As Hurricane Joaquin strengthens and barrels across the Atlantic taking aim at the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, experts are warning people to be prepared. Even if it doesn’t make landfall, the storm could drench coastal areas from Geo rgia north to Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Some areas could get as much as 20 inches of rain this weekend. Are you ready?
While hurricanes are associated with extreme winds, the National Hurricane Center warns that storm surge actually causes the most damage and loss of life. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed new maps to show the danger. They also have a list of hurricane preparedness tips that include:
Understand your insurance – know whether you have actual cash value or replacement cost coverage, know how much living expenses coverage you have and make sure you have flood insurance (not covered with most home or renters insurance)
Store copies of your inventory and insurance information in a safe location away from home
Get an annual insurance review to make sure you have enough coverage for the dwelling and possessions
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Secure the property from further damage or theft
Keep or document receipts and other expenses if you are evacuated or forced to find another place to live because of damage to your home or apartment
Be wary of unscrupulous contractors following a natural disaster
California Casualty is ready to help before or after the storm. Contact an advisor today for a policy review, to arrange for flood insurance or upgrade coverages at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com. It’s also our policy to call customers in a disaster area to make sure you are okay and help start a claim, and our Claims department is available 24 hours a day, even on holidays if you have an emergency.
The confetti has been cleaned up and the noise-makers are put away for another year. But, with the New Year comes a new bout of aches, fever and coughs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that flu cases have reached epidemic levels in the U.S. As of January 5, 2015, 43 states are now reporting widespread influenza-like illness, with outbreaks in every region of the country. This year’s flu is sending more people to hospitals than last season, with the H3N2 virus the most prevalent strain. Unfortunately, this year’s vaccination is less effective against H3N2, which has mutated. So what can you do to lessen your chances of getting the flu?
Avoid others who are sick, and stay home if you are feeling unwell
Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated with water, teas and other non-caffeinated drinks
If you think you have the flu, ask your physician about antiviral drugs that can shorten the effects if prescribed within the first 48 hours of the first symptoms.
Public health experts say that sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have a cold or the flu, but here are some things to know: while both colds and the flu are upper respiratory illnesses, a cold is milder and will ease in a few days; flu symptoms are much more severe, will last up to 10 days, and can result in serious health problems like pneumonia and hospitalization. Here are other ways you can differentiate between the two:
COLDS
Symptoms usually last a few days to a week
Normally begin with a sore throat that diminishes in a day or two
Fever is very uncommon with colds (except for younger children)
A cough usually develops by the fourth or fifth days
FLU
Symptoms come on strongly and swiftly (3 to 6 hours) and will persist for five days or longer
Will include a sore throat
Often there is a high fever accompanied by chills
Extreme, sudden tiredness and exhaustion are common
Like the commitment of Elizabeth Thompson, who may have said it best, “The really good teachers are the ones you remember; they stick with you all your life.” The Oakdale, California teacher is the most recent winner of a California Casualty $2,500 Academic Award. She added, “I teach because I want to make a difference in each child’s life. [Thanks to California Casualty] I can now do things that I couldn’t do before.”
Elizabeth, a second generation educator, is passionate about finding new ways to enrich and stimulate her students who have learning challenges.
We realize that all too often educators are the unsung heroes working hard to make sure our children excel. They give their time, encouragement, and frequently their own funds to make sure their students learn and achieve. Their reward is the satisfaction that they made a difference in a child’s life.
While we might remember a favorite teacher that motivated us, few of them get the public accolades they deserve. That’s why California Casualty has teamed up with the California Department of Education (CDE) as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2015 School Recognition Program that honors educators who inspire students to succeed, recognizes schools that continually show high achievement and celebrates the support staff that provides the backbone for quality education. California Casualty’s support makes possible the following California School Recognition Programs:
California Gold Ribbon Schools – honoring exemplary public schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
Teacher of the Year – recognizing exemplary teachers and their contribution to quality education
Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
California Green Ribbon School Awards – recognizing schools that accomplish great things in the areas of sustainability and health
California Blue Ribbon Schools – celebrating schools that promote and support the improvement of education
With a relationship that spans more than 63 years, we understand that great teachers often need help to accomplish great things. They get support from fellow educators, encouraging leaders and schools that go outside the box with new ideas, new technology and thinking that allows instructors to do what they do best; stimulate young minds to reach to new heights.
California Casualty has a commitment to educators like Elizabeth. We do more than provide the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program, we give back to the communities we serve in meaningful ways that have real impact on their lives. These include the $2,500 California Casualty Academic Award, that helps offset the money that educators spend of their own funds for classroom supplies and equipment; the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, given to public high schools in California that demonstrate the greatest need for their sporting programs; and the Impact Teen Drivers “Create Real Impact” contest, that awards students and schools that design the best interactive messages to prevent distracted and reckless driving – the number one killer of teens today.
Teachers and support staff do make a difference. They are committed to our children and that’s why the CDE’s School Recognition Program is so important, and why California Casualty is proud to be a sponsor.
Educators are some of the hardest working people around. You’re dedicated to the young minds searching for learning and guidance. Despite the obstacles, you persevere and push through for your students. And it’s not just an individual story; there are almost 118,000 school teachers and thousands more support staff who make New Jersey’s public schools great.
But of those 118,000, how many get recognized for the special work they do?
That’s why the “New Jersey Teachers That Rock/Teachers Who Make Magic” awards program is so valuable; it highlights educators who collaborate, innovate, arrive early and stay late to connect with students and deepen the learning experience. Best yet, the nominations come from parents, students and fellow educators who notice the exceptional work being done.
For example, Laurie Miller, a special education teacher at North Brunswick High, was honored for bringing the excitement of learning into her students’ lives – both in and out of the classroom. She created award winning programs, which also garnered national recognition, that enrich her students’ daily experience and prepare them to be independent adults.
Susan Zega was cited as a “one in a million teacher” at Somerset’s Mac Afee Road School for thinking out of the box to treat each student as an individual. She also started a student run garden that benefits the local food bank.
It’s that dedication that makes California Casualty proud to be a sponsor of the “Teachers That Rock/Teachers Who Make Magic” recognition program. We can all remember a teacher who made a difference – motivating us to succeed or to take pride in our strengths – yet few of them got the public accolades they deserved.
Because our commitment to educators spans more than 63 years, we realize the long hours you put in at both home and school and how much of your own money you use for classroom supplies and projects. In addition to awards, California Casualty gives back in tangible ways that have real impact. These include the $2,500 California Casualty Academic Award, which helps offset the money that educators spend of their own funds for classroom supplies and equipment; the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, given to public high schools that demonstrate the greatest need for their sporting programs; and the California Casualty $7,500 School Lounge Makeover, providing a more comfortable and aesthetic environment for instructors and staff to relax and recharge.
Teachers and support staff do make a difference. You’re committed to our children and that’s why the “New Jersey Teachers That Rock/Teachers Who Make Magic” recognition is so important, and why California Casualty is proud to be a sponsor.
For Educators, Peace Officers, Firefighters, and Nurses – people who make our communities better – taking time off work for the flu has more repercussions than it does for your average cubicle dweller. That’s why we wanted to share some tips on telling the difference between a cold and the flu, and how you can protect yourself.
As this season’s flu outbreak continues to spread, many are wondering if they actually have the flu, and how can they prevent it from spreading. Both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Web MD agree sometimes it’s hard to tell what is causing your cough, body aches and fever but here are some things to know:
Both colds and the flu are upper respiratory illnesses. A cold is milder and will ease in a few days. Flu symptoms are much more severe, can last up to 10 days and can result in serious health problems like pneumonia and hospitalization. How can someone differentiate between the two?
COLDS
Colds usually last a week.
They normally begin with a sore throat that diminishes in a day or two.
Fever is very uncommon with colds (except for younger children)
A cough usually develops by the fourth or fifth days.
FLU
Symptoms come on strongly and swiftly
Sore throat
Fever
Severe muscle aches and soreness
Congestion and coughs
Swine flu also is associated with vomiting and diarrhea
The best ways to prevent the flu is to:
Get a flu vaccination
Wash hands frequently
Avoid others who are sick, and stay home if you are feeling unwell
Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated with water, teas and other non-caffeinated drinks
Ask your physician about antiviral drugs that can blunt flu symptoms if prescribed within the first 48 hours of your first symptoms.
One of the best resources about the flu can be found at www.flu.gov.
While hurricanes are associated with extreme winds, the National Hurricane Center warns that storm surge actually causes the most damage and loss of life. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed new maps to show the danger. They also have a list of hurricane preparedness tips that include:
For Educators, Peace Officers, Firefighters, and Nurses – people who make our communities better – taking time off work for the flu has more repercussions than it does for your average cubicle dweller. That’s why we wanted to share some tips on telling the difference between a cold and the flu, and how you can protect yourself.