The tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which occurred a century ago, ushered in a new era of workplace safety, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

• Automatic fire sprinkler systems: The chances of a worker dying in a fire, and the average property loss per fire, are both cut dramatically when these systems are in place. In fact, insurance companies would prefer that all multi-story buildings have automatic fire sprinkler systems, although such requirements are generally dictated by local government building codes.
• Mandatory fire drills: Employees working in high rise buildings are typically trained, by either their employer or the building’s management team, on how to exit their building in the event of an emergency.
• Smoke alarms and smoke detectors: These are standard devices in almost all U.S. workplaces, whether the business is housed in a high-rise building or a single story structure.
• Proper storage of flammable materials: The Triangle Waist Company fire accelerated quickly because the workplace was tightly packed with wooden tables and chairs, which sat alongside sewing machines that used oil. Meanwhile, bundles of combustible cloth and tissue paper were lying everywhere when the blaze started, according to a National Fire Protection Association analysis of the historic fire. Today, no insurer would stay in business for very long if the businesses it insured habitually filled their workplaces with such obvious fire hazards.

The beginning of spring is the time for cleaning up and cleaning out. Take a day or a weekend to wash the windows, put away the sweaters and blankets and organize your life after the long winter season. Not only is this the perfect time to clean out your messy closet, but it’s also the perfect season to organize your insurance records.

At least once a year it’s a good idea to shake the cobwebs off your insurance policy documents and review your coverage. Here are some quick tips for spring cleaning your insurance and making sure your polices are up-to-date and offering you the protection you need.

What to look for in your:

Auto Insurance Policy
Review your coverage limits and make sure they still adequately cover you,  anyone else listed on your policy and your vehicles. Are there any new drivers in your household? Be sure to add them as a driver on your policy. Are you eligible for any new auto insurance discounts? Check with your agent to see if you qualify for any discounts that can help you save on your car insurance premium. (Hint: If you own a home, combine your home and auto with the same provider and you can usually save up to 20% on your home insurance.) Also, make sure you aren’t insuring vehicles or drivers that are no longer in your household.

Home Insurance Policy
Take a look at your dwelling coverage to make sure you have enough coverage to replace your home back to its current condition after a total loss. If you have made any upgrades to your home since you last reviewed your policy, you will want to make sure the replacement value of your home does not exceed your coverage limits. Also consider if you have enough Contents Coverage to replace the items in your home. If you have acquired any expensive items (jewelry, electronics, etc) recently you will want to make sure these are covered under your policy, otherwise, you might need to schedule an endorsement on your policy to cover these items individually. Also, check your liability coverage  if you have recently become more at risk for a lawsuit (for example, if you added a swimming pool or trampoline onto your property). You might need to disclose information to your insurance company or add additional coverage.

For a complete outline of what is typically covered under a home and car insurance policy, visit Bucci Insurance online.

Roger Williams University, located in Bristol Rhode Island, is making waves regarding ethical practices. Currently two separate groups of students all Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) members are part of initiatives to generate awareness and create action among students, faculty, and the community at large about ethical behavior.

The first initiative entitled, “Random Acts of Kindness,” is a national Public Relations campaign inspiring peoeple to practice kindness and pass it on to others. Random Acts of Kindness is comprised four students who understand that reaching out to share kindness with your community makes it a better place for everyone to live. Some of the events the team has coordinated to share kindness include, passing out fortune cookies with random acts of kindness, a balloon drop, with each balloon sharing a kind sentiment, and wearing red for a day in support of the cause. The article has already been featured in the student newspaper the, Hawks Herald. Show your support for Random Acts of Kindness by following on Facebook and Twitter. What will your random act of kindness be today?

The second student initiative focuses more on academic integrity. Their public relations campaign, “Illuminating Integrity,” seeks to bring attention to the newly revised Academic Integrity Policy at Roger Williams. Within the first 24 hours of the campaign’s launch there was over 20 faculty emails received in support of the campaign and interested in helping.  The goal is to enrich learning on campus through an emphasis on honor and integrity. The students hope is that this sense of integrity also translates into the faculty and students daily lives. The campaign highlights a few of the most common acts of unethical behavior at RWU to connect with students and share the importance. “Illuminating Integrity” has also employed the power os social media, support this campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

These efforts really embody the core values at RWU, namely Love of learning as an intrinsic value, preparation for careers and future study, and a commitment to community through service and sustainability.

As a small business in Rhode Island, Bucci Insurance understands the trials and tribulations local businesses face on a daily basis. This understanding drove owner, Tony Bucci, to organize a social media and networking seminar to aid local business development. The purpose of this seminar is to engage small business encouraging networking and informing attendees about social media, two powerful resources. If you are interested in bettering your business using social media, but are not sure where to start or how to attain your social media goals this is the seminar for you.

Bucci also understands that small businesses may not have the excess funds to spend on social media information, which is why this event is FREE. Join Bucci Insurance and over 50 other Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts business on April 7th, 2011 from 6:00-8:00pm at the The Airport Radisson Hotel in Warick, RI.

Bucci Insurance Group welcomes special guest speakers: Tim Sawyer (President of Astonish Results, a leading Digital Marketing company based here in RI) and Kelly Donahue, Vice President of Raving Fan Managers at Astonish Results, as they present new and innovative ways to take your business to the next level and talk about the new face of marketing to the modern consumer.

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot now online and check out our event Facebook page!

Newport is going green for the month of March in celebration of Irish Heritage Month. Celebrate all that is Irish during this exciting month-long event featuring Celtic storytelling, Irish step-dancing, interesting lectures, afternoon teas, an Irish coffee contest, Jameson Irish whiskey tastings and a festive St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The 55th Annual Newport, Rhode Island Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held, rain, snow, or shine, on Saturday, March 12th 2011.  It will begin promptly at 11:00am from Newport City Hall and will proceed to Carroll Avenue at Saint Augustin’s Church in the heart of the Fifth Ward.  The parade this year is estimated to last 2 hours and will include 8 Pipe Bands, 9 Marching Bands, 3 Fife & Drum Corps, 3 Clown Units, 8 reenactment units, and a host of local, state, and regional organizations including police and fire units, social/fraternal organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Schools, and non-profits.

Some of the other exciting events taking place are:

Bits O’Irish Humor- featuring Blarney, leprechauns, and laughs-with The Bit Players: Newport’s Comedy Improv Troupe. Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, Newport. BYOB.8:00pm.  All seats $15.00. Mention  Irish Heritage Month and get $5.00off each seat.

Traditional Irish Music Session- Fastnet Pub, One Broadway, Newport. Live traditional Irish music hosted by A. O. Guttierez, Tim May,  and Jack Wright. 5:00-9:00pm. 845-9311.www.TheFastnetPub.com

Bus Tour of Irish Newport- From Hibernian Hall, Wellington Avenue, Newport. Sponsored by Viking Tours and the Museum of Newport Irish History. Space limited. Reservations required. Coffee and Danish at 9:30am. Bus leaves promptly at 10:00am. Free but donations accepted. Reservations: 846-8865.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner- St. Augustin’s Church Hall, Carroll Avenue, Newport. Sponsored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. 6:00pm. Tickets: $15.00. Available at Creaney Cruise & Travel 849-8956 and  Deborah Winthrop Fine Lingerie 682-2272.

For more information and Irish celebrations check out Newport Irish Heritage Month online. Bucci Insurance will surely be partaking

in the fun, hope to see you there!

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, emails and sales pitches creating a cluttered message. Personal relationships enable you to stand out and rise above the noise. Networking is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization.

If you are local business in the Rhode Island area interested in tools to increase business, you need to attend Bucci Insurance’s free social media seminar. Networking is about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships. This seminar is a place for you to generate relationships with other proactive businesses interested in the same outcome, more business. Not only will these relationships provide referrals, the seminar will also teach you how to leverage social media to increase business and continue these newly made networks via the Internet.

There were over 50 guests in attendance last year, meaning the potential for over 50 new referrals for your business. Please join Bucci Insurance for this free social media & networking event:

The Airport Radisson Hotel

Over 70 percent of all boating accidents are due to inattention, speeding or boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol, warns the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). In fact, there were over 6,400 accidents resulting in 4,272 injuries and 681 fatalities in 2009.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, education is the key to preventing boating accidents. Last year, 80 percent of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety course.

Although collision with another boat is the most reported type of accident – hurricanes, theft and fire also pose a significant threat to boat owners. In fact, over 40 million dollars worth of boats are stolen each year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

With private boats costing over 29 billion dollars in 2001, having the appropriate property and liability coverage is essential, warns the I.I.I.

Canoes, small sail boats, and boats equipped with motors that are less than 25mph are generally covered under a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Coverage is usually about $1000 or 10 percent of the home’s property value and it generally includes the boat, motor, and trailer combined. Liability coverage is typically not included – but it can be added as an endorsement to a homeowners policy.

Larger and faster boats, yachts, and personal watercrafts such as jet skis and wave runners require a separate boat insurance policy. For yachts, damage to the craft, including the hull, is covered. These policies also provide broader liability protection. A boat insurance policy will cover:

• Bodily injury – for injuries caused to another person.
• Property damage – for damage caused to someone else’s property.
• Guest passenger liability – for any legal expenses incurred by
  someone using the boat with the owner’s permission.
• Medical payments – for injuries to the boat owner and other passengers.
• Theft

The type of vessel, the horsepower of the engines, the value of the vessel, and the location where it is kept are all factors in determining coverage and premium.

To be a safer boater, the U.S. Coast Guard suggests that you:

• Get a free vessel safety check by calling 1-800-368-5647 or visiting http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org.
• Monitor the weather forecast and let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you.
• Check engine, fuel, electrical and steering systems, especially for exhaust-system leaks.
• Keep marine-type fire extinguishers accessible and in condition for immediate use. Make sure they are matched to the size and type of the boat.
• Equip the vessel with required navigation lights and with a whistle, horn or bell. Consider additional safety devices, such as a paddle or oars, a first-aid kit, a supply of fresh water, a tool kit and spare parts, a flashlight, flares and a radio.
• Make sure that every person on board the boat wears a life jacket and don’t permit riding on the bow, seatbacks or gunwales. Every year, 80 percent boater fatalities are attributed to a missing life jacket.
• Never boat under the influence. In 2001, alcohol was involved in more than one third of all boating fatalities.

Has filling your gas tank been putting a bigger dent in your wallet lately? Gasoline prices, on average, are up 80 cents from this time last year, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). And the EIA expects prices to continue rising to about $3 this summer.

There are ways to keep gas costs under control. Here are five tips.

Comparison shop. GasBuddy.com lets you search for the lowest gas prices in your zip code. You may find that the gas station you usually use charges several cents more than other stations.

Fill  up with regular. Most cars don’t need the pricey, premium-grade gasoline. According to EIA, a gallon of premium-grade gas costs 23 cents more, on average, than regular-grade gas. ($3.47 versus $3.58 the week of March 1st).

Tune up your car. Regular maintenance can help detect problems — a clogged air filter, improperly inflated tires, wrong grade of oil — that could be lowering your car’s gal mileage.

Dump the junk in your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in your trunk can lower your gas mileage by 2%, and luggage on a roof rack can decrease your gas mileage by 5%, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Drive efficiently. You can improve a vehicle’s gas mileage by up to 5% by avoiding quick starts and stops, according to the FTC. Gas mileage also decreases as you accelerate beyond 60 mph. Driving less miles and taking better care of your car can also affect your auto insurance rates.

If you are a growing business owner or even a regular Internet user you undestand the prominence of social media. what you may not understand is the importance of social media and how to use it.

Facebook adedd 100 million users in less than 9 months, it took television 13 years to reach 50 million. Social media is a revolution, if you would like to be part of the future join Bucci Insurance Group for a social media & networking seminar.

The event will discuss: business strategies, mobile technologies, strategic communications, business social networking, and how to leverage social media to generate business. Bucci Insurance Group welcomes special guest speakers: Tim Sawyer (President of Astonish Results, a leading Digital Marketing company based here in RI) and Kelly Donahue, Vice President of Raving Fan Managers at Astonish Results, as they present new and innovative ways to take your business to the next level and talk about the new face of marketing to the modern consumer!

No company wants to  be the next social media casualty, so join us for this free event:

Thursday, April 7th, 2011 at The Airport Radisson Hotel in Warwick, RI

6:00-8:00pm

Space is limited so reserve your spot now! Check out the event on Facebook for more information!

Your credit history can work for you or against you. Your proven ability to manage your money and meet your financial obligations is an indication of your maturity and stability and can open many doors. Prospective employers, landlords, lenders and even your insurance company view a strong credit history as a positive sign that you will meet your obligations and responsibilities to them as well. A poor credit history could result in not getting that apartment or dream job, and paying more for insurance coverage and higher interest rates on your mortgage and other loans.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurers often generate a numerical ranking based on a person’s credit history, known as an “insurance score,” when underwriting and setting the rates for insurance policies. Actuarial studies show that how a person manages his or her financial affairs, which is what an insurance score indicates, is a good predictor of insurance claims. Insurance scores are used to help insurers differentiate between lower and higher insurance risks and thus charge a premium equal to the risk they are assuming. Statistically, people who have a poor insurance score are more likely to file a claim.

The best way to build a solid credit score is to make a habit of always paying your bills on time in full each month. Your goal should be to build a long history of reliable bill paying behavior. To maintain your good credit history, check your credit report every year. Look for errors and correct them as soon as possible. By law, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three reporting agencies once a year.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. For more information, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site on credit.