Before the Bell Rings: Back to School Safety

As boys and girls throughout the community sharpen their pencils and get ready to head back to class, it’s important to ensure they have a safe school year. Here are some tips on how your family can be proactive and avoid potentially harmful situations:

• Make sure your school has your child’s updated emergency contact information. Write down any specific instructions that should be followed in case of an emergency, and have the school keep them in your child’s file.
• Talk to your child’s teachers before classes start and alert them to any medical issues your child has. Also, explain to the teacher what he or she should do if the medical issues arise—such as an allergic reaction, asthma attack or seizure—and provide school personnel with emergency medication such as EpiPens^® (Epinephrine Auto-Injectors) and inhalers.
• Help your children memorize important phone numbers so that they know how to get in touch with you and other trusted adults. Also, make sure those numbers are programmed into their cell phones, or provide them with a list of phone numbers that they can keep in their backpacks or wallets at all times.
• Let your children know exactly who they can go home with after school if their regular ride can’t pick them up, and make sure they know not to accept rides from people who aren’t on the list.
• If your children will be walking to school, walk the route with them several times before classes start to make sure they understand traffic laws and can walk the route on their own. Also, find a friend or sibling they can walk with, and make sure they always use the buddy system.
• Show your children which houses in the neighborhood they can go to in case no one is at home after school. Talk to the HOA board to see if there are any official safe houses in the community that your child can go to.
• Report reckless drivers to the HOA board and the police to help make sure the neighborhood remains safe, particularly during times when kids are going to and returning from school.

Keeping Our Children Safe - Tips for Summer Fun

Summer fun can bring accidents. No matter how careful we are with our children, accidents will happen. When one happens, taking care of it quickly is vital. Having a First Aid kit handy can relieve the pain and worry for both the parent and the child. You can either purchase a kit and add things or make your own. Here are a list of items recommended to have on hand:

•  Tote bag or small box/ one for the car & one for the house.

•  First aid manual, read it before you need it.

•  Syrup of Ipecac (check the expiration date) to counteract certain poisons

•  Disposable, instant-activating ice bags, used to minimize swelling

•  Small scissors

•  Tweezers

•  Gauze pads

•  Adhesive tape

•  Adhesive bandages, various sizes

•  Over the counter antihistamine, for minor allergic reactions

•  Hydro-cortisone cream

•  Antiseptic cream

•  Acetaminophen for pain, fever, sprains & strains

You all know how important sunscreen is, but did you know that it expires? A good rule of thumb is to use the sunscreen in the same season that you bought it, then toss it.

Swallowing a lot of pool water can cause electrolytes imbalance by altering the salt to water ratio. This can lead to vomiting, lethargy, and, in extreme cases, seizures.

Bee sting? Make a paste of meat tenderizer (the non-flavored kind) and water and rub it on the sting. It will help break down the toxins quickly.

A Popsicle makes a great ice pack for “owies” in or on the mouth.

Learn CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Hopefully, you¦ll never need it but if you do you’ll be ready.

AMG Offers Summer Safety Tips For Pet Parents Living In HOA

If you live in an HOA community there are probably rules concerning pet safety and pet regulations. One sure way to prevent an encounter with your community association is to obey the rules regarding pet waling areas and dog barking.

At AMG we want to provide pet parents with some more tips on how to comply even if these items are not in your HOA Covenants and Restrictions.

1. Have your dog's vaccinations updated and keep proof of vaccinations handy in case you need them.

2. Most lawn and garden products may be hazardous. Make sure that plants and fertilizers within the dog's reach are not toxic. This helps your pet and other pets in your neighborhood.

3. Keep your pet groomed. Dogs may need extra brushing and bathing to stay clean and healthy.

4. Keep your dog indoors during extreme hot temperatures in the summer months.

5. Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle.

6. Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water.

7. Have proper identification at all times. At AMG we suggest a collar with an ID tag, along with a tattoo or a microchip.

8. Keep your dog on a leash when he is outdoors to prevent accidents and injuries. This is probably a restriction in your HOA Covenant and Restrictions. Be sure to check your HOA rulings.

9. If your pet is outdoors provide plenty of fresh water and shade for your dog.

10. Beware of the sidewalk temperature. Pets’ paws are extremely sensitive, so prolonged exposure to a hot sidewalk can be problematic.

Prepare for Hurricane Season

HOA-USA (www.hoa-usa.com) would like to share a press release from our friends at Acentria Insurance.  Hurricane season is already upon us, and being prepared is vitally important for board members, community managers and homeowners.

 ACENTRIA INSURANCE ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES
TO PROPERLY PREPARE THIS HURRICANE SEASON

During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Acentria Insurance is encouraging homeowners and businesses to properly prepare for this hurricane season by reviewing your insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage.

Hurricanes not only bring high winds but can also cause flooding, storm surges in coastal areas, and tornados, all of which are potentially devastating to life and property.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida accounted for 14 percent of all U.S. insured catastrophe losses from 1983 to 2013, which equates to $66.8 billion out of $478.4 billion.

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover loss from flooding, a common occurrence with hurricanes. The only way to protect your home from floods is to purchase separate flood insurance. Flood damage to automobiles is typically covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto policy.

Residents and business owners who do not live in coastal areas may still face hazards of strong winds, heavy rain and inland flooding. Renters should also consider a policy to cover personal belongings as typically the landlord’s policy generally will not cover the loss of a tenant’s possessions. To properly protect your home, business or belongings, Acentria Insurance suggests a personal or commercial flood policy in addition to a commercial homeowners or renters policy tailored to specific needs.

“We encourage everyone to evaluate your current personal or commercial coverage as we enter hurricane season,” said Kendall McEachern, CEO of Acentria Insurance. “Once a tropical storm or hurricane warning has been issued, you cannot obtain new or additional coverage.”

“Ensuring you have adequate coverage is essential in proper hurricane preparedness,” says McEachern. He reminds us that it could take up to 30 days for a flood policy to take effect.
Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30, with powerful storms more likely to occur in September.

As part of your hurricane preparedness, Acentria Insurance recommends accurately recording your possessions in the event you need to file a claim. It is suggested that copies of photographs or video recordings of possessions be kept in a safe place outside of your home or business, such as electronic cloud storage or a safe deposit box.

Anyone with questions about flood insurance, commercial, homeowners or renters policies, or other types of insurance can call Acentria Insurance for a complimentary policy review. For more information on Acentria Insurance, call toll free 1-866-374-5084 or visit www.Acentria.com.