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 | Homeowners Insurance Info |
As the temperatures cool and the leaves begin to fall, don’t think your yard work is done. Autumn is a critical time for lawns, gardens and other landscaping. What you do now will impact how nice your lawn and garden look next spring.
Did you know that fall is when Kentucky Blue Grass starts regenerating and most root growth takes place? A good feeding and watering will do wonders for that lush green carpet you dream of in the spring and summer. It is also the best time to do weed control. So what do you need to do? These tips come from Lawn Care Made Easy:
- Increase the height of your mower blade; longer grass will help protect against winter’s cold
- Reseed bare patches
- Fertilize your lawn for a healthier spring growth
- Make sure to rake or mulch leaves that can choke your lawn
- Do extra weed control
- Remove highly acidic pine needles that can interfere with lawn growth
Don’t forget your garden. Fall is the time to clean up old plants, add mulch and plant bulbs that will burst with colorful flowers in the fall. Treehugger.com has a list of things you can plant in your garden this fall:
- Trees and shrubs
- Spring flowering bulbs (tulips, crocuses and daffodils)
- Perennials
Other important things you should be doing before the first freeze come from the article, 14 Fall Tips for a Better Spring Garden:
- Emptying hoses, rain barrels and sprinkler systems
- Prepare your spring garden beds and get cold frames and poly-tunnels ready for those early spring plants
- Winterize any garden ponds
- Give young trees and shrubs a good deep fall watering
- Clean, repair and sharpen tools and find proper storage for them
- Review and plan for next year
Just like your garden, when was the last time you had an auto or home insurance policy review? Have you upgraded your home, bought new appliances, electronics, jewelry or vehicles? Now is a great time to contact a California Casualty advisor to make sure you are getting the best coverage at the best value at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
Sources for this article:
https://www.lawncare-made-easy.com/fall-lawn-care.html
https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/3-things-you-can-plant-your-garden-fall.html
https://www.ebay.com/gds/14-Fall-Tips-For-A-Better-Spring-Garden-/10000000178803946/g.html?roken2=ti.pTWVsaXNzYSBXaWxs
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Homeowners Insurance Info |
From pulling weeds to cleaning floors, it seems that work around the house never ends, but it’s a lot easier to tackle before winter storms and cold weather move in. As we enjoy the last few months of summer, now is a good time to do maintenance that will prevent damage, prepare your home for winter, and add lasting value.
These mid-summer home maintenance tips are courtesy of MSN Real Estate:
- Do an energy audit and start fixing insulation and cracks
- Insulate hot water pipes
- Clean patio furniture
- Scrub your concrete
- Patch concrete and asphalt cracks
- Prune or remove problem trees and shrubs
- Clean exhaust fans
- Fix the fence
- Make your landscaping “critter proof”(deer, rabbits and other animals can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your plants and trees)
Doing regular maintenance can not only protect your home, but it can enhance the value of your largest investment. Most realtors and home repair experts say simple projects can add thousands of dollars to your home’s worth. Wikihow.com is a great resource with tips that give the best payback:
- Clean and reduce the clutter around your home
- Spruce up your yard
- Repaint the interior and exterior
- Upgrade your lighting and light switches
- Add wood trim
Don’t forget another vital piece to preserving your home and all the things that come with it; insurance. Now is the time to get a home insurance update and policy comparison to make sure your precious items are fully covered at the best value. Have you made improvements that could land you big discounts? Don’t forget that bundling your auto and home can offer big savings. Call a California Casualty advisor today for a no hassle policy review at 1.800.800.9410.
Sources for this article.
by California Casualty | Safety |
Brush off your barbecue grills, stock up on popsicles, and get yourself a new swimsuit because…
Summer has officially arrived!
After a winter with too many snows and a Spring with too much rain, I am ready for summer. If your neighborhood is anything like mine, then the arrival of summer means:
Pool Season!
In the excitement of summer, it’s tempting to throw on a suit and jump on in…
but wait!
For most of us, it’s been about a year since we dipped our toes in the water. Before you and your family cannonball in, make sure you review these Pool Safety Tips to be sure you enjoy your summer safely!
Did you know: A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a telephone. More than 200 young children drown in backyard swimming pools each year.
Swim Safety Basics:
- Swim only in designated areas
- Make sure a lifeguard or responsible adult trained in CPR and first aid is present and attentive at all times
- A child who is drowning may not look like the ‘drowning’ we see in TV and movies. Before you swim with a child, please read this article about what drowning looks like and how to spot it. Read it by clicking here.
- Maintain constant eye-to-eye supervision with children in and around the swimming pool
- Stay in arm’s reach of young kids
- Establish and enforce clear pool safety rules (ex: No diving, Stay away from drains, no running, etc.) Post these rules where everyone using the pool can read them
- Never leave a young child unattended in or near water
- Do not trust a child’s life to another child
- Teach children to ask permission before going near water
- Issue the adult supervisor an item such as a whistle, bracelet, etc. to reinforce which adult is in charge of the safety of the children
- Make sure young or inexperienced swimmers are wearing US Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Floaties or other inflatable flotation devices are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.
- Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. Remove children from the swimming pool for any distraction such as a telephone call, use of restroom, etc.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments. Here are some tips to review in case someone becomes entrapped.
- If a child is missing, check the water first– every second counts!
- Never permit any person to swim alone
- Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit, within a reachable distance- not inside!
- Know how and when to call 9-1-1
- Keep your pool clean and clear by maintaining proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. This way, you can clearly see what is happening in the pool and minimize risks of earaches, rashes or diseases
- Make sure everyone in the home knows how to respond to water emergencies by having an emergency plan in place with your children
- Protect your skin! Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
- If it’s your pool:
- Have a fence enclosure that isolates your pool from the home, play areas, front and side yards and the neighbor’s yard
- Make sure all gates in the isolation fence are self-closing and self-latching
- All chairs, tables, large toys or other objects that would allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or enable the child to climb over the isolation fence should be removed or kept inside the fenced area
- Keep the following items away from the water:
- Tricycles or riding toys
- Electronic devices
- Any and all pool toys when the pool is not in use
Resources:
by California Casualty | Safety |
As Hurricane Sandy whirls her way ashore–teaming up with winter storm conditions and a full moon as she does so–it’s becoming more and more clear that this storm has the potential to be extremely dangerous and damaging to communities all along the East Coast.
Late last week, we posted tips on how to prepare your family, self, and home for Hurricanes and Winter Storm conditions. To access that information–including checklists, preparation plans and pet and business info–click here.
As Sandy begins to make landfall, we want to make sure all those affected know where to get up-to-date, reliable information regarding evacuations, weather updates, and other emergency information.
Here are some emergency resources:
- This Google Crisis Map tracks Sandy’s progress, providing forecast tracks, current locations and active emergency shelter locations. Access the map here: Google Crisis Map.
- For the latest updates on Hurricane Sandy from the National Hurricane Center, click here.
- For a map of the latest warnings and advisories from the National Hurricane Center, click here.
- For state-specific information, click on YOUR state below:
- CT
- DE
- MA
- MD
- ME
- NC
- NH
- NJ
- NY
- New York City
- PA
- VA
- VT
- If you lose power or Internet signal and need to access Twitter to get Emergency Information, click here for tips on how to do so with your phone. For the Huffington Post’s suggestions on the Best Storm Tracker Apps, click here. We recommend following @FEMA to stay informed.
- It can be difficult to stay in touch with or reach family members during an emergency. The American Red Cross Safe and Well website allows you to register your current status or check on the status of your loved ones.
- To download the Free FEMA app for disaster safety tips, emergency meeting location information and a map of open shelters, click here.
As Sandy makes her way onto land, all those affected are in our thoughts. Please be smart and safe.
