Good News…

Striking down some common myths about lighting….

Myths VS Fact:

Myth: If you’re caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch down to reduce your risk of being struck.
Fact: Crouching doesn’t make you any safer outdoors. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. If you are too far to run to one of these options, you have no good alternative. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors.

Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year

Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don’t lean on doors during a thunderstorm.

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning.
Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows. Windows are hazardous for two reasons: wind generated during a thunderstorm can blow objects into the window, breaking it and causing glass to shatter and second, in older homes, in rare instances, lightning can come in cracks in the sides of windows.

For more Myth VS Fact Click HERE

National Weather Service Lightning Safety page, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Good News…

To keep ahead of the sever weather Click Here  

 

This Task Ensures That You Cover All of Your Assets

A home inventory is an excellent way to expedite the insurance claims process after theft, damage, or loss. This record of your insurable assets will not only help you in the settlement of a covered loss or claim, but may also help verify tax-deductible property losses and determine the right amount of insurance coverage you need.

While a home inventory can be as simple as a list or a visual record, an effective home inventory should include both for added security.

• Home Inventory List
  A comprehensive home inventory list catalogs your belongings and should include the item description (make, model, and serial number, if applicable), value, and purchase date. You can create your own list using a spreadsheet or fill out a home inventory checklist that’s ready to go.
• Visual record
  A visual record of your possessions shows proof of ownership. This can be accomplished with a video walk-through of your home or through a series of photographs.

2. Document thoroughly

It’s important to thoroughly document your belongings to help the claims process go smoothly following events ranging from the total loss of your home to the theft of a few items. A good way to start is to move from room to room, listing items as you go. Don’t forget to include the items in your basement, attic, garage, and any detached structures, such as tool sheds. Also, pay special attention to your most valuable possessions, such as antiques, art, jewelry, collectibles, and electronic equipment. If you have any questions about which items are covered by your policy, contact your insurance agent.

Keeping proper documentation will also help to facilitate the claims process. This documentation, which can be scanned for digital storage, includes:

• Receipts
• Credit card statements
• Other transaction documents
• Appraisals (include the appraiser’s name and address)

Once you’ve created your home inventory, make sure to update it as you acquire or get rid of items over time.

3. Keep your documentation safe

Don’t let your home inventory become part of a property loss. Whichever inventory method you choose, it’s important to keep a copy in a bank safe deposit box or other secure location away from your home.

Link to another article:

http://www.rmiia.org/homeowners/Walking_Through_Your_Policy/Home_Inventory.asp

LINK TO A PRINTABLE INVENTORY LIST:

http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/homeown/home_invchklst.pdf

 

NEW Emergency Access Permit…

June 1st marks the first day of storm season, and with that comes preperation. In the event of a hurricaine, storm or event it is now requirded for barrier island residents and businesses to have a re-entry pass, if you want to gain access to your  evacuated area.

NEW! For barrier island residents and businesses:

In an effort to prevent looting and burglary after a large-scale mandatory evacuation, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the barrier islands have joined forces to provide free Emergency Access Permits to all businesses and residents of the barrier islands. Once a mandatory evacuation order has been lifted, Emergency Access Permits will be required to re-enter an evacuated area. There are nine entry points to the barrier islands. Access will be limited based on the closest entry point to your residence.

You will be asked to hang the permit from your vehicle’s rearview mirror for re-entry post-evacuation. Law enforcement officers will be posted at entry points where they will scan the barcode on your permit to verify your residency. With your help, we will can keep trespassers from accessing your property.

It is important to get your permit now, so that you have it in the event of an evacuation. Property owners should contact their municipality directly to apply for and obtain a permit.

Residents can receive their permits directly from their local city government during its general office hours.

Belleair Beach — 727-595-4646 or ngonzalez@cityofbelleairbeach.com

Belleair Shore — 727-593-9296 or belleairshore@yahoo.com

Indian Rocks Beach — 727-595-2517 or dtaylor@irbcity.com

Indian Shores — 727-595-5414 or fmeegan@myindianshores.com

Madeira Beach — 727-391-3400 or reentrytags@madeirabeachfl.gov

North Redington Beach — 727-391-4848 or townclerk@townofnrb.com

Redington Beach — 727-391-3875 or townclerk@townofredingtonbeach.com

Redington Shores — 727-397-5538 or townclerk@townofredingtonshores.com

Treasure Island — 727-547-4575 Ext. 0 or info@mytreasureisland.org.

For general information or questions, please call the Public Relations Bureau at 727-582-6221.

Click on these links for more information:

http://pinellascounty.org/emergency/afterthestorm.htm#reenter

http://www.pcsoweb.com/emergency-access-permit

Click here to view Surviving The Storm pdf.

Scan with your smart phone for more info.