Home Safety, Tips, Resources Archive

Insurance coverage checkup (12/04/2024)
As life situations change, so do your insurance needs. That’s why it’s a good idea it revisit your policies every year to make sure you’re not over- or underinsured.

Insurance for fallen trees (12/04/2024)
When your neighbors tree falls in your yard, who is responsible?

Kitchen safety (12/04/2024)
While we can’t give you tips on how to save your cooking from too much salt or burnt edges, we can share tips on how to prevent and handle kitchen fires.

Summer weather safety (12/04/2024)
Summer is the peak time for tornadoes, thunderstorms, lightning, floods, and hailstorms. Know how to prepare and what to do.

Homeowners insurance 101 (12/04/2024)
Want to better understand the insurance definitions, terms, and coverages in your homeowners insurance policy? We can help answer questions you may have about homeowners insurance terminology.

Holiday fire safety (12/01/2024)
Holiday festivities are fun, but they can also increase the risk of fire. Learn how to minimize that danger to enjoy a safe and merry season!

Creating a safe home woodshop (10/03/2024)
To complete a successful woodworking project, a safe, well-equipped shop is vital. What constitutes “safe” and “well-equipped,” though? Our article offers some guidelines.

Shop small (09/30/2024)
Think about shopping small on Small Business Saturday. Keeping your business in your neighborhood has benefits beyond making local merchants smile. Turns out your paycheck goes further — and benefits you — when you spend it closer to home.

Using the right tools (09/27/2024)
Struggling to make a wrong or inadequate tool do a job it wasn’t designed for is a prescription for injury. What should you have in your toolkit? We have a list for you.

Preventing hypothermia (09/03/2024)
Frostbite and hypothermia occur when your normal temperature drops after prolonged exposure to cold weather. Know the symptoms of hypothermia, how to prevent it and what to do if it happens.

Burning safety (07/17/2024)
It’s time to think about fire safety. Fire pits with friends at night, and controlled burns to improve the soil for next year’s crop can pose risks.

How to waterproof a basement (07/17/2024)
Ninety-eight percent of homes with a basement will eventually have problems with water. You need to keep an eye out for basement flooding. Our tip sheet can help.

Lightning safety tips (05/07/2024)
Lightning is a powerful and dangerous force of nature. Know the facts and keep safe when the clouds roll in and storms approach.

Hail protection 101 (05/01/2024)
ail can be damaging and dangerous. Learn the facts to protect your home, vehicles, and family.

Avoiding scammers after a storm (04/30/2024)
Be prepared for scammers and shady contractors who descend after extreme weather disasters. They prey on the need for quick repairs with promises of low estimates.

Learn about construction permits (04/29/2024)
Before you start a renovation, make sure you get the proper permits.

Surge protectors (04/26/2024)
Protecting your technology means investing in surge protection. Learn what that means with our article.

Know Your Flood Risk (04/19/2024)
Homeowners should know if their home is in a flood-prone area and know their insurance options if it is.

Call before you dig (04/19/2024)
Before you touch a shovel, call 811. That’s the number for the “call-before-you-dig” hotline, maintained nationwide to keep property owners from having an unfortunate — and potentially fatal — encounter with the gas, electric, or other utility lines that run beneath their yard’s surface.

Tax refund fraud (02/14/2024)
Learn how tax-related identity theft works, how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim, and what to do if you do become a victim.

Chimney Safety (11/03/2023)
Ready to cozy up to a warm fire this winter? Get your chimney and fireplace ready so you can relax, worry-free.

Online buyers beware (09/08/2023)
Shopping online is super convenient, but you need to protect yourself from cyber criminals

Heat your home safely (08/22/2023)
In colder months, you may use a space heater or other kind of portable heater to heat a room in your home. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from space heaters. Read on for more tips for heating safely.

Scuttling Porch Pirates (06/15/2023)
Millions of Americans have packages stolen from their front porches by porch pirates every year, losing an average of $50 every time it happens.

Top causes of loss (06/05/2023)
Electrical fires were the leading cause of fire loss for Grinnell Mutual in 2022, according to its Special Investigations department. Electrical issues caused 106 of the 239 determined fires they investigated last year. Read how you can prevent an electrical fire, and what to do if you have an electrical fire.

The right security system (05/26/2023)
Choosing a security system for your home can help prevent crime

Tornado safety (05/23/2023)
As the climate changes and storms become more severe, it’s more important than ever to know how to keep yourself, your family, and your property safe during tornado season, which will last (for a broad swath of the country), from May into July.

Banishing bats from your house (05/17/2023)
While bats may seem harmless, their presence in your home can pose health risks to you and your family. If you ever come across bats in your home, it is important to remove them safely and effectively.

Stay cool with the right fans (05/15/2023)
Fans come in an array of sizes, speeds, prices, and configurations. Find out which ones are right for you

Escaping a house fire (02/06/2023)
Know what to do in case of a house fire so you can escape safely

Swimming Pool Safety (10/01/2021)
While backyard swimming pools are a lot of fun, this fun can come at a price if you’re not responsible. Each year, an average of over 370 children die each year in pool- or spa-related drownings. Learn the proper safety measures.

Protecting your identity from fraud after natural disasters (09/14/2021)
When people leave their homes after a natural disaster, they forget key documents and identification, leaving them exposed to identity fraud.

Check your detectors (09/14/2021)
The smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and radon detector can be life-savers in your home. Read on to learn more about how what carbon monoxide and radon are and how these different detectors could save a life.

Cybersecurity for students (09/09/2021)
College students are prime target for hackers. College students who practice cybersecurity can spend more time on their studies and less time recovering their stolen identities.

Prepare home for severe weather (08/09/2021)
Here are simple things you can do to prepare your home for severe weather, so you can hole up in your snug-as-a-bug home without worry.

Ladder safety (08/06/2021)
Practice ladder safety at home. Whether you're using a portable ladder or an extension ladder, use these ladder safety tips.

Outdoor Grilling Safety (07/01/2021)
Want to fire up the grill this summer to get in some barbeque time? Check out these summer grilling safety tips first.

Cybersecurity (04/15/2021)
For immediate identity protection assistance, call us at 844-965-3107. Answers to your cybersecurity questions about passwords, passphrases, multi-factor authentication (MFA), phishing, security updates, social media, and ransomware.

Back to school safety (08/06/2018)
Tips for parents, young students, teens, and drivers that will help keep the kids safe as the school year starts.

Childproofing your home (03/22/2017)
Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death of children in the United States. Learn about the steps you can take to childproof your home and prevent injuries.