I Slid Off the Road & Hit a Building…Now What?
The weather outside sure is frightful. Unfortunately, bad weather also brings bad driving conditions. If you are fortunate enough to dig yourself out, be careful on the roads during and after snow storms. If you were to veer off the road and hit a building, what would you do? Things like this happen way too often and you need to... Read MoreMake the Most of Your President’s Day
Can you believe Monday is already February 18th? While your mind might be focused on the much warmer spring, do not be so quick to forget about this wonderful holiday. How often is it that we have the time to take in a 3-day weekend without any obligations such as family gatherings to attend, or feasts to prepare? Here are... Read More
Can you believe Monday is already February 18th? While your mind might be focused on the much warmer spring, do not be so quick to forget about this wonderful holiday. How often is it that we have the time to take in a 3-day weekend without any obligations such as family gatherings to attend, or feasts to prepare? Here are some ideas to make the most of your President’s Day weekend.
Sleep – There is nothing better than waking up to birds chirping rather than the obnoxious attack of your alarm clock. This can be especially good if you feel that you have been working too much in the past few weeks and just need to rest. Just be advised not to oversleep. Too much rest and you will feel just as bad as if you only got a few hours of shut-eye.
Relax – Between answering calls, replying to emails, dealing with coworkers, you might just feel mentally burnt out at the end of the day. Take this time to silence the phone and walk away from the computer. Build a puzzle, pick up a magazine, or do the hobby that you haven’t had time for since summer. Treat yourself!
Reconnect with Relatives and Friends – If you have the time, you might want to dig through the countless voicemails from your mother. Make a call to a relative you forgot to stay in contact with, or grab a cup of coffee with your old college roommate. They will be happy you reached out and you’ll feel good for having done so.
Exercise – I am not talking about shoveling your way out of Winter Storm Nemo! Go for a light jog or knock the dust off the treadmill in your basement. You won’t regret feeling good and healthy on your time off.
Prep Healthy Meals for the Week – There is no excuse for frozen dinners now! Get some fresh vegetables and whip up something healthy for the coming week. If anything, it will eliminate any last minute scrambling before work.
You honestly cannot go wrong with any of these tips. At any cost, avoid sitting on the couch the entire weekend because you will regret it once Monday evening hits. Another great idea would be to look into some quality insurance. With Encharter Insurance, there is no need to wait until President’s Day! Give us a call and one of our agents can help you out with CT Auto Insurance now!
-->How to Survive in a Blizzard
Well folks, it looks like we have ourselves a real, authentic blizzard heading our way. With weather forecasters predicting up to 30 inches in some areas of New England and news outlets labeling the storm “historic” it could be a rough one to endure. As always, stay safe and avoid the roads when you can. It can get dangerous out... Read More
Well folks, it looks like we have ourselves a real, authentic blizzard heading our way. With weather forecasters predicting up to 30 inches in some areas of New England and news outlets labeling the storm “historic” it could be a rough one to endure. As always, stay safe and avoid the roads when you can. It can get dangerous out there, which is why we always remind you to have the right coverage on your Connecticut Auto Insurance. Having the right car and home insurance can help with the aftermath of a storm, what about during the storm? Blizzards are not to be taken lightly, and according to weather reports we should all be prepared for the worst. Don’t worry; we can help you get prepared!
Here are some Ways to Survive a Blizzard:
Prepare your pipes. This may sound like advice for a singer before a concert, but what I mean is to wrap up your interior pipes to avoid freezing. Also, it may be a good idea to leave faucets running at a slow drip. The last thing you need is to be stuck at home in the storm without running water.
Stock up on food and batteries. Make sure you have enough food in your home to last you a couple days and enough batteries to power your flash lights if the lights go out.
Shovel smart and watch your toes. Shoveling is more exercise than you think. If you’re not used to strenuous activity or have health issues that prevent you from strenuous activity, you may
be putting yourself at risk by shoveling. While you’re shoveling, look out for frostbite. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning, and swelling and eventually the skin will become hard and yellowish (hopefully you have gotten yourself inside before this happens). Wear gloves, hats, and extra socks if you are going to be outside.
Snuggle up and layer up. Loose, warm layers are the best way to go if you do need to go outdoors. However, the best thing to do is stay inside and keep warm. While inside, if you lose power, make sure to layer up and snuggle up to avoid hypothermia.
Lastly, stay entertained! Play games, have a sing along, or do anything else to keep your mind off the storm. By keeping yourself safe and entertained in your home throughout the storm, time will pass much faster. Good luck my fellow New England residents!
-->Safe Driving Tips for the New Year!
The first few snowfalls of this winter season haven’t been too bad. A few inches of snow and slush typically don’t pose a huge threat to drivers, but motorists across New England know that this is just the beginning. Driving in wintery conditions can be very dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Courtesy of Weather.com, here are a few... Read More
The first few snowfalls of this winter season haven’t been too bad. A few inches of snow and slush typically don’t pose a huge threat to drivers, but motorists across New England know that this is just the beginning. Driving in wintery conditions can be very dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Courtesy of Weather.com, here are a few tips and tricks to keep you and your family safe and sound while driving on icy roads. What better time to brush up on your driving skills than with the start of a brand new year?
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
If you follow this advice closely, chances are you’ll be smooth sailing until Groundhog Day. However, in the event that you are involved in a fender bender, you’ll want to be protected by Connecticut Auto Insurance. An Encharter Insurance agent will quote you on the best coverage, which will be a big help in case you’re involved in a weather-induced collision. Stay warm, and most importantly, stay safe this New Year!
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-->Hurricane Sandy Power Outage Tips
Before we share some Hurricane Sandy safety tips with you, we would like you to know in the event that you need to make a claim, during or after the storm, you will find relevant claim numbers here. You have your flashlights, batteries and emergency kit all prepared for Hurricane Sandy. What else should you know about preparing for a hurricane? With... Read MoreBefore we share some Hurricane Sandy safety tips with you, we would like you to know in the event that you need to make a claim, during or after the storm, you will find relevant claim numbers here.
- You have your flashlights, batteries and emergency kit all prepared for Hurricane Sandy. What else should you know about preparing for a hurricane? With the wind, flooding, rain, and possible snow that Sandy will be bringing our way, many will be left without power. Here are some important things to remember if the power goes out:
- In cold weather, wear layers of clothing that can help keep in your body heat.
- Avoid power lines and use electronic tools and appliances safely to prevent electrical shock.
- If the power has been out for more than two hours, throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees.
- The United States Department of Agriculture wants you to be safe from food borne illnesses that could come from your food not being stored at the right temperature during a power outage. Chances are you will have enough to worry about during Sandy; you don’t want to also be stuck at home with the power out not feeling well. Here are some helpful tips for food safety when the power goes out:
- Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to help determine if food is safe during power outages. The refrigerator temperature should be 40° F or lower and the freezer should be 0° F or lower.
- Group food together in the freezer — this helps the food stay cold longer.
- Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately.
- Once Sandy passes, it seems as though we will all be left with the job of cleaning up her mess. Know that those of us at Encharter Insurance will be ready to help you with any insurance needs you have after Hurricane Sandy. Whether it is your Massachusetts Home Insurance or your Connecticut auto insurance, we are here to help. We will be doing our best to work with you and help you to deal with the any damage to your home, auto, or other property caused by Hurricane Sandy.
For flood insurance news and information, visit our resource center.
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