Senior Safety Tip of the Month – November 2022

ALL WEATHER TIRES: It’s time to start thinking about tires for winter

Prepapring to drive south this winter? If you’re not interested in the added expense of a second set of tires and rims, changeover and storage, All Weather tires may be the ideal solution. With their improved performance, all weather tires are growing in popularity among mature drivers. There are three factors to consider with the All Weather tire segment:

1. To qualify for auto insurance discounts and some provincial regulations, All Weather tires must carry the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake (TPMSF) symbol. It means they meet strict performance specifications and are designed for use in severe snow conditions. And most auto insurance companies specify four tires must be installed and maintained November through April.
2. If you must drive in severe winter conditions or live in a snow belt area, there’s no substitute for a 100% dedicated winter tire. However, if you have to option to stay off the road in terrible conditions All Weather TPMSF tires may work for you.
3. All Weather tires typically wear faster than other tire categories due to compounds that allow low temperature adhesion and durability in summer heat. Like all car and light truck tires, tire life will also depend on vehicle type, terrain, driving habits, etc.

And remember: tire supply and appointments will be in high demand starting in late October / early November, so it’s best to think about your tire options long before winter arrives!

A Senior Safety Tip Special Report

Aggressive Charitable Donation Requests: Two Step Protection Program

If you’re comfortable donating to a trusted, legitimate non-profit that respects you and your money, please continue. However, if you find yourself being approached by an aggressive or unscrupulous organization, follow Sergeant Bob’s easy two step program before donating your money or sharing any financial information:

1. When approached by an organization, ask for the registered name (both spelling and abbreviations) and most importantly, their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) charitable registration number.
• Visit Canada.ca and search for the List of Charities.
• Ensure the organization is REGISTERED, not fraudulent, under review, penalized, suspended or cancelled.
• Entering the charitable registration number under “Advanced search” yields a faster, more accurate search than the name.

2. If approached by an organization in person, by phone, online or via mail, follow Sergeant Bob’s tried & true C.P.R. test, and stop the discussion IMMEDIATELY if you feel:
• C – Confused… about the organization, where your money is actually going, payment plans, etc.
• P – Pressured… about the results, fears and feeling of guilt of not donating.
• R – Rushed… into quickly donating, sharing PIN information, eliminating your research time.

To learn more about Sergeant Bob’s C.P.R. test - “First Aid” for Potential Fraud Victims, Click Here.

Senior Safety Tips COVID-19 Update

FRAUD ALERT: Investment Safety Reminder for Seniors

Sergeant Bob doesn’t provide investment advice but does remind investors – seniors in particular – to slow down and do your research before investing, especially during COVID-19 when scammers have been more aggressive.

This is a timely reminder, following an extensive RCMP investigation and January 2022 sentencing of two Individuals convicted of defrauding 1,900 investors out of millions. Even with the conviction, the chance of victims recovering any lost money is low.

It may sound simple, but alarm bells should be going off when a deal sounds “too good to be true”, such as the promise of high return with NO risk. Other signs to watch for include the advisor and/or company no being registered, any suggestion of insider information, and being forced to “invest now”.

Sergeant Bob recommends that you follow his general C.P.R. fraud prevention guidelines, and stop the investment process if:

• C – you are feeling CONFUSED • P – you are feeling PRESSURED • R – you are feeling RUSHED.

For tips on avoiding investor fraud and professional advice on ethical investing, individuals and investment firms look to:

• The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre • Canadian Securities Administrators

Senior Safety Tips COVID-19 Update

Respect Disabled Parking Spots: “I was only there for a minute” doesn’t just cut it!

Because of COVID-19, you’ll likely see changes to parking lots and signage as we adapt to pedestrian access, physical distancing, cart sanitizing, barriers, etc. Let’s take care of those who need our assistance whether it’s inside the building or in the parking area.

It should go without saying that the designated parking spots and disabled permits are intended to minimize discomfort and risk to individuals dealing with a temporary or permanent health issue. And yet, some drivers without the legitimate permit routinely use the spots marked for disabled parking.

• If you have a legitimate parking permit, ensure that it is CLEARLY DISPLAYED so there’s no confusion or argument.
• STAY OUT of the spots designated for disabled parking unless you are authorized to use them.

When the appropriate charge is laid by police or bylaw officer, the common response is “But I was only in the spot for a minute”. This excuse is of no interest to the person laying the charge or to the person with a disability circling the parking lot in frustration.