‘Tis the Season for Apple Picking!
September 16, 2015 at 10:05 AM | Posted in Event Planning, Food | Leave a commentTags: Autumn
Most people love the fall season due to the beautiful New England foliage, and the fact that apple picking season starts officially on August 26th. Between the beautiful colors of the foliage outside and the aroma of baking apple pies in the oven, what’s not to love about fall?
Even though August is the beginning of apple season, September is really when all the yummy apples are ready for your family to pick at a local orchard and bring home to enjoy.
Remember, “An apple a day will keep the doctor away”!
Here is a great website with the outline as to when which types of apples are ready to pick. Happy Apple Picking!
Two Holidays in the Same Week
February 14, 2015 at 9:00 AM | Posted in Auto, Holidays, Home, Insurance Policy, Personal Insurance | Leave a commentTags: Automobile, blanket endorsement, gap coverage, holidays, insurance policy, jewelry, new car, scheduled personal property endorsement, valuables
Valentine’s Day carries the tradition of showing loved ones how much they mean to us. On President’s Day, we remember all U.S. presidents past and present. It’s not often that we have two holidays in the same week like we do this year, and both of these holidays are popularly known for people making unique, and valuable, purchases; jewelry for Valentine’s Day and vehicles for President’s Day.
Whether you are giving or receiving, we want to help you make sure that your special, and expensive, gifts or purchases are adequately insured. Here are a few suggestions:
- Jewelry – Jewelry can be a fun gift to pick out or receive, and may even end up being passed down in your family through generations. We want to help keep something of such monetary and sentimental value in your possession. Your Homeowner policy has limitations on the types of losses that are covered and on the amount of coverage provided for jewelry. Consider adding a rider to your policy such as a “Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement” or a “Blanket Endorsement.” Both of these endorsements provide coverage for all types of losses and they do not have a deductible. You can also purchase the right amount of coverage that you need for your jewelry by having an appraisal or receipt for each item.
- Vehicles – Purchasing a car is not only an expense financially, but also physically; it takes time, consideration, and planning. One thing to consider when purchasing a car: as soon as you drive your brand new vehicle off of the dealer’s lot, its value starts to depreciate. If your vehicle happens to get totalled within the first few years of ownership, you could end up owing more on the loan than the vehicle is worth. To avoid out-of-pocket expenses to make up the difference, you should have GAP coverage added to your Auto insurance policy at the time you insure the vehicle. The cost for this coverage is usually not more than $50, and can prove to be a valuable decision.
After this week’s holidays, whether you acquire a new item of jewelry, start your week off driving a new car, or decide you would like to look into further insurance options for your possessions, we want to help you insure the safety and value of each. If you have any questions about the policies stated above, or your existing policies, please contact us at 888-850-9400.
ENJOY A HAPPY BUT SAFE NEW YEAR’S EVE
December 31, 2014 at 9:00 AM | Posted in Event Planning, Holidays, Safety Tips | Leave a commentTags: new years, safety tips
Can you believe that in just a few short hours we will be saying goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015? It seems that the years come and go in the blink of an eye. Some of us will stay comfy and safe in our homes, and may not even stay awake until mid-night, while others will choose to host a party at home or attend parties out and about. Which ever way you choose to celebrate, please remember to keep yourself and others safe while ringing in the New Year.
Hosting a party?
- Have a designated driver that could offer guests a ride home
- Have the number for a local cab company available for your guests
- Offer the option for guests to stay overnight
- Have non-alcoholic beverages and food available to your guests
Going out?
- DON’T drink and drive – remember that buzzed driving is “drunk driving”
- Always have a designated driver
- If you are impaired, contact a sober family member or friend to pick you up
- Have the number for a local cab company saved in your cell phone
- Stay where you are until you are sober
Enjoy your evening and may 2015 be a year of happiness, health and blessings for you and yours.
Enjoy Live Holiday Trees Safely
December 3, 2014 at 9:34 AM | Posted in Event Planning, Holidays, Home, Safety Tips, Seasonal | Leave a commentTags: Holiday, safety tips, tree maintenance
Enjoy Live Holiday Trees Safely:
The whirlwind of the holiday season is upon us. One day we’re giving thanks, and the next we’re pulling out the holiday decorations. When it comes to decorating, artificial trees may provide “less-mess”, than that of a live tree. For those wishing to purchase a real tree, the fresher trees last longer and are less of a fire hazard. The following tips are some ways to tell you are choosing a fresh tree:
- When you bend the needles between your fingers they do not break
- The needles are hard to pull off of the branches
- When the trunk of the tree is bounced on the ground, there is not a shower of falling needles
- The cut end of the trunk is sticky with resin
When you get your fresh tree home, you should cut off an additional two inches of the trunk. This exposes fresh wood which in turn will have better absorption. Be sure to keep the tree stand filled with water for the entirety the tree is indoors. It should be placed away from any heat sources (such as radiators and fire places), and from high traffic areas. You may want to secure the tree to the wall or ceiling with guy-wires which are almost invisible.
As you decorate your tree, check each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Always turn off the lights before you go to bed or leave the house.
Following these few simple suggestions may help ensure that you safely enjoy the beauty and fragrance of choosing a live tree.
Tips for a Tasty Turkey
November 26, 2014 at 11:25 AM | Posted in Event Planning, Food, Holidays, Home | Leave a commentTags: holidays, home, recipes, thanksgiving, turkey
Tips for a Tasty Turkey
As folks gather with family and friends to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, the center of attention on many a dining table is TURKEY! Below are step-by-step roasting instructions to help you achieve a golden brown, moist, tasty turkey that everyone will rave about:
- Remove giblets that are stored in a packet in the neck area of the bird. Remove any large pockets of fat that may be present in the neck area.
- Drain any juices out of the cavity and blot it dry with paper towels.
- Rub the inside of the cavity and neck area with salt.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Brush the bird with oil or melted butter.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thigh area of the bird being careful not to touch bone.
- Roast, uncovered without liquid, according to the chart below. If the poultry browns too quickly you can tent it with foil.
- Remove from the oven when the temperature is 5 degrees below the desired temperature.
- Cover with foil and let stand for 10 to 20 minutes.
| Unstuffed Turkey Weight | Cooking Time (Minutes Per Pound) | Oven Temp. |
Internal Turkey Temp. |
| 8 to 12 lbs. | 15 to 20 | 325° | 170° to 175° |
| 12 to 14 lbs. | 15 to 17 | 325° | 170° to 175° |
| 14 to 18 lbs. | 14 to 16 | 325° | 170° to 175° |
| 18 to 20 lbs. | 13 to 14 | 325° | 170° to 175° |
| 20 to 24 lbs. | 12 to 13-1/2 | 325° | 170° to 175° |
**For stuffed turkeys add 15 to 45 minutes to the cooking time.
If you choose to Deep-Fry your turkey, please keep the following safety tips in mind:
- Use the proper equipment – choose a fryer that is specifically built for deep-frying turkeys.
- Only deep-fry a thawed turkey – thaw the turkey in the fridge for at least 3 to 4 days prior.
- Don’t use too much oil – hot oil spills often result in significant injury and/or fire.
- Never deep fry indoors – Always keep a fire extinguisher near by.
We wish you a happy (and safe) Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
Labor Day Safety Tips
August 27, 2014 at 1:20 PM | Posted in Holidays, Safety Tips | Leave a commentTags: Holiday, Labor Day, protection, safety
It’s hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is upon us. To most of us, it represents the end of summer. Students have gone back to school, pools are being closed, the nights are getting cool, and the trees are showing hints of changing color.
This long holiday weekend means there will be cookouts, boating, swimming, and fishing. It also means there may be extra security such as road blocks and lake patrols. You could avoid unnecessary trouble while on the roads, lakes, and rivers by keeping these tips keep in mind:
- Use sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids
- Never go boating or swimming alone
- Do not drink alcohol while operating a vehicle or watercraft
- Be sure to assign a designated driver to your group
- Eliminate driving distractions, especially the use of cell phones
- Be sure that you and your passengers wear their seatbelts
- Allow enough time for travel to avoid anxiety, and keep to the speed limits
Holidays are a time to celebrate! Enjoy the end of this season by keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2014 at 3:00 PM | Posted in Holidays, Seasonal | Leave a comment~ From all of us at Protector Group ~
Wishing everyone, everywhere a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Snow Removal Tips
December 18, 2013 at 1:31 PM | Posted in Holidays, Home, Safety Tips, Seasonal | Leave a commentTags: checklist, holidays, home, homeowner, ice, liability, protection, Roof, safety, seasonal, Snow, snow melting, snow removal, Winter storm
It’s beginning to look a lot like… a very snowy winter! Even though the snow creates beautiful scenery, it can be a hassle to clean up. By following this list of snow removal suggestions you can help prevent liability issues and injury:
- Clear snow and ice off your vehicle surfaces before you drive away. Snow and ice flying off a vehicle can damage other cars and cause accidents. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority can prohibit vehicles from using the roadway if debris, including snow or ice, could fall from the vehicle and endanger individuals or property. Massachusetts Turnpike Police also have the authority to fine drivers $200 for failing to clear vehicles.
- Clear and sand walkways and steps. Make sure that your walkways and steps are clear of snow and ice to ensure the safety of visitors and delivery personnel. As things melt during the day and freeze again at night, it makes it necessary to re-apply sand and salt. Don’t forget – due to a recent Massachusetts law, homeowners are now responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of their homes.
- Have your roof raked after each significant snowfall. Raking the snow away from the edges of your roof prevents the melting and re-freezing that creates ice dams. This will protect your roof as well as prevent icicles from forming that could fall and injure someone.
This is just the beginning of the winter season and much more snow is expected. At Protector Group we hope these tips will keep you safe and incident free this winter.
Decorating Safety Tips
November 27, 2013 at 9:11 AM | Posted in Holidays, Safety Tips, Seasonal | Leave a commentTags: Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas lights, Christmas tree, Extension cord, holidays, Light, Light-emitting diode, protection, safety, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 12,500 people are treated each year for falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday decorating (Click Here to learn more).
When preparing to display your holiday decorations, these tips could reduce your risk of property damage or personal injury:
- When hanging lights outdoors use a wooden or fiberglass ladder
- Stay clear and far away from power lines
- Use LED lights whenever possible, they are cool to the touch and are made with epoxy lenses instead of glass ~ and they are more durable
- Check each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections
- Fasten outdoor lights and decorations securely to protect them from wind damage
- Use insulated staples and hooks to hold strings in place in place of metal nails or tacks
- Take care not to use more than a total of three (3) standard size string of lights per single extension cord
- Make sure all the lights you are using outdoors have been certified for outdoor use
- Turn off all lights before you go to bed or leave the house
Protector Group asks that you plan ahead and follow these safety tips. We want to ensure your holiday season is happy, healthy, and SAFE.
Preventing Identity Theft
November 20, 2013 at 9:00 AM | Posted in Holidays, Identity Theft, Insurance Policy, Personal Insurance, Specialty Policy | Leave a commentTags: Credit card, Identity Fraud, identity theft, insurance, Personally identifiable information, protection
‘Tis the season… for things to get hectic. With the added pressures of extra shopping lists, scheduling conflicts, decorating, and general holiday anxiety, it is easy to become vulnerable to Identity Theft. It can happen while you are shopping in stores or shopping online. The following tips can help keep you safe from Identity Theft.
- Create a list of all of your credit card and bank account information: include account numbers, expiration dates, and hot line numbers for each account’s contact customer service or fraud departments. Keep this list in a locked area at home.
- Before you leave your home to shop, review the contents of your wallet or purse. Don’t carry extra credit cards or identification with you that isn’t necessary. The more information you carry the easier it is for them to steal your identity.
- When creating PIN numbers or passwords, avoid using easy information such as birthdates, or the last four numbers of your social security number that can be easily discovered by identity thieves.
- When you are finished shopping online, make sure you log off completely. Just closing a browser may not prevent your information from being accessed. Do not use the “remember my username or password” feature.
- Never give out personal information over the phone to someone claiming they represent a creditor.
- Review your credit card and bank statements regularly to quickly identify and report any purchases you did not make.
- Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to review your credit report every year. As a Massachusetts resident, you are entitled to one free credit report each year from the major credit bureaus.
- If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, you should place an initial fraud alert on your credit file. This will prevent any additional lines of credit from being opened without your consent.
Most insurers now offer some form of Identity Fraud coverage under a home policy. There might be an additional fee but the coverage could include credit card fraud coverage, expense reimbursement, and restoration services.
Call Protector Group at 888-850-9400 to find out what coverage options are available to you.
Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.
Marsh & McLennan Agency 