If changing eating habits was easy, everyone would be fit and healthy. One key to making lasting improvements is to make changes in stages. Start with something simple and stick to it for a week. After your family has mastered one change, add another.

Some Ideas to Get You Started

• Eat breakfast.
• Substitute water for one sugary drink each day.
• Eat one to two more fruits or vegetables each day.
• Plan a healthy snack for each day of the week.
• Switch to a low-fat version of a favourite food.
• Plan three meals and two snacks every day.
• Plan a home-cooked meal, which usually has fewer calories and more reasonable portions, and costs less than typical meals eaten at restaurants.

As a response to the continued severe weather Canada is experiencing, Intact Insurance released a notice to brokers outlining changes to their After Loss Underwriting Practices. The flooding in Southern Alberta this summer was noted as particularily devastating, affecting thousands of people in many Alberta communities.

Most of us remember the feeling we had when we took the car out on the road for the first time alone. This is often the first taste we get of real independance when growing up. You may also recall the naivety that you had as a new driver and making some mistakes that would have been better avoided. This is where a document like a teen driving agreement comes in. It will bring to light some areas that will hopefully prevent your teen from making some of the same mistakes on the road.

With statistics like the ones below, letting your teen take the wheel for the first time can be a scary experience for parents. It's important to ensure that your son or daughter is given the tools to keep them as safe as possible on the road.

Providing car insurance for a teen driver can be an expensive endeavour. The fact is that as new drivers, teens are perceived to be a higher risk for insurance companies. Our brokers hear questions like these on a daily basis: 

Towing a large load with your vehicle such as a travel trailer, fifth-wheel trailer or cargo trailer is a great way to carry additional items without making lots of trips. Trailers are also convenient to use when your personal vehicle is not large enough to carry the items you want to transport. Motorists must be careful when towing, though, to prevent accidents and remain safe on the roadways.

According to GM Canada, an airbag propels out of a dashboard at up to 320 kilometres per hour – faster than the blink of an eye. Though they are designed to absorb the impact of a crash for adult motor vehicle passengers and drivers, children can suffer major injuries from an air bag.

Air Bag Safety Recomendations

To keep children injury-free while riding in your car, consider these safety recommendations:

• Place small infants in rear-facing child safety seats in the backseat.
• Place toddlers over 1 year old and at least 9 kilograms in forward-facing convertible safety seats in the backseat of the vehicle. Since these car seats would situate the child several centimetres closer to the dashboard, they pose a risk for air bag injuries if they are placed in the front seat. Therefore, they must be placed in the backseat only.
• Place children who have outgrown convertible safety seats but do not fit correctly with a lap/shoulder seat belt in a car booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle.
• Children under age 12 should ride in the backseat of the vehicle with a seat belt securely fastened.

After a disaster strikes, returning to your home can be an emotional experience. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, it can also be a dangerous one. The disaster may have caused damages to your home that now present a safety hazard to you and your family. It is important that you properly inspect your home for potential hazards before you resume your life there.

Hazards to Look For

• Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Alert the gas company as soon as possible. Do not smoke or make use of any other items that have an open flame inside a damage house unless you are sure there are no gas leaks or other flammable materials present.
• Sparks and broken or frayed wires. Use a flashlight when first entering your home if you are unsure of the condition of your electrical system. Do not turn on any lights until you are sure they are safe to use. If you suspect damage to any part of your electrical system or if there is standing water in your home, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if you can safely do so.
• Roof, foundation and chimney cracks. A close examination of your home’s structural integrity is very important. If you feel that there is a chance for collapse, leave immediately.
• Appliances. If appliances are wet or appear to be damaged, turn off the electricity running to them at the main fuse box and then unplug them. Check that they, and your electrical system, work properly before plugging them back in.
• Water and sewage systems. If any pipes are damaged turn off your water at the main valve. Check with local authorities before using any water for cooking or cleaning as it may be contaminated. If you are supplied by your own well have a sample tested before use. Also, make sure sewer lines are intact before using toilers.
• Food and other supplies.  Throw out all food and other perishable items that may have been contaminated. This is especially important when goods have come into contact with standing water.
• Clean up hazardous materials. Household chemicals, raw sewage and other hazardous substances that have spilled or leaked throughout your home need to be cleaned up as soon as possible. Make sure you take the proper care to protect yourself from the substance during this process.
• Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of damages before you begin cleanup and keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.

Fun in the sun is even better when you have a swimming pool in your backyard to stay cool on hot, summer days. Despite all the entertainment that a swimming pool offers, there are also homeowner liabilities. To help you minimize your risk, we’ve gathered some safety tips to keep you in the know as you swim.

Sink Swimming Pool Dangers

To Minimize Drowning Risks:

• Install safety fences around the pool with a locked latch and place a cover over the pool when you are not using it. This should deter unwelcome guests from entering your property and trying to swim.
• Always supervise welcome swimmers at all times.
• Do not allow swimmers to dive in shallow water.
• Keep lifesaving equipment near the pool and learn how to properly use it.
• Do not allow swimmers to horseplay in the pool.

As the homeowner, you are liable for the safety of all swimmers. To ensure that you can adequately protect people on your property, consider taking lifeguarding, CPR and first aid courses so you know what to do in an emergency. 

To Minimize Disease Risks:

• Keep the pool water properly filtered and chemically treated.
• Do not allow swimmers with open wounds or illnesses to go in the water.
• Do not allow babies to swim unless they are wearing swim diapers. Regular diapers do not provide protection in water and will not protect against accidents.
• Keep pets out of the pool.
• Before going in the pool, make all swimmers take a shower.
• Do not allow swimmers to drink pool water.

To Minimize Chemical Risks:

• Avoid over-shocking the pool; keep chemicals at the proper levels.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully when adding chemicals to the pool or filtration system.
• Keep pool chemicals stored and locked away, so they are out of children’s reach and those who may try and enter your property to use the pool without your permission.
• Store chemicals in a cool, dry place where they are away from fire hazards and lawn care products.

Helping you to avoid claims is just one of the many value-added services we provide. Call us today to learn more about all of our personal risk management solutions for your auto, home and life.