Hypothermia – Prevention Tips

Preventing hypothermia is important because it can be a life-threatening condition. Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing your core body temperature to drop below the normal range (around 98.6°F or 37°C).  Preventing hypothermia involves taking measures to stay warm, dry, and protected in cold environments. Take proactive steps to avoid hypothermia.

Dress in Layers

  • Wear multiple layers of clothing to trap warm air close to your body.
  • Use moisture-wicking base layers to keep sweat away from your skin.

Stay Dry

  • Wet clothing can significantly increase the risk of hypothermia. Ensure your outer layer is waterproof or water-resistant.
  • Change into dry clothes if you get wet.

Protect Extremities

  • Wear gloves, hats, and warm socks to protect your hands, head, and feet.
  • These areas are prone to heat loss, so keeping them covered is crucial.

Stay Active

  • Physical activity generates body heat. Keep moving to maintain warmth.
  • Avoid long periods of inactivity in cold conditions.

Seek Shelter

  • If you’re in a cold environment, find or create shelter to protect yourself from wind and precipitation.

Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed

  • Dehydration and lack of food can make your body more susceptible to hypothermia. Stay nourished and hydrated.

Know the Signs

  • Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia, such as shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and fatigue. Seek medical help if you notice these signs.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco

  • Alcohol can cause your body to lose heat more quickly, and tobacco can restrict blood flow. Avoid these substances in cold environments.

Stay Informed

  • Be aware of weather conditions and plan accordingly. Check forecasts before heading out, and be prepared for changing conditions.

Remember that the severity of hypothermia can vary, and individual susceptibility may depend on factors such as age, health condition, and environmental conditions. Taking preventive measures is essential for maintaining overall well-being and reducing the risk of serious health complications associated with hypothermia.

The Gift of Security: Why Long-Term Care Insurance Should Be on Your Holiday Wishlist

LTC Holiday Blog - 1

The holiday season is a time of joy, generosity, and reflection. As you plan festive celebrations and search for the perfect gifts, consider giving yourself and your loved ones something invaluable: peace of mind. Long-term care (LTC) insurance may not come wrapped in shiny paper with a bow, but it’s a gift that keeps on giving, especially when it’s needed most.

Preparing for the Unexpected

Much like an unexpected snowstorm can disrupt your carefully planned holiday travel, a sudden need for long-term care can derail financial stability. According to studies, 70% of people over age 65 will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime. LTC insurance ensures that you or your loved ones are prepared for the costs associated with care facilities, in-home assistance, or specialized medical services—expenses that can quickly pile up.

A Holiday to Remember, Not a Burden to Bear

The holidays remind us how important family is, but they also highlight the weight of caregiving. Without long-term care insurance, family members may find themselves stretched thin financially and emotionally as they attempt to provide care. LTC insurance allows families to enjoy more quality time together during life’s most challenging moments, rather than being consumed by stress and difficult financial decisions.

The Most Thoughtful Gift

Investing in long-term care insurance is an act of love. It’s the assurance that your future care needs won’t become an overwhelming responsibility for your family. By planning ahead, you’re giving your loved ones the ability to focus on cherishing moments with you instead of worrying about how to manage the costs of care.

This holiday season, think beyond the gifts that fill stockings and consider the legacy of security you can provide. Reach out to an agent to learn how long-term care insurance can make the coming years as merry and bright as your holiday lights.

Remember, it’s not just insurance—it’s a gift of comfort and care for the ones who matter most.

Flood Preparedness: Before, During, & After

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Floods may:

  • The result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, and overflows of dams and other water systems.
  • Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
  • Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides.

Preparing for a Flood

Know Your Risk for Floods – Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to know the types of flood risk in your area.  Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

Purchase Flood Insurance – Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. 

Plan Ahead – Plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency – Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

If you are under a flood warning:

  • Find safe shelter right away.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
  • Depending on the type of flooding:
  • Evacuate if told to do so.
  • Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
  • Stay where you are.

Staying Safe During a Flood

  • Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
  • Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
  • Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
  • Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
  • Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there, signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
  • Staying Safe After a Flood
  • Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
  • Avoid driving except in emergencies.
  • Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing, and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. 
  • People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
  • Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
  • Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
  • Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
  • Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.

Source: https://www.ready.gov/floods#:~:text=Find%20safe%20shelter%20right%20away,bridges%20over%20fast%2Dmoving%20water

Homeowners Insurance Facts

When you decide you want to buy your first home, homeowners insurance may not be the first thing you think about. However, most mortgage lenders require you to have homeowners insurance before they will approve your loan. There are a few things you should know about homeowners insurance.

Certain losses are excluded from most homeowners insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods or earthquakes. If you want coverage for flood or earthquake damage, you will need separate policies for those. If you are in a flood zone, your mortgage lender may require you to purchase flood insurance.

We all know that our credit score is important for many things. Did you know it can also affect your homeowners insurance premium? Some states have banned this practice; however, in most cases, your credit score can affect your insurance premium. The better your credit rating, the lower your premium. So while you’re spiffing up your credit rating to get a good deal on your mortgage loan, you should maintain a good rating to save money on your homeowners insurance.

Poor home maintenance may cause a claim to be denied. Not all damages are covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage that occurred to your home is due to your failure to properly maintain your home, your claim may be denied. When it comes to home maintenance, don’t be a procrastinator!

While you are living in your new home, you will acquire new valuables, and personal possessions, and may do some home improvements. You should always report these to us right away so we can ensure your coverage is sufficient for your investment. Enjoy your new home, you deserve it!

Dial Insurance

Source: https://www.hsh.com/first-time-homebuyer/facts-about-home-insurance.html

Whole Life Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance

Shopping for life insurance may not be as fun as reading a good novel, but it is something everyone should do – sooner rather than later. There are two popular types of life insurance: term life insurance and whole life insurance. While the death benefits from both can be similar, there are a few key differences between them.

Term life insurance is perhaps the easiest to understand. This straightforward insurance is purchased for the simple promise of a death benefit for your beneficiary should you pass away while it’s in force. Term life insurance only lasts for a certain period of time, whether it is 10, 20 or 30 years. After the term is up, the policy expires. One benefit of term life insurance is it tends to be the most affordable option. If all you seek from a life insurance policy is the ability to protect your loved ones when you die, term life insurance is likely the best fit for you. Basic protection is better than no protection at all.

Whole life insurance is a form of permanent life insurance. Meaning that if you keep making your premium payments, it will never expire. Whole life insurance also provides some “cash value”, which can be a source of funds for future needs. Your premiums are split in two ways. One part of your payment goes to the insurance component, while the other part helps build your cash value, which will grow over time. At a later date you can borrow or withdrawal from your cash value amount for things such as your child’s college tuition or repairs to your home. However, should you withdrawal or borrow from your policy, your death benefits will go down by a corresponding amount if you don’t pay it back.

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/term-life-vs-whole-life-5075430