Wildland fires are becoming the new norm across much of the country, scorching more acreage with a ferocity that firefighters have not seen before. Now, more than ever, it’s important to understand fire behavior and the ways to prepare your home and community.
Don’t let your family’s possessions go up in smoke. The difference of a home in ashes and one still standing is often the result of simple actions taken to make the structure more survivable to heat, flame and embers. Removing bush, trimming trees, and creating 30-100 feet of defensible space is the best line of defense, but there is a lot more that homeowners and renters need to do.
As more people move into wildfire-prone areas, it’s imperative that we understand the areas around a house that are the greatest risk. Fire research has discovered blowing embers, not direct flames, cause most homes to ignite.
Here are the 6 most at-risk most vulnerable fire areas in and around your home.
The Roof– This is the largest surface area on your home. Installing fire-resistant shingles can greatly reduce the risk. A Class A roof (asphalt shingles, metal, slate or tile) is considered the best protection. Repair any gaps in shingles and remove debris from plants or animals that an ember could nest in and ignite. Keep gutters free of flammable litter.
Vents and Eaves– It’s imperative that homeowners keep flying embers from entering a home. Uncovered vents can allow hot ash and embers in. All vents should have a damper or screens to block embers from getting into the structure. If a fire is approaching, cover vents with duct tape, metal tape or plywood. Areas under eves are notorious for trapping burning ash and cinders. Clear them of nests and leaves, and make sure that the area is reinforced with fireproof materials.
Windows– Extreme heat will warp window casings and shatter single-pane glass. Homes in fire-prone areas should have dual-pane tempered glass, with metal screens to block any flaming debris. Covering them with plywood if a fire is approaching also can help. If possible, installing roll-down metal shades over windows offers the best protection.
Landscape– Create a five-foot fire resistant zone next to your home. Eliminate flammable plants such as junipers, dry grasses and scrub oak, replace wood mulch with rock or gravel, trim bushes and trees, and cut back overhanging branches that could allow flames to breach your dwelling. Trees should be dispersed and trimmed 10-feet from the ground
Decks– These are another vulnerable area for embers and flames. Homeowners in fire-prone areas should consider lightweight concrete or metal decking. Fire-resistant treatments can help protect deck boards. Fire experts say most deck ignitions are created by flammable material on or under the deck (furniture, leaves, pine needles, woodpiles or mulch).
Your Neighbor– All the work by homeowners to clear brush, remove woodpiles and trim trees up 10 feet from the ground can be for naught if nearby neighbors haven’t done the work. Property overgrown with weeds, brush and trees can endanger others, causing a wildfire to spread more rapidly and grow. Neighbors working together can greatly reduce the risk while increasing the survivability of their entire community. The National Fire Protection Association, in conjunction with other fire safety groups, has created the Firewise USA program, to organize homeowner associations, neighborhood groups and entire communities, and teach them how to work together to reduce the risk of wildfire.
Stay ahead of the flames; talk with your neighbors about wildfire safety, prepare an emergency kit, make plans in case of evacuation and if family members become separated, and start mitigating threats to your property and structures.
Get a review of your homeowners or renters insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for your property and belongings, and make a comprehensive home inventory. If the worst should happen and your home is damaged or destroyed by fire, you can find answers to your “what now?” questions here.
A California Casualty advisor is always ready to help review your policy, give you a free quote or help you start a claim at 1.866.704.8614 , or you can visit www.calcas.com.
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This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Everyone knows the best part of Halloween is the candy and no one knows better than our little trick-or-treaters. Make their day in the classroom a little more festive (and a lot more creepy) this Halloween with some spooky and sweet treats that will stop them dead in their tracks- pun intended. Halloween classroom treats
Whether you are a teacher making goodies for your students or a parent throwing a classroom Halloween party, make it spook-tacular by whipping up one or more of these Halloween Classroom Treats that are equal parts easy-to-make and delicious-to-eat.
Below are homemade ideas, store-bought, and even non-candy options. So, what are you waiting for? Start Scrolling!
Check out our Pinterest board “Easy Halloween Treats” for more fun and spooky ideas! While you’re there, don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new Halloween recipe we discover! Scan ourPincodewith your Pinterest camera to follow:
All set with Halloween Classroom Treats but still trying to decide on a costume? Check out the Halloween Costume Ideas for Teachers post for some classroom-friendly ideas and inspiration.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sources by to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
California utility companies are taking drastic steps to prevent wildfires by cutting power to up to one million households. Downed power lines or sparks during high winds and red flag fire warnings have been blamed for starting previous fires. The outages could last for days, depending on the fire threat. generator safety tips
Blackouts may reduce fire danger, but losing power can be frustrating and even life-threatening. Utility companies are urging customers to have an emergency supply kit and keep automobiles with a full tank of gas (in case gas stations in the area are without power). Also, you should have an emergency plan if someone depends on electricity for medical needs. It’s important to know how to manually open up garage doors and community gates if the power is out.
Consider installing or buying a standby generator.
Portable generators can power heaters, water pumps and refrigerators. However, while it can light your home and make life a little more comfortable, using a portable generator can also be dangerous.
Whether you have used it once or a hundred times, it’s good to know these generatorsafety tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and fires:
Never use a generator inside your home or enclosed areas like a garage – fatal fumes from the engine can build up inside.
Keep it away from open windows, vents and doors to keep dangerous fumes from entering your home.
Install battery operated carbon monoxide detectors to warn if the exhaust is seeping into your home or shelter.
Avoid fires: gasoline and natural gas generators create a lot of heat and can cause nearby combustibles to burn. They need to be cooled for a few minutes before adding more fuel.
Never plug the generator directly into a home’s outlets – it can cause a dangerous “back-feed” on the power grid that can harm utility workers and others working on or repairing power lines.
Avoid using generators that are wet or in puddles because they can cause electrocution.
Only use heavy-duty electrical cords with portable generators that are rated for outdoor use, and make sure they are uncoiled.
It’s also a good idea to have flashlights or lanterns (with extra batteries) on-hand during a power outage. Additionally, keep an emergency kit that contains enough canned food and water to keep your family fed and hydrated for up to a week. This includes extra blankets and warm clothes, and a battery operated or crank radio to keep you up to date on emergency response and repairs.
California Casualty cares about your safety. We have numerous home safety information links available at www.calcas.com/resources.
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This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Working alongside you is extremely rewarding for all of us here at California Casualty. Given the chance, we are thrilled to tout the benefits of membership to your organizations, donate to your schools, surprise you with our giving program awards, and take part in ceremonies recognizing all that you do.
Partner Relations members Lisa Almeida, Jana Charles, Inez Morales, Norma Alfaro and Christy Forward at CTA Presidents Conference
The Partner Relations California team members had the opportunity to connect with CTA presidents and greet longtime friends as they attended and hosted events for the CTA Presidents Conference. In support of our partnership with CTA, it was the team’s goal to make a difference for CTA leaders and promote the value CTA membership provides.
“It’s an honor for us to be able to celebrate and recognize the incredible dedication our chapter leaders give to their association members,” said California Casualty AVP Lisa Almeida.
Attendees received fun giveaways, with one lucky participant winning a VIP trip to a San Francisco Giants baseball game and another winning two 3-day passes to Disneyland.
California Casualty’s Partner Relations members Jeff Meyers and Roxanne Dean had an exciting opportunity to share the Outward Mindset program – one of our company’s newest initiatives to improve communication with fellow employees and our customers – with the Member Services Staff of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
Introduced by a member of the California Casualty Advisory Board, Outward Mindset training is presented to all employees in our company, from Executives to Sales, Service, Underwriting and Claims. The premise is that by getting past “out of the box” thinking, we can better serve our customers while enhancing working relationships throughout all levels of our company.
ACSA Member Benefits consultants were interested in learning how California Casualty uses the program to improve our effectiveness with partners, such as ACSA.
“From the first time I went through this workshop, I fell in love with the fundamental principles involved,” said Jeff. These principles are powerful for our work, and helping the groups that we work with.”
California Casualty has been a longtime partner with ACSA, providing the auto and home insurance program as well as engagement tools to encourage membership. “Thank you for sharing the importance of an outward mindset to engage members,” an ACSA member wrote.
School Lounge Makeover winner Mary (second from left) with California Casualty’s Stephanie Whitmore and NSEA representatives
To round out our educator community efforts in this issue of Connection, let us introduce you to our latest School Lounge Makeover winner. Mary G., an English teacher and the librarian at Palmer Public School in Palmer, Nebraska, was thrilled that the staff will finally have a place to relax and rejuvenate throughout the school day. We will highlight the revitalized lounge (which is being designed now) in the next edition of Connection.
And, 18 years after the terrible 9/11 attacks, California Casualty joined educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and the general public at 11 memorial stair climbs, remembering those who died while saving others. From Maryland to Missouri and Colorado to California, our employees climbed and supported other climbers with water, snacks, and encouragement. In partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, California Casualty is a proud sponsor of the climbs and donates to the NFFF survivor’s fund.
“This experience was emotional and moving,” said Field Marketing Manager Katelyn Kassel. “The time and effort put into coordinating the events and getting all of the firefighters to come out is a true testament to how much these men and women love what they do. I love our company and what we stand for, and how we are able to protect our first responders,” she added.
Left: Sandra Clemmons-Butler and Jackie Jones at the National Capital Region 9/11 Climb, Washington, D.C.; Right: Debbie Harris and Lorelei Seip at the Yellow Springs, OH 9/11 Stair Climb; Bottom: the California Casualty 9/11 Stair Climb team at Red Rocks, CO.
You can see an inspirational video of our participation at the Red Rocks, Colorado stair climb at our LinkedIn page.
It also protects your assets… if you have the right amount of coverage. In today’s world, having the right amount of auto insurance is imperative. The costs to repair vehicles are increasing, and many times accidents involve lawsuits.
If you do not have high enough liability limits and an accident victim chooses to pursue greater compensation for their injuries, your financial assets – such as your home, your savings, future earnings and even your retirement – are at risk. One serious crash could result in some serious financial distress, even bankruptcy. (Please read that again.)
How is that?
Well, your auto insurance is made up of the coverage limits you choose: Bodily Injury Liability (BI), Property Damage Liability (PD) and Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM).
The minimum liability insurance required varies by state, but generally, it looks something like this:
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 property damage liability per accident
That means if the insured driver is at-fault in a crash, their insurance would pay up to $25,000 to each person in the other vehicle(s) for injuries – up to a total of $50,000, and pay up to $25,000 for the damage caused to the other vehicle(s), public property, etc.
That might sound like enough, but considering the high costs of medical care, the amount someone might suffer in lost wages, and that the average vehicle now retails for almost $40,000, the at-fault driver could pay out-of-pocket tens of thousands of dollars (or more) above what their insurance would cover.
The Insurance Information Institute recommends each person carry at least $100,000 bodily injury protection per person, $300,000 bodily injury protection per accident, and $50,000 for property damage. If you have a lot of assets (a home, investments, vacation property) and a higher earning potential, you should buy even more protection ($250,000, $500,000, $100,000).
Don’t forget uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM). It’s estimated that one out of eight drivers has no insurance, with many others carrying minimal coverage. You’ll want higher limits to pay for any injuries and damage to your vehicle if you are hit by one of these drivers.
Insurance companies urge everyone to purchase as much liability insurance as they can afford, and we are no different.
As your insurance partner, California Casualty takes seriously our obligation to inform you about important insurance gaps, and to offer higher limits (that cost very little for the protection they provide).
TAKEAWAY:
Call one of our customer care representatives at 1.800.800.9410, option 3 to review your current policy limits and discuss your coverage amount options.
California Casualty’s Partner Relations members Jeff Meyers and Roxanne Dean had an exciting opportunity to share the Outward Mindset program – one of our company’s newest initiatives to improve communication with fellow employees and our customers – with the Member Services Staff of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
