Renter's Insurance, do you really need it?

Many people are misinformed regarding the need for Renter's Insurance. If you rent an apartment, condo, or home, the owner of the property has insurance coverage protecting their property, their personal property (if any) and their liability (in case of a judgement against them or their property.

You, as the renter, have no coverage under the owner's insurance policy. That is why you need your own Renter's Insurance Policy. Most apartments and many homeowners require their renters to have their own Renter's policy with at least $100,000 in liability coverage. Their concern is only about LIABILITY COVERAGE in case of a lawsuit and judgement against themselves. YOU on the other hand as a renter, need to be concerned about the following:

• theft of your personal property
• damage to your property due to a fire, smoke, explosion, water
• liability if a guest is accidentally injured while on your property
• additional living expenses when a loss is covered and makes your residence uninhabitable

Renter's Insurance Policies are inexpensive, portable to other locations (if you move) and a requirement at most apartment complexes.

Arizona Law Regarding Child Car Seats

Each year, approximately 1,800 children who are less than 14 years of age lose their lives as the result of a motor vehicle crash. Another 280,000 children are injured. Child safety seats, when properly installed, save lives. A study released by the National Safe Kids Campaign, however, reports that at least 85 percent of the 17,500 seats inspected were installed incorrectly. The most common misuses were the safety belt not holding the seat tightly and harness straps not being used properly.

Arizona Law Regarding Child Car Seats

ARS 28-907 (A) and (B): A person shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways in this state when transporting a child who is under five years of age unless that child is properly secured in a child restraint system. Each passenger who is at least five years of age, who is under eight years of age and who is not more than four feet nine inches tall is to be restrained in a child restraint system.

Everything becomes a missile in a crash. This means anything that is not secured will fly around the inside of the vehicle. Anything that you don’t want hitting you or your child should be safely put away. Here are tips to make sure your is installed correctly:

1.   Use the owner’s manuals for the seat AND the vehicle to select safest position and installation method.

2.   Ensure the seatbelt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) straps are going through the seat at the correct slots for the position the seat is facing.

3.   If using LATCH, check the vehicle owner’s manual to make sure that LATCH can be used in the seating position you have chosen. (Center is safest for your child to ride. However, many manufacturers do not allow LATCH to be used in that location. The seat belt would be used instead.)

4.   The seat should not move more than an inch from side-to-side at the belt path (where the LATCH or seat belt straps are go through the seat.) A grip liner can be used to help reduce any movement on slick surfaces.

5.   Ensure the seat belt or LATCH straps are not twisted.

6.   The seat should be at a 45 degree angle when the seat is rear-facing. Most infant seats are designed to allow you to adjust the angle. Otherwise, use rolled up towels, or pool noodles to help maintain the angle. Forward facing seats are kept straight. 

7.   Use the tether strap to secure the seat at the top when forward-facing. This helps reduce forward head movement by 6 inches.

8.   Harness straps hold the child in the seat.  They should be snug and should not be twisted.

9.   The harness clip should be kept at armpit level.

10.   No after-market products should be used on the seat.  This includes toys on the carrying arm and anything that goes behind the baby in the seat.  If it didn’t come with the seat, do not use it.

11.  The carrying arm should be kept in the back position while in the vehicle.  This will allow the seat to react properly in a crash.

The City of Scottsdale Public Safety personnel provide car seat inspections by appointment. Please click on http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire/car-seat-inspections to schedule your appointment.  As a new grandfather, this event is very close to my heart.

Be aware of the poisoning risks your vehicle might cause

Driving is not without risk, so we take steps to stay safe by wearing seat belts, obeying the rules of the road and keeping our vehicle road-worthy. However, some lesser-known dangers like accidental poisoning might not be on our radar. The best defense against poisoning is to recognize the hazards.

Vehicle Exhaust: The most dangerous chemicals found in vehicle emissions are carbon monoxide and benzene.

• Breathing carbon monoxide (CO) fumes reduce the oxygen supply to the brain, causing carbon monoxide intoxication. CO intoxication can occur in only a few minutes, often leaving those affected mentally and physically unable to seek help

• Even low concentrations of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness and headaches

• Avoid exposure to exhaust fumes, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas where CO can quickly build up to toxic levels.

Antifreeze: Young children and pets are particularly vulnerable to antifreeze (engine coolant) poisoning as it has a sweet smell and taste.

• As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than one teaspoon can be lethal to a 20-pound dog. As little as 2 tablespoons on methanol, a chemical used in many antifreeze solutions, can kill a child

• To prevent an accidental poisoning, promptly wide up any antifreeze spill or leak. Also, store automotive products such as antifreeze, gasoline and oil in areas inaccessible to children and pets

Air Fresheners: The ever-present pine tree card hanging from the rear view mirror, while giving a pleasant scent, may also release dangerous chemical compounds known as phthalates, According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, phthalates are thought to cause hormonal disruption, birth defects and reproductive harm. Phtahalates are also associated with allergic symptoms and asthma. Instead, keep your vehicle interior clean and dry, periodically open the windows for ventilation, even in winter, to help reduce the concentration of dangerous air-borne toxins.

Detectors to keep you and your family safe

Approximately 50 years ago, home smoke alarms were becoming a fairly common item. In a few short years, they became a standard piece of household equipment. I want to provide information that will allow you to make an informed decision when installing your smoke alarms and ensure that you’re aware of other types of detectors that are now commonly available.
Smoke Detector/Alarm: Check to make sure you are using one of the National Fire Protection Association recommended technologies in your home.

• Photoelectric smoke detectors are generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering
• Ionization smoke detectors are more responsive to flaming fires

Radon Detection Tests: Radon is a radioactive gas that is impossible to see, smell or taste and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. In most cases of elevated radon levels, it seeps into your home from surrounding soil. Test your home for radon using the following EPA guidelines:

• Do a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher you should re-test with or conduct a long-term test
• If your long-term test results are 4 pCi/L or higher, consult with a professional and take measures to fix your home

Carbon Monoxide Detector: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. CO can harm or even kill you before you even know it’s in your home.

• Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning, including dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue and disorientation. These symptoms vary from person to person, depending on age, size, health and other factors
• Install a Consumer Product Safety Commission and the EPA recommend UL approved CO detectors/alarms on each floor and near each separate sleeping area

As always, be aware of your limitations and consult a professional when needed. I hope you find these tips helpful and that you stay safe during the holiday season. Please contact me anytime with questions you may have regarding your coverage to ensure what matters to you is protected.

Volunteerism with the City of Scottsdale

I am proud to volunteer with Scottsdale Police Department - K9 Unit, Scottsdale Police Department - Crime Prevention Unit, Scottsdale Fire Department - Fire Prevention and Education. It's an important way I give back to our community. I am pleased to announce The Allstate Foundation supported all three City of Scottsdale Units with a $1000 grant each in honor of my volunteer efforts in our community. Volunteering is an extension of what I do every day - protecting people and preparing them for the future

Community Grant to Foothills Animal Rescue 9-2016

I am proud to volunteer with Foothills Animal Rescue Inc. of Scottsdale. It's an important way I give back to our community. I am pleased to announce The Allstate Foundation supported Foothills Animal Rescue Inc. with a $1000 grant in honor of my volunteer efforts in our community. Volunteering is an extension of what I do every day - protecting people and preparing them for the future

Must haves for any home, condo or apartment

Take it from a retired volunteer firefighter, there are five things everyone should remember about the place where they live.

1) have at least 2 fire extinguishers in your residence. You should have an ABC or BC rated fire extinguisher in your kitchen, close to the stove but not next to it. You should also have an ABC rated fire extinguisher in your bedroom and here is why. If you are woken up in the middle of the night with your smoke detector going off, you want to grab the fire extinguisher by your bed . This way, if you need to use the fire extinguisher to help exit your home, it's right there. You can get a two pack at Home Depot for less than $30.00.

2) smoke detectors outside every bedroom and in the kitchen. There are three different types, Ionization, Photoelectric and Duel Sensor. I prefer the dual sensor type (ionization and photoelectric). Ionization type smoke detectors can quickly detect fast flaming fires with small amounts of smoke (great for kitchens). Photoelectric type respond faster to a fire in its early smoldering stage (great for outside bedrooms). Which ever type you have or buy, the key thing is to remember to replace the batteries once a year.

3) have LED flashlights through-out your residence. I prefer LED because the light is brighter and lasts longer. You can find multi pack LED flashlights at most hardware stores or places like Costco.

4) have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. As many people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning as they do from actual fires. Carbon monoxide is colorless and tasteless and is in every home that uses gas, has a fireplace or a garage. I prefer the kind of tester that just plugs into an electrical outlet in your home. They can be purchased at almost any hardware store.

5) create a fire escape plan and practice it. Make sure that you have two ways out of every room (door and window) and identify a meeting place outside your home for everyone meet there in case of a fire.