To make sure it doesn’t catch you by surprise, now is a good time to review your renters insurance policies with your agent or the company in charge with your home’s safety to make sure you have enough coverage for the protection of your family and your belongings. Aside from these, there are ways you can keep secure from the dangers of destructive storms:

1. Trim back the dead wood from the trees around your house. It will reduce the stress produced by the wind on trees and eliminate potential damage from falling limbs.
2. Move loose items indoor, like patio furniture and gardening tools, and brace your doors and windows, ensuring that they close and seal properly.
3. Keep your large windows protected and move valuables away from windows.
4. Inspect your basement, you might have to reseal the whole space.
5. Stock up on repair item such as sandbags, lumber, plastic tarps.
6. Prepare to be without electricity, stock up on canned food, bottled water, candles & flashlights, medicine & first aid equipment, batteries.
7. If you have a pool, lower the level of water before the storm so that the water doesn’t overflow and enter your home or ruin the landscape.
8. Check your ceiling and roof and have them repaired immediately if you find even the slightest sign of leaks.
9. While you’re up there, check the gutters too to make sure they drain well. If you find little granules collecting in it, it’s a good sign that your roof’s coating needs to be resealed.
10.  Make sure that all your power boxes and exposed electrical wires are secured.

Here are a few simple things you can do yourself to turn your apartment into a green nook, whether you’re a homeowner or living in a city rental.

As the weather warms up, turn to natural ventilation to cool off your home. Open windows and doors as much as you can during the day and when it’s not enough, consider using cooling fans. Ceiling or window fans are an efficient and inexpensive alternative to the good old-fashioned A/C that will help you keep your home fresh while saving energy.

Furnish your quarters with recycled stuff. And that does not mean you should only shop from thrift stores and yard sales. Many furniture companies use repurposed materials and sustainable designs to build décor pieces, including Cisco Home, an eco-friendly furniture business and longtime supporter of chemical-free furniture manufacturing.

Improve air quality by introducing greenery into your home. More than beautifying a room and making it an inviting place to live, houseplants clean the air of toxins and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen. Moreover, research has found that when people are near plants, they feel more relaxed, calm and proactive. Click here for a list of common houseplants that are considered to be effective in mitigating indoor air pollution.

Reach for the “stars”. Green homes are not just friendly to the environment; they are also kind to our pockets…in the long run. Outfitting your digs with Energy Star home appliances, eco-friendly air conditioning, and energy-efficient lighting may cost you a little more upfront, but the investment usually pays for itself within a few years by reducing electricity bills.

To keep your home accessories and equipment fully protected, consider purchasing renters insurance as it will definitely give you some peace of mind when thinking of your investment.

1)      Echo Boomers comprise a significant demographic of renters. Some young adults prefer apartments and condos, others seek single family properties. Rentals come in all shapes and sizes but each is susceptible to a range of misfortunes. Renters insurance protects all sorts of rentals, offing Echo Boomers the protection that they need to live with peace of mind.

2)      Young adults lead the pack in costly electronics consumption. Many of us outfit our lives with tablets, smartphones, computers, home entertainment systems and more. Insuring these items can ensure their replacement in cases of theft or destruction.

3)      The young crowd is known for social activities. Holiday gatherings, book clubs, gaming parties and other social events pack our calendars. Renters insurance protects guests while they are on your property, so that you can entertain with comfort and assurance.

4)      Ready, set, travel! Echo Boomers are frequent travelers, scooping up online deals and hitting the road. Travel leaves our homes and possessions unguarded. Renters insurance offers retribution for goods that are stolen or damaged by inclement weather when we’re away.

5)      Young adults have recently left the nest and are establishing our place in the world. That means that we may encounter our first fried turkey for Thanksgiving, host our first Super Bowl barbecue, and plenty of other milestones. Without experience to back us up, young adults are more susceptible to accidents. Protect yourself, your guest, and your property from acts of mayhem with the proper insurance.

6)      Many young adults are just starting our careers, meaning that our financial cushioning is thin at best. The funds needed to replace valuables and cover emergency medical expenses may not be on hand when we need it. Renters insurance helps minimize the financial impact of losses and injuries.

7)      When misfortune strikes, everyone needs an advocate. The staff at Resident Shield is on hand 24/7 when you need to report a claim. They can help answer questions and guide you on the path back to normalcy.

The safe assumption to depend on is that if you are an apartment renter, you should carry a policy covering the contents of your apartment. Here are a few groups of renters who may not realize they should be insured.

Students – College students living in university-owned or off-campus housing for 9 months of each year are considered apartment renters, even if their college provides the living situation. Because theft can be common in college communities, college students should always carry renters insurance. Though parents may think their offspring are covered by their homeowners insurance policy while they are at college, that policy is likely to cover only about 25 percent of the costs if something were to happen to a students’ possessions. Despite having just a carload of stuff at school, the high cost of replacing electronics – computers, TVs, gaming stations, music devices – is argument alone for students carrying their own renters insurance.

Seniors – The situation for seniors living in assisted care or retirement living facilities is similar to that of students. Renters insurance protects the value of any possessions the resident has brought with them to their new home, as well as any family possessions stored in a storage unit. *Keep in mind that offsite possessions are typically covered only to $1000 or 10 percent of their value by renters insurance.

Military personnel – Renters insurance is especially important for our nation’s military personnel who are frequently traveling away from their apartments for long periods of time. Potential for break-ins and accident damage while residents are away is always higher than with consistently occupied units. Special rates for military personnel on renters insurance policies are easy to find.

Consumers in the US and Europe are the most responsive to the newest features and adopt them much faster than in the past. Last year, sales of security systems in the US generated over $4 billion, after a $3.5 billion in 2008, says the Consumer Electronics Association.

One of the latest technologies being researched is the “activity forecasting”; this intelligent software should be able to recognize human activity in security footage as it is being recorded. Based on those, it should have the ability to predict what might occur next and thus help prevent a crime before it takes place.

These days the companies that sell home security systems take their gear and improve it by overlaying connectivity features, making possible for owners and renters to lock the door or activate motion detection sensors from afar, should they have to. Some companies offer “interactive solutions” packages, meaning it enables the owners to arm or disarm the security system through a smartphone or other mobile, web-connected device. Moreover, they can receive notifications via email or SMS about any emergency, be it home invasion, fire, etc.

If you’re tech savvy, the future looks safer and more comfortable because the app world is also evolving. We have now apps through which the security of our homes can be monitored remotely. People Power launched in beta-testing Presence, an app that transforms your old iPhone in a remote video camera and audio monitor. The iPhone (or iPad) doesn’t need a cellular or data plan as it communicates over the Wi-Fi network at home and secure servers, streaming video and sound to the new iPhone or iPad, regardless if you’re at home, at work, or on the other side of the world, all you need is 3G or 4G wireless networks. It will be available in the app store at the end of the first quarter of 2013 and an Android version will follow later this year.

Even if you’ve invested in a cutting edge home security system, it’s still a good idea to carry renters insurance to protect and replace your belongings if needed.  No system is ever fail-safe, so have an affordable back-up plan just in case.

Our houses can feel a bit overstuffed with the holiday gift-giving frenzy and post-holiday clearance sales so you might want to start by going through your closet, storing, donating or pitching excess items. The entire cleaning process will get a lot easier if there’s less stuff to organize, arrange or move around when dusting or vacuuming. You can give your unwanted clothes a new life by donating them to a charity program; or re-purpose old items and turn them into unique accessories or décor pieces for your home. For a singular feel, you can make pillow cases out of an abandoned window drape or upcycle an old sweater into a gorgeous bag.

It’s often hard to remember the environment when you’re in the midst of a major cleaning spree, yet there are some simple things you can do to keep your carbon footprint at a minimum. Even the biggest messes can be effectively attacked with eco-friendly cleaners such as baking soda, borax, vinegar, or lemon juice. White vinegar has got acetic acid which can remove tough stains while sanitizing surfaces. It eliminates foul smells and can dissolve mineral deposits from glass and stainless steel. It works brilliantly on coffee makers, refrigerators or other smooth surfaces and can be used for refreshing both fabric and leather sofas.

Instead of using store-bought aerosol fresheners to cover up odors around your house, which may contain formaldehyde and benzene, both toxic to humans, try making your own all-natural alternatives. Mixing a few drops of vanilla with almond extract and a cup of water and spritzing it around the house will infuse your quarters with an enticing aroma. To tackle smells in your garbage can, sprinkle baking soda under your trash bag and keep your windows open as much as you can during the day.

In addition, to keep your belongings protected, it’s often a good idea to purchase renter’s insurance. Although your landlord is probably insured against property damage, the landlord’s policy does not usually cover the tenant’s personal possessions. Resident Shield renters insurance provides coverage both for the policyholder’s belongings and for liability that may result from an accident occurred at the rented residence.

Thinking about saving money on a DIY project? Congratulations on being brave and creative. But before you take the plunge, consider which projects are best for DIY and which are best left to professionals.

As a renter, your lease will provide guidelines for the types of changes that you can make to the property. If anything is unclear or unspecified, check with your management office or landlord before moving forward.

For the following projects, you will likely need professional assistance.

Removing or altering load-bearing walls. If you don’t know how to determine a load-bearing wall, you likely shouldn’t make structural changes to the property at all. If you can identify such structures, it is still a good idea to seek professional consultation to ensure that the changes you’re making won’t adversely affect electrical, plumbing, and other systems throughout the unit.

Disconnecting or rerouting plumbing. If your kitchen or bathroom renovation requires a change in plumbing, invest in the guidance of a contractor. Most renters insurance plans do not cover flood damage when things go awry.

Altering existing electrical installations. Mounting your flat screen TV and surround sound system was a pain but one thing made it easy: you knew that if it wasn’t a brand new wire or cable, you didn’t need to mess with it. When that saying is no longer true, you’ll want the expertise of an electrician to help you navigate safely through the mire of wires.  The older the home, the more care must be taken to make sure that safety codes are followed.

Correcting foundation issues. Fixing the quarter-thick cracks in the basement isn’t a matter of concrete mix and a spatula. While those may correct the issue aesthetically, you’ve done nothing to address the major issue at hand. Contact a contractor to keep the problem from getting worse and placing your family and the property at risk.

According to PrivacyRights.org, identity theft affects more than 8 million Americans. While that number is woefully high, fraudulent activities have decreased since their record high of 55.7 billion worldwide in 2006. Much of the decline can be attributed to institutions’ and businesses’ increased security investments to protect clients. The wise actions of residents also contribute to a significant portion of the decline.

There are a few simple things that you can do to protect your identity at home, on the internet and in your neighborhood:

• Shred unwanted financial and personal documents instead of simply placing them in the trash.
• Completely clear cookies, history, and all system caches on public computers after use.
• Never access online banking on public computers. Technology exists to let remote users view your screen and any information that your type into a field whiles you’re online.
• If you do not plan to buy a home, car, or other large investment in the near future, consider freezing your credit. This prevents the unauthorized opening of additional lines of credit in your name.
• While on the web, don’t bother with “You’ve Won…” banners. No one wants to give you anything for free. Best case scenario is that you’re caught filling out a grueling survey. Worst case scenario is that you click the banner and inadvertently download spyware, viruses, and other dangers to your system.
• If you’re filing your taxes at a center, take a thorough look around before accepting service. How are documents stored? Are files easily accessible to anyone passing by?

When it comes to storing personal property and documentation within your rental, keep these points in mind.

• Keep copies of personal documents in a safe place outside of the home, like a safe deposit box.
• Ensure that sensitive documents within the home are in a secure, obscure location.

Many renters often wonder what is the best way to protect their property from theft and damages. Having renters insurance helps in times of emergencies but it may also be a good idea to take preventative measures, such as installing a home security system.

There are security systems on the market that are worth every penny. These systems provide video and audio surveillance, automatic communication with public safety offices, and motion sensors. There are systems that equip residents with personalized passcodes to keep track of who enters the home and when. Some services include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, frozen pipe or leak notifications, and home automation packages that let you monitor energy usage and every aspect of your home’s activity.

Many of the aforementioned services do not come with standard packages. They are added at a price. The most basic security packages include motion detectors and alarms that sound when doors or windows are opened. Truth be told, those features will not protect you from an armed robber or give you the tools needed to catch a thief after the fact. That doesn’t mean that standard services are useless.

The most basic home security services do have their advantages. According to a Rutgers University study, neighborhoods with multiple home security systems are less prone to crime. Security systems do seem dissuade criminals.

Before settling on a particular security package, it is best to request an on-site assessment of your home with a security professional. If the person represents a security company, he or she will likely recommend the most advanced package for your home’s needs; this is a good starting point. If the cost of the package is within your budget, run with it. If not, you can begin customizing your package by eliminating the services that you’re less likely to need.

You never imagined a day like this would come. Without warning, the unthinkable happens. A guest or roommate sustains injuries while in your home. In the bustle of the action, it is important to remain composed and take proper measures to document the event. Preparedness and documentation rest at the center of every successfully filed personal liability claim.

To prepare your file, consider the following:

What happened? Take a moment to create an accurate and detailed description of events. This may involve compiling the insights of multiple guests at the scene of the incident. Even the smallest details may be pertinent to your claim so it is better to be too thorough than too vague.

Who was involved? Collect detailed information of those involved in the accident, most importantly the contact information of the injured parties. It may be necessary to contact these individuals throughout the process of your filing.

Where did it occur? Depending on the location of the event, your personal renters insurance may cover damages. In other instances, the coverage may be provided by the landlord’s insurance. To settle any ambiguity, be as specific as possible about the location of the incident.

How was it handled? Some emergencies simply can’t wait. In those cases, it may be necessary to have the problem resolved before you are able to complete a claim. It is important to keep record of how the problem was handled. Did you call a taxi or ambulance? Which hospital was the injured party taken to? Did the incident make the rental uninhabitable for any duration of time, forcing you to stay in a hotel? It is vital to keep all receipts as they will determine your reimbursement. Insist upon receiving receipts when none are offered.

Take photographs. Use photographs as part of your documentation package. Images from a camera phone suffice as well as any. It may be helpful to add captions or descriptions for each of the photos to help processors understand what they are seeing in each image. Do not alter photos.

Your Resident Shield renters insurance representative is here to assist you every step of the way. Simply contact us to have your questions answered.