Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather

 

Although California is known for its warm and sunny weather even in the winter time, our region’s weather is constantly unpredictable. We can be blasting the air conditioner on a hot day in the beginning of the week and lighting the fire to keep us warm from freezing weather at the end of the week. Now that we are almost hitting the winter season, we will see more rain at irregular patterns. Our sunny state provides relief for many of us since Californians do not face as many problems as other regions in the country that have worse winter weather. However, this can discourage people from being prepared for emergencies in the first place. At Allstate Burbank, we cannot emphasize enough how even the slightest preparation goes a long way. From safety supplies to home insurance, preparing your home for stormy weather with these tips from the American Red Cross can assure your family remains safe and your economic stability stays intact.

Inspect and Prepare your Home Before the Rain Comes

There are many tasks involved in maintaining your home during the rainy seasons, but the investment in preparation now means prevention of damage to both your house and wallet later. Take these easy steps to prepare your home for the winter weather that brings in harsh winds and heavy downpour:

1. Check your gutters to see if any clogs need to be cleaned or any repairs need to be made to prevent any rainwater backup to your roof and home.
2. Inspect your roof for any loose shingles or damages that may cause water to leak into your home.
3. Check the interior ceilings and walls for any signs of potential water damage caused by roof leaks.
4. Trim your yard’s trees and bushes to prevent any branches from being weighed down by water or wind that can strike and damage your home.
5. Secure every door and window to make sure water does not leak through open gaps and a draft does not chill your home. You may need to install weather strips if necessary.

Prepare an Safety Kit & Plan for Emergencies

In the case of a prolonged or widespread power outage caused by a storm, you will want to put together an emergency preparedness kit that covers up to 2 weeks of supplies of the following items:

• Water - The most important thing in an emergency is to stay hydrated, 1 gallon per person a day
• Food - Make sure to pack non-perishable items that are easy to prepare and do not need any cooking tools to make
• Flashlights and lamps - These are the safest option for light, candles should be a last priority since they can be risk of fire and can make the emergency worse
• Blankets ­– Stocking both regular blankets as well as special emergency blankets are essential and possibly live-saving if you’re out power during a cold winter storm
• Radio - A battery-powered or hand-crank radio are your best options since a plug-in radio will not be able to work during a power outage
• Extra batteries - Some of the smallest tools that use batteries you do not normally use can be extremely beneficial during an emergency
• First aid kit and medications - Injuries can be unpredictable and deadly but even minor attention and treatment can save lives
• Hygiene items  - items for sanitation and personal hygiene can help prevent any illnesses during an emergency
• Multipurpose tools - Hardware stores sell various brands and types of these tools including Swiss army knives
• Cell phone with charger - In the case that the power returns in a disaster, you will need to inform authorities of your present state as soon as possible
• Copies of personal documents - In the case you lose important files and documents, make sure to make copies of birth certificates, insurance policies, home deeds and leases
• Emergency contact information - Organize a list of contact information of family or friends you will need to contact for assistance or to update your status
• Backup power generator - You may need electric power for any life-sustaining equipment for someone in your home whose health or lifestyle is dependent on electricity

Keep a designated location in your garage or possibly your attic or basement for your emergency kit and supplies. The effort to do organize for emergencies will pay off from the smallest of occasions to large-scale events.

Preserve your Food

If you are ever to face a power outage during a storm, you will need the following supplies to keep your food cold:

• Coolers - All types of ice chests including styrofoam coolers will help preserve any perishable food items
• Ice - You can use ice in your cooler to keep your food cold during a prolonged blackout, or you can pack your refrigerator with ice
• Digital thermometer - Check the internal temperature of your food to determine whether or not the food is cold enough to safely use

Even if you were to not have enough ice or any at all, both the refrigerator and freezer can store items for a specific amount of time if their doors were to remain closed. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about 4 hours and freezer can keep food cold between 24 - 48 hours. Food should be taken from the refrigerator first then the freezer, and if the power outage seems to continue beyond a day, a cooler with ice should be prepared for the remaining freezer items.

Electrical and Gas Equipment Safety

During a storm, you should make sure you have any unnecessary electronics turned off to prevent creating an emergency in the first place. However, it is very crucial that in an actually emergency you want to unplug every electronic you have in the house. This includes appliances such as stoves and microwaves, because surges or spikes can damage your equipment when the power returns to your home. You are going to want to keep only one light on during a blackout which should be one of the light switches and not a plugged appliance.

Under no circumstances should you use a grill, stove or other gasoline, propane or natural gas devices anywhere inside your home or closed area during a blackout. Whether it’s a storm or even an earthquake which can happen anytime, a gas leak can occur and put your entire home at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or fire. There are carbon monoxide alarms you can purchase and install in central locations of every level of your home that can provide early warnings of accumulating carbon monoxide. In this case, you would have to move as quickly and safely as possible to a fresh air location. If outdoors is not safe then move to the closest open window or door.

When Your Power Returns

A wave of relief may hit you when your power returns after an outage. However, you must still remain careful. Evaluate every electronic or gas equipment in your home before reusing them. For the time being, keep unnecessary electronics unplugged until your home has been thoroughly evaluated. If there are any exposed electrical power lines, keep everyone away and report both exposed power lines and downed power lines outside to the appropriate officials.

Any food that has been exposed to warm temperatures for at least 2 hours should be thrown away as well as items that have unusual odors, colors or textures. If there are any items that you may not be sure about, it is best to simply throw them away just to be safe. Under no circumstances should you taste food as a method of testing their safety. Even if food looks and smells fine, bacteria that cause food borne illnesses could have been growing on food items had they been left at room temperature for too long.

Homeowner’s Insurance will Keep You Stable

With all this preparation that will keep you supported during an emergency like a power outage from a storm, your economic stability can still be in jeopardy if you were not properly insured. Allstate Home Insurance in Burbank covers storm damage and depending on your policy, we will be able to keep you standing and help you save as much money as we possibly can.

The following is what your homeowner’s insurance policy can cover for bad weather with Allstate Burbank:

• Water & ice damage - Even if there is not a storm with heavy downpour or hail, ice coveting your roof in the winter can cause water damage to your home, and homeowner’s insurance can protect you if a pipe bursts from either being frozen or the result of a storm
• Lightning & power surge damage - If your home or another structure covered by your policy is struck by lightning and causes damage due to a fire or smoke, the damage may be covered by your insurance policy. You may also be covered for damage to electronics or appliances due to a power surge or outage depending on the limits of your policy
• Wind & fallen trees - Wind damage is typically covered by homeowners insurance protecting your wallet from any structural damage which also includes damage from fallen trees caused by a storm or wind

Stay Safe and Prepared with Allstate

Your family’s safety and home’s stability are essential to hold up the foundation to your life. With the uncontrollable situations and emergencies that are inevitable in the winter weather, you will need to make sure you are as ready as you can be. The tips in emergency preparation we provided will help you during a disaster, but homeowner’s insurance will guide you through post-disaster. Your coverage can determine whether your family’s future is kept intact. Even if your house has fallen apart, Allstate home insurance in Burbank will provide coverage that will keep your family’s lives together.

Get in touch with me to learn more about how Allstate Burbank can protect you, and make sure to visit me on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter to stay updated on all the latest news from Allstate.

Driving Safety Tips for Fall & Winter

As your local Allstate Burbank agent, whenever the fall season begins, I see a whole new exciting time of the year starting. Summer is long gone and the heat slowly disappears and the much needed breeze and cooler weather feels like a gift for those of us in Southern California. With children back in school and holidays approaching, there will be far more frequent driving and traveling.

More importantly, the weather starts to get cooler and we see rainfall become more frequent. This makes the dangers on the road drastically increase putting you and your loved ones’ lives at risk. Winter is the season that makes most drivers become extremely cautious on the road. However, these risks begin in the fall and the earlier you prepare for these dangers the safer you’ll be when conditions start to escalate. 

At Allstate Burbank, I don’t just provide protection with Allstate auto insurance coverage. I also provide guidance to help you avoid events that require you to have such insurance, and I am fully aware of the rise of accidents that come with the change in the weather.

New Dangers on the Road in the Fall

Autumn is the precursor for the upcoming dangers that you will see more often on the road as the weather becomes wetter every day. The following are hazards you should monitor:

Pedestrians

With school in session and the holiday season approaching, the streets will be filled with more people in both residential and commercial areas. Students are crossing the streets around schools and bus drop off zones, and adults are out and about doing their seasonal shopping making both the street and traffic far denser. The Halloween holiday is especially heavy with many trick-or-treaters that require special attention as well as each week of Thanksgiving and Christmas for last minute shoppers.

Fallen Leaves

Roads can become slippery as the fallen leaves of the season begin to covet the roads. It is crucial that you proceed carefully this season to prevent any danger of losing control of your vehicle as well as avoid hidden hazards camouflaged by the numerous leaves such as potholes.  Even if it isn’t raining in your area, dry leaves still serve a danger. It is possible that piles of dry leaves accumulated on your car could spark a fire with the car’s catalytic converter. Therefore make sure you’re not parked near large piles of dry leaves.

Wet Conditions

Although Southern California is known for its warm and dry climate, it still faces impulsive weather and can deal with heavy rain that starts in the fall. It is highly advised that you make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly or check if they are in need of replacement. If you’re ever in a situation where the rain is too heavy such as the middle of a storm, it is always the best decision to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Your safety is more important than anything.

Tire Pressure

As we mentioned about Southern California’s weather, temperature is consistently erratic. The temperature unpredictably rises and falls which can cause the rubber of car tires to expand and contract resulting in air pressure loss. This will provide a danger for you on the road so make sure you’re regularly checking your tires for any sign of deflation.

Sunlight Glare

Days start to become shorter in the fall, and you may find yourself commuting during the sunrise on your way to work and during the sunset on your drive home. The glare from the sun will drastically impair your vision, putting you and other drivers around you in danger. Make sure you own a pair of sunglasses to keep in your car that will protect your eyes from any glare helping your own safety on the highway as well as prevent damage to your eyes. Your commute will also become noticeably darker sooner even before daylight savings time which means your car light’s need to be checked for maintenance and replacements as well.

Animals

Drivers in the city often may come across rodents and stray pets on the road, and your initial reaction would be to immediately swerve to avoid them. If you are farther away from the cities whether you’re closer to the mountains or driving in the countryside, bigger animals are more likely to be crossing roads due to seasonal migration or to find shelter during bad weather. The initial reaction drivers commonly have is to swerve out of the way. However, this is a dangerous reaction since you can hit another car or lose control of your own vehicle. If it is possible, come to a controlled stop and let the animal pass. These kind of situations can never be predicted and each case varies, but remaining calm is always the best answer.

Fog

The warmer mornings are slowly disappearing, and the fog and chilly weather will bring in slower starts to you day. Fog can greatly limit your visibility as you drive and can alter your perception of distance. You are most likely to experience fog in low altitude areas or areas surrounded by hills, water or mountains. A common mistake many drivers make is to turn on their high beams which only make visibility worse by creating glare. The best option is to make sure you drive slowly and create more distance between you and the car in front of you to give yourself enough time to come to a calm and complete stop.

Frost

It is likely you’ll start finding your car with frost on the windows. Usually your defroster can help clear your windows, so you’ll have to get ready a little earlier in order to make sure you car is prepared for a safe drive. If the frost is thicker, you will need to scrape it off of your windows with the proper tools otherwise you will not be able to see whatsoever. Make sure you are reducing your speed in the road as well maintain more distance between your vehicle and other vehicles as you travel like in foggy conditions.

Follow these Tips to Save Lives

With all of the hazards we stated above, driving in the colder and wetter weather can be intimidating. It’s natural to feel so, because as aware as you may be to these dangers, not every driver may be just as responsible. There also may be tips that slip your mind. Make sure to go through the following necessary and easy steps with updating your car to keep you and other drivers safe:

1) Replace Your Wiper Blades

Your car’s wiper blades are consistently facing all kinds of conditions on your windshield. The rain will slowly get harder, and the wind will blow leaves and other light objects on your windshield. So, your car’s wiper blades need to be checked to see if you need to buy new blades to keep your vision as clear as possible.

2) Slow Down

This cannot be emphasized enough. As confident and competent of a driver as you may be, the same cannot be said about many other drivers and you should never assume so. The speed limits are based on ideal conditions when whether is fair. Even the lightest of rain can cause deadly accidents, and it is guaranteed that it will cause heavy traffic. So make sure you give yourself more time to get to your destination because you will need to drive more carefully as well as face much more traffic.

3) Increase Distance Between Cars

As we stated before, allow more space with the vehicle in front of you. Usually, the 3-4 second rule applies in normal weather however it should become around 10 seconds in any kind of wet weather. This gives you plenty of time to stop especially with the slippery streets that may cause you to skid and cause an accident.

4) Always Have Your Headlights on During Rain

It is required by law to have your headlights on during any level of rainfall. However, no matter how hard it rains or even possibly snow, your high beams should NOT be used. As we mentioned during foggy conditions, this will cause a glare that actually reflects off of the rain or snow making it far more difficult for both you and other drivers to see. The high beams are used for momentary use to signal other drivers in case of emergencies.

5) Never Slam on Your Brakes

As discussed earlier when animals run in the road, try your best to resist slamming on your brakes during rainy weather. A sudden stop may cause your car to skid on the slippery road and make you lose control. When your tires come to an immediate stop, it will cause your car to act like a sled, losing all traction and make it far more difficult to control. If you ever need to make a stop or you feel your car start to skid, ease off the accelerator first. Your vehicle will slow down on its own.

6) Avoid Driving at Night

You are 3 times more likely to be in a fatal auto accident during the nighttime in comparison to daylight hours. However, so many hard working people hardly see the day time since their drive to work and back home is during the dark. So if you cannot avoid driving at dark regularly practice everything we’ve mentioned above to reduce your risk of being in a collision.
                             

                         

7) Approach Traffic Lights With Care

The weather conditions, whether sun glare or rainfall, will make it harder for your see traffic lights clearly. Therefore approach traffic lights and all intersections with much more care than usual.

8) Avoid High-gloss Cleaning Products

When you’re washing or waxing your vehicle, these kind of products will actually magnify the sun’s glare which puts both you and other drivers on the road at risk.

Be a Smart Driver on the Road

Driving can be a daily ritual, and each one of us is guilty of allowing it to become a monotonous chore. Safety habits then become in danger of slipping to the back of our mind, and it’s not until you just experienced a collision that you are reminded to pay more attention. Our team at Allstate Burbank highly encourages you to be smart and take the time to examine yourself and the environment around you. These seemingly simple tips usually are dismissed, because almost every driver thinks it won’t happen to them. However, it can and it will if you neglect this guidance.

Put your Cell Phone Away

Everyone multi-tasks and our busy lives require us to be in consistent connection with our loved ones, friends or coworkers. Despite California having strict cell phone safety laws, many people are still using their phone while driving. If you absolutely have to use your phone if you are driving and you do not have a passenger who can help you then the best option is to pull over. There is no text or call more important than your safety. Your destination will still be there if you take a minute to stop. If you choose to use your phone when you are driving your car then you are deliberately choosing to put other people's’ lives in danger.

Avoid having too many Passengers in your Car

You risk everyone’s safety when you have a full vehicle. It is said to be just as dangerous as using a cell phone, because too many passengers can distract you as a driver. If you absolutely need to have a full car then you will have to focus far more closely on the road. Every single passenger in that car is your responsibility.

Drive Safe and Be Insured!

Allstate Burbank can help keep you on your feet if you ever have to deal with any of the dangers and hazards that come with the fall and winters seasons. However, we want every one of our customers to do their best to avoid these situations in the first place. Getting Burbank auto insurance acts as your safety net and encourages you to be the safest driver on the road. If you want to know more about the details of our Burbank  auto insurance policy contact me, Gino Mattunts, today to set up an appointment. As your local Allstate Burbank agent, I can help get you onto the road to protection. Like me on Facebook and follow me on Google+ and Twitter to stay updated on all the latest news from Allstate Burbank. Remember: drive safe and drive smart this fall and winter!

Take a Look at One of My Recent Blogs:

Allstate Renters Insurance for College Students

Making a Life Claim

Help Your Pets Live A Full Life With A Simple Solution: Pet Insurance!

Allstate’s Renters Insurance for College Students

Getting renters insurance for your dorm room or apartment may be one of last thoughts on your mind after moving into your new place for this college year. Your thoughts are on your schedule, making friends or reuniting with them, and on-campus activities or organizations. However, all of the new adventures on a great campus can be put in the shadow of the responsibilities of studying, bills and food, but more importantly the chaos of emergencies. Obstacles are inevitable in college, but you can make sure you are covered with renter’s insurance if any of your important belongings are stolen or ruined by accident such as an electrical fire or flooding from a plumbing incident.

For the parent, the experience is completely different. This is where you worry most about your children. Has your son or daughter eaten? Do they have enough clothes? And are they safe in case something bad happens? Although your child is now an adult and is learning to live on his or her own, you can still have a solid foundation for them with renters insurance. It will help you sleep a little better knowing they are in good hands in case they have to deal with an emergency. You can think of it as a life lesson for them, which can then lead them to understand the details of insurance when they start their future careers and their own families.

For the students, you may be covered under your parents’ homeowners or renters insurance policy if you are younger than 26 years old and living in the dorms or any other on-campus housing. It is best to understand the details of your parents’ coverage to know the limits for personal property and if your belongings are affected by being “off-premises.” If you know that your parents’ policy limits will not cover everything you need to take with you to school you can add scheduled personal property coverage, also called a “floater,” to their current policy.

If you are living off-campus, you may need your own renters insurance policy because your parents’ insurance will probably not be able to cover any items that are stolen or damaged. You may also be provided with liability coverage that will help prevent you paying out of pocket in case there are any situations where you are responsible for an injury or damage to someone else’s property. 

You don’t want to deal with any of these situations, but keeping an inventory of your belongings and having coverage for each item will definitely help ease your worries when you already have such a busy schedule. As your agent, I will help you keep order and remain calm when you are faced with the inevitable emergency. College is the first time you are faced with the real world, meaning things never go according to plan. Contact me to help you get started on your future.

Making a Life Claim

The topic of Life Insurance can be difficult to bring up to your family, but mainly to accept it for yourself. No matter how healthy you may be, it is always best to be safe and make sure if anything were to happen to you or a loved one your family would not have to worry about finances when they would already be emotionally distraught. Allstate can help make this process easy to understand and handle, saving your family from confusion and emotional stress.

              

Allstate will help you plan ahead to protect your family with financial security, so in the unfortunate case of the loss of you or your family member there will be resources to help cover your family’s medical bills, funeral costs, mortgage or rent, college tuition and many more expenses. There is a variety of solutions that are made to best suit you and your family’s budget such as term life insurance, universal life insurance or whole life insurance, all the details of which you can find here.

After making sure you have life insurance plan, your family may lose someone in the future and will go through an emotional time. Our easy steps will help relieve you have any more trauma you could already be going through. The following are the steps you will need to take to make your claim in the case of an untimely death:

  1)  Acquire a copy of the death certificate as well as the life insurance policy. You will have to submit the copy of the death certificate to Allstate, and make sure you have your policy with you to help with any questions you may have.

2) Report your claim to Allstate. You will be given information and directions of what you will have to do next. You will then receive a claim form to you.

3) You will have to determine which option is best for you to receive your funds once you claim is approved.

  4) It will take time to process your claim once all the necessary documents are submitted. After the process, make sure you keep track of your claim be filing every piece of paperwork or keeping it saved in a digital device if received electronically.

You want to make sure you family is your number one priority in your life. We can help make sure you get all the help you need with these steps to put you on the right path. Visit Allstate’s website here to get details on everything else Allstate has to offer and see how we can make the process of taking care of your family easy for you. 

Help Your Pets Live A Full Life With A Simple Solution: Pet Insurance!

For all those pet owners out there, how many times have you wished you had a little bit of help when your pet was going through some difficult times? To enforce better pet health, you are going to want to begin with a plan. Pet health coverage may seem unnecessary but, it would help you plan for those difficult times, I just mentioned.

What is pet health insurance, you might ask. Just like car or home insurance, pet health insurance provides the pet owners with a bit of help when your pet needs routine checkups with the vet, or faces a serious health problem or has an injury. These costs for veterinary medicine can quickly add up especially with scans and modern treatment. You want the best care for your pet so, it will be helpful to have a pet health care policy that can won’t make it so costly. As a pet owner, you can provide the best possible care your pet.

Here is what pet health insurance covers:

1.    Accidents and illness treatments

2.    Cancer and chemotherapy services

3.    Surgery and hospital care

4.    Lab work, scans and tests

5.    Medications

6.    Alternative therapy like holistic or homeopathic medicine

7.    Chronic conditions like allergies

There are also coverage plans for routine care like checkups, vaccinations and more. Just make sure to talk to your Allstate insurance agent about it. Some procedures or treatments are not covered like cosmetic procedures, orthodontic procedures, vitamins, pregnancy/breeding vet fees, and a couple more. Be sure to check the full list on the website given below.

If you want to sign up for pet insurance right away, make sure your pet is eligible for the policy. As long as your pet is under the age of 14, he or she can sign onto a new health insurance policy. For pets older than 14 or have received a diagnosis of a specific disease, it will be best to get an accident-only plan. This plan will cover doctor/nurse/specialist exams, lab tests, emergency care and hospitalization, scans and ultrasounds, alternative therapy, physical therapy and surgeries.

Pets can be like children to their owners and wouldn’t you want your child to healthy all the time? Or at least, well taken care of when something health wise goes wrong? I’m sure you do. Allstate provides its customers with a variety of insurance policies, but pet owners, this is the one you want! To ensure a hearty and full life for your pet, give them the best care they deserve. To find out more information about pet insurance at Allstate, go to their website, https://www.allstate.com/pet-insurance.aspx

Protect Your Small Business Today With Allstate Insurance

We all know what insurance is right? Well it’s the act, system or business of insuring property, life, etc against any type of loss or harm in consideration of a payment proportionate to the risk involved, according to the dictionary. Now let’s apply this term to businesses.

Business insurance is so important. After putting blood, sweat and tears into building a successful business, it would be devastating if one small thing ruined it all. Having insurance is like a back up plan. A business owner can protect his or herself from liabilities or losses. More specifically, small business owners face issues that can be more catastrophic than big corporate companies because they haves something they can fall back on.

The first step is to find a certified business agent, which Allstate can provide you with. You are in good hands if you decide to hand your business to them. Your business agent will help with funding for your business, navigating government regulations and healthcare reforms, improving the advent of technology in all aspects of your company, recruiting and training the best staff and finally, retaining your best customers. As a business owner, the agent is like your right hand man with everything you do. His or her valuable input will likely protect you from future harm and advise you the best way to take your business to the next level. Allstate defines their agents as a friend to small businesses which is completely accurate. These industry trained agents will run a custom risk assessment and will be ready to start this journey in a moment’s time.

Allstate provides its customers with a valuable tool called The Small Business Connection. This tool provides small business owners, anyone from a new owner to seasoned owner, access to an extensive base of both knowledge and advice. Some topics include legal, technology, insurance, employee benefits, online marketing and more, all of which can be found in one place. Small Business Connection was created through the collaboration between Allstate, Capital One, Legal Zoom, Microsoft, Office Depot and Web.com to further the advancement of small businesses. The leadership aspect of this web portal can assist business owners with impactful decisions regarding their business.

Since small businesses have the disadvantage of not having something to fall back on when times are difficult, it is extremely important to have a friend in Allstate. Your decisions as a business owner do not have to be made alone but, instead with an industry trained agent. Apply for Allstate insurance today and create a community to fall back on if things do not go in the right direction. Learn more at https://www.allstate.com/business-insurance.aspx