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February 08, 2017

According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 70% of the nation's roads are located in snowy regions and 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement.  Another 15% occur during snowfall or sleet.   With statistics like these and the potential for a few more months of winter weather, now is a great time to brush up on winter weather driving safety.

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1. Prep your vehicle for winter driving with these past tips: Prep Your Home & Auto Before Holiday Travel.
2. Practice driving your vehicle under different conditions.  Get to know how your vehicle handles.
3. Be aware of weather forecasts for your area, and plan accordingly.  Allow more time for travel, or don’t travel at all.
4. Drive for the current conditions:

   • Wear your seat belt at all times.

   • Avoid using cruise control. You want control at all times.

   • Slow down.

   • Keep a larger space than normal between you and the driver in front of you.

   • Use your headlights to make your vehicle visible to others.

   • Know whether your vehicle has anti-lock brakes and learn to use them properly to avoid locking during braking.

   1. • If you have anti-lock brakes, apply firm and continuous pressure to the brake pedal.
      • If you do not have anti-lock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if your wheels start to lock up.
5. Be prepared for an emergency.
   • If your vehicle has stalled or you are stopped, make sure to stay with your vehicle.
   • Try to make your vehicle as visible as possible, using bright markers or lights.
   • If you must keep the vehicle on for warmth, be sure to keep the exhaust pipe clear of any blockage like snow.

Resources

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/weather_events/snow_ice.htm

https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-safety#note

https://www.safercar.gov/links/winter2016/

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

December 20, 2016

With the holidays just a few days away, many people will begin traveling to see friends and family.  Homes will be left unoccupied, and vehicles will be put through winter weather driving.  Take some time to prepare both your home and your vehicle for your holiday trip.

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Prep your Home

Homes left unattended can attract burglars.  Discourage thieves by making it look as though you are still home:

• Have your mail held for delivery.
• Put a light on a timer along with a radio or TV to make noise.
• Install motion-activated lighting outside your home.
• Inform a neighbor you will be leaving, and give them your contact information.
• Ask a friend or neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally, take your garbage bins to the road on garbage day, and either mow the grass or shovel the walkway depending on the weather.
• Notify your home security company that you’ll be away from home.

Returning from a trip to find damage to your home is another unfortunate possibility.  Take measures ahead of time to protect your home from fire or flood damage:

• Turn down the heat on the thermostat.  Don’t turn off the heat altogether as pipes can freeze.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heaters.
• Unplug unnecessary appliances and electronics.
• Turn off the water supply to your home.
• Check smoke alarms.

Prep your Auto

With your home ready for your trip, it’s time to ready your vehicle.  Winter weather can be particularly stressful on a vehicle, and by taking these precautions, you can reduce the chances of car trouble on the road:

• Get a check-up with professionals.  Make sure you are up-to-date on routine maintenance.
• Check the air pressure and the tread on your tires.  Driving on underinflated tires and/or worn tread can be dangerous.
• Have your battery tested, and replace if necessary.
• Check your windshield wipers, and replace if you find signs of deterioration.
• Check your antifreeze level.
• Pack your vehicle with some emergency supplies:
  • An ice scraper and snow brush
  • Windshield washer fluid
  • Jumper cables
  • A flashlight and extra batteries
  • A blanket

Make sure to call your insurance agent to discuss your current coverage.  Is your home or vehicle covered in the case of an accident?  What should you do if an accident occurs while you’re away?  Your agent can help you be prepared to answer these questions should the scenario arise.

With your home and vehicle ready for your trip, you can relax and enjoy the holidays while traveling.

Resources

http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=254931&information_id=253412&type=&syndicate=syndicate

https://www.safety.com/blog/10-ways-to-protect-your-home-while-youre-on-vacation/

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

November 16, 2016

As the temperatures finally start to fall, most of us will begin running the heat at home.  Now is a good time to prepare your home heating system for increased use in the upcoming months.

You may use a traditional heating system, like a furnace or boiler, to heat your home.  Or you may use an alternative heating source like a pellet/wood stove, a fireplace, or a space heater.  Either way, there are some general steps you can take to protect your home from fire.

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          Follow these seven heating safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

1. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heaters.
   • Create a “kid-free zone” at least three-feet around heating equipment.
2. Do not use an oven to heat your home.
3. Make sure your fireplace is covered with a sturdy, nonflammable screen to keep sparks from flying out.
4. Learn best practices with wood stoves and pellet stove.
   • Burn only dry, seasoned wood in wood stoves and wood pellets in pellet stoves.
   • Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them.  Place in a covered metal container and keep it at least ten feet away from any structure.
5. Keep up regular maintenance routines on your heating system.
   • Have your heating equipment professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
6. Test your smoke alarms regularly, at least once a month.  Place alarms on every level of your home, outside each separate sleeping area, and inside each bedroom.
7. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
   • The NFPA recommends interconnecting your smoke alarms as well as your carbon monoxide alarms.  If one alarm is triggered, the others will be set off too.
   
   Additional home heating safety tips include:
   
   
8. Do not install a wood stove, or other solid fuel stove, in a structure where flammable vapors could be present.  For example, do not use a wood stove in a garage, where fuel vapors could be lingering.
9. Take extra care when using a space heater.
   • Place on a level, nonflammable surface away from all combustible material.
   • Do not leave one unattended.  Always turn the heater off when leaving the area.
10. Test your heating system ahead of regular use to check for necessary repairs.
11. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage before an accident could occur.  Contact your agent for more information.

Heating fires are a leading cause of home fires.  Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during December, January, and February, according to the NFPA.  Help reduce your chance of a home heating equipment fire by taking precautions.

Resources

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/heating/heating-safety-tips

http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets/woodpelletstovesafety.pdf?la=en

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.