What To Do If You're In An Accident
Preventing Home Burglary
Home and Building Fire Prevention
Preparing for Winter Storms

What To Do If You're In An Accident

According to the latest statistics by the National Safety Council, one in eight licensed drivers is involved in an automobile accident each year. Whether or not you become one of those unfortunate drivers involved in a collision, the following information can help you lessen the headaches and expense of an accident. In case of an accident:

• Don't leave the scene.
• If vehicles are operable, move them to the shoulder, out of the way of oncoming traffic
• Call for medical assistance if there are any injuries.
• Provide basic first aid, but don't move an injured person unless you possess medical or lifesaving expertise.
• In many areas, you must call the police.  Get the officer's name, badge number, police station address, and phone number. Ask when the accident report will be filed, its case and report number, and how you may get a copy.
• Take careful note of the date and time of the accident, the street and city, weather and road conditions, direction and speed you and other drivers were going, and how the accident occurred.

What You Need In Your Glove Compartment

• Always carry your insurance card and vehicle registration
• Keep a list of emergency numbers in the glove compartment at all times
• Keep a medical card with you if you have allergies to any medicine or you have a condition that requires special attention.

About Rental Cars

• Check your insurance policy or call your agent to see if you have rental car reimbursement coverage.
• For an average of $1 to $2 per month, rental car reimbursement will pay for the cost of renting a car after an accident while your vehicle is in the repair shop.

Loan\Lease Gap Coverage

• If your vehicle is totaled in an accident this important coverage will pay for both your vehicle and the balance you owe on your loan or lease contract in excess of the vehicles value.   If you do not have this coverage and you are responsible to pay any contractual balance owed in excess of your vehicles market value (Actual cash value) at the time of the loss.  

 Preventing Home Burglary

• Invest in solid core doors and good quality locks for your doors and windows.  Installing specifically designed locks for your sliding glass doors is also recommended.  Make it not only difficult but time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.
• Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even if you are just stepping next door or out mowing the back yard.
• Don't put valuables where they can be seen from the window, especially items that can be easily carried.
• Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave it open when you are away; an empty garage broadcasts your absence.
• When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and off at varying intervals as though your home was still occupied.
• Don't keep large amounts of cash or really valuable jewelry around the house.
• If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the call yourself. Don't invite them in.
• Don't hide a spare key under the door mat or under a flower pot. Thieves know all the good hiding places.
• Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be theives.
• Invest in a good security system along with motion sensor lights installed out of reach
• Don't leave ladders outside. Keep any tools that could be used to break in your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.
• Get a barking dog or "beware of dog" signs.  If you own a dog and go out of town, have someone come in and care for your dog in your home.
• Always double check doors at night and lock all windows.
• Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, videocameras, with your driver's license number. (Engraving tools are usually available through your local law enforcement agency.)  Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place such as a safety deposit box.

Home and Building Fire Prevention

A fire can engulf a structure in a matter of minutes. Understanding the basic characteristics of fire and learning the proper safety practices can be the key to surviving a house or building fire.

BEFORE

Install smoke detectors and check them once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.

Develop and practice an escape plan. Make sure all family members know what to do in case of a fire.

• Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
• Practice alerting other household members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom for this purpose.
• Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire will most likely make it impossible to see.
• Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
• Feel all doors before opening them. If the door is hot, get out another way.
• Learn to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch fire.
• 2 story homes need a chain ladder so people can exit the home from the second story without having to jump to the ground.
  

Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to use them.

Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

Cooking

• Keep the stove area clean and clear of combustibles such as bags, boxes, and other appliances.
• If a fire starts, put a lid over the burning pan or use a fire extinguisher.
• Be careful moving the pan from the burner which can cause the fire to spread.
• Never pour water on grease fires.
Check electrical wiring.

• Replace wiring if frayed or cracked.
• Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas. Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
• Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
• Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that have a label indicating that they have been inspected by a testing laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).

Contact your local fire department or American Red Cross chapter for more information on fire safety

DURING

If a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to your emergency services from inside the home. It is better to get out first and place the call from somewhere else.
• Get out as quickly and as safely as possible.
• Use the stairs to escape.
• When evacuating, stay low to the ground.  If possible, cover mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke and gases.
• Close doors in each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.
When in a room with a closed door.

• If smoke is pouring in around the bottom of the door or it feels hot, keep the door closed.
• Open a window to escape or for fresh air while awaiting rescue.
• If there is no smoke at the bottom or top and the door is not hot, then open the door slowly.
• If there is too much smoke or fire in the hall, slam the door shut.

AFTER A FIRE

• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Seriously injured or burned victims seek professional medical help immediately.
• Contact insurance agent or your company via after hours contact information.
• Stay out of damage buildings.
• Return home only when local fire authorities say it is safe.
• Look for structural damage.
• Discard food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
• Do not discard damaged goods until after an inventory has been taken. Save receipts forproof of monetary damages relating to fire loss

Heating Devices


• Heating devices such as portable heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces demand safe operation. Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only.
  
• Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors only. Have chimneys and wood stoves cleaned annually. Buy only approved heaters and follow the manufacturers' direction

Preparing for Winter Storms

A major winter storm can be lethal. Preparing for cold weather conditions and responding to them effectively can reduce the dangers caused by winter storms.

BEFORE 
• Be familiar with winter storm warning messages
• Service snow removal equipment and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways and kitty litter to generate temporary traction.
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off.
• Winterize your home.
• Insulate walls and attic.
• Caulk and weather strip doors and windows.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside
Keep emergeny equipment available.

• Fireplace with ample supply of wood
• Small, well-vented, wood, coal, or camp stove with fuel
• Portable space heaters or kerosene heaters (See Kerosene Heaters.)
• Install and check smoke detectors.
• Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on winter storms.
• Keep pipes from freezing.
• Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers.
• Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.
• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• Know how to shut off water valves
 Have disaster supplies on hand, in case the power goes out.

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• One-week supply of food (include items that do not require refrigeration or cooking in case the power is shut off)
• Nonelectric can opener
• One-week supply of essential prescription medications.
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags
• Fire extinguisher (A-B-C type)