Social media can be a fun and engaging way to connect with family and friends through quick and simple updates. While you might think social media posts and pictures are harmless and innocent, others might see them as opportunities for theft, vandalism and other criminal activity. Social media posts can easily put people and property at risk, so it's important to understand how criminals can use our social media posts against us, and safer ways to communicate through social media.

From a young age we're taught the many dangers of fires, and how to protect ourselves if we're ever near a fire. Unfortunately, as adults we can sometimes forget to use caution around fire, or we may be unaware of hidden fire dangers in our homes or apartments. To help protect your family, home and possessions, we're going to look at personal fire hazards and property fire hazards so you and your loved ones can stay safe.

If you watch the local or national news for even just 5 minutes, you're bombarded with images of disasters or tragic events here in Houston, across the U.S. or overseas. In our turbulent world disasters can strike at any time, from home burglaries, mudslides, apartment fires, plane crashes, car accidents and more. We can't always avoid the dangers that exist in this world, but we can do our part to minimize their impact in our lives, and in the lives of our loved ones.

There are lots of safety measures we can take to ensure our own protection, as well as securing our possessions and valuables. These precautions can include everything from car alarms, fire extinguishers, security systems, smoke detectors and safety deposit boxes. However, when renting an apartment or townhouse, there is an increased threat to personal safety and possessions because of the close proximity of other tenants.

As cooler temperatures begin to return to Houston, many homeowners and business owners begin making preparations for winter, including decorating the inside and outside of their home or business, bringing out winter clothes, and making holiday plans with family and friends.

As discussed in last week's blog, many parents help prepare their college students for the new school year by purchasing laptops, smartphones, furniture, appliances, and other needed items. One major asset college students also take with them is a vehicle, either their own car or a family vehicle.

In the greater Houston area, there are thousands of residents and their families who are currently renting apartments, townhomes, condominiums and rental houses all throughout the city. Many people rent as they save and prepare for an eventual purchase of a home, or they rent because they enjoy the benefits of having no property maintenance, lower utility costs and nearby amenities like pools and exercise facilities.

In today's global economy, a growing number of large multinational companies are sending employees across cities, states, countries and continents in order to meet specific job needs in different locations. Specific projects may require employees and their families to pack up and relocate for anywhere from a few months, a few years, or even permanently.

In today's volatile economy, consumers across the county are looking for innovative new ways to save money and help their paychecks go farther. This can mean scaling back on entertainment expenses, carpooling to reduce fuel consumption, or buying groceries in bulk. One important, but often overlooked, way to save on your monthly expenses is to evaluate your current insurance policies and consider bundling your insurance policies together with one insurance agency.