Easy livin'

I love the Billie Holiday song, "Summertime ... and the livin' is easy" because it gives me the vision of relaxing and recharging. I see myself under a shade tree, sipping lemonaid while reading a book, all the while slightly swinging back and forth in a hammock while I hear the the birds sing and the breeze makes its presence known by rustling the leaves.


THAT is easy livin'! And it just might be what you enjoy as well. Or, instead, you might prefer being on a beach, enjoying the sun and sand. While still others look forward to hiking, camping and cooking over an open fire. Whatever your summer brings you - and wherever it takes you, an inventory will help make your relaxation time even more peaceful.

 

Why and how? Summer is the season that records the highest number of burglaries, and many sources attribute that to vacations and summer activities. There is, of course, the length of time people are away from home, but also the frequency of shorter absenses during these months.

Would you be able to recover from a burglary? Could you remember everything you own(ed), including the manufacturers, the serial numbers and model numbers of electronics and appliances? Having a thorough inventory of your belongings will make your recovery much less stressful, more accurate and provide a maximized insurance claim settlement.

With that in mind, here are some tips to help a burglar choose to go elsewhere:

• Look at your house from the curb - ensure there are no valuables in site.
• Place a metal rod in the track of your sliding glass doors.
• Have someone you trust bring in mail, newspapers and packages.
• Keep shrubs trimmed near the house; don't provide a "hiding place".
• Timers on lights, radios & TVs give the appearance that you're there.

Create an inventory, take precautions, and enjoy your summer fun! Then, if you do happen to need to file an insurance claim, you'll be able to do it quickly and get back to the easy summertime livin'.