New Year's Eve is a night of festivities to celebrate the coming year. Our advice is always to make safety a priority. Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or traveling to a party or city bash, following a few tips can keep you safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the new year!

Not only do the holidays come with yummy sweets and the risk of a few extra pounds, they also pose safety hazards by increasing the risk of fire and injury. Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure nearly 3,000 people and cause over $900 million in damage. So our wish for you is to save any burning for the few extra pounds and have a safe holiday season by following these important tips:

America has a serious weight problem. Public Service Announcements to eat better and get active can be seen and heard on television and radio. The concern about the nation’s health has even reached the White House, with First Lady Michelle Obama launching the Let’s Move campaign to fight childhood obesity.

The Thomson Reuters Workforce Wellness Index (WWI) recently published research indicating 6 behavioral risk factors could be linked to 14% of direct healthcare costs in the employed, privately insured workforce. The risk factor with the most impact on healthcare cost is Body Mass Index (BMI). While this study and others have demonstrated BMI’s link to an increase in health risks and costs, many have begun to question the usefulness and accuracy BMI.

Do you rent out rooms and/or your entire home for Notre Dame or Colts football games?  Maybe you’ve thought about doing it but weren’t sure where to start? Our recommendation would be to begin by making sure you’re protected.

Many insurance companies will exclude coverage for liability and theft for this situation. However, there are several insurance companies that will cover this exposure. It’s important to tell your insurance advisor if you are, or are planning to, rent out your home or rooms in your home. Your advisor will want to know how many rooms you are renting out and how many weekends a year you plan to rent.