When temperatures start to dip and the days get shorter, snow and ice are soon to follow. If you live in a snow-prone area, it’ll soon be time to pull out the shovel, gloves, and boots and prep yourself for the snow shoveling season.
Here are some tips to stay ahead of the snow, protect yourself from injury, and make this necessary chore a little less taxing.
Before Shoveling: Prepare & Plan
Warm-up – Do some basic stretches to limber up and prevent injury.
Wear layers – Layers will keep you warm while allowing for full movement.
Start early – Shovel new snowfall before it melts and refreezes into a slipping hazard.
Make a plan – Before removing the snow, figure out where you’re going to move it to.
Choose the right shovel – Make sure your shovel fits your hands and frame. Choose from ergonomically-designed models that can reduce bending and strain.
Consider wax – Coating your shovel blade with wax (car wax is fine) will prevent heavy snow from sticking and freezing to the blade. This works best on metal shovels.
While Shoveling: Technique & Habits
Push, don’t lift – Pushing snow is easier on your body than lifting it. In times where lifting is unavoidable, be sure to:
Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
Position your feet hip-width apart and use your legs for leverage.
Avoid twisting with a loaded shovel.
Keep your shovel close to your body — This will help prevent injuries.
Keep it bite-sized – Shovel smaller loads rather than large ones. Also, focus on the powder rather than heavy ice.
Change up your grip – To prevent blisters and strain, switch up left- to right-handed shoveling. Also change it up with palm under/ palm over.
Take breaks – Especially if the snow is wet, be sure to hit pause every 20 or 30 minutes.
Stay hydrated – In cold weather, it’s easy to forget to hydrate, so be sure you have water available and remember to drink it.
Shovel snow while it’s falling – You’ll lighten your workload if you periodically remove snow while it’s falling.
Managing the Yard
While shoveling, keep your yard and home exterior happy by keeping these tips in mind.
Don’t let snow pile up – If branches are weighed down with snowdrifts, gently brush the snow off to prevent branches from bending under the weight and snapping. And when you’re shoveling near them, remember to not dump the snow on plants.
Make a windbreak – If it works for your yard, you can deposit each shovelful of snow to form a barrier that shields shrubs and plants from wind damage.
Clear snow from the dryer vent – A blocked dryer vent is a fire hazard and can put your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your vents are clear of snow build-up.
Keep the fire hydrant clear of snow – If you have a fire hydrant at the front of your yard, make sure part of your maintenance is to keep it clear in case fire crews need to locate and use it.
If you park in the driveway – Clear a path to the driver door first, so that you don’t have to trudge through the snow to get to it.
As long as there’s snow, there will be snow shoveling. By using the tips above, you can make this task a bit easier and prevent injuries in the process.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
Did you know that cooking fires in residential buildings happen more often on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year? Or that peak timing for fires is from 10am – 4pm — right when everyone’s preparing their turkey day feasts?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking is by far the number one contributing factor of cooking fires and fire deaths.
The following tips from NFPA will help you avoid the common pitfalls and serve up a holiday full of delicious dishes, happy memories, and a safe celebration.
Remember to:
Stay in the kitchen when cooking as much as possible:
If you’re frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food and need to leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn the stove off until you return.
If baking, simmering, or roasting, check it regularly, stay in your home, and use a timer to remind you when it’s close to done.
While cooking turkey, check on it frequently, and do not leave your home.
Test your smoke alarms a few days before the holiday to make sure they’re working.
Keep oven mitts, food packaging, towels, and any other flammable materials away from your stovetop.
Keep the kitchen floor free of tripping hazards.
Don’t use the stove or stovetop if you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
Be mindful of children:
Keep them at least 3 feet away from the stove.
Make sure knives, electric cords, and matches/lighters are out of reach.
Ensure they stay away from hot food and liquids.
Never leave them alone in a room with a lit candle.
Prevent a Fryer Fire
Deep frying turkeys is all the rage — and unfortunately causes plenty of fires and injuries every year. If you plan to fry this year, follow these safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:
Only use a unit specifically made for frying turkeys — don’t try to adapt cookware you already have.
Only use the fryer outdoors on a sturdy, level surface that is a safe distance from anything flammable. Remember that fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot oil. Maintain a 3-foot zone free of kids and pets to protect against injuries.
Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before frying it — a partially frozen bird will cause hot oil to splatter.
Ensure that you use the correct amount of oil. An overfilled fryer will spill over when the turkey is placed inside.
Do not leave the fryer unattended. A 15-pound turkey will take about 45 minutes to cook, so prep in advance so that you can stay outside the whole time.
Use gloves and have extra potholders and supplies nearby. The pot, lid, and handles of the fryer can get very hot.
In Case of Emergency
A small grease fire can erupt suddenly — even despite best efforts at prevention. Here are some basic steps from the NFPA if one erupts on your watch.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If on the stovetop, smother flames by putting a lid or baking sheet over the pan, taking it off the heat, and turning the burner off. Leave the pan covered until completely cooled.
Do NOT pour water on a grease fire — it will make it worse or even spread the fire. A lid or cooking sheet is best; pouring baking soda or salt on small flames can also help extinguish them.
When in doubt, get out of the house. Close the door behind you and call 911.
The holidays are busy. Between cooking and hosting time and focus can feel scant. To let you focus on cooking — safe cooking, that is — enlist the whole family to help. Tasks such as shopping, decorating, and cleaning can be delegated. While in the kitchen, make sure someone else is on point for entertaining and taking care of things in the rest of the house. Finally, prepare activities (games, puzzles, books, etc.) ahead of time for children so that they’re occupied and out of the kitchen.
And most important: enjoy that precious time with your family — over a delicious, beautiful meal!
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
All across America, people are missing their extended families – and now even more so with Thanksgiving and the holidays quickly approaching. What we’ll miss most this November are the warm hugs, embraces, and cheek kisses; passing dishes around the table; and piling on the couch with overstuffed, yet happy, bellies.
Many are skipping large gatherings this year, in favor of smaller dinners with only household guests. If you’re hosting a small family dinner this year, you may be wondering how to balance safety with the traditions that make Thanksgiving so special.
See the tips below for striking that balance and answering some common safety questions.
Can I have a Normal Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving may look a bit different this year for many different families. States all across the country have enforced strict guidelines limiting gatherings of more than 10 people and encouraging families to cancel their plans. However, millions of people still flocked to the airport this weekend to travel in preparation for the holiday.
So, should your Thanksgiving look normal this year? Yes and no. For some it is best to cancel, for others who don’t want to break tradition, it is best to limit your gathering to just immediate family (those in your household) or at least keep it under 10 people and have a small Thanksgiving. However, that will not change the food, or the laughs, or the memories you will make. Encourage relatives that are staying home and cooking their own meals this year to Facetime or Zoom in, so you can all still enjoy the holiday “together” while staying safe.
How Can I Keep My Small Gathering Safe?
For those who are making the decision to continue on with a small gathering, hosts will be doing more work this year- that’s for sure. But with some planning and attention throughout the evening, you can serve a meal your guests will love and keep everyone safe in the process.
“Small Gathering” Must Mean Small Gathering. Only immediate family or no more than 10 people.
Lay the Ground Rules. As the host, you’re the one who sets the tone about safety. Remember that having safety measures doesn’t mean your holiday needs to be any less warm or wonderful.
Plan Ahead. If you are including a few family members outside of your household, send safety expectations ahead of time, to give people time to plan and adjust. Make sure everyone knows and agrees to the rules. Remind them that the precautions are meant to protect them and those they love, and if they would not like to follow them, they can stay home.
Sanitize Ahead of Time. Disinfect surfaces in bathrooms and common areas. Provide disposable paper towels instead of cloth ones. Put out multiple bottles of hand sanitizer to remind people to use them.
No Ifs, Ands, or Buts. If anyone in your household becomes sick or is exposed to the virus beforehand, the dinner must be called off – this goes for you as host as well as for guests.
Social Distancing and Safety from the Get-Go. If you invite family outside of your household, remember to maintain social distance inside of your home and to avoid kissing, touching, and handshakes. Guests should also wear facemasks whenever possible (supply a box of surgical masks).
Be the Designated Server. To cut down on cross-contamination, hosts should serve all food and drink (and be masked while doing so). If dinner has to be served buffet-style, make sure everyone sanitizes before going through the line.
Go Compostable. Consider disposable and compostable paper plates, napkins, utensils, and cups to reduce the chances of transmission.
Dine Outdoors if Possible. By now we know that dining outdoors versus indoors greatly reduces the chances of transmission, so if possible, plan for that.
If Inside- Space Out. If circumstances necessitate an indoor event, plan your gathering in a large room, spacing tables, and chairs apart. Open windows (have lap blankets available) to bring the fresh air in. Or you can set up multiple tables and have relatives eat in different rooms.
Mind the Alcohol. We all know alcohol lowers inhibitions and can change behavior. If folks begin to mingle, bunch together, or wander the house, remind them about social distancing. Use markers for wine and cocktail glasses so everyone keeps their own glass. Hosts should pour/serve drinks rather than lots of people handling the bottles.
Should People Be Tested Beforehand?
One of the things that makes the pandemic so frustrating is the difficulty around knowing for sure whether any of us is carrying the coronavirus. Part of that is due to issues around testing: the time lag between test and results, the false negatives, and even the lack of available testing in some places.
If family members coming to your dinner (or children that have been away at school) would like to get tested beforehand- encourage them to. This way you can all have a little piece of mind when sitting down at the dinner table. Even if everyone tests negative, still emphasize masking, handwashing, social distancing, and other proven preventive measures you can take as host.
At the end of the evening, remember to load glasses and any ceramic dishes in the dishwasher on high heat and sanitize all surfaces, doorknobs, and handles.
Should I Feel Bad for Canceling?
And finally, don’t feel bad for canceling or having to uninvite guests that usually come to your Thanksgiving feast. If you have any fears at all, or become overwhelmed with stress/anxiety about the day- don’t be afraid to cancel. This is a very crazy time (to say the least) and family members will likely understand. The health and safety of you and your immediate family should always be your number one priority.
Stay safe and have a happy Thanksgiving.
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.
Whether you’re making the trek to visit relatives for the holidays or finally taking that delayed summer getaway, you may be getting ready to hit the open road again.
Of course, a road trip during a pandemic is quite different from our carefree road trips of the past. But with some prep work, some new safety habits, and a go-with-it attitude, you can still make your trip memorable and safe.
Service and Prep Your Vehicle
You want to be comfortable and safe on your trip, so put your mind at ease by giving your car a little love before heading out.
Get it serviced. Schedule your car for a full service and inspection, which may include oil change, fluids check and top-off, tire check, brakes, etc.
Double-check the emergency kit. Add, update, and replace items as needed. Use our handy essentials emergency kit article as your guide. Make sure it includes a first aid kit.
Add Covid-specific supplies. Throw in extra masks, sanitizing wipes and gel (at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol), and disposable gloves into your kit.
Pack for comfort. Knowing you’ll be spending hours on the road, pack music, tablets, blankets, comfy shoes, and flip-flops, as well as jackets and easy-to-throw on layers. Sunglasses, stick-on sunshades, and sunscreen will help protect against all those UV rays (though not as hot in autumn, the rays can still do damage).
Limit shopping along the way. Bring along things from home that you know are not contaminated, such as snacks, bottled water, medicine, phone chargers, and trash bags.
Plan It Out & Prep Ahead of Time
A lot has changed in the last several months, which means you’ll need to do a little more legwork ahead of your trip.
Map out your route. Even if you’ve made this trip before, there may be unexpected closures along the way. Use a mapping app to get ahead of any problem areas.
Check states and counties for Covid-19 case counts. Avoid traveling through areas with high breakouts or infection rates.
Check travel restrictions for your destination and locations along the way. Some states and cities are requiring travelers from other areas to quarantine for 14 days upon entry (or are outright barring visitors).
Before setting out, download one or two payment apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Android Pay to limit the number of germy PIN pads you have to touch.
Have a plan in case you or a family member gets sick. This virus is wily, and sometimes sickness happens despite all your best prevention efforts. So have a contingency plan ready to go.
Have a Plan for Dining & Restaurants
Restaurants can be especially risky as hotspots for coronavirus transmission. Reduce yours and your family’s risk with these tips.
Bring your own stash of non-perishable food in case of restaurant closures or limited dining options.
Utilize drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curbside pick-up options if you want to reduce your exposure. Pack a family-sized picnic set (and blanket) ahead of time so you’ll have utensils and plates at the ready. Scout out parks or lakes where you and your family can eat.
If a restaurant offers outdoor seating, choose that over sitting indoors. Bring coats and lap blankets if it’s chilly.
If dining indoors, choose restaurants that maintain social distancing between tables indoors. Wear your mask as much as possible.
Know Your Game Plan for Hotels & Lodging
Because hotels are high-traffic areas, it’s important to take extra safety steps before, during, and after your stay.
Research hotels and reserve in advance.
Call ahead and ask about their policies on cleaning and disinfecting, as well as contactless check-in and check-out.
Whatever the hotel’s stated cleaning policies, make sure you swipe high-touch areas in your room with disinfectant wipes: doorknobs and handles, bathroom fixtures and counters, light fixtures, TV buttons, and remote control, and any surface where you might put bags, computers, purses, etc.
Ask the front desk to forgo housekeeping services, as it limits the number of people in your room.
Minimize use of high-traffic areas such as lounge areas, dining areas, saunas, fitness centers, and salons.
Must-Do’s for the Entire Trip
Make a habit of the following, and safety will soon become second nature.
Follow the basics at all times: Frequent handwashing, mask-wearing in indoor public spaces (and outdoors where you can’t socially distance), and 6 feet distance between you and others outside your household.
Limit the number of stops along your route.
Use contactless payments wherever possible.
Be cautious when touching fuel pumps – diligently use hand sanitizer after every use or use disposable gloves.
Use hand sanitizer every time you enter your vehicle (same goes for family members), which will keep your vehicle’s interior clean.
Wipe down your car’s interior every day – preferably multiple times. Especially germy surfaces include door handles, steering wheel, gear knob, stereo and temperature control dials, cup holders, and seatbelts.
Have your whole family make a habit of wiping down their phones multiple times a day – phones may well be our most-touched item.
While road trips in 2020 may be nothing like those of the past, yours can still be something you and your family look back on with fondness, good feels, and probably some laughs as well.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
It’s no secret that 2020 has been a hard year for everyone- our friends, our community, our teachers, our first responders, our family, and the list goes on…
We are all figuring out how to live in this “new normal” together, and that can be stressful (and scary) at times, but that shouldn’t change our attitude towards our neighbors. You may not strike up conversations with strangers, tip with cash, or hold the door open while others pass you by anymore, but there are still many ways that you can continue to show kindness.
If there was ever a year to show true kindness- it’s 2020. You need it. Your neighbor needs it. The world needs it. Here are 8 easy ways you can be kind in 2020.
1. Wear Your Mask
Even if your state doesn’t have a mask mandate, do your part in helping stop the spread by wearing your mask when you are out and about. It may seem annoying or a nuisance, but you are doing your community a kindness and possibly saving lives by wearing it.
2. Take Care of Your Own Mental Health
There has never been a more mentally exhausting year than this. Between quarantines and the election and all else in between, you owe it to yourself to put your needs and your mental health first- get enough sleep, drink enough water, exercise, and take a mental break and do something that brings you joy.
3. Reach Out to Someone You Love
Call or Facetime a friend or relative you haven’t been able to see. Ask them how they are doing and have a long conversation. People, especially those older and more susceptible to COVID-19, are missing social interaction more than ever, and a simple phone call could make their entire day/week.
4. Get Some Socially Distant Fresh Air
Go on a walk, play in the back yard, or invite friends and neighbors to take part in a socially distant outdoor gathering before the weather becomes too cold. Not only does it give you a chance to catch up with friends and family, but Vitamin D in the sunshine is proven to help decrease depression.
5. Shop Local
Many mom and pops have already closed their doors and local businesses are hurting more than ever, thanks to COVID-19. If you find yourself shopping online try a local boutique instead of Amazon, a market instead of Walmart, and a family-owned restaurant instead of fast food. And don’t forget to tip! Due to a decrease in traffic, servers are also hurting.
6. Donate to a Food Bank or Shop for Someone
If you are healthy and have the ability to go to the store, ask someone in your community, who is more susceptible to getting sick, if you can pick up groceries for them. Or buy extra groceries when you go to the store and drop them at your local food bank or shelter.
7. Adopt a Furry Friend
Show yourself and an animal kindness by making the choice to adopt a shelter pet. Having a pet is a lot of responsibility (so please only adopt if you have the means to do so), but it is so worth it. Due to lockdowns, many people have been left completely alone in their homes without anyone to talk to. A pet will not only love you unconditionally, but they lift your spirits and let you know that you are not alone.
8. Don’t Forget to Show Your Appreciation
Everyone in your community is working hard to keep themselves and others safe, while continuing to make a living. Say “thank you” to the clerk at the grocery store, the food delivery person, the teacher working hard teaching remote, the healthcare workers, and first responders you see after their shift, etc. These people have been working hard and non stop since the pandemic began to serve others, and your few words of appreciation mean more than you know.
For other ideas on showing kindness, check out our Easy Random Acts of Kindness blog here.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
Halloween may look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean your family has to miss out on all of the fun!
If you plan on staying in this Spooky Holiday Season, get your kids excited about Halloween again by enjoying these 10 fun and safe stay-at-home Halloween activities.
Host a Family Pumpkin Carving Contest
Have each member of your family carve a pumpkin early in the night and set them up in your living room with a fake candle inside, so you can watch them glow while you continue on with your other Halloween activities. You could even hand out prizes or ribbons for the best pumpkin.
Go Indoor Trick-or-Treating
Set a different kind of candy in each room of your home and let your kids dress up and trick-or-treat to each room to get all of the different kinds of candy to fill their baskets. You can even invite close family (not a large group) to help you join in on the fun!
Make a Homemade Scary Movie OR Reenact Your Favorite Halloween Scene on TikTok
Have the whole family dress up and get in on the action. Act out a scene based on your Halloween costume or find your favorite scene from a Halloween movie, grab some props and your phone to capture it all, and let the fun begin! This is an easy tradition that you could start to do yearly and then watch them every Halloween.
Make Some Scarily Delicious Treats
Popcorn balls, Monster Cookies, Edible Slime, Frankenstein Guacamole, Jack-o-Lantern Taco Dip, Eye Ball Pretzel Rods; we have all these spooky treats and MORE on our Pinterest Board, “Easy Halloween Treats” check them out and see what you and your family want to have on Halloween night!
Have a Halloween Candy Scavenger Hunt
Hide candy all throughout your home (be careful it’s not in the reach of your pets) and in your backyard. Have your kids put on their costumes and go candy hunting! This is a fun alternative to trick-or-treating and could be done at day or night, as long as flashlights are available.
Have a Scary Face Painting Contest
Buy some Halloween face paint and have each member of your family choose what scary creature they would like to look like. Print out the photos and get to painting. Whoever painted the person’s face that looks the most like their scary creature, wins a prize.
Play Halloween-Themed Games
Halloween Charades, Toilet Paper Mummies, Bobbing for Apples, Pumpkin Patch Stomp, Pin the Tail on the Black Cat; there are all kinds of games that you could tailor to the Halloween-theme for your family. For more ideas, check out these games from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Throw Your Own Monster Mash
Can’t go to a Halloween party? Throw your own! Make some space in your living room, get some spooky décor, set out foods and drinks, get on your costumes and play some spooky tunes (Here’s our free Halloween Spotify Playlist) and let the party begin.
If you live in an area where it is possible to set up a tent and a bonfire (or a fire pit) in the backyard, have the whole family sit around the fire telling scary stories and making s’mores, and then camp under the full moon. If you do not, improvise by going camping in your living room! Set up a blanket fort, turn on a scary show, and make s’mores in the microwave.
If you live in an area where families will still be trick-or-treating, but you are choosing to stay in; don’t forget to leave a basket of candy at your door. This way you won’t have to continue to answer the door and be in close proximity of anyone, but trick-or-treaters can still get their candy.
Have a spooky and safe Halloween!
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.
