Your life might someday depend on this free app for your cell phone.

And they say the best things in life aren't free.

I came across this free app about 18 months ago and truly believe EVERYONE should have it on their phone. It is called  ICE STANDARD ER 911 - IN CASE OF EMERGENCY and it allows you to put your emergency information on your phone's lock screen wallpaper, in case you are in an accident or have a medical emergency. Even if your phone is in the locked position, first responders are able to view your pertinent medical information

 On my phone, I have the following information:

• My name
• Blood type
• Emergency contacts name and numbers
• Health conditions
• Medications I take
• Allergies
• Medical insurance information
• Other info ( I list my doctor's name and phone number)

Pet's and hidden dangers

If you have a pet, it is likely you consider them to be a member of the family. We protect our human loved ones from danger, so it makes sense that we want to prevent any harm from coming to our animal loved ones as well. Take a look around your home to make sure that you are taking the right steps to help protect your pets.
Poisons – For cats and dogs, rodent poisons and insecticides are the most common source of poisoning. However, there are many others to keep in mind, including (but not limited to):

• Human medications – many can be toxic to your pet, such as ibuprofen, cold medicine and vitamins
• Antifreeze with ethylene glycol – this has a sweet taste and attracts animals, but can be deadly
• Certain plants – Lilies, mistletoe, azalea and hibiscus are just a few of the plants that can be harmful to your pet. For a more complete list, visit the Humane Society list

Around the House

• Birds are particularly sensitive to many household fumes, such as aerosol sprays, self-cleaning ovens and certain types of overheated cookware
• Open windows – cats have poor depth perception and can fall from an upper floor window, causing injury or even death. Open windows are also an easy escape route for a loose bird

Prevention Tips

• Keep an eye out – when you’re gardening, in the car, having a guest over, cleaning the house or doing any other activity, keep tabs on your pets
• Keep the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center hotline number near your phone (888-426-4435). It is available on a fee basis
• Keep your vet’s phone numbers (regular and after hours) handy as well

There are many more steps you can take to help prevent harm to your pet. Consider resources like the Humane Society or ASPCA websites for more information. 

Identity Theft Prevention

Now that the holidays are over and bills are arriving, it is an important time to review your credit card and bank statements, to make sure no mistakes appear and to be cautious about debt collectors calling about debts that do not belong to you. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these are all signs that you may be the victim of identity theft.
Here are some tips from the FTC that you can complete immediately to help in a situation where fraud is confirmed:

1. Order your credit reports – Order your credit report from one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies. Review them carefully for errors or signs of fraud.
   • Equifax® 1-800-525-6285
   • Experian® 1-888-397-3742
   • TransUnion® 1-800-680-7289
2. Flag your credit reports – Call one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies and ask that they place a fraud alert on your credit report. The agency you call is then responsible for alerting the other two, and the initial alert is good for 90 days.
3. Create an identity theft report – File a complaint on the FTC website or by calling them at 1-877-438-4338. The completed complaint is called an FTC affidavit. Take the affidavit to the police department and file a police report. These two items comprise the identity theft report.

After completing the steps above, there are additional measures you can take that may help the situation:

1. Contact the issuers of your credit cards immediately – Prompt notice may help limit your liability.
2. Alert your bank(s) – If they have a process in place to do so, consider putting a fraud alert on your accounts.
3. Take steps to repair your credit – The FTC provides tips on things you can do to try to repair your credit after you have been the victim of fraud.

In the event that fraud is confirmed, Allstate’s Identity Theft Expense Coverage may be able to assist you with guidance and possible reimbursement of expenses. Regardless of whether you have this type of protection, finding out you are the victim of fraud is likely to create frustration, anger and worry. Being prepared and remaining vigilant are two good ways to help you fight it. Please contact me anytime with questions you may have regarding your coverage to ensure what matters to you is protected.

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.