Category: Safety

Stay safe with expert tips on a wide range of topics, from home safety to disaster preparedness.

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.

Our Top Safety Tips for National Safety Month

National Safety Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness about safety issues and how to prevent accidents. Safety starts with you. The goal of National Safety Month is to encourage everyone to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. There are many things you can do to stay safe, both at home and at work. 

In this blog post, we cover some of the most important safety tips for National Safety Month.

Identify and Avoid Risks

The first major step in any safety situation is to identify any risks that could harm yourself or others and find ways to avoid those risks. This can pertain to your home, neighborhood, school, workplace or even public activities, for example. 

try increasing the number of first aid kits in your home and try to have one with you at all times. For example, you could have a main first aid kit in your home and a smaller one to keep in the car. Also, if you have a pool, make sure to provide water safety tips to any swimmers.

You can also create emergency awareness through practice drills at home, improving protocol safety processes at work, or sharing a suggested emergency exit procedure for a local public event to promote health and safety for everyone. 

Additional Safety Tips

  1. Wear proper safety gear. This includes gloves, goggles and earplugs when working with loud machinery, farm equipment or home power tools.
  2. Be aware of your surroundings and know what to do in an emergency. For example, be familiar with the exits in buildings, know how to turn off gas and water valves and have a plan for what to do if there is a fire.
  3. Follow safety rules and regulations to help prevent accidents. This includes wearing a seatbelt, keeping your eyes on the road and not exceeding the speed limit. Remember, good safety habits are those that we should do all the time, not just during National Safety Month.

By following these tips, you can help make National Safety Month a success. Take the time to learn about safety and how to prevent accidents. The best way to keep up to date on the most recent 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. Stay safe this month and every month!

If you have any questions or concerns that you want to discuss, please connect with us 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.

Tornado Safety Tips: A Checklist for Tornado Season

A tornado can strike at any time, so it’s important to prepare before one hits. As we roll into tornado season, it is always a good idea to be weather aware. In this blog, we provide a tornado safety checklist that you and your family can reference. This checklist will help you stay safe and knowledgeable during a tornado watch or warning.

Do You Know the Difference?

The first thing to know when preparing your family and home for the tornado season is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. If a tornado watch is in the area, it means a tornado is possible and to stay alert and ready to head to safety when needed. A tornado warning means one has already been spotted or is in the process of forming and getting to safety immediately is strongly recommended.

Tornado Safety Checklist:

There are many actions you can take to prepare for a tornado. First, take some time with your family to discuss an emergency plan and consider adding the following steps:

  • Stay tuned in to the local news or weather radio station for tornado watches and warnings.
  • Know the best places to take shelter during a tornado. Usually, the best place is in a basement or an interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building away from windows.
  • Find a local emergency shelter and make sure to know the best routes to get there safely.
  • If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, get out immediately and find shelter in a nearby building. Do not try to outrun a tornado in a car.
  • Cover yourself with something like a mattress or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris.
  • If you are outside, find a ditch or low-lying area and lie down in it, covering your head with your hands.

What Should You Do After a Tornado?

When the tornado has passed and your family is able to safely leave shelter, ensure to follow up with local authorities on the best route to get home. There could be severe damage to surrounding areas and different roads could be blocked. Continue to tune in to local news and weather radio for further guidance.

By following these tornado safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your family safe during a tornado.

As the severe weather season approaches, consider getting in touch with your local OKFB Insurance agent to ensure you have the coverage you need.

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

Your protection is our top priority. Stay safe Oklahoma!

6 Best Storm Season Safety Hacks

Oklahomans know that storm season is no joke. Even mild storms can often lead to long power outages and even cause damage to your home. Stocking up on batteries and snacks are must-dos, but here are some next-level storm season safety hacks that will help with maintaining some normalcy and keeping your family safe if you’re affected by Oklahoma’s notorious spring weather. 

  1. Turn a can of cooking oil into a candle in an emergency. First, place a string or piece of cotton into the middle of a can of cooking oil. Then, all you have to do is light it! This trick also works with lard. (Be careful!)
  2. Keep cool without air conditioning. It can be a good idea in the summer to fill up empty two-liters with water and keep them in the freezer. If the power goes out, place one frozen two-liter in front of a battery-operated fan and sit directly in front of it for a DIY air conditioner.
  3. Dogs and thunderstorms are sometimes not a good mix, but it might not be for the reason you think! Static electricity can build up in their fur. Rub a dryer sheet over your dog’s fur to help alleviate the static and calm him or her down.
  4. Run out of AA batteries for flashlights or other electronics? There is a way to convert AAA batteries with a ball of foil. Try inserting a ball of foil between the negative end of the AAA battery and the device to generate power.
  5. In a pinch, the washer and dryer serve as good storage spaces for valuables in case of flooding.
  6. Make a milk jug lantern. First, simply remove the label from a milk jug and fill it with water. Then, strap a headlight onto the jug with the light facing inward. The jug will create a soft light that will illuminate the room.

While storms can sometimes catch us off guard, it’s a good idea to plan ahead when possible. Before a storm rolls in, check out our storm prep checklist:

  • Charge up phones and electronics.
  • Check the sump pump, and make sure it’s working properly in case of flooding.
  • Clear the gutters. See if there is a way to keep water from flowing down the side of your home and causing damage. 
  • Trim your trees. This could help ensure your home and vehicles will not be damaged by falling branches.
  • Secure outdoor furniture. Oklahoma winds are strong enough to blow away or damage unsecured furniture, grills and playground equipment.
  • Fill up the gas tank. This way you and your loved ones can move to a safer location if needed.
  • Check the emergency kit. Then, replenish any missing supplies and important medications.  
  • Purchase a hand crank emergency radio. This could come in handy and keep you informed if the power goes out. 

In addition to these storm season hacks, don’t forget to read up on a few storm season safety tips and additional ways to prepare for a tornado. Along with staying safe, remember to contact your local OKFB agent to talk through your coverage in the case of a tornado or severe weather. We have agents in all 77 counties and ready to help whenever, wherever. See how one of our agents, Billy Gibson, took care of Carl Holmes and his other policyholders when a tornado went through this town three years ago. 

Stay safe, Oklahoma!