10 Pet-Friendly Home Additions

reprint from MSN.com:

An estimated 73 million dogs and 90 million cats live in U.S. homes, and Americans are increasingly remodeling not only for themselves but also for their four-legged friends.

"People want to live comfortably in their home, but they also want their home to be a safe haven for their pet," says Charlotte Reed, a pet expert and author in New York. Creating such a pet sanctuary can include some small — and a few large — renovations.

Here are 10 smart ideas on how you can make your home friendly and safe for your pet — and what impact these changes might have on your home if you decide to move out.

end of article.

For many, protecting your pets is just as important as protecting the homefront.  

Here are some of our other pet related blogs:

Pets and the Fourth of July.

Micro-chipping pets.

Make your yard a No-Bite Zone.

Protecting Furry Dependents.

Rescue Dogs.

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarily an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Home Safety: Keep Your Pets Inside This 4th of July

Found this on Facebook.


Every 4th of July, keep your pets indoors.  Fireworks and celebrations often cause pets to run for safety, or hide where you can't find them.

* Create a safe, escape proof part of your home

* Provide plenty of water, and a few favorite play toys

* Leave the TV or radio on to mask the noices and provide them with familiar sounds


In the future, micro-chip your pets so if they do get away, it's easier for them to be located and returned to you quickly.  Click HERE.

Another one of our blogs on the "No-Bite Zone".


Happy 4th.


* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Fire Prevention & Safety: Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!

The Farmers Agents with the Platinum Elite Group wish you a happy and safe holiday weekend.

But don't let the festivities lead to tragedy.  Keep some safety precautions in mind.

4th of July Fire Safety Tips
Severe burns, amputations, blindness, and, in some cases, death are often the results of 4th of July celebrations.

For more info: www.fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE’s Office of the State Fire Marshal has the following tips (while maybe obvious, they're not always followed):
  Always read directions.
  Always have an adult present.
  Use fireworks outdoors only.
  Never use near dry grass or other flammable materials.
  Light one at a time.
  Keep a safe distance.
  Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  Never experiment with fireworks.

  Have a bucket of water and a hose handy.
  Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks.
  Do not wear loose fitting clothing.
  Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
  Fireworks are not toys.
  Use only State Fire Marshal approved fireworks.

Remember: Parents are legally liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.

Of course, if an area is unsafe for fireworks, any amount of caution is not enough.  Only use fireworks in safe, legal areas (well away from brush, etc.).  Otherwise, attend a professional fireworks show.

Fire Evacuations in Los Angeles, Oct. 2008

Anyone who starts a wildfire or structure fire will also be held liable for damages and the cost of firefighting.

Alcohol is another part of celebrating that often leads to tragedy. Even if you're careful, others are not always so thoughtful.

Whether driving on a road trip, or boating, watch out for others who are distracted, or are under the influence. Often on holidays, common sense and care goes on vacation too. 

Home Safety: Grilling & BBQ Safety

Platinum Elite Marketing wishes you a happy, and safe, holiday this coming 4th of July.  While we think of safety with fireworks, don't forget a lot more people will be grilling than shooting off fireworks.

Be careful so you can enjoy the summer.

Re-Print from WIBW.Com:

Grilling Safety:

· Only use the grill outdoors; position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches and a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

· Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.

· Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because flames can flashback up into the container and explode.

· Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a grill.

· When cooking food, use long-handled grilling tools to give plenty of clearance from heat and flames. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited when the grill is hot.

· Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.

· Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

· If you smell gas while cooking on a propane gas grill, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

· Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

Disaster Preparedness Videos Subtitled for the Hearing Impaired

Reprint from MarketWatch:

Farmers Insurance Produces Series of Subtitled Catastrophe Preparedness Videos for the Public

Videos are designed for hearing impaired. 

LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Today, it is not if, but when, a major tornado, hurricane, fire, or ice storm can strike leaving you totally devastated if you aren't prepared. The question is, not if, but when a disaster strikes, will you and your family be ready to respond? 

Farmers Insurance, in an ongoing effort to provide the latest and most helpful information on preparing for disasters, offers a new series of subtitled videos that can be viewed and used as important components in disaster preparation.

"The videos can be found at http://www.farmers.com/cat_videos_eng.html notes Paul Quinn, Assistant Vice President, Claims. "The videos, all with subtitles for the hearing impaired, are filled with excellent tips on how to prepare for a disaster. The series begins with general information about disasters and what a family needs to do to prepare. Then, there are four specific disaster preparedness videos dealing with hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and ice storms. They are featured separately for maximum benefit. We urge everyone to go on the site and check these videos out."

The idea for subtitles came from Beth Fields, a Farmers agency producer in Fishers, Indiana. "She also teaches at the Indiana School for the Deaf in Indianapolis and suggested we subtitle all of our catastrophe preparedness videos for the hearing impaired," Quinn said.

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Home Safety: Guns

Originally published on Why Platinum?

Public safety of all types is always important to Platinum Elite Marketing.  We encourage all the Farmers Insurance Agents we work with and serve to make safety a key part of their public service and community outreach.

Click HERE to read how we help with finding lost children through our MILK program.

However you feel about guns, and gun control, safety is always paramount.  Read this article for some ideas and keeping families safe.

Reprint from KidsHealth.org

Guns are in more than one third of all U.S. households, so they're a very real danger to children, whether you own one or not. That's why it's important to talk to kids about the potential dangers of guns, and what to do if they find one.

If you do keep a gun in the house, it's vital to keep it out of sight and out of reach of kids. The gun should be kept locked and unloaded, and the ammunition should be stored separately.

Guns and Pretend Play

Allowing kids to play with toy guns is a personal decision, as is how to respond to a child's pretend shooting action during the course of play. Remember that even if you don't allow your kids to have a toy gun, their friends may have them. So explain to your kids that real guns — unlike toy guns or those shown on TV, in movies, or in video games — can seriously injure or even kill a person.

Talking to Kids About Gun Safety

Teach kids to follow these rules from the National Rifle Association (NRA) if they come into contact with a gun:

• stop
• don't touch
• remove yourself from the area
• tell an adult
  

Home Safety: National Window Safety Week

Never knew there was a National Window Safety Week, but this article makes a lot of good home safety points.  Give it a quick read...

Pella Promotes National Window Safety Week, April 1 – 7

Mar 30th, 2012| By DWM Mag | Category: Industry News

April 1 – 7 is National Window Safety Week — an annual reminder to parents and caregivers about how to help prevent accidental window falls or injuries and how to use windows for potential emergency escapes. Pella Windows and Doors is working with the National Safety Council (NSC) to promote year-round window safety tips.

“As you open windows to let in fresh air, keep window safety in mind,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella spokesperson and a NSC Window Safety task force member. “For safety’s sake supervise children at play, and teach them to keep their play safely away from windows and doors.”

About 5,200 children in the United States are taken to hospitals each year for treatment from a window fall, according to a study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That’s an average of about 14 children per day. Children younger than 5 made up 65 percent of those injured.

Window Safety Tips:

• Keep furniture such as beds or dressers away from windows. Furniture placed directly under a window can create an enticement for a child to climb and the potential to fall.

Spring Cleaning, Spring Maintenance & Safety

Re-Print from Farmers Insurance

Happy Spring!

After a long winter for much of the country, warmer weather is a welcome  change. As winter slowly loses her grip, it’s time to think about getting your home ready for spring. Here is a checklist that may help you prepare your indoor and outdoor areas for the change of season:

• Indoor maintenance
• Furnace filter — A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of your home’s heating/cooling system so clean or replace as needed.
• Air conditioning — Test your system before you need it.
• Caulking — Check for leaks around all doors and windows.  Also check seals around bathroom fixtures to avoid water damage.
• Smoke and fire alarms — Clean, check batteries and test.
• Carbon Monoxide detector - Install if you don't have one yet, check batteries if you do.
• Carpets — Deep clean all carpets.
• Outdoor Maintenance
• Check/clean roof — Look for missing, cracked or broken tiles/shingles. For safety reasons, you may want to consider hiring a qualified professional to take care of any repair work. 
• Clean rain gutters - Dead leafs can dry and become a fire hazard.
• Check driveway and sidewalk — Seal cracks in driveway or any concrete.
• Check garden hoses and hose faucet — Look for dry rot and inspect hose faucets for possible freeze damage.
• Check/clean outdoor grills and tanks — Use soapy water to rinse all outside  grill surfaces and grill cleaner for grates and inside of grill. Check gas tank for rust and replace if necessary.
  

Farmers Insurance Claims Teams Helping Wind Storm Victims Throughout California

Reprint from MarketWire, 12/1/2011

LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec 01, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Farmers Insurance claims personnel, agents, District Managers and employees throughout California are helping victims of the wind storms that have continued steady the past two days.

Farmers Southern California State Executive Director Charles Dabelgott; Vice President, Los Angeles State Executive Director Bill Matlock; Northern State Executive Director John Weaver; and Inland State Executive Director Kirk Tweedy stated that Farmers claims teams are in full operation helping customers throughout the state to give immediate assistance if they have suffered damage from the heavy rains and wind that passed over the state.

Home Safety: A Safe & Sane Halloween

During the excitement of a holiday or special day like Halloween, often safety and common sense are neglected.  Take care before the big day.  Here's an article from Farmers Insurance...

Kids love Halloween: Help keep them safe

Remember getting all dressed up in your costume to go trick-or-treating? Witches, goblins, superheroes — all that and free candy too. To keep it fun, everyone needs to stay safe. Here are some tips to help make sure your kids have a safe and happy Halloween.

• When your child goes trick-or-treating, send a responsible adult or older teenager along.
• Walk on the sidewalks, not in the street.
• Cross only at corners.
• Plan your route and share it with your family.
• Carry a flashlight.
• Accept treats at the door; never go inside.
• Be cautious of animals.
• Always inspect treats before letting your children eat them.
• Wear clothing with reflective tape or markers.
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Make sure your children’s costumes are non-flammable.
• Check to see that costumes are short enough that children won’t trip.
• Consider using Halloween face makeup in lieu of masks, which can limit children’s vision.

If you are a homeowner:

• Make sure your yard is clear of ladders, hoses, dog leashes and any other items that can trip a youngster.
• Keep your pets indoors and away from trick-or-treaters.
• Place candles and jack-o’-lanterns away from where trick-or-treaters may be walking.
• Make sure paper decorations cannot be blown into the way of a candle.
• Provide healthy food alternatives that are in sealed packages for trick-or-treaters. Put your address label on each packet, so parents know where the treats came from and that they’re safe.
• Non-food treats are fun too, such as coins, plastic rings, stickers and the like.

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Make sure your kids have tons of fun and get lots of candy. Be trick-or-treat savvy and you can help ensure they have a safe holiday as well.

end of article

Here are some of our past disaster preparedness and safety blogs.  Please take time to read them and make some preparation. Your health and safety are our primary concern.

Maintain a defensible zone around your home 

Pet micro-chipping before disasters occur

Pets: Make your home a "bite-free zone"

Insurance Company Emergency Response Vehicles

Should I get Earthquake Insurance?

A look back at the Wildfires of 2007

The Tornadoes of 2011

The March of Dimes & Farmers Insurance unite in wake of the Alabama Tornadoes

Getting Ready for claims after accidents and disasters

Disaster Preparedness: Resources and Websites

Preparing for disasters when space and money is limited (includes Red Cross info)

Lessons from Hurricane Irene.

Farmers Insurance claims #: 1 - 800 - Help Point

Always make sure your auto, fire (home, condo, & renters), earthquake, flood, umbrella, and life insurances all properly work together to protect your home, your business, your family, your future.

The Platinum Elite Team:

Susanne Romo - Chula Vista & Kearny Mesa  

License #: 0720743

(858) 751-0956

Kevin Tuckey - Mission Valley

License #: 0B72553

(858) 751-1357

We use an investigative and educational process to ascertain your current risk exposure and deliver to you through our 'Value Insurance Proposal' (VIP) the correct levels of coverage at the right price without compromising vital coverages. You need to protect your family and the assets you have spent a lifetime acquiring.

With the Platinum Elite, there is a difference.  Discover:

Why Platinum!

* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarily an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Public Safety: The Pills Vs. Candy Test

"Don't Guess.  Be Sure." -  California Poison Control

1-800-222-1222

www.calpoison.org

"I'd feel so dumb if I called and nothing was wrong."

"Unless you're an expert, you can't possibly know everything
 about the things that  might hurt you or your family.
  What you CAN do is call the poison experts"

The Pills versus Candy:

 Click to Take the Test

Sure, you passed.  Now, will your children know the difference?

Kevin Tuckey and the Platinum Elite Group are committed to the safety of all the citizens of the communities we serve.  To protect your loved ones, take a moment to...

*  Add the Poison Action Line to your cell phone address book:  1-800-222-1222

* Go to the website and "order materials" in various languages.

We use an investigative and educational process to ascertain your current risk exposure and deliver to you through our 'Value Insurance Proposal' (VIP) the correct levels of coverage at the right price without compromising vital coverages. You need to protect your family and the assets you have spent a lifetime acquiring.

With Farmers Insurance & The Platinum Elite Group, there is a difference. Discover:

Why Platinum!

Excerpt from Blog Originally published on Why Platinum?


* The content of this blog is for informative purposes only. It does not reflect official standing of any agent, agency, or company mentioned on the blog. Nor is this blog necessarilly an endorsement. Please consult with your insurance, tax, or legal specialist before making any decisions. This blog is purely meant to spark the thought process.

Health & Home Safety: Tips for Clean Air

Breathe that clean, fresh air … In your home

Reprint from Farmers Insurance:



We live in an ocean of air, yet research shows that we’re not always breathing clean fresh air, particularly in our homes. In fact, air quality is often worse indoors than outside.¹

The main causes of outdoor air pollution are industrial and vehicular missions. Pets, hair, smoke and moisture all combine to pollute the air indoors. And, in addition to other negative effects on our health, air pollution can cause or exacerbate allergies and in many cases serious breathing disorders, including asthma.


Pollution solutions
Here are some tips that may help improve the air quality in your home:

• Source control — Typically, one of the more effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. For instance, if you smoke, do it outside; better yet, QUIT! If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, be sure to operate it safely and maintain it properly. Brush and bathe your pets frequently and do it outdoors, if possible.
  
• Improve ventilation — Try to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems don’t bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants from the room and increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.
  
• Clean the air — There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, some more effective than others. For information on various air-cleaning devices and how they work, download a free copy of the EPA’s “Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home”.
  

Home Safety: Make Your Yard a "No-Bite" Zone This Summer

In the classic comedy, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Inspector Clouseau asks the innkeeper at the front desk, “Does your dog bite?” to which the man replies, “No.”

Inspector Clouseau then reaches down to pet the dog, which immediately attacks and bites him.

“I thought you said your dog does not bite?”, Clouseau asks, turning to the man.

“That is not my dog,” the man replies.

With at least 68 million dogs in the United States, many of them a big part of the family, there's a large exposure to pet-related injuries. Every year 800,000 people seek medical attention related to dog bite incidences.

Naturally, many of these injuries result in lawsuits when it's not your dog that does the biting, and especially if a child is involved. And when there's a lawyer, often an insurance company needs to get involved.

"A dog-bite (insurance) claim costs $26,166 on average in 2010, up from $24,840 in 2009."

Avoiding the Dog Bite is of benefit to everyone involved: the victim, the owner of the dog, and even the dog who could be put down.

originally published on Farmers Friendly Voice.

During the summer months, children are playing outdoors, adults are barbecuing, and dogs are frolicking in the yard. Remember this: Even the sweetest dog may bite if provoked — even accidentally. With their natural curiosity and exuberant behavior, children are often the most likely to provoke a dog — usually quite unintentionally. Of the 4.5 million people who suffer dog bites annually, about one in five requires medical attention. And children — especially those ages 5 to 9 — are most at risk.¹

What can a dog owner do?

• Carefully consider your pet selection — Your veterinarian is a great source of information about behavior and suitability. Remember to consider who visits you as well as who lives in your household. If you have grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friends with children, you’ll probably want a dog that’s good with children.
• Make sure your pet is socialized — Start to expose your puppy or adopted dog to a variety of situations; try to do it a little at a time, under controlled circumstances. Continue until your dog appears comfortable around people and other animals.
• Neuter your pet — Neutered dogs are less aggressive and less likely to bite.
• Train your dog — Teaching your dog basic commands such as “sit” or “stay” can develop obedience and help to build a bond of trust. 
• Keep your dog healthy — Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases, and see your vet on a regular basis.
• Be alert — Know your dog and watch for signs that your dog may be uncomfortable or feel threatened.

Home Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors Now Required

Re-print from Why Platinum?


PLATINUM CARE: The Platinum Elite Group cares about the health and safety of our clients, and education is always a key.  

A lot of the time you hear something about some new law, but what about the details?  How does it affect you?

Yes, at first glance it's an inconvenience, but with a significant number of deaths and illnesses each year, California has decided to address this issue.

Up to 40 California residents die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to state Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), whose legislation was signed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

The new law goes in force requiring installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes sold after July 1st, 2011, and all residences in 2013.  Rental unites are also affected.

We decided to refer to some experts for more details about how this practically affects each of you, and when.