College Safety – Renters Insurance August 11, 2022 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. 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. Always be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut—if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. 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. 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. 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 August 11, 2022 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.
Back-to-School Safety July 25, 2019 As summer winds down, it will soon be time for kids to head back to school. Whether your children walk, ride bicycles, ride the bus or drive to school, it’s important that they get to and from school safely. To help them do just that, we’re sharing some top safety tips to practice and keep in mind! Walking to School If your child is walking to school, make sure they know to always stay on the sidewalk and look both ways before crossing the road. If no sidewalk exists, they should stay near the edge of the road and walk facing oncoming traffic. A good way to help your child learn these rules is to practice walking with your child to school, so they can be aware of what safety measures to practice. Biking to School When riding a bicycle to school, it’s important for your child to understand the rules of biking on the road. This includes things like riding single-file on the right side of the road, coming to a complete stop before crossing a street and knowing how to signal with their hands before making any turns. They should also always wear a helmet for protection and bright colors so other cars can see them. Riding the Bus For those who ride the bus to school, knowing how to safely enter and exit the bus is very important. Make sure your child waits at least six feet away from the curb as the bus approaches so they aren’t at risk of an accident. If the bus has seat belts, the child should always be buckled. When unloading from the bus, children should not stand up until the bus has come to a complete stop. To help engrain these safe habits into your child’s routine, you should go to the bus stop and teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus. Driving to School If you are picking up your child from school or if you have a new driver who will be driving themselves, follow these safety tips to avoid pedestrian-related accidents. Don’t block crosswalks and always yield to pedestrians who are using them. Never pass a bus that is loading or unloading children and give yourself at least a 10-foot gap between your car and the bus, so that children may safely walk between. Finally, observe school zone speed limits and any drop-off or pick-up lines, loading times or other procedures. Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Safety Services Division offers free safety programs that include school bus safety, bike safety and a defensive driving course for new drivers. If you are interested in hosting one of these programs in your local school or community, visit the Safety Services Division page or ask your local OKFB agent for more information.
