Prevent Water Damage Caused By Winter Ice Dams

What is an Ice Dam?

In the winter a warm attic can melt snow on the roof causing water to run down and re-freeze at the edge of the roof where its colder.  If ice builds up it becomes an ‘ice dam’ that blocks water from draining, so the water is forced under the roof covering and into the attic or down inside the walls causing water damage.

How to prevent Ice Dams?

The best way to prevent ice dams is to maintain a cold roof.  Use sufficient insulation in the attic to keep the inside warm air from getting into the attic and warming the roof.  Also, maintain a cool, well –ventilated attic space that will not allow the roof to warm up.

Is there coverage ? 

To obtain coverage for this kind of leakage, not directly the result of damage to the roof by wind or the weight of snow, you would need an all-risks-not-excluded type of policy.  It is often referred to as an HO-3 or special form.

What to do if you get an ice dam?

First, take immediate steps to prevent further damage and contact our agency.  We will verify your coverage and give you instructions for preparing your claim.
Generally, you’ll be asked for repair estimates for structural damage and a list of items that will need repair or replacement.  Depending on the amount of damage, an appraiser from your insurance company may need to see the damage.  As with any insurance claim, keep all receipts.
Using a long handled snow puller, pull the snow from the roof, back just a few feet from the edge of the eaves before ice has a chance to form.  By simply removing the snow along the edge of the roof, you will give melting water a chance to drain from the eaves and prevent the formation of ice dams that  may damage your roof.
DO NOT GET ON THE ROOF TO REMOVE SNOW BUILDUP.  This is dangerous and you could easily damage the roofing material, resulting in leaks when it rains.

Please contact us, on the web or at one of our three locations, if you would like to know if you have this coverage on your existing homeowner policy - even if you are not a current customer we are happy to provide FREE insurance reviews.

This information is reliable and accurate, but we can not guarantee prevention or that the corrective measures will alleviate damages.  Always consult an experienced contractor or other expert to determine the best preventative and corrective action.

Teens Behind The Wheel

Tanner Insurance Agency, Inc. cares about you and your family.  With a new teenage driver in the household, we would like you to consider some important facts so you can help your teenager become a safe driver.

The Statistics:

Young drivers, in the age group 16-20, have one of the highest fatality rates of all drivers.  In fact, motor vehicle related injuries are by far the leading public health problem among teenager today.  In 2005 in the US 5,288 teenagers died from crash related injuries, and 61% of teenage passenger deaths occurred in crashes which another teen was driving.

Five Principal Reasons Contributing to Teen Driving Problems:

1. Distraction
2. Speeding
3. Drinking
4. Seat Belts
5. Weather

What’s A Parent To Do?

• Choose vehicles for safety,  not image.  Ensure the car has airbags and anti-lock brakes

• Provide new drivers with plenty of supervised driving practice, even after they have their license. Including night driving and hazardous road conditions

• Mandate safety belt usage

• Restrict number of passengers.  Crash rates increase sharply when a teen has passengers especially other teens.

• Emphasize that safe driving requires your teen’s full attention. Distractions like text messaging will greatly increase their risk of motor vehicle related injury

• Discuss and reinforce responsible driving behavior with teenagers.

Download our FREE Parent - Teen Driving Contract - Click Here

Visit us at www.tiains.com  or contact us at one of our three locations.

Want to Save Money on Gas?

Gas is expected to reach $5 per gallon by next summer.  Wow!!! Here are some tips that might come in handy.

4 Tips on Pumping Gas

Our source for this article is an individual with about 31 years experience in the petroleum industry.  He was kind enough to share some actions to take that will help you get more out of your money.

1. It is wise to buy gas or fill up your vehicle as early in the morning as possible, or when ground temperatures are still cool. Be advised that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below the surface.  The cooler the ground the more dense the gasoline.   When it gets warmer liquid expands.  As a result, buying in the afternoon or in the evening is not recommended.  A gallon might not actually be a gallon.
   
   
   
2. When you're filling up your car, you should not squeezed the trigger of the pump to a fast mode. Triggers have 3 speeds (low, medium, and high).  He advised that one should be pumping on the low mode,  thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while pumping gas.  All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.  If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes back to your tank can become steam.  Those vapors are being sucked up and back into storage tanks, so in retrospect., you are getting "bang for your buck".
   
   
   
3. One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank in HALF FULL.  The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space.  Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine.  Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof.  This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.  Unlike service stations, petroleum stations make sure that every truck that is loaded is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
   
   
   
4. Finally, never fill up your vehicle when there is a gasoline truck filling up the storage tanks.  When the tanks are filled up, the bottom is being stirred up.  You will pick up some of the gunk that was lying quietly at the bottom.
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   Visit us on the web or contact us at one of  our three locations maybe we can save you some money on your auto insurance too!
   
   
   
   

How Safe Is Your Heating?

The right way to use alternative heating sources when fending off old man winter….

The best defense may be maintenance of your home’s heating system. But, if you decide to give alternative heating a try, make safety a top priority.  The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggests: 

• Look for products tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Buy models with automatic shut-off features and heat element guards
• Maintain a 36-inch clearance between the heater and combustible materials, such as bedding, furniture, wall coverings or other flammable items. 
• Do not leave a heater unattended.
• Check every electrical cord for fraying and cracking.  If one looks worn, replace it before using.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in several parts of the house.
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year and make sure to test them as well.

Other safety suggestions:

•  Never use a kerosene heater indoors.
• Never use electric or gas stoves (ovens) to heat the home.  They are not intended for that purpose and can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If using a wood fireplace, have inspected annually by a professional chimney sweep 
• When using a gas fireplace, keep the glowing embers and logs clean; inspect and clean the air circulation passages and fan; avoid obstructing the vents.

Visit us online at www.tiains.com or contact us at one of our three locations for more information.

Snowmobile Registration & Insurance

It’s almost that time of year again! Time for snowmobiling.  Here is some helpful information from the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Display of Registration:

Registration numbers are permanently assigned to a snowmobile when it is registered for the first time.  These numbers stay with the machine from owner to owner until it is destroyed or permanently removed from the state.  DMV provided registration number decals must be displayed on both sides of the cowling of the sled at all times.  The cowling is defined as the forward portion of the sled surrounding the engine and clutch assembly.  Any display position behind the sled cowling (tunnel or seat area) or on the windshield is illegal and could result in an expensive citation for violation of the registration law.

Insurance Requirements:

All snowmobiles operated on any part of a roadway or shoulder of a highway in NYS must be covered by minimum liability insurance.  NYS Parks law requires snowmobilers to carry liability coverage in the minimum amount of $25,000 for an accident involving one person, 50,000 for an accident involving two or more persons, and $10,000 property damage from one accident.  These are bare minimum limits of insurance and are not recommended .   Proof of Insurance must be carried by the snowmobiler and must be displayed upon request of any magistrate, law enforcement officer, or anyone who has suffered personal injury or property damage as a result of the snowmobilers actions.

Trailers and Trailer Registration:

Trailers manufactured specifically for snowmobiles are usually the best choices.  Your tow vehicle should be big enough and have enough power to handle the trailer easily or you will put yourself and your snowmobiles in a very dangerous situation.  All trailers operated on NYS public highways must be registered, inspected and display a license plate with an annual validation tag.  The vehicle used to tow the trailer must be insured.  You must provide the DMV with all required items to receive a valid registration and license plate for your trailer.  Custom built trailers must meet all equipment requirements of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law and must be assigned a VIN number by the DMV.  Contact your county’s weights and measures office for local weighing stations.

Snowmobile  insurance is generally fairly inexpensive and something we can do quickly.  Visit us on the web or give us a call at one of our three offices for a quote!

For more information about what is needed to register your sled visit : http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/

What's Your Insurance IQ?

Think you know all you need to know about Insurance?  According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) the majority of Americans believe they are smart about insurance, but a deeper look at the issue tells a different story.  How insurance savvy are you?

Test your knowledge with these questions :

1. Auto rates are the same in every state.

A. True                 B.   False

2. What factors can affect your auto insurance?

A. Your age and marital status

B. Where you live and how you use your vehicle

C. Your accident history and safety features on your car

D. Your credit based insurance score

E. All of the above can affect your policy, depending on the type of coverage and the state in which you live

3. If you have personal auto insurance, will it always cover a rental car?

A. Yes B.  No

4. If you let a friend drive your car and he or she is at fault in an accident, does your personal auto policy cover damage to the other vehicle?

A. Yes, coverage typically extends to the permitted user of the car.

B. No, my friends insurance covers it.

5. What kind of insurance provides coverage if a person is injured in an accident and decides to file a lawsuit?

A. Liability coverage associated with auto and homeowners insurance

B. An Umbrella Policy

C. A personal Catastrophe Liability Policy

D. All of the above

6. What type of life insurance is less expensive, but only lasts a particular length of time?

A. Term life B.   Whole Life

C.    Universal life D.  All of the above

7. In general,, how much life insurance should I have?

A. Half your annual salary B. Two times your annual salary

B. 5-7 times your annual salary D.  10 times your annual salary

8. If you operate a small business out of your home, will your homeowners policy automatically cover any damage to your equipment (computer, supplies, etc.) and any liability exposure associated with the business?

A. Yes B.     No C.     It may provide limited coverage

9.    A flood has recently left several inches of water in your house.  Does your homeowners insurance cover the damages?

A. Yes B.    No

10. Can your insurance help if someone has stolen your identity of your credit card?

A. Yes B.  No C.   Maybe

Answers:  1-b, 2-e, 3-b,4-a,5-d,6-a,7-c,8-c,9-b,10-c  

Want to know more visit us on the web or contact us at one of our three locations.

CARS & DRIVING TRIVIA

I came across these facts about cars and driving and thought it was very interesting to say the least!  I hope you enjoy reading them also.

• On average there is about 3,000 feet of electrical wiring in every car.
• If you drove at 100mph for four years you would still not cover every stretch of road in the USA.
• Car airbags explode at 200 miles per hour.
• On average a human being spends two weeks of their entire lives waiting for traffic lights to change.
• The first person to be killed in an auto accident in the United States was Henry H. Bliss, a 68-year old real estate broker.  On September 14, 1899, in New York City, Mr. Bliss stepped from a streetcar, turned to assist a woman passenger, and was  hit by a cab.
• The 1st automobile racetrack in the US was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which consists of 3 million cobblestones.
• In 1916, 55 percent of the cars in the world were Model T Fords, a record that has never been beaten.
• In 2003, 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States.  This amounts to one death almost every half-hour.
• The city with the most Rolls Royce’s per capita is Hong Kong.
• The first product Motorola started to develop was record player for automobiles.  At the time, the most known player on the market was the Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.
• Since the 1970’s microchips have doubled in power and halved in price.  If the same thing happened to cars than a Rolls Royce would do 100,000 miles to the gallon and would only cost you $41.00 for a brand new one.
•  Petroleum companies report profits of $1500 per second, $90,000 per minute, $5,400,000 per hour, $129,600,000 per day, for a grand total of 11.68 billion in income during the second quarter of 2008.

      At Tanner Insurance Agency, Inc. we have been in business for 29 years, we specialize in business insurance but also write auto, home and life insurance.  Check us out on the web or contact us at any one of our three locations.

Bizarre Driving Laws

Following are a list of some, lets just say "different" laws on the books by state.  For all my fellow New Yorkers please find an appropriate place to change into your bathing suit while in Sag Harbor. 

Alabama: Illegal to Drive While Blindfolded.

Alaska:  Illegal to tether a dog to the roof of a car

Arkansas:  Illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold  beverages or sandwiches are served after 9pm.

California:   It is illegal in Eureka CA to use the road as a bed.

It is illegal in Chico CA to plant rutabagas in roadways.

It is illegal in Glendale CA to jump from a vehicle at 65mph.

It is illegal in Hermosa Beach CA to spill your margarita on any street.

Connecticut:  Hunting from cars is illegal even in deer season.

Georgia:  It is illegal in Dublin GA to drive through playgrounds.

Illinois:  Beware if you own a bicycle in Galesburg, IL.  There is a no tolerance law for “fancy riding”.

Iowa:  In Mt. Vernon IA it is illegal to throw your Red Ryder onto the highway.

Kansas:  In Derby KS it is considered a misdemeanor to screech your tires while driving.  This act could cost you 30 days in jail.

Kentucky:  Make sure your canine does not have a weird fetish for tailgate lights or trailer hitches while in Ft. Thomas KY .  You’ll be fined if your pet molests a vehicle.

Maine:  In South Berwick ME you will be ticketed if you park in front of Dunkin Donuts.

Maryland:  Using profanity from a vehicle is Rockville is considered a misdemeanor.

Minnesota:  In Minnetonka MN if you drive a truck that leaves mud, dirt or sticky substances on any road you will be considered a public nuisance that is harming the peace, safety and general welfare of the town.

Nevada:  It is illegal to place a bench or chair in the middle of the road.

New Jersey:  New Jersey residents are required by law to honk before passing.  It is illegal in Blairstown NJ to plant trees in the middle of the street.

New York:  Be sure to enter your vehicle sartorially content while in Sag Harbor, NY  Officials have made it illegal to disrobe while in your car.

North Carolina:  It is illegal to play in traffic, Illegal to drive on sidewalks and  It is illegal to drive through a cemetery unless you are there to dig a grave or bury someone—so if you just want to visit the grave of a loved one bring binoculars!

Ohio:  In Canton OH  people wearing roller skates cannot share the streets with cars. 

Oregon:  In Oregon you can be ticketed if you leave your car door open longer then deemed necessary.  You will receive a class A traffic violation if you use your car on an Oregon highway to prove your physical endurance.

If you opt for driving on a sidewalk while in Oregon, be sure not to attract the wrath of the law by not yielding to pedestrians.

Rhode Island:  In Scituate RI, it is illegal to drive with beer in your vehicle even if it is unopened.  So in other words, if  you are a beer delivery driver your in trouble.

South Carolina:  It is illegal to store trash in your vehicle due to rat problems.

West Virginia:  Virginia may be for lovers, but West Virginia is for meat lovers.  Officials in the Mountain State have deemed it perfectly legal for anyone to scavenge road kill.

For more fun information about the lighter side of driving check out Http://www.dmv.org/funstuff

Visit us on the web at www.tiains.com

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Some say it is going to be a rough winter.  I have lived in NY all my life (which is over 4 decades) and so I am used to it.  However, not all of us are.  Here is some advice for those not experienced in driving in the winter snowy months.  The best advice for driving in bad weather is not to drive at all if you can avoid it.  If you have to drive make sure your car is prepared, and you know how to handle road conditions.

Start With A Checkup:

· Check ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, and belts

· Change and adjust spark plugs

· Check air, fuel and emission filters

· Inspect the distributor

· Check the battery

· Check tires for air, sidewall wear, and tread depth

· Check antifreeze levels and the freeze line

Necessary Equipment:

An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared.  In addition to making sure you have the tune up, a full tank of gas and fresh antifreeze you should also carry the following items in your trunk:

· Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack, tow and tire chains

· Shovel, bag of salt or kitty litter, woolen blanket

· Jumper cables, tool kit, non perishable food items, hard candy etc.

· Working flashlight and extra batteries, two flares

 If You Become Stranded:

· Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

· To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car at a safe distance away.  Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

· If you are sure the car’s exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

· To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets too keep warm.

· Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

· Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist

For more safety  information visit the National Safety Council website at http://www.nsc.org

We offer discounts for reduced use vehicles as well - those vehicles only driven during winter or summer months.  Visit us on the web at www.tiains.com for a free quote or contact us at one of our three locations!

Times Have Changed

Times have changed and we have learned a lot over the past several decades (we hope).  Here is a look back at some of the print advertisements were published in the past.

"Gee, Dad, you always get the best of everything…even Marlboro" is just one of the many slogans the cigarette brand has used over the years - this one from the 1950's. My favorite, "Before you scold me, Mom…maybe you’d better light up a Marlboro".  Hopefully again we are a little wiser now.. Please don't smoke but especially around children.  Especially in the car or house. More slogans like this can be found here.

Now hopefully parents try to not to give soda to a baby... but apparently this is something most parents have learned fairly recently!  This advertisement was sponsored by "The Soda Pop Board of America" - this actually was a reproduction created in 2002 by RJ White as a joke.

This also is from the 1950's - a time where advertising and comments were very sexist.  It was believed a woman's place was in the kitchen.  Here is a food blog that talks more about this ad and more.

This ad is for a Kenwood Chef Mixer, but in the larger print at the top the sexist ad really jumps out at you.  The rest of the ad which is not shown here is equally amusing, it can be found here.

The first advertisment in the USA was placed in 1789 and was a tobacco ad in a newspaper.  Today, we have learned about the dangers and long term affects of cigarette smoking and in 1997 censorship of these types of advertising began with banning outdoor, billboard, public transportation and advertising to youth.  In 2010 the Tobacco Control Act was signed placing even more restrictions. More on tobacco advertising can be found here.

You don't find ads portraying 'betty homemaker' anymore either.  Now you see working women, and ways to improve your life, more equality among gender and roles displayed through advertising.  Here is a blog on this topic I enjoyed. 

and lastly.. I will leave you with this one...in honor of domestic violence awareness month:

Visit us on the web:  http://www.tiains.com

and let us "Save you a buck" on your car insurance!

The Car Accidents You Don’t Think About

Every year, tens of thousands of children are rolled over, caught in power windows, and even unintentionally left in vehicles to die.  But these incidents are preventable as they are upsetting.  This is what every parent needs to know now.

· Never leave children alone in the car.  A recent survey by the National Safe Kids Campaign found that 20% of parents ages 18-24 considered it ok to leave kids unattended in a car.  What’s more 1/2 the parents surveyed said they don’t always lock cars parked at home.  Kids ‘N Cars, a San Francisco-based non profit, has compiled more than 1200 cases in which kids were injured while left alone in cars.  Besides putting a car in motion, children have also been burned by lighters, injured by windows, and trapped in trunks.  One in four cases was fatal.

· Store your car keys in a secure place.  Children pay close attention to what you do and know full well what those keys are for and how to use them.  Keep your keys inaccessible to your kids.

· If you have a trunk, use it.  Most people don’t understand the violence of a crash, If you are going 35 miles per hour and get in a crash, everything in your car is still going 35 miles per hour until it hits something.  That something could be you or your child.  Partners for Child Passenger Safety says that 15% of kids in a collision come into contact with things inside the care.  These include loose object, other occupants, even dogs. Store all loose objects even groceries or clothes in the trunk.

· Use a booster seat.  Only 5% of kids who should be in belt-positioning booster seats are actually using one, says principal investigator of Partners for Child Passenger Safety.  But standard seat belts are not designed for kids, and lap belts alone have the potential to be even more harmful.  A child who is restrained only by a lap belt (or who has pushed the shoulder belt behind his back because its uncomfortable) often gets injured when his head slams into his own knees or the back of the front seat. For seat belts to operate properly, a child over 40 pounds must be in a booster seat, which elevates him enough so the belt crosses his shoulder and hips in the right place.  Kids generally need that seat until they weigh 80 pounds.

· Don’t breastfeed while in the car.  Children who are unrestrained in a car become projectiles in a crash and are often ejected from the vehicle says SafetyBeltSafe USA, a public-service group based in CA.  A child is going to hit something or someone in the car or worse you could crush your own child as you try to hold on to him. If your child is hungry or fussy, stop driving and find a safe place to park before you calm her.  Don’t try pulling over on the highway shoulder, collisions occur there all the time, find a rest area or parking lot.  Never sit in the front seat holding your baby, and never put an infant car seat in the front seat.  If your air bag discharges your child could be killed.

For more tips: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/safety/car

Visit us on the web www.tiains.com

Strange Claims

Anything can happen to anyone at anytime and here’s proof.  Here are what we think the top 5 strangest claims:

1.)    A property owner in Spain, rented his home to vacationers.  In this particular case it was a group of young people in their 20’s for two weeks.  When he returned to the property he found sand and water emulating the sea inside his home.  The young people gave the explanation that the beach “hadn’t lived up to their expectations”.  If this had been in NY and insured on a landlord policy, this most likely would have been an excluded claim.  When you rent your property to others it is considered the cost of doing business in most cases and would not be covered.  Our advice, screen your tenants and collect a security deposit.  This along with strange holiday home claims can be found here: http://www.yourmoney.com/your-money/news/2270071/top-ten-weirdest-holiday-home-insurance-claims

2.)    A man was driving around in his pickup truck and had his shotgun riding, well, shotgun. Arriving at his destination, the man grabbed his gun and hopped out of the cab. Unfortunately, he lost his grip and the gun discharged. The man wasn't sure if he'd fired the gun while grabbing for it or if it went off by itself as it hit the ground.  The gun was loaded (with buckshot - which spreads into lots of little bb type bullets) and luckily, the man was uninjured, the truck's interior wasn't as fortunate. The entire cab of the truck suffered extensive damage. In order for an event such as this to be covered you need comprehensive coverage (also called OTC, or Other Than Collision). This and several other Weird Auto Insurance Claims can be found here: http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/auto-insurance/5-weird-auto-insurance-claims.htm#page=4]

3.)    This one is really hard to understand how anyone would actually submit a claim for this, but in the UK a man was using the flashlight function on his cell phone while assisting his cow during calving.  Yup, you guessed it, the phone somehow disappeared!  It did however eventually turn up later but was damaged beyond repair.  I heard the mobile phone insurance company paid in full for this claim.  You may want to confirm whether the misplacing of your phone is a covered peril.  Read about this and more mobile insurance claims here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/25/top-10-bizarre-mobile-phone-insurance-claims-revealed_n_2015370.html

4.)    I have read that this next one is a really common complaint.  A woman was traveling and relaxing under a coconut tree when a coconut fell and hit her on the head and she needed to go to the hospital for treatment of the injury.  This actually ended up being very costly. There were CAT scans, blood work, monitoring etc. Luckily for her the insurance company paid the hospital fees but no out of pocket expenses.  Read this and more weird travel insurance claims here:     http://worldtravelbuzz.com/top-10-strangest-travel-insurance-claims/

5.)    Crime doesn’t pay … A customer tried to sue a Virginia Cracker Barrel Restaurant for $500,000 settlement after ‘discovering’ a mouse in her soup.  The chain and its insurance carriers investigated the claim and found the mouse could not have been droned & cooked in the soup because it had no soup in its lungs.  The court case actually went to trial and the jury believed the only way the mouse could have gotten there was if the person deliberately put it there!  The woman was arrested for fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion and was sentenced to a year in prison. Read this and more at: http://listverse.com/2013/01/06/top-10-bizarre-insurance-claims/

If you want to know if your insurance would cover any of these particular instances please give us a call to discuss or check us out on the web www.tiains.com.

Halloween Safety

Are you going to take your children trick or treating this year?  If yes, we suggest a community sponsored event like a mall, school, party etc.  Door to door in today's day in age is really not safe anymore- especially without an adult or parent present.

I found this great acronym on the CDC website and thought I would share to help keep our trick or treaters safe this year:

Going trick-or-treating?

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Parents please be sure to examine your children's candy before they consume ANY.  Dispose of any unwrapped candy, apples, etc anything that is not in its original packaging or wrapper.  Examine the wrapped candy for tampering.  Discard any candy with torn or missing wrappers.  Homemade treats also should be discarded unless you know the person who made them.  Homemade treats can make a person sick, even if it is not intentional.  Some hospitals also open their doors to allow candy to be closely examined through and X-ray machine to check for pins, razors, etc.  Lastly, it is important to smell the candy too, a strange odor can also be an indicator, promptly discard any foul smelling items in your bag.  Here is a great article with more specific information: Candy Examination.

For more information visit us online at www.tiains.com.

October is a VERY Busy Month!

October is a very busy month.  October is:

• National Disability Employment awareness month.

• October is bullying prevention month

• National Substance Abuse Prevention month

• National Breast Cancer Awareness month

• National Farm to School month

• National Dental Hygiene month

• Domestic Violence Awareness month

• National Information Literacy Awareness month

• National Chiropractic Health Month

• National Cyber Security Awareness Month

• National Community Planning Month

• National Pit Bull Awareness Month

• National Home Security Month

• national women in business month

• National Principal's Month

• National Car Care Month

• National Vegetarian Awareness month

• National Craft Making month

and let's not forget food:

• National Apple Month

• National Applejack Month

• National Caramel Month

• National Cookbook Month

• National Cookie Month

• National Dessert Month

• National Pasta Month

• National Pickled Peppers Month

• National Pizza Month

• National Popcorn Poppin’ Month

• National Pork Month

• National Pretzel Month

• National Seafood Month

• National Nut Month

and then there are special weeks too all in OCTOBER:

• National Mental Illness Awareness week

• National Fire Prevention week

• National Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy Week

• National Physician Assistants week

• National School Lunch week

• National Save for Retirement week

• National Primary Care week

• National Chemistry week

• National Design week

• National Veterinary Tech week

• National Health Education week

• National Estate Planning week

There are a lot more, especially weeks designated for more food, but you get the idea.

So I personally think we got a little carried away.    I looked quickly at the other 11 months out of the year and they are not so busy... Maybe we should have spread these out a little?  

You can click any of  the links above to get more information on any of the specific "holidays".

We are open for all of these except Columbus Day on October 14th which is not mentioned above.. I did not find one post regarding Columbus when searching for "October is National".  That makes me kinda sad.

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