As autumn approaches and evenings begin to cool down, Mother Nature is signalling to homeowners that it is time to prepare their home for winter by taking measures to prevent the devastation of a house fire.  Not only do fires come with a risk of injury to loved ones, but they also burn through years’ worth of possessions and memories. According to Allstate Insurance Company of Canada’s claims, reports of fire loss jump during the winter months. January alone accounted for 15 per cent of all fire losses reported in 2009.

“To combat the colder, shorter days and to celebrate the holidays, the use of candles, lights and appliances increases,” says Tony Irwin, official spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “Homeowners also make use of heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves, all of which can result in a fire if not used or cleaned properly.”

The majority of fire losses can be prevented if proper precautions are taken. This autumn, consider these tips from Allstate Canada to help keep you, your family and your home safe this winter.

Prepare…

1.  Heaters can be a source of winter fires. Inspect them every autumn to ensure they are in good working condition. If you have a gas heater, inspect the exhaust for carbon build up.
2.  Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year if you have a woodstove or use your fireplace.
3.  Embers from a roaring fireplace can start an unexpected fire or injure someone. Make sure you have a glass or metal screen properly positioned to keep embers under control.
4.  If you haven’t already, install smoke detectors on all floors of your home. Take the time to sit down with your family and prepare a fire plan. It should detail escape routes and include a designated meeting place. Make sure to hold regular drills so your family knows how to escape safely in the event of a fire.

Prevent…

1.  According to Allstate’s claims data, common causes of house fires include electrical fires and cooking-related accidents. Be careful not to overload your outlets by using power bars for several small appliances. If you have a gas stove in your kitchen, keep rags, paper or anything that can catch on fire, away from open flames.
2.  Inspect your home for frayed or damaged electrical cords and plugs, as well as fuses that regularly blow. Consider hiring a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s electrical system to make sure everything is working properly, especially if you live in an older home.
3.  Christmas tree lights and electrical ornaments should be in working order with no wires showing or fraying. A pine tree that catches on fire can set an entire room ablaze in less than a minute.
4.  Careless disposal of fireplace ashes can be a serious threat to any home. Ashes need four days to completely cool. Do not dispose of them in a paper or plastic bag. Instead, keep them in a can away from combustible materials until completely cool and then discard them.
5.  Keep trash or combustible materials away from your furnace and keep an eye on the wall behind it for discolouring or cracking. It could be a sign that you need a pipe replaced.

For more information on fire safety or to arrange an interview with Tony Irwin, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Media Contact:
 
Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.com

“Maritimers are used to severe weather, but when a storm hits it’s easy to forget or overlook the simplest thing,” says Tony Irwin of Allstate Canada. “It never hurts for everyone to brush up on safety.”

To help Atlantic Canadians keep their homes and families safe during hurricane season, Allstate Canada offers these preparation and safety reminders.

When a Hurricane Warning Is Issued

• Clear outside. High velocity winds can turn unsecure items such as garden furniture, barbecues and tree branches into destructive missiles. Remember to keep the area surrounding your home clear of any objects that heavy winds could blow around.
• Protect your windows. Ensure you have hurricane shutters or 3/4-inch outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors and pre-drill holes for the plywood, so you can put it up quickly in the event of a storm.
• Leave some space. If possible, store items on shelves rather than directly on the basement floor. To keep important documents safe, store them in a water-tight plastic container.
• Plan ahead. Create an emergency preparedness plan and kit in case you have to evacuate. This kit will have a three day supply of food water and other essential items. For a list of what to include visit goodhandsadvice.ca/en/build-an-emergency-kit.
• Take inventory.  Review your insurance policy and talk to your insurance agent to make sure you and your home are properly covered. Also, create a home inventory list of the items you own either with a video camera and describing the details of each item you own or writing down the list. Remember to keep the list or the video tape where it won’t be damaged by water.

Safety during a storm

If you are indoors:

• Take cover. Stay away from any windows or glassed areas and move under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or a heavy table. Hold onto the furniture with one hand. Use the other arm to protect your head and neck from falling or flying objects.
• Stay tuned. Turn on a battery-operated radio or television and listen for the latest emergency information. If told to leave, grab your emergency safety kit and go immediately to the designated shelter.
• Listen. Be sure to follow the recommended evacuation routes — never take shortcuts.

If you are outdoors:

• Try to find shelter indoors. If there is no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Stay away from bridges and overpasses. If there is no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine.

 If you are in a vehicle:

• Stop driving. Immediately stop the car and turn off the engine. Get out of the vehicle and seek shelter in a building, ditch or ravine.

Hurricane Season: Additional Tips to Protect your Home

• Secure loose roof shingles. Your roof is one of the most important and vulnerable parts of your home. Keeping shingles attached is critical. If the edge shingles are not secure or extend beyond the drip edge more than 0.6 centimeters, a high wind can lift them off and create a domino effect. If the shingles come up without much effort, secure them with roofing cement.
• Secure all buildings on your property. Garage doors are highly susceptible to wind damage because of their size and relative weakness. A qualified inspector can determine if the door and the track system can resist high winds. Consider installing permanent wood or metal stiffeners to strengthen the door.
• Prepare your home. Window glass covered with protective film will not shatter if it breaks. Install window wells and window well covers to improve drainage around basement windows and help prevent water from entering your basement. You can also seal cracks in foundation walls and basement floors to reduce the chance of infiltration flooding.

For more information about how you can protect you and your family during a hurricane or to speak with Tony Irwin, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox

Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.com

With fall just around the corner, thousands of post-secondary students across Canada are packing up their belongings to move across the province or even the country to pursue their studies.

“Whether you’re moving a hundred kilometres away from home or a thousand, it’s important to keep yourself and your possessions safe,” says Amy Woods, official spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “Although we’ve had a small number of claims, we’ve noticed that theft seems to be an issue for university students. Having the necessary protection in place and taking a few simple steps before you leave for school allows you to enjoy your university experience with fewer worries.”

Allstate Canada has put together 10 tips to help you stay safe this school year:

1. Whether you’re living on or off campus, look into the rules and regulations of your home away from home before you leave. Make sure you do not bring anything that is not permitted.

2. Dormitories may seem like a fun, safe environment, but it is important to make sure to lock your door whenever you leave your room in order to protect your belongings.

3. If you are bringing any items of high value to school, such as musical instruments or jewelry, consider having them insured against theft or damage before you arrive at school.  

4.  Never abandon your laptop in a library. It only takes a few moments for someone to walk by and swipe it. If you must leave it temporarily, invest in a laptop lock to act as a deterrent.

5.  If you’re renting a room or an apartment in a building, you may be required to have tenants insurance, which protects you and your belongings if your property is stolen or damaged. Speak to your family’s insurance provider or ask someone you know for a recommendation for an insurance provider in your new city.

6.  When you take a car out of province, remember to check with your auto insurance company to see if you are covered while away and contact the province’s transportation department to see if you need to change your license plates. 

7.  Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, especially in plain sight. Put any high value items in the trunk or glove compartment where they can’t be seen.

8.  Keep an eye on your laundry if you’re doing it at a Laundromat to avoid having your belongings stolen. Bring homework or a book with you to help pass the time.

9.  How safe is your dormitory building? Look into the guest policy for your dormitory and see what kind of security procedures they have in place. If you feel unsafe, speak to an RA or an administrator about creating a secure environment.

10.  These days, many student cards act as more than identification. If you have a meal plan or library account associated with yours, report it immediately if it goes missing.

Staying safe while you’re back at school doesn’t have to be as difficult as getting an A in chemistry. By keeping these simple tips in mind, you can focus on getting that project in on time and having fun.

For more information on back to school safety or to arrange 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.com

“During the warm months of summer many Canadians take the opportunity to spend time on the water,” says Amy Woods of Allstate Canada. “While our summers may be short, it’s important to take the time to ensure your boating and swimming experiences are both fun and safe. Taking precautions will let everyone enjoy our lakes for many summers to come.”

To help you stay safe while on the water this summer, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has created the following boating safety tips:

Prepare

• If you operate a powered watercraft in Canada, it is Canadian law to carry the Pleasure Craft Operator Card or Pleasure Craft License for all boats fitted with an engine of 10 horsepower or more.
• Ensure your boat is in perfect working order. Check lights, look for damage or cracks and make sure the plugs are in before you put your boat in the water.
• New requirements for safety equipment and pleasure craft licensing came into effect on May 12, 2010. Make sure you are up-to-date and have the proper supplies on board. For more information go to: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm
• Check the forecast before you head out. You can’t control the weather but you can be prepared. Bring additional clothing in case the weather changes suddenly.
• Be prepared in the event of an emergency. Know how to send a distress call and who to send it to.  Asking for help in an emergency can be the difference between life and death.
• Carry an emergency preparedness kit that contains drinking water, high energy snacks, a flashlight, an air horn, paddles, a bucket, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and extra fuel.

Boat Safety

• Wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) of appropriate size. You will pay $250 for each person that does not have a PFD if you’re stopped by marine patrol. More importantly not wearing a PFD could cost you your life. Statistics show that nearly 90 per cent of those who die in boating accidents were not wearing a lifejacket. If you are knocked unconscious in a boating accident, knowing how to swim won’t help you.accident, knowing how to swim won’t help you.
• If you decide to jump overboard to go for a swim, know the water you are jumping into. Some underwater currents are undetectable from the surface.
• According to Allstate data, collision — whether with rocks, piers or other boats — is the most common boating related claim at 36.4 per cent. Respect water ways, follow all signs and buoys and be courteous to other boaters.
• Don’t cruise and booze. Ever. Not only is it illegal, alcohol can have more of an effect on your reaction time if you have been on the water and in the sun.

For more information on boating and water safety or to arrange 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.com

“The warm weather between May and August invites RV owners to take their vehicles on the road,” says Tony Irwin of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “But driving a camper or RV requires drivers and owners to take extra precautions to ensure a safe trip.”

Allstate Canada suggests keeping the following tips in mind when planning your next RV adventure:

1.  Safety first!  Some recreational vehicles and campers weighing more than 4,500 kg require an annual safety inspection. Check the rules in your province before you hit the road.
2.  Check your system.  Have your LP (liquefied petroleum) gas system inspected at a service centre every year before you take your trip. It’s important to have the system checked for leaks and proper appliance operating pressure.
3.  Inspect your generator.  Be sure to check out the exhaust system of your generator. Make sure everything is in working order to avoid risk of a carbon monoxide leak. If your RV doesn’t have a carbon monoxide detector, be sure to install one.
4.  Drive carefully.  Driving an RV is not like driving a car. It’s important to consider the extra weight you’re carrying, as it significantly affects the distance required to stop. Remember to judge your speed accordingly and to give other cars on the road as much room and notice as possible. Use proper signaling at all times.
5.  Be alert!   As with any motor vehicle, you should not drive an RV when tired, feeling unwell or if you’ve been drinking. All of the above slow down reaction time and with a bigger vehicle a few tenths of a second make a very big difference.

Safety should also be top-of-mind when camping. Setting up camp outdoors involves a few precautions of its own. Here are five tips from Allstate Canada that will help keep your summer camping trips safe and enjoyable.

1.  Plan ahead.   Do you have your first-aid kit ready? Aside from the usual gauze and band-aids, include bug spray, sun screen, a pocket knife and, depending on where you’re camping, a snake-bite kit.
2.  Keep the elements out.   Investing in a high quality, fire-resistant tent is the first step. The second is to carry a tent emergency kit with you. Your kit should include patches, glue, needle, thread and a seam sealer.
3.  Leave all flammable objects outside your tent.   Never cook, store fuel, or refuel lamps, heaters or stoves inside your tent. Even if your tent is fire-resistant, it is not fire-proof. You run a greater risk of it catching on fire by bringing flammable objects inside.
4. Keep campfires safe.   Avoid building your campfire too close to your tent or any trees. Remember to keep sand or water nearby to put out the fire quickly if necessary.
5. Avoid bears.   If you encounter a black bear, the most common type found in Canada, do not run away. Make yourself as big as possible (if you’re in a group, stand together and face the bear). Be loud, wave your arms and slowly back away.

Considering these simple tips when planning your next RV and camping trip will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

For more information on RV and camping safety or to arrange an interview with Allstate spokesperson, Tony Irwin, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
416-515-7517 ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.com