Click on Tips from Huntress below:

Summer

Spring

Fall Cleanup

Winters

Pool Safety

How to Prevent Dryer Fires/Space Heater Safety

How to prevent Mold and Mildew

Vacation Security Checklist

Working With a Contractor

Is the Other Driver Insured?

Fireplace and Chimney Safety

Preventing Puff Backs

Tips on ID Theft

Standards of Fault 2009

Oil Law of 2010

Agreement with My Family about Driving

Cell Phones

• Check patios and decks for loose nails and boards and for deterioration.
• Make sure all door and window locks work properly and there are no holes in screens.
• Have roof inspected every few years to prevent leakage.

• Check light bulbs for correct wattage.
• Keep a fire extinguisher available in case of emergency.
• Have your air conditioner inspected.
• Check your water heater for leaks.
• Remove dead trees and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed.
• Make sure oil and gas for lawn equipment is vented and stored in a locked area.
• Cracked or broken driveways should be repaired.

Eliminating drafts & adding insulation can make your heating dollar go further. It can also reduce fresh airflow.

Here's a simple checklist to help you maximize your indoor air quality.
• Get oil burners inspected annually.
• Flammable materials including power equipment should be kept away from water heater and wiring in the basement and garage.
• Water pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures should be insulated.
• Clean gutters and open roof drains.
• Have your furnace and chimney cleaned.
• Inspect roof for damage and clean gutters to keep debris away.
• Check caulking in all areas ( doors, windows and bathrooms) and repair if they show deterioration.
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct by removing all dust, pieces of material and lint to avoid fires.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter.
• Make sure your smoke detectors are working. Batteries should be replaced as necessary.

A puff back can occur when your oil burner malfunctions, sending soot throughout your home or business. Soot should be cleaned immediately to prevent more contamination.

• Change or clean heating & air-conditioning filters regularly.
• Have air ducts professionally cleaned every two to five years.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors.

Carbon monoxide levels can become deadly without warning. Place detectors on every level of your home... especially outside of the bedrooms.

• Prevent mold and mildew growth.

All water damaged items should be evaluated by a disaster restoration specialist. Fix water leaks or seepage problems. Replace water-damaged wallboard & remove & replace wet insulation.

• Wash your bedding often in hot water to reduce dust mites.

WINTER        

• Check all electrical holiday decorations for loose connections or frayed wires.
• Lower the temperature in unneeded rooms, but make sure that there is enough heat to prevent water pipes from freezing.
• Clean your heating system.
• Install storm windows in place of window screens.
• Set the heat no lower than 55 degrees.
• Inspect washing machine hoses for sign of leakage.

• Keep lifesaving equipment in pool area.
• Install a fence and lock door around pool to prevent entrance when supervision is unavailable.
• Inspect the liner, as rips can go unnoticed at top of lining and also caused by pipes or other pool tools.
• Above ground pools should be checked for rust.
• Check the deck for hazards such as loose boards or protruding nails.
• Chemicals should be safely stored.
• Pools should be maintained and prepped during the off season.

Mold needs 5 conditions to develop:

• WARMTH
• MOISTURE
• DARKNESS
• STILLNESS
• NUTRIENTS

Sheet Rock, wood and other surfaces can feel dry to the touch; yet still contain enough water to foster the growth of mold & mildew.

Look for a qualified disaster restoration professional who uses proper equipment, assessment, and containment procedures to monitor the drying process and restore the property to a pre-loss condition.

Remember.....mold can be found almost anywhere. Quick response after water damage will help keep it within acceptable levels.

It only takes 24-72 hours for mold & mildew to begin to set in....report all water damage to your insurance agent/company and get a disaster restoration professional on-site immediately.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL HELP ARRIVES:
DO'S
• Use dehumidifiers if available
• Use fans to circulate air
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping & blotting

DON'T S
• DO NOT use a household vacuum to remove water
• DO NOT use TV while on a wet carpet
• DO NOT go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is on.

WATER DAMAGE LOSS PREVENTION TIPS:
• Know how to shut off the water to your home/business.
• Replace rubber washing machine hoses with steel ones.
• Install a shut-off valve on the washer hose...leave it in the OFF position when the washer isn't used.
• Have a friend or relative house sit or check your home regularly when you are away.
• Check your hot water heater for signs of wear & tear.
• Monitor air conditioner pans on central air systems for signs of overflow during peak use.
• Insulate the pipes in your building.
• Disconnect outside hoses when you go away.
• Remove outside hoses during the winter if you live in a cold climate.
• Inspect your household systems and pipe connections for evidence of wear & tear.

Statistics show that most home burglaries are committed by neighborhood youths who are well aware of homeowners' comings and goings. Robbers are usually on the lookout for houses that present the fewest obstacles and the easiest access. The periods when your family is away on vacation - even for three and four day weekends - present a window of opportunity that burglars are eager to climb through. Here's a quick checklist of safeguards that will help shut that window on any unwanted "visitors":

• Instead of just leaving them on, use timers to turn lights and radio/TV on and off while you're away. You'll save money and create a better illusion of occupancy.

• Store special valuables in a safety deposit box or secure hideaway.

• Suspend all regular deliveries - papers, etc.

• Ask a trusted neighbor to put trash and newspapers in your containers at regular pick-up times.

• Request the Post Office to hold your mail. If that's not possible, ask a neighbor to keep your mail box emptied.

• Make arrangements for any necessary snow removal or lawn mowing.

• Ask a neighbor to periodically move any vehicles you've left in the driveway.

• Avoid making your departure obvious to potential burglars' alert eyes or ears.

• Advise the local police that you will be gone for the time period.

• Never hide a key outside your home.

• Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances.

• Be sure to lock windows and doors.

• Leave your vacation information with a trusted neighbor or family member.

• Set your heating system to a minimum of 55 degrees.

Even with the most complete homeowners insurance coverage, it's always better to avoid claims in the first place. Following these precautions will help insure that there won't be any unpleasant surprises when you return home.

Ask Lots Of Questions
When your home suffers damage, it can be devastating. So when it comes time for repairs, there are a few steps to follow that can keep hassles to a minimum. You'll most likely hire a contractor for repairs, and it is essential to ask your contractor lots of questions.

Be sure to get details on who is responsible for various aspects of the job. You might need a building permit. Will the contractor secure this or should you get it ? Who should hire any subcontractors such as plumbers or electricians ? Getting answers to these questions up-front can save you many headaches.

FROM AN INSURANCE STANDPOINT:
Always get a certificate of insurance from your contractor for liability insurance, including completed operations coverage and workers compensation. If they don't supply a certificate, don't let them work!

Finally, remember that your home insurance policy may need to be increased if you increase the value of your home. Call us to review your coverage and properly insure your upgrades.

To understand just how important uninsured motorist coverage is on your auto insurance policy, take a moment to digest the fact that 13% of all automobile accidents today involve hit-and-run or uninsured drivers. In such cases, uninsured motorist coverage gives a measure of protection against bodily injury and damage to the car that the other driver does not even begin to address. Conscientious consumers will want to purchase coverage that extends beyond minimum coverage to amounts that match their bodily injury liability coverage. That is, after all, the coverage that protects you, not the other driver. This protection strategy makes a good deal of sense to those who have always been told to "watch out for the other guy."

DID YOU KNOW?
• Your homeowner policy does not provide coverage for flood. If you live in a flood prone area as defined by the Federal Government, you may purchase this flood insurance through a special program.

• Some areas of Massachusetts have had a minor earthquake in recent years. Earthquake losses are not covered in the basic homeowners policy. This coverage can be added to your existing policy.

• If your 5 year old sofa that cost you $1,000 is destroyed by a fire, you would only collect a portion of its value due to depreciation. To replace it at today's prices, it would probably be $1,500. If you bought Replacement Cost Contents Coverage, you'd collect the $1,500 needed to buy a new sofa. The same would be true for all of your contents with the exception of antiques and irreplaceable items, which do not fall into this category.

There's nothing New Englanders enjoy more this time of year than a cozy fire. Following some important maintenance & safety tips will ensure the fire is contained to the firebox where it belongs.

HAVE YOUR FIREPLACE INSPECTED ANNUALLY
Your chimney sweep can examine creosote build up, the condition of bricks, mortar, tile & flue, as well as chimney caps & flashing and make necessary recommendations.

KEEP YOUR MASONRY IN GOOD REPAIR
Bricks or clay tiles can suffer wear and tear and break over time. This allows heat and fumes access to the home causing an increased fire hazard.

CLEAN YOUR FIREPLACE AFTER YOU HAVE BURNED ONE CORD OF WOOD
A cord of wood measures 4 ft. tall by 4 ft. wide and 8 ft. long.

AVOID BURNING SOFT WOODS
Hard wood leaves less creosote deposit. Creosote is a blackish brown residue that sticks to chimney walls. It is highly combustible and should be removed regularly.

NEVER BURN PAPER IN A FIREPLACE
Ash can rise out of the fireplace and ignite the roof and surrounding vegetation.

NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED
Sparks can sometimes get through mesh screens and land on carpeting, hardwood floors and furniture.

How to recognize one ... & what to do if you have one.

WHAT IS A PUFF BACK?
Most of us have never heard of a puff back. A puff back occurs when an oil burner backfires
sending soot throughout your home or business. It can happen all at once, or more slowly and
gradually.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'VE HAD A PUFF BACK?
It is usually quite easy to tell. Soot covers all areas of the home or business & may range from light to very heavy. Sometimes the disbursement of soot is so light & fine it appears to be ordinary dust. This "dust" however, can re-appear hours after being cleaned, there is often a strong odor of oil accompanying a puff back.

CAN THEY BE PREVENTED?
The best defense against a puff back is to have your oil burner inspected annually & kept in
good repair. This is no guarantee against having a puff back, but it greatly reduces your risk.
Keep debris, animal hair or anything that could interfere with proper functioning away from
your oil burner.

WHAT TO AVOID.
Do not attempt to wash wallpapered or flat painted walls, clean carpets or upholstered
furniture. Avoid touching things.

WHAT TO DO.
Notify your insurance agent or company immediately. Have a qualified disaster restoration
specialist begin cleaning all affected areas immediately. Soot travels & will re-appear if not
completely removed.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, write "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card Accounts, DO NOT put the
complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers.
The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be
handling your check as it passes through all the
check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each
license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the
account numbers and phone numbers to Call and cancel.

Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a Photocopy of your passport when
traveling either here or abroad.

4. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is
having the toll free numbers and your card Numbers handy so you know whom to call.
Keep those where you can find them.

5. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards,
etc., were stolen. This proves to credit Providers you were diligent, and this is a
first step toward an Investigation.

6. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations Immediately to place a fraud
alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. The alert
means any company that checks your Credit knows your information was stolen, and
they have to contact you by Phone to authorize new credit.

1.) Equifax: 800-525-6285

2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 888-397-3742

3.) Trans Union : 800-6807289

4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800-269-0271

211 CMR: DIVISION OF INSURANCE

(05) Out of Lane Collision. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is partially or completely out of its proper lane and is in collision with another vehicle:
(a) while being passed by the other vehicle, the passing vehicle being in its proper lane;
(b) while passing the other vehicle, the other vehicle being in its proper lane; or
(c) while changing or turning into or across the other vehicle's lane.

(07) Failure to Signal. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is in collision while failing to signal as required by law before turning or changing lanes.

(08) Failure to Proceed with Due Caution from a Traffic Control Signal or Sign. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when the operator fails to obey a traffic control signal or sign, or fails to proceed with due caution therefrom, and whose vehicle is thereafter in a collision with another vehicle.

(09) Collision on Wrong Side of Road. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is in collision with another vehicle which is moving in the opposite direction on the proper side of the roadway or center line.

(10) Operating in the Wrong Direction. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle in the wrong direction on a travel lane, one-way street, or highway, and whose vehicle is thereafter in a collision with another vehicle.

(11) Collision at an Uncontrolled Intersection. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is in collision with another vehicle at an uncontrolled intersection:
(a) if the operator's vehicle enters a main road from a secondary road,
(b) if both vehicles enter the intersection at the same time, and such operator's vehicle entered the intersection from the left of the other vehicle, failing to allow the vehicle on the right to proceed, or (c) if the operator's vehicle enters the intersection at a point in time later than the other vehicle.

(14) Collision While in the Process of Backing Up. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is in the process of backing up and whose vehicle is thereafter in a collision with another vehicle.

(15) Collision While Making a Left Turn or U-Turn Across the Travel Path of a Vehicle
Traveling in the Same or Opposite Direction. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle making a left turn or U-turn across the path of travel of another vehicle moving:
(a) in the same direction, or
(b) in the opposite direction,
and whose vehicle is in a collision with such vehicle.

(17) Leaving or Exiting from a Parked Position, Parking Lot, Alley or Driveway. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is leaving or exiting from a parked position, parking lot, alley or driveway, and whose vehicle is in a collision with another vehicle.

(18) Opened or Opening Vehicle Door(s). The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when the vehicle's door or doors are opened or opening resulting in a collision with another vehicle.

(19) Single Vehicle Collision. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating the only vehicle involved in a collision.

(20) Failure to Obey the Rules and Regulations for Driving. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when the operator violates any provision of M.G.L. Chs. 85, 89 or 90, or fails to obey the following regulations: The Metropolitan District Commission (350 CMR), Registry of Motor Vehicles (540 CMR), MA Department of Highways (720 CMR), MA Turnpike Authority (730 CMR), or MA Port Authority (740 CMR), and whose vehicle is in a collision with another vehicle.

(21) Unattended Vehicle Collision. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when the vehicle is left unattended and rolls resulting in a collision.

(26) Collision While Merging onto a Highway, or into a Rotary. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle merging onto a highway, or into a rotary, when the other vehicle is already on the highway, or in the rotary, resulting in a collision.

(27) Non-Contact Operator Causing Collision. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle which is not in a collision, but whose actions cause the collision of one or more other vehicles.

(29) Failure to Yield the Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles when Required by Law. The
operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when the operator fails to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles (as required by M.G.L. c. 89, § 7) resulting in a collision.

(31) Collision at a "T" Intersection. The operator of a vehicle subject to the Safe Driver Insurance Plan shall be presumed to be more than 50% at fault when operating a vehicle coming from a roadway that terminates onto a throughway and whose vehicle is in a collision with another vehicle traveling on that intersecting throughway.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

211 CMR 74.00: M.G.L. c. 26, § 8A; c. 175, § 113P.
211 CMR: DIVISION OF INSURANCE
4/19/96 211 CMR - 514

NOTICE TO POLICY HOLDER

THIS NOTICE DOES NOT ADD COVERAGE TO, OR REPLACE COVERAGE ON YOUR HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE POLICY. PLEASE READ YOUR POLICY AND DECLARATIONS PAGE CAREFULLY FOR INFORMATION ON THE COVERAGES YOU CURRENTLY HAVE. IF THERE IS ANY DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THIS NOTICE AND YOUR POLICY, THE COVERAGES LISTED ON YOUR POLICY ARE THE ONES THAT APPLY.

The Chapter 453 of the Massachusetts Acts of 2008 offers coverage to policy holders for the costs to Remediate Liquid Fuel Spills.

This notice is stating that all homeowners Insurance will offer Residential Liquid Fuel coverage for an additional premium starting on July 1, 2010. This endorsement will cover the costs associated with the remediation of an oil spill. Coverage will apply to “residential Properties” for all dwell fire and homeowners policies upon renewal and new business.

The “oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law” may require that there be either a safety valve, or a protective sleeve (a non-metallic tube that encases the delivery line) to prevent leaks. The owner should supply proof that they have taken all of the lawful and regulated steps to remediate the spill in order to recieve the coverage.

Any ol tanks that are installed within a dwelling or other structure, (including tanks that are at or below grade level, or are outdoors on residential properties) are eligible fo rthe coverage.
Underground oil tanks are excluded, regardless of where they are located.

For specific questions regarding this endorsement, please feel free to call Huntress Insurance at (781) 665-0303.

To My Family:

The time may come when I cna no longer make the best decisions for the safety of others and myself. Therefore, in order to help my family make necessary decisions, this statement is an expression of my wishes and directions while I am still able to make these decisions.

I have discussed with my family my desire to drive as long as it is safe for me to do so.

When it is not reasonable for me to drive, I desire (person’s name) to tell me I can no longer drive.

I trust my family will take the necessary steps to prohibit my driving in order to ensure my safety and the safety of others while protecting my dignity.

Signed____________________________________________________________

Date_________________________________

Copies of this request have been shared with:__________________________________