Planning for the future, we all want to do that, but many of us are just too busy or distracted to achieve this wish or desire to prepare for our financial needs in our later years.  Life insurance with “dual protection benefits” could be your answer to being prepared to cover costs of both long term care and end of life benefits.

The Dual Protection Life & Long Term Care insurance product can offer a unique double faceted benefit of providing both living and after death benefits for the insured, financial assistance to pay for professional long term care when assistance with basic life functions becomes a reality and eventually as a life insurance benefit for your assigned survivors .  Asset protection is a major goal in your estate planning and this unique product can achieve alternative solutions which will give you a financial sense of security.

When you can no longer perform some of the basic activities of normal daily living you may need assistance or long term care.  These 7 basic activities of normal daily living (NDL) are:

• Eating
• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Transferring (walking)
•  Continence
• Cognitive

Long term care can be provided in a nursing home, assisted living facility, some public facilities and even assistance can be provided in your own home.   The American Council of Life Insurers in 2007 stated approximately one in four Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 and 62% of those over 85 years old suffer some limitation of these normal daily living activities.  Furthermore in their February 2007 Long Term Care Pricing Research Study it was stated that the average annual cost to provide care in a nursing home could be as high as $65,000 and today in 2011 we can assume that cost is even greater now.  The study looked further into the future and projected in 20 years time that same cost for long term care assistance in a nursing home could be as much as $207,000.

The question now is who is going to pay for this necessary service?  There are many people that believe Medicare covers these costs.  Medicare coverage is actually very limited, and it is likely that you will be paying large out-of-pocket amounts for the service.  And did you know that health insurance normally does not provide a long term care benefit.  So, would you prefer to self-insure for this potential event in your life, or would you rather prepare for it now in a way that will protect your assets from being drained rapidly in the event long term care becomes necessary?

Planning should be done while you are able to clearly think about what is important to you as you reach your later years… before it is too late you should consult with your insurance agent and perhaps in coordination with your attorney to build a financial protection plan employing this unique product that is both Life Insurance and Long Term Care coverage.  Plan now for your future financial needs; speak with your Grosslight Insurance agent about this unique Dual Protection Benefit coverage.  Our professional agents can help to make your future be more secure and less mysterious about who will pay for your needs in the later years.  Highly-rated and financially sound insurance carriers underwrite and issue your policy.  Prepare now and pay for some of those large expenses you may incur as you grow older; plan now and perhaps you will not have to deplete your “nest egg” or portfolio or put the financial burden onto someone else.

IBM managers “all the way up the chain” are on Facebook—and if you’re not, “You feel like you’re doing something wrong,” one employee said. The company actively encourages employees to use sites such as Facebook during working hours to build professional networks and exchange business ideas.

IBM is clearly not the only company employing growing throngs of Facebook loyalists. Facebook representatives say it’s fastest-growing demographic of users is the 35-and-older crowd.

But most businesses don’t have a social media culture like IBM’s. Instead, more than half of all U.S. companies prohibit the use of such sites at the office. Such policies may create more problems than they solve.

Advocates argue that social media function like the next generation of water-cooler chitchat. They say companies shouldn’t banish social media use just because they’re afraid of it or don’t understand it.

It’s not all positive

While social media sites can create positive networks and foster a sense of community and camaraderie among employees, they can also create real headaches for employers. What should you do when social media lets you learn too much about some of your employees?

Take, for example, a New Jersey lawsuit against Houston’s Restaurant in Hackensack (Pietrylo v. Hillstone Restaurant Group). An employee there created a workplace discussion group on his personal MySpace.com web page. The group was flagged “private” and was available by invitation only.

One member of the group, a hostess at Houston’s, showed the “private” MySpace discussion group to a Houston’s manager. Other managers soon learned about the group and asked the hostess to provide them access, which she did.

Management was irate when it saw that the discussion group included sexual comments about employees and customers, disparaging jokes about the company and references to drugs and violence. The restaurant fired both the creator of the MySpace discussion group and a contributing employee.

Privacy issues, legal concerns

The terminated employees sued, claiming that the company violated the federal Stored Communications Act and invaded their privacy. Guess how that turned out. The court found Houston’s liable for both violations. The award: The maximum amount of back pay available to the employees.

That’s a unique situation. Generally speaking, few laws prohibit employers from taking adverse employment action against at-will employees for their off-duty conduct.

With so many employees using these sites, it’s likely that some employees will invite management to join their Facebook pages or blogs—perhaps without realizing the full consequences.

Suppose if, instead of making some disparaging jokes about the company, an employee posted explicit pictures from her moonlighting job as an exotic dancer, or used a Facebook page to tout neo-Nazi sentiments or white supremacist ideas? Might the manager be inclined to terminate the part-time stripper on the basis of those pictures? Would the employer arguably be obliged to terminate the neo-Nazi once it learned of the employee’s racist and violent views?

What’s in your policy?

Before your company creates a policy on social networking, consider whether your business is in a heavily regulated industry (such as pharmaceuticals) or an industry that requires a particularly high level of confidentiality. The added legal complexities in those industries may weigh in favor of being extremely cautious about embracing social media as part of your company culture.

If you do decide to encourage employees to use social media at work, make it clear to all employees that they have a duty not to disclose confidential company information or trade secrets. That duty should extend even to social networking sites employees may consider “personal.”

Warn employees that they cannot defame the company or its employees. Be clear that any violation of the policy will result in discipline, up to and including immediate termination.

The lines between personal space and the workplace continue to blur. Odds are good that many forms of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are already thriving in your workplace. Who knows what technology is next.

As an employer in the 21st century, it’s best to make a conscious decision about how to address those issues with your employees. Proactively develop a policy so you don’t get stuck doing damage control—perhaps becoming the latest talk heard ’round the virtual water cooler.

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Strawberry Shortcake Cookies Tracey from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures says she’s not sure she should call these “cookies” because their tender, fluffy texture is more like a scone. Whatever she calls them, we want some. Get the recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes What could be better than waking up to a tall stack of Angela’s (from Oh She Glows) strawberry shortcake pancakes? Nothing. Get the recipe

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake Strawberries with balsamic vinegar is one of those underappreciated flavor combinations; that’s why we love Culinary Cory’s simple recipe. Get the recipe

Strawberry and Cream Cake Kebabs When Jessica from How Sweet It Is wanted to add some fun to her strawberry loaf cake, she put it on skewers and poured on the strawberry glaze. Genius. Get the recipe

Strawberry Chocolate Shortcake Karly from Buns In My Oven actually uses her double-chocolate bread for the base in this tasty improvised dessert. Get the recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles Naomi from Bakers Royale notes that her popciles are fast, easy, and low-cal, but we love them because they’re so darn cute! Get the recipe

Chocolate Doughnuts with Strawberry Glaze Jodie from Eat on the Cheap’s delicious-looking doughnuts with fresh strawberry glaze have ruined bakery doughnuts for us forever. We think that was the idea! Get the recipe

Red Velvet Strawberry Shortcake Amanda at I am Baker brings strawberry shortcake to new heights with a four-layer cake: two layers of white cake, two layers of red velvet decadence, and four layers of strawberries and airy whipped cream. Get the recipe

Coconut Strawberry Shortcake with Cashew Cream Healthier than your average shortcake, these little gems are nutritionist-approved, and Emily from A Nutritionist Eats guarantees they’re delicious, too. Get the recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Trifles It’s a sweet life for Grace, who hides a layer of strawberry jelly in her trifle, along with a sweet, decadent layer of sponge cake. Get the recipe

Raw Strawberry Dreamcake A Dash of Compassion’s Nicole doesn’t only offer up a dreamy “cheesecake” recipe, she also gives a lesson in how this raw-ingredient dessert comes together—and stays together. Get the recipe

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The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment.”

He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottle, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer’s day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into  a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right; they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

Back then they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen they size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Negligent entrustment arises when one party (the entrustor) is held liable for negligence because he provided another party (the entrustee) with a dangerous instrument, and the entrusted party caused injury to himself or a third party, or damaged property, with that instrument.

One way a business can find itself at risk of negligent entrustment is by allowing an employee to drive a vehicle on company business, when management knows or should know that the driver intends or is likely to drive the vehicle in such a manner as to create an unreasonable risk of harm. This can happen when the employer chooses to overlook the fact that an employee has a history of substance abuse, anger management and/or reckless driving.

The legal theory supporting negligent entrustment is that the company has a legal duty to investigate the driving records and qualifications of all potential drivers, and take action to prevent drivers from operating vehicles in an unsafe manner during the course of company business.

With general liability coverage there is a specific exclusion for “bodily injury or property damage arising out of the ownership or entrustment to others of any aircraft, auto or watercraft owned or operated or rented or loaned to any insured.” No matter how much general liability coverage an insured carries, there will be no coverage for a negligent entrustment incident.

Unlike general liability, a business auto policy has no exclusions for negligent entrustment. Yet even with coverage, an insured may not have enough insurance if one of its employees is involved in a harmful accident.

Because anyone with permission to drive a vehicle on company business is classified as being an insured, it is important for a company to define its permission policy before an incident occurs. Otherwise the insurance provider will do so after a claim has been filed. The rule of thumb in creating a permission policy is to ensure flexibility without creating a personal use permission policy that is too broad.

When it comes to negligent entrustment, it is also important to remember that punitive damages are not insurable in most states. Since punitive damages are meant to punish employers, to do otherwise would be against public policy.

Following are some guidelines for your clients to use to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of negligent entrustment:

1. Read the literature on negligent entrustment to understand the risks.
2. Teach by example, especially when driving with young employees.
3. Put clear safety policies in writing.
4. Enforce clearly defined driver guidelines with zero tolerance.
5. Pre-screen all individuals who are granted permission to drive on company business.
6. Monitor and enforce drug and alcohol policies.
7. Review the driving records of all those with permission to drive on company business annually.
8. Mandate training modules for all at-risk drivers.
9. Maintain company vehicles to meet stringent safety standards.

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The recession has put employers under attack by employees government enforcement agencies. Consider the following facts:

• From 2007 to the end of 2008, employment
  claims filed with the Equal Employment
  Opportunity Commission increased by 14.5
  percent, from 83,000 to 95,000.

• In 2008, retaliation claims filed with the EEOC jumped 22 percent, from 27,000 to 33,000
  claims.

• The EEOC just hired 170 new investigators for intake and investigation purposes.

• Corporate counsel reported significant rises in employment disputes in the past year,
  with discrimination suits rising by 11 percent.

• The Department of Labor recently added of 250 new wage-and-hour field investigators—a
  staff increase of more than a third—along with additional new staff in the department’s Office
  of the Solicitor.

• In December 2008, Wal-Mart agreed to pay as much as $640 million to resolve 63 class-
  action lawsuits involving wage-and-hour violations across the nation.

In light of such statistics, there are four types of training that should never be cut. These programs—essential for most workforces— are training in the prevention of unlawful harassment and discrimination, prevention of workplace violence, prevention of wage-and-hour law violations and adherence to the organization’s code of conduct. There are sound return-on-investment arguments for each one.

1. Training to prevent discrimination and harassment

The EEOC charge numbers cited above represent only the tip of the iceberg. They do not include harassment and discrimination charges filed with state enforcement agencies, in state courts or those related to conflicts that settle before the charges are formally filed.

In the event of a layoff, employees who are terminated might perceive that they were targeted for belonging to one of the legally protected categories, such as age, race, gender or national origin. Employees who haven’t been laid off might view filing a harassment or discrimination claim as “job security,” falsely believing that such a claim makes it impossible for an employer to terminate their employment.

The return on investment

Many courts have held that regular—generally, that means annual—harassment prevention training allows an employer to establish an affirmative defense to avoid liability in cases where the allegedly aggrieved employee has not suffered any tangible job detriment, such as a demotion or termination. (If there is a tangible employment action, such as a termination, this affirmative defense is not available.)

Additionally, numerous courts have held that employers that do not train in harassment prevention, or do so only sporadically, can be subject to punitive damages for negligence. Conversely, if an employer can demonstrate it made good-faith efforts to comply with harassment and discrimination laws by training employees, punitive damages can more likely be avoided.

2. Workplace violence prevention training

Incidents of workplace violence are in the news nearly every day. Homicide is the second-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the U.S., according the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recently revised report, which covers 2008. And while workplace homicides fell by 18 percent in 2008, workplace suicides rose from 196 cases in 2007 to 251 cases in 2008, an increase of 28 percent and the highest number ever reported by the fatality census, according to the BLS.

Many employees and former employees are feeling desperate—over layoffs, terminations, foreclosure on their homes, their plummeting (or nonexistent) retirement accounts. In nearly every case of extreme workplace violence, there were many early warning signs that were ignored because employees and supervisors were not trained in recognizing them and taking appropriate action.

The return on investment

Not only can proper training of employees and supervisors prevent an incident of horrible tragedy from occurring, but it also can be used as a legal defense should an incident occur. Employers that show they have acted prudently to protect their employees by conducting training will likely avoid multimillion-dollar jury awards finding that the employer was negligent or assessments of punitive damages.

3. Training to prevent wage-and-hour violations

Current economic conditions have resulted in drastic cost cutting and the slashing of work hours and overtime, which can lead to unwitting violations of wage-and-hour laws. Wage-and-hour violations most frequently occur simply because employees do not have accurate information on how to properly record hours or supervisors lack training in wage payment practices.

The return on investment

As with other types of training, programs for employees and supervisors in this area can help not only to prevent violations, but also to establish a legal defense—in this case, by demonstrating good-faith compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employers that have instituted a wage-and-hour training program and have instructed employees and supervisors in proper wage-and-hour record keeping and payment practices can avoid the liquidated damages that can arise from a willful violation of the law. Employee class-action wage-and-hour lawsuits are a substantial threat to U.S. employers, and wage-and-hour training for employees and supervisors can minimize the risk of such suits, potentially saving an employer millions of dollars in violations and liquidated damages.

4. Ethics and code-of-conduct training

Employers are being scrutinized for ethical violations like never before. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 strongly encourages training on an organization’s code of conduct and requires education about systems available to employees to report ethical violations. Additionally, federal sentencing guidelines mandate training on ethics and legal compliance for all organizations as one of the two ways in which an organization’s sentence for criminal misconduct might be mitigated.

The federal sentencing guidelines clearly state that employers can be held liable for their employees’ illegal conduct. Employers can substantially mitigate potential fines and punishment for criminal violations if they take proactive steps to prevent unethical and illegal conduct through an effective ethics and compliance program, including training. Conversely, the lack of an effective ethics and compliance program can be used by a fact finder to increase fines and liability.

The return on investment

Ethics training can prove an essential defense should an ethics lapse occur, demonstrating to an enforcement agency that your organization took ethics seriously enough to train your entire workforce. Such good-faith efforts can make regulators less likely to assess fines or penalties and can lessen public relations damage to the organization.

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IF INDOORS

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the build-ing or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

IF OUTDOORS

• Stay outdoors.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach, California, earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

IF IN A MOVING VEHICLE

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Check your local radio news station for general information.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earth-quake.
• Contact your employer a soon as practical and “check in” so they know you are safe.
• Follow any instructions from emergency services such as Police or Fire Department.

IF TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
• If possible, conduct a brief self assessment of your overall physical condition:
  - Are you cut/bleeding
  - Arms, hands legs condition
  - Upper body including ribs condition Check your head, ears and neck for blood or signs of being struck by debris

Include the “what to do if…” instructions above in your plan and make sure to address logical scenarios based on your location. The USGS, US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, offers a map of earthquake activity in the U.S. which can be used as a tool in your Earthquake Prepardness Plan.

The following key resources contributed to this article and more de-tails are available online to assist you in preparing for an earthquake:
-FEMA Earthquake Preparedness
-California Emergency Preparedness Office – Most states have an “Office of Emergency Preparedness” that can be found with a simple on-line search.
-American Red Cross

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What causes tornadoes?

Thunderstorms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter and early spring are often associated with strong, frontal systems that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a “dryline,” which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours.

Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in the Texas panhandle, and in the southern High Plains, thunderstorms frequently form as air near the ground flows “upslope” toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions exist, these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.

Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. Tornadoes are most common to the right and ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes onshore.

Tornado Variations

   • Some tornadoes may form during the early stages of
     rapidly developing thunderstorms. This type of tornado is
     tmost common along the front range of the Rocky
     Mountains, the Plains, and the Western States.

   • Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust
     tand debris are picked up.

   • Occasionally, two or more tornadoes may occur at the
     same time.

Waterspout

   • Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water.

   • Waterspouts are most common along the Gulf Coast and
     southeastern states. In the western United States, they occur with
     cold late fall or late winter storms, during a time when you least
     expect tornado development.

   • Waterspouts occasionally move inland becoming tornadoes causing
     damage and injuries.

How Do Tornadoes Form?

   • Before thunderstorms develop, a change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with
     increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere.

   • Rising air within the thunderstorm updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical.

   • An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide, now extends through much of the storm. Most strong and
     violent tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.

   • A lower cloud base in the center of the photograph identifies an area of rotation known as a
     rotating wall cloud. This area is often nearly rain-free. Note rain in the background.

   • Moments later a strong tornado develops in this area. Softball-size hail and damaging
     “straight-line” winds also occurred with this storm.

Tornadoes Take Many Shapes and Sizes

Weak Tornadoes

   • 69% of all tornadoes
   • Less than 5% of tornado deaths
   • Lifetime 1-10+ minutes
   • Winds less than 110 mph

Strong Tornadoes

   • 29% of all tornadoes
   • Nearly 30% of all tornado deaths
   • May last 20 minutes or longer
   • Winds 110-205 mph

Violent Tornadoes

   • Only 2% of all tornadoes
   • 70% of all tornado deaths
   • Lifetime can exceed 1 hour
   • Lifetime can exceed 1 hour

Tornado Myths:

MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980′s, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 ft. mountain.

MYTH: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to “explode” as the tornado passes overhead.
FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.

MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
FACT: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.

Tornadoes Occur Anywhere

Carolinas Outbreak:

   • March 28, 1984, afternoon-evening
   • 22 tornadoes
   • 57 deaths
   • 1,248 injuries
   • damage $200 million
   • 37% of fatalities in mobile homes

Pennsylvania-Ohio Outbreak:

   • May 31, 1985, late afternoon-evening
   • 41 tornadoes, including 27 in PA and OH
   • 75 deaths in U.S.
   • 1,025 injuries
   • damage $450 million

Plains Outbreak:

   • April 26-27, 1991, afternoon of 26th through early morning 27th
   • 54 tornadoes
   • 21 deaths
   • 308 injuries
   • damage $277+ million
   • 15 deaths in/near mobile homes, 2 deaths in vehicles

Weather Radar Watches the Sky

Meteorologists rely on weather radar to provide information on developing storms. The National Weather Service is strategically locating Doppler radars across the country which can detect air movement toward or away from the radar. Early detection of increasing rotation aloft within a thunderstorm can allow life-saving warnings to be issued before the tornado forms.

Frequency of Tornadoes

Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year.

   • In the southern states, peak tornado occurrence is in March through May, while peak months
     in the northern states are during the summer.

   • Note, in some states, a secondary tornado maximum occurs in the fall.

   • Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m. but have been known to occur at all
     hours of the day or night.

   • The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to
     move in any direction. The average forward speed is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary
     to 70 mph.

   • The total number of tornadoes is probably higher than indicated in the western states. Sparce
     population reduces the number reported.

STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE STORM

by listening to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, and television for the latest tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS.

When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado WATCH is issued

Weather Service personnel use information from weather radar, spotters, and other sources to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado WARNINGS for areas where severe weather is imminent.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are passed to local radio and television stations and are broadcast over local NOAA Weather Radio stations serving the warned areas. These warnings are also relayed to local emergency management and public safety officials who can activate local warning systems to alert communities.

NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS THE BEST MEANS TO RECEIVE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

The National Weather Service continuously broadcasts updated weather warnings and forecasts that can be received by NOAA Weather Radios sold in many stores. The average range is 40 miles, depending on topography. Your National Weather Service recommends purchasing a radio that has both a battery backup and a tone-alert feature which automatically alerts you when a watch or warning is issued.

What To Listen For…

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Remember, tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which a severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect. Remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.

Environmental Clues

Look out for:

   • Dark, often greenish sky
   • Wall cloud
   • Large hail
   • Loud roar; similar to a freight train

Caution:

Some tornadoes appear as a visible funnel extending only partially to the ground. Look for signs of debris below the visible funnel.

Some tornadoes are clearly visible while others are obscured by rain or nearby low-hanging clouds.

Other Thunderstorm Hazards

These dangers often accompany thunderstorms:

   • Flash Floods: Number ONE weather killer – 146 deaths
     annually
   • Lightning: Kills 75-100 people each year
   • Damaging Straight-line Winds: Can reach 140 mph
   • Large Hail: Can reach the size of a grapefruit – causes several      hundred million dollars in damage annually to property and
     crops

Contact your local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or Federal Emergency Management Agency office for a copy of the “Thunderstorms and Lightning…The Underrated Killers” brochure (NOAA PA 92053) and the “Flash Floods and Floods…The Awesome Power” brochure (NOAA PA 92050).

Tornado Safety – What YOU Can Do

Before the Storm:

   • Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work,
     school and when outdoors.

   • Have frequent drills.

   • Know the county/parish in which you live, and keep a
     highway map nearby to follow storm movement from
     weather bulletins.

   • Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone
     and battery back-up to receive warnings.

   • Listen to radio and television for information.

   • If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts
     and take necessary action if threatening weather is
     possible.

If a Warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches:

   • In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.

   • If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor
     and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.

   • Stay away from windows.

   • Get out of automobiles.

   • Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately.

   • Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be
     abandoned.

Occasionally, tornadoes develop so rapidly that advance warning is not possible. Remain alert for signs of an approaching tornado. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most deaths and injuries.

It’s Up To YOU!

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them. The preparedness information in this brochure, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings, could save your life in the event a tornado threatens your area. After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.

Who’s Most At Risk?

   • People in automobiles
   • The elderly, very young, and the physically or mentally impaired
   • People in mobile homes
   • People who may not understand the warning due to a language barrier

Tornado Safety in Schools

EVERY School Should Have A Plan!

   • Develop a severe weather action plan and have frequent drills.

   • Each school should be inspected and tornado shelter areas designated by a registered
     engineer or architect. Basements offer the best protection. Schools without basements should
     use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor and away from windows.

   • Those responsible for activating the plan should monitor weather information from
     NOAA Weather Radio and local radio/television.

   • If the school’s alarm system relies on electricity, have a compressed air horn or megaphone to
     activate the alarm in case of power failure.

   • Make special provisions for disabled students and those in portable classrooms.

   • Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is
     damaged.

   • Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected. Children are
     safer at school than in a bus or car. Students should not be sent home early if severe weather is
     approaching.

   • Lunches or assemblies in large rooms should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated.
     Gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums offer no protection from tornado-strength winds.

   • Move students quickly into interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor. Have them assume the
     tornado protection position (shown at right).

Hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions should develop a similar plan

Your National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and American Red Cross educate community officials and the public concerning the dangers posed by tornadoes. YOU can prepare for the possibility of a tornado by learning the safest places to seek shelter when at home, work, school, or outdoors. You should also understand basic weather terms and danger signs related to tornadoes. Your chances of staying safe during a tornado are greater if you have a plan for you and your family, and practice the plan frequently.

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Families should be prepared for all hazards that affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge each family to develop a family disaster plan.

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere – at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disasters may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity or telephones – were cut off?

Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan…

I. Gather information about hazards.

Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management or civil defense office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

II. Meet with your family to create a plan.

Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your “family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

III. Implement your plan.

(1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones; (2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE:
A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoilitem one change of clothing and footwear per personitem one blanket or sleeping bag per personitem a first-aid kit, including prescription medicinesitem emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteriesitem an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cashitem special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

IV. Practice and maintain your plan.

Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules. Conduct drills. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions. Replace stored water and food every six months.

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When selecting a long term care insurance policy or getting a long term care insurance

quote, it’s important to look for a policy that not only you can afford but also meets your needs. There are many insurance policies covering long term care available today. Policies can vary widely in terms of benefits they’ll offer, terms of the contract, and features. Choosing the right long term care insurance policy is not simple. Individuals looking to get a long term care insurance quote or purchase coverage should consider the following five important factors:

1. The insurer’s financial strength rating. You obviously want a solid “A” rated company that’s been around for awhile. They are the most likely to keep your premiums stable and honor your claims without hassle.

2. Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). COLA increases your chosen daily benefit each year in order to keep up with inflation. For example, the daily benefit amount might increase each year at a compounded or simple rate of 5%. With the health care costs skyrocketing, this benefit is crucial.

3. Home health care and custodial nursing home care. This gives you the option to stay at home and receive care as well as receive nursing home care, if needed. Most people would prefer to have the option of in home care.

4. Qualified policy. Purchase a policy that is qualified for tax purposes. Currently both qualified and non-qualified policies are generally considered tax-free. However, the IRS could technically deem non-qualified benefit payments taxable in the future.

5. Guaranteed policy. Is the policy guaranteed for life? Make sure the insurance company can’t cancel your policy due to bad health.

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