November 2017

Heading out on a Thanksgiving road trip? Read this guide first!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people across the nation are preparing to travel. Whether you’re heading north to visit the in-laws or south to catch a break from the city, it’s essential to prepare for your Thanksgiving road trip beforehand.

Plan Ahead

Take some time now to prepare for your trip. Plot out a route, along with an alternative just in case, and locate rest stops and gas stations. On the day of, put your destination on your GPS device to receive real-time updates about traffic, accidents, and road closures. Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and what the signs are as you near the off-ramp. Leave early so that you’re not pressured for time as, more than likely, the roads will be busy.

Tune Up the Car

Your tires are what keeps your vehicle on the road so it’s well worth they’re up for a journey before setting off. Check the tire pressure when the car is cold and top up as needed. Also, check that the tires are in good condition and have enough wear to last the entire length of the journey and back. If not, replace them! It’s also a good time to take your car in for a tune-up to get the heating/cooling system checked out, fluids topped up, brakes tested, and oil changed.

Watch Out for Trucks

Remember that larger vehicles take a longer time to come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them. Be aware of their blind spots and always stay far behind them so that they can see you in their mirrors.

Review Your Emergency Kit

Your car’s emergency supply kit should include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, a tire repair kit, and flares. Remember to bring your cell phone car charger, too!

Keep an Eye on It

Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even if the kids are bored in the backseat, don’t take your eyes off the road. Drive safely – and bring games for the children if you need to!

Stay Safe on Fall Roads

The season of fall brings an entirely new set of challenges to the road. Check out our previous blog post about driving safely during fall.

Drive safely and watch out for those who don’t! Enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday by creating magical memories, not tragic ones. From the team at Abatelli Group, Inc., we hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving road trip. For the auto insurance that you need and deserve before the trip, contact us in Whitestone, New York today.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very real threat – Ensure you address it immediately.

Now that the cooler weather is coming, that means more time spent indoors cooking up hearty meals and turning on the heating (now and again). While our winter homes should be places of comfort, there is one silent killer that could be lurking in your home – carbon monoxide (CO).

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced when fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, and propane are not efficiently burned. In essence, your generators, lawn mowers, barbeques, furnace, and cooker could be harboring a deadly gas.

Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Chest pains
• Confusion

As the symptoms can be mistaken as other concerns, such as a cold or the flu, it’s important to stay on top of when you feel these symptoms coming on. If you leave your home for a couple of hours and the symptoms subside, only to come back when you return home, it is well worth getting your home checked for a carbon monoxide leak.

To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these tips:

• Hire a professional to check all of your gas-run systems in the house before using them regularly for the winter. A professional will ensure the appliance is burning properly and is suitably vented.
• Never leave a car idling in a garage (even if the garage door is open).
• Keep portable generators at least 20 feet from an open window.
• Never use a charcoal barbeque inside a home or tent.
• Never use a gas oven to heat a home.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home. For an extra level of protection, consider installing a CO alarm in every bedroom of your house.

With a little preparation, your home can stay safe from CO! Fortunately, it takes just a simple phone call to secure the right homeowners insurance protection for your property. Talk to the professional team at Abatelli Group, Inc. to determine the right homeowners insurance policy to suit your needs and home today.