Life Happens 365 - Are You Managing the Risk?

 By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay With Thanksgiving only a few days away, I thought I'd take the time to offer ten tips that are meant to keep you from being a turkey this year.  Whether you're hosting dinner for your family or are planning on traveling to meet them for the big event, there are a few things you should keep in mind that could keep the holiday from being ruined.  

  By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay It’s that time of year again in Florida when the skies suddenly darken midday and it sounds like an artillery barrage.   I’m talking about thunderstorms, which occur with regularity in the Sunshine State from April through September.   While pop-up storms are an all too frequent fact of life during the spring and summer, what’s scary about the flash, bang, boom of lightning is the damage it can do to people, places, and things.   Like it or not, a bolt from the blue can travel up to ten miles to deliver as much as a billion volts from cloud to ground.   Lightning strikes have been known to set a house ablaze or cut a tree in two in a split second.   A single bolt can damage or destroy your car or kill you in an instant.   If you’ve ever wondered what can happen if your home or vehicle is struck by lightning, here’s what you need to know.

By Diane Tait Image courtesy flickr If you own your own home, then it’s probably one of the biggest investments you have ever made.   With an average sales price in the US of $322,600 in April 2020, buying a home doesn’t come cheap.   Neither does maintaining it for years to come.   That’s why most homeowners insure their homes to protect their investment from fire, theft, storm and other acts of God.   That being said, unless you’ve taken the time to read each and every line in your policy, including the fine print, you might be shocked at what the average homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover.   So, I thought I’d take the time to go over what’s included and excluded in most policies.

By Diane Tait Image courtesy flickr If you’re like most Americans, COVID-19 is still cramping your style more than a month after the pandemic begun.   That means you’re spending a lot more time at home since there’s precious little to do.   Instead of whiling away the time watching TV, I’ve got a better idea.   Why not take the time to organize your garage?   Intended to house a car or two, the garage in most homes has become the catchall area used to store everything from household chemicals and tools, to disused furniture and toys.   If your garage has denigrated into little more than a household warehouse that’s chock full of junk, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and clear it out.

By Diane Tait Image courtesy flickr Having been a dog owner all my life, I’d feel lost without a four-legged friend or two by my side.   Dogs are great to have around.   They come when you call them (for the most part), they let you know when intruders approach and they are always happy to see you.   In short, they’re perfect companions.   I even bring my two dogs with me to the office.   But lest we forget that dogs are only tamed wolves, all dog owners must remember their furry friends have a dark side and a wicked set of canine teeth to match.   What I’m talking about is the fact that all dogs can and sometimes do bite.   Whether the cause is fear or anger, the outcome can be dire.   Especially if the target of their ire is another person.   Dog bites have become so prevalent that legislation has been enacted to address the consequences.  

By Diane Tait Image courtesy A&B Insurance Pets are like people in that many pet owners consider their pets as members of the family.   I know I sure do, since my two dogs are my constant companions.   In fact, they’re sitting at my feet in my office as I write this week’s blog.   Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, or your best buddy happens to be a feathered friend is besides the point.   As long as your pets are allowed out and about in your home or yard, there are always hazards from which they need to be protected.