Category: Safety

How to Keep Your Home Safe During the Holidays

There’s a reason they say “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Over the coming months, many people will come together with friends and family to celebrate the season together. Whether you’re traveling to Grandma’s house or opening your own doors, homes are a big part of the holiday season. Check out some of our top holiday safety tips to ensure your home is ready for the holidays!

If You’re Traveling

  • Take Steps to Deter Thieves: Many thieves are looking for crimes of opportunity, so taking a couple easy steps can go a long way in preventing theft. Setting your lights on timers can make it appear that people are still home. And before you leave, double check that you’ve locked all doors and windows to make it harder to get inside.
  • Avoid Showcasing Travel: While we all want to talk about the holidays, sharing travel plans on social media can make your home a target. Wait to post until you’re back home or only share with close friends and family instead of the public. You can also put a hold on your mail service to prevent a pileup while you’re gone: a big signal that no one is home.
  • Protect Your Pipes: This time of year, cold weather can sneak up on you. Before you leave the house, make sure your thermostat is set to prevent it from getting too cold while you’re gone. Typically, 55 degrees or higher is recommended during winter weather. You can also insulate or wrap vulnerable pipes in the attic, basement, garage or outside water spigots. Taking preventative measures could save you a lot of trouble if an unexpected cold front hits while you’re traveling.

If You’re Hosting

  • Minimize Fire Risks: Many people use candles during the holidays, whether it’s a part of your traditions or to create a cozy feeling in the house. However, this also means there are more candle fires this time of year than any other time! Make sure that any candles used are out of the reach of kids and pets, and placed on a steady surface away from any potentially flammable decorations.
  • Clear the Pathways: Your holiday celebrations may involve multiple generations. For both our oldest and youngest family members, it’s important to make sure that homes are clear of fall hazards. Before guests arrive, make sure walkways have been shoveled of leaves, debris or ice and snow. Take a look to identify areas of the house that might be hazardous. This means picking up rugs that might impede walkers, tying up the cords on blinds, and putting covers over outlets.
  • Cook Safely: With all the hustle and bustle of guests, it can be easy to get distracted while preparing food but it can take seconds for your big holiday meal to turn into a big mess. From grease fires to hot spills, there are a lot of potential hazards in the kitchen during the holidays. It’s important to never leave cooking unattended and to turn off the stovetop if you’re stepping away. While you’re in the kitchen, turn pot handles away from the stove edge, keep fabric items like oven mitts away from the stove. Once you’re done cooking, make sure to fully turn off the stove and oven before you enjoy your holiday feast! You can read more holiday safety tips here before hosting.

We’re Here to Help

As the holidays approach, keep these holiday safety tips with you for a fun and safe season!

Whether you’re a long-time policyholder or just starting to look for insurance options, we have team members who can help. If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

College Safety – Renters Insurance

Back-to-school season is a time of new beginnings, especially for those going off to college for the first time. With excitement of the new school year comes a set of new worries and concerns for students and parents alike. Safety should be at the top of every new student’s college checklist. In this blog, we share some of our top tips, like having renters insurance, on how students can stay safe while living on campus.

What is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance is one of the most important things you can invest in as a college student living on or off campus. This type of insurance will protect your belongings in the event that they are damaged or stolen. It can also provide liability protection that can cover bodily injury from an incident occurring on your rented property.

This type of insurance protects a person’s belongings. While landlords or school buildings also have insurance, their protection generally only covers the building, not an individual student’s or tenant’s property.

It is always important to know what your individual renters insurance covers in case of an emergency. Many landlords require their tenants to carry renters insurance, so be sure to check your lease agreement before signing anything.

Tips to Stay Safe This School Year

When it comes to personal safety in a new space, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your personal risk.

  1. Get to know your neighbors and build a relationship with them. This way, you will have someone to rely on if you ever need help or have an emergency. Having open communication with people that are in your daily life can make all the difference during a tough situation. Knowing you can reach out to someone close by can reduce the stress of being in a new environment.
  2. Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut—if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
  3. Make note of the regular day-to-day flow of your neighborhood community, building or apartment complex. If something feels off, it will be easier to notice and you will feel more comfortable.
  4. For personal safety, the outside of your home is a vulnerable area, so be sure to stay alert until you are inside. If you have to park your car outside, be sure to lock it as you leave and check the surrounding area.
  5. Finally, make sure your doors and windows are locked at all times, even when you are in your home.

Having a safety plan in place is always the best practice for any potential future emergency situations.

By following these tips, students and parents can help ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable school year. The best way to keep up to date on the most recently provided safety procedures is to go to the National Safety Council’s website and stay aware of your community guidelines on home and neighborhood safety. It could save your life, or the life of someone you love.

We’re here to help

If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Back-to-School Safety 101

It’s that time of year again! Kids everywhere are gearing up for another exciting school year. While back-to-school season is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, it’s also a great opportunity to brush up on some essential back-to-school safety tips.

As a parent, you want to make sure your children are as safe as possible when they’re traveling to and from school. In this blog, we’ll discuss some top tips kids can use to stay safe while walking, biking or scooting in your neighborhood.

The New School Year is Right Around the Corner

As we launch into the new school year, it’s important to remember that your community will see increased school-related activities and pedestrians.

  • When you’re driving in a school zone, be sure to obey the posted speed limit and watch for children who may be crossing the street, especially when school buses are present.
  • Keep an eye out for crosswalk guards and security directing traffic in busy or crowded areas. It’s also a good idea to avoid making any sudden stops or turns, as this could cause an accident.
  • Be extra cautious when backing up, and always look behind you before you start moving, even if you have a back-up camera. Unfortunately, back-up cameras have blind spots and don’t always see smaller children or pets.
  • If you have to park in a school zone, make sure you’re not blocking the sidewalk or crosswalk. There are usually designated drop-off and pick-up areas for this purpose.

Do Your Kids Walk to School?

When your children are walking to and from school, there are a few things you can do to help them stay safe.

  • Teach them to always look both ways before crossing the street and know the safe areas to cross when there is oncoming traffic.
  • Children should also be aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid walking alone in areas that are not well lit or where there is no sidewalk.
  • If they’re old enough, consider having them carry a cell phone so they can call you if they need help.
  • Always keep emergency contact information in your child’s backpack.
  • Help your children be aware of safe places to stop along their route if they need help.

Do Your Kids Bike or Scooter to School?

While you may be close enough to allow your kids to walk to school, they may prefer riding their bikes or scooter to get to their destination. While the safety tips and tricks above are still important for these commuters, here are a few extra safety tips for anyone rolling to school on wheels.

  • Make sure they’re wearing a properly-fitting helmet. Head injuries are one of the most common injuries on a bicycle or scooter, so it’s important for children to wear helmets at all times.
  • Teach them to always ride on the right side of the road, and to use hand signals when turning.
  • Children should also be aware of any potential hazards, such as potholes, glass or other debris.
  • Finally, remind them to obey all traffic laws, including stop signs and traffic lights. As they get closer to the school, they should follow the rules laid out by school security and officials to safely navigate the parking lot and school sidewalks.

As a parent, it’s important to make sure our children are safe and prepared when they’re traveling to and from school. Stay up-to-date on the most recent back-to-school safety procedures by visiting the National Safety Council’s website. In addition, be aware of your community guidelines on school safety.

If you have questions, connect with your local OKFB agent today. We would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Are you prepared for summer?

Important question: Do you know what it takes to enjoy your favorite summertime activities safely and responsibly?

Summer is a time for fun in the sun and enjoying activities with your family and friends, but these activities also come with increased risk of accidents and injury. Summer safety is not often someone’s first thought when grilling, camping, enjoying the great outdoors or splashing in the local pool. However, being prepared for the unexpected can help you and your loved ones stay safe while still enjoying your summer plans!

Answer the following summer quiz questions to test your safety skills. The prize for a perfect score? Major bragging rights and feeling secure knowing that you are prepared for a fun (and accident-free) summer. Remember to share this summer quiz with friends and family—having this knowledge could save a life! (Scroll down to see the answers.)

Summer Quiz

  1. Did you know that some swimsuit colors are safer than others? What is the safest swimsuit color of the options below?
    a.) Black
    b.) Neon pink
    c.) Blue-ish purple
    d.) Mossy green
  2. Squirting lighter fluid on already-burning charcoal is a smart way to grill.
    a.) True
    b.) False
  3. All RVs are the same, so they all require the same insurance coverage.
    a.) True
    b.) False
  4. It’s okay to leave my pet in the car when it’s:
    a.) 100 degrees
    b.) 95 degrees
    c.) 80 degrees
    d.) None of the above
  5. I don’t need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day.
    a.) True
    b.) False
  6. Which of the following is a symptom of heat exhaustion?
    a.) Headache
    b.) Nausea
    c.) Irritability
    d.) All of the above
  7. Kids should wear a helmet when riding:
    a.) A horse
    b.) A bicycle
    c.) A scooter
    d.) All of the above
  8. Can a jet ski be placed on a boat insurance policy?
    a.) Yes
    b.) No
    c.) Yes, but only if it’s really cool

How did you do on our summer quiz? Keep reading to find out!

Answers

1. The answer is: B – Neon pink

When someone is under the water, they can be difficult to spot. Choosing the right swimsuit color can help you keep an eye on your loved ones more easily.

2. The answer is: False

Don’t pour or squirt lighter fluid onto an open flame. This can cause a flashback fire to the container in your hands.

3. The answer is: False

There’s a big difference between a Class A motorhome and a pop-up camper. The type of RV you own will play a big role in determining the amount and type of coverage you need. Not sure if you have the right coverage? Contact your local OKFB agent to find out.

4. The answer is: D – None of the above

Even if you’re parked in the shade with the windows down, the inside of your car can become unbearably hot very quickly. Dogs can start to experience heat exhaustion when their body temperature hits 103 degrees.

5. The answer is: B – False

You can get a nasty sunburn even on cloudy days.

6. The answer is: D – All of the above

Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment. Visit CDC.com to learn how to spot the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

7. The answer is: D – All of the above

Bike helmets reduce the risk of head injury by at least 45%, brain injury by 33%, facial injury by 27% and fatal injury by 29%. And remember: helmets are for everyone—not just kids.

8. The answer is: A – Yes

Boat Insurance options and features include liability, medical payments and physical damage. Ask your OKFB agent about insuring your jet skis on a Boat Insurance policy.