The importance of having a no soliciting/no trespassing sign:

Imagine getting home from work trying to wind down and relax. Or maybe you just put your child to bed?and suddenly you hear someone knocking on your front door. You would rather not answer the door, so you decide to just ignore the knocking, hoping they go away. Minutes pass by, and the knocking continues. You start to feel a little frustrated by the persistent knocking. 
  
Most of us have experienced the frustration of having strangers come to our door uninvited when we least expect or want them to. Whether it be a salesperson or someone looking to promote a cause, those surprise knocks can really throw you off. 

So how many unwanted visitors does it take before you decide to hang a property sign letting them know they are not welcome on your property? For most people, it's just too many times! 
  
Most people don?t realize how easy the solution is to this problem. It's as simple as placing a sign on your business or home. Property signs like "No Soliciting," "No Trespassing," and "No Loitering" aren?t just for show. They?re an effective way to communicate expectations without confrontation, protect your space, and set clear boundaries to reduce unnecessary interruptions. But what do these signs mean, and do they really work?

What does "No soliciting" mean?

A solicitor is someone who goes door-to-door selling or advertising goods, services, or information. Examples of solicitors: salespeople, petitioners, and campaigners. 

• No soliciting means no one is allowed to come to your business or property with the intent of selling or promoting products or services of any kind.   

• Examples of soliciting: signing individuals up for subscriptions or collecting donations for a charity or a fundraiser. 

• Materials used: lightweight industry-standard plastic or large heavy-duty aluminum (great for outdoor use).

• Design: engraved plastic (laser engraver used) or full-color plastic (UV printing used).

We have an abundance of sign designs you can choose from, like our funny no soliciting signs!

A "No soliciting" sign clearly tells visitors that you are not interested in what they are selling and don?t appreciate those unexpected knocks at your door. 

What does "No trespassing" mean?

• No trespassing means that no one is allowed to enter or stay on your business, home, or private property without your authorization. 

• Examples of trespassing: walking across your lawn (especially on private property) without permission, entering a closed or restricted area, and entering gated communities without consent. 

• Materials used: plastic or aluminum with protective coating to ensure it lasts for a long time outdoors   

A "No trespassing" sign is a legal notice that tells visitors they are not allowed on the property. If they don't leave, legal action will be taken.

What does "No loitering" mean?

• No loitering means that no one is allowed to stay and linger on or around your business, home, or property without any real reason. 

• Examples of loitering: standing outside a specific area for long periods of time, such as a store, a park, or a school. 

• Materials used: aluminum that features a vinyl overlay that can also have a protective coating added to help outdoor signage last as long as possible.  

A "No loitering" sign reminds visitors they can?t remain in the area for an extended amount of time for no particular reason. 

Do "No Soliciting" signs actually work?

Yes! No soliciting signs can be super effective at discouraging unwanted visitors from coming to your property.  

Do "No soliciting" signs deter all types of solicitors?

Deterrent: In most cases, signs do prevent most types of solicitors from coming to your business or property, as they do want to respect the property owner?s wishes, avoid confrontation, and avoid any sort of legal trouble.
  
Limitations: Some groups, such as religious groups and political canvassers, can be exempted from ?no soliciting? rules and walk right past your sign. This is due to local and federal laws such as the First Amendment of protection (freedom of speech). Your property rights still matter, though, and if you tell them to leave, they are legally required to leave. 

How to legally keep someone off your property?

Legal Enforcement: Door-to-door soliciting isn?t illegal in America, but if there is a property sign posted for all to clearly see stating no soliciting/no trespassing, then unwanted visitors will have to leave. If they refuse to leave, they could be charged with fines for trespassing. You also would have the right to contact law enforcement.

Where should I place the signs on my property?

First things first, check your HOA or local laws to see if there are any guidelines for sign placement on your property or business.

Sign placement for effectiveness: The general guideline is to place the sign in an area that is easily visible from all directions. Make sure the sign is not covered by trees, vehicles, mailboxes, etc.

Best places for signs: 

• Driveway entrance  
• Front door/front yard   
• Front-facing window or fence  
• Larger properties will need to place signs at multiple access points. 

Overall, make sure the sign is placed at an eye-level spot and visible before someone reaches your door.

How can I make my no soliciting sign even more effective?

The effectiveness of a sign depends on visibility, clarity of wording, and tone. Make sure your text is large, readable, and weatherproof. Customize the wording on the sign to clearly state your expectations and wishes for your business or property. 
A well-placed, clear sign helps enforce your rights and protect your peace. Here at CustomSigns.com, we make it easy for you to find or create a sign.

Types of property signs

We have a variety of private property, business, and residential signs. Our signs are made from durable plastic or aluminum materials. They are available in a wide range of different sizes and designs.  

Our collection includes warning signs, notice signs, address signs, and other signs to fit your business or property needs. We also have Beware of Dog, Do Not Enter, and No Parking signs. Check out our page to view our full collection!

Tired of unexpected knocks at your business or home door? Then look no further than here. Browse our website to explore our wide variety of signs and finally stop unwanted visitors from disrupting your peace!

When it comes to signage for our businesses, events, or even our homes, it's good to know how to keep them vibrant and clean so they'll be good for years to come!

However, no matter what kind of sign you get, there will always be enemies outside?sunlight, wind, dirt, and many other external forces that can affect your sign.

That's why we've put together a guide on how to properly care for your outdoor signage, whether it's brass, aluminum, plastic, or even yard signs!

UV Laminate or UV Spray

A UV laminate or spray can be applied to the majority of our custom signs. For brass signs, a UV spray is used to seal the engraved or printed brass with a protective barrier that will ensure that the sign does not rust and is not altered by UV rays when used outdoors.

For aluminum signs and yard signs, a UV laminate is applied to the vinyl overlay. The laminate ensures that the vinyl will stay vibrant even in harsh sunlight. It also adds an extra protective barrier against scratches and other damage.

Placement

Where you place your sign is just as important! The first step to ensuring that your sign is sure to last outside is picking the right place to display it.

A flat surface with well-secured mounting is a great place to start. Placing a sign on curved surfaces makes it more likely to bend or fall off when placed outside. So make sure you select the right mounting and placement for your outdoor sign!

We suggest mounting options such as pre-drilled holes or a strong adhesive tape that is meant to last outside.

Routine care

Checking up on your signs and performing routine care is a great habit to get into if you plan on having a sign outdoors for quite some time.

Sign care is quite simple, so this is one of your easiest steps. All signs are easily cleaned with a non-abrasive washcloth and some warm soapy water. Keeping your sign clean will keep it looking new and will avoid any buildup or staining from outdoor conditions.

Best Sign Types for Outdoors

Now that you know how to care for your outdoor sign, it's time to think about which outdoor sign will work for you! Thankfully, the majority of our signs at Custom Signs are suited for outdoor use.

Plastic Signs: For plastic signs, your best option will be an engraved plastic sign due to its durability and long-lasting design. When engraving signs, even though they will not be as vibrant and colorful as full-color plastic, they are less likely to fade due to sun exposure.

Aluminum Signs: Any of our aluminum signs will be a great option for outdoor use! The signs are made from rust-proof aluminum and durable vinyl. However, we do advise a UV laminate for extended outdoor use.

Brass Signs: Brass is similar to plastic in that engraved brass is going to be your best bet. Additionally, having your text oxidized and then given a UV spray will further aid in your sign's longevity. The oxidization will prevent further rusting, and a UV spray will protect it from sunlight damage.

Yard Signs: All of our yard signs are ideal for outdoor use, and, just like the aluminum signs, they will benefit from a UV laminate. This is for when you intend on having your yard sign outdoors for quite some time to really get your message across!

Be sure you know that you're getting the right outdoor sign for you or your business! With so many sign options and designs, it can be tough to choose, but here at Custom Signs, we can help you decide!

This holiday season, and all year, there are things you can do to ease some of the pain points of package delivery. Here are some of our top tips to receiving your gifts and food deliveries safely:

Security Tips:

Post home security system signs and decals. Homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized.¹ If you can?t afford an upscale home monitoring system with surveillance cameras, the mere presence of home security signs can greatly decrease the chance of your home being broken into, or packages being taken from your doorstep.

Post signs such as:

• Home surveillance camera signs
• Home security system signs

Convenience and Privacy Tips:

Let your delivery drivers know where to place packages and make it harder to view deliveries from the street. You can create blockades with planters, benches, hedges and more that will keep your deliveries hidden from view.

Delivery drivers are often glad to help keep your packages discrete. You can even post a small sign (that is not visible from the street) that let?s them know where to leave your packages, food deliveries and more. With the increased popularity of food deliveries as well, small signs can help drivers know where to place your items to protect them from theft, insects and weather.

Packaging and Delivery Tips:

If the tips listed above do not ease your concerns, there are other things you can do to protect your gifts and deliveries, such as:

• Have packages shipped to your workplace instead
• Require a signature for receiving a package
• Have your gift(s) shipped to a nearby store (this option is also often free of charge)
• When possible, ask for discrete packaging that disguises what?s inside the parcel

Other Tips for Receiving Packages:

Food delivery apps and grocery apps are very convenient and can save you a lot of time, however these services also enlist the help of new or inexperienced employees. Most customers have experienced the frustration of having food delivered to the wrong address. There are things you can do to help delivery workers find you!

• Make sure your house number is easy to read, both on your mailbox and your front door. Freshen up the paint on your house number, or update numbers that have rusted or faded on your mail box
• Keep your entryway well lit
• Keep plants and shrubs trimmed back to avoid blocking your address
• Post signs that make it clear where to leave your items
• Post signs that show gratitude to busy delivery workers!

Do your part to increase safety and convenience for yourself and for postal workers and delivery workers. Find small signs and other ways to communicate effectively!

Sources:

1. Not on my Porch: How to Avoid Package Theft

Go Green! Add a Plant or Succulent to Your Desk

Minimalist Foliage Acrylic Desk Plate

Bringing the outdoors in is proven to boost your mood. As you hack away at your daily work, especially now as people stayed hunkered indoors avoiding crowds, greenery has mood and health boosting benefits. Bring your work space to life with a faux or real house plant. Succulents are on trend, and they're easy to care for if you don't happen to have a green thumb. The faux ones, on the other hand, look just like the real thing and require no maintenance, while providing the same benefits as real plants. From colorful cacti to English Ivy, there are many beautiful plants you can add to your desk that will instantly boost your mood. Pair your plants with this botanical clear acrylic desk plate, or minimalist foliage acrylic desk plate, and your work from home space will feel like spring time year 'round.

Add Art: Colorful Signs or Personalized Plates

Customize with Your Name!

Many people working remotely do not have a designated office or desk. If you've had to carve out a corner of the kitchen or living room, make it your own with a personalized sign or license plate. Mark "Shirley's She Shed" or "Oliver's Office" with fun signs that feature your own unique message. Custom license plates are also a great way to personalize your desk or work space at home.

Clean & Clutter Free: Clear Your Head and Fight Germs

Clean, Clear, and Reliable!

Working remotely does drastically reduce the spread of germs, but we're all still susceptible to illness. Keep your work from home space clean and clear! Add your own sanitizing wipes and a bottle of sanitizer. Also, keep extra items tucked away into drawers or cabinets. This way it's easier to wipe down your work space at intervals throughout the day. Our new clear acrylic desk blocks also add to the clean and clear aesthetic! Designate your work space with a new clear desk plate that features your name and job title.

Comfortable & Cozy: Add Blankets and Candles

Add Warmth & Glow to Your Desk

Often times, employers have to limit the use of personal space heaters, fans, electric blankets and other comfort items that use electricity. When you're working from home, you can use any of these items to keep yourself cozy all day! Set the mood every morning when you begin your work day. Light a candle, turn on your space heater, and grab your favorite blanket. With all the craziness in the world, you can control your work space and keep yourself comfortable! Also, while many employees may start to feel detached from their co-workers and their company, it's also important to stay professional. Add your own custom desk plate to help remind you of your status, and your connection to your employer and your company's goals.

Let in the Light! Position Yourself Next to a Window

Work with a View

When you're working in the office, you often can't control where your desk is placed. At home you can choose any space you like! Stay connected to the outdoors by taking breaks, practicing breathing exercises, and glancing out at nature. If you can't work near a window, find the perfect desk lamp! From Himalayan salt lamps to custom candles, you can add comforting lighting to your work from home space. Also add an organic feel to your desk with a wood grain desk plate. You can customize this faux wood desk plate with your name, a title or a custom quote that inspires you.

Haute Hues: Add Pops of Color

A Pop of Color for Your Desk!

Sometimes all it takes to brighten your mood is a pop of color! Find desk essentials in crazy colors, like neon pink pens and pencils, a bright blue file holder, and an aqua pink iridescent desk plate. Show your artsy side and bring out all the color you can to liven up your work from home space!

Optimal & Organized: File and Stack with Purpose

Wipe it Away & Start Fresh!

Clutter is proven to cause stress levels to rise. Do yourself a favor and clear away unused papers and utensils. Take the extra coffee mugs to the kitchen. File away important notes and papers so they're easy to find later. Keep out only the items you'll need for your immediate task. Take 20 minutes each morning to organize your thoughts and plans, and jot down things you want to discuss in the day's meetings. These quick, easy activities will provide mental clarity, and your desk will look impressively clean! There are a few desk staples that should always stay in sight, like your favorite pen, a desk light, and your custom desk plate. There are many professional desk plates to choose from! We like this new chalkboard desk plate. It's great for writing your name, or a new quote or important reminder each day. Plus, it doubles as a handwriting practice tool for the young students who may be learning remotely.

There are tons of great ways to personalize your work from home desk or space! From plants to candles and blankets, you have the freedom to create your own aesthetic for your work from home day. Our desk plates, signs and desk signs add the finishing touch!

Loitering is not easy to define or to control. It is important to understand what constitutes loitering and how you can prevent it from leading to criminal activity on your property. You have likely seen no loitering signs posted in store windows, but what exactly is loitering? The definition of loitering is likely to change due to social distancing mandates during and after coronavirus quarantine.

What is loitering?

To loiter, or prowl, means to remain idle in a public place for a protracted time without any apparent purpose. The legal definition of loitering can vary by state, and can also include wearing masks or disguises in public. The essence of loitering is that an individual is engaged in suspicious behavior that causes justifiable concern that a crime will be committed against a person or property.?

Examples of loitering

Loitering ordinances and statutes enable law enforcement to cut down on crimes such as prostitution, solicitation, panhandling, begging, drug dealing and other illegal acts. Standing outside of a business for a prolonged period of time is not in itself a punishable crime in most places, but is often known to be associated with illegal acts. However, if a business has a visible no loitering sign posted, police can take action against loiterers without other cause.?

Loitering laws give police the right to disperse suspicious or potentially dangerous crowds. The enforcement of loitering ordinances has been met with much controversy over the years.

Is loitering a felony?

Loitering is a subjective offense. In some places, loitering is a crime in and of itself. In other places, police must observe criminal behavior before they can confront a suspected person.

Loitering is most commonly a city or town ordinance, not state law.

Why is loitering an issue?

Loitering is a vague and subjective act and is difficult to punish. Business owners, schools, public spaces and venues often post no loitering signs to help prevent loitering that can lead to criminal behavior. If a person or group of people stands outside of a convenience store late at night, for a prolonged period, they may be suspected of selling drugs, begging, panhandling and more. If not dispersed, loiterers can also grow to become a disorderly or violent crowd.

Moreover, loiterers can deter other customers. When stagnant individuals or large crowds convene around a store entrance, for example, they can make incoming customers feel unsafe. In this case, the store owner may contact police to have the loiterers removed. A business owner, and the police, have grounds to disperse loiterers when there is a visible no loitering sign posted.

How can loitering be prevented/avoided?

There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the chance of loitering on your public property.

1. Install a security camera and post a surveillance sign.

When people see that your building is under surveillance, they?re much less likely to stick around unnecessarily.

2. Perform regular maintenance and upkeep to your building, parking lot and entrance.

A well maintained commercial property helps deter loiterers. Unruly crowds, graffiti artists, skateboarders, drug dealers and other individuals are likely to avoid well maintained areas due to the heightened chance of police presence. Keep your parking lot free of trash, broken glass and debris. Provide adequate lighting at night and ensure all signage is in maintained and working order.

3. Provide trash and recycling receptacles inside and outside your building

Give people adequate opportunity to properly dispose of waste. This will help cut down on litter, and will let passersby know your business is under watch. There are many recycling signs to choose from that will help reduce litter and support your effort to go green.

4. Remove graffiti and vandalism quickly

If graffiti is painted on your building or in your parking lot, remove it within 24 hours if possible. Walk your business grounds daily to ensure signs, light fixtures and windows are secure and not broken. A well-maintained building lets people know you keep an eye on your property and that police will be contacted in the case of trespassing, loitering or vandalism.

5. Deter overnight loitering by eliminating potential sleeping areas

Unfortunately, transient individuals have no place to call home. They may resort to sleeping on commercial property, and if you?re concerned with overnight loitering on your business grounds, you?ll want to reduce potential sleeping areas. You can do this by locking public restrooms at night, planting thorny bushes, installing dividers or arm rests on benches or by installing gates that are locked after hours.

6. Play loud music or distracting sounds

There are also more unconventional but effective ways to reduce loitering. Many store owners have used music or annoying sounds to disperse crowds. A 7-Eleven owner in Modesto, California, for example, started blasting classical music and operas outside of his store.?

Loud music makes it harder for people to stand around, gossip and cause trouble. Annoying buzzing or screeching sounds can also be used. Store owners can turn these on and off as needed, which reduces the danger of them asking loiterers to leave their property.⁴

Order No Loitering Signs and Other Property Signs Online

First and foremost, to let customers and passersby know that the shop owner does not condone loitering, vandalism or trespassing, signs must be posted. A posted sign provides the initial warning that certain acts will not be tolerated, and gives the business owner grounds to call law enforcement if a person or group of people refuses to leave the property.

CustomSigns.com offers hundreds of templates that can be ordered as is, or customized to your needs. Shop all property signs here.

Read more about:

How to prevent soliciting

Which solicitors to look out for after storms and natural disasters

Sources:

1. https://www.husseinandwebber.com/crimes/public-ord...

2. https://legaldictionary.net/loitering

3. https://nypost.com/2018/04/30/this-7-eleven-has-a-...

4. https://www.universalsiteservices.com/how-to-disco...

Natural Disasters & Solicitors

Protecting yourself and your finances following a natural disaster is an integral step in recovering. However, there are those individuals that seek to take advantage of victims of catastrophes in order to make a quick buck. Keeping an eye out for and understanding how solicitors, both legitimate and fraudulent, operate in the wake of a severe storm, fire, earthquake, flood, or other disaster can help you maintain peace of mind while you rebuild.

Before getting into what to beware of considering solicitors, what are the kinds of natural disasters in the United States?

Natural Disasters by Region

The United States has many different climates and regions. As such, there are just as many types of natural disasters that can happen.

Having a base knowledge of what disasters impact your region and what region your state is a part of will help in identifying and preparing for how solicitors may approach you. It is important to note that some disasters, such as heavy flooding and tornadoes, are possible with varying levels of frequency throughout the United States. The following list outlines specific catastrophes that solicitors may take advantage of per region.

?West Region

States: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Alaska, and Hawaii?

The West Region of the United States covers a lot of ground with many different environments. This means a wide variety of natural disasters are possible and occur within this region. California, southern Alaska, and southwestern Montana are prone to earthquakes; Hawaii, Washington, and Alaska have volcanoes, not to mention the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; eastern Colorado is caught in Tornado Alley, a section of the central United States where tornadoes frequently form;? fires tear through many of these states due to the dry climate; and intense cold and blizzards may occur in the more northern states.?

With such a variety of climates, many contracting businesses may seek to take advantage of many different disasters. Plumbing companies looking to repair broken and frozen pipes during a harsh winter; roofing and siding businesses seeking to take advantage of the strong winds from tornadoes and severe storms; and construction companies mobilizing after destructive earthquakes and fires are just a few of the kinds of solicitors to beware of.

?Southwest Region

States: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas?

The states that comprise the Southwest Region typically suffer from weather-related emergencies. Due to the more hot and dry climate, these states are prone to massive dust storms. Oklahoma and Texas are part of Tornado Alley with the latter having an average of over 150 tornadoes per year according to a 1991-2010 study.⁴ While uncommon, earthquakes are known to happen within the Southwest Region. Parts of Arizona and New Mexico are prone to the formation of sinkholes due to the underlying karst topography, areas of land where bedrock has been weathered by water.⁵

Due to the frequency of tornadoes, many roofing, siding, and general contractors may flock to disaster sites. Insurance agents and scammers may also seek to take advantage of a catastrophe. Given the unique geological nature of the southwest, individuals offering sinkhole insurance could gather.

?Midwest Region

States: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio?

The Midwest Region suffers from a number of disasters attributed to weather but there are instances of geological concerns as well. Most of Tornado Alley is found within the Midwest as it spans from South Dakota and stretches south down as far as Texas.? However, much of the Midwest suffers from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. The northern states are often bombarded with severe winter storms and blizzards. Despite not having many mountainous areas, the New Madrid and Wabash seismic zones along the southern edge of Missouri and Illinois can cause earthquakes, and similarly to Arizona and New Mexico, much of the Midwest is prone to sinkholes due to the formation of carbonic acid that eats away at underlying bedrock.⁶ Due to the relatively flat topography, the Midwest is especially prone to severe flooding.

Much like the southwest and with more frequency, the destruction that results from tornadoes draws roofing and other contractors and insurance agents offering coverage may flock to the midwest. With severe winter storms, window companies, roofing contractors, and plumbing businesses may take advantage of harsh blizzards and prolonged snowfall. Insurance agencies and construction companies will also take opportunity in the wake of sinkholes and earthquakes.

?Northeast Region

States: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine?

Comparatively speaking, the Northeast Region of the United States suffers from few natural disasters. The most severe occur during harsh winters with heavy snowfall, blizzards, and freezing winter storms that can cause property damage and presents hazards to travel and health. Heavy rainfall is a possibility as hurricanes move up along the east coast.

Like the midwest, contractors and other solicitors will see heavy snowfall as an opportunity to sell their services and policies.

?Southeast Region

States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida?

Comprising most of the continental United States' east coast, the Southeast region has had some of the most costly natural disasters in the nation's history. The most well-known and destructive catastrophes for this region are the hurricanes that impact many of the coastal states, and the remaining rainfall can extend further north and inland. However, with the New Madrid, Wabash, and other seismic zones along the northern edge of the region and South Carolina area, earthquakes are not uncommon.⁷ Additionally, while the main stretch of Tornado Alley resides within the Midwest, it does partially stretch into Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky?, and many of the other states within the Southeast are prone to tornadoes such as Florida which has an estimated 66 tornadoes on average per year.⁴

Many different types of contracting businesses will take advantage of hurricanes and quote the destruction they cause. Tree removal services, siding contractors, roofing companies, and many other types of construction businesses will offer their services before, during, and after a hurricane.

Now with a basic understanding of what natural disasters can occur in your region, what solicitors should you be aware of?

Solicitors To Look For

Opportunity seeking and unscrupulous solicitors may become a problem following any disaster. As many people will begin rebuilding, searching for loved ones, or simply recovering, these individuals see a chance to take advantage of victims and their families. With the many different types of catastrophes and emergencies that occur within the United States, so too is there a variety of solicitors for every situation.

Most solicitors will belong to insurance companies or contracting businesses offering services for victims to recover. They may go door-to-door following a disaster or may send out physical mail detailing the services with provide. However, there is potential that these individuals are making false claims and are attempting to take advantage of victims. Be wary of anyone asking for money up-front or for simply approaching your property.

?Contractors

Among the solicitors to watch out for following a natural disaster include contractors. Construction, roofing, siding, and other companies, or individuals claiming to be from one, may send salespeople to an area recently hit by severe weather such as a hurricane or tornado or by a particularly strong earthquake in an attempt to solicit business.

Fraudulent contractors use a variety of tactics to mislead their victims, but there are ways to identify them. Examples include asking for a large portion of the payment up-front and claiming to not need a building permit.⁸

?Insurance Representatives

Other solicitors include insurance company agents and representatives. Following a natural disaster, both legitimate and fraudulent individuals representing insurance companies may attempt to coerce victims to purchase their company's policies.

A recent tactic scammers have turned to is claiming to represent a specific agency, apply for a policy in your name with your permission, cancelling the policy, and keeping the money you paid them. These fraudulent agents, or "Ghost Brokers," offer inexpensive prices in order to entice people. Some ways to identify these individuals include if they ask for cash-only payments in person, though payment apps are sometimes used, if they contact you through social media only, and if they claim to establish a policy without putting you in contact with the company directly.⁹

Even if their services are legitimate, door-to-door solicitors need the proper paperwork in order to legally approach your home or business.

Soliciting Permits

The town of Sandwich, Illinois was hit by a severe storm earlier this year. In the aftermath, roofing solicitors from out of town began approaching residents while their local contractors waited on background checks in order to receive a permit allowing them to go door-to-door.

Many places across the United States, such as Dallas, TX and Sandy Springs, GA among others, require businesses who use door-to-door marketing to apply for soliciting permits from their local government. The requirements for these permits vary but they are generally meant to prevent fraudulent individuals from offering nonexistent or low-quality goods and services. Some of these permits only grant businesses an allotted amount of time, such as those found in Sandwich, from the above example. Some cities and areas within the United States require solicitors to carry their permits on their person and to present it if asked, such as in Plano, TX.

Solicitation permits are a way to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses. While the processes may differ from state to state and city to city, most solicitors need to follow the same basic ideas and regulations such as heeding no soliciting signs.

Being aware of your local laws concerning solicitation permits following a natural disaster can help you protect your finances while you, your family, or your business recover.

Recovering from a natural disaster can be a long, arduous task and remaining mindful of solicitors and how to protect your stability is an important part of this process. Help ease the burden with CustomSigns.com and our line of property signs including no soliciting and no trespassing designs and templates.

Related Posts:

• How to Stop Solicitors
• Disability Scams & Lawsuits

References:

1. National Geographic
2. EnchantedLearning
3. ePact Network
4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
5. Teacher Friendly Guide: Ch. 9
6. Teacher Friendly Guide: Ch. 10
7. Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory
8. Houselogic
9. Allstate

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How to Check Your Water Usage

To manage water consumption well, you need to know how much water you are using. You can figure this out using your home?s water meter.

1. Finding Your Water Meter

For most houses, you can find your meter in a labeled concrete or plastic box outside. You may need a long screwdriver to lift the lid. Often these are found by the driveway, in front of the house by the curb, or in the basement. For some houses these water meters and pipes are on the side of the house.

If you cannot find your water meter, you can call your landlord, property manager, or local utilities company for information about where the meter is located on your specific property.

2. Start with a 20 Minute Leak Check

Check for a leak by getting readings 20 minutes apart. First, make sure there is no water running anywhere in the house. This means toilets, household faucets, showers, washing machines, dishwashers, sprinklers, and pool systems should not be in use. Next, write down the reading from the numeric band.

After 20 minutes (where you haven?t used any water), write down the new reading. If during that interval more than a gallon is used, you may have a leak. Note: this may be caused by automatic water refills on your property from the pool to the ice maker. When you check for areas that may be damp or leaking, you can also check for any water sources you may have left running.

3. Evaluate General Consumption with a 24 Hour Check

Similar to the above meter check, you can evaluate your consumption by recording the water meter readings at interval times. However, this time you will use your water sources as normal and take down the new total 24 hours later. Subtract the old total from the new one to get your household usage. Divide that by the number of inhabitants and you will have the approximate individual usage per day.

4 Types of Conservation Signs to Curb Water Waste

Water conservation often begins with raising awareness by placing signs by frequently used water sources such as kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and hoses. Signs provide helpful reminders, warnings, alerts, guidelines, requests, and restrictions. All of these signs are designed to change wasteful water habits.

Four types of water usage signs you may encounter include:

Outdoor Drought Signs ? These are often related to the usage of sprinklers, hoses and other types of irrigation during severe droughts.

Sink Signs ? These remind people using facets to turn off tightly. These can be found in the home, restaurants and other businesses.

Bathroom Signs ? These provide guidelines such as a recommendation to turn off water when brushing teeth, take shorter showers, or limiting the amount of water used for baths.

Custom Conservation Signs ? Businesses and homeowners may customize signs for use of everything from pool cleaning to dishwashing and laundry areas. Other custom water signs feature How-To?s for checking water meters, directions for what to do in case of leak detection, and warnings related to reclaimed or recycled water.

How You Can Start Saving Water

Begin by searching for possible leaks that are currently occurring in your home. The EPA estimates that Leaky faucets can result in nearly 50 gallons of wasted water in a week. To get a broader perspective, consider that an undetected leak of 0.1 gallon per minute wastes 4,320 gallons per month.

You can troubleshoot to find out whether or not a leak is occurring inside or outside your home by turning off the inside and outside valves and seeing if the leak indicator continues to change. You may discover hard to find leaks in the walls, under your home, or by the water meter or valves. Other signs of leakage include excess water condensation and unusual amounts of mold in areas outside of the bathroom.

Being aware of your water consumption goes beyond your home. Try and limit your water usage in the workplace as well. Take a moment to learn about water conservation for business here.

What is an Appropriate Water Use by Family Size?

?The average person uses around 80-100 gallons of water per day, according to water.usgs.gov. In certain states, legislators have pushed for future laws that will restrict individuals to 55 gallons per day. In some areas, there are outdoor water usage restrictions put into place during droughts.

For now, you can help prevent water waste by setting a household water usage budget goal or simply reducing the amount you currently use. You can evaluate your own usage patterns by using a water usage calculator. The simple act of looking at how you use water and where you overuse it most can help you quickly identify areas for improvement.

If you want to know more about water usage rules and guidelines for your property, visit the website of your utilities provider and local water management agency. State governments and city governments create regulations which may be related to droughts and environmental initiatives, so laws often vary from city to city.

Resources:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/styles/medium/public/2017-02/ws-ourwater-water-pie-chart-version-two_0.png

https://water.usgs.gov/edu/qa-home-percapita.html

https://www.jea.com/About/Water_Supply/Conservation

https://www.dailywire.com/news/31462/californias-water-law-55-gallons-person-day-paul-bois

Summer Safety in Your Community

Summer is finally here, so now is the perfect time for summer safety reminders for your Home Owner's Association community. Your residents are responsible for following your HOA's rules and regulations, but posting memos or holding community meetings are helpful for everyone. Additionally, your organization is responsible for maintaining communal grounds and amenities, so here are some summer safety reminders.

Heat Hazards

According to Heat Kills, the interior temperature of a car can increase by 34 degrees in as little as 30 minutes.¹ Even if the temperature outside is a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit, that increases to 104 degrees in half-an-hour, so remind your residents to NEVER leave children or animals in their vehicles. Post custom signs around your community as a reminder of the dangers of the summer heat as a way to prevent unnecessary tragedies.

Common Area Consciousness

If your HOA has communal areas such as pools or clubhouses, then you'll want to make sure they're in good working order. Providing clean and functional community amenities will keep residents happy and appreciative. Here are a few reminders for common community areas for the summer.

Playgrounds

After a long winter of un-use, your community's playgrounds should be inspected before summer takes full effect. Ensure all children's playground equipment is free of potential hazards and replace bolts and other structural pieces as needed. Watch out for any other hazards such as glass or insect infestations to remove as well. Post children at play signs near playground amenities to prevent accidents along roads.

Clubhouses

Providing a clean and well-maintained lounge or clubhouse for your residents shows your HOA's professionalism and instills confidence in your community. Ensure HVAC units are well-maintained and in working order. Additionally, check to make sure any lounges or other communal buildings are clean and presentable. Inspect any equipment, such as lights or televisions, to make sure they function properly.

Pools

Swimming is a favorite summer activity for many, so ensuring your pool is well-kept is imperative for the coming months. Remove any debris that may have collected over the winter and spring months from in and around your pool area. Update any pool signage to reflect new or revised safety rules. Inspect and repair pool filters and lighting fixtures as needed.

Gyms

Summer means more free time to exercise, so ensure that all equipment is in proper working condition for the safety of your residents. Wipe down and disinfect all equipment to prevent sickness. Ensure that all HVAC or other cooling units are working adequately.

Outdoor Areas

Your outdoor community areas will probably see more use thanks to warmer weather. Clean all outdoor recreation areas such as gazebos, tennis courts, dog parks, etc. Ensure that gazebos are structurally sound and repair any equipment as necessary. Fences and other sectional walls should be inspected for integrity.

Night Nuisances

Remind your residents to stay safe at night. With summer comes an increase in criminal activity, so marking monitored areas with video surveillance signs can help prevent potential robberies or violent crimes. Whether lights deter crime or not is still up for debate, but maintaining street lights helps your residents see once night falls, so ensure your community's light sources are properly maintained.

Secure Street Safety

With school out for the year, many children will be home or using your pools or playgrounds. Keep your community safer by posting speed limit signs along heavy foot traffic areas near communal amenities. Additionally, inspect roads for damage such as pot holes or large cracks and contact your local city or county maintenance department for repairs to prevent damage to vehicles.

Vacation Ventures

Remind your residents to keep their homes safe if they will be leaving for a summer vacation. Warn them not to advertise their vacations as this could alert potential criminals that their home will be vacant for a time.

Ensuring your community's health and happiness is important for every Home Owner's Association. With these safety tips and signs from CustomSigns.com, you can keep this summer fun and safe for you and your residents.

References:

1. HeatKills.org
2. DigitalJournal.com

Vacation Season

With summer almost here, many people will be spending time outside or rushing off for family trips. It?s easy to forget general safety tips during summertime if you're busy taking advantage of the pleasant weather or enjoying your time off. Camping, long-awaited vacations, the beach, grilling, swimming, and many other fun activities await, after all, and according to a 2017 study, 80% of United States residents took a vacation during the summer.¹ However, summer safety should stay a priority even during your upcoming holiday. Here are some tips for kids and adults to help keep your summer safe and fun!

The Great Outdoors

If you?re going hiking or camping, be sure to heed any warnings concerning fire or wildlife danger. Ensure any fire pits or campfires you light are built properly and away from tents, dry twigs, and nearby foliage to prevent wildfires. Remember to bring bug spray to keep pests away and first aid materials in the case of a minor incident. Be mindful of any local fauna postings, such as bear warnings, or if you run a campground or other such location, ensure you prominently place appropriate signage warning campers of potential wildlife and forest fire dangers.

Whether you?re going hiking, camping, to the beach, to the pool, or simply spending time outside at home, always remember to pack and apply sunscreen every two to four hours. The sun?s harmful UVB rays are the cause of 95% of melanoma cases and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers.² However, according to an Australian study, appropriate application of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your chance of developing melanoma by up to 50%.³ Make sure your sunscreen isn?t expired as it can lose effectiveness over time. Sunscreen is an important and easy way to keep you and your skin healthy!

Pool or Beach Side

Many vacationers and coast-dwellers will probably spend some time swimming this summer. It's a refreshing break from the hot summer sun, a phenomenal form of exercise, and a great way to stay cool. However, there are a few water safety tips to keep in mind while you?re at your favorite swimming locale. If you plan on going to a public pool, you can start by following all posted pool policies. Generally, swimming pool rules are established for the protection of swimmers. No diving, running, glass containers, and leaving children unsupervised are common safety rules meant to protect pool-goers from injury.?If you own a pool or your organization has one on property, be sure to keep your swimming pool safety signage updated to reflect current policies. Additionally, there?s the old belief that you should wait 30 minutes to an hour after eating before you can swim, but according to an article from Mayo Clinic and Dr. Boniface, ?You may end up with some stomach cramping or a muscle cramp? and ?it may not be the most comfortable thing to go for a swim with a full belly, the world won?t end if you ignore your mom?s advice.?⁴

Workplace Woes

Unfortunately, many of us don?t get to enjoy a summer break. Work still needs to be done, but now is a prime opportunity to address summer safety topics for your workplace. It?s easy to skip drinking water while you're on the clock, so remind your employees and coworkers to stay hydrated during the hot months to prevent dehydration. Perhaps now is the time to update your business? safety signage. Given the hot and dry weather summer brings, you may consider updating or adding additional fire safety signs and equipment. Clearly marking fire exits and extinguishers can help keep you and your coworkers safe in the case of an emergency. Finally, if your employees spend most of the workday outdoors, remember to let them take plenty of breaks to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

At Home

Whether you can?t travel due to work or simply want a relaxing stay-cation, you always want to keep your home or apartment safe. From a 2014 study from the Bureau of Justice, there is evidence of increased crime rate during the summer. Burglaries occur up to 11% more and household larceny up to 8% more frequently compared to other seasons.⁵ One way to discourage potential criminals is by posting video surveillance signs if you have a camera security system. If you don?t have an electronic security system but do have a canine companion, then hanging ?Beware of Dog? signs on your property can help deter would-be burglars and vandals. Home is meant to be a safe haven for you and your family, and warding off unwelcome guests and intruders with clearly marked warning signs can help this summer.

Summer is the season of fun for many. Ensure you keep yours that way by following a few summer safety tips!

References

1. Minnaert, Lynn. (2017). US Family Travel Survey 2017. Retrieved from https://www.scps.nyu.edu/content/dam/scps/pdf/200/200-4/200-4-16/P1718-0036-2017_Family_Travel_Survey.pdf
2. www.cancercouncil.com.au
3. ascopubs.org
4. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org
5. www.bjs.gov

Recycle Plastic Yard Signs

Whether yours is a red state or a blue state, help turn your state green by responsibly recycling the thousands of corrugated plastic election signs that sprout up everywhere each campaign season. No matter who wins at the polls, we all win by recycling!

The Perils of Plastic

Tons of plastic and metal crowd our landfills each year, where they remain for thousands of years before breaking down. Additionally, landfills are limited to specific sizes, so once they?re full, new landfills must be created.

theconversation.com

Because they are entirely recyclable, those corrugated yard signs most commonly seen covering yards and street corners during election season are one less thing we can send to landfills by using a bit of ingenuity.

Recycle Those Yard Signs

Many local curbside recycling programs do not accept campaign yard signs or their metal stakes and frames; fortunately, they are completely recyclable elsewhere. Specially designated recycling drop off centers are designed to wash, shred, and melt these plastic boards (or convert them to plastic pellets), which are transformed into useful items including trash cans, beach chairs, toys, or other things made of heavy plastic. The metal stakes and frames can be taken to locations that accept metal, including local businesses that often pay for scrap metal to be used in future projects.

Creative Ways to Transform Election Signs

Repurposing those post-election season yard signs is an inexpensive, useful way to keep them from loading up landfills while enjoying a bit of creative fun during the process. These are some of our favorite ideas:

• Keep those yard sale signs off utility poles and market your message to the masses. Spray paint the signs and stencil away. Include your address, the day and time of your sale, and even a few of the items bargain hunters may find!
• Get creative! Spray paint those yard signs for celebrating lots of wonderful events, including baby?s arrival, birthday parties, graduations, open houses, lemonade stands, and more.

• Wintertime fun! Larger corrugated yard signs are perfect for sledding down snow covered hills and are lightweight and easy to carry back up the hillside for even the smallest sledding snow bunnies.
• Season?s greetings! The metal stakes, also known as H-stakes, used to hold yard signs, are perfect for anchoring holiday yard d?cor and keeping your favorite decorations from being blown over (or away!) by those blustery winter winds.
• Mark those milestones! Prime your yard sign with bonding primer, grab some chalkboard paint, and create your own custom chalkboard. Perfect for marking first days of school or practicing those math facts or handwriting skills over and over again.
• H-stakes also make sturdy props for supporting your growing vegetable, plant, and flower gardens.

• Corrugated yard signs make terrific yard helpers as makeshift dustpans for sweeping up leaves and other debris.
• Corrugated yard signs are lightweight, sturdy, and easy to cut. Measure the bottoms of your reusable shopping bags and add your custom inserts for a bit of extra (and waterproof!) stability. The boards slide into your folded bags for easy storage.
• Yard signs make ideal surfaces (or ?drop cloths?) for spray painting smaller projects ? by protecting patios, driveways, and yards from misting paint.
• Design your own vinyl decal to cover your corrugated signs, an economical way to transform your yard signs and share a brand new message!

Whether you have a few yard signs or enough to spread throughout the whole neighborhood, transforming them into new signs or garden helpers is a terrific way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Let your imagination lead the way!

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