Tornado Safety

It's never a good thing when my Mom calls and says she is heading for the basement. With the recent warm weather being slammed by a cold front blast, conditions have been ripe for tornado activity in parts of Kentucky. Such was the case last night.

Having worked for the University of Kentucky Weather Center during my collegiate days, I am abit addicted to storms. I even built our new house so I could watch the storms roar up our mountain river valley. When everybody else is headed for cover, I am out on the porch with binoculars revelling in the turmoil. Probably not too smart....but I've been a storm junkie since I was a little kid.

What's the difference between a tornado watch and tornado warning?

So for my prudent readers, who wisely do not take unnecessary risks during storms, here's the skinny. A tornado watch means all the weather geeks are hovering around their Doppler's WATCHING for tornadoes. Conditions are right for tornadoes; but none have been spotted. A tornado WARNING means the weather gurus have seen a tornado and you had best get under cover. Move it!

What to do in case of a Tornado?

Here's what the government says to do in case of tornado   Tornado Safety.  
NOAA has great instructions for all kinds of situations you may find yourself in.

What the page doesn't cover is having flashlights handy, a couple of blankets, and a battery or solar powered radio on hand. Electric is sure to go out. Blankets can be thrown over your body to help protect yourself from flying debris. And of course a radio can let you know when danger has passed.

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Kentucky Motorcyle Insurance Tips

Rev it Up! Get ready for bike season in five simple steps

There’s nothing like cruising down the open road on your motorcycle – the wind in your hair and a few bugs in your teeth.

Before you hit the highways and byways this season, make sure your insurance policy is up to speed so that you and your bike are protected.
Here are a few tips from the experts at Progressive and  Charlie Pinson Insurance Kentucky:

• 1. Make sure your insurance policy is still in force. Some companies have a winter layaway period when some coverages are restricted. Check with your insurance company to see if you have any type of limited coverage.



• 2. Update your policy. Let your insurance company know about any changes like additional riders, a new address or customized parts. A quick call to your independent agent can secure coverage that meets your needs.



• 3. Cover customized parts. Parts such as chrome plating, a new paint job, saddlebags or special rims usually increase the value of your bike. If you’ve added custom parts or equipment, make sure they’re protected.



• 4. If you don’t need it, drop it. If you own an older bike, check its value. Don’t pay for coverage that you don’t need. Consider dropping collision coverage if the premium equals 10 percent of the bike’s market value. Understand, however, that you won’t be covered if your bike overturns or collides with another object.



• 5. Shop around. Prices can vary from company to company, so shop around. Another tip: If you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage, consider raising your deductibles. This can lower the cost of your physical damage coverage.

For Kentucky Motorcyle insurance check out Kentucky independent insurance agent  Charlie Pinson Insurance Ky.

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Handicap Access and Beyond

You Just Gotta Get On with it!

Until you have to be in a wheelchair, or take care of someone in a wheelchair it is difficult to realize just how many barriers there are when on the move. Simple tasks like getting dressed seem to take hours. Finding handicap access ramps along busy city streets, and handicapped parking spaces is a real challenge. But, take it from us you just gotta get on with it!

When you run your own business, there is no time for sick days and since Charlie's accident we've only taken a couple. When a client calls, they expect us to be there. When a client needs us to come to their location, they expect us to be there. It's taken a couple of weeks to get down a commuting routine, but we have it down to a science.

And, don't think a little thing like a broken leg is going to keep us from ballroom dancing! PLEASE! Of course, we are not as graceful with the wheelchair as we are on our own feet...but hey, with some practice we'll be sure to improve. We sure didn't let the wheelchair spoil our recent dance with the Rotary Club!

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Handicap Accessible Trials and Tribulations

If you follow this blog, you will know  Charlie  and I have been building a new home. We designed our home to be wheelchair accessible. We did this in anticipation of my mother, who may need handicap accessibility to our home at a future date. (Believe me she does one hour of aerobics a day and is in better shape than Charlie and I)

Anyway, we did not forsee Charlie breaking his leg and needing wheelchair access. So what have we learned from actually using what was deemed to be "handicap accessible?"

If you are building or adding on a porch deck; definitely put a wheelchair ramp in. We don't use the wheelchair to get out; however the gently sloped ramp is very easy to negotiate on a walker. The ramp has been handy for moving in furniture and appliances. Our elderly guests find the ramp easier to negoiate than the stairs. The ramp is also easier to keep clean during winter ice storms than the stairs. (Our dog got caught in a steel trap and had a "to the bone" wound in his front paw. He too prefers the ramp to the steps)

Our front entry is french doors; so the wide width of wheelchairs and furniture has been no problem. However, there is about a six inch step-up, designed to keep rain from coming under the doors. The step-up is a bit of a trick to use the walker, or to ease the wheelchair up and down. In hindsight, would have made it a smaller step.

All of our interior doors are thirty six inches wide. Charlie can easily maneuver himself throughout the first floor of our home. Our cental hallway is four foot wide, with space enough that he doesn't mar my walls.

Our bathroom, which we put the most thought into accessibility before construction has had a few hiccups. We made it plenty wide enough to accomodate the wheelchair or walker. A potty chair easily fits over our existing toilet. However, the potty chair has to be moved out in order to get enough room to maneuver into our shower. Oh! for six more inches of room!

We did have the forsight to install a shower with seats. We thought it was handicapped accessible, but it is not wide enough to accomodate the walker. UH! That was a problem. There was one grab bar on the long wall, but it is low and not that great when one is hobbling on one leg. We had our contractor install a couple more grab bars; one inside the shower and one at the entry so it is a little more easy to get in and out of the shower. However, it is still tricky. I would mention that it is a real challenge to find grab bars that can be retro-fitted into a shower. Most are intended for new construction. If you are remodeling the bath, go on and spend the money to get those grab bars installed before you need them.

Have you had similiar experiences? Would love to hear from you.

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Joyce Pinson  is a Kentucky insurance agent as well as marketing director for  Charlie Pinson Insurance KY.  She looks forward to Kentucky Derby Day; when Charlie promises to be out of his wheelchair and dancing a waltz.

Kentucky Driving on Icy Roads

No Slip-Sliding Away: How To Stay On The Road

(NAPS)—One thing is easy to foretell: Unpredictable weather can cause reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions that make it challenging for even the most experienced drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself, your passengers and your car.

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The following tips can help you stay safe when faced with treacherous roads:

• Assemble a winter emergency kit. At a minimum, it should contain a blanket, boots, shovel, nonperishable food and a flashlight.



• Plan ahead for stopping and turning. “Feather” the brakes when approaching a stop, especially if the road is slick. If turning, accelerate very gently through the turn.



• Don’t make any sudden moves. Keep it slow and steady to maintain control.



• Be cautious when braking in icy conditions. Coast over ice. Brake after reaching bare pavement. And never slam on the brakes. Brake gently in a pulsing fashion.

Steer into a skid. Remember: Locked wheels lead. If your rear tires are in a skid and “locked,” the rear of your car will start sliding to lead the car down the road. If this happens, steer into the skid, not away, and remember, don’t brake during a skid.

If you follow these tips but still find yourself in a crash, just remember that what you do after an accident can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe and in helping you and your insurance company work through a claim.

Remember to follow these tips from the experts at  Charlie Pinson Insurance Kentucky  and The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies if you get into an accident:

• Stay calm. Stay at the scene but move off the roadway. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares.



• Call the police.



• Contact your insurance company to file a claim. The earlier your insurance company knows about the accident, the earlier it can get to work to resolve it.



• Do not admit fault. Only discuss the accident with the police and your claims representative.



• Exchange information with the other driver(s). And remember to get contact information for any witnesses.

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Kerosene Heat Precautions

Beware of the Dangers from Kerosene Heater Use

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 6, 2009) – The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is advising Kentuckians of the possible dangers from kerosene heater use as residents seek alternative heat sources to stay warm following last week’s devastating winter ice storm.

“The improper use of kerosene heaters can become deadly if homeowners do not follow manufacturer’s instructions for this alternative heat source“, said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. “It is important to take precautionary safety measures such as allowing adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and avoid fire hazards.”

Officials from DPH advise residents to follow precautionary guidelines from the National Center for Environmental Health for safe kerosene heater use:

• - Be sure to properly follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for your specific heater model, making sure that the wick is set at the proper level as instructed by the manufacturer and is clean.



• - Ensure your kerosene heater is only operated in a well-vented area. Leave a door open to the rest of the house or keep an outside window open to ensure an adequate flow of fresh air.



• - Kerosene heaters require 1-K grade kerosene fuel. When colored or cloudy kerosene is burned, it will give off an odor, smoke and cause increased indoor pollution levels because of the fuel’s higher sulfur content. Non-1-K grade kerosene can also gum up the wick.



• - Always store kerosene in a container intended for kerosene only, not in a gasoline can or a container that has contained gasoline. This helps to avoid using contaminated fuel or the wrong fuel by mistake. Kerosene containers are usually blue and gasoline containers are red.



• - Never refuel the heater inside the home. Fill the tank outdoors, away from combustible materials and only after the heater has been turned off and allowed to cool. Do not fill the fuel tank above the “full” mark. This area is used to allow the fuel to expand without causing leakage when the heater is operated. Never attempt to move a lighted kerosene heater. Even a carrying handle could cause burns.



• - To avoid the risk of fire, even in normal operation you should place kerosene heaters several feet away from all furniture, curtains, paper, clothes, bedding and other combustible materials.



• - Infants, small children and pets should be kept away from heaters to avoid serious burns.

Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Carbon monoxide poisoning is treatable.

If you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, contact the Poison Control hotline at (800) 222-1222.

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Breast Cancer Awareness

First Lady Jane Beshear's Communications Office


First Lady Jane Beshear accepts check on behalf of “Horses and Hope”

Donation presented by Churchill Downs

FRANKFORT, Ky. –First Lady Jane Beshear today accepted a check on behalf of “Horses and Hope,” the breast cancer awareness program initiated by the First Lady and the Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP). The donation of more than $11,000 presented to the First Lady today in the Capitol by Churchill Downs was the result of proceeds collected during the Breast Cancer Awareness Day hosted by the track on Nov. 16, 2008.

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“It is always admirable to see the citizens of this great commonwealth come together for a common cause – to raise awareness of such a terrible disease,” said Mrs. Beshear. “I am truly thrilled that we were able to collect over $11,000 in donations to help in the fight of the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Kentucky women.”

As part of the “Horses and Hope” program, Breast Cancer Awareness Days were held at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park and Ellis Park.

“We are so happy that Churchill Downs could join in this initiative to increase breast cancer awareness,” said John Asher, vice president of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs. “‘Horses and Hope,’ led by Mrs. Beshear, is a wonderful project and today’s event reinforces how truly effective this program is.”

“Horses and Hope” fosters work with the state’s equine industry to identify new opportunities to provide breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referral, as well as to raise funds to sustain programs into the future.

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The KCP will administer education, public awareness, provide the mobile mammography unit for the screening on the backside of tracks and handle monetary affairs for “Horses and Hope.” Donations will be placed in a University of Louisville Foundation account for the exclusive support of the project.

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The KCP at both the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky has been awarded grants of $10,500 each from the Kentucky Breast Cancer Research and Education Trust Fund to fund breast cancer awareness, education, screening and outreach activities related to “Horses and Hope.”

In addition, the KCP at the University of Louisville has committed up to $10,000 from their 2008-09 operating budget to initiate project activities.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Kentucky’s women. According to the Kentucky Cancer Registry, 2,700 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed on average in Kentucky women each year. Over the last five years, nearly 600 Kentucky women have died each year from breast cancer.

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Joyce Pinson, a Kentucky Health Insurance Agent, is a horseracing fan who longs to shed her winter coat for brightly colored spring clothes and a huge Kentucky derby hat.