by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Car theft and robberies spike in the summer. Why? Because many vehicles are left for long hours in parking areas, restaurants, tourist attractions, and even at home for days at a time while many families go on vacation. That means, during these next few months, we all need to be a little more car-theft aware.
One of the best ways to prevent your vehicle from robbery or theft is to never leave your keys in the car; it’s like an open invitation to thieves. Seems simple enough, right? Unfortunately, thousands of Americans make this mistake every day. During the summer months, more people tend to leave their car or truck running with the air conditioning on while they make a quick stop.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports there are about 700,000 vehicle thefts each year. 60,000 of those were a result of someone leaving their car running or their key fob inside. That means someone returns to find their vehicle missing about every 41- seconds in the U.S.
Top 10 Cities for Car Theft
NICB has compiled a list of the ten areas where the most vehicles were taken in 2017:
- Albuquerque, NM
- Anchorage, AK
- Bakersfield, CA
- Pueblo, CO
- Modesto, CA
- Redding, CA
- Stockton-Lodi, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
- Saint Joseph, MO
Even if your city isn’t on this list, no one is completely immune from car theft. Crooks are always on the prowl, however, there are steps you can take to help prevent becoming a car theft victim.
Protect yourself and your property
To help prevent the growth in vehicle thefts, the NCIB offers these important tips:
- Never leave your car running to keep it cool, even if it’s for a short period of time
- Lock your vehicle, set the alarm and take all keys or FOBS
- Do not leave the garage door opener in the vehicle, and if you do try to keep it hidden
- Remove all non-essential papers with your personal information from your vehicle
- Park in well-lit areas
- Install an immobilizer and tracking system
- Make sure your car alarm is working properly
- Take all valuables with you
- Make sure your windows are completely closed when you exit your vehicle
Remember, unless you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance, you are not protected against car theft. You will be stuck paying for the replacement or the repairs to your car or truck if it is recovered.
Now is a great time to contact a California Casualty advisor to make sure you have the right auto insurance for your driving needs. Give us a call today at 1.866.704.8614 or visit www.calcas.com.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, provider of auto and home insurance for educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses.
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by California Casualty | Educators |
Back-to-school is right around the corner, and if you have been spending your summer catching up on all of the things you put off last school year, it’s time for a break. Finish up what is necessary, and enjoy these last weeks of summer before school stars up again!
Here are some ways to maximize the rest of your summer break to help you return rested. Plus, some tips to get your mind rejuvenated going into those first few weeks of school:
1. These last weeks of summer: Relax…..or Play
- Book a last minute trip somewhere. Enjoy a weekend getaway to a city you’ve never been to, take road trip, or plan a stay-cation to explore your city
- Treat yourself to a great meal, enjoy a day at the spa, or try a new yoga class
- Spend a day poolside with friends or by yourself
- Visit your favorite museum
- Take your kids to an amusement park, go camping or bike riding
- Go shopping for just what makes you happy
- Volunteer for a cause that makes you feel good
- Spend a day binge watching movies
- Explore free concerts and festivals in your area
- Stay up late and sleep in
2. Right Before School Starts: Reflect and Evaluate
During the last weeks of summer it is important to get your mind ready to go back-to-school. However, you don’t have to stress about getting prepared. Take it day-by-day and follow these tips by Special Education Coach Elizabeth Stein from her article Three Things You Can Do This Summer to Be a Better Teacher in the Fall:
- Practice Mindfulness Everyday. Be more aware and accepting of circumstances and surroundings happening around you in every day life to better deal with stress and control your emotions in the classroom.
- Read, Reflect and Plan. Find a book that you actually enjoy, that can double for pleasure and professional reading purposes. Reflect on it’s content and try to create a list of ideas that can elevate your instruction plans for the year.
- Connect, Collaborate, Listen and Share. Spend a few days researching new technology-based tools and then link up with other instructors over lunch before the new school year. Share ideas and techniques with them and discover what they have learned, instead of doing it all on your own.
3. Those First Few Weeks: Don’t Burn Yourself Out
And finally, when the school year begins it is important to keep yourself in a positive head-space. Spend equal time doing things for school and things that make you happy to prevent getting burnt out. Wendi Pillars has written a piece for Edweek.org titled, Six Signs of – and Solutions for – Teacher Burnout. Burnout signs include:
- Exhaustion
- Anxiety
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Isolation
Wendi says when you are feeling any of these symptoms, it is important to practice these lessons:
- Let go
- Find balance
- Be selfish sometimes
- Embrace gratitude
- Accept healing
Allow yourself to become stronger, more determined and focused by practicing Wendi’s steps to prevent burn out, in life and in the classroom. Remember, these lessons in those first few weeks of school when it seems like you are constantly on the go and don’t have time for yourself anymore. Even though you are so used to doing things for others, it is okay to take time for yourself and do the things you love, as well as teaching.
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.
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by California Casualty | Educators, Health |
Summertime for teachers doesn’t necessarily mean “vacation”. There are, lesson plans to develop, hours of PD sessions, and classrooms to prepare. Many teachers have summer jobs or teach summer school, so accomplishing goals and tasks that get put off during the school year is easier said than done.
We’ve put together a game plan to help you accomplish the top five realistic goals that teachers tend put on the back-burner during the school year. Even if what you want or need to do varies from the list below, writing down your goals is a solid first step to achieving them – especially if you are a teacher who is short on time. So open up your planner, grab your Flair pens and get ready to amaze yourself.
Goal #1: De-clutter
Less clutter = less stress = happiness 🙂
How to Accomplish: It’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Getting rid of all of the clutter you’ve put aside planning to get to later needs to be the first thing you do this summer. The first thing?! We know. Bear with us. The sooner you put away all the stuff you carted home from your classroom, address the mountain of laundry in the corner, and tackle the layers of memories of years past- barely hanging on- beneath the magnets covering the fridge; the quicker you can start enjoying your summer. Clutter causes stress. To avoid stress, we avoid cluttered areas or try to pretend it isn’t there. Identify the area or room that gives you the most anxiety and start there. The quicker the clutter is gone, the quicker you can focus on more important things-like a cold drink by the pool.
Goal #2: Sleep
This one is pretty self-explanatory…
How to Accomplish: Draw the blinds and turn off all of your alarms. zzZZZZzzzzZZZzzzZZZzzz
Goal #3: Exercise
It’s beneficial for your physical AND mental well-being.
How to Accomplish: You don’t have to go crazy, buy a gym membership or start training 24/7…unless you want to. Exercise can range from number of different activities like: taking a walk, swimming, riding your bike to the playground with your children, or an intense game of water balloons. Set aside 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week to move your muscles and de-stress. Start looking at exercise as positive, like playing with your kids, and you will be more likely to do it instead of sitting on the couch dreading getting on the treadmill.
Goal #4: Work On Yourself
Take some time for “me-time”.
How to Accomplish: Whether you want to get started on your MBA or have a Harry Potter marathon in your PJ’s; write down a few things down you want to do this summer, solely for YOU and YOUR happiness, and make sure to follow through. Here are a few examples that we have rounded up & linked to sources for you, just click on each word!
You give so much of yourself during the school year. Be sure to take a little time during the summer for yourself to do and discover things that YOU love.
Goal #5: Spend Time with Friends & Family
They miss you during the school year.
How to Accomplish: Make a point to do things together as a family, like eating meals at the table, taking a road trip, or having a picnic in the park. Soak up all of the family time you can. During the summer is also a great time to talk to the family that doesn’t get to see you every day, like your parents or grandparents. Schedule time to visit or talk to them on the phone. And don’t forget about friends! Friends play a key role in our happiness and mental health so, set aside some time to get together for a night out, a backyard BBQ, or your other favorite activities.
The key to accomplishing summer goals is to keep them realistic. So set aside some time, choose what goals would make you the most happy, and go get your highlighters because this summer you are going to accomplish ALL of your summer goals. One color-coded tab at a 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 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Health |
Summer is here and it is the perfect time to take a vacation. However, many people think they are either too busy for or simply don’t need to take time off during the year; but getting away is actually beneficial to both your physical and mental well-being.
So, stop making excuses and consider these five reasons why need to take a vacation this summer:
- Relax and Recharge- Sometimes you simply need to recharge your batteries. When you’re busy all the time, you can really wear yourself out; but taking a trip can increase your energy levels so you’re ready for a fresh start when you get back.
- Stimulates Your Brain- Giving your brain a break from daily life allows it a chance to reboot. Relaxing also helps your brain function. When it’s not focusing on all of your normal tasks at work, your brain can also discover and learn new things.
- Improves Physical Well-being- Skipping vacation and not taking time for yourself can increase stress levels and decrease energy levels, which leads to being mentally and physically burnt out. The effects of work-stress and fatigue can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to sickness.
- Boosts Your Mental Health-Taking a vacation and being on your own schedule is a great way to get out of a slump and find motivation again. The time off gives you change in perspective and can help get your mind back in the right place; and you’ll likely sleep better not thinking about work all of the time.
- Makes You More Productive-Working long hours and constantly busying yourself could cause a decline in work quality and performance. So, it’s no surprise that taking a few day break may help improve your performance and increase productivity.
Don’t sweat missing a few days of work, remember, it will always be there when you get back. Whether you decide travel cross-country or plan a stay-cation, you’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to take on anything when you return. So, load up the kids, pack on the sunscreen, turn on our “Kid-Friendly Summer Road Trip” playlist on Spotify, and hit the road.
Happy Travels!
by California Casualty | Pets |
Wiggle bottom, man’s best friend, cuddle bug, fur baby, smoochy pooch. We could go on and on about the crazy names we give our dogs and how much we love them. They give us joy and companionship, a reason to exercise, even someone to cry to; and ask for so little...
