Thanksgiving Week! We know that many of you may be going out of town next week so we wanted to share a few home security and maintenance tips so that you can fully enjoy your trip. Inside The House: To prevent any unnecessary water leaks, turn off the water at the valves under your sinks and behind your toilets. Set timers on interior lights: This goes a long way in deterring burglars, who often look for crimes of opportunity. Don’t allow your house to appear as if no one is home. Prevent power surges: You never know if a power surge will occur, so be prepared. Disconnect the computer, TV, stereo, and other electronics, or make sure they are plugged safely into a surge protector. No status updates: Never broadcast your location on Facebook or Twitter. Even if you think that it’s only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profiles, it’s safest not to leave any sort of opening for a possible burglar. Alert alarm company: If you have an automatic security system in place, call your representative, announcing you’ll be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set properly when you leave. You can also call the non-emergency line to your local police or Sheriff's department and ask them to do routine patrol checks of your property while you are gone. Secure valuables: If you don’t already have your jewelry or other valuables in a safe deposit box, now might be the time to do so. Doing this also ensures that you don’t leave out anything valuable in plain sight that a burglar might be able to see from a window. HVAC: Set a programmable thermostat to lower your heat or air conditioning usage. Water Heater: To save on your gas bill, turn down the temperature setting on your water heater. Lock all doors and windows: It might seem obvious, but double-check just to be sure. Outside The House- Arrange for lawn care (if applicable): Have your landscaping tended to by a friendly neighbor or local service. Before you leave, trim tree branches that might allow access to a climbing burglar. Newspaper and mail: Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or have them regularly picked up by a neighbor. Again, you don’t want to easily clue in a burglar to your absence by the mounting newspapers on your doorstep. Exterior lighting: Set these lights on timers as well, to deter burglars. Don’t leave spare keys outdoors: Collect any hidden spare keys from around the exterior of your home. Remember, burglars know the most popular hiding places, like beneath mats and in potted plants. Lock up garage: Even if there is no entrance to your house from the garage, there’s still a chance for numerous things to be stolen. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. Have a fantastic Turkey Day!!

Spring Forward!

Black and Decker in Lake Forest hiring!

Know a Veteran needing a job? We've been told that Black and Decker in Lake Forest is hiring a TON of people right now! They are hiring on all levels, from AP to AR to VP. Fastest way to submit a resume is to do so through their parent company, Spectrum Brands, www.spectrumbrands.com.