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Wishing You A Very Happy Thanksgiving!

- Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Happy Thanksgiving

You are an integral part of the Lallis & Higgins Insurance family and we are so grateful for your support!

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, we want to give thanks to all of you, our exceptional clients who make our growth not just possible, but worthwhile. Our customers are the reason we thrive and the reason we are here. Thank you so much for choosing us time and time again. The economy may be in a struggle right now, but we do know one thing: Without your loyalty, your feedback, and your support, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

May this Thanksgiving be as joyful as you deserve, and the start of a fun and happy holiday season and a successful and healthy new year! In this time of giving thanks, we want to thank you, our customers. Wishing you all the best, and a very happy Thanksgiving.


Thanksgiving Travel Safety

- Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Thanksgiving Trip

Nearly 49 million people are expected to take to the highways to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends* — making it one of the busiest times of the year for road traffic.

If you’re planning to travel by car, try to avoid the peak travel times and follow these American Red Cross tips to help keep you safe:

  1. Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip.
  2. Pack an emergency preparedness kit, supplies and a first aid kit in your vehicle.
  3. Share travel plans with a family member or friend.
  4. Check the weather before departing and along your route. Plan for travel around any storms that may be coming.
  5. Be well rested and alert.
  6. Buckle up, slow down and don’t drive impaired.
  7. Follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones.
  8. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  9. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
  10. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

If winter weather threatens and you become stuck in the snow, these tips are for you:

  • Stay with the car. Do not try to walk to safety.
  • Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
  • Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
  • Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running to help rescuers see the vehicle.
  • Keep one window, away from the blowing wind, slightly open to let in fresh air.
  • Carry an emergency preparedness kit in the trunk.
  • Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.

PLANES, TRAINS Almost six million people will take a plane or train to get to where they are spending their holiday. If you’re one of them:

  • Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else — other passengers, luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • It’s flu season. If you’ve been sick or been in contact with someone who is sick, consider postponing your trip. You could be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.
  • Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
  • Bring your own pillows and blankets — they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
  • Avoid touching your face or eyes. If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.

Bonus tip: Download the Red Cross Emergency app for safety tips and customizable weather alerts for where you and your loved ones live, and areas where you are traveling.

Source: redcross.org


How to Say 'Thank You Veterans' on Veterans Day

- Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - Thank You Veterans

Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank those who have served in the military for their sacrifices and dedication. It’s an important day to show appreciation.

You might consider writing a heartfelt letter or spending time with a veteran, listening to their stories and sharing in their experiences. Volunteering at a local veterans' organization or donating to nonprofits that support veterans' health and well-being can also make a meaningful impact. Even simple acts like attending a Veterans Day ceremony or flying the American flag show respect and solidarity.

Your efforts can help veterans feel valued and supported, not just on this day, but throughout the year.

Here are some ideas.

Say "Thank You Veterans" by Showing Up

Attend a Veterans Day event in your area -- not just a picnic with friends but an honest-to-goodness parade or service for veterans. Roy Rogers said, "We can't all be heroes; someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Veterans Day is a great opportunity to do just that.

Donate to Veteran-Focused Charities

There are a plethora of wonderful organizations that offer all manner of support, services and appreciation for our service members. To get a few ideas for veteran donations, check out some charities that make a difference in the veteran community.

Fly a Flag - Correctly

  • Veterans Day is a great opportunity to fly the flag. Just make sure you're observing the proper rules for display. Here are a few of those important tips:
  • Never drag a U.S. flag on the ground or let it touch the ground.
  • Don't drape it over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle.
  • Don't display the U.S. flag above any other flag, and keep it at the center when it's surrounded by other flags.
  • Don't display a tattered or torn flag. Flags that are tattered and torn should be disposed of in a respectful way, preferably by burning.
  • Never use the flag as apparel, bedding or drapery.
  • Ask Someone About Their Service

It seems like we all know someone who has served, and Veterans Day is a great time to ask them about their service. Learning more about their service can help you appropriately say "thank you."

Questions You Can Ask Veterans

  • Here are some questions to get you started:
  • What did you do in the military?
  • How long did you serve?
  • What was your favorite moment in all your time in the service?
  • Did anyone else in your family serve?
  • Why did you go into the service branch that you did?

Do not ask whether they've killed anyone. If you’re talking to a combat vet, be supportive without being intrusive. Sometimes you don't have to say much of anything; just listen and give them your full attention.

Write a Letter to Say ‘Thank you, Veterans’

If you know a veteran, write a simple letter, postcard or email that recognizes them on Veterans Day. If you don't know a veteran, look up the closest military installation and send one there. Small acts of recognizing someone's service, even anonymously, are appreciated.

The military-focused nonprofit Soldiers' Angels organizes volunteers to write letters to deployed troops, veterans and their caregivers through its Letters for Soldiers initiative.

Don't Confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day

Veterans Day is a time to thank those who are serving or have served and are still with us. Memorial Day is to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country. Confusing the two or combining the two diminishes the importance of both.

Visit a VA Hospital

Find out what the policies are at your nearest VA hospital for interacting with patients or volunteering, and spend the day with a veteran. Many VA facilities will have events on Veterans Day or a special lunch you can help prepare. Even if you never interact with a veteran, helping at a facility is a way to give back and saying "thank you veterans."

Get Outdoors with a Veteran

Invite a veteran or a military family to explore a national park; admission is free for all visitors on Veterans Day. Being outside helps improve physical and mental health, boosts emotional well-being and is a great way to celebrate the day with a veteran.

Source: military.com


Sleep First. Drive Alert.

- Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Lallis & Higgins Insurance - National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®

The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when they are alert and refreshed. Our goal is to help people get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who choose to drive while sleep-deprived.

Together, we can help people drive alert and work to prevent thousands of motor vehicle crashes each year.

Fall-asleep crashes are often caused by not getting the sleep you need

Drowsy driving is more likely to cause a crash.

Just like drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, drowsy driving is a real public health issue, causing thousands of car crashes each year and killing an estimated 6,400 people in the U.S. alone according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports an estimated 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, resulting in more than 71,000 injuries and $12.5 million in damages.

Drowsy driving is really risky.

When you drive without adequate sleep, your motor skills are seriously impaired. In fact, we’ll go as far as saying that drivers who’ve only slept 3 to 5 hours in the last 24 hours are unfit to drive. Most people understand it’s risky, but they don’t think about the consequences.

Drowsy driving is dangerously common.

Young drivers (aged 16-25 years) and shift workers are at greatest risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, but most drivers can relate to a time when they have nodded off while driving. Importantly, drowsy driving is preventable.

Source: thensf.org/



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