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.
Tips for Driving Safely All Winter Long February 4, 2019 As we begin the last weeks of winter, it’s tempting to look ahead to the joys of spring. However, we all know from living in Oklahoma that the weather can be 55 degrees and sunny one day and 25 degrees and snowing the next. Join us in driving safely these next few weeks by keeping these winter driving tips in mind! Prepare a Winter Car Kit A short, routine trip can easily turn into a long journey if roads are inundated with winter conditions. Prepare a winter car kit and include items you may need in case of a delayed trip, car breakdown or getting stuck on the road. Consider an ice scraper, gloves, blanket, road salt, shovel, snacks, bottled water, candle, lighter, car charger, flashlight and jumper cables. You’ll also want to have a copy of your auto insurance card and any numbers for roadside assistance handy. Check Road Conditions Ahead of Time There is nothing worse than hitting the road only to come across less-than-ideal road conditions. Even if it is a route you take every day, check the weather, watch the news and read up on road conditions. You’ll also want to check for road closures and any outstanding accidents that may require a change of route. Less-than-ideal road conditions mean you need to go more slowly, so leave yourself extra time for travel. Inspect Your Car Before Each Drive Each time you head out to your vehicle, make a lap around the car to inspect it before taking off. In cold weather, tires can lose pressure and deflate slightly; make sure they are still at a safe level to drive on. You should also check the tread thickness of your tires, ensure nothing is clogging your exhaust pipe and confirm that your headlights and tail lights work. Drive With Extra Care and Caution Less-than-ideal road conditions you must focus on driving safely and with caution. Reduce your speed, leave extra distance between your vehicle and others, start braking sooner than you normally would and try to stop strategically in a way that won’t leave you sliding downhill or struggling to take off again. Lastly, limit distractions in your car, including radio and cellphone use, and stay focused on making it home safe. No matter where you drive, make sure you are protected with custom auto insurance to fit your needs. Contact an agent to discuss the coverage you need!
