Grilling Safety from Etler-Kettenacker Agency Etler-Kettenacker Agency wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July and grilling season!  EK Agency wants to share a few grilling safety tips to ensure that you, your loved ones and home stay safe while grilling.  Check out the full page at http://www.ekagency.com/grilling/safety.aspx for grilling safety statistics and additional grilling safety tips. The following are three key grilling safety tips.  Please see t...

Motorcycle Safety Etler-Kettenacker Agency wanted to promote a page on motorcycle safety this week.  For the entire page visit http://www.ekagency.com/motorcycle/safety.aspx.  It is no surprise that more motorcycles are on the road due to their fuel efficiency.  This is the main reason why motorcycle deaths and injuries have increased every year for 14 out of the last 15 years. The main to be aware of as motorists and motorcyclists is to leave each other room.  Motori...

Labor Day has passed and all the children have returned to school. Recently, I requested input from friends who are parents on a social media site to comment on what are their concerns are for back to school safety.  I was rather shocked that after a week and a half and one repost no one had commented regarding safety concerns for their children.  I wanted to capture real concerns from current parents instead of reciting statistics.  We all share or have friends how proudly share ...

Can you believe this weekend is Memorial Day? This all-American holiday means barbecues, pools, and summer. As insurance agents, we are always thinking about safety. There are many things to keep in mind as you head outdoors this summer; but today, we are going to discuss something that will be happening in homes across America: grilling. Did you know that 7,500 grill fires occur each year? Gas grills are responsible for the bulk of these fires, which cause roughly $70 million in damag...

Memorial Day kicks off pool season, with community, private and residential pools opening their doors until Labor Day. Keep your kids safe this summer with the following precautions: The Community Pool/Swim Club In addition to protecting your kids from the sun with appropriate hats/sunscreen, your kids should never run by the pool, as its usually very wet and slippery. As soon as possible, enroll your kids in swim lessons. Everyone should know how to swim -- especially little kids. Swim ...

So if you are expecting, about to become a grandparent, already a parent or you (or your child) just got a summer job as a nanny or babysitter: READ this post! Car seat safety guidelines have changed radically in the last few years. So, even if you have younger kids, you might not be aware of the new rules. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their recommendation on car seat guidelines, urging parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age two, or until the...

The recent shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church claimed the lives of nine people, and is a somber reminder the worst can happen anywhere. While places of worship are generally considered safe, bad things can still happen. While church shootings are rare, church personnel should be aware, trained and prepared. Heres how: Establish and Educate a Team Get an "action team" in place, and make sure everyone knows their roles. Create a phone list in your mobile phone, and m...

As temps heat up, its important for us all to stay cool -- pets included. The same precautions we take when venturing outdoors on a hot day applies for our pets. This includes things such as: Making sure our animals have lots of cold water Keep your animal inside during the hottest times of the day (12-4 pm) Watching your animal for signs of heatstroke: lethargy, disorientation, vomiting, etc. Call your vet immediately if you observe any of those signs. Never, ever,...

Car seat guidelines have changed dramatically in recent years. For instance, the AAP now recommends that babies continue to ride in their rear-facing seats until age 2 (at least!). However, after your childs second birthday, there are still strict safety rules you need to follow. After your child turns 2, the AAP advises continuing to use the rear-facing seat until he or she exceeds the manufacturers recommended height and weight limits. Once that happens, you can then switch your childs ...

For both parents and kids, summer camp isnt just a quintessential part of summer: its a rite of passage! Sending your child to summer camp, whether its half-day, full-day or overnight, is a big step! If your child is headed to camp this summer, there are certain safety issues youll need to consider. So, check out our list, and set your child up for summer camp success! Be aware of bugs Ticks, mosquitoes, spiders -- spending increased time outside opens your child up to potentially ser...

With many Tri-State schools starting up this week, we thought it appropriate to issue a little PSA: Dont text while driving. Please. Whether youre a 16 year old who just got their license or a veteran driver -- please, put the phone down! A few facts and figures: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2012 driver distraction was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes – with 3,328 people killed – and crashes resulting in an injury &...

As your kids walk, bike, ride or even wait in line at the bus stop, its important to make sure they know proper etiquette and safety rules. Heres a quick recap of basic pedestrian safety: If your child is walking to school: 1. They should only use designated crosswalks, such as at traffic lights or marked school crossing spots. 2. Watch cars -- not lights. A green light does not mean it’s safe to walk — it means you should look for cars first, and only then begin cro...

Weve all been there -- youre driving on the road, minding your own business, when a deer suddenly jumps in front of your vehicle. Or, perhaps you notice a squirrel or bird in the middle of the road as you approach -- but it doesnt seem to notice you. Or, youre in your neighborhood when a cat wanders into the street. As the temperatures cool down, youll notice more animals wandering around -- especially deer. You generally have precious few seconds to react -- and how you respond could be the ...

Halloween season is upon us, with lots of local festivals and events happening before the big day. As your little ghouls and boys head out to collect their candy, make sure they follow these three tips for staying safe: 1. Never let your child trick-or-treat alone.   Children should only trick-or-treat with a group that includes enough responsible adults to manage excited kids in costumes that might make it difficult for them to be seen. A little reflective tape on costumes can also ...

Last week we talked about trick-or-treating tips for your kids; this week, its all about safety guidelines for homeowners. Lots of people really get into Halloween decorations, with homemade "cemeteries" in their lawns, DIY Haunted Houses on their driveways, loads of lights, and lots of hanging skeletons, cobwebs and, of course, Jack o Lanterns. But, as with anything, these decorations can pose a safety risk if youre not careful. Here are 5 safety tips every homeowner needs to follow: ...

This week, were wrapping up our Halloween-themed posts with a fun one: alternative treats to hand out. Now were not suggesting you hand out toothbrushes or boxes of raisins; but nowadays, there are lots of treat options that wont put you at risk for having a tree full of toilet paper on November 1! Here are 25 ideas: Cereal bars/Nutrigrain bars Mini bags of microwave popcorn Snack bags of pretzels or Goldfish crackers Juice boxes Applesauce cups or squeeze...

We "fell back" last weekend; and while that may have bought you an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, you were probably shocked to find it getting dark at 5 p.m. Daylight savings time brings winter, shorter days and longer nights -- which means youll likely be driving in the dark a lot more. Here are our top tips for making sure you stay safe as you navigate the dark: 1. Check your vision Even if you have 20/20 vision, youll find your depth perception isn’t as keen at night. If you...

Daylight savings time creates a number of issues we didnt have to think about during the summer; such as driving in the dark and navigating that nighttime run. A few weeks ago, you could enjoy your post-work 5K in the light; but now, its completely dark by 6 p.m. Whats a runner to do? The best tip for nighttime runs is to run with a partner -- human or furry. That way someone is with you in the event of an emergency! If thats not possible, you can still enjoy your evening run. Just ke...

You may not think of Thanksgiving as a dangerous holiday -- but lots can go wrong as you hustle around your kitchen prepping your familys feast! Avoid any mishaps on Thursday by following these 10 simple tips: 1. Start prepping early to pace yourself and avoid the rush-around-the-kitchen. 2. Unless youre a pro chef, dont deep fry your turkey. This is a potentially dangerous method best left to the pros! Also, it goes without saying, but all turkey deep frying should be do...

If youre a fan of live Christmas trees, youre not alone! According to Statistics Brain Research Institute, the number annual sales of live trees outnumber fake by a margin of more than 3:1. Of the people on Team Real Tree, some 84% of them purchase a pre-cut tree. This is dangerous for a few reasons: You dont know how fresh that tree is, and The trunks are often sealed, meaning you cant properly water the tree (and therefore creating a fire hazard. If youre one of the peo...

Those last-minute deals online are too good to pass up: 40% off and free, 2-day shipping? Quadruple rewards points? And no long lines at the mall? Online shopping is a great way to snag great deals -- all from the comfort of your own home (and in your pjs with your favorite warm drink!). However, the like any transaction, there are security issues to keep in mind when buying online -- but by following a few basic guidelines, you can greatly minimize your risk! 1. Be careful with your p...

If youve been asked to swipe your credit card lately, you may have noticed a new machine at checkout. Or perhaps you opened the mail to find a brand-new Visa with a shiny microchip embedded in the front. In fact, by the end of the year, your whole wallet will have undergone an overhaul, with all your old credit cards replaced with new-and-improved chip cards. Here are the details: Whats a Microchip Card? These microchip cards have been around in Europe awhile, but are relatively ...

Driver education classes, "practice" driving hours and memorizing road rules are all important parts of learning to drive -- but there are things only seasoned drivers know (like how you just know that guy in front of you is going to stop suddenly and turn, despite his turn signal not being on). A lot of driving is just getting experience, but you can do your best to set your teen up for success! Before you kid hits the road this spring, be sure you’ve shared the following 3 items: ...

With warmer weather here, perhaps you’re dusting off the motorcycle for the summer! Or, maybe you’re in the market for one of these fun (and fuel-efficient!) vehicles. Before you hop on your hog, please consider the following: 1. Consider upping your liability coverage Liability insurance is required in most states; however, how much coverage a driver has can vary. Liability insurance pays for damages or injuries you cause in an accident, as well as your legal defense if neede...

With warmer days finally here, youre likely taking the family pooch to the neighborhood dog park. Or considering a family road trip that includes or four-legged friend. Whether youre taking Fido on vacation or to a vet appointment, there are several things you should be doing to ensure his -- and your -- safety! How you safely transport your pooch will depend on his size. For small dogs... youll want a dog crate. Pet carriers are cozy and comforting for dogs. Not only is your pe...

We all know we shouldn’t text and drive. So when Apple introduced its CarPlay system, we had lots of questions.. and concerns. Here’s a brief breakdown of the issues at play. What: The CarPlay is a system that integrates the iPhone with in-car entertainment systems. The setup includes a console touchscreen as well as buttons on the steering wheel that activate Siri, Apples voice command system. CarPlay allows drivers to make calls, listen to voicemails, hear and dictate text mess...

School’s out and summer’s here! Before you hit the local pool with your kids, it’s crucial your kids take swim lessons. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14 years old. What’s more, nine people drown each day in the U.S., and children from non-swimming households are eight times more likely to be at risk of drowning, a USA Swimming st...

By its most basic definition, insurance is protection against the unexpected. It’s paying for piece of mind. No one expects to run into car trouble an hour into their road trip -- but things happen! As you hit the road for vacation this summer, we recommend adding roadside assistance to your insurance policy. Think of Roadside Assistance like AAA; only, instead of having to purchase a separate AAA membership, you can bundle this extra coverage into your current policy. Generally...

Not to alarm you, but your home or business may be on the brink of major catastrophe. If your home or business was built between 1950 and 1985, its possible that you have a Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok breaker panel. Although this company is no longer in business, many of these Stab-Lok panels still exist in basements and electrical rooms. The Stab-Lok panels are associated with several problems related to the breakers not tripping and issues with internal connections on the bus...

If you’re like most of us, you probably use the same password for all your online accounts: banking, shopping, Netflix -- everything. While reusing the same password definitely makes it easy to remember, it also opens you up to safety breaches and in some cases, identity theft. Moreover, it’s not just about making passwords unique to accounts --  it’s also about creating a password that no one will be able to crack. Social media puts our private information i...

In the story of The Three Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf is able to enter the Straw and Stick Houses, as they were flimsy and easy to access. The Brick House, however, was strong and steadfast against the Wolf. Let this be a lesson to all of us to reinforce those doors! As a matter of fact, recent data suggests that burglars aren’t so much breaking and entering, as they are kicking and entering. Nowadays, burglars are simply kicking in doors to get into the house or garage. During a ...

We’ve all been there: you’re driving down the highway and a rock flies into your windshield, immediately cracking it. Or maybe you come out to your car after work to find a brand-new chip in your windshield. Windshield chips are unfortunately part of driving. Stuff happens! As drivers, we’re probably unsure of when we should seek professional repairs - and, more importantly, how much repairs will cost and what’s covered by our insurance. Small Repairs As a gen...

School buses are awesome. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these yellow vehicles: keep roughly 17.3 million cars off the roads each morning, are far less likely to be involved in accidents, and are easily the safest mode of transportation for your kids. Moreover, todays school buses are designed to be safer than ever, and drivers are expected to undergo rigorous training and education to get your kids safely to and from school. ...

Did your power go out last weekend? Power outages are a major hassle: lack of Heat/AC, lights and electricity can really put a damper on your plans. Not to mention -- an outage can  end up being quite costly. Whether youre reeling over losing precious work-from-home time or are lamenting your quickly warming refrigerator full of perishable food, a power outage can be more than a little inconvenient. Enter: the generator. A portable, powerful little machine on standby for when you nee...

If you’ve ever joked about hiring a chauffeur to shuttle your kids to and from their various activities, you’re not alone! With back-to-school season upon us, many of us are in desperate need of a little help getting our kids around town. Between transporting your kids to and from school, extracurriculars, soccer practice, weekend football games, study sessions and playdates, your family minivan is probably feeling more like the family taxi. For working parents, the 9-5 sc...

Next time you hail an Uber in Pittsburgh, you might end up riding in a machine-run vehicle! In August, NPR reported on Ubers plan to run an experiment in Pittsburgh, where it will test the first-ever self-driving fleet thats available to everyday customers. For safety purposes, an Uber staff member (an engineer or specially trained driver) will be inside, acting as a human "co-pilot." So technically, its not a car without a human. In fact, for the time being, a human co-pilot is a neces...

As the weather cools, back porch grill outs become backyard gatherings round the fire pit. (Even for adults, nothing beats a warm fire and smore!) If you have a fire pit, or are considering adding one to your yard, here are 4 things to consider: 1. Permanent or Portable? If you want a more seasonal addition to your yard, youve got options. There are fire bowls that come in a variety of materials: copper or stainless steel bowls are usually lighter, but heavier cast iron bowls a...

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare - your child. Missing. Not too far from Cincinnati, in Indiana, the Indiana State Police have issued two Amber Alerts in the past two days. That is highly unusual for our Western neighbors, according to Andre Clark, Program Director for Missing Children and the Amber and Silver Alert programs. Nevertheless, these alerts have heightened parent anxiety everywhere. With the recent days history in mind, its helpful to know the ins and outs of A...

Halloween is Monday, friends! While its certainly one of our favorite holidays of the year, it comes with its own set of safety concerns. Follow these tips for a safe and fun Halloween! Tips for kids: 1. Never let your child trick-or-treat alone. Children should only trick-or-treat with a group that includes enough responsible adults to manage excited kids in costumes that might make it difficult for them to be seen. A little reflective tape on costumes can also help here, ens...

Car seat safety is so important -- and many of us are (unintentionally) putting our kids at risk due to improper car seat use and installation. Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a series of videos aimed to educate the public on proper car seat safety. These videos are definitely worth a look if you have young kids or grand kids (or are expecting them!):   For more information car seat safety, read ou...

Its a fact: most car accidents are the result of distracted driving. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each day over 8 people are killed and 1,161 are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Whats more alarming, is that the number is likely much higher due to inconsistencies in reporting. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. The CDC classifies three main types of di...

  Summers here, which means its pool season! Weve got 5 swim safety tips here, and safety tips for pool owners here, but today, were going to discuss a swim safety topic everyone should be aware of: Dry Drowning. In dry drowning, someone takes in a small amount of water through his or her nose and/or mouth, and it causes a spasm in the airway, causing it to close up. Dry drowning is often lumped with secondary drowning, where a little bit of water gets into the lungs and cause...

Have a kid in a car seat? The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines recently on car seat usage and safety. The CDCs updated guidelines are more concise and transparent, making life much easier for parents! Heres what you need to know about the CDCs updated car seat guidelines: 1. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years of age or, preferably, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer...

For most of us, its been a few years since Drivers Ed. Do you remember bus safety rules? This infographic breaks down when you should stop in relation to a bus on the road. You want to make sure youre following these guidelines, as theyre designed to keep the buss passengers safe! School buses are awesome. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these yellow vehicles: keep roughly 17.3 million cars off the roads each morning, are far less likely...

We all know we shouldnt be texting while driving. Soon, Apple will make it impossible to text and drive. Apples iOS 11, a new version of the operating software for Apple mobile devices, will contain a "Do Not Disturb While Driving" feature. Whenever the device is connected to a car using either Bluetooth or a cable -- or if the car is moving -- the phone will withhold any notifications for things like text messages or news updates. (Dont worry about being rude -- the sendee will get an auto...

Car insurance companies are paying out claims in record high numbers. Inevitably, this will have an effect on your insurance premium, as insurers have to raise rates to offset these claims. Whats causing this spike in claims, and what can you do? The experts at Selective Insurance explain the 4 reasons your car insurance rates are rising: 1. Drivers are driving more Maybe its due to airfare being expensive, having to commute to work or gas prices making car travel more affordable - but Ame...

The holiday season is here! And so is the holiday shopping season. Those last-minute deals online are too good to pass up: 40% off and free, 2-day shipping? Quadruple rewards points? And no long lines at the mall? Online shopping is a great way to snag great deals -- all from the comfort of your own home (and in your pjs with your favorite warm drink!). However, the like any transaction, there are security issues to keep in mind when buying online -- but by following a few basic guidelines,...

This week is National Teen Driver Safety week!  It feels like just yesterday your kiddo was born and today, they’re getting their driver’s license.  It’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time!  You have to trust that your child has listened to all of your words of wisdom, when they take control of that 3,000 pound vehicle/death machine.  Take a deep breath parents!   While no one can take away the concern you will have when you w...

We’ve had a very mild winter so far, but January is here and cold weather is sure to follow! When you are preparing yourself for cold weather you should also include your vehicle.  Follow these tips to help make sure you are prepared when the temperatures start dropping.   Important items to keep in your car. No matter what the weather there are some items that are always good to keep in your car.  Below is a list of items you should have in your car in the event of ...