Drowsy Driving is Dangerous!

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Recognize the warning signs that you’re too tired to drive – Warning signs of sleepiness include, but are not limited to:

•  Having difficulty keeping your eyes open and focused, and/or having heavy eyelids.

•  Difficulty keeping your head up.

•  Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips.

•  Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven.

•  Missing traffic signs or driving past your intended exit.

•  Yawning repeatedly and rubbing your eyes.

•  Feeling irritable or restless.

To remain alert and prevent a fall-asleep crash -

•  Get plenty of sleep the night before a long trip.

•  Stop driving if you become sleepy.  Fatigue impacts reaction time, judgement and vision, causing people who are very sleepy to behave in similar ways those who are drunk.

•  Travel at times when you are normally awake, and stay overnight rather than driving straight through.

•  Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles.

•  Drink a caffeinated beverage.  Since it takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream, find a safe place to take a 20-30 minute nap while you’re waiting for the caffeine to take effect.

 

 

 

2012 Holiday Schedule

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We will be closed on the following dates:

Monday, January 16 – Martin Luther King Day

Monday, February 20 -  President’s Day

Monday, April 16 – Patriot’s Day

Monday, May 28 – Memorial Day

Wednesday, July 4 – Independence Day

Monday, September 3 – Labor Day

Monday, October 8 – Columbus Day

Saturday, November 10 in honor of Veterans’ Day

Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23 – Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday, December 24 and 25 – Christmas

MORIN INS. AGENCY RECEIVES BUSINESS AWARD

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The Concord Group Insurance Companies awarded their first “Golden Coach Awards” to their top independent agents at a recent conference held in Rockport, Maine.  Morin Insurance received the award for:  “Best Profitability.”  Sharon accepted the award from Linda Day, Chairman, President and CEO of Concord Group Insurance Company.  John Natale, Vice President-Marketing congratulated Morin Insurance Agency, saying that “Morin Ins. Agency, like all of our agencies, understands the importance of educating our New England Neighbors on the benefits of insuring their home and cars with a local insurance agency representing a local insurance company.  We feel privileged to be partners with Morin Insurance Agency; we value their professionalism and insurance service expertise for our policyholders.”

You can reach Morin Insurance Agency at www.morininsurance.com or 413-245-6864.

For more information see the Quaboag Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

Tips to Travel More Miles on Less Gas

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•  Drive prudently.  Speeding, rapid acceleration and excessive braking wastes gas.

•  Observe the speed limit.  You may save money in speeding tickets or accidents as well!

•  Remove excess weight and avoid excessive idling. 

•  Use overdrive gear.  When in overdrive, you reduce your car’s engine speed, saving gas and reducing engine wear.

•  Check and replace your air filters regularly.  Not only will it improve gas mileage, but protect your engine as well.

•  Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.  Under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage.

•  Reduce unnecessary travel.  Consider commuting, combine errands and plan ahead for efficient travel routes.

•  Load your extras into the trunk instead of on the roof rack.  The aerodynamic drag affects your mileage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plymouth Rock’s Auto Insurance Discounts, Deals & Programs

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A new benefit of Plymouth Rock Rewards.  Get Home Safe is available to all Massachusetts Plymouth Rock customers for no additional charge:  a one time reimbursement for a one-way cab fare home, up to $50 per policy year.  The policyholder or a household member can use Get Home Safe if they feel it would be unsafe to drive for any reason (other than mechanical breakdown).  Visit Get Home Safe on prac.com for more details on this new Program.

Also available …

-  Accident forgiveness

-  Deductible dollars

-  Multi car discounts

-  Annual mileage credits

-  Companion policy savings

-  Paid in full savings

-  eDocument savings

-  Safe driver discount

-  Advanced driver training discount

-  Good student  and Student away at school discounts

ATM and Debit Card Safety Tips

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‘Tis the season to go shopping.  But with the ever-increasing threat of identity theft and debit/credit card fraud, it is essential that we proceed with extreme care especially around the holidays.  Because if you don’t protect them, your ATM/debit card can create significant financial vulnerabilities.  These simple guidelines can help to keep your card safe this holiday season.  The few moments that these simple steps require is time well spent.  Remember that YOU are the first line in the defense against identity theft and fraud.

1.  Your PIN should never include birth dates, phone numbers, addresses or parts of your Social Security number.

2.  Do not write down or carry your Personal Identification Number (PIN) in your purse or wallet.

3.  When you receive a new card, sign it immediately.

4.  Never let anyone else use your ATM/debit card.

5.  Be sure to get your card back after using it, and inventory your cards periodically to make sure that none are missing.

6.  Keep your receipts and verify them against your monthly statements.

Home Safety during Outages

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*  Make sure generators vent outside.  Be careful when fueling.  Plug in carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home.

*  If you use a woodstove or fireplace for heat, please monitor them closely.

*  Candles pose a major risk of fire.  Don’t leave them unattended.  Flashlights are a much safer source of light.

*  Please remember that gas grills are for outdoor use only.

*  Consider unplugging major electrical equipment to avoid damage by power surges. 

*  Seek shelter if you need it.  The American Red Cross and local media can provide a list of shelters near you.

*  Stay away from tree limbs and wires – you may not be able to see wires that are touching branches.

*  Call a tree or yard company to handle damaged trees and limbs – don’t try to do this yourself, especially if power lines are down.

*  Call your electric company immediately if there are downed wires in your neighborhood.

*  Find additional material online at:  American Red Cross,  Federal Emergency Management Agency and NOAA National Weather Service.

Winter Road Safety

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Stay safe on the road this winter …

… Make sure your car is tuned up and ready for winter weather before the next storm hits.  Don’t forget to check tire pressure.  Tire pressure drops by about one pound for every 10 degrees of temperature and low tires make handling difficult and dangerous.

… Have your mechanic check heating and cooling systems.  A 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water has a lower freezing point, making it the best cold weather mix.

… Don’t take a chance:  keep your gas tank close to full at all times.

… Check your windshield wipers and top off your windshield washer fluid.

… Keep your vehicle completely clear of ice and snow, including your headlights.  It’s safer for you and other drivers, and you’ll get better gas mileage.

… Also remember that salt build-up on your headlights can substantially reduce your night-time visibility, so make sure that you clean your headlights regularly.

… Slow down!  Even if you stay in control of your car, not everyone else around you will.  Leave plenty of distance between you and the other cars. 

… And while we shouldn’t have to mention it at this point, we will.   Don’t text or talk on the phone while you’re driving.  Please.

Safety tips to avoid power surges

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If you have been without power for more than several days, make sure to protect your household appliances.  National Grid is recommending that, if possible,  turn off your main breaker.   If you can’t, you should unplug computers,  tv’s  and all electrical appliances to avoid a surge when the power is restored.   Please remember to take appropriate safety precautions with generators and alternate heat sources.  Safety comes first:  generators must always be kept outside, propane and other space heaters need a lot of ventilation and cooking stoves should never be used as a heating source!