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Greatings

June 1st officially began the 2010 hurricane season that runs through November. Although hurricanes can cause severe damage, you can protect the lives of those you love by having effective safety procedures in place. Creating a safety plan and assembling a Hurricane Survival Kit as described in this email are great first steps in weathering a major storm.

Before the storm checklist:
protecting your property

• Clear your yard of everything that could fly: lawn furniture, bicycles, toys, garden tools, trash cans, etc. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• If you have a swimming pool, lower the water level by one foot.
• Board up windows and other openings with plywood that is at least 5/8" thick. Sliding glass doors should be boarded up.
• Anchor small boats or remove them to a safe place.
• Know where your gas, electricity and water cut-off valves are; turn them off if you have to evacuate.
• Protect against garage doors bowing and coming off their tracks by installing a bracing kit, available at some hardware outlets.
• If you have double doors, make sure the unused door has slide bolts for the top and bottom of the door frame.
• Remove outside antennas.
• Make sure skylights are tight. You may want to board them up, along with other windows, if there is a Hurricane Warning issued.
• Brace attic trap doors; vents in your roof system will allow strong winds to swirl through the rafters - could cause the doors to be pulled into the attic, open up and allow insulation to be blown into your home.
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house. Falling limbs are a major cause of home damage during Northeast hurricanes.
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police or fire departments and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• Plan an evacuation route. Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
• If you are ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Bring your cell phone and charger with you.

Hurricane Survival Kit Items

Here is a list of some basic things you need to get through a severe storm. You may want to have these items organized and maintained where you can quickly find them and put them to use. You may also want to have some of these items readily available in your car, should you be caught on the road in an emergency situation.

• Safe, waterproof storage of all your important documents, including insurance policies
• Cash
• Candles
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Kerosene Lamps, supply of kerosene
• Canned vegetables, juices
• Instant foods, coffee, tea, milk
• Baby food and diapers
• Paper towels
• Heavy duty garbage bags
• Portable, battery-operated AM/FM radio
• Batteries for portable TV, laptop computer
• Disposable cups, plates, eating utensils
• Wet weather gear
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Pliers and vise grips
• Hammer and nails
• Heavy work gloves
• Liquid hand soap and/or hand wipes
• Rubbing alcohol
• Personal hygiene products
• Latex gloves
• Insect repellent
• Spare sets of keys-house, car
• Heavy rope
• Tarps or rolls of plastic
• Duct tape
• Bungee cords
• Camping or utility knife
• Propane gas or charcoal and lighter fluid
• Grill for outdoor use
• First aid supplies and manual
• Extra prescription medicine
• Aspirin
• Generator with extra fuel
• Access to chain saw with extra fuel
• Still and video cameras with film, tape supply
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Non-electric can opener

If you have storm damage and a claim 

• Please notify us as soon as possible. Call us at 508-528-3310 or 888-528-3310.
• Describe the damage.
• If you have taken still or video photos of the damage, this is very helpful in expediting the final settlement of your insurance claim.
• Rest assured, that we will handle your claim as promptly as we can. In major disaster situations, the companies we represent provide additional claims adjuster support and put special claims processing procedures into place.

We sincerely hope that this season will not produce any major hurricanes in our area. But the first hurricane has already struck in the Gulf of Mexico. It could be a harbinger of a very active hurricane season.

We have additional hurricane preparedness information. Call our office for your free copies or for assistance with all your insurance needs.

Remember, the power to protect the lives of those you love rests in your hands.

Archived Newsletters

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• Fall 2007
• Spring 2007

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Disclaimer: It is understood that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal or other expert advice is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Insurance information is general in nature; for specific coverage provisions, review contractual policy provisions.