Page 5 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – November/December 2019

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Decorating your home indoors and out is a longstanding tradition — but it also comes with risks. Every year, hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 13,000 people who become injured by faulty lights and other decorations, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Playing it safe when decorating your home for the holidays can make the difference between a joyous season and one of tragedy. Here are some tips to help you prevent holiday mishaps:
1) Keep décor away from heat sources. Indoor lights should not
touch drapes, furniture or carpeting, and candles should be placed away from flammable items. Live trees should not be near fireplaces or heaters.
2) Take care of your tree. Buy live trees that are fresh and green, and water them regularly to keep them hydrated. If you choose an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as “fire-resistant.” Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
3) Don’t throw wrapping paper in the fireplace. Paper is highly flammable and can cause flash fires. Instead, recycle your wrapping paper or save it to be reused. Place a screen around your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting flammable materials.
4) Double-check your lights. Check your lights for frays and cracks, and make sure there is a bulb in every socket. Discard or replace any damaged strands.
5) Power down before bedtime. Turn off all lights before you go to bed, and set timers if you will be away from home, to prevent a short that could cause an electrical fire.
6) Opt for unbreakable ornaments. Choose bulbs and decorations that won’t shatter and create a hazard if broken.
7) Stay safe outside. Keep ladders and decorations away from overhead power lines, and don’t hammer tacks or nails into electrical cords; use clips instead. Use heavy-duty extension cords that are meant for outdoor use, and don’t overload them.
8) Choose non-toxic plants. Festive plants like holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous when eaten, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Even the most cautious decorators can experience a stroke of bad holiday luck. To get a quote on home, renters, or other personal lines of insurance, contact your AAA Insurance Agent at 1-800-222-1469, visit AAA.com/Insurance, or stop by your local AAA office.
According to a AAA survey, an estimated 20 million Americans who purchased a real Christmas tree in the last five years did not properly secure it
to their vehicle,
risking serious
vehicle damage and
dangerous road debris. Vehicle damage that results from an improperly secured Christmas tree, such as scratched paint, torn door seals, and distorted window frames, could cost up to $1,500 to repair. In addition to vehicle damage, Christmas trees that are not properly secured are a safety hazard for other drivers.
Fortunately, Christmas trees can be safely transported by taking the following steps:
• Use the right vehicle. It’s best to transport a Christmas tree on top
of a vehicle equipped with a roof rack. However, if you do not have a roof rack, use the bed of a pickup truck, or an SUV, van or minivan that can fit the tree inside with all doors closed.
• Use quality tie downs. Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree to your vehicle’s roof rack. Avoid the lightweight twine offered by many tree lots.
• Protect the tree. Have the tree wrapped in netting before loading it. If netting is unavailable, secure loose branches with rope or twine.
• Protect your vehicle. Use an old blanket to prevent paint scratches and protect the vehicle finish.
• Point the trunk towards the front. Always place the tree on a roof rack or in a pickup bed with the bottom of the trunk facing the front of the vehicle.
• Tie it down. Secure the tree at its bottom, center and top. At the bottom, use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop around the trunk above a lower branch, to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement. The center and top tie downs should be installed in a similar manner.
• Give the tug test. Before you leave the lot, give the tree several strong tugs from various directions to make sure it is secured in place and will not blow away.
• Drive slowly and easily. Take the back roads, if possible. Higher speeds create significant airflow that can damage your Christmas tree and challenge even the best tie-down methods.
Drivers can face hefty fines and penalties as well as jail time if an unsecured tree falls off their vehicle. Currently every state has laws that make it illegal for items to fall from a vehicle while on the road. Most states’ penalties result in fines ranging from $10 and $5,000, with at least 16 states listing jail as a possible punishment for offenders.
AAA Southern Pennsylvania offices will be closed on the following dates in observation of the upcoming holidays:
Thursday, November 28 Wednesday, December 25 Wednesday, January 1
In addition, AAA Southern Pennsylvania offices will be closing at noon on December 24 and December 31, with the exception of the AAA Johnstown office, which will remain open until 1 p.m. on these days.
As always, our reliable Roadside Assistance will operate as usual, 24 hours a day, during the holidays.
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation of Explore Your AAA. Publication No. 012-270. Filing Date 09/25/19. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6. Annual Subscription Price: $1.50 per copy. Owner: AAA Southern Pennsylvania, 2840 Eastern Boulevard, York, PA 17402-2908. Mailing Address: Same as headquarters. Editor: Tasha Auman, AAA Southern Pennsylvania, 2840 Eastern Boulevard, York, PA 17402-2908. Managing Editor: Judie Karhan, 28338 Constellation Rd. Unit 990, Valencia, CA. 91355. Known Bondholders, mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning of Holding 1% or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. Publication Name: Explore Your AAA. Issue Dates for Circulation Data Below: September/October 2019.
Average no. copies each issue s during preceding 12 month
138,699
138,368 0
0
0 138,368
0
0
0
0
0 138,368 331 138,699 100%
No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date
138,918
138.193 0
0
0 138,193
0
0
0
0
0 138,193 725 138,918 100%
A. Total no of copies (net press run) B. Paid circulation
1. Paid/requested outside mail subscriptions stated on form 3541 2. Paid in county subscription
3. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sale,
and other USPS paid distribution centers
4. Requested copies mailed through other USPS classes
C. Total paid and/or requested circulation:
D. Free distribution by mail (samples, complementary, and other free)
1. Outside county as stated on form 3541
2. In-county as stated on form 3541
3. Other classes mailed through USPS
4. Free distribution outside the mail (carriers or other means)
E. Total free distribution F. Total distribution
G. Copies not distributed H. Total
I. Percent paid
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