by California Casualty | Safety |
The hustle and bustle of the first days of the new school year can get a little crazy. Kids are racing to see their friends, buses are crisscrossing the area picking up and dropping off students and hurried parents are trying to drop their kids off before they have to head to work. Paying attention often goes by the wayside.
This is why it’s more important than ever to practice extreme caution around school zones and neighborhoods.
The National Safety Council warns that more children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location. That’s why they ask that drivers:
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- Don’t double park because it blocks visibility
- Don’t load or unload children across the street from schools
- Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at school
- Put down cell phones and other mobile devices
Other safety tips to prevent auto-pedestrian injuries around schools include:
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- Not blocking crosswalks when stopped at a red light or making a turn forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of traffic
- Always stopping for school crossing guards
- Using extra caution to look out for children at bus stops, school zones, playgrounds and parks and in all residential areas
- Never passing a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
- Remembering that pedestrians have the right of way
And to prevent distracted walking and texting accidents, students are reminded to keep their head up and phone down and:
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- Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
- Always move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk to text
- Never cross the street while using an electronic device
- Do not walk with headphones on
- Be aware of their surroundings
- Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available; if a child must walk on the street, he or she should face oncoming traffic
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street
- Cross only at crosswalks
Remember, the first days of school can be a dangerous time for excited students. Safety experts stress that we all need to slow down near school zones, wear seatbelts, leave early so we aren’t rushing and never drive distracted (texting, eating or drinking, horsing around with passengers or adjusting the radio or adjusting the navigation system).
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.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, Safety |
Summertime is in full swing! However, along with summer heat is the threat of summer burglary. Nobody wants to return home to find someone has burglarized their hard-earned possessions.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Justice warns that break-ins heat up during the summer months. Most of those are crimes of opportunity from criminals looking for an easy target like open windows or garage doors.
Here are some tips to prevent a summer burglary:
Make Your Home Less Vulnerable
- Trim back bushes or hedges that block visibility and give a thief areas to hide
- Install outdoor lighting
- Put indoor lights on timers
- Have a security system installed
- Get a dog
- Keep garage doors closed
- Always lock doors and windows
- Keep watch of your neighbors’ homes and ask they do the same for you
- Have a trusted friend, neighbor or relative make trips to your home or park a car in the driveway to make it look lived in while you are away
Don’t Advertise to Criminals
- Stop mail and newspaper deliveries if you are going away
- Arrange for any home deliveries to your neighbors when you are not home
- Don’t leave garbage cans out while you are away
- Never leave notes on doors telling someone you are out and when you will return
- Leave a radio or TV on while you are away
- Conceal valuables and don’t them visible from the outside
- Break down and conceal boxes for expensive items and electronics when putting out the trash (boxes for the new 60” HD TV or the latest computer are like shopping flyers for thieves)
- Don’t advertise on social media that you are going away to grandma’s house or a wonderful vacation (this goes for your children)
Protect Yourself
- Make a complete home inventory of your possessions to assist if you need to file a police report, speed up an insurance claim and help with a tax-loss write off
- Be sure to have an identity theft protection and recovery service if burglars get access to your personal or banking information
- Protect your possessions with homeowners or renters insurance
Not only do you feel violated after someone breaks into your home, but it can be expensive to fix the damage and replace items. That’s why you need homeowners and renters insurance. We can’t stop all criminals, but California Casualty is here to protect you with quality auto and home insurance with exclusive benefits not available to the general public. Every policy also comes with free ID theft protection. Call an adviser today for a policy comparison or review at 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 teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, Safety |
Wildfires seem to be burning faster and more intense than ever. The past few years have seen the largest and most destructive conflagrations in US history. Wildfire preparation tips are more important than ever.
Too many people have come back to find melted remnants of prized personal possessions; homes in ashes.
Here are five key wildfire preparation tips for your community or neighborhood:
- Create a home inventory. 60% of homeowners and renters have still not documented the things they own, which can cause post-fire/disaster headaches.
- Know where fire extinguishers are kept and teach everyone how to use them. Make them easily accessible in the event an of emergency.
- Have a family escape plan. Practice how you would exit your home from different rooms in the event of a fire and set a safe meeting point, away from the property, if you were to get separated.
- Prepare an emergency kit with important documents. Include copies of banking information, insurance policies, home mortgage and deeds, etc.
- Review and understand your insurance policy. Whether you are renting or owning, know what it pays and does not pay for. Get extra protection for collectibles and high-dollar possessions with a scheduled personal property endorsement.
While these are great wildfire preparation tips, there are several other things to keep in mind in you are effected :
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Secure the property from further damage
- Contact creditors, banks and appropriate agencies about credit cards, tax returns, Social Security cards or other papers that may have been scattered in the disaster
- Check your credit report to make sure nobody is using your personal information
- Be very wary of fly-by-night work crews and contractor fraud
Download and print your copy of these Wildfire Preparation Tips here.
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.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, Safety |
The recent large earthquakes in Southern California are a reminder to always be earthquake-ready.
Earthquakes come on suddenly, with very little warning. They can be a sharp jolt followed by the ground shaking and cracking, or waves rolling across the ground.
Earthquakes can hit anywhere at any time, and while the West Coast is considered “earthquake country,” the U.S. Geological Survey warns that earthquakes have been registered in every state in the union, with special seismic hazards for areas encompassing the western-third of the nation, and areas extending from Missouri and Illinois to most of the Eastern Seaboard.
After an earthquake strikes many are often left disoriented and full of adrenaline –psyche and security shaken as much as their house. Post-quake your home or apartment may look damage-free, but there can be many hidden dangers.
After checking your family and others for injuries, here are key steps you need to take to ensure your safety:
- Check for gas and water line leaks. Know where the shutoff valves are if you smell gas or detect water leaking to prevent fires and water damage.
- Be aware of downed power lines.They can still carry a dangerous current.
- Inspect chimneys and brick areas for cracks. If cracked, they could send dangerous debris down on you or others.
- Check water heater and furnace vents. If they have become separated, it could send dangerous carbon monoxide into the home.
- Watch for electrical sparking or the smell of burning wire insulation. This could lead to a fire. Unplug any broken lights or appliances and turn off power at the main fuse box if you detect an issue.
- Clean up spilled medicines, drugs or harmful chemicals. Bleach, turpentine, hazardous garden supplies, etc.
- Don’t drink from faucets or other unprotected water sources. Wait until given the okay from your municipality or utility, because they could be contaminated.
Always Plan Ahead
Before an earthquake, or other natural disaster hits, you should always have a plan. Here are some tips to help you and your family prepare:
- Develop a family communication plan and “meet-up” location if you become separated
- Have your first aid kit fully stocked
- Prepare an emergency kit with: water, medicines, food, money, other important documents, etc.
- Have basic emergency supplies gathered all in one place: flash lights, batteries, blankets, a radio, lighters or matches, cell phone chargers, extra clothes
- Be sure to have coverage insurance.
If you have comprehensive coverage with your auto insurance, your vehicle is covered for damage from falling debris and other impacts from earthquakes.
However, earthquake damage is not covered under your homeowners or renters insurance policy, and less than 20% of Americans have purchased a policy. That means most people whose property suffers losses from a temblor will be paying out of pocket or relying on federal assistance and loans for recovery.
You can be prepared; California Casualty provides earthquake insurance as an endorsement to home owners policies in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon and Rhode Island. We also offer earthquake coverage through our partner, GeoVera Insurance Company, in California, Oregon and Washington. Learn more and get a quote at 877.652.2638 or visit www.calcas.com/earthquake-insurance.
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by California Casualty | Safety |
School is ending and the heat of summer is starting to set in. That means vacations, barbecues, and lazy days on the lake. But for teen drivers, summer means something altogether different. Memorial Day through Labor Day is considered the “100 Deadliest Days” for teenage drivers.
Teen drivers don’t have the best record when it comes to being on the road. Reckless and distracted driving is the number #1 killer of teens in America ages 15-20, but the number of teenage wrecks skyrockets in the summer. On average 10 teens die EACH DAY. That is about 1000 teen deaths each year from May-September, a 26% increase from other months of the year.
Kids are out of school and on the road searching for freedom. They may feel like their responsibilities have been left behind in the classroom. Here are some key factors that lead to teen wrecks and how you can work to help prevent them:
Distracted driving is not just texting and driving. It can come in all forms: phone calls, social media, the radio, eating, applying make-up, or having someone in their passenger seat. Teen drivers are inexperienced when it comes to being behind the wheel, which makes them more susceptible to distraction.
As a Parent What Can You Do?
- Educate your teen on US and state laws set for distracted driving, and teach them about becoming a defensive driver instead.
- Set your own rules and guidelines for distracted driving complete with punishments that would restrict their driving privileges if they are caught driving distracted.
- Don’t be afraid to scare them with real stories and statistics about distracted driving.
- Lead by example. Your children are always watching and will pick up on your bad habits, so make sure you always have two hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Factor #2: Impaired Driving
Impaired driving can be all of the following: driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving at night or during times of low visibility, or driving while tired. Summer parties and later curfews open the window even more for impaired driving accidents during the summer.
As a Parent What Can You Do?
- Educate your teen on US and state laws set for teenage drug and alcohol use and their consequences.
- Set time restrictions for when they can and cannot be on the road. Driving while overly tired can be just as bad as driving drunk.
- Let your teen know that you are available in a crisis. If your child is in a situation in which they question their ability to drive safely, let them know you can pick them up instead of trying to drive home on their own impaired.
Speeding accounts for about 1/3rd of all fatal accidents in teens, and the problem continues to get larger each year. As teens get more driving experience and gain more confidence they are more inclined to speed, especially on residential roadways.
As a Parent What Can You Do?
- Start the conversation about driving safely and wearing their seatbelt earlier, before your teen is old enough to get behind the wheel.
- When your teen first starts driving spend a lot of time in the car with them, monitoring their speed and educating them on US and state laws.
- Set a good example and never speed with or without them in the car.
- If purchasing a vehicle for your teen driver avoid sports or high-performance cars and look at something a little more large and sturdy.
There is nothing scarier than handing over the keys for the first time and watching your teen drive away by themselves. But by taking the appropriate steps, you can rest a little easier knowing that you have prepared your child for the road and the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel.
A great resource for parents to learn more information about Teen Driving is Impact Teen Drivers. The nonprofit educates teens about the deadly consequences of distracted driving. They offer evidence-based, peer-to-peer programs and information to empower young drivers to make good choices behind the wheel. They also hold a twice a year Create Real Impact contest, rewarding students ages 14-22 for their creative messages discouraging distracted driving.
California Casualty is committed to making our roadways safer and we are a major sponsor of Impact Teen Drivers. We urge you to protect your teens and learn more at https://www.whatdoyouconsiderlethal.com/
You can also have your teen take the pledge against reckless and distracted driving, by clicking HERE.
by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, Safety |
It’s time to brush off your barbecue grills, stock up on popsicles, and get a new swimsuit because summer is practically here! After a winter with too much snow and a spring with too much rain, we are more than ready for summer. And if your neighborhood is anything like ours, then the arrival of summer means one thing: water safety tips
POOL SEASON!
In the excitement of summer, it’s tempting to just throw on a suit and jump on in the water. But wait…for most of us, it’s been about a year since we dipped our toes in the water. Now that may not seem like a long period of time, but for young children, it could mean life or death.
Pool Safely, a national public education campaign that works to reduce child drowning, states that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4. However, these deaths can easily be prevented by taking action and learning how to keep your child safe when enjoying the water. So before you and your family cannonball in make sure you review these
9 simple Water Safety Tips:
“Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4.”
1. Maintain constant supervision whenever children are in or near water.
Never leave kids unattended, avoid all distractions, and if a child is missing check the pool first.
2. Teach your child how to swim or give them a life jacket.
Floaties or other inflatables are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.
3. Teach children to stay away from drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapment.
Make sure all drains and pipes are covered before letting your child get into the water.
4. Never let your child swim alone.
Always keep an adult present, do not trust your child’s life to another child.
5. Teach your kids the “Rules of the Pool”.
Set ground rules for being in the pool, like only getting in at certain times and no pushing or diving.
6. Keep your pool clean and clear with the proper chemicals.
You will be able to clearly see what is happening in your pool, and minimize the risks of earaches, rashes, and diseases.
7. Create barriers for your pool that will reduce the risk of a slip or fall.
Isolate your pool from your home with a fence or locked gate and keep toys away from the pool.
8. Educate yourself on what real drowning looks like and how to spot it.
Real drowning can be quiet and easy to miss.
9. Learn CPR and know when to call 9-1-1.
Have a plan in place with your children on what to do during a water emergency.
Summer is a time of relaxation and you enjoy it. But remember, it only takes one second for your child to go under the water. Take action by educating yourself and your children to make sure everyone is prepared with the right skills and equipment before hitting the pool, to ensure a fun and safe summer break! Click here to learn more about Pool Safely’s tools and educational materials for water safety.
And don’t forget! There are insurance implications for those with pools. Accidents happen so frequently, having one is considered an “attractive nuisance,” increasing liability risk. Because of the increased danger, the Insurance Information Institute says pool owners may want to increase their liability coverage to at least $300,000 or $500,000.
Don’t let it break your bank, if you have a pool make sure you have sufficient liability coverage from your homeowner’s insurance. Call a California Casualty advisor today for a policy review, 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
Cannonball away!
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