Health Insurance Enrollment Process

March 15-21, 2015 is the Poison Prevention Week - if you one thing, the program Poison Help phone number in your phone: 1-800-222-1222. You never know when it might be helpful to you or someone else. Calls are free and confidential and may be translated into 161 languages. Most calls can be handled by phone and do not require a hospital visit. In addition, you can call to get information on chemicals and safety, too - a call does not have to be for an emergency

In 2013, 55 poison centers in America has received over 3.1 million calls .. of these, about 2.2 million were calls about poison exposures up of carbon monoxide to snake bites to food poisoning. The rest were requests for information. Although children under 6 accounted for about half of poison exposure calls to poison control center in 2013, adults accounted for 92 percent of all poison-related deaths reported to poison control centers.

Here are some practical tools for poison prevention and emergency response:

• national poison centers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 50 + poisoning prevention Tips (PDF)
• the American Association for poison Control centers

the AAPCC offer this chart to help the poison-proof your home.

Are you a lover pet? Many people are 43 million households own dogs, 36 million cats own - and there is a large menagerie of other creatures that people claim as pets.

This week is National Pet Week, created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to honor the many important roles animals have in our lives and to encourage responsible pet ownership.

National Pet Week of AVMAvets on Vimeo.

Here is a helpful list of resources for pet owners, which includes expert information about finding and choosing a veterinarian, and key advice for veterinary care for your pets company. Do not have a pet? Why not adopt a shelter pet - there is a search for a good home!

In celebration of Pet Week, we bring you two compilations an hour of hilarious hijinks of animals that help explain our love affair with pets!

The rain is great for spring growth, especially when so many parts the country experiencing drought, but it would be nice to have the rain more measured quantities! It's pretty wet at the moment and the rain may continue off and on through tonight. Here are some heavy rain and flood resources, tips and safety instructions.

covers Does homeowners insurance from a flooded basement?

Are you covered? Check your flood risk

Floodsmart

Insurance Information Institute: Flood preparation

flood risk scenarios

Flood Insurance Claims Handbook - FEMA / NFIP

Consumer Reports: How to drive safely in heavy rain and wind

Turn Around, do not drive
"Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related risk. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than half of all drownings flooding occurs when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters. the next the highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood water. people underestimate the force and power of water. most of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Only 6 inches of flood water moving fast can knock over an adult. It only takes 12 inches of water rushing to take a small car, while two feet of water can carry rushing most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk through flood waters. "

flash protection against flooding (PDF)

How to dry a wet basement

The drying a wet basement

Wondering what financial records to keep and which to shred? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers this infographic of handy shredder with an accompanying article in the rat shredding pack guide. Both offer helpful advice on what security experts say you should shred immediately (received ATM, credit card offers, sales receipts) that you need to keep forever (birth certificates, tax returns ) and all the rest. This is only one of many major identity theft resources available from the FTC.

Talk to your insurance agent to see if your home insurance covers identity theft and if not, have a conversation about identity theft insurance. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a good introduction to the identity theft insurance.

Since 1 July, if you are found to be driving under the influence (DUI) in Connecticut , you will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID), an IID is a type of breathalyzer that requires a breath sample before the car will start. (See the short video of Lifesaver in this post to find out how and IID works.) The car will be immobilized if the sample is .025. Previously, the installation of these devices was necessary for repeat offenders, but now extends the law for first offenders too. According to MADD CT, United with IID laws have seen a 40% decrease in alcohol-related deaths.

"The length of time in which the IID must be installed depends on whether the offender is 21 at the time of the incident, if a repeat offender, and the result or refusal of the test alcohol taken.

This law will affect up to 6,500 first-time offenders accused of operating under the influence. the previous law did not require those who entered a diversion program to use the IID but the new law now requires all offenders. "

This is in addition to fines and suspensions which may be imposed. It is the infringer to pay for the equipment and installation. "A device costs about $ 75 to install and $ 75 per month to maintain. They also need about $ 275 DMV fees"

All states have some form of legislation to device Immobiliser -. And almost half of all states have mandatory provisions for all offenses. See the Insurance Information Institute for more on driving laws in an intoxicated state status. MADD also has an update on the state laws related to immobilizers.

DUI conviction also have an important impact on insurance rates
In addition to state fines and penalties associated with a DUI offense, remember that a DUI conviction will be very costly to your insurance rates, too. Just how expensive will vary, depending on the circumstances of the offense, your age, your driving history, your state law and your insurer. You can be designated as a high-risk driver, which limits your insurance options - some insurers may refuse to insure you at all. The amount of a supplement can vary by insurer and the duration of such a supplement will vary by state law. Usually it will negatively affect your rates for at least three years and up to 10 years in some states

Note :. DUI is also sometimes referred to as OUI (operating under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated)

Image Source :. Video screen capture Lifesaver

Save some money this weekend! In Massachusetts, the 6.25% sales tax is levied as a tax holiday on August 15 to 16, an annual tradition that dates back more than a decade. Buy almost any purchase of tax-free goods if they have a $ 2,500 price tag or less - excluding motor vehicles, motorboats, tobacco, gas and meals. Connecticut also launching off a week tax-free from August 16 to August 22, but it is limited to clothing items of $ 100 or less. (Note -. In previous years it was good for clothing items of $ 300 or less)

In both states, you can buy multiple items, as no single item exceeds the limit. You can also get tax breaks among online retailers.

We encourage you to do some research and local purchases. Retailers generally sweeten the pot by adding their own discounts and sales coordinate with these holiday duty - the offers are very generous! But remember, if you shop in your community or online, be a smart shopper and prudent: identity thieves do not take vacations.

2015 Massachusetts holiday sales tax Weekend - August 15 to 16

You can learn the ins and the 2015 outs Massachusetts holiday sales tax Weekend -end the Ministry Site Revenue. Here's a quick summary:

"The law provides that the sales tax holiday will take place August 15 and 16, 2015 and the days, not commercial sales of individual items of property detail tangible costing $ 2,500 or less are exempt from sales and use tax, subject to certain exclusions the following are not eligible for vacation sales tax exemption and remain subject to tax.: all motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, telecommunications services, gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products and any single item whose price is greater than $ 2,500. "

the display provides a few details on the rules - check if you have questions about the details. Here are some other resources:

Massachusetts sales tax holiday weekend 2015: Your guide to skip the sales tax in the state of

Retailers extended weekend tax free

2015 Connecticut tax free week - August 16 to 22

on Hartford Courant offers a good explainer of how whose feast works and some Q & a: what is tax free, which is not free during the week of CT tax.

"the new state budget, which took effect July 1, gives up 6.35 percent sales tax on most clothing, shoes and priced boots under $ 100 during this period. Since 00, the tax exemption applied to items priced under $ 300 ".

The Current notes that the sales tax is exempted for Connecticut residents who buy online or by phone if purchased in tax-free week , regardless of when the purchases are delivered. Items placed on layaway during the week are also tax free. But out of state residents need to shop in stores in Connecticut for the break.

Here is another resource for more information:
Connecticut Tax Free Week 2015: Your guide to clothing sales annual tax relief of the State

If you are traveling and you miss sales in Massachusetts and Connecticut, residents can shop online. In addition, many states offer tax-free weekends - check to see if they coincide with your travels.

As we begin the weekend Labor Day, AAA reported that drivers see Labor Day lowest gas prices since 04 - the current average price for a gallon of regular gasoline unleaded is $ 2.46, although it may vary by state. That's almost $ 1 less than the cost of last year! And gas prices are a major factor AAA to provide a very high number of people who hit the road: it is expected that 35.5 million people will travel 50 miles or more on weekends. If you are on the road, leave early and drive safely!

If you stay in New England and have not yet finalized your plans, we've put together some ideas.

ways to spend Labor Day weekend in New England
Get out and enjoy what many consider the unofficial last weekend of summer with these 15 events taking place throughout New England weekend Labour Day

events Guide Labor Day Boston 2015
Top Activities on Labor Day weekend -. do not miss the section on half price and discount ticket offers

is Labor Day Weekend Hartford! Play!
Suggestions in and around Hartford Hartford Courant

Great things to do around Massachusetts this weekend Labor Day
De MA west of Cape Cod and the islands

Fairs and festivals in Eastern mass.

Celebrate food, festivals, fairs and throughout this weekend Connecticut Labor Day!

Labor Day Weekend Fun for Children CT: Fairs, Farms BBQ September 5-7

Fairs, Festivals & Events NH Big Labor Day Weekend 2015

NH Magazine Calendar events and things to do

Activities and events Maine - September 2015

Vermont events Calendar

Rhode Island monthly events calendar