We all have summer on our minds! From road trips and vacations to backyard BBQs or even adventures on the water – it's time to prepare to enjoy all the fun coming your way by getting your cars, boats, and home protected against the heat and ready for summer!
Keep Cars Running Great All Summer
It's road trip season! Make sure your vehicle can handle sunny summer travel by doing some regular maintenance on your car or truck.
- When was your last oil change? Replace your oil and filter to protect your engine against sand, salt, and dust and keep it running smoothly all summer long!
- Check & top up all of your fluids to protect against overheating and breakdowns.
- Keep an eye on your tire pressure! Rough road conditions, potholes, and even air temperature can affect your tire pressure daily.
- If your vehicle is riding a little rough or pulling to the side, get your tires aligned. Proper alignment makes for a smoother ride, saves on gas, and can extend the life of your tires.
- Test your battery! Summer heat is the top cause of battery failure, and reduced battery life.
- Inspect your brakes to make sure the strain of stop-and-go traffic and holiday travel don't put summer vacation plans on hold.
Essential Maintenance For A Cool & Beautiful Home
Get ready to enjoy backyard summer cookouts and stay cool indoors with some simple home maintenance that can make a world of difference.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to turn counterclockwise to push cool air down and create a wind-chill effect. Switching the direction of your fans can make you feel cooler, plus it gives you a chance to wipe some dust off the blades while you're up there!
- Speaking of cool, service your AC before it gets too hot. Also, remember to change the air filter to get rid of the last of the spring pollen circulating through your house.
- Give your grill a good cleaning to prep for summer cookouts!
- Check your deck for loose nails or rotting boards. Replace and re-seal if needed!
- Pressure wash your driveway and home's exterior to keep it looking great all summer long!
Make Sure Your Boat Is Ship-Shape!
Ready to hit the water? Before you go, make sure your boat is cleaned up, sea-worthy, and ready to sail!
- If your boat has been sitting all winter, start by removing the covers, unpacking, and prepping for a thorough scrub-down.
- Clean surfaces with non-abrasive boat soap and a sponge. Rinse, let air dry, and seal with polish or boat wax to protect against the elements.
- If your boat has a freshwater system, flush it out and remove any leftover antifreeze. Open and inspect any seacocks. Ensure cool water is flowing through any outboard engines. Check sanitation systems if you have them. And finally, ensure bilge pumps are working properly.
- Inspect your engine or have a boat mechanic have a look to make sure everything is in proper working order.
- Finally, double-check emergency equipment and make sure your first-aid kit is stocked so you can be 100% prepared in case anything happens at sea!
Looking For Something To Do? See Fun Events Happening Soon!
Get out and enjoy the summer with tons of fun events for the family happening throughout the Grand Strand!
Thank you for being part of the LW Short Insurance family! If you ever need help reviewing your policy, adding a car or boat, or making changes to your home insurance, give us a call!
We hope you and your family all have a fun and safe start to summer!
