Health insurance will need to be obtained to cover the medical costs for not only the owner of the home based business, but the employees. Disability insurance can also be obtained in case of injury on the job or illness. Life insurance is needed in case the owner dies and there are any business loans that need to be paid in full.

Having Business Property insurance protects against any kind of loss or theft of equipment or inventory. This also covers damages due to floods, fires, or any natural disasters. General liability is necessary in case a client is injured on site, or if customers and clients are meeting in the home for any reason. This insurance covers their injuries and legal defense needed in case there is a lawsuit.

Business Interruption insurance covers any damages from any kind of natural disaster. It will help pay for the business to begin operation again. It also covers lost wages, and operating expenses. Worker’s Compensation is the most necessary type of insurance. This is coverage for employees that work in the home based business. It covers injuries that occurred in the workplace. Worker’s Compensation covers medical expenses of the employee.

Insurance is an absolute necessity for any home based business. It will protect the owner, employees, and the business itself.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

• Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use nonflammable holders and place candles out of children’s reach.

• Take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food, which may tempt a child to eat them.

• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial-snow sprays.

For more information, visit the Reader’s Digest Holiday Hazard Checklist.

About 50% of Americans will experience a stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, elder frailty, or some other debilitating disease or form of physical limitation that will necessitate an assisted living situation or nursing home situation.  Long-term care costs are currently averaging about $75,000 per person per year, and that number is expected to rise to $300,000 by 2030!

This might be a difficult prospect to consider, but it is an important one.  Do you have that kind of money to spare?  Can your children and grandchildren afford to support these kinds of costs?

Long-term care insurance generally covers home care, assisted living, adult daycare, respite care, hospice care, nursing home and Alzheimer’s facilities. If home care coverage is purchased, long-term care insurance can pay for home care, often from the first day it is needed. It will pay for a visiting or live-in caregiver, companion, housekeeper, therapist or private duty nurse up to seven days a week, 24 hours a day (up to the policy benefit maximum).

Don’t wait to check into this.  Often, a change of health disqualify you from getting long-term care insurance.  Not all those who require long-term care are senior citizens.  About 40% of those who need it are between the ages of 18-64.  Ask your insurance provider about long-term care insurance today!

Are you a dog owner?  If so, do you know your coverage in case of a dog bite? Dogs are territorial animals and even the sweetest dog might come up with a good reason for deciding to take a bite out of a visitor, neighbor, or even a burglar.  If your dog causes injury, damage, or loss, YOU are liable!  Even if Cujo is doing his job and keeping you safe, a thief could still take you to court over his medical bills — and win!  Here’s what you need to know to make sure you’re covered in these types of events.

Most homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies cover liability for dog bites and dog-related damages.  Some, however, exclude bites, or certain types of dogs, or put other limitations on the money they will pay in a claim.

There are 3 types of insurance solutions for inadequately insured dog owners. An umbrella policy provides liability coverage for injuries, damages, and losses that are not covered by primary insurance. An excess policy provides a higher policy limit for losses that ARE covered by primary insurance. Canine liability insures dogs or people who can’t get coverage any other way

Uninsured or underinsured dog owners can face major consequences in the event of a dog bit, up to and including the loss of their homes.  Make sure you know what your policy says about dogs, and that you are properly insured!

For more information, visit the following sites:

• Dog Bite Law
• Insurance Information Institute

• Allow your child to trick-or-treat during the hours of 3 and 9 p.m. only.  7 p.m. is even better.
• Make sure your child is accompanied by an adult during trick-or-treating.
• Provide a flashlight to children who will be trick-or-treating after dark.
• Add reflective tape or reflectors to dark-colored clothing.
• Stress to your children the importance of watching for traffic while walking through neighborhoods, and instruct them to walk on sidewalks and cross streets at intersections.
• Check that your child’s costume fits properly and that the child’s vision is not obstructed. Masks can be especially hazardous, so check their fit, visibility and breathability before allowing your child to wear it.
• Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.  Throw away candy that has been opened and stay away from homemade treats unless you personally know the people who made them.
• Require children’s costumes to be short enough to avoid trips and falls.  Also require children to wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes suitable for extensive walking.
• Plan a safe route, and walk it during the day to check for obstacles like broken sidewalks, tree limbs, or even outside pets that may scare children.

Visit About.com for more information.

• Do I have enough insurance coverage?
• Does my coverage include this type of disaster?
• Am I ready to evacuate in just a few hours? Are things that I would want to take with me readily accessible?
• Does my family have a communication plan if one of us has to evacuate?

If you have family or friends who live in an area ravaged by wildfire, what can you do to help?

• Offer to house them in case of evacuation.
• If they have children with breathing problems, invite them to visit until the air has cleared in their area. Often the ash and smoke can exacerbate breathing woes even if they are unseen.
• Offer to be the base communication point for them. When disaster strikes it is essential to have a point of contact outside your home area in case phone lines are damaged near you.

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1. Never use water or flour on a fire. Use baking soda to extinguish food fires.
2. Do not open the oven door if you have a fire. Turn off the heat.
3. Put a pot lid over flames on the stove. Turn off heat and do not move the lid until the fire is out and the pan is cool.
4. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
5. Have smoke detectors in your home and test them frequently.
6. If the fire is large and you cannot contain it immediately, call 911.

• When cooking, make sure your outfit doesn’t have loose sleeves or scarves that could catch fire. Don’t leave paper towels or dish towels near the burners.
• Never leave your cooking unattended on the stove. Stay in the kitchen and pay attention.
• Make sure the handles of pots and pans are turned inward.
• Watch children in the room. They are often curious and want to know what’s cooking. Teach them good cooking safety rules when they are young.
• Keep your cooking surface clean and free of grease spills.

Whether fixing a gourmet meal or heating up leftovers, following good safety rules is a recipe for success in the kitchen.

• National parks and forests often have wonderful marked trails. Get all the information you can. Learn about the area where you will be hiking. Do any necessary research or ask friends who have been there. Make sure everyone in your party has a map so no one gets lost.

• Find out about any poisonous plants and dangerous animals in the area. Avoid them.

• Check the forecast for the time you will be hiking. If there is inclement weather predicted, reschedule or take additional jackets and a battery-powered weather radio.

• Start slowly. If you haven’t hiked in several months, take it easy on the first hike of the season. Get back into shape slowly.

• Take plenty of water with you. Never drink from streams or rivers.

• Pack as lightly as possible. Help each other by distributing the weight.

• Make sure someone has a well-stocked First Aid kit.

• Wear good shoes that support your ankles. Make sure they have a good non-slip sole.

• If you start a fire, do not leave it until it is extinguished properly.

Never hike alone. Hiking can be educational and fun. Just make sure you have prepared wisely so that you can get the most from your hiking experience.