Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Fri, May 18, 2012
Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 21- 26 this year.
There is good reason that insurance carriers want you to learn about preventing dog bites, as it is estimated that $479 Million dollars have been paid out in dog bite claims this past year across the nation. State Farm has recently published their list of the top 10 states by the number of claims. California heads the list with 527, while Minnesota holds the number 10 spot with 117. Our great state of New York came in at number nine with 133 claims.
A dog’s tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health, and the victim’s behavior. There are good dogs and bad dogs within every breed, just as there can be responsible and irresponsible owners of each breed.
So what can you do to teach members of your family how to prevent a bite in the first place? Learn how to here from a free webinar by Family Paws Parent Education.
Posted by Siobhan Jones on Thu, May 17, 2012
MCRA is hosting a community yard sale for Charity on Saturday, May 19th, from 8 am to 12 pm. At 300 Hampton Road in Southampton. All proceeds will be going to support Bike America For Adam.
Each year, MCRA donate's to more than 25 organizations of all types and sizes. This year our charity of choice is Bike America for Adam.
The Adam in "Bike America for Adam" was going to devote his time and energy to the Peace Corps for the next two years starting in October of 2011. Unfortunately, due to a tragic hiking accident, he will never be able to fulfill this commitment.
In honor of his memory, Matt the brother of Adam and Darcie, Matt's girlfriend are riding their bikes accross the country to raise money to help a charity affiliated with the Peace Corps. They have already started their bike ride. They left Kittery/York Maine area on April 13th, 2012 and plan to arrive at Juneau, Alaska by June 11th 2012 to lay down a memento on the anniversary of Adams death.
Since the Peace Corp is federally funded it cannot accept any donations so they have set up a fund that will be donated in its entirety at the end of the bike ride to one of these partner organizations. Specifically, they are going to raise money for educational centers that fight human trafficking, one that is similar to what Adam was going to work in.
So please come out and support a good cause!!
A bake sale will also be held on the premesis, and donations are always welcome!!
Posted by Mercedes Barre on Wed, May 16, 2012
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle on the roadway. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to "share the road" with each other.
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Posted by Mercedes Barre on Mon, May 14, 2012
Drive Safe This Memorial Day Weekend
The National Safety Council has today released its estimates for traffic crashes for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 28. The Council estimates 420 traffic fatalities and another 42,000 medically consulted injuries will occur over the traditional summer kick-off weekend from motor vehicle collisions.
NSC also estimates 149 people may survive the Memorial Day holiday weekend because they will be wearing safety belts, and another 107 lives could be saved if all people wore safety belts.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will run its "Click It or Ticket" campaign from May 21 to June3. “Click It or Ticket,” the most successful safety belt enforcement campaign ever, has contributed to increasing national safety belt usage rates. Law enforcement will enact a zero-tolerance enforcement of safety belt laws coast-to-coast, day and night, throughout the campaign.
For the past six years, the Memorial Day holiday weekend has averaged 11.5% more traffic fatalities than similar non-holiday periods. This is likely due in part to increased travel.
NSC issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for drivers to exercise safe driving practices, especially when a significant number of drivers are expected to be traveling on our roadways and highways.
To ensure a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend, NSC recommends drivers:
- Refrain from all cell phone use behind the wheel
- Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats
- All children 12 and under should always be in the back seat
- Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
- Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather
- Avoid driving while drowsy
- Designate a “non-drinking” driver – even moderate consumption of alcohol impairs reaction time and driving judgment
Supplemental Memorial Day Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate Detail​
Posted by Jennifer Davis on Mon, May 14, 2012
This month Joe Pilato of our Regional Philadelphia Office talks about Risk Management and Disaster planning in South Jersey Business News. Check it out!
Ask An Expert Featuring Joe Pilato: SNJBP Primer on Risk Management and Disaster Planning:Put together a team, identify types of emergencies, and assign specific responsibilities to key employees.
Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Fri, May 11, 2012
There are many misconceptions about " no-fault " insurance. It has nothing to do with the auto's physical damage, and everything to do with personal injury protection.
The term is often used to advise that an auto insurance program allows policyholders to recover financial losses from their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. Some state laws provide payment of no fault first-party benefits, and restrict the right to sue the other party, until certain conditions are met. The first party (policyholder) benefit coverage is more formally known as personal injury protection ( PIP).
Under current no-fault laws, the injured may sue for severe injuries and pain and suffering only if the case meets certain conditions, or thresholds. These thresholds relate to the severity of the injury and can be expressed in verbal terms ( descriptive) or dollar amounts( monetary). There may also be requirements for days of disability incurred as a result of the accident. Because the high thresholds restrict litigation, they reduce costs and delays in paying claims. Verbal thresholds also eliminate incentive to inflate claims.
To date only 12 states and Puerto Rico have no fault auto insurance laws. Three states have a "choice" no fault law. NJ, PA and KY motorists can reject the lawsuit threshold and retain the right to sue for any auto related injury.
Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Wed, May 09, 2012
Long Island, the home of expansive green lawns
Most of us do not associate air pollution with mowing our lawns, however emissions from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums and similar outdoor power equipment are significant sources of pollution. Today's small engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless poisonous gas. They also emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone. Ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere and shields the earth from harmful radiation from the sun. However at ground level, ozone is a noxious pollutant, causing impairment to lung function, inhibiting plant growth, and contributing to smog.
The US EPA and the power equipment industry are working together to investigate and bring to market cleaner technology for smaller engines.
Meanwhile, what can you do to do help protect the environment?
Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Fri, May 04, 2012
Health Insurance News: May is the month to learn more about Asthma, its triggers and what you can do to help avoid attacks.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like more Americans to take a pro-active approach to this disease by learning more about it and how it affects their families and communities. About 26 million people, more than one quarter of them children, are affected by this chronic respiratory disease.
The EPA would like us to know that they are working hard to clean the air in order to reduce the environmental cause of asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses. They feel it is also important for everyone to learn about the disease and its triggers, in order to prevent attacks and better protect our health.
$56 billion. This is the annual cost of asthma, both direct costs (medications and hospitalizations) and indirect costs (lost school days and work days). Pollution prevention standards under the Clean Air Act led to reductions in pollutant particle matter and ozone pollution in 2010 and an almost 2 million reduction in asthma attacks. Greater measures in 2011 will further reduce pollution, which in turn will further reduce attacks.
Americans who suffer from asthma can learn to control their symptoms and still maintain active lifestyles. Here are some simple steps:
Know your Asthma Triggers and Avoid Them: Air pollution, dust mites, mold, secondhand smoke and even cockroaches can trigger asthma attacks. Learn your triggers and avoid them in your home and neighborhood.
Create an Asthma Action Plan: You can help avoid the emergency room by managing your asthma daily. With a doctor's help, you can create an asthma action plan to help you effectively manage your asthma and reduce exposure to triggers.
Get Active: Even if you have asthma, by taking the appropriate medications and avoiding your triggers, you can still participate in sports and activities.
Be 'Air Aware': Check local air quality conditions at airnow.gov and make informed decisions about participating in outdoor activities. To help, an Air Quality Index mobile app is available for smart phones.
Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Thu, May 03, 2012
Homeowners Insurance
Yesterday's post had a lot of information, and we have more to provide today! Our checklist also includes checking your trees, your grill, your alarms and your walkways and driveways for problems.
Check your property for weakened trees: Avoid a ton of wind damage due to hurricanes or tornadoes, or even milder windstorms, by checking now for broken branches, and pruning out lower ones yourself, and hiring a licensed arborist for those out of reach. Now is also the perfect time to check for dead limbs (no leaves coming out!). Check around the root area as well to be sure the tree is stable and not at risk for pulling out of the ground in a storm.
Cracked Pavement: Before weeds take up residence in your walkways and driveway, take a trip to your local hardware store or home center for patching materials to fill any cracks with. If a surface has ruptured however, you may need to call in a professional to pour or re-pave some sections.
Check your smoke, fire, CO2 alarms: If you didnt' as yet test your alarms ( some people do so when the clocks move ahead or back) do so now. Purchase new batteries and replace them now.
Check your Barbecue Grill or Smoker: There have been over a million grills recalled in the past 5 years, so the first thing you should do is check the recall list (www.saferproducts.gov) . Then,
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Visually inspect the hoses on a gas grill for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing and that all connections are secure. Replace if necessary.
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Check for propane gas leaks. Open the gas supply valve fully and apply a soapy solution with a brush at the connection point. If bubbles appear, there is a leak. Try tightening the tank connection. If that does not stop the leak, close the gas valve and have the grill repaired by a qualified professional.
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Is the grill clean? Regularly cleaning the grill, as described in the owner's manual, and also cleaning the grease trap, will reduce the risk of flare-ups and grease fires
Posted by Cindi Boumnaia on Wed, May 02, 2012
Homeowners Insurance
Once the Spring Cleaning bug has hit, you'll want to check the outside of your home for loose shingles, foundation fissures, broken/ripped screens, loose steps, rotting decks, and uneven walkways.
To help you protect what probably is your most valuable asset, your home, watch for these potential issues and learn how to fix them.
Your Foundation: Look for hairline cracks in your foundation, and mark them with tape. Recheck the end of the summer. If they are worse, you should call a structural engineer. if they are stable, you can fill them using an epoxy-injection system. Also make certain that the ground slopes away from the home. Check for termites and clear any debris that may look like an enticing home for rodents.
Your Deck: look for water stains where the deck ties to the house. Water leakage can lead to rot, whcih will weaken the deck and the house. If you have any doubts about the strutural integrity, call a pro! Use an electric Power Washer to rid the deck of moss and mold, and then re-stain or re-paint prior to bringing out your outdoor furniture! Then get ready to enjoy your newly rejuvenated space!
Your Air Conditioner: Disconnect the unit from the power source and clear the condenser of leaves and other debris with a vent brush. power blower, garden hose, or your vaccuum cleaner's brush attachment. Fiberglass mesh can be purchased and installed around the unit to keep pollen and leaves out. Window units need to have their filters replaced or cleaned. And don't forget to change your furnace filter.
Your Automatic Garage Door Opener: check that the door is balanced by releasing into manual mode and lifting by hand. It should lift easily and smoothly, and stay open on it's own at about three feet from the ground. If it doesn't, youmay need to purchase new counter balance springs and install them. Also you need to check that the reversing force opener is set as low as possible. Place a 2x4 board on the ground under the door, wide side down. The door should pop back up when it hits the board. Also, as the door is descending, a board held near the photoelectric eyes should cause the door to reverse direction. In either of these cases, you may need to call a pro in to fix any problems.