You just bought a brand new car. What concerning insurance?
We admit that buying insurance for your new car is not quite as exciting as buying the car itself, however it just may be your most important purchase. Why? Well, first of all, it’s typically needed either by your state, your lender, or both. more important, however, is that the financial protection auto insurance provides.

​
​Here are 5 pumpkin carving safety tips to use this year:

1. Use the proper Tools
Instead of the knives in your room, use the specialty tools in a pumpkin-carving kit—readily found on-line and in convenience stores and designed for pumpkin carving safety. These tools can saw through rinds, poke holes, and scoop out innards without being razor-sharp. The instruments also are typically small, which makes them easier to control than most knives and easier to use when creating intricate cuts.

2. Carve Your Pumpkin With Its top On
“That way you won’t be tempted to place your hand inside and cut toward your hand,” advises Elkowitz. He conjointly recommends holding the highest of the pumpkin to stabilize it and cutting along with your carving instrument's blade pointing down. 

Better still, Elkowitz says, rather than removing the highest of the pumpkin to scoop out the insides, cut a hole within the bottom. If you are employing a candle within your pumpkin, you'll then place the graven pumpkin on high of the lit candle—rather than awkwardly reaching within the pumpkin to lightweight the candle. 

3. Keep Things Clean, Dry, and Bright
For pumpkin carving safety, work in a clean, dry, and well-lit space, keep your hands and tools clean and dry, and take it slow.

4. Don’t Let kids Carve
Children 14 and younger shouldn't do the actual carving, says Elkowitz. Instead, for pumpkin carving safety, have them draw the pattern with a marker and clean out the pulp and seeds with their hands or a spoon—but ensure an adult does the actual cutting.

It’s necessary to supervise older teens, too. Elkowitz notes that adolescents usually become patients as a result of parents assume they’re responsible enough to be left on their own to carve pumpkins.

5. know first aid
If you or a family member gets cut while carving a pumpkin, apply direct pressure to the injury employing a clean, dry cloth. If bleeding does not stop in 15 minutes, get to an emergency room or urgent-care clinic.

Here’s a glance at some things that property managers should be addressing so as to ensure Halloween burst without a hitch:
​
How to prepare for Halloween

1. Keep walking paths well-lit (and clean): It gets dark earlier this time of year, which may make it tough for trick or treaters to see where they’re going. You’ll need to not only ensure that any walking paths are free from leaves and different debris, but also that they’re well lit. Well lit walking paths are safer and will help put trick or treaters relaxed. Parking lots and common areas should even have adequate lighting installed.
2. Keep pets indoors: Pets, uncommon situations, and high-energy activity don’t usually mix. while several pets could also be perfectly fine with trick or treaters going door to door in unusual costumes, it’s best to play things safe. Property managers should advise renters to keep their pets inside their homes throughout high traffic hours. This way, there’s no risk of a pet behaving unpredictably and probably scaring or injuring anyone.
3. Check smoke detectors: Jack-o’-lanterns want candles, and with candles comes the danger of fire. despite how careful renters may be, accidents still happen. That’s why it’s always a decent idea to check smoke detectors before Halloween and replace batteries as necessary. Failure to do so might lead to a fire, or worse yet, an injury or fatality.
4. Recommend flame-less candles: Speaking of jack-o’-lanterns and candles, why not suggest flame-less candles to your tenants this year? They still perform the ultimate end goal of illuminating the decoration and don’t come with any of the fire risks. If you would like to take things a step further, maybe you can even provide flame-less candles to tenants that they'll pick up in the office space of the complex if they’d like.
5. Check door locks: Halloween is meant to be all concerning fun and candy however that doesn’t mean that your renters shouldn’t take extra preventative measures to keep their belongings safe. After all, trick or treating means that there’s bound to be lots of people milling about the complex for candy. Noting this, we’d suggest that you ask renters to check their door locks and make sure that they're still working as they should, simply in case somebody tries to enter their property during trick or treating hours. On the same note, property managers should also consider making any vacant units on their property look “lived in” in an effort to discourage any break ins.
6. Remind renters of property rules: Finally, always make sure that you’re constantly reminding renters of any rules that you’ve set for your property. send a notice reminding them of set trick or treating hours, for instance. remind them of any curfews. And if you have any decoration rules, make sure to issue a reminder about that, as well. Do whatever you've got to do to make sure a fun, safe Halloween for all.

While spring is a common time for many homeowners to spend some additional attention on maintenance and maintenance, autumn is simply as important a season for getting ready your home to face up to the possibly harsh winter weather and temperature conditions that may await you. By creating maintenance a part of your annual fall routine you'll be able to determine potential issues before they arise, and help prepare your home and property for what Mother Nature needs to provide.

Following are some home maintenance tips from our Risk management professionals to assist you prepare for the approaching winter:

1. Have your heating system clean and inspected annually by a professional technician.

2. Replace your furnace filter in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to freezing temperatures.

4. Check gutters for damage and make sure they’re securely attached to the house.

5. Clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This can be especially necessary throughout the autumn season once leaves might collect in gutters.

6. Check and repair caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration.

7. Have your chimney cleansed and maintained by a professional.

8. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and area under and behind the dryer. Take away lint and dust which will have accumulated inside the dryer in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

9. Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs or receptacles. Make sure to not overload electrical outlets.

10. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure that it's fully charged and prepared for operation.

11. Examine your smoke detectors. ensure you've got a smoke detector in every bedroom or sleeping space and also, a smoke detector within the hallway outside every sleeping space. You must also ensure you've got at least one smoke detector on every floor of your home, as well as your basement. Take a look at them monthly, and change the battery annually or as required.

The steps you are taking throughout the autumn will facilitate protect your home and property from a lot of potentially expensive damage and emergency repairs within the colder months to come.

Change is coming to the trucking industry with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate taking effect in
December. Many large fleets have already converted from paper travel logs to ELDs. But, many truckers have told us that a fear of the unknown with having to adopt new ways of running their business, new technology, and additional costs are preventing a large number of owner-operators from making the switch. In fact, some are considering early retirement or changing professions. The mandate continues to be challenged but it’s unlikely that it will be overturned, revised or delayed. This change brings a great opportunity to talk with your truck customers and share what you know about the mandate. As their trusted insurance advisor you can help them make an informed decision—and possibly save some of your best business from leaving the industry.

COUNTRYWIDE MANDATE EFFECTIVE DEC. 18, 2017
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will require many commercial truckers to use an ELD effective Dec. 18. Generally, truckers who are currently required to keep paper logs will need an ELD. This would include most truckers who operate across state lines. Trucks that are older than model year 2000 are exempt. For more details on who is affected, visit the FMCSA website.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS
Overdrive reported that many truckers are apprehensive about switching to an ELD due to additional costs and feeling an invasion of privacy. There's widespread concern that a significant number of drivers may choose to get out of the business, leading to a shortage of tenured truck drivers and changes in the market.

ALL ELDS ARE NOT THE SAME
ELDs can be permanently attached to a truck (cab device) or can be a hand-held device (smartphone). Both types make tracking hours-of-service easier and more accurate than paper logs, and also provide vehicle inspection reports and gauges featuring key engine stats. All ELDs must be certified with the FMCSA to be compliant. For additional information on compliant ELDs, visit the FMCSA website.

GET AN ELD PRIOR TO THE MANDATE
We recommend truckers get an ELD well in advance of the deadline. Drivers who switch early will have time to adapt to the learning curve and become well-versed on how to use it correctly when the mandate takes effect.

As you may have experienced, sleepiness can make it harder to concentrate during lectures, to get your class work done, or to retain information that you’ve studied. Similarly, driving while drowsy will make it harder for you to concentrate on the road or to process what you're seeing. ​

Effects of Drowsiness

Drowsiness will affect you in several different ways, including:

• 1. Decreased alertness and slowed reaction time
• 2. Impaired vision and judgment
• 3. Difficulty with processing and remembering information
• 4. Increased aggression and frustration

These can translate into dangerous behaviors on the road. Many people will tell themselves that they will be able to handle the drive and push through the sleepiness. However, most people cannot tell when they are about to fall asleep, and may not be aware that they are drowsy until they have already dozed off. For your safety, the safety of your passengers, and of those on the road, make sure that you are fully alert and prepared for your drive before heading out.

Safe Driving Tips

• 1. Get at least seven hours of sleep before you head out on the road
• 2. Travel with someone who will stay awake and keep you alert during the drive
• 3. Avoid driving long distances at night
• 4. Drink a cup of caffeine
• 5. Pull over to take a nap
• 6. Find passengers who can take turns driving with you;
• ​

lastly, Watch out for warning signs of drowsiness, including: difficulty keeping your eyes open or head up, repeated yawning, and trouble focusing; pull into the next rest area to take a nap or find a place to sleep for the night.