Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year olds. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 3,490 drivers in this age group died in motor vehicle crashes in 2006 and an additional 272,000 were injured. Read More...

Article source: IIABW Bulletin

The unemployment rate in Washington fell to a near-record low in January- to 4.5%. The record low was set last March at 4.4%. Jobs grew the most (in order) in: Retail, financial activities andhealth services. The construction industry saw the biggest decline. The state Employment Security Department estimates that 181,000 people are unemployed and seeking work in Washington.

Article source: IIABW Bulletin

The average credit score of Washington residents is better than the national average, according to a report from scoring agency Experian Information Solutions Inc. The average credit score in Washington was 706, versus the national average of 692. State average scores ranged from a low of 666 in Texas to the high of 721 in Minnesota.

National Fire Prevention month is October. This is the time to encourage everyone to check their emergency escape drills, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, (including changing of battery), and emergency supplies. During this time, there is a large focus on fire prevention providing the pubic with additional topics and raising fire safety awareness. Everyday should be arson awareness. Schools, public buildings and other facilities are becoming an increasing target for arson-related fires and vandalism. Canfield and Associates is recommending all staff be given these arson prevention tips. Should you need additional assistance, please feel free to contact our office.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association, 36,000 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred, an increase of 18 percent from the previous year. Vehicle arson accounted for $165 million in property damage, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year. Vehicle arson accounted for 29 percent of all arsons.*

The U.S. Department of Justice states that arson has one of the lowest clearance rates of any major crime. The national rate for arson in 2004 was 17.1 percent. Motor vehicle clearances were lower at 7.4 percent.

Twenty percent of all arsons occur in vehicles; arson is the second highest cause of vehicle fires.

Most arson fires are started outdoors. Don't make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or easy for an outdoor fire to spread to a building.

Steps that can be taken to reduce the incidents of arson:

• Increase lighting around buildings.
• Keep leaves, trash, recycle bins, firewood, overgrown brush and shrubbery, and other combustibles away from buildings.
• Keep doors and windows locked when a building is unoccupied. Board up abandoned buildings. Do not use double cylinder deadbolt locks without keeping a key nearby, bars without quick release mechanisms, or other security provisions that could trap a person in a building with a deadly fire.
• The area of high risk at certain times of the year (i.e. Fourth of July, New Years)
• Store paints, gasoline and mowers in an approved storage location, such as: locked cabinets, locked storage units or locked garages (prevent access to children). Also, keep away from heat sources, such as furnaces and any type of heaters.
• Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police and support Neighborhood Watch programs.
• If you suspect a child is setting fires, notify the proper authorities. It may not be "just a phase" they are going through. Keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of young children.
• If you know or suspect that an arson crime has been committed, contact your local fire or police department.

Article source: Spokesman Review

Article source: Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington's Newsletter