in Bremerton, Washington

Three Things to Consider for Halloween This Year

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in Bremerton, WashingtonHalloween is a great holiday in many ways. Whether it is dressing up, decorating your home, watching a scary movie or simply enjoying some fun size candy, Halloween brings joy to all ages. Here are a few things to consider making the most out of your holiday.

  1. Be aware of tripping hazards around your home

If your plan is to stay home and pass out candy, it is important you prep your home first. Whenever strangers step foot onto your property, you do have a liability risk. To lower your liability risk, be sure to check your driveway or stairway for tripping hazards. This can include hoses, extension cords, debris, loose decking boards, decorations or outdoor toys.

If someone were to trip or fall on your property, there could be a chance you are liable. Walk your property to make sure you do not have anything someone could trip on. If you live in a cold environment, you should also evaluate if there are any areas that are slick that someone could slip. While most people think of icy stairs, wet leaves and algae growth can also be something to think about.

Lastly, if you own a dog, have a plan. Some dogs do not like having strangers walk up to the door or may be disturbed when the doorbell rings. If your dog falls in this category, make a plan for what you can do to keep your dog calm. The last thing you want is to have your dog bite someone, as you could be liable.

  1. Have a plan if trick or treating

Whether you are going trick or treating with your child or if your teenager wants to go trick or treating with friends make sure you have a plan for the night. What neighborhood provides good sidewalks? What are safety tips you can share with your teenager about walking in the dark or talking with strangers?

  1. Pack safety gear & be extra cautious when driving

Whenever you are walking or driving at nighttime, you want to be extra cautious of your surroundings. If you plan to be walking around & trick or treating, be sure you pack safety gear such as a flashlight or a bright vest or reflective clothing. You want to be visible to drivers on the road and those two items can help. Glow sticks are also fun for kids to hold at nighttime.

If you will be out & about, be aware of trick or treaters. Drive slowly when entering your neighborhood. Some individuals may not be visible with flashlights or bright vests, so it never hurts to drive cautiously.

We hope you enjoy your Halloween. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, reach out to our agency. We are happy to do an insurance review or provide you with multiple quotes.

Fire Prevention in Bremerton, Washington

It’s Fire Prevention Month – How To Lower Your Risk For a Home Fire

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Fire Prevention in Bremerton, WashingtonOctober is Fire Prevention Month. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the most common ways a fire can start and we’ll provide you with some tips on how to prevent them from starting.

Smoke Alarms

The number one defense against fires is having a working smoke alarm, so it is crucial that you regularly check to make sure that your alarms are working. Replace your batteries whenever they get low.

If your smoke alarm begins to make an annoying beeping sound, that is your alarm telling you that its batteries are running low on power. It is also a good idea to test your smoke alarm every six months.

It varies from unit to unit, but many times there is a button you can press that will trigger a test alarm. If you try testing it and nothing happens, then that is your sign to buy a new one.

Candles

Candles are a popular item to use this time of year. Candles can easily become a fire hazard if they are left too close to other flammable items, such as drapes or a blanket, or if they happen to tip over.

If you plan on using a candle, make sure you use one that has a wide base, so it doesn’t tip over easily, and you place it away from anything that could be flammable. Also, if you have to leave the room, make sure to always extinguish the candle. Alternatively, the safest option is to use an electric candle since they have an almost zero chance of starting a fire but still produces the same light and fragrance that normal ones do.

Chimney

With the temperature beginning to drop, you might be wanting to start using your chimney soon. It is important you take some precautions first. You should get your chimney inspected annually to prevent any leftover debris or soot that could potentially start a fire.

A good reminder when using your fireplace is to always make sure your fire is completely out when you are done using it. Any leftover embers can start another fire, and if you aren’t around, it’s possible for that fire to get out of control. To avoid this from happening, use a shovel to break up the burnt firewood and spread them out in your fireplace. Then, use sand, ash from the fire, or even baking soda to smother the remaining burning embers so oxygen can’t reach them. Water, however, should never be used since the steam can end up pushing out embers and fire particles from the fireplace into your home.

Appliances

The kitchen is where half of all house fires start according to the National Fire Protection Agency. There are several appliances in a house or apartment that if not used properly or safely can easily become a fire hazard.

One simple tip when using your kitchen: never leave your kitchen unattended if you are cooking.

Many fires in the kitchen start not from the food or oil being cooked, but also by simply leaving flammable items too close to what you are cooking. Examples such as oven mitts, towels, etc. can easily catch fire if left too close to the stove.

Dryers in laundry rooms are an additional appliance that you should be cautious of when you use them. The buildup of lint is one of the biggest reasons a fire can break out in your laundry room. Lint is flammable, and if it is not cleaned out regularly, it will continuously build up and the risk of a fire will grow larger.

Extension cords and power hubs are a convenient way to charge or power all of your electronics, but you need to always make sure you are not overloading them, otherwise, you can risk starting an electrical fire. Before using it, you should read the instructions (if provided) of your extension cord so you’re aware of its limits and how not to exceed them.

If you are using the cord to power a larger appliance, make sure the extension cord can handle the electrical load and don’t overload it by adding additional appliances. You should also purchase cords that have been tested by independent testing labs to help verify its safety; You should see a sticker displaying this on the extension cord and/or its packaging.

We hope these tips have given you better insight into how to prevent fires in your home. If you would like to learn more about fire prevention, or what your homeowners insurance covers in a fire, contact our agency today.

 

Night driving tips in Bremerton, Washington

Exercise Caution This Fall & Winter with Nighttime Driving

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Night driving tips in Bremerton, WashingtonThe joys of fall and winter include going to pumpkin patches, seeing family and friends for holidays, skiing, sitting by a warm fire, and more; however, these seasons also bring longer nights which means increased risk on the roads.

Many drivers aren’t aware of the challenges of driving in the dark and with longer nighttime hours ahead, it is a good time to touch up on some safety tips for evening drives.

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some suggestions to help you make a safe trip– whether you’re just running to the store or you’re headed to another city.

  1. Make certain your car’s lights are in good working condition. Not only your headlights but turn signals, taillights, etc. Also, if there are no other drivers around, use your high-beam lights to allow yourself to see better and farther while driving.
  2. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger gap between you and other cars than you would during daytime hours. Also, leave yourself even more time for the trip so you don’t need to speed to arrive at your destination on time.
  3. Eliminate distractions. You shouldn’t be on your phone, messing around with the radio, or searching for something while you’re on the road anyway. Distractions are a lot more dangerous at night.
  4. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the road as you drive and always be on the lookout for wildlife. You should also be aware of other drivers and keep your distance, especially if their driving looks suspicious. Nighttime is when you are most likely to encounter a driver under the influence.

Data shows that nighttime driving has an increased risk of fatalities, so slow your driving at night and take your time.

Nobody likes to be lectured on safe driving, but understanding what causes nighttime driving to be more dangerous can help you eliminate risks.

What you need to understand about driving at night:

  1. Your vision is reduced. Many drivers complain about decreased vision at nighttime. This can be due to a foggy windshield, poor windshield wipers, or simply the fact that our eyes don’t work as well at nighttime. In fact, peripheral vision is greatly reduced in the dark, and having a good peripheral vision is paramount to lane changes, crosswalks, and unprotected intersections.
  2. Speeds too fast for conditions. Did you know that you can drive too fast for your headlights? This means that your headlights can only illuminate so much of the road ahead of you. Driving at night greatly increases your chances of animal collisions because you are simply traveling too fast to slow your vehicle when an animal is in the roadway. When appropriate, slow your vehicle speed by 10-15% at night to give yourself great reactionary time to things like wildlife in the roadway.
  3. Impairment. The holidays and darker days increase the consumption of alcohol and drunk drivers. Because alcohol can decrease your good judgment, it is a good idea to consider using rideshare drivers. A simple Uber or Lyft ride can save you thousands, not to mention your life or the lives of others.
  4. If you are feeling drowsy or fatigued, immediately find a place where you can either rest and wake up, or if you have another eligible driver in your car, trade places with them.

Many drivers avoid driving at night altogether. Especially as we get older our confidence and reaction time decreases. If you have any more questions about driving at night or want to discuss your auto insurance policy, feel free to give our agency a call today.