Protect Yourself from this Hidden Fire Hazard: Spontaneous Combustion

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC 

When most of us think of fire hazards we worry about stoves being left on, faulty wiring, or a space heater too close to the curtains. That pile of oily rags? Not so much. 

But those oily rags could become deadly due to a chemical process called spontaneous combustion, in which materials catch fire in the absence of a spark or flame. All it takes is high internal temperatures and exposure to oxygen. Materials like oily rags, stored bays of hale, and large compost, mulch, manure or leaf piles can all self-combust. 

Often, this process takes place overnight or after hours. Every year, there are an estimated 14,070 spontaneous combustion fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Of these, about half were on residential properties. The most common area of origin in home structure fires were garages and oily rags were the most common cause, according to the NFPA. 

Follow these simple prevention tips to make sure this doesn’t happen to your home or your business: 

Oily rags

• DON’T put rags soaked in oil or another flammable material on top of each other in piles or containers like cardboard or wooden boxes. 
• DO lay oily rags out to dry in a well-ventilated area that is cool. Spreading them out on concrete is ideal. Make sure they are weighed down so they don’t blow away. Keep them away from buildings and out of sunlight. After the rags have dried you can store them in a metal container with a tight lid. Fill the container with water and detergent to prevent spontaneous combustion. 

Piles of hay, compost, mulch, manure, and leaves

• DON’T store hay, compost, mulch, manure, and leaves in large piles near buildings. 
• DON’T move hay to a storage facility while it’s still damp. 
• DO store hay, compost, mulch, manure, and leaves in small piles away from structures. The smaller piles will ensure air circulates and the internal heat dissipates. 
• DO move completely dried hay to storage facilities that are well-ventilated. 

Gasoline, kerosene, and other flammable liquids

• DON’T store gasoline and flammable liquids in containers not designed for that use. 
• DON’T use any flammable liquids for cleaning or treating grease. 
• DO store gasoline and flammable liquids in their original containers or containers meant for that use. Make sure the container has a tight cap to prevent fumes from escaping. 
• DO dry out your clothes if they have any oily liquids on them. You can wash them after they have dried out. 

While spontaneous combustion may seem unlikely, it is a real threat. By taking these steps, you will ensure you aren’t caught off guard. 

(Tips adapted from the Selective Insurance Group, the NFPA, and the National Park Service.) 

Do Your Part to End Distracted Driving

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC 

Casey Feldman was headed towards her summer waitressing job when a van struck her in a crosswalk in Ocean City, New Jersey.

Casey, a 21-year-old rising senior at Fordham University, died within hours. 

The driver who hit her wasn’t drunk. He was distracted, holding an iced tea while trying to grab his GPS. 

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and we are working to raise awareness about this important issue. We urge all drivers to be aware and set an example for others. Likewise, passengers shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and be the voice of change when their car’s driver appears to be distracted. 

In 2018, nearly, 3,000 people died in accidents involving a distracted driver, while another 400,000 were injured, according to the CDC. A fifth of those who lost their lives were outside the vehicle like Casey. 

Among drivers who caused a fatal accident, 14 percent were teens and adults in their 20s who were distracted. But drivers of all ages are at risk. The driver who hit Casey was 58. Distracted drivers his age make up 5 percent of all those involved in crash fatalities. 

Distracted driving is often caused by emailing, texting, or checking your phone, but anything that diverts your attention from driving can be an issue. 

According to the CDC, there are three types of distracted driving: 

• Visual: taking your eyes off the road.

• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel.

• Cognitive: taking your mind off driving. 

Texting is a triple distraction: it takes your eyes of the road, your hand off the wheel, and your mind off of driving. According to a University of Utah study, people who text while driving are about as impaired as a drunk driver who is above the legal blood-alcohol limit of .08 percent. “Just like you put yourself and other people at risk when you drive drunk, you put yourself and others at risk when you use a cell phone and drive. The level of impairment is very similar,” said psychologist David Strayer, the study’s lead author. 

According to a separate study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text are 23.2 times more likely to crash than those who don’t. 

Even hands-free cellular devices are problematic, because the conversation—not just holding or handling the cell—is still a distraction for the driver, according to the University of Utah study.

The University of Utah study also found that drivers who are using their cell phones are 5.36 times more likely to have an accident than other drivers. 

Besides texting, or otherwise checking your phone, distracted driving could involve anything from eating, drinking coffee, applying makeup to changing the radio station or fixing a mirror. 

How to prevent distracted driving

 ► If you’re a driver: Stop texting, talking, or using your cell phone. In general, don’t multitask. Eat, pick your music, text, or email before you leave. 

► If you’re a passenger: The CDC recommends speaking up and urging the driver to keep his attention on the road. You can also minimize distractions by helping the driver with tasks like changing the radio or checking a text. 

► If you’re a parent: There are a number of specific steps you can take according to the CDC: 

• Talk to your child about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving. Share stories and statistics related to teen/young adult drivers and distracted driving. Remind them driving is a skill that requires the driver’s full attention. Encourage them to wait to text or call until they have arrived at their destination. 

• Check your state’s graduated driver licensing system and enforce its guidelines for your teen.

• Know your state’s laws on distracted driving. Many states have novice driver provisions in their distracted driving laws. Talk with your child about the consequences of distracted driving and make yourself and your child aware of your state’s penalties for talking or texting while driving.

• Set consequences for distracted driving. Fill out the CDC’s Parent-Teen Driving Agreement together to begin a safe driving discussion and set your family’s rules of the road. Your family’s rules of the road can be stricter than your state’s law. For more tips see the CDC’s guide, Parents Are the Key. 

(Edited and adapted from the CDC.)

For more information, including key facts, resources, and education videos, visit EndDD.org.

Don’t Lose Money the Next Time Your Power Goes Out

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC 

When storms hit many of us are without power long enough for the food in our refrigerators to spoil. How much money do you think you have thrown out when tossing the spoiled food? There could have even been important value to items in your refrigerator, such as medications that need to remain refrigerated, or steaks you were saving for a family barbeque, that were destroyed. It could have been really costly for you if you stocked up for a few months on refrigerated products, perhaps in a freezer kept in your garage or basement. 

After the destruction of a large storm, homeowners quickly learn what is and is not covered by their standard homeowners policy. Did you know that a standard homeowners policy does not cover food spoilage as a result of power failure from a source off the residence premises?

In order to be covered for unexpected food spoilage due to power interruption, you would need to add a Refrigerated Products Endorsement to your policy. For a small premium, only dollars per year, you can add insurance that will cover up to a pre-determined amount for items in your refrigerator or freezer. Typically, there is no deductible for this protection.

If you have ever had to throw an expensive amount of food out, you know how frustrating it can be. Before the next storm hits and you lose power again, call Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070 to discuss a homeowners’ policy that provides this important coverage.

Life Insurance: Protecting Your Loved Ones After You’re Gone

 

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

If someone in your life depends on you financially, chances are you’ll want to be sure they are taken care of even after you’re gone. Life insurance is the best way to provide for your family after your passing.

The money provided (known as the death benefit) may offset or replace the income loss and can help your family meet many important financial needs like daily living expenses, mortgage payments, college savings, family emergencies and much more. Additionally, in many cases, there is no federal income tax on life insurance benefits.

Owning life insurance can provide an added sense of security for the insured and beneficiaries. Buying life insurance is all about peace of mind for your family and how you’re able to provide it.

There are various types of life insurance, which range from simple term life insurance (payment made only if death occurs during the term of policy), to the more complicated whole life insurance (payment made whenever the insured dies).

When shopping for life insurance, it’s best to use an independent insurance agent that will search the entire market to find the appropriate plan and rates for you and your family or business.

Because Blais Insurance represents many of the nation’s top rated carriers, we are able to easily search for simple term coverage or more advanced permanent whole life or universal life coverage, depending on your needs.

If you have questions about your life insurance needs and would like additional information, please call Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070.

Summertime Pool Safety

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Having a pool in your backyard is refreshing for those hot weekends and summer block parties. If you have recently installed a pool at your home and are ready to enjoy the water, remember to consider insurance and water safety.

Fortunately, a pool is considered separate from your dwelling and is therefore covered under the “other structures” section of your homeowner’s policy, similarly to sheds, detached garages and gazebos. 

However, if you have a number of detached structures, or if your pool was on the expensive side, the standard coverage may not be enough. If this is the case, you may want to consider adding a higher amount of coverage for your specific structures.

While evaluating your insurance coverage, you should keep in mind that, no matter the type of policy, insurance will not cover damage done to your pool by freezing, thawing, pressure, or weight of ice or water. This is why it is so important to “winterize” your pool if you live in cold climates.

Not only should you think about the insurance coverage for your pool, but also take a moment to consider liability coverage. Installing a pool increases your chances of liability if someone is injured or killed as a result of using your pool. If you are a homeowner with a pool, we strongly recommend you consider increasing your liability coverage or purchasing an personal umbrella liability policy. 

Remember, it is always best to set up some pool safety rules to decrease your potential liability exposure.

If you have any additional questions regarding insurance coverages for your pool, please contact Blais Insurance at 401- 725 -0070.

Listening to Protesters’ Message about Race in America

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC
President, Blais Insurance

 

 

Things have started to return to ‘normal’ in recent weeks, but not everything has 

been positive. 

In response to the death of George Floyd while in police custody, protests have 

erupted not just across the country, but overseas as well. In the United States, 

there have been protests in at least 140 cities as of June 9. These protests reflect 

an unfortunate reality: Floyd’s death is no isolated incident. Instead, his death is a 

symptom of systemic racism that that has yet to be eradicated, despite the efforts 

of the Black Lives Matter movement to highlight police brutality and racial 

disparities in law enforcement in recent years. 

This time it feels different though. From the local to the state and federal level, 

there seems to be an appetite for true reform through legislation. However, before 

we can truly find a lasting solution we need to better understand the issue. All of 

us need to heed the message of these protests. Our fellow citizens are telling us 

that they do not feel safe. They say they are being unfairly and unjustly targeted 

by the system. Their lives matter as well as their voices. Now’s the time to listen 

to them and take their message to heart.

 

A Message to Our Customers During These Difficult Times

As we enter our second month of lockdown, we encourage everyone to stay safe. As of this writing, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Americans, including 118 Rhode Islanders. The state’s current data modeling shows that we have yet to reach the peak in the Ocean State. During these difficult times, it’s more important than ever that we continue to follow the rules. Avoid going out in public as much as possible. If you must, wear a mask and practice social distancing, staying six feet away from other people.

This is also a time to remember our connections with others. Although we must adhere to social distancing guidelines, there are still ways we can support each other and help fight the pandemic. The Rhode Island Department of Health has a website here explaining how you can help. Some of your neighbors, especially the elderly, may need help with errands and other things at these times. You can find out who in your area may need assistance by creating an account on Nextdoor.com. Finally, this Providence Journal news story lists other volunteer opportunities. We encourage everyone to be that American who goes the extra mile for their neighbor during these times.

Remember, the better we all follow the rules, the sooner we can get back to normal. We look forward to seeing you all in person hopefully sooner rather than later. In the meantime, be safe and stay healthy.