Ray Sullivan: Allstate Insurance

One 4th of July weekend, Alexandra, 13, and her brother Brayden, 8, were swimming near a private dock on the Lake of the Ozarks when they started to scream. By the time the siblings were pulled from the lake, they were unresponsive. Both kids were pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.... These were NOT drowning victims. A 120-volt AC (alternating current) leakage from a nearby boat or dock electrocuted them. This little-known and often-unidentified killer is called Electric Shock Drowning, or ESD. The main cause of ESD is faulty electrical wiring on boats or piers that causes an electric current to leak into the water. Every boater who swims in a freshwater lake needs to understand this potential danger. How can ESD be prevented? NEVER swim within 100 yards of a freshwater marina. If you are in the water and you start to feel tingling, DON'T follow your instinct and swim to the dock. If you own a boat, exercise your boat's GFCIs/ELCIs as recommended by the manufacturer. On a hot day, it can be so tempting to jump in the water while at a freshwater marina, but the potential danger just isn't worth it.

Your best defense in a world of distracted drivers is to NOT drive distracted.

It'll buff out...

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Did you know that not every date on food packaging is an expiration date? According to the USADA, here are some common food label dates you might come across and what they actually mean: Best if used by date - Best date for flavor and quality... Use-by date - The last date that a product is at its highest quality Sell-by date - How long the store can display the product Closed by date - Indicates time and day the product was packaged Use these dates as a guideline along with good old common sense. But if in doubt, throw it out!

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Would you like to know the secret for streak-free squeaky clean windows and mirrors? Well, it’s a solution that you can easily make yourself. Here's what you'll need.... 1 1/2 cups water 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol 3 drops peppermint essential oil If you are in the mode of cleaning and organizing as you head into the New Year, let's take a look at the insurance policies you have with other insurance carriers. Let's make sure you have the coverage that is right for your current needs and that you aren't paying too much.

Let's face it. Our lives depend a lot on electricity. So it's common to rely on power strips to turn one plug into several. Here are five things to keep in mind when using power strips that can save you a ton of grief:... Never leave power strips in reach of little ones. Don't assume they should know better. Don't plug one power strip into another. It can cause the strips to fail and even catch fire. Never use power strips that are rated for indoor use outdoors. They are not made to stand up to water and weather. Never place a powerstrip underneath a rug. If you do, it can be a fire hazard. Never plug your sump pump into a power strip. Instead, use a GFCI outlet that is above floor level. Take the time to look at the power strips in your home to ensure you are using them safely!

These days, the majority of teens spend time online. That is why it is vital to help the teens in your life understand appropriate Internet usage and the risks involved with social networking. Open communication. Ask your teen to walk you through their regular Internet routine. What sites are they visiting regularly? Get to know their favorite websites and apps to understand potential risks better. Personal information. Remind your teen never to share personal information... without your permission. This includes their full name, birthday, contact info, school name, passwords, etc. Privacy settings. Make sure your teen has strict privacy settings enabled to protect their photos and updates from strangers. Also, ask your teen only to befriend people online if they know them in real life. Photos. Discuss the types of pictures that are appropriate to post online. In-person meetings. Share the dangers of an in-person meeting with someone they met online. Cyberbullying. Teach your teen not to post embarrassing photos, send mean texts or spread hurtful rumors online, and to report any cyberbullying they witness or become a victim of. Taking time to create this awareness with our teens is so crucial to their safety!