Tag Archives: safety

Recreational

7 tire safety tips for a smooth ride

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“Where the rubber meets the road” is more than just an expression. Enjoyable and safe motorcycling is a partnership between how well your tires grip the road and your skill as a driver. Follow these 7 tire safety tips for a smooth ride:

  1. Start Off Slow: Ride slowly for a few miles to let the tires warm up before accelerating and cornering normally. This is especially important in the spring and fall when morning temperatures can be much cooler than in the afternoon.
  2. Road Conditions: An older road with a worn finish or one covered with leaves, water, or dirt gives less traction regardless of the tires’ condition. Use caution when driving on unmaintained roadways.
  3. Keep an Eye on Inflation: Overinflated tires have less road traction and amplify the effects of poor road conditions. Underinflated tires will make your motorcycle feel unstable. 
  4. Check Tire Pressure: Tire pressure should be checked weekly, if not before every ride. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s specs. A true pressure reading is especially important in hot and cold weather as temperatures could affect your tire pressure readings!
  5. Pressures May Vary: Tire pressure isn’t one-size fits all. The recommended tire pressure may be different if you’re carrying a passenger or cargo. Remember to factor in the weight of any added accessories such as a cargo bag or items packed in the saddlebags.
  6. Examine the Tires: Regularly check your tires’ wear, including wear bars and tread depth. Worn out tires can quickly lose traction. Plus, look for cuts, cracks, and embedded stones or nails which are cause for replacement.
  7. New Tires Beware: New tires can be slick! Take extra care until your tires are sufficiently broken in, which maximizes your traction.

Get to know your tires. Just like your helmet, they’re essential safety equipment!

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips

Hurricane safety kit

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The heart of hurricane season is approaching. Are you ready? Preparation is key to staying safe and protecting your property. Here are some ideas to help your planning when you think about a potential evacuation and supplies to have on hand.

Be sure to share these tips on social networks to help your friends and family prepare.

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For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips, Residential

Heat up Valentine’s Day without burning down your home

Candles and romance go hand in hand on Valentine’s Day, but what starts as a warm glow could escalate into a dangerous fire. Although candles account for a small percentage of total home fires, they can still spark serious damage. Keep these tips in mind this Valentine’s Day to make sure it’s love, and not smoke, that’s in the air.

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Manufactured Home
Residential

Tie-downs are crucial for manufactured homes

Tie-downs are crucial when it comes to the safety of any manufactured home. Because manufactured homes are very lightweight, strong winds are more likely to get under and lift the home. If your mobile home is not tied down, it could get rolled or flipped in a tornado or severe windstorm.  Continue reading →

Prevention Tips, Residential

10 tips for space heater safety

Space heaters are pretty popular for a reason. When the furnace is on the fritz or when heating the whole house simply costs too much, they can take the chill off and maybe save you money. But they can also be a significant fire hazard if they’re not used the right way. Don’t let things get too toasty this winter. Handle your heater with care. Continue reading →

Prevention Tips, Residential

8 turkey deep-frying safety tips

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s no doubt that you have already started putting together a grocery list for the perfect holiday dinner. While sides like green bean casserole and stuffing are a must for any Thanksgiving menu, Turkey is still the obvious star of the table, but not all are prepared the same. Some wake up bright and early to get started on their turkey that may take hours to roast in the oven, some stuff their turkey with vegetables and bread, while others avoid the trouble, and save time by deep-frying their turkey instead. Unfortunately, there are a lot of safety concerns that come with doing that: from cooking fires to serious burns. Continue reading →

Prevention Tips, Residential

Halloween hacks that protect against rental property nightmares

So, you’ve done the hard part and purchased a rental property. You’ve bought deadbolts, security devices, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to keep your tenants safe. You’ve also created the perfect lease to outline the terms and conditions of what you expect from your tenants. If you haven’t talked to your American Modern® insurance agent about the right insurance coverage for your rental property, you could face some sleepless nights worrying about what could possibly go wrong.

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Recreational

7 golf cart safety tips

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They’re not just for golf anymore! Golf carts can be found everywhere from retirement communities to college campuses. Some states have even passed laws allowing them to putter down public streets. But despite their lower speed, golf carts are legitimate vehicles that demand safe driving. Check out these 7 safety tips before you hit the road or the course.

  1. Check Licensing Requirements: Do you need a driver’s license to drive a golf cart? It depends on where you live. Find out what’s required in your state before getting behind the wheel.
  2. Stay Inside: Those open sides may be tempting but it’s important to keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times, except when signaling. 
  3. Signal Turns Manually: Golf cart turn signals are small and hard to see. Always use hand signals to indicate you intent to turn.
  4. Don’t Overcrowd: Only carry the number of permissible passengers, which will typically be the number that you have seats and seatbelts for. No one should be sitting on the floor or someone’s lap.
  5. Yield to Pedestrians: Just like when you’re in a car, pedestrians have the right of way. Be sure to follow all the rules of the road and stop and let them cross before carrying on with your drive.
  6. Stay Sober: Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to safely operate any vehicle, including golf carts. Depending on your state, you could even receive a DUI for driving a golf cart under the influence.
  7. Consider Insurance: Golf cart insurance isn’t just a good idea for accidents, in some states it’s mandatory. Talk to your insurance agent about golf cart insurance.

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review and approval, and may vary or not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors, and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including but not limited to American Modern Property and Casualty Insurance Company (CA Lic. No. 6129-1.)

Recreational, Residential

The ultimate lake house safety guide

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Nothing screams summer like packing up the car and heading down to the lake house. Living by the water provides a constant source of entertainment. But while swimming, boating, and hanging out by the fire can be a ton of fun, they also pose numerous safety risks. If you own or visit a waterfront property, check out our ultimate lake house safety guide to help keep your family safe on and off the water.

Water Safety

  • Keep an eye on kids. Supervision is key to protecting kids at the lake. Watch young kids around the water, no matter how far from danger they may appear.
  • Learn to swim. If you plan on taking a dip, be sure everyone with you knows how to swim. Enroll children in swim classes before heading down to the lake.
  • Swim cautiously. Choose your swimming location carefully. An ideal location is clean, relatively still, and out of the way of watercraft or wake, such as a designated swimming area.
  • Watch where you jump. Avoid jumping or diving into water from elevated surfaces such as cliffs or bridges. Murky water can conceal dangers such as jagged rocks or submerged tree branches.

Boating Safety

  • Know your state’s rules. Over half of U.S. states require some sort of education or license in order to operate a boat. Figure out where you’ll be boating and that state’s requirements before you hit the water.
  • Wear a life jacket. Everyone on board should be wearing an appropriate life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, even strong swimmers. Make sure the life jacket is the correct size and properly fastened.
  • Be aware of carbon monoxide. Boat engines release carbon monoxide while running. Avoid closed-off and poorly-ventilated areas of the boat and never hang out on top of a swim platform while the engine is running.
  • Stay sober. Not only is operating a boat while intoxicated dangerous, it’s illegal. Don’t boat under the influence. 

Bonfire Safety

  • Check the weather. Avoid having a fire in windy conditions. Strong winds can blow sparks and hot embers towards you and nearby surfaces. 
  • Choose a safe location. Build your bonfire a safe distance away from combustible material, including any structures, brush, or low-hanging trees. Be sure to clear the surrounding area of any flammable debris such as leaves or tree branches. Also be sure to follow all applicable laws and ordinances.
  • Avoid accelerants. Accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid should never be put on a fire. The safest way to start a fire is with small kindling and paper.
  • Be prepared to put it out. Always have a way to properly extinguish the fire or a fire nearby. This could be a garden hose, a bucket of water, or a fire extinguisher, depending on how the fire was built.

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Recreational

5 boat maintenance tips

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Spending a bit of time on basic maintenance can help you have fun for years to come. Here are a few  ideas to keep your boat ship-shape.

  1. Keep Things Clean: Boating can be a messy business, but a clean and well-kept boat should last longer than its slimy and unmaintained counterpart. Regularly remove scale and algae scum from the hull and watch out for buildup. Upholstery should be maintained with proper marine cleaners and protectants to avoid replacing it down the road.
  2. Maintain the Battery: Marine batteries can last years if properly maintained. Make sure the battery is secured before every trip and firmly mounted to the boat. Immediately after use, recharge your battery fully to decrease the chance of sulfate deposit buildup. If your battery requires it, make sure its water is at the right level.
  3. Check the Engine: Most boats are run hard on the weekends and left idle for the rest of the week. This irregular use is hard on a boat. That’s why it’s so important to inspect and check all the engines components and fluids every time you go boating. If you find a leak, get it properly repaired right away to prevent further damage and keep toxins out of the water.
  4. Check the Propeller: Your propeller needs to be inspected on a regular basis because any dents, knicks, or dings which can hinder performance, drive up fuel costs, and create internal damage. A few times per season remove the entire propeller in order to remove any built up gunk or debris from your prop shaft and relubricate.
  5. Don’t Stop Now: The end of boating season doesn’t mean the end of boat maintenance. Be sure to have your boat professionally winterized to prevent freezing damage to the engine and hull. Then, make sure it’s properly covered for winter storage.

Keeping up with boat maintenance is the key to your craft’s longevity and safety. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or you rely on the professionals, take good care of your boat and it should return the favor with years of boating entertainment.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

Proper Boat Maintenance can help prevent major repairs. – YouTube
Boat Maintenance Checklist | Sport Fishing Magazine
Beginner’s Boat Maintenance for Dummies | Discover Boating
8 Everyday Boat Maintenance Tips to Give You Total Peace of Mind | BetterBoat Boating Blog
How to Maintain a Marine Battery | Gold Eagle Co.
Boat Maintenance Tips | The Family Handyman

Prevention Tips, Residential

Dos and don’ts to safeguarding your home while on vacation

“We live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.”


– Buzz McCallister, Home Alone

Over the course of this summer, half of the American population are setting their emails to “out-of-office,” packing their bags and embarking on vacations. While you’re jotting down a list to remember everything from sunscreen to passports, we have prepared a list that will help prep your home for security while you are away. Even if you think you “live on the most boring street in the whole United States,” following these tips will help you feel better about leaving your home. Continue reading →

Other

Social media privacy: Taking control of your data

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Social media makes it easy for you to leave a trail of personal information that you may not want to share with advertisers, analytics companies, or people other than your connections. Take charge of your online privacy with these 6 tips.

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Other

4 ways to stay ahead of smartphone hackers

Did you know that Americans check their phone on average 80 times a day? Surprising, right? Unfortunately, the amount of times that our phones can be compromised is surprisingly high as well.  And because mobile phones are so valuable to hackers, more and more new exploits are being discovered.

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