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Winter is a wonderful time of year, filled with beautiful scenery and scores of outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy the simple pleasures of sledding, ice skating, the occasional snowball fight, or you enjoy more involved winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, this time of year has something for everyone to enjoy. Winter can be a wonderland, but the cold weather also brings with it a slew of dangers that we all must protect ourselves against. Below are some tips to help keep you safe while enjoying all that

On January 3rd, 2012 Massachusetts adopted a federal law prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile telephones while operating a commercial vehicle. This does not prohibit drivers from using a mounted cell phone where a call can be answered with the push of a single button from the driver’s seat, such as Bluetooth or an earpiece. Push-to-Talk  devices are also prohibited as they still require the driver to use at least one hand to operate the device. This law also does not apply to two-way radio or Citizen Band (CB) Radio usage.

According

The Middleboro Gazette had an interesting article on deer ticks and Lyme disease, below is a condensed version of that article.

 Most people think that once the first frost of the year hits we no longer have to worry about ticks until the flowers start blooming again. Unfortunately for us, that is not the case. Although there is an increase in tick activity between the months of May and July, the truth is that ticks are not just a warm weather threat. Deer tick project coordinator/entomologist for Barnstable County Larry Dapsis

According to car-accidents.com, the NHTSA reports that there are approximately 1.5 million car crashes each year as a result of deer. Deer are especially active during fall, which coincides with their mating season. Although we cannot stop deer from entering roadways at inopportune times, there are steps we can take to diminish the chance of having an accident if a deer crosses our path while driving.

1. Be Vigilant While Driving in Wooded Areas

Although deer can be found almost anywhere, city or suburb, it is important to be extra cautious when driving

With Halloween around the corner, there is sure to be ghouls and goblins knocking on doors and demanding sugary treats. Below are some tips to keep these little “monsters” safe while out trick or treating.

        1.   Use reflective tape on costumes to help night drivers identify pedestrians.

Most costumes are dark in color and can render pedestrians nearly invisible to drivers. By adding reflective tape to a costume you can help assure that drivers will see someone in the road.

        2.   Carry a flashlight to avoid hidden pitfalls while going

It has been a full five days since Irene tore through New England and many people still find themselves without power. The first few days were fun as people adapted to their new camping lifestyle, but now they are starting to see the long-term effects of no power, such as food spoiling in their fridge. Is there any compensation for the wasted food under your insurance policy? The good news is that most policies will cover food spoilage due to a power outage up to a certain limit, typically $500.

With Hurricane Irene barreling up the coast, now is a good time to be sure you are prepared for the worst. Below is a list of items you should have on hand for the oncoming storm.

PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUR FAMILY

At least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day)
At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food (and can opener for food if kit contains canned food)
Evacuation route and meeting place if separated
Flashlight/lantern and extra batteries
First-aid kit
Battery-powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible)
Extra batteries of all

Weekend barbecues and backyard fire pits are a summer staple. Although a lot of fun, these activities can be very dangerous if proper precautions aren’t taken to ensure the fire stays within the confines of the grill or your fire pit. Below are some tips in order to enjoy your fire pits and grills safely.

GRILL SAFETY

According to the U.S. Fire Safety Administration website, approximately 5,700 grill fires occur each year, 57% of which occur between the months of May and August. To avoid becoming part of this statistic, follow the

In Massachusetts, homeowners’ policies provide coverage for windstorms. Hurricanes are simply large windstorms that can wreak havoc on your home. Although your policy will respond to the damages , your policy may contain some special limitations or deductibles in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm.

Insurance companies may impose a separate windstorm or named storm deductible. This deductible may be a flat amount as low as $1,000 or it may be a percentage of the amount of coverage you carry on your home. The closer you are to the

With the school year coming to an end, summer is in full swing. Pools are a large part of many people’s summer activities, and with the advent of the inflatable pool this has become even more commonplace. Most people think that because they have an inflatable pool, they do not have to take the same precautions as those with permanently installed pools. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Although these inflatable pools can be taken down relatively easily, the same dangers that surround permanently installed pools apply to the