The first Arbor Day in America took place April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska, when a proposed “tree-planting holiday” saw an estimated one million trees planted in the state in one day. Almost 150 years later, our love of trees remains strong as ever—they give us beauty, comfort, shade, protection, and a living expression of the seasons.
However, the benefits of living with trees also come with risk, especially for home-owners. Falling trees or branches can damage your home or even injure people. They can fall on power lines, leading to outages or fires, and their roots can damage pipes, foundations, and utility infrastructure. If a tree grows on your property, you are legally responsible for damage or injuries caused by it.
Since it’s difficult to tell when a tree might fail, here are 7 signs that could indicate bad tree health and a hazardous situation in the making.
How to Spot Tree Health Trouble Signs:
1. Leaning Trees. A little lean is normal, as most trees don’t grow straight, but if you see cracked or buckling soil—especially on the opposite side of the lean—that’s an indicator of stress. Another sign is exposed roots around the tree’s base.
2. Multiple Trunks. A tree with multiple trunks can break if the trunks are weakly attached. Check for cracks and splits where the trunks meet.
3. Dead Branches. As a normal part of their growth cycle, trees will shed dead branches, called deadwood. Most will eventually fall but keep an eye out for branches with a diameter of 2 inches or more—these are more likely to cause damage when they fall.
4. Fungi or Mushrooms. Fungi growing on the tree’s base or roots signals decay. These organisms feed off the tree’s internal cells, compromising its structural integrity.
5. Cracks. Large cracks in a tree’s trunk or branches require immediate attention. Most worrying is horizontal cracks in the trunk; however, any significant crack is a sign that the wood is weak or has already begun to fail and it’s only a matter of time before it snaps.
6. Cavities. Although not always the case, tree cavities can signal internal decay. Check for peeling bark and hollow or decayed areas, especially where branches meet the trunk. If you notice ants, birds, squirrels, bees, or raccoons spending a lot of time on trees that don’t provide food, it may also be a sign that there’s an internal void.
7. V-Shaped Branches. Look at where branches attach to the trunk:those unions should look more like the letter U than V. Tight V-shaped forks are more prone to break than the more open U-shaped ones.
When To Call an Arborist
Some of the above hazards can be addressed relatively easily. For instance, you can prune branches and use cabling to stabilize a small or medium-sized tree that’s leaning. However, if you notice serious hazards or are dealing with especially large or old trees, it’s safest to contact a certified arborist.
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.
February is the month of love. If you choose to show your love with an expensive piece of jewelry, you’ll want to protect that enduring representation of your love.
One of the best ways is to purchase scheduled personal property (SPP) insurance, sometimes called a floater.
Here’s why: While your renters or homeowners insurance policy covers jewelry for theft or being destroyed in a fire, that coverage is limited. The average Valentine’s Day ring or necklace purchase is about $1,500, the average spend for an engagement ring is $6,000.
Scheduled personal property insurance provides higher coverage for your precious items, like high priced jewelry with coverage above and beyond what home insurance provides.
And, here’s the best part, SPP pays even if that prized piece was accidentally lost or damaged – such as losing a diamond down the sink or toilet. There is no deducible and SPP provides a replacement at the full insured amount. SPP usually costs about one to two percent of the item’s value.
Scheduled personal property isn’t just for jewelry; you might need the endorsement if you have:
Fine art
Furs
Rare coins or money collections
Expensive cameras
Firearms
Fine silverware
Stamp collections
And even if you already have gold and jewelry or a rare watch covered with scheduled personal property coverage, you may need a review. Gold and diamond prices have climbed the past few years and you may not have enough protection for their new value.
Don’t wait until your precious items are lost, stolen or damaged to find out if you have enough coverage to replace them; contact a representative today.
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.
Don’t spend your time worrying about an accident on Super Bowl Sunday, follow these party hosting safety tips and set your focus on the big game (and the commercials).
Party Hosting Safety Tips
Be a Good Neighbor
Just in case things get a little loud, let your neighbors know that you plan on hosting a Super Bowl party. As a courtesy let guests know where to park, so they do not block any driveways, and keep the party indoors or in a fenced-in yard.
Keep Your Pets Safe
Bring pets indoors and lock them in a separate room, far away from the commotion, with a TV or noise machine on. This will not only help them feel less anxious, but it will also give you peace of mind that they are safe and can’t run away.
Check the Food
Make sure your guests do not have any food allergies before you start prepping your meal. As you are cooking, remember to keep raw meats away from other food items and to always wash your hands between dishes.
Lock Up Valuables
Before inviting guests into your home make sure that you have all jewelry, cash, and other expensive items locked safely away and out of sight.
Monitor Alcohol Consumption
Have guests who plan on drinking use Uber or another rideshare service, and make sure to have a set cutoff time at least an hour before the party is over.
Make Sure You are Covered
Let’s face it, accidents happen; especially when you have a rowdy crowd on your hands. Make sure you are covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. If you are unsure, give your California Casualty advisor a call today.
The Proper Coverage for You
If something in your home gets broken or stolen while you have people over, yourpolicy will cover it. But, if you have high-value items like jewelry, antiques, collectibles, or furs, you will need to add extra coverage –scheduled personal property.
If you are serving alcohol, be aware, that hosts can be liable if others are hurt by anyone driving from your party while intoxicated. It’s called thesocial host liability law. Personal liability coverage will also help in this situation by covering payments of medical bills and lawsuits from someone who was hurt on or off (leaving) your property. However, there are limits, so talk to your insurance advisor about anumbrella policy, for greater coverage.
Other Hosting Safety Tips
Here are some other important safety tips to keep in mind when hosting a party or get together.
-Hire a babysitter for young children
-Get approval from your Homeowner’s Association
-Install proper lighting inside and outside of your home and remove items that could cause someone to trip and fall
-Consider holding your getting together at a restaurant or bar, so you won’t be liable
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.
The plumbing in your home could be in danger when temperatures dip below zero, and the last thing you want to deal with when it thaws is a burst pipe, which can lead to substantial damage in your home.
All that water can eat through drywall, destroy carpets and fry electronics. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that just two inches of water can cause more than $10,000 in repairs and replacement of flooded items. Six inches of water can add up to more than $30,000!
Before the thermometer plunges, here are things you can do to prevent pipes from freezing:
Disconnect outside hoses from faucets
Insulate water pipes, especially along exterior walls and unheated areas
Add insulation to walls and attics where pipes may run
Know where the shutoff valve is to your home
Once the sub-zero weather hits you should:
Let faucets drip to prevent freezing
Keep the thermostat above 55 degrees
Make sure garage doors are closed
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing
So you’ve prepared and kept as much heat as possible going to cold areas, but the cold air still froze a pipe; what now? Stay calm but act as quickly as possible to:
Locate where the pipe is frozen
Open the nearest faucet to relieve pressure when the ice thaws
Slowly warm the pipe with a heating pad, hairdryer, space heater or wrapping it with hot towels – never use a blow torch or open flame
If the pipe has cracked or broken, immediately turn off water at the main water valve and call a plumber. Shutting off the water will prevent further damage.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Take photos or video of the damage
Don’t make permanent repairs until the insurance company adjuster inspects the damage
Keep all of your receipts for emergency repair work or temporary housing if you are forced out of your home or apartment
Once a pipe freezes, odds are it will happen again. Here are some tips to prevent it in the future:
Hire a plumber to relocate to a warmer area
Add more insulation in walls, attics and crawl spaces
Wrap the pipe with electric heat tape, when temperatures drop, plug it in
Remember, if a burst pipe sends water into your home, contact a California Casualty Claims advisor as soon as possible; we can help get you started on the clean-up.
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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.
Winter is officially in full swing, and that means many of us will start to get out the portable heaters to combat those brisk nights and chilly mornings- that is, of course if you haven’t done that already. space heater
Used properly, portable heaters are a godsend, but it’s extremely important to pay attention to the possible dangers associated with that trusty little plug-in heater.
Portable heaters are responsible for an estimated 25,000+ home fires each year, causing terrible burns to thousands of people. Imagine how you’d feel if not paying attention to a simple appliance caused the destruction of your home or hurt your family.
That’s why you should follow these Space Heater Safety Tips
Never use an unvented combustion heater indoors (safety experts recommend electric heaters instead)
Only purchase or use newer models that have current safety features and the Underwriter Laboratory (UL) label
Keep the heater on a hard, level, non-flammable surface such as ceramic tile
Make sure the heater is at least three feet away from flammables like bedding, drapes, furniture, and papers
Keep pets and children away from space heaters
Always turn the heater off when you leave the area
Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep
Check to see if it has a tip-over safety switch that will automatically turn it off if it falls over
Avoid using extension cords and never run the cord under carpeting or mats
Pro Tip: these safety tips also apply when turning on the heat for the entire house. If you haven’t already, the National Fire Protection Association recommends us to have our heating system, or chimney, checked and serviced each year by a qualified heating and cooling professional to make sure it’s fire safe and there are no carbon monoxide leaks. It is also recommended to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors during this time.
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 visit www.calcas.com.
We are about to turn the calendars to welcome in the beginning of a new decade – 2020!
Tonight, millions will gather around the world to ring in the New Year, and if you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party, remember; safety is the number one priority. Every year, people are hurt from slips, falls, and other numerous dangers associated with drunken New Year’s celebrations.
Here are some important party-planning safety tips you need to consider if you’ll be hosting a gathering to celebrate the arrival of 2020.
Clear decks, steps, and sidewalks of tripping hazards
Keep pets locked or gated in a room away from the commotion
Remove jewelry or other valuables from areas where guests might be
Use battery-operated candles instead of flammable ones
Avoid setting off or using fireworks
Don’t leave food on stoves or in ovens unattended
Check for food allergies before serving any dishes
Keep foods warmed or cooled to proper temperatures to avoid foodborne illnesses
Limit alcohol consumption
Arrange for designated drivers, ride-sharing, or provide a place to stay for inebriated guests
Unfortunately, even when you take the best precautions, accidents can happen. But don’t fear, a homeowners or renters insurance policy with high liability limits will help protect you if the worst should happen. That’s why you should contact a California Casualty advisor today to make sure you are fully covered for the holidays.
Don’t forget to ask about special coverages for high-value gifts like jewelry, musical instruments or fine art when you call 1.800.800.9410 or 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 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
