Summer is Here! Water Safety Tips

Now that it seems like we have the summer we've earned (after all of the gray days this winter), and one of the joys of the warmer weather is spending time around the lakes and rivers of Western Washington. With that in mind, it's important to put safety first around rushing waters, waves and those sort-of-sandy beaches. Here are 10 Safety Tips and Hazards to look out for near water's edge:

1) Fast moving currents in rivers and oceans can sneak up on you. You can't see them but they can quickly sweep you away. Look for warning signs and if you're visiting an area you haven't been to before, do your research.

2) Sudden changes in tide. Even strong swimmers may not have the muscle power needed to get back to shore when the tides go out. You could even be trapped in a sandbank when it sweeps in. Try to familiarize yourself with the tide times.

3) Hidden depths - the sand and gradients can fall away very quickly in rivers, lakes and oceans. Carefully test the ground in front of you and don't swim in areas you aren't completely familiar with or haven't tested. Be sure not to dive in unknown waters.

4) Dangerous objects often lurk beneath the surface. Junk, rocks, stinging and other hostile creatures threaten your safety. Ideally, swim in clear water and frequently glance down immediately in front of you.

5) The chill factor. Rivers start their journeys from icy water (often including melting snow) and even ocean water can be much colder than you expect. This can cause sudden cramps and even hypothermia. If the water's cold, don't swim too long, or avoid it altogether. You should also note that babies under a year old can't regulate their body heat properly.

6) Man or woman overboard! On boat, ski-doos, and jet-skis you run the risk of capsizing or falling and ending up overboard. Avoid risky behavior and showing off and be sure to always wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.

7) Losing sight - it's easy to keep an eye on kids at the swimming pool in your backyard or the local public pool. In a wide open river or lake, that's a bit more of a challenge. Be sure to issue clear boundaries and keep a close eye on those not-so-strong swimmers.

8) Wave power. Waves can vary dramatically from one to the next, especially with changing winds and tide conditions. Be sure you are well away of your surroundings when splashing in the waves.

9) Watch the sunshine. Breezes coming off of the water often mask how warm and sunny it is outside. Avoid sunburns by applying sunscreen frequently - especially on those that are going in and out of the water.

10) Not knowing how to swim is a danger as well. Teach kids basic water safety, and how to swim, and bit of first aid before they head out into the water.

Safety in the sunshine and in the waves is important to enjoying a day near the water. Hopefully we will have many days to enjoy the (not-so) warm waters and sunshine in the area.

Love Bites! Dog Bites and Umbrellas

We spend a lot of time in our office making sure that all of our clients have the protection they need for life's adventures. One thing we have brought to the attention of our clients several times is the need for umbrella coverage. I found this story from Safeco Insurance and thought I'd share it with you...playing outside with dogs and kids is a common practice this time of year.

"In today's economy, everyone is pinching pennies. So why worry about umbrella coverage? Shouldn't a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered?

Unfortunately, we live in a world of law school. Large damages can be awarded, be extremely expensive, and have long-term financial impact. Those lawsuits can come from unlikely sources, such as our furry friends.

Take Herschel for instance. Herschel is a much-loved, rather timid labradoodle who enjoys taking naps on the driveway while his owners mows the lawn.

Herschel watched from eight feet away as his neighbor, a 39 year old man, showed off his rollerblading skills to his kids. The man wiped out in front of Herschel's house and broke his leg. He required surgery, costing around $35,000 in medical costs and $18,000 in lost wages.

Fair or not, the man brought a lawsuit against Herschel's owner, suing for $220,000 in damages. He alleged that Herschel had caused the accident by getting in his way, despite multiple witnesses to the contrary.

But Herschel's owner was lucky - a jury vindicated Herschel. However, lawsuits such as these can easily exceed the limits on a homeowners policy, leaving the insured responsible for the remainder. An umbrella policy would prevent that, giving you an extra $1 million to $5 million in coverage.

Our furry friends can put your assets at risk in other ways as well. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those occurring on the owner's property. Dog bites, according to the Insurance Information Institute, account for about a third of all homeowners insurance claims, which only cover limited damages."

Just something to think about...and if you are curious as to whether or not umbrella coverage is something your family needs give us a call. We can discuss your situation and whether or not an umbrella would be beneficial for you and your family.

High Cost of Low Deductibles

Did you know that your low deductibles on your home or auto insurance may be costing you more than you think? Many of us look at deductibles as a way to save in the event of a claim...but those low deductibles may be costing you more than you expect.

Your deductible is the amount you pay towards a claim before your insurance kicks in. If, for example, you are in a fender-bender with $1,000 worth of damage, you would pay your $250 deductible, and your insurance company would pay the remaining $750 of damage.

There are good reasons why insurance companies have deductibles and they also explain why a higher deductible can save you money in the long run. There are several expenses involved in handling a claim - from assessing the damage, to handling repairs to the costs of towing and rentals in the case of that fender-bender. By sharing some of the financial responsibility of the claim with its clients, the insurance company can reduce their costs - savings to them which translate into savings for you. Insurance companies pass the savings on to their customers who choose higher deductibles through lower premiums.

While the savings may be just a bit from year to year, having the best deductibles for your situation can save you money over time. Please give us a call to review and discuss your policies!

Improving Fuel Economy for Summer Road Trips

In case you haven't noticed, gas prices have been rising lately - and quickly. With summer finally here, gas consumption is a concern that many have as they make their summer plans. Here are some helpful hints for improving your gas mileage - some common sense and some not so - just in time for road trips, trips to the airport, and making the trek to the lake or beach:

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  Drive smoothly - be gentle with your acceleration and your brakes. Aggressive driving lowers your gas mileage.


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  Reduce idling. Why run your engine without going anywhere? If you are idling for more than 30 seconds, go ahead and turn off your car. It'll use less gas to stop and restart the engine than to sit there with it running.


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  Remove excess weight. An extra 100 pounds sitting in the back seat can reduce fuel economy as much as 2%.


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  Keep your tires inflated. Tires that are too full or too flat can reduce the efficiency of your car...meaning your gas mileage is not as great as it could be. If your car doesn't have tire pressure sensors built in, you can pick up a tire pressure sensor fairly inexpensively at your local auto supply store.


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  Change the oil. And if you don't know how, there are several places around that are more than happy to change your oil and refresh your fluids. Energy conserving or synthetic motor oil can reduce engine friction while making your car more efficient.


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  Keep your engine properly tuned. If your car is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test, fixing the major problems with your car can increase your gas mileage significantly.

These are just a few tips to help make sure you get the most out of your gas money - more tips like these can be found at www.fueleconomy.gov. As always, wishing you safe trips on the roads this summer!

Edmonds Arts Festival This Weekend!

For those of you that are unfamiliar, Father's Day Weekend in Edmonds brings the Edmonds Arts Festival. For three days, the Frances Anderson Center is full of art, craft vendors, entertainment and food. I know a good number of people who believe that having strawberry shortcake at the Arts Festival is the true start to summer (well, for most years).

Luckily, our office is just down the street from the Festival - so we get to hear the music, see the set-up, and feel like a part of the festivities right from our desks!

For more information visit www.edmondsartsfestival.com - we hope that you can make it out to see local artists and crafts, and see a bit of what Edmonds has to offer. And since it's the weekend, we won't be here to greet you, but drop us a line if you stop by the Arts Festival. We'd love to hear what you think!

It's Time for the Flag Recycle

Yesterday was Flag Day, marking the start of our 3rd Flag Recycle! Every year, usually around Flag Day in June, we hold a collection for worn, tattered and well-loved flags. Once the flags are collected, we donate them to local Boy Scout Troops to be retired - often times at their summer camp programs.

This year, we are collecting flags until the 4th of July (well, because of the holiday weekend, July 1st) - and if you are one of the first 25 people to stop by the event, you can not only bring us your well-worn flag, but we will give you a replacement to fly in its place.

If you or a friend has a flag that needs to be retired come by our office - we will be open and collecting flags from 7:30am-5:00pm Mondays through Thursdays and from 8:00am-3:00pm Fridays! We hope to see you!

Hit the Deck! Get Ready for Summer Barbecue Season

As the temperatures slowly start to rise, fond memories of summer evenings spent dining alfresco, or afternoons spent basking in the sun start to become a reality. But, much like anything else, those outdoor spaces we treasure when the sun shines require a little maintenance this time of year. Now is the best time to check your patio, deck or other outdoor living space for wear and tear, make repairs and spruce it up for the best of the summer months.

Usually the life expectancy of a wooden deck is between 10 and 15 years, and the Home Safety Council reckons that as many as 20 million decks may be at risk for serious damage each year. Doing a yearly inspection of your deck can not only make sure it is safe for friends and family, but can help make sure your deck lasts as long as possible. Repairing or replacing all damaged or missing parts, as well as treating the wood with a preserver, can help extend the life of your deck.

The first thing that needs to be checked is the overall structure of the deck - the wood or composite itself, then the hardware that keeps the deck together and attached to your house. Make sure you look underneath the deck, checking for corrosion, missing fixtures and rotten or cracked boards or posts. These are items that need to be replaced, not repaired.

Ground level patios are usually concrete or tile, and they, too, require a bit of maintenance. The main safety concerns with patios are slippery surfaces and cracks. Broken tiles can be replaced but cracks in a concrete slab are a bit more of a challenge. Small cracks can often be temporarily patched or filled, but the patio will need to be replaced in the future.

After a long, wet winter slippery patio surfaces become a big concern. Usually, moss is the culprit with patios in our area. This problem is best handled with a cleanser and a strong pressure washer to remove the chemicals from the solvents.

Once your deck or patio is cleaned and repaired, you can enjoy the sunsets, sunrises or outdoor barbecues all season long.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...and Home Again Safely

It's baseball season again, and the Seattle Mariners are winning, making this a great time to head to the game. While most fans have a hot dog and peanuts at the ballpark, almost half enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. In a study in the April, 2011 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, researchers approached fans of as they left 13 Major League Baseball games and 3 National Football League games. They recruited 382 people, and participants leaving a baseball game were the majority at 264 . Of those people, 8% were too drunk to legally drive and 40% had some sort of alcohol in their systems. While the study didn't say where these spectators were surveyed, we still want you to be careful as you enjoy summer sports (of all kinds!) throughout the Pacific Northwest.