Are you ready for your 4th of July celebrations – the backyard barbecue or a drive to the beach and even some fireworks? Whatever you plan, Ed Cantu Insurance Agency wants you to enjoy your holiday so please remember these steps to keep you safe.  Whether your 4th of July involves fireworks, grilling or going to the beach, lake or river, there are safety tips you should follow.

FIREWORKS SAFETY- The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show.  Remember that Corpus Christi and most local cities outlaw the use of personal fireworks. If you choose to do so anyway, be prepared to pay a fine and please follow these safety steps:

* Always supervise a barbecue grill or pit when in use.
* Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
* Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill or pit.
* Keep the grill or pit out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
* Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
* Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
* Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

BEACH (water) SAFETY- If your visit to the beach or favorite water whole includes swimming, you should learn how to swim in the surf and swim at a life-guarded area when possible, and within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Other safety tips:

* Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted.
* Swim sober and always swim with a buddy.
* Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
* Protect your neck – don’t dive headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters.
* Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while in the water. Wave action can cause you or someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
* Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave fish and animals alone.

RIP CURRENTS- Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following this:

* If you or someone is caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Once free, you should turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, you should float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
* Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures. Additional water safety tips are available at redcross.org/watersafetytips

SUN PROTECTION- Limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. Reapply sunscreen often. Remember to drink plenty of water regularly, even if not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that will absorb 100 percent of UV sunlight. Protect your feet – the sand can burn them, and glass and other sharp objects can cut them. Watch for signs of heat stroke—hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If it’s suspected someone is suffering from heat stroke:

* Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place.
* Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person.
* Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

DOWNLOAD FIRST AID APP Another thing you can do is download the free Red Cross first aid app which puts expert advice for everyday emergencies at someone’s fingertips. The app is available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

PROTECT YOUR PETS- Don’t forget our furry friends.  According to an article I read by Yahaira Cespeds from Pet M.D., the American Humane Association reports that July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters.  Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of pyrotechnics with celebrations.  Pets are terrified of fireworks and often panic at the loud whizzes and bangs they produce. Help your Pets by doing the following:

* Keep your pets indoors and turn up the TV or radio volume to reduce the firework noise.
* Don’t take them to a Fireworks Display.
* Have your pet properly Identified in case they get out.

Because We Care!

Ed

Ed Cantu Insurance

When you live in South Texas, your home and property need protection against windstorm damage. The question is… Where do you get it?

Well, when you live in Nueces, San Patricio, Kleberg County and other counties that are located along the Texas gulf coast, your homeowners policy might include windstorm protection or you might have to secure a separate policy for windstorm, hurricane and hail damage only? If your home is in an interior county like Live Oak, Jim Wells or Bee County, your homeowner policy should protect you so that you don’t have to worry about having a separate policy.

Ed Cantu Insurance Agency can help you with both. For newer homes, built after 1999 that are not located on a barrier island like Padre or Mustang, we have an all-in-one policy (Home/Windstorm)but for homes built before 1999 or that are on the Island, you will need a homeowner policy and a separate windstorm policy.

It is important that you know the amount of coverage you have and need before the start of Hurricane Season because you don’t want to be caught under-protected or without any protection at all.

Make sure that you have:

Replacement cost coverage.
Building code upgrade coverage for most recent building codes.
And that you are comfortable with your deductible because more often than not, you will may have a higher deductible for Windstorm, Hurricane and Hail damage than you do for a fire and other damages.

Hurricane season is less than a week away so it’s even more important that you prepare now… especially since most insurance companies won’t allow you to buy a new policy nor add to an existing policy once a storm has been named and is in the Gulf of Mexico. At some point all insurance companies stop selling protection!

Are you Ready?

Ed Cantu
Home Insurance Consultant

p.s. Photos from “Our Home movies of aftermath of Hurricane Celia in Corpus
Christi, TX 1970” YouTube

p.p.s Check out Ed’s newest KRIS TV Newscast about windstorm insurance at be-prepared-windstorm-insurance

Last minute Christmas shopping with packed mall and shopping center parking lots makes for a greater chance that you you will get into a fender bender!

Did you know that Parking lot accidents increase by 20 percent during the busy holiday season?

So if you hit, scrape or damage a parked car, or if you’re the victim of such an accident, don’t panic and don’t pretend that it didn’t happen. Do the right thing and take care of the situation. Leave a note if you caused damage so that the person can reach you to take care of the damage. Take care of it yourself if you can or better yet, call your insurance agent and let them take care of it,

Helpful tips when find your car has been damaged:

http://www.kristv.com/story/34049021/parking-lot-accidents-tips

Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything And head back into the store to find out if they have security camera footage that you can check.

Call the police if it is a hit and run. They’ll document the accident and this may help you with your insurance claim?

Contact your insurance agent. Let him or her know what happened as soon as possible. Your agent will help you determine the next steps. Record evidence. Take pictures of the damage with your phone or a camera, if you have one on hand.

What to do if you‘re in the car when the accident happens:

If you think you were at fault, take photos and give the other person your insurance information.

If you feel you weren’t at fault… ask questions, take good notes and take photos of both cars. Jot down their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number and insurance company as well as their policy number. Ask to see their drivers license card and proof of insurance to make sure they are who they claim they are. Gather as much information as possible.

Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything. Also head back into the store and find out if they have security camera footage you can check.

IF YOU’RE THE WITNESS

Take photos and then help the owner of the damaged car if the offending driver is gone. Help the car owner document the damage. Give them your contact information, in case his or her insurance agent or the police need to contact you for further comment.

Remember to Slow down and park away from the crowd toward the end of the parking lot. There’s plenty of space out there.

Wishing you and your family and Merry and Safe Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Because We Care

Ed Cantu