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When Things go BOOM in the Night – Fireworks Safety

June 28, 2013 By Jon DeKok

For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories – whether at home in Minnesota or away on vacation.

But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Homes each year in MN are damaged by wayward fireworks. Thousands of people are injured in accidents.

At DeKok Insurance Group, we (Joy & I) want your holiday to be happy and safe. So here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your property on the Fourth.

Protecting yourself (and others)

To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals in Rochester or your town.
If using consumer fireworks, always follow instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks.
Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40% of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
A responsible adult should always be present when children – even teenagers – are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries happen to those younger than 20 years old.

Protecting your home

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your home is to not use fireworks at home.
Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes and buildings, as well as other combustible material. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.
Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea anyway, but it could save you from a catastrophic fire on the Fourth of July.
If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, clean them before using fireworks near your home.
Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in your neighborhood will be using fireworks.

With some common sense and planning, the Fourth of July can be both safe and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re staying at home or heading to into the town nearest you, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating our independence!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Graphic purchased from © bitter…。 – Fotolia.com

Summer Yard Work – Staying Safe

June 24, 2013 By Jon DeKok

Let’s Keep Our Lawns – and Ourselves – Safe in Minnesota!

For many of our neighbors in Minnesota, summer means more than sunshine and vacations. It also means working in the yard – often with tools that can be dangerous if not used properly.

Each year about 400,000 people are treated for injuries from lawn and garden tools, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Don’t let your landscaping efforts land you in the hospital.

Follow these handy safety tips:

Tool safety tips from the U.S. CPSC

Dress appropriately. To protect yourself from debris when using lawn tools, wear eye protection, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, close-fitting clothes and no jewelry. Sturdy shoes are recommended, and ear plugs may be appropriate depending on how loud the device is.
Before starting, remove objects from your work area that could cause injury or damage, such as sticks, glass or stones.
Keep children indoors and supervised at all times when any outdoor power equipment is being used. Never let a child ride or operate a garden tractor or riding mower, even if the child is supervised. And never assume children will remain where you last saw them.
Use extreme caution when backing up or approaching corners, shrubs and trees.
Teenagers using power equipment should always be supervised by an adult.
Handle gasoline carefully. Never fill tanks while machinery is on or when equipment is still hot. Of course, you should never smoke or use any type of flame around gasoline or any gasoline-powered equipment.
Do not work with electric power tools in wet or damp conditions. For protection against electrocution, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Be sure that extension cords are in good condition, are rated for outdoor use, and are the proper gauge for the electrical current capacity of the tool.

Lawn Chemical Safety Tips from Texas A&M University

If you use chemicals to control weeds or pests in your lawn, read the product label carefully so you understand the potential effects on humans, animals and the environment. Follow all instructions.
Keep children and animals away from the application area, and protect your skin, eyes and nose during and after application.
Remember, use only the recommended amount. Using more of the chemical will not do a better job.
Ask yourself if you truly need to use a general pesticide. Is there a product that will specifically treat only the problem you need to solve?

If you enjoyed this post, you might like this one too: Attractive Nuisances

Here’s to keeping both you and your lawn healthy this summer!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices .

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Graphic purchased from © Kasia Bialasiewicz – Fotolia.com

No Parent Insurance

May 6, 2013 By Jon DeKok

My dad passed away March 3, 2010 at age 87. My mom passed away December 13, 2012 at age 90. So within a three year period of time my siblings and myself find ourselves parentless.

I have to tell you I miss them a great deal. They weren’t only my parents, they were my best friends. I had the great fortune to go out, visit and have coffee with them for about an hour or so each week for the last 30 years. I could not imagine them not being home.

The passing of life is so final and seems so short once its gone. There are some things you can’t buy insurance for, and one of them is keeping your parents young, healthy, and alive. One of the promises the scripture gives to those who believe in Jesus is ” to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Because of their faith in Jesus and my faith in Jesus I believe we will see each other again, and that gives me great peace!

Jon

Jon DeKok DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices .

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Making Change Easier – Let DeKok Insurance Group Shop for You

March 17, 2013 By Jon DeKok

Your insurance rates just went up and you know it’s time to shop around. Then, you look at all the information required, for each company, and you decide change is too hard.

It’s different at DeKok Insurance Group.

Here’s how it works: You call (507-226-8121) or email ([email protected]) me for a quote, give me your information once, and I start looking for the right coverage at the best price for you. When I’ve checked with several of the highest rated companies in the insurance industry, I call or email you with the quotes.

Then, you decide.

If you have any questions about quotes or the companies I represent, please feel free to call or email me.

Making Change Easier,

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 35 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Attractive Nuisances

December 4, 2012 By Jon DeKok

What is an Attractive Nuisance?

An attractive nuisance is something that is so interesting that it would entice a child into entering another’s property. For instance, many courts require that the object be man-made and many require that you “maintain” the nuisance in order to be liable. This would mean that ponds or lakes are generally not attractive nuisances.

Some of the typical attractive nuisances include:

Swimming pools and fountains
Machinery (lawnmowers, weed trimmers, etc.)
Wells and tunnels
Dangerous animals
Paths and stairs
Construction materials
Trampolines
Empty buildings

How can you protect yourself from liability?

Taking some basic actions to prevent injury goes a long way toward avoiding liability. Courts usually punish people who didn’t seem to care or put any effort into encouraging safety. In short, you should do whatever it takes to prevent a child’s access to the nuisance.

If you have any questions about attractive nuisances, please feel free to call or email me.

Jon

[email protected]

phone 507-226-8121

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 gift card.