Whole House Solutions: Home Security Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

Taking extra security precautions not only protects your home and family, it can also qualify you for lower insurance premiums. Here are some measures you can implement today:

• Keep trees and shrubs near doors and windows trimmed to eliminate hiding places for burglars.
• Increase exterior lighting, especially by doors and windows.
• Equip exterior lighting fixtures with motion detectors that activate the lights when triggered.
• Deter burglars by installing deadbolts, padlocks, window and door grates, or other devices. However, make sure they will not block your way if you need to exit in case of an emergency. Install a home security system.
• Place artwork, collections, jewelry and other valuables where they can't be seen from outdoors.
• Remember to lock your windows and doors and arm your alarm.
• Don't keep your garage door opener in an unlocked car. Join a Neighborhood Watch program.

For more safety tips, contact your insurance agent or local police department.

Product Showcase: Never Misplace Your Keys Again

If you’ve ever misplaced your keys, or worried about your children losing theirs, consider equipping your new Wausau Home with keyless entries from Schlage. Attractive, convenient and easy to use, Schlage keypad entry locks and deadbolts mean you’ll never have to worry about losing or forgetting your keys again. Not at work. Not at the gym. Not at school or on the bus.

Keyless entries also enable you to control who has access to your home and when. Instead of giving neighbors a key while you’re on vacation, give them a temporary access code and delete it when you return—no more concerns about who has keys to your home. You can also use keyless entries to control access to restricted areas inside your home, such as your wine cellar or home office.

Controlled, keyless access—now that’s peace of mind!

Newsworthy Notes: Cedar Creek Homes recognized for Green Building Achievement

Cedar Creek Homes of Rockford, Mich., recently received Gold certification from Green Built Michigan, a third-party, nonprofit green home certification program based in Lansing. They earned the distinction for a Wausau home featuring energy-efficient construction and products.

"We see green building as the future of housing and aren't afraid to stack our homes against anything currently being built," said Lee Hyslop, president of Cedar Creek Homes.

Wausau Homes and Wausau Homes' builders use applied building science in the design and construction of new high-performance homes. A high-performance home relies on systems-engineered design, quality-controlled construction, and performance testing to ensure that it is healthy, comfortable, affordable, energy-efficient, durable and environmentally responsible.

Save money! Ask your builder how Wausau Homes' energy-efficient design and components can reduce your heating, cooling and electrical costs.

Tips and suggestions to be sure you'll still love your newhome.

• Write down a list of what you like and what you don't like about your current home.
• Discuss floor plans you like with your builder. Bring in advertisements, rough sketches, anything you have that can help your builder understand your preferences.
• If you have special needs (older adults visiting, young children), be sure to include them in the design process. Little things, like door levers instead of knobs, can make a home much more livable.