NY State Lawmakers Pass School Bus Safety Bills:

The New York State Senate today passed a series school bus bills that will ensure child safety and enhanced communication.

A bill was passed, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, that increases the penalties for passing a stopped school bus (S.3099A). The legislation would impose a sixty day suspension of a driver’s license if convicted of passing a... stopped school bus two or more times.

This legislation would make the penalties for passing a stopped school bus multiple times the same as penalties for drivers convicted of speeding in a construction zone two or more times.

The Senate also passed a bill, sponsored by Senator James Seward, that would give school districts the option to put their website on their school buses (S.2371). Currently, school districts are only permitted to affix their phone numbers on the rear of the school bus, but with advancements in technology and communication, some school districts have created websites which have become an increasingly important tool for communication.

A third school bus bill was also passed by the Senate relating to “school bus” signs. Currently, school bus signs are required to be illuminated, but this legislation would allow for the signs to be constructed with reflectorized materials. The bill, sponsored by Senator Charles Fuschillo, is intended as a cost-saving measure while still supplying the necessary safety precautions (S.4488A).

Advancements in technology have made the illuminated sign requirement on school buses obsolete. Existing technology for photo-reflectorized coatings and graphics similar to those used on traffic signs will allow for signs to be made economically, with industry-standard materials, and offer advantages beyond the illuminated signs.

The current required illuminated signs are more expensive, both initially and to maintain. New York is one of only two states – the other being Maine – that require this feature. Additionally, these lights accumulate snow and ice and are often times found to be the source of water leaks and leading to structural corrosion. Both of these negative externalities can now be avoided with the use of reflectorized coatings and graphics.

The bills have been sent to the Assembly

What is Covered on Your Home, Condo or Renters Insurance Policy?

Here's what you need to know about insuring your home, no matter where you choose to make it.
Insured Hazards: Residential coverage insures your dwelling and/or personal property against common causes of damage and loss, such as theft, vandalism, fire, lightning, ice, wind, and plumbing malfunctions, among others. However, some hazards will not be covered, including floods, earthquakes, and hazards that affect the land itself but not the building, such as contamination. When considering residential insurance, ask your agent which perils are included in the basic policy, and which may require separate or additional coverage.
Homeowners Insurance: A homeowners policy is typically the most comprehensive form of residential insurance because it covers a house's exterior and interior, as well other structures on the property, such as a garage. The policy will also cover residents' personal property, including clothes, furniture, electronic equipment, and other household items. (Additional coverage may be needed for especially valuable items.)
Before buyers finalize a mortgage, lenders usually require that they purchase a homeowners policy, so if you're in the market for a house contact an agent to start the process. If you already own a home but have no insurance, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that the average cost to insure a single-family home is about $800 per year. That's peace of mind for an affordable price.
Condo Insurance: Like homeowners insurance, condo insurance is usually required by lenders as a condition of the mortgage. However, the cooperative nature of a condominium adds a few twists to a traditional homeowners policy. Usually the building's exterior, common spaces, and some unit structural elements will be covered under the condo association's master policy. The cost of this insurance will be included in the dues paid to the condominium association.
The coverage needed for your particular unit will vary depending on the master policy. Most likely, you will be responsible for buying a unit policy that insures most of the interior elements – including additions, renovations, and improvements – as well as your personal property. Review condominium association documents, like by-laws or covenants, for information on the insurance requirements for unit owners. You can also purchase additional coverage for special assessments against unit owners to pay for repairs to common property or other expenses.
Renters Insurance: When you rent an apartment, your landlord is usually responsible for insuring the building's physical structure, both inside and out.
As a renter, you alone are responsible for insuring your personal property against theft, damage, and loss. And unlike homeowners and condo insurance, renters insurance is not usually required as a condition of occupancy. That means the decision to carry renters insurance is up to you. It's an easy decision to make, though. The average renters insurance policy costs around $12 a month, making it an affordable option for almost any budget.
Loss Of Use And Liability: A residential insurance policy will also typically include coverage for loss of use and liability. Loss of use means that living expenses in excess of your normal daily budget are covered if you temporarily have to live elsewhere because your home was made uninhabitable by an insured event, such as a storm or fire. This may include hotel costs, meals, and other expenses.
Liability insurance covers settlements and claims against you for physical injury to others for which you are responsible, as well as damage you cause to others’ property. This protection is an important part of your financial security.

January Home-maintenance checklist

TIPS on trying to PREVENT WATER DAMAGE from bursting pipes and leaks in your home.

The dead of winter is the time for the greatest vigilance in your home-maintenance routine. The most important job this month is to head off damage to your home from water and dampness from a number of sources:
• Groundwater and rain seeping into your home.
• Leaky pipes inside the walls.
• Pipes bursting from freezing and thawing.

Take a tour
After a winter storm, get outside as soon as you can. Walk around the house, checking for damage from wind and broken tree limbs. User binoculars if you can't see your entire roof. Scan for loose or missing shingles.

Give special attention to vulnerable pipes — indoors and out — that are exposed to the cold, including hose bibs, pipes in outside walls, garden sprinkler lines, swimming pool pipes and pipes in unheated attics, basements and garages.

Take these steps to safeguard against damage from frozen and bursting pipes:

If practical, insulate any pipes exposed to the cold. Ask hardware-store personnel for the best materials for the job.

Seal any leaks that are letting cold air in, especially around dryer vents and pipes and where electrical wiring enters the house.

Search for uninsulated water supply lines in the attic, garage, basement and crawl spaces and in bathroom and kitchen cabinets adjacent to outside walls. During a cold spell, open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathroom so the home's heat can reach them. (Reminder: Put harmful household cleaners out of the reach of children.) Keep doors shut tight in the garage and outside closets and cupboards during freezing weather.

When temperatures drop below zero, open both hot and cold faucets a trickle to relieve pressure in the pipes. Locate your home's water shut-off valve; learn how to turn off the water quickly in case a pipe bursts.
If you'll be gone in freezing weather, even overnight, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house for broken or leaking pipes. Show him or her how to shut off the water. Keep temperatures inside the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above, night and day, even when you're gone. Promise yourself that when the weather improves you will add to the installation in the basement or crawl space and attic.

Leak prevention
Install small, battery-powered individual leak alarms, also called flood alarms, under the refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom drain pipes, dishwasher and laundry appliances and behind toilets. Cost: around $10-$15 each. Check to make sure your sump pump is operating properly. If it has a battery backup, unplug the pump from the wall and test it. Look for pests seeking shelter cold weather drives mice and insects into the walls of your home. Even unheated parts of the house invite these pests. Insects need only a crack to enter, and mice can get in through a dime-sized hole. Houseflies, particularly, pose a health risk because they can transmit disease.

Seal any cracks where pests enter. Empty compost and garbage frequently. Keep food covered and put away; keep counters clean. Fix leaky pipes quickly. Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly, preventing the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge; scrub removable drain covers weekly.
Check basement, attic, crawl spaces and the back of cupboards and cabinets for mice droppings or holes. If you find evidence, install traps immediately or call a pest-control service.

Pick up and dispose of outdoor pet waste promptly; turn compost piles frequently.