Confessions of a First Time Renter: 7 Things to Help You and Your Pet Have a Paw-some Move!

Meow!....Meow!....Meow!

That's how my feisty, food - and attention-loving cat Olivia wakes me up every morning for her breakfast...at 6a.m. Good thing I never bothered buying an actual alarm.

Early mornings aside, having a pet to come home to and keep me company is really nice, especially since I live alone. In fact, finding a pet-friendly place was one of my must-haves when I was looking for a place.

Before I moved her in, however, I had to make sure I had everything I needed to make her feel right at home. Besides forgetting to buy a kitty litter scooper initially (only mildly necessary), everything went off without a hitch.

Here are the seven things that I kept in mind before, during and after moving my kitty in.

1. Get the okay. Your obvious first step is to clear your potential pet with your landlord well before signing a lease. Since my building allows me to have up to two cats at no extra charges, I just notified my landlord of my intent to get one.
2. Get the essentials. On the drive to pick up Olivia, I stopped for some supplies. Friends and family had given me a litter box and bowls for food and water. All I needed to get was some food and kitty litter. It's a good idea to also pick up things like flea treatment, hair ball remedy, a brush and nail clippers (if you're comfortable or used to trimming claws yourself) so these things are on hand. You might also consider one of those calming collars that can help reduce a pet's anxiety as they adjust to a new place.
3. Make her comfy. To help her settle into her new home, I also picked up a kitty bed, treats and toys. Ironically enough, her favorite toy is one that I made myself and didn't cost a dime. (Who'd have thought an old golf putter and some yarn would come in handy?)
4. Safety first. Before I drove anywhere with my feisty feline, I made sure I had a safe way to transport her. For both their safety and yours, pets should be secured anytime you take them in your vehicle.
5. Update her info. Let your vet know that you've got a pet on the premises. It's also a good time to update your furball's microchip, if he or she has one. Olivia does not - so I just let her vet know she'd moved from my parents house to mine.
6. Give her time. Every pet is different, so let them settle in on their terms. Olivia had lived with my parents for almost 12 years - so it was no surprise that a new space was scary for her. She spent the first afternoon hiding under a chair. Now, she's queen of the castle.
7. Socialize thoughtfully. This is more for those who already have a pet and are introducing a new one. be aware that your furry friends might not take to each other right away. Make sure there's enough space to split them up until they get used to each other, if necessary.

Taking these steps will help you and your furry friend to have a positive experience during their "move-in-day" and for many days to come.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

Stuff to Store? Read These Self-Storage Tips

If you're like me, you sometimes look around and wonder, "How did I accumulate all this stuff?!"

Thankfully, we're not alone. Nearly 11 million households have items in a storage unit. That represents a 65 percent increase from 10 years ago.

Whether you're about to get married and combine households, a parent looking to free up space or a retiree looking to downsize, a storage unit may be just what you need. But before you start throwing things in boxes to haul off to your local storage facility, consider these self-storage tips.

• Is the facility clean? Before you store your belongings in a storage unit, make sure that it is well-maintained. Ask if routine cleaning is performed on empty units. Also ask to see an empty unit to make sure it is mold and dust free.
• Is it climate-controlled? Based on where you live, you may want to consider a climate-controlled facility. Many items are susceptible to pests and extreme temperatures. For example, leather, wood, wicker, electronics, musical instruments and photographs could be severely damaged if exposed to humidity or frigid cold. Keep in mind that some items should never be put in a storage unit including medications and medical supplies; combustible, flammable, hazardous or toxic chemicals; and weapons, ammunition or construction equipment. Many facilities have rules governing acceptable items. Use common sense when deciding what to store.
• Is it accessible? Does the storage area offer drive-up access? Or will you be lugging boxes up flights of stairs? Depending on what you're storing, that information could be very important. Also, take a look at when and how often you'll need to access your items. Some facilities provide access only during certain hours of the day and limited access on weekends. If you'll be making regular visits to retrieve items, it's best to make sure you have easy access.
• Is it safe? One of the most important self-storage tips is to consider the safety of your unit and the facility as a whole. In addition to a lock - which you should always have on your unit - some facilities offer extra security like video surveillance or password-protected gates.

Another way to make sure your itemsare protected is to insure them. Although most homeowners policy cover personal property in a storage unit, it is good to contact someone to make sure you have appropriate coverage. This is especially important if you have pricey items like jewelry and artwork that may need to be covered separately with an inland marine policy.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

On the Horizon: Better Seat Belts for Seniors

One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Now, researchers want to make the standard seat belt even safer for seniors who account for tens of millions of drivers in the United States.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, close to 600 older adults are injured each day in car crashes. Common life-threatening injuries include cracked ribs and broken pelvises. If the seat belt is positioned incorrectly around the neck or under the arm of an older driver, it can cause injuries and even fatalities.

Better Safety Solutions

Researchers at Ohio State University are collaborating with automakers to investigate other options to help reduce severe injuries in drivers 65 and older. Just one includes an inflatable seat belt. The project is also using simulations and smaller crash test dummies to help design better protection for older drivers.

Inflatable seat belts are in the back seats in some Ford, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz models. Ford introduced inflatable seat belt technology in 2011 saying it would enhance safety for backseat passengers like young children.

In addition to inflatable seat belts, future technology may offer a personalized car key fob to activate a customized safety system within each vehicle. The key fob could adjust a seat belt based on a driver's individual physiology. To learn more, check out the source article on Reuters for more information.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

How to Safely Heat Your Home

It's an unfortunate face that space heaters, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves cause more structure fires than central heat and hot-water heaters combined. Between 2009 and 2013, the National Fire Protection Association reported that these heat sources caused 72 percent of home heating fires. And fires caused by space heaters led to 84 percent of deaths caused by home heating fires.

This information isn't meant to scare you into closing off the fireplace and stashing the space heater. By all means, keep enjoying them - just keep safety in mind so you can protect yourself, your family and your home against smoke and fire damage.

FIREPLACES

Few things are as nice as curling up in front of a fireplace that uses real logs in the heart of winter. And if you've just spent lots of time in the cold air, the pleasure of basking in a fire's glowing warmth is somehow quadrupled.

The last thing you want is to interrupt your cozy time with a trip to the emergency room or a call to the fire department. With these tips, you can keep the home fires burning while keeping your home and family safe.

• Before you light the fire, make sure the chimney has some flow. Not taking this step could cause your cozy session to go up in smoke. As you prepare to light the kindling, do this simple test: Open the damper and reach inside the firebox (the place where you light the fire). In the firebox, light and blow out a match. Then, watch where the smoke goes. It should float up and away into the chimney. If it doesn't, you will want to reach out to a chimney inspector to see if there are any issues.
• Keep the glass door cracked open when the fireplace is in use. Open it just enough to draw air up into the chimney. It should be able to block any sparks from flying out, which can start a fire.
• Consider cracking open a window in your home. It will improve the airflow
• Invest in a fireproof mat and place it in front of the fire. Sparks can still escape when you have to reach in and poke around the fire.
• Establish a 3-foot safety zone around the fireplace. Remind children that running, throwing and horseplay are off-limits.
• Properly dispose of ashes. Even after the embers die away, the ashes can still hold plenty of heat. If you vacuum the ashes or shovel them into the trash too early, they could still be hot enough to ignite a fire. Either allow the ashes to rest for at least three days before you clean up or dispose of them in a closed metal box outside of your house.
• Make sure the chimney is well maintained. These guidelines can help keep your chimney in good working order and reduce the risk of fire.

WOOD-BURNING STOVES

A wood-burning stove adds old-fashioned charm to anyhome, especially if you have a cast iron version. They're also great for target-heating a cool space - and some models are also suited for cooking and roasting.

Before you install one, it's worth taking the time to understand how to install, ventilate and use a wood-burning stove. Here are some tips to safely enjoy your stove.

• Check your stove placement. It should be on a sturdy, fire-resistant base and protective floor covering should extend 18 inches from all sides of the stove.
• Leave enough space between the stove and the floors, walls and ceiling. The National Fire Protection Association advises that the clearance between the stove and combustible surfaces be at least 36 inches. If you can't get enough space in between the wall and stove, add a protective covering such as sheet metal.
• Choose the right wood. Use only dry and hard wood that has been seasoned for at least six months. Burning green wood can pose a fire hazard since it leaves an oily substance on your chimney flue called creosote. When creosote accumulates, it can start a chimney fire.
• Never burn trash in your wood stove.
• Use paper and sticks as kindling. When the smoke starts drawing up into the chimney, start adding the wood. Never use combustible fluids, such as gasoline, to get the fire going.
• Crack open a window. This will help the air flow up into the chimney and help prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. Also, install a fire detector and a carbon monoxide detector in the same room as your stove, and always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Have the chimney cleaned and inspected regularly by an expert.

SPACE HEATERS

Because they are portable and affordable, space heaters are hard to beat when you need extra heat for your home.

Unfortunately, space heaters cause more house fires than any other home heating source. And these fires lead to more deaths. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters are linked to more than 25,000 residential fires a year and more than 300 deaths. Also, 6,000 people a year seek emergency care to treat burns after coming in contact with a space heater's hot surfaces.

Follow these tips and guidelines to safely use space heaters in your home:

• Consider an upgrade if you have an older heater. Today's models are designed to shut off when the unit tips over, while others are designed to keep surface temperatures no hotter than 90 degrees. If your heater has loose, cracked or damaged cords, plugs or connections, you should stop using it.
• Put it in a safe place. It should operate on a flat, even and solid surface away from foot traffic and out of doorways. Keep three feet of clearance around the unit and keep it away from any walls and furniture.
• Turn off the heater when you leave the room.

PORTABLE FIREPLACE

Indoor portable fireplaces cast that warm flickering glow we all love and crave in the winter, without the fuss, expense and maintenance that come with running a fireplace or wood stove.

Another advantage is these portable fireplaces run on ethanol, a renewable fuel that doesn't release carbon monoxide in the air. But they do produce an open flame. As nice as this looks, it's something to be aware of. Here are tips when it comes to using one.

• As with other portable heat sources, placement is key. Place portable fireplaces on a flat, even and fire-resistant surface that is far away from table edges.
• Never allow children to operate these units.
• Only add fuel to the unit when it's turned off. Give it 15 minutes to cool down and wipe up any spills before lighting. Never "top it off" while it is running - the heat could cause the fuel to ignite right in the container.
• Never move a portable fireplace while it is still hot. Since they are small and easy to pick up, don't be tempted to move a portable fireplace while it is still hot, and especially when it's operating. An accidental burn or a stumble could lead to home damage and injury.
• Keep kids and pets at a safe distance. Unfortunately, portable fireplaces can easily tip over.
• Never leave your portable fireplace burning unattended. Before you head out or go to bed, extinguish the flames.

No matter which heating source you use, keep a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher in the same room it's in. Set a reminder to test the batteries regularly.

Whether you're using these options to stay warm or just to create some cozy ambiance in your home, it's worth keeping these guidelines top of mind to help keep your family and house safe all winter long.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

13 Ways to Help Others This Winter

Even if it's been a relatively mild winter, it can feel like winter will never end. And while the harsh weather is inconvenient for many, it can be a major issue for the elderly, disabled, sick and homeless in your community.

If you're of able body and kind heart, you may wonder how you can help your neighbors in need. Here are 13 ways to show you care this season.

1. Shovel your neighbor's walkway and/ or driveway. It lets them come and co with ease - plus, it's often the law.
2. Brush the snow and ice off their car. (Here are some tips to make it easy.)
3. Clear snow off of the street signs, storm sewer grates, fire hydrants and mailboxes if they're covered with snow. It benefits everyone's safety.
4. Check on your elderly neighbors before and after a bad snowstorm or cold snap. (bonus points if you bring soup!)
5. Leave hand warmers in your mailbox for the mail carrier.
6. Offer to pick up a neighbor's groceries or prescriptions. We all know how hard it is to drive on black ice or in a blinding snow storm.
7. Offer to get a neighbor's mail if it's at the end of a long drive or on a country road.
8. Bring over a baked good or have your kids draw pictures for a neighbor. (Preferably beach scenes!)
9. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry. They tend to be at capacity in the winter as people seek relief from the cold temperatures.
10. Donate to a coat drive.
11. Donate money to a heating assistance program - often times, you can do so when you pay your heating bill.
12. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels or another program that helps the homebound.
13. Donate an old (but still working) snow blower or a shovel to a neighbor in need.

Doing any one of these kind deeds could make a world of difference to someone - and studies show that it will benefit you as well!

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

6 Reasons that Shouldn't Hold You Back from Buying Life Insurance

What are the real reasons holding you back from getting life insurance? Are you like the majority of Americans who don't have it, but say that they know they need it?

A study by the financial and insurance organization LIMRA shows that 6 in 10 Americans have life insurance - yet 30% of them feel they need more.

Does this ring true for you? If so, maybe it's because of one of these reasons. *

1. It's too expensive. Cost is the number one reason people don't have life insurance. Yet another LIMRA study shows that 80 percent of consumers think life insurance costs much more than it actually does. Life insurance is probably more affordable than you think - and there are lots of ways to bring the price into your comfort zone.
2. I have a health condition. The good news is that having a health condition doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. If you overcame a serious condition in the past or if you are managing a condition with the help of a medical professional, you can still be covered.
3. I don't have any kids. There are many reasons people with no children still need life insurance. Just a few include providing for a financially dependent spouse or another family member, having the money to pay for a funeral or being able to pay off a loan that has a cosigner. Life insurance can also help you leave a gift to a religious, educational or charitable organization near and dear to your heart.
4. I don't work outside of the home. If you stay home to care for kids or other family members, it may take hiring someone to replace all that you do. And that could be pricey. so definitely consider buying life insurance as a way to cover those additional expenses.
5. I'm not sure what I need. Most people aren't - but we are here to help! Erie Family Life offers options like term insurance that's designed to last for a specific period of time and permanent plans designed to last a lifetime. Your agent can recommend one that works with your life and budget.
6. I don't have the time. Life is busy, which is why Erie offers e-signature on life insurance policies to make the process easy and convenient. Erie LifeSense can also provide up to $90,000 worth of coverage in about 15 minutes. There are no doctors visits or complicated forms - just a simple application with only a few medical questions.

Life Insurance probably isn't something you want to talk about, but it really is too important to put off. When it comes to life insurance, the only wrong choice is doing nothing at all.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

14 Hacks to Deal with Snow and Ice on Your Car

Even people who love winter do not enjoy one of the season's most unpopular jobs - clearing snow and ice off of their cars.

The good news is that the job can definitely be made easier by following a few rather simple tips. They include:

• Turning on your front and rear defrosters as soon as you start clearing. If you have a push start, now is the time to take advantage of it!
• Give yourself more time than you think. This can be a tough job, and you may need a break or two after scraping away at ice for a long stretch of time.
• Don't pull on frozen windshield wipers! This could TOTALLY ruin them. Instead, use an ice scraper to chip away at the ice and give the car defroster some time to do its job.
• Avoid hot water! Pouring hot water on ice-cold glass can cause the glass to break. (Plus, the puddle it leaves behind can lead someone to suffer a nasty spill!)
• Use a proper snow brush. Shovels and other brushes not marketed for safe use on cars can leave behind scratches.
• Start from the top. Clear snow from the roof and work your way down - clearing the top part of the car later could undo the work you did on the bottom half of the car. And you can't drive around with a roof full of snow anyhow.
• Consider using a de-icing spray. Commercial-grade sprays can make the job faster AND easier.
• Blow through a straw to let your breath melt a frozen lock. Another option is to apply a bit of hand sanitizer to your key and the door lock.

Of course, the best way to deal with winter is to park your car in a garage or carport. If that is not possible, try taking these steps beforehand.

• Place socks over your windshield wipers and pop them up. This will help prevent them from freezing.
• Put plastic bags over your mirrors. Use rubber bands to secure them into place.
• Spray a little cooking oil on rubber seals. This will help prevent them from sealing doors shut.
• Apply ice prevention spray on windows. You can find this at any auto specialty store!
• Cover your windows. A piece of cardboard, towel or folded sheet can help prevent ice from forming on your windshield.
• Face your car East. In for the night? Then try to park your car facing East so the rising sun can help melt the snow and ice!

Clearing the snow and ice off of your car definitely isn't the most fun job, but it helps keep you and other drivers safe -- and it might even be the law in your state!

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

Five Ways to Stay Safer on the Road

In addition to avoiding the most common driving distractions, take extra precautions to avoid cell phone distractions:

• Let it roll. Incoming calls to voice mail, that is.
• Do it later. If someone calls you while they’re driving, ask them to call you back later and hang up.
• Pull over. If you must talk or text, pull off the road first.
• Lead by example. If you want your children to drive safely, show them how it’s done. A Consumer Reports survey found that almost half (48 percent) of young drivers had seen their mom or dad talking on a cell phone while driving, and 15 percent saw their parents texting.
• Know your state’s driving laws. Several states have banned texting while driving. Distraction.gov lists the laws for individual states.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.