Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Each year, countless Americans haul out their holiday decor in the hopes of creating the best display ever invented. The sad reality of the matter is things don’t always work out as they would have hoped. Here’s a look at what can go wrong when decking the halls and how public adjusting firms can help:

Two of the unfortunate things that may occur are holiday decoration theft and vandalism. Just last year thieves stole Christmas decorations from several residents’ lawns. Similar instances took place in New York and Florida too. The amount of decorations stolen and vandalized obviously varied with every situation. However, some home and business owners lost close to $1,000 worth of holiday décor.

So how does one avoid having to deal with such holiday theft and vandalism problems? Our public adjusting firm’s staff suggests looking into establishing neighborhood watches and investing in time-tested security systems. Such actions may just help to keep the world’s Grinches at bay. It is also advisable to initial your decorations, make a photographic record of each one and save all of the receipts.

Theft and vandalism are not the only things that can go wrong in regards to holiday decorations. There is also the issue of holiday decoration related fires. According to historical figures, Christmas tree fires alone cause more than $17 million in property damages each year, nationwide. That’s not factoring in fires caused by faulty holiday lights, candles, Yule logs and animatronics.

To avoid such holiday catastrophes, our public adjusting firm recommends using décor that is non-flammable, UL-rated and in excellent condition. As far as the trees go, keeping them properly watered is a must. It is also important to unplug all electric powered decorations and extinguish any flames when you can’t be around to monitor them closely.

Wondering what to do if a holiday decorating disaster happens anyway? Well, the first thing on your “to do” list should be to pull out your insurance policy and contact us. Many insurance policies actually cover damages related to holiday decoration theft, vandalism and fire. So we can help you read through the paperwork, file and settle your claim. For more information about our public adjusting firm can help you recover from a holiday decorating disaster, call (877) 869-8989.

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Did you know that approximately 2,000 residential fires occur on Thanksgiving Day every year? That’s nearly double the amount of fires that take place on other days of the month. According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s latest data, most of those fires start between noon and 4 p.m.  In the process, they cause an estimated $21 million in damages. The good news is our public adjusters have a few suggestions on how you can prevent such holiday mishaps from occurring:

#1 Fry Safely

Cooking disasters, including those connected to turkey fryers, are one of the chief causes of Thanksgiving Day fires. So our public adjusters would like to urge all fried turkey fans to use the utmost of caution this year. The best course of action is to place the fryer outside and away from flammable objects. It is also important to thaw the turkey properly and keep a Class K fire extinguisher nearby.

#2 Use Sterno Safety Equipment

While we are on the subject of foods and flames, don’t forget to use caution with Sterno’s cooking fuel too. They contain jellied, denatured alcohol, which is highly flammable. As such, they should never be placed on a table without the proper safety equipment in place. Safety equipment that should be used with Sterno includes wire fuel holders, snuffer paddles and non-combustible trays. It is also important to note that in order to account for any splatter issues, the non-combustible trays should extend well beyond the Sterno containers in each direction.

#3 Handle Candles Cautiously

Although they are the chief cause of Thanksgiving Day fires, cooking mishaps are not the only things to look out for. Our public adjusters would also like to remind everyone to handle holiday candles cautiously. Do not place the lit candles close to centerpieces, table linens or paper decorations. Otherwise, they could easily cause those items to go up in flames.

#4 Remember Our Public Adjusters

Finally, remember that if a Thanksgiving Day fire does occur, our public adjusters are nearby and willing to help. Just contact us by calling (877) 869-8989. Afterward, one of our public adjusters in Florida or New York will get to work on your claim.

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

Our Florida public adjusters know that as November draws to a close, residents are likely to bust out their portable space heaters for warmth. These seemingly innocuous actions unfortunately make the weeks that follow prime time for home heating fires to occur. For verification, just take a look at the National Fire Prevention Agency’s most recently reported figures. They indicate that there are typically more 50,000 heating related fires that occur each year. With that said, we thought it pertinent to list our Florida public adjusters‘ tips for preventing and dealing with space heater fires:

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #1: Conduct an Equipment Check

Before the first frost on the citrus occurs, be sure to conduct a thorough equipment check. We’d suggest starting the process by making sure that your portable or fixed space heater is clean and in excellent condition. You’ll also want to test your building’s smoke and carbon monoxide monitors as well as its fire extinguishers. After all, they should all be in working order too.

Once that is done, stop by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Safer Products’ websites. While there, conduct a brief search to ensure that the heater hasn’t been recalled since it was last placed into storage. If it hasn’t, it should be safe for continued, proper use. However, if it was recalled, we’d recommend discarding it and buying a new, safety certified heater.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #2: Prepare the Location

Afterward, survey and prepare the area where you plan on setting up your space heater. Ideally, it should be positioned in a level location that is free of flammable items and has good ventilation. You’ll also want to make sure that it isn’t in a spot where it could inadvertently get knocked over.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #3: Follow All Instructions

Once you’ve found the ideal spot and set the heater up, make it a point to follow all of the instructions that came with the unit. Otherwise, you could cause a fire as well as void the heater manufacturer’s warranty.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #4: Keep in Contact

Lastly, we’d suggest that you keep in periodic contact with us. That way, if a home heater fire does occur, we can help you settle your insurance claim quickly. To reach our Florida public adjusters year round, please call (877) 869-8989 or (516) 843-4040.

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage

With the Farmer’s Almanac calling for another frigid winter, our public adjusters in NY wanted to take time out to discuss cold weather related water damage. Cold weather related water damage may be caused by several different situations. Either one of them may cost New York property owners a sleigh full of cash.

Situations that may result in cold weather related water damage include broken pipes, ice damming issues and natural floods caused by ice jammed rivers. Understandably, the damage may or may not be covered by one’s insurance policy.

Speaking of which, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s figures, broken pipes in the winter can cost the average New Yorker $5,000 or more in property damage. Obviously, that’s not taking into account the other water damage scenarios we mentioned previously. They each come with their own astronomical price tags.

On a positive note, New Yorkers can take action to prevent some winter related water damage from occurring. They include adding insulation where needed, keeping the thermostat above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and draining water from unused pipes.

For those that may not have the funds necessary to add insulation, our public adjusters in NY would like to remind residents that there are resources available that may help. One of them is the Empire State’s Weatherization Assistance Program. It isn’t the only program available in New York either. Other winterization related services that New Yorkers may want to avail themselves of are the EmPower Program, HEAP and the Energy Star’s Assisted Home Performance Program.

If cold weather related water damage occurs despite one’s best efforts, it is also advisable to contact a reputable public adjuster in NY straightaway. Our public adjusting firm, for example, can help NY residents file cold weather related damage claims. We can also provide assistance in other ways. To learn more, please contact us at (877) 869-8989. Our public adjusters in NY would be happy to go over all of the details with you.

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage