October Crime Prevention Month

October has become the official month for recognizing and celebrating the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. The month-long celebration spotlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels.

Although children look forward to tricks, treats, and ghoulish garb, Halloween can be fraught with fright for parents, with candy given to their kids by strangers and a legion of masked and costumed trick-or-treaters at the door. However, following a few safety tips can ensure safe fun for kids and candy-givers alike.

The activities below focus on Halloween, which is celebrated in the last week of October. The efforts throughout the month generate enthusiasm for crime prevention so it can grow stronger and become more widespread.
To ensure that trick-or-treaters, you, and your house stay safe, remember the following tips.

• Clear your yard and sidewalk of any obstacles or decorations that may be hard to see in the dark, lest someone go bump in the night.
• Keep your house well lighted, both inside and out; . . .
• Keep in mind the next few tips to make sure your trick-or-treater’s night in the neighborhood will be safe and fun.
• Older kids should trick-or-treat in groups; kids walking around alone are never as safe as those in groups, and especially not at night. Younger kids should be accompanied by a parent or trusted neighbor.
• Review the route for trick-or-treating beforehand and set a time . . . read more

Disaster Preparedness: Making Sure You've Got What It Takes - Supplies you should have on hand in the event of an emergency http://ping.fm/OQn02
Getting Set
• Think about it this way--you and your family need to get together whatever you will need to camp out for three days. Assume you'll be out of reach of electricity and running water.
• You may have many items on hand; you just need to be sure you've assembled them all (or that you can do so quickly) and that you have sufficient quantities of the consumable items.
• If you are storing items, store them in sealed containers--such as plastic tubs taped shut--if at all possible.
• Store items in a cool, dry place indoors.
• Avoid storing items in glass containers unless absolutely necessary.
• If a complete kit is not possible, list items around the house that need to be in the kit and be prepared to pack them as soon as disaster threatens (for example, a battery-operated radio or medicines that must be refrigerated or taken daily).
• Check all stored supplies every six months. Rotate out any perishable items (including such things as batteries) and use them for daily needs. Replace them in the kit with fresh supplies. If you have not set aside stored supplies, check your household inventory of key items at least once every month or two.
For Each Person
• Water--one gallon per day (per person or pet).
• Food--enough for three meals per person per day. Try to keep on hand canned foods or other prepared foods that don't require cooking or a lot of added water. Stock some energy bars and dried fruit for portability.
• Clothing--at least two or three complete sets of clothing. Switch them off seasonally when you recheck stored supplies. Include rain gear (even disposable ponchos can help) for everyone and sweaters or heavy coats if the next six months' weather demands it.
• Medicines
- Medium to large size first-aid kit
- First-aid instruction book
- Extra bandages, gauze compresses, and first-aid tape
- Antiseptic wipes, creams, etc., as needed
- Pain relief medicines, antacids, cough medicines (including infants'/children's if appropriate)
- Three to four days' supply of medications for each person who is on a regular medical regimen (store copies of prescriptions if possible)
- Disposable latex gloves and household bleach (for disinfection as needed).
• Bedding, etc.--one sleeping bag or blanket and pillow per person (more for cold weather); one bath towel per person; and (possibly) inexpensive deflated air mattresses.

Especially for Babies
And so much more . . . so the above website to see full list of supplies and DON'T forget that an inventory before a disaster strikes will save you frustation and money in the recovery process!

Does your homeowner insurance protect you?

Do you own a single dwelling, townhouse or condo homeowner or are you a renter?  

"Different insurers offer varying levels of replacement cost coverage, so you need to check your policy or with your insurer to see what is covered in your area and what the limits are. Some companies add maximums to replacement cost coverage policies to protect themselves from overexposure in the case of loss.

For example, some insurers limit the replacement value on roofs. "The insurance company wants to limit its liability on old roofs," says Griffin. "Some people were waiting to replace old roofs until after winter storms."

Homeowners would file claims for storm damage, and the company would then replace the old, ready-to-be-replaced roof. Now some insurance companies limit the amount payable on replacing a roof, especially when the roof is over a certain age.

Other companies limit or exclude items in other categories such as business property, film, tapes, cassettes, records, art, memorabilia or collectors' items. Check with your insurer to determine if you need special riders to cover your particular items.

Remember, you are insuring your home and your possessions -- not your land. Think about what it would cost to rebuild your house and replace its contents, not what the market value of the house is.

Inventory your valuables

Calculate the value of your personal possessions by creating an inventory. Keep the inventory in a protected place outside your home such as in a safe-deposit box. If you have especially valuable items such as jewelry, artwork or computer systems, you may need additional insurance to cover them.

Written appraisals for jewelry, along with photographs, should be stored with your inventories. The insurance company will need this information if you have to file a claim. Also, if your house is broken into or destroyed, you will be able to identify missing items more readily by using a prepared inventory.

While videotape is great for documenting your large possessions, a written inventory is critical for noting small items. It's best to inventory all of your items with a detailed description, including make, model, price paid, location and date of purchase. Keep photocopies of your receipts or other pertinent information with your inventories. Go through your house room by room and complete a written and visual inventory for each one."  www.bankrate.com

Why do we say - PREPARE!

Easy - because you can get back to your nomal life so much faster and with a lot less stress if you have taken action ahead of time! Just like preparing a first aid kit or an emergency plan of where you will go to connect with family members if there has been a natural disaster or home fire, you will be able to gain control of the recovery process.

National Preparedness Month - September - is a time that we encourage everyone to take those steps to prepare their families in the event of a disaster. You can even help others through a disaster if you are freed from those terrible tasks of finding your loved ones, contacting insurance and service companies and putting together the documentation needed.

The basics include:

1. Get an emergency kit
2. Make a plan
3. Be Informed

Know your local public services contact information and put it in your emergency kit. Also, put bank and medical information, family members contact numbers, and safe meeting places in the kit and your cell phone. Do this now - don't wait for the roar of a tornado heading your way!

Read full readiness tips at www.ready.gov

Renters need property insurance and an inventory

The threat of loss of property from fire, theft or other causes is always present.
An accurate inventory and proof of ownership at the time of a loss can make claim settlement easier and faster.

The inventory will take time to compile, but the time and frustration it may save you later will more than make up for it.

What is Renter’s Insurance:
Renters insurance, sometimes referred to as an HO4 policy, can provide the financial protection you need in case your possessions are destroyed or stolen, as well as liability protection if someone is hurt in your dwelling.
Before you shop for renters insurance, take an inventory of what you own to decide what level of coverage makes you comfortable. Then, get a renters insurance quote and choose the policy that's right for you.
If you rent your home, having insurance protection for yourself and your possessions is still important. Similar to home insurance, renters insurance protects you in situations that everyone can face: fire, theft, water damage and other unforeseen circumstances your landlord’s policy doesn't cover.
Renters insurance typically provides coverage, up to the limits you select, for specified items and situations, including:
• Personal property (furniture, electronics, computer equipment, clothing, etc.)
• Personal liability if someone is hurt, whether in your home or away from it
• Damage to your apartment or home caused by a covered loss
http://homeowners.progressive.com/renters-insurance-quote.aspx

Stories of Tragic Loss

Everywhere we go we hear stories of tragic loss due to fire, storm or theft. The most recent story was about someone who recently was home during the day when she noticed the smell of smoke. By the time she gathered her two pets and moved them to a safe location outside, there were flames coming out of the windows. The house was a total loss even with the fast response by the fire department. While a final determination on the cause of the fire has not been made, recent renovations are being looked into.

Not only are they now going through the process of finding a place to live and buying the essentials, they are beginning the insurance claim process. She was smart enough to know that she could not gather her valuables as she was leaving but now has to try to remember everything they lost. The longer it takes for them to make this list, the longer it will take them to get a settlement check.

People lose thousands of dollars because they can’t remember everything they had or don’t have proof for items that are not a normal home possession. A home inventory created and saved in an off-site location would have given them a big head start on getting their insurance claim settlement. With photographs and individual item details, such as serial and model numbers, the adjuster will be able to give an accurate valuation.

Record-It can provide the full documentation, photograph and video of your property so that you don't have to worry about how you will get your life back to normal.
Call for a free estimate 678 369-4889.

Inventory Used Filing a Police Report for Property Theft

Once you discover that you have had a break-in you may feel angry, shocked and unsure what to do about it. Recovering your property may depend on how quickly and accurately you can report what what stolen.

After you call the police, you should prepare full documentation on each item that includes photographs, serial numbrers, brand and model numbers. A third party generated home inventory provides the validation and full details for the police report.

eHow has a great article about the steps you should take when you need to file a police report.

Prepare Before Spring Storms

Recent natural disasters and media attention has raised homeowners awareness of the need to be prepared for a disaster from storm damage, fire or theft. Most homeowners are now aware of the importance of a home inventory but simply don’t have the time or patience to perform one themselves.

Look around now and assess if you can list all your property assets and their details if it was suddenly gone. Don't be caught unprepared - it could cost you thousands of dollars!

We at Record-It Home Inventory can help you to have peace of mind knowing that you have taken the proper steps to safeguard your family documents and property. Your comprehensive inventory is so important to a speedy recovery! Contact us to get started on ensuring your family's future! 678 369-4889

As grilling season approaches, remember recipes for fire safety

NFPA urges grilling fire safety
As grilling season approaches, remember recipes for fire safety
http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=47074&rss=NFPAnewsreleases

April 20, 2010 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding outdoor cooks not to forget about grill fire safety as the peak months for grill fires arrive. People with gas grills should take extra precautions. In 2003-2006, gas-fueled grills were involved in 81 percent of reported home grill fires and were involved in 6,400 home fires, including structure and outside fires. The lead ing cause of gas grill fires was a leak or break in hoses.


“Nobody wants to see their backyard barbeque go up in flames,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. “There are simple measures that can be taken to avoid charring dinner and setting anything on fire.”

Although gas grills are used approximately one-and-a-half times more often than charcoal grills, they were involved in five times as many fires. Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300, or 16 percent, of home grill fires. The leading cause of these fires was something that could burn being located too close to the grill.

In 2007, approximately 9,600 people went to hospital emergency rooms because of thermal burns caused by grills. About one-third of the burns from gas grills happened while lighting the grill. Gasoline or lighter fluid was involved in roughly one-quarter of charcoal or wood grill burns. Children under five accounted for roughly one-quarter of thermal grill burns. Most of these burns occurred when the child bumped or touched the grill.

NFPA offers the following grill safety tips:
• Use propane and charcoal grills in outdoor areas only.
• Make sure the grill is located well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three foot “kid-free zone” around the grill.
• Use long-handled grilling tools to give plenty of clearance from heat and flames.
• Remove grease or fat build up from the grills and in trays below the grill so it cannot ignite.
• Never leave the grill unattended.

Gas grills:
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose. If there is a propane leak, it will release bubbles. If you do find a leak and there is no flame, do the following:
o Turn off the gas tank and grill.
o If the leak stops, have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
o If it does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas at any point while cooking, get away from the grill immediately and call the fire department.
• Use only equipment with the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
• Never store propane gas tanks in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

Charcoal grills: • If you use a “charcoal chimney” to start charcoal for cooking, use a long match to avoid burning your fingers when lighting the paper.
• If you use starter fluid, only use charcoal starter fluid and never add charcoal fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited.
• Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquid to get the fire going.
• Keep charcoal fluid away from children and heat sources.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
For more safety tips, videos, facts and figures, and audio clips, please visit www.nfpa.org/grilling.
NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

Minimize the Loss
Begin today to identify your valuables and personal property that you will need to identify in an insurance claim should you have a home fire. It is too hard to remember what you had once it is all gone. You will get more from your claim and have a faster settement if you have made an inventory beforehand. Our home inventory service can provide you with the needed documentation in a fast professional manner. Call us at Record-It Home Inventory for a free estimate and get the peace of mind you need. 678 369-4889

Estate Planning Using Home Inventory

Making your estate plan? Only you know what you want to happen with your valuables during the execution of your will. The best way to leave clear instructions is to work with your lawyer and provide detailed documentation of your property. Information you can provide in your home inventory to be used with your estate plan/will are:

• Photographs of each item
• Purchase, Appraisal, and Warranty information
• Detailed descriptions
• Notes / special instructions for each ite - even the people's names you want to designate receiving the item

Record-It Home Inventory service is recommended by financial planners to easily identify valuables when making estate plans.

Asset Valuation

Do you know if you will get the right settlement from your insurance claim? Reviewing your assets and their total value will give you the information needed to then review your policy for correct coverage.

You'll need to estimate how much that item would cost to replace, not how much it may have cost you when you first bought it. Keep in mind that something like clothing or computers may depreciate over time while other things like record collections may gain in value.

The more information you have about your damaged possessions, including the make and model or a description of the item, the faster your claim generally can be settled.

It would also be helpful to have photos of your home both before and after the disaster. The digital images and comprehensive reports provided by your home inventory professional will help facilitate the claims process and ensure that no items are forgotten.

Why do insurance companies recomend a home inventory?

Why do insurance companies recommend their policy owners make an inventory of their personal assets? Many have website helps for them to use in documenting the home and the many items that would be listed on a claim should a fire, storm or theft occur. Here are a few of the benefits for both the homeowner and the insurance company.

Benefits to the insurance company:
1. Policy coverage adjustments are identified
2. Easier claim processing
3. Satisfied customers

Benefits to the homeower:
1. Proper insurance coverage is identified
2. Faster and easier claims settlements - no time consuming list making or hunt for proof, no arguments on whether you had certain items
3. Maximize the amount of the claim settlement - records prevents omission of the forgotten 20% of property from your claim
3. Peace of mind - once completed and stored offsite, you can easily update the inventory as needed and pull it out to provide all the documentation needed for insurance claims, police reports or even estate plan execution

What is a home inventory?

Simply, a home inventory is a detailed list of the personal property or assets located in your home, including pictures. You should also include property that you have stored elsewhere, perhaps in a garage or storage shed. A comprehensive inventory includes purchase/appraisal details and provides valuable verification of proper insurance coverage and settlements.

With the stress of lossing your property, how well do you think you can remember all your valuables? Peace of mind is from knowing that you will have proof of what you lost.

Home Inventory Saves

Get the latest buzz about this new important service for homeowners! Recommended by insurance companies and financial planners, a home inventory offers the homeowner protection and peace of mind by providing a detailed record of their personal property to maximize and simplify insurance claims.

Recent natural disasters and media attention has raised homeowner awareness of the importance of a home inventory but simply don't have the time or paience to perform one themselves. Now professional and confidential service providers are available. For people in the Greater Atlanta area, check out website: www.record-ithomeinventory.com

What would you do if your home was destroyed by a fire or storm? Submitting claims quckly and accurately can mean saving thousands of dollars.

Full Insurance Protection

Hurricanes, fires, and floods have hit many times in the last 100 years. Hurricanes, storms and fire damage come unexpectedly. It’s a good idea to get an insurance policy which offers additional coverage to protect your property from any damages from floods, fire or theft damage should any of these occur. This extra coverage may seem like an added unnecessary cost, but in the end cause it’s a small price to pay to have peace of mind knowing your home is covered.

When looking for coverage you will want to make an inventory list of everything in your home. This will help you to identify all of your valuables and give you a ballpark range for knowing how much coverage you need. After completing an inventory of your personal property, decide on the type of home insurance policy you want.