Personal Lines Insights | January 2024
Preventing and Recognizing Frostbite
The cold temperatures of winter can be more than unpleasant. Many conditions related to frigid conditions, such as frostbite, can have significant consequences for your health.
Preventing Frostbite
Avoiding frostbite altogether is the ideal way to prevent resulting health issues. To do so, consider the following guidance:
Wait to conduct any unnecessary tasks or errands until temperatures warm up.
Cover as much skin as possible, including your hands, feet, nose and ears.
Take regular breaks from the conditions by going inside periodically, even if you don’t feel cold.
Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol before heading out into low temperatures, as doing so may increase your risk of frostbite.
Signs of Frostbite
If you do end up having frostbite, recognizing it quickly can make a huge difference in limiting harm. Be aware of the following symptoms:
Skin discoloration
Burning or tingling sensations
Numbness
In later stages, skin may turn completely black and appear loose or flayed, and may even suffer permanent damage.
How to Treat Frostbite
If you believe you may be suffering from frostbite, move to a warm location and remove any wet clothing as soon as possible. Avoid rubbing or massaging your skin and do not apply direct heat. Instead, immerse affected areas in warm water.
For more winter safety resources, contact us today.
Commemorate National Radon Action Month and Keep Your Home Safe
January is National Radon Action Month. This initiative focuses on raising awareness among U.S. residents and homeowners about the dangers of radon, a radioactive gas that can enter homes from the ground and is among the leading causes of lung cancer.
Radon may enter your home through its water supply, as well as cracks in floors and walls and gaps around service pipes. Fortunately, there are ways you can detect radon and limit its harmful effects, such as testing your home for it. Conducting tests for radon should be a high priority in the following situations:
Your home has never been tested for radon.
Your home has not been tested for radon in over two years.
Your home has been renovated since its last radon test.
You plan to finish, renovate or alter lower levels (e.g., cellars and basements) that were not previously tested.
You plan to sell your home and must disclose radon information to potential buyers.
If a radon test reveals an issue in your home, you should take immediate action by working with a qualified radon-reduction professional to install a mitigation system. If your home’s water has high levels of radon, installing a water treatment instrument is necessary.
To commemorate National Radon Action Month, take time to learn about ways you can protect yourself, your family and other members of your household. Learn the risks of radon exposure and how you can protect yourself and your family.
Understanding Collision and Comprehensive Auto Coverage
Understanding your auto insurance’s details is critical to ensure you are adequately protected from the financial consequences of vehicle-related incidents.
Two common features of standard auto insurance are collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. These components focus on financially protecting your insured vehicle in the following ways:
Collision coverage can help pay to repair your vehicle after striking another automobile or a stationary object, such as a building, guardrail or signpost.
Comprehensive coverage may provide financial assistance if your car is damaged by noncollision incidents, such as fires, theft, vandalism and falling objects (e.g., tree limbs).
Although collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are not usually required by law, each offers critical financial protection. Without them, you may struggle to repair your vehicle following an accident or other incident.
Contact us for more auto insurance guidance.
This newsletter is intended for informational use only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.