Page 10 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – July/August 2017

INSURANCE SERVICES
Summer Safety Tips
The days are longer – and summer is here. Consider adding these tasks to your summer to-do list while you’re cleaning out the closets.
Winter can be tough on your home. Summer is a great time to catchup on home maintenance. Small repairs can save you money and headaches down the road.
Inspect your roof
Look for damaged or buckling shingles or tiles, and have them replaced. Don’t miss the base of the chimney, and repair any cracks to prevent water from leaking in.
Trim your trees
Prune tree limbs regularly to keep them away from your home, decks and outbuildings in case strong winds and precipitation case them to break. If a tree is too close to your home, consider having it removed.
Clean out your gutters
Remove leaves, sticks and other debris so summer showers can flow freely. Make sure gutters are secure and downspouts drain away from your foundation. If possible, extend the bottom of the downspout away from your home by at least 6 feet.
Test wood for water damage
Make sure wood on your home is not soft when you press it. It isn’t just exposed wood that is at risk. Even vinyl- or aluminum-sided homes have wooden framing and trim. Use a screwdriver to probe for soft wood, and repair or replace it
as needed.
Check for appliance leaks
Look for signs of leakage around your washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, water heater and other appliances that use water. Small leaks can lead to major damage.
Clean your dryer vent
Nearly 3,000 home dryer fires happen every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration, causing $35 million in property loss annually. Cleaning dryer vents can prevent about a third of those fires. Make sure to clean your lint trap after every use.
For more information on auto, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance, contact AAA Schuylkill County.
Simple Steps to Swimming Safety
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,” said Sue Smyrl, Manager with AAA Schuylkill County Insurance Agency.
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 of 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
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 radio and fans, can cause tripping or electrical hazards.
• 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 ear.
• Contact your insurance company. Let your insurance agent know if you have a pool to make sure you have the right coverage.
For more information, call your AAA insurance agent or insurance customer service, or visit AAA Schuylkill County.
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JULY/AUGUST 2017