Blog

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES… THE ESSENTIALS YOU NEED

The lazy days of summer are just about over and in just a couple of weeks, it’s back to school. Back to school shopping can feel a little overwhelming as you try to find the right clothing and supplies to help them feel confident in their ability to function in the classroom. In case you need a little guidance to help get you started, here’s a list of some essential and favorite supplies to help fill the backpack. This list should help you ...

COLLEGE SURVIVAL TIPS

For the first-year college student, leaving home for the first time, this can be both scary and exciting. Below, are a few tools, skills and habits to help you get through the awkward first year. You may also be able to apply some of these to the remainder of your college education and beyond. GO TO ALL OF THE ORIENTATIONS: There are going to be quite a few, but they’re all important to attend. The more you attend, the more at ease you’ll ...

ADDING A TEEN TO YOUR AUTO INSURANCE POLICY

So, your teenager is now learning how to drive and you’re wondering how much your auto insurance policy will increase. According to Coverage.com, adding a 16 to 19 year-old driver can increase your insurance premium by as much as 92%. “Insurance companies raise rates for teens because of their lack of driving and insurance experience. It can also go up due to their high rate of serious crashes, especially within the age range of 16 to 19 years-old,” says Blue Line Insurance Agency Licensed Customer Service Representative Maryellen ...

QUICK & EASY DIY PROJECTS

It’s been a great summer. You and your family have spent as much time as possible being outdoors, exploring, traveling, playing and soaking in as much fun as possible. But now you feel like you need to take care of a few home projects. Well, here’s a handful of quick and easy DIY projects that you’ll enjoy and should take almost no time at all to complete. ENHANCE YOUR ENTRYWAY: You don’t need to go overboard, unless you want to. It’...

BEST TIPS FOR AMAZING FAMILY TRAVEL

Getting away with the family is never easy, especially when the children are young. But knowing how to be prepared, so that the trip can go as smoothly as possible will go a long way towards creating a lifetime of memories. Below, are a few tips to help plan for and make your family travel a little less overwhelming. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME: Everything takes longer with children. It’s going to take longer to pack, get out the door and reach your destination. ...

UNDERSTANDING WATER DAMAGE & COVERAGE FOR YOUR HOME

Water damage can be devastating, but quick action will help minimize its damage to your home. Water damage can be caused by several different things to include inclement weather, burst pipes, build-up to areas prone to collecting water and malfunctioning household appliances to name a few.  When you are aware of the potential causes, you can take precautionary measures to help insure against a leak or flood. You will also be able to spot a problem sooner and prevent any additional damage. It’s ...

AVOIDING SEASICKNESS

Whether you’ve been out on a small boat or you’ve cruised the Caribbean, at one point or another you may have felt a touch of seasickness. It happens to the best of everyone. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about and just about everyone gets their sea legs under them. Here are five tips to help avoid seasickness.  KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE HORIZON As your body adjusts to the new movements, use the horizon as your point of reference. For most ...

FOILING CAR THIEVES

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019, one motor vehicle was stolen every 43.8 seconds in the United States. That means that there were more than 700,000 reported stolen cars that year. Many of those thefts could have been prevented if drivers had followed some simple precautions. Don’t make it so easy for car thieves. Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent your car from being stolen and becoming a statistic. LOCK YOUR DOORS Let’s begin with the easiest ...

PREVENTING LOST PETS

The American Humane Society estimates that about one-third of all dogs and cats go missing, about 10-million annually in the United States. Almost 80% are never found and millions wind up in animal shelters. Here are a handful of steps you can take to keep your pet from being lost or stolen. 1. MICROCHIP YOUR PET The Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association reports a higher rate of animals being returned to their families if they are microchipped. Only about 22% of dogs not microchipped are returned to ...

TIPS FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING

The National Safety Council reports that only about a quarter of our overall driving occurs at night, but more traffic accidents happen in the evening than during the day and more of them are serious or fatal. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that we can’t see as well in the dark. Other factors also include glare from headlights and traffic lights and drowsiness. Below, are 13 tips to help reduce the risk of nighttime driving. DRIVE MORE DEFENSIVELY Since it’...

PROTECTING YOUR HOME WHILE ON VACATION

You’ve booked your trip and have packed your suitcases, you’re ready to go for that long overdue vacation. Before you lock your home’s doors and shove the suitcases in the car, here are five ways to protect your home while you’re gone.   1.  ASK SOMEONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HOME. Ask a friend or neighbor to drive by your home at least once a day to make sure everything is still in place. That person can also bring ...

TIPS TO BABY-PROOF THE HOUSE

When it comes to baby-proofing your house, you don’t need to go overboard. Baby-proofing your home helps put harmful items on lockdown and steer kids away from places, staircases and rooms where they shouldn’t be. Drawer Locks: Safety latches on cabinets and drawers secure items in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms to prevent poisonings and other injuries. Corner Guards: These cushions soften hard edges of tables and desks to prevent injuries during falls. Outlet Covers: These inserts prevent little fingers ...