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Safe &
Sound
Lights
Out
'Tis the season
for summer storms that cause power outages—and raise questions
about the safety of the food that was in the refrigerator. Toss
it? Keep it? If you make the wrong choice, you'll put yourself at
risk for food poisoning. The number of food poisonings always increases
this time of year, in part because bacteria grow faster when temperatures
are warm. Be prepared for power outages with these tips from the
Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
- Stock
up. Keep on hand a supply of bottled water, a manual can opener
and non-perishable foods such as canned goods.
- Invest
in a food or appliance thermometer. You can use it to test
whether food is still stored at a safe temperature. Refrigerated
foods should be kept at 40° F or below; frozen foods at 0° F.
Foods that are kept above 40° F for more than two hours may not
be safe to eat.
- Don't
open the refrigerator or freezer. An unopened fridge will
keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will hold
its temperature for up to 48 hours; a half-full freezer for 24
hours. Use block ice to help keep the temperatures down.
- Check
for ice crystals in the freezer. If ice crystals are present
when the power comes back on, the partially thawed food is still
at 40° F or below and can safely be refrozen.
Click
here for more tips from the USDA and a printable fact sheet
of what foods should be discarded after a power outage.
Vacation's
Gone to the Dogs
Is Rover heading to Florida with you this summer? Before you hit
the road, log on to petswelcome.com
for a listing of more than 25,000 pet-friendly US lodgings. Then
make sure your pet's bags are packed with these items advised by
the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Bring along
pet food, feeding bowls, leashes and plastic waste bags.
- Pack a favorite
toy. It'll make your pet feel at home away from home.
- Buy a temporary
travel ID tag that attaches to your pet's collar and includes
your cell phone and destination phone number.
- Don't let
pets ride with their heads outside the window. They can be injured
by flying objects or develop inner ear and lung problems.
- Ask your
vet for car sickness pills and up-to-date vaccination records.
- Never leave
animals alone in a vehicle. Extreme temperatures can be fatal.
Get
the Advantage with Metlife Auto & Home
All new! Pet Insurance
Protect your cat or dog with our pet insurance program. Comprehensive
coverage is available that covers veterinary fees for illness and/or
accidents, and you'll get a 10 percent discount if you insure three
or more pets. For details, call your MetLife Auto & Home agent or
representative, or visit metlifepets.com.
Pet Insurance Program is offered by MetLife Auto & Home Insurance
Agency.
Give
Yourself Credit (Reports)
By the end of this year, everyone in the United States will be eligible
to receive one free credit report every year from each of the three
nationwide consumer reporting agencies. Why check yours? Because
people with poor credit histories are considered at higher risk
for defaulting on their financial obligations—and so they often
pay higher rates on items such as credit cards and insurance. Knowing
what's in your file is the first step toward improving it. For more
info, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at ftc.gov.
What's
Your Flood Risk?
Most people don't realize that flooding is nature's most common
disaster. About 25 percent of all flood claims occur in low- to
moderate-risk communities. Even minor flooding with just a few inches
of floodwater in your home could cost you thousands of dollars to
fix or replace damaged walls, floors and ruined appliances. But
most homeowners insurance excludes flood damage. That's why MetLife
Auto & Home is pleased to announce its new flood insurance.*
For more information,
contact your MetLife Auto & Home agent or representative, phone
1-877-638-0022 or visit metlifeflood.com.
* MetLife Auto
& Home flood policies may not be available in every state. There
can be up to a 30-day waiting period for a flood policy to take
effect.
Home
Work: Summer 05
Don't toss that "outdated" phone that plugs directly into the
wall; it'll come in handy when the electricity goes out. (If you
lease your phone, it may not make sense to keep it just for emergencies.)
After every
rainstorm, clear gutters of debris before it rains again. Look for
fallen branches that have blown onto overhead power lines. Don't
try to remove them yourself; call the utility company.
Check for loose
outlets. If plugs slip out of an outlet, the receptacle needs to
be replaced. It's usually a simple fix for a professional electrician.
Test the sump
pump before summer's rains come along. Consider adding optional
"back-up of sewer, drain and sump pump" coverage to your MetLife
Auto & Home homeowners policy; it covers you for non-flood-related
water backups, such as one from a failed sump pump. Speak with your
MetLife Auto & Home agent.
ATTENTION
BOATERS!
MetLife Auto & Home wants to protect both you and your boat. To
ensure that your boat is properly insured, check into MetLife Auto
& Home's boatowners insurance, which covers your boat and its contents.
For more details, go to check out our online Boat
Insurance information, or call your agent or representative.
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Special
Offer!