Tragedies involving Lyme disease have become all too common in recent years. And unfortunately Lyme disease is just one of the hazards brought by ticks.

When you’re gearing up to spend a day outdoors you often remember to pack sunscreen to prevent burns and water to stay hydrated, but are you thinking about ticks? Employers with outdoor workers - is your workforce at risk of exposure to ticks? Have you educated them on proper precautions?

For both outdoor workers and individuals simply enjoying some time outside, take time to review these important tick safety considerations:

From spring to fall, the backyard becomes one of the most popular places to be! Whether enjoying a cup of coffee and reading a book, going for a swim, jumping on the trampoline, or firing up the grill for some barbecue – the backyard provides a great place to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. No matter how you prefer to enjoy your backyard oasis, don’t overlook these 6 backyard dangers. Take time to understand the risks and how you can help prevent injury or incident. Make sure you’re considering these as part of your personal risk management strategy to protect your family and home.

Whether it’s a camping adventure, gathering around a backyard fire for s’mores, or to keep you warm on a chilly evening – a bonfire can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends!

June is National Safety Month. While workplace and home safety are important every day of the year, the National Safety Council (NSC) specially focuses on safety during the month of June to help educate the public. Highlighting the following four themes throughout the month, the NSC aims to reduce the leading causes of injury and death – at home and in your workplace.

Umbrella insurance is the subject of a few misconceptions that lead people to think it’s unnecessary. Some believe it to be applicable only to the lifestyles of the extremely wealthy, while others think their existing homeowners and auto policies provide enough protection. Both of these views fail to take into account how much exposure the average person is subject to on any given day. You drive your children to school, take your dog for a walk, update Facebook about your interaction with an unfriendly neighbor, have friends over for dinner—all without realizing that a single mishap or accident during any one of these activities could result in a lawsuit.

Have you ever dreamt of ditching the standard hotel room in favor of British castle or spending your vacation on a private island instead of a crowded resort? Thanks to home-sharing services such as Airbnb and HomeAway, either option is now attainable with the click of your mouse.

If the term “home-sharing” is unfamiliar to you, just imagine Uber’s business model with shelter taking the place of transportation. Home-sharing services are community marketplaces that allow people to rent out their houses, apartments, or even spare rooms to guests visiting the area. The practice offers travelers a unique alternative to hotels, and it can be a great way for homeowners or tenants to bring in extra money.

But while its benefits can certainly be extolled, the practice of home-sharing is not without risks. Whether you’re interested in hosting or renting, understanding how to best protect yourself from potential liabilities is the key to a successful home-sharing experience.

The saying goes “April showers bring May flowers,” but storm season can sometimes do more harm than good when it comes to your foliage. Fallen trees can result in significant damage, so this is the ideal time to review what is covered by your insurance policy when it comes to the damage they cause.

Here are five different scenarios involving fallen trees and your homeowners insurance policy:

Spring brings rising temperatures, extended daylight, and blooming flowers. Though the cold weather and icy road conditions of winter are gone, it’s important to remember that the spring and summer months have their own hazardous weather conditions that require preparation.

According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle deaths increased 6% in 2016 over the 2015 data, with an estimated total of 40,200 lives lost. The annual death toll from car crashes hasn’t surpassed 40,000 since 2007, so the new data is concerning.

Why such an increase? Officials say part of this escalation can be attributed to higher road density. An improving economy and higher employment rates combined with lower average gas rates to put more drivers on the road, and these motorists are covering more ground.

Whether you’re flying two states over for a business trip or exploring a new country on your dream vacation, travel requires a lot of planning. In the midst of booking flights, confirming hotel rooms, reserving rental cars, and packing suitcases, travel insurance can seem like an unnecessary addition to your to-do list. Ask any seasoned traveler for advice, however, and they’ll tell you it’s the one thing you should never set off without. No matter how much planning you’ve put into your trip, the unexpected can, and often does, happen. The good news is, you can plan for that too—and purchasing the right travel insurance policy is just the way to do it.