fall is beginning to come on quickly. Wouldn't it be nice to escape what's up next? You wouldn't be the only person who decides to do just that. In fact, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association estimates that there are over 2 million people spending the winter in RVs, which doesn't even include those who rent or own a second home. The people who escape the harsh winters of their primary location to live in a warmer climate are known as snowbirds. Snowbirds are typically retirees or business owners, and the snowbird season runs from October through April, but may vary from year to year. Are you a snowbird, or better yet, are you going to become one? Before you take flight towards a warmer climate and leisure lifestyle, check out the following 6 tips for your home and finances so you can fully enjoy your home away from home. Prepare your home for winter It is important for everyone to prepare their homes for the winter season to avoid expensive damage or homeowner's claims caused by cold weather and snowstorms. It is even more important to prepare your home for winter if it will be vacant during the coldest months of the year since you won't be there to notice any problems that may arise. Prior to closing up your home, inspect your roof for any damage that could result in leaking and clean gutters and downspouts. Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls and open cabinet doors to allow heat from the room to get into concealed spaces, which can make pipes less likely to freeze. Also, drain and shut off outdoor water faucets. Trim trees Winter's high winds and snowstorms can cause a lot of damage from fallen tree limbs; therefore, make it a priority to remove dead trees or large overhanging tree limbs before you leave town. Ask someone to shovel snow Arrange to have a neighbor shovel snow from your driveway. This will help prevent snow that melts from leaking into the home and causing damage. It can also prevent your home from looking vacant and becoming a target of thieves. Secure your home Home security is a big issue if you're away from your house for months. Stop your newspaper delivery and forward your mail to your winter address or have it picked up on a regular basis. Also have someone check the house at least weekly to make sure any flyers or packages that are delivered while you're gone don't build up and make the house look unoccupied. Secure doors and windows with deadbolt locks, and install slide locks or other security locks on sliding glass doors or French doors. You can also install variable light timers, which turn lights on and off at different times to make it look like someone is home. Notify your bank Before you leave, provide the bank with your contact information as well as your temporary address. This will give the banks a heads up, so there are no issues regarding out-of-state debit and credit card charges. If your financial institution is not aware that you will be away for a long period of time, your account could be frozen temporarily as they may see out-of-state charges as suspicious activity or fraud. Sign up for online banking Online banking allows you to receive bills and make payments online. It gives you the peace of mind that your bills are being paid on time, without having to wait for statements to be mailed to your current location. Maintaining two homes can be a lot of work, so it's important to be prepared with a good and reliable insurance policy as seasons change and before you take flight towards a warmer climate. by The Foremost Creative Team Foremost® Insurance has policies for Homes, Mobile Homes, Travel Trailers, RV's, ATVs, Golf Carts, Snowmobiles, UTVs, and other off-road vehicles. If you're looking for A Better Insurance Experience®, you can get a quote with us today! ![]() What is the point of Labor Day? I simultaneously posed this question to both Google and anyone within earshot at the office yesterday and got back numerous responses; ranging from "the last day of summer," to "a celebration of the American worker" and "a day to spend time with family before school starts again." While the internet delivered an in-depth history of American labor unions, the office conversation drifted into family traditions of barbeques, sporting events, camping, beach days and more. And while no one could agree on the best way to spend the unofficial end of summer, everyone brought up the same final point—"isn't it the last day you're supposed to wear white pants?" And that's true. Traditionally, Labor Day is the last day it is considered fashionable to wear white pants and seersucker suits. While seersucker is a more forgiving material, white, regardless of the fabric, is not. So with that in mind, I present to you a list of ways to safely celebrate this Labor Day weekend and preserve your cherished white trousers so they may rise again next Memorial Day. Grilling Safety When most people hear the words "white pants" the first thing that comes to mind is stains, and on Labor Day that means barbeque sauce. Many people may think that putting on an apron and keeping a reasonable distance while their brother-in-law enthusiastically bastes his chicken wings is enough, but here are a few other points to keep in mind:
Road Trip Safety Keeping your britches fresh on the road can be tricky, but with these few tips your weekend should be clean and clear.
Driving Drunk is Never in Style Regardless of whether or not you follow the "no white after Labor Day" rule or even know what seersucker is, impaired driving is never an option. The National Safety Council estimates that approximately 400 people die in traffic accidents each year over Labor Day weekend, and in 2010, 22% of all automobile accidents were attributed to intoxicated drivers.
Finally, if you see someone about to drive drunk, take their keys and help them to get home safely. Because just as you want your lucky pair of white pants or fitted seersucker jacket to be there next spring, you're going to want your friends to be there even more. Have a fun and safe weekend! ![]() by The Foremost Creative Team What do outdoor adventures look like for you? Whether it's an ATV, UTV, dirt bike, dune buggy, golf cart or other off-road vehicle (ORV), you'll want to make sure you have the right type of insurance coverage to protect your toys. It's important to ask your independent insurance agent the right questions about what type of coverage you're seeking and customize it to fit your lifestyle. To help you get started, we put together the following list of questions after speaking with Kevin Henry, the Director of Product Management at Foremost® Insurance. 1. What typical coverages are available for ATV/UTVs?" Ask your agent or broker about standard coverages that are available, as well as optional ones you might consider," says Henry. "Standard coverages include Collision, Other Than Collision, Liability and Medical Payments. They help provide coverage for damage to your ATV itself or damage or injury that you may cause while riding your ATV." 2. Is my safety apparel covered?" Whether it's helmets, goggles or other clothing that helps minimize injuries from an accident, most companies will offer safety apparel coverage for when these things get damaged," says Henry. "We want riders to be as safe as possible while enjoying the outdoors, so we encourage wearing safety gear." 3. Is there optional equipment coverage available?" Most people have customized or added options to their ATVs," Henry explains. "Optional Equipment coverage helps cover things like towable trailers, racks and winch kits for your ATV." 4. Am I able to insure my ATV/UTV year-round?" Year-round coverage is definitely something you may want to consider," answers Henry. "Some policies have a lay-up period for colder weather when you may not be able to ride. But when an unusually warm day comes around and you want to take your ATV out, you might be stuck without coverage. A year-round policy lets you take it out whenever Mother Nature's providing good weather and, with some companies, you can do this for the same price as seasonal coverage." 5. What kinds of discounts are available?" Everybody wants to save money," Henry shares. "Ask what's available for you. Some companies, like Foremost, offer discounts for things like multi-units, multi-policies, maintaining continuous coverage when you renew and for having prior off-road vehicle insurance." Your safety is number one to us. Stay safe wherever you choose to go on your off-road vehicle. Looking for ATV insurance? Get a quote today by calling 888-244-8092 to speak with a licensed agent or find a Foremost Insurance agent near you. First Community Financial Group is a Foremost agency! Call us for a free quote. (936) 327-4364 ![]() by The Foremost Creative Team Regular maintenance will keep your siding looking new and lasting longer. Why is it so important to regularly maintain your siding? Like the skin on your body, there are two main purposes that siding fulfills: appearance and protection. It protects your home against natural elements and pests, adds stability to the frame of your home, helps insulate and it also adds character to the outside of the home. Although there are several different types of siding you can choose from for manufactured homes, the three most popular include metal siding, like aluminum or steel, vinyl siding or a natural wood siding. And each kind of material needs to be maintained differently. Washing Give your home a good washing for a fresh new look. Note: Don't wash wood siding. Heavy exposure to water might result in decay, chipping, bowed or expanded panels, disintegration or shrinkage. Read below to learn about proper maintenance for wood siding.
Vinyl Siding
Wood Siding Cedar, Cypress and Redwood sidings are popular siding choices that offer natural beauty to the outside of a home. But wood siding requires more upkeep than most siding because of its natural surface. With regular maintenance and care, you can prevent damage and keep your wood siding looking beautiful for several years.
Aluminum Siding Keep aluminum siding looking like new with a regular cleaning every six months to prevent oxidation and/or corrosion over time. For metal siding, oxidation and corrosion are common problems that wear and tear at the outside of your home. Taking care of these problems as soon as they occur could save you from having to replace your siding altogether. Corrosion Corroded areas leave dark spots on the siding. These are caused by moisture being exposed to the metal surface for extended periods. Check for rust-colored stains in places that tend to stay wet longer, such as under eaves or recessed entryways. If you find corroded areas, be sure to get rid of the spots before they spread further. For both aluminum and steel siding, sand out the corrosion blisters down to the bare metal, then spot prime with an anti-rust primer. Oxidation Oxidation leaves a white chalky film on the siding that can dull the exterior of your home. Keep your siding clean to prevent oxidation from forming. If your siding looks faded from oxidation, contact a professional manufactured home washer. A professional can clean your house in less than an hour with high-pressure hoses. Scratches Keep a minor scratch on your metal siding from becoming a major problem.
Painting Metal Siding Apply a fresh coat of paint to the siding of your home to keep it looking like new. If you need to paint just one panel, consider taking that panel to an auto body shop to be painted. They should be able to match the color. If you plan to paint the whole exterior of the home and want to tackle the project yourself, wait for a calm and overcast day to paint. Paint needs to dry slowly and the sunlight and wind will only speed up the drying process. Prepare to paint:
Before you're ready to apply an oil-based metal paint primer, the siding needs to be completely dry. Mix one gallon of the oil-based paint primer with one pint of paint thinner. Tint the primer to a lighter shade of the paint color you choose. The primer will help the new paint adhere to the surface and provide an extra color coat. Let the primer dry completely before adding the next coat of paint. Use an acrylic-based, latex exterior house paint over the primer. A high volume of acrylic resin in the paint will make the paint job last longer. Invest in premium paint, brushes and roller covers. Bargain paint is no bargain if you're looking for better coverage, longer wear and a more washable surface. How much paint do I purchase? To compute the amount of paint needed, multiply the height of the house times the entire perimeter. Do not subtract for windows because this area will roughly equal the trim, eaves and soffits. Divide the total square footage by the number of square feet per gallon cited on the label of the paint. by Marrio Roberts Jr., Foremost Blog
Moles don't come above ground often. But when they do, they make their presence known. Unfortunately, the renovations they make aren't always the most desirable. Moles dig up dirt to create tunnels and to find insects. This can damage your grass and any plants you may have nearby. If you start to see mounds of dirt scattered around your lawn, there's a good chance you have a mole infestation. If you want to know how to get rid of moles in your yard, you may find some helpful tips in this article.
If you're looking for A Better Insurance Experience®, you can get a quote with Foremost® today! Or contact First Community Financial Group, a Foremost independent agent! ![]() Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence. noaa.gov/get-moving-when-storm-threatens ![]() School Safety Home - National Safety Council (nsc.org) -- Back to School Safety Checklist Back-to-School Safety for Drivers - National Safety Council (nsc.org) -- Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road School Safety: Distracted Walking - National Safety Council (nsc.org) -- Head up, phone down! ![]() The first rule for having a fun, carefree day at the beach? Always check the weather before you head out! Follow these beach safety tips to get your summer off to a good start. Check the weather before you head out. If thunderstorms or rain is in the forecast, we suggest planning your excursion for a different day. Watch for warning flags. And know what they mean! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! But not with booze, which will increase your risk of overheating. The CDC also reports that alcohol use is a factor in up to 50 percent of adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation. So keep it dry. Save your skin. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and even more often if you’ve been in the water during that time. SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION. Keep a careful eye out for children. They may need your help! https://youtu.be/G__dh0kx19s Content provided by https://www.foremost.com/images/Foremost-logo-learning-center.png |
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