When Lightning Strikes: Part II

Last week we posted on staying protected in an instance of a storm involving lightning, and today we are finishing our two part series by writing about keeping your home and valuables protected in such a case. While most standard home insurance policies cover damage that can result from lightning strikes, such as fires, it's important to double-check your policy so that you know that your policy is up-to-date and accounts for any kind of renovations or improvements that you may have made to the house.

The two most common types of loss from a lightning storm are damage from fires caused by lightning strikes, and power surges.

As mentioned above, damages caused by fires are typically standard for home insurance policies, however, you are still at serious risk of having electronic valuables damaged by power surges. Not all home insurance policies cover power surges, and it's important to review your insurance content coverage to ensure that your coverage matches the value of your valuables. Regardless, here are some tips for keeping your house safe during a storm:

• Use surge protectors for expensive equipment. Typically, you get what you pay for, so a more expensive surge protector might offer better protection, such as including a surge arrestor which can help prevent electrical fires. In addition, surge protectors carry different warranties; usually the manufacturer of a surge protector will agree to pay a certain amount of money to have damaged electronics replaced if they were damaged as a result of a power surge when plugged into the surge protector.
• Unplug electronics that you don't use on a regular basis. Not only can this lower your electric bill (electronics use electricity when plugged in, even if turned off), but it can prevent electronics from being damaged in the event of a power surge.
• Unplug electronics during a storm or if you plan on leaving your home for a long period of time.
• Install lightning rods to divert and ground lightning.
• Cut down large trees around your house to avoid having your house damaged in the event that a tree is knocked over during a storm.
• Install a lightning detector, which can give early signs of an incoming lightning storm, and can protect your home by disconnecting power lines and providing temporary power.

For more information, you can review our previous post about lightning strikes, or call Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services at 508-540-2400.

When Lightning Strikes: Part I

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 400 people are injured and about 60 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States. In comparison, in an average year, tornadoes kill the same amount of people, and hurricanes kill even less than that! While some may consider information about lightning mostly common knowledge, there is also a large amount of misinformation and myths about lightning. With that in mind, it's important to stay properly informed about lightning, so read on in this two part series about protecting yourself and your home in an instance of a lightning strike.

When thunder roars, go indoors! If you hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by lightning, regardless of what the weather looks like. Drop what you are doing and immediately seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a hard-top vehicle. Don't go into a garage or covered patio, as you are still at risk of being struck.

When inside:

• Stay way from windows and doors.
• Do not use corded phones, computers or other electronics that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid baths, sinks, and other plumbing.
• Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Remember that no place is safe outside from lightning; however, if you are caught in a storm outside and have no way of getting to adequate shelter, here are some tips for what to do:

• Never lie completely flat on the ground, as this increases your risk of being affected by a deadly ground current.
• Never use a tree for shelter; using a tree as shelter is the second most common way that people are struck by lightning.
• Immediately move away from high grounds, such as hills or mountains.
• Never use a cliff face as shelter.
• Immediately get out of and away from any body of water.
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as fences.
• If a building or all-metal vehicle is nearby, move to it.

If someone is struck by lightning, begin CPR. There is a common myth that people struck by lightning carry an electric charge and that touching them will result in you being electrocuted. This is FALSE! Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death in lightning strike victims, so using CPR on a lightning strike victim may save his/her life. Call 911 for help.

For additional information, stay tuned for a follow-up blog post next week. In addition, you can find some more information from NOAA, such as myths about lightning.

Avoid Impaired Driving

Summer is here and with it comes increased traffic on Cape Cod. With our booming tourist industry, the roads and restaurants on the Cape can get pretty crowded. As you're out and about this summer, make sure to stay safe and avoid impaired driving! The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 30 people die every day as a result of drunk driving, and about one third of all car crashes are a result of drunk driving. In addition, drunk driving accidents resulted in nearly 11,000 deaths in 2009, and account for about $51 billion in damage as a result of car crashes. Be safe, and keep some of these tips in mind while you're driving:

• Determine who is going to be the designated driver before you and your friends start drinking.
• Program your local taxi company's number into your phone, and make sure to use it if you and your friends are not fit to drive.
• If you're going to a friend's house for a party, make arrangements to stay over ahead of time, even if you don't plan on staying, just in case you need a backup plan.
• If you're leaving a party or restaurant and notice one of your friends trying to drive home, offer them a ride home if you're sober, or maybe share a cab with them.
• If you're hosting a party, be responsible and look out for your friends. Offer to let people stay over your house if need be.

Have a fun summer and be safe, for your sake, and for the sake of others!

Mobile Apps

Safety Insurance is joining the app world!

iPhone App
Introduced May 3, 2011

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Android App
Introduced July 7, 2011

   

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• Cost: FREE
• Access your Safety account to: report a claim, view your insurance card and access agent information
• If you're not a Safety client, you can find a Safety agency near you.

Check them out.

Hopefully, more insurance companies will jump on the app bandwagon making your insurance information readily available at your fingertips

Tips for Safe Motorcycle Driving

Although driving a motorcycle may be a riskier choice for transportation than driving a car, did you know that two-thirds of all motorcycle-car related accidents are a result of someone driving a car? Motorcyclists and car drivers alike should make sure to share the road and keep in mind some of our tips for safe driving.

Be aware of blind spots. All cars have blind spots, and the small profile of a motorcycle makes it easier for motorcyclists to get lost in a driver's blind spot.  Both types of motorists should always use turn signals. Motorcyclists should be aware of other vehicles' blindspots: if you can't see another motorists' mirrors, chances are he can't see you.

Wear appropriate protection. Seat belts save lives in cars, just as proper motorcycle protection save motorcyclists' lives. Make sure to always wear a helmet. Leather gloves, jackets, and pants provide additional protection against debris and crashes.

Be respectful. Car drivers, remember that motorcyclists have the same privileges as other drivers. Motorcyclists, be safe and respectful of other drivers; don't weave through traffic, or travel on less than one lane.

In addition, check out the RMV's tips on sharing the road with motorcyclists.

Remember, Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services carries several insurance companies that provide motorcycle insurance. If you would like to learn more, please call us at 508-540-2400.

Happy 4th of July weekend!



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The Cape & Islands are a great place to celebrate the 4th of July. There are so many fun activities to do whether you are a child, young adult, single or married. Below are links to some 4th of July festivities.

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Murray & MacDonald Insurance wishes everyone a fun, safe 4th of July weekend!

• Cape Cod Times: Cape & Islands July 4th parades, fireworks and more
• WeNeedaVacation.com: 4th of July Celebrations & Parades 2011 Schedule
• Cape Cod Times: Things to do for July 1-7
• Mashpee Picnic & Fireworks - starts July 1 at 5pm Mashpee High School
• 4th of July Pancake Breakfast with the Bournes Braves - July 4th from 8-10am, St. John's Episcopal Church in Sandwich
• Bourne on the 4th of July PARADE - July 4th at 10am. It starts at the intersection of Academy Drive and Main Street in Buzzards Bay and ends in front of The Bourne Memorial Community Building on Main Street.
• Sandwich 4th of July Parade & Activities - Monday July 4th @ 10am
• Falmouth Fireworks - 8:45pm July 4th at Falmouth Heights Beach

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