Is Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters This Halloween?

Is your home safe for trick-or-treaters this Halloween? By taking a few extra precautions, you can ensure everyone has a happy holiday. Here are three tips to consider.

Confine Your Pets

One of the first things to think about when preparing for Halloween festivities is what you plan to do with your dog or cat. Even well-behaved animals become scared by having so many unknown visitors coming up the driveway and yours may even try to bolt out the door. For the safety of both your beloved pet and the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, have a secure place in mind where you can put the animal for the duration of the evening. (Good examples include a special room, crate, or even a secure area in your backyard.)

Keep a Clean Area

Keeping a clean area is important when getting ready for the arrival of trick-or-treaters. Make sure your yard is free from any hazards, such as overgrown vegetation that could catch on clothing or items that could possibly be tripped over. You will also want to make sure certain outdoor living accessories are out of the way and that your walkway is free from any loose bricks or holes.

Ensure Your Porch is Well-Lit

Another way to prepare your home for trick-or-treaters is by ensuring that your porch is well-lit. Turn on as many different fixtures as you can to help illuminate the path to your door. Line walkways with small solar lights to help children see the way more clearly at night. However, don’t rely on candle as your main glow—these pose a fire hazard if they are knocked over or tripped on.

By keeping these things in mind, you can help lessen the chance of a visitor becoming injured. However, in case something accidentally happens, it is very important to ensure your homeowner’s insurance is current. For more information or a no-obligation policy review, please contact our team at ALLConnecticut Insurance.

3 Things You Need to Know About Boat Insurance and Leaks

One of the greatest things about living in Newington is our access to plenty of ponds, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Having a boat to take a spin around the lake, go fishing, or just spend a leisurely day out on the water is a must for many Connecticut families. However, nobody gets to have any fun if your boat isn’t in working order and/or sinks.

Here are three things you need to know about boat insurance and leaks.

#1: Leaks Are the Biggest Cause of Sinking Boats

Generally speaking, a boat only sinks for two reasons. One is when the vessel takes on water. The other is when there’s a leak–which happens more often than not. Keeping your boat in top condition and free of leaks is the best way to protect your investment.

#2: Most Insurance Policies Will Not Pay for General Maintenance Leaks

In most cases, your insurance policy will not pay to repair basic maintenance leaks. Keeping your vessel in top shape is generally done at your own expense. However, if your boat struck another object and the leak was caused by the accident, it is a wise idea to contact your insurance carrier to see if the leak would be covered.

#3: Some Insurance Policies Will Cover Wreckage Removal

If the leak has gotten so bad that (gulp!) your boat actually sinks, your insurance policy might cover the cost of wreckage removal. Generally, this includes any reasonable fees associated with raising the boat from the water and hauling it off to a secure location.

The two most important things to remember when it comes to boat ownership are to keep your vessel in leak-free condition and make sure you have adequate insurance coverage.

For more information about boat insurance in the 06111 zip code or anywhere else in Newington, CT, please contact us today.