by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info |
Carbon monoxide (CO) in your home can be a quiet, deadly killer. You can’t see or smell it, but in high enough levels, it can kill someone in moments. CO is produced whenever any fuel is burned – oil, gas, wood, charcoal, etc…Typically, the amount released into your home environment from well-maintained and properly operating appliances, but still hundreds of people die every year from CO poisoning.
Symptoms of CO poisoning:
- dizziness
- confusion
- nausea
- fainting
If you suspect CO poisoning – get to fresh air, and get an emergency room quickly. Be sure to let the doctor know you suspect CO poisoning.
Prevention is the best way to avoid CO Poisoning
- Have your fuel burning appliances checked regularly
- Don’t idle your car in your garage
- Choose appliances that vent outside whenever possible
- Follow all instructions on your fuel burning appliances
- Install CO detectors
- Don’t ignore any symptoms, especially if multiple members of the household experience them
by California Casualty | Safety |
Did you know, every year there are around 10,000 fireworks related injuries in the US? On top of that, they can put you at risk for damaging your home or starting brush or forest fires.
We want you to have a good time this holiday weekend, but we also want you to be safe! That’s why we looked to the National Council on Fireworks Safety to provide some good tips to stay safe this 4th of July!
1) Use fireworks outdoors only
2) Obey local laws – many communities down allow you to shoot fireworks!
3) Watch for burn/fire bans in your area!
4) Only use fireworks as intended
5) Alcohol and Fireworks DO NOT MIX.
6) Use common sense – stay a safe distance away from lit fireworks
Happy 4th of July from California Casualty!
by California Casualty | Safety |
Hurricane season is upon us, after a violent spring storm season. Hopefully, we’ve seen the worst of the severe weather for the year, but it pays to be prepared.
The NWS National Hurricane Center has some great resources for learning more about hurricanes, their dangers, and safety precautions you should take.
It will help you identify the main questions you need to be able to answer if you are in a hurricane prone area:
- What are the Hurricane Hazards?
- What does it mean to you?
- What actions should you take to be prepared?
You should also consider calling your insurance agent or customer service department to make sure you have the appropriate coverage in case disaster strikes!
by California Casualty | News |
Ingredients
– 4 cups diced watermelon
– 1 seeded and sliced cucumber
– handful of thinly sliced mint
– 1/2 cup thinly sliced jicima
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– juice of 1/2 of a lemon
– salt to taste
– crumbled goat cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped cashews – optional
Directions
Pat dry 4 cups diced watermelon and 1 seeded and sliced cucumber; toss with a handful of thinly sliced mint and jicima. Optional: add chopped cashews to the salad. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon; season with salt and toss. Top with crumbled goat cheese.
by California Casualty | News |
It’s been two weeks since an F5 Tornado decimated a large portion of Joplin, MO – killing at least 142 people and causing widespread devastation. Much of the city still lies in ruin, but an army of volunteers is working side-by-side with area firefighters and police to help locate missing people and to begin the clean up and recovery efforts.
Out of this disaster stems a number of stories – some of which are inspiring, and some are heart wrenching.
Riverside Police Department
First – Riverside, MO Police Officer Jeff Taylor was quick to volunteer his assistance in the city – a 3 hour drive from his home. While helping, lightning struck the ground near him on May 23rd. Officials in Riverside announced today that he died from the injuries sustained in the lightning strike – making the ultimate sacrifice while helping others. Jeff was 31 years old.(read more)
Next – Dr. Kevin Kitka, an ER doctor at St. John’s Regional provided a dramatic and poignant account of that day – as his hospital was ripped apart by the twister and they struggled to care for patients and a large number of new critically injured patients. It’s a harrowing tale, and I encourage you to read it in its entirety, to try to paraphrase it here doesn’t do it justice. (read it here)
The crushed SUV
Lastly – one of the many heartwarming stories of everyday people doing what they can to help out. A personal friend of mine, Marty Fahncke took it upon himself to assist in the cleanup effort. The hero in his story though, is his 6-year old son – who happened to be in the right place at the right time to help retrieve an elderly woman’s medication from a crushed SUV. When they pried open the door, he was the only person who could fit – and he braved broken glass and sharp metal to help a woman he had just met. Read the entire story here.
