How to Drink Responsibly this Holiday Season

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holiday safety

Between the food, the friends, and the festivities, it isn’t hard to go overboard on the booze during the holidays. It isn’t always clear when or where you hit your limit, so make sure you enjoy a safer holiday with a few tips for drinking responsibly.

Slow Down

We get it. Family reunions on a holiday come with their share of both fun and stress. We get together and raise our glasses in toasts, but we also reach for another drink every time Great Aunt Peg asks why the children keep throwing food at each other. If you’re drinking because of anxiety, try going outside for a few minutes to breathe and reset instead of opening another bottle of wine.

Stay aware of what you’re drinking and why throughout the day. Drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have, and/or limit yourself to a drink (or less) per course.

Know Your Myths

A cold shower or jolt of caffeine will not sober you up.  If you’re looking to limit the rate at which your blood absorbs the alcohol, the best thing you can do is eat.

Eating has no effect on your body after you’ve already been drinking, but it will affect your metabolism if you’re eating and drinking at roughly the same time. In other words, if you really want a couple cups of eggnog at the beginning of the party, make sure it’s to wash down some hors d’oeuvres.

Make Contingency Plans

Choose a designated driver before the party or schedule an Uber. Police officers are hyper-vigilant on the holidays, so even if you don’t feel drunk it’s likely you’re over the limit.

Driving while intoxicated is extremely risky and always the wrong choice. The problem is, once intoxicated it can seem like the right choice. “I didn’t have that much…I stopped drinking an hour ago…” the usual excuses. And why? Because calling a cab is expensive? Or phoning a friend feels inconvenient? So, plan ahead when you’re still thinking straight and keep yourself and others safe.

Homeowners Insurance - Home InsuranceCall Synergy Insurance to speak with one of our friendly and helpful agents today if you’d like more information about homeowner’s insurance. We provide exceptional coverage to Florida homeowners so they can enjoy the moments that matter most, during the holidays and all year long.

Your homeowners insurance covers the basics, but what about holiday accidents? Download our Home Insurance Claims eBook today and put your mind at ease before all of the holiday craziness.

The Retail Rush: How to Cope with Increased Traffic During the Holidays

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business insurance

The Black Friday stampede keeps everyone on their toes, but it’s not the only event that poses a threat to your retail establishment. The holiday season brings both an increase in sales and an increase in damages to inventory (and customers or employees). For a safer and less stressful holiday rush, keep these tips in mind during all your last-minute sales.

Contingency Plans for the Holiday Rush

Plan ahead to improve the customer’s experience. Direct the flow of traffic in as many ways as possible so everyone knows where to go and what to do. Frenzied holiday shoppers need boundaries, so use ropes or barriers at exits and entrances as well as friendly employees to make navigating the store seamless and stress-free for your customers.

OSHA even recommends you talk to your local fire department of your plans so you can be certain you’re in compliance with safety regulations.

The Big Event 

When you hire new blood during the holiday season to help get you through the busiest months, you can count on some communication and training issues. Make sure teams have a way to assemble and share information so all employees are on the same page.

Each individual team member should know exactly what their role is in case of emergency, and there should be clear rules about the most common scenarios that may occur (e.g., a fight breaks out, a customer falls down, inventory is knocked over, etc.) 

business insuranceSynergy Insurance Group knows how crazy the holidays can be, which is why we want to cover business owners in Florida and help ensure a successful holiday shopping season. Give us a call if you’re looking for a better policy. We have plenty of options to protect your financial future and keep you covered through the holidays and all year long.

How to Safely Deep Fry a Turkey

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holiday safety

Deep-fried turkey is mouth-watering good. Home chefs everywhere are getting ready to roll up their sleeves this Thanksgiving to prepare an unforgettable meal and for many that means trying something new—like a deep-fried turkey. If you want to join the fad, take heed first—deep fried turkeys are the cause of thousands of home fires around the US every year. Avoid an accident with a little research and take the following tips to heart!

Prepping the Turkey and the Fryer

The fryer needs to be at least 10 feet away from the house and should be placed on the flattest surface you can find. Never fry a turkey on an incline.

Ensure the turkey is completely thawed and then thoroughly dried. It takes about 24 hours to thaw a turkey for every 4 pounds, so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time. If there’s any water in the turkey at all, it will expand and cause the scalding hot oil to spill over onto the burner and start a fire.

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand at all times in case of a fire. Remember—you cannot put out an oil fire with water!

Frying the Turkey

You will not be able to leave the turkey while it’s frying (it takes about 3 minutes per pound.) Be vigilant about children or dogs going anywhere near the fryer, and appoint another (sober!) adult to keep an eye on them.

Use a fryer with a thermostat or buy one of your own, and ensure the temperature doesn’t climb higher than it should (it’s normally 350° for a vegetable-based oil.)

Finally, be careful touching the fryer as the lid and sides can become extremely hot and cause severe burns.

Synergy Insurance Group wants you to get the fabled crisp skin and delectably tender meat that deep frying a turkey can bring, we just want you to do so safely! Serving our customers is our priority and protecting you is what we do best. If you have questions about coverage, contact Synergy Insurance today to speak directly with an agent. Happy Holidays and stay safe out there!

homeowners insuranceThe holidays can be stressful, and insurance coverage is probably the last thing on your mind during the hustle and bustle. Our Home Insurance Claims eBook is your one-stop guide to what exactly is and is not covered with your homeowners insurance policy. We know family time can get a little crazy, so rest assured we’ve got you covered.

 

Can I Get Auto Insurance in Florida with a Suspended License?

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auto insurance

A suspended license creates complications for car insurance, but the bottom line is: Yes, you can be insured in Florida, but know it will probably be more expensive. Yes, you still need insurance coverage. And yes, you definitely want to find an experienced insurance agent. Get expert help so you can navigate this difficult time smoothly while getting the right insurance coverage for you at the best possible price.

Florida Auto Insurance Laws 

From reckless driving to unpaid tickets, from driving under the influence to a lapse in auto coverage, there are many ways to get a suspension on your driver’s license.

Florida insurance providers usually extend car insurance to a driver with a suspended license, but only under certain terms and conditions. The exact coverage is determined by the severity of the infraction and the rules of the insurance provider.

You will need to file an SR-22 in order to drive again. If you received a suspension for driving under the influence, you will be required to carry FR-44 insurance for three years following your suspension.

Must I Keep Auto Insurance Even if I Can’t Drive My Car?

All vehicles with a valid Florida license plate must be insured at all times even if it is in storage or if the driver has a suspended license. Failure to maintain insurance on your vehicle will result in expensive fees as well as further penalties and driving suspensions.

Check Your Auto Insurance Requirements 

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will let you know exactly what you need to do to get your license back. This knowledge will inform your car insurance decisions.

To reinstate your license, you may be required to: complete traffic school, pay fees, or simply wait for the probation period to pass. As a side note, traffic school can shave points off your license, helping you avoid another suspension and improving your chances for better coverage options.

If the process sounds complicated, that’s because it is. But with the help of an expert insurance agent you can feel confident you’re meeting all Florida requirements to get your license back.

auto insuranceIf you need help getting back behind the wheel, give Synergy Insurance a try. We’ve helped countless Florida drivers stay protected and insured at the best rates, regardless of past mistakes. Get a free auto insurance quote for your car today to see what we mean. And feel free to give us a call if you need more information on how to handle a license suspension. We’ll help you stay legal and minimize hassles.

Safety behind the wheel is crucial for a clean record. In case of emergency, always have the right documents on hand. Our Auto Accident Workbook has all the important information needed to file a claim, so you can take the guesswork out of your coverage. Click the image to get your copy today, and keep it on file in your vehicle!

Should Your Imaging Center Have Additional Business Insurance?

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business insurance

If you run a medical business, you already know that hazards run high and it is critical to take precautions and adhere to procedure. From unexpected chemical reactions to result mix-ups, lab work and liability go hand-in-hand. You’re doing everything you can to keep everyone else safe, but are you doing enough to keep your business safe? Without the proper business insurance, imaging center owners can’t ensure their business won’t collapse in the event of an unexpected liability issue. Here are a few reasons why better commercial insurance can help protect your laboratory.

People and Property

It is crucial to protect your medical business from medical malpractice. We’re certain you take a variety of precautions when it comes to your specimens, but mistakes still happen. Improper disposal, mislabeling, and breakage are common and specimens are especially vulnerable to damage or mix-ups during transportation.

You’re also responsible for your employees’ safety. This includes anything from providing the proper equipment to safeguarding against chronic back injuries that arise from standing on one’s feet all day.

Additional Peace of Mind

More or better insurance coverage means less fear. Do more in your imaging center with less anxiety and additional peace of mind. A refrigeration system could break down or your property might need to be decontaminated, these are real emergencies in the lab world. They can be fixed if you have someone trusted to call and a customized insurance plan in place, but if not, then these emergencies become disasters that threaten your business. So, whether it’s a freak spill or a nasty lawsuit, make sure your business has the means to right the situation and get back on its feet.

business insuranceSynergy Insurance helps business owners conduct their operations in peace by helping them choose a commercial insurance plan that fits their needs. We provide honest advice about minimum requirements in the state of Florida as well as practical, knowledgeable advice for protecting your specific business. Contact us today to request a quote, and to learn how Synergy Insurance helps medical businesses run more efficiently.