Search CompleteMarkets

When thinking of the cause of a kitchen fire, it is common to think of cooking. But not all kitchen fires start because of cooking hazards. Non-cooking related fires commonly involve refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers. The following tips can help prevent non-cooking related fires from occurring in your kitchen. Plug all kitchen appliances, including microwaves, toasters and coffee makers, directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord as it can overheat and cause a fire. Use the right outlet for the right appliance. For larger appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators, be sure to only use properly grounded outlets with circuits that match the rating plate on the appliance. If you have older 2-prong outlets in other locations of your kitchen, have a qualified electrician replace it with a properly grounded 3-prong outlet. Do not use an adapter. Replace any power cords that become frayed or otherwise damaged. Never use a cord that shows cracks or other damage. When moving kitchen appliances, be aware of power cords. Rolling over or pinching power cords can damage them. Unplug small appliances when not in use. Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up food splatter or grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking. Check and clean stove hoods and filters regularly. If your stove hood vents externally, make sure insects or birds do not build nests or otherwise impede air flow through it. Never use a gas or propane oven to heat your home. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also give off toxic gases. What to Do If a Kitchen Fire Flares Up By exercising caution at all times in your kitchen, you can help reduce the risk of a kitchen fire. But if a fire does flare up, you need to be prepared. Your safety should always come first. If you are unsure about whether it is safe to fight the fire, leave the scene, call 911 for help, and let the fire department control the fire. If a small fire flares up and you are going to attempt to extinguish it, call 911 for help first. A fire may grow out of control more quickly than you anticipate. It is safer to have help already on the way. Using a fire extinguisher

1 9 -to-10-pound bone-in fully cooked smoked ham (butt or shank half) 2 tablespoons whole cloves (optional) 1 1/2 cups glaze Directions Remove the ham from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Trim off any skin from the ham. Use a sharp paring knife to score through the fat in a diagonal crosshatch pattern without cutting through to the meat. Insert the cloves into the ham (if using), placing them at the intersections of the cuts. Put the ham, flat-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour 1/4 inch water into the bottom of the pan. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 130 degrees F, about 2 hours, 30 minutes (about 15 minutes per pound). Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Pour half of the glaze (see below for glazes) over the ham and brush to coat. If the water in the bottom of the pan has evaporated, add more. Return the ham to the oven and roast, basting every 10 minutes with the remaining glaze, until glossy and well browned, about 45 more minutes. Total Time: 3 hr 55 min Prep: 40 min Cook: 3 hr 15 min Yield:12 servings Level:Easy Ham Glazes: Apple-Maple Glaze Directions Boil 2 cups apple cider in a saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low; add 1/2 cup each apple jelly and maple syrup, 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, 1/2 teaspoon allspice and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Mustard-Orange Glaze Mix 1 cup light brown sugar, 3/4 cup dijon mustard and the grated zest and juice of 1 orange in a bowl. Recipe and image provided by: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-glazed-ham-recipe.html

Your weekly update on what's happening on CompleteMarkets. Featured Markets | Latest Discussions | Latest Blog Posts | Did You Know?

WHEN YOU CHOOSE MIDLANDS for your clients’ commercial property needs, you choose insurance with customizable coverage options, claims reliability and broad coverage. You choose competitive rates for your clients and competitive commissions for you. With the assistance of a team of underwriters with decades of combined experience we make writing commercial property easy. Place your next commercial property risk with us to find out why we’re a favorite among agents and an industry leader.

Do you know what hoops your client goes through to get Non-emergency Medical Transportation Insurance?

A vacation is your time to relax and enjoy life. Vacation is for fun and relaxation. Help save yourself some worry about what could be happening at home by protecting it from theft and damage while you are away. Here is a checklist we have developed to help you have a relaxing and peaceful vacation. Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off. Clean the refrigerator of all perishable foods, and take out the garbage. Lock all windows and doors. Arrange to have the newspaper and mail held until your return, or have them picked up by a trusted neighbor. Arrange to have your lawn mowed (or snow shoveled) while you are away. Ask a neighbor to set out your trash on collection day and then retrieve empty cans and recycling bins the same day. Let a trusted neighbor know you will be away and have them keep an eye on your home. It is a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency. Never leave your house key hidden outside your home. Set timers on interior lights. Make sure to unplug televisions, computers and appliances susceptible to lightning and power surges. Advise your alarm company and local police if you will be gone for an extended period. Store jewelry and valuable items in a safe-deposit box. Arrange for the care of pets. Set the heating system to provide minimum heat of 55 degrees.

Our Transportation 1-10 Unit program is recognized as a growing leader within the whole industry. Most of our team members have the first-hand knowledge that is needed in this industry as they have previously worked as truckers, specialist underwriters and retailers.

The arrival of summer means days at the pool, family barbeques, picnics, sports and other outdoor activities. Follow these tips this summer to keep your whole family happy and healthy: Staying active in the summer months The arrival of spring and summer means days at the pool, family picnics, baseball and other outdoor activities. Here are some tips to keep your family physically active in the warmer months: Hydrate! Drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity to avoid dehydration. For low-calorie flavor, add slices of your favorite fruits such as melon, oranges, berries or even cucumber or mint to a pitcher of water and refrigerate for two hours. Protect your family from the sun: wear wide-brimmed hats, always apply water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Heat safety: avoid intense activities between noon and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. Dress for the heat: wear lightweight, light colored clothing, choose light, breathable fabrics such as cotton, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Head indoors: when the heat gets unbearable, try indoor activities at your local YMCA or rec center like basketball, swimming, yoga or racquetball. Heart-Healthy Cookout Ideas Warmer weather may mean it’s time to break out the grill, here are some tips and ideas for a healthier grilling cookout: Go fish! Fish, especially oily fish like tuna and salmon have great nutritional benefits including omega-3 fatty acids. Rub a fillet with lemon juice and parsley or rosemary for enhanced flavor. Make a better burger: if you’re grilling burgers, be sure to buy lean or extra lean beef, drain off the excess fat after cooking and avoid making huge patties – remember that a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards (3 oz). Add finely chopped green pepper to your beef to get in some veggies. Baked fries: Slice white or sweet potatoes into sticks, lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray, pepper and paprika and bake on a cookie sheet for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Veggie kabobs: load up skewers with mushrooms, peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash or other veggies. Spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray and grill until slightly blackened. Try grilled corn on the cob: leave the husks on, and grill for about 30 minutes over medium flame, rotating occasionally. Remove from grill, let cool for about 5 minutes, remove husks and enjoy! Healthy Road Trip Road trips can take a toll on everyone – here are some ideas to keep things healthier while on the open road: Make “rest breaks” active: pick a road stop or park and get the family out of the car to take a brisk 10-minute walk and move around. Not only will it burn off some energy, but it can also help the driver feel rejuvenated and more alert. Pack healthy snacks: finding healthier snacks at road stops can be difficult. Pack apples, grapes, raisins, whole grain fiber-rich crackers or another favorite low fat, low sodium healthy snack to take with you. Pack to play: plan to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine while you’re away from home. Pack a football, soccer ball, Frisbee, or paddle balls so that you can be physically active throughout your downtime. Reach for water: sitting in the car for long periods of time can make it tempting to drink soda, which has extra calories and added sugar. Pack water (flavored or regular), fat free or lowfat (1%) milk and small portions of 100% juice to quench your thirst. Summer Snack Ideas Try some fun and refreshing summer snacks that the entire family can enjoy: Fruit pops: Homemade freezer pops are an easy, fun treat for kids to make. Mash up fruit like peaches, grapes, berries or watermelon and put them in paper cups, insert a popsicle stick, freeze overnight and enjoy! Cool and crisp: keep a variety of colorful veggies on hand that stay cool and crunchy for   a refreshing treat – baby carrots, cucumber slices, and celery sticks are just a few ideas. Fruit smoothies: blend your favorite fresh fruits with fat-free or low-fat yogurt and ice for a refreshing drink or freeze and eat with a spoon like a frozen ice chill. Mix it up: make your own trail mix using your favorite unsalted, oil free nuts, seeds and dried fruits (just be sure to keep your servings to 1.5 ounces or 1/3 cup). Just slice and serve: summer months are peek season for most fruits, just slice and serve – the whole family will enjoy the refreshing natural sweetness and juices just the way nature made ‘em! Enjoy your summer, the healthy way! Content provided by https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/Summer-Tips-for-a-Healthy-Heart_UCM_303868_Article.jsp

Our Transportation 1-10 Unit program is recognized as a growing leader within the whole industry. Most of our team members have the first-hand knowledge that is needed in this industry as they have previously worked as truckers, specialist underwriters and retailers.