Tag Archive for: #ncdeptofinsurance

Follow Boating, Water Safety Rules To Keep Recreation Activities Fun, Enjoyable

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– information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Insurance

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging everyone to take extra precautions during one of the most popular water recreational times of the year.

“Independence Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our freedom on the water with friends, family and neighbors,” Causey said. “Beaches, lakes and waterways will be crowded 4th of July weekend. Many of us will be either in the water or on watercraft. It’s important to remember to be safe and responsible as you head out on the boat, jet ski, kayak or as you swim during these celebrations,” he said.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has reported 37 boating incidents  across the state thus far in 2024. “We’ve had far too many water deaths and close calls this year,” Causey said, adding that those boating incidents resulted in seven deaths.

Remember these boating safety reminders if you are a boat owner and are entertaining others on board, or if you are a rider on a boat:

  1. Always wear a life jacket – no exceptions. Make sure EVERYONE on board has a life jacket that is serviceable, properly sized, correctly fastened and suitable for your activity. Adults and children should always wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats or jet skis, around open bodies of water or when participating in other water sports. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have the child make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big, or the straps may be too loose.
  2. Don’t drink and boat. It is illegal to operate a boat while intoxicated, in North Carolina or any other state. The bulk of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is highly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.
  3. Learn CPR. We know you have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. Especially when operating watercraft. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better. Local hospitals, fire departments and recreation departments offer CPR training.
  4. Use an engine cut-off device: An engine cut-off device is a proven safety device to stop the boat or jet ski’s engine if the operator unexpectedly falls overboard.
  5. Use caution when towing a skier.
  6. Be careful when around swimmers.
  7. Always carry the required safety equipment, such as a first aid kit, emergency flares, beacon lights, etc.

The beaches will be crowded this summer. Remember to pay attention to the warning flags at the beach that indicate the possibility of rip currents. A rip current’s force is strong enough to pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

  1. If caught in a rip current, stay calm, don’t fight the current and escape the current by swimming in a direction parallel to the shoreline.
  2. If at any time you are unable to reach the shore, draw attention to yourself and call for help.
  3. Most people believe a drowning person involves flailing arms or frantic calls for help, but that is not the case. Drowning happens quietly when a helpless person is unable to take a breath.

Recently, Commissioner Causey joined the Surf City Fire and Ocean Rescue Team and Surf City Mayor Teresa Batts to highlight how to stay safe on the water this summer.

View our video from Surf City.

View our boating safety video for more boating safety tips.

Causey Names Fire Marshal Successor In Wake Of Legislative Action To Separate Role From Insurance Commissioner

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N.C. Department of Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey let the cat out of the proverbial bag earlier this afternoon in remarks at Central Fire Station on Dabney Drive about some upcoming changes to unyoke the state fire marshal’s office from his department.

“This morning, I had to make some changes in the office of the state fire marshal,” Causey told a gathering assembled to celebrate the 33-year career of retiring Batallion Chief Doug Owen.

The way Causey sees it, the General Assembly is “trying to screw with the setup” by removing the state fire marshal from under the insurance department and making it a stand-alone entity.

Causey said he has named Tony Bailey to lead the fire marshal office, effective Nov. 1.

Bailey also was at the retirement gathering and he spoke with WIZS News after the ceremony was over. Bailey has worked for 15 years helping fire departments lower their ISO rating.

Causey said 80 percent of the state’s more than 1,200 fire departments have improved their ISO ratings. “I can’t understand why the Legislature is doing what it’s doing,” Causey said, of removing the fire marshal from the insurance office.

He said he asked the General Assembly to postpone for a year, but that was not approved, so the changes will take effect Jan.1, 2024.

The new rules call for Causey to name a replacement for himself as fire marshal, and he chose Bailey; the selection will be subject to General Assembly confirmation. The bill that was approved said the fire marshal’s office, although still located within Causey’s office, may act independently.

Bailey said he will do his best to keep operations going and as normal as possible, but there is a lot of reorganizing to do and it will take time to fill positions.

You won’t find him sitting behind a desk in Raleigh, Bailey told the gathering. “I’m here for you, here to work…and to keep our fire marshal’s office on top.”

The insurance commissioner has served the dual role of commissioner and fire marshal for the past 85 years, Causey said, and it is an effective relationship – fire departments work to lower their ratings and that has a direct effect on homeowners’ insurance bills. Lower ISO ratings can lower insurance bills.

“It’s working better than it ever has,” Causey noted, and can’t imagine why legislators voted to change the system.

“We are seeing lower insurance premiums,” he said. “We don’t need the General Assembly to mess it up.”