Fall preparations for your home and family
As the weather starts to change once again, we look towards the fall season. This means it is important to remember to prepare your house and family accordingly for the season change. Preparing for fall can help save money, and protect your family and home. Check out these tips about preparing your home both inside and out, along with family (including pets).
Inside the house
- Service your furnace / air conditioner. Be sure to call your local heating and cooling company to service and make sure everything is working properly. Double check furnace for any leaks. This will save headaches and money later when the temperatures drop.
- Check to make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors are properly working. It’s important to know the alarms work, and that fresh batteries have been installed. Replace any fire extinguishers that have expired with new ones throughout the home.
- If you keep emergency kits, make sure they are full and stocked with small medical items, water, flashlight with fresh batteries, and any supplies needed. There should be enough to last you and the family about a week.
- Stock up on winter supplies. If you live in a climate where it snows frequently or ices, stock up on shovels, ice scrapers, sidewalk salts, etc. If your climate features heavy rain or hurricanes, make sure you have plenty of tarps, bottled water, duct tape, etc.
- Use caution with space heaters and fireplaces. Place a fireplace screen in front of fire to prevent sparks from flying out. Never leave a burning fire unattended, and make sure the fire is out before going to bed. If your space heater requires ventilation, make sure it vents to the outdoors. Never use a stove or oven to heat home. Always allow three feet of empty area around the space heaters.
Outside the home
- Reconsider burning the big pile of leaves. Check with your city’s regulations. It may be illegal to burn leaves. Burning leaves produce dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). If you are going to burn the leaves, wear a protective mask. Make sure that you are far away from the house or any other structures. Double check the weather forecast for the day for windy activity.
- Watch for power lines if trimming trees in the yard. Look and survey your yard area for power lines hanging above. Notice the placement of your ladder and trimming tools.
- Use caution while using a ladder. If you have to clean leaves out of the gutter, remember to have on appropriate footwear to avoid getting caught in between steps. Watch the steps for water or moisture to avoid slipping and falling. Make sure the ladder is secure and placed before climbing.
- Check all of the outdoor lighting fixtures. Make sure they all are working properly and secure. Outdoor lights are also effective deterrents for crime.
- When you’re cleaning up your yard, prevent injuries by standing straight and upright while raking leaves. Pull from your arms and legs, lift bags with bent knees using your legs, not your back, for support. If you’re using a leaf blower, wear appropriate clothing, eye protection, and tennis shoes or boots to prevent injury.
Family
- Go get a flu shot. There are still possibilities of getting sick after receiving the shot, but it will protect you from severe complications.
- Not just for employees returning to work, wash your hands. Use hot water, plenty of soap, and scrub for at least 30 seconds.
- Bundle up if it is cold. Wear a jacket and dress accordingly.
- Pets. If your furry friend lives outside, feed them more in the cooler times to help them retain body heat.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. If you haven’t already, make up an emergency kit and keep in your trunk. Some are in stores already made-up. To make your own, include a flashlight with fresh batteries, first-aid kit, jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, and basic tools.
Critter-Proofing Your Home for Winter
As the temperature drops, uninvited guests may view your home as the perfect winter retreat. Small critters like mice, squirrels, bats, and raccoons are experts at finding cozy nooks to ride out the chill. But don’t worry—keeping your home critter-free this winter is easier than you think. With a few simple steps, you can secure your space against these furry invaders and avoid the damage and mess they can bring.
Ready to critter-proof your home? Let’s get started!
Steps to Take Outside
Animals live outside and you would expect them to be there. However, you don’t want them nesting so close to your home that they may be tempted to venture inside.
- Trim landscaping. Keep shrubs close to the house well-trimmed so there are not places for them to build a home. Trim your trees so squirrels won’t be able to easily jump from there to your roof. Avoid using wood chips as mulch, as these make wonderful nesting material.
- Store firewood safely. Firewood can be a cozy hideout. Place logs at least 20 feet away from your house. Not only will that keep critters farther away, but the distance will also help protect against a fire risk. Keep the wood at least 18 inches off the ground to reduce the chance of rodents seeking shelter there.
- Remove food sources. Food is a major draw for animals. Place bird feeders away from your home and use squirrel guards to keep unwanted visitors out. Store food in sealed containers, and ensure garbage cans are securely closed and inaccessible.
- Secure decks and porches. The spaces beneath decks and porches are prime nesting spots. Look for signs of activity like gnawed wood, droppings, or burrow holes. Animals prefer dark, quiet areas, so deter them with a combination of radios, flashing lights, and apple cider vinegar-soaked rags. Once the critters leave, block openings with decorative lattice, burying the bottom edge to prevent reentry.
A note: Groundhogs who burrow under concrete slab, deck, porch are hibernators. You do not need to worry about them in the winter. They will not bother anything. However, during the springtime, you can use some of the above actions to get them to leave. Mylar windmills that move with the wind also will frighten them away.
Steps to Take in the Garage
Your garage is the midpoint between the outside and your house. Due to its proximity to your home, and the amount of stuff you probably store there, it could be inviting for critters.
- Seal openings. Garages offer shelter that is relatively warm, dry and protected from the elements. It’s no wonder critters want to be there. They don’t need a lot of space to get inside. Mice can enter in a ¼ inch gap. Check your garage for any openings. Caulk and fill in any cracks. Install a garage weather seal to close the gaps at the bottom of the doors.
- Clear the clutter. Critters do not like being out in the open. They are seeking cozy spaces where they can hide. This includes behind boxes, under shelves, beneath insulation, inside old tires, and so on. Remove any unnecessary boxes. Use plastic bins with tight lids so they can’t get inside. Raise items off the floor as a further deterrent.
- Eliminate food sources. Don’t keep trash or store food in your garage. Animals can smell a food source. If you must keep food in your garage, seal it in a container that will help prevent the scent from being detected.
- Insulate cavity walls. If your garage has cavity walls, you may find them make great homes for smaller animals such as mice. Consider filling them with a spray foam insulation. Not only will it help prevent critters from nesting there, but it will keep your garage warmer. Pro Tip: Choose a foam that includes rodent repellent.
Steps to Take in the Attic and Chimney
Both attics and chimneys are popular places for critters to nest. They are often easily accessible to the outside, and like garages, they offer protection from the outside elements. They also are generally dark and quiet, something critters enjoy.
- Check for signs of critters. Listen for noises. Look for droppings or urine stains and for damage such as chewed wood or ripped ventilation ducts. If you suspect that there are animals, take steps to remove them safely. Your local wildlife organization or a professional exterminator are good resources.
- Seal entry points. Animals enter your attic through small openings. The easiest way to check is to look during daylight, and see the places where light is coming in. Common spots are by attic vents, and openings in your roof soffits or eaves. Take steps to seal those openings. For attic vents, put a screen to cover the entire vent using ½ inch mesh. Use gutter guards on your roof to keep critters from settling there.
- Install chimney covers. These mesh screens allow airflow while blocking access to birds, squirrels, bats and other animals. In addition, make sure your chimney damper is properly closed when you’re not using your fireplace.
Steps to Take Inside
Your home is a warm, comfortable sanctuary for you, but it can also be an inviting retreat for unwelcome critters. With countless hiding spots, from behind your walls to under your cabinets, pests can easily find cozy nooks. The key to keeping them out is vigilance and preparation.
- Inspect every room. Conduct a room-by-room inspection to identify potential entry points. Focus on areas where gaps might exist along your floors, under cabinets, or around doors. Pay close attention to places where wires, pipes, or vents penetrate walls; even a tiny ¼-inch gap is enough for a mouse to slip through. Use caulk or sealant to close these gaps and consider plugging larger holes with steel wool, as rodents find it difficult to chew through.
- Secure doors and windows. Install or upgrade weather stripping around your doors and windows to seal off any openings. For exterior doors, consider adding a sweep or brush strip to block even the smallest gaps at the bottom. These simple steps help keep pests—and drafts—out.
- Examine vents and exhausts. Check your dryer vent, stove exhaust vent, and other external openings. Birds and small animals often see these as perfect nesting spots. Install vent covers or screens to prevent intrusions while maintaining proper airflow.
- Store food properly. Avoid leaving food out in the open, including pet food. Store all pantry items in sealed, airtight containers. This not only deters pests but also keeps your food fresher for longer.
- Try natural deterrents. Use the power of scent to repel pests naturally. Peppermint oil, for instance, is a proven deterrent for mice. Soak cotton balls in essential oil and place them near suspected entry points or in areas prone to critter activity. Replace them regularly to maintain their potency.
Your home is your greatest investment. Keep up with winter home maintenance and protect your home with the right insurance for added peace of mind.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Safety Tips for Driving in the Fall
Fall brings cool, crisp weather, and beautiful colors, but it also brings its share of driving hazards. Autumn is damp and foggy in many places and temperatures tend to drop at night. These seasonal changes can impact road conditions.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe when driving this fall.
Tip #1: Be aware of changing light patterns during shorter fall days.
Fall days naturally are shorter. The sun moves closer to the horizon, creating increased glare during sunrise and sunset hours. Once we end Daylight Savings Time on November 7, it will get darker earlier in the evening. “While we do only one-quarter of our driving at night, 50% of traffic deaths happen at night,” according to the National Safety Council. That’s because depth perception, peripheral vision, and color recognition are reduced in the dark.
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- Keep a pair of sunglasses in your car for times when the sun’s blinding glare can obstruct your vision. In the fall, this often happens during morning and evening rush hour.
- Keep your windshield clean so that dirt streaks don’t contribute to the glare.
- Be especially careful driving in neighborhoods during dusk or dawn hours. The low light can make it harder to see children playing or people walking their dogs.
- At night, the glare of approaching headlights can be blinding. Do not wear sunglasses as they can obstruct your vision at night. The best strategy is to avoid looking directly into the lights of oncoming traffic. Glance toward the right and look for the white painted road line.
Tip #2: Slow down for leaves, which can make roads hazardous.
Autumn leaves are beautiful to behold but they’re also dangerous. Driving on wet leaves is as slippery as driving on ice. Leaves may be slippery when wet but If temperatures fall, those wet leaves actually become icy. Even dry leaves are dangerous. They can reduce traction and cause skidding. They can cover up road markings and potholes.
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- Clean leaves off your windshield so they don’t get stuck in your wiper blades and block your vision.
- When driving on roads with leaves, slow down. Imagine hidden potholes under the leaves, which you would not want to hit at higher speeds.
- Give yourself plenty of distance between yourself and the car in front to avoid braking suddenly on a slippery surface.
- This is prime time for leaf gazing. Be aware that some drivers will have their eyes on the colorful fall foliage, rather than focusing on the road.
- Never drive through a leaf pile. Children love to jump and hide there.
- Do not park over a pile of leaves. It could create a fire hazard from the heat in your exhaust system.
Tip #3: Take care to see, and be seen, in fog.
Chilly fall mornings can create foggy conditions which reduce your visibility and the perception of distance when driving. You can take measures to see and be seen in fog.
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- Keep your headlights on, even during the daytime in fog. Use fog lights if you have them. They are designed to shine low along the road.
- Avoid using your high beams. They do not work well in dense fog and will create a glare, making it harder for you to see.
- Keep moving at a safe speed, but put lots of distance between yourself and other drivers.
- Reduce distractions so you can focus completely on the road.
- Use your windshield wipers and defroster to keep your glass clear. Set your defroster to warm to help dry out any moisture.
- If you need to, pull over to a safe spot. However, you will want to turn off your lights. In a fog, other drivers may see lights and think you are in a traffic lane. That could cause a collision.
Tip #4: Slow down on bridges and overpasses, which can freeze before roads.
As overnight temperatures drop below freezing, you can expect morning frost. That frost can impact your commute.
Tip #5: Be alert for deer at dawn and dusk.
Fall is breeding season for deer. That means you may see them more as they travel to find mates. You are more likely to hit a deer in November than at any other time of year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. An adult deer can range from 150 to 300 pounds, so hitting a deer can cause significant damage to your car as well as kill the animal.
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- Deer are most active during dusk and dawn. Be watchful of the side of the road movement during those times, especially in areas where there are deer crossing signs.
- Deer travel in groups. If you see one cross the road, chances are there are others following.
- If you see a deer, avoid swerving. Try to come to a controlled stop and wait for the animal to pass by. Put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are stopped.
Tip #6: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
Keeping your vehicle in top condition will help you navigate the challenges of fall driving more easily.
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- Check your vehicle’s headlights, turn signals, and tail lights to make sure they are working. Make sure your headlights are aligned.
- Check your car’s wipers and replace the blades if they are showing signs of wear.
- Check your car’s heating system to make sure it’s working.
- Make sure your tires have enough tread and are inflated. As temperatures rise and fall, your car tires may expand and contract. This causes loss of air pressure. You will want your tires to be inflated to manufacturer specifications. Check your owner’s manual.
- Finally, make sure you have the proper car insurance. Coverage will give you peace of mind should anything happen.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Preparing Your Home for the Cooler Months
Fall is here! The leaving are changing colors and soon the temperature will drop, but is your home ready for the cooler weather?
Follow our 10 indoor and outdoor tips below to help get your house ready for the winter months ahead.
Indoor:
Use Heavy Duty Drapes – Replacing your regular curtains with thermal drapes will help keep your home nice and warm.
Insulate Windows – Caulk and seal gaps around your windows to prevent cold air from leaking in.
Check Your Heating System – Change your filters and have an HVAC contractor come out and make sure everything is running properly.
Have Your Fireplace Inspected – Have your chimney cleaned once a year by a professional before you use it. They will check for any cracks and clean any soot build-up from the previous winter season.
Test Your Detectors – With homes all sealed up for the winter, there is a much greater chance for carbon monoxide to build up in your home. Make sure all detectors have new batteries and are working properly.
Outdoor:
Check Your Roof – Before the snow and ice, make sure your roof is damage-free and there are no shingles that are missing or loose.
Add Mulch to the Landscaping – Protecting your plants and landscaping from the harsh winter weather by adding a few additional layers of mulch.
Clean Out Your Gutters – Fall leaves and debris can accumulate in your gutters and make it impossible for water, snow, and melting ice to pass through. That is why it is important to clean and clear them out a few times a year.
Trim Tree Branches – Winter storms can wreak havoc on trees, especially dead limps, which can easily fall on your home with a gust of wind or snow/ice accumulation. Trim tree branches over your home and remove dead limbs.
Prep Your Lawn and Lawn Care Equipment – Fall and Spring are the best time to seed your lawn. After, be sure to apply fertilizer with winterizer. It is also a good idea to drain gas from any mower or weed eater that you will not use until the spring.
Stay warm this cool-weather season, and for more cool weather tips, check out our Fall Preparation Tips for Your Home blog here.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.