Doug Moore: Allstate Insurance

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and fell. She assured everyone that she was okay. While she appeared to be a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening, but she had actually suffered a stroke. Had bystanders known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be alive today.... If even one of these tasks is a challenge, seek emergency medical attention. Ask them to smile. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence. Ask them to raise both arms. Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, they can reverse the effects of a stroke. But the challenge is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and treated within 3 hours. That's why it's important to know the signs.

Of course, our furry friends love treats; however, it's critical to remember that some foods may be harmful to them. Alcohol can cause severe depression or illness. Chocolate can be life-threatening when cats or dogs consume large enough portions. Citrus contains citric acid, which may cause depression and irritation.... Coconut and Coconut Oil can cause an upset stomach and leave your pet feeling sick for days. Coffee and Caffeine typically have a similar effect on your pet as chocolate. Grapes and Raisins are incredibly toxic to dogs and cats, and they've been known to cause kidney failure. Milk and Dairy, contrary to popular belief, isn't a good idea. It can create serious digestive problems. Nuts contain large amounts of oil and fat, which can cause pancreatitis or, at the very least, vomiting. Onions, Garlic, and Chives may cause gastrointestinal issues and damage their red blood cells. If your pet has consumed any of these, be sure to call your vet to get their health back on track. Woof! Meow!

While floods are best-known for causing extensive water damage to homes and businesses, sewage from sanitary sewer lines can back up water through drain pipes. So what are the most common causes of water backup? It's the blockages that can occur when tree roots seek moisture. ... Or when a city sanitary main gets clogged. Property insurance policies do not generally cover water backup unless additional water backup coverage is added to your property policy before the incident. While this isn't the most exciting thing to think about, we want to make sure you have the coverage you'll want in the event of a claim.

If you have college-bound students heading off to school in the fall, here are some things to know: Students residing in a dorm are typically covered under their parent's homeowners insurance policies. Students who live off-campus are usually not covered by their parents’ homeowners policy.... In either case, consider a stand-alone property policy with a low deductible, especially if your existing property policy has a higher deductible. 50 percent of on-campus crimes involve burglaries. While it may be necessary to take sports equipment and computers to school, other expensive items such as valuable jewelry or expensive electronics should be left behind or locked up. These items can also be subject to coverage limits under a standard homeowners policy, so if they must be brought to campus, consider adding a floater or endorsement to the homeowners policy to cover them. Having an up-to-date inventory list will help get insurance claims settled faster. Since every situation varies, it is a good idea for us to talk so that we can best advise you.

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. But when they go missing, that's the worst time to find out that you didn't have the necessary coverage on your property policy to cover them. And when you think about it, any jewelry that is worn every day, such as a wedding ring, IS going to be more susceptible to a loss. ... By adding a rider or scheduling your jewelry, in most cases, you can expand coverage limits and extend protection to help cover additional risks. Have you been putting this off? Let's talk about it!

There are essentially two kinds of public Wi-Fi networks: unsecured and secured. An unsecured network can be connected to without any type of login or password. A secured network requires a user to agree to legal terms, register an account, or type in a password before connecting to the network. ... While Public Wi-Fi has made our lives easier, it also comes with security risks to the personal info that exists on our smartphones and laptops. It's a good reason to avoid accessing your personal accounts using unsecured public networks.

As we enter monsoon season, it's important to know that hydroplaning can occur when a vehicle slides uncontrollably because the tires encounter more water than the tire treads can displace. When you drive at high speeds on wet pavement, the water starts to push the front tires off the ground slightly. This creates a thin layer of film between the tire and the road.... So how can you avoid hydroplaning? Inflate your tires at levels recommended by the manufacturer. Replace and rotate tires as necessary. Slow down on wet roads because the faster you drive, the harder it is for tires to scatter water. Avoid driving in the outer lanes where water can easily accumulate. Don't use cruise control. Use a lower gear. Avoid hard braking. Hydroplaning can happen on any wet road, but it's the first 10 minutes of a light rain shower that can be the most dangerous.

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. We all need to do our part to make our roads safer.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and even death. If you inhale CO, it rapidly bonds with hemoglobin, displacing oxygen. It is known as the "Invisible Killer" since it is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas. ... How can you avoid it? Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. If you are boating, avoid areas where engines or generators are running. Never use your outdoor grill inside, even inside of your garage. Charcoal and gas grills create large amounts of carbon monoxide. Install CO detectors. If this post even saves one person, it's worth it!

Minimum state required liability limits are the lowest limits you can carry. Let's face it. They may not necessarily be enough.... If you are found responsible for damages that exceed the liability limits on your auto policy, you'll have to pay the difference out of pocket. Increasing your liability coverage doesn't cost that much, and if you need it, you'll be glad you have it.

When renting a passenger car, it's not uncommon for people to decline coverage offered at the rental car counter. That's because personal auto insurance policies typically extend to rental cars for some types of coverage. But, it's a different story with rental moving trucks.... Buying the damage waiver is usually essential because most car insurance policies do NOT cover them. If you are going to rent a moving truck, make a quick call to your insurance agent. Get your questions answered about your specific situation, so you don't get stuck paying for potential damage out of pocket.

Since drivers are typically on sizzling roads with heavier loads during the hot summer months, tires are more likely to have blowouts. Underinflated tires will put tires under added strain. Overinflated tires are more likely to hydroplane during a summer rainstorm. ... So what can you do? Check your tire's tread by sticking a penny into the groove of your tires. If you see the top of Abe's head, it's probably time for a new set.

For some thieves, breaking into your vehicle is the first step to breaking into your home. Why? Because your vehicle registration, insurance cards, mail, and some receipts can reveal your home address. ... Combine that with your garage door opener, and it's almost as good as a key to your home's front door. For this reason, don't keep anything with your address on it in a visible place in your vehicle. Security experts suggest locking this paperwork in your glovebox.