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National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

November 15th is National America Recycles Day. This day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. The America Recycles movement was started in 1997 and since then has helped people everywhere learn the importance of recycling. In honor of today, here are some helpful tips to follow when going green and helping the environment.

Save energy to save money:

 – Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.

-Unplug appliances when you are not using them. Even if they are plugged in and not in use, energy is still being drawn to them.

Save water to save money:

-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will also lower your water and heating bills.

-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating your water.

Less Gas = more money:

-If you are traveling a short distance, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Not only will this help the environment but it is better for your health also.

Recycle all plastic/glass bottles and papers:

-It may be a pain but be sure to recycle all of your used bottles and newspapers. Set up a separate recycle can outside by your garbage pails to help make sorting your trash easier.

Help make the earth a better place to live in today! Don’t forget to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Taking Road Safety Seriously Every Day. Today’s shortcut can be tomorrow’s danger.

Taking Road Safety Seriously Every Day. Today’s shortcut can be tomorrow’s danger.

Wellness Wednesday

Taking Road Safety Seriously every day. Today’s shortcut may be tomorrow’s danger.

Thanksgiving is just a day away and the December holidays begin just after. Did you know Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the year?

Road safety should be observed year round, but at the holidays it is especially critical. Rushing around to holiday events, shopping and visiting family puts you in the car more often and it is easy to take a shortcut to try and save a few minutes. Distracted driving and not observing safety precautions can lead to serious consequences.

Let’s consider a few safety concerns that you should never cut out.

-Buckle Up! So many adults just jump into the car and go. Besides being a violation because it’s the law, using your safety belt will protect you from serious injury in the event of an accident.

-Making sure children are restrained is also important. Allowing the independence of doing it themselves is important but is also a violation if they are not properly fastened in their seats.

-Obey the speed limits at all times. The few minutes you save speeding can lead to a speeding ticket, moving violation and increased insurance rates.

-Forget about the cell phone! If it can not be accessed through your car, it can wait until your next stop. In addition to the possible accident, you can cause by taking your eyes off the road to answer the phone, using a cell phone while driving is also a violation that comes with a hefty fine.

-Never drive if you have had too much to drink or are taking medication that restricts your use of driving a motor vehicle. This may not be a decision you can make in the moment.

The holidays are an exciting time to be spent with family and friends. Practice safety and make it a holiday to remember.

The above are suggestions that are made based on research of best practices, motor vehicle, and insurance guidelines. They are a reminder to practice caution.

For more information on automobile insurance or a free, no obligation quotation visit our website at www.chedwards.net or call us 516-249-5200.

by Denise Visco

#WellnessWednesday #AutoInsurance #BestPractices #Safety #Family#HolidayDriving #Home #Auto #Business #Life #Flood #DeniseVisco#StevenVisco

Melting Snow and Water Damage

Melting Snow and Water Damage

The snow storms that recently hit New York State has left us with snow, sleet, ice and slush! As the snow begins to melt, it is important to protect your home from potential flooding and water damage. A few small actions taken now, will help ensure a dry house!
  • Move snow on the ground away from your home. The farther away from the structure of your house, the better.
  • If you have a sump pump, be sure to examine, test, and clean it! Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit. Make sure the discharge hose carries the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area.
  • Remove snow from your gutters and be sure to check your gutters regularly to make sure they are clean.
  • Most importantly, consider where your surrounding snow is going to melt! Using this strategy will help you locate where the best spots are for all that left over snow.

A flood can happen at any moment, to anybody! Call our office today and speak with one of our Flood specialists in regards to a flood policy for your home. It is better to be safe than sorry. Protect your home today.

(516) 249-5200
www.chedwards.net

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Although hurricane season officially began on June 1st, we are now entering the peak for this year’s season. From mid-August through mid-October, the Atlantic coast is at a higher risk for hurricanes and tropical storms.

With that said, here are some hurricane safety tips to help you prepare for this year’s peak season.

1. Know if you are in a high risk area. Find out if you live in an area where you are exposed to flood risks and high winds. Speak to your local emergency management agency.

2. Make an emergency plan. Sit down with the members of your household and come up with an evacuation and safety procedure in the event of a severe storm.

3. Put together a basic survival kit. Fill a water safe bin with items such as water, non-perishable foods, a first aid kit, flashlights, cash, chargers, and batteries. Store this bin in an easy to reach, safe place in case of an emergency.

4. Be sure to stay tuned with local emergency alerts, TV, radio, and weather updates. Knowing if there is a storm headed your way will help you to prepare properly.

5. Consider buying flood insurance. Flood can happen anywhere at any time. Even if you do not live in a flood area! Keep in mind that Flood insurance must be in force a minimum of 30 days before a claim can be made.  Flood is NOT covered on a typical homeowners policy.

Don’t get caught unprepared this flood season. For more information on flood insurance and whether it is right for you, please give our office a call at (516) 249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net.  Act now.  Don’t wait for a disaster to strike!

by Denise Visco

 

Have a Fun and Safe Halloween!

Have a Fun and Safe Halloween!

As Halloween time approaches, children everywhere will be picking out the perfect costume and heading out on Halloween night for some trick or treating fun. Along with the fun Halloween brings, it also can be a time for careless accidents.

Stay safe on Halloween night by following these 7 tips:

• Map out a trick or treating route before leaving the house and stick to a path your child is familiar with.

• Don’t forget to lock up. Whether you plan to stay home or you are heading out make sure to lock your doors and windows.

• Protect your car from being egged by parking in the garage.

• Make sure you and your child wear comfortable shoes to avoid tripping.

• Carry flashlights.

• Make sure costumes are not too long to avoid trip and fall accidents.

• Avoid buying sharp accessories and props. Look for flexible or foam props.

• Make sure to check all of your child’s candy when returning from trick or treating.

• When you are home for the night, keep your property well lit to avoid damage to your property.

As always, have fun and be safe this Halloween season. Start by preparing your children and yourself today.

Curious about what Halloween pranks are covered under your Homeowners Insurance policy? Give us a call at (516) 249-5200 and one of our Homeowners policy specialists will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns that you may have.

Happy Halloween from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc.

 

Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips

With just a week left till Halloween, it is finally time; pumpkin carving time! Kids, teens and even adults wait all year to carve their frightening Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween night!

Carving pumpkins is a great way to spend time with the whole family, but it can quickly become dangerous and turn Halloween fun into an unwanted nightmare. Pumpkins are tough but can become very slippery when handling them. This is why it is important to use extra precautions when carving pumpkins.

Follow some of these helpful safety tips when you’re carving your pumpkin this year:

Use the right tools: Consumer Reports tested pumpkin-carving kits a few years ago and observed that one advantage of the specialty tools is that they can saw through rinds, poke holes, and scoop out innards without being razor-sharp. Instead of using a household knife and spoon, purchase one of these kits from your local store.

Carve before taking off the top of the pumpkin: Carving the pumpkin before cutting the top off will help you avoid accidentally sticking your hand in the pumpkin while cutting inwards.

Take precautions: Carve in a clean, dry, and well-lit area.

Take your time: Remember, this is a fun activity and fun shouldn’t be rushed!

Don’t let kids carve: It is important to not let young children carve by themselves. Instead, have children draw markings on the pumpkin and help clean the innards out with a spoon or their hands.

Pumpkin carving is fun for everyone. Make sure you are administering safety this year while you share these activities with the ones you love.

At C.H. Edwards, Inc., we take pride in offering you helpful safety information, so that you can make the most of the time you spend with your family.

The Management and Staff at C.H. Edwards, Inc. wish you a Happy and Safe Halloween!

 

October is Emotional Wellness Awareness Month

October is Emotional Wellness Awareness Month

Aside from being physically healthy, it is important to keep your mind healthy. Simple things like controlling your stress levels and getting enough sleep can help and play a big roll in your mental health.

If you overexert yourself on a hot day or stay up for 24 hours with no sleep, you probably wouldn’t be surprised if your body suddenly “broke down”. Your mind is subject to the same rules, meaning that it can only take so much stress before it breaks down.

Here are 8 strategies to stay emotionally healthy:

  1. Be an optimist and look on the bright side of everything.
  2. Have hope and know that things will get better during dark times.
  3. Accept yourself. Instead of pondering on all the things you dislike about yourself, think about all the good things that define you and make you, you!
  4. Stay connected and go out with family and friends often. It is always good to be surrounded by people that love you.
  5. Express gratitude. Studies show that people who are thankful are better at dealing with stress.
  6. Find your purpose and meaning. Set goals for yourself and thrive on your natural talents.
  7. Exercise regularly, a little bit of exercise every day is good for your well being; it helps you concentrate and get things off your mind.
  8. Practice mindfulness; meaning really focus and appreciate the moment of time that you are in.

Start practicing good mental health today. Just like a workout for your body, here’s a workout for your mind.

 

 

Purchasing Wedding Insurance

Purchasing Wedding Insurance

Are you getting ready to tie the knot?

Let’s face it, as much as you want everything on your wedding day to go as smoothly as possible, life happens. You don’t want to think about it, but natural disasters, emergencies, and accidents can occur on the day of your dreams.

This is why C.H. Edwards, Inc. suggests purchasing Wedding Insurance. Sure, it’s an added cost, but what it covers, makes it completely worth it!

For example, you plan a beautiful fall wedding in September and all of a sudden a hurricane is headed your way and your wedding must be postponed. This is an extreme scenario, but if you don’t have wedding insurance, all of that time and money you put into your big day may go to waste.

If you choose to spend a little extra and purchase wedding insurance, the above-mentioned situation would have been covered, and you’ll be able to reschedule your dream day.

Another example why you should purchase wedding insurance is if something happens to the venue where you will be having your event. Whether it went bankrupt or there was a fire, wedding insurance will cover the costs of rebooking at another venue or hall.
It can also cover scenarios such as if you have to retake ruined photos, replace lost or damaged wedding apparel and gifts.

Weddings are expensive, and yes, purchasing wedding insurance will cost extra money, but if something actually happens on that date you picked, you’re covered!

For more information regarding wedding insurance or life insurance, call for a free no obligation quotation. Call C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call at 516-249-5200 and one of our specialists will be happy to assist you. Congratulations on taking this big step into your future.

Visit our newly designed website at www.chedwards.net

 

It’s Hurricane Season on Long Island and Now Is The Time To Start Preparing

It’s Hurricane Season on Long Island and Now Is The Time To Start Preparing

It’s Hurricane Season on Long Island and now is the time to start preparing for a possible storm. Natural Disasters can be a devastating time for families, but being prepared for these events can help the healing process, not only for your personal property, but healing as a family.

Follow these tips when preparing for a Hurricane:

Before a Hurricane

-Locate your residence’s emergency water shut-off valve and remove any shrubbery or obstructions.

-Turn off the emergency water shut-off valve if you are leaving your residence. This will help minimize damage to your homes interior should a pipe burst.

-If you turn off the water in your home, make sure to turn off the hot water heater. Some water heaters can be damaged if water supply is turned off for an extended period of time.

-Locate your sewer clean-out lid and remove any shrubbery or obstructions in case the clean-out needs to be utilized after the storm.
After a Hurricane

-Due to power outages, understand that you could be operating under limited conditions and pressures could be reduced.

-Limit the amount of toilet flushing.

-Avoid running a dishwasher and clothes washer.

-Limit the amount of water used when bathing

IT IS BEST TO CONSERVE ALL WATER THAT IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME!

Now is the time to call your local Insurance Agency and make sure that your home is covered properly and if a Flood Insurance Policy is necessary in your area.

Remember, Hurricane season is among us. Be prepared before a storm hits. If you have damage to your home or car during a Hurricane make sure to contact your Insurance Agent promptly to ensure a speedy recovery.

If you have any questions regarding Hurricane damage or you are interested in a quotation for a Flood policy, give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call at 516-249-5200 and our Flood Insurance specialist can assist you in finding coverage that is best fit for your home.

*Please be advised, that any flood related damages to your home, are not covered in a typical homeowners policy. An additional flood policy is required, to be covered for hurricane damage.*

Visit our website www.chedwards.net
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Written by: Amanda Haase