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February 1, 2012 | 
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Cell Phone Law Change for Commercial Vehicles
US DOT bans the use of hand-held mobile phones beginning 1/3/12
No driver shall use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle. (49 CFR Part 392.82) A commercial motor vehicle is defined by the US DOT as a vehicle with a single or combined GVWR, or actual weight of over 10,000# utilized in interstate commerce. (Note: Most states have adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for intrastate commerce with vehicles at weights ranging from 10,001 to 26,001#)
Use of a hand held mobile telephone means: (49 CFR Part 390.5)
1. Using at least one hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication;
2. Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button, or
3. Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner which requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated position.
Guidance:
This rule does not prohibit a driver from using a mounted mobile phone which can be easily
accessed from the driver’s seat and activated with a single button.
Driving means operating a commercial vehicle while on a public road, and when stopped in traffic on such a road. Driving does not include instances when the driver is safely parked. Emergency use is permitted.
The term mobile telephone does not include two way or Citizens Band Radio services, however the term mobile telephone does include mobile services which are provided for profit, have inter-connected service and is available to a substantial portion of the public.
Penalty: Driver is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for 60 days with the second offense in 3 years. (120 days for each subsequent offense within 3 years) Only applies if violation occurred while driving a CMV.
Holiday Safety
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. Let’s talk about some of the potential fire hazards and other dangers in this holiday scene:
Location, location, location:
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to ignite more easily by heat, flame or sparks.
Plant Precautions:
Poinsettia plants have been associated with stomach upset, nausea and vomiting in humans and are potentially life-threatening in cats and dogs. Be aware when planning your holiday décor and keep toxic plants out of reach of small children and pets.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree….
Selecting a tree can be a great family occasion, but you should be sure to pick wisely. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
All is Merry and Bright!
Lights on your Christmas tree are beautiful. They set the scene aglow for a majestic Christmas experience. But those lovely lights can be lethal when left unattended on a dry tree. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Keep your tree base filled with water at all times to prevent your tree from drying out.
A few other tips…
Unwrap and Recycle
Never burn used wrapping paper in the fireplace as it may cause intense flash fires. Consider recycling instead!
Hang stockings with care
Never hang stockings in front of a burning fire. Stockings can be hung when the fire is not lit, but should be moved to another location when the fireplace is in use.
Be Safe and Happy Holidays from NorthBridge Insurance Agency!
CCHS Thanksgiving Football Rivalry Continues
Concord Carlisle Patriots football team heads into its annual Turkey Day game against Bedford 10-0. Jackson Finigan #11 a senior at CCHS and his team are ready to make it 11-0 providing their fans with one more reason to give thanks.
Who do you think will win… Concord Carlisle or Bedford?
Turkey Saftey Tips
Holiday Food Safety Tips –Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving! This is the holiday that most of us look forward to enjoying a traditional turkey dinner. A few guidelines and steps to follow when preparing your turkey dinner will help ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the meal, and will greatly reduce the chances of a food borne illness becoming part of your holiday memories.
Planning
Plan ahead – Plan your menu before the holiday. Shopping early will ease the countdown tension for your holiday meal. Ask these questions to help plan your meal. Do you have enough space to store a frozen bird if purchased in advance; if not, when should you purchase a turkey? What size bird do you need to buy?
When to purchase – If you choose to buy a frozen bird you may do so at any time, but make sure you have adequate storage space in your freezer. If you buy a fresh turkey, be sure you purchase it only 1-2 days before cooking. Do not buy a pre-stuffed fresh turkey.
Thawing the Turkey
In refrigerator – Place frozen bird in original wrapper in the refrigerator (40 °F) – be sure to place the turkey in a pan to prevent any of the juices from dripping onto other surfaces or foods in the refrigerator. Allow a thawing time of approximately 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey. After thawing, keep turkey refrigerated for only 1-2 days.
In cold water – If you forget to thaw the turkey or don’t have room in the refrigerator for thawing, check the instructions on the packaging for how to thaw your turkey in cold water.
Preparing the Turkey
The day before you will be serving your turkey make sure you have all the ingredients you need to prepare your holiday meal. Check to make sure you have all the equipment you will need, including a roasting pan large enough to hold your turkey and a meat thermometer. Wet and dry stuffing ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated separately. This may also be done on the day of your celebration. Mix ingredients just before placing the stuffing inside the turkey cavity or into a casserole dish.
Day of celebration
If you choose to stuff your turkey, stuff loosely. The stuffing should be moist, not dry, since heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Place stuffed turkey in oven immediately. You may also cook the stuffing outside the bird in a casserole.
Storing Leftovers
Cut the turkey into small pieces; refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey and stuffing within 3-4 days; gravy within 1-2 days; or freeze these foods. Reheat thoroughly.
Cranberries
November and December are holiday months that include family, cooking and cranberries! During the next few weeks many homes will be stirring and reducing cranberries into a sauce and stringing cranberries and popcorn to hang on their Christmas Tree. But do you know where these festive fruits were first harvested or why are they so popular during the holiday season?
Cranberries are small, bitter, red berries that are harvested during a very short period each fall. The yield per bog is large which is good because the demand for cranberry products is great. German and Dutch settlers to the northeast were the ones who named this unique berry. The original name was “crane berries” because of the similarities between the flowering plant and a crane bird. Eventually, the name evolved into what it is today: Cranberry.
Lucky for us, the cranberry is not only native to North America, but Massachusetts is the second largest cranberry producer in America. These berries are grown on long vines in a sandy marsh or bogs. In order to harvest these berries, the bogs are flooded and released from the vines using long fork rakes or water reels. The berries float to the top because of the tiny air pockets that are encased in the berry. Harvesting takes place during a five to six-week period. The berries need plenty of time to mature but if they are left so long that a frost develops, the whole harvest could be destroyed.
Cranberries are popular during the holidays not only for their beautiful deep red color but because this is when they are their freshest and most delicious!
What to do in case of a car accident
What to do in case of an auto accident
You are in a car accident on Route 2 in Concord……what do I do!
Car accidents can be upsetting. Our first concern is your safety. If you are able to drive and your vehicle is operable, your first step should be to drive to the side of the road in order to avoid any further risk.
Steps to follow at the Accident Scene
- Contact 911 for ambulance & police if needed
- Collect the names, addresses an phone number of the owner & driver of the vehicle
- Collect vehicle information, including the plate number
- If you have a camera and it is safe, take pictures
- Do not admit fault or make any promises to make payments
- Contact your agent at NorthBridge Insurance Agency or your insurance company
Goodnight Irene! – Hurricane Check List
As forecaster upgrade hurricane Irene to a Category 3 Storm, are you ready!
You may use the Hurricane Tracker to follow the path.
If you are in the path, the following is a check list of items you may want to have on hand:
Water-at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food-at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAAWeather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map(s) of the area
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Rain gear
Camera for photos of damage
Be safe and let’s hope she goes out to sea!
What if there was damage from the Earthquake in Concord MA?
According to the Boston Globe an Earthquake centered in Virginia shook the Eastern Seaboard just before 2p.m. today.
We were lucky and there was no reports of damages according to MEMA spokesman Peter Judge.
Massachusetts is located in a “moderate” earthquake zone. Although they cause only mild to insignificant damage, we experience several small tremors every year.
Did you know that Earthquake coverage is available on your homeowners and business insurance policies? Please be sure to call NorthBridge to obtain a quote for Earthquake on your homeowners or business insurance.
Stolen Vehicles – Top 10 – Is your vehicle on the list?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s survey reported that in 2010 domestic vehicles were the preferred stolen vehicle over foreign cars. This is the first time since 2002 that foreign cars were not preferred.
As has been the case for a decade or so now, the top three spots are held by Honda and Toyota, however six of the top 10 vehicles overall are American – Ford turned up in three spots, Dodge took two and Chevy showed up once:
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1999 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
5. 1997 Ford F150 Series/Pickup
6. 2004 Dodge Ram
7. 2000 Dodge Caravan
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1999 Ford Taurus
Overall, car thefts continue to decrease, and according to preliminary FBI crime statistics, 2010 could post the fewest vehicle thefts since 1967. Improved technology is the biggest reason the report cites for the decrease, which is supported by the older models found gravitating toward the top of the list.
So what do I do if my car is stolen? Call the police immediately and then call your agent or broker. If you purchased Comprehensive coverage on your policy, you will have coverage subject to your deductible. Some rental coverage may also be available while you are trying to locate your vehicle. The rental may be subject to a waiting period.
Give NorthBridge a call if you would like to know what your auto policy covers.
How hot is it?
Heat Index Chart
The Heat Index is the temperature the body feels when heat and humidity are combined. The chart below shows the Heat Index that corresponds to the actual air temperature and relative humidity. This chart is based upon shady, light wind conditions. Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the Heat Index by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
With Prolonged Exposure and/or Physical Activity:
Caution:
Fatigue possible Extreme Caution:
Sunstroke, muscle cramps, and/or heat exhaustion possible Danger:
Sunstroke, muscle cramps, and/or heat exhaustion likely Extreme Danger:
Heat Stroke or Sunstroke likely
Approximately 400 people die each year from exposure to heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and as a last resort, by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sweating cools the body through evaporation. However, high relative humidity retards evaporation, robbing the body of its ability to cool itself. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, body temperature begins to rise, and heat-related illnesses and disorders may develop.
If you must be out in the heat:
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
Try to rest often in shady areas.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
Tornado Survivors May Be Eligible for Unemployment Benefits
An important notice from FEMA:
Many folks in the Hampden and Worcester counties of Massachusetts found themselves unable to work after the damage caused by the severe storms and tornadoes of June 1. Well there may be some good news from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program. This program helps people who would not qualify for standard unemployment compensation programs. Click on link for more information.
Illegals are entitled to Workers Comp benefits
If an employer hires an illegal alien, that doesn’t mean the employee is not entitled to compensation benefits for work related injuries. So says a Florida court. Click on link below.
Tags: Top 10 Public Courses in New England
On this beautiful Friday go check out 1 of the Top 10 courses in New England. Enjoy!
1. Pine Hills Plymouth MA
2. Farm Neck, Oak Bluffs, MA
3. Newport National, Middletown, R.I.
4. Old Barnstable Fairgrounds. Marstons Mills, MA
5. Granite Links Golf Club, Quincy MA
6. Crumpin-Fox, Bernardston MA
7. Cyprian Keys, Boylston, MA
8. River Bend. West Bridgewater, MA
9. Shaker Hills, Harvard, MA
10. Waverly Oaks, Plymouth, MA.
Hit ‘em straight and have fun!