by California Casualty | News |
“Move over; it’s the law!” That is the urgent message from public safety groups across the U.S.
Here’s why; many of us freeze and don’t know what to do when we see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its lights flashing. Not moving over is breaking the law, and could endanger a first responder, tow truck driver or highway worker’s life.
Traffic incidents are the number one cause of in the line of duty deaths for law enforcement officers and highway workers. On average, an officer or highway worker gets hit by a driver every day in the U.S. They include Colorado State Trooper Cody Donahue, struck and killed November 2016 by a distracted truck driver as he investigated an accident, and Johnson County Kansas Master Deputy Brandon Collins died when a driver slammed into the back of his cruiser in January of 2017. They are just a few of the hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighter/EMTs and highway workers injured or killed every year while trying to help others.
Because of the human toll, every state in the U.S. now has a “move over” law mandating that drivers approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights must move to the next adjacent lane if it is safe to do so or to slow down significantly if unable to move over.
A recent poll found 70 percent of Americans have not heard of “move over” laws and didn’t know what they should do. That’s why jurisdictions across the country are stepping up education and enforcement about their “move over” requirements as the summer driving season gets into full swing. The odds are that you’ve seen a tweet, a Facebook post or a variable message board promoting the “move over” law in your area.
Penalties vary, but drivers who fail to slow down and move over can get a ticket.
Rather than get a ticket or cause a serious accident, California Casualty is asking you to slow down and move over when you see an officer, paramedic, firefighter, tow truck driver or road crew with their lights flashing on the side of the road. You could save a life.
by California Casualty | News |
You’ve no doubt encountered the glazed look of your child mesmerized by a blue screened device. You’d like them to do their homework, go out and play, or spend some family time. Often, your demands or pleas to turn it off meet with an argument, indifference or just outright defiance.
You are not alone; a recent study found the average child spends seven-and-a-half hours a day plugged into a game console, smartphone or computer. While some digital media use can be beneficial, The American Academy of Pediatrics is addressing the issue with new recommendations and resources to help families maintain a healthy media diet.
So what’s a parent to do? Here are seven strategies to help your children unplug:
Set a good example. Your kids are watching as you regularly binge on Netflix, check email, or text friends or relatives while at the dinner table. If you don’t want them to be doing it, don’t do it yourself.
Create digital-free zones. Have your children help set up rules such as no texting, TV or laptops during meals and time each evening when cell phones, TVs, and computers will be shut off.
Make digital time family time. Joining your kids playing video games or watching a favorite show lets them feel you’re engaged. It will make it easier to help limit that activity.
Set time limits. Whether it’s a home timer, an onscreen countdown clock or verbal reminders, it’s important that you set and stick to deadlines for the digital activity to end.
Recommend other activities. Tell them that after an hour of media, they can have dessert, paint or play a game of hide-and-go-seek.
Keep your kids active. Whether it’s joining them for a bike ride, hike, game of tag, soccer, baseball or basketball, your children will be getting exercise, and they won’t be using their computers or phones.
Help them find organized activities. Organizations such as scouting, sports teams, church groups, academic clubs or volunteer work assist them to engage in social and physical activities, and coaches and group leaders often ban electronic devices.
If all of these fail, have a frank discussion with your children about the mental and physical health issues associated with overuse of electronic devices, game consoles or TV. Ask them if they notice that they might be gaining weight, feeling isolated, having mood swings or are less energetic because of so much time spent watching movies or gaming. Then ask them if they have any suggestions to solve the problem. You might be surprised at their insights and solutions.
by California Casualty | News |
Thanksgiving is the time we should pause and be thankful for so many things. While most of think of our jobs, families and our health, we might forget about other things in our lives we might want to give “thankful” shout-outs for:
- Netflix and Hulu for saving me from having to purchase a DVR and entertaining me on really boring weekends and nights
- Phone navigation apps that have helped me find the right route and places when traveling to a new city, but also led me onto the wrong direction of a one-way street
- Costco for all the industrial sized coffee (and dark chocolate pumpkin seed bark) to keep me amped up til next year
- This year’s college and professional football that is testing how well my blood pressure medicine is really working
- Gas prices under $2 a gallon (I filled up the other day for $24)
- The presidential race for a lot of laughs and occasional groans
- Lip balm
- Twitter for reducing everything to 140 characters and helping my ADHD
- For the companies and stores who won’t be open on Thanksgiving (and for the few who will be closed on Black Friday)
- Jimmy Fallon’s Friday thank you notes
- Drones for new perspectives on the world around us (and peeks into my neighbor’s yard)
- The Internet (specifically Facebook) for finding a way to capture so much of my valuable time
- Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone for making old guys like me seem cool and relevant
What are you thankful for this year? We’d like to see. Have a little fun and share your off-the-wall appreciation with us.
One thing educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses can be thankful for is a company like California Casualty which offers auto and home insurance with exclusive benefits tailored to your profession. Learn what benefits you qualify for by calling one of our advisors today for a free policy comparison or review at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | News |
Why do we still do it?
I’m talking about Sunday’s time change. Almost everyone I talk to dreads saying goodbye to daylight saving and turning our clocks back this weekend for the return of standard time. We might regain an hour, but it’s depressing leaving work in the dark at 5 p.m.
It’s more than just an inconvenience; the “fall back” can be a real health hazard. Some 40 million of us already have some type of chronic sleep disorder and 40 percent of us admit we’ve recently fallen asleep while driving. Sleep experts say that setting the clock back an hour is contrary to how our body clocks work, leading to some interesting health effects –both good and bad – that you may not have known about.
- Your risk of being in a car accident may increase
A Texas A&M University study found there was a seven percent increase in car crashes the week after daylight saving time comes to an end, with morning crashes jumping 14 percent. Researchers think the hour difference affects us much like jet lag when we disrupt our normal sleep pattern
- Your odds of a heart attack may drop
In a 2014 study, researchers found a 21 percent decrease in heart attacks on the Tuesday following the fall time change. That compares to the 24 percent increase just after the switch to daylight saving.
- Your mood may improve
As the weather gets colder and daylight diminishes, we tend to be more depressed. But in the weeks following the fall time change, your wake time may actually sync with the sunrise, giving you a temporary mood a boost. Exposing yourself to morning light is one of the most powerful things you can do to stave off winter blues.
- The quality of your sleep may take a hit
Many of us have trouble after we set the clocks back; we actually stay up later because we aren’t tired when it’s bedtime and our brain is still programmed to get us up an hour earlier than the clock says. One study suggests that instead of capitalizing on the supposed extra hour of sleep, you may actually lose sleep the week after the fall time change. A Finnish study found that the quality of sleep after the fall transition actually decreases for many of us.
Now you probably already know if you are sleep deprived, but just in case, you can take the National Sleep Foundation’s “sleepiness test” to show how you stack up against other Americans.
And, if you find turning the clocks back leaves you out of sorts, overtired and more cranky than usual, here are some recommendations from the Sleep Foundation:
- Avoid napping during the day
- Limit stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening
- Use relaxing exercise like yoga or meditation before bedtime
- Stay away from heavy, late meals
- Don’t experiment with spicy dishes for dinner
- Expose yourself to as much natural light as possible
- Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine
- Keep the bedroom for sleep – eliminate the TV
- Make your bed and sleeping area as comfortable as possible
Oh, here are a couple last things:
- Don’t forget to set your clocks back Saturday night so you won’t show up an hour early for church or other morning activities.
- Don’t forget to test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Don’t lose sleep worrying about your auto and home insurance; contact a California Casualty advisor today for a free, no hassle policy review and comparison at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com. You’ll sleep better knowing you have the best coverage with exclusive professional discounts.
Sources for this article:
https://www.better-sleep-better-life.com/insomnia-statistics.html
https://www.yahoo.com/health/4-weird-ways-the-time-change-affects-your-health-101686684992.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079212001141
https://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/8/3
https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene
by California Casualty | News |
Get ready, El Niño is back. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says continued heating in the Pacific Ocean means a strong event this fall and winter. Wind conditions and several tropical cyclones are indications of an intensifying effect which could lead to one of the strongest El Niño’s in a long time.
NOAA and other climate watchers say while every El Niño is different, these are some general things we can expect:
- Cooler, wetter weather in the southern U.S. with possible heavy storms and flooding
- Wetter weather for Southern and Central California with intense rain and possible flooding and mudslides
- Drier, warmer weather in the Pacific Northwest and Central U.S.
- Slightly warmer weather in the Rocky Mountain Region, but with strong snow storms and blizzards (some of the biggest blizzards have come during past El Niño years)
- Warmer and drier on the East Coast
- Less Atlantic hurricanes but more Pacific cyclones and hurricanes
Here are some tips before the wild weather blows in:
- Make sure your vehicles have comprehensive coverage for damage from weather, flooding, mudslides, falling objects (rocks and trees), etc.
- Check your auto’s tires to make sure they will provide traction in rainy, icy or snowy weather
- Inspect the roof of your home to make sure it’s ready for the onslaught of heavy rain, snow or ice
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts channel water away from your home
- Trim branches and trees that could blow onto your roof or home in a heavy storm
The Insurance Information Institute estimates that over the past five years, damage from wind and storms has been the number one cause of damage claims to homes, with the average payment just under $8,800. Before El Niño takes aim at your home, they recommend you:
- Review your insurance to make sure you are covered for storm loss
- Purchase flood insurance (which is not included with most homeowners insurance) if you live in a flood prone area
- Talk with your insurance company to make sure you have the adequate limits and deductibles
- Take an inventory of all the possessions you own
No matter the weather, California Casualty is ready to help with your storm insurance preparations. Contact an advisor today for a policy review or comparison at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
Sources for this article:
https://www.oc.nps.edu/webmodules/ENSO/NA_EN.html
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html
https://mashable.com/2015/07/09/strongest-el-nino-on-record/
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/homeowners-and-renters-insurance
https://www.pciaa.net/pciwebsite/cms/content/viewpage?sitePageId=42247
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/homeowners-and-renters-insurance
https://www.knowyourstuff.org/iii/login.html
by California Casualty | News |
Instead of staying home and having a BBQ this Labor Day weekend, many of us will be hitting the road for one last blast of fun before the leaves drop and the weather cools. Thanks to lower fuel costs, both flying and driving will be less expensive. In fact, the airline industry is projecting 14.2 million Americans will be flying this year, an increase of three percent from last year.
For those looking for one last great summer adventure, Expedia has collected data and released a list of the top 10 destinations for Labor Day 2015:
- Las Vegas
- New York City
- Cancun
- Orlando
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Miami
- Seattle
- Washington, D.C.
Expedia finds travel costs to many of the top 10 destinations have gone down from last year.
To stretch your Labor Day travel dollars even further, CheapAir.com advises the best day to depart is Wednesday, September 2, with a return trip on Tuesday or Wednesday, September 8 or 9.
If Europe has been on your travel radar, the strong dollar compared to the Euro has reduced food and lodging costs in many European destinations by five to 20 percent.
For families looking for something unique to do, Mashable.com has highlighted some of the best Labor Day events, from the Navy Pier fireworks display in Chicago to the multitude of festivals in the Los Angeles area.
Don’t let a flat tire or heat drained battery detour your fun if you choose to drive to your Labor Day destination; check out our list of summer auto care tips at https://mycalcas.com/2015/08/dont-let-summer-heat-drain-your-vehicle/.
And before you head out on that trip, make sure your auto and home are protected. Contact a California Casualty advisor for a policy review or quote at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
So, where is your favorite place or thing to do for Labor Day? Let us know so we can share it with others.
Resources for this article:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/08/18/airline-travel-labor-day-holiday-busy-record-summer/31863557/
https://viewfinder.expedia.com/news/expedia-analysis-reveals-americans-tend-to-wait-to-last-minute-to-book-labor-day-travel
https://www.cheapair.com/blog/summer-flights/
https://mashable.com/2015/08/19/labor-day-destinations/
