Continuing our Education to better serve YOU

Mr. James Klocek attended the CIC institute in Burr Ridge Illinois on May 19th, 20th and 21st, 2010. Mr. Klocek, who is the president of Mars Insurance Agency in Crystal Lake Illinois, has successfully completed the annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.

To earn this prestigious designation, Mr. Klocek attended five courses covering all phases of the insurance business and passed five comprehensive examinations. Additionally, The National Alliance requires annual attendance in the program to maintain the designation.

Mr. Klocek is a 26 year veteran of the insurance industry and has been a CIC since 1999. Mr. Klocek believes the insurance profession is best served by those who acquire and maintain a high standard of professionalism by meeting the continuing education requirements of the Certified Insurance Counselors Program.

Be Protected from the Flood

With the spring showers of April & May, sometimes come high waters and the potential for flooding. Here are some suggestions for protecting your home, business and possessions from flooding:

1. Seal doors and windows; build barriers around window wells; elevate washer, dryer and water heater in basements and relocate items. Much flood damage comes from basement floods.


2. Know how to shut off electricity, gas and water, and have the tools on hand to do the job.


3. Assemble a kit including first-aid supplies, required medications, canned food, a can opener, at least three gallons of water per person in your household, protective clothing or rain gear, a battery-operated radio and flashlights.


4. Store insurance policies, deeds, property records and other important papers in a safe place away from home.


5. Buy flood insurance! Ask your agent about getting a flood insurance policy. Your home insurance policy does not protect against flooding, which is the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
   

Ask us about protection against flood.

There are a number of areas in your laundry room that if not properly maintained, may be putting your home at risk of water damage. Here are some specific areas in your laundry room that are at risk and what you can do to prevent potential losses.

Washing Machine Connections

Inspect for tiny leaks in the connections to both the hot and cold water lines. Repair even the most minor leak.

Check both ends of the water lines for possible leaks. Replace the small hose washer in the lines if they haven’t been replaced recently.

Check for discharge hose kinks and cracks. If the hose is brittle or old, replace it.

Money-saving Home Tip: The most destructive water damage losses in homes come from broken or burst washing machine hoses. In fact, the output of water from a broken hose is approximately 650 gallons per hour! It is recommended that you replace you machine’s rubber hot-and-cold hoses with woven steel hoses. For less than $15 you can get six feet of woven steel hose from your local home improvement store. This simple upgrade could save your home from serious water damage problems.

Hard Water Problems

In areas with hard or mineral-laden water, if the washer is slow to fill, there’s a good chance that the in-line filter is clogged. Turn off the water supply and remove the hoses. Remove the small wire filters from the washer inlets, or, if not removable, use an old toothbrush, cotton swab or shop vacuum to clean out the clogged filters.

Is there a steady drip into the washing machine? Grit has probably damaged the shut-off valve. Repair it yourself or call an appliance repair specialist.

Hoses & Filters

Inspect and replace periodically all types of hoses.

When replacing hoses, be sure to also install new hose washers.

Utility Sinks

If the utility sink drains sluggishly, take steps to remove the blockage.

Watch for any signs of dipping faucets, water damage to the flooring, or leaks in the drain pipe. Do not ignore even a small leak.

Dryer Connections

If the dryer vent hose isn’t tightly connected to the outside vent, repair the clamp or re-tape to seal.

If dryer lint is accumulating behind and under the dryer, the vent pipe may be clogged. Check that it is free of debris; both from the inside and outside of the house.

If there are too many twists and turns in the line for the dryer to vent efficiently, make the exhaust more short and straight.

Laundry Room Smart Tips

Give the utility sink periodic drain treatments to prevent clogs and promote free drainage.

If at all possible, connect the dryer hose in a straight line with the outdoor vent.

Metal dryer vent pipes are preferable to the plastic accordion types.

Hose clamps and good metal HVAC tape can help seal up a poorly connected dryer hose and eliminate excessive moisture and dust accumulation.

Make it a habit to vacuum around and behind the washer and dryer routinely.

Keep the laundry area clean. Dust and dirt combined with moisture can promote unwanted growth.

Remember to clean out the dryer lint trap after each load.

*Information brought to you by Kemper

Keep watching for more helpful tips from Mars Insurance Agency