Pool Safety Tips

There's no better place to be than in the pool when you're trying to beat the heat. Pools provide great relaxation, exercise, and fun, but they can also be very dangerous, especially for children. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children. Check out these tips to make sure that your pool stays a safe and fun place.

 

1.      Be Prepared. Everyone who is using your pool, including you and your children, should learn how to swim. You should also learn how to perform CPR on both adults and children. Teach your children pool safety tips from a young age, and remind them to follow pool rules whenever they go swimming.

 

2.      Be Alert. There should always be at least one adult watching the children in the pool at all times. This responsible adult should have a phone nearby in case of emergency. Never allow anyone to swim alone, even if they know how to swim. Never swim after taking anything that impairs your judgment or slows your reaction time, such as alcohol or medications.

 

3.      Install Fences and Gates. The fence around your pool should be at least four feet tall. A safe pool gate is both self-latching and self-closing. The latch on the gate should be located above a child's reach. You can also install pool and gate alarms to alert you when anyone goes near the water.

 

The fence around your pool should be at least four feet tall. A safe pool gate is both self-latching and self-closing. The latch on the gate should be located above a child's reach.

 

4.      Pay Attention to Decks and Ladders. The same basic safety rules apply to all types of pools, but above-ground pools also have decks and ladders. Put a guard rail around the entire deck. Ladders into the pool should be easily removable, or swing up out of the reach of children, and securely stored when the pool is not in use.

 

5.      Keep Your Pool Area Safe. Try to locate pools away from the house, instead of using it as a fourth wall. Locate lawn furniture, trees, and shrubs at a safe distance from the pool fence. These items present a hazardous way to climb over the fence and into the pool area. If you have an in-ground pool, put a clearly visible dividing line between the shallow end and the deep end. Visibly mark the depth of the water throughout the pool. Children might accidently fall into the water reaching for toys, so make sure that they are stored safely away from the pool.

 

6.      Perform Safety Checks and Pool Maintenance. Check your pool and equipment routinely to be certain that it is clean and working properly. Loose or unsecured ladders, fences, or guard rails could be very dangerous, so make sure to test these areas frequently for sturdiness and stability. Inspect nails, bolts, and other sharp objects that could protrude from your pool, deck, or equipment and cause injury.

 

7.      Be Aware of Entrapment. A major cause of drowning accidents is drain entrapment. Drain entrapment is when a body, article of clothing, hair, or jewelry is caught in a drain that is not working properly. The best way to prevent entrapment is to advise children to stay away from drains. Everybody going into the pool should have no loose clothing or jewelry on and have long hair tied back. Consider installing automatic shut-off systems and verify that your drain covers are compliant with safety standards.

 

8.      Know what to do if an Accident Happens. The electrical cut-off switch and pool pump switch should be clearly marked and easy to reach. You should know how to shut these switches off quickly if an emergency were to occur. In the event of an entrapment, insert a small object in between the person and the drain to break the suction, and then roll them away from the drain. It would be nearly impossible to pull a person away from the drain without breaking the suction first. Accidents happen even at the safest pools, so have a first aid kit nearby at all times.

Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning to Join the Nation

Left to right: Denver Broncos President, Joe Ellis, Nationwide’s Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Jauchius and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

We joined forces with the Denver Broncos and their starting quarterback Peyton Manning.

 

“I’m excited about my new partnership with Nationwide,” Manning said. “I view myself as more than a football player just like Nationwide is ‘More Than A Business.’ Together, we can help people successfully plan for the future and give back to the community.

 

“I’m partnering with Nationwide because it is a company that puts people first. To me, that’s what On Your Side means. I’m very proud to be a member of the Nationwide team.”As a part of the multi-year agreement, Manning will work with us to support consumer and business offerings in the auto, home, life and retirement categories.

 

“We’re proud to welcome Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to the Nationwide family,” said Matt Jauchius, chief marketing officer for Nationwide Insurance. “There are a lot of great athletes in America, but only a select few truly connect with the American public. Peyton Manning is one of these special individuals. Partnering with him will have a positive impact on our business and bring great pride to Nationwide agents, members and associates. It’s a great fit for Nationwide.

 

”We will have a multi-year marketing agreement with the Denver Broncos Football Club.

 

“We’re also excited to work directly with the Denver Broncos. Broncos fans are passionate and loyal and we’re eager to connect with them and demonstrate that On Your Side is much more than a jingle,” Jauchius said.

 

Click the link to watch the full press conference here and stay tuned for brand-new advertising featuring Peyton Manning this fall.

Summer Safety Tips for Kids

The final school bell has rung, the pencils and notebooks are packed away and the kids are ready for some summer fun! Children love the hot summer months, because they provide the perfect opportunity to spend lots of time outside. Whether it’s swimming in the pool, hiking through the woods, taking long walks, or going for a bike ride, there is something for everyone, no matter how young or old.

 

We hope that everyone enjoys this special time of year, but we want to also remind parents that there are potential dangers during the summer months, and it’s important to be aware of what they are. The more information one learns about how to prevent illnesses and injuries, the less likely they will occur.

 

There are many areas to cover when it comes to summer safety, and we’ll review just a few here. Please keep in mind that this is a brief list of tips. For more information check out the web sites recommended at the end of this article.

Tick Bites

Ticks are responsible for a variety of illnesses including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These diseases can be very serious. Learn ways to protect your family. Some suggestions include:

• protective clothing (long sleeves, long pants, tucking pants into socks)
• tick/bug repellant
• insect repellant for pets
• staying in the center of paths, keeping away from overgrown areas and not sitting directly on the ground
• performing tick checks on all family members every day
• being aware of signs/symptoms of tick-related illnesses
• calling the doctor for any concerns and questions
  
  

Helmet Safety

• An appropriate helmet must be worn whenever a child is “on wheels.” This means bicycles, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards and more!
• The helmet must fit properly.
• Helmets can be life saving and can protect a child from serious injury.
• Be sure the right type of helmet is being used. For example, a bike helmet needs to be used for biking.
• Moms and dads should wear helmets as well.
  
  

Pedestrian Safety

• Teach children to walk, not run, across the street.
• Children should cross only with an adult or an older, responsible child.
• Whenever crossing the street, try to make eye contact with any drivers nearby, to be sure they see you.
• Teach children to avoid running out from between parked cars.
• Use sidewalks whenever possible.
• Always hold your child’s hand near any moving or parked vehicles.
• Adults always need to set a good example!
  
  

Water Safety

Adult supervision is of paramount importance. Parents need to focus on their children 100% of the time. No distractions!


• Practice “touch supervision” (a term used by the American Academy of Pediatrics). This means that at all times, the supervising adult is within an arm’s length of the child being watched, when near or in the water.
• Remember, no child or adult is “drown proof.”
• Keep in mind that children can drown in many different water sources including: bathtubs, toilets, buckets, baby pools, backyard swimming pools, community pools, streams, creeks, lakes, rivers, oceans and other places.

Sun Protection

• Avoid sun exposure during peak sun hours (10 AM – 6 PM).
• Wear protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses (with 99-100% UV protection).
• Sunscreen is a must (on sunny and cloudy days)! Look for products with UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of at least 15 (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Association of Dermatology).
• Sunscreen should be applied liberally 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapplied every two hours or sooner if swimming, sweating or toweling off.
• Look for shade whenever possible.
  
  

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

• It’s the oil from the leaves of these plants that cause the potential allergic reaction.
• Consider wearing protective clothing to help decrease the amount of exposed skin.
• Learn how to recognize what poison ivy, oak and sumac look like, so that they can be avoided.
• Avoid bushy, overgrown areas and places which may contain these plants. Try to stay on paths.

Summer First Aid Kit

• Every family should have at least one first aid kit at home which is well stocked and readily accessible.
• It’s also helpful to keep a first aid kit in the car and one to bring on trips.
• Kids get lots of cuts and scrapes during the warm summer months, so it’s nice to be prepared.
• Don’t forget to restock the kit once an item has been used.
• Be sure to keep a list of emergency numbers where they are easy to find. This list should include: emergency medical services (911), the doctor’s number, the dentist’s number, poison control, a number where mom and/or dad can be reached and any other important phone numbers.

Dehydration and Heat-Related Illnesses

• Keeping well hydrated is very important.
• Children (and adults) must remember to drink.
• Do not wait until a child says he is thirsty before offering fluids. At this point, he is already dehydrated, so be sure to provide plenty of fluids before going outside, while out in the heat and afterwards.
• Playing in the hot summer sun means lots of fluid losses, so avoid strenuous activity during peak sun hours (10 am- 6 pm). Look for shade and take lots of breaks.
• Seek medical attention immediately for any signs of heat-related illness.

Grilling

• Never let children near the grill. Remember, it can remain very hot even after it is no longer being used.
• Be sure to check the internal temperature of foods on the grill, to be sure everything has been cooked appropriately.
• If picnicking outdoors, avoid leaving out foods that require refrigeration and/or foods that can quickly spoil.

Car Insurance Misconceptions vs. Reality

 

Buying car insurance that’s right for you can be a challenging task, especially with so many options available. You’ll have to navigate through persisting myths as well, but we can clear some of these up for you.

 

Misconception: A red vehicle costs more to insure

 

Reality: If you’re looking for auto insurance for a red car, don’t worry about having to pay more for coverage because of color. Car insurance providers do not factor in color, nor do they ask for that information. Most will, however, take into account such things like model, make, year, and engine size of your car. How many miles you drive each year, where you drive, your past accident history, and even your credit history may be used to determine coverage pricing.

 

Misconception: Car insurance will pay off my loan if my car is totaled

 

Reality: Some consumers have outstanding loan balances that are greater than the value of their vehicle; these customers may want to consider purchasing “gap” insurance (coverage that, for an additional charge, will pay the difference between your loan value and the cost to replace your car).

 

Misconception: Car insurance is “one size fits all”

 

Reality: Auto insurance can, and should be, customized to each customer’s individual needs.

 

Misconception: More expensive cars cost more to insure

 

Reality: The cost of a vehicle does influence the price of insurance but just as important are things like how costly replacement parts are, how many repair specialists there are for a vehicle, etc.

 

Misconception: Rates automatically go up after a traffic ticket

 

Reality: Getting a traffic ticket doesn’t automatically mean significant premium increases. However, not all tickets are created equal, either. The following are some premium-busting tickets you’ll want to avoid:

• DUI Reckless driving
• Careless driving
• Speeding
• Failure to stop
• Failure to yield to pedestrian
• Driving in a carpool lane

Misconception: If a friend borrows the car, he or she is responsible for damages

 

Reality: If you ever decide to let a friend borrow your car, make sure he or she is an experienced driver with a solid driving record. If they do get in a car accident, it may be your insurance that has to cover the damages.

Enjoy longer days and warmer nights while protecting your investment

Summertime is the best time to be outside enjoying the weather. Make sure your deck or patio is ready for the summer sun by keeping in mind the seasonal maintenance tips below.

• Check deck or patio for possible deterioration and safety hazards such as loose boards and protruding nails.
• Check electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
• Check all window and door locks to ensure correct functioning. Make sure all locks are secure and there are no holes in any of the screens.
• Inspect recreational equipment for proper operation and possible dangers (e.g., Are swing sets secure, and do they contain any rusty bolts?).
• Carefully inspect your toilet. Look for the erosion of plastic floater valves, and check all pipe connections.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust and pieces of material.
• Inspect washing machine hoses periodically, and replace hoses that show signs of wear or leakage.
• Have your roof inspected by a professional once every few years to identify areas of potential leakage.