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In February, a meteor-now known as the Chelyabinsk projectile-exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk and the surrounding Ural region as it zoomed toward Earth. More than a thousand people were hurt by flying, broken glass. The meteor shattered countless windows, set off car alarms, and blew off doors. The energy of the blast was 40 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb! Though the whole thing happened in seconds-climaxing with a flash of blindingly bright light at the moment of impact-the effects of the incident were widespread. Footage of this event is readily visible online; check out the breathtaking-and terrifying-clips in this You Tube film:

Though this was the first instance of a portion of cosmic projectile striking Earth in contemporary times, it was certainly not the first time such an event has occurred. In 1908, part of an asteroid that was twice as big as the Chelyabinsk flattened over 1,000 square miles of forest in another area of Russia-proof that the notion of meteors and comets doing damage to planet Earth is not the stuff of science fiction. It is, indeed, reality, a reality for which some people are trying to become more prepared.

This April 2013, the International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference took place in Flagstaff, Arizona. During the conference, which was called "Gathering for Impact!" experts from around the world gathered to share ideas about planetary defense. Participants discussed what they already know about the possible threats posed by comets and asteroids, as well as ways we might be able to protect ourselves from them. Participants also addressed political and policy issues. Some have asked for scientist to spend more time monitoring the area known as "near Earth space" in order to better anticipate approaching space rocks. Others argue that increased monitoring wouldn't make much of a difference, since small meteors such as Chelyabinsk projectile are darkly colored and can enter the Earth's atmosphere from a position called "day side," rendering them invisible.

So what's the best way to prepare for the most unpredictable of events? Naturally, we think it's insurance. Who knows? Someday, there might even be a homeowners' insurance rider designed to your property from comets!

For any of your insurance questions, Contact Mike Preis Insurance today.

Home sweet home is an obvious place to give a good scrubbing once springtime in New York arrives. It's time to wipe the grime out of every nook and cranny, wash the carpets and curtains, and pack away the space heaters and down blankets.

Doing so can revitalize your business and put a new spring in the steps-no pun intended-of all your employees. Here are some tips:

• Declutter: Rid your business environment of all extraneous, unnecessary stuff: papers, broken supplies, ancient inventory that you can't seem to sell, etc. When doing so, remember to be earth conscious: recycle everything you can, dispose of all chemicals in the appropriate manner, and take used electronics to a facility that can repurpose or restore them, or make tax-deductible donations of still-useful items to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill.
• Liven Up the Landscaping: Consider planting some brightly colored flowers and lush plants around the exterior of your place of business. This may help to attract new customers, and is a natural mood-lifter. If you can't make these alterations to your business's outdoor environment, bring some potted plants and flowers inside. Let their fragrance and hues breathe new life into your business!
• Improve Functionality: Spring is a good time to upgrade and purchase tools, equipment, or technology for your business that is more functional and efficient. For example, consider replacing outdated cash registers or credit card machines with a multi-tasking computer system. Get rid of bulky file cabinets and scan all your documents into digital files that can be stored on a hard drive.
• Go Green: Spring is a time when we tend to appreciate the earth's beauty and bounty, so it makes sense to do what we can to preserve it. Consider making your place of business greener by installing a solar heating system, putting energy-efficient light bulbs in all fixtures, using recycled rainwater to hydrate your landscape, or designating special bins where employees can deposit their recyclable waste.
• Re-Evaluate Relationships: Relationships-between employees and between the business and its customers-are really what make a company thrive. This spring, re-evaluate the way your business approaches relationships. Do you have healthy relationships with your employees and do they get along well with each other? How do you maintain positive connections with your current clients? How to you attract new clients? Consider incorporating community-building activities into the workplace, such as potlucks, picnics, or sports events. Create a newsletter to stay in touch with your existing customer base, and try new forms of advertising to gain new customers.

For any of your insurance questions, Contact Mike Preis Insurance today.

We all know that pollution affects the soil, air, and water in our outdoor environment. Many of us in New York have taken measures to minimize harm to our planet, but what about our indoor environments-the places we call home?

When you're seemingly safe inside your house, you may assume that you and your loved ones are protected from all the toxic pollutants that poison the outdoors. The scary truth, however, is that home air pollution is a reality-and an all-too common one.

In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that the air inside can be as much as five times more polluted than the air outside. This is largely because of the furnishings decorative items we choose to surround ourselves, as well as the cleaning products we think we need to keep all our possessions pristine.

Since the EPA has its hands more than full trying to enforce earth-friendly policies pertaining to the health of our outdoor environment, the responsibility for minimizing indoor air pollution falls squarely on the shoulders of homeowners.

So what's a homeowner like yourself to do in order to make your dwelling a safe, clean, and healthy environment that's free from pollution? The first step is to understand-and eliminate-the sources of indoor air pollution. They include the following:

• Carpets: The ideal home for an irritating combination of pet dander, dust mites, dirt, fungus, and other tiny particles, carpet can contribute to lung irritation, allergies, and asthma. It can also be harmful because it releases cancer-causing chemicals, including formaldehyde, that are seriously dangerous to humans. The American Lung Association actually suggests avoiding carpets altogether.
• Paint: Lead paint, which was banned in the U.S. 30 years ago, is still present in many older homes. As it ages, cracks, and peels, it transforms into a poisonous dust that is harmful if inhaled or touched. Think covering up old lead paint with modern paint will solve the problem? Be careful; even contemporary paints release toxins that aren't good for your health. Always choose a paint that is labeled as low-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds). And when you paint, open windows and use fans to ensure there is plenty of ventilation.
• Toxic Cleaning Products: Instead of spending money on chemical-ridden cleaning products full of poisonous chlorine, pesticides, and harmful solvents, simply make your own using such mild, effective, and inexpensive ingredients as vinegar and baking soda. Recipes for homemade cleaning products are easy to find online. You can save a bundle, get everything clean as a whistle, and make your home environment much safer.
• Wood Fixtures & Furniture: Like carpet, furniture, shelves, countertops, and other furnishing fashioned from pressed wood typically contain formaldehyde. These wooden facets of your home will "off-gas," releasing the formaldehyde over time, effectively poisoning the air in your indoor environment. To prevent this, choose wood fixtures and furniture that are not made of pressed wood.
• Air Purifiers: Oddly enough, the machines that are purported to purify the air in an indoor environment can actually be extremely harmful to human health. Many air purifiers put out large quantities of ozone, which is not safe. The primary component of smog, ozone can cause asthma attacks, coughing fits, and scarring on the lungs. If you feel compelled to use an air purifier, make sure to choose one that has not been included on a "buyer beware" list published by the California Air Resources Board; there were over 30 listed!

For any of your insurance questions, Contact Mike Preis Insurance today.