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February 2012 Newsletter

What to do after an accident

--Prepare for the unexpected--

Most of us who have our vehicles in a moderate state of repair do not plan on being in a wreck during our daily commute but they're called "accidents" for a reason. Do you know what to do directly after an accident? Do you know what essentials you should have in your vehicle at all times to prevent an accident from becoming fatal?

You should have:

A cell phone

    Your phone should not be the cause of your accident but your savior in the event of one. Modern cell phones come with the ability to take photos, notes and of course-dial 911. If your phone is not catastrophically damaged, it should still function adequately in any of these respects.

A first aid kit

No need to bring along an entire ambulance, though that may be unfortunately necessary but you should have a basic first aid kit in you car at all times.

Road flares/Accident triangles

Accidents usually happen during times of bad weather, having road flares or high visibility reflective triangles could warn other drivers of the fact that there has been an accident or that your vehicle is disabled. Giving other motorists this warning could prevent them from becoming an additional casualty.

Following an accident you should:

Call 911

    This may seem like a simple reminder-and it is-but calling for help is the first and most important thing you should do immediately following an accident.

Be aware of your surroundings

This may be the hardest thing to do depending on the severity of the accident but it is very important. You should try to remain still until you can understand the severity of your injuries or the injuries of those traveling with you. Turn on your hazard lights and remain in your vehicle until help arrives. Wandering around on a freeway or road may invite further injury.

Exchange information

After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color ? and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

Take photographs

You will need to document the exact damages that occurred as a result of the accident. If you fail to do so and your vehicle is damaged further by an attempt to salvage it, the additional damage may not be covered by your insurance.

Traveling to and fro can be simple and easy or it can be dangerous and even fatal. Make sure you and your family is prepared for whatever your commute may have in store. Make sure that all occupants of your vehicle have on their seat belts before putting the car in "drive" and eliminate all distractions while you're on the road. Drive smart and stay safe.


The Other Holiday Season

--A short month packed with holiday surprises--

 

You may think that after New Years Day the holiday season is officially over-you would be wrong. There are several holidays and traditions in February that still call for a gathering of family and friends.

Snow and high winds in the East and cloudy skies and rain in the West must mean its February. The shortest, coldest month of the year that despite only being four weeks long seems to stretch out for eternity. As Eliza Doolittle said in 'My Fair Lady', "Worse is a sign it's almost over." So cheer up and enjoy the other holiday season in February.

February is home to one of the quirkiest national holidays: Groundhog Day! This odd tradition harkens all the way back to the 18th century in Pennsylvania Dutch country. This month in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil will poke his head out of his den at Gobbler's Knob and give us the forecast for winter. You can celebrate this tradition by making a friendly betting pool with your family, friends or co-workers as to whether the groundhog will see its shadow.

The Super Bowl has become a national holiday of sorts. Baseball claims to be America's favorite pastime, though only the World Cup and the Olympics have more drawing power than The Super Bowl-and those two events only happen every four years! Use Super Bowl Sunday as a time to gather friends and family for fun, food and football. Say that three times fast!

Valentine's Day is smack in the middle of the month so you have no excuse to not have a gift for that special someone. If you don't have a special someone in your life, celebrate the love in your family or head out on the town with your other single friends!

February is also the month in which we celebrate Black History. There are calendars that highlight the achievements and contributions of African-Americans for each day of the month; achievements that we use in our daily lives such as Alice Parker's heating furnace that allows our homes to stay warm in the bitter winter cold.

President's Day is the day we celebrate the birth of two of the nation's most profound presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This holiday may be a sore spot for some as we only get one day off work instead of two-but that's government thinking for you.

You don't have to wait for a holiday to have fun! If you're surrounded by snow make snow men! Have a snowball fight and unleash your inner child. But be sure to bundle up tight so you don't turn your snow day into a sick day.


Beaus and Eros

--the History of St.Valentine's Day--

Love is a many splendored thing. It fills us with hope and clouds our judgment with doubt. It can lift us to new heights or send us reeling into depressing depths. How ever it plays out, there is one day of the year when it is celebrated across the world: Valentine's Day.

On February 14th all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom lovers will exchange tokens of the undying affection. This holiday is bitter sweet as those who have loved and lost may not find solace in the pink and red aisle at the grocery store. But for those still entwined in loves embrace, this is a day to show their loved one just how much they mean to them-by buying them a card or a new car.

Who is this St. Valentine and why do we celebrate his legacy in the middle of the coldest month of the year? The answer lies in antiquity and is shrouded in legend.

St. Valentine, as recognized by the Catholic Church, has many legends surrounding his romantic past. It has been said that he was a priest in Rome during the third century performing marriages while they were illegal according to a decree of Emperor Claudius II.

Another legend says that while he was imprisoned he fell in love with the jailors daughter who visited him during his sentence. It is said that he wrote to her just before his death and signed his letter "from your Valentine"?sound familiar?

St. Valentine had a romantic past to be sure, but why do we celebrate his romantic exploits in the dead of winter?

Some claim that we celebrate St. Valentine in February to commemorate the date of his death in 270AD. Others say that it was the Christian church's effort to "Christianize" the pagan festival of Lupercalia which began on February 15th. During the Middle Ages, it was celebrated on February 14th as this was thought to be the beginning of the mating season for birds-a fitting day if there ever was.

In recent history, Valentine's Day has been celebrated with a powerful token of appreciation: the greeting card. In the1840's, Esther A. Howland-the "Mother of the Valentine" begin mass producing elaborately designed greeting cards made of lace and ribbon. The tradition has grown to the point where an estimated one billion cards are sent on Valentine's Day making it the second busiest greeting card day of the year after Christmas.

When Cupid's arrow strikes true it is a wonderful feeling. It is an experience that is known cross-culturally throughout the world. How ever you show your affection, Valentine's Day is a global holiday that celebrates the best in human nature.


Car Shopping

--What to look for--

'Tis the season for car shopping! Many fortunate American have filed their tax returns and are eagerly waiting for Uncle Sam to send back their piece of the pie. Some might spend their tax refund on paying off bills or investing for the future; others are dreaming of finally saying 'goodbye' to that old clunker that is rotting in the driveway and lowering property values.

There exists a lot of joy and anxiety when it comes to purchasing a new or used car and most of it stems from the price. No one wants to be the one on the lot with "sucker" stamped on their forehead so in order to get the best deal: do your home work!

Not being prepared when you step onto the car lot is one way to find yourself driving home in a car you want but will most likely fall apart within 60 days and you will have probably paid much more for it that you should have.

Sales associates are not out to get you. They do not mean you any harm and will probably offer you the best deal for your money regardless of your level of preparedness. Most sale associates at car dealerships receive better bonuses based upon their levels of customer service than sales. Still, you want to be prepared when entering negotiations on the price of your new or used car in case the sales person misses a key point.

Here are some key points to remember when shopping for a new or used car:

  • Breathe
    • Buying a new or used car can be a very pressure filled situation. Remember to breathe and take your time.
  • Be ready to walk away
    • Yes, it may be the deal of the century and it's the car of your dreams but if the terms are not right or you do not feel comfortable-just walk away. You can always come back and it shows the sales associate that you are not to be trifled with.
  • Research
    • Carfax and other vehicle reporting services are wonderful tools to see the condition of a used vehicle, but what about new? Do your research. See what recalls have been posted, check respected car review sources, ask friends. Research now will save you headaches down the road.
  • Stay within your budget
    • There is always, always, always a car on the lot you want and it is always just out of reach for your budget. You will tell yourself that you can cut back on this and save on that but if you have to negotiate with yourself then you are already spending too much. Your new car will require maintenance and it will happen when you least expect it. By staying within your means, you can find a vehicle you love and a vehicle you can afford to fix.

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