By admin on Jun 29, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Firework Safety                                                                                                                        When Things go BOOM in the Night – Fireworks Safety   For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories – whether at home in Missouri or away.   But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Homes each year in Missouri are damaged by wayward fireworks. Thousands of people are injured in accidents.   At Insurance Consultants, Inc., we want your holiday to be happy, but also safe. So here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your property on the Fourth.   Protecting yourself (and others) To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals in St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon or elsewhere. If using consumer fireworks, always follow instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks. Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40% of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A responsible adult should always be present when children – even teenagers – are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries happen to those younger than 20 years old.   Protecting your home According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your home is to not use fireworks at home. Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes and buildings, as well as other combustible material. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency. Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea anyway, but it could save you from a catastrophic fire on the Fourth of July. If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, clean them before using fireworks near your home. Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in...

By admin on Jun 22, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

  Father’s Day   Time to Honor Dad Father’s Day in St. Charles, County Missouri   With summer drawing near and the weather warming up, Missouri neighborhoods come alive with the sights and sounds of the season: lawnmowers, power tools and backyard barbecues, to name a few.   For many people, those things all bring to mind one specific person: Dad. And since Father’s Day is just around the corner, we at Insurance Consultants, Inc. thought we’d give you some gift ideas – and some fun history trivia, too!   The history of Father’s Day Marked on the third Sunday of June in the United States (and in many other countries), Father’s Day was first celebrated in 1910 to complement Mother’s Day. According to Wikipedia, the day was created by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., who wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart.   Although Dodd originally suggested her father’s birthday in early June, she had not provided organizers with enough time to arrange the event – and the celebration was delayed until the third Sunday of the month.   Although Mother’s Day has been an official national holiday since 1914, Father’s Day had a tougher road. Congress refused to make the celebration official in the years immediately following Dodd’s first observance, fearing that the day would become commercialized. (Some would say those fears were well-founded; the creator of Mother’s Day later came to regret the commercialization of that holiday.)   It wasn’t until 1966 that Father’s Day received an official proclamation, thanks to President Lyndon B. Johnson. And six years later, President Richard Nixon signed a law making the day a national holiday.   Facts and figures (from government website USA.gov) There are an estimated 70.1 million fathers across the nation An estimated 1.7 million men are single fathers Approximately 176,000 fathers are stay-at-home dads   What to get Dad? Once you’re past the age of, say, 10, the “Old Spice and a tie” routine probably won’t cut it anymore when it comes to getting a gift for your father. Here are some better ideas from AskMen.com: Grilling tools (this way, perhaps he’ll even cook for you on Father’s Day!) Alcohol (to be...

By admin on Jun 1, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Distracted Driver Avoiding distractions while driving could save your life   You’ve seen them on the roads in St. Louis and St. Charles counties; you might even know a few of them.   And you could be one yourself.   Distracted drivers in come in all shapes, sizes, ages and experience levels. Even if you’re not one today, you could become one at any moment — in the time it takes you to answer your cell phone or check the kids in the back seat when you’re driving through {neighborhoods}.   If you or someone else you know thinks you can drive just fine while talking on your phone, think about this: More than 450,000 people were injured in crashes that reportedly involved distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 5,000 of those people died.   Distractions on the road come in many forms, according to www.distraction.gov, a U.S. Department of Transportation website. There are three main kinds of distractions: Visual – taking your eyes off the road Manual –taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing   To help you avoid all three kinds of distractions the next time you’re behind the wheel of your car here are a few tips: Put your phone in silent mode and store it away from the front seat or in a purse or bag. This helps reduce temptation. Have a passenger answer your phone or return text messages for you. If a call or a text can’t wait, pull over in a safe spot before using your phone. This one seems obvious, but finish shaving or applying makeup before you get in the car! If you’re emotional, wait until you’ve calmed down before hitting the road. Avoid road rage. You’ll be happier and safer.   Whenever you’re on the road, it’s not a time to multi-task. Focus on driving safely.   This article was provided by our friends at Safeco Insurance...

By admin on May 25, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Uninsured Motorist Uninsured Motorist Levels Are on the Rise There’s another unfortunate side of the economic downturn that impacts every driver on the road: The number of underinsured motorists is expected to rise here in St. Louis and St. Charles County area. According to a recent study from Insurance Research Council, about one in six drivers across the United States may be driving uninsured by 2010. This means responsible drivers who purchase insurance may end up paying for injuries caused by uninsured drivers. If you haven’t reviewed your liability coverage in the last two years, now is a good time to revisit your auto coverage to ensure you avoid extra costs after an accident. We’re happy to help – and we can often increase your coverages without a significant increase in premium. Just call Brian or Tom at Insurance Consultant, Inc. at 636-812-3500. This article was provided by Safeco Insurance...

By admin on May 18, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Grilling Safety Summers mean backyard grilling – safely!   Just like hamburgers and hot dogs, a sizzling grill is a symbol of summer and grilling isn’t just about great food. Backyard barbecues often create treasured memories with friends and family here in St. Louis and St. Charles County.   Keep in mind, however, that when you grill, you’re literally playing with fire. Thousands of residents each year learn this the hard way, suffering damage to their homes or even serious injuries in grilling accidents.   There’s good news, though: You can prevent grilling accidents by taking some simple precautions. The tips below can help ensure you cook only your burgers — and not your house — the next time you fire up the grill.   TIPS FOR ALL GRILLS Your grill, whether gas or charcoal, should be on a level surface outdoors, away from anything that could be ignited by flames (bushes, fences, etc.). NEVER use a grill indoors. Odorless carbon monoxide fumes could kill you. Keep your grill clean and well-maintained. Check parts regularly to determine if replacements are needed. Never leave a hot grill unattended or let children play near it.   CHARCOAL GRILL TIPS From Kingsford.com Do not add lighter fluid directly to hot coals. The flame could travel up the stream of fluid and burn you. Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire. Use flame-retardant mitts and long-handled barbecue tongs, as coals can reach up to 1,000 degrees. To dispose of coals, allow the ashes to cool for at least 48 hours before disposal in a non-combustible container. If you cannot wait 48 hours, carefully place coals individually in a can of sand or bucket of water.   GAS GRILL TIPS From the National Fire Protection Association Check your grill’s hoses for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If you have a leak, and it will not stop after the grill and gas is turned off, call the fire department. If the leak stops when the grill and gas are turned off, have your grill serviced by a professional. If you smell...