Even though it hasn’t felt like it, winter is here and some of us store our vehicles in a location that is out of the weather. However, you need to be careful. We heard of an individual whose vehicle was being stored in a rural warehouse that hadn’t been inspected in years. The rafters were rotten, the roof couldn’t support the weight of the snow and ice and the building collapsed on several vehicles being stored inside. The individual was fortunate, as only part of the building collapsed and crushed just one of the five cars he was storing inside. The roof of his BMW was nearly flattened, breaking all window glass and bending the door frames. In addition, a beam ripped a large gash in the trunk and blew out the tail lights. The car was a total loss. This same situation often happens with metal carports that were not built to withstand much weight on top.

Whenever you store a vehicle, make sure the building you’re storing it in can handle the weight of the snow and that the rafters have been inspected recently to ensure they are sound. If you are paying for storage, never take it for granted that the building owner has insurance to cover the contents (your auto). The owner likely carries only enough insurance to cover losses to his structure, not what’s inside. Always insure your vehicle and include comprehensive coverage while in storage, and make sure it is stored away from objects that could fall on it.

Go back to the 50’s with Pops!  The Carolina Diner is closed this week and workers are busy turning the building back into the glory days of the 50’s.  The entire  interior will have a new design complete with new flooring, countertops and booths.  Pop’s Diner will have a Grand Re-opening on January 23rd.  Take a step into the past and support one of Hendersonville’s local businesses.

Good Maintenance Can Prevent Damage to Your Home

Winter-Related Disasters Cause Over One Billion Dollars In Losses Annually

October 13, 2011

A consumer’s top 10 tips to prevent identity fraud

Tips from Travelers Insurance

1. Review your wallet or purse contents before you go shopping. Common theft is the easiest way for a criminal to steal your identity and commit fraud. Before you go shopping, think about how much information a thief would obtain if your wallet or purse was stolen. Avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports unless absolutely necessary. Don’t carry extra credit cards unless you plan to use them.
2. Create a list of all your credit card and bank account information and store in a secure place. Be sure to include account numbers, expiration dates and credit limits. Also include the telephone numbers or e-mails or the customer service and fraud departments. If you find your card missing or stolen, refer to this list and immediately notify your credit card provider of the loss. This not only prevents fraudulent charges, but it also notifies your provider if the card is used again.
3. Protect your Passwords and PINS. When creating passwords and PINs, do not use the last four digits of your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, your birth date, middle name, pet’s name, consecutive numbers or anything else that could easily be discovered by thieves. It’s best to create passwords that combine letters and numbers.
   Ask your financial institutions to add extra security protection to your account. Most will allow you to use an additional code or password (a number or word) when accessing your account. If asked to create a reminder question, do not use one that is easily answered by others. Memorize all your passwords. Don’t record them on anything in your wallet.
4. Review your credit report now. One of the easiest ways to see if a criminal is fraudulently using your identity is to review your credit report. Be sure to report mistakes to the credit bureaus. A federal law gives consumers the right to receive one free copy of their credit report every 12 months from each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
   Order a report today from one bureau and review it, looking for discrepancies. In four months, order another report from a second bureau. In another four months, order a report from the third bureau. Doing this will enable you to see snapshots of your credit throughout the year at no cost.
5. Never provide confidential information over the phone to an unsolicited caller claiming that they represent a financial institution or creditor. Criminals often will use your social security number to open up fraudulent accounts or gain access to financial information or assets, especially with increased activity around the holidays. Do not have your Social Security number printed on your checks and do not allow merchants to write your Social Security number on your checks. If a business requests your Social Security number, ask them why they need it. If it is not a valid reason, don’t provide it. If you receive an unsolicited call and are asked to provide information, get the caller’s name, location, telephone number, and reason that they are calling. Call them back at the phone number on your billing statements to verify the caller’s identification.
6. Never put outgoing checks or bill payments in your home mailbox, as they are easy to steal. While sending checks is a popular and desired holiday gift, it also has its risks, as thieves can steal mail containing checks and gain other personal information from bills and financial statements. Where practical, drop all items containing checks or financial information in a secure postal mailbox or at the post office.
7. Log off completely when finished with online transactions. Closing or minimizing your browser or typing a new Web address may not be enough to prevent others from accessing your online information. Instead, click “log off” to terminate your online session. In addition, don’t allow your browser to “remember” your username and password information
8. Increase up your own computer’s security. Personal firewalls and security software packages (with anti-virus, anti-spam, and spyware detection features) are a must-have for those who plan on shopping online this season. Make sure your computer has the latest security patches, and make sure that you access your online financial accounts only on a secure Web page using encryption.
9. Avoid e-mailing personal and financial information. Although your computer may be “well protected” with proper firewall, antivirus, Internet security or encryption software, the individual or company receiving your information may not have similar security in place. Always confirm with online retailers that they have proper Internet security in place before responding to any e-mail request.
10. Delete, without replying to, any suspicious e-mail requests. Hackers and spammers often impersonate retailers to lure personal financial information. If there is any reason to doubt the authenticity of an e-mail message from a company you do business with, don’t click on links or buttons in the message. Instead, type the Internet address of the company into your browser, log on as you usually do, and examine your account information. You may also telephone a company to ask if an e-mail is legitimate.

More than 400 people are killed each year in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Medical Association reports that carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

Other CDC studies indicate that more than 20,000 people are hospitalized each year from this gas, and these poisonings are on the rise due in part to economic reasons. With a stressed economy and high unemployment, more families face utility shutoffs. As a result, they employ other sources of heat, such as kerosene heaters, gas generators, and improperly maintained wood stoves and fireplaces. Such heat sources carry a heavy risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide alarms are essential protective devices in homes with gas appliances, gas heaters, and fireplaces. Here are some tips to consider concerning these important alarms.

• To ensure a high-quality alarm, look for the Underwriters Laboratories certificate on any detector you purchase.
• Connect these alarms to the smoke alarm system so that any alarm in the house becomes activated if a problem arises.
• Periodically test these devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Batteries should be replaced at least once per year. Replacement of the alarm itself is often necessary after a few years since the average life span of carbon monoxide alarms is relatively short.
• Verify that you have alarms in bedrooms and other locations where people may sleep since people who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning without experiencing any symptoms.

Morrow Insurance will be closing at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 23 and will also be closed Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will reopen Monday, November 28th at 9:00 am.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

As you gather to celebrate Thanksgiving with your friends and family, DHS, FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) want to help keep you and your loved ones safe from fire hazards. That’s why USFA has teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to ‘Put a Freeze on Winter Fires‘. They have compiled helpful videos, fact sheets, podcasts and more to keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving. As families gather in kitchens across the country to cook Thanksgiving dinner, many are stepping into what can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don’t practice safe cooking habits. According to data from the USFA, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of five deaths, 25 injuries, and $21 million in property loss each year. The leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings is cooking. In addition, these fires occur most frequently in the afternoon hours from noon to 4 p.m. And unfortunately, smoke alarms were not present in 20 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires that occurred in occupied residential buildings. USFA’s ‘Put a Freeze on Winter Fires‘ provides tons of safety tips for you and your family this Thanksgiving. Some of their safe cooking tips are:

1. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are 10 years old or older.
2. Keep a close watch on your cooking. You should never leave cooking food unattended.
3. Keep oven food packaging and other combustibles away from burners and heat sources.
4. Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.
5. Don’t wear loose sleeves while working over hot stove burners – they can melt, ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids.
6. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried.
7. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

Of course, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey. And deep-fried turkey has become a favorite Thanksgiving tradition in many households. But if used improperly, an overloaded fryer can easily tip over and set an entire house ablaze. USFA offers the following helpful tips to backyard chefs who plan to deep-fry a turkey for Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
2. Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
3. Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
4. Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
5. Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
6. To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
7. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
8. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
9. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
10. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

USFA recognizes that Thanksgiving is a time of food, fun, and fellowship with loved ones. And as you sit down with family and friends this Thanksgiving, DHS, FEMA and USFA want you to be safe. So please visit USFA’s ‘Put a Freeze on Winter Fires‘ to learn what you can do to protect your loved ones during the holidays. Thanks, and from all of us at DHS, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

If you’re ever in an accident, it’s easy to forget what to do right away. Follow these five steps to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and everyone else involved:

1. Call the Police. Even for small accidents, call 911. Police will help redirect traffic and document the incident.
2. Avoid Additional Damage. Move your car from the roadway as soon as possible to prevent additional collisions.
3. Get the Right Information for the Insurance Process. You’ll need the other driver’s name, license, phone number, insurance information (name of agent, name of insurance company, policy number, and expiration date), and license plate number.
4. Document the Accident. From taking pictures of the damage (most cell phones now have this capability) and the overall accident, to interviewing witnesses and taking down their information. The more accident evidence you can gather for the insurance claim, the better.
5. File an Accident Report. File a state vehicle accident report (available at police stations and DMV websites) to help speed up the claims process. The police officer responding to the accident will file this report for you.
6. Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. Even if the accident is not your fault, this will help your agent maintain your policy in the future.

Be a safe driver. Take the National Drivers Test!
Share and compare your scores with your family and friends and determine who the smartest and safest driver is! Visit http://www.nationaldriverstest.com/

Congratulations to Brett Shaffer on completing the requirements to earn the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)  The CIC designation is a prestigious designation and the most practical continuing education for insurance producers.

The Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program has been the insurance industry’s premier, proven source for practical, real-world education since 1969. 

The five CIC institutes are:

• Personal Lines
• Commercial Casualty
• Commercial Property
• Life & Health
• Agency Management

More than 300 CIC institutes are conducted each year in major cities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Designed to cover important aspects of the insurance field, each institute is 20 hours of instruction.

As fall comes to a close an old man winter gets ready to visit, it is the time of year many classic car owners prepare their vehicles to hibernate until spring.  These tips from Hagerty Insurance will help keep your car at its best.

Top Off Your Levels

• Fill your gas tank and add a fuel preservative. The full tank keeps out moisture, and the preservative keeps the gas from breaking down. Take one last drive to circulate the preservative.
• Make sure your antifreeze is fresh and topped off.
• To avoid a nasty sludge in the spring, change the oil

Take preventative measures

• Give your car a good wash and wax to protect the paint. Protect the chrome with wax or paint sealant.
• Over-inflate tires to avoid flat spotting, or jack up the car to take pressure off the tires.
• Put a battery manager on your car.
• To prevent rodents nesting in an engine compartment, try a rodent repellent under the hood. Just remember to remove it before starting up.
• Put down a few moisture pads on the upholstery to absorb moisture and prevent mildew.
• Cover the car with a breathable car cover to prevent corrosion and rust.

Re-Circulate Your Oil

• When a car sits, oil settles into the pan, leaving the engine without lubrication. Disconnect the coil wire and crank the engine over several times. Reconnect the coil wire and you should be good to go.

Morrow Insurance would like to salute all veterans.  Thank You to all who have served their country, those who made it back safely and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Below are tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Going trick-or-treating?

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
	Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!

Congratulations to Becky Hensley of Morrow Insurance’s McDowell Division on earning her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.  The CISR program is a nationally recognized designation program that takes a practical, hands-on approach to learning. Through this nationally acclaimed program developed by the National Alliance for Insurance Education, students who are committed to continuing education and career growth can obtain the highest level of professional insurance education.

The Marion office of Morrow Insurance Agency has had the only two active CISRs in McDowell County with Chris Brown (the first in McDowell Co. to ever get the designation) and Jamie Duncan. As of last week, McDowell County now has three practicing CISRs and I am proud to say that the third also works in our wonderful agency.

Congratulations Becky!

Congratulations to Rob Noyes and the staff of Countryside Barbeque for being selected as today’s lunch destination for President Obama during his bus tour through Western North Carolina.  Obama’s visit was unexpected, and put put the town of Marion in the national spotlight today.   The Countryside Barbeque is a popular lunch destination for many employees in our Marion office and also visited by our Hendersonville employees when they are in the area.

The 3rd Annual Chamber Business EXPO presented by The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 from noon – 6 pm at the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Center in Flat Rock.  The Chamber Business EXPO is sponsored by Mountain 1st Bank & Trust, the Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College and the Times-news. Open to the public, it is the area’s largest business-to-business, business-to-consumer trade show and is designed to help businesses market their company to their peers in the Chamber and the community at large.  For attendees, the expo is a great one-stop shop, allowing them the chance to check out many area businesses and their products and services in one place, at one time.  It’s an easy way to shop a variety of products and services without having to make a trip to each vendor’s location or schedule an appointment at your home. Plus, there is no charge for admission.