Can you believe it? The weatherman is forecasting snow.  It seems like just yesterday that we had that heat wave.  Now that snow, ice and single-digit temperatures are closing in on us, it’s important to review these common sense rules for winter driving and safety guidelines for dealing with winter road emergencies.

1. If you didn't get around to preparing for winter before wet, cold or icy weather struck by performing a complete check-up of your vehicle, then there is no time like the present. Your auto tech will tell you that winter conditions present the greatest challenge to your vehicle’s operating efficiency.
2. Before you start your car, move it out into the open to let it warm up, This way, you avoid exhaust build-up in your garage.
3. Put a Winter Driving Kit in your vehicle and keep it stocked with: ice scraper, paper towels, a bag of sand, salt or kitty litter, snow brush,  shovel,  booster cables, warning flares, a flash light, window-washing fluid, a blanket, gloves and a spare cellular phone with extra batteries. You’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re prepared for an emergency.
4. Frequently check your tires for proper inflation. If your vehicle owner’s manual does not specify, then ask your automotive technician about the proper inflation level.
5. Make it a practice to keep your fuel tank at least half-full. This way, you will prevent gas-line freeze and you won’t likely run out of fuel in an emergency.
6. Don't drive in bad weather if you can avoid it; but if you must drive, then try to be well rested and wait until snow plows and sand trucks have cleared the roads.
7. When driving on wet, snowy or icy roads, don't use cruise control or overdrive.  Both will diminish your full vehicle control in possible slippery conditions.
8. Make sure you have the best visibility possible when driving in winter weather.  Be sure that your seat and mirrors are properly adjusted, wear sunglasses to reduce glare and don't forget to buckle up. 
9. Don’t use your parking brake in cold or inclement weather, if at all possible.
10. If you experience skidding on slippery roads, always take your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want to go to recover from the skid.

The key to safe winter driving is to plan ahead, know your vehicle and adapt to the weather and road conditions

Heat can be a real danger for workers during the summer, especially those who work outdoors. The extreme heat in our area this summer has even prompted U.S. Labor Secretary,  Hilda L. Solis, to issue a warning as a record heat wave swept much of the nation last month.

Temperatures in our area are still in the 90's. So, for your employees – especially those who work outdoors  --  summer heat is not only uncomfortable,  it can be down right dangerous.

Recognizing the immediate threat, OSHA is currently promoting a national outreach initiative to educate workers and employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat and steps needed to recognize and prevent heat illnesses.  The simple message: "water, rest, and shade."  Their website includes segments with resources, educational material and much more for you to use to make your workforce aware of the dangers and how to cope with the extreme heat this summer. 

As an employer, you want to protect your employees against possible injury and danger; so you will want to educate them to avoid heat-related illness. OSHA reports that, each year, thousands of outdoor workers encounter heat illness as they do their jobs, and it  often manifests as heat exhaustion. Heat Stroke can quick follow heat exhaustion if it is not handled promptly. Heat stroke was responsible for the death of 30workers last year.

OSHA boss, David Michaels warns workers that  "Drinking water often, taking breaks, and limiting time in the heat are simple, effective ways to prevent heat illness."

In addition to providing a full complement of resources and educational materials on heat illness, and to assist employers and employees, OSHA has partnered  with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide weather service alerts. These alerts will include worker safety precautions and will be available when heat alerts are issued across the U.S. You will also find pertinent worker safety information on NOAA’s Heat Watch Web page at http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php

As a responsible employer, you want to be sure your employees are protected in your workplace and that, should illness or injury occur, you have the proper insurance coverage to assist with any claims.  In the face of threats to your employees’ health and safety such as the environmental danger from extreme heat,  we here at the William Sparks Insurance Agency suggest that you take a moment to review your company’s insurance coverage to be prepared before you need it.  We welcome your questions and would be glad to help you review your insurance policy at your convenience.

Here in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas, the stormy season is upon us.  With storms from severe thunderstorms to hurricanes to tornados we often have flooding.  In fact, we are all at risk this time of year.

If you are a homeowner, you not only must protect yourself and your family, you must protect your home from the threat that flooding brings.  So you must be sure that you have the right insurance coverage.  You should know that flooding is typically not covered by your homeowners policy.  Instead, you will need a separate flood insurance policy. But don’t make the mistake of waiting until the water starts to rise – flood insurance requires a waiting period before it becomes active. 

To avoid costly mistakes and protect your loved ones, consider the following steps to take before flooding strikes.

Collect Important Documents

Pull together your insurance policies and contact information for your insurance agent, financial records, medical records, records of major purchases such as vehicles, home, etc. You will also want to create a home inventory with photos and detailed descriptions of your belongings.  Then, put your documents and inventories in a safe deposit box or store them at home in a fireproof, waterproof sealed container and be sure that everyone knows where they are stored.

Prepare your Home

Determine the maximum projected flood level for your area and create a plan to move your furniture and valuables to a flood above that level if possible.  If flooding is likely in your area, consider elevating your appliances and even your electrical outlets to a level above the projected flood level if possible.  Develop a Survival Kit with sufficient drinking water, canned food and first aid supplies to serve your family.  Include blankets, an extra cell phone, a radio, a flashlight and if possible a supply of any prescription medications that your family requires.  Store your kit in a safe, dry, cool place and check it, replacing and replenishing as necessary.

Prepare Your Family

Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it periodically, including designating safe evacuation routes to higher ground from workplaces, childrens’ schools as well as your home. Include provisions for your pets in your plan. Be sure everyone knows emergency phone numbers and the contact information for a designated friend or relative who lives out of the area and who agrees to be your family contact in the event of disaster. 

Get More Details:

Visit FloodSmart, an online resource for consumers provided by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for much more information, checklists, questions/answers, flood insurance details and much more. 

Visit Know Your Stuff (a feature of the Insurance Information Institute) for everything you'll need to create your detailed home inventory.

Here in Timonium, MD, at the Sparks Insurance Agency, our experienced agents know about flood insurance and we know your community whether you are live in Maryland, Virginia or Pennsylvania.  We welcome your questions about flood insurance and look forward to having you contact us at your convenience.

This year, for the first time, the Information Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performed crash-test evaluations on plug-in electric cars.  The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt earned the highest safety rating, earning the top rating (of “good”) for frontal, side, rear and rollover crash protection.  Along with a standard rating for electronic stability control, both the Volt and the Leaf earned spots among the Top Safety Picks List for 2011.

As a consumer, you can be confident that automakers are utilizing safety engineering in their electric cars that rival that used in their vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The 2011 Top Safety Picks for all sizes of cars, vans and SUVs has been published by the IIHS.  This list recognizes 38 cars, 25 SUVs and one minivan, in addition to the Volt and Leaf hybrid vehicles. Compared to 2010, you will find more than double the number of vehicles to choose from that meet the safety criteria used by the IIHS.

We all look forward to a vacation break during the summer months; but, in fact, so do burglars who know that homeowners many times leave their homes unprotected. However, most burglaries could be prevented if we take basic precautions.  According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), light, time and noise are the homeowner’s greatest weapons against home invasion by burglars.

• According to the FBI, more home burglaries occur in June, July and  August than in any other months of the year with August being the heaviest month. Don’t allow your home to become another statistic during these months (or ever!).
• Do not announce your travel plans to the public; you can post your pictures when you return.
• Notify a trusted neighbor of your travel dates.
• Ask a neighbor or someone you trust for simple favors such as: putting your garbage out, Clearing away flyers, notes, and packages left in doors.
• Never hide a key. Give it to the trusted person you have checking your home.
• Properly close and lock all windows and doors – including  your garage.
• Do not let valuables be seen from the outside of your home, but leave curtains slightly parted so your home doesn’t look empty.
• Put a temporary stop on the delivery of mail and newspaper.
• Document and mark your valuables either by making a list or taking pictures. Store important documents in a security box somewhere other than your home. This will help you file an insurance claim in the event of a lost or stolen item. This tip is also useful in case of natural disasters.
• Have your answering machine message say, “Sorry we can't come to the phone" instead of “We are away until next week”.

The III reports that a burglar won’t spend more than 4-5 minutes trying to break in before going to the next house. Most insurance companies provide discounts for devices that make a home safer such as dead-bolt locks, window grates, bars and smoke/fire/burglar alarms.

Before you take that long-awaited vacation, consider contacting your insurance agent for further suggestions and to find out just how your home is protected against burglaries and theft of your valuables.