15 Holiday Safety Tips

Ensuring Proper Coverages With Low Cost Insurance By Sam Thomas With Heber Insurance.ber 21, 2010

15 Holiday Safety Tips        

 

The holiday season is right around the corner, and many families are preparing to celebrate their individual traditions with Christmas trees, candles and holiday lights. Sam Thomas is offering tips to help ensure that the warm glow of holiday decorations doesn't erupt into a destructive and potentially deadly holiday fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the top five days for residential candle fires are Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day, Halloween and December 23rd. In addition, Christmas tree fires cause $13.8 million in direct property damage each year, and holiday light-related fires are responsible for another $7.9 million annually.

"For many of us, the holidays wouldn't be the same without a Christmas tree or glowing candles," says Rick Isaacson, executive vice president of SERVPRO Industries, Inc. "But it's important to follow some common sense guidelines to help prevent your celebration from turning into a tragedy."

Sam Thomas with Heber Insurance offers these tips from the United States Fire Administration to help keep the holidays bright and safe:
Candle Safety Tips:

1. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles instead of wax candles.
2. If you do use traditional candles, place them in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders where they cannot be easily knocked down.
3. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
4. Never allow children to play with matches, lighters or candles.
5. Don't put candles on your Christmas tree or approach the tree with a burning candle. Holiday Lights Safety Tips:

1. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires and other problems. Discard and replace damaged strings of lights.
2. Don't overload electrical sockets. Never link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe to do so.
3. Check the wires on your lights periodically. If the wire feels warm, remove and discard the string of lights.
4. Turn off your holiday lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips:

1. Cut natural trees at a 45-degree angle to allow for maximum water absorption.
2. Select a natural tree that is fresh. If the tree "rains" needles when you bounce the trunk on the ground, select another tree.
3. Position the tree well away from sources of heat, including heat vents and fireplaces.
4. Keep natural tree stands filled with water at all times.
5. Don't leave a natural tree up for more than two weeks and discard the tree immediately if it becomes dry.
6. Use only non-flammable decorations on the tree, and select artificial trees that are labeled "fire-retardant."
For More Information & The Best Insurance Quote
Please Call Sam Thomas at 301-740-7393
sam@heberinsurance.com
http://www.heberinsurance.com/

Beware of Scams! – especially at Christmas

We all risk becoming victims of scammers at some point in our lives but, sad as it is, it is more likely to happen at a time like Christmas.
We tend to be busy and distracted, spending a lot of time online buying gifts or thinking about booking our winter sun holidays and ski trips.
It can be all too easy to forget all the sensible advice, and even ignore your instincts and sixth sense when in a hurry and not thinking clearly.  Always be wary of giving any personal information over the phone or online. Never give bank details or agree to pay money unless you are absolutely sure it is legitimate.
Unless you are absolutely sure it is legitimate, never, ever, give out any personal information without checking. If the call seems genuine, why not ask for their number and say you will call them back. If the number does not connect, or if the company you are supposed to be in contact with has no idea what you are talking about you will have saved yourself a headache – and a bundle of cash.  Always be wary of:

• Cold callers – on the phone or at your door
• Being asked for payment upfront for anything
• Signing anything that you do not fully understand

Telephone Credit Card Scams:  The scammers may say they are with Visa or MasterCard, or another company, and already have a lot of your personal information.  What they will be after is the three-digit security code from the back of your card.  They may even claim to be from the credit card company’s ‘fraud’ department and go on to say that they have a record of one of your purchases being flagged up as suspicious.  When you deny the purchase they offer to credit the amount back to your account.  The scam happens when they tell you they need to verify that you have the card and it has not been lost or stolen - and ask for the security numbers from the back of the card.
At this time of the year scammers may set up a website offering the season’s ‘hottest’ toys or products.  The item may be sold out in shops and hard to get hold of, so this can be an easy scam to fall for.  However, once you hand over your money the scammers disappear – along with the website – and your gifts.  Once they have your credit card information you may find yourself the victim of further fraudulent charges to your card – so report it to your card provider immediately.
Be wary of clicking on links in unsolicited emails – especially if they ask for personal information.  Instead type in the website address yourself to make sure it is correct.  Remember that your bank will never send an email asking for your password and log-in information!
When shopping online use a credit card, not your debit card, as there is some protection for use of credit cards.
Beware of Charity scams. At this time of the year they may try to take advantage of your compassionate nature and ask for ‘donations’.
Holiday E-Card Scams:  Receiving an email from an unknown or anonymous person, perhaps just signed as ‘a friend’ is likely to be a scam.  Once you click on the link you could expose yourself to all manner of spyware and nasty viruses.
There are far more scams out there than we can begin to mention here, so visit websites of organisations like Crimestoppers, Get Safe Online, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), and Watchdog.

Christmas Tree Facts

• Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
• Until fairly recently, all Christmas trees came from the forest.
• In 2002, Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, New York, and Virginia were the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon was the leading producer of Christmas trees – 6.5 million in 2002.
• The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, balsam fir and white pine.
• More than 2,000 trees are usually planted per acre. On an average 1,000-1,500 of these trees will survive. In the North, maybe, 750 trees will remain. Almost all trees require shearing to attain the Christmas tree shape. At six to seven feet, trees are ready for harvest. It takes six to ten years of fighting heavy rain, wind, hail and drought to get a mature tree.
• In the United States, there are more than 21, 000 Christmas tree growers.
• In the United States, there are around a half billion Real Christmas Trees growing on U.S. farms.
• In the United States, there are more than 12,000 cut-your-own farms.
• In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
• From 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called “the Christmas ship” would tie up at the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago and sell spruce trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.
• The tradition of an official Chicago Christmas tree was initiated in 1913 when one was first lit by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park.
• Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family.
• The first decorated Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.
• Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.
• Recycled trees have been used to make sand and soil erosion barriers and been placed in ponds for fish shelter.
• The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started in 1851 in New York by Mark Carr.
• Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature.
• Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.
• Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has presented the Boston Christmas tree to the people of Boston in gratitude for the relief supplies received from the citizens of Boston after a ship exploded in 1917 following a collision in the Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor. Part of the city was leveled killing injuring thousands.
• The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ.
• Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
• 100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry.
• 98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
• In 1856 Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was the first President to place a Christmas tree in the White House.
• President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923.
• In 2002, 21% of United States households had a real tree, 48% had an artificial tree and 32% had not tree.
• 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted this year.
• On average, over 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
• You should not burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace; it can contribute to creosote buildup.
• Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.
• Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill.
• There are over 500 Christmas tree growers in Illinois.
• In 2002, over 144,000 real trees were harvested in Illinois.
• Using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the 17th century.
• Nineteenth century Americans cut their trees in nearby forests.
• Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882.
• Christmas tree lights were first mass produced in 1890.
• In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy.
• Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons.
• In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
• Michigan ranks third (2.4 million trees in 2002) among all states in the production of real Christmas trees, but grows a larger variety (13) of Christmas trees than any other state.
• A Christmas tree decoration was banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now it’s made of plastic.
• Real Christmas trees are involved in less than one-tenth of one percent of residential fires and only when ignited by some external ignition sources.
• In 1998 more than 32 million Real Christmas Trees were used in the U.S. Of these, only 0.00093% were ignited in home fires.
• 93% of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard.
• In the United States, there are more than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs.
• In 2007, 23% of real Christmas trees sold were from chain stores, 9% by non-profit groups. 12% from retail lots and 21% from choose and cut farms.
• An estimated 175,000 Real Christmas Trees are sold via e-commerce or catalogue and shipped mail-order.
• In 2007 the retail market value of the 31.3 million trees purchased at the mean average purchase price of $41.50 was $1.3 billion..
• 31.3 million real Christmas trees were purchased in 2007.
• Christmas trees are baled to protect the branches from damage during shipping.
• 34-36 million Christmas trees were harvested in the United States in 2001.
• Helicopters help to lift harvested Christmas trees from farms.
• An acre of Christmas trees provides for the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.
• In 1984, the National Christmas was lit on December 13th with temperatures in the 70′s, making it one of the warmest tree lightings in history.
• In 1900, large stores started to erect big illuminated Christmas trees.
• Every year since 1947, the people of Oslo, Norway have given a Christmas tree to the city of Westminster, England. The gift is an expression of good will and gratitude for Britain’s help to Norway during World War II.
• The first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531.
• Oregon produces the most real Christmas trees. In 2002, 6.4 million trees were harvested in Oregon.
• Oregon led the nation in 2002 with 67,804 acres in Christmas tree production. Illinois had 6,355 acres in production.
• In 2002, 446,996 acres of land in the United States were in Christmas Tree production.
• 2-3 seedlings are planted for every harvested Christmas tree. In 2004 sixty million Christmas tree seedlings were planted by Christmas tree farmers.
• 93% of real Christmas tree consumers recycle their tree in community recycling programs, their garden or backyard.
• In 2007, 84% of Christmas trees purchased were pre-cut and 16% were cut your own.
• 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees are sold in the U.S. every year.

Winter Weather Advice

Some practical help and guidance on keeping your car, home and business protected during the adverse weather conditions.

In The Car:

Cold weather can play havoc with cars. Dead batteries are the main cause (32%), followed by cars turning over but won’t start up (15%). In fact car drivers are 50% more likely to breakdown in January, February and March when temperatures are often colder, than any other month of the year.
Our advice to drivers during freezing weather conditions:
* Refer to local authority and news/media websites for updates of road conditions, accidents and road closures.
* Follow guidance in the media (radio, TV, etc.) and only drive if your destination is absolutely necessary.
* If you must travel, make sure you have certain items in the vehicle with you e.g. shovel, de-icer, warm clothing and blankets, food and a flask of hot drink and a fully-charged mobile phone.
* Adapt your driving style to the conditions: start off in a higher gear than normal (e.g. 2nd) to reduce wheel spin, be smooth and gentle with steering and brakes and allow much longer breaking distances than you would normally (especially when approaching junctions).
* Be alert for ice (when the steering feels “light” to the touch) and bear in mind it could lie below freshly fallen slow.
* If you do have an accident and the vehicle is immobilized, use hazard warning lights to alert other drivers. If the accident involves another vehicle just get the drivers name, registration number and a contact phone number – report the claim as soon as you can and leave the insurers to sort everything else out.
* Check anti-freeze levels and carry de-icer in case the locks freeze.
* For cars that are not being used that often ensures you regularly turn the engine over and keep the engine running to keep the battery energized.
* When warming your car up don’t leave it unattended with the keys in the ignition. Many cars are stolen this way by opportunist thieves each year.
* During cold weather it’s especially important to check tire, battery and wiper blade condition. Make sure the lights are fully functioning and double check oil and fuel levels before setting off
* Take your breakdown telephone help-line number and mobile phone with you on all journey.
At Home:

* Leave your central heating running, not on a timer, but at a constant temperature (the coldest time is between 1am and 3am). If possible, leave it running in all rooms.
* If you know you’re going to be away, either leave the heating on, or drain off your water and heating systems. If you have a property that is unoccupied, drain the system.  If you’re unsure how to do this, speak to a plumber. Remember to leave your insurance details with a friend or neighbor.
* Check the lagging on your pipes and water tank – pay a visit to the basement or crawl space if need be. If you have enough constant heating in the house, it will prevent the water tank from freezing. The most likely effect of the sub-zero temperatures in the home will be frozen pipes and water tanks.
* Bring pets indoors and if you have fish, leave something floating in the middle of your pond – ie a ball. When you want to get air to them, lift up the ball.
* Keep a supply of batteries, torches and provisions.
* If your home loses power – keep the freezer door shut.
For Businesses:

To reduce the impact on businesses of days of snow:
* Review your Business Continuity Plan; think about how you’ll best be able to service your customers, suppliers and key stakeholders if your business is disrupted.
* give early warnings of any problems to your customers and suppliers.
* List (in a safe place) the telephone numbers of the people you may need to contact, e.g. insurance company, emergency plumber/electrician.
* Encourage staff to plan alternative routes to work in the event that their usual route is disrupted.
* Speak to your IT department to enable more of your staff to be able to work from home.
* Priority areas should be salted and gritted in advance. Arrangement should be made for access routes to be inspected regularly. Temporary signs denoting safe routes may be necessary.