Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend; Protect Them!

How is that Valentine’s Day present doing? For those who were showered with fine jewelry and diamonds, well lucky you! We hope that you have been enjoying your jewels. While it looks shiny and new right now, time will always take its toll and eventually you will need to clean it up. It is important to understand how to properly clean and protect your new piece; you wouldn’t want to ruin it!

Here are a few tips when it comes to caring for your diamond:

  • Find a mild solution that is safe to use on your diamond. Usually, mild detergent will be just fine for your piece. Use warm water with the detergent and let it soak.
  • Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt or particles. Just be careful not to scratch the ring!
  • Rinse the ring off with warm water to avoid any leftover residue.
  • Dry your diamond with a clean, lint-free cloth.

If your diamond shows a sign of any damage, it is best to take it to a professional jeweler as soon as possible.

If you want to keep your gift in good condition over the years, it is important to physically clean and protect your diamond. It is also just as important to look into jewelry insurance. Adding a jewelry insurance policy to your home insurance is simple and our Texas insurance agency would not mind helping you do so! Whether your piece is damaged, lost or stolen, the proper coverage will have your back. Diamonds should be forever; allow us to help make that possible!

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How To: Recover From Water Damage

At Dagley Insurance & Financial Services, we strive to educate our community on issues that matter and are always looking for reliable resources and information we can share with you.

Below is an informative video posted from GotMold, explaining simple steps you can take to begin your water damage recovery. Depending upon the size and significance of your flooding or water damage, you may need to seek out professional help.

Keep in mind:

  • Locate all flood water in walls, ceilings and floors.
  • Moisture meters and thermal infrared cameras can help you detect wet areas.
  • After you locate all wet areas, install commercial grade dehumidifiers and fans.
  • In the case of significant flooding carpets and walls may have to be removed.
  • Locate all flood sources and stop the leaking.
  • Small floods can typically be dried out in 2-4 days if equipment is installed properly.
  • Undiscovered wet areas may result in mold growth.

Need help cleaning up or rebuilding?

Check out our Partners Page to discover reputable Home Restoration professionals in your area. With a dedication to superior customer service and a reputation for performing the highest quality work, our Home Restoration partners are trusted local professionals who can help you get your home back in tip top shape.

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Hurricane Safety: Prepare Ahead of Time to Protect Your Family & Home

With hurricane season quickly approaching we, at Dagley Insurance & Financial Services, want to ensure that our clients and the surrounding community are sufficiently prepared. By understanding what you can do before, during and after a potential hurricane, you can better ensure the safety of your home and loved ones.

Below you will find wealth of tips and safety advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is an outstanding resource that can provide you with the most effective and reliable safety solutions. You can also learn what additional safety precautions, activities and projects people like you are implementing to help reduce and prevent the devastating impact of severe hurricanes.

Before a Hurricane Strikes:

  • Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutter offer the best protection for windows; a second option can include boarding up your windows with marine plywood.
  • Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure; this can help reduce roof damage.
  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutter and downspouts.

During a Hurricane:

  • Listen to the radio or TV for information; keep a battery-operated radio ad back up in case electricity goes out
  • Turn off utilities if instructed to do so; otherwise turn the refrigerator or thermostat to its coldest and keep its doors shut
  • Turn off propane tanks, avoiding using the phone except in serious emergencies

After a Hurricane:

Recovering from any type of natural disaster typically takes a good amount of time; it’s not an overnight process. Safety should always remain your highest priority. It’s always a good idea to keep your insurance information handy and in a safe place—that way if you have questions, need help assessing damage or need to place a claim, all of the information needed is at your fingertips.

Need help reporting a claim? You can always call us or fill out our online claim form—at Dagley Insurance we care deeply about your safety and the safety of your home, so please do not hesitate to call us with any questions regarding the claims process, hurricane season or how we can help you better protect your property today.

Also, make sure to take a look at our previous blog post regarding Hurricane Preparedness Week to learn more about what your emergency preparedness kit should include!

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Texas Hurricane Preparedness Week Scheduled for May 22-28, 2011

Every year the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Emergency Management Coordinators and officials within the local jurisdictions join forces to recognize Hurricane Preparedness Week.

According to the Old River-Winfree Community News Blog, this year’s events are set to take place from May 22 through May 28, 2011.

The week acts as an incredible opportunity to build public awareness and reminds residents living in evacuation zones to learn their evacuation routes in advance, before a storm strikes. Being fully prepared for hurricane season is especially critical for coastal Texans—since damages are still being taken care of from previous storms like Hurricane Ike—acting as a unfortunate reminder of how powerful these seasonal storms can get.

Hurricane Preparedness Week is also meant to encourage the general public to double check and re-stock their emergency supply kits. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, emergency preparedness supplies should include:

  • First Aid Kit; including prescription medications, eyeglasses, copies of prescriptions, hearing aids, batteries, other special medical items
  • Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information to process insurance claims
  • Credit cards and cash (in the event that the power is out, banks & ATMs may not be available)
  • Battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
  • Road maps, travel plans
  • 3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
  • Manual can opener, knife, tools, fire extinguisher, flashlight, duct tape, tools, etc.
  • Extra keys
  • Blankets, pillows, extra clothing, etc.
  • Toilet paper, personal hygiene products
  • And more…

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a wonderful resource for all Texans who may have questions about how they can best prepare for hurricane season and the potential for devastating storms. If you have further questions about how you can protect yourself, your property and inevitable help safeguard your future, please do not hesitate to contact Dagley Insurance & Financial Services; we’d be happy to help!

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Preventing Spring Water Damage

After a hectic winter many of us have been eagerly awaiting that perfect spring day. But those warm sunny days will also bring with them the onset of hurricane season—a wet, rainy season which includes a slew of problems all on its own.

The last thing you want to deal with this spring is household water damage, so what can you do to prepare?

Recognizing the first signs of water damage is the best way to prevent further problems— precisely why we at Dagley Insurance and Financial Services have put together a helpful list of signs you should be aware of and common causes of water damage:

1. Surface water running down primary foundation walls.

2. Broken pipes & hoses—check for burst water mains, old pipes or even ice makers that fail—all can lead to significant water damage if not remedied.

3. Common household accidents—this includes overflowing bathtubs, broken toilets, etc.

4. Flash flooding or excessive rain

5. Sewer back up—commonly results from tree roots and debris that clogs drain lines.

6. Notorious Texas hailstorms can also cause leaky roofs and windows

7. This time of the year, air conditioning systems in the attic may leak as well; now that they have been turned on and are running at full capacity, be sure to check for any inefficiencies

Being aware and proactively checking for these typical causes of water damage and leaking can help you prevent damages to not only your home but also your electronics and personal possessions.

As a Texas homeowner, there are many things you can do to combat household water damage. Always remember to keep your gutters free of leaves and other seasonal debris. Create a maintenance plan for yourself to ensure that you keep up-to-date on your landscaping—trimming surrounding shrubbery can help to eliminate clogged gutters and drain lines. Also be sure to periodically check your appliances—your shower, sink, toilet and refrigerator are all common violators that can cause water damage.

Already fell victim to water damage? Need help cleaning up after significant water issues? Why not check out our Preferred Partners Page for great local deals on home restoration and clean-up services.

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