Winter-proof your vehicle

Driving in the winter poses special challenges for everyone. Ice, snow and the cold require motorists to exercise care even before they hit the road. Here are some suggestions from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you prepare for winter driving. Winterize your car Your car needs some extra care before the harsh weather sets in. Get a tune-up, paying special attention to your heater, defroster, windshield wipers and fluid, battery and brakes. Also, make sure that your tires are appropriate for winter driving. At the very least, make sure your tires have adequate air pressure and tread depth. The minimum tread for adequate traction is one-sixteenth of an inch. Drive appropriately for the conditions • Check weather reports before you travel to determine if it’s safe to drive. If the weather is bad and you must go out, strongly consider public transportation. • Avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide in your car and home. Don’t let your car run while parked in the garage, and remove any snow that accumulates near the vehicle’s exhaust pipe. • Clear all snow, ice and fog from your windows before driving. • Drive slowly, and take corrective steering and breaking action gradually. • Turn on your headlights. This will not only improve your visibility, but also make yourself more visible to other motorists. • Use well-traveled routes and let others know your expected arrival time. • Remember that bridges become slick before roads do in cold conditions, and snow becomes more slippery as the weather gets warmer. Create a car emergency kit An emergency kit can mean the difference between being stranded and arriving safely at your destination. Include gloves, an ice scraper, a flashlight with extra batteries, a cell phone, a first-aid kit, jumper cables, snow chains (if permitted in your state), sand or kitty litter for traction and a small shovel. The kit can also be vital to your survival if you become stranded. Rope for a lifeline, waterproof matches and candles, drinking water, snacks, blankets, and warning devices like flares and reflectors can keep you safe and comfortable until help arrives.

There are good reasons why homeowners rates are rising

After years of relative stability, rates for homeowners insurance are increasing across the country, including in our state. Why the dramatic change? It comes down to basic economics: Insurance companies are paying out significantly more in homeowners claims and expenses than they’re receiving in premium. The gap between claim payments/expenses has existed for quite some time. Throughout the 1990s, however, rates remained relatively stable because insurance companies were able to partially offset these deficits with gains from investments. Circumstances changed beginning in 2000. Claim payments continued to rise, caused primarily by soaring home repair, medical and litigation costs, as well as a large influx of storm claims. Meanwhile, a weakening stock market decreased investment revenue for insurers and private citizens alike. This has made additional rate adjustments necessary to maintain an appropriate balance between claim payments/expenses and revenue. Without them, insurers would continue to lose money, which would eventually compromise their ability to pay future claims. There are a number of things insurance companies do to help keep premium costs down. It’s not just a matter of raising rates. At American Family, we continually look at ways to be more efficient, fight insurance fraud and finance research on safe building materials and theft prevention. There are also a number of things homeowners can do to control their premium costs: • Consider higher deductibles – A higher deductible can lower your premium. Remember, if you choose this route, you will pay more out-of-pocket expenses if you suffer a loss and file a claim. • Ask about available discounts – A premium discount may be available if you have a qualifying fire/security system installed in your home or if you have a new home. If you insure your home and auto with American Family, you may be able eligible for discounts on both of those policies. • Prevent home losses/damage – Regular maintenance will make your home safer and less likely to suffer damage. Routinely check your home for fire, water and safety hazards. Safeguard your home against theft, too. Decisions to increase rates are made only after careful deliberation of many factors. Changing rates over time keeps insurance companies financially strong so they’ll be ready when their policyholders need them most: when they have a claim.

Winter heating poses carbon monoxide hazards

As temperatures fall outside, the comfort and warmth of a home is one of winter’s true pleasures. But where there’s heat, there’s also the potential for carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and is referred to as a “silent killer” because it’s nearly impossible to detect without a proper monitor. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 200 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year; thousands of others are treated at hospital emergency rooms. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is created when fossil fuels (such as gasoline, liquid petroleum or LP gas, wood, coal, charcoal, propane, natural gas, oil and methane) burn incompletely. Sources of carbon monoxide in your home include oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, wood and gas fireplaces, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters and wood stoves. It’s important to be aware of the potential hazards in using these household appliances and the safety measures you can take to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The following information was compiled from three experts in the field: the CPSC, the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: • Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune up central heating systems annually. Repair any leaks promptly. • Keep vent hoods and pipes securely in place and in good condition. • Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet the EPA emission standards. Make sure doors on all wood stoves fit tightly. • Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. • Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. • Do not idle your car in the garage. • Install a carbon monoxide detector; the CPSC recommends one that meets the requirements of the current Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2034. If you install only one carbon monoxide detector, the CPSC recommends locating it near a sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. • Test your carbon monoxide detector on a regular basis. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: • Low levels of carbon monoxide can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea and mild headaches. • Moderate levels of carbon monoxide can cause severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion and possibly fainting. If these levels continue or grow, the results may be fatal. What to do if you suspect you have carbon monoxide poisoning: Get fresh air immediately and see a doctor. In addition, have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly and/or to find the source of carbon monoxide.

It’s that time of year again: Watch out for darting deer

(October 2013) — An estimated 500,000 deer-vehicle crashes occur on U.S. roadways each year, resulting in thousands of injuries and multiple deaths. Most of these crashes occur between October and November during the deer-breeding season. Most deer-related crashes occur in the country. But a growing number of these accidents are also taking place in or near residential areas, as new subdivisions are built closer to deer habitats. Deer-vehicle crashes are often unavoidable, but here are a few defensive driving tips to minimize your chances: • Stay alert, pay more attention to the road and roadside – and actually look for deer. Be especially alert at dawn and dusk, the peak movement times for deer and when visibility is low. • Exercise special caution when moving through a posted deer crossing zone; the signs are there for a reason. • If you see a deer on the road, brake firmly and blow your horn. Deer often fixate on headlights, so it may not be effective to just flash your lights. • If you are unable to stop, do not swerve. It can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and hit a tree or another car. • Look for other deer after one has crossed the road. Deer seldom run alone. • Always wear your seatbelt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle crashes were not buckled. If your vehicle strikes a deer, contact the authorities. You may be legally required to report an accident with significant vehicle damage, depending on state laws. Also contact your insurance company to report your claim. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive section of your auto insurance policy.