Be Fire Smart with Electricity throughout your home.
Stay Safe This Winter…with a few Simple Tips…
#TipsTuesday #FireSafety #SafetyFirst
For More Information About Electrical Fire Safety, visit
www.usfa.fema.gov and www.nfpa.org
What NOT to Leave In Your Car When It is Super Cold
Living in New England, we certainly see our share of Cold and Below freezing temperatures during Winter…
With just over a month until Spring officially begins on Sunday, March 20, 2016,…we will most likely experience additional frigid temps…
From Laptops, to Pets, to Smart Phones and even guitars, check out the slideshow via Arbella and WCVB Channel 5 Boston describing what NOT to leave in your car on our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/moynihanins/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel or
http://www.wcvb.com/news/what-not-to-leave-in-your-car-when-its-super-cold/18236474?utm_campaign=WCVB%2BChannel%2B5%2BBoston&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_source=Social
Things NOT to leave in YOUR car in Freezing Temps:
- LapTops
- Children
- Pets
- Medicine
- Insulin
- Smart Phones
- Water, Soda, Juice & Coffee
- Guitars
Happy President’s Day 2016
In Celebration of President’s Day Our Offices will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2016.
Wishing You & Your Families..a Happy Valentine’s Day too…
Enjoy a Safe, Warm, Great President’s Day & Long weekend from everyone here at Moynihan Insurance Agency, Inc.
Time For Some Arctic Air to Roll Through New England…for Valentine’s Day Weekend…
Time For Some Arctic Air to Roll Through New England…for Valentine’s Day Weekend…
Here are Some Tips from Arbella Mutual Insurance to Deal With the Frigid Temps!!
Warm up the house! …
I can feel it coming in the air tonight
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and our hearts may be warm but the air will be cold! This weekend, forecasters anticipate frigid temperatures throughout the Northeast beginning Friday night and lasting until Monday. That means potential subzero lows that could lead to frozen pipes, which is enough to ruin any romantic weekend.
Getting out of Dodge?
Planning a warm-weather getaway with your family for winter vacation? While you’re soaking up the sun, you may be leaving your home vulnerable to the cold. Nothing ruins a great vacation like coming home to a disaster. So before you head to the beaches, here are a few tips to help safeguard against frozen pipes.
Prevention is the best medicine
• Turn up the heat! Set the thermostat to the same temperature day and night.
• Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
• If you have an attached garage, keep the doors shut. Wind and cold air drafts increase the likelihood of a frozen pipe.
• If you are going away, shut off the water supply line to your washing machine.
• Drain and shut off all outside spigots.
• Have someone check on the house. Once the ice melts and the temperatures rise, the water will start to flow. Mark the shut off to the main water supply line so it can be easily identified.
How about some good news?
It’s not all bad! The cold temps should be short lived and roll out by Monday, which is fine by us! Then it’s #only18moreweekstillsummer. And rest assured, if you do experience a frozen pipe in your home, Arbella has your back. –
For More Information visit:
http://www.arbella.com/…/why-arb…/the-good-stuff/arctic-air…
Ice Dam-It!
New England has seen our share of snow over the past few days…but it is not to late to take preventative steps to ward off damaging Ice Dams In Your Home…
#Icedamprevention #winter #tipstuesday #safetyfirst #homeprotection
For Tips on how to Prevent Ice Dams…Check out the link, via Arbella Mutual Insurance on our facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/moynihanins/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Ice Dams
When you’re skating on a pond on a brisk winter day, or enjoying a cool glass of lemonade in the heat of summer, ice can be your best friend. However, when it comes to protecting your roof and your home, ice is your worst enemy. Like, arch-nemesis kind of thing. Like Batman and the Joker. Make sure you’re prepared this winter by following our tips to combat ice dams!
Why do bad ice dams happen to good people?
We ask ourselves that question all the time. Ice dams happen when water from melting snow runs down the surface of your roof and refreezes, causing the ice to build up and “dam.” This can allow water to leak inside your house, destroy your gutters and even pull off shingles. Can you say, “worst case scenario?”
Knock out the ice dams
The best way to prevent ice dams is to call a contractor yesterday. But luckily for you, today will be just fine! As long as you call a qualified contractor to seal and insulate your attic space before the weather gets bad, you can minimize the damage. They can also help you keep your attic ventilated so that any warm air that does get inside is whisked away. It’s a one-two punch to winter’s wrath!
Those fickle leaves won’t go away
You know those perfect fall days where you want to ignore all the fallen leaves and just watch football all day? Well, those leaves are mad that you ignored them and now they’re clogging your gutter. But if you keep your gutters clear of leaves and snow, then your downspouts can do their job. And pick up a roof-rake at the hardware store to help clear the snow—it’s well worth the investment!
Ice Dam-it!
Okay, so despite your efforts you still have an ice dam. Calm down, take a deep breath, and attack the problem. Use a melting agent like calcium chloride . However, don’t use a blow torch (do we really have to say that?) because you’ll probably end up causing more problems than fix. Just trust us on this one. For more information on ice dams, check out our flyer.
To get additional tips and tricks to make your home ready for the cold weather, see Arbella’s Winter Tips Infographic. – See more at: http://www.arbella.com/arbella-insurance/why-arbella/the-good-stuff/ice-dams#sthash.3fQJggf2.dpuf
TIPS to Winterize Your Home & Vehicles in Massachusetts this Winter
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance released this Press Release on January, 19, 2016…
#ProtectHomes #ProtectVehicles #SafetyFirst
Massachusetts Residents Urged to Protect their Homes and Vehicles this Winter
Last year’s record breaking snowfall has many Massachusetts residents concerned that this winter will mirror 2015. While predictions vary for what’s in store, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the Division of Insurance recommend preparing in advance to minimize the circumstances that can lead to claims from winter storms.
Consumer Affairs Undersecretary John Chapman reminds property owners that damage caused by snow, freezing rain, and cold temperatures can be minimized with proper precautions. Routine maintenance can also help consumers avoid claims on their homeowner and auto insurance policies, helping keep premiums down.
“Adequately preparing for the winter weather should be a priority for homeowners as repairs from storm damage can be very costly,” Consumer Affairs Undersecretary John Chapman said. “If last winter taught us anything, it’s that early preparation is key to forestalling ice dams and burst pipes, which can cause major damage to most consumers’ greatest asset.”
The Division of Insurance recommends consumers take preventive measures when preparing a home or vehicle for the winter season.
Winterizing your home:
- All walkways and driveways should be cleared of snow and ice and treated with ice melt. Salt ice melt can be dangerous for animals. Use a pet-friendly alternative to avoid illness or injury to animals.
- Make sure your trees are trimmed back from your house and away from power lines.
- Clear gutters and downspouts and keep roofs free of significant snow accumulation.
- Inspect the underside of the roof for signs of leaks.
- Make sure the chimney is clean and in good working order.
- Make sure all water pipes are properly insulated to prevent freezing.
- If your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are electric, make sure you have a battery back-up.
- Check the heating system and make sure heat is being delivered to all vents.
- Keep dryer vent unobstructed.
Protecting your vehicle:
- Have a mechanic check your vehicle to make sure all systems are running properly.
- Make sure tires have adequate tread and the recommended air pressure.
- Check your spare tire and make sure it, the jack, and lug wrench are all stored in the trunk.
- Make sure you have jumper cables, a shovel, tire chains, a bag of salt and sand, basic tools, and a medical kit.
- Carry a cell phone and have a flashlight, ice scraper, snow brush or broom, and signaling devices such as flares or reflective triangles in the vehicle. Bring along extra warm clothing, gloves, a blanket, food and water.
- Keep the windshield wiper fluid tank filled and carry an extra container of fluid in your vehicle. Make sure your wiper blades are in good working order.
- Maintain at least a half tank of gasoline.
- Clean snow and ice off your car as necessary.
- Drive cautiously.
“The last thing a consumer wants to hear after enduring snow and ice storms is that the damage may not be covered or that their claim is being denied,” said Insurance Commissioner Daniel Judson. “It’s a good idea at this time of year for policyholders to check-in with their carrier or independent agent to understand their coverages and responsibilities in terms of deductibles so there are no surprises.”
Filing insurance claims:
- Call your insurance company’s claims reporting number as soon as possible.
- If you work with an independent insurance agent, notify him or her of your claim as well.
- Understand your coverage for potential wind and flood damage.
- Protect your damaged property to the extent you can to prevent further damage and salvage what you can.
- Note and photograph all damage and losses. This will assist in settling claims.
- If temporary housing is necessary, check your policy for Loss of Use coverage. Your policy may cover such expenses up to a stated amount.
- Be sure everything is considered in the claim. Back-up your claim with written estimates.
- For More Information visit our facebook at https://www.facebook.com/moynihanins/ or Division of Insurance Press Release at http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/press-releases/2016/doi-homes-in-winter.html