Happy Halloween

Treats, not Tricks: Keep Halloween in Safe Hands - Your Family's

Safe & Sound Trick or Treating

Teach Your Kids

Start by taking your kids, not sending them

Add to the fun by including other families

Find a "family-friendly" neighborhood (even if you must drive there)

Escort young children to the door; instruct them never to enter a house

Have children use the "buddy system" - pick a partner and stick together

Avoid close encounters with candles - in and out of the jack-o-lanterns

Light your way by remember to take flashlights

Leave dark houses behind; no porch light, trick-or-treaters are not welcome

Observe safety sense; cross streets at intersections after looking both ways

Wear comfortable costumes that don't obstruct vision; use reflector tape if needed

Educate your children about "stranger danger" in age-appropriate ways

Equip yourselves with cell phones or 2-way radios

Nibble candy at home after a thorough checking by parents

Winter Home Protection Tips

Fall into Winter Home Protection

Simple Tips to Help Protect Your House

For many, fall is a favorite time to be outdoors. Be sure to include these routine home maintenance steps among your autumnal activities.

• Clean your gutters. Overflowing water from clogged gutters can damage your roof and lead to cracks in your home's foundation.

Replace damaged/missing shingles. Cracked, broken or missing shingles leave your roof exposed to the elements.

• Trim trees and bushes. If you let trees and bushes grow too close to your home, they can block the sun and lead to water damage.


• Have a professional tune your furnace. By having your furnace checked and tuned by a professional, you can reduce temperature variations, improve air quality and protect against carbon monoxide.


• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors run on batteries, check them at least once every season.


• Put unused lawn equipment away. If you've finished with your lawnmowers, clippers, rake and other implements for the season, put them away in a safe place for next spring.


• Have your chimney checked. A professional chimney sweep can evaluate the condition of your chimney and, if necessary, clean it to get rid of creosote, which is flammable and can be dangerous.


• Winterize sprinkler system. Drain and winterize your sprinkler system as well as hoses that are attached to a downspout.


• Sealing windows and doors. Seal and caulk around windows and doors to keep drafts out and the heat in.

These aren't the only maintenance tips to follow, but they should give you a good start on keeping your home safe and secure this autumn. Take action soon but please consult with a professional where appropriate.

*much of the above information was taken from www.amfam.com article

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