Water Water Everywhere!

Am I protected from a flood? PROBABLY NOT!
Flooding occurs in EVERY state! Many people find out too late that they are at risk for flooding, and even worse that their property insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
• Your Homeowners policy DOES NOT cover flood loss to your home and contents.
• In certain areas, the chance of a flood is 25% greater than a loss due to a fire during a 30-year mortgage.
• 6 out of every 10 declared disasters involve flooding.
• Homes in areas where there is new construction or where there have been other events such as forest fires, may be in greater danger than in the past because of changes to the land around them.
• 25% of all floods occur outside of a high-risk flood area.
• Federally backed mortgages in certain areas require flood insurance policies for the life of the mortgage.
To ensure that your property and belongings are protected, call your independent insurance agent.
Even if you already have a flood policy, you may want to discuss coverages with your agent to ensure that your policy is up to date.
For all your insurance needs please contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com
Information courtesy of Travelers.

Bicycling "Rules of the Road"

Bicycles are considered to be toys by some people, but for others they are a means of transportation and exercise. But whatever their purpose, bicycles can be dangerous if they are not operated with safety sense in mind.
Here are some “rules of the road” for serious bicyclists:
• Bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles, so obey all highway signs and regulations.
• Ride off the right-hand side of the road, with traffic, not against it.
• Ride single file.
• Only cycles with 20-in wheels, or less, are permitted on sidewalks.
• Use arm signals to indicate stopping or turning.
• Bicycles must yield to pedestrians.
• Lights are required for nighttime riding.
• A bicycle must have a horn or bell to sound a warning when necessary.
Source: Safety Sense Enterprises, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com.

Drive Safely And Defensively

Because cars have changed and new features are being added all the time, leaders of safe driving courses say these are the best ways to avoid an accident:

Know your car, its features and how to use them.

Focus on driving. Do nothing else including texting, eating or conversing with passengers, especially in traffic.

Stay alert. if you can't remember driving the last 50 miles, your mind is not on driving and you won't be able to react quickly to an emergency.

Intersections are danger zones. Be extra careful. If turning left, keep your wheels straight until you are turning.

Keep side mirrors adjusted to give a full view of what's behind you and what's coming on either side.

Stay a car length's distance behind the car ahead for every 10 miles per hour you are driving. Add an additional distance if it's raining.

At night, park in well-lighted areas. Don't park between 2 vehicles that are larger than yours. You won't be able to see when you back out.

If you have a close call or a near miss, analyze the situation to see what you could have done to avoid it.

There are instances where you must yield the right of way. Assume that there are no instances where you are guaranteed the right of way.

For more information contact Mars Insurance Agency or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com

Inexpensive Home Maintenance Can Prevent Big Expenses in the Future

For a few hours of time and a small investment, you can do a lot to protect your property. Even renters can ensure comfortable surroundings with some of these tips:

Get energy efficient. If you have not yet installed a programable thermostat, now is the time to do so. You can reduce your cooling costs by 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Thermostats cost between $40 and $70.

Seal around the tub and shower. Cracked or poorly sealed calking around tubs, showers and sinks can lead to water damage to floors, walls and the ceilings below, say experts writing in Money magazine. When you see cracks or gaps, buy a $5 tube of caulking and reapply.

Prevent fires. Check your fire extinquishers to see if they are still charged. If you need a new one, buy an extinquisher that works on both kitchen and electrical fires. The National Fire Protection Agency recommends one that is labeled ABC. Cost is about $40.

Prevent Shocks. Electrical outlets near water in the kitchen and bathroom should have ground fault circuit interrupters that protect from a shock. They have "test" and "reset" buttons. If you need one, the GFCI costs about $10, but you should hire an electricial to install it.

Service the garage door. Spray penetrating oil such as WD-40 into the hinges and rollers so the door will open and close more easily. Test the safety reverse mechanism by placing an object in the door's path to see if it stops. WC-40 costs about $7.

This information is courtesy of Standard Mutual Insurance Company. These tips are small in cost, large in safety.

Be safe and keep watching this blog for additional tips and useful information.

Contact Mars Insurance to see how we may better serve you or visit us on the web at www.marsinsurance.com.

Pet Blog Up and Running

I would like to let everyone know that Bark, Purr and Insure is finally back up and running. Visit our pet blog at www.barkpurrandinsure.com

Mini-Physical Exam
Make the home checkup an extension of the normal attention you pay your dog, and he will not even know that he is being “examined.” It doesn’t matter where you perform the exam, as long as both you and your dog are comfortable.
Skin and Coat
Weekly grooming provides a good opportunity for evaluating the health of the skin and coat. Pass your hands over your dog’s body, feeling for swelling, asymmetry, or sensitive areas. Call the veterinarian if you discover patches of hair loss, the black flecks that signal the presence of fleas, scabby or reddened areas, or skin bumps. With your dog facing away from you, gently lift the tail and take a quick peek at the rear end. If you see tan-colored rice-size objects, you are probably looking at packets of tapeworm eggs, which require veterinary treatment. Next, use a moist paper towel to clean away any feces. In long-coated dogs in particular, feces can get caught in the fur and, if trapped against the skin, can cause serious problems. If the hair has become matted, use scissors to carefully cut out the mats yourself, or, better yet, take your dog to a vet or groomer, who can use clippers to remove them.
Ears
With our dog facing you, gently pull up on the earflap and look at the inner surface and down into the ear canal. The ears should be clean and light pink in color. Any discharge, redness, swelling or odor is abnormal. Never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal- doing so can aggravate an ear condition or even cause trauma or infection.
Eyes
Face your dog head-on and examine the eyes. They should be bright, and both pupils should be of equal size. There should be little if any tearing at the corners of the eyes, and the inner eyelids should not protrude. Gently roll down the lower eyelid with your thumb; the tissue lining the lid should be pink, not white or red. Be sure your dog is not squinting with either eye.
Mouth and Nose
With your dog facing you, lift up the lips to examine the gums and teeth. The gums should be pink, not white or red, and should show no signs of swelling. The teeth should be clean, without nay brownish tartar. Sniff your dog’s breath; while a dog’s breath is never pleasant, a strong, fetid odor is abnormal and may indicate a problem. Excessive drooling can also be a sign of oral disease. There should be no nasal discharge.
Information courtesy of ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs

Visit www.isyourpetcovered.com
Remember the priority code is BR10MARS87

For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com

Avoiding Laundry Room Disasters

There are a number of areas in your laundry room that if not properly maintained, may be putting your home at risk of water damage. Here are some specific areas in your laundry room that are at risk and what you can do to prevent potential losses.
Washing Machine Connections
Inspect for tiny leaks in the connections to both the hot and cold water lines. Repair even the most minor leak.
Check both ends of the water lines for possible leaks. Replace the small hose washer in the lines if they haven’t been replaced recently.
Check for discharge hose kinks and cracks. If the hose is brittle or old, replace it.
Money-saving Home Tip: The most destructive water damage losses in homes come from broken or burst washing machine hoses. In fact, the output of water from a broken hose is approximately 650 gallons per hour! It is recommended that you replace you machine’s rubber hot-and-cold hoses with woven steel hoses. For less than $15 you can get six feet of woven steel hose from your local home improvement store. This simple upgrade could save your home from serious water damage problems.
Hard Water Problems
In areas with hard or mineral-laden water, if the washer is slow to fill, there’s a good chance that the in-line filter is clogged. Turn off the water supply and remove the hoses. Remove the small wire filters from the washer inlets, or, if not removable, use an old toothbrush, cotton swab or shop vacuum to clean out the clogged filters.
Is there a steady drip into the washing machine? Grit has probably damaged the shut-off valve. Repair it yourself or call an appliance repair specialist.
Hoses & Filters
Inspect and periodically all types of hoses.
When replacing hoses, be sure to also install new hose washers.
Utility Sinks
If the utility sink drains sluggishly, take steps to remove the blockage.
Watch for any signs f dipping faucets, water damage to the flooring, or leaks in the drain pipe. Do not ignore even a small leak.
Dryer Connections
If the dryer vent hose isn’t tightly connected to the outside vent, repair the clamp or re-tape to seal.
If dryer lint is accumulating behind and under the dryer, the vent pipe may be clogged. Check that it is free of debris, bother from the inside and outside of the house.
If there are too many twists and turns in the line for the dryer to vent efficiently, make the exhaust more short and straight.
Laundry Room Smart Tips
Give the utility sink periodic drain treatments to prevent clogs and promote free drainage.
If at all possible, connect the dryer hose in a straight line with the outdoor vent.
Metal dryer vent pipes are preferable to the plastic accordion types/
Hose clamps and good metal HVAC tape can help seal up a poorly connected dryer hose and eliminate excessive moisture and dust accumulation.
Make it a habit to vacuum around and behind the washer and dryer routinely.
Keep the laundry area clean. Dust and dirt combined with moisture can promote unwanted growth.
Remember to clean out the dryer lint trap after each load.

*Information brought to you by Kemper.

For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com

Not Even for a Minute

Most well-meaning parents have done it. On a hectic day of running errands with children in tow, we have left the kids in the car “just for a minute” while running into the dry cleaners, convenience cart or dropping another child off at school. It seems like a harmless thing to do and definitely shaves minutes off a hurried day. However, the results of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle can be deadly.
KIDS AND CARS urges parents to NEVER leave children unattended in or around a vehicle- “Not even for a minute.”
Below are just a few examples of what has happened to children who were left unattended in an automobile:
Heat stroke that led to permanent brain damage or death
Injuries or deaths occurred because a child climbed out of the car seat and shifted the car into gear.
Became ill or worse from heat or car fumes
Abducted when someone broke into the car
If the vehicle is running or the keys are left in the ignition, the risks dramatically increase for the following:
Vehicle stolen (the car and the children)
Setting the vehicle in motion by unattended children
Children becoming seriously injured or die by activating power controls
Safety Tips:
Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand.
Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway
Keys should never be left within reach of children
Always make sure all child passengers have left the vehicle after it is parked
Walk around and behind a vehicle prior to moving it
Make sure that another adult is properly supervising children before moving your vehicle
Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a back up detection device on your vehicle
If a child is locked inside a car, get them out as quickly as possible. If they are very hot or seem sick, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks right away.
Teach your children to never play in, around, or behind a vehicle
Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes, and periods of crisis or holidays.
It is important to realize how potentially dangerous it is to leave unattended children in or around a vehicle. Just a reminder…Your children are priceless.
This information was provided by KIDS AND CARS, an organization dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in or around motor vehicles. For more information, visit www.kidsandcars.org.
For all your insurance needs contact Mars Insurance or visit our website at www.marsinsurance.com