*Now is a great time to have those fireplaces cleaned and inspected......

-Don't forget:  Burn only seasoned (6 mo - 1 year)  hard woods

-Keep combustibles away from the hearth 

-Never leave a fire unattended

*Driving conditions get very dangerous this time of year, and claims go up.

-Be aware:  Wet leaves on wet roads

-Deer / Hunting season-  Dusk to Dawn

-Trick or Treats bring out the little goblins                               

-Temperature Changes can splinter that tiny windshield ding

-Back to School:  Watch out for the buses and school children

-Teenagers Beware:  Inexperienced drivers with friends in the car can become a deadly combination.  Stay Focused!!!

*Hard Economic Times can cause Crime to rise. 

-Make sure to lock your car doors and your homes.

-Remove Items from your car that could be "marketable" to a thief.

-Keep bicycles and other valuables stored in locked garages

-Become involved in your "neighborhood watch"

*Shorter days can mean longer evenings at home, don't fall into the couch potato rut.

-Make your evenings count and get your finances and life in order!   Here is a great drill that my husband and I have used personally.  (After we first did this, we became very aware of how serious it can be....now we do a surprise drill without notice!) Here is how it works: 

Come home from work one day, and say to your spouse or significant other:   "I died today......do you know what  you will need to do?  Do you know who to call?   Do you have enough life insurance, do you have a will - is it up to date?

Do you know passwords and where to locate important documents and records?  This is truly as important as a fire drill!   It is an eye opener!

                                 Good Luck.