Taming the Holiday Flames

Holiday season is finally upon us and although this means everything great from gifts to reuniting with friends and family for festive parties, it is important to acknowledge the increased risks surrounding holiday activities and to take the time to responsibly safeguard against them.

            Nothing competes with a cozy fire as the crown jewel of any homely winter night, but make sure to take a few precautions before settling down to crack open that good book. Fist off, remove stockings or decorations from directly above the fireplace as they are often flammable and can be subject to overheating. Also, always use a fire screen to prevent sparks or flares from escaping the chimney into your living room. Candles are also a common cause of fires during the holiday season. Ensure that all the candles in your home are secure from being easily knocked over. The U.S. Fire Administration claims that over $990 million dollars worth of damage is done during the holiday season due to fire.

            It is equally important to make sure that none of your electrical outlets are overloaded with plug-in decorations. Make sure that there is a UL mark on any electrical decoration you. This indicates that the item has been evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories and has passed all the organizations standard safety tests. Never run cords under a rug. They can be continuously stepped on and any fray that occurs will not be visible and known to you.

            If you are planning on having small children in your home during holiday season, kitchen safety can be of paramount importance. Make sure to keep the handles of all active pots and pans turned in toward the back of the stove in order to prevent them from being grabbed by a curious child. Don’t leave cooking food unattended if children could possibly be wondering in, and the same goes for knives or any other sharp utensils.

            Call your local insurance agent in Reading MA at 888-865-1244 today to learn more or if you have any questions regarding your coverage, or visit us at www.encharter.com to view our full line of MA Personal Insurance, including Reading MA Homeowners Insurance, Reading MA Car Insurance, Reading MA Life Insurance and Reading MA Umbrella Insurance.

            And remember, At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Massachusetts Renter’s Insurance for the Recent Grad!

As a recent college graduate, I have been itching to get my own place.  I am excited at the prospect of my independence and, I know I’m weird, but  I like the idea of having to pay my own bills (though I’m sure that will wear off sooner rather than later). 

The good thing is that I just found a place!  It’s small, sure, but it’s mine; a place to call my own.  As I look forward to picking out the dishes for the kitchen or the color scheme for the bathroom, I have to wonder how much more it would cost to replace everything should it get ruined or stolen.  I’ve been thinking a lot about how my landlord’s insurance will likely cover only the building damage and not any loss with respect to my possessions.

If you’re in the same boat as I am, talk to an Encharter Insurance agent today.  They can help you find a renter’s insurance policy that is right for you and for your budget, which is great if you’re starting to pay off those student loans.  In fact, I think you’ll be surprised at how affordable a renter’s insurance policy can be, especially when compared to the losses you would suffer should you not have coverage.

So find us on Facebook© and Twitter©, visit our virtual insurance office at www.encharter.com or call us at 888-865-1244.  You can also visit our insurance office in Reading MA.  Talk to your Encharter agent about renter’s insurance but also Reading Car Insurance, Reading Homeowner’s Insurance, Reading Life Insurance, or Reading Umbrella Insurance.

At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”