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Is there anything quite so pleasant as coming home to a warm and cozy house on a cold winter's day? Home isn't just where the heart is; in the winter, it's also where the hearth is.

Heat comes to us in many forms: electric, gas, portable space heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces. All of these can pose a threat to a North Carolina home's safetynot to mention that of its residentsif they are not properly maintained and managed. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating fires are the second leading cause of all residential building fires. About 50 percent of all fires that result from home heating equipment are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Fortunately, it is possible to stay warm safely this winter by following a few simple suggestions.

• Have your chimney professionally cleaned before lighting the first fire of the year. Removing all debris from the chimney and opening the flue will ensure that your home remains free of dangerous smoke.
• Use only seasoned hardwood such as ash, oak, or maple in your fireplace. Do not burn trash or cardboard boxes.
• Employ fireplace screens or glass fireplace doors to keep embers off of rugs and carpets.
• If you have a gas heating system, place carbon monoxide detectors in your home. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxidealso known as the "silent killer"kills about 300 people in their homes annually. There are small, convenient detectors that plug into electrical outlets and sound an alarm if carbon monoxide is in the air. Keep at least one near every sleeping area.
• Never leave electric space heaters on if they are unattended, and always position them away from flammable objects, as well as from people, pets, furniture, and curtains. Unplug them when they are not in use.
• Maintain a three-foot kid-free zone around all heating sources.
• Pay a professional to examine and clean your home's heating unit annually. He or she can repair potentially deadly leaks.
• Clean your home's air vents by removing their covers and vacuuming out any dust or debris that may have accumulated in them during warmer weather.
• Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home, and always use gas or charcoal grills outdoors.
• If you ever smell gas, immediately extinguish all flames in your home, put out cigarettes, and do not operate electrical appliances because they may create sparks. Turn off all gas appliances and make sure pilot lights are out. If you still smell gas after opening windows and doors, turn off your home's main gas tap. Call the gas company immediately and evacuate.
• If a pilot light goes out, turn off the gas at that heat source and wait several minutes before re-lighting it.
• If your pilot light produces a red or yellow flame, call for service; the flame should be blue.
• Finally, make sure your smoke alarms are all functioning properly.

Call or contact InSouth Insurance Services, LLC today to make sure your home insurance policy is up to date.

Arrive Alive... or Just Stay Home

Whether your region is besieged by ice, blanketed in snow, soaked with rain, or one of those places that experiences a once-in-a-blue-moon taste of the aforementioned conditions, it's always imperative to be prepared. Even in warm, sunny locales, the abundance of stressed-out drivers during the holidays can make roads more hazardous than usual.

Use the following guidelines to ensure you travel safely in North Carolina this winter.

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated, and never combine radial tires with other tire types.
• In cold weather conditions, always keep your gas tank at least half-full to prevent your gas line from freezing.
• Never drive while fatigued.
• Avoid using the parking break in cold, wet and/or snowy weather, as it may get stuck.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on a wet, icy, sandy, or otherwise slippery road conditions.
• Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow; you'll be dangerously tired when it's time to drive again.
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, stay put. Your auto will provide shelter and make it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm; you can lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and get lost.
• If you are forced to wait out a storm in your vehicle, use whatever's handynewspaper, floor matsto keep yourself warm. Turn on the engine briefly and only when necessary to heat up the car; do not leave it running.
• Make sure your vehicle's exhaust pipe is free from snow, ice, or mud. A blocked exhaust may cause carbon monoxide gas to leak into vehicle's interior while the engine is running.
• Delay road trips when especially bad weather has been forecasted. If you must travel, always inform others of your route, destination, and estimated time of arrival.
• When driving on snow, accelerate slowly, helping you to gain traction and avoid skids.
• Similarly, decelerate slowly on snowy roads, because it takes longer to stop.
• Break properly. Whether your vehicle has antilock brakes or not, it's best to employ threshold breaking: keeping the heel of your foot on the floor, use ball of your foot to place firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Pay attention and shun distractions. Always look in the direction that you are headed.
• Needless to say, always wear a seatbelt.

Finally, always assess the need to drive this winter. Unless it's absolutely necessary to be someplace, consider keeping things simple and safe, and staying home on really snowy days. Is it really necessary to make another trip to the mall if you can shop for presents online? Go out to a restaurant for dinner when there's food at home? Drive around in search of entertainment when you can cuddle up by the fire and watch the snow fall from the window? Winter is an optimal time to slow down and snuggle in. Doing so may not just make you feel happy; it might also help to keep you safe.

Call or conact InSouth Insurance Services, LLC to make sure your auto insurance policies are up to date.

In the North Carolina, the holidays are a special time of year for so many reasons. They may be spiritually significant, or bring us closer to our friends and families. They are a time of giving, gathering, and sharing good food. For children, they may be a chance to receive some longed-for gifts. Despite all the magic that characterizes the holidays, they are not free from accidents. In fact, the holidays are one of the most dangerous times of year, when household accidents and injuries abound. Here are the ten most common holiday mishaps, and tips for avoiding them.

1. Poisoning by Plants

   Poisonous holiday plants, like mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis should not be consumed by humans or pets. Keep these plants out of the reach of small children and animals. If children or pets do sample these plants, call poison control.

2. Electrocution

   All the tinkering we do with electrical sockets and extension cords when putting up decorative lights during the holidays can result in some unpleasant and dangerous shocks. Prevent them by using a ground fault interrupter, and never attach more than three strands of lights into an extension cord.

3. Ski and Snowboarding Accidents

   In many climates, snow abounds during the holiday season, tempting many to hit the slopes. Avoid injuries by knowing your capabilities and skills, and following the rules. Dress appropriately, and wear protective goggles or glasses to block the sun's glare.

4. Fireplace-Born Fires

   All the cozy nights by the fireplace that characterize the holiday season increase the likelihood of a devastating house fire. Make sure the damper is open, always use a grate or a screen in front of the fireplace, and, should a fire become out of control, use an extinguisher or sand to put it out, not water.

5. Sledding Accidents

   There are tens of thousands of sledding accidents reported in the U.S. annually. To avoid having one, keep a safe distance between sledders, avoid hills with trees, and always check out the terrain before sledding.

6. Kitchen Fires

   Cooking is a common holiday-time activity, and with all the distractions and sense of hurry that can come during this time of year, it can be a dangerous one. Avoid leaving towels ad oven mitts near heat sources, and always turn off the stove before leaving the kitchen.

7. Snow Shoveling Injuries

   Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer snow-shoveling mishaps, particularly back injuries and heart attacks. To shovel safely, lift with your legs, take frequent breaks, and avoid overdoing it if you don't usually exercise.

8. Christmas Tree Fires

   A Christmas tree laden with festive decorations is highly flammable. Some Christmas tree fires are caused by the electrical lights that are strung on a tree, others are a result of the tree being too close to a heat source such as a fireplace or space heater. Always turn lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.

9. Falls

   Holiday decorating often entails hanging lights and wreaths, and falls are common during this time of year. Though it's tempting and seemingly easy to hop onto a chair, porch railing, or countertop, this is dangerous. Always use a stable ladder or stool.

10. Ice Skating Injuries

    Like snow, ice is a prime factor in holiday-time injuries. Skates with dull blades can cause tripping and falling, so have blades professionally sharpened before hitting the ice. Wear skates that fit properly to avoid ankle twists and sprains. And always make sure the ice is solid and free from cracks.

Check in with InSouth Insurance Services, LLC to make sure your insurance policies are up to date for the holiday season.