As the holiday season approaches and children build their wish lists, smart toys may be at the top.

In fact, by 2027, the smart toy market is expected to exceed $24 billion.

You may not have thought about it, but internet-connected toys typically have a built-in microphone and speaker and can potentially expose children and others in their household to data or identity theft.

How Smart are Smart Toys?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, smart toys run the risk of being accessed by criminals, just like any smart device.

So, while they are educational and fun for kids, do a little research first to help bring some peace of mind.

What should you know about the toy?

• Conduct a quick internet search. Look for any articles or complaints regarding security or privacy issues. Using terms such as “toy name” + “privacy” will yield results.
• Research security updates by searching “toy name” + “firmware” or “software” update. See what results pop up and if there’s an option to update the software or information about released updates. Without this page, the company might not issue regular software updates, which could leave it vulnerable to security breaches.
• See what watchdog and safe harbor groups have to say. Reviews and recommendations are common for children’s toys.

What features should you understand?

• Know what the microphone and speaker will be doing within the toy. Does it communicate back to the child and answer questions? Does it record? How long does it hold onto a recording? Be cautious about the data provided. It is essential to carefully review the terms, conditions and privacy policies to understand how the data collected will be used and protected.
• Determine the usage of Bluetooth on the toy. What does the Bluetooth connection do? Is there a PIN associated with it? Without a PIN, the Bluetooth connection can be accessed by anyone and monitored to find vulnerabilities. With a PIN, the connection is essentially locked, and other devices cannot access it.
• Understand what data is being accessed by the pairable app. Does it need access to an email or credit card? Does it connect to social media accounts? Does it require access to the photo gallery?
• Look for parental controls. Are there parental controls within the app or toy? How can a parent manage data and its use?

Add Some Extra Protection

At ERIE, there’s a coverage to help people recover from identity theft should it ever occur in your home.

Parents can add Identity Theft Recovery coverage to their homeowners or renters policy as an additional precaution.

“With Erie Insurance’s Identity Theft Recovery coverage, a customer would have access to their very own case manager who can help them take care of the many time-consuming tasks that have to be done to restore a person’s credit following identity theft, such as contacting credit bureaus and writing letters to governmental bodies like the Social Security Administration,” said Michelle Tennant, ERIE’s vice president of Home Products. “The coverage also pays some of the costs associated with identity theft, which may include not only lost wages but also filing fees for reapplying for loans or other types of credit, certain legal fees and more.”

Getting the keys to your new house is an exciting feeling. Now you can paint and decorate to start making your house feel like home.

While you’re getting moved into your new house, make sure you know where your property lines, utility meters and the all-important water shutoff valve are located. Find out why it matters when you read the full article.

Moving into a new house is an exciting time. But it can also come with a steep learning curve.

From the moment you get the keys, you’ll start to discover what makes your home unique – including the many systems that make it function.

As you familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of a new space, it helps to start with the basics. Because, let’s be honest: The best time to find your water shut-off valve is before your first leak – not after.

Here are 15 essential things you should know about in your new house:

1. Electric panels. Knowing the location of your home’s electric box will quickly pay off the first time you trip a breaker. Typically, electric panels are located in a basement, garage or utility closet. After finding them, familiarize yourself with the design of your breaker box. Know how to turn off the main circuit, as well as individual breakers. If the breakers aren’t labeled, take some time to turn each circuit off and correctly label the areas of your home they power.
2. Water shut-off valve. Whether you need to replace a leaky faucet or prevent a burst pipe from flooding your home, it’s important to know how to quickly turn off the water supply. To do this, you’ll need to locate the shut-off valve connected to the main water line entering your home. If your home has a basement, check for the shut-off along one of the outside walls. If your home does not have a basement, check for the water shut-off at ground level near your hot water tank. After you find it, make sure everyone in your home knows where the shut-off is located in case of a plumbing emergency.Because things like sewer and drain backup or flooding can happen at any time and can be expensive, consider adding Extended Water coverage¹ from Erie Insurance. It protects you if you have damage from floods caused by natural disasters, along with other causes of loss such as water backup from sewers or drains. With Extended Water, you’ll have coverage for direct physical loss to your home, garage or other structures, and personal property that’s been damaged as the result of an extended water event.
3. Gas shut-off valve. Depending on your home’s configuration, a number of appliances may be fueled by natural gas – including your water heater, fireplace, furnace, oven, dryer and more. Local building codes typically require that every natural gas fixture has its own shut-off valve. But in case of a gas leak, you should also know how to turn off the main gas supply in your home. In most cases, your main gas shut-off valve will be located outside the home near the gas meter (it may also require the use of a wrench). And remember: natural gas leaks can be deadly. So if you suspect a gas leak in your home, call 911 and evacuate the area immediately. 
4. Dryer vent. Did you know that clothes dryers cause roughly 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries and $192 million in direct property loss each year? To help protect your home from dryer fires, make sure you clean the lint from your dryer – and dryer vent – regularly. To clean your dryer vent, start by locating the point where it exits the house. This will likely be on an outside wall near your laundry room. But depending on your home’s design, the dryer could also vent through the roof. Then, use a dryer vent cleaning kit (available at any home improvement store) to remove any trapped lint. And make sure the vent isn’t obstructed from the outside. 
5. Sewer or septic lines. Nobody likes thinking about the wastewater system in their home. But if you ever experience a major plumbing issue, it helps to know where the key components of your sewer or septic system are located. If your home is connected to a city sewer system, find where your main sewer line exits the home and check for a cleanout valve. If you have an older home and the sewer cleanout isn’t serviceable, consider getting it replaced as preventative maintenance. For septic systems, you’ll also want to know where your tank access points are located, as well as any inspection ports. 
6. Well location. If your home isn’t connected to a city water supply, make sure you know the location of your well. Depending on your home’s design, the well may be located indoors in a crawlspace or basement. If you can’t find it inside, look for signs of a well cap, casing or pit in your yard. Knowing the location and general design of your well system can help expedite repairs if part of your system begins to leak or fail. 
7. Meter locations. To measure your home’s gas, electric and water use, each utility service will have its own meter. After locating these meters, be sure to keep the area around them clear and easily accessible.

8. Furnace filters. A clean furnace filter not only improves the air quality of your home – it also helps your furnace run more efficiently. Depending on the design of your furnace, experts recommend replacing the filter every 30 to 90 days. Note the location and size of your furnace filters, then pick up a few replacements to have on hand. We put together a helpful article addressing all of your furnace filter questions also.

9. Crawlspace and attic access. Every attic and crawlspace is different. Some may provide access to utilities and appliances, while others are just empty space. Either way, it helps to know how you can gain access to each area of your home – just in case. It’s also helpful if you hear little feet running around up there and need to check your attic for squirrels.
10. Sprinkler system. Does your new home have a sprinkler or irrigation system? If so, take the time to understand how it works. This includes learning how to set the timers, shut off the system and winterize the pipes to prevent freeze damage. 
11. Smoke alarms. Ensure that you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. Then test them regularly to confirm the batteries work. You may also want to check the expiration date (smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years). If you have young children, let them hear the sound of an alarm in advance. This will help them recognize the sound during an actual emergency.
12. Property lines. After you buy a new home, familiarize yourself with its exact property lines. You can do this by using a metal detector to find the stakes buried at your property lines, or get a surveyor to mark the lines for you. Not only will this help you decide where to install your fence or landscaping, it can also prevent potential property disputes from your neighbors.

13. Sump pump. Failing sump pumps are a notorious cause of home flooding. To ensure your sump pump is working properly, test it a few times each year. You can do this by pouring water into the sump pit until the pump kicks on. To protect against damage caused by a failing sump pump, you may also want to consider adding an ErieSecure Home® bundle to your homeowners insurance policy. Our Plus and Select bundles give you the option to add Sewer or Drain Backup coverage², which covers losses caused by water that overflows from a sump pump.
14. Gutters and downspouts. Poor drainage can be a common cause for wet basements. Help direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation by inspecting your gutters and downspouts. Make sure the gutters are clear and test any underground drains with a garden hose to check for clogs. If water starts backing up, you’ll want to clear the lines or redirect your downspouts away from the home. Regularly inspecting your home can also help prevent heavy rain from doing a number on it when it hits.

15. Fireplace. If your home has a gas or wood-burning fireplace, familiarize yourself with how it’s designed. Learn how to operate the damper (it should be open when using the fireplace and closed at all other times). The Chimney Safety Institute of America also recommends that your chimney is inspected once a year to protect against risks associated with fire and carbon monoxide.

We can’t say it enough: If it can rain (or snow), it can flood. Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes, or it may creep up slowly, but either way it can cause massive amounts of damage. Typically, nature handles excess water by sweeping it away into streams, lakes and rivers or just absorbing it into the ground. But we all know Mother Nature can be fickle, so when she opens the floodgates, it can be detrimental to your home, property and all your belongings.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know that their homeowners policy doesn’t cover flooding. What’s more, they usually don’t discover that until after a costly loss. Floods are the most expensive and destructive natural disaster in the United States, according to FEMA, and can occur in every state. At Erie Insurance, we’re here to bring you peace of mind, which is why we’ve introduced our Extended Water coverage.

What is Extended Water Coverage?

ERIE’s Extended Water coverage¹ provides protection for your home in the event of a sewer or drain backup, or from flooding such as inland flooding, tidal water, storm surge or mudflow and mudslide. This endorsement can be added to your ErieSecure Home^® policy (or bundle) and offers protection for your home, garage or other structures and personal property²— including that stuff you’ve stored in your basement. To avoid losing valuables, make sure you know what not to store in your basement, because there are some things even we can’t replace!

Floods are devastating, they can damage homes both above and below ground, as well as displace families for extended periods of time. Extended Water coverage is designed to help cover things like:

• Basements and other rooms
• Water backups from sewers and drains
• Repair and replacement costs for your home and personal property³
• Flood avoidance reimbursement (up to $10,000)⁴
• Temporary relocation costs, like a hotel or short-term rental⁵

But Why Do I Need Extended Water?

As we’ve mentioned, flooding can happen anywhere, to anyone. Yet your typical homeowners policy doesn’t cover it and only a staggering 4% of homeowners actually have flood coverage — as estimated by Milliman, an independent risk management, benefits and technology firm.

Sadly, many people assume since they aren’t in a high-risk area it’s not a needed coverage. But did you know that over 25% of flood claims come from individuals living outside high-risk zones? What’s even more earth shattering is just a single inch of water in a home is estimated to cost over $25,000 in repairs. Quite a hefty bill for such a small amount of water.

With the help of Harris Poll, ERIE conducted a national poll to see just how much water people thought was needed to necessitate replacing baseboards and drywall. In the poll, 53% of survey participants stated 5 inches or more would be needed. Sadly, the truth is only 3 inches of water can destroy baseboards and drywall. The cost flooding and other water damage brings to families can be a major financial strain that can hang over people for years. Our Extended Water coverage is here to ease uncertainties and ensure that in the event of a flood, we’ll be right there to get you back on your feet.

A Little Preparedness Goes a Long Way

Let’s say you live in a new development near a stream. After a few days of steady rain, you become concerned about the rising water and buy sandbags to place around the basement door. The stream floods the neighborhood and still makes its way into your home, despite your attempt to avoid it. Extended Water would provide coverage for the sandbags⁴ plus damage to your home and contents.³

If you’re expecting a large flood or storm to come through the area, we highly encourage you take some flood safety steps to help protect yourself and your family. As always, your safety is the top priority, and in the event of a flooding disaster, rest easy knowing we’ll be there. Ensure you protect your house — above and below ground — and make sure your coverage is up to date.

Frost heave occurs when ice forms underneath soil. As the frozen soil switches between freezing and thawing, it can cause the very foundation of your house to shift since frozen soil has about 10 percent more volume than dry soil. This can lead to serious structural damage to your foundation.

Frost heave can happen in any place that experiences cold temperatures. Yet it is most common when a source of water feeds into poorly drained or frost-susceptible soil like loams and silts. (In general, you can tell if you have these types of soils by touch. Loams are loose and will form a ball in your hand that crumbles when you poke it. Silts are made of small particles that feel slick and sticky when wet; they also resist water, so puddles will often form on top of them when it rains.)

Wall cracks are a telltale sign of frost heave. Cracks are most common on the interior walls, but they can also occur on exterior walls. Other signs of frost heave can include cracked, tilted or displaced concrete floor slabs.

If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to get in touch with a foundation repair specialist. Some of the long-term steps they can take to help your house recover from frost heave after eliminating any contributing water sources include:

• Hydraway drainage systems: They direct water away from your foundation. In many ways, they are similar to French drains—but manufacturers often claim they are less prone to clogs than French drains.
• Helical piers: They act as shafts that bear the weight of your home.
• Helical wall anchors: They will permanently reinforce the foundation.
• Soil stabilization: This process involves injecting polymers into the soil so it will resist water infiltration.
• Soil replacement: This typically involves replacing poor soil with fill sand (a blend of sand, dirt and clay that compacts well) down to frost depth (this varies depending on where you live).

Heaving can also be caused by tree roots or pressure from nearby buildings. To find out what is causing damage to your house, make sure to contact a certified foundation contractor.