Gulf Coast Educators Insurance Reminds Homeowners to Keep Their Home Safe This Holiday Season

Naples, FL, January 05, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Gulf Coast Educators Insurance Warns Florida Residents on holiday dangers that can possibly cause insurance claims during the holidays. “Homeowners need to be careful this time of year to avoid unnecessary and costly insurance claims,” says Ron DeFreitas owner/operator of Gulf Coast Educators Insurance.

The holiday season is a time of year for accidents, burglaries and other home mishaps. According to the III, one-third of all burglaries happen between November and January. “People get busy with their holiday shopping, entertaining, attending holiday parties and forget to do the simple things like blow out candles, clean the fireplace before using it for the season, set their home security alarm, unplug lights, lock doors, tip blinds and worst of all they post everything on social media! Posting when you are coming and going from your home leaves you open for a break in. Home break-in’s often happen during broad daylight so if homeowners are posting their plans for the day on social networks it could be an open invite for crooks” adds DeFreitas.

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance offers up the following list of Holiday Dos and Don’ts to avoid insurance claims:

Do:

Check to make sure that fireplaces are clean before using.

Keep candles away from curtains or flammable objects like holiday decorations.
Water your Christmas trees often to prevent it from drying our and becoming combustible.

If hosting a holiday party, set a last call an hour before the party is over. If minors are in attendance be sure they are not consuming alcohol…it could put you in a compromising position on several fronts.

Make sure all walkways are free of power cords and holiday decor.

Keep a close eye on credit cards-and statements.

Make sure any high value gifts, like jewelry, are protected under home insurance contents coverage. And add any new high-value item to a home inventory list.

When leaving your home or in the evening hours be sure to keep gifts, purses, wallets and keys out of view from windows. These could be very tempting for burglars

If driving in inclement weather, make sure to keep an emergency kit in the vehicle.

Don’ts:

Don’t overload electrical outlets and be sure to throw away electrical items with frayed wires.

Don’t leave anything unattended while cooking in the kitchen.

Don’t drive while drowsy or after drinking alcohol. Make sure to call a taxi cab or have a designated driver.

Don’t text and drive – designate another person to text while you drive

Be cautious when using public w-fi networks and avoid making purchases on them.

“Staying safe this holiday season is most important. Arriving late to a party or family gathering is fine. People put so much pressure on themselves during the holidays. We hope that Florida residents will be careful and protect themselves and their loved ones from injury and financial duress this time of year. If consumers are concerned about insurance coverage, it is a good time to call an insurance agent to get an insurance policy review and make sure things like liability coverage will cover any potential problems,” states DeFreitas.

Gulf Coast Educators Insurance provides quality insurance products such as auto insurance, property insurance, life insurance, and financial services to Southwest Florida educators and non-educators alike.

The Naples, Florida based Horace-Mann insurance agency also offers renters insurance, flood insurance, classic car insurance, watercraft insurance, as well as many other specialty insurance policies at competitive rates.

For more information on Florida property insurance products and financial services, Florida residents are encouraged to visit http://www.propertyandhomeinsuranceflorida.com or call Gulf Coast Educators Insurance at any of their three locations. In Naples, FL call 239-591-0963, in Port Charlotte, FL call 941-391-5423 or to speak with somebody at Gulf Coast Educators Insurance in Ft. Myers, FL please call 239-997-0420 or email Ron(dot)Defreitas(at)horacemann(dot)com.