Morrow Insurance is proud to sponsor a team this year in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Henderson County.  At the event, our team will camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.  The event will be from 6pm May 18 to 6am May 19th at the WNC Agricultural Center.  If you would like to make a donation on behalf of the Morrow Racers team, please contact one of our team members:  Charlie Cranford, Amy Tayler, Carolyn Wilson, Christina Dinardo, Fay Ryan, Kathy Rhodes, Jean Persons, or Colleen Hobbick or click on our team page link to donate online.

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After one of the most active and deadly years in recent weather history, Gov. Bev Perdue cautions North Carolinians to be on the lookout for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms as spring approaches. Perdue declared March 4-10 Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina and recommends that families have safety plans for home, work or school so they can respond quickly when tornados or severe storms threaten.

“Already this year, we have seen tornadoes sweep through several of our western counties,” Perdue said. “That type of weather is almost unheard of for January in North Carolina. And we all saw in 2011 just how quickly these storms can strike and how dangerous they can become. That is why it is so critical to have emergency plans in place.”

Perdue urged North Carolinians to take time now to discuss and rehearse family emergency plans so that when the National Weather Service issues a storm warning in their area, everyone can act quickly and take shelter calmly. Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. to rehearse their emergency plans.

Tornadoes usually form during heavy thunderstorms when warm, moist air collides with cold air. These storms can also produce large hail and strong winds. Damaging winds are equally as dangerous.

When severe weather is likely, people should listen to local radio, television, a weather channel or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio for information. If a tornado watch is issued, the conditions are favorable and a tornado is possible. However, if a warning is issued, a tornado has actually been spotted or appeared on radar. This is the time when people should go to a safe shelter immediately.

North Carolina Emergency Management recommends the safest place during a tornado is underground in a basement. If there is no basement, people who are at home should go to the lowest floor of the house and to an interior room such as a hallway, pantry or closet. School children should go to inner hallways, but stay out of gymnasiums, auditoriums or cafeterias where there is a large roof span. Office workers should take shelter under something sturdy like a desk or a table to protect from flying debris or a collapsed roof. Everyone should stay away from windows.

Mobile home residents are especially vulnerable to damage from high winds and should go to a prearranged shelter when severe weather is predicted.

Every family’s emergency plan should include information on what to do if severe weather happens while traveling to work or school. Drivers who see a tornado forming or approaching should leave the car immediately and take shelter in a low-lying area. A tornado can easily blow a car off a road and many people have been killed while trying to outrun a tornado. Those who are on foot or a bicycle could encounter falling trees, downed power lines or lightning, and they should go to a safe place immediately. The basement of a sturdy building is best. Lying flat in a ditch or low area may also offer protection, but beware of possible flash flooding and flying debris.

Preparation for any type of severe weather also means having a family disaster plan and an emergency supply kit assembled and in a location that is easy to access during an emergency. More information on tornadoes and overall emergency preparedness is available at www.ReadyNC.org and www.ncem.org.

Like Us on Facebook for a Chance to Win a $25 Gift Certificate for Dining at the Inn on Church!

Morrow Insurance will be giving away a $25 gift certificate for dining at the Inn on Church in a drawing from people who “Like” us on Facebook to be held on April 1, 2012.  If you already like us, you’re automatically included.  If not, please visit us on Facebook and click on “Like” to be included.

Employees of Morrow Insurance and their immediate families are not elligible for the drawing.

The Inn on Church is an intimate 21-room boutique bed & breakfast hotel that blends the romance and charm of the past with the comfort and convenience of modern accommodation.  Lunch is served in their gourmet restaurant, Bistro at 201, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Visit the Inn on Church for more information.

Congratulations to Joye Haynes-Ganger for being recognized as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in the Charlotte region by Business Leader Magazine!

Joye Haynes-Ganger is the President, CEO, and Owner of Whitley Home Medical Equipment, a company that supplies home medical equipment including walkers, lift chairs, compression garments, hospital beds, and more. The company specializes in the making of custom built rehab chairs, both power and manual. These chairs are a necessity for patients with diseases such as ALS, Paraplegics, Quadraplegics, etc. Haynes-Ganger has owned Whitley Home Medical Equipment for 15 years, and most recently opened an additional office for the company, increasing its territory three fold. In addition to her successful career, Haynes-Ganger devotes much of her time to charitable causes including an 11-year stretch in a Rotary Club that gives and fund raises for a number of good causes. Haynes-Ganger says, “It is quite amazing that when you treat others like you want to be treated your business and reputation flourishes.”

Auto accidents account for more than 45% of the Garage program claims reported to Markel Insurance. You can avoid accidents by following these guidelines:

1. Always be on the lookout for the other driver. Watch for vehicles when changing lanes and when turning at intersections and across lanes. If you’re not sure who has the right of way, let the other driver(s) have it.
2. Allow for ample space and use extreme care when moving vehicles in parking areas.
3. Maintain posted speed limits at all times.
4. Use caution when stopping at intersections when roads are wet. Oil and fuel from other vehicles can make stopping more difficult.
5. Never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or sleep medications.
6. Avoid distractions. Using a cell phone, eating, and reading while driving can adversely affect your reaction time.
7. Don’t tailgate. Allow at least three seconds of separation between you and the vehicle in front of you. Be prepared to stop suddenly and scan for an alternative route of safe travel to avoid a possible rear-end collision.

Even though it hasn’t felt like it, winter is here and some of us store our vehicles in a location that is out of the weather. However, you need to be careful. We heard of an individual whose vehicle was being stored in a rural warehouse that hadn’t been inspected in years. The rafters were rotten, the roof couldn’t support the weight of the snow and ice and the building collapsed on several vehicles being stored inside. The individual was fortunate, as only part of the building collapsed and crushed just one of the five cars he was storing inside. The roof of his BMW was nearly flattened, breaking all window glass and bending the door frames. In addition, a beam ripped a large gash in the trunk and blew out the tail lights. The car was a total loss. This same situation often happens with metal carports that were not built to withstand much weight on top.

Whenever you store a vehicle, make sure the building you’re storing it in can handle the weight of the snow and that the rafters have been inspected recently to ensure they are sound. If you are paying for storage, never take it for granted that the building owner has insurance to cover the contents (your auto). The owner likely carries only enough insurance to cover losses to his structure, not what’s inside. Always insure your vehicle and include comprehensive coverage while in storage, and make sure it is stored away from objects that could fall on it.

Go back to the 50′s with Pops!  The Carolina Diner is closed this week and workers are busy turning the building back into the glory days of the 50′s.  The entire  interior will have a new design complete with new flooring, countertops and booths.  Pop’s Diner will have a Grand Re-opening on January 23rd.  Take a step into the past and support one of Hendersonville’s local busineses.

Good Maintenance Can Prevent Damage to Your Home

Winter-Related Disasters Cause Over One Billion Dollars In Losses Annually

October 13, 2011

A consumer’s top 10 tips to prevent identity fraud

Tips from Travelers Insurance

1. Review your wallet or purse contents before you go shopping. Common theft is the easiest way for a criminal to steal your identity and commit fraud. Before you go shopping, think about how much information a thief would obtain if your wallet or purse was stolen. Avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports unless absolutely necessary. Don’t carry extra credit cards unless you plan to use them.
2. Create a list of all your credit card and bank account information and store in a secure place. Be sure to include account numbers, expiration dates and credit limits. Also include the telephone numbers or e-mails or the customer service and fraud departments. If you find your card missing or stolen, refer to this list and immediately notify your credit card provider of the loss. This not only prevents fraudulent charges, but it also notifies your provider if the card is used again.
3. Protect your Passwords and PINS. When creating passwords and PINs, do not use the last four digits of your Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, your birth date, middle name, pet’s name, consecutive numbers or anything else that could easily be discovered by thieves. It’s best to create passwords that combine letters and numbers.
   Ask your financial institutions to add extra security protection to your account. Most will allow you to use an additional code or password (a number or word) when accessing your account. If asked to create a reminder question, do not use one that is easily answered by others. Memorize all your passwords. Don’t record them on anything in your wallet.
4. Review your credit report now. One of the easiest ways to see if a criminal is fraudulently using your identity is to review your credit report. Be sure to report mistakes to the credit bureaus. A federal law gives consumers the right to receive one free copy of their credit report every 12 months from each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
   Order a report today from one bureau and review it, looking for discrepancies. In four months, order another report from a second bureau. In another four months, order a report from the third bureau. Doing this will enable you to see snapshots of your credit throughout the year at no cost.
5. Never provide confidential information over the phone to an unsolicited caller claiming that they represent a financial institution or creditor. Criminals often will use your social security number to open up fraudulent accounts or gain access to financial information or assets, especially with increased activity around the holidays. Do not have your Social Security number printed on your checks and do not allow merchants to write your Social Security number on your checks. If a business requests your Social Security number, ask them why they need it. If it is not a valid reason, don’t provide it. If you receive an unsolicited call and are asked to provide information, get the caller’s name, location, telephone number, and reason that they are calling. Call them back at the phone number on your billing statements to verify the caller’s identification.
6. Never put outgoing checks or bill payments in your home mailbox, as they are easy to steal. While sending checks is a popular and desired holiday gift, it also has its risks, as thieves can steal mail containing checks and gain other personal information from bills and financial statements. Where practical, drop all items containing checks or financial information in a secure postal mailbox or at the post office.
7. Log off completely when finished with online transactions. Closing or minimizing your browser or typing a new Web address may not be enough to prevent others from accessing your online information. Instead, click “log off” to terminate your online session. In addition, don’t allow your browser to “remember” your username and password information
8. Increase up your own computer’s security. Personal firewalls and security software packages (with anti-virus, anti-spam, and spyware detection features) are a must-have for those who plan on shopping online this season. Make sure your computer has the latest security patches, and make sure that you access your online financial accounts only on a secure Web page using encryption.
9. Avoid e-mailing personal and financial information. Although your computer may be “well protected” with proper firewall, antivirus, Internet security or encryption software, the individual or company receiving your information may not have similar security in place. Always confirm with online retailers that they have proper Internet security in place before responding to any e-mail request.
10. Delete, without replying to, any suspicious e-mail requests. Hackers and spammers often impersonate retailers to lure personal financial information. If there is any reason to doubt the authenticity of an e-mail message from a company you do business with, don’t click on links or buttons in the message. Instead, type the Internet address of the company into your browser, log on as you usually do, and examine your account information. You may also telephone a company to ask if an e-mail is legitimate.

More than 400 people are killed each year in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Medical Association reports that carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

Other CDC studies indicate that more than 20,000 people are hospitalized each year from this gas, and these poisonings are on the rise due in part to economic reasons. With a stressed economy and high unemployment, more families face utility shutoffs. As a result, they employ other sources of heat, such as kerosene heaters, gas generators, and improperly maintained wood stoves and fireplaces. Such heat sources carry a heavy risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide alarms are essential protective devices in homes with gas appliances, gas heaters, and fireplaces. Here are some tips to consider concerning these important alarms.

• To ensure a high-quality alarm, look for the Underwriters Laboratories certificate on any detector you purchase.
• Connect these alarms to the smoke alarm system so that any alarm in the house becomes activated if a problem arises.
• Periodically test these devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Batteries should be replaced at least once per year. Replacement of the alarm itself is often necessary after a few years since the average life span of carbon monoxide alarms is relatively short.
• Verify that you have alarms in bedrooms and other locations where people may sleep since people who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning without experiencing any symptoms.