Insurance Insights ~ October 1999

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is an exciting, fun-filled time for young people. Unfortunately, it can also result in tragedy. G. C Weimer Insurance Agency offers the following safety tips for parents, children and drivers, which will help make Halloween a safe event for all. For a Halloween that's scary but safe, follow these tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Adult

• Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.
• Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately. Call 9-1-1.
• Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.

Motorists

• Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle.
• Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.

Things Parents Should Tell Trick-or-Treaters

• Set a time limit for your children to "trick-or-treat." Designate a specific route for them to take. An adult should accompany any younger children.
• Never trick-or-treat alone. Have at least two buddies go together for the entire evening.
• Carry a flashlight and use it so drivers can see you and you can see hazards in the street as well as other people.
• Cross only at street corners, never between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection.
• Look in all directions before crossing the street, and obey all traffic signals. Walk, never run, across the street, and use sidewalks not the street, for walking.
• Do not accept rides from strangers.
• Do not take short cuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
• Do not go inside anyone's home. Remain on the porch at all times.

Treats

• Tell children not to eat treats until parents have inspected them.
• Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
• Discard any homemade or unwrapped treats.
• Fruit should be sliced into small pieces and checked for foreign objects.

Costumes, Etc.

• Do not permit your children to use cumbersome, floor length or vision-impairing costumes.
• Buy costumes, masks, and wigs that are labeled "flame resistant." Keep in mind that these items can still catch fire--make sure that children are very cautious around jack-o'-lanterns and other lighted flames. To further minimize fire risks, avoid outfits made with flimsy materials and those with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.
• Keep visibility in mind when buying or making costumes. Bright fabrics are best. Decorate costumes with reflective tape (available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores) that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape.
• In lieu of masks, we recommend face makeup.
• Wear comfortable, safe shoes.
• Call 9-1-1 if you suspect any tainted candy.

Pumpkin Carving

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Instead, let children draw a face with markers; you can do the cutting for them.
• Under parents' supervision, children ages 5 to 10 can carve using pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.
• Votive candles are safest for candlelit pumpkins. Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

It is our wish that your Halloween experience be a safe and happy one.

After A Flood: The First Steps

After the recent flooding in our area, and all over the East Coast, as a result of Hurricane Floyd, we thought this would be a good time for these reminders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If your area has experienced a flood, many dangers exist even though floodwaters may be down in some areas. Here are some things to remember following a flood:

• Roads may be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, go another way.
• Keep listening to the radio for news about what to do, where to go, or places to avoid.
• Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
• If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded—
  • Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  • Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals and broken bottles, and it’s also very slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.

Staying Healthy

A flood can cause emotional and physical stress. You need to look after yourself and your family as you focus on cleanup and repair. Rest often and eat well. Keep a manageable schedule. Make a list and do jobs one at a time. Discuss your concerns with others and seek help. Contact the Red Cross for information on emotional support available in your area.

Cleaning Up and Repairing Your Home

Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box, even if the power is off in your community. That way, you can decide when your home is dry enough to turn it back on.

Get a copy of the book Repairing Your Flooded Home. It will tell you:

• How to enter your home safely.
• How to protect your home and belongings from further damage.
• How to record damage to support insurance claims and requests for assistance.
• How to check for gas or water leaks and how to have service restored.
• How to clean up appliances, furniture, floors, and other belongings.

Repairing Your Flooded Home is available free from the American Red Cross or your state or local emergency manager.

Getting Help

The American Red Cross can help you by providing you with a voucher to purchase new clothing, groceries, essential medications, bedding essential furnishings, and other items to meet emergency needs. Listen to local radio stations to find out where to go for this assistance, or look up American Red Cross in the phone book and call. The Red Cross can also provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.

Listen to your radio for information on assistance that may be provided by the state or federal government and other organizations. And, if you hire cleanup or repair contractors, be sure they are qualified to do the job. Be wary of people who drive through neighborhoods offering help in cleaning up or repairing your home. Check references.

Finally, be aware of the fact that most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover floods. Flood insurance is available to cover these losses. Mandatory waiting periods apply before these policies become effective, so don’t wait to contact your insurance agent for information on flood insurance.

Protecting Your Car From Theft

Every 31 seconds, a car is stolen somewhere in the United States. Imagine walking to the parking lot to load up your car after a day of shopping, only to find out you are the victim of a car theft. What would you do?

If you car is stolen, promptly call your police department and your insurance agent. Important information you will need to relay: your car’s year, make, vehicle identification number (VIN), color, license plate number, insurance company, and policy number.

Be car smart, learn how to protect yourself against car theft. Car thieves generally fall into one of two categories, professional or amateur. The amateur steals cars strictly for "a joy ride." The professional, however, will steal a car to use for other crimes, resell the car, or to sell the major parts to make a profit.

Thieves are also interested in expensive equipment your car may have, such as the wheelcovers, CD player, cellular phones, radar detectors, or other elaborate equipment they may see.

To deter a car thief from preying on your car and valuables, follow these tips:

• Make your vehicle look "less attractive" to a car thief. Close all windows, lock all doors, and park in a busy area. It’s harder to steal the car when there are onlookers around constantly.
• When parking, turn front wheels sharply either left or right. This will give the thief more problems when trying to remove your car from the parking space.
• Don’t keep your driver’s license, vehicle registration, identifiable material, or items of value in your unattended car. If you have a collection of CD’s, don’t leave them out for display. And carry cellular phones with you; don’t leave them sitting on the console of the vehicle.
• Double check to make sure all doors are securely locked. 80% of car thefts happen because the car owner fails to lock the doors.
• If you have an anti-theft device, use it. If not, you may want to consider purchasing one to protect your car. There are a variety of motor vehicle anti-theft devices on the market. Research them and decide which one would be the best for your vehicle.

Learn to protect yourself and your car, be aware of your surroundings, and LOCK those doors.

...To Diane Caplan of our Perkasie office, for obtaining the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation from The Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives. In order to earn the designation of CISR, each individual must attend five courses covering all phases of the insurance business, and passed five comprehensive examinations. Diane is a Customer Service Agent in our commercial lines department located at our Perkasie office. Diane, we extend to you hardy congratulations and our sincere appreciation to your commitment to professional excellence!

INSURANCE INSIGHTS is an electronic newsletter published monthly by G. C. Weimer Associates, Inc. Information contained herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief as of 10/1/99. If you have a topic of interest for a future issue, e-mail us at info@gcwinsure.com.