Securing your home against burglary

March 6, 2021

Make your home safer—and get insurance discounts, too

Burglars won’t find your home an easy target if it’s well lit and features security measures that slow them down. Don’t let your home be an easy mark for theft and vandalism. Protect yourself and your belongings—and save on insurance premiums—by employing commonsense safety precautions.

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them

Research shows that if it takes a thief more than four or five minutes to break into a home, he or she will go elsewhere. Take the time to “case” your house or apartment just as a burglar would and consider these steps to make it more crime-resistant, especially at points of easiest entry.

Install simple security devices. Padlocks, door and window locks, grates, bars and bolts can increase the amount of time it takes to break into your home. Make sure the elements you already have in place are working properly.
Invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones also ring at an outside service.
Invest in security cameras. Cover key entry points and mount out of easy reach to deter tampering, these tell burglars that someone is watching.
Trade a bit of privacy for added security. Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows and think carefully before installing a high, wooden fence around your back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add to your privacy, but can also be an asset to a burglar.
Shine a light. Force any would-be burglar out of the shadows. Exterior lights and motion detectors, mounted out of easy reach, can reduce the darkness shielding a would-be burglar.
Keep valuables out of easy sight. If your valuable paintings, silver collection or home entertainment system are easy to see from outside the house, consider rearranging your furnishings to make your home less inviting to criminals.

Home entry point security

To help foil break-ins, strengthen the barriers at your home’s entry points. Of course, don’t sacrifice personal safety in this effort—whatever security features you install, make sure that you are able to easily escape in case of a fire or other emergency.

Doors — Doors should be strong. Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood, and at least one-and-three-quarters inches thick. Doorframes must be made of equally strong material, and each door must fit its frame securely. Even the most efficient lock, if it is placed in a weak door, will not keep out a determined burglar. A peephole or a wide-angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain. Sliding glass doors present a special problem because they are easy to open but, if you have these doors, you can find special locks for them.
Locks — Deadbolt locks are best. They usually are locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder (where the key is inserted) should be pick-resistant. Ask your hardware dealer for a reputable brand or buy your locks from a reliable locksmith.
Windows — Key locks are available for all types of windows. Double-hung windows can be secured simply by “pinning” the upper and lower frames together with a nail, which can be removed from the inside. For windows at street level or on fire escapes, consider installing metal accordion gates.

Home security habits

Don’t inadvertently invite crime into your home—make these safety behaviors non-optional.

Establish a routine to make certain that doors and windows are locked and alarm systems are turned on.
Avoid giving information to unidentified telephone callers and announcing your personal plans online or in public notices (such as giving your address when advertising items for sale).
Join with your neighbors to keep a close watch on what’s happening in your area—working together as a community is a good way to prevent crime.
Notify the police and/or your neighborhood watch if you see suspicious strangers in your area.
Don’t carry house keys on a key ring bearing your home address or leave house keys with your car in a commercial parking lot or with an attendant.
Don’t hide your keys in “secret” places outside your home—burglars know where to look.

Home security tips for when you’re away

To prevent burglars and vandals when you’re away for vacation or business, it’s critical to make your home looked occupied and have friends and neighbors look out for suspicious activity. Some hints:

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Leave blinds open in their usual position.
Notify dependable neighbors when you plan to be away; consider notifying police, as well.
Arrange to have your lawn mowed in summer and your walk and driveway shoveled in winter.
Stop newspaper deliveries and ask a neighbor to pick-up “throw-away” newspapers and circulars.
Have mail and packages picked up by neighbors; alternately, have them forwarded or held by the post office.
Lower the sound of your telephone ringer and answering machine so they can’t be heard outside.
Use automatic timers to turn lights and a radio on and off in various parts of the house at appropriate times.

Insurance benefits of home security measures

Devices that make a home safer—such as dead-bolt locks, window grates and bars, smoke, fire or burglar alarm systems, and some security camera systems—make sense for your homeowners insurance bottom line, too. Most insurance companies provide discounts for qualifying security devices; check with your insurance professional for specifics.

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Auto insurance for teen drivers

Is there a newly licensed driver in your home? Reduce the stress by understanding the implications for your car policy. For parents, the excitement of having a first-time driver in the house is usually tempered with worry. With little driving experience, immature drivers are at a higher risk for accidents. Of course, safety concern is uppermost in most parents’ minds but other stressors—like the high cost of insuring your new driver and the financial liability implications of a teen driving mishap—can be reduced with these steps. Before getting a learners permit, make a call to your insurance professional Your agent or rep can clearly explain the costs involved in insuring a teenage driver. The good news is, as your teenager gets older, insurance rates will drop—providing he or she has a good driving record. Therefore… Involve your teen in the car insurance discussion From the outset, it’s important to talk to your kid about the relationship between driving a car and the attendant responsibilities, including insurance costs. Explain and reinforce driving safety tips and the serious consequences of driving infractions or accidents, including increasing the cost of insurance. Encourage positive behaviors Auto insurers offer discounts or reduced premiums to: Students who maintain at least a “B” average in school Teens who take a recognized driver training course College students who attend school at least 100 miles away from home and don’t bring their car to campus Choose the right auto insurance company It’s generally less expensive for parents to add teenagers to their auto insurance policy than it is for teens to purchase one on their own. By insuring your teenager’s car with your insurer, you may also qualify for a multi-vehicle discount. That said, insurance companies differ in how they price policies for young drivers, so do some research into prices to be sure to find the best fit for you and your teen. Assign your teen to the right car Find out how your insurer assigns drivers to cars—some insurers will assign the driver who is the most expensive to insure (generally the teenager) to the car that is the most expensive to insure. If possible, assign your teen to the least valuable car. Note that with this kind of arrangement there can be no exceptions; your teen must use only the car to which he or she is assigned, even in an emergency. If your teenager is involved in an accident with an unassigned car, penalties could be imposed and your own premiums might increase. Increase your liability insurance for greater protection If your teen gets into an accident, state minimums for liability insurance will not be enough to fully protect you from lawsuits. Consider purchasing higher amounts of liability coverage—if your teenager is found negligent in an accident and the damages exceed your insurance limits, you will be held financially responsible and could be sued in court for those amounts not covered by your insurance. Depending on the value of your financial assets, you may even want to have the extra protection that a personal umbrella liability policy provides. Raise your deductible to save on your premium The higher your deductible, the more money you can save on your premium, so consider raising your deductible from the minimum amount required. You may want to use those savings to increase your liability insurance.
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5 Effective Suggestions in Starting a Poultry Business

The poultry industry is a lucrative one to be in, which many people are starting to find out. In order to start a poultry business, there are five very effective suggestions that can help you get started and on your way. Research Before starting a poultry business, it is vital to research and discover information about the poultry industry. This will help you learn more about the market, find out what consumers want in chicken products, and give yourself a better idea of where your business can fit into this growing industry. While you research, you should identify the location, what type of chicken you want to sell, and the zoning laws. Zoning laws: It is crucial to check with your local zoning laws before starting a poultry business. You need to know what kind of chicken you are able to sell in the area and if there are any special restrictions that may prevent or hinder your company from generating revenue. Price point: In order for companies to have successful marketing strategies, they must create effective pricing plans so consumers can afford their products. This means setting prices at an affordable rate within the target market’s budget. For example, some people might not want organic chickens but instead, choose conventional ones due to them being more cost-effective while others prefer organic ones regardless of price. Location: The location that you choose for your poultry business is important because it can determine whether or not people around your area are interested in buying eggs from chickens roaming free on their property. There are many other factors that should be taken into consideration when finding an appropriate place for your small farm. For example, do you have enough space? Is there room for expansion? What suppliers are nearby? Once these questions have been answered by doing thorough research, choosing the right location becomes simple. Securing finance: As with any business venture, you will need to secure finance in order for your poultry-raising company to succeed. There are many ways of doing this, such as asking friends and family or getting a small business loan. If these options do not work, then consider the possibility of borrowing money from your savings. However, just remember that when taking out loans, you must be able to pay them back on time, so think about what is right for you before making commitments. Customer’s demands Make sure that you know what consumers demand from their chicken products, such as price point, quality meaty taste, and appearance of the packaging. By knowing this information ahead of time will give your company an advantage over other competitors by giving them exactly what they want for a reasonable price, so think about how much money people around your community would pay for good tasting high-quality birds with nice looking, easy to open the packaging? Marketing Plan: After starting a poultry business you need an effective marketing plan or strategy that can generate sales and attract customers into buying chicken products from you rather than your competition. This comes down to researching what consumers want in chicken products. So how does one go about creating this type of marketing plan? There are several things everyone should consider when developing their marketing strategies which include understanding the target market/consumers’ wants and needs, creating a brand image, and promotions to use. Target Market: You should identify the type of target market you are looking for when starting your business. For example, some people may want more organic or natural chicken products, while others might go with conventional chicken that is affordable. You need to determine what kind of consumer will be purchasing from you and how much they will pay for their product. Brand Image It is important to create an effective branding strategy so consumers can recognize your brand over other competitors in the poultry industry. When developing this image, keep in mind color schemes, logos/symbols used on packaging/website, etc., memorable slogans, etc. This way the consumers know exactly who they are buying from. Labor costs When starting a poultry business, it is vital to know how much money you will be spending on paying employees. This can add up over time and become quite expensive if not planned carefully. Furthermore, when hiring new poultry workers, make sure that they are qualified for the job. Experience required can be in raising animals or even basic knowledge of operating machinery used within your farm. Starting a poultry business involves much more than just opening the doors to your new establishment. It takes research, planning, and most importantly, having a passion for what you do. Keep these things in mind when starting out so that you can maximize profits along with becoming well-known within your community through word of mouth. Remember, this is not an overnight process but rather one filled with hard work day after day until success comes about. *** Author bio Eric Reyes is a passionate thought leader having been featured in 50 distinguished online and offline platforms. His passion and knowledge in Finance and Business made him a sought-after contributor providing valuable insights to his readers. You can find him reading a book and discussing current events in his spare time.
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Casu marzu: The world’s ‘most dangerous’ cheese

The Italian island of Sardinia sits in the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea, gazing at Italy from a distance. Surrounded by a 1,849-kilometer coastline of white sandy beaches and emerald waters, the island’s inland landscape rapidly rises to form hills and impervious mountains. And it is within these edgy curves that shepherds produce casu marzu, a maggot-infested cheese that, in 2009, the Guinness World Record proclaimed the world’s most dangerous cheese. Cheese skipper flies, Piophila casei, lay their eggs in cracks that form in cheese, usually fiore sardo, the island’s salty pecorino. Maggots hatch, making their way through the paste, digesting proteins in the process, and transforming the product into a soft creamy cheese. Then the cheesemonger cracks open the top — which is almost untouched by maggots — to scoop out a spoonful of the creamy delicacy. It’s not a moment for the faint-hearted. At this point, the grubs inside begin to writhe frantically. Some locals spin the cheese through a centrifuge to merge the maggots with the cheese. Others like it au naturel. They open their mouths and eat everything. Casu marzu is made with sheeps’ milk If you are able to overcome the understandable disgust, marzu has a flavor that is intense with reminders of the Mediterranean pastures and spicy with an aftertaste that stays for hours. Some say it’s an aphrodisiac. Others say that it could be dangerous for human health as maggots could survive the bite and and create myiasis, micro-perforations in the intestine, but so far, no such case has been linked to casu marzu. The cheese is banned from commercial sale, but Sardinians have been eating it, jumping grubs included, for centuries. “The maggot infestation is the spell and delight of this cheese,” says Paolo Solinas, a 29-year-old Sardinian gastronome. He says some Sardinians cringe at the thought of casu marzu, but others raised on a lifetime of salty pecorino unabashedly love its strong flavors. “Some shepherds see the cheese as a unique personal pleasure, something that just a few elects can try,” Solinas adds. Archaic cuisine It’s illegal to sell or buy casu marzu When tourists visit Sardinia, they usually wind up in a restaurant that serves porceddu sardo, a slowly roasted suckling piglet, visit bakers who sell pane carasau, a traditional paper-thin flatbread, and meet shepherds who produce fiore sardo, the island pecorino cheese. Yet, if you are adventurous enough, it’s possible to find the casu marzu. It shouldn’t be seen as a weird attraction, but a product that keeps alive an ancient tradition and hints at what the future of food might look like. Giovanni Fancello, a 77-year-old Sardinian journalist and gastronome, spent his life researching local food history. He’s traced it back to a time when Sardinia was a province of the Roman empire. “Latin was our language, and it’s in our dialect that we find traces of our archaic cuisine,” Fancello says. The cheese can only be produced at certain times of year when the sheeps’ milk is right There is no written record of Sardinian recipes until 1909, according to Fancello. That’s when Vittorio Agnetti, a doctor from mainland Modena, traveled to Sardinia and compiled six recipes in a book called “La nuova cucina delle specialità regionali.” “But we have always eaten worms,” says Fancello. “Pliny the Elder and Aristotle talked about it.” Ten other Italian regions have their variant of maggot-infested cheese, but while the products elsewhere are regarded as one-offs, casu marzu is intrinsically part of Sardinian food culture. The cheese has several different names, such as casu becciu, casu fattittu, hasu muhidu, formaggio marcio. Each sub-region of the island has its own way of producing it using different kinds of milk. ‘Magic and supernatural events’ Foodies inspired by the exploits of chefs such as Gordon Ramsay often come in search of the cheese, says Fancello. “They ask us: ‘How do you make casu marzu?’ It’s part of our history. We are the sons of this food. It’s the result of chance, of magic and supernatural events.” Fancello grew up in the town of Thiesi with his father Sebastiano, who was a shepherd who made casu marzu. Facello shepherded his family’s sheep to grazing grounds around rural Monte Ruju, lost in the clouds, where magic was believed to happen. He recalls that, for his father, casu marzu was a divine gift. If his cheeses didn’t become infested with maggots, he would be desperate. Some of the cheese he produced stayed for the family, others went to friends or people who asked for it. Casu Marzu is typically produced at the end of June when local sheep milk begins to change as the animals enter their reproductive time and the grass dries from the summer heat. If a warm sirocco wind blows on the cheesemaking day, the cheese-transforming magic works even harder. Fancello says it’s because the cheese has a weaker structure, making the fly’s job easier. After three months, the delicacy is ready. Mario Murrocu, 66, keeps casu marzu traditions alive at his farm, Agriturismo Sa Mandra, near Alghero in the north of Sardinia. He also keeps 300 sheep and hosts guests in his trattoria, and keeps casu marzu traditions alive. “You know when a form will become casu marzu,” he says. “You see it from the unusual spongy texture of the paste,” Murrocu says. Nowadays, this isn’t so much down to luck as the ideal conditions that cheesemongers now use to ensure as many casu marzu as possible. They’ve also figured out a way to use glass jars to conserve the cheese, which traditionally never lasted beyond September, for years. High fines Sardinia’s unusual cheese dates back to Roman times Though revered, the cheese’s legal status is a gray area. Casu marzu is registered as a traditional product of Sardinia and therefore is locally protected. Still, it has been deemed illegal by the Italian government since 1962 due to laws that prohibit the consumption of food infected by parasites. Those who sell the >>Read more
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Learning About Concussions in Football: What Earns a Red Card?

In soccer, a red card can be devastating for a player. When issued a red card, players are ejected for the remainder of the match, and are also suspended from the following match. Players are also issued yellow cards as a warning for a non-deliberate act of violence against another player. If a player is issued two yellow cards in one match, they’re combined to form a red card, carrying all the penalties of a standard red card. A red card isn’t just bad news for a football player—it’s also bad news for the rest of their team, as they’re left with just 10 men on the pitch, instead of their usual 11. What Earns a Red Card? It’s always a goal for sports officials to lower concussions in football. Red cards work to deter players from engaging in dangerous behavior. There are several reasons that a player can be issued a red card in football, including: Spitting on another player Engaging in violent contact with another player, including contact that results in concussions in football Using rude or abusive language (or gestures) Deliberately handling the ball in a way that denies the opposing team the chance to score Deliberately committing an offense punishable by a penalty or free-kick with the intent of halting the opposing team’s opportunity to score a goal Serious foul play How Red Cards Can Fight The Likelihood of Concussion in Football? When football player knows that violent conduct is likely to result in ejection from the game, they are more likely to carefully avoid violent contact with other players, even during intense periods of play. Since red cards don’t just affect the player (a single player’s red card affects the whole team as well), players are more likely to play it safe than if they could play without penalty. Why is a Concussion in Football Dangerous? Concussions often go unnoticed and unreported. Long-term symptoms of untreated concussions can include headaches, memory problems, concentration issues, mood changes, and more. It’s important that players who exhibit signs of concussions during a football match are removed and evaluated by a medical professional. While concussions can present differently in different players, common signs of concussions include confusion, changes in mood, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and fatigue. Treatment for a concussion depends on the individual and their history of traumatic brain injury. Football players who may have experienced a concussion need to work closely with their treatment team to develop a plan to help them get back on the pitch. What Additional Steps Are Being Taken to Reduce the Risk of Concussions in Football? Many steps are being taken to lower the risk ok concussion in football. In addition to issuing red cards for violent behavior, there are other steps that organizations are taking to reduce the likelihood of a player experiencing a concussion during a football match. It’s recommended that balls are properly inflated—not overinflated. Studies show that properly inflating balls can reduce the risk of head injury by 20%. Studies also show that it’s important that wet footballs are subbed out immediately, as a wet ball can retain water and become too heavy for players to safely head the ball.
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5 Highly Effective Business Success Strategies for Budding Entrepreneurs

If you have a business idea that you can’t wait to share with the world, it’s important that you take things slowly and draw up a plan beforehand to ensure your startup runs smoothly and becomes the success you envisaged. When you factor in that two-thirds of American small businesses make it to the two-year mark, it’s crucial that you add to this statistic, rather than fail within the first year. No matter the industry you plan to go into, here are 5 highly effective business success strategies that can help you grow your startup. Create a Business Plan Your business plan is your blueprint for success, so make sure that you document the A-Z of your operation before launching your startup. A detailed business plan should include your objectives and goals, what you plan to sell to consumers, and your financial forecasts. No successful entrepreneur got to where they are now without thorough planning and preparation, so learning how to create a solid business plan should be your first step. Choose Your Marketing Tactics For consumers and clients to take notice of your startup, you’re going to need to use the right marketing tactics to spread brand awareness. If you’re planning to run a small business, you may not have the funds to shell out on traditional marketing avenues.However, setting up your own social media business page, creating a blog, and using email marketing to build an email list are all cost-effective marketing strategies that can propel your operation forward. Use SEO Most internet users tend to click on the first page of results when looking for products or services. To help boost your startup’s website ranking on Google and Yahoo, it’s important that you understand SEO (search engine optimization) and use the correct methods to elevate your online presence. Make sure that you use keywords throughout your website and blog that are relevant to your brand so customers can find you with ease. Don’t Burn Out When launching any kind of business, you need to be prepared to work hard. The last thing you want is to burn out at the beginning, as you may lose motivation to continue which can be harmful for your operation. There are lots of stress relieving techniques that entrepreneurs can make use of which can help keep you focused on the bigger picture. Learn How to Network Regardless of what kind of business you want to go into, there will be many industry experts whom you can gain inspiration from. Mastering the art of networking can help you build a contact list, which could prove useful when getting your business off the ground. Whether you attend networking events, guest post on other blogs, or communicate through social media, networking with other professionals can be a great way to build a solid business reputation. For your new business to thrive, there are lots of things that can help turn your business idea into a successful venture. Hard work, patience and determination are key traits that all entrepreneurs must possess to operate a profitable business, so staying committed to your brand and following the guidance above can help you launch and run a successful startup.
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Securing your home against burglary

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them

Home entry point security

Home security habits

Home security tips for when you’re away

Insurance benefits of home security measures

Like it? Share it with your friends!

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