Can you believe this weekend is Memorial Day? This all-American holiday means barbecues, pools, and summer. As insurance agents, we are always thinking about safety. There are many things to keep in mind as you head outdoors this summer; but today, we are going to discuss something that will be happening in homes across America: grilling. Did you know that 7,500 grill fires occur each year? Gas grills are responsible for the bulk of these fires, which cause roughly $70 million in damag...

Memorial Day kicks off pool season, with community, private and residential pools opening their doors until Labor Day. Keep your kids safe this summer with the following precautions: The Community Pool/Swim Club In addition to protecting your kids from the sun with appropriate hats/sunscreen, your kids should never run by the pool, as its usually very wet and slippery. As soon as possible, enroll your kids in swim lessons. Everyone should know how to swim -- especially little kids. Swim ...

Its June, which not only marks the start of summer, but also wedding season! For those of you with June anniversaries: happy anniversary! For those couples planning a June (or summer) wedding, this post is for you! June weddings have been popular since the dawn of time -- well, at least since Early Roman times. Two thousand years ago, the Romans celebrated a festival in honor of the deity Juno, wife of Jupiter and goddess of marriage and childbirth, on June first. Fast forward to Victoria...

So youve booked your vacation, purchased your travel insurance, and are all packed for your trip! The only thing left is getting there. Whether youre traveling by car or plane, renting a car or taking your minivan, there will likely be some form of driving on your trip -- even if its just to the airport! So today, we are talking about driving safety. Heres your safe-driving checklist: Have your car serviced before a long trip! This way, you wont run into any car trouble at 1 am when you...

As temps heat up, its important for us all to stay cool -- pets included. The same precautions we take when venturing outdoors on a hot day applies for our pets. This includes things such as: Making sure our animals have lots of cold water Keep your animal inside during the hottest times of the day (12-4 pm) Watching your animal for signs of heatstroke: lethargy, disorientation, vomiting, etc. Call your vet immediately if you observe any of those signs. Never, ever,...

For both parents and kids, summer camp isnt just a quintessential part of summer: its a rite of passage! Sending your child to summer camp, whether its half-day, full-day or overnight, is a big step! If your child is headed to camp this summer, there are certain safety issues youll need to consider. So, check out our list, and set your child up for summer camp success! Be aware of bugs Ticks, mosquitoes, spiders -- spending increased time outside opens your child up to potentially ser...

Weve all been there: youre signing the papers to rent a brand-new Ford Focus for a week, when the representative asks: "Are you interested in purchasing rental insurance?" Um... are you? Is it a good deal? Do you really need it? Today we are talking about Rental-Car Insurance -- the pros, the cons, and whether you do, in fact, need it. The 411 on Rental-Car Insurance Just like every other type of insurance, rental car insurance is there to protect you in the event of an accident...

School’s out and summer’s here! Before you hit the local pool with your kids, it’s crucial your kids take swim lessons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14 years old. What’s more, nine people drown each day in the U.S., and children from non-swimming households are eight times more likely to be at risk of drowning, a USA Swimming st...

Tis the season for lawn care! As you walk the aisles of Home Depot in search for a new lawn mower, you’ve probably come to realize it’s not as simple as just picking the one that’s on sale. There are so many options, and what’s best for you is dependent on a number of factors, including: Yard size Lawn topography Mowing frequency Your age/physical fitness level How “green” you are Not to worry; we’re breaking ...

Summers here -- which means its golf season! And if you drive a golf cart, you may need to be thinking about golf insurance. Yes -- golf insurance. If you drive a golf cart only around the links, you might not don’t need additional insurance. But if you own a cart and use it anywhere else, you might. In fact, you likely need golf cart insurance even if you drive exclusively on your own property or around your residential neighborhood! (FYI: most home and/or auto insurance polic...

  Summers here, which means its pool season! Weve got 5 swim safety tips here, and safety tips for pool owners here, but today, were going to discuss a swim safety topic everyone should be aware of: Dry Drowning. In dry drowning, someone takes in a small amount of water through his or her nose and/or mouth, and it causes a spasm in the airway, causing it to close up. Dry drowning is often lumped with secondary drowning, where a little bit of water gets into the lungs and cause...