Tips to Keep Your Christmas Jewelry Sparkling

Whether it’s given as a symbol of a lifetime commitment or just as a heartfelt gesture, jewelry is a popular Christmas gift for people of all ages. Taking care of each piece properly is important to keep it looking beautiful for years to come.  

Old-fashioned methods tend to work best when it comes to cleaning most precious metals, but each has its own unique properties so it’s important to understand the differences before you begin scrubbing.

Gold

·         Gold doesn’t tarnish, but it can become dull or discolored from repeated exposure to oils in your skin, lotion, makeup, or other chemicals.

·         One of the best cleaning agents for gold is plain old dish detergent. Squirt some detergent into a bowl filled with warm water and let the item soak for a few minutes. Scrub it gently with a toothbrush and sit it on a towel to air dry. Finish up by giving it a quick polish with a soft polishing cloth.

Silver

·        Silver is a softer metal and scratches easily, so it requires more delicate care. Clean sterling silver pieces with a soft 100% cotton or flannel cloth; use mild dish detergent and warm water to clean rhodium-plated silver.

Gemstones

• Most gemstones are durable in and of themselves, but you still need to handle them carefully, especially if the stone is in a high or unique setting. Repair loose stones (and the prongs, which is likely the problem) as soon as possible to prevent them from falling out.
• Some stones are stronger than others and should be stored accordingly. For instance, don’t throw a diamond ring on top of a pearl necklace if your jewelry box is less than perfectly organized—the diamond could scratch the pearls.
• The best cleaning methods vary depending on the type of stones. Harder gems like diamonds are best cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush (to gently scrub away dirt and grime that builds up in the setting); softer, organic stones like pearls and amber should just be wiped clean with a soft cloth.

General Jewelry Care

• As a rule, remove your jewelry when doing a physical task that could damage the piece.
• Keep your jewelry away from harmful chemicals, such as chlorine or bleach.
• Put on your jewelry after you apply perfume, hairspray, or lotion, as each contain ingredients that could damage various metals.

For an added layer of protection, consider purchasing insurance for your most precious jewels. Whether you’re now the owner of a brand-new wedding band or engagement ring as of Christmas, or recently inherited an heirloom that’s been in your family for generations, keep those pieces the treasures they are with proper coverage. Some insurance plans require regular inspections and cleanings to keep the coverage in force, but the requirements vary among different plans.

Here at ETA Insurance Group, we help protect what matters most to you. Give us a call to learn more about the best plan for your needs and budget.

How to Prevent Common Holiday Fire Hazards

Photo: Budget Direct

As the song says, in many ways the holiday season really is “the most wonderful time of the year”. But in other ways, it can be the most dangerous time of year.  The important thing is to be cautious so your celebrations are more “wonderful” than “dangerous”.

The holiday season may not seem like a peak time for house fires, but the truth is, nearly 47,000 fires occur during this time, according to the American Red Cross’ website. Below, we look at a few common holiday fire hazards and how to prevent them.

Real trees. It’s just not Christmas without a tree but keeping a live one healthy takes work.  Place your tree in the center of the room, away from drafty windows and at least three feet away from a heat source. Water the tree daily (if not more) to keep it hydrated. (Dry trees are a major safety risk.) A real tree should be tossed right after Christmas or when it becomes dry.

Candles. Candles are widely used in many secular and religious holiday traditions and celebrations, and their increased usage means they’re a bigger potential fire hazard. To minimize the risk, never decorate your tree with candles or open flames. Keep lit candles a safe distance from Christmas trees, decorations, drafty windows (and window treatments like curtains or draperies), and heat sources like portable heaters and radiators. Always extinguish lit candles before leaving your home or going to bed.

Lights and decorations. String lights and other decor add a festive touch to our homes both inside and out, but look at each item before using it. Never use lights with frayed cords (and replace any burned out bulbs if possible). Check lights, ornaments, and other decorations for broken pieces or sharp edges—while not a fire hazard, per se, you don’t want your holiday gathering to end with a trip to the emergency room because of a nasty cut.

Fireplaces and portable heat sources. Just like candles, fireplaces and other heat sources (space heaters, pellet stoves) tend to be used more this time of year. Keep decorations and other flammable items (such as table linens) away from these heat sources. According to the National Fire Protection Association’s website, 42% of decoration fires start because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Monitor your heat and fuel levels and extinguish everything properly before leaving your house or going to bed.

Keep your holidays memorable for all the right reasons. Follow the above tips or visit nfpa.org to learn more about keeping your home safe this season and all year round.

Five Ways to Prevent Package Theft This Holiday Season

Many of us shop online all year round, but there is a definite uptick during the holidays. Consumers love the convenience, but one major downfall to online shopping is the increased risk of package theft, also called “porch piracy”. A 2016 survey conducted by the home security company Ring.com found that nearly 20 percent of homeowners reported having a package stolen within the previous year.

Protect yourself from package theft by following these few simple tips:

               -- If possible, have packages delivered to your workplace so they are actually in your hands.
  
               --Utilize your home security system’s cameras. Keep them turned on anytime you and your family are away from home so you can track the activity at your house.

    --Instruct drivers to leave packages at another location. According to statistics on Ring.com’s website, 73% of homeowners have packages dropped off at the front door, so this is the most obvious location for a thief to look. Both FedEx and UPS have apps that allow you to choose where you’d like your packages delivered, so take advantage and choose an alternative drop-off location, such as at your back door or with a trusted neighbor.      
      

         --Sign up for delivery alerts. Most e-commerce sites will notify you when your package ships and give you an expected delivery date. If you know when your package is arriving, you can rearrange your schedule so you or a family member can get home and take the package inside so it’s not sitting on the porch for hours.

       --Request a signature for your deliveries. This might be the most inconvenient option, especially if you and your family are out of the house all day, but most delivery companies offer extended hours during the holiday season.  You can choose to get your package dropped off in the evening or on a weekend to ensure you’ll be home to sign for it.

The holiday season can be stressful enough—you shouldn’t have to worry about potential package thieves.  Besides the tips listed above, ask your neighbors to look out for any suspicious vehicles or individuals in your neighborhood so everyone’s property and belongings stay safe.  

ETA Insurance Group is a local, independent insurance agency that works with over 50 carriers. We offer a full line of insurance products for all your needs, from home and auto to health, life, and Medicare. As independent agents we can shop around to find you the best coverage for your needs and your budget.  

Holiday Safety Hazards for Your Pets

Our pets are part of our family, so it’s only natural that we’d want them involved in our family holiday celebrations. But some of the holiday items and customs that are second nature to us can be hazardous, even deadly, to our pets. Below are a few of the most common holiday safety hazards for our four-legged friends and how to avoid them:

Christmas decorations. Decorating our homes both inside and out is one of the best parts of the season. And no home is complete without a Christmas tree. But both can be dangerous for your pets. Cats often love to play with tinsel, but if it’s ingested, it can get stuck in their digestive tract and require emergency surgery to remove it. Trees are another potential hazard. Some cats love to climb; make sure your tree is secure in the stand so your kitty doesn’t knock it over. Many dogs are also drawn to tree water.  Remember to add fresh water regularly so it’s not sitting and stagnating. Standing water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could make your dog very sick. Broken lights or ornaments can cut or burn your pet’s paws or digestive tract if they play with or swallow them. Artificial trees are much less work and can look just as majestic as a real tree; they’re also safer for pets.

Plants. Holiday plants add that festive touch to our homes throughout the season, but unfortunately, most of the prettiest ones are also the most dangerous for pets. Holly and mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal problems (mistletoe can also cause cardiovascular distress). Poinsettias are poisonous. Play it safe and decorate using artificial plants.

Electrical cords and lights. Keep all electrical gadgets out of your pet’s reach. Cords can cause electrical burns if the animal chews on them.

Candy and sweets. We like to overindulge during the holiday season, but allowing our pets to do the same is a bad idea. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats and should be completely off-limits. Baked goods in general are often too rich for pets, and some artificial sweeteners can cause liver failure and other health problems. If you’re not sure if a sweet treat is potentially harmful, play it safe and don’t give it to your pet at all. (Many of us often slip table scraps to our pets—keep in mind foods like onions, raisins, and grapes are toxic to dogs and cats and should be avoided).

Potpourri. We love to make our homes smell festive and welcoming, but many home fragrances can be dangerous or deadly for pets. Liquid potpourri can be caustic due to the essential oils and detergents in them, and the regular bagged variety can cause digestive problems if swallowed. Keep all home fragrances out of your pets’ reach, or find alternatives that make your home smell nice but are safer for your pets.

Guests can be another potential safety risk for your pet. Put your dog or cat in another area of the house, preferably a quiet room, if they're nervous or skittish around strangers and you're having guests over. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association website has lots of great information about how to keep your pet safe this holiday season.