The Fourth of July means fireworks across America and that can mean thousands of injuries and trips to hospital emergency wards.

An estimated 7,600 of the total 11,000 fireworks-related injuries in 2016 were treated in hospital emergency departments during the period between June 18, 2016 and July 18, 2016, according to a report on 2016 by the Consumer Products Safety Commission and its National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye held a press conference this week to bring attention to the dangers of fireworks especially for children and debut a video dramatizing the dangers of various popular fireworks including sprinklers and bottle rockets when they are misused.

“You have to keep fireworks, especially sparklers, away from kids,” Kaye said. He said sparklers burn as hot as a blowtorch.

New York Giants professional football player Jason Pierre-Paul has filmed a public service announcement with CPSC in which he talks about the fireworks injury that blew off much of his hand in 2015. “Leave fireworks to the fireworks professionals,” Pierre Paul says in the video.

Kaye noted that even a professional athlete like Pierre-Paul does not have the reflexes to avoid injury.

Deaths by Fireworks

In 2016, fireworks caused four deaths. CPSC reported that three of the four fatalities were related to reloadable aerial devices and one was associated with manufacturing homemade devices:
•On May 15, 2016, a 38-year-old male from Arizona was fatally injured in the garage of his single-family home while apparently attempting to manufacture fireworks. In the victim’s home, investigators found a large quantity of fireworks and firework manufacturing components, which had been purchased on-line from an out-of-state supplier.
•On July 4, 2016, a 42-year-old male from Florida suffered fatal injuries when the fireworks device he was lighting malfunctioned. The victim was trying to set off large mortar-type fireworks in a PVC pipe that was anchored to the ground.
•A 27-year-old male from Georgia died shortly after the new year of 2016 from a fatal fireworks accident. According to the witnesses at the scene, the victim accidentally placed a firework in a tube upside-down and then lifted the tube above his head. The firework exploded from the bottom and struck the victim in the neck.
•On July 5, 2016, a 26-year-old male from Kansas fell off the roof of his home after a mortar type of fireworks device exploded in his hand near his chest. According to the witnesses, the victim was on his roof shooting firearms and the explosion knocked the victim backwards off the roof.

CPSC staff has reports of 114 fireworks-related deaths between 2001 and 2016, for an average of 7.1 deaths per year.

The people who sell fireworks, the American Pyrotechnics Association, report that while sales of fireworks in the U.S. rose from 29 million pounds in 1976 to over 268.4 million pounds in 2016, fireworks injuries have declined. The injury rate was almost 43 percent lower in 2016 compared to 2000, the group says. In 2016, the injury rate per 100,000 pound of fireworks consumed was 4.1. The APA credits industry safety education efforts and better quality products. The APA also says that over the past decade, injuries have gone down even as states and municipalities have relaxed their fireworks laws to permit more types of fireworks to be sold. There are only three states that still prohibit the sale of all consumer fireworks: Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

“Serious misuse of fireworks devices, as well as the use of illegal explosives, account for a large proportion of these fireworks-related injuries,” says the APA, which adds that fireworks industry has stepped up its public safety education efforts.

The group also notes that fireworks are not the leading cause of consumer injuries; close to 20,000 people are injured every year by barbecue grills and more than 120,000 by baseballs.

Dangerous Duds

One of the dangers is that sometimes fireworks don’t go off as expected.

Michelle Pantoya, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University, has studied duds, that is fireworks that don’t fire after they are lit, and says they can be dangerous.

There are many reasons a firework might fail; if it happens, she warns against relighting it.

“My suggestion is just not handle duds because you never know if there’s still enough of an ember burning somewhere that you can’t see that could ignite it when you’re actually going to touch it,” says Pantoya.

She also warns against using old fireworks. That’s because most “off the shelf” fireworks are good for about a year.

She recommends having sand and water on hand if fireworks will be part Fourth of July family festivities.

“Even small embers, little sparks, are trajectories from some of these fireworks (and) could easily start even just a local fire in your backyard,” said Pantoya.

Fireworks Facts

Of the injuries in 2016 that were linked to fireworks, CPSC reported these 10 facts:
•Of the fireworks-related injuries sustained, 61 percent were to males, and 39 percent were to females.
•Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 31 percent of the estimated 2016 injuries.
•Thirty-nine percent of the estimated emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age.
•Young adults 20 to 24 years of age had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries (4.9 injuries per 100,000 people).
•Children younger than 5 years of age had the second highest estimated rate (4.4 injuries per 100,000 people).
•There were an estimated 900 emergency department-treated injuries associated with sparklers and 400 with bottle rockets.
•There were an estimated 1,300 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers. Of these, an estimated 47 percent were associated with small firecrackers, an estimated 4 percent with illegal firecrackers, and an estimated 49 percent with firecrackers for which there was no specific information.
•The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (an estimated 33 percent); head, face, and ears (an estimated 20 percent); legs (an estimated 18 percent); eyes (an estimated 9 percent); and arms (an estimated 8 percent).
•Sixty-nine percent of the emergency department-treated injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to all parts of the body, except the eyes, where contusions, lacerations, and foreign bodies in the eyes occurred more frequently.
•Approximately 92 percent of the victims were treated at the hospital emergency department and then released. An estimated 7 percent of patients were treated and transferred to another hospital or admitted to the hospital.

CREDIT:  Andrew G. Simpson, Insurance Journal

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2017/06/30/456213.htm#

Question:

At least one or two times a week (since I turned 65 and went on Medicare) I receive promotional material from different health insurance plans available in my area. I have already signed up for a supplemental plan which I am happy with so far. Since I have ignored all the mailings can these companies start calling me directly?

Answer:

Medicare has given permission to private companies to market and sell Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D prescription drug plans but there are very clear guidelines they must follow. Sales representatives are not allowed to call you unless you specifically ask them to do so. Door-to-door “cold calls” are also prohibited. If either of these occur consumers are strongly encouraged to call 1-800-MEDICARE to file a report.

If a Medicare beneficiary chooses to meet with a representative they should understand what to expect during the visit. Upon receiving permission to schedule a meeting the sales representative must document the options you want to learn more about. The individual can provide plan materials, explain how the plan works, give you an enrollment plan, collect a completed enrollment plan if you decide on the option and leave cards for you to pass on to friends and family.

The agent cannot discuss other plan options you have not inquired about, sell you any other products not related to health care (such as life insurance), ask for credit card or banking information, or use pressure tactics to get you to make a decision you are not prepared to do at the time. They also should not ask you to provide names, addresses and phone numbers of family/friends for them to solicit. Following the meeting the plan may contact you only if you chose to join the plan during the meeting with the sales representative.

It is often advisable to have another family member or trusted acquaintance to be present during the meeting. This is one way to assure you all rules will be followed and this person may assist you in asking questions if you are unclear about the information presented.

Source:  Rosanne DiStefano, October 28, 2013, Eagle-Tribune.

New Medicare cards are on the way

It is needless to say that you seek security in your life. Obviously, you want to live a life surrounded by your loved ones, forgetting all the worries. But, when the thought of financial damage due to some unfortunate incidents crosses your mind, I am sure you lose your peace. In such a situation, when you are thinking of securing all assets of yours and even your life, it is necessary that you get everything insured. And for that, all your need is a health insurance. And one trustworthy name in areas like Archbold, Bryan, Defiance and Montpelier OH, for providing ideal insurance policies for health is Beck Insurance Agency.

Are you wondering, why you should come to us and why we are one of the most reputed ones in the area? Read the following points to know why you should trust us.

Aspects That Makes Beck Insurance Agency the Right Choice for Many

• Experience: Serving since 1948, we have a glorious period of experience in dealing with various clients. We have witnessed the paradigm shift in the world of finance. And we also know how difficult it can be for anyone to feel secure amongst the threats of financial loss and liabilities. So, our team advises you to take all the required measure to insure your assets.
• Transparency: It is surely necessary for anyone to hire some firm that will be completely transparent in dealing, especially in the case of financial deals. So, when you are thinking of insuring the assets, you need to find a company that will be transparent enough about your dealings with them. We ensure 100% transparency in our clauses and dealings.
• Complete Assistance: We totally understand that financial dealings can leave you bewildered. So, it is necessary that you get the complete assistance while opting for insurance. Our team of executives is ready in Napoleon and Waterville OH to assist you.

Call us on our toll-free number 877-446-2325 to get more information. We promise to provide you the best insurance for you and your family’s health.

Defiance, Bryan OH Health Insurance from Beck Insurance is affordable peace of mind. Contact us today for details on Defiance, Bryan OH health insurance.

Are you thinking of getting a new car? Or maybe thinking that a policy will be enough to help you drive without any worries? If yes, then you are mistaken. At Beck Insurance Agency, we meet people who once had ignored having auto insurance and later on, they regretted a lot. If you are wondering, how it will help you or maybe affect your finances, then you need to have a clear idea of what all the insurance covers.

Often, there are many people who suffered from huge losses because they ignored buying auto insurance. When an unfortunate incident, like an accident, happens it not only hurt you physically, but also causes enormous financial burden that can affect you a lot. So, if you are in the areas like Archbold, Bryan, Defiance or Montpelier OH and thinking of getting auto insurance, come to us. We are here to offer to you what you need. Still wondering, do you really need it or not? Then take a look at the following points to get rid of the dilemma.

 3 Major Reasons to opt for Auto Insurance

• Bodily Injury Liability: If you are behind the wheels and your vehicle is responsible for someone’s bodily injury, then it is obvious that you will be liable financially for this case. Auto insurance covers such grounds and you will get adequate bodily injury coverage for such cases.
• Uninsured and Underinsured Liability: Though the law is to carry insurance for the cars, but everyone doesn’t seem to follow that. As a result, if you are involved in an accident with another car, which is underinsured or uninsured, it is going to get you in deep trouble. To save yourself from financial debacle, best get auto insurance now.
• Damage: If you are involved in some accident, where your car becomes responsible for the damage to some other vehicle, then it is necessary that you cover up the damage completely. And its only auto insurance that will completely cover such liability for you.

I am sure that now, when you know how this insurance can have your back when you find yourself entangled in some terrible situations, you will get one for your car. If you are in Napoleon or Waterville OH, get in touch with us by  calling at 877-446-2325 and get all the information.

Defiance OH, Bryan OH Auto Insurance from Beck Insurance is affordable and the quote is free! Contact us today for Defiance OH, Bryan OH auto insurance.

Spring cleaning tips from Beck Insurance Agency

Of course, because spring is a time for new beginnings, cleaning and organization around the house are very popular this time of year. If you’re ready to tackle that monumental chore, read on for some helpful information. (And if you’re so tidy and organized throughout the year that spring cleaning isn’t a big chore for you, well, keep that to yourself! Unless you want your friends and neighbors to be jealous, that is.)

Take it one room at a time. Deciding to clean or organize your entire home can quickly get overwhelming. If you focus on just one area or room, then move to another only when you’re finished, you’ll likely work more efficiently.

Follow the six-month rule. Generally, if you haven’t used something in six months (with the exception of seasonal items), it’s a good idea to consider throwing it away or donating it.

Don’t forget the kitchen. Just like other rooms, your kitchen likely has things that haven’t been used in some time — and this includes food in the refrigerator or freezer. Give those appliances a thorough cleaning and get rid of anything you won’t be eating.

Set yourself up for success. Paper clutter is something we all could probably cut back on pretty easily. Setting up a few recycling bins throughout the house gives you a convenient alternative to just setting that old magazine or paperwork down somewhere and watching the pile grow.

Make some money! Of course, the spring cleaning garage sale is a tradition for many homeowners, and can be a great way to bring in some extra income. Talk about a win-win situation — you get rid of stuff you don’t need, and someone pays you for it!

Stay safe. When you’re cleaning or maintaining your home, be mindful of the physical risks involved. Lift with your leg muscles, not your back. Avoid prolonged repetitive motions. Use ladders, lawnmowers and other dangerous tools with caution.

Contact Us! 

For further questions and assistance, please contact Beck Insurance Agency at 877-446-2325 (BECK) or info@beckinsurance.com.

“Insurance is all the same.”

This myth is the hardest of overcome.  Major insurance company advertising campaigns have effectively convinced people that insurance is all about price.  Even insurance agents have contributed to this lie.  My first phone calls as an agent began with, “I’d like to see if I can save you money on your insurance.”

Insurance should be about the protection provided, not the cost – a truism it took me a couple years to learn as an agent.  That is not to say the cost should not be considered, but we must remove the idea from peoples’ minds that insurance is all about price.

We must view a policy not by cost, but in terms of value.  We can ALWAYS BUILD an insurance package at a lower price than what one carries, but you must consider “will it provide all the necessary protection?”.  Of course not.  A poorly designed insurance program (i.e. the cheapest policy) can cause a major loss in the person’s bottom line (the one looked at and depended on the most heavily). 

Source:  Christopher Boggs, Insurance Journal

“Corporate status will protect me from liability; I’ll just declare bankruptcy and shut down.”

Courts can and do pierce the corporate veil in small, closely held corporations.  Not being able to provide legal advice (which is a disclaimer agents should provide), this is not to be construed as legal advice; but agents should not let a statement such as this one go by unchallenged.  Governance and tax considerations should drive the choice of a legal entity-type, not protection against personal liability.  A one or two man corporation can very likely expect to see the veil of corporate protection removed if the injury or damage is severe enough.  This myth is used to avoid purchasing an umbrella or excess policy.  As stated before, don’t risk a lot for a little!

Source:  Christopher Boggs, Insurance Journal.

“There is no need to purchase liability limits higher than my net worth.”

This is a slightly smarter version of last week’s “lie”, which you can see here.  A person’s net worth is the value of all they own minus all they owe; why should it be the magic number…that’s not all the attorney is going to ask the court to award.  More than one individual with a net worth of $250,000 (for example) has lost a $1 million (or more) negligence suit.  A key rule of risk management is, “don’t risk a lot for a little.”  Umbrella and excess policies are very inexpensive, bordering on cheap, compared to the limits that can be purchased – invest a small amount of money in the large amount of protection.  (Credit again to Christopher J. Boggs, Insurance Journal)

Interested in learning more about Umbrella coverage and rates?  Call 877-446-BECK (2325), email us at info@beckinsurance.com, or submit your request for a quote here.

See you next week!

As professional insurance agents and perpetual students of the industry we routinely hear a wide variety of commonly held beliefs that often leave us scratching our heads.  The talented Christopher J. Boggs over at the Insurance Journal has put together a list of some of the most common myths, legends, and lies in hopes of dispelling some of this information.

Here we will try to share and dispel at least one myth each Tuesday, so keep checking back.  Some will be short, some much longer.  Any questions or comments please let us know!  You can call 877-446-BECK, or send us an email at joe@beckinsurance.com.

“If I don’t have anything, they (the plaintiff, lawyers and court) can’t get anything; you can’t get blood out of a turnip.”

Want to bet?  The belief that an at-fault individual cannot be financially harmed because he doesn’t have much is one of the most insidious lies conceived by it’s originator.  Future wages can be attached; possessions can have liens placed against them, etc.  Many states don’t allow the court to take someone’s house in settlement, but the at-fault party will be unable to amass much beyond the house until the debt is satisfied.  A lot of what can be done might be subject to state law, but the pound of flesh will somehow be exacted.