Month: November 2018

Holiday Decoration Safety

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Holiday Decoration Safety

November 20th, 2018 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

As the holiday season approaches, many of us decorate our homes with lights and other fixtures to show our excitement. We at the Martinson Agency in Chaska, with the help of our friends at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) would like to provide you with tips for decorating your home safely.

The CPSC estimates that annually, almost 15,000 people are treated by the emergency room due to injuries pertaining to holiday decorations. This comes out to roughly 250 injuries per day during the months of November and December. A few reasons for these injuries were fires, falls and strains.

Falls accounted for 41% of decorating injuries. This could mean falling from a ladder, tripping over a cord or any other fall relating to holiday decorations. So how do we avoid falling?

  • As they say in sports, father time is undefeated. If you’re getting older or simply losing some of your athleticism maybe it is time to stay off the roof and let a professional help you out. HIRE SOMEONE!!!
  • If you insist on “DIY” make sure to have a spotter while you are working. Someone needs to able to help in case of an emergency.
  • While placing decorations, make sure to keep a clear walkway so your guests have a clear path to your front door.

The two most common reasons for fires during the holiday season are Christmas trees and candles. (Shocking, we know.) Roughly 1,200 fires were started due to candles and 100 fires started due to Christmas trees. So what can we do to prevent this?

  • If you are setting up a Christmas tree in your home, make sure to keep it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, vents and radiators.
  • If you are purchasing an artificial tree, look for something that is fire resistant. This will be listed on the label/box. It DOES NOT mean that the tree cannot catch on fire but rather that it is more resistant to it.
  • With regards to candles, keep them burning within your sight. Also please be sure to extinguish them before you leave the room. (Do not burn candles while you sleep!)
  • Always keep candles on a steady and heat resistant surface.

Holiday season is a great time of the year and decorating your home is an exciting part of it. Please keep in mind that safety is the most important factor. Follow these tips to help ensure an injury free holiday. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out how your insurance relates to this issue please contact Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN today!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

Website: www.martinsonagency.com

What To Do After An Accident

Posted on by Martinson Agency

What To Do After An Accident

November 9th, 2018 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Being involved in an auto accident can be a trying experience – physically, emotionally and financially. Knowing the proper steps to take in the immediate aftermath of a crash can help ease the stress that is sure to follow. Here are five steps to take if you find yourself involved in an accident.

1. Assess The Situation

Auto accidents can range greatly in severity from a simple fender bender to those involving serious injuries and/or property damage. An important first step is to take a moment, calm yourself and assess the situation. Take note of the following:

  • Are you hurt?
  • Does anyone else appear to be hurt?
  • Are you currently in a dangerous situation?
  • Are there any witnesses?

These are all questions that you need to ask yourself before you do anything else.

2. Contact The Authorities

For the sake of safety and to help ensure that your insurance claim is processed smoothly, you want to contact the authorities and get them in route as soon as possible. Some drivers don’t react very well to being involved in an accident and in this age of road rage, it is not a good idea to confront the other drivers involved. Wait for police!

3. Exchange Insurance Information

Once it is safe to do so, exchange insurance information with the other drivers involved. The police will also be asking for this information to fill out their report so this is a good time collect it yourself. Your insurance company will need this information when you call to file your claim. (HINT: We always suggest taking photos of the other drivers ID as well as their insurance cards. This is always easier than trying to quickly write down all of this information!)

4. Document What Happened

To help speed up your insurance claim as well as to protect yourself legally you want to document the accident as much as you can. If possible, gather contact information from as many witnesses as you can and ensure they speak with the police when they arrive. Many cases turn into a he-said/she-said scenario and having corroborating accounts can be vital during the claims process. Take as many pictures as you can. Start with wide shots trying to capture as much of the scene as possible. Be sure to include skid marks, road signs and damage to all of the vehicles involved.

5. Call Your Insurance Agent

It doesn’t matter if you feel that you were at fault or not, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance company is going to require an accident report and other documentation in order to process your claim. We always suggest that you get in touch with your agent first so we can help walk you through the claims process. We can help answer any questions that you may have prior to filing a claim.

The odds of having a car accident at some point in your lifetime are rather high. Knowing what to do at the scene of an accident will help you protect your rights and help the claim process go as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions or are interested in an auto quote please contact Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN today!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

Website: www.martinsonagency.com

The Reality of Drowsy Driving

Posted on by Martinson Agency

The Reality of Drowsy Driving

November 1st, 2018 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

It was 8:00 PM on a Friday night in Chaska, Minnesota. Chad had just finished working a 70 hour week. He was exhausted and couldn’t wait to get home and get some sleep. He was about three blocks from home when he pulled up to a red light. Next thing he knew a police officer was tapping on his window telling him he sat through a green light. Chad had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Sleeping while driving is becoming more of an issue and is garnering more national attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that 100,000 police-reported crashes per year are caused simply by driver fatigue. This results in roughly 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than $12.5 BILLION in monetary losses. Crashes related to drowsiness are most common in young men and adults with children.

Certain states have started to pay more attention to sleepless driving. New Jersey has even stiffened their laws with regards to dozing and driving. A driver that has gone without sleep in 24 hours is considered to be driving recklessly. It is a little known fact that depending on your insurance carrier, this could be thought of as worse than drunk driving.

Preventing a sleep-related crash is actually pretty simple. Don’t drive if you’re sleep deprived. If you’ve been up all night or feel exhausted, it isn’t the smartest idea to get behind the wheel. Next, try to avoid driving late at night. This is when a large portion of sleep-related crashes take place. Finally, if you’re going to be on a long drive, consume some caffeine. A coffee, soda or even an energy drink can help keep you alert.

Sleep-related crashes are becoming more and more common. Make sure you are getting a good night’s sleep before getting behind the wheel. Not only will driving safely save you money on auto insurance, it could save your life!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

Website: www.martinsonagency.com