Make Safe Toys and Gifts Part of Your Holidays

Thanks to online sales and some retailers starting the holiday shopping season earlier every year, many gift-givers have already begun to purchase items to get a jump-start on their lists. But sometimes, the best deal may not be the safest.

In 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that hospital emergency rooms across the country treated 251,700 toy-related injuries. And, 72% of those injuries were to those under the age of 15.

“In order to spend the holidays with family and friends, instead of in the emergency room, we must be diligent in making sure our children are protected,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “We all need to make a conscious effort to think about the gifts we are buying to make sure they are appropriate for every child’s age and development level.”

Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month in an effort to help adults make the best decisions on how to keep the holiday season joyful for everyone. The group is offering toy-buying and gift-giving tips to all those planning to purchase a gift for a child this year.

Prevent Blindness America suggests:

• Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child. Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.
• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
• For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear.
• Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult. Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
• Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.
• Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
• Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children as this can become wrapped around a child’s neck.
• Always dispose of un-inflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the CPSC, more children have suffocated from them than any other type of toy.

At Hunter Insurance, we're dedicated to helping you protect what matters most. For more information on how to keep your family safe this holiday season, call us at 401-769-9500.

“Stand By Your Pan”: Cook Safely This Thanksgiving to Prevent Kitchen Fires

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers that the threat of fires in the kitchen triples on Thanksgiving Day.  

“As fire safety experts have said for years, ‘Stand by your pan!’” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, stay in the kitchen. Not following this advice can be a recipe for disaster on Thanksgiving and throughout the year.” When it comes to fires in the home, cooking fires are number one. They accounted for nearly 150,000 fires (more than 40 percent of all annual unintentional residential fires) each year from 2009 through 2011.  Unattended cooking is the top cause of cooking fires.  Cooking fires also caused the most home fire-related injuries.

To stay safe in the kitchen, avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves near ranges or ovens, watch children closely so they don’t come into contact with cooking food or hot stovetops, turn pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent kids and others from spilling a pan’s scalding contents onto themselves.  

In the event of a fire, cover a pan with a lid to smother the flames. Never pour water or flour on a fire. That can make it worse. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

“Turkey fryer fires can be explosive and result in serious burns,” said Glenn Gaines, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the United States Fire Administration (USFA). “Only use a turkey fryer outside and away from your home. Never use it in a garage or on a porch. Don’t overfill the oil or leave the turkey fryer unattended.”

Since 2003, there have been more than 125 turkey fryer-related fires, burns, explosions, smoke inhalations, or laceration incidents reported to CPSC staff.  For the incidents reporting a dollar value for the property loss, the total loss reported was around $6 million. 

Consumers should also protect themselves by installing smoke alarms in their homes.  “Roughly three out of five home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms,” said Jim Shannon, President of the National Fire Protection Association. “Smoke alarms save lives.  Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a fire in half.”

Change the batteries in smoke alarms at least once every year and test the alarms every month to make sure they are working.

To provide a better warning of a fire and more escape time, install more than one alarm and interconnect all smoke alarms in the home.  Interconnected alarms speak to one another, so if there is a fire in one part of the house, the interconnected alarms sound throughout the house and alert consumers to the fire more quickly.

For the best protection, install alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom, and use both ionization and photoelectric alarms.  Alarms that are powered by house wiring should have a battery backup. 

Smoke alarms provide the warning, but every family should have a fire escape plan as well. Practice the escape plan with everyone in the house so they can get out quickly.  The escape plan should include two ways out of each room (as practical) and a family meeting place that is outside where everyone can meet if there is a fire in the home.

For more information on how to protect your home this holiday season call Hunter insurance at 769-9500.

This article is complements of The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for more information visit www.cpsc.gov.

PUFF BACK: What it is and How to Prevent it

A puff back is a misfire in an oil-fired furnace that can send soot throughout a home, covering drapes, bedding, furniture, cabinets, walls, and everything in between.  It often requires extensive cleaning and restoration in addition to repairs to the heating systems. 

A puff back can be a chronic problem, with each ignition sending forth a small amount of soot that slowly accumulates on surfaces, or it can be a single sudden event that sends a large amount of soot or smoke through the heating system and structure. 

This discharge of soot points to an underlying problem with the heating system which will need to be repaired.  To help prevent puff backs, the oil burner and furnace system should be services regularly.

The soot can look like cobwebs.  It is not just a powder-like substance but a black and sticky mix that goes everywhere.  This dirty residue needs to be clean as soon as possible.  Oil based soot is difficult to remove and often causes an odor that may permeate the home.  Here are some tips if a puff back occurs in your home:

• Call our office as soon as possible.
• Assess the situation and the amount of damage that was done.
• Wash all affected clothing and fabric in the house.
• Have ducts cleaned if the home has a forced hot-air heating system.
• Call a repairman to fix the malfunctioning oil furnace.
• Call a cleaning service to take care of the soot and odor. 

Call Hunter Insurance today at 769-9500 for more information on how to prevent puff back and to speak with an agent who will help you ensure your home is properly protected.

Happy Halloween!

We love the holiday spirit here at the office. Especially the Sox outfit!

It’s been one year since Hurricane Sandy, and did you remember to purchase flood insurance?

As we remember the devastation and hardship that many of our neighbors experienced due to Hurricane Sandy, Hunter Insurance urges you to call today to add a flood insurance policy.  Unfortunately, many people found out the hard way that a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover damage due to ground water flooding.

If your home were to fall victim to flash flooding or excessive rain, your homeowners insurance policy would not pay for any repairs.  Even if your property is not located in a designated high-risk flood zone these types of flooding incidents can happen anywhere, anytime.  According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), about 25% of all flood insurance claims are from areas that are not deemed high-risk.

Adding a flood insurance policy through the NFIP is a smart investment that will protect your home if the unthinkable happens.  You will have the peace of mind knowing that your home and its contents will be restored after disaster strikes.  The average waiting period for a flood insurance policy to take effect is 30 days, so the time to act is now.

If you would like more information on flood insurance visit floodsmart.gov and call Hunter Insurance at 769.9500 to add a policy today.

School Bus Safety

This is an excerpt from the article “School Bus Safety” published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Taking the bus for the first time is a big step for your child. School buses are the safest mode of motorized transportation for getting children to and from school, but injuries can occur if kids are not careful and aware when getting on and off the bus.

Help your kids get a gold star in bus safety by following these tips:

• Walk with your kids to the bus stop and wait with them until it arrives. Tell kids to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time. 
• Teach kids to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting off and never to walk behind the bus. 
• If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Teach kids to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. 
• Instruct younger kids to use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings that could get caught in the door. If your children drop something, they should tell the bus driver and make sure the bus driver is able to see them before they pick it up. 
• Drivers should always follow the speed limit and slow down in school zones and near bus stops. Remember to stay alert and look for kids who may be trying to get to or from the school bus. 
• Slow down and stop if you’re driving near a school bus that is flashing yellow or red lights. This means the bus is either preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off. 

At Hunter Insurance we value our children’s safety more than anything, and we are dedicated to keeping you and your family safe and protected. If you have any questions on safe driving or how to better keep your family protected call Hunter Insurance today at 401-769-9500.

For more info, please visit www.safekids.org.

Protecting Your Property from Flooding – Backflow

The following is an excerpt from the article, “Install Sewer Backflow Valves.”  For more information please visit www.fema.gov.

In some flood prone areas, flooding can cause sewage from sanitary sewer lines to back up through drainpipes into buildings. These backups not only cause damage that is difficult to repair but also create health hazards. A good way to protect buildings from sewage backups is to install backflow valves, which are designed to block drainpipes temporarily and prevent return flow. Backflow valves are available in a variety of designs that range from the simple to the complex.

Keep these tips in mind if you have backflow valves installed:

▪       Changes to the plumbing in your property must be done by a licensed plumber or contractor, who will ensure that the work is done correctly and according to all applicable codes.  They can advise you on the relative advantages and disadvantages of the various types of backflow valves.

▪       Valves should be installed on main waste drainpipes that leave the structure or that are connected to equipment that is below the potential flood level. Therefore, valves may be needed on washing machine drain lines, laundry sinks, fuel oil lines, rain downspouts, and sump pumps, as well as sewer/septic connections.

▪       If you have a sump pump, it may be connected to underground drain lines, which may be difficult to seal off.

We are in the middle of hurricane season and flood season is rapidly approaching. It is crucial you are prepared, and you fully understand what is covered under your insurance policies. For more information on how to protect your home from flooding call Hunter Insurance today at 401.769.9500.

Protect Yourself While Driving In Another Country

Planning on driving in another country?

If your travels take you out of the country, Hunter Insurance would like to remind you that your auto insurance policy covers you only while driving in the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico and Canada.  It DOES NOT cover you while driving in any other country including Mexico.

While your auto insurance policy covers you while driving in Canada, you must obtain a Canadian Auto Insurance Card from our agency before you leave on your trip. 

Also, all travelers to Canada including United States citizens 16 years of age or older, are required to have a passport or other travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security.  United States citizens under the age of 16 are able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizens card. 

If you would like more information on properly maintaining insurance protection when you travel, call Hunter Insurance at 769.9500.

Evacuating Yourself And Your Family In An Emergency

Hurricane season is upon us, so we've provided some helpful tips should you ever need to evacuate your home. The following is an excerpt from ready.gov’s “Evacuating Yourself And Your Family In An Emergency.” 

There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away or there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Follow these guidelines for evacuation:

• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Use the Family Emergency Plan to decide these locations before a disaster. 
• If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay. 
• Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. 
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather. 
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked. 
• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas. 
• If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government. 
• Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated. 
• Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions. 
• Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.

Don’t Get Washed Away – Buy Flood Insurance Now

Did you know that even though you don’t live along a river or near the coast, you could still be at risk for a flash flood?

In fact, about 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas that are not considered high risk, according to Floodsmart.gov, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

With this statistic in mind, you should consider adding flood insurance to your homeowner’s policy, since a standard policy does not include this important coverage.

The average waiting period for a flood insurance policy to go into effect is 30 days, so consider adding this coverage before spring downpours create hazardous conditions around your home.

When deciding the type of flood insurance coverage to purchase, the NFIP suggests you purchase Personal Property Flood Insurance in addition to Building Property Flood Insurance to ensure the items within your home are also covered.

In the unfortunate event that you need to file a claim, your flood insurance policy would cover the Actual Cash Value (ACV), otherwise known as the replacement value, of the damaged items or building, rather than providing you with the total value of the policy.

It is important to note that flood insurance will not pay more than the policy limit in the event of a loss, and does not cover damage done from sewer or drain backup and sump pump overflows.

The rate for flood insurance coverage varies according to your location. The country is divided into flood zone risk areas with the government’s Flood Hazard Boundary Map. When the boundary map is collaborated with the government’s Flood Insurance Rate Map, an appropriate premium is set for different areas.

Hunter Insurance encourages everyone to purchase this important coverage to avoid expensive losses. If you would like more information about protecting your home from flooding, please contact us at 401-769-9500.

Insuring Your New Car

When cost-conscious consumers shop for new vehicles, they mostly concentrate on price and fuel economy. However, the cost of owning a vehicle goes beyond just these two factors. Aside from maintenance costs, consumers should focus on how much it will cost to insure the automobile.

Consumers should also not assume that the lower-cost cars are necessarily cheaper to insure than luxury brands. Insurance companies take a number of factors into consideration, including to what extent an automobile is likely to be damaged in a crash, how likely drivers and passengers are to be injured in crashes, and how often the vehicle is stolen.

It may pay to check how much it will cost to insure a car before purchasing it.

NOTE: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual “Hot Wheels” list of the most frequently stolen cars in the United States, the 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen car during the 2011 calendar year.

Why You May Need Umbrella Insurance

When it rains, it pours, the old saying goes. It’s something that’s especially true for major accidents. Sometimes, standard homeowners insurance may not be enough to protect you against seven-figure claims arising from a catastrophic incident on your property.

That’s when umbrella insurance kicks in.

Normally sold in increments of $1 million or more, umbrella insurance will protect you when basic homeowners insurance policies have been exhausted.

Umbrella insurance also has the added advantage of “dropping down” to cover any gaps in your existing policies.

While this may sound like insurance for millionaires, it’s actually very affordable. A $1 million policy for an average family will generally run between $200 and $250 in annual premiums.

So who needs umbrella insurance? Well, just about everybody who owns their home, but especially anyone who meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Own rental properties or multiple homes 
• Have children or responsible for the children of others (such as babysitting) 
• Involved in homeowners associations, civic activities, or a board of directors 
• Own a pool, hot tub, or swing set 
• Shared ownership or access to docks, lakes, or vacant land 
• Use or allow your children to use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter 
• Own animals or care for others’ animals 
• Have retirement accounts, investments, or other assets worth protecting 

If any of the above apply to you, consider buying umbrella insurance. Call Hunter Insurance toll free at 1-800-696-4678 or e-mail us at info@hunterinsurance.net

Avoid at Your Peril

When reviewing your homeowners policy’s exclusions, buy supplemental coverage to cover the risks that pose loss concerns. For example, flood insurance is never included in the standard homeowners policy, but coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Without a special rider, sewage backup is also usually excluded from homeowners policies; however, it should not be overlooked. For a relatively inexpensive amount, homeowners can avail themselves of enough coverage to fill one of the most common gaps that homeowners face during storm season.

It is often the case that, as local sump pumps empty water from flooded basements into the overtaxed sewer system, sewage can back up into homes even with no previous damage.

For more information on purchasing flood insurance, contact Hunter Insurance at 401-769-9500.

NOTE: A “named perils” homeowners policy is more narrowly defined and not necessarily less expensive than a broader “all risks” policy.

Save up to 15% on your car insurance

If you’re not combining your auto insurance with your home insurance, you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars worth of savings.

Estimates on savings run from 10% to 15% off your premium, which means more money in your pocket. For example, Providence Mutual Insurance Co. offers 15% savings off your auto insurance premium and 10% off your homeowners insurance premium when you bundle your home and auto with them. For the average Rhode Islander, this is a minimum of $200 off just your automobile insurance premium. Think of the additional money when you save 10% off your home insurance premium.

Why choose Hunter Insurance for your auto insurance? 

• One company means one monthly payment, offering convenience when paying bills.

• The perfect fit can easily be found for your specific needs, because we choose from over 25 insurance options.

• You already know Hunter Insurance has provided you with the best coverage and service for your home, why not switch your car insurance to a company that already knows you too? 

Stop wasting time and money, switch to Hunter Insurance for your car insurance needs. Call (401) 769-9500 to speak to an agent.

Healthy Changes

The health care law, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, is bringing changes that many may welcome. Beginning in 2014, the law will prohibit insurers from denying applicants coverage (or charging them more) on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

In addition, tax credits will be available to married couples with modified adjusted gross income of up to $60,520 and individuals with modified AGI of up to $44,680 that will help defray the cost of premiums. (These are 2012 dollar amounts, which will be adjusted for inflation in 2014.)

Also, a new “age rating” rule will reduce the difference between policy premiums sold to older applicants and younger people, which could serve to reduce costs for older individuals.

For more information about the changes in the new health care law, contact Hunter Insurance at 401-769-9502.

 NOTE: The number of insured people between the ages of 50 and 64 has risen 71 percent between 2000 and 2010 to 8.9 million.

Lisa Glasberg Joins Hunter Insurance as Account Executive

NEWS RELEASE

LINCOLN, RI – January 2, 2012 Hunter Insurance has announced that Lisa Glasberg has joined their agency as an account executive for their commercial lines division. With over 26 years of experience in the industry, Lisa is knowledgeable in all facets of business insurance.

“We believe Lisa will be a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Brian Hunter, president of Hunter Insurance. “Her career in insurance and sales is extensive, and we look forward to putting her knowledge to work for our commercial lines customers.”

Lisa is a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and is also an Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR). She lives in Glocester, RI with her husband, David, and their three children. Lisa volunteers with many of her children’s sporting activities, as well as with the Rhode Island Special Olympics.

About Hunter Insurance

Located at 389 Old River Road in the Manville section of Lincoln, Hunter Insurance has provided a full range of personal and business insurance lines for over 20 years. An independent Trusted Choice agency, Hunter Insurance has twice earned the Five Star Award of Distinction from the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. The Five Star designation is awarded to top New England agencies that have achieved 17 key performance standards including customer focus, management, human resources, products and services and processes. For more information contact Brian Hunter at Hunter Insurance, 401-769-9500 or visit the agency’s website www.hunterinsuranceonline.com.