The Allstate Blog » Melissa

Road Sign Colors and Shapes

Melissa — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:11 +0000

If you read our recent post on the history of road signs, you may recall that the first stop sign appeared in Detroit in 1915 -- but it didn’t really look anything like it does today. The New York Times reports that the first stop sign was a 2-foot square metal sheet that had black letters on a white background. The stop sign -- and many of the other signs created to help guide motorists and provide important information -- evolved over the decades into the recognizable shapes we're accustomed to today.

The Shape of Things

In 1923, the shapes of signs started to evolve. The New York Times reports that after that first, square stop sign, other signs with more sides were designed to indicate a higher level of danger. A circular sign denoted the most risk, thanks to what can be seen as its infinite number of sides. As a result, circular signs were recommended for railroad crossings. The stop sign adopted an octagonal shape, which signaled the second-highest level of danger. Diamond-shaped signs were designed to provide warnings, while rectangular signs were intended to provide information. Setting standardized shapes for certain signs made sense since lighting wasn’t always ideal at that time. The thought was that it would be easier for drivers to react to known shapes, even if they couldn’t read the signs at night.

The Black-and-White Era

Not unlike the first TV sets, this first crop of road signs didn’t offer much in the way of color. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, most early signs were white with black letters, and manufacturing limitations meant that no road sign could be bigger than a 2-foot square.

The Dawn of Color

Color is an important part of road signs today; many drivers know what a sign means simply by those factors alone. Some of those sign colors go all the way back to 1924, when officials began discussing which color combinations to use on various types of signs. One of the color combinations discussed at that point was the stop sign's now-familiar white lettering on a red background -- but those colors weren't adopted immediately. At the time, a report indicated that it was easier to see a yellow sign than a red sign at night, so when the first manuals standardizing road sign colors were introduced in the late 1920s, the stop signs were yellow. The New York Times reports that the color red has always signified the need to stop, and while red stop signs were considered early on, producing a durable, red reflective material wasn’t possible until the late 1940s or early 1950s. The nationwide change from yellow to red stop signs didn't come until a few years later in 1954, when the DOT’s manual called for a red sign with white letters.

Road Signs Today

Now, stop signs have been red for so long that many people don't remember it any other way. The colors of other types of road signs can also give an indication of their meaning. Here’s a rundown of some of the more common colors and some examples of signs you might see out on the road: [slideshow] So, now you know a little more about the shapes and colors of signs -- from the plain black-and-white square signs of the 1920s to the iconic colors and shapes of today.

Fad or Fab? 4 Unusual New Car Features

Melissa — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:41 +0000

Pop-up headlights? Hidden gas caps? Record players? These may not come standard on the car you drive, but automakers have been innovating with quirky features like these for decades. While you probably don't have a third headlight on your car, as the 1948 Tucker Sedan did, some of your 21st century ride's standard features might have seemed like sci-fi 65 years ago. Below, we take a look at some interesting features on cars of the 2000s. Who knows -- maybe they're the wave of the future!

MINI's Openometer

Ever wonder how much time you’d spend with the top down if you owned a convertible? Well, if you buy a MINI Cooper Convertible or a MINI Cooper Roadster, you won't have to guess. MINI's Openometer measures and displays how long you've driven with the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin -- let's just hope it doesn't rain.

Kia Soul's Optional Speaker Lights

The Kia Soul stands out with its unique, boxy look, and it also proves that you don’t need to spend luxury car money to get a stereo system that adds some visual appeal. The Soul’s optional Infinity Audio System comes with speakers that light up, and can be set to pulsate with the beat of the music. The system is also created to sound as good as it looks, with a central speaker, a Subwoofer and an external amplifier.

Volkswagen’s Kaeferfach

[caption id="attachment_4716" align="alignright" width="300"] Flikr/sarahlarson[/caption] Everyone can spot the Volkswagen Beetle's iconic shape and flower vase, but it has some other features that may not be so well known. For example, have you ever heard of the Kaeferfach? It's the Beetle's second, upper glove box (I used mine for my sunglasses!). It's a fitting name, too -- if you don't speak German, "Kaeferfach" means "Beetle bin."

Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat

If you like that vibrating chair on display at Brookstone, Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat might get your attention. Available on the Cadillac ATS and XTS, the seat vibrates to help alert drivers to potential hazards on the road. If you get too close to another car while you’re parallel parking, for example, or if you drift out of your lane, the seat will vibrate to alert you of the issue. Unfortunately, Shiatsu massage isn’t an option yet. Whether it's for style or safety, fun or entertainment, these are some of the innovations you can see at car dealerships today As automakers continue to innovate, do you think any of these unusual features will become the new standard?

Do You Know What to Do After a Car Accident? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Melissa — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:54 +0000

You're driving in bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic during rush hour on a Tuesday evening. Just as you glimpse your long-awaited exit, the car in front of you slams on the brakes. You stop just in time -- but then the car behind you slams into your back bumper. Oh no! You've been in an accident! Would you know what to do if this happened to you? There are a lot of things to consider after a wreck on the road, and knowing what steps to take can help ease the stress of an already nerve-wracking situation. Check out the infographic below for some helpful information: Looking for more information about car accidents and insurance? Check out the Tools and Resources section of Allstate.com.

A Few Handy Tips About Car Accessories

Melissa — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:52 +0000

Adding special features to your car can be appealing for many reasons. Whether you want to install a cool new spoiler to take your car from "ho-hum" to "wow," or if you want to install a rear-view camera, there are pluses and minuses to installing aftermarket parts. Here are some things to think about when considering new car accessories: [slideshow] Call Your Agent Some adjustments you make to your car -- including installing aftermarket parts -- may have insurance implications. If you have questions about what's covered, contact your Allstate agent for more information.

Shoppers Play it Safe When it Comes to Car Colors

Melissa — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

In the early 1900s, Henry Ford once said, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.” By offering just one color, Ford managed to streamline the production process, improve quality and lower prices. As a result, the Ford Model T is often regarded as the first mass-produced car that the working class could afford. Conservative Color Choices Take the Lead While black was the popular color of most Model Ts for obvious reasons, AOL points out that car color trends gradually change over time. We may not notice dramatic changes from year to year, but the differences between decades can be significant. By the 1950s, for example, car colors had evolved to vibrant shades of red, blue and yellow. Today’s most popular car colors are a bit more conservative. According to the 2012 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report, white cars accounted for 24 percent of the North American market in 2012. Black cars came in second, at 19 percent of the market, and silver was the third-most popular color, at 16 percent of the market. However, that doesn’t mean that automakers are afraid to take risks with dramatic paint schemes. The new Ford Escape is available in a distinctive shade of light blue called Frosted Glass, while the Nissan 370Z comes in unique colors like Black Cherry and Midnight Blue. If you’re considering a Volkswagen Beetle, you can choose colors like Yellow Rush and Toffee Brown Metallic. [slideshow] Perception Drives Color Choices White, which was also popular in the 1980s, has made a resurgence for a few reasons. FOX News points out that Apple may have contributed to the shift, noting that the company’s all-white stores and polished products are considered modern and high-tech. And unlike the Model T's monochromatic paint scheme, a variety of white color tones are available today, ranging from flat or bright white to a metallic pearl. White also has a built-in advantage over other colors since it’s popular with business owners who buy work trucks and paint logos on them. Forbes indicates that silver was the top color from 2001 through 2006, but that white has consistently been one of the top color choices since 1998. In addition, Forbes writes that black and white are both colors that represent luxury, class and quality, which is why they’ve remained popular. While certain colors evoke a premium feel, other factors may have steered us toward white, silver, black and gray. FOX News writes that these conservative colors became more popular when the economy took a turn for the worse. Since shoppers planned to hold onto their cars longer, they were less likely to take risks than they would be with with loud, flamboyant colors. The colors we choose may also depend on where we live. According to car coating manufacturer PPG, there are more red cars in North America than most other areas of the world, while black and gray vehicles are more popular than silver ones in Europe. In Asia, silver and white tie for the top spot, and about 7 percent of the cars in each of these regions are blue. Color Affects Car Values The color of your next car is ultimately a personal choice, but choosing something other than pea-soup green may pay dividends when it’s time to sell or trade your vehicle. Kelley Blue Book writes that choosing a popular color now will likely help your car maintain its value to a potential shopper five years down the road. Sticking to silver, white, black and gray are the safest bets, while loud colors, such as yellow, orange and purple, may negatively affect your car’s value when it’s time to sell. Color choice overrides brand loyalty too, as Kelley Blue Book indicates that 39 percent of buyers will likely shop another brand if they can’t get their preferred color.

While there are infinitely more color choices today than when Henry Ford introduced the Model T, for the moment, most car shoppers are playing it safe with cars that are white, silver, black or gray. If you were heading out to buy a new car, what colors would catch your eye on the showroom floor?

Spring is Here: Get Your Home Ready!

Melissa — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:32 +0000

Spring weather was a little late in arriving in many parts of the country this year. Chances are, by now, you're probably seeing some daffodils and tulips and hearing birds singing in the budding trees. The arrival of spring brings thoughts of spring cleaning -- and getting some maintenance projects under way before summer means you'll be able to relax and enjoy your home by the time spring gives way to summer. Here are some home maintenance tips to help you welcome the arrival of spring weather.

Weatherstripping

The U.S. Department of Energy says weatherstripping the windows on your home is an easy and effective way to save money on your energy bill. Weatherstripping is a material you can apply around your window and door frames to ensure there's a good seal. During the harsh winter months, it can help keep the warm air inside the house, and the cold drafts out. In the spring and summer, weatherstripping works the opposite way, helping to keep the cool air inside and the warm air out. If you didn't install weatherstripping before the winter cold set in, you may want to take this opportunity to seal your windows before you have to turn on the air conditioner -- which could help save you money on your energy bills year-round. In the summer, if the cool air is contained inside, then the AC will not have to work as hard, and that may help you save money on your energy bill. The same can be true of your furnace when winter rolls back around. Thinking about installing weatherstripping? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you apply weatherstripping to clean, dry surfaces in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Click here for more information.

Indoor Maintenance

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition, an opportunity to sweep the cobwebs from your home, clear out the dust that accumulated during the winter and let the sunshine in. While you’re up to your elbows in soap, washing the windows, defrosting the refrigerator and tackling what seems to be a never-ending list of spring cleaning chores, you might as well make a maintenance checklist, too. On those warmer days, you may want to do the following: Test and clean ceiling fans. According to the the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an efficient ceiling fan in each room you want to cool can help allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without reducing your comfort level. Ceiling fans are not only a good way to air out the house and generate a cross-breeze, but they have the potential to help you save money on your energy bill. With ceiling fans keeping the house cool, you may not have to turn up the AC as high. So, now might be a good time to make sure your fans are clean and ready to start cooling you off this spring. Replace your AC filter. While the warm weather is still technically several weeks away, you want to make sure your air conditioner is prepared and ready to go. The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends you replace the filters in the air conditioner in the spring. A new filter will optimize the efficiency of the unit. Replace torn or damaged window screens. If you don't have an air conditioner, or if you simply like to keep the windows open in the spring and summer, it's a good idea to make sure your screens are in good shape -- you don't want to let flies in with all that fresh air! Winter storms and wind can damage window screens, so it may be a good idea to assess any damage and replace what needs to be fixed. Exterior Upkeep Your window screens aren't the only parts of your home that can fall victim to nasty winter weather, so you may want to take stock of your home's condition. The National Center for Healthy Housing suggests that in the springtime, you may want consider these outdoor maintenance projects: Check your roof shingles. This should be done by a licensed professional, as working on the roof can be dangerous without the proper training. You should ask the roofing professional to make sure the shingles are not curling or clawing. If they are, they are susceptible to leaks and may need to be replaced. Replace rotten siding or trim. Make sure your home's siding and trim aren't damaged from windy, icy conditions. If your home is made of brick or stucco, look for any crumbling or deteriorated mortar. If you find a problem, contact a professional for help with repairing or replacing the damaged materials. Clean gutters and downspouts. You're making sure the inside of your home is clean; why not make sure your gutters are, as well? Get rid of any leaves of other debris that accumulated during the winter to make sure your gutters and downspouts are ready to take on those April showers. This job, too, is best left to a professional, as climbing on a ladder is required. So, now's the time to get those spring maintenance projects under way. By the time those May flowers start to bloom, you will be able to enjoy them with the peace of mind of knowing your home maintenance is up-to-date. If you need a reminder to perform maintenance tasks at your home, click here to sign up for the Allstate Maintenance Reminder tool.

From Rome to Detroit: A History of Street Signs

Melissa — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:00:10 +0000

Cruising down the highway, the open road is decorated with green interstate signs, orange construction signs and even electronic signs that tell you what's ahead. Signs are such a common part of the American roadway infrastructure that we may take them for granted. But, have you ever thought about where road signs came from? To answer that question, we must go back to ancient Rome--and its milestones. When you think of a "milestone," you may think about a personal achievement or a rite of passage - major events that mark an important place in your life's journey. But this term originally had a much more literal meaning: The ancient Romans used tall columns called "milestones" to relay information to travelers on its roads. They indicated how far away Rome was, and gave travelers directional information, and were some of the earliest road signs in the Western world. Signage stayed simple for centuries, until the advent of the automobile created a more urgent need for a clear, organized system. In Europe, the Italian Touring Club began lobbying for better road signs in 1895. Across the pond, U.S. street signage remained basic until the turn of the 20th century, when the current system began to take shape. At the time, it was not uncommon to come across roadway signs that were broken or unreadable; in many instances, the necessary signs simply didn’t exist. That began to change in 1899 when, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a group of car owners met at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City to form a car club. One of their priorities was to post and maintain signs on key roadways, which would guide motorists to specific destinations. In the years to come, organizations in other areas of the country followed suit. In 1905, the Buffalo Automobile Club put up a network of signs in New York, and in 1909, the Automobile Club of California installed signs on major roadways within a 250-mile radius of San Francisco. The DOT says interest in establishing road signs grew as other clubs formed, and in the early 20^th century, 40 to 50 percent of heavily trafficked roads in some areas could have as many as 11 competing signs pointing travelers in the same direction. As time went on, efforts were made to standardize the colors and shapes of the signs that were popping up along our nation’s roadways. Cleveland became home to the first electric traffic signal in 1914, and the first stop sign was posted in Detroit in 1915, according the DOT. Wisconsin was the first state to put up official route signs in 1918, and in 1920, Detroit got the first three-color traffic signal. Just as our cars and roadways have evolved over time, the DOT says road signs continued to evolve in order to “accommodate increased traffic, higher speeds, more commercial traffic, and roads that serve travelers 24 hours a day in all types of weather.” Now, in the days of electronic billboards and highway signs that give up-to-the-minute travel times, it's clear that street signs have come a long way since the milestones of Rome.

Stop Electronic Identity Theft: 5 Steps You Can Take Now to Protect Your Digital Life

Melissa — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:00:29 +0000

One of my favorite things to do is to grab my laptop, walk to the coffee shop down the street from my apartment building, grab a table and sip some cappuccino while perusing Pinterest. One evening last week, I was getting ready to leave the coffee shop when a friend walked in. We started chatting, I got distracted, and when I finally left, I grabbed my purse -- but not my laptop bag. I realized this when I was about two blocks away from the coffee shop, so I sprinted back. As I ran, I was thinking furiously of all the information on that computer -- my irreplaceable vacation photos, financial software with my checking account records, all my passwords. When I burst back into the shop I found that luckily, an honest customer had given my laptop to the barista, and my information was safe. Phew! But, what if someone with less moral character had come across my laptop? I started looking into what criminals can do with your personal data and realized I was lucky I hadn't become an identity theft victim. Scam artists often use stolen personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, PINs and other sensitive details -- much of which was stored on my laptop -- to commit various types of fraud, from taking out credit cards in a victim's name to fraudulently using a stolen identity to get a job. According to a report by Javelin Strategy and Research, in 2011, about 28 million Americans became identity theft victims. So, I learned some ways to help protect my digital life. One strategy is to put extra security layers in place. For example, back up your personal files to both an external hard drive and a paid cloud storage provider – should something happen to either copy, you will have a duplicate. Stronger passwords and data encryption are also important. If you're like me, and you haven't really thought much about your digital security, there are some steps you may want to consider. Here are five things you can do right now to help stay safe: Get security software that updates automatically. As the efforts to outmaneuver identity thieves evolve, so do the thieves' tactics. OnGuardOnline.gov says one way to combat this is to make sure that the security software, operating system and browsers on your computer are up-to-date. You can usually set these programs to update automatically. Set up an external drive for data storage. OnGuardOnline.gov suggests backing your computer data with an external hard drive. You may also want to consider printing off your most important files, such as financial documents and family photos, so if your digital copies are compromised, you'll have hard copies. Store the drive or hard copies in a fireproof safe or emergency kit. Put it in the cloud. Like your laptop, computer or smartphone, external hard drives are vulnerable to fire, flood or theft. PCMag.com suggests backing up your data to an online data storage server, also known as keeping it "in the cloud" -- which means that it is protected no matter what happens to your home. A paid storage provider will archive all your files, which you can access via a user-friendly website. Not all cloud storage providers offer the same services, and not all are both Mac- and PC-friendly, so you'll want to evaluate your specific needs when researching cloud storage providers. Strengthen your passwords. Never use the same password for more than one account login. Be creative with your passwords. The Federal Trade Commission suggests thinking of a phrase or word and then substituting numbers and symbols for some of the letters. Encrypt your data. Guard online transactions by using an encrypted, secure connection. Not sure if a site is encrypted? Check your browser’s status bar. A “lock” symbol means that your data can be safely exchanged. The FTC also warns that you should be careful when using public wireless (WiFi) networks; an unsecured network means anyone can see what data you send and receive (unless you are visiting an encrypted website). Save personal financial transactions, like checking a bank account balance, for secure networks. My brief panic about my lost laptop has made me want to take measures to protect my information. Hopefully, you'll learn from my mistake and plan ahead to keep your digital life safe from identity thieves.

Stump the Identity Thief: 7 Tips to Create a Strong Password

Melissa — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:00:12 +0000

According to the Internal Revenue Service, identity theft and credit card fraud are growing global concerns. From phishing scams to sophisticated hacking rings, cyber thieves continue to develop creative ways to compromise your personal information. Internet security can be tenuous and, at times, easily breached, and both the IRS and Federal Trade Commission recommend you safeguard your personal information with a strong password. Here are seven password tips that will help you stump an identity thief and keep your information and financial accounts protected. 1. Don't use your dog's name. The IRS suggests that you refrain from using any personal information in your password. That includes Social Security numbers, maiden names, birthdays, anniversaries, the names of children, pets, or anything else that can be guessed, researched or discovered by a hacker. 2. Make them hunt through the "haystack." Steve Gibson, security expert and president of Gibson Research, suggests using a password that is long and contains upper-case and lower-case letters and special characters. Using various types of characters in a long password increases the number of combinations a hacker has to try in order to crack your password. Gibson likens these attempts to figure out your password to finding a needle in a haystack; so, to hide that needle, you should use more characters, and characters of different types, to make the "haystack" larger. 3. Old passwords = vulnerable. According to the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (USCERT), it’s a good idea to change your password on a regular basis, especially after accessing accounts via a public computer. If you keep the same password to a certain website for many years, identity thieves have that much more opportunity to decode it. A rule of thumb is to change your password every 45 days. It's especially important to change your password after using it on a public computer, because browsers on public computers can, in some cases, store your passwords, making them vulnerable to theft. 4. Try a pass phrase. If you feel your memory is sharp, then consider creating a pass phrase. A pass phrase is a long string of unrelated letters, numbers and punctuation marks. While a pass phrase can be difficult for a user to remember, this type of password is also very difficult to crack. 5. Use a sentence. If you don't think you're going to be able to remember a cryptic string of characters, one idea is to think of your password as a sentence and then use the first letter of every word, mixing in caps and lower-case letters and a few numbers that you can remember, as the actual password. 6. Memorize all passwords. Do not store the information in a wallet, in a purse or on a cellphone. If you need to write the password down, be sure it’s stored in a secure location. 7. Do not use the same password for work and personal accounts. In fact, the USCERT recommends that you use a different password for each website account you access. That way, if one of these passwords becomes compromised, the thief will not have access to a second account. While identity theft and credit card fraud are a risk, you don't need to feel vulnerable or unprotected. Use these seven tips to create a strong password, and you'll not only stand a better chance of stumping an identity thief, but you could also give yourself greater peace of mind when it comes to Internet security.

5 Tips to Protect Your Identity at Tax Time

Melissa — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:23 +0000

Whether you owe money or are expecting a refund, preparing your tax return on your own or hiring a professional, tax time can be, well, taxing. The last thing you probably want to worry about is identity thieves tapping into your financial accounts, opening new lines of credit or committing other types of theft or fraud. But according to Identity Theft 911, tax season is a prime opportunity for identity thieves. W-2s and other Internal Revenue Service tax forms contain a wealth of information--everything from Social Security numbers to financial account information--that can be a target for resourceful criminals. Protecting your identity, however, doesn't have to be difficult. Follow these simple steps to help safeguard your personal information from hackers and identity thieves during tax season. 1. Be vigilant with your information online. According to the IRS, impersonation schemes thrive during tax season. This is when thieves claiming to represent the IRS send emails, make phone calls or send traditional mail in an attempt to steal people's Social Security numbers or other sensitive personal information. However, it's important to remember that the IRS says it does not contact people by email or social media, so, if you're the recipient of any electronic messages, you should know that they are fraudulent. If you suspect that a piece of mail you’ve received is part of a scam, you can visit IRS.gov for information on how to determine whether it is authentic. 2. Keep an eye on your mailbox. While cyber-crime has become many thieves’ preferred method of obtaining personal information, it's still important to closely monitor your mailbox. All official tax forms are delivered by mail, and some thieves find it easier to simply open someone's mailbox and steal their forms than figure out Internet passwords in order to reap personal information. 3. Leave your Social Security card at home. According to the IRS, you should not, at any time, carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse. The card should be kept in a safe place, preferably in a safe-deposit box or another secure location. If your Social Security card is in your wallet and your wallet is stolen, then it’s possible your personal information can fall into the hands of identity thieves. With your Social Security number, a thief can compromise your bank account and open new lines of credit. 4. Be crafty with your password. Refunds from electronically filed tax returns are typically direct-deposited into financial accounts, which can help protect a refund check from being stolen from your mailbox. However, if you e-file, you need to know how to do so safely. One way to protect yourself is by creating a strong user password on the website through which you file your tax return. To ensure Internet security, incorporate a series of numbers, letters and punctuation marks into your password. 5. Know your tax preparer. Fraud rings have been known to front as tax preparation centers. Scam artists prey on the unsuspecting customers of these centers, stealing personal information and sometimes redirecting their tax refunds. According to Forbes, there have also been instances when a corrupt tax preparer has sold a client's information to a criminal, who then used the information to file for a fraudulent tax return. The bottom line? It's a good idea to research your tax preparer or accountant and make sure he or she is legitimate and ethical. In addition to taking steps to thwart tax-time identity thieves, you may also want to consider purchasing identity theft restoration coverage, which can alert you to potential fraud and help you repair any damage to your identity in case you do become a victim.