Now that fall is officially here, it's time to prepare your home for the cold weather like putting on the storm doors, cleaning your gutters, and tuning up the furnace. And don’t forget your garage! Did you know most garage fires occur in January and February?...

With the end of daylight savings time, it will be more difficult to have fun in the sun. During the week, our light will now have to be enjoyed from an office, factory, or school window. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t remain active outdoors. Recently, I rode to...

Shorter days, blowing leaves, and cooler temperatures are reminders that winter is coming. If you’re like me, you’re scrambling to get your “To Do” list completed. Raking leaves, painting house trim, and cleaning out flower beds are just a few of the tasks I have...

Before you know it, kids in costumes will be roaming your neighborhood on a mission to fill their bags with goodies. While this is a fun tradition, it’s important to keep your home and yard safe so your Halloween visitors stay safe, too. Here some tips to keep...

This time of year, a trip to the pumpkin farm is a must for many people. Whether it’s a field trip for school or a weekend trip with family and friends, there’s always plenty to do. Today’s pumpkin farms are even more exciting than when my parents took my sister and...

Do you like the new car smell or the shine of new paint? Buying a car can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Negotiations and paperwork can lead to many hours spent at a car dealership. Learning about the new technology and safety features available on cars...

October is Fire Prevention Month. Each year, an average of 370,000 reported home fires result in $6.9 billion in damages. When you add candle fires to that total, it translates to an average of 42 calls a day for a typical fire department! At this time of year, I...

When I was growing up, one of our family traditions was a trip to our local pumpkin patch. I always loved trying to find the best pumpkin, or at least one better than my sister’s. After finding the perfect pumpkin, we ventured into the store to buy caramel apples,...

This year’s flu season has grabbed our attention. Hospitalization for people infected with the flu has increased for the first time since 2013. In addition, there have been numerous reports of healthy people dying from complications with the flu. There are a number of...

A few months ago, I purchased a new car. Because my previous car was 10 years old, it didn’t have all the safety technology that’s installed on new cars. While this new technology is nice and helps you with your driving, keeping the sensors clean during the winter...

Smart home technology use is a rising trend. From connected appliances to Wi-Fi lightbulbs to automated environmental controls, smart home devices are wooing homeowners with the capabilities to remotely control and monitor their home from anywhere. After all, smart...

Howling winds, drifting snow, and cold temperatures make it challenging at times to leave the comfort and warmth of our homes. Snuggling up by a warm fire, with a book or tablet and a cup of coffee is relaxing. If you choose to use a fireplace or other supplemental...

Cold winter weather can take its toll on our homes, cars, and bodies. Frozen pipes, dead car batteries, and bodily injuries, are common and often require us to seek help from a professional. As we age, cold weather can be extremely dangerous. Plummeting temperatures...

During the winter months, frozen lakes host a flurry of outdoor activities. Anglers, ice shanties, and recreational vehicles are a common scene. While many enjoy winter activities on the ice, these activities can lead to serious injury if the proper precautions aren’t...

Whether at work, the grocery store, or school, it’s very common to hear sounds of the season. Unfortunately, I’m referring to sneezes, coughs, and sniffles. Between December and March, millions of people suffer from the common cold, influenza (flu), pertussis...

Hoarding has not only become a popular topic for media coverage, it's also a trending topic in the insurance industry. Because it's more prevalent in our society today, Jenny Bischoff senior personal lines underwriter will explain the practice of hoarding and how it...

If you’ve watched the news lately, there has been significant coverage on wildfires, severe storms, and most recently,...

Swat, splat, bang. These are common sounds at my house. The reason for these sounds is mosquitos are invading us. I...

Last week’s blog identified areas of your property you should inspect after a severe storm. Some of those areas...

Severe weather can pop up in your neighborhood quickly. If severe weather strikes, your first priority should be...

In just a few short days, our children’s alarm clocks will be ringing and hectic school schedules will become a part...

Going on vacation with your family can be exciting, but it can also involve a lot of planning, depending on where...