Jacqueline McClafferty: Allstate Insurance

Since it's that time of year, do you think you'll be acquiring any high-value items this holiday season? If so, it could mean that additional coverage will need to be added to your property insurance policy so that you have the coverage you expect in the event of certain claims. Standard property policies will insure your jewelry, for example, but only up to certain limits.... If the value of an item exceeds the stated limit on your property policy, then there is no coverage for the difference unless you've purchased a scheduled personal property endorsement or a floater. This also applies to electronics, antiques, art, high-value rugs, firearms, and other items. Is this a concern?

With the New Year on the horizon, now is a good time to review your finances. It's never too late, or too early, to make sure your goals stay within reach. Call me today for a complimentary financial review.

According to a recently published study by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety... Approximately 50,000 crashes in the U.S. annually involve road debris. This results in nearly 10,000 injuries and 125 deaths per year. 37% of these fatalities result from the driver swerving to avoid hitting an object.... 66% of debris-related crashes result from items falling from an unsecured load. In February of 2004, a young woman was critically injured when an entertainment center fell from a vehicle in front of her. In January of 2006, a man was killed, and a 5-year-old boy critically injured after a tow truck crashed into their vehicle while swerving to avoid a tarp. In June of 2016, a motorcyclist was injured after colliding into a foam pad after it flew off of a towed boat. Let's all do our part to make our roads safer.

When Jeff and his friend Dave broke out the brushes, wood stain, and rags to stain Dave's porch, they noticed that their can of oil-based stain included a warning saying that stain-soaked rags could spontaneously catch fire if discarded improperly. We chuckled and remarked. How often does spontaneous combustion occur? Jeff recalls. But, while their project was drying, and no one was nearby, a tiny fire started right by the porch. ... It was just two hours after they had tossed the soaked rags into a pile next to their supplies. When returning from lunch, they discovered the fire. Luckily, it was small enough that they put it out with a garden hose. We were grateful that we didn't burn the entire house down, Jeff recalls. So what happened? Rags that are wet with oil-based products can spontaneously heat up, which can cause a fire. What's the safest way to dispose of stain-soaked rags? Do not put rags in the trash while they are still wet. Let them dry before you throw them away.

While poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly are all associated with the holiday season, they are also poisonous to cats and dogs. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death. Be sure to keep them out of reach!

A holiday grief-saving tip... If you have a live tree, make sure the water reservoir inside of the tree stand is not accessible to dogs and cats.