Eaton & Berube Blog

When you are preparing to buy a home, securing homeowners insurance is only part of the process. In the following guest blog post, Tammy Verani of Prudential Verani Realty provides valuable tips that will help you effectively prepare to purchase a home.

Preparing to Buy a Home

By Tammy Verani
NH Events & Real Estate News Blog

Make a list of items most important to you. For example, the type of home: a single- or multi-family unit, the number of rooms, the location, and the proximity to schools, if you have or plan to have children. Also, think about how long you want to reside in the home. Increasingly, homebuyers tend to move in and then move up.

Prepare yourself financially. Avoid any major purchases until after closing, regardless of your credit standing. Any increase in debt-to-income ratio reduces your purchasing power. Things like an expensive monthly car payment could make a bank decide you cannot afford the home. Also, you want to preserve any cash reserves you have. Banks prefer a consistent cash cushion of approximately three times the amount of your monthly payment. Review your credit reports at the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and search for anomalies. Avoid consolidating bills and closing credit cards. This can lessen your cumulative credit history and lower your FICO score. Don’t change jobs. Lenders prefer that you’ve been working at least two years for your current employer

Get the necessary paperwork in place. When you apply for a loan, you’ll be asked to provide the last three months of deposit account statements for bank accounts, stock or mutual fund accounts, pensions and other retirement accounts such as a 401(k), IRA or ROTH IRA. Other important documents include tax returns and W-2 forms for the last two years and, if applicable, divorce papers. If you’re renting, prepare copies of the last 12 months of rent payments.

Get preapproved for your loan before you begin house hunting. Preapproval will determine how much home you can purchase. It will also increase your bargaining position. Getting preapproved sets you apart and signals to the real estate agent and the home seller that you are dedicated and serious, and can afford the home you want.

If you would like to learn more about preparing to purchase a home and getting preapproved, please contact me today.

Tammy Verani

Once you have found your perfect new place, it's crucial to protect it with homeowners insurance. At Eaton & Berube, the protection of your home and assets is our top priority. To get a free quote for NH home insurance, please submit our Online Quote Request Form.

From cost and comfort to appliances included and repairs required, there are countless considerations involved in purchasing a new home, but one important step you may not think of is taking a home inventory. Once you find your perfect place, moving into a new home is the ideal time to ensure that you have an updated inventory of your belongings.

Assembling a home inventory will not only help you determine the appropriate amount of insurance needed to fully cover your home and assets, but also it will streamline the claims process in the unfortunate event of theft, fire, or other natural disaster. Although this may seem like a tedious task, the following tips will help you accomplish it quickly and effectively:

• As you unpack your belongings, jot down each item with a brief description. If you prefer to be paperless, the Insurance Information Institute (III) offers a great free software program at KnowYourStuff.org that allows you to create, update and save your entire home inventory online. Smartphone savvy? III also offers the free home inventory app III Inventory if you would prefer to store your home inventory on your mobile phone.

• Instead of compiling one enormous list, categorize your belongings by room, value, age, and/or item type, like jewelry, electronics, or clothing for instance. This will make your home inventory less overwhelming and easier to update when you revisit it.

• Along with the written or typed information, consider taking photographs to accompany each item description. Whether digital or print, store the photos with your home inventory.

• If you own a video camera or digital camera that records video, you can easily document your home inventory by filming a walk-through of your house once unpacked. An advantage to this method is the ability to narrate as you record, eliminating the need to write down or type out each item’s description.

• Be sure to make note of costly items like jewelry, antiques, and electronics, without overlooking more ordinary items like toys, books and clothing. It’s important to keep in mind that your expensive items may require separate insurance for full coverage.

• Although it’s easy to misplace receipts, be sure to store the ones you can locate with your home inventory, whether printed out or scanned and saved to your computer. Add up the total value of all of your items as accurately as possible. In the event of a claim, this will expedite the process of replacing your belongings.

• Once complete, it’s best to store your inventory, along with your insurance policy, in a safe and easily accessible location like a safe deposit box.

As you continue filling your home with new items, be sure to update your inventory at least once each year, to ensure that it accurately reflects the contents of your home, and to prevent you from having to repeat the process of taking your home inventory. Although the thought of theft, fire, or another natural disaster affecting your new home is troubling, creating and maintaining a home inventory will provide you with the peace of mind you need to feel secure that your home and belongings are fully protected.

At Eaton & Berube, the protection of your home and assets is our priority. As an independent insurance agency, we work with more than 20 of the nation’s top insurance companies to find the best coverage for your specific needs. For additional information about our agency, or to get a free insurance quote, please contact us or complete our online quote request form. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Congratulations to Christina (champion) and Jody (reserve) pictured below from left to right, the year-end winners of the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association's (NHHJA) Eaton & Berube Adult Equitation Division! Both winners received a cooler and Christina won the Sportote “tm” Deluxe Tack Trunk by Horsemen’s Pride (pictured below) as well. This is our second year sponsoring the class, and we are proud to support NHHJA.

Eaton & Berube Adult Equitation Classic - Description: Fences not to exceed 2'6". Open to any amateur adult rider that has shown in any NHHJA equitation over fences with fence heights between 2'3" and 2'9". Top 25% of riders to be tested at judge's discretion. Scores to be announced after each rider completes course and test. Points to accumulate at Spring Show, NHHJA Summer Festival and NH Finals for year-end award. Prizes for champion and reserve champion.

For additional information regarding NHHJA, please visit www.nhhja.com.

What began with just a mop, bucket and pickup truck has evolved into a cleaning company that a multitude of local businesses rely on, from commercial offices and medical practices to insurance agencies and banks. With 45 employees, ABS Cleaning Company, Inc., in Nashua, N.H., has grown considerably over the past 20 years, but General Manager Brenda Garneau is proud to say that she and her husband Forrest Morris still serve their first customer.

Not only do the founders of ABS Cleaning enjoy the relationships they have built with their customers over the years, but they also pride themselves on the long-term bonds they have formed with their core group of employees.

“Some employees have been with us for over 18 years,” Garneau said, adding that several others have spent more than 10 years with the company.

For these employees, the work day begins when many others end. The cleaning crews arrive at ABS Cleaning at 5:30 p.m., retrieve keys along with any special instructions, and begin their shift from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. In the interest of safety, Garneau said all crews are supervised and a night manager conducts daily inspections.

In addition to supervision and inspections, another important safety consideration is insurance, which is something that Garneau said Marc Berube, President of Eaton & Berube Insurance Agency, has handled since ABS Cleaning opened its doors.

“Marc has been our agent for over 20 years,” Garneau said, adding that when she and Morris first started the business it was difficult to finance insurance, but Berube worked with them to help them secure affordable coverage. Since then, she said he has continued to shop their business, commercial auto, and workers' compensation insurance.

“It’s been pretty simple,” Garneau said. “He’s always watched the price for our insurance.”

Fortunately, ABS Cleaning has been relatively claims-free over the years, but when issues have arisen, Garneau said Eaton & Berube’s Commercial Account Representative Cathy Beauregard has been extremely helpful in handling them.

Although Eaton & Berube has handled ABS Cleaning’s insurance needs for more than two decades, the agency certainly isn’t the only local business with which Garneau works. As a family business owner, Garneau said she tends to support other local and family-owned companies.

“You want to keep business in the community to help the community grow,” she said.

ABS Cleaning services New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, and can be reached via phone at (603) 880-4657 or email at absclean@comcast.net.

In part one of our two-part snow removal safety blog series, we provided safety tips for those who opt to remove snow with a snow blower as opposed to a shovel. In part two, we will offer safety tips to keep in mind if you operate a plow during the winter. Whether you plow for profit, clear your neighbors' driveways as a favor, or assume responsibility for snow removal at your home or office, it’s crucial to keep safety in mind. Use the following snow plow safety tips to help prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries this winter.

Snow Plow Safety

Before You Begin

Plowing in the winter is essential to businesses, as snow buildup can present a hazard to both drivers and pedestrians, but when using a truck-mounted plow to clear snow, it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and never sacrifice safety for speed. You can prevent accidents and other issues by taking the following precautions before you begin plowing:

• Before the first snowfall, check out the areas you will be plowing. Look for objects that could be easily hidden by snow. Make notes of things like curbs, speed bumps and other things that could damage a plow.
• Before using the plow for the first time, familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual.
• Check all lights to make sure they are working properly. This includes both the lights on the vehicle and the lights on the blade.
• For good traction, make sure the truck’s weight is balanced. If necessary, add weight to the back of the truck, past the real axel, to balance out the weight of the plow.
• Check all connections between the truck and plow.
• Check the plow itself for any signs of damage, such as cracked welds or hydraulic fuel leaks.
• Check the cutting edge to make sure it is not worn down to the point where the ground may come in contact with the main portion of the blade.
• Get adequate rest so you are not drowsy or inattentive while behind the wheel. 

Snow Plow Safety Tips for Transporting a Plow

While driving on public roads with a plow attached to your vehicle, remember to:

• Keep the plow as far off the ground as possible without blocking the headlights or your vision.
• Always drive with the blade angled to the right. This will prevent it from accidentally catching on the curb.
• Not drive faster than 40 miles per hour.

While Plowing

Just as it’s important to take certain precautions before plowing, you should also keep the following snow plow safety tips in mind while operating a plow:

• When beginning a pass, always start moving and then drop the blade.
• Begin to stop as you approach the end of your pass. Do not let the plow slam full speed into already piled snow.
• Raise the blade before moving into position to make another pass.
• Always wear your seatbelt no matter where you are plowing. Hidden objects could cause your vehicle to stop suddenly.
• Always turn around and look while driving in reverse. Do not rely on vehicle mirrors alone.
• Make sure you know where you are going to pile the snow before you start.
• Never pile snow near mailboxes, fire hydrants, electrical boxes or dumpsters.
• If there is traffic in the area, be especially careful of people and other vehicles.
• Check with local regulations before moving snow across a roadway. It may be illegal to do so in some areas.

Snow Plow Insurance – Is Your Plowing Operation Covered?

In the interest of protection, if you plow snow for others, another safety tip is to ensure that your plowing operation is covered. If snow plowing for profit, you should have a commercial policy that covers you for the complete snow plowing operation, as a personal auto insurance policy typically does not include “for profit” snow plowing activity. In terms of coverage, there are two aspects to consider: protection against damage to the snow plow equipment or truck, and liability associated with damage caused by the snow plowing activity.

At Eaton & Berube, your safety is our top priority. We will help you ensure that your snow plow operation remains safe and adequately insured. To obtain a free quote for snow plow insurance, please submit our online insurance quote request form.

Useful Links:

Snow Removal Safety Part 1: Snow Blower Safety Tips

Our guest blog post from PuroClean™ of New Hampshire owner Cristine Burke will help you learn how to clear ice dams, keeping your home dry and mold-free.

It’s been a relatively snow-free winter so far, but anyone who lives in New England knows old man winter still has some tricks up his sleeve that can wreak havoc on your home. Namely, ice dams.

Ice dams often occur after a heavy snowfall and consecutive days of freezing temperatures. Warm air from inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof.  This causes snow and ice on the roof to melt. The melted water drains along the roof under the snow until it reaches the cold overhang. Since the overhang is usually the same temperature as the outdoors, the melted water will refreeze upon reaching it and form an ice dam. This can result in serious damage to your roof, water leaks inside your home (evident by a water spot on the ceiling under the roof damage), and above all, mold.

So what should a homeowner do? There are several immediate steps you can take to clear ice dams:

Short term action:

• Remove snow from the roof using a "roof rake" or a push broom. Caution must be used as this may damage roofing materials, not to mention the safety risks involved.
• In an emergency situation where water is flowing into your house, making channels through the ice dam allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof. You can do this by hosing the ice dam with tap water on a warm day. Work upward from the lower edge of the dam. This is only a temporary solution and again, serious caution should be taken before getting up on a roof given the inherent safety risks.

Long-term action:

• Increase the ceiling/roof insulation to cut down on heat loss by conduction. In narrow spaces, use insulation products with high R-value (6-7) per inch.
• Make the ceiling air tight preventing warm air from flowing from the house into the attic space.
• Call a professional property mitigation and remediation company like PuroClean to remediate the problem before it worsens.

Many homeowners mistakenly let ice dams remain on the roof until melting occurs. This allows the water time to penetrate roof shingles and insulation and can result in the growth of mold. The illustration to the right depicts what can result from a failure to clear ice dams.

If your situation requires professional assistance, a property mitigation and remediation company like PuroClean will assess the damage, thoroughly dry the structure and when appropriate, will test for the presence of mold. If mold is found, the company will begin the process of remediation by removing it from all affected surfaces using one of several techniques such as dry ice blasting and encapsulation.

Left untreated, mold can cause a host of health problems including upper respiratory infections, chronic fatigue, allergies and even disease. Considering the many forms of mold, it is not advisable to treat it with bleach, as this may result in the proliferation of mold spores into the air which will only exacerbate the situation.

Whether your home has ice dams, mold, or moisture problems, call a professional mitigation and remediation company like PuroClean to ensure a healthy environment for you and your family.

PuroClean Restoration Services is located at 850 E. Industrial Park Drive, Manchester NH and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (603) 413-6530.

Although this winter has been relatively calm, living in New Hampshire we know that it’s always important to be prepared for a snowstorm, and part of this preparation means having a snow removal plan. Considering the significant amounts of snow we are accustomed to receiving, snow removal can be tough on the body, especially when only equipped with a shovel. Opting for a snow blower instead can give your back a break, but as with any other machine, it's important to keep safety in mind when operating the snow blower. In part one of our two-part snow removal safety blog series, we have designed the following snow blower safety tips to help you prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries while clearing snow this winter:

Snow Blower Safety Tips

Dress for the Job

Clearing snow can be a cold job. Dress properly to keep yourself not only warm, but also safe.

• Wear boots that will give you adequate traction while walking behind the blower.
• Wear gloves that allow you to firmly grip the snow blower and do not interfere with its operation.
• Wear eye protection.
• Avoid long scarves or other loose clothing that could become caught in the snow blower’s moving parts during servicing or operation.

Before Use

Run through the following snow blower safety steps before you begin to clear snow:

• Familiarize yourself with the snow blower’s operations manual.
• Inspect the area that you are about to clear. Look for things that may be hidden under the snow like doormats or newspapers.
• Check the snow blower’s oil level before each use.
• Never start the snow blower indoors. If you are in a garage, make sure the door is open before you start the machine.

Clearing Snow

While running the machine, keep the following snow blower safety tips in mind:

• Be aware of where you are aiming the shoot. Rocks and ice can become dangerous missiles if picked up by the blower.
• Never blow snow toward people or cars.
• Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts.
• Never override automatic shutoff features.
• Do not operate the snow blower on a steep incline.
• Operate the blower at a speed no faster than a walk.

Clogs and Jams

If something becomes stuck in the snow blower:

• Turn the machine off and wait until all moving parts have stopped before attempting to fix anything.
• Never reach into the blower shoot with your hands for any reason, even if the machine is off. Use a stick to work any debris out of the shoot.

Proper Maintenance Plays a Role in Snow Blower Safety

Proper snow blower maintenance is important to ensure smooth operation.

• Always add fresh fuel and oil at the start of each season; also, check the spark plug.
• If you are using an electric snow blower or an electric start for a gas-powered blower, make sure any power cords being used are in good condition
• Maintain proper tire pressure to provide the best handling.
• Run all of the fuel out of the snow blower before storing it at the end of each season

At Eaton & Berube Insurance Agency, your safety is our top priority. In part two of our snow removal safety blog series, we will provide simple snow plow safety tips to help you avoid accidents and injuries while operating a plow.

Although we haven’t seen much snow yet this season, today’s storm reminds us that even a slight amount of winter precipitation can result in dangerous driving conditions. From battling freezing rain and snow to sleet and hail, use the following winter driving safety tips to ensure that you remain safe on the road this winter:

• Preplan your route and be aware of changing weather conditions.
• Proper maintenance is just as important as taking extra precautions while driving. It’s crucial to ensure that your car is tuned up and prepared for winter weather before the next storm hits. Don’t forget to check tire pressure, which drops by about one pound for every 10 degrees of temperature. Low tire pressure can make the operation of your vehicle difficult and dangerous.
• Ask your mechanic to check heating and cooling systems. A 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water has a lower freezing point, rendering it the best cold weather mix.
• Considering that your car can easily get stuck while driving in the snow and ice, it’s best to keep your gas tank close to full at all times.
• Check your windshield wipers and top off your windshield washer fluid.
• Keep your vehicle completely clear of ice and snow, including your headlights. Not only is it safer for you and other drivers, but you’ll also get better gas mileage.
• Remember that salt build-up on your headlights can also substantially reduce your night-time visibility, so be sure to clean your headlights regularly. 
• Slow down! Allow ample travel time to avoid speeding to arrive at your destination. Even if you remain in control of your car, other drivers surrounding you may not. Maintain safe following distances as braking may be more difficult.
• Avoid distractions. It’s more important than ever to refrain from texting or talking on the phone while driving in the snow and ice.

Losing control of a vehicle can be a terrifying experience, and one that is unfortunately common in the winter when temperatures drop and the roads get slick. To prevent an unnecessary skid, slip or accident while driving in the snow and ice, keep the following winter driving safety tips and techniques in mind:

• Slow down ahead of turns and curves.
• Plan ahead for lane changes.
• Look out for ice patches, piles of wet leaves and shady areas, which are likely skidding hazards.
• Anticipate stops near intersections.
• Avoid over accelerating your vehicle in deep snow.
• If you feel your vehicle beginning to skid, do not panic. Steer in the direction that the vehicle is sliding until you can feel your car regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and keep rolling.

Here in New Hampshire, we expect the winter season to be accompanied by freezing rain, sleet, snow, and ice, and with slippery winter precipitation comes a renewed need to keep winter driving safety tips in mind. To best protect yourself and others while driving in the snow and ice, it’s important to be cautious and always put safety first, avoiding distractions at all costs.

Last week’s temperatures proved that it is in fact winter here in New Hampshire, and with freezing weather comes the need to increase your awareness about frostbite symptoms, treatment and prevention. Although everyone is susceptible to frostbite in cold climates, taking a few simple precautions can help you prevent frostbite, keeping you safe and healthy this winter season.

Causes and Risk Factors

Frostbite is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, usually accompanied by a low wind-chill factor, or by brief exposure to excessively frigid or wet conditions. Although winter weather renders everyone vulnerable to frostbite, certain people, including children, the elderly, those with circulatory problems, and people with diabetes, experience a greater risk of developing frostbite.

Frostbite Symptoms

Considering that frostbite can be dangerous and even life-threatening, it’s important to be able to identify the following frostbite symptoms:

• Discoloration of the skin
• Burning or tingling sensations
• Partial or complete numbness
• Intense pain

If left untreated, frostbitten skin gradually darkens after a few hours and will eventually turn skin black, giving it a loose and flayed appearance, as if it were burnt. Frostbite can also cause nerve and blood vessel damage, which can lead to gangrene and amputation of the effected limb, so it’s crucial to recognize and treat frostbite symptoms immediately.

Frostbite Treatment

When it comes to frostbite treatment, time is of the essence. At the first sign of redness or pain in your skin, which may indicate that the frostbite is developing, it’s essential to move to a warm area as soon as possible. Although you may feel compelled to rub or massage the affected area, it’s best to place the frostbitten skin in warm water until it is soft and sensation has returned. Next, wrap the area in clean dressings and seek medical help. If it is unlikely that the affected area can be kept thawed, frostbite treatment should not be carried out, since a second round of freezing can cause more extensive and severe damage. 

How to Prevent Frostbite This Winter

To reduce your risk of frostbite, it’s important to ensure that your hands, feet, nose and ears are always covered. Bundling in warm, layered and loose-fitting clothing when heading out into winter’s worst weather will help you prevent frostbite. Another equally important aspect of frostbite prevention is abstaining from drinking alcoholic beverages while outside in cold weather, as alcohol may prevent you from realizing that your body is becoming too cold. Similarly, passing on cigarettes will help you prevent frostbite, since smoking them can negatively affect your blood vessels, increasing your risk of frostbite.

A New Year, A New You

January 1 marks the beginning of a new year, but for many of us, it also symbolizes the start of a new change we commit to making in our lives. Although sometimes easy to forget about once February rolls around, New Years resolutions can represent a great way to implement a positive change in your life. From identifying your financial resources and calculating your net worth, to finding time for fitness and maintaining a healthy weight, use the following New Years resolution tips to help you move toward a financially and physically healthy 2012.

Planning for a Future of Financial Stability - New Years Resolution Tips for a Financially Stable 2012

Obtaining the peace of mind financial stability brings starts with reviewing your current financial resources. This is important because your financial resources affect not only your ability to achieve your goals, but also your ability to protect those goals from potential financial crises. One unique New Years resolution tip is to review your financial resources by calculating your net worth, which isn't as difficult as it may sound. Your net worth is simply the total value of what you own - your assets, minus what you owe - your liabilities. In other words, it's a snapshot of your financial health.

To calculate your net worth, first add up the approximate value of all of your assets, which include personal possessions, vehicles, homes, checking and savings accounts, and the cash value (not the death benefits) of any life insurance policies you may have. Include the current value of investments, such as stocks, real estate, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, IRAs and the current value of any pensions you have.

Now add up your liabilities: the remaining mortgage on your home, credit card debt, taxes due on the profits of your investments, if you cashed them in and any other outstanding bills. Subtract your liabilities from your assets and analyze the data. Do you have more assets than liabilities or more liabilities than assets?

Naturally, your goal is to create a positive net worth - one that will grow each year. Your net worth is part of what you will draw on to pay for financial goals like retirement. In addition, in the unfortunate event that you experience an financial crisis, a strong net worth will help you overcome the obstacle. It's important to review and recalculate your net worth annually, as this will allow you to closely monitor your financial health.

Aside from assets and liabilities, it's wise to identify other financial resources that may not be included in your net worth but can help you through financially straining times. These resources include the death benefits of your life insurance policies, Social Security survivor's benefits, health care coverage, disability insurance, liability insurance, and auto and home insurance. Although you may have to pay for some of these resources, they offer financial protection in case of illness, accidents or other catastrophes.

Maintaining a Balanced Diet - New Years Resolution Tips for a Healthy 2012

Healthy Portion Sizes
When it comes to making a New Years resolution, shedding extra pounds often emerges as a common goal. Although there are many factors involved in successfully losing weight, awareness of healthy portion sizes is crucial. For a general idea of the amount of food you should be consuming, use the following tips:

• A serving of meat is approximately two or three ounces - about the size of a deck of cards, or the palm of your hand.
• One serving of grains is equal to one slice of bread, one ounce of cereal, or 1/2 cup of pasta or rice.
• A serving of fruit or vegetables is equal to one piece of fresh fruit or vegetable, ½ cup chopped, or ¾ cup of fruit or vegetable juice. In general, it's not as necessary to be vigilant about vegetable and fruit intake, as any amount is healthy-just be aware of the sugar content in fruit.
• The key to any meal is to have 75 percent of your plate covered with vegetables and 25 percent covered with meat or pasta.

• Park your car far away, and walk farther to your destination.
• Participate in a charity run, walk or bike event.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Squeeze a stress ball while at work to relieve tension, burn calories, increase flexibility and improve blood flow.
• Exercise during your lunch hour, even if it's just a walk around the block or up and down a flight of stairs.

The holiday season is filled with fun, family, friends, and food, but there’s one “f” that can ruin this special time of year – fire. Although decorating adds to the beauty of the holidays, it can also bring an increased risk of fire hazards into your home or office. In fact, there are approximately 2,600 people injured from accidental fires during the holiday season each year. Use the following 20 holiday safety tips to ensure that your festivities remain fire-free.

Christmas Tree Safety

• If you celebrate Christmas with a live tree, it’s best to cut a 1- or 2-inch diagonal off the bottom of the trunk before erecting it in your home. This will allow your tree to better absorb water, preserving its freshness.
• Regardless of whether you opt for a real or artificial tree, be sure to place it at least three feet away from a heat source like a fireplace or heating vent.
• Don’t plan too far in advance, as keeping a fresh tree in your home for more than two weeks will cause it to dry out and become extremely flammable.
• Place the tree in a sturdy water-holding stand with widespread legs, and keep the stand filled with water to prevent the tree from drying out.
• Keep young children as well as curious pets at a safe distance from the tree to prevent it from accidentally knocking over.

Holiday Safety Tips for Hanging Lights 

• Keep outside lights outdoors and inside lights indoors, as mixing and matching lights can create a fire hazard.
• When purchasing lights, always choose products bearing the name of an independent testing lab like UL, which indicates that the lights have been tested for safety hazards.
• Although we are often quick to toss them aside, following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance is the safest idea.
• Before hanging last year’s lights, it’s important to inspect them for cracks and exposed or loose wires and dispose of them accordingly. Inspecting newly purchased decorations is also a wise idea, as lights can be damaged in transit.
• When stringing lights together, use built in connectors and be careful not to join more than 200 midget lights or 50 larger lamps through one string or cord.
• Before going to sleep or leaving your home or office, remember to unplug all lights and decorations, both indoors and outdoors.
• To avoid overloading an outlet, don’t connect more than three sets of lights to one extension cord.
• When placing your lights, ensure that cords are not closed in doors or windows, run under rugs or carpeting, or stretch across a walkway and create a tripping hazard.
• If decorating your office, avoid placing lights and decorations in areas that block doorways, walkways, exit signs or stairwells.
• If you blow a fuse, unplug the lights from the outlet and immediately replace the blown fuse. If the replacement fuse also blows, a short circuit may be present and in this case, you should throw away the defective light string or decoration, or if newly purchased, return it for a refund.

Candle Safety During the Holiday Season

• If using candles to decorate, place them in stable holders and in a location where they can’t be easily knocked over.
• Never use lit candles to decorate your Christmas tree.
• Be sure to never leave a lit candle unattended and always extinguish burning candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
• Avoid placing candles near flammable objects.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of young children and curious pets.

From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, there are many ways to save on holiday shopping this year, both in stores and online. Even if you’ve missed these one-day deals, there are plenty of everyday ways to score savings. The following holiday shopping tips will provide you with 10 unique ways to save time and money this holiday season.

1. E-subscribe – No one likes a cluttered inbox, but when it’s cluttered with coupons, who can complain? Many companies have expanded their email marketing initiatives over the years, and will offer their e-subscribers exclusive deals. So if you don’t mind weeding through a few extra emails every week, it’s smart to subscribe to your favorite stores’ email lists and wait for them to send the savings your way.

2. Become a Facebook Fan – Another way to keep up with the latest sales is to find your favorite businesses on Facebook. According to InsideFacebook.com, as of February 2010, there were 1.5 million local business pages on Facebook, a number that increased by 800,000 pages in just a few months. Fortunately for consumers, many of these businesses use their Facebook pages to offer their “fans” exclusive savings. Not sure how to “become a fan?” Simply go to the business’s Facebook page – you can find ours, for instance, at www.facebook.com/eatonberubeinsurance – and click the “Like” button at the top of the page, next to the business’s name.

3. Get Your Groupon On – Daily-deal sites like Groupon offer consumers another way to score significant savings. From $50 worth of merchandise for $25 at a local clothing store, to three oil changes for the price of one at an auto repair shop, these sites notify you about one or more discounted products or services in your area every day. While Groupon and LivingSocial represent two of the most well-known all-encompassing daily-deal sites, there are also more specific deal sites, like Gilt Groupe, which offers designer label products at discounted rates. According to the Washington Post, consumers are expected to spend up to $100 million this year on daily-deal sites, an increase of 80 percent from last year’s total. Since membership is free, it can’t hurt to join these sites and see if the deals appeal to anyone on your holiday shopping list.

Other daily-deal sites:

NHDailyDeal – New Hampshire exclusive deals
RueLaLa – Designer fashion
SniqueAway – Hotel getaways
Tippr – All types of deals by city
Ideeli – Designer fashion
Thrillist – All types of deals by city
Woot – One online deal per day
GiltCity – All types of deals by city
DealOn – Restaurants, spas & events
Yipit – All types of deals by city

4. Check for Coupons Before Checking Out – When it comes to online savings, consumers are typically inclined to share the wealth. After discovering a coupon, many people will post the coupon code to popular sites like RetailMeNot.com and CouponCabin.com. To help determine the coupon’s credibility, CouponCabin updates its deal three times per day and frequently checks each coupon code to ensure that it functions, while RetailMeNot allows users to comment on whether the coupon worked for them. So after adding items to your virtual cart, be sure to visit these sites and search for the appropriate store, as you may find a last minute promotional code to apply to your order. If you’re looking for printable coupons, visit sites like SmartSource.com, Coupons.com and CouponMom.com.

5. Stuff Stockings with Discounted Gift Cards – Gift cards are popular items on many holiday lists, and it’s easier than ever to buy them this year. Thanks to websites like Cardpool.com and PlasticJungle.com, you can now purchase gift cards online – without even having to pay full price. Designed to unlock the $30 billion worth of unused gift cards, these sites function as gift card exchanges, allowing people to resell their unwanted gift cards at a discounted rate. Both sites also offer free shipping, so before you head to the mall to stock up on gift cards, it’s a good idea to check Cardpool and Plastic Jungle to see if you can save.

6. Cut Costs at Costco – Whether you belong to Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s, warehouse clubs represent another great way to save on holiday shopping. According to Good Housekeeping, warehouse club deals could save you 30 to 50 percent on jewelry and electronics like digital picture frames and cameras. Not a member yet? Considering the money you can save on holiday shopping alone, an annual membership, which costs approximately $40 to $50, may prove to be a wise investment.

7. Opt for “Outdated” Electronics – With the never-ending advancement of technology, an electronic can be now considered “outdated” only months after being released. Provided that you aren’t shopping for a technology enthusiast, another money-saving holiday shopping tip is to purchase last year’s electronics. If your mom wants an iPad only to download books, play Angry Birds, and log into Facebook for instance, you can save a couple of hundred dollars (not to mention a few hours standing in line) by purchasing the older model.

8. Find Deals at Factory Stores – Another holiday shopping tip that can save you money is visiting the outlet mall nearest to you. But before you get in the car, be sure to go online to the mall’s website, as many will offer printable coupons or a detailed list of current discounts at each store, which will allow you to better plan your trip. For example, the Wrentham Village Premium Outlet’s website will tell you that among many other discounts at the factory stores in Wrentham, Mass., you can currently take advantage of an additional 40 percent off sale merchandise at American Eagle Outfitters, 10 to 60 percent off everything at Calvin Klein, a 30 percent storewide discount at Coach, and an additional 20 percent off everything at Vera Bradley.  

9. Keep an Eye on Costly Shipping Charges – Although many consumers enjoy the convenience of online shopping, it’s important to remain aware of shipping charges, as they can quickly add up. To minimize or even eliminate shipping charges altogether, request that your items be packaged together rather than individually if you are given the option, and search for free shipping promotions, which are quite common during the holiday season, before placing your online order. Online shopping also highlights the importance of planning ahead, as waiting until the last minute to place an order online can force you to pay exorbitant rush shipping charges that sometimes exceed the cost of the actual product you're purchasing.

10. Smart Savings on Your Smart Phone – If you have a smart phone, chances are high that you also have downloaded a variety of apps, from your bank’s app that allows you to pay your credit card bill with the click of a button, to your favorite store’s app that lets you shop straight from your phone. When it comes to holiday shopping, there are a multitude of free apps designed to help you remain organized and compare prices, like shopkick, which offers daily deals as well as rewards for simply entering stores like Target, Toys “R” Us, and Best Buy. Goodzer is a local shopping app that displays a list of stores that carry the product you’re looking for, along with prices, availability and directions to each store. Other helpful holiday shopping apps include RedLaser, which allows you to scan product barcodes and compare thousands of online and local stores for the best prices and features, and PriceGrabber, which lets you locate products, compare prices, read reviews, and get merchant ratings.

Click Here for the Full List of 15 Mobile Apps for Holiday Shopping – Provided by Practical eCommerce.

Whether you shop in-store or online, you're now armed with 10 unique holiday shopping tips to help save you time and money this holiday season. Now there's only one thing left to do - start shopping!

Health Insurance Definitions to Help You Better Understand Your Coverage Options

Ambulatory Care – Health care services that do not require a hospital stay, such as those delivered in a doctor’s office, clinic or day surgery center.

Assignment of Benefits – This means signing a document that allows your hospital or doctor to collect your health insurance benefits directly from your health carrier. Otherwise, you pay for treatment and the insurance company reimburses you.

Benefits – The amount of money payable by an insurance company to a claimant under the insurance policy.

Capitation – Represents a set dollar limit that a health maintenance organization (HMO) pays to your primary care physician for providing medical treatment to you and your dependents. The fee is usually paid to the physician on a monthly basis. The physician gets no more or less than this set fee, no matter how much or how little you use his or her services.

Case Management – A technique that insurance companies and HMOs use to ensure that individuals receive appropriate, timely and reasonable health care services.

Claim – A request by an individual (or his or her provider) for the insurance company to pay for services obtained.

Coinsurance – The money that an individual is required to pay for services, after a deductible has been paid. It is often a specified percentage of the charges. For example, the employee pays 20 percent of the charges while the health insurance plan pays 80 percent.

Copayment – An arrangement where an individual pays a specified amount for various health care services and the health insurance company or plan pays the remainder. The individual usually must pay his or her share when services are rendered. The concept is similar to coinsurance, except that copayments are usually a set dollar amount (such as $20 per office visit), rather than a percentage of the charges.

Deductible – A set dollar amount that a person must pay before insurance coverage for medical expenses can begin. They are usually charged on an annual basis.

Denial of claim – Refusal by an insurance company to pay a submitted request for health care services obtained.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Mental health counseling services that are sometimes offered by insurance companies or employers. Typically, individuals or employers do not have to pay directly for EAP services provided.

Exclusions and Limitations – Specific conditions or circumstances for which a health insurance policy or plan will not provide coverage (exclusions), or for which coverage is specifically limited (limitations.)

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – Prepaid, or capitated, health insurance plans in which individuals pay a small monthly fee to be a member of the HMO, as well as small fees or copayments for specified health care services. Services are provided by physicians and allied health care personnel who are employed by or under contract with the HMO. HMOs are available to both individuals and employer groups.

Indemnity Plans – Also known as “fee-for-service” plans, these existed primarily before the rise of HMOs and PPOs. The individual pays a predetermined percentage of the cost of health care services, and the insurance company (or self-insured employer) pays the other remaining charges. Fees for services are determined by individual providers, and therefore vary from physician to physician. Indemnity health insurance plans allow individuals to choose their own health care professionals – there are no provider networks from which to choose.

Independent Practice Association (IPA) – A group of independent practicing physicians who band together for the purpose of contracting with HMOs, PPOs and insurance companies for their services.

In-Network –Typically refers to physicians, hospitals or other health care providers who contract with the health insurance plan (usually an HMO or PPO) to provide services to its members. Coverage for services received from in-network providers will typically be greater than for services received from out-of-network providers, depending on the plan.

Long-Term Care Insurance – Insurance policies that cover the costs of providing nursing care, home health care services, and custodial care for the aged and infirm.

Managed Care – A system of health care delivery that is characterized by arrangements with selected providers, ongoing quality control and utilization review programs, and financial incentives for members to use providers and procedures covered by the plan.

Maximum Benefit – The maximum dollar amount that an insurance company will pay for claims, either for a specific service or procedure, or during a specified period of time.

Medically Necessary – A term used to describe the supplies and services needed to diagnose and treat a medical condition in accordance with the standards of good medical practice. Many health insurance plans will only pay for treatment deemed medically necessary. For example, most plans will not cover elective cosmetic surgery.

Out-of-Network – Typically refers to physicians, hospitals or other health care providers who do not contract with the insurance plan (usually an HMO or PPO) to provide services to its members. Depending upon the insurance plan, expenses incurred for services provided by out-of-network providers might not be covered, or coverage may be less than for in-network providers.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum – The total amount paid each year by the member for the deductible and coinsurance. After reaching the out-of-pocket maximum, the plan pays 100 percent of the allowable charges for covered services the rest of that calendar year.

Point-of-Service Plan (POS) – A type of HMO that allows the patient to see either in-network or out-of-network providers. However, the patient pays more out of pocket when using an out-of-network provider.

Pre-Admission Certification – Also called “precertification” or “pre-admission review.” Approval granted by a case manager or insurance company representative (usually a nurse) for a person to be admitted to a hospital or inpatient facility before admittance. The goal is to ensure that individuals are not exposed to inappropriate health care services, or services that are not medically necessary.

Pre-Existing Condition –Any medical condition that was diagnosed or treated within a specified period immediately before a health insurance policy became effective. These conditions may not be covered for a specified period of time under the new policy.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – A type of managed care plan in which doctors and hospitals agree to provide discounted rates to plan members. Patients are typically reimbursed 80 to 100 percent for treatment received within the network, versus 50 to 70 percent outside the network.

Primary Care Physician (PCP) – A health care professional who is responsible for monitoring an individual’s overall health care needs. Typically, a PCP serves as a gatekeeper for an individual’s medical care, referring him or her to specialists and admitting him or her to hospitals when needed.

Reasonable and Customary Charges – The commonly charged or prevailing fees for health services within a geographic area. If charges are higher than what an insurance carrier considers reasonable and customary, the carrier will not pay the full amount and instead will pay what is deemed appropriate for the particular service. The remaining charges then are the responsibility of the patient.

Self-Insured – A health benefits plan in which the employer is responsible for the cost of its employees’ health care. Typically, a third party provides administrative services for the plan to the employer group.

Waiting Period – A period of time in which your health insurance plan does not provide coverage for a particular pre-existing condition.

Waiver – A rider or amendment to a policy that restricts benefits by excluding certain medical conditions from coverage.

Health insurance is a highly-debated topic in today's society, and understanding the many health insurance terms is half the battle. Familiarizing yourself with these definitions is the first step to better understanding health insurance and your coverage options.

At Eaton & Berube, we are always available to discuss your health insurance options with you, and help you find the best rate for your family or business. To receive a free health insurance quote, please fill out our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

10 Ways to Heat Your Home for Less

Heating your home is already a significant expensive for many families, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects this winter to be even more costly. With the average household heating expenditures for natural gas, propane, and heating oil projected to increase this winter by 3, 7, and 8 percent respectively, it’s more important than ever to understand how to conserve heat, and in turn, cut costs. Use the following 10 tips to learn how to conserve heat and save money in your home this winter. 

1. Install a programmable thermostat that will allow you to control heating at night and while you are not home. Many people spend the majority of the day at work, and failing to turn the heat down during this time will waste energy and money. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) recommends the Honeywell RTH8500 ($150), the Ritetemp 6036 ($70) and the Honeywell RTH7500 ($100) as several of the most durable, appealing, and user friendly programmable thermostats.
   
   
2. Keep your thermostat under 70 degrees, as you can save approximately one percent on your annual heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat over the course of eight hours.
   
   
3. Clean your furnace, since a cleaned and serviced furnace will run more efficiently, saving you money over the long term. It’s best to schedule your appointment soon, before winter weather arrives and everyone else is trying to secure their appointments.
   
   
4. Keep your blinds and drapes open during the day and closed at night. This will let sunlight into your home during the day, while reducing the chill or cold air from cold or drafty windows at night.
   
   
5. Clean heating vents and radiators as needed, and ensure that they aren’t blocked by furniture, carpeting, drapes, or other personal property.
   
   
6. Considering supplementing your heating system with one or more space heaters, especially if you spend the majority of your time in one room. Turning your heat down to 62 degrees and adding a space heater in your most frequently occupied room can save you approximately $200 per year, according to the GHRI. If you purchase a space heater, be sure to place the unit on a level surface at least three feet away from anything flammable or that could block air intake or head output, familiarize yourself with the warnings that come with the product, and keep children and pets away from the heater. The GHRI recommends the Honeywell HZ-385BP ($80) or HZ-7204U ($40), the Soleus Air HGW-308 ($80), and the Vornado VH2 ($70) as the best space heaters in terms of safety (including child and pet safety), ease of use, noise level, and energy consumption.
   
   
7. Close rooms that don’t require much heat to conserve heat and direct it to the rooms used most often. Have a spare bedroom or storage room you rarely use? Shut the door and close the heating ducts in since there is no need to fully heat a room that no one uses.
   
   
8. If you have a fireplace that you aren’t using to heat your home, consider sealing it off for the winter. Using plastic sheeting to seal off your fireplace that isn’t being used will prevent heat from escaping up the chimney. Other spots to consider sealing off for winter include the cracks in your attic or basement door and the edges of drafty windows.
   
   
9. Check the temperature on your water heater to ensure that it doesn’t exceed 120 degrees. This temperature is sufficient for heating most homes, as water doesn’t need to be boiling to get the job done. At the same time, it’s a smart idea to make sure that your water heater is encased in insulation.
   
   
10. When it comes time to buy a new furnace, do your research and choose high-efficiency Energy Star products. It’s important to look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings – the national minimum is 78 percent AFUE, but you can find Energy Star models that exceed 90 percent.   

While all of these tips can help you better understand how to conserve heat and save money, we can also help you save money on another home-related expense – your homeowners insurance. Eaton & Berube works with the nation's top insurance companies to offer you the best customized home insurance rates in NH. To request a free home insurance quote, please fill out the PDF form below and email it to info@eatonberube.com or submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Homeowners Insurance Quote

Did we forget any important ways to save? Tell us in the comments below how you conserve heat in your home to cut costs.

Other Topics of Interest:

10 Ways to Save Money on Gas

How to Save Energy and Money - Reduce Electricity Use

From carving pumpkins and adorning your home with spooky decorations, to dressing your kids in costumes and taking them trick-or-treating, Halloween is a fun, exciting time for the whole family, but it can also be equally dangerous. Use the following 10 Halloween safety tips to ensure that your scary celebrations remain safe.

1. Use reflective tape – Whether your child dresses as a ninja or a witch, many Halloween costumes are dark and difficult to see, especially later in the night. Adding reflective tape to dark costumes will ensure that drivers will see your child as he/she rushes from house to house.

2. Consider costume construction – When it comes to choosing a costume, it’s important to keep not only warmth, but also safety in mind. If your child’s costume has turned into your do-it-yourself project, be sure to construct the disguise with flame-resistant material and keep the length a few inches above your child’s ankles to prevent him/her from falling while running around the neighborhood.

3. Keep a flashlight handy – Considering that some people plaster their lawns with skeletons and gravestones, it’s smart to carry a flashlight so that if your child decides to cut across a neighbor’s lawn, you’ll be able to light the way and prevent him/her from tripping and falling.

4. Promote pet safety – Although your four-legged friend may seem anxious to join in the Halloween festivities, large crowds and noises scare many pets easily, so it’s best to keep them inside, away from the action. From a liability standpoint, even the friendliest dog could become excited after spotting a piece of Halloween candy, and could accidentally nip a trick-or-treater in an attempt to steal the treat.

5. Remain on sidewalks – From filling an entire bag or pillowcase with candy, to staying out past their bedtimes, Halloween is a thrilling night for kids, and their excitement leaves them more likely to run into the street. Although it would be comforting to think that every driver on Halloween is a safe driver, the truth is that you can never be sure, so it’s best to keep children on the sidewalk to ensure their safety.

6. Travel in packs – The bigger the group – the better. Travel in groups with neighbors and friends on well-lit streets, always being sure to avoid alleys, spaces in between cars, and private property. If someone is looking to cause trouble on Halloween night, he/she will be less likely to approach a large group of people.

7. Inspect all candy – Although your child may be anxious to begin eating goodies as soon as he/she begins collecting them, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of the candy before allowing your child to consume it. From unwrapped treats to the rare apple or opened bag of pretzels your child receives, it’s best to sort through the collection and dispose of anything suspicious.

8. Avoid fire hazards – Carving pumpkins goes hand-in-hand with Halloween, but after you place a lit candle inside of your masterpiece, be sure to place your pumpkin at a distance that will prevent children from accidentally knocking it over and potentially causing a fire. Remember to extinguish the flame once the festivities have come to an end.

9. Remove all obstacles from your property – With strangers stopping by your house, it’s crucial to minimize your liability risks by ridding your property of obstacles. Whether your lawn furniture creates an obstacle, or your walkway is in need of repair, be sure to  resolve these issues before Halloween night, to prevent visitors from injuring themselves on your property.

10. Keep an outside light on after trick-or-treating hours – From candy and costumes to goblins and ghouls, we associate Halloween with many things, including vandalism and other types of crime. Whether the crime rate is actually higher or we just experience more fear on this evening, keeping your outside light on after Halloween hours have ended may help you feel safer from potential vandals or other troublemakers.  

Halloween is a favorite holiday among many parents and children alike, and keeping these Halloween safety tips in mind will allow your family to have a fun, exciting, and most importantly, safe evening. Now tell us -- what are you dressing up as this year?

Congratulations to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua on another successful Walktoberfest! Eaton & Berube's Commercial Lines Producer Allen Peterson (pictured below), who also serves as a member of the Humane Society's Board of Trustees, had a great time volunteering at the event last weekend.

Walktoberfest occurred on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, NH. To view additional photos from the event, visit the Humane Society's website at www.hsfn.org.

Only one year after opening the doors to her medical practice Advanced Health and Wellbeing, Dr. Margarita Ochoa-Maya found herself featured in New Hampshire Magazine as a readers’ choice in the publication’s Top Doctors of 2011 survey. 

For Dr. Ochoa-Maya, who prides herself on fostering open, healthy doctor-patient relationships, being recognized by her patients was a humbling honor.

“It was a present they gave to me,” she said.

As an endocrinologist, Dr. Ochoa-Maya treats patients suffering from chronic endocrine disorders including diabetes, hormone imbalances, and thyroid disease. But at Advanced Health and Wellbeing in Manchester, N.H., the treatment doesn’t end at the diagnosis. Instead, Dr. Ochoa-Maya’s combination of traditional values with a contemporary approach allows her to discover the problem and then converse with her patients during hour-long appointments to identify lifestyle modifications that will assist with prevention.

“Medical treatment must be accompanied by behavioral change,” she said. If a person is diagnosed with high cholesterol for instance, he/she should not only depend on pharmaceuticals, but also should consult a nutritionist to work toward diet and exercise modifications, Dr. Ochoa-Maya explained.

In this way, Dr. Ochoa-Maya, who has been practicing medicine for 11 years, operates on the idea of treating the whole person, not just the illness. Conversing with her patients to help them understand the reasons behind the need for behavioral change, as opposed to simply telling them what to do, motivates them to actually make the change, she said.

Witnessing her patient communication and education efforts engage her clients is quite fulfilling for Dr. Ochoa-Maya. In fact, this collaborative relationship is what she enjoys most about her job. 

“How to bring back that doctor-patient relationship is a challenge for most. I feel blessed to have it,” she said. “My patients are like my family, and I kind of feel like I’m part of their family too.” 

Even after her patients leave the office, the lines of communication remain open with Dr. Ochoa-Maya. Her blog, Freedom to Heal, functions as a resource that her patients can access for articles about hormones and various health issues that may generate questions for them to review with Dr. Ochoa-Maya at their next visit.

Along with her blog, Dr. Ochoa-Maya also offers patients an online service called the “Patient Portal,” which allows them to ask questions and receive medical advice, request appointments and prescription renewals, assess their symptoms, pay their bills, and view a history of their previous visits online.

“It allows the patient to have a little more freedom and stay connected to the doctor,” Dr. Ochoa-Maya said.

With its innovative online services, Advanced Health and Wellbeing may be exactly what its name suggests now – advanced. But getting her own practice up and running was initially an unnerving experience for Dr. Ochoa-Maya.

“It takes a lot of courage to start a business in today’s society,” she said.

Not only did it take courage to start her practice, but Dr. Ochoa-Maya also needed various types of insurance before Advanced Health and Wellbeing could open its doors, so she turned to her insurance agent, Eaton & Berube’s David Stowe, for help securing the coverage she required.

“Mr. [David] Stowe is of extraordinary professionalism and knowledge,” she said. “I had no idea where to begin…It’s a complicated process and subject. He made it easy to understand, easy to grasp, and was just very easy to talk to. He pretty much grabbed my office and just made it legal,” she added, referring to the medical professional liability insurance, business owner’s policy, and workers’ compensation coverage he helped her procure.

Now that her practice is open and operating smoothly, running Advanced Health and Wellbeing may be Dr. Ochoa-Maya’s title on paper, but it is not her only occupation.

“I have a second job,” she said. “Family life is very important to me. Sometimes I call it my first job.”

Aside from caring for patients and spending time with her family, Dr. Ochoa-Maya enjoys blogging and public speaking, taking advantage of every opportunity she receives to give a lecture.

For more information about Dr. Ochoa-Maya and Advanced Health and Wellbeing, visit AdvancedHealthNH.com, and review her blog articles at FreedomtoHeal.org.

To request a free medical professional liability insurance, workers’ comp, business or business owner’s insurance quote, please submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Although fuel prices have recently been declining in New Hampshire, they have actually been on the rise from a yearly standpoint. In fact, the national average price for a regular gallon of gas spiked from $2.78 in 2010 to where it stands now at approximately $3.529, leaving many Americans worrying about prices reaching as much as $5.00 per gallon in 2012.

Considering the unpredictable nature of fuel prices, it’s never a bad time to start thinking about ways to save money on gas. Use the following tips to get the most for your pennies at the pump:

1. Take advantage of other forms of transportation. Think about your daily activities. Do you drive to the store when you could just as easily walk? Do you drive your kids to the park when the family could bike there together instead? Brainstorming ways to replace driving with other forms of transportation will result in instant savings.  

2. Avoid idling. While it may seem beneficial to warm up your car, especially when the winter weather approaches, idling for one minute consumes the same amount of gas used to start your engine. In terms of ways to save money on gas, it’s best to turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait longer than 30 to 45 seconds.

3. Lighten your load. Although your trunk may provide useful storage space, it’s easy to forget that extra weight decreases gas mileage. Check to see if you can shed some pounds in the trunk of your car to save money on gas.

4. Combine errands into one trip. Planning out your errands in advance will help you avoid driving all over town. Review your destinations and park in a central spot that allows you to walk, instead of drive, between locations.

5. Keep track of tire tune-ups. It’s important to keep your tires properly inflated and aligned at all times. Be sure to schedule regular tune-ups and maintenance checks with your auto repair shop to stay on track.

6. Change your oil every 5,000 miles. While some experts recommend changing your oil every 3,000 miles, others say that oil changes at every 7,500 miles will suffice. Regardless of which number you go by, it’s important to ensure that you change the oil in your car regularly. Also, be sure that the proper grade of oil is being used, as the wrong grade may increase the friction on your engine, using more gas.

7. Avoid high speeds. We’re all in a rush at times, but remembering to slow down can help you save money on gas. By driving at a speed of 55 mph instead of 65 mph, you can improve your gas mileage by about 20 percent.

8. Accelerate slowly when starting from a complete stop. Anticipate stops to avoid sudden braking, as stop-and-go traffic isn’t very fuel-efficient.
 
9. Remove snow tires immediately after winter weather passes. You may opt for snow tires as another New Hampshire winter approaches, but be sure to remove them once the snowy weather passes, since the deep tire tread increases friction, consuming more gas.

10. Check and replace air filters regularly. You may not realize that replacing clogged filters can actually improve your gas mileage by 10 percent.

Regardless of the type of car you drive, there are countless ways to save money on gas. For a car you currently drive, it’s likely that it only requires regular gas, as the Federal Trade Commission confirms that using a higher octane offers you no benefit, although it’s always best to consult your owner’s manual. And if you’re planning to purchase a new car, you're in the best position to save money on gas. The U.S. Department of Energy’s website and free annual Fuel Economy Guide, which is issued at all auto dealerships, are two resources that compare gas mileage of similar car models, allowing you to find the most fuel-efficient model for your needs.

While all of these tips can help you save money on gas, we can also help you save money on another car-related expense – your auto insurance. Eaton & Berube offers the best customized New Hampshire auto insurance rates for your specific needs. To request a free car insurance quote, please fill out the appropriate PDF form below and email it to info@eatonberube.com or submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Personal Auto Insurance Quote

Commercial Auto Insurance Quote

Photo courtesy of Elvis Santana

We all need our morning coffee. Why not drink yours out of a free E&B mug? For a limited time, we are giving away free Eaton & Berube coffee mugs to our Facebook fans. For details about the Facebook giveaway and instructions on how to win your free mug, like our Facebook page (click the "Like" button at the top of the screen). Any questions? Call Alyssa at (603) 689-7222 or send her an email at adellacamera@eatonberube.com.

Get to know our equine insurance agent, Sue Berube, who was featured in the latest edition of Springfield College's Triangle Magazine. Sue graduated from Springfield in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in business management. Congratulations to Sue on being featured in the magazine!

To contact Sue Berube for a free farm or equine insurance quote, call her at 603-732-0400, send an email to sberube@eatonberube.com or submit our online insurance quote request form.

Auto insurance is legally required in every state except New Hampshire, but did you know that one in seven drivers you pass on the road is uninsured?

USA Today reports that approximately 13.8 percent of motorists lack auto insurance, a number that has consistently risen with the unemployment rate, according to the Insurance Research Council. Among these motorists, the rates of uninsured drivers vary by state, ranging from 28 percent in Mississippi to just 4 percent in Maine and Massachusetts. Falling in the middle, 11 percent of New Hampshire drivers are uninsured.

What Happens if You're Hit by an Uninsured Driver?

With so many drivers behind the wheel without coverage, you may wonder: “What happens if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?” According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), insured drivers paid $10.8 billion in 2007 for motorists lacking coverage. Fortunately, you can help reduce these steep costs with uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you if injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Another option is ensuring that you have collision and comprehensive coverage, which typically covers damage to your vehicle caused by uninsured drivers.

Unemployment Rates & Uninsured Drivers

Considering our country’s economic downturn and above average unemployment rates, financial troubles may be linked to the high percentage of uninsured drivers. While the national average cost of auto insurance is approximately $789, according to the NAIC, rates vary by state, reaching $1,126 in Washington, D.C. – the most expensive state for auto insurance. Already a significant expense for some drivers even with clean driving records, motorists with accidents and traffic violations on their records face even higher costs.

Although the cost of auto insurance may seem unaffordable, it is your best form of protection against collisions, considering that the cost of car repairs or replacing a vehicle can be much steeper. Since car accidents can happen to even the safest drivers, it’s crucial to protect yourself with auto insurance, especially considering the high percentage of uninsured drivers on the road.

For more information on the percentages of uninsured drivers and the cost of auto insurance by state, visit USA Today.

To request a free NH auto insurance quote, please fill out the PDF form below and send it to info@eatonberube.com or submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

New Hampshire Auto Insurance Quote

Each September, the nonprofit organization LIFE Foundation coordinates Life Insurance Awareness Month as an educational initiative designed to remind Americans of the need to include life insurance in their financial plans. In light of Life Insurance Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to learn about life insurance and how it can provide your family with financial security and peace of mind.

Although it's difficult to think about what would happen if you were no longer around to support your family, it's a crucial point to consider when planning for your family's future. Would your loved ones be financially stable? Could they remain in their home? Would your children be able to pursue higher education?

Life insurance prevents you from having to struggle with these questions. Investing in life insurance allows you to answer "yes" to these difficult questions, providing you and your loved ones with the peace of mind needed to feel secure, even in the event of an unexpected catastrophe.

Offering your family guaranteed protection, life insurance is extremely powerful, yet many Americans have excluded it from their financial plans. In fact, 30 percent of U.S. households have absolutely no life insurance coverage, according to the LIFE Foundation. Compared to six years ago, there are 11 million less American homes covered with life insurance. In other words, a significant portion of our population lacks adequate life insurance coverage, leaving their families one serious illness or accident away from financial devastation.

Your family's future is too precious to leave to chance. In light of Life Insurance Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to assess your family's needs and review your life insurance options with your insurance agent. Spending a few minutes researching life insurance and taking advantage of helpful tools like LIFE's Life Insurance Needs Calculator can help you determine your family's needs.

At Eaton & Berube Insurance Agency, your family's protection is our top priority. For more information on the impact that life insurance can have on your family's financial future, or to request a free life insurance quote, please fill out our Online Insurance Quote Request Form, or contact Tom Welden, Chartered Life Underwriter, at 603.732.0409 or twelden@eatonberube.com.

Photo courtesty of the LIFE Foundation.

In light of the recent natural disasters, from Hurricane Irene to the 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia that we felt here in New Hampshire, many people are seeking information on disaster preparedness and natural disaster insurance, so now is the perfect time to talk to your insurance agent to understand the risks you face and determine whether flood and/or earthquake insurance is right for you.

In terms of natural disaster insurance, it's important to understand that insurance companies will not allow you to lower deductibles, increase limits or add coverage on your existing policies when a severe storm warning has been issued, or when the aftershock of an earthquake remains a threat. Your insurance agent does not have the authority to issue new policies or increase coverage limits under these circumstances, so it's best to have proper coverage in place before a natural disaster threatens your area.

Planning ahead may be the best form of protection against natural disasters, yet many Americans have not done so, Independent Agent magazine reports. In fact, according to a Trusted Choice and Big “I” national survey that was conducted last year, only 35% of respondents had discussed their complete disaster preparedness plan with their insurance agent.

Not only have the majority of Americans neglected to review their disaster plans with their insurance agents, but also they have declined the natural disaster insurance coverage that will protect their homes and assets in the event that a hurricane or earthquake impacts their area.

Earthquake Insurance

About 5,000 earthquakes occur in the United States each year, yet many homeowners choose not to purchase earthquake insurance. Although we tend to perceive earthquakes as disasters that only impact states like California, quakes of varying magnitudes have occurred in 39 states with damage being recorded in all 50 states since 1900, the Insurance Journal reports. Surprisingly enough, even in California, only 12 percent of homeowners have earthquake insurance coverage.

Earthquake Insurance Cost

So why are so many homeowners declining earthquake insurance coverage? Is it the cost?

The cost of earthquake insurance actually varies, depending on location as well as the type and age of the insured building. A recently built wood-frame home will likely withstand an earthquake better and therefore will cost less to insure than an old brick home. While a brick house in the Pacific Northwest may cost $3 to $15 per $1,000, you may be able to insure a wood-frame home on the East Coast for less than 50 cents per $1,000, for example.

Like other types of coverage, earthquake insurance also carries a deductible, meaning that the homeowner must finance a portion of the damages before the insurance policy pays for the rest. While these deductibles range from about 2 to 20 percent of the replacement value of the building, earthquake prone states like California, Washington, and Nevada, incur the highest deductibles. If a home in a less vulnerable state like New Hampshire cost $200,000 to rebuild, the homeowner would only be responsible for the first $4,000 if the policy carried a 2 percent deductible.

Flood Insurance

Another type of natural disaster insurance you can purchase to protect against disasters like hurricanes is flood insurance. Similar to earthquakes, you may believe that floods only affect people living or working in coastal locations. However, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reports that floods occur in all 50 states, with 31 percent of damaged properties located outside of the special flood hazard areas designated by FEMA. Behind fire, floods represent the second most common cause of property damage, NFIP reports.

Contrary to popular belief, flood insurance is widely available, not just to properties located in these flood hazard areas or zones. It’s important to remember, however, that flood insurance coverage is separate from your home or business insurance policy and is subject to its own terms, like a 30-day waiting period from the date you purchase flood insurance to the date that the policy takes effect.

Flood Insurance Cost

Considering that a flood can damage both your home and its contents, flood insurance typically carries two separate deductibles. For example, if a flood causes $70,000 to your home and $15,000 to your belongings and your policy carries a $1,000 deductible, you may be required to pay a total of $2,000. While the first $1,000 will apply toward the recovery of your home, the second deductible will cover the recovery of your contents.

Compared to the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage that natural disasters can cause, the cost of earthquake and flood insurance is slight. Although the possibility of an earthquake or a hurricane hitting your area may seem slim, this summer has proven that it is not impossible. Now is the perfect time, before another natural disaster threatens your area, to review your coverage with your insurance agent and determine whether purchasing earthquake or flood insurance is right for you.

Request a Free Flood or Earthquake Insurance Quote: Online Insurance Quote Request Form

With Hurricane Irene threatening the East Coast, it’s important to understand that insurance companies will not allow you to lower deductibles, increase limits or add coverage on your existing policies. Insurance agents do not have the authority to issue new policies or increase coverage limits when a severe storm warning has been issued, so it’s important to ensure that you have proper coverage in place before a natural disaster threatens your area.

Before the Storm

• Understand the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. While a hurricane watch signifies that a hurricane may strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, a hurricane warning means that a hurricane will likely hit your area within 24 hours.

• Plan an evacuation route with your family.

• Board up all your windows and close storm shutters.

• Stock up on non-perishable goods and water.

• Ensure that you have an ample amount of batteries and flashlights, as well as a functioning portable radio.

• Secure all outdoor objects, like patio furniture, or move them inside.

• Ensure that your car has a full tank of gas incase you must leave immediately.

During the Hurricane

• If at home, remain indoors and away from all glass objects. Listen to the radio for important storm information and instructions, and do not go outside, even if the storm appears to have calmed. The “eye” of the storm can pass quickly, and you do not want to be caught outside when strong winds return.

• If you must evacuate, leave immediately and be sure to inform a relative or friend of your whereabouts.

After the Hurricane Hits

• Stay tuned to the television or radio, and if you evacuated, wait until authorities confirm that it’s safe to return home.

• Avoid downed power lines.

• Use caution when checking for gas leaks or electrical system damage, and make temporary repairs as necessary.

In addition to taking these safety precautions, it’s also important that you have proper insurance in place to cover any damages resulting from Hurricane Irene. Although a standard homeowners insurance policy covers damage caused by a windstorm, you may consider purchasing flood insurance, coverage that is generally not included. Even if Hurricane Irene passes through your area quietly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has estimated that there is a 65% chance of having an above normal 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA has also predicted that there will be:

12 - 18 Named Storms (sustained winds greater than 38 mph)

6 - 10 Hurricanes (sustained winds 74 mph & greater)

3 - 6 Major Hurricanes (sustained winds 111 mph & greater)

Considering these predictions, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane. Reviewing hurricane preparedness tips and talking to your insurance agent will help ensure that your family, home, and assets remain safe in the event of a hurricane.

For more information and updates on Hurricane Irene as it moves toward the East Coast, use the NOAA’s Hurricane Irene Tracking website. To learn more about hurricane preparedness and insurance coverage, contact the Eaton & Berube office nearest to you. For additional tips on preparing for the storm, please review the Hurricane Safety Checklist provided by Red Cross below:

Hurricane Irene Safety Checklist

To request a free insurance quote, please fill out and submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Photo courtesy of NOAA.gov

Installing a Burglar and Fire Alarm May Reduce Your Homeowners Insurance Premium

Investing in residential security systems can provide your family with peace of mind, but can it also save you money over the long term?

In regard to homeowners insurance, the answer is “yes.” In fact, depending on the insurance company, you can save five to 20 percent on your homeowners insurance by having security measures in place. Homeowners who install a burglar and fire alarm system that is monitored by a third-party company typically receive a 15 to 20 percent discount.

Although an insurance company may consider your home to be at a lower risk of burglary if a residential security system is installed, you may wonder whether investing in a burglar and fire alarm system will actually deter potential burglars from attempting to enter your home.

According to the Home Security Guru, a home with a monitored alarm system is three times less likely to be burglarized than a home lacking a security system. Some homeowners believe that the presence of a home security system sign on your property alone is enough to deter burglars.

Regardless of whether an alarm system will deter burglars from forcing entry into your home, it will ensure that your home is protected in the unfortunate event of a break in. With a monitored residential security system installed, your monitoring company dispatches the police and fire department to your home if your alarm is triggered.

Considering that victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.6 billion in lost property in 2009, with the average dollar loss per burglary offense reaching $2,096 according to the FBI, it’s crucial to prevent burglars from entering – and remaining in – your home. A residential security system can accomplish this, as a burglar will likely leave your home after activating the alarm system.

Fortunately for all homeowners, the 2,199,125 burglaries that occurred in our country in 2009 represent a 1.3 percent decrease from the previous year, but it’s still important to take measures to protect your home and assets. Installing a burglar and fire alarm can provide your family with the peace of mind you need to feel safe, not to mention an insurance discount. For more information on residential security systems and homeowners insurance discounts, contact the Eaton & Berube office nearest to you, review our insurance blog, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

To request a free homeowners insurance quote, please fill out the PDF form below and send it to info@eatonberube.com or submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Homeowners Insurance Quote

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

High Energy Appliances

From computers to dishwashers, below is a list of appliances that generally use a significant amount of electricity:

• Washing machines and dryers
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Air conditioners
• Dishwashers
• Televisions
• Home Audio Equipment (Speakers, Stereo Systems, etc.)
• Computers
• DVD Players

Although you can’t control the energy consumption of some of these appliances, like your refrigerator, there are several ways to limit the amount of energy used by your other electronics.

Reduce Electricity Use

The following tips will help you better understand how to reduce electricity use in your home to save money and energy:

• Power-Controlling Devices – Since appliances older than 1990 use more electricity than newer ones, it’s smart to install power-controlling devices if your home contains out-dated appliances. These devices apply and regulate the proper amount of power to the appliance’s motor, allowing the motor to operate cooler and at its peak efficiency.

• Standby Power – It’s easy to forget that many appliances consume electricity even when they’re turned off. This type off electricity is known as standby power, and is necessary for appliances like your refrigerator. A simple solution for your other appliances and electronics, like your printer or DVD player, is to unplug them when they aren’t in use.

• Turning off Your Computer – It’s no secret that computers consume a significant amount of energy when left on for extended periods of time, such as overnight. Although the machine’s sleep mode will reduce this energy consumption, it’s best to shut down your computer completely if you aren’t using it for more than two hours.

• Using Power Strips – Plugging a group of appliances into a power strip will also help you reduce electricity use. For example, plugging your computer, monitor, printer, and speakers all into the same power strip will reduce the electricity they draw from using many outlets at once.

What are some ways you reduce electricity use in your home to save money and energy?

For many families, August marks the end of summer and the beginning of another school year, but if your child is going away to college, you may wonder whether your homeowners insurance covers his/her belongings, or whether you need to purchase separate renters insurance coverage.

Homeowners Insurance May Cover Your Child's Possessions on Campus

When students move away to college, they often bring with them expensive personal belongings, like laptops and digital cameras, and it’s important to ensure that these items will be protected in the event of damage or theft. If your child is living in a dorm, your homeowners insurance will typically cover his or her possessions, but depending on the insurance company, your coverage for these belongings may be limited. For instance, if you have up to $140,000 worth of insurance coverage for your in-home possessions, you may be allotted 10 percent, or up to $14,000 for items located outside of your home, such as in a college dorm room.

In order to determine whether this amount of coverage is sufficient, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends creating an inventory of the items that your child plans to bring to college, along with their estimated value. The I.I.I. offers a free software program at KnowYourStuff.org to help make this process easier, allowing you to create, update, and save your inventory online. When creating your inventory, it’s important to note high-value items like computers or cameras, and scan original receipts into the system whenever possible as proof of their value. This up-to-date inventory will help you determine how much insurance you need to purchase, and will help you get claims settled faster in the unfortunate event of theft or a natural disaster.

Off-Campus Students May Need Renters Insurance Coverage

Although your child may be covered under your insurance policy while living in a dorm, the same cannot always be said for living off-campus. If your student resides in an off-campus house or apartment with a 12-month lease, the landlord’s insurance generally will not cover his/her personal property in the event that it is damaged or stolen. If this is the case, renters insurance coverage is needed to protect your child’s personal property, as well as to insure him/her in case someone is injured on the property.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

In addition, if your child’s apartment or house is damaged and he/she needs to move out for a period of time, most renters insurance policies will finance the extra cost of a temporary living arrangement. Depending on the insurance company, renters insurance coverage may even protect against earthquake and flood, natural disasters that typically aren’t covered by homeowners insurance.

How Much Does Renters Insurance Coverage Cost?

Although renters insurance costs vary depending on the insurance company as well as the amount of coverage desired, it is typically a small price to pay in exchange for the peace of mind it provides you and your college student. According to NASDAQ, $125 to $200 per year in renters insurance coverage generally will protect all of your student’s possessions, as well as provide $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage.

Save on Auto Insurance While Your Child is in College

While you may be spending slightly more if you opt for renters insurance coverage, it’s important to talk to your insurance agent about ways to save money on car insurance while your student is away at college. Many colleges prohibit first-year students from bringing their cars to campus, so if your child goes to school more than 100 or 150 miles away from your home and doesn’t take a car, you could receive a significant discount on your auto insurance. If you child does bring a car to college, your auto insurance premium can change depending on the college’s location, the parking provided there, and the amount of claims the insurer has paid in that location. Another way to save is by encouraging your child to earn good grades, as many insurers continue to offer a discount on car insurance for students who maintain at least a B average in college.

College represents a significant moment for many families, and ensuring that your child and his/her possessions are protected, whether it be with homeowners insurance or renters insurance coverage, will provide the peace of mind needed for this transition to go smoothly. For more information on renters insurance as well as additional types of coverage to consider for your college student, contact the Eaton & Berube office nearest to you.

Not in college? Renters insurance coverage is also a smart option for people living in apartments or rented homes, to ensure that your personal property remains protected.

To request a free renters insurance coverage quote, please fill out and submit our Online Insurance Quote Request Form.

Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A recent survey conducted by Allstate Insurance shows that nearly six in 10 Americans support a federal teen driving law that would impose driving restrictions on teen drivers, as well as institute a graduated driving license system (GDL).

According to the Insurance Journal, the survey confirmed that the support for a teen driving law coincides with Americans’ lack of confidence in teen driving skills, which received the lowest ranking among all age groups included in the survey. In fact, 81 percent of survey respondents rate teens as “average” or “poor” drivers.

Currently, there is a restrictive teen driver act pending in Congress, known as the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act. As part of Mariah’s Law, the bill named after an Arkansas teen killed in a car accident that involved texting, the STANDUP Act would limit the number of passengers allowed in a teenager’s car, restrict nighttime driving as well as cell phone use, and gradually issue permits and licenses with specific age requirements.

When questioned about STANDUP, Americans said they favor its policies, with support for the act crossing all age groups, political affiliations, and geographic regions, the Insurance Journal reports. Among the findings, the survey concluded that:

• Seventy-six percent of Americans favor a minimum age of 16 to receive a learner’s permit, and 69 percent support a three-stage licensing requirement.

• Approximately 81 percent of Americans support the prohibition of cell phone use among younger drivers.

• Seven in 10 Americans support restrictions on unsupervised nighttime driving for drivers under age 18, and 65 percent favor restrictions on the number of non-family passengers for these young drivers.

According to the Insurance Journal, the survey included 1,000 American adults and was conducted on July 13, 14, 16 and 17 via landline and cell phone. It’s margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent, and among the 1,000 adults surveyed, 848 hold a driver’s license and drive at least occasionally.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What’s your opinion on a national teen driving law?

Cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap may seem like common sense, but "failure to clean" actually represents the leading cause of the 15,600 dryer fires that occur annually.

Among these dryer fires, an annual average of approximately 400 injuries and 15 fatalities occur, according to the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) 2007 Report “Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings.”

Although the majority of residents escape from dryer fires physically unharmed, this doesn’t prevent the damage from spreading to your wallet. In fact, the USFA report estimates a yearly national fire loss of $99 million for clothes dryer fires in structures, with the average loss from just one dryer fire in a residential building reaching $9,176.

How Dryer Fires Occur

In order to avoid this significant financial loss, it’s important to understand how dryers operate and how dryer fires can occur. When you place wet clothes into your dryer, the machine dries them by forcing hot air through a turning drum. Lint forms when water is removed from your clothes as they dry, and although the dryer’s filter traps much of the lint, some of it is also carried through the venting system with moist air. The accumulation of lint in the dryer and dryer vent reduces airflow and produces a highly flammable fuel source.

However, lint is not the also factor that increases the risk of dryer fires. Birds’ nests and bends in your venting system itself can create obstructions in dryer exhaust vents as well. Considering that an obstructed vent cannot exhaust properly to the outside, overheating may occur, and if enough heat is produced to ignite lint or nearby combustible items, like the clothes in the dryer, the machine’s safety mechanisms can fail, resulting in a fire.

Preventing Dryer Fires

Since operational deficiencies, including failure to clean, represent the leading cause of dryer fires, proper maintenance can help you prevent this type of disaster. Use the following clothes dryer safety tips to help prevent a dryer fire from occurring in your home:

• Remove all lint from traps, vents, and areas surrounding your dryer before and/or after each use.

• Avoid placing combustibles such as clothing, boxes, and other items near your dryer.

• Do not place items made of plastic, rubber, or foam in your dryer. These synthetic materials are more combustible than natural ones, igniting at lower temperatures and burning at much higher ones.

• The exhaust should vent directly outside the house. Washers and dryers are now being placed in nonconventional areas of the house like closets and upstairs bedrooms, which require longer dryer vents to reach an outside wall. If lint must pass through an exhaust under a floor or through walls and exceeds six feet in length, it will be nearly impossible to remove all of the lint from your vent.

• If you have foil or plastic flexible dryer ducts, consider switching to metal. All manufacturers now advise consumers against plastic ducts, as flexible vents can sag, allowing lint to accumulate and catch fire if it comes into contact with enough heat.

• If your clothes are still damp after a cycle, or feel hotter than normal coming out of the dryer, it’s likely a clogged dryer vent exhaust is causing the problem. It’s important to identify and clear the obstruction as soon as possible.

• The USFA recommends that you disconnect, clean, and inspect the dryer duct and venting every couple of years, or hire a professional to clean your dryer’s components. If you have a gas-powered dryer, it should be inspected by a professional annually to make sure the gas line and connection are intact.

• Inspect your lint filter for rips before each use. If you find any rips, you should replace the filter immediately.

• Never let your dryer run while you are asleep or outside of the house.

With proper maintenance and safety information, dryer fires can be prevented. To learn more about dryer fires and additional home safety tips, contact the Eaton & Berube office nearest to you, read our insurance blog, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo courtesy of FEMA/Marvin Nauman