Fall inSIGHTS 2012

inSIGHTS

FALL installment

Personal Risk management topics brought to you by Henriott Group, Inc

IN THIS ISSUE HOME MATTERS Fall foliage is beautiful, but not when it builds up in your gutters! Use autumn’s brisk and breezy days to prepare your home for the coming of winter with these tips.

AUTO INSIGHTS Beware of deer! It’s that time of the year again where deer are out for mating season and avoiding hunters. Follow these tips to be sure you steer clear of deer!

LIFE LESSONS Do you have the right life insurance policy? Life takes planning and that includes providing for your family’s financial well-being in the event of a spouse’s untimely death with the right insurance coverage.

SAFETYCORNER Fall is the time for completing outdoor projects, getting our yards ready for trick-or-treaters and preparing our homes for the cool winter months ahead – not a time for an unexpected dash to the ER. Follow these tips to enjoy the most out of the season so you don't “fall” into it.

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>>> Prepare Your Home for Frigid Temperatures Summer has come and gone, while shorter days and crisp mornings signal winter’s closing approach. As the weather starts to cool in the autumn months, many homeowners tackle winterizing projects to ensure that their homes are weather-ready for cooler temperatures. The best way to undertake these projects is to start by taking a walk around your home and assessing what needs to get done. Consider inspecting the following areas:

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Remove clogs in your gutter and check for any water damage. Consider consulting a professional for guidance on how to prevent ice dams (water backup in cold temperatures).

While on the roof, examine your chimney for missing mortar, cracks and structural problems, as damage in your chimney or fireplace can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in your home.

Drain and store garden hoses. Turn off the faucets outside of your home and cover them with a commercial cover or two old socks wrapped tightly around the faucets; seal with duct tape.

Schedule fall furnace cleaning & inspection now —don’t wait for the first cold night!

Inspect the foundation for cracks and gaps to prevent animals from entering your home.

Clean out the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under your dryer as well.

Test and inspect your smoke and CO2 detectors. Make sure there is one on each floor of your home.

Outsmart the Flu: Flu season is just around the corner.

Every year 5-20% of the U.S. population gets the flu. 

>>> Steer Clear of Dear Staying safe on the road can be a challenge, especially when it involves an unexpected deer crossing your path.

More than 1/2 of deer vehicle collisions occur during the months of October and November when deer are out in the prime of mating season and during the peak days of hunting.

Whether you’re doing city or country driving, here are some tips to keep you safe on the road:

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Deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

Be especially watchful during these times and watch your speed.

One deer crossing the road may be a sign that more deer are about to cross. Watch for other deer—they will move fast to catch up with leaders, mothers or mates and may not pay attention to traffic.

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Wonder why the person ahead is driving so slowly? The driver may know where to slow down and be extra alert for deer.

Don’t be too quick to pass.

When traveling near steep roadside banks, be especially watchful as deer can dart out onto the roadway with little or no warning.

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Get a flu vaccine — and encourage others to do the same! This is the most important step in flu prevention.

Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Try to avoid touching your face — germs are spread easily this way.

Avoid contact with sick people when possible. Encourage those with the flu to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Teach your kids these good habits.

Visit Flu.Gov to find a flu vaccination clinic near you and for other prevention tips.

>>> Life Happens, That’s Why There’s Life Insurance Unexpected things happen all the time, both good and bad. And while you can’t control the future, you can take steps to improve the odds that good things will happen, like wearing a seatbelt or eating healthy. You buy life insurance for the same kind of reason — to help ensure that if you die prematurely, your loved ones will be provided for financially.

Life insurance is one of the few guarantees your family could rely on to maintain their quality of life if you were no longer there to provide for them. The fact is, the vast majority of Americans need life insurance – and sadly, most people either have no life insurance or not enough. Roughly 95 million adult Americans have no life insurance or not nearly as much as they should.

Planning for your family’s future starts today! Call us today to learn more about the protection and peace of mind that the right life insurance policy can provide.

One-third of wives have no life insurance at all —despite the fact that 7 in 10 households are dualincome households — and nearly 30% of wives earn more than their husbands!

Source: Limra Facts about Life 2012

PLAYING IT

SAFE LADDERSAFETY >>> Take Your Next Step with Care With the fall months upon us, the leaves are changing colors and twirling to the ground leaving many homeowners with the chore of cleaning the leaves out of our yards and gutters. A perfect tool used for this chore is the ladder —which we’ll also need again come the time to decorate.

Unfortunately, as helpful as they are, people frequently underestimate the dangers associated with ladders. Just last year, more than 163,000 people made emergency-room visits due to ladder accidents alone. This year, make sure you and your family are ready to bring that special warmth into your home safely. Here are some simple guidelines from UL to help avoid injury and have a safe and bright holiday.

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Always inspect the ladder before use, checking for loose screws or damage.

Always place ladder on flat level surface.

Never stand on a ladder’s top step or bucket shelf.

Never put a ladder in front of a door

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that is unlocked or unguarded.

Stay centered between the rails of a ladder at all times and do not lean too far to the sides when working.

Don’t over extend your reach. Make sure to always keep your weight evenly distributed.

Pumpkin Carving Safety: Avoid a Halloween butchering

HUNTINGSAFETY

Yes, pumpkin carving is fun. But it can turn Halloween into a nightmare, too.

Remember, your goal is to carve the pumpkin and not yourself! Prevent a sprint for the first aid kit or the emergency room by following these tips.

>>>Stay Safe in the Great Outdoors

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Waking at early morning hours and sitting in the cold awaiting the prized game is a treasured pastime for many. Although the arrival of hunting season is filled with anticipation and excitement, hunting is also a dangerous sport that requires many safety precautions to eliminate the risk of injury. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or new to the sport, keep these hunting safety guidelines in mind:

Set up your carving workstation on a well-lit dry surface. You don’t want those pumpkins to slip and slide!

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Don’t let kids carve! They can help by decorating with glue sticks and glitter, magic markers and other childfriendly materials.

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Utilize pumpkin carving kits. A serrated pumpkin saw is safer to use than a sharp knife.

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Always cut away from yourself and cut in small controlled strokes.

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Wear blaze orange clothing so that you are visible to others at all times.  Treat each firearm as if it were loaded, but unload firearms when they are not in use.

Always point the muzzle of a gun in a safe direction  away from other people.

Practice using your weapon before the start of the season so that you are comfortable handling it before you hit the great outdoors.  Become familiar with the area you are going to hunt in before the season begins. This will allow you to

understand animal habits in the area as well as the terrain.

Be aware of animals in the area where you will hunt that could pose a danger to your safety, such as bears and mountain lions.

Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard and away from the trigger until you are ready to shoot and before you have made sure that the scene is safe.

Know your target and any potential obstacles or people behind it.

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250 Main Street | Suite 650 Lafayette, IN 47901 www.henriott.com 800.382.7875