Shoveling snow is a prime source of emergency room visits. Using improper posture and inadequate shovels can lead to serious back or other injury. There have been many reported cases of heart attack due to the stress shoveling imparts on the body. Spend the money on a good solid snow shovel in the beginning. Buying cheap, plastic ones will only end up costing you more money as you may need to continually replace them when they break. It may also increase your risk of injury. New shovels are designed with your physical health in mind and help take the weight off your back and knees.

If you already suffer from health problems, consider buying a snow-throwing machine. There are many options now available, including a compact and lightweight model that can easily be maneuvered by the young and old to clear smaller areas like sidewalks. They are relatively inexpensive and may not work well in deeper snow. The bigger industrial ones are good for clearing bigger areas and are able to work in higher depths of snow. Find a neighbor who has a snow-thrower and offer to pay a reasonable amount to come and clear your driveway. You could even try the barter system – your homemade blueberry pie for his snow-blowing services. Always use common-sense during inclement weather. You will end up saving yourself a lot of frustration, pain, injury, and money!

Practical Tips for Staying Safe in A Winter Storm was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Protecting yourself as a renter is important. Any number of things can happen at any time. Like a homeowner, you need to look closely at insurance. Many insurance companies offer an HO-4 policy that will cover your personal property from such things as fire, lightning, vandalism, theft, damage caused by plumbing, heating, or air-conditioning problems, and explosions. Two things rental insurance will not cover is loss from earthquakes and floods. A separate policy is required for that type of coverage if you are living in a region where that would be a concern.

Insurance companies offer policies based on Actual Cash Value, which pays for what your belongings were worth at the time of the damage or theft, and Replacement Cost Value, which will reimburse you for what it costs to replace the items.  If you bought a new mattress five years ago for $1,000, ACV coverage would pay you for what the mattress would be worth today; an amount considerably less than it was five years ago. With RCV, the insurance company would reimburse you the amount it would cost to buy a new mattress today. Most insurance companies use the ACV policies, which carry lower premiums than the RCV coverage but the ACV policy also will pay out less money that the RCV. Both types of policies also will subtract the deductible first.

Like most insurance, your premium for renter’s insurance will depend on where you live and other factors. Keeping a higher deductible can keep your monthly payments lower. There are discounts available for things like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. It is important that you keep an accurate and updated inventory of your all of your property. A good way to keep track is to videotape everything you own. Keep the video and all receipts for items in a firesafe or a bank safe deposit box off premises. In the event something does happen, you will not need to worry about retrieving your documents from your home.

ARE YOU COVERING MORE THAN YOUR RENT? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.