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When the kids go back to school and the leaves start changing colors, we start seeing news reports about fire safety. We see firefighters visiting homes and replacing batteries in smoke detectors or installing new ones. We hear radio commercials about getting your furnace inspected. Yes, the change in season brings about all kinds of things that we must consider to make our homes safe for the arrival of winter.

Earlier this year, we adopted a kitten from the Humane Society. We never owned a pet before so this a new experience for our family. While we enjoy having him in our lives, we realized it’s like having a small child in the house! We had to make small modifications to our house to make sure he stays safe. He gets into everything!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, pets and wild animals start approximately 700 home fires per year. Therefore, if pets are part of your family, here are some tips to help prevent fires and to get them out safely.

1. Protect your electrical cords. Like many puppies and kittens, our kitten loves running behind the entertainment center and chewing on the cords. As a result, I moved all my cords off the floor and onto the entertainment center. I figured that would show him. It didn’t. Now he just squirms his way between the shelves through the cords. Finding my Xbox 1 unplugged was the last straw.

Many pet stores sell bitter apple spray. This spray has a non-toxic taste kittens don’t like. My cords have been sprayed! If you’ve tried the spray and found it doesn’t work, you can get cord protectors that slide over cords or flexible tubing to run all your cords through.

2. Avoid candles. At this time of year, my wife loves burning the fall-scented candles. Unfortunately, this year, we’re going to have to pass on them. There’s no place he can’t get to once he puts his Superman cape on. Candles in pumpkins can also be dangerous. Flameless candles and scented items are safer.

3. Unplug holiday lights. I’ve heard kittens love to get into Christmas decorations. If you have a new pet, you may want to unplug your Christmas decorations when your family isn’t around to supervise.

4. Limit the area in which they can wander. If your pet is well-trained, you may let it have the run of the house when you’re gone. While this freedom is nice for your pet, it can be dangerous when you’re not home. You may wish to keep your pet near entrances or limit the area it can roam. If there’s a fire, it will be more easily accessible to firefighters who are entering your home.

5. Consider a monitoring service. Since my kids were small, we’ve had ADT. The system alerts us when doors open and close, keeps our home safe from burglaries, and monitors our home for fire. If you have a pet, you may wish to sign up for a monitoring system. If there’s trouble at your house, you – and local fire and police departments – will be notified quickly.

6. Make leashes and kennels accessible. Make sure you have easy access to leashes or kennels in the event of an emergency.

7. Make sure your pets are identifiable. With all the commotion during an emergency, it’s possible your pet could get out without you knowing. Make sure your pet wears pet tags or is microchipped. If someone finds your pet and delivers it to the local shelter, they’ll know who to call.

8. Practice evacuation with your entire family. If you have a new pet, now is the time to discuss updated evacuation plans with your family. Be aware of where your pet hides when it’s scared. This may save time trying to find it in an emergency. Remember, it’s important to get your family out safely. Never go back into a burning house to look for your pet.

For more tips on fire safety, check out the blogs below.

10 tips to help prevent candle fires in your home

Prevent house fires. Tips for storing and disposing of oily stain rags

A clean chimney can save your home and your family.

Hiring a reputable chimney sweep can save time and money, not to mention your home!

Fire pit safety tips

Four benefits of a furnace inspection

How to protect your family from a dryer fire

A faulty dehumidifier could burn your house down

To protect your pet from natural disasters, check out the link below.

Make a Disaster Plan for Your Pets

Sources:

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets
http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/ken-tudor/2014/july/how-prevent-your-pet-starting-fire-31866

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Oct 25, 2016 10:30:19 AM

There’s been a lot of information on the news recently about auto recalls that involve faulty ignition switches and airbags. Even with all that coverage, many people are still unaware if the recall affects them. Others chose to ignore these recalls because they think nothing will happen to them or it’s too inconvenient to schedule the service call.

What happens, though, if a recall isn’t publicized? How can you find out about it? I recently received a call from Susan, a senior claims specialist here at West Bend. She asked me if I ever wrote a blog about the Gree dehumidifier recall. Unfortunately, I told her, I never heard about the recall. She told me West Bend has seen several fire claims that resulted from these defective dehumidifiers.

Dehumidifiers work very hard during the spring and summer when there’s a lot of moisture in the air. They’re particularly beneficial in basements and can run quietly 24/7 if you have a hose hooked up to a drain. If you’re an allergy suffer, they can help eliminate mold, mildew, and dust mites that love damp environments.

Certain models, however, can be a fire hazard, and a number of local homes destroyed by such fires are proof.

Dehumidifier Sparks Kaukauna House Fire

Amid recall, Washington Co. Sheriff’s officials say there have been fires believed caused by dehumidifiers.

Faulty dehumidifier believed to be cause of West Bend house fire.

On September 12, 2013, Gree issued a recall in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product SafetyCommission and Health Canada. The recall was for dehumidifiers manufactured by Gree Electric Appliances of China.

Since then, two additional recalls have been issued to include still more units. You can find out if your dehumidifier is one of them by visiting the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for details on the dehumidifier recall. You can also check for other recalled consumer goods.

When it comes to purchasing consumer goods, I recommend doing your research beforehand. Consumer Reports rates all kinds of products, from cars to leaf blowers to dehumidifiers. Unfortunately, it seems like today’s items aren’t built to last. A little research up front can help reduce buyer’s remorse.

Dehumidifier Buying Guide / Consumer Reports

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Oct 11, 2016 9:00:00 AM

When I was growing up, one of our family traditions was a trip to our local pumpkin patch. I always loved trying to find the best pumpkin, or at least one better than my brother’s. It was even more exciting when I found a pumpkin attached to a vine. This meant I could take my jackknife out of its holster and use it to cut the vine.

After finding the perfect pumpkin, we ventured into the store to buy caramel apples, homemade apple pies, and apple cider.

After a couple of hours, we jumped back into the family station wagon and headed home. Back in those days, there were no bounce houses, corn mazes, haunted houses, or pumpkin cannons. Just a good old-fashioned farm.

Fast forward to today. Many pumpkin farms are major attractions that draw people from near and far on a nice sunny day, especially when the favorite football team has a bye. If you’re taking your kids or grandkids to a pumpkin farm for the first time, here are some tips you may find helpful.

1. Research. If you’re going to a pumpkin farm for the first time, do your research. Visit the website to find out:

• What activities are available;
• Food options;
• Admission and parking fees; and
• Hours of operation.

I remember taking my kids to a pumpkin farm when we were a young family. It was so expensive that instead of enjoying the day, I worried about the money spent and not having enough.

2. Encourage your kids to walk. I know this can be difficult because before you can utter the words, they’re gone. Their excitement is too much to contain. Keep in mind that during the year farming operations occur. The ground can be very uneven due to the heavy farming equipment. The uneven terrain, along with corn stalks and pumpkin vines, could trip them along the way. While you’d never expect a broken wrist or a twisted ankle at a pumpkin farm, it’s certainly possible.

3. Discuss parking lot safety. The bigger the farm, the more traffic and parking headaches you’ll encounter.

4. Wash your hands. Some of the larger farms have portable bathrooms with hand-washing stations nearby. These stations are great after feeding the goats and before enjoying a picnic lunch. If you don’t know that the farm has hand-washing stations, bring hand sanitizer.

5. Don’t forget the cash. If you’re like me, the only thing you have in your purse or wallet are receipts. I never carry cash because I use my debit card for everything. Keep in mind, however, that smaller farms may only accept cash.

6. Apply sunscreen. A nice fall day can still be warm and sunny.

7. Wear the appropriate shoes and clothes. As I mentioned, today’s farms offer so many different activities, like hay bales to climb, zip lines, pony rides, and corn mazes. Jeans and long-sleeved shirts can help prevent cuts and scrapes. As for shoes, close-toed shoes are the best option. Again, these working farms have fields, gravel paths, and uneven ground. I remember my daughter once insisted on wearing flip-flops. It makes for an interesting time when the flip-flop breaks.

8. Pack plenty of water and light snacks. Hydration is always important when spending time outdoors.

9. Be patient and respectful. While everyone is there to have a good time, it’s possible someone may skip ahead of you in line, the person behind the counter is working slowly, or someone bumps you and you spill your soda. Take a deep breath and think about what’s important.

10. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Take plenty of pictures and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Some of my favorite pictures are of my family at our local pumpkin farm.

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Oct 4, 2016 9:00:00 AM

It’s that time of year … kids are back in school! It’s the perfect time to review the correct status of your youthful drivers with your insurance agent.

It’s very important to update your insurance agent each year on the changing status of your children: Are they back to college? Do they have a vehicle? Will the vehicle be garaged? Are they eligible for good student discounts?

Auto insurance premiums for youthful drivers, especially if you have more than one, can be costly for parents. Statistics show, however, that students with good grades are less likely to have accidents and are safer drivers overall. That’s why insurance carriers offer a variety of student discounts based on their grades and location.

A good student discount can be applied to children who reside at home and attend a local school. They must have 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA).

Children who go away to college and take a vehicle with them can also be eligible for this discount based on their grades. It’s important, however, to let your insurance company know where the child will have the vehicle. In most cases, other rating considerations will apply based on where it will be garaged. There may also be a coverage issue if the car is driven/garaged in another state.

A resident student discount can be applied to children who are still considered residents of the parents’ household, but are attending college full-time more than 100 miles from home and have NO vehicle with them. This discount can be substantial! The rating takes into account that the student will be driving infrequently while at home on breaks or for the summer, yet is covered year-round as a rated driver.

Some carriers offer a graduate student discount. This is for children ages 21-24 who’ve graduated and are done with college with a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA. It’s like an extended good student discount until they get to the adult rating class at age 25. Parents often overlook this discount because they believe that once the child graduates, the discounts end. This can save HUNDREDS of dollars each year in auto insurance premiums so be sure to discuss it with your agent!

Always maximize the auto insurance discounts for which your family is eligible. Talk to your agent about your child’s changing student and vehicle status. These discounts, coupled with driving safely and remaining claim and violation free, all help your overall insurance savings!

This blog was written by Personal Lines underwriter Joyce Schuett. Joyce has been with West Bend for eleven years.

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Sep 27, 2016 1:34:41 PM

Today’s thieves have found creative ways to steal our personal information, as well as our property.

For instance, you may have seen news reports about skimming devices installed on ATMs or gas pumps. These devices were recently attached to pumps at gas stations throughout Wisconsin.

Thieves have also found a way into autos with keyless entry systems. I’ve seen reports where shoppers walked out of a store only to discover the car is gone. Even worse are the stories of people who find their cars have been stolen from their driveways!

As thieves continue to find new ways to take our valuables, we need to know how to protect ourselves. From a debit/credit card perspective, I believe my bank is doing a good job protecting my family. In the last couple of years, they issued new cards for us because of strange activity on them. We recently received cards with the chip, so we’ll see how well that works.

Next time you pull into a gas station or use an ATM, here are some tips that could help protect your identity and personal finances.

1. Public view. Consider using ATMs that are in public view or in a high-traffic area. Skimmers need to be attached to the ATMs by the thieves, so they need time to work. An ATM in a low traffic area is probably the perfect target for them.
2. Take a peek. Before using an ATM or gas pump, look it over. Law enforcement professionals recommend looking for loose card readers by gently touching them, looking for scratches, and determining if safety seals have been broken or tampered with.
3. Review your checking account transactions frequently. My wife constantly monitors our checking account. I’m not sure, however, if she’s really looking for suspicious activity or just making sure my spending habits are in line.
4. Look over your shoulder. Lately, I’ve been looking over my shoulder to see if anybody or anything is lurking around. I also started covering the key pad when entering my pin number.
5. Debit vs. credit. Some vendors prefer that customers use debit cards so they can avoid the fees charged by credit card companies. If, however, you have the option, to use your credit card instead of your debit card, it will offer additional protection since you don’t have to enter your PIN. My wife always uses the credit card at the pump simply because it’s easier.

Here’s an interesting video from ABC News called, “Why Chip Credit Cards Are Still Not Safe From Fraud.” It illustrates how skimming works and how to protect yourself.

When it comes to key fobs, there are a few ways to protect yourself. While these tips may not be convenient for you, they give you some protection options.

1. Distance. Put some distance between your keys and your car. Experts believe thieves are using some type of electronic extender that intercepts your key fobs signal and leads your car to believe your key fob is close by.
2. Store your key fob in a metal box. Storing your key fob in a metal box can contain the signal so if thieves are hiding outside your home, they can’t retrieve the signal.
3. Use the interior automatic door lock. When in a parking lot, many people lock their doors with the key fob as they’re walking away from the car. If thieves are parked nearby, they can get the signal and use it to unlock your car once you’re inside. Consider using the door lock on your armrest inside of your car before heading toward the store or restaurant.

Thieves are always finding new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting people. I hope these tips will help keep you and your family safe.

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Sep 20, 2016 11:00:00 AM

Purchasing insurance can be overwhelming. Definitions, conditions, coverages, exclusions, and endorsements can definitely cause confusion and possibly give you a headache. And purchasing insurance isn’t exactly exciting or fun. But imagine your life without it. Imagine losing everything you own to a fire and not having insurance to help get your life back on track.

You’ve probably heard me say that I’m an insurance geek. When I ask people who their insurance company is, they usually answer, “I don’t know,” or they give me their local agent’s name. If there’s a loss to your home, auto, or business, the last thing you want to have to do is figure out who’s your insurance company and who’s your agent and how they help when your life’s been turned upside down.

The purpose of this blog is to share different things to consider when deciding where to place your insurance business.

1. Independent agent vs. insurance company. As I mentioned, people aren’t always sure who their insurance company is and who their agent is. West Bend’s products are sold by independent insurance agents throughout the Midwest. Not only do they sell our products, they also sell other companies’ products, too, including West Bend’s competitors. The job of the independent agent is to find an insurance company that best fits your insurance needs. This isn’t as easy as it sounds.

To learn more about the benefits of working with an independent insurance agent, check out my blog,“Benefits of an independent insurance agent.”

The insurance company (West Bend) works in partnership with independent agent before and after the policy is sold. The insurance company:

• Determines premium by reviewing suggested coverages identified by your independent agent;
• Mails you a copy of your insurance policy;
• Handles your insurance payments;
• Makes changes to your policy as recommended by your agent or because of a life style change (i.e. new teen driver);
• Provides businesses with loss prevention strategies; and lastly
• Pays claims should a loss occur.

Please note that an insurance policy is a contract. What’s covered and not covered is specified in your policy. Please be sure to read your policy and talk to your independent agent so you know how a future loss may be covered.

2. Company history/reputation. Research the insurance companies you’re interested in. By visiting their websites, you may learn:

• How long they’ve been in business;
• In which states they sell their products;
• Their mission, vision, and values;
• Company leadership;
• Community involvement;
• Types of products they sell; and
• Financial strength.
• It’s unlikely you’ll find a company with only positive reviews. If the information doesn’t answer all your questions or leaves you feeling not quite right about them, research another company. As with other purchasing decisions, you should be comfortable with your decision.

3. Understand the insurance company’s financial strength. If there’s a difficult claim situation, you don’t want to hear your insurance company can’t pay your claim because of its poor financial results. Many insurance companies work with independent rating agencies that review many factors and the financial results in order to assign a letter grade or score. Since 1971, West Bend has been rated A (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best Company which is recognized worldwide as the benchmark for assessing insurers’ financial strength.

To learn more about the independent rating agencies, check out “How to Assess the Financial Strength of an Insurance Company.”

4. Coverage. Select an insurance company that provides appropriate coverage for your personal or business needs.

5. Price. While price should be a consideration when purchasing insurance, it shouldn’t be the only one. Remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” There are many reasons why pricing differs between insurance carriers. A lower price may mean you have less coverage. Less coverage means more money out of your pocket when a loss occurs. A lower price may also mean that insurance carrier has entered a new market for them so it may not have the experience another insurer would. Please talk to your agent about the differences.

6. Ease of doing business. Understand how you can interact with an insurance company. Interactions may include:

• Online bill pay;
• Online claim reporting;
• 24/7 customer service;
• Social media platforms;
• Policy changes; and
• Billing questions.

7. Available discounts. Many insurance companies offer discounts. Find out what discounts apply to your situation. For example, West Bend offers discounts for:

• Protective devices;
• Newer and updated homes;
• Specialized construction materials or methods;
• Financial stability;
• Multi-car families;
• Good students; and
• Anti-lock brakes.

West Bend also offers discounts for associations, groups, or corporations participating in our innovative Association Plus® program.

8. The power of referrals. Each day we’re inundated with marketing and advertising messages that can be overwhelming. Talk to family, friends, and co-workers to learn about their experiences with an insurance company.

Source
http://www.iii.org/article/choosing-an-insurance-company

WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Sep 13, 2016 9:30:05 AM