Tag: college

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Back to School Safety: College – General Safety Tips

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we have a couple of tips for students going back to college.

General College Safety Tips

Having a car in prime condition is only one element of college life that will keep your child out of trouble. Although his or her experience can change depending on a variety of factors, here are some ground rules that you should go over before he or she embarks on this next chapter.

  • Don’t drink too much. Not only will it affect grades, but it could lead to a host of health problems.
  • Clean your dorm regularly. Smells will develop over time, and your teenager could create a biohazard in the process.
  • Try to eat healthily. College students are notorious for eating cheap food, but it will cost them in the long run.
  • Stay safe on campus. Walking around at night can be dangerous in some areas, so always have a buddy or friend go with you.
  • Don’t get too stressed. Too much anxiety can lead to depression and other mental afflictions. Remind your teen to relax from time to time and avoid cramming whenever possible.
  • Think before you act.  College is a time to explore and try new things, but remember that everything we do has consequences — either good, bad or a little of each.  Sometimes those consequences cannot be reversed. Remind your student to think about what they do BEFORE they do it. Overall, teach your son or daughter that it’s okay to discover who they are as long as they aren’t putting themselves in danger.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: College – Prepping Your Car

Back to School Safety Guide

If your child is heading off to higher education, then you want to make sure that he or she is well prepared for life on their own. There are a lot of different things that can happen during college life, so it’s imperative that you talk to your teenager about how to stay safe in the process.  This week, we have a couple of tips for students going back to college.

Prepping Your Car for the Trip

If the university is a long distance away from home, then you will want to be sure that your teen’s car is up to the challenge. That being said, here are the most vital systems to check and update as necessary.

  • Check fluids. Brakes, power steering, and oil are all essential. Other options include windshield wipers, antifreeze, and possibly transmission fluid.
  • Check for leaks. If the car is leaving wet spots wherever it goes, there is a good chance that you have to get something fixed.
  • Test the battery. Unless it’s less than a year old, it should be tested to make sure that it will hold up, especially in hot or cold weather.
  • Check your tires. First, make sure that they have sufficient pressure. Next, check for balding, as that’s a sign that they need to be replaced. Also check to make sure that you have a properly-inflated spare tire that is in good working order.
  • Test your lights. Although brake lights and headlights are crucial, you should also check things like license plate lights and dome bulbs as well.
  • Find a local mechanic. Since you won’t be on hand to remind your teenager about car maintenance, it’s best to find a local shop that can help out.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: Getting to School – Carpooling

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we are giving a brief overview of various transportation options as well as how to stay safe in each situation.

Carpooling

In many cases, you can arrange a carpool with other parents to ensure that your kids get to school quickly and safely. Although carpooling is one of the most secure methods of transportation, it’s still essential that you prepare your child for potential danger.

For the most part, you want to make sure that your little one verifies the driver of the car before getting in. Since many vehicles look alike, it can be easy to mistake one for the other and wind up in the wrong car. Also, for added security, it’s best to set up a schedule beforehand. This way, your child knows who should be picking him or her up at any time. Thus, if someone else tries to drive your little one, he or she will know to avoid the situation and wait for the approved driver instead.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: Getting to School – Walking to School

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we are giving a brief overview of various transportation options as well as how to stay safe in each situation.

Walking to School

If biking is not a viable option but you still live close, then you may allow your kids to walk to school. If that is the case, then follow these tips to ensure proper safety.

  • Walk with other kids. Try to never walk by yourself if possible.
  • Stick to open areas that have high visibility.
  • Always follow proper traffic safety when crossing the street.
  • Never stop to interact with anyone you don’t know.
  • Don’t walk after dark.
  • Only walk pre-approved routes. Don’t deviate.
  • If you get lost, retrace your steps until you can find your way.
  • Keep a phone handy in case you have to call someone.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: Getting to School – Biking to School

Back to School Safety Guide

This week, we are giving a brief overview of various transportation options as well as how to stay safe in each situation.

Biking to School Safety

As your kids get older, they may want to get to school on their own. Cycling is a viable option if you don’t live too far, and you are in a decent neighborhood. Although you should have covered basic bike safety when you taught your child how to ride, some other elements have to be addressed when biking to and from school.

  • Always look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Always ride with a helmet and pads.
  • Never leave your bike unattended and unlocked.
  • Make sure to lock your bike when you arrive at school.
  • Pay attention to cars and traffic while riding.
  • Try to stick to the sidewalks whenever possible.
  • Ride with traffic, not against it.
  • Never ride at night without a light. Try not to ride at night at all if possible.
  • Never let someone else ride with you – one seat, one rider.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: Getting to School – Riding the School Bus

Back to School Safety Guide

Although most parents would love to be able to drop their kids off and pick them up every day, work schedules usually prohibit that kind of attentive care. Thus, you will likely have to rely on a variety of methods to ensure that your children get to and from school safely. This week, we are giving a brief overview of various transportation options as well as how to stay safe in each situation.

Riding the School Bus

Remarkably, busses have not changed at all in the last fifty years. That means that the bus you rode on as a kid is likely identical to the one that will transport your child. The reason for this is that school buses are about as safe as they can be already, but that doesn’t mean that they are immune to accidents. Here are the rules every child should follow when riding the bus.

  • Always listen to the bus driver and follow instructions.
  • Never stand while the bus is in motion.
  • Only get off at a stop that you recognize. Never depart the bus if you’re not sure where you are.
  • Keep your bag and belongings close to you. If anything drops onto the floor, wait until you arrive before trying to retrieve it.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Back to School Safety: Driving in a School Zone

Back to School Safety Guide

Your children aren’t the only ones who need to be careful when obeying the traffic laws. Whether dropping your kids off or picking them up from school, you have to follow the rules as much as they do. Here are a few key reminders.

  • Always stop for a school bus when the lights flash.
  • Never go above the posted speed limit, even if there are no school zone lights.
  • Never pass other stopped vehicles in a school zone.
  • Assume that children are always present, even outside of school hours.
  • Keep your eyes peeled at all times – avoid any distractions whenever possible.
  • Expect the unexpected.

More Back to School Safety to Come

Our focus this month is all about school safety. Like and Follow us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to keep up when we release new tips!

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Protecting Contents of College Students Away From Home

Protecting Contents of College Students Away From Home

College is expensive enough without finding out too late that an accident or theft isn’t covered under parents’ current policies.

Coverage of personal property

Most homeowners policies provide 10 percent of Coverage C (Personal Property) for property owned by an insured while it is at a residence other than the insured residence.  That means if the contents of a policyholder’s home are insured for $100,000, a student’s property up to $10,000 would be covered if living in a dormitory – provided the damage is caused by a covered peril and the student meets the definition of a insured.  Certain items, such as jewelry or expensive electronics my require special coverage or insuring it as a “scheduled item”.

Liability coverage

There usually is an exclusion for damage to property rented to an insured, so generally damage to a dorm room or apartment would not be covered.

Renters insurance

If a student’s needs can’t be met under their parents’ current policy, don’t forget about the asking for a Renter’s Insurance quote.