10 easy and inexpensive ways to prevent slip and fall injuries in your home

While installing support rails, fixing broken steps and securing lifted corners of the carpet are all excellent ways to prevent falls, there also are some VERY simple things you can do in your own home in an instant to make you less susceptible to injury. Surprisingly, falling is the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Adults over 65 and young children are the most vulnerable to injury from a fall, but prevention is a good idea for any age.

Here's our top 10 list of very simple things to do to prevent injury from a slip and fall. When we say SIMPLE, we mean it. You can do any and all of these things immediately to have a big impact on safety in your home:

1. Secure and remove cords out of walkways and traffic areas.
2. Use non-skid mats on floor rugs or remove floor rugs altogether.
3. If the shower or tub is slippery, put a non-slip bath mat on the floor.
4. Use a nightlight.
5. Never stand on an unsecure chair, table or anything with wheels.
6. Clean up spills right away.
7. Keep traffic areas clear. Pick up things that are lying on the floor like books, towels, shoes, blankets. Secure and remove cords out of walkways.
8. Wear sensible shoes, even indoors. Yes, there's a higher chance you will slip and fall in those high heels! Be extra alert if you wear flip flops, loose slippers or shoes with slick soles.
9. Exercise helps. Improving strength and balance makes falling much less likely.
10. Check medication side effects for drowsiness or dizziness.

These solutions are easy and relatively inexpensive. There are several great resources online to make your home even more secure and you can even request professional help. For folks over 65, people with health issues or for those that are caring for someone who is susceptible to a slip and fall, it might be a good idea to go the extra length and make your home secure. Home improvement solutions may cost more, but independence might be the smartest investment you could consider.

http://blog.foremost.com/10-simple-ways-to-prevent-slip-and-fall.asp

Workers' Compensation: Why it's important for Small Businesses

What is Workers' Compensation? Workers' Compensation is a form of insurance that covers the medical and rehabilitation costs of your employees if they're injured on the job typically. (It also may cover some lost wages.) Typically, having insurance that covers these costs means employees give up their right to sue your business for negligence—and in turn, they get peace of mind knowing they can recover for work-related injuries without the complexity of a lawsuit.

Not only is Workers' Compensation insurance required in most states, it's also important to help protect both you and your employees from the unexpected.

Why does my small business need it? Your small business should carry Workers' Compensation insurance because most states require it. Even if your state doesn't require it, your customers might not do business with you unless you carry it. State-levied penalties for not carrying Workers' Compensation can be stiff.

Specific requirements also vary from state-to-state. For example, farming employees and self-employed persons are exempt in some states. And remember, states do not provide the insurance—insurance must be purchased from companies like Foremost!

When should I purchase workers' compensation? In most states, Workers' Compensation insurance is required as soon as you have one or more employees who aren't the business owner or partner.

Is it expensive? Cost is determined by the Workers' Compensation board in your state, but most states use a similar formula to calculate rates: classification risk, multiplied by 1% per $100 of an employee's payroll.

Here's what that means: Each occupation is assigned a "risk classification" determined by two factors: frequency of injury at work and severity of the injury. Then the classification is assigned a dollar amount based on the risk. For example, clerical workers in certain states have a classification of $1.25—a lower risk. If an office manager makes $600 per week, the Workers' Compensation premium for that employee would be $7.50. Your premiums, however, can be increased or decreased based on your business' safety history, whether you offer health insurance, and other factors.

If you're in the market for a Business Owners Policy or Workers' Compensation insurance policy, locate an agency that represents Foremost to help you choose the right insurance for your small business.

http://blog.foremost.com/workers-compensation-why-its-important-for-small-businesses.asp

Cooking is the cause of two out of every five home fires*

Cooking has long been and continues to be the most common cause of home structure fires and home fire-related injuries. Whether preparing for a family dinner or a quick snack, practicing safe cooking behaviors can help keep you and your family safe.

• Never leave your range or cooktop unattended while cooking. If you have to leave the room, turn your range or cooktop off.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves. Loose clothing can hang down onto hot surfaces and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
• Keep your cooking area clean and free of combustible materials. Food wrappers, oven mitts or other materials left on or near the stove may catch fire.
• Be sure to clean up any spilled or splattered grease. Built-up grease can catch fire in the oven or on the cooktop.
• Keep a fire extinguisher readily available. Having an extinguisher nearby is important, but you also need to have the correct type of extinguisher and know how to properly use it.
• Never throw hot grease in the garbage as it can ignite combustible materials. Be sure to let grease cool and dispose of it in an old can, such as a metal coffee can.
• Do not store food or other items in your oven. It can be easy to forget there is an item in your oven, and this could catch fire while preheating.

What to do if a cooking fire flares upBy exercising caution at all times in your kitchen, you can help reduce the risk of a kitchen fire. But if a fire does flare up, you need to be prepared.

• Your safety should always come first. If you are unsure about whether it is safe to fight the fire, leave the scene, call 911 for help, and let the fire department control the fire.
• If a small fire flares up and you are going to attempt to extinguish it, call 911 for help first. A fire may grow out of control more quickly than you anticipate. It is safer to have help already on the way.
• Smother a grease fire – never throw water on a grease fire. The super-heated water can change to steam, and can cause severe burns. Oil also can splash and spread the fire. If a grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding the lid – while wearing an oven mitt – over the pan. If safe to do so, turn off the heat source. Do not move the pan, and keep the lid on until the fire is out and the pan is completely cool.
• If a fire starts in your oven, keep the door closed and turn off the heat source. Keeping the door closed will help smother the flames. Do not open the door until the flames are completely out.
• If a fire starts in your microwave, turn off the microwave and do not open it until the fire is completely out. Unplug the microwave only if you can safely do so.

https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/home/fire-safety/cooking-fire.aspx

Stay safe by sharing the road

We have all encountered scenarios in which other drivers make us shake our heads. People often are quick to accuse other drivers of being reckless, but if pressed, they may admit to sometimes driving recklessly themselves. If unsafe driving is everyone’s problem, what is the solution?

Our safety professionals have put together three tips that can help make sharing the road safer while getting from point A to B.
Assume you are invisible
It can be easy to assume everyone else on the road is paying attention, following traffic laws, and can see you clearly. However, that is not always the case. Next time you are expecting another driver to respect your right-of-way or let you merge into another lane, do not assume they are on the same page.
Avoid competitive driving
Whenever you are on the road, resist the urge to drive competitively. Instead, go with the flow and drive defensively. See yourself as part of a community of drivers – all trying to get to your destinations safely. Your improved driving behavior may rub off on others and help create safer conditions for everyone on the road.
Control your emotions
It may be easy to react to aggressive driving by becoming aggressive yourself. But taking the high road is often the best route. Someone cuts you off? Take a deep breath and just let it roll off your back.
Here are some ways to help prevent your emotions from getting the best of you on the roadway:

• Be patient when traffic delays slow you down.
• Keep a safe following distance behind other vehicles. You never know when someone may stop short.
• Avoid confronting aggressive drivers—be polite and courteous, even if others are not.
• Use your turn signals and leave plenty of room when turning or changing lanes. 

https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/auto/safe-driving/share-the-road.aspx

What to do when your vehicle breaks down

Follow some of these steps if your vehicle breaks down, and take extra precaution if you are in a busy intersection or on a highway.

Getting out of the car at a busy intersection or on a highway to change a tire or check damage from a fender bender is probably one of the worst things you can do. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends the following precautions when your car breaks down:

1. Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine the damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle to a safe place before getting out. If you have been involved in an accident, motion the other driver to pull up to a safe spot ahead.
2. If you cannot drive the vehicle, it may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help or use a cell phone to summon help. Standing outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic, under most circumstances, is a bad idea.
3. Carry flares or triangles to use to mark your location once you get to the side of the road. Marking your vehicle's location to give other drivers advance warning of your location can be critical. Remember to put on your hazard lights!
4. In the case of a blowout or a flat tire, move the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair - even if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tire, rim or wheel is minor compared to endangering your safety. 

https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/auto/car-travel/vehicle-breakdown.aspx

Create a survival kit that will sustain you if disaster strikes

Your kit should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Water – one gallon per person, per day 
• Food – nonperishable and canned foods, along with a non-electric can opener
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio. If battery-powered, have extra batteries
• Extra clothing and blankets
• A first-aid kit
• Emergency cash or checks – credit cards may not be dependable if there is a power outage

• Electronic chargers, including chargers that can be used in your vehicle
• A whistle to signal for help
• Duct tape
• Copies of personal documents – including a home inventory list, insurance policies and other important legal and financial documents
• Bug spray
• Pen and notebook – use to keep notes, important phone numbers, etc., if power is out and electronic devices are not working 

Download this disaster preparedness checklist »

https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/mother-nature/emergency-preparedness/survival-kit.aspx

Teen Driving=Big Responsibility

Driving as a teenager carries a hefty amount of responsibility and when your child smiles big for that first license picture, your stomach may drop. Chances are you have heard the stories, seen the statistics or maybe firsthand witnessed teenage driving accidents. That's because traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA). In fact, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.

Each year more than 5,000 teens (ages 16-20) are killed in passenger vehicle crashes and during 2006 a teen died in a traffic crash an average of every hour on weekends and once every two hours during the week.

The NHTSA reports that each year more than 5,000 teens (ages 16-20) are killed in passenger vehicle crashes and during 2006 a teen died in a traffic crash an average of every hour on weekends and once every two hours during the week.

Don't let these statistics keep your teen in the house forever, but set some rules that reiterate the importance of responsible driving. I think I did a pretty good job as a teen. I credit it to the fact that our grandparents lived with us and I drove them back and forth to McDonalds every night. Besides anticipating the delicious hamburgers, I remember thinking that I had to drive carefully because I didn't want anything to happen to them. Whether your teen has a grandparent or younger sibling they are responsible for or are on their own, these tips should help point them in the right direction.

• Buckle up always! The car shouldn't even start before everyone in it has their seat belt fastened.
• No alcohol or drugs. Explain the consequences of being caught with alcohol or drugs in their vehicle and that they are responsible for what is in the car, even if it is not theirs. (That one seemed to help me say no to my peers a lot in high school.)
• No texting or talking on the phone while driving.
• Curfew: Think about heading home when it starts getting dusk out.
• Passengers: No more than one at a time.
• No speeding.
• Don't drive while sleepy. According to the AAA Foundation, driving sleepy slows reaction time, impairs judgement and is similar to driving drunk.
• Drive defensively.
• Pay attention. (You would think this would come automatically, but even as adults we need to be reminded.)

Driving is an important responsibility and the way your teen learns to drive today is how they will drive tomorrow. Remind them that driving is a privilege—not to be taken lightly or for granted. Getting behind the wheel can be a great rite of passage…just make sure it's the right passage they are driving down. How did you handle your teen driving years?

http://blog.foremost.com/teen-driving-equals-big-responsibility.asp

Winterizing Your Seasonal Home

It's a necessary task for any seasonal home owner, and you still have time to get it done: preparing your seasonal home for the rigors of winter. Properly planning now can help you avoid damage and expensive repairs in the spring.

The best preparation is to develop a checklist of tasks and then follow it faithfully. Here are the major areas for winterization that Foremost recommends your list includes:

• Plumbing. This is one of the most important areas to address when winterizing a seasonal home. If your furnace fails, any water in the house could possibly freeze and cause major damage. Make sure the water system is turned off at its supply point and any pipes are cleared to prevent possible freezing and bursting. Further, the toilet as well as the shower and sink traps should be flushed and protected with non-toxic antifreeze.
• Appliances. You should drain any appliance that may hold water, including the water heater, washing machines, dishwashers or ice makers Also make sure the refrigerator and freezer are properly defrosted and propped open to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Unplug all devices that don't need to be powered and shut off the valves for any gas appliances.
• Furnace. Turn down the thermostat to about 55 degrees to help prevent freezing problems unless your home is an area that doesn't get too cold in the winter. If your heater will be turned off over the winter, follow the manufacturer's instructions for winterizing the system.
• Structural repairs. Check the roof and siding to make sure it's secure and intact. If a shingle or piece were to blow off while the house is empty and go unnoticed, it could cause bigger water or structural damage problems. Examine the exterior around windows, doors and any pipe openings and caulk any areas that could let air, water, bugs or rodents into the house.
• Outdoor work. Clean up the yard and trim back bushes from the home to make it harder for burglars to hide. Secure all outdoor furniture in a locked garage or shed.
• Indoor cleaning. Thoroughly clean the house before closing it for winter to help prevent mold, mildew or insect and rodent problems. Remove all perishable items and any boxed food that animals could eat. Move electronics, TVs or computers from plain sight so anyone looking in the windows won't see them. Consider removing any other small valuables from the premises altogether.
• Security. Make sure all windows are closed and locked and sliding doors are secured with bars in the track to prevent entry. Check door locks to make sure the latch plates are screwed into the wall studs and not just the door frame. Close the curtains and if any neighbors are permanent residents, consider giving a trustworthy one a spare key to check on the place. Otherwise, arrange to have someone check on the place weekly, or install a remotely monitored security system.

http://blog.foremost.com/winterizing-seasonal-home.asp

Fall Break!

Fall Break is here and vacation is around the corner!  Follow these 6 easy ways to secure your home while you are gone!

Whether you're going away for ten days or two nights, here are some more simple things you do to secure your home:

• Get to know your neighbors. Let trusted ones know you are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on your home. (Our neighbors were able to stop the people breaking into our garage from getting away with more.) Have them pick up your mail/newspaper, or stop those deliveries for the duration of your trip because a pile of mail is an easy indicator that someone isn't home.
• Resist social media! Don't announce your travel plans on Twitter or Facebook. If you can't stop making non-vacation related updates, at least turn off the location status on any public forum so people don't know how far you are from home.
• Make your place look lived in. Set your outside lights so at least one stays on at night and put timers on your indoor lighting so they go on and off at random intervals. You can even get a product that looks like you're watching TV when you're not.
• Hide obvious temptations. Have an awesome grill? Place it in a locked shed. Can you see in your windows? Don't leave something valuable near them.
• Use your locks. A quality deadbolt lock is the first defense from an intruder entering your home, but it only works when it's used. And don't hide a spare key outside. Criminals have more experience finding spare keys than you have hiding keys. If you need to leave a key somewhere, leave it with a trusted neighbor.
• And personally, if you have a car parked outside, do not leave a garage door opener in it.That's how our garage was broken into. I'll never make that mistake again.

http://blog.foremost.com/6-Ways-to-Secure-Your-Home-When-You're-Away.asp