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South Carolina's oldest insurance agency

Fall Insurance Tips...

dirt road in the fall

The leaves are changing, there is a crispness in the air, and the weather is finally getting cooler, but are your insurance needs ready for fall?  Read some of the tips below to make sure you are ready to enjoy the cooler weather and the upcoming holidays...


Watch Out for School Children...

school busFall is back to school time. Actually late August and early September is when most public schools start. Do you know the South Carolina law regarding stopped school buses? You can go to the South Carolina Highway Patrol website, www.schp.org/sbs.asp to get more info or click here to view the pdf poster.


  • Allow yourself extra driving time when school buses are on the highway in the mornings and afternoons.
  • Slow down when approaching children who are on the side of the road. Watch for kids who might dart out from parked cars.
  • Remember that a child under 7 years of age is NOT responsible for his/her actions. And children between the ages of 7 and 14 are usually not held accountable for their actions. Thus, if your vehicle strikes a child, you will be responsible in most cases.
  • Be courteous and cautious. A child’s life is too important.


Fire Prevention Week

house fire

Fire Prevention Week is the second week in October. We recommend the National Fire Protection Association website, www.firepreventionweek.com, as a source of safety tips and home evacuation plans. We also have some good info on our Helpful Tips page about Fire Prevention.

Don't forget to have those fireplaces checked and cleaned and remember to check the batteries in the smoke detectors too.



Fall Maintenance

  • Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified technician.
  • Keep flammable materials, including all lawn and power equipment, away from water heaters and wiring in the basement.
  • Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures, and turn up the thermostat during extra cold periods.
  • Check for damage to your roof, and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This is especially important during the fall season to keep leaves from building up in gutters.
  • Check and repair caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration.
  • Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet bases; and make repairs as needed.
  •  Have your chimney cleaned and maintained annually by a professional.
  • Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
  • Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material.
  • Check your 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.
  •  Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible, filled and ready for operation.
  • Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure there is one on each floor of your home. Test them monthly, and change the battery annually or as needed.


Halloween Safety Tips

trick-or-treaters

Below are more common sense tips that can help adults keep their kids safe...

  • As bad as it sounds, this is just a fact of life now. Get on the internet and check your local state website for sex offenders. Almost every state has one, just do a search for your state sex offender site. Look up your zip code and it should have a list of registered offenders in your area that includes street addresses. Make sure that your kids stay away from these houses!
  • Trick or treating isn't what it used to be. In most cities it's not safe to let kids walk the streets by themselves. Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can't take them yourself, see if another parent or two can.
  • Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that it's fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.
  • Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see them.
  • Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help them see and for drivers to see them
  • Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won't be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cook books full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.
  • Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Make sure that costumes won't get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.
  • Teach your kids about not getting into strangers cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them. Explain to them as simply as you can that some adults are bad and want to hurt children, that they should never go into a house that they don't know, get into a car or go anywhere with a stranger. Also, tell them what to do should this happen, to scream as loud as they can to draw attention and to run away as fast as they can to someplace safe.
  • Be sure to show your children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

  • Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
  • Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
  • Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
  • Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
  • Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Referenced from: Halloween Safety Guide and the CDC websites

haloween pumpkin

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!