Honoring first responders on 9-11 World Trade Center Attack, Pentagon & to the Heros on United Airlines Flight 93 who brought the hijacked plane down in Shanksville. PA 

If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, be prepared:

Hurricane season is here, and I’d like to share some simple steps that will help you be better prepared in the event of a disaster.

Step 1:  Review and take your insurance carries and policy numbers.

Put all your policy information (home, auto, boat, storage, renters) in one secure place. You’ll want all this important paperwork easily available in case you have to leave your home in a hurry, especially if you have multiple insurance carriers.

Step 2:  Perform a home inventory 

Take photos or videos of all your possessions in each and every room of your house. In case of a catastrophic event this should be at the top of your preparations. After a disaster your insurance company will tell you to sit down and try to remember what was in each room of your home

PLAN for hazardous winds: remember there is always uncertainty in the path, trajectory, size and force of any tropical storm and hurricane.  Do not wait until warnings are issued and the stores are closed or empty.

PREPARE your home: take in or secure outside furniture, plants, pots, etc. These items can become hazardous during hurricanes.

ACT quickly: have your emergency supplies readily available and know when and where to go when the time arises.

What to do to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane:
1. Follow advisories from the National Weather Service: Check for tropical storm warnings and local weather forecasts: www.nhc.noaa.gov
2. Know your area: If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, know your options: www.weather.gov
3. Put together a basic emergency supply kit equipped as suggested by FEMA: Emergency Supply Checklist
4. Make a Family Emergency Plan of action:  Have a discussion with family members and close friends to determine how you can contact each other and where you will go: www.ready.gov  (Ready Plan)
5. Review and update all insurance policies: Verify you have adequate home and property coverage.
6. Do you have a family member or friend with Chronic Conditions?  Here are tips to help those individuals prepare for natural disasters: www.nursing.usc.edu/blog/chronic-conditions-natural-disaster

Other areas of concern to be aware of and prepare for:

• Remove excess debris around your home, broken or hanging tree limbs, trash cans, down fencing, etc.
• Know your neighborhood roads: potholes, flood zones, urban or heavily wooded places, hazardous driving conditions that may develop on bridges and other elevated roadways.
• Scattered power and communications outages.
• Do not walk through standing water. Avoid sidewalk areas that appear to have any residue runoff,
  

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  or which otherwise may have a slippery surface.

• Clear patios, lanais and entrances of all furniture and any object(s) that may become airborne, including planters. Place rolled towels around the bottom of glass sliding doors and windows.
• Close all hurricane shutters.  If you cannot close your shutters on your own, please arrange now with a vendor who can help you as it will be hard to find someone at the last minute.  Remember that shutters may only be closed for the impending storm and must be reopened after the storm has passed.
• Move all small items around your home to a safe location. This would include roof tiles and other small items that are stored in the rear or side of your house, planters, yard ornaments, wall ornaments, water hoses and welcome mats, etc.
• If you choose to stay in your home, fill your bathtub with water. This water may be used for drinking should the water supply become interrupted or contaminated. It may also be poured into the toilet bowl to induce flushing.
• Fill all vehicles with gas.
• Fully charge your electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
• Assist in making sure storm drains near your home are free from debris just prior to a storm to help alleviate flooding.
• Carry all important paperwork and personal identification with you, along with extra cash, in waterproof containers or in a waterproof safety deposit box.  Use of zip-close bags works well.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer settings to maximum cold and open only when needed.  Freeze bottles of water that can used to keep the freezer cool in the event of a power outage and for drinking water (allow for some space for expansion at the top of the bottle).
• Take pictures of the interior of your home including rooms, contents of drawers and closets, and of the exterior of your home in case you sustain damage from the storm and need to submit an insurance claim.
• Identify ahead of time one family member to act as the contact person to notify the rest of your family in case communications are difficult.
• Have A Safe Place to Take Your Pets WPBF25 Pet and Animal Safety: Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets due to health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. This excludes Emotional Support Animals. Do not wait until the last minute but plan ahead: contact local shelters, hotels, friends, boarding facilities and animal shelters.

Another year gone into what we call the past – I find it hard to believe that 2023 is over and we’re starting another year.

I decided to start writing about the importance of having a catalog of all your personal property. I learned that in these uncertain times anything can happen to destroy your home, business and take away all you own.

If you own your own home, you must know the cost of Homeowners Insurance is going up every year. Just think about all that’s going on around you and everything you own and have and invested in.

At any minute it can be destroyed or stolen. Whether a natural disaster, an accident while working around your house or theft. Yes, there are individuals out there looking to steal and make money off you and everything you own.

If you feel secure in your home with all the latest security prevention, cameras, alarms, fences, walls, etc. that’s great but if something unexpected happens do you know for sure what is inside/outside your home?

Just saying, you should know and document your personal property. If you, at the very least, take photos and make notes of property you worked hard for, that would make a big difference when your insurance company asks you what property or personal belongings were destroyed, vandalized or stolen.

All I’m saying is be prepared with a list of all your stuff so you can present it to your insurance agent. It will make a big difference if you can prove value instead of them (insurance company) giving you what they feel your valuables are worth.

Deciding Whether a Home Improvement Makes Financial Sense

Millions of homeowners have taken advantage of low mortgage and home equity loan interest rates to make home improvements or remodel their homes over the last several years. When they sell their homes, many of them are unable to recoup the money they put into the improvements. Not all home improvements are created equal, so how do you know which ones will pay you back the money you put into them?

Home improvement payback values vary widely by region and even by neighborhood. In general, expect to recoup less of your investment in a slow real estate market than you would in a hotter real estate market where houses are appreciating rapidly in value.

One of the most popular projects, finishing your basement, has one of the lowest rates of return. The average payback for finishing a basement is less than 50% of your costs, so if you spend $10,000, you can expect to increase the value of your home at resale by less than $5,000; the other $5,000 comes out of your pocket.

Kitchen remodeling and bathroom additions often pay back 75% to 90% or more of your costs. In-ground pools end up being notoriously bad investments, averaging a payback of less than 10%. Whirlpool baths, fireplaces, and decks don’t fare much better. Remember that what’s important to you may not be important to a potential buyer.

Improvements that potential buyers are most likely to be willing to pay for include:

Adding or remodeling a bathroom
Kitchen improvements
Adding a room
Landscaping
Adding a bedroom
Adding a garage
You can’t always make a decision about home improvements based solely on the financial aspects. You may need extra space for an expanding family or have a home improvement that just can’t wait, like a new roof. But if you’re planning a home improvement project that doesn’t have to be made, how do you decide if it makes financial sense?

Remember that when it comes time to sell your home, it’s never a good idea to have the biggest or most expensive house in the neighborhood, because it will be more difficult to sell if the asking price is higher than other homes. The same principal applies when remodeling. If you make your home significantly larger or more expensive than others in the neighborhood, your likelihood of recovering your costs declines.

So, think carefully before tapping the equity in your home to make improvements. If you plan to sell in the next five or so years, you may recover only a small percentage of the money you put into your home improvements. You could even end up owing more to the bank than you can get for your house when you sell it.

If you’re planning to sell and are considering making improvements in order to increase the selling price, do your homework first. Talk to experienced realtors, builders, and other industry professionals about whether you’re likely to make back the money you put into the improvements.

Social Media

Hurricanes can escalate quickly

Facebook
Did you know that the Category 5 hurricanes that have struck the United States were much weaker tropical storms just 72 hours prior? Storms can intensify surprisingly quickly — stay Weather-Ready by being prepared well ahead of time. weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

Twitter
Did you know that the Category 5 hurricanes that have struck the United States were much weaker tropical storms just 72 hours prior? Storms can intensify surprisingly quickly — stay #WeatherReady by being prepared well ahead of time. weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

Hurricanes Watch vs Warning

Facebook
A Hurricane WATCH is when hurricane force winds are POSSIBLE.
A Hurricane WARNING is when they are EXPECTED.
Know the difference and stay Weather-Ready! weather.gov/safety/hurricane-ww

Twitter
A Hurricane WATCH is when hurricane force winds are POSSIBLE.
A Hurricane WARNING is when they are EXPECTED.
Know the difference and stay #WeatherReady weather.gov/safety/hurricane-ww

Facebook
The threats from hurricanes to you and your family can vary widely depending on where you live. It’s not just those along the coast that can experience significant, life-threatening impacts. Evaluate what you need to do to protect your home and family NOW, before the storms.
hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
It’s not just those along the coast that can experience significant, life-threatening impacts. Evaluate what you need to do to protect your home and family NOW, before the storms. hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #WeatherReady

Facebook
Take some time to make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.
hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Are you in a hurricane evacuation zone, or in a home that would be otherwise unsafe in a hurricane? If so, think now, about where you’d go and how you’d get there if you’re told to evacuate. hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #WeatherReady

Assemble Disaster Supplies

Facebook
Just having enough supplies to make it through a hurricane isn’t enough. You need plenty to make it through what could be a LONG recovery period too. Water and electricity could be out for a week or more. Have enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine to last each person in your family for a MINIMUM of three days. Also make sure you have extra cash, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and a portable crank or solar-powered USB charger to charge your cell phone. ready.gov/kit

Twitter
Just having enough supplies to make it through a hurricane isn’t enough. You need plenty to make it through what could be a long recovery period too. Prepare for AT LEAST three days. ready.gov/kit #HurricanePrep #WeatherReady

Get an Insurance Checkup

Facebook
Today, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home…and remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll need a separate policy for flooding. floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

Twitter
Are you insured for a hurricane? Keep in mind that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, and flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period! Find coverage at floodsmart.gov #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Hurricane Dorian continues its path towards the east coast of Florida

Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere without notice. Households, businesses and organizations should prepare in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities, electricity, or water, without access to a supermarket or local services or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing can start with four important steps:

1.) Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

2.) Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.

3.) Build an emergency supply kit.

4.) Get involved

Fairfield Home Inventory encourages our community to be better prepared and invites community members to join us in this effort.

We would also like to remind everyone that being prepared includes having a detailed Inventory of all your personal/business property and assets.  Even if you don’t have a detailed report, you can take last minute video recordings of your personal items. At least you will have something if you need to file a claim with your Insurance provider.

Even if we don’t get a direct hit from Hurricane Dorian you should button up your home. Take anything that can be blown away on your deck, lawn or terrace and move it all indoors.  Close all windows in your home, garage and any separate standing structures.

Stock up on supplies in case of a power outage, fill your automobiles with gas, inspect gutters for debris, check your property for dead tree limbs and anything that may become a hazard in wind and rain.

You can never be too prepared for an emergency – keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least five (5) days. If possible keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container.  Each family should have their own emergency supply kit put together to match your own individual needs. Take into consideration those in your household with disabilities, seniors, young children and pets – build your kit to match your situation and needs.

Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay)

* Design a safe shelter, preferably an inside room with no windows

* Lock all doors and windows

* Find your emergency supply kit (See below)

* Use plastic and tape to seal your safe shelter from the inside

* Have supplies ready

* Care for family members with special needs

* Check for news updates using your radio

Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay or Go)

* Water: one gallon per person per day plus extra for pets
* Food: non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods and manual can opener
* Flashlight: hand crank model or battery operated with extra batteries
* Water treatment: iodine tablets or unscented chlorine bleach and an eyedropper
* Phone: wireless phone, fully charged with charger or extra battery-have a wired phone
* Documents: copies of important documents (insurance, photo ID) place items in a
waterproof, portable container like a zip lock bag.
* Emergency communication card: list of local and out-of-state friends and family and
their emergency contact information.
* Personal items: soap, feminine products, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc
* Whistle:  for signaling family and rescuers
* First aid kit: to treat minor family injuries
* Cash: be sure to carry a mix of small bill cash and credit cards
* Keys: an extra set for home and car
* Clothing: extra seasonal clothing for changing weather
* Matches: in a waterproof container
* Fire extinguisher: for protection against fire
* Tarp, tent, umbrella or poncho: in case of rain
* Tools: wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Meal kit: a set of compact cooking and eating utensils for preparing meals
* Paper and pencil: to write important information.

Stay safe and be prepared for this powerful storm.

For more preparedness information contact your local, state and federal emergency management resources.

Everybody is cutting the cord these days but is that really a good idea?

A telecommunications landline is a phone that uses copper pairs on a physical cable, sometimes called a dedicated line. This cable runs from a phone or cable company’s central office, where they supply dial tone directly to your house or apartment.  They get to your house by way of underground copper cables or on telephone poles and terminate on the wall where your phone is plugged in. These older landlines will almost always work in a natural disaster. They connect through wires and depend on a very low voltage. In a power outage your phone company has generators that will keep phones working indefinitely.  So, if your landline is older, that’s even more reason to keep this service.

Many newer landlines won’t work in a power outage because they use newer technology called VOIP (voice over internet protocol). These lines transmit phone service over the same cable and wires used for the home’s internet connection. If your landline and internet are connected with a shared (bundled) VoIP line they are connected to a household internet gateway device, when the power goes out, so will your phone.

Many people today are getting rid of their landlines and relying on mobile or cell phones for their sole means of communications. Cell phones are different than hard-wired  phones as they use radio waves transmitted from cell sites (towers). Cell phones don’t always work during hurricanes or other natural disasters.  Hurricane Harvey knocked out internet and telephones service to almost 200,000 homes, more than 360 cell towers and 16,911 call centers. A study from the Federal Communications Commission shows that about 1,000 cell towers were knocked out during Hurricane Katrina. While you can charge a cell phone through a vehicle adapter, it might not work if the nearby cell towers are damaged.

For these reasons, it’s always a good idea to keep a hard-wired landline phone in your home.

You can never be too prepared for an emergency – keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least five (5) days. If possible keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container.  Each family should have their own emergency supply kit put together to match your own individual needs. Take into consideration those in your household with disabilities, seniors, young children and pets – build your kit to match your situation and needs.

Be prepared, stay safe!

Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay or Go)

* Water: one gallon per person per day plus extra for pets
* Food: non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods and manual can opener
* Flashlight: hand crank model or battery operated with extra batteries
* Water treatment: iodine tablets or unscented chlorine bleach and an eyedropper
* Phone: wireless phone, fully charged with charger or extra battery
* Documents: copies of important documents (insurance, photo ID) place items in a
waterproof, portable container like a zip lock bag.
* Emergency communication card: list of local and out-of-state friends and family and
their emergency contact information.
* Personal items: soap, feminine products, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc
* Whistle:  for signaling family and rescuers
* First aid kit: to treat minor family injuries
* Cash: be sure to carry a mix of small bill cash and credit cards
* Keys: an extra set for home and car
* Clothing: extra seasonal clothing for changing weather
* Matches: in a waterproof container
* Fire extinguisher: for protection against fire
* Tarp, tent, umbrella or poncho: in case of rain
* Tools: wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Meal kit: a set of compact cooking and eating utensils for preparing meals
* Paper and pencil: to write important information.

For more preparedness information contact your local, state and federal emergency management resources.

Hurricane season has begun and even though the National Weather Service is not predicting a severe hurricane season, there’s the possibility of four to eight storms forming in the Atlantic.  An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. (This is according to NOAA, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration).

Local communities are holding meetings and classes and posting information on their municipal websites to educate the public about what to expect and how to prepare for a severe tropical storm or a major hurricane.

We would like to remind everyone that being prepared includes having a detailed Inventory of all your personal/business property and assets.  Know what you have and what it’s all worth by having a complete detailed Home/Business Inventory performed and having it stored somewhere other than your home – it’s part of being prepared!

You won’t realize until a catastrophic event happens how difficult it is to remember everything that was damaged or destroyed in order to be treated fairly by your insurance company. It’s our responsibility as homeowners and business owners to protect ourselves – NOT the Insurance Company’s, Document, Document and Document! 

For more information on how to prepare for hurricane season contact your local, state and federal emergency management resources.

Remember the fallen and the supreme sacrifice of America’s armed forces. It’s also a day to support those who still serve and protect us. I’m proud to be an American!

Thank You for your service!