Society Insurance has provided this information. It's timely and worth the read: Life jackets have come a long way. They don’t have to be big, bulky and uncomfortable like those I wore as a kid. There are specialty life vests for most activities, such as fishing and kayaking that allow freedom of movement and relative comfort. For those over 16 years of age the newer automatic inflatable life jackets can be a very comfortable option – learn more in this video. National Safe Boating Council, Inc. Along with wearing life jackets, it is important to have enough personal flotation devices of the correct type. For boats less than 16’ in length, including canoes and kayaks, you must have one Coast Guard Approved life jacket for each person on the boat. If you have a mix of adults and children on board you need child-sized life jackets that will fit each child. If you are boating on a Federal waterway, such as Lake Michigan, then children under 13-years of age must wear a life jacket if the vessel is underway and they are not below deck or in a cabin. You can view or download a copy of the Federal Boating Safety regulations from the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Resource Center here. A copy of the State of Wisconsin Boating Safety regulations can be obtained from the DNR here. You can purchase lifejackets most anywhere; I have seen the traditional horse collar type for less than $10.00. But when it comes to comfort, to a great degree you get what you pay for. If it isn’t comfortable neither you nor your family members will want to wear it. Make the purchase a family event – in this way the kids can help choose the life jacket they like and you can make sure it fits them properly. Ron Binning Binning & Dickens Insurance Whitewater WI

Distracted Driving

Visit this website for more information: www.distraction.gov WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING? Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include: •Texting •Using a cell phone or smartphone •Eating and drinking •Talking to passengers •Grooming •Reading, including maps •Using a navigation system •Watching a video •Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. On this page, you'll find facts and statistics that are powerfully persuasive. If you don't already think distracted driving is a safety problem, please take a moment to learn more. And, as with everything on Distraction.gov, please share these facts with others. Together, we can help save lives. The number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328 in 2012. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011.

Walking is Good for your HEALTH

TAKE A HIKE: Getting out and getting active has never been easier than with the MapMyHike app. MapMyHike GPS Hiking is a great way to track calories burned, estimate time and distance, check your pace, and navigate a route when you’re on a hike or doing any kind of outdoor exercise. This app tracks running, walking, cycling and ...

New Office

Here is a view of our new office.  We moved in on 7-26-13 and finally got all the pictures hung and everything else back to normal, well maybe 98% of everything.  You know how moves go.  Stop in and visit us today.  Remember, we still give FREE quotes.

Ron

Cruise Control

How many of you leave the Cruise Control in the "on" position all of the time?  It is not recommended for safety reasons:
1.  Accidentally hit "resume" when it's set at 65 and traffic has you slowed down to 50.  Unexpected acceleration can cause panic.
2.  If you are making a turn and hit the resume button, you could easily spin out on the turn.
3.  Living in Wisconsin, having the cruise on in rain, icy conditions or snow, can quickly cause a spin out if the car accelerates.

Summary:  When NOT using cruise - always leave in the OFF setting.

Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance

Fall Driving Tips

Fall is here to stay so here are some driving tips for you to consider:

1. Watch out for leaves: Once leaves become wet, they can present slippery and dangerous driving conditions. Be sure to watch for patches of wet leaves on the road or on road lines. Dry leaves can also present a problem to your vehicle.


2. Stay alert on the road: The end of daylight saving time means reduced visibility on the roads, which can create unfamiliar driving conditions. Even on familiar roads, it's important that motorists use additional caution and adjust their driving habits to watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other roadway users who will be less visible.

3. Check your tire pressure: With frequent weather and temperature changes, tires can expand and contract, causing them to lose air pressure. Make sure tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.

4. Avoid sun glare: With the change in time you may need to adjust to the different morning or late afternoon glare from the sun. The glare can cause reflections off car windows and hoods and decrease your visibility. Have a good pair of sunglasses readily available.

5. Plan ahead for wet conditions: Fall often brings rainfall, which can decrease visibility and cause hydroplaning. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition. If driving on a road with excess water, slow down and avoid sudden movements with the steering wheel or brake pedal.

6. Deer Rut is about to start: Always be on the lookout for the “eyes” of deer in the ditches during the evening hours out in the country side. I saw three last night already.

Ron Binning Binning & Dickens Insurance

Distracted Driving - National Safety Council

We all know that Distracted Driving is fast beoming the number one cause of accidents.  This link states 1 in 4 crashes are caused by Distracted Driving.  Read more:

http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/distracted_driving.aspx

The life you save might be your own.

Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance