• Ride on approved trails and respect property of others
• Be especially careful and watchful when crossing a street
• Remain in control of the sled
• Don’t drink when riding
• Use appropriate safety gear and warm clothing
• Know how to recognize hypothermia and frostbite

It’s never been easier to get the best coverage and price than now. We have have a limited number of pit passes for the snocross event. Please call the Steele agency RIGHT NOW to put your snowmobile insurance coverage in the right hands. Get a pit pass before we run out!

We can insure sleds of any age. Whether you need full coverage or just need coverage to get onto the trails, we can help you out.

Cooking

• Keep flammables a safe distance from the stove & oven.
• Don’t wear loose clothing when you are cooking.
• Don’t leave the kitchen unattended when food is cooking.

Heating

• When using a wood stove, see our wood stove safety article.
• Have your furnace inspected by a heating professional.
• Replace furnace filters as needed.
• Clean the duct system and/or chimney regularly.

Matches

• Teach your children the importance of being careful with lighters and matches. Do not leave them within reach of children.
• When you use a match, be sure it is cool before discarding.

Electric

• Don’t overload your electrical circuits with excessive power strips or by drawing too much power from a single outlet.
• Be careful with extension cords – they can cause fires if not used properly.
• Have the electrical system inspected by an electrician as needed. If you suspect that something is not right, consult a professional.

With all you do to prevent a fire, you may still be faced with a fire some day. For this reason, we recommend that all homes have smoke detectors (don’t forget to check the batteries) and fire extinguishers (replace as necessary). Check to make sure all windows open freely, and review the fire escape plan. Be sure that everyone in your family knows what to do in a fire. Stay low to the floor (the air is safer there). If you catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll.

Even though we don’t have the constant threat of weather-related disaster like some parts of the country, we still need to be prepared for a disaster. That disaster could come in a variety of forms – We may lose access to power or communications channels could be overburdened by an increase in call volume. Preparation for such an event can bring safety and comfort to our family and loved ones.

Preparing

• Store a list of emergency contacts in your mobile phone – both emergency personnel (fire, ambulance, poison control, etc.) as well as family members to contact in an emergency (especially helpful for others to contact someone for you if you are not able to use your phone).
• Put a cell phone charger in your car (You may be able to use your vehicle’s engine to stay connected in a power outage) – keep a few gallons of gas on hand too.
• If your home phone service is an analog connection (not digital) – keep a non-cordless phone somewhere in your home – this should still work in a power outage.

In a disaster situation

• Keep phone calls brief to allow others use of the telephone networks.
• Save cell phone battery by lowering brightness of the screen, turning off apps or services that draw power, or power off completely and power on again to make a call.
• Tune into a local radio station for news alerts

For more information, read FEMA’s full recommendations.

We congratulate them on this accomplishment.

Tucker Hibbert and Levi LaVallee are two top names scheduled to be performing at this year’s races. Due to injuries that Levi sustained in December, he may not be able to compete this year. We hope he gets better soon so that we can see him back in the driver’s seat.

We’re expecting a larger crowd at this years event. Come see our sponsor booth at the event for a chance to win one of the prizes that are being offered.

Today, as I sat in my office, I felt like someone was shaking my chair. Turning around revealed that I was alone. Many people around western NY are reporting to have felt the earthquake.

Since earthquakes here are rare, the cost of the insurance is very minimal. Earthquake insurance does not come on a standard homeowner’s policy, but you can add it on or purchase a separate policy that will cover your home if a disaster were to occur.

Please call or email today to find out what it would cost to add earthquake coverage to your homeowner’s policy.

Replacement Cost

When you choose to purchase a replacement cost policy, you’re choosing to insure your home for the full cost it would take you to rebuild your home with the same construction in the same location. With construction costs changing over time, you should evaluate the limit you carry on your policy periodically to make sure you have the right amount of coverage. Most policies also have an inflationary adjustment that is made every year that increases the coverage by a small percentage in order to keep up with inflation. Many people assume that they need to insure their home for the amount that they could get for it if they were to sell it on the real estate market. Often the market value and the replacement cost are two very different numbers.

Actual Cash Value

This valuation method calculates the value of your home with depreciation for age and condition of your home. This type of policy is generally less desirable and often more expensive than a replacement cost policy. For certain circumstances it may make better sense or be the only available option.

A Startling Fact

In 2007, 66 percent of homeowners in the U.S. were underinsured (by an average of 18 percent). When there is a total loss, meaning that the home is completely destroyed, a homeowner will not get enough insurance reimbursement to replace their home if they do not carry a high enough limit. For this reason, it’s important to insure your home to its full replacement value (for a replacement cost policy).

When you make changes to your home, make sure that you adjust the limit of insurance accordingly. Renovations such as building a garage or porch, adding an addition, or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom can add a measurable amount to the replacement cost of your home.

Identity fraud, or identity theft, is a crime where a victim’s personal information is used without their permission in the commission of a crime. Victims of identity fraud often incur thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs to restore their lifestyle after their personal information has been compromised by a fraudster. In addition to these costs, victims spend countless hours taking care of the restoration of their good name.

How to prevent it

Be careful and responsible with your personal information. Educate yourself about the different ways that your information can be compromised:

• Shoulder Surfing – when someone can steal information in an ATM line, or at the grocery store, or anytime you have credit card or i.d. out in the open
• Social Engineering/Pretexting/Phishing – when you receive mail, email, or telephone call and someone poses as someone else in order to entice you to divulge information that you give because of who you think you are talking to.
• Social Networking – be careful of privacy on websites such as facebook, myspace, a web blog, or other websites where you may post information about yourself.
• Stealing your wallet or purse, going through mail or trash
• Computer Hacking – through a computer virus or malicious software, thieves can access your computer files or monitor the information you enter on the computer.

It’s a good practice to keep your information private and secure. Some information you may be required to give out. Be sure you know why the information is needed and how it will be used. Only give out information to those you trust, and only when you can confirm that they are who they claim to be.

What to do if you are a victim

1. File a report with the police
2. Notify your bank, credit card company, etc.
3. Look over statements and verify activity. Dispute any transactions you did not authorize.
4. Check your credit report (available free one time per year at http://annualcreditreport.com).

Insuring against loss to identity fraud

Many insurance carriers offer coverage for victims of identity fraud as an optional coverage that can be added on to a homeowner’s, renter’s, or automobile policy. The cost is often around $20 per year and can go a long way if you are victimized. It does not prevent your identity from being stolen, but it can make the recovery process a lot easier and save you some peace of mind.

When undergoing any home projects, please keep safety in mind at all times. Do not attempt any dangerous or unfamiliar tasks on your own. If you need help, consult a qualified technician or contractor.

Outside

Roof, Attic, and Gutters

• Inspect the roof from the ground. Look for any missing or damaged shingles as well as any bulges or sagging.
• Inspect the gutters and drainage system to verify that all parts are properly connected and that water is being routed at least four feet from the exterior walls of your home.
• Remove any debris from the gutters.
• Inspect the trim and fascia for damage.
• Inspect the roof from the inside of the attic to check for any signs of leakage or damage.

Exterior

• Inspect wood surfaces including decks and steps. Check for rot, loose boards, or exposed nails.
• Inspect all utility wires running to your home. Ensure that trees are not too close.
• Consider removing dead trees.
• Inspect walkways and driveway for damage. Fill any potholes and patch the cracks.

Windows & Doors

• Inspect weather stripping around all windows and exterior doors.
• Inspect screens for damage.
• Inspect the handles and locks on all exterior doors. Ensure that they close tightly and that the locking mechanisms are secure.

Inside

Emergency Preparedness

• Inspect your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The batteries in the smoke detectors need to be changed regularly and the gauge on the fire extinguisher will show the amount of pressure in the tank.
• Hold a fire drill with family members. Practice with your children the escape routes from different parts of the house. Plan where you will meet if there is an alarm.
• Consider a gas-powered generator to provide a backup power source to your home.
• Consider storing a supply of nonperishable food and water. Rotate your emergency supply to prevent spoilage.

Basement

• Inspect foundation for any shifting or cracks. Seal any cracks.
• Inspect wood for evidence of insect damage.
• Check for any signs of moisture or mold. Address any problems immediately.
• Consider a dehumidifier to keep air in the basement dry.
• Consider a sump pump to prevent water from building up on the basement floor.

Electrical

• Test all Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) Outlets.
• Trip and reset all circuit breakers. (Be sure to power off any electronic devices prior to doing this).
• Inspect the main electrical panel for any signs of damage, especially burn marks.
• Inspect outlets for poor wiring or bad connections. These can lead to electrical fires.
• Consider replacing low-efficiency lightbulbs with high-efficiency bulbs.

Plumbing

• Use drain cleaning solution on any slow drains.
• Remove buildup from plumbing traps.
• Inspect water heater for any sign of water leakage. Make sure there is proper ventilation if you have a gas-powered heater.
• Test shutoff valves for all plumbing fixtures.
• Check all faucets and beneath every sink for evidence of leakage.

Kitchen

• Vacuum the refrigerator coils.
• Remove any ice buildup from your freezer.
• Deep-clean the oven and stove.

Air Conditioning System

• Clean the filter and condenser.
• Listen for any abnormal sounds.
• Check to make sure the system works before the heat sets in. If your system needs to be serviced, you should take care of it early on.