Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob Carnie: Greg Marcyniuk, Heritage Insurance, it's his turn on "Ask The Expert" today. And never mind the 12 Days of Christmas, we've got the 12 Tips for Christmas from Heritage Insurance today. Greg, get it started.
Greg Marcyniuk: This time of year, it's exciting, there's lots of warmth, good cheer to enjoy, but there are also some things that we do have to take note of and be very aware of. So, first tip is you'll be home for Christmas if your car is prepared. So with the winter weather changing quite dramatically throughout, as we've gone through in this past time, it's a good idea that you include a roadside emergency kit with pylons, blankets, water, food, salt, and flares.
And it's also wise to invest in a portable battery for your phone in the event you do get stuck. And if you don't have winter tires yet, I do highly recommend them, it just is a lot safer and a lot easier to get around in the ice. Avoid a home alone situation. And what I'm saying is here, if you're planning to get away, whether it's down south, or whether it's going to see parents, in-laws, always best that you make sure that you have a timer on your lights, you have somebody coming in and checking it regularly.
If you don't have that, have a doorbell, have a security camera. And another great thing is to have actual an alarm system, and the alarm system actually does give you a discount on your insurance. So that will give you, you know, a little bit more sense of security. And I always say it's beginning to look a lot like phish-mas, that's with a P. The internet is an easy place to go and shop, get your Christmas guests from the comfort of your home.
And on that, you should think local when you're buying, get out, buy local if you can. But there's a lot of illegitimate phishing emails that are coming out there during the Christmas season. As well, there's a lot of websites that are not really great, you know, that are scams. And be wary of suspicious emails. And when you do order a gift, make sure it's from a trustworthy site.
As well, there's a lot of personal risk, especially when using cards online. Silver and gold, silver and gold. Ensure you insure your silver and gold. If you are planning on purchasing expensive jewelry, whether it be for your spouse or a friend, whatever, remember that while you have possession of that item, you are responsible for it.
And if something happens, it does fall under your personal property insurance. So you want to make sure that you have it covered for yourself, and that the limits are right. So it's important that you contact your broker, and make sure that if you either need to increase your coverage or make sure you extend the coverage.
And don't let the Grinch steal Christmas. Right now, with this time of year, there's so many packages being delivered. And they're being put in the front door or on your front porch. So you've got to really be wary of porch pirates. So there's always opportunities for these people to steal, and best that you track your actual package very closely so that you know when and where it will be arriving.
Also, you may want to put a front door camera, it deters the thefts as well. And if you're Christmas shopping, it's always wise to put your Christmas gifts either in the trunk or cover it with a blanket because people are just looking for the quick smash and grab, because they know new product's there.
Rob Carnie: Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Greg Marcyniuk: That's correct. And the last for this session is Oh Christmas Tree, how dried out are your branches. So if you are actually getting a Christmas tree, of which they have the highest rate of fires throughout Canada, because if you don't water them, they become very dry, and either a light or a spark from a fireplace can actually ignite very easily.
So first and foremost, keep it watered and, of course, keep it away from any flammables whatsoever. Or the other thing is to buy an artificial tree, and there's a lot of artificial trees that actually have the lights on them. I know I've got one, very easy to put up.
Rob Carnie: Well, the 12 Tips for Christmas, that's 6 of them. We'll do the other six in a couple of weeks. Greg Marcyniuk, Heritage Insurance, on "Ask The Expert."
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