15 Nov 2011

Illinois Ranks Number 2 for Thanksgiving Day Cooking Fires

By Missy Lundberg
Nov 15, 2011 – Based on data from insurance giant State Farm, more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. In fact, grease and cooking-related claims more than double on Thanksgiving Day compared to an average day in November.
With the popularity of turkey frying increasing, more people than ever are at risk for fryer related fires and injuries. U.S. fire departments are responding to more than 1,000 fires each year in which a deep fryer is involved. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says deep fryer fires result in more than $15 million in property damage each year and hot oil splatter can cause serious burns to an adult or life threatening injuries to a child.
According to State Farm Insurance claims data, the top 10 states for grease and cooking-related claims on Thanksgiving Day (2005-2010) are as follows:
  1. Texas                       36
  2. Illinois                       24
  3. Ohio                          21
  4. New York                  17
  5. Pennsylvania             17
  6. Michigan                    15
  7. Florida                       14
  8. Minnesota                  14
  9. Indiana                      13
  10. Louisiana                   12
Most turkey fryer fires are preventable. Recognizing common mistakes is a critical step in reducing your risk of a fire or potentially fatal burns.
  • More than one-third of fires involving a fryer start in a garage or patio. Cook outdoors at a safe distance from any buildings or trees and keep the fryer off any wooden structures, such as a deck or patio.
  • Avoid a hot oil spill over by first filling the pot with cold oil and then lower the thawed turkey into the pot to determine how much oil should be either added or removed.
  • Shut off the fuel source or flame when adding the turkey to the hot oil to prevent a dangerous flare-up if oil does spill over the rim.
  • Make sure your turkey is properly thawed before lowering it slowly into the pot.
  • Never leave a hot turkey fryer unattended.
  • Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire.
  • Keep an extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fire nearby.
To warn people about the dangers of turkey fryers, State Farm has teamed up with actor William Shatner to produce a short video dramatizing an actual accident where the celebrity was burned in a turkey fryer mishap on Thanksgiving.  Viewers of the video are encouraged to support "Shatner's Fryers Club" by simply liking or commenting on the video and agreeing to stay safe when frying or cooking turkey.
17 Oct 2011

Some PARENTS SETTING POOR EXAMPLE WHILE TEACHING TEENS TO DRIVE

By Missy Lundberg
61 percent of teens say parents have been distracted at least once by their phone while on practice drives together; 53 percent of parents even admit to the mishap
Oct. 17, 2011: While government, law enforcement, industry and consumer groups have joined forces to spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving, apparently this call isn't getting through to some parents as they teach their teens to drive.
In a survey released today by State Farm, 61 percent of teens say that their parents have been distracted by their cell phone or other electronic device at least once while they are in the car teaching them to drive.  For some, the practice happens more frequently.  29 percent of teens say their parents have been distracted while teaching them to drive either "sometimes, often or all the time."
53 percent of parents likewise admit they've been distracted while their teen is driving at least once.  Some parents also admit to being distracted more frequently.  17 percent of parents say they have been distracted while teaching their teen to drive either "sometimes, often or all the time."
Teens say parents using a phone behind the wheel is nothing new - that it's been happening for years.  In the survey, 54 percent of teens say they've seen parents using a phone while driving either "sometimes, often or all the time."  43 percent of parents admit they've modeled cell phone use while driving in front of their teens either "sometimes, often or all the time."
In July, State Farm and the research company Synovate surveyed 517 pairs of new teen drivers and their parents to gather their perspectives on the learning to drive experience in their own families.
"These results are troublesome on multiple levels," said Laurette Stiles, Vice President - Strategic Resources at State Farm. "Parents should know that how they handle themselves behind the wheel creates a powerful example for their teens - for better or worse.  During practice drives, parents should be alert at all times to coach teens and serve as a second set of eyes.  Being distracted even once while teaching not only sends the wrong message, it creates real dangers for those inside and outside the vehicle."
Time Crunch
The survey also indicates that some teens and their parents admit they'd like to spend more time behind the wheel learning to drive.
In the survey, 24 percent of parents felt they weren't spending enough time behind the wheel with their teen learning to drive.  30 percent of teens surveyed felt they weren't spending enough time learning to drive.
Step-By-Step Guidance
To help teen drivers and their parents, State Farm this week is making available the first-of-its-kind, academically-based interactive teen driver training tool equipping parents to be more engaged in teaching their teens to drive.  The new tool is called Road Trips™ and is free to the public.  Road Trips is the most recent result of the State Farm $20 million investment in teen driver safety.
Road Trips is available along with other safe driving resources at  http://teendriving.statefarm..
About The Survey
In July, 2011 State Farm commissioned the research firm Synovate to conduct a survey to better understand teens' and parents' perceptions of how the learning-to-drive process is going in their families.  Online interviewing was conducted among 517 parent/teen dyads.  The research group consisted of parents/guardians who have taught their teen to drive, and teens ages 15-17 who currently have their driver's license or permit. This study with 517 representative respondents has a +/- 4.3 percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level. Both parents/guardians and teens were asked to rate the parent's/guardians ability and preparedness to teach driving, the amount of time spent, and frequency of using a cell phone or electronic device while driving and while teaching driving.
About State Farm®
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 78 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 1.8 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit www.statefarm.com or in Canada www.statefarm.ca.
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31 May 2011

Flood Insurance Information

By Missy Lundberg

·       Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States. Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

    •  

·       Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. State Farm's homeowner policies do not provide coverage for flood.

 

·       If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you can buy a flood insurance policy through your agent.

 

·       A flood insurance policy normally takes 30 days from the date of purchase to go into effect. So, don't wait until a flood is imminent to buy a policy.

 

·       According to FEMA, over the past 10 years, the average flood claim has amounted to nearly $48,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss.

 

·       Nearly 25% of flood claims come from low to moderate risk areas.

 

·       Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters. Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk.

 

 

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

·       Listen to the radio or television for information.

·       Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.

·       Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

·       Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.

·       Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

·       Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

·       Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.


Driving Flood Facts

The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:

·       Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

·       A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups.

Your automobiles/recreational vehicles

If you carry comprehensive coverage (optional) on your automobile/recreational vehicle policy, then the direct, sudden damage to your vehicle resulting from most flooding would be covered under the terms of most policies.

09 May 2011

STATE FARM ANNOUNCES COST-EFFECTIVE BUILDING CONSOLIDATION

By Missy Lundberg

May 9, 2011 - State Farm announced today a statewide facilities plan that will maximize building efficiencies throughout a three-state area. In Illinois, two operations centers in Bloomington and Downers Grove will remain open, while ten field offices across the state will consolidate to remaining offices in Illinois and Indiana. Some employees will stay in local mobile-worker roles. Local agent's offices and State Farm's Corporate Headquarters, also located in Bloomington, are not part of this announcement.

The announcement is the result of a study analyzing office space capacity and will allow State Farm to utilize technology while gaining operational efficiencies. The company will sell or end leases at the following ten offices over the next few years: Marion, Collinsville, Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, Moline, Rockford, Elmhurst, Tinley Park and Arlington Heights, Illinois.

"It's our responsibility to our customers and associates to make sure we continually evaluate our business operations to remain competitive in today's marketplace" says Cathy Wallace, State Farm Operations Vice President based in Bloomington. "Technology allows us to improve our efficiency and reduce facility related expenses while at the same time enhance service to our customers."

As part of today's Great Lakes Zone announcement, State Farm will be consolidating field operations from nine to two offices in Indiana and also nine to two offices in Michigan.  These announcements do not affect any of the approximately 1,040 State Farm Agents offices in communities throughout Illinois.

24 Mar 2011

Severe Weather Has Begun Across the Country

By Missy Lundberg

March 22, 2011–Spring has arrived, and with it comes severe weather. Already this month State Farm has dispatched national catastrophe services teams across the country to assist local State Farm agents and claims personnel in accessing wind and hail damage.

The first wind and rain event of the season resulted in more than 10,000 claims across the country.

See how Illinois compares to others when it comes to most common insurance claims.

There isn`t a community in the nation that is immune to severe weather, but being prepared for spring storms can help you weather the inevitable.

Before severe weather strikes your neighborhood take some time to prepare:

·       Organize an evacuation plan and establish an emergency meeting place should your family get separated.

·       Make an emergency storm kit including a transistor radio, flashlight, batteries and simple first-aid items in a waterproof container.

·       Protect your property with a home inventory. An accurate inventory and proof of ownership at the time of loss can make claim settlement easier and faster.

·       Check to make sure your insurance coverage is up-to-date. Schedule time with your agent to discuss your insurance needs.

When severe weather rolls in, monitor the radio for weather updates. If you are instructed to evacuate, go to a shelter as directed by local authorities.

31 Jan 2011

Winter Storm Tips

By Missy Lundberg

As the winter storm heads our way I thought these tips might help you beef up any storm preparation stories you are working on.  Email me back if you have any questions.

 

Be Safe!

Missy Lundberg

State Farm Insurance

 http://learningcenter.

What to have in your vehicle

In addition to the just-in-case items you should always have in your vehicle, such as jumper cables, tire-changing tools, flashlight and a first-aid kit, be sure to carry these winter essentials:

·       Cell phone and charger

·       Blankets

·       High-calorie, non-perishable food

·       Extra clothing (wool socks, gloves, hats)

·       Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water

·       Road salt or cat litter to help with traction

·       Camping shovel Ice scraper and brush

·       Tow rope

·       Brightly colored flag or cloth to tie to your antenna

If you are stranded

If a winter storm strands you with your vehicle, stay calm and follow these tips:

·       Pull off the highway (if possible), turn on your hazard lights and hang a distress flag from an antenna or window.

·       If you have a phone, call 911 and describe your location as precisely as possible. Follow any instructions from the dispatcher.

·       Remain in your vehicle so help can find you.

·       Run your vehicle's engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

·       Exercise a little to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion and sweating.

·       Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

·       Don't waste your vehicle's battery power. Balance electrical energy needs? lights, heat and radio?with supply.

·       At night, turn on an inside light when you run the engine so help can see you.

25 Oct 2010

Wind Storm Tips

By Missy Lundberg

State Farm is currently monitoring the strong wind storm that is predicted for tomorrow into Wednesday.  We felt it was important to make sure everyone is protected when the winds hit.  Here are some important tips as you prepare for the storm.

1.      Take down patio umbrellas and store lawn furniture if possible. Lower, roll-up or retract awnings.  Put away other loose items on the property (bicycles, toys, garbage containers).

2.      Park vehicles in the garage.

3.      Close garage and all other exterior doors and windows.

4.      Anchor trampolines to ground.

When wind speeds are high, pieces of debris can also become "airborne missiles" that may damage your property and possibly injure your family.

Please check out some of our other tips and information on the link below.  If you have any questions please let me know!

http://www.statefarm.com/_pdf/
16 Aug 2010

Students, ages 17-20, are invited to apply for State Farm Youth Advisory Board

By Missy Lundberg

Bloomington, Ill, August 10, 2010 - The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is accepting applications for board members to administer a unique grant program that empowers youth to take an active role in their education through service-learning.

The board, made up of a diverse group of students, ages 17-20, is selected based on State Farm's review of their applications and telephone interviews with the top 10 applicants by the State Farm zone in which they live. One board member and one associate board member represent each of State Farm's 13 zones from across the U.S. and Canada. Four additional one-year board members represent State Farm's Community Alliances partners and corporate. Students chosen present a clear understanding of service-learning and its value to communities.

Board members are charged with designing and implementing a $5 million per year signature service-learning initiative by administering grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. The initiative addresses issues important to students, State Farm and communities across America, such as financial education, disaster preparedness, driver safety, environmental responsibility and access to higher education.

Associate board members who successfully complete their first-year term become board members for a second year. Each member commits about 15 hours a month to the board and participates in four meetings throughout the year. One of these meetings takes place at the annual National Service-Learning Conference.

For more information on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board and how to apply for board membership, visit http://www.statefarmyab.com.  The deadline for applications is Sept. 10.

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20 Apr 2010

Don't Let Spring Fever Melt Away Your Safe Driving Habits

By Missy Lundberg
Bloomington, Ill., April 20, 2010 ?   As Illinois begins to thaw after a long winter, it's important that drivers don't let their guard down on the road. Spring weather can be just as dangerous as the snow and ice.  The truth is wet roads can be just as slick from rain.

So as drivers get ready to enjoy the open road this summer here are a few tips from State Farm Insurance® to keep in mind:
·       Do not use cruise control during heavy rains or hail. Cruise control in these low traction conditions could lead to hydroplaning or loss of vehicle control.  Using cruise also allows you to move your feet away from the peddles - moving them back as well as disengaging the cruise control may take crucial seconds that you don't have in an emergency situation.
·       Replace worn tires. Your tires are what keep the car on the road. Worn out treads provide less traction.  Also, make sure tires are inflated properly according to your vehicle's owner's manual.
·       Replace worn wiper blades. Poorly maintained windshield wipers can hamper visibility in poor weather.
·       Clean Windows.  After a long winter of salt and other road residue on the windows, wiper effectiveness & visibility can be greatly enhanced by cleaning the glass to remove residue.  Cleaning the inside of the glass can also increase visibility & help the defroster clear the windows faster by reducing moisture buildup.
·       Check all lighting.  Rain itself can also impact visibility so check all vehicle lighting including headlights, taillights, back-up lights, turn signals, parking lights and brake lights. These lights are important not only because they help you to see, but also help other motorists to see you in times of limited visibility.
02 Mar 2010

ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT TWISTER?

By Missy Lundberg

Bloomington, IL, March 2, 2010?With the arrival of spring comes the threat of severe weather and dangerous tornadoes that can strike without warning.  Did you know:

·       More than 1000 tornadoes occur each year.  At least 20 of those will be violent.
·       Tornadoes are most likely to strike between 5-7 p-m.
·       May and June have the most tornado activity, followed by April, July and September.
(according to the National Climatic Data Center)

State Farm wants you to take the time to prepare your family and home for the possibility of a tornado or severe storm.  The best thing to do is arm yourself with information and develop a plan for when weather turns dangerous.

Tornado Preparedness
·       Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover.
·       Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.
·       Put together an emergency storm kit including a portable radio, flashlight, batteries, bottled water and simple first-aid items.
·       Conduct drills with your family in the home; make sure each member knows the correct procedures if they are at work or school when a tornado hits.
·       Make a complete inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.

Tornado Watch simply means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. In this case you should be alert to changes in the weather and take precautions to protect your family and property.
·       Move cars inside a garage or carport. Keep your car keys, house keys and cell phone with you.
·       Move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside if time permits.
·       Account for family members at home.
·       Have your emergency storm kit ready.
·       Keep your radio or TV tuned into the weather reports.

Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted. Tornadoes can be deadly and devastating storms, with winds up to 260 miles per hour. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately!  During a tornado the safest place to be is a basement, preferably under something sturdy like a work bench.  If there's no basement or cellar in your home, a small room in the middle of house -- like a bathroom or a closet -- is best. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.

For more information about tornado and severe weather preparation, and a link to a free home inventory check list, visit www.statefarm.com.

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