TORONTO — December 6, 2011 — ’Tis the season to make expensive gift purchases and be out of the house celebrating the holidays. According to Allstate Insurance Company of Canada’s data it’s also the season for robberies—with theft as the second most common claim made during the winter months. With that in mind, Allstate Canada wants to remind Canadians of ways to reduce the risk of theft and also make sure their valuables are properly protected by reviewing their insurance coverage this holiday season.

“Getting an alarm system is a great first step to protecting your home, but it’s a good idea to take some extra precautions in the event that the unexpected happens,” says Karen Benner, official spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “At this time of year, the valuables in your home often increases as you receive holiday gifts, so you’ll want to ensure any new items are properly insured.”

Although contents insurance within a home or tenant insurance policy covers expensive items like jewelry and electronics, there may be limits to the coverage. “A person’s policy should reflect what they own,” says Benner. “If someone recently bought or was given jewelry worth $10,000 and they only have a $5,000 limit for coverage under their current policy then an adjustment needs to be made.”

Benner recommends Canadians consult their insurance agent to determine any additional coverage they may need to protect items like a new computer, an engagement ring or expensive sporting equipment.

“We encourage Canadians to get into the habit of reviewing and updating their insurance when what they own has changed, particularly after the holiday season when they’ve received expensive gifts or made big Boxing Day purchases,” says Benner. Allstate Canada offers a Homeowner’s Checklist to help Canadians keep track of what they own and to calculate if they have enough insurance.

Allstate Canada wishes all Canadians a safe and happy holiday season and shares the following tips from goodhandsadvice.ca to protect their home and belongings:

• Do an inventory of recent purchases and holiday gifts received to estimate how much they are worth and check if additional coverage is needed.
• Take note of important information such as an item’s make, model and serial number where applicable. This information is important in the event it is stolen.
• Have expensive items received as gifts properly appraised to ensure they are covered by the appropriate amount of insurance.
• Keep sales receipts or any other purchase documents for larger items.
• Take photos or videos of your valuables and save the files to an external hard drive or online backup website so they are safe. Photos or videos can help later on when you make a claim.
• Store valuables in a secure location in the home.
• Make appropriate arrangements if you and your family plan to be away for the holidays, such as having a neighbour check the house while you are gone.
• Don’t discuss when you will be out of the house on social media—not everyone needs to know when you’re away from home!

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allstate.all-canadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

-30-

For more information about protecting your valuables during the holidays or to speak with Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

 “The holiday season is busy for everyone, so we often forget to take the time to plan ahead and ensure our home and our valuables are protected,” says Eric Michalko, official spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “Whether you are planning on taking a vacation, hosting a party or just staying home, plan to keep your house safe this holiday season from thieves as well as potential accidents or fire hazards.”

 Allstate Canada offers the following tips to ensure you have a safe holiday season: 

If you’re going on vacation:

• Always keep valuable jewelry, which according to Allstate Canada data is one of the most common items stolen from homes, in a safe or hidden in a separate area of your home, ideally away from the bedroom. If it’s all kept in one place, in a jewelry box, it makes it easier for a thief to find.   
• Don’t give thieves an open invitation to visit your home.  Be mindful when posting personal information on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare.  The information posted on these sites is public and can be easily accessed even if you think your profile is protected. Do not post that you are going on vacation or upload pictures while you are away.
• Make your house look occupied. Arrange to have snow removed from your driveway or sidewalk while you’re away. Suspend newspaper subscriptions and ask a neighbour to collect mail and flyers. Use automatic indoor and outdoor light timers.

If you’re hosting a party:

• Keep in mind that the safety of your guests is your responsibility. If they drive home intoxicated, you could be blamed, or worse, sued.  Plan ahead by having a guest room ready for overnight guests, handing out taxi phone numbers for your area and having cash available.
• Reduce hazards around your home for your guests.  Shovel snow from your driveway and walkway and keep both free of ice. To help melt ice, consider using a natural, environmentally friendly product such as alfalfa meal or sand. 
• Childproof your home if you expect young guests to visit. Cover electrical outlets, block staircases and remove furniture and decorations that can be tripped over by little feet. 

If you’re staying home:

• Carefully inspect Christmas light strands.  Each year, remember to dispose of any defective lighting such as frayed cords, cracked bulbs or loose connections. Do not overload electrical outlets with lights.  Be sure to turn off or unplug any decorative lights before you go to bed or leave your home. 
• Do not use candles with open flames.  Candles that are forgotten or burn to the end can be a fire hazard.  Consider purchasing battery operated candles and lights.  Remember decorations such as wreaths, trees or paper decorations are flammable.
• Be prepared. Check the smoke detectors on every level of your home. Change the batteries if you have not done so in the past year.
• Cut up the boxes from your presents and put them in your recycling. Don’t advertise to thieves that you have a new stereo or TV in your home.

-30-

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada produces and distributes home and auto insurance products across Canada. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-allstate.

 For more information or to book an interview with Eric Michalko, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Media Contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

According to MADD Canada data, on average, four Canadians are killed and 200 are injured in impaired driving crashes every day. These deaths and injuries are 100 per cent preventable.  “Driving after a few drinks is always inexcusable and with so many pedestrians out on the street, you’re putting even more lives at risk,” says Denise Dubyk, MADD Canada National President.

“More children are out on the road in the dark on Halloween. Drivers need to be extra cautious of children on the street, especially in residential areas,” says Amy Woods, spokesperson for Allstate Canada.  Allstate Canada and MADD Canada offer the following 10 tips for you and your family this Halloween:

 If you’re trick-or-treating…

1.  Bring a flashlight or apply reflective tape to children’s costumes so they can easily be seen by motorists.
2.  If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough for good visibility.
3.  An adult or guardian should accompany young children at all times while trick-or-treating. Older children should go in groups and make use of the buddy system.
4. Walk your children up to the door, especially if you do not know your neighbours, and never let your children enter a stranger’s home.
5. It’s incredibly important to check your child’s candy before they eat it. Throw out anything that has been opened.  Do not accept fruit which is easily tampered with.

If you’re attending a Halloween party…

Plan ahead. If you intend to drink, make arrangements to be picked up, to take a taxi, to use public transportation or have a designated driver take you home.

1. If you are throwing a party and serving alcohol, remember that you are legally responsible for your guests. Prepare for the possibility of guests staying the night. Keep an eye on your guests and ensure they each get home safely and do not drive under the influence.
2. Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume. If you’re hosting a party, have food or party snacks available for your guests to help slow down the absorption of alcohol.
3. If you do end up drinking more alcohol than planned, do not drive under any circumstances. Find another way home, see if you can spend the night at a friend’s place or stay at a hotel for the evening.
4. If you see someone driving erratically, try to make note of the license plate, then safely pull over and call 911 to report the driver.

-30-

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada produces and distributes home and auto insurance products across Canada. “The Good Hands Network(R)” enables consumers to contact Allstate through one of 93 community Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-allstate.

About MADD Canada

MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads.

For more information or to book an interview with Amy Woods, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Media Contact:

 Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

Deb Kelly
Communications Manager
MADD Canada
1-800-665-6233, ext 240
dkelly@madd.ca

“On Canada Day many Canadians gather with friends and family and celebrate the occasion with fun festivities that often include a fireworks display,” says Amy Woods of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “But it is important to remember that a responsible party host or guest takes the time to safely prepare their fireworks display and ensures no one drives home impaired.”

To make sure you have a safe Canada Day celebration, Allstate has developed tips on how to safely handle fireworks and do your part to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Make sure your fireworks displays are safe by following these ten tips:

1.  Read the instructions. Each firework device has different cautions, warnings and instructions. Make sure you read each package.
2.  Check the wind direction. Set up for your fireworks display so the wind is blowing away from spectators, buildings and trees.
3.  Keep back. Spectators should be at least 8 metres away from the fireworks display. Ensure all children are supervised.
4.  Smart set up. Fireworks should only be lit outdoors, in an open space away from trees. Fireworks should be lit on a hard, level surface.
5.  Be prepared. Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a fire extinguisher readily available.
6.  Sparkle safely. Sparklers may seem like harmless fun; however they can reach temperatures of 650C. They also remain very hot after burning; once done, they should be immersed in a bucket of sand or water.
7.  Age appropriate. Only adults should handle and light fireworks. Children 10 to 14 years of age sustain 42 per cent of the injuries associated with fireworks.
8.  One at a time. Fireworks should only be lit one at a time. Special effects should be left to professionals.
9.  Don’t relight. If a firework is defective, don’t attempt to relight it.
10.  Have fun!

Impaired drivers put everyone on the road at risk. Remember these six tips from Allstate to make your drive home a safe one: 

1.  Don’t drink and drive. If you know you will be drinking alcohol, have a designated driver, call a cab or use public transportation.
2.  Keep your eyes open. If you spot an impaired driver on the highway, maintain a safe distance and don’t attempt to pass.
3.  Report a suspected drunk driver immediately. Call local law enforcement from your cell phone, after pulling over safely, or from a pay phone. Give police as much information as possible — for example: license plate number, make, model and color of vehicle, and the direction the vehicle is traveling.
4.  Be responsible. When entertaining your guests drink in moderation. It will be much easier to determine whether or not a guest is able to drive if you are sober.
5.  Arrive alive. If your guests drink too much, arrange a ride with a sober driver, call a cab or insist they sleep at your home.
6.  Be a great host. When hosting a party offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and serve food to help slow the absorption of alcohol. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is over and never pressure others to drink or rush to refill their glasses when empty.

For more information on firework safety and how to be a responsible driver, or to arrange an interview with Amy Woods, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Yasmine Kashefi
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 321
kashefi@thornleyfallis.com

“Victoria Day is a chance to have fun with a fireworks celebration, however it is important to remember that fireworks are dangerous and they have the potential to cause serious harm,” said Amy Woods, of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “Being responsible and taking the time to plan out your fireworks display will help prevent serious injuries.”

To ensure you have a safe Victoria Day celebration Allstate has developed tips on how to safely handle fireworks.

• Read the instructions. Each firework device has different cautions, warnings and instructions. Make sure you read each package.
• Check the wind direction. Set up for your fireworks display so the wind is blowing away from spectators, buildings and trees.
• Keep back. Spectators should be at least 8 metres away from the fireworks display. Ensure all children are supervised.
• Smart set up. Fireworks should only be lit outdoors, in an open space away from trees. Fireworks should be lit on a hard, level surface.
• Be prepared. Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a fire extinguisher readily available.
• Sparkle safely. Sparklers may seem like harmless fun, however they can reach temperatures of 650° C. They also remain very hot after burning; once done, they should be immersed in a bucket of sand or water.
• Age appropriate. Only adults should handle and light fireworks. Children 10 to 14 years of age sustain 42 per cent of the injuries associated with fireworks.
• One at a time. Fireworks should only be lit one at a time. Special effects should be left to professionals.
• Don’t relight. If a firework is defective, don’t attempt to relight it.
• Have fun!

For more information on how to ensure a safe fireworks show or to arrange an interview with Amy Woods, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Ingrid Pulpan
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 341
pulpan@thornleyfallis.com