Posted by John Coyle on Thu, Apr 08, 2010
Summer is just around the corner!
Those kids are getting ready to get out of school and have made "vivid" plans on how they intend to spend those three precious months...we call summer. If you are like my mom or dad, you are probably preparing the house for the grandkids to come hang out some with grandma and grandpa. Well what we have prepared is a short simple 13 step checklist to make sure your home is safe for all this spring and summer. Hope you enjoy your time this year with your family and here's to a SAFE and HAPPY time with "our families."
Spring maintenance tips....
- 1. Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure that there is one on each floor of your home. Test them and change the battery every three months or as needed. If you need to order smoke detectors or batteries here are are a couple of great online sources...
Click here ... http://bit.ly/SmokeDetectors
- 2. Check the light bulbs in all your fixtures to be sure that they are the correct wattage as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 3. Replace all high-intensity bulbs (such as halogen) with fluorescent bulbs that don't produce as much heat.
- 4. Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service. Always consult a electrician if you discover any serious problems.
- 5. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible that is filled and ready for operation. For those of you that are like me and sometimes need a little help in what type of fire extinguisher to buy, here is a GREAT website that has "FIRE EXTINGUISHER 101" Tips... http://bit.ly/FireExtinguisher
- 6. Have your air conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
- 7. Check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
- 8. Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion.
- 9. Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
- 10. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material and cloth.
- 11. In your yard, remove all dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires and roof.
- 12. Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
- 13.Repair driveway and walkways that are cracked, broken or uneven to provide a level walking surface.
At Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that helps you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don't hesitate to give us a call phone: 214-387-0600 or e-mail me personally, John Coyle at jcoyle@tristarins.com
Posted by John Coyle on Tue, Feb 03, 2009
Amidst the excitement of your teenager getting his or her first driver’s license, you no doubt feel a strange blend of mixed feelings. You are thrilled about their newfound freedom; all the while feeling anxious about letting them hit the open road in a motorized vehicle. In order to minimize your fears and feel better about your teenager behind the wheel, consider the following:
Insurance: Just because your teenager is sixteen and ready to drive, doesn’t mean that your insurance will skyrocket. Your insurance premiums will be lower if your teenager keeps a clean driving record. Also, putting your teenage driver on your policy will benefit you both because any discounts your receive will be passed on to them. Tri Star Insurance Professionals Inc. in Plano, McKinney and North Dallas can help you find a policy that will offer your teenage driver full coverage without draining your wallet. As a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, Tri Star Insurance represents many different companies such as Travelers, Kemper, Safeco and Germania in order to find you the most competitive rate.
Driving School: It used to be that teenagers would reach the age of sixteen, high tail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles and take a standardized driving test. Some high schools even taught driver’s education as a mandatory class. Nowadays though, there are only two options, practice with mom or dad and take the test, or go to a driving school. There are many driving schools to choose from in Texas, and many range in price from rather expensive to very expensive depending on the curriculum. Though a bit costly, teens that take formal driving lessons are less likely to get into an accident and are proven to be all around better drivers.
Safe Car: No parent feels completely comfortable with letting his or her child drive, but a safer car will not only lower your insurance costs, but also fare better in an accident. In lieu of a shiny new sports car, there are many reasonable yet stylish cars on the market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has loads of information about car safety and car crash performance on their website to help you with your car buying decision.
Driving Tips: Teenage drivers need to know more than just the old adages "always wear your seatbelt" and "obey the speed limit." To become great drivers, teens should be aware of many things including how to drive in bad weather, in the country and other defensive driving tips. A nifty website called Teendriving.com, dedicated to educating teens and parents, is an excellent source of information for new drivers.
The best way to cut down on motor vehicle accidents is to prevent them in the first place. By working with your teenager to become the best driver possible, you will be lowering their chances of becoming just another statistic.
Don’t take a chance with your teenage driver and let Tri Star Insurance find an auto insurance policy that will keep them covered out on the open road. For more information or to talk to an agent call 214-387-0600 today or visit www.tristarins.com.