Javelin Study Finds Identity Fraud Reached New High in 2009, but Consumers are Fighting Back
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/javelin-study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in-2009-but-consumers-are-fighting-back-83987287.html
Does your homeowner's policy protect you from Identity Theft?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Snow-covered Roof Could Be Hazardous
A roof covered high in snow might provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday card photo or a soft landing pad for Santa and his sleigh, but a serious risk to your home and family may be lurking beneath that beautiful bed of white.
Heavy snow and ice buildup routinely cause roof collapses. Even partial collapses can cause extensive damage to the interior contents of a home or business. And you’re not out of the storm when warmer weather begins to roll in. Rain on top of snow can significantly add to the weight on your roof, and poor drainage can mean interior flooding.
A little snow can cause a lot of damage
As little as six inches of snow packed on your roof could cause major damage to your home—and your wallet. Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) research shows about $1 of every $5 paid for home and business property losses in recent years has stemmed from damage due to freezing weather, snow and water leaks.
Fresh snow is two to four times lighter than old snow, so your roof could hold up to four feet of fresh snow safely. But new snow on top of old snow can multiply the risk of collapse. Ice mixed with snow is extremely heavy—just one inch of ice can weigh as much as 12 inches of fresh snow.
Am I at risk?
The IBHS has some guidelines to help you determine the risk posed to your home and roof. First, the age and design of your roof are major factors:
Light metal buildings typically have less capacity to handle a high snow load, so it’s essential to keep all outbuildings clear as well as your home.
For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections is a potential source of roof overload because of the tendency for ice and snow collection.
Increase your safety
To be safe, consider hiring a licensed roof contractor to remove any snowfall over two feet.
To help reduce the risk of roof damage and flooding during the winter, take these preventative measures throughout the rest of the year:
Clear roof valleys and gutters of debris in the fall.
Caulk all cracks and openings in the foundation.
Inspect downspouts. They should carry water at least five feet away from foundation walls.
Ensure that the surrounding landscape is graded away from your home.
If applicable, test sump pumps before the wet season. Install a battery backup system. If you do not have a sump pump in your basement, consider having a professional install a system with battery backup.
Make sure you are protected
Most home insurance plans cover roof collapse, but many older policies may not. Call me 610-993-1326 to see if you have coverage. At Trident Insurance, we have solutions to help you and your family build a financially secure future.
Heavy snow and ice buildup routinely cause roof collapses. Even partial collapses can cause extensive damage to the interior contents of a home or business. And you’re not out of the storm when warmer weather begins to roll in. Rain on top of snow can significantly add to the weight on your roof, and poor drainage can mean interior flooding.
A little snow can cause a lot of damage
As little as six inches of snow packed on your roof could cause major damage to your home—and your wallet. Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) research shows about $1 of every $5 paid for home and business property losses in recent years has stemmed from damage due to freezing weather, snow and water leaks.
Fresh snow is two to four times lighter than old snow, so your roof could hold up to four feet of fresh snow safely. But new snow on top of old snow can multiply the risk of collapse. Ice mixed with snow is extremely heavy—just one inch of ice can weigh as much as 12 inches of fresh snow.
Am I at risk?
The IBHS has some guidelines to help you determine the risk posed to your home and roof. First, the age and design of your roof are major factors:
Light metal buildings typically have less capacity to handle a high snow load, so it’s essential to keep all outbuildings clear as well as your home.
For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections is a potential source of roof overload because of the tendency for ice and snow collection.
Increase your safety
To be safe, consider hiring a licensed roof contractor to remove any snowfall over two feet.
To help reduce the risk of roof damage and flooding during the winter, take these preventative measures throughout the rest of the year:
Clear roof valleys and gutters of debris in the fall.
Caulk all cracks and openings in the foundation.
Inspect downspouts. They should carry water at least five feet away from foundation walls.
Ensure that the surrounding landscape is graded away from your home.
If applicable, test sump pumps before the wet season. Install a battery backup system. If you do not have a sump pump in your basement, consider having a professional install a system with battery backup.
Make sure you are protected
Most home insurance plans cover roof collapse, but many older policies may not. Call me 610-993-1326 to see if you have coverage. At Trident Insurance, we have solutions to help you and your family build a financially secure future.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Winter Driving...Just in Case...Tips from AAA
Make sure you and your vehicle is ready for winter driving.
Here some suggestions of items to keep in the vehicle.
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
Pack a cellular telephone, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
To avoid all of the above follow the next step
Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
Here some suggestions of items to keep in the vehicle.
- Insurance card
- Emergency Kit
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Heavy blanket
- Flash light
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
Pack a cellular telephone, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
To avoid all of the above follow the next step
Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
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