Many Americans fire up the grill when the weather is warm, especially during summer holidays and family get-togethers. This adds up to more than three billion barbecues a year. But serious accidents can occur without proper precautions.
Here are some important tips to help you keep danger away when you are enjoying food and fun:
Choose a safe location for your grill.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than one-quarter (27%) of home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio and 29% started on an exterior balcony or open porch.
* Keep grills on a level surface more than 10 feet away from the house, garage, deck rails or other structures. Keep away from children, pets, landscaping and overhanging branches. Grills should not be used on a balcony or under an overhang.
Grill outside only!
Never use a grill in a garage, vehicle, tent or other enclosed space, even if ventilated, due to risk of harmful carbon monoxide buildup.
Keep gas grills and supplies safe.
Always store gas grills – and propane tanks – outside and away from your house. Turn off valves if the odor of gas is detected or when not in use. Check at least annually for leaks in the connections.
Use the right fuel the right way.
While starting and maintaining the flame in a charcoal grill can be challenging, avoid shortcuts. Only use starter fluids intended for these grills. Never use gasoline or too much starter fluid. If the fire is too low, rekindle with dry kindling and more charcoal if needed. Avoid adding liquid fuel because it can cause a flash fire. Do not leave grill unattended.
Do not forget post-grilling safety.
Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. If using a charcoal grill, dispose of coals by soaking them in water to let them cool completely and placing them in a closed metal container away from your home, garage or deck. Be aware that grills themselves remain hot long after extinguished.
Happy Grilling!
Valuable information for simplifying your insurance
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Make that Call!
One Number for All States
811 is the national "Call Before You Dig" phone number designated by the Federal Communications Commission. This number was developed to eliminate the confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers because it is easy to use, remember and it is the same for every state.
Why Call 811?
It is important to call 811 before digging so that professional excavators and do-it-yourself homeowners are aware of any underground lines buried in the area. This information can help protect people who dig from injury, expense and penalties. Damages to underground lines can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers and cost diggers fine and repair costs. Hopefully this number will increase awareness and create a positive behavioral change.
What Happens After Calling 811?
Similar to the current "Call Before You Dig" numbers, all 811 calls will be routed to a local One Call Center and the affected utilities. The utility will then send crews to the location to mark any underground lines for free.
Do Most People Call Before They Dig?
Believe it or not, the answer is "no." According to a recent national survey, roughly half of all Americans are "active diggers," yet only one-third have called to get their utility lines marked.
How Is 811 Being Promoted?
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is an organization created in 2000 to prevent damage to underground infrastructure, reduce service disruptions, save lives and improve safety practices industry-wide. The national 811 number provides a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to focus national attention on the importance of calling before digging. CGA is working with its members, sponsors and national launch partners to increase awareness about calling 811 before digging.
More Information
For more information about the 811 call system, visit http://www.call811.com. To download the most current industry Best Practices in connection with preventing damage to underground facilities, go to http://commongroundalliance.com/.
811 is the national "Call Before You Dig" phone number designated by the Federal Communications Commission. This number was developed to eliminate the confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers because it is easy to use, remember and it is the same for every state.
Why Call 811?
It is important to call 811 before digging so that professional excavators and do-it-yourself homeowners are aware of any underground lines buried in the area. This information can help protect people who dig from injury, expense and penalties. Damages to underground lines can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers and cost diggers fine and repair costs. Hopefully this number will increase awareness and create a positive behavioral change.
What Happens After Calling 811?
Similar to the current "Call Before You Dig" numbers, all 811 calls will be routed to a local One Call Center and the affected utilities. The utility will then send crews to the location to mark any underground lines for free.
Do Most People Call Before They Dig?
Believe it or not, the answer is "no." According to a recent national survey, roughly half of all Americans are "active diggers," yet only one-third have called to get their utility lines marked.
How Is 811 Being Promoted?
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is an organization created in 2000 to prevent damage to underground infrastructure, reduce service disruptions, save lives and improve safety practices industry-wide. The national 811 number provides a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to focus national attention on the importance of calling before digging. CGA is working with its members, sponsors and national launch partners to increase awareness about calling 811 before digging.
More Information
For more information about the 811 call system, visit http://www.call811.com. To download the most current industry Best Practices in connection with preventing damage to underground facilities, go to http://commongroundalliance.com/.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Give Me An Example
While communication may be achieved faster and more conveniently than ever before; that is no guarantee that we can, automatically, communicate effectively. In many respects our true accomplishment is that we can spread confusion and frustration at unprecedented speed.
Key To Effective Communication
Regardless the various methods that are made available to us; one issue about communication remains the same; did the other party understand our message? The type of technology or medium we use for communication is a secondary concern. However, the opposite often occurs. When people make contact with others, understanding the message is taken for granted, even when the topic is complex. Fortunately, there is a technique that we can borrow from early mankind to aid our communication efforts…storytelling or examples.
Ironically, short stories or examples are often used in training, schools and textbooks, but are rarely used in important business discussions (including insurance). Any person who wants to better understand their policy needs, coverages and exclusions, should just ask for examples. Insurance policies are contracts and, like other legal documents, can be confusing. Often an illustration is more useful than a detailed discussion of policy language. Instead of trying to dissect how one policy part modifies or makes exception to another, ask the speaker if they can demonstrate their point.
A person who can create a good example is someone who has a thorough understanding of his subject and that understanding can be passed along to the listener. The listener often appreciates the work it takes to create examples and this can ease future communication.
So take an active role whenever you communicate with an insurance professional and ask: Can you give me an example?
Key To Effective Communication
Regardless the various methods that are made available to us; one issue about communication remains the same; did the other party understand our message? The type of technology or medium we use for communication is a secondary concern. However, the opposite often occurs. When people make contact with others, understanding the message is taken for granted, even when the topic is complex. Fortunately, there is a technique that we can borrow from early mankind to aid our communication efforts…storytelling or examples.
Ironically, short stories or examples are often used in training, schools and textbooks, but are rarely used in important business discussions (including insurance). Any person who wants to better understand their policy needs, coverages and exclusions, should just ask for examples. Insurance policies are contracts and, like other legal documents, can be confusing. Often an illustration is more useful than a detailed discussion of policy language. Instead of trying to dissect how one policy part modifies or makes exception to another, ask the speaker if they can demonstrate their point.
A person who can create a good example is someone who has a thorough understanding of his subject and that understanding can be passed along to the listener. The listener often appreciates the work it takes to create examples and this can ease future communication.
So take an active role whenever you communicate with an insurance professional and ask: Can you give me an example?
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Credit Based Scoring And Insurance
Insurance companies use different sources of information about a person that supplements an application. For auto coverage, motor vehicle reports are ordered. For home coverage, physical inspections may be needed. Another tool that is widely used for underwriting is credit-based scoring. Use of this item remains controversial and its origin lies in the commercial use of credit histories.
Banks and other lenders have long used credit history in their lending process. Recently it was discovered that certain elements of a person’s credit history is predictive of whether that person is likely to suffer insurance claims. A Credit-based score is developed from information such as amount of debt, number of credit cards held, pattern of payments, defaults, etc. Credit-based scores are used to help decide the acceptability of applicants. They may also help a company choose to modify the premium charged to existing clients. However, insurance consumers and regulators have demanded more information that demonstrates cause and effect.
Insurers are enthusiastic about the use of credit-based scoring. It is hailed as an aide to improve their pricing and profitability. However, there is a reluctance to provide details on how scores are developed. Companies have claimed that the information is considered confidential. Insurers fear that revealing details on credit-based scores would result in losing valuable information to competitors. Currently, while some states have approved the use of credit-based scoring, other states are either challenging its use or granting approval after establishing guidelines for its use.
If you have been affected by a credit-based score, you’re entitled to know. You can also get information on how to be sure that your credit history is accurate. An insurance professional is a good source to help you with questions on how your credit may be affecting your insurability.
Banks and other lenders have long used credit history in their lending process. Recently it was discovered that certain elements of a person’s credit history is predictive of whether that person is likely to suffer insurance claims. A Credit-based score is developed from information such as amount of debt, number of credit cards held, pattern of payments, defaults, etc. Credit-based scores are used to help decide the acceptability of applicants. They may also help a company choose to modify the premium charged to existing clients. However, insurance consumers and regulators have demanded more information that demonstrates cause and effect.
Insurers are enthusiastic about the use of credit-based scoring. It is hailed as an aide to improve their pricing and profitability. However, there is a reluctance to provide details on how scores are developed. Companies have claimed that the information is considered confidential. Insurers fear that revealing details on credit-based scores would result in losing valuable information to competitors. Currently, while some states have approved the use of credit-based scoring, other states are either challenging its use or granting approval after establishing guidelines for its use.
If you have been affected by a credit-based score, you’re entitled to know. You can also get information on how to be sure that your credit history is accurate. An insurance professional is a good source to help you with questions on how your credit may be affecting your insurability.
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