For the quote to qualify, the individual cannot be a current State Farm customer, but please refer friends and family to help support this organization. 

When calling in/stopping by for a quote, be sure to mention Quotes for Good and our organization’s name for the quote to qualify. We are excited about the opportunity to generate donations and create awareness about this cause. Call 343-4959 or visit our office at 8331 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

Thank you for supporting us through Quotes for Good. Together, we can make a difference in our community.

For the quote to qualify, the individual cannot be a current State Farm customer, but please refer friends and family to help support this organization. 

When calling in/stopping by for a quote, be sure to mention Quotes for Good and our organization’s name for the quote to qualify. We are excited about the opportunity to generate donations and create awareness about this cause. Call 343-4959 or visit our office at 8331 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY 14020

Thank you for supporting us through Quotes for Good. Together, we can make a difference in our community.

If you don't have double-paned windows, remove the screens and install storm windows to ensure that the heat stays in and the cold stays out. If you're on a tight budget, pick up an inexpensive plastic-film sheet kit from your local hardware store. These will only last one season, but they do help with energy efficiency and are able to halt the cold flow of winter drafts. If you have a fireplace, burning firewood is another way to save energy costs. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly -- about an inch -- and close doors leading into the room. That will prevent the fire from drawing warm air out of the rest of the house and replacing it with cold air. And remember to store your firewood in a dry place at least 30 feet from your home to avoid a fire hazard.

Protect your pipes
Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures. When the forecast calls for unusually cold temperatures, let water drip from hot and cold faucets overnight. Also try keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate in places like below sinks. If you open the cabinet doors, be sure to remove anything inside the cabinets that may pose a safety to hazard to children, such as household cleaners. For exposed pipes in your attic, basement or crawl spaces, add extra insulation around them. View the tips to avoid frozen pipes for more information.

Be ready for an emergency
Blackouts and snow-ins can occur during winter months, so take a moment to prepare yourself and your family for such emergencies. Having the following items ready will help you make it through safely.

• Flashlights
• Bottled water
• Nonperishable food items
• Blankets
• Phone numbers for your utility companies
• Battery backup to protect your computer and other important electronic equipment
• First-aid kit

Decorate safely
'Tis the season to be festive, but remember to stay safe with your holiday decorations. Inspect the wires of your light display before switching them on—they may be frayed and present an electrical fire hazard. Same goes for the Christmas tree inside -- always check the light strands for any sign of wear and tear from being in storage. If you have a real Christmas tree, keep it watered, since dry trees catch fire easier. Check with your local municipality for instructions on how to dispose of the tree once the new year arrives.

Don't forget yard care
Even with the cold weather conditions, your yard still needs to be maintained. Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows. Icy conditions can cause branches to break and damage your home. Walk around your home and survey the roof to see if any ice dams have formed; call a contractor if you suspect this is the case. As you walk around your house, check the foundation for small cracks or openings where mice or other pests can tunnel in. Winter is when they seek the warmth of your house, so seal up any possible entrances. While you're outside, clear snow off gas meters and away from basement windows and your dryer exhaust vent.

• Scrub hands with soap under warm water for 20 seconds. Do the same after handling food, especially raw meat or poultry, to avoid cross-contamination.
• Clean counters, cutting boards, dishes and silverware with hot water and soap before and after preparing each food item.
• Wash fruits and vegetables to remove surface dirt, but do not rinse raw meat or poultry —  this makes it more likely for bacteria to spread.

Heat food to proper temperature

• Color is never a reliable indicator of safely cooked food. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry, and fish are cooked to a safe internal temperature — typically 165 degrees.
• Frying your turkey? Follow our turkey fryer safety tips.

Keep foods at appropriate temperatures

• Keep hot foods at 140 degrees or warmer with chafing dishes, slow cookers and warming trays.
• Keep cold foods at 40 degrees or colder. Nest serving dishes in bowls of ice and store moist desserts, such as pumpkin pie and cakes with whipped frosting, in the refrigerator until serving.
• Never let food sit out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Store leftovers safely

• Divide leftovers into shallow containers, which allow rapid cooling, before storing in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Never defrost food at room temperature. Use a microwave or oven to reheat foods to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• Eat leftover food within three to four days.

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn;
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road;
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs;
• Always buckle up — every trip, every time;
• Use your high beams to see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic;
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving; this can result in a more severe crash;
• Remain focused on the road; scan for hazards, including animals;
• Avoid distractions; devices or eating might cause you to miss seeing an animal;
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles; they are not proven effective;
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear; keep focus on the road ahead.

Mark Lewis Agency - State Farm, 8331 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Call today 585-343-4959 > Click here to visit us online <

Inside your home - Kitchen

• Dishwasher – Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.
• Refrigerator – If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.
• Sink – Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.

Click headline to read more after the jump:

Bathroom

• Showers and bathtubs – Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors.
• Sinks – Check under the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes.
• Toilets – Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak.

Basement, Laundry or Utility room

• Washing machine – Check hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around hose ends. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program. To help make sure the hose doesn’t kink, leave at least four inches (or 11 centimeters) between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.
• Water heater – Most water heaters last eight to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a leak. Water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home, next to a floor drain, or inside a drain pan piped to the floor drain.
• Sump pump – Battery-operated back-up sump pumps can help protect against power failure or failure of the primary pump. Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have some components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.

Since water may still come through an overflowing drain or cracks in the foundation walls, make sure items stored in the basement are kept off the floor. Furniture should be on casters or shims and arranged away from floor drains.

Stopping leaks at the source

• Check for hidden leaks. First, turn off faucets and all water-using appliances, and don’t flush toilets for one hour. Then, record the water meter reading. If the flow indicator (triangular or diamond-shaped rotating button) is spinning or the meter reading has changed while no water is being used, a leaking pipe may exist.
• Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Check it frequently for problems, and shut off the water if you will be away from your home for several days or longer.

Outside your home - Roof

• Keep the roof free from leaves, twigs, and other litter to allow for proper drainage. 
• Make sure air can flow freely through all soffit and roof vents. This will reduce the buildup of heat and moisture and help extend the life of the roof.
• Consult a professional on using a preservative or cleaner (depending on the type of roof you have) to help limit the weathering effects of moisture and retard growth of molds and mosses.
• Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof or providing excessive shade.
• Replace missing, curling, cupping, broken, or cracked shingles.
• Watch for damage in valley areas of the roof, and around the flashing at chimneys, vents, and other junctions.
• Check your attic around flues, plumbing vents, and chimneys for roof leaks, especially if you’ve noticed water stains on the ceiling.

From the gutters to the ground

• Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts, and inspect them regularly. Think about installing gutter shields if your gutters frequently fill with debris.
• Place splash blocks at the end of downspouts to carry water away from the foundation, or add an extra length of downspout if necessary.
• Every spring, have the air conditioning (A/C) system serviced by a qualified contractor. Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the A/C condensation pan drain line. Change the air filters on a regular basis.
• Before winter starts, disconnect garden hoses from all spigots and turn off each spigot’s water supply.
• Replace any damaged caulk around windows or doors.
• Repaint wood siding as needed.
• Fill in any low spots next to the house to help water drain away from the foundation.

Hardware that can help

Even after taking the preventions we’ve discussed here, check frequently around the house for signs of leaks. It’s important to find them before they cause serious damage. Of course, it’s impossible to keep watch for signs of trouble 24 hours a day. Fortunately there are water leak detection systems that can help.

Water alarms

• These systems are usually battery-operated, stand-alone units. The moisture sensor on the device will sound an alarm when it senses moisture.
• Water alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. They can be placed on the floor or mounted on a wall. They should be located in high-risk areas such as under sinks and near appliances and equipment that use water. 
• This device can help only if someone is inside the home, hears the alarm, and takes action. 

Individual appliance systems

• These systems are installed on a specific appliance and will automatically shut off the water supply in case of a leak. 
• Depending on the type of device, you may be able to install this system without any special tools. However, in some cases, a qualified plumber may be needed.

Whole-house systems

• These systems feature a shut-off valve that is installed on the main water supply pipe. When a leak is detected, the system will automatically shut off the entire water supply.
• If you travel often, this type of system could help you rest assured while you are away from home.
• Whole-house systems typically take between four and six hours to install and a qualified plumber is normally required. For a product list, visit statefarm.com®

For more information on how to prevent water damage and improve home safety, please contact Mark Lewis at State Farm® at (585) 343-4959 or visit us online at: www.marklewisagency.com.

• Check your roof for loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles. Make sure flashing is secure around vents and chimneys.
• Gutters should be clean, properly aligned and securely attached. Downspouts should direct water away from the house.

Here are some tips on burglary prevention for both inside and outside of your home:

Inside the House

• Set timers on interior lights: This goes a long way in deterring burglars, who often look for crimes of opportunity. Don't allow your house to appear as if no one is home.
• No status updates: Never broadcast your location on Facebook or Twitter. Even if you think that it's only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profile, it's safest not to leave any sort of opening for a possible burglar.
• Alert alarm company: If you have an automatic security system in place, call your representative, announcing you'll be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set properly when you leave.
• Secure valuables: If you don't already have your jewelry or other valuables in a safe deposit box, now might be the time to do so. Doing this also ensures that you don't leave out anything valuable in plain sight that a burglar might be able to see from a window.
• Lock all doors and windows: It might seem obvious, but double-check just to be sure.

• Arrange for lawn care: Have your landscaping tended to by a friendly neighbor or local service. Before you leave, trim tree branches that might allow access to a climbing burglar.
• Newspaper and mail: Stop mail and newspaper deliveries, or have them regularly picked up by a neighbor. Again, you don't want to easily clue in a burglar to your absence by the mounting newspapers on your doorstep.
• Exterior lighting: Set these lights on timers as well, to deter burglars.
• Don't leave spare keys outdoors: Collect any hidden spare keys from around the exterior of your home. Remember, burglars know the most popular hiding places, like beneath mats and in potted plants.
• Lock up garage: Even if there is no entrance to your house from the garage, there's still a chance for numerous things to be stolen. Secure the door and any entrances to the garage.

For more information or insurance coverage: please call the Mark Lewis Agency at: (585) 343-4959 or stop by, we're located at: 8331 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY. Visit us online at: http://www.marklewisagency.com/

When you walk into the Mark Lewis Agency office on East Main Street today, it's not hard to spot who the retiree is -- Jean Clarke's desk is festooned with balloons and flowers.

There's a day-long reception at the office to celebrate Clarke's retirement after 26 years with the insurance agency. There are refreshments available. Clarke -- who appeared to be actually working this morning during our visit -- wraps up her final day at 4 p.m.