Dog Bite Liability Coverage

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, resulting in about 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. A single lawsuit - even if won by the dog owner who has been sued - can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and lost wages. The greater the dog owner's assets, the more potential there is for risk. The personal liability coverage available through your standard homeowner's policy may not be enough, although The McCurdy Group recommends a limit of $500,000. The best protection is a personal excess liability policy, also called an umbrella policy; an umbrella's limits range between $1 million and $5 million.

Dog bite claims account for more than one-third of all homeowners liability claims, costing $412 million in 2009. Payouts have increased 30% in the past six years

Be on the Lookout for Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can spread germs that can make you very sick and may even cause death. Protect yourself and your loved ones by avoiding mosquito bites:

• Use bug spray when outdoors
• Wear long sleeves and other clothing to help reduce mosquito bites
• Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active (sunset to sunrise)
• Install or repair door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home
• Remove standing water from around your home (in bird baths, tires, bottles or cans) so mosquitoes can't breed there

Information about West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is available by calling the Massachusetts Department of Public Health information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), the Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800 or 2-1-1. Learn more about the 2-1-1 program in your area.

ATVs Can Be Dangerous

A recent National Safe Kids Campaign report stated that over 30,000 children, age 14 and under, were treated in emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries (fractured bones, head and facial injuries) and 44 children in this age group died as a result of ATV related injuries (head and neck injury). Children ages 10-14 accounted for more than 75% of the deaths. As a comparison, ATV related injuries are 12 times more likely to result in death than bicycle-related injuries. Nearly 90% of ATV-related injuries suffered by children under age 16 were caused by adult-sized ATVs (ATVs that are 90cc or larger). Additionally, reports show that males account for 60% of the ATV-related death among children ages 14 and under. Youths account for more than 33% of the ATV fatalities, but made up only 14% of the riders. Injury and fatality numbers are expected to grow as ATV sales continue to climb. Clearly, the ATV can be a dangerous vehicle.