As the winter months approach, more people will find themselves driving on wet roads from the additional amount of rainfall. Unfortunately, many drivers experience rate hikes in insurance premiums as a result of minor fender-benders in the rain; however, by taking a few small steps to improve driving skills during wet roads, drivers can avoid the majority of road condition-related accidents.
Tires
Ultimately, your tires are the only real thing touching the pavement, and in so doing, they are the only thing capable of coming to a stop when you apply the brakes. Every three-months or when you have an oil change, check the tread depth of your tires. If the tread has worn away to less than one-fourth inch, you need to replace the tires. The simplest means of checking the tread depth uses a penny. Turn a penny upside-down and stick it with Lincoln’s head pointing towards the inside of the tire. If you are able to see his head, your tread is too low.
Windshield Wipers
While windshield wipers may not sound like they will prevent a terrible accident, they allow you to have clarity when driving during the rain or while the road is still wet. As the blades age, they crack, chip, and wear away. If you notice unusual streaking or a lack of removal of raindrops, you need to replace your windshield wipers. Most modern vehicles possess universal windshield wiper attachments, and you can change them in less than 5-minutes.
Headlights and Taillights
Every six-months, check the clarity of your headlights, taillights, turn signals, and any other safety lights on your vehicle. Dull lights can result in other drivers being unable to see your vehicle approaching. Furthermore, you will not be able to see the road clearly, especially during heavy rain.
Slow Down
Although making sure your tires, windshield wipers, and lights work properly, you still need to be careful with your speed when the road is wet. High speeds and wet roads result in delayed reactions to potentially hazardous situations with other drivers. Take plenty of time while driving on wet roads, and you will stay safe and keep your insurance premiums in check.
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“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
~John F. Kennedy~
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Thanksgiving, one of the busiest and most anticipated holidays, is right around the corner. While everyone is undoubtedly focused on the food, football and shopping that are the highlights of the long weekend, it is also important to keep safety at the forefront of your mind as well. Staying safe starts at home. Being aware of some basic safe cooking practices can make your holiday both tasty and safe.
Caring for the Turkey
The star of the dinner table, the turkey, demands special care and attention. If it is frozen, it must be thawed using one of three methods: in the refrigerator, in the microwave or in cold water. Never thaw the bird on the countertop as that could allow harmful bacteria to multiple unabated. Regardless of the method that you use to thaw your turkey, it should be cooked immediately to prevent the multiplication of that bacteria.
Stay Clean
Cleanliness is of utmost importance any time during cooking. It is particularly important, however, during Thanksgiving due to the volume of food that is typically prepared. The large size of the turkey also can make it difficult to handle.
Be sure to start with a clean work surface as well as clean hands and utensils. Keep raw foods – particularly meats – away from other foods to avoid contaminating cooked foods. Always wash everything raw foods touch – work surfaces, your hands, utensils – before using them with other foods.
Cooking Basics
When cooking foods – especially the turkey – keep the oven temperature at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or above. In order to ensure even cooking throughout, make sure the turkey is completely thawed. The internal temperature when checked on the meaty parts of the bird – the thigh, wing joint and breast – should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to refrigerate foods within two hours of being cooked to avoid an abundance of harmful bacteria that could sicken everyone.
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Thanksgiving – that joyous and exciting holiday that kicks off the season – often means not only an abundance of food but as an increase in the number of people in your home. Whether you are hosting the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you are providing a place for out of town guests to bunk or both, taking a few minutes to evaluate your home from the eyes of someone who is unfamiliar with it can help prevent an accident and smooth the way for a pleasant holiday.
Light it Up
Before your guest arrive, make sure that your house number is sufficiently illuminated to help people who are unfamiliar with your home avoid missing it. Ensure that the walkway or sidewalk to your front door is well lit and that your front porch has plenty of lighting as well.
Keep Steps and Railings in Good Repair
Repair any loose or crumbling steps or bricks that could cause guests to fall. Fix railings firmly to limit wobbling and ensure that any decorations, such as garland, do not keep guests from using the railings to steady themselves as they enter your home.
Watch for These Hazards Inside Your Home
If you plan to use folding or card tables that you do not typically use in order to accommodate extra family members, be sure that they are in good repair before the big day. Keep colorful candies out of reach as they might be a choking hazard for small children. Secure any loose rugs that might cause your guest to trip over them.
Make sure that hallways and stairwells are free of hazards such as toys and pets, and that they are well lit at all times. Ensure that the bathroom is uncluttered and fully stocked for the comfort of your guests whether they are just visiting for a few hours or they are staying overnight.
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Nearly every aspect of the workforce utilizes the internet at some point throughout the course of any given day. In addition, the majority of Americans have internet access in their homes as well as through mobile devices. Unfortunately, the internet allows for people to conduct themselves unprofessionally or commit crimes, such as identify theft, making unauthorized transactions, or using fraudulent business practices. In order to protect business owners, employees, and every day citizens, many find the purchase of Cyber Liability insurance beneficial.
What is Cyber Liability Insurance?
Cyber Liability Insurance covers a person or group of people from the consequences of unauthorized access to personal information and illegal activity on the internet. Without the need to be physically present for online businesses to conduct transactions, hackers, disgruntled employees, and strangers can cause many complications for a business or person.
“I trust my employees, so should I purchase Cyber Liability Insurance?”
Yes. While you don’t want to appear standoffish to your employees, you will be the one person held responsible for the activity conducted on your premises and online presence. Furthermore, the rise of social media has given millions of people the opportunity to cause irreparable damage to your business’s reputation, which can extend into your personal life outside of the workplace as well. Sadly, the news is riddled with stories of employees deciding to utilize an employer’s resources for their own financial gain, which can include instances of insider trading, promotion of illegal, pornographic material, and driving clients away to other businesses.
In order to protect your investment in your business, or even your own personal life, you need to obtain a policy to cover the risks associated with the use of the internet. While protecting yourself financially, a Cyber Liability policy adds merit to you and your employees’ moral and ethical decisions. It’s better to be prepared for the worst, than to risk financial ruin.
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Workers’ comp insurance is designed to cover employees should they become injured or sickened while on the job. It protects employees from being responsible for covering medical expenses for accidents and injuries that occur while they are working. Workers’ comp also protects employers by ensuring that they cannot be sued for payment of medical expenses by their employees.
Workers’ Comp Insurance Basics
In California, the law is pretty clear about the responsibilities of the employer when it comes to providing workers’ comp insurance. Even those companies who have only one part-time employee are required to have such insurance.
The penalties for not providing workers’ comp insurance are fines up to $10,000, sentencing to the county jail for not more than one year or both. California can also levy additional penalties of up to $100,000 against uninsured employees. Employers are required to bear the full cost of this insurance.
Is Workers’ Comp Required if There are no Employees?
California does not require you to have workers’ comp insurance if you are self-employed. However, while it is not required, it does not mean that such insurance is not a wise investment – not only for your own health but also for the health of your company. Think about the consequences of an injury that causes you to be unable to work.
If you are the sole employee of your business and you become injured while performing your job duties, it could spell disaster for the long term viability of your business. Common injuries such as those incurred as the result of a car accident or during a slip-and-fall could result in you being unable to fulfill your job duties. Without workers’ comp insurance, you might find it difficult to keep your business afloat while you are recuperating. You could also find yourself struggling to pay your personal bills as well.
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