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What is SUM/UM coverage, and why is it important to me? Supplemental Underinsured Motorist and Uninsured Motorist coverage is an important part of your automobile insurance policy. This portion of your policy covers you and your resident relatives up to the amount of coverage you purchase. This means that if the person who causes a car accident is uninsured, there is still coverage for you and your household relatives, up to the amount of coverage you purchase. This also means that if the person who causes an accident is underinsured, there may be additional coverage available up to the amount of your rider. Underinsured Motorist coverage does not provide coverage in the amount you purchase – it means that you have coverage up to the amount you purchase. In other words, any coverage the at-fault party has is deducted from the amount you purchase. For example, if the at-fault party has the New York State minimum liability coverage of $25,000, and you have a $100,000 SUM/UM rider, t...

Legionnaires disease was first identified in 1976, when more than 200 visitors at the Philadelphia American Legion convention contracted the potentially fatal strain of pneumonia. Which led to the death of 34 people. After an in-depth investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it became known to the public that Legionella pneumophila bacteria has the ability to manifest in man-made water systems around the world.   The Mystery Illness Within the days following the American Legion’s convention at the Bellevue-Stratford hotel, victims began coming down with a mysterious illness. The symptoms included fevers as high as 107 degrees, muscle aches, headaches, severe coughs, and diarrhea. Muscle pains and chest pains were also common. Most of the people infected had spent time inside the hotel, besides a bus driver who transported cadets who marched in the convention’s parade, and one bank teller who worked nearby. Within a few short weeks, three dozen ...

Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease are preventable, but requires meticulous cleaning of water systems and precautionary measures that do not allow the growth of Legionella bacteria. Implementing proper maintenance strategies for water systems in large buildings or structures is the best strategy for preventing infections. This is especially important in locations such as hotels, hospitals, and long-term care facilities, where Legionella bacteria are commonly found.  Preventative Measures for Legionnaires Disease Some of the strategies that should be enforced are:  Ensuring the water temperature in the system remains below 20ºC (68ºF) or above 60ºC (140ºF), since the bacteria survives in warm contaminated water.  Keep water clean of rust, algae, sludge, amoebae, slime, biofilm, lime scale, corrosion products or other organic matter, and other bacteria, as legionella prefers water that is contaminated.   Keep the water flowing, because legionella thrives in wa...

Legionnaires disease is a form of severe pneumonia caused by a bacterium known as, ‘Legionella,’ which naturally exists in freshwater but can grow and become dangerous in man-made settings if the water isn’t properly maintained. Thousands of people in the U.S. suffer from this lung infection and are hospitalized each year. If you experience any signs or symptoms of Legionnaires disease, it is extremely important to see a doctor immediately.  Signs & Symptoms to Watch Out For Legionnaires disease commonly develops 2-10 days after being exposed to legionella bacteria. The disease frequently starts with the following signs and symptoms: Chills Headache Muscle pain A fever that might be 107 F or higher By the second or third day, the infected person will develop additional signs and symptoms, such as: Chest pain Shortness of breath Confusion or other mental changes A cough, potentially with blood and mucus Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiti...

Legionnaires disease is most commonly brought on by inhaling mists that come from a contaminated water source containing Legionella pneumophila bacteria. People may be exposed to these mists from whirlpool spas, showers, hotel pools, and air conditioning cooling towers, but it is not passed from person-to-person. However, the bacteria can colonize and grow anywhere under the appropriate conditions and where water is present, such as drinking fountains and ice dispensers.  Where Is Legionnaires Disease Commonly Transmitted?   Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease are often associated with larger facilities that have complex water systems. Those include:  Hotels and resorts Long-term care facilities Hospitals Cruise ships Convention Centers Over 20 percent of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks may be associated with recent travel. Symptoms appear two to 14 days after exposure, and include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. What are the Chances of Being Infected...

Portable pools are affordable and easy to transport, but they can be just as dangerous as any other pool. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received an average of 35 reports of deaths of children under the age of 5 in portable pools each year. These pools account for 11% of all pool drownings for children that age. You can prevent these deaths. If a portable pool, either large or small, is in your plans or already in your yard, follow these simple steps: Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa, and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first Share safety instructions with family, friends, and neighbors Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those...

Every day an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces. The financial cost of these injuries is enormous – more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and workers compensation. The personal toll these accidents take on the injured workers is unimaginable. Often, the injuries are permanent. Take a moment to think about possible eye hazards at your workplace. A 1980 survey by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of about 1,000 eye injuries reveals how and why many on-the-job accidents occur. What contributes to eye injuries at work? Not wearing eye protection. BLS reports that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident. Wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job. About 40 of the injured workers were wearing some form of eye protection when the accident occurred. These workers were most likely to be wearing eyeglasses with no side shields, though...