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MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

• Wear a U.S. DOT-approved helmet. In Pennsylvania you must wear a helmet unless you are at least the age of 21 and have had a valid motorcycle license for not less than 2 calendar years.

• Enroll in a Motor Cycle Safety Course provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

• Make sure your motorcycle is current with state inspection and do a pre-ride inspection yourself.

• It is important to be seen so wear bright reflective clothing.

• Never drink and drive and always obey the speed limit.

• Be safe and know how to handle your motorcycle in all road conditions.

• Know your local weather forecast before you ride as bad weather can increase poor road conditions very quickly.

• Never assume that you are being seen by vehicles nearby.

• Make sure your motorcycle insurance is up to date.

Take  the time to “case” your house or apartment, just as a burglar  would. Where is the easiest entry? How can you make it more  burglar-resistant?

1. Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows, and think carefully before installing a high, wooden fence around your back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add to your privacy, but can also be an asset to a burglar. Consider trading a little extra privacy for a bit of added security.
2. Force  any would-be burglar to confront a real enemy-light. Exterior lights and motion detectors, mounted out of easy reach, can reduce the darkness a burglar finds comforting.
3. Simple  security devices-nails, screws, padlocks, door and window locks, grates,  bars and bolts can increase the amount of time it takes to break into your  home.
4. Invest  in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones also ring at an outside
   service.

Simple Security Steps

Doors

Make sure you have strong doors. Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood, and at least 13/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material, and each door must fit its frame securely. Even the most efficient lock, if it is placed in a weak door, will not keep out a determined burglar.

A peephole or a wide-angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.

Sliding glass doors present a special problem because they are easy to open, but you have these doors, you can find special locks for them. A broomstick in the door channel can also help, but cannot be depended on.

Locks

Deadbolt locks are best. They usually are locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder (where the key is inserted) should be pick-resistant. Ask your hardware dealer for a reputable brand or buy your locks from a locksmith.

Windows

Key locks are available for all types of windows. Double-hung windows can be secured simply by “pinning” the upper and lower frames together with a nail, which can be removed from the inside.

For windows at street level or on fire escapes, consider installing metal accordion gates.

Source:
Insurance Information Institute; www.iii.org

For more security tip information or if you have any questions concerning your current insurance coverages please feel free to call me at 610-355-9400 or email me at bmckeighan@mckeighaninsurance.com

Bob McKeighan

Vacation tips
1. Leave blinds open in their usual position.
2. Have mail and packages picked up, forwarded or held by the post office.
3. Lower the sound of your telephone ringer and answering machine so they can’t be heard outside.
4. Arrange to have your lawn mowed in summer and your walk and driveway shoveled in winter.
5. Stop newspaper deliveries.
6. Ask a friend to pick-up “throw-away” newspapers and circulars.
7. Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house at appropriate times. Consider connecting a radio to a timer.
8. Tell police and dependable neighbors when you plan to be away and join with your neighbors to keep a close watch on what’s happening in your area-working closely with them is a good way to prevent crime.

Source:
Insurance Information Institute; www.iii.org

For more vacation tip information or if you have any questions concerning your current insurance coverages please feel free to call me at 610-355-9400 or email me at bmckeighan@mckeighaninsurance.com

Bob McKeighan

• Maintain secure fencing and a locked entrance around the pool and deck area to prevent access when adequate supervision is  not available.
• Swimming lessons for children are inexpensive and available at many places including YMCAs, private swim clubs and even at some health clubs.
• Make sure there is adequate lifesaving equipment in the pool area, including life preservers and a rescue hook.
• Keep chemicals safely stored away from the pool area. Follow all storage and usage instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
• Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area. Adult supervision is a must.
• Inspect the liner periodically. Rips and tears can appear undetected at the top of the lining.
• Check for signs of wear and tear in areas where pipes or other items may have penetrated the liner (e.g., skimmers, hoses, etc.).
• For above ground pools, check metal supports for rust or deterioration. These may indicate areas where the pool could rupture or a person could be injured.
• Check the deck for safety hazards (e.g., protruding nails, loose boards, etc.).
• Keep your pool maintained and seasonably prepped. Be sure to lower the water level and keep the pool covered in the winter months.
• Install an audible pool alarm to alert you if someone falls into the pool while it is unattended.
• Set and enforce safety rules with your children, ex: no running on the deck or rough play.

Distracted Driving

Talking or texting on cell phones are just two of the dangerous driver distractions that claimed nearly 6,000 lives across the U.S. in 2008. Distractions behind the wheel can become even more deadly when combined with crowded highways, rural roads and city streets clogged with summer travelers. NHTSA urges drivers to keep their complete focus on the road at all times, which means putting cell phones and other portable electronics away and being mindful of other distractions such as eating, drinking and using in-vehicle technologies.

If it is necessary to make a phone call, drivers should simply pull off the road to a safe location. Parents of teen drivers on school break should remind their teens that talking or texting behind the wheel is not worth the risk. For more information on distracted driving, please visit, www.distraction.gov.

This information was provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For additional safety tips, visit www.nhtsa.gov, or www.safercar.gov and please have a safe summer behind the wheel of your car.

Not all insurance agents are the same! Choosing the right one can make a big difference – in price, service, and value. With other agencies, you get one company that sells one brand of insurance. With an independent insurance agency you get choices. Why? Because independent insurance agencies, like McKeighan Insurance Agency, Inc. represent a number of different insurance companies, and can compare coverage and prices to find the best possible value for your individual circumstances.

As independent agents, we are members of the community, and we’re committed to being your advocate in times of need. Please feel free to call me at 610-355-9400 or email me at bmckeighan@mckeighaninsurance.com if I can be of service to you.

Bob McKeighan