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How to keep your pet safe during an emergency

As we’re all likely aware, it would behoove us to expect the unexpected. Natural disasters—from fires to floods and earthquakes to hurricanes—are part of our lives (to say nothing of pandemics!). However, preparation is a large part of any successful battle plan! Even if we can’t prevent all aspects of a disaster, mitigating the effects of emergency situations can still be considered a win.

Perhaps you’re ahead of the game and think you’re prepared. Maybe you already have an earthquake kit stored in your garage or cold weather gear tucked in your trunk. But have you considered the special needs your pets might require to stay safe in an emergency?

Here are the best ways to keep your pet safe during an unexpected emergency.

Be prepared and make a plan

The first step in being prepared to keep your pets safe in an emergency is to outfit them with a collar and microchip, and to make sure that both include your up-to-date contact info.

Next, store leashes and/or carriers near the exit of your house, along with any other equipment you may need for a car ride. Finally, keep a copy of all medical records in an easy to grab location.

Prepare for emergency evacuation

To prepare yourself for an emergency evacuation, help your pets become comfortable in their carriers beforehand by acquainting them with getting in and out and spending time in them. Practice transporting your animals in your car, or if you don’t have your own vehicle, find someone who does that is willing to help in case of an emergency, and practice with them. Take note of where in your home your pets like to hide when they’re scared, so you can find them when the time comes.

In case of evacuation, research shelters and/or hotels near you that accept animals, as well as any boarding facilities (including veterinary offices that board pets) that are close by. Coordinate with family, friends, or neighbors beforehand if you think you may need help evacuating. Designate an alternate caregiver in case you’re unable or unavailable to care for your animal(s), and make sure your pet(s) are comfortable with the person you’ve chosen.

Prepare to shelter at home

In case of the need to shelter at home, designate safety zones in your home that you can feel safe in. For instance, an interior, windowless room in case of a hurricane, a basement area in case of a tornado, or a second-floor room (or elevated area) in case of flooding. Have a plan for accessing fresh water, staying warm, and keeping everyone safe.

Be proactive and create a disaster kit

Much like an emergency preparedness kit for the human members of your household, you should craft a disaster kit for your pets. Below is a list to get you started, but please customize as needed, based on the individual needs of your pet(s).

  • Pet carrier(s) labeled with pet’s name and your contact info
  • Leashes and/or harnesses
  • Food and water for two weeks, along with necessary bowls and dishes
  • Manual can opener
  • One month supply of flea, heartworm, and tick preventative medication
  • Two weeks supply of any medications
  • Litter box and litter for cats
  • Waste bags for dogs
  • Toys and bedding, and anything else that will help them feel comfortable
  • Photocopies of all medical records, including vaccinations and medications
  • Recent photos of pets, plus descriptions in case they get lost
  • Contact info for yourself and emergency contact
  • First Aid book focused on animal care
  • Cleaning supplies

How to weather any emergency

If you have a family emergency that requires you to leave suddenly, you may need last minute care for your pet(s). The best thing you can do in this situation is to have prepared ahead of time and found last minute care options. Make a list of what you want and need in a pet sitter—such as someone comfortable with disbursing medication, caring for more than one animal, etc.—and start researching who and what is available in your area.

There are numerous online services and apps that provide pet sitters, but the first course of action should always be asking people you know for their recommendations. Make sure that anyone you hire is bonded and insured, ask for (and follow up on!) references, and if possible, meet for an in-person interview. Be sure to ask any potential caregivers if they’re open to last minute requests in case of emergencies.

While doing this research, create a check list for future pet sitters that includes your pet’s normal feeding and exercise times, any information on medications or special needs, and contact information for your veterinarian and emergency contact.

As in most scenarios in life, preparation is 90% of the battle. Planning ahead is the best way for you and your pet(s) to come through an emergency safely and will help put your mind at ease. After the past year, a little peace of mind will go a long way for all of us!

Be sure to always keep your four-legged friends protected with Progressive. To learn more about how you can create a custom policy for your pet through Progressive, click here.

The post How to keep your pet safe during an emergency appeared first on Life Lanes.

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Winter Weather Conditions

Winter Weather Conditions

If traveling into the mountains, or into high drift areas- snow can become a big problem very quickly. The severe cold over taking some areas further complicates matters.

Some winter weather tips to help you get through a severe stretch of cold:

  • Stay indoors during the storm.
  • Walk carefully on snowy, icy walkways.
  • Avoid overexertion if shoveling snow. It’s a serious workout, and going at it too hard can bring on a heart attack − a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside.
  • Stay dry. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits the cold rapidly.

Cold-related injuries

  • Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities. If any of these occur, get medical help immediately.
  • Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.
  • If any of the hypothermia symptoms appear, get yourself (or the victim) to a warm location, remove wet clothing, and warm the center of the body first. Give the patient warm, non-alcoholic beverages if they are conscious. And of course, get medical help as soon as possible.

Prepare your home

Some tips to brace your home for a winter storm:

  • Clean out the gutters, disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off outside water valves.
  • Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
  • Repair roof leaks and remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house – or your neighbor’s. (Avoid liability for the latter.)
  • If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you’re not using it.
  • Have a contractor check your roof to see if it would sustain the weight if there’s a heavy snowfall.
  • Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking your home’s heating vents.
  • During exceptional cold spells, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, particularly those in the kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
  • If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider draining the water system.
  • Avoid ice dams – where water from melted snow refreezes in the gutters and seeps in under the roof, soaking interior walls. Here’s how:
    • Ventilate your attic.
    • Insulate the attic floor well to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
    • Consider having a water-repellent membrane installed under your roof covering.

Prepare your car

According to the Department of Transportation, 22% of all vehicle crashes in the U.S. – and 16% of the fatalities – are due to severe weather such as rain, snow, sleet and ice. So, prepare your car for treacherous conditions and extremely cold temperatures – and know what to do if you find yourself stranded in a vehicle. When the temperatures start to drop:

  • Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, travel during the day.
  • Don’t travel alone. Keep others informed of your schedule.
  • Stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.
  • Top off antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, gas, oil and other fluids.
  • Make sure your tires have enough tread. Consider snow tires.
  • Keep bagged salt or sand in the trunk for extra traction and to melt ice.
  • Clear snow from the top of the car, headlights and windows.
  • Save the numbers for your auto club, insurance agent and towing service into your cell phone.
  • If traveling- Keep a cold-weather kit in your trunk. It should include a blanket or sleeping bag, gloves, hard candy, bottled water, folding shovel, first aid kit, flashlight and cell phone charger.

If you’re trapped in a vehicle

  • Remain inside. Rescuers are more likely to find you there.
  • Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes every hour. Clear any snow from the exhaust pipe to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Move around to maintain heat.
  • Use maps, floor mats and seat covers for insulation.
  • Take turns sleeping. Someone should always be awake to alert rescuers.
  • Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
  • Turn on the inside light at night so rescue crews can find you.
  • If you’re stranded in a remote area, stomp out the words “SOS” or “HELP” in the snow.
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‘Tis the Season to Prevent Fires – ErieSense Tip

‘Tis the Season to Prevent Fires – ErieSense Tip

by Erie Insurance

There’s no doubt that some of the best holiday indulgences (turkey! cookies! cake!) come out of an oven, not a gift-wrapped box. But along with the many good things that originate in the kitchen throughout the holiday season, there’s something else that’s all-too-common: fires.

The kitchen is the most common origin for home fires and fire injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Cooking is the leading cause. Burns are the third most likely cause of fatal home injuries, too, according to the Home Safety Council. (For kids, they’re the most likely cause of fatalities).

And now, for the kicker: November and (especially) December are two of the most common months for home fires to occur. But don’t throw in your spatula just yet.

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Tips From The Pros- Professional Cleaning Solutions

Tips From The Pros- Professional Cleaning Solutions

Tips From The Pros- Professional Cleaning Solutions

1: Tip to keep your tub clean- Once you have cleaned your tub, add car wax to the sides (Do not put on the floor of the tub, it will cause it to be slick). Once the wax dries, wipe off. this will make the tub shine and will keep the soap scum from getting on the tub again, keeping it clean for weeks!

2: To keep from being distracted when cleaning a room- I put laundry baskets in the room & put items in the them that go into another room. This keeps me from going into the other rooms & finding things a to do in there- and then winding up not completing what you had started.

3: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”- Poor Richards’ Almanac

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Understanding Your Auto Coverage – ErieSense

Understanding Your Auto Coverage – ErieSense

You know if you have a car, you need auto insurance. However, you’re probably not thinking about what kind of coverage you have until you need it. From protecting your car, to protecting your passengers and any prized possessions along for the ride, it’s good to know your ERIE policy has you covered for life’s little mishaps.

Say your daughter forgets your car is parked right behind her in the driveway or a deer doesn’t wait his turn to cross the street, we’ll make sure you’re back on the road as soon as possible. In the moments after an accident, so many things are happening that you may feel overwhelmed. Thinking about what you auto policy covers shouldn’t be one of them.

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Tips From The Pro – Complete Comfort Heating and Cooling

Tips From The Pro – Complete Comfort Heating and Cooling

Tips from the pros – Complete Comfort Heating and Cooling

The little things matter, and sometimes the little tips and tricks from the pros can save you a lot of time and money in the future.

#1
You typically need to have your heat pump serviced by a professional only every 3-5 years. Annual service on a unit less than 10 years old is not cost effective.

#2
Save yourself $100’s to $1,000’s and the trouble of an insurance claim from water damage due to a backed up drain line by simply pouring one ounce of bleach into the HVAC drain and once a month in the cooling season.

#3
A quick and inexpensive way to prolong the life of your HVAC system and maintain efficiency is to change your return air filters monthly. The best reminder is to change the filters when the power bill comes in.

Visit Vallie insurance at https://vallieinsurance.net for all your insurance needs, and
Visit Complete Comfort at http://greenevillecompletecomfort.com for all your Heating and Cooling needs