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For generations of children, it's been the most obvious sign that the Christmas season is really, truly, finally, here: a tree, beautifully decorated, smack in the middle of the house. And, for generations of adults, getting and decorating the tree is one of the season's most familiar traditions.

That familiarity, though, can be a problem. When a tradition becomes too familiar, it's easy to overlook something important, such as safety.

As enchanting as they are, Christmas trees can actually be dangerous. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association says that, on average, fire departments respond to more than 200 fires related to Christmas trees each year.

To help ensure your local fire department doesn’t need to pay you a visit this holiday season, here are some common-sense tips on Christmas tree safety:

Selecting and Setting Up Your Christmas Tree

1. Choosing artificial? Check for a flame retardant label or certification.      
2. Getting a real tree? Make sure it’s fresh, with green needles that don’t fall out when you give the tree a good shake. Brownish needles signal a dry tree prone to catching fire.      
3. No matter the tree type, keep it at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as a fireplace, radiator, candles or lights. And, make sure it’s not blocking an exit.      
4. Before placing a real tree in its stand, trim the base about a half-inch, cutting perpendicular to the stem axis. Cutting at an angle or into a V-shape makes it harder for the tree to get water.      
5. Speaking of water, place your tree in water as soon as possible, in a stand with adequate capacity. One rule of thumb: a quart of water for each inch of stem diameter.

Decorating and Maintaining Your Holiday Tree

6. Don't connect more than three strands of lights together, and check them for frayed wires or excessive wear. All lights, and other decorations, should be flame retardant.      
7. Water your real tree a little each day to keep it from drying out. Never let the water level fall below the base.      
8. Turn off the lights when you go to bed or leave the house.      
9. Take your real tree down after about two to four weeks, even if it’s been watered regularly. Check for recycling options for disposal.

We know a Christmas tree can be a special part of the holidays, and we want you to enjoy the tradition safely!

One of the most certain things in life is, certainly, uncertainty. Your dog could bite the neighbor’s kid. Your teen driver could hit a cyclist. A guest could fall down your stairs. A rainy morning commute on worn-out tires could result in a multi-car accident. And you could be held liable to others for the cost of damages – injuries, property destruction, emotional distress, lost wages and more.

Good thing you have insurance. But, wait, your policy covers $300,000 of liability, and, in a lawsuit, you’re judged liable for $1 million. That leaves $700,000 left to pay. How will you cover it?

If you have umbrella insurance and your policy covers the incident, the additional $700,000 will come from your policy. If not, it will come from the assets you have now, such as your home and savings, and from future assets, such as your wages or inheritance.

The fact is, it only takes one serious accident and a resulting lawsuit to put everything you own – and will own – at risk. And it only takes one umbrella policy to help protect it all.

Here are a few things you should know about umbrella insurance:

• Personal umbrella policies typically offer $1, $2, $3, $4 or $5 million of liability coverage. Consider your net worth when choosing your coverage –you could be sued for everything you have.      
• An umbrella policy is not a stand-alone policy. Your insurance carrier will typically require you to meet certain qualifications, such as having an auto policy with a certain level of liability coverage, in order to purchase umbrella insurance.      
• Even when you have umbrella insurance, your car or home insurance is your first line of defense. For example, if you are liable for $2 million in a car accident and your auto insurance covers $500,000 of liability, your auto policy covers the first $500,000. Your umbrella policy covers the remaining $1.5 million, assuming your policy covers the incident and that you purchased that much coverage. If you are liable for $250,000 in an accident on your property and your homeowners insurance covers $300,000, your umbrella policy won’t be needed.      
• If you insure a motorcycle, ATV, golf cart, snowmobile, motorhome or watercraft, your umbrella policy may provide additional liability coverage on top of those policies as well. Be sure to check with your carrier to confirm your coverage on these types of vehicles.      
• A single umbrella policy typically covers all of your family members who are residents of your household.

Essentially, an umbrella policy gives you excess liability coverage on top of what your other policies provide. If you’re at fault for a serious accident, you’ll need it.

Umbrella insurance also gives you liability coverage in instances where other policies don’t. Examples include driving in a foreign country or renting a boat.

If you’re curious about how umbrella insurance might play a role in protecting the life you’ve built or plan to build, come by our office or give our team a call and we'll be glad to discuss your options. 

It's become almost as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and football: Black Friday, the morning-after (or in some cases evening-after) shopping spree. It's the biggest shopping day of the year, an event in its own right. Unfortunately, the massive crowds it draws can lead to parking lot accidents, exposure to thieves and those well-publicized stampedes and brawls.

It's not hard to avoid such mishaps, though. Following are a few common-sense tips from the National Crime Prevention Council, blackfriday.com and the Trusted Choice network of independent insurance agents to help ensure you have a fun and fruitful day.

Before You Go

• Fill up your gas tank. Make sure you’re not running low on gas in case it takes time to find parking or to get out of the parking lot. Or, in case you get delayed by winter weather conditions.      
• Decide how you’ll pay. If possible, carry only credit cards, and make photocopies so that you’ll have the account number and customer service phone number if your wallet is lost or stolen. If it's practical, carry just one card.      
• Determine how much you can spend. Going in with an idea of how much you can afford to spend will help you know when it’s time to stop buying.      
• Call ahead. If you're looking for a high-demand item, call ahead to find out what time customers lined up last year. Otherwise, there's likely little need to be at the front of the line. Arriving an hour or so early should be fine.      
• Charge mobile phones. Be sure everyone in your group has a charged phone in case you get separated. Or, pick a specific meeting spot within the store or at the mall to regroup. Be sure children know not to leave the store or go out into the parking lot on their own.

In the Parking Lot

• Take your time. Finding a parking spot on Black Friday can be harder than finding a great deal. So, why not calmly head to the back of the lot where it’s less crowded? You may be able to avoid those dreaded door dings, as well as parking lot accidents.      
• Pick a secure spot. The key here is visibility. Avoid parking next to vans or large trucks or in secluded, unlit areas, especially at night.      
• Remember where you parked. Make a mental or written note of where you parked to avoid wandering around looking for it later. You could even take a picture of what you see straight ahead as you walk away from your car.      
• Approach your car with keys in hand. Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle, and check the back seat and the area around and under the car before you get in.      
• Use the trunk. If you're going to several stores, put packages in the trunk rather than in the back seat before driving from one lot to another.

In the Store(s)

• Keep your personal belongings secure. Keep your purse close at hand or your wallet in an inside pocket. Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook.      
• Watch your step. It's easy to trip and fall in a big crowd, especially if people are pushing. If you do fall or hurt yourself, don’t put off medical treatment. Most stores will have a first-aid kit and many will have security officers on hand to help out.      
• Be aware of your surroundings. Steer clear of anyone exhibiting aggressive behavior, such as pushing to get in the door or confronting another shopper over a limited item. If you find yourself in one of these or a similar situation, take action to get you and your group to safety.      
• Don't buy more than you can carry. Otherwise you may be an easy target for thieves in the parking lot. If you have too much, enlist a friend or a store employee to help carry your packages to the car.

Above all, remember that there will always be another sale. So, be courteous to employees and other shoppers on Black Friday – and always. After all, the whole point of a fun event is to have fun.

About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And, these collisions spike in the fall and winter, thanks to migration and mating patterns, as well as reduced visibility caused by shorter days and weather conditions.

As random as these collisions might seem, there are things you can do to improve your chances of avoiding one.

Tips to Help You Avoid Wildlife on the Road

• Be especially careful at dusk and dawn: Not only are these active times for large animals to be out and about, but visibility is decreased as well. And, remember, animal vision is very different from ours. While deer see well in low-light situations, headlights can completely blind them.      
• Watch for signs, too: Areas with a lot of wildlife, or where frequent incidents have occurred, often have posted warning signs. Don’t disregard them. Watch your speed and be hyper-alert.      
• Expect more than one: Did you just see a deer? Don’t relax quite yet, even though you didn’t hit it — there likely are more in the area.      
• Stay calm: If an animal is in the roadway, try not to swerve wildly. You could hit something else, such as another car, or end up in a more dangerous situation than you were before. Hit the brakes and the horn, and make safe maneuvers whenever possible.

What to Do After an Animal-Vehicle Collision

Even if you drive with the utmost caution and follow the tips above, an animal-vehicle collision may still happen. Follow these guidelines if you ever do hit an animal:

• Call 911 immediately: If there are any injuries to you or your passengers, call for aid as soon as possible. But, even if everyone is OK, police can help deal with traffic issues and removing the animal.      
• Do not touch the animal: Even a harmless-looking deer can cause significant injury, especially if it is frightened. And, if you hit something even more dangerous, such as a bear (it happens!), stay in the car. Often, they can withstand being hit by a vehicle.      
• Document the damage: Once any injuries are treated, take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, if it’s safe to do so, and write down details. Get information from witnesses and file a police report, if necessary. This will help when it comes time to file an insurance claim.      
• Talk to your insurance company: Animal-related claims are typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Your insurance agent or carrier can help you determine your options after an accident, but it’s a great idea to learn more about your coverage before you need to use it.

Remember, stay alert, avoid distractions, wear your seatbelt and watch your speed. If you’re already a safe driver, you’re probably already doing these things. And, if you’re not, well, there’s no better time to start! Your fellow drivers (and your local animals) will thank you.