Therefore, it is important to protect your home from flood damage no matter where you live.  You can do so in the following ways:

Clean out your gutters in the spring and fall.  Clogged gutters can cause massive problems by concentrating roof runoff water at your home’s corners close to the foundation.  This water pooling can seep through your walls and cause flooding.

To find gutter cleaning companies near you, visit Angie’s List.

You can also check the reputation of any contractor you hire at the Better Business Bureau.

Protect your basement.  Basements are vulnerable areas.  Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.  Also, it is a good idea to elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel.  Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

To find a trusted waterproofing contractor near you, you can Angie’s List.

Install backflow valves.  It is a good idea to install backflow valves for drains, toilets and other sewer connections to prevent floodwaters from getting into your home.

Purchase flood insurance.   Your homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage.  It is a good idea to contact your insurance agent to find a flood insurance policy that fits your needs and budget.  To get a free flood insurance quote. 

As always, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is happy to answer any of your insurance questions and cares about keeping you safe.  Call and speak to one of their dedicated agents today at 877-550-0025 or visit our website vargasinsurance.com.

Have you been thinking of making a donation to the Milton Community Food Pantry but just haven’t gotten around to it?  Right now you have a terrific opportunity to help them and to make your contribution even more valuable to us.  Here is how it works:

 1)   You make a donation of food items or money to the Food Pantry in March or April.

2)      Our volunteer staff keeps track of all the contributions.

3)  We report the number of items and amount of the money donations to the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million “Fight Hunger” Challenge*.

4)  The Feinstein Foundation sends us back a cash award based on the donations we receive!

It’s that simple to feel good by helping us help our Milton neighbors facing financial difficulties.  We currently serve 215 families, including 238 children and 65 seniors.

Checks should be made payable to “The Milton Community Food Pantry, Inc.” and mailed to:  The Milton Community Food Pantry, Inc. c/o Parkway United Methodist Church, 158 Blue Hills Parkway, Milton, MA  02186.  Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off to the Parkway United Methodist Church, the Milton Public Library or the Town Hall. The Pantry is recognized as a tax-exempt organization (tax ID number 37-1536791) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Therefore, all donations are fully tax deductible and matching grant qualified. 

If you are interested in planning a food drive or would like more information about the Milton
Community Food Pantry, please call us at 617-696-0221.

*For more information on the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million “Fight Hunger” Challenge, please check their website at http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org or call 401-467-5155.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance  877-550-0025

 

Protecting a vacant home does not have to be a stressful task.  Here are ways to secure the home and give you peace of mind.

Make it look occupied.  Purchase timers for wall outlets and set lamps to turn on and off at various times.  You can also set the DVR to turn on while recording movies and shows, making it look like someone is home watching TV.  Additionally, it is a good idea to hire a lawn service to keep the grass from becoming overgrown and enticing burglars to enter the home.

Contact people you trust.  Ask neighbors to watch the house, and give them numbers to call in case of an emergency.  Also, make sure your local police department is aware no one will be at the house, and cancel all mail and newspaper deliveries.

Securely lock all doors and windows.  The harder it is for vandals to enter, the less likely they will succeed in doing so.  It also helps to have a security system installed.  

Cover any area exposed to the outdoors.  This includes doggy doors and chimney tops, through which birds and squirrels can enter.  Attach square plywood to the area with screws.

Shut the main water valve.  This is usually found on the front, street-facing side of the home.  You should also drain all toilets and tanks by holding down the flush lever until the water is gone. 

During winter months, pour antifreeze in toilets and sink traps to decrease their likelihood of freezing.  Also, wrap the pipes under the sink and any that are exposed to the outside.

Turn the breakers off.  Shut off all nonessential electrical circuit breakers to minimize the risk of electrical fires.  It is a good idea to label the circuits with colored dots in order to distinguish the nonessential from the essential, like the security system and outdoor lighting.

Check your insurance policy.  All policies have various limitations on vacant properties, so call your insurance agent and review your coverage today!

As always, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is here to help keep your home safe.  If you have any questions on Home Owners Insurance policies, call and speak to a knowledgeable agent today at 877-550-0025. 

More than 1,200 youths from the Boston area marched through town on February 23^rd in support of the Youth Jobs Coalition, a Dorchester based organization. On Tremont Street, youths and parents held signs to protest the cuts from the T. Also, the march was lead through the financial district and then to the Statehouse to request jobs from companies that employ more than 100 employees. They also asked for an increase in the funding for unemployed youths.

 From 2010 to 2011 the percentage of youth jobs during the summer decreased from 62% to 39%. This significant decrease in jobs is due to the elimination of federal job funding in 2010 and the current state of the economy. Having a large number of unemployed teens is a great concern in the Boston area because youths will be more likely to be involved in crimes as a result of the lack of available  jobs. Jena Marie Figueroa a ninth grader at the O’Bryant High School who lives in Dorchester said, “Without youth jobs, kids will commit crimes, sell drugs and do all those negative things.” Members of the Action for Boston Community Development noticed that the skills youths gained through employment and their ability to help support their families has given them a sense of empowerment. Visit DotNews for more information on this area of concern.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency is very proud to be actively involved with many community groups. Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency supports Boston’s youth and would like all small and larger employers to do, also!

 

 

Unfortunately, it’s true.  According to MBTA Transit Police, property crimes have shown a 17% increase in the past year alone.  The majority of these thefts?  Those electronic devices you cannot possibly live without.

So, how should you keep your laptop, smartphone and iPod safe from harm no matter where you are?  Here are some ways to protect your items.

Buy a lock.  Laptop cable locks are security cables that can be used in any location and decrease your laptop’s appeal to potential thefts.  You can browse various locks at http://bit.ly/xAc0Lq.   

Invest in LoJack.  LoJack for Laptops is a software program that offers four protection features.   It allows you to track your laptop’s location history, freeze it, delete files and alert the Theft Recovery Team, which uses advanced technology to locate the laptop and who has it.  For more information about LoJack, visit http://bit.ly/b0xtgI. 

Get iCloud.  This iphone app does more than store your music, photos and documents.  It also can track your missing phone’s location.  To learn all about iCloud’s features, check out http://bit.ly/pL6ulJ.

Use password protection.  Setting passwords on your electronic devices limits a theft’s access to the information and is an easy way to keep them safe.

Other safety tips:

Don’t have your phone or iPod out when leaving public transit areas.

Keep track of your surroundings, and be aware of people near you.

Write down the device’s serial number, color, make and model and register it.

Don’t wait!  Make sure your electronic devices are safe and protected from harm today!

If you don’t own a home, you need renters insurance, what is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance acts as a homeowners insurance policy
for those who rent their place of residence. Whether you live in a
condo, apartment, house, duplex, etc., renters insurance can protect you
and your assets. Having renter’s insurance can help devoid costs of
damages should anything happen to a rental property that you are living
in for as little as $125.00 per year.

Please call Vargas & Vargas Insurance 877-550-0025 with any questions you may have!