Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks to all that God has provided to us, ranging from the relationships we have with family and friends, to the employment and material goods we are blessed with. Thanksgiving also ends up usually being a time of eating way too much food and packing on a few extra pounds! (can we say a precursor to a New Year’s resolution!!)

We are sure that you all have much to be thankful for this year and have some great Thanksgiving memories/traditions. We have shared some of ours below.

I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR….

“For my 3 new healthy grandchildren to add to our other 4. ” - Jim Runnebaum

"I am thankful for a healthy family, the opportunity to live in the great United States of America (in spite of all it’s flaws!), and most of all I’m thankful that Christ came to earth to offer us all salvation!" - Cynthia Strahm

"I am thankful for my family and friends and the good times K-State Football has given us this year." - Kelly Sheik

"I am thankful for my healthy family." - Carrie Strahm

MY FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TRADITION/MEMORY,….

"My family will be helping out at the Topeka Rescue Mission this year for Thanksgiving" - Roy Frey

"My family will have our gathering the Saturday after Thanksgiving and this year will be at my house, can't wait to eat the big meal and have fun playing cards after!" - Maria Dressman

From all of us at SBS Insurance, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Have a Safe Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is near and visions of fried turkeys already are dancing in more than a few heads.

The old joke that men love cooking only if it involves flames and danger is not so funny after an accident. Every year too many folks are harmed and homes are burned due to the combination of large pots of hot oil and big turkeys. Your homeowners insurance may respond for the fire damages and your health insurance for the emergency room visit, but is that really the new Thanksgiving tradition you had in mind?

Fried turkey can be a great alternative to traditional oven-roasted fare, but be certain to take into account the much higher risk factors. Use a fryer designed specifically for turkeys, rather than jury-rigging other cooking equipment. Once you have the proper fryer, follow a few tips from the experts that can make the difference between taste sensation and flaming disaster:

1.Turkey deep fryers should always be placed outdoors, on a flat, preferably concrete surface located a safe distance away from anything combustible. Never use a turkey fryer in the garage, on a wooden deck, or anywhere near the house.

2.Never leave the fryer unattended. Even after you are finished cooking, do not let pets or children near the unit. The oil in the fryer remains extremely hot for hours after cooking.

3.Keep a fire extinguisher handy. The best is a Class K wet chemical fire extinguisher. If fire erupts, do not throw water on it. Water cannot extinguish a grease fire and will cause the oil to spatter violently. Use common sense. If the fire is small, use the extinguisher, but dial 911 for emergency assistance before the blaze becomes unmanageable.

4.Use oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut or canola.

5.Do not overfill the turkey fryer. If oil spills over?because the turkey is too large or the oil level is too high?flames can engulf the unit and endanger bystanders. Before frying, conduct this test: Put the unseasoned turkey into an empty fryer. Then fill the fryer with water until the turkey is fully submerged. If the turkey fits comfortably, mark the water level. When preparing to cook, dry the fryer thoroughly. Then fill it with oil to an inch shy of your level mark to allow for expansion of the oil as it heats.

6.Thaw the turkey completely and dry it with paper towels. Injected marinades are fine, but season the turkey skin with a dry rub. Excess water in a partially frozen or wet turkey will cause the pot to bubble over, resulting in a fire hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends 24 hours of thawing for every five pounds of bird before cooking in a turkey fryer.

7.Most turkey fryers do not come with a thermostat, and if left unattended may overheat, resulting in combustion. Turkey fryer thermometers and other accessories are available.

8.Use heavy oven mitts or well-insulated potholders. The lid, handles, and sides of the cooking pot become very hot, posing a severe burn threat. Protective eyewear is also recommended.

Your SBS Insurance agent always stands ready to offer advice and a comprehensive review of your current insurance coverage and needs. But when it comes to safety, remember: The best claim is the one you never have to make. Whether you’re tending a deep fryer or waiting on the timer to go off on your oven, be safe this Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Sources:   http://www.grillsdirect.com/turkey-fryers/turkeyfryersafetyarticle.cfm

How to Avoid Deer And Other Animal Collisions

Did you know that a motorist is most likely to strike a deer in November? Claims data shows that more than 18 percent of all deer-related automotive mishaps take place during November, with October and December trailing closely behind. These findings are not too surprising, when deer mating season is taken into consideration.

Here are some things to think about before hitting the road:

1. The most active times of the day/night for deer and other wildlife are the times before and shortly after sunrise. Statistically, more animal collisions occur at this time than other times of the day and night. BUT, during rut they can be seen at any time of the day or night and they are focused only on mating, which makes them less aware of their surroundings and a greater hazard. 
2. Pay attention to “deer crossing” signs. They are posted in areas where deer have been known to be killed on the highway in addition to where they are sighted. 
3. Whenever possible, use your high beams and increase the distance that you can see ahead of your vehicle. This can allow you time to slow and may allow you time to use your 4-way flashers to warn other drivers of a hazard. 
4. Blink your headlights at the deer or other animal. Instead of being transfixed by your headlights, it may “wake them up” and cause them to run from your path. Honking your horn may also have the same effect.
5. Brake – not by jamming on your brakes and possibly throwing your vehicle into an out-of-control slide – and slow down as rapidly as is safely possible. IF a collision with a deer or other animal is unavoidable, damage may be minimized by striking the animal at a slower speed.
6. Immediately after the impact, reduce speed further and pull off of the road to examine your vehicle for damage. Under NO circumstances should you approach the animal – an injured animal can inflict a lot of injury and damage. 
7. Notify the authorities so that the animal can be properly disposed of and will not pose a threat to other motorists.

Here are some interesting facts:

- According to the claims data, the presence of deer caused an estimated 1.23 million collisions in the U.S. between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. The probability that any single licensed driver in the U.S. was behind the wheel during one of those 1.23 million crashes also increased from 1 in 183 to 1 in 171, approximately equal to the odds that you will be audited by the Internal Revenue Service next tax season.

- Over the last four years, the number of deer-related claims paid has increased 7.9 percent, while other similar auto claims decreased 8.5 percent.

- The average property damage cost of these incidents during the final half of 2011 and the first half of 2012 was $3,305, up 4.4 percent from the year before.

Animal collisions are an increasing threat to our vehicles, as is evidenced by the number of animal guards being installed on heavy duty trucks. These guards minimize - if not totally eliminate - damage caused by collisions with animals and can certainly prove to be a good investment if your route takes you through areas with known animal populations.

Remember to be safe this deer season and contact your local SBS Insurance agent to discuss what coverage you have on your vehicle in case of an accident.