Page 8 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – May/June 2019

Insurance
More than 3,200 people drown each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. Drowning is also one of the leading causes of unintentional death in children between the ages of 1 and 9. Many of these fatalities occur even with supervision.
When warmer weather arrives, it’s great to beat the heat in a pool. But pool owners and their family and friends should be aware of basic pool safety tips to make sure swimming is safe and fun for everyone.
Have proper pool equipment
• Use a safety cover when your pool is not in use. Pool covers should tightly cover the entire pool so children or pets cannot slip underneath.
• Surround your pool with a fence or other barrier. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends securing your pool with a 4-foot-high fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
• Keep your pool clean and clear, and keep children away from pool filters and other
It’s grilling season — finally, but before firing up your grill, consider some important information and tips from AAA for safe summer barbecues.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, some 5,700 grill fires take place on residential properties every year. Most are caused by malfunctioning gas grills. These fires cause an average of $37 million in damage annually
to properties, structures and possessions, including gazebos, sheds and lawn furniture. And thousands of people visit emergency rooms every year because they’ve burned themselves while grilling.
Before you barbecue, take a few minutes to review grilling safety tips and to ensure your equipment is working properly.
Safe barbecuing tips:
• Read and follow the owner’s manual.
• Place your grill at least 10 feet away from
walls and deck railings to prevent fires from igniting buildings. Keep your grill away from decorations, such as hanging plants and umbrellas.
• Never grill indoors or in confined areas;
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mechanical devices. The suction from these devices can injure a swimmer and even hold someone under water.
• Keep lifesaving equipment nearby. Life rings, floats or a reaching pole should be easily accessible.
Learn and teach water safety skills
• Keep children under supervision at all times. Have inexperienced swimmers swim with an adult in the pool and wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved vest.
• Limit alcohol use. The CDC reports that alcohol is involved in 70 percent of all teen and adult deaths associated with water recreation. Alcohol negatively impacts balance, coordination and judgment. These effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.
• Regularly check the pool area for any potential accident hazards. Glass bottles, toys and electric devices, such as radios and fans, can pose tripping or electrical hazards.
charcoal grills produce carbon monoxide
fumes that are fatal in unventilated areas. • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know
how to use it.
• Never leave a grill burning unattended.
• Grease can cause flare-up fires. Keep your
grill clean by removing grease and fat
build-up from the grill and grill trays.
• If the flame on your grill goes out, turn the
grill and gas off. Wait at least 15 minutes before relighting and always make sure your grill lid is open before igniting.
Grill maintenance and storage:
• When setting up at the start of grilling season, check grill hoses for cracks, holes and blockages. Blockages caused by food drippings or insects can be cleared with a wire or pipe cleaner.
• Run a soap solution — one part liquid soap, one part water — along hoses and at connections. If the solution bubbles, then there is a gas leak that needs repair.
• Store propane tanks outside and away from your home. Always check to ensure that valves are turned off.
• Don’t leave toys or floats in the pool when it’s not in use. Kids may fall into the pool trying to reach them.
• Take CPR and first aid training or refresh your training if it has been awhile. Those trainings save lives every year.
Contact your insurance company. Let your insurance agent know if you have a pool to make sure you have the right coverage.
For information on homeowners, renters, or other lines of insurance, contact your AAA Insurance agent at 1-800-222-1469, visit AAA.com/Insurance, or stop by your local AAA office.
What your insurance covers:
Following the tips above may help prevent a grill fire spreading to your home, but if a fire does occur, a standard homeowners policy typically covers the following:
• Damage to the primary residence
• Damage to personal possessions, such as
tables or lawn chairs
• Damage to insured structures on your
property, such as sheds or gazebos
• Injuries to a guest, under the liability portion
of the policy
To find out more about homeowners, condo, or renters insurance, call your AAA agent at 1-800-222-1469 or stop by your local AAA office to see what discounts you may
be eligible for and what type of coverage you might need.
MAY/JUNE 2019