by Downey Insurance Group | Oct 26, 2012 | Blog
Taking steps to safe on the roads this fall in New England is very important. The truth is, many accidents happen during the fall and the winter, and taking the necessary steps to stay safe can help you and your family have an enjoyable and safe fall and winter season.
Today, our road safety experts are going to list some ways to help stay safe on the road this fall!
Consider All Terrain Or Snow Tires
Getting tires with excellent grip, especially tires which are specifically designed for the snow, can be a great step when it comes to staying safe on the roads in fall or winter conditions. Winter tires are designed to handle snowy conditions as well as rainy conditions that often occur during the autumn months.
Check Your Windshield Wipers And Windshield Wiper Fluid
This may sound like a very easy, basic step, but it’s a step that can be very helpful and can make a huge difference when it comes to staying safe on the road this fall.
Take a moment to check your windshield wipers and windshield wiper fluid to ensure that everything is functioning properly, just in case you should run into any heavy rainy, heavy sleet or snowy weather.
Take Turns More Slowly
One of the keys to staying safe on the road in the fall is taking turns more slowly and cautiously. If the road is wet, muddy or snowy, turning can be hazardous. By slowing down on turns, even those which are more gradual, you can help remain safe and help to keep your vehicle firmly on the road.
There are many great ways to stay safe on the roads this fall, while ensuring that you have good auto insurance coverage just in case something does happen is key, taking the necessary steps to stay safe on the roads can make for a very safe and very enjoyable experience on the road this fall and winter!
by Downey Insurance Group | Oct 24, 2012 | Blog
As MA Insurance specialist, we always have our clients best interest in mind and that includes every member of the family. Sometimes on Halloween in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for trick-or-treating a very special member of the family is overlooked and can get themselves in some serious trouble.
Who do we mean? The family dog… Pepper, Jasper, Chewy, Sophie, Cocoa, whatever their name make sure you are doing your best to keep them safe on Halloween along with the rest of the family. Halloween can be confusing for animals. People are dressing up and wearing strange hats or masks and never mind the doorbell. Here are a few tips to make sure your family dog stays safe on Halloween night:
- Chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Make sure all Halloween candy is out of reach of sniffy noses and hungry doggies.
- If you get a lot of trick-or-treaters keep your dog in a safe place. You don’t want all the scary costumes to scare your dog or vise versa. A scared dog can be unpredictable and could easily cause a MA Insurance liability claim.
- Lit candles inside pumpkins pose an obvious hazard. Excited animals can knock over almost anything to get to that interesting ghost or goblin trick-or-treating outside your front door.
- If you take your dog out trick-or-treating on Halloween make sure their costume is safe as well. Non-flammable is best and anything tied around their neck could pose a chocking hazard.
- Whether you take your dog out or not, make sure on the hectic night that your dog is wearing his or her ID tags. You never know, with the craziness of the night if they might make a break for it.
More tips and Halloween dog safety tips can be found on the ASPCA web site. No matter what role your dog plays in your Halloween festivities, don’t for get to keep their safety in mind as you enjoy your Halloween night! Happy Haunting from your MA Insurance specialists at Downey Insurance!
by Downey Insurance Group | Oct 11, 2012 | Blog
You are probably already aware of the benefits of preparing your home for winter. Undertaking a few basic preparatory measures can help you stay safe from storms, reduce your heating costs and potentially avoid having to make a claim on your
home insurance for fire or preventable winter damage. Have you considered the benefits of winter proofing your backyard at the same time?
Tie up loose furniture
Kids’ play equipment, outdoor furniture and garden tools can all become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Make sure any loose objects are secured so they won’t blow around and potentially damage your home in a storm.
Trim trees and remove dead branches
A tree falling on your home could cause serious damage. Now is a good time to go out and check any trees that are on your property, particularly if they are near buildings and trim off any dead branches. Make sure trees are healthy and unlikely to be blown over in a storm.
Drain any gas operated garden appliances
It is a good idea to remove any fuel from gas operated appliances such as ride on mowers as they could be a potential fire hazard. While you are doing this why not check over and service your winter equipment including snow blowers and shovels?
Look after your yard this winter and you could help avoid unnecessary damage to your home. Winter proofing your property should not just extend to your home, but include outdoor areas too.
by Downey Insurance Group | Sep 27, 2012 | Blog
Having kids play in a fall sport is a great way to keep them active. Schools all over the country are cutting back on physical education time, so kids need to find other ways to get the exercise they need. Sports can help supplement a dwindling physical education in many ways.
Unfortunately, while gym class hours are diminishing, childhood obesity rates are going up. Children are suffering from obesity and other health problems because of the lack of exercise they are getting. Couple it with a poor diet, and the same children can be facing a lot more health issues than they should. Watch what your children eat and help keep them physically active.
The recommended amount of time children should be exercising every day is 60 minutes. It doesn’t need to be a consecutive 60 minutes, but the amount of exercise should equal at least one hour every day. A great way to accomplish that is to get your children involved in sports. An hour of soccer practice every day can help keep your child on a healthy track as well as teach him the fundamentals of teamwork. It will also help build self esteem and teach kids different types of discipline they might not know.
If your child is not getting the exercise he needs, think about signing him up for a sport. Talk to other parents in the neighborhood or school to see what’s available. Fall is a great time to start a sport – the weather is cooling down and it’s pleasant to exercise outside. Soccer, football, cheerleading, cross country… whatever your child takes interest in, support it to the fullest. You will be doing him a serious favor by helping to stave off obesity and lead him down a healthy path. You never know, he might actually like it, too!
*
by Downey Insurance Group | Sep 21, 2012 | Blog
Do you have all of your Insurance policies with Downey? Most of our clients do, and we want to offer you the same valued service. With our
combine and save program we can save you time and money by reducing your monthly premium, having less paperwork, and the relief of only having one agent. Let us take a comprehensive approach to your insurance. As an independent agent we have the ability to match you with the company that best suits your unique needs.
The direct writers don’t want you to know this, but it is in your best interest to have your insurance with an independent insurance agent. We can act as an advocate for you during the application process, claims situations, or billing questions. You can always count on our dedicated staff to listen to your concerns and offer the best solution based on our 82 years of dedicated service.
This fall is a perfect time to reevaluate your insurance. Let us take care of you and be your advocate for the things that you value most.
Call us today to request a comprehensive review of your Homeowners Insurance, Renters Insurance, Auto Insurance, Business Insurance, and Life Insurance.
You will be glad you did!
