We take our pets everywhere. On a much needed vacation, heading to the park or it’s a quick trip to the veterinarian for a check-up – some furry passengers just love to ride. But traveling in automobiles can be extremely dangerous for your family companion – and you.

Loose pets inside of vehicles can become a deadly distraction for drivers. Moreover, unrestrained pets can become hazards themselves during an accident. Without proper restraint, a simple joyride with your four-legged friend could result in harsh consequences for everyone.

Here are a few important tips that will help to keep you, your best friend, and others safe and happy on your next trip:

• To avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety, work your pet up to longer trips by taking shorter treks before taking on a long expedition.
• Just in case you and your pet become separated, be sure that all ID tags are properly affixed to your pet’s collar and that they have your current contact information, including cell number(s).
• Update your microchip registration and pet license information to ensure its current and consider including the name and phone number of an emergency contact.
• Never leave pets unattended inside of vehicles. Remember that cars heat up fast – even with the windows cracked!
• Properly restrain, contain or crate your pets inside of your vehicle prior to your trip. Consider purchasing a specially designed pet seatbelt, carrier or barrier to avoid irreversible consequences due to distractions or other mishaps.
• Never allow pets to sit on your lap or remain in the front seat while you drive.
• Never allow pets to stick any portion of their bodies out the window. Although most dogs love to stick their heads out open windows, the wind can seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit or other debris into their eyes. Pets could also be seriously injured by objects as you drive down the road.
• Pets should never be transported in the bed of a pickup truck. Not only could your pet injure, or even kill himself/herself – he/she could cause an accident which may harm someone else. It is estimated that at least 100,000 dogs die in accidents each year because they were riding in truck beds.
• Do not leash your pet inside of a truck bed even when parked to avoid strangulation hazards and because open truck beds do not provide any protection from the weather. The hot sun can heat the metal floor of a truck bed enough to burn a pet’s paws. A dog left sitting in the broiling sun without water or shade may suffer from heat stroke.

Keeping pets safe is every pet owner’s responsibility. Being a safe driver is not only your obligation – it’s the law!

Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.The best way to keep your child safe in the car is to use the right car seat in the right way. Here are some car seat safety tips to protect your most precious cargo.

Hard Facts about Safety in Cars

• Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States.
• Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
• More than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly.

Top Tips about Car Seat Safety

• Buying the right car seat. Your baby needs to ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible until 2 or more years. When your child has outgrown that seat, you are ready for a forward-facing car seat. Get more details about buying the right car seat for your child.
• Installing your car seat. You’ll need to decide on using either the seat belt or lower anchors to secure your car seat. Both are safe, but don’t use them both at the same time. Once your child is forward facing, it is important to use the tether with the seat belt or lower anchors. Get more details about installing your car seat.
• Getting the right fit. A properly-fitted harness gives the best possible protection for your child. Here are more details about getting the right fit for your child.
• When to change your car seat. Look on the car seat label to make sure your child is still within the weight, height and age limits for that seat. Get details about when to change your car seat.

Learn More

Many kids spend a lot of time in the car, so it is important to learn how to keep them safe on the road. There’s a lot to know! Learn more car seat safety tips to protect your child.

In many situations, having insurance really isn’t optional. After certain disasters, you could even end up bankrupt without certain coverage. Here’s a quick look at just a few example scenarios of what could happen without insurance.

Your neighbor sues you for a dog bite: If your neighbor came over to your house for a party and got bitten by your dog, they could sue you. With the right homeowners insurance, your liability coverage would protect you from the costs of a lawsuit, legal defenses, and any settlements you might have to pay. But if you didn’t have home insurance, you’d have to pay these fees out of pocket, which could really add up.

You hit a deer with your car: If you’re driving at night and a deer jumps out in front of you, you might mistakenly think the auto insurance you’ve got would automatically cover the cost of repairs to your car. But without comprehensive or other than collision coverage, your policy actually wouldn’t reimburse you for the damage. You’d have to pay to repair or replace your vehicle by yourself.

Your business gets vandalized by rioters: Especially during times of civil unrest, your business can be vulnerable to vandalism and other attacks by rioters and disgruntled citizens. If your business got vandalized by rioters and you didn’t have a business insurance policy, you'd have to pay any resulting property damage out of pocket. If the damage was substantial, you could end up facing temporary closures or even bankruptcy.

It’s critical to always be equipped with the proper coverage for your home, car, business, and more. Without it, you could really end up in a world of trouble not just financially, but otherwise. An independent insurance agent can help you avoid these disasters and much more.

Here’s How an Independent Insurance Agent Could Help

When it comes to helping insurance customers avoid common mistakes when purchasing insurance, no one’s better equipped than an independent insurance agent. Independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in every type of insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.

Contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance for more information.

trustedchoice.com

Shopping for insurance can be stressful and time-consuming, and it’s important to avoid certain mistakes during the process. If you’re not careful, you could end up buying coverage from an illegitimate company or walking away without the right policy.

Check out this handy guide to the mistakes every insurance shopper needs to avoid so you can be prepared.

What to Avoid When Purchasing Insurance

It’s important to know what to do and look for when shopping for insurance, but it’s equally important to be aware of what to avoid. Following these tips when purchasing insurance can help save you from headaches and much worse down the road.

Here are some pitfalls you must avoid when shopping for and purchasing insurance

• Being swayed by low prices alone: Sometimes insurance companies that offer low prices on coverage could end up costing you in other ways. You might get matched with a policy that doesn’t cover everything you need it to, when paying just a bit more for coverage with a better insurance company could have avoided this issue.
• Not checking if an insurance company is legit: Insurance expert Jeffery Green said that it’s critical to make sure the insurance company and agent are licensed in your state. Unfortunately, fake insurance policies are available and sometimes folks don’t find out their coverage isn’t legitimate until they really need to use it.
• Only buying the bare minimum coverage: One common example of this is folks who only purchase their state’s minimum requirements for car insurance. Later on, they’re left without valuable coverage for disasters like theft, flood damage, or even collisions.
• These are just a few common mistakes you need to avoid when purchasing insurance. To ensure you don’t make these mistakes or others when shopping for your coverage, enlist the help of an independent insurance agent.

How to Avoid These Mistakes When Shopping for Insurance

• It’s not enough to know what mistakes to avoid when shopping for insurance, you also need to know how to avoid them. Here are just a few handy tips to avoiding big mistakes when hunting for coverage.
• Research the insurance company first: Check websites like AM Best or Moody’s to determine an insurance company’s financial health before you buy from them. Ratings on these websites can help you spot a legitimate company that’ll offer you quality coverage and service, and that is a good choice for awarding your trust and money.
• Check customer reviews: Another easy way to avoid getting stuck with a scam company is to read customer reviews online before buying from them. Websites like Consumer Affairs and Clearsurance offer dozens of customer reviews per company.
• Check for business complaints: You can also look at the Better Business Bureau’s website’s rating of an insurance company and read customer reviews there. The BBB’s website will also show if the carrier’s had any complaints filed against them, and for what.
• Work with an independent insurance agent: Independent insurance agents are essentially your greatest ally when shopping for and purchasing insurance. Not only are they familiar with lots of different insurance companies and their rates, but they’re also insurance experts. So not only can they help you find affordable coverage, they’ll also make sure you purchase the types of coverage you really need.

Independent insurance agents won’t let you walk away with just the bare minimum coverage, or the cheapest coverage available from a company that’s not reputable. It’s their job to make your insurance journey not only simpler but safer, so you can relax knowing you’ll get the quality coverage you deserve from a reputable company.

For help with insurance questions, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: trustedchoice.com

Driving in Winter Conditions

• Check your vehicle emergency supplies kit and replenish it if necessary.
• Bring enough of the following for each person:
  • Blankets or sleeping bag
  • Rain gear, extra sets of dry clothing, mittens, socks, and wool hats
  • Newspapers for insulation
  • Plastic bags for sanitation
  • Canned fruit, nuts, and high energy snacks
  • Warm broth in a thermos and several bottles of water
• Bring your cell phone and make sure the battery is charged.
• Plan to travel during daylight and, if possible, take another person with you.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.
• Before leaving, check the weather reports for all areas you will be passing through.
• Watch out for sleet, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and dense fog.

If You Are Stranded

• Stay in the vehicle and wait for help. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards (91 meters).
• Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help. Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna and raise the hood after snow stops falling.
• Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Use the heater while the engine is running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind window for ventilation.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
• Do light exercises to keep up circulation. Clap your hands and move your arms and legs occasionally.
• If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping.
• Huddle together for warmth. Wrap yourself in newspapers, maps, and even the removable floor mats to help trap more body heat.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Drink fluids to avoid dehydration, which can make you more susceptible to the ill effects of cold and to heart attacks.
• Avoid overexertion. Shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.

Anyone who's been through a flood knows that recovering after this kind of disaster isn't easy. You're forced to accept that irreplaceable family treasures and memories may be gone forever, your furniture is destroyed, potentially along with your home. It's a devastating and emotional moment and a lot to take in all at once. But you know the only thing you can do is move forward, and begin the steps needed to restore your home.

As soon as the floodwaters recede, you can return to your home as long as officials give the OK to do so. Before entering your home, however, make sure it is safe!

Tips for staying safe upon return:

• Check for structural damage and use extreme caution. One way to do this is to check if the walls are vertical and straight.
• Turn off the electricity in your home at the main breaker or fuse box. Make sure you stand in a dry spot to do this! If you can't stand in a dry spot, call an electrician who will take care of the risk.
• Two people in rain boots standing on a wet floor
• Turn off the gas. If you smell something unusual, leave immediately and call your gas company from another location.
• Check your sewage system. Repair damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. These serious health hazards.
• Take precaution when inspecting your home. Your home may have sagging ceilings and areas that are still flooded. Also beware of critters like snakes, spiders and rodents that may have taken refuge in your home!
• Bring waterproof boots, a first aid kit, cleaning supplies and a battery-powered flashlight with you before entering the house! You never know what you'll run into.

Tips for claim reporting:

Another important step to take when recovering from a flood is reporting your loss immediately to your insurance agent or carrier. While flood coverage is typically not provided under most homeowners and renters policies, flood insurance may be available to you through the federally regulated program known as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If you need assistance to locate your flood insurance carrier, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). A claims adjuster should contact you within a day or two after report of the claim, depending on the severity of the flood event.

When reporting a claim, you should have the following information available:

• Your name and address
• Policy number
• Date the loss happened
• Description of events that led to loss
• Active phone number
• Confirm what's covered under your NFIP policy (some policyholders may only have building or personal property items coverage, not both)

Tips for inspections:

The next step, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is to prepare for your inspection. After deeming the structure safe for entry, take as many photos or videos of the flood-damaged property on the outside and inside. Take pictures of high-cost items as well like washers and dryers, hot water heaters, televisions and kitchen appliances. It's also a good idea to separate the damaged from undamaged items prior to the inspection.

When the adjuster arrives, they will inspect your property including taking measurements and photos and give you an overview of the NFIP flood claims process. Remember that some flood insurance claims are more complex than others. Some may be opened and closed quickly, while others may take weeks or even months to resolve.

If your vehicle was also damaged in a flood event, it's best to call your auto insurance provider to see if you're covered for the loss.

If you are a Lallis & Higgins insurance customer and need to file a claim on your home or auto, contact us.

foremost.com

Our warmest New Year’s wishes from the entire team here at Lallis & Higgins Insurance. Calendar year 2021 and these ever-challenging global events placed heavy burdens upon us all. But in many ways, and supported by family, friends, and all of you, 2021 was a uniquely remarkable year, reminding us of hope, family, gatherings and more. This time of year reminds us to recognize the joy that each and every one of you has brought to our lives. We recognize that our business exists because of your friendship, fellowship, trust, and loyalty.

Our New Year’s resolution is to nurture our ever strengthening partnership with you and to deliver value to you, your business, and your family through the entirety of 2022.

Throughout this Holiday season may you be blessed with health and surrounded by friends and family. We hope that the new year brings all of you uninterrupted good health, happiness, and prosperity. Happy New Year from Lallis & Higgins Insurance. As Anne Frank said, “What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.”

Surprisingly, one of the most common problems that homeowners face this time of year is frozen water pipes. Here is some information to safely get pipes thawed:

What should you do if a water pipe freezes?

You should make sure it never happens again! When the water freezes, it tries to expand inside the pipe. It pushes against the sides of the pipe, as well as any nearby valves, seams and faucets. The freezing action of the water is more than capable of rupturing any pipe.

Unfortunately, a water pipe may freeze even if you have taken precautions. Whatever the cause, it's important that you thaw out your pipe for two reasons:

You almost certainly need the water.

You should be at home when the pipe thaws, just in case the pipe and/or joint is ruptured.

Bear in mind that a frozen pipe doesn't leak—the water is ice. You'll discover you have a leak only after the ice melts. If you're not home, a ruptured pipe can cause a great deal of damage.

Here are some methods to thaw out frozen pipes:

CAUTION!: Before you try any of these methods, first open the faucet the frozen pipe supplies. The steam you create while heating the pipe can burst the pipe if it doesn't have an escape.

Method #1: Use electric heat tape on the pipe, and wait for it to thaw out. This is a good method to use because it slowly thaws the pipe, which means it reduces wear and tear on the pipe itself.

CAUTION!: Remember to use only heat tape certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for use with mobile homes. Be careful never to wrap the heat tape back over itself. This could cause the heat tape to overheat and start a fire.

Method #2: Wrap the pipe with several layers of cloth or toweling and pour hot water over the cloth / toweling. Repeat several times until the pipe is unfrozen.

Method #3: Direct a heat lamp on the pipe itself. Place the lamp at least a foot away from the pipe. Cover adjacent areas with a layer of aluminum foil so the heat does not scorch these materials. Make sure the heat lamp is on dry ground. Even better, plug it into a ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet.

CAUTION!: Do not use any direct heating method if the frozen pipe is next to a gas pipe! Call a professional for help.

Method #4: Hold a hand-operated hair dryer to the pipe, and slowly move up and down the length of the frozen section. Make sure you are standing on dry ground. Because you are working this close to water, plug the dryer into a GFCI protected outlet.

You will know the pipe is thawed out when water starts to trickle out of the open faucet. Let the water run for a while to completely clear the pipe. Then, close the faucet and check for leaks.

CAUTION!: Do not use a propane torch to thaw out frozen pipes. Do not use a propane torch even if it has a fire spreader attachment. This is not only a fire hazard, but it's also a quick way to destroy your plastic plumbing pipes.

We want you to be safe in your home and prevention is the key.

Source: foremost.com

Santa’s wonderland at Bass Pro Shops Patriots Place

Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland – a Christmas Classic – is returning to Bass Pro Shops at the Patriots Place store in Foxboro! The rest of the Christmas season families are invited to create new traditions and lasting memories at Bass Pro Shops through no-cost pictures with Santa, crafts for kids, and games and activities to celebrate the season.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland

Gillette Stadium Holiday Magic of Lights Foxboro

Gillette Stadium will be hosting the Magic of Lights. You and your family will be able to enjoy a one-mile holiday lights display drive-thru from Friday, November .19 through Friday, December. 24
https://magicoflights.com/events/foxborough/

Marshfield Holiday Light Show at Fairgrounds

The Marshfield Holiday Light Show will be back starting November 19 – December 30, this is great family night out
https://boldmedia.ticketspice.com/marshfield-holiday-light-show

La Salette Christmas light display in Attleboro, MA

If you are looking to experience the Christmas spirit brightly decorated, you should check out La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. The shrine is decorated with the most extensive and beautiful display of Christmas lights in the area. Begins November 25th- January 2nd
https://lasaletteattleboroshrine.org/christmas-festival

South Shore Sights and Lights BYOB- 21+

Check out some of the South Shore's most beautiful holiday light displays, listen to music, sing songs, and make new friends! Halfway through the trip, we will arrive at a dining establishment where all guests can grab a drink or 2! There will also be a full bar and appetizers available to all guests!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7pm-south-shore-sights-and-lights-holiday-trolley-tour-adults-only-byob-tickets-175216175297?aff=ebdiayyoutube

ZOOLIGHTS! At the Stone Zoo

Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Take a one-way stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, bald eagle, Canada lynx, reindeer, and arctic foxes. https://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/zoolights/

The polar express 4-D Experience at Jordans Furniture in Avon

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 4-D Experience is based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
https://www.jordans.com/content/attractions/mom

A Christmas Carol- The Company Theatre Center for the Arts

The Company Theatre is proud to bring back a joyous South Shore holiday tradition, our signature production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Three spirits visit the miserly Scrooge on Christmas Eve and whisk him away on a journey through memories of his past and glimpses of his future.
https://www.companytheatre.com/a-christmas-carol/

Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. With flood insurance, you're able to recover faster and more fully.

Use this tool below to see how much flood damage – even from just a few inches of water – could cost you.

Just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.

See how much a flood could cost you.

Buy flood insurance today.

Call Lallis & Higgins Insurance, the same company who sells your home or auto insurance.

Source: floodsmart.gov