Happy Holidays to Everyone!

The holidays are a truly magical time of year when we all get to share in our own unique traditions and spend time with friends and family. There's nothing quite like this time of year and it's hard to believe there can be a downside to this special season. But the truth is, crime rises during the holidays, especially for those who travel and leave their home vulnerable to would be thieves.

Here are some precautions to take so your home doesn't become a target for these holiday bandits while you're away from home!

1) MAIL - It's a good idea to either have a trusted neighbor retrieve your mail each day, or go to the post office and see if they can hold your mail until you return.

2) PERCEPTION - Make sure NOT to do anything drastically different around your home before you leave. Leave it looking like it usually does. Maybe leave a light or two on. Some people even leave a talk-radio station on in the house to create the perception someone is still home.

3) SHHHH - Keep your vacation plans  quiet, especially on social media sites. Criminals use these sites like a catalog, just looking for an opportunity to strike.

4) A TRUSTED FRIEND - One of the best ways to keep your home and property safe while your away is to lean on a trusted friend to either stay there as a house-sitter, or make frequent visits to check on everything while you're away.

5) HIDDEN KEYS - If you have hidden keys around your property for emergencies. Make sure to change the location often and it's a good idea to retrieve them and keep inside if you're going to be away for a few days.

6) ENERGY - This has nothing to do with thieves or burglars, but you can protect your wallet while you're away by adjusting the thermostats to save energy :)

7) SECURITY SIGNS - Make sure to advertise your security system prominently. Most security companies provide both yard signs and window stickers for their customers. If you don't have these, get some! Even if you don't have a security system, get some stickers to give the illusion that you do.

8) VALUABLES - It's recommended to keep valuables like jewelry, cash, etc. in a safe. if you don't have a safe or lock-box, make sure to take extra precautions by hiding these items in a part of the house that an intruder would never be able to find.

9) ALARM COMPANY - most security system providers recommend you call and alert them when you plan to leave. This way, ANY out of the ordinary activity around your property is an immediate red-flag, this allows them to respond quickly.

We hope this simple checklist helps you take the necessary precautions to keep your property safe when you are away. This information provided by Rainforest Plumbing & Air

Prevent Plumbing Pipes From Freezing and Breaking.

In the Phoenix Arizona area one would think we don't have to worry about freezing pipes, but this is far from the truth. In fact, because we live in such a warm area, we tend not to worry enough about frozen pipes. This is why a hard freeze can sneak up on you and wreak havok on your plumbing and your budget! Depending on where a pipe break occurs, the damage caused by flooding can be extensive and may even require demolition and reconstruction of certain parts of your home or business.

Here a a few ways to prevent pipes from breaking to to freezing temperatures.

1) Cover all exposed exterior pipes and hose bibs with insulating material, here are a few suggestions:
    - Wrap pipes and faucets with commercial foam pipe insulation material available at Lowes or home Depot.
    - Wrap with bath towels (not recommended in freezing rain conditions)
    - Cover exposed pipes and plumbing with cardboard boxes

2) Open cabinets where plumbing is in exterior walls to allow warm air to circulate inside the cabinets.

3) Run your heater more than normal, a little saving on energy is not worth the risk of freezing pipes.

4) Be aware of where all of your plumbing pipes are. Many pipe breaks occur in attics where homeowners didn't even realize they had pipes.

5) Pool equipment is especially exposed. You should cover equipment as you would your plants to prevent freezing. It is also recommended to leave equipment running during freezing night time temperatures.

6) Be aware of the predicted night time temperate for your area. Watch the news or check a reliable weather source on your smart phone so you know when to take precautions.

We hope this information helps you take the necessary measures to prevent pipe freezing and protect your property. If for any reason you experience a broken pipe of any kind, Rainforest Plumbing & Air has 24-7 Emergency services available. Just give them a call at 602-253-9376