Planning on Spending Money on Black Friday? Read about My Favorite FREE Things...

With everyone planning their Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, I thought I would mention a few of my favorite FREE things.. yes you read that right.. FREE!  

Literacy is one of my personal favorites, especially when it comes to children.   Here are a few of my favorite resources:  

• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:  This is a FREE mail order book program for children up to age 5.  It is hosted by an affilliate in your local community like your public library for example.  Find out more or register your child here .
• Free Children's Books Online or for FREE download.  It is a growing library of unique children's books and available for download or read online.   They can be found at here.  
• You can also visit Amazon for several Free books for Kindle for adults and children.  Find them here.

Which brings me to my next category - computer software:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader - a free download that is required to read the downloaded books I mentioned above.  Many files are saved in this format and because the program is FREE - everyone can have access.  You can download the Free Reader Here.
• Microsoft Security Essentials - quit spending money on antivirus programs that fail.  This is an excellent FREE antivirus program that protects your computer perhaps even better than some of the paid versions!  It doesn't work for MAC though... that's the only downfall.. get it HERE.  After installing you should scan your system weekly.
• If you are going to use the free antivirus from Microsoft then you should also download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software - this provides excellent free protection from malware & spyware.  Get it here.  After installing you should scan your system weekly.
• A business partner introduced me to Jing - a free program that lets you capture images displayed on your computer screen.  All or part of it.  I used to print to another program if I wanted to save something in internet explorer and 99% of the time it would not print the entire page - it would get 'cut off'.  Jing solved this problem.  I have used it several times since I installed it.  Get it here for FREE. Works for PC or Mac.

More Free stuff:

• I might be a little bias but we offer several FREE reports on our website - if you are a parent with a teen driving soon, or going away to college, getting married, moving, retiring, if you have a commercial drivers license or if you are an apartment building owner or farm owner, we have Free reports for each of those categories.  Some of these can be read online and others are available for FREE download.
• We also offer a FREE insurance review.  Everyone thinks.. 'I'm happy with what I have..." are you sure?  Do you know if you and your family will be protected if you get into an auto accident or if someone slips and falls on your property.  Don't take chances with your family.. your home, business and future earnings could be jeopardy.  Get peace of mind by confirming that you adequate limits to protect yourself and your family. Contact us for a free review , even if we are not the agent of record on the policy.

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact me via email, phone or stop into the office. 

Happy Holidays!

My blog is moving... please visit my blog on its new site HERE.

Swimming Pool & Spa Safety Tips

I know you may be wondering why I would be offering swimming pool and spa safety tips when the low temperatures have been in the 20's in Central NY lately.  The fact of the matter is now is the perfect time to offer these up for your review!  The swimming pool most likely is not being used at this time of year (unless it is indoor) and that makes it very convenient to correct any deficiencies before the high season arrives.  Also now is the time of year when outdoor tubs and spas are used the most!

Every year the CPSC reports that an estimated 300 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools and spas. And more than 3,000 children in that same age bracket are treated in hospital emergency rooms after sustaining submersion injuries.

Before you prep your swimming pool or spa for summer activities take a moment to read through the following safety tips.

General Pool Safety

• Enclose with a 4 foot fence around all 4 sides. Enclose your pool or spa area on all 4 sides with a fence that is at least 4 feet tall. If your house makes up one side of your fence, install secure locks that are out of reach of children and install alarms. It only takes a moment for a child to wander into danger.
• Remove covers completely. When the time comes to uncover your swimming pool, take the cover completely off. A child can easily become trapped in the portion of the cover that is not removed. 
• Install self closing gates. Make sure all gates leading to the pool area are self closing and self latching, with the latches high enough to be out of the reach of children. 
• Move tables and chairs. Keep all tables and chairs that are outside the enclosed pool area away from the fence to keep children from climbing into the pool area. 
• Have proper rescue equipment. Keep rescue equipment – a shepherd’s hook and life ring – near the pool and in good condition. 
• Keep phone close. Keep a phone near the pool whenever it is occupied. You don’t want to leave young swimmers unattended for even a few seconds while you run to answer the phone. It is also crucial to have a phone near the pool in case of emergency.
• Never let children swim unsupervised. Knowing how to swim does NOT mean children are safe in the water. Even children on swim and dive teams have drowned while swimming unsupervised. Never leave children unattended in or near a pool or spa.
• Know CPR. Make certain everyone who is watching over children in the pool knows CPR. 
• Educate babysitters. Go over your pool safety rules with all babysitters whether or not the children will be swimming while in their care. Also, insist that your babysitters know CPR.
• Practice “Touch Supervision.” Practice “touch supervision” with children under five years of age. This means children are always within an arm’s reach when in or around the pool. 
• Require swimming ability. Never allow children over four years of age in your pool or spa if they don’t know how to swim unless they are accompanied by a parent. Children under four should never be allowed in the pool or spa without a parent.
• Don’t use inflatable swimming aids. Never use inflatable swimming aids – water wings, float tubes, water mattresses, etc. – as a substitute for a certified life vest or floatation device. Be aware that inflatable swimming aids can lead to a false sense of security. 
• Remove toys. Remove all toys from the pool or spa after swimming. Children might try to reach for toys in the water and fall in. Putting them in a closed bin or small storage unit will keep them out of sight and reduce the risk of children going into the pool area to get them. 

Avoid Drain Entrapment

Drain suction can be powerful enough to trap an adult underwater. Keep children safe by following these drain safety tips.

• Keep drains and drain covers in excellent condition. Loose, broken or missing drain covers pose a serious drowning threat. 
• Keep children away. Never allow children to go near drains or suction outlets. This is especially dangerous in spas and shallow pools. According to CPSC, “children’s public wading pools, other pools designed specifically for young children, and in-ground spas that have flat drain grates and single main drain systems pose the greatest risk of entrapment.” Anything from hair, to body parts, to jewelry and bathing suits can become caught on a drain cover or entrapped in the drain.
• Have your pool and/or spa inspected. The CPSC recommends that all pool and spa owners contact a licensed professional engineer to regularly inspect drains and covers to make sure they are P&SS Act compliant. They recommend contacting “state or local officials to determine who is qualified in your area.” 

Enjoying the water is a wonderful way to escape the heat of summer. Follow these safety tips and have a safe, enjoyable summer.

Visit us on the web or contact us at one of our three locations for a free review of your insurance.

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.

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

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.

Fire Prevention Week 2013

This is national fire prevention week.  There was actually a presidential proclamation declaring this week in 2013.

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires with heating related fires close behind.  Here are some tips to help prevent and put out fires:

1) Make sure you have a smoke detector in every room of your home, but not in the kitchen
2) Unplug appliances when not in use
3) Don't use metal in the microwave, beware dinnerware sometimes has metal paint on the trim
4) Keep your stove & oven clean and in good repair
5) Be extra careful when cooking with oil or grease - be sure you don't over heat or over fill
     NEVER pour water on a grease fire, use sand, baking soda or a fire extinguisher.
6) Be sure all flammables are kept away from the stove & oven - like pot holders, dish & paper towels
7) Around the holiday, if you have a real tree, water daily and keep several feet from heaters.
8) Be sure your chimney was cleaned before the start of the heating season
9) Have your existing furnace inspected and maintained by a professional regularly

Follow this CHAIN:

CALL 911 for help
HAVE a fire plan in place - arrange meeting place away from the home - and have fire drills
ASK your local fire department for window stickers to alert there are children or elderly in the home
INSPECT your portable fire extinguisher & keep in an easily accessible spot - Every home should have one.
NFPA the National Fire Protection Association has many more tips visit them & make a plan.

We also have more information direct from many of the fire insurance companies we work with.  They want to help you prevent fires.  Visit us on the web at http://www.tiains.com , stop in to one of our three locations or give us a call for more info or to get a free quote for fire insurance.

Government Shutdown

If your like me you're trying to figure out what's open and what's closed with this government shut down.  I contacted the USDA and they were closed yesterday. The voice mail said they were out of the office no return date set and they will not be checking email or voice mail while on furlough.  However, I am still getting mail every day. Both are Federal departments of the United States Government.

So here is a condensed list of what's what:

USPS, otherwise known as MAIL, still continues to be delivered.  The reason for this is because the USPS does not receive money from taxes it is funded by its own income producing sources, like postage for example.

National Parks and National Museums, are all closed.  This has a trickle effect on the economy.  If you are located in the eastern part of the state, for example, it is peak season for tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful fall foliage.  However if you wanted to stay in a state park you may have cancelled your trip and other local businesses are losing out because your are not there to eat at their diner or shop at their gift shop.

Air Travel, thankfully Air Traffic Controllers and airport security  are not on furlough... can you imagine?? Unbelievably though, federal plane INSPECTORS are on furlough as well as some aircraft repair stations. The International Embassy's are still open and passports and visas are still being processed.  Again because fees are generated from these directly.

If you collect social security, unemployment or medicare you are still receiving your benefits. Federal courts continue to operate for the time being, however non essential personnel could be furloughed if the issues at hand are not resolved quickly. Women Infants and Children (WIC), Food Stamps and school lunch program only has enough funding to make it through October it has been reported and they may cease at that time.

Another department that is experiencing the shutdown directly is the Food Safety Division.  If a recall or outbreak occurs the department said they could handle it but the people who investigate the outbreaks are on furlough! There won't be any inspectors visiting anytime in the near future either to be sure your facility is clean.  However, Meat inspectors still continue to be in meat packing plants every day, as required by law.

Military, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Prisons, NASA, National Weather Service are still pretty much operating as normal, some non essential employees have been furloughed.

Loans - If you are trying to purchase a home you can expect a delay and if the shutdown continues it will be worse.  The reason is that they banks require tax data.   Unfortunately the IRS will not be processing any taxes or conducting audits during the shutdown. The applications for FHA mortgages and government loans for small businesses have been shut down.

So that's the abbreviated version.  If you have questions I would suggest calling the IRS or the department in question, but in most cases you won't get any answer.  If you try going to many of the links I provided, same thing.  Sorry were closed.

Here is a link that does work to get some more detailed information on the departments and programs affected by the shutdown and those that remain open.  You also can go to:  http://www.usa.gov/

Visit us on the web at www.tiains.com.

Disaster Preparedness

I recently came across the reality show Doomsday Preppers on the National Geographic Channel.  I have to admit I was hooked well for a hour or so.   Some people take this to the extreme - or so it seems anyway. However, It made me stop and think.  I thought about what I would have or do if I suddenly had no power for more than a few hours.  I would have no water, no can opener, no stove, no microwave. I have a family and just to be safe I started taking a few simple precautions.  Not building an underground shelter but setting a side a few simple supplies in case my family and I should need them.

Travelers Insurance has a wealth of helpful information on their website and anyone with an internet connection can access it.  There are several other sites available...some perhaps not so reputable.  I would stick to Insurance companies, and government sites like the CDC  and of course the Department of Homeland Security  and lastly FEMA .

If you don't want to read up, here are a few simple things you can do:

1) Get a couple of gallon jugs of spring water at your next trip to the store.  They are usually less than $1 each.  They suggest a gallon of water per person per day.  

2) Stock up on extra can goods (already cooked) like beans, soup, raviolis, fruit, etc.  The best way is to purchase them with the pull tab tops.

3) Non-electric can opener

4) Portable battery operated radio

5) Batteries

6) Blanket (ideally one for every person in the household)

7) Matches in a zip lock bag

8) First aid kit

9) Flashlight (rechargeable that do not need batteries is best)

10) Dust masks, these are really inexpensive and can be purchased at even the dollar store

11) Baby wipes, garbage bags and twist ties

12) Infant formula, diapers, baby food

13) Prescription medications, vitamins, and glasses

14) Some basic tools, wrench or pliers, screwdriver, hammer, utility knife

Of course there are lots of variations on this and you can find them by checking out the links I provided.

I gathered as much as I could and threw it in a backpack.  Hopefully I will never need to use this in my lifetime, but I am prepared at least for a couple days.

If you have questions or need more information go to www.tiains.com or stop into one of our three locations. We would be happy to print you out a checklist to help you be prepared.

Want to save money on your car insurance?

Everyone wants to save money on their car insurance.  There are thousands of factors that figure into how much someone pays for their car insurance.  Your driving record, location, claims history, and how long you have been insured are just to name a few. Here are a few tips and discounts usually available:

1)      Defensive Driving:  This discount saves you 10% on the liability and collision portion of your insurance for 3 years and it doesn’t matter who you have your car insurance with!  If you take the course you get the discount.  If you have more than one vehicle you get the discount PER vehicle.  If you have more than one driver on your policy and they take the course they get the savings too!  Great way to save!  You can now also take the course online.  Instead of sitting in a classroom most of the day, go to http://www.tiains.com and sign-up it costs less than $40 and you can start and stop it at anytime and have up to 30 days to complete!

2)      Multi-policy Discount:  If the company you have your car insurance with sells home, mobile home or renters insurance and you take out one of these policies with them, it is very likely that you will receive the multi-policy discount. Erie Insurance offers the multi-policy discount on the home, renters or mobile home and the auto so that’s double the savings!  Go to http://www.tiains.com and ask for a free Erie quote to see how much you can save.

3)      Youthful Drivers:  Do you have a youthful driver on your policy?  Erie insurance gives THREE discounts to youthful drivers if they are insured with you on your auto policy.  The driver training discount if they took drivers education. The youthful longevity discount, if you and your inexperienced operator are claim and violation free. There is a 16 minute video the youthful drivers can watch online or in one of our three offices from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Lastly, the college student discount available for part-time or full-time college students away at school with out a vehicle.

4)      Multi-vehicle discount: If you have more than one vehicle and insure them together you may be eligible for a multi-vehicle discount.  With Erie and with some other companies a snowmobile, four-wheeler, classic car, dune buggy, RV or utility trailer, all qualify!

5)      Senior Discount:  Most car insurance companies offer senior discounts for drivers over 55.

6)      Car Equipment Safety:  Most car insurance companies offer discounts for factory installed air bags, anti-theft devices (like alarms) and anti-lock brakes on all four wheels.

7)      Safe Driver Discount: Some carriers offer safe driver discounts for no tickets, accidents, or claims in the last 5 years.

We are independent agents and can shop around for you with all 7 of the auto insurance companies we work with – many of them offer property coverage as well.  Go to www.tiains.com and get a free quote!