How to organize your linen closet

Although there are probably a number of closets in your house, the one that everyone seems to use is the linen closet.  While it can seem as if storing towels and sheet sets shouldn’t be that hard, it’s easy for this closet to become disorganized very quickly.  Fortunately, there are ways to get it under control and keep it from becoming a mess again.  Try these tips to get your linen closet organized again.

  1. Assign a place for everything.  Use sticky notes to label what is going to go on every shelf.  As you organize, you’l be able to refer back to these labels and stick to an organization plan.
  2. Keep kids’ items where the kids can reach them.  Even if this takes up more room, your closet will stay organized if your kids don’t have to jump to reach the towels and sheets that they need.
  3. Make bed “kits”  Matching sets of sheets should be folded together.  Not only will this make the closet neater, but it will also prevent family members from tearing apart the neatly folded stacks in search of a pillowcase or top sheet.  You may also want to consider doing the same for towel and washcloth sets.
  4. Place the “good” linens at the top of the closet.  This will prevent kids from grabbing the guest towels to dry off the dog after his bath.

As you’re cleaning out your linen closet, you’ll probably come across some things you forgot your had, and get rid of a lot of stuff.  That means that you’ll need to change your insurance policy.  Call the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy is up to date.

Save Money With These Spring Cleaning Tips

When it comes to cleaning your home, you don’t need to go broke maintaining the appearance. In fact, there are several ways you can actually save money. At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we all conduct our own spring cleaning back at the house, so we know how important it is to find the best ways to clean a home at the lowest price possible. Whether you live in Boise, ID or somewhere else, you can use these tips just about anywhere. 

Make Your Own Cleaner

Why purchase cleaning supplies when, chances are, you have what you need already. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice really is all you need for most cases. Pick up a spray bottle for easy application, but outside of this, you’re good to go. Have stains in the bathtub? Sprinkle baking soda around the tub then spray it with the vinegar. It will foam up, soften up the dirt and you can easily wash it away. You can also combine 2/3 part vinegar and 1/3 part lemon juice to bring in that nice lemon scent. 

Ditch the Paper Towel

Paper towel consumption can quickly increase your cleaning bill. When you look at how much paper towel you go through while cleaning your home up and down, it really adds up. Instead, go with a reusable item. Microfiber cloths are great for washing surfaces around the house and a squeegee with a rubber tip is perfect for washing windows. Whatever you need, you can clean your home rather effectively without spending an arm and a leg on disposable paper. 

Wash Everything At Once

Don’t to a bunch of smaller loads in the washing machine. It is easy to just go room by room, but instead of washing just the curtains, add in the shower curtain and washer-safe rugs as well. It will reduce your energy consumption and save you on utility bills. 

What You Can Do To Prepare Your Home For Disasters

There is a lot that you can do in order to prepare your home for disasters. The best approach is to go room by room to see if you have the necessary supplies. Some you may simply need to gather, while others you may need to purchase.

Kitchen

The kitchen is probably one of the most important rooms because that is where you keep all of your food, and where most of your family likely gravitates. Some of the most important things to have here include:

  • Smoke detector
  • Food for 3-5 days
  • First Aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Bedrooms

All of the bedrooms need to be prepared for disaster as well. You want to make sure to have:

  • Emergency lighting
  • Shoes near the bed
  • Emergency escape ladders for bedrooms not on base floor
  • Extra blankets

Closets

In all of the closets, and you want to have backup batteries as well as battery-operated lanterns or flashlights. In one main closet, you should also have a 72 hour kit in the event of an evacuation so that you can keep your family dressed, fed, and warm.

Front Entry

Your front entry should always be well lit and there should be a strong deadbolt and lock on the door. This can help to minimize burglary and break-ins.

In Every Room

Every room of the house should have some kind of emergency lighting nearby. It’s also a good idea to have smoke alarms near all of the rooms as well.

On Every Floor

Every floor needs to have a fire extinguisher.

Pick up the phone and call one of the independent insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency today where we can talk to you about coverage options and more in Boise. An affordable policy may be a phone call away.

 

 

Don’t Be Caught In The Dark

As soon as the power goes out in Boise, you are going to find yourself in the dark. This can be problematic not only because you can’t see, but also because you don’t have power to do all of the things that you have grown accustomed to being able to do. There are some tips that can help you navigate and survive until the power company gets your lights back on.

Have Multiple Light Sources

You want to make sure you have the means of having light in various sources. This can include lanterns, candles, as well as flashlights. Anything battery operated also means having plenty of back-up batteries so you don’t run out.

Think About Sustenance

Billions of dollars’ worth of food is lost every year around the US because of power going out. You want to be sure you have food to feed your family. Bottles of frozen water can be kept in the freezer so you can maintain a cooler temperature for longer.

You also want at least one week’s worth of food that doesn’t need to be heated or refrigerated. Popular items include jerky, granola bars, tuna packs, MREs, and peanut butter.

Focus on Survival

Depending on the season your power goes out in Idaho, you may want to have battery-powered fans to stay cool or heavy blankets to stay warm. You may also want to invest in a generator so that you don’t have to worry about food spoiling in your freezer or having lights in order for you and your family to see from one room to another.

Call and talk to an independent insurance agent at Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. We look forward to being able to help you find a good policy in Idaho to provide you with peace of mind whether the power is on or off.

 

Fun For The Kids Indoors This Winter In Boise

You want to plan some fun for the kids this winter, especially when they’re not playing outside. It can be dreadful for kids to be cooped up in the house with no fun in sight. By taking some action, your home in Boise can be filled with happy kids who are having fun.

Board Games

Board games can be a lot of fun – and you can involve plenty of kids. If they get tired of playing the same ones over and over again, let them be creative and make their own. Just borrow dice or a spinner from another game.

Story Time

Forget about reading the same story over and over again. Let the kids create their own. Have everyone contribute to the story – and then hand out paper and markers for everyone to be able to illustrate the story. You can always make copies to give to the other parents at the end.

Dance Party

Ensure the kids are up and moving around from time to time. Plan a dance party and let them know they can invite some of their friends. Turn on the stereo or karaoke machine and let them dance away their winter blues.

Salt Dough

Make up a batch of salt dough using salt, flour, water, and a little oil. It’s just like play dough, except you can bake it. Kids can get creative by making ornaments, figurines, and all sorts of cool things. You can choose to color the dough any color, too, which opens up the possibilities of what they can create.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency we’re here to help you find homeowner’s insurance you can rely on all year long. Call and speak to one of our friendly agents today to learn about coverage options and get quotes from some of the best companies in Idaho.

 

 

Keep Your Home Safe With These BBQ Tips

If you are going to grill at your home in Boise, it’s important to follow a variety of barbecue prep tips. This will keep you and your home as safe as can be.

Your grill should never be used inside of a garage or enclosed patio. This is because the smoke needs somewhere to go, away from your home. The general rule is to keep the grill at least 20 feet away from the structure of your home.

Always attend the grill. If you are going to walk away, you need to have someone else watch the grill or turn the heat off so that there is no chance of flames or a fire.

The grill should always be cleaned prior to lighting it. You may have excess grease from the last time you grill. If you have a gas grill, there is also a reservoir of grease and other items at the bottom that needs to be cleaned out from time to time. Anything heavy in oils can cause flames and you want to be cautious about this.

Invest in a fire extinguisher, and keep it near your grill. More importantly, understand how to use it so that if there is a fire, you can react quickly.

Any time that you are grilling, you want to stay alert. Don’t drink too heavily, and always keep children and flammable items at a distance. When you go to clean the grill, be sure everything is cool. Never throw hot briquettes into the garbage can, and always turn off the gas tank if you are cooking with gas.

By following a few simple BBQ tips, you can keep your home safer.

At Fuhriman Insurance, we’re here to help you find a homeowner’s insurance policy to provide you with peace of mind. Call today to receive quotes.

 

 

How Do I Save Money On Home Insurance In Meridian?

Meridian, Idaho is a quickly growing city within the Boise metropolitan area. The home values are higher than what’s found in the rest of the state, though residents continue to move into the city. There are many things to do and there is a lot of new construction, providing shopping, employment opportunities, and entertainment.

As a homeowner, you need to purchase home insurance. However, you don’t want to spend more than what’s necessary. The question becomes how you go about saving money on your policy.

Step 1 – Work with independent agents

We have independent agents to help you in Idaho. This is your chance to ask questions about coverage options, learn about the various companies that do business in the state, and obtain quotes from the different companies so you can save as much money as possible by comparing rates.

Step 2 – Talk about the features of your home

Your home in Meridian may have all sorts of features to save you money. This can include a security system, film on the windows, safety switches on electrical appliances, and much more. Disclose the details of your home because there may be ways to save money that you weren’t aware of.

Step 3 – Look for discounts

There are some discounts that may be available to you. Working with independent agents can help you to purchase home insurance for less. They will actively find the various discounts that you qualify for, which can include:

– Retired military

– Have multiple policies from same insurance company

– Energy efficient home

– Member to AAA, USAA, or other organizations

It’s always a good idea to find out what you qualify for and agents can make it simple by doing a majority of the work on your behalf.

When you’re ready to save on home insurance in Meridian, call us to see how we can help.

4 Things To Learn From Home Insurance Quotes

Garden City, Idaho is a beautiful place to live. It’s a relatively quiet area with a population of close to 10,000 people. It’s far enough away from Boise that it’s not part of the metropolitan area, but close enough for people to be able to commute and visit for the various shopping and entertainment opportunities.

Home insurance is a must as a way of protecting your home. You want the very best in coverage and that’s why you will want to work with our insurance agency. We’re independent from any of the insurance companies in Idaho and this allows us to take the best approach for getting you a policy that is affordable and provides peace of mind.

When you get quotes, there are some things you will want to look at, including:

– The level of coverage

– The amount of coverage for each item

– The cost of the coverage

– The reputation of the insurance company

It’s great to get quotes, but you have to know what they really mean. For example, you need to look at the full level of coverage and how much you are protected against in all areas, otherwise you may be spending a lot of money after making a claim anyways, which defeats the purpose of having home insurance.

You can have affordable coverage and front a reputable insurance company. By working with our agency, we ensure you get quotes from companies you can count on. We look at ones that have longevity within the community of Garden City and who are known for paying claims quickly.

We want to help you get home insurance in Idaho and that’s why we have the most knowledgeable agents around. Call today and let us help you get quotes to start making comparisons.

Snow in Meridian, ID Presents Unique Home Insurance Needs

Meridian, ID is the third largest city in Idaho. As such, it has a lot to offer anyone who lives, works, or visits it. It is the home of the renowned Meridian Symphony Orchestra, a public art gallery located in the city hall, and 17 public parks with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. There is also a large outdoor mall, a racetrack, and an urban farmer’s market that is held every Thursday night in the summer. There is never a lack of activities for people of all ages in Meridian, and its backdrop of majestic natural scenery is amazing.

Naturally, as a large city, many people move to Meridian to work or go to school. While summers are mild, winters can be pretty rough, with lots of snow and even blizzards. That’s why it is important for homeowners to make sure they have enough coverage on their homeowners insurance when they move to this charming city. Anyone coming from an area without so much winter snow may not know just how much coverage they need in a snowy location. It’s far better to talk to a local agent and increase your coverage than be caught without it if the winter weather damages your home in some way.

A good idea is to take your current policy to your local Fuhriman Insurance Agency representative and discuss your options. You can also get an instant homeowners insurance quote on our website. Just tell us about your home in Meridian and you will get an instant amount sent back to you for the coverage you need. Whether you talk to a Fuhriman agent in person or get a quote online, be sure to look at your insurance policy and increase your coverage if necessary before winter arrives. You’ll be glad you took the time to protect your home.

Make Sure Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage is the Best

Garden City, ID is part of the greater Boise area, and is, in fact, mostly surrounded by that larger metropolitan city (though it maintains its own municipal government). This means it is right up close to all of the many Boise attractions. The Boise Art Museum and the Idaho Historical Museum are two of those popular attractions. A thriving indie music and theater scene are right there, as is the Boise Philharmonic. There is also a monthly art gallery stroll, and a large convention center that hosts famous national and international acts. In addition, there are plenty of malls, gourmet restaurants and cafes, and lots of outdoor areas with beautiful western scenery.

As a Garden City homeowner, you no doubt love your city. The area has a very high quality of life, and plenty to offer everyone of all ages. It is also extremely family friendly. The love you have for your home city means you want to do everything you can to protect your place there. This means protecting your home through an appropriate level of coverage on your homeowners insurance.

This means knowing whether you need additional damage protection or liability coverage. The weather can get pretty wild in the winter in Garden City, with lots of snow and blizzards. These can sometimes damage your home. If someone comes onto your property and slips and falls on hidden ice or other hazards you should have cleaned up long ago, you may discover yourself on the receiving end of a personal injury lawsuit or claim. These expenses can quickly bankrupt you. If you have good insurance coverage, however, your finances and your home will be protected.

Talk to a local agent at the Fuhriman Insurance Agency today to discuss your unique coverage needs in the 83714 zip code are. You can also get an instant quote online. Do it today, and protect the home and life in Garden City you've worked so hard to build for yourself and your family.