Insider Info

• Winter is here full force, which means we need to highlight some winter safety issues. Ready.gov has some great tips on how to prepare for a home emergency, such as how to make a plan and build a kit.
• Here are 10 great tips on how to lower your heat bill. We can also help you lower your bills by installing a home automation system from 2Gig.
• In case of bad weather fast approaching, do you have a car safety kit made and put in your trunk? Here is a good list to review. But here are a few extras we want to remind you of: 1) Kitty litter - can help you gain traction when on ice. 2) Snacks for kids to munch on. 3) Puzzles and Books. Sometimes help can take awhile to arrive. (Don't forget back up sippy cups, diapers and formula if you have little ones!) 4) Fully Charged back-up phone. 911 will work on ANY phone that has a charge, even if it does not have service. 5) Mase or other self protection. Never know where you will break down! 6) Hand warmers. 7) Fix-a-flat and tire repair kits. Windshield wipers are nice to have for when you need them. 8) Dry boots. Rain boots. - Don't want to be shoveling around in high heels! 9) List of emergency phone numbers, names and addresses.
• Did you know that more than 8,000 home invasions happen every day in the United States? And with that, 38 percent of those are assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during a home invasion. Have you ever thought how to prevent a home invasion? Have you ever thought what you would do if ever put in that situation? Here are also some tips that can help you protect your home.

• Happy St. Patrick's Day, we are all Irish for today, right? Many of us are wearing our green t-shirts, Leprechaun hats and shamrock socks for a day of celebration, complete with green beer in hand. Whether you are going out to celebrate at the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, heading to a local pub or hosting a party at home, remember these St. Patrick's Day safety tips to ensure your day is full of lucky charms.  

• March is Red Cross Month. The Red Cross is essential is providing services during bad weather, disasters and educating the public. Not only do they offer storm relief, but they do a great deal of helping people with other needs such as housing assistance and blood donations. What is blood donation? Blood donation is giving some of your blood so that it can be used to help someone else. Donated blood helps people who have lost blood in an accident or who have an illness. You can donate blood at American Red Cross clinics or other clinics or blood banks. You may be able to donate during blood drives at your workplace. Before you donate, a health professional will ask about your current and past health to make sure that you can donate. Some of these questions are very personal, so you will be asked them in private. You will be asked these questions every time you give blood, because the list of who can give blood may change, or your health may change. There are no health risks in giving blood. You CANNOT get diseases from donating blood.
  All in all, donating blood is a quick great deed you can do to help save someone's life while getting some free testing done for your own health! For more information on donating blood, check out the following site: www.redcrossblood.org