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Add a little snow and an awesome machine and you have the wonderful world of snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is a popular pastime, especially in Michigan where our campus is located. I have only been on a snowmobile three times, so I'm no expert! Every weekend you see snowmobiles on trailers riding down the freeway or snowmobiles on snowy paths on the way to a weekend or week-long trip. Whether you are going for the day, or making a vacation out of it, preparation is essential. Anytime you venture out into the cold, some risks are involved. Severe weather, unexpected hazards, injuries, or simply losing the trail … these things can happen quickly and it's best to be prepared. So, what do you need for a successful and fun snowmobile trip? Anytime you venture out into the cold, some risks are involved. Severe weather, unexpected hazards, injuries, or simply losing the trail…
Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/ready-set-snowmobile-trip-time.asp
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It's a necessary task for any seasonal home owner, and you still have time to get it done: preparing your seasonal home for the rigors of winter. Properly planning now can help you avoid damage and expensive repairs in the spring. The best preparation is to develop a checklist of tasks and then follow it faithfully. Here are the major areas for winterization that Foremost recommends your list includes:
Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/winterizing-seasonal-home.asp
If you're anything like my husband, you like having a crackling fire in the fireplace on a cold winter's night. Watching the light dance on the walls and enjoying its warmth is one of the most charming aspects of the otherwise cold and harsh season. Yep, there's definitely something alluring about having a fireplace in your home. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Association (HPBA), a fireplace ranks second among the top features buyers seek in a home! Additionally, approximately 80% of American homes have a fireplace, hearth or pellet stove. I'll admit, a fireplace was one of the features we searched for when looking at homes. Unfortunately, the perks of having a fireplace also come with a bit of responsibility. Any homeowner with a fireplace should know that the desire for a crackling fire also requires a lifetime commitment to make sure it’s in proper working order. If you need to brush up on your fireplace safety before brushing off the hearth, check out these eight basics of preventative wood burning fireplace maintenance: Additional precautions should be taken when you use the fireplace:
If you are the proud owner of a gas fireplace, this resource provides great information and recommendations about how you can best care for that investment. Now go enjoy that warm and toasty glow. Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/8-tips-for-keeping-a-fire-safely-in-its-fireplace.asp
An ounce of prevention saves a ton of trouble when it comes to making your home more comfortable. Why put up with drafts, leaks, excess moisture, mildew or pesky pests when you don't have to? You can put a stop to costly drafts or leaks before they start with the right sealant, caulking compound or roof coating. Unwanted moisture can be a problem even in today's well-built and insulated manufactured homes, but not if you take steps to control it. Pests inside or under your manufactured home can also cause trouble. Homeowners agree it's far easier to keep bugs or unwanted animals from getting into their manufactured home than it is to get rid of them once they've moved in! Here are some quick preventive maintenance tips that pay off in both time and money. How to keep out drafts and leaks Sealants, caulking compounds and roof coatings prevent leaks and drafts. Sealing your home is probably the easiest and least costly way to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Basically, any crevice, crack or connection (except the edges of siding panels) should be sealed. To determine if your old caulk needs replacing, poke it with a screwdriver or nail. It should have a rubbery consistency. If it is hard, brittle and cracked, remove and replace it as part of your regular preventive maintenance. You will probably need more than one type of sealant to do your entire home. Here are some common sealant types:
Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/mobile-home-repairs-draft-and-leaks.asp
Good night, sleep tight. We all know the rest of the rhyme. When I was little, my dad used to say that almost every night before I went to bed. What used to be a silly poem to me is now a serious fear when traveling. If you've encountered bed bugs while traveling, you become paranoid of the little creatures and will do anything to avoid bringing them home. According to a survey from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) done in 2011, one out of five Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel. Bedbugs are not only encountered at home, though, they have been found in hotels, public transportation, offices, and even clothing stores. So far, our home is in the clear. But with bedbug infestations on the rise, how do you have a relaxing vacation knowing you could bring home these pests that are so hard to get rid of? The NPMA has some informative articles on bed bug identification and prevention. Here are some tips to avoid bed bugs while traveling:
Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/dont-let-the-bed-bugs-come-home.asp
When you ride the trail, put safety first! Follow the snowmobile safety tips listed below. Know the law Check with the local DNR, law enforcement agencies, dealers and clubs to make sure you follow all the rules in the area where you are riding. Gear up For optimum protection, always wear protective gear such as a safety-certified helmet, warm gloves, a windproof outer layer and boots. Think ahead Always carry your owner's manual, an extra belt, extra spark plugs, a tow rope, a small tool kit, spare parts, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and a few survival items such as a space blanket, waterproof matches and a compass. Tread lightly Respect nature and ride only in areas where it's permitted. Wait for enough snow to cover vegetation so you don't destroy it, avoid running over trees and shrubs and don't disturb wildlife around you. For more information, visit TreadLightly.org. Maintain control and stay sharp Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience. Be aware of current terrain, visibility and weather conditions, potential hazards or obstacles. Ride only when your senses are sharp. Never do drugs or drink and then ride. Check it out Be sure your snowmobile is running properly before riding. Review your owner's manual. Follow the recommended service schedule and be sure an authorized service provider makes all repairs. Take a friend Don't snowmobile alone. It's more fun - and safer - to ride with a friend along. Take care crossing roads When crossing roads, make sure you stop completely and that no traffic is approaching from any direction. Remember basic hand signals when you are turning. Slow down at night At night your visibility is limited to the distance of your headlight. The slower you go, the more room you have to stop. Also, avoid riding along road shoulders at night where your headlight, and those of street traffic, could cause confusion. Beware of water Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Never cross over a frozen lake, pond or stream. You run the risk of breaking through the ice, and starting, stopping and turning are more difficult due to less traction. Know your protected with Snowmobile Insurance In addition to snowmobile safety, be sure you have proper snowmobile insurance coverage to protect your vehicle and provide liability coverage in case someone gets injured or property is damaged during the use of your vehicle. Learn more about coverage options for your snowmobile on our snowmobile insurance page. Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/snowmobile-safety-tips.asp
Are you a snowbird? If you flock to a warmer climate during winter, you know that preparing your home before you leave is a tedious, sometimes difficult task. However, creating a thorough winter checklist can help protect your house against theft, water damage and other unwanted surprises. To help ensure everything goes smoothly, here are some important things to remember as you pack up and secure your home for the winter!
Forward your mail. This is something you can do without leaving your house! Try logging on to www.USPS.com and clicking the "Track & Manage" tab. The United States Postal Service (USPS) can forward your mail for up to one year. For flyers or anything else that comes to your door, ask a neighbor or a family member to occasionally check your home for anything that accumulates on your doorstep or in your mailbox. Do not turn off the heat! Set your thermostat between 55 and 60 degrees. If the house temperature is too low, your water pipes could freeze. Shut off the water. Doing this minimizes the risk of a flood. Be sure to turn off any valves inside, including automatic irrigation systems. To avoid any type of water leaks, it's always an option to have your pipes drained by a professional. Prep your appliances. Depending on how long you'll be gone, consider unplugging your refrigerator to cut down on energy costs. Be sure to clean it, throw out all of the food and leave the fridge doors open to prevent mildew. Other appliances you can unplug are your washer and dryer, microwaves and televisions. Perform exterior maintenance. If you live in a snowy area, arrange for someone to plow your driveway and sidewalks to avoid any liability issues. Make sure to also clean out your gutters so water drains easily. And of course, don't leave out any outdoor furniture or flowerpots that could blow away in the wind – put these items in storage! Perform indoor maintenance. Check your smoke alarm and make sure it has brand new batteries. If you have a chimney, close the flue to keep out any unwanted visitors such as birds, bats or squirrels. Putting a guard on top of the chimney is also something to consider. To put your mind at ease, go around and do last minute checks on all of your doors and windows. This is your last opportunity to make sure all of the locks work properly. Consider setting up light timers throughout the home. This will make it look like someone is home and ward off intruders. It's also not a bad idea to close all of the drapes at every window so no one can see that you're gone. Inform neighbors that you’re leaving. It's beneficial to have someone nearby on close watch in case they see anything suspicious around your home while you're gone. Be sure to give them all of your contact information in case of an emergency, and let them know when you'll be returning. Remember, give yourself enough time to prepare and finish your checklist. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re forgetting something, so I hope these tips help you make your move with peace of mind. Enjoy the sun, and be safe!
No matter what kind of home you live in, the following home fire prevention tips will help you form home fire-safe habits and prevent fires:
Proper maintenance can prevent fires Several mechanical systems in a house require maintenance. These systems include heating equipment such as furnaces, flues, fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves, water heaters, kitchen stoves, as well as electrical systems and electrical appliances. The bad news: if these systems aren't properly maintained, the potential for fire increases. The good news: fires in all these systems are preventable. The information here will help you decrease the chance of having a fire in your home. Carelessness Storing all matches and lighters out of the reach of children can prevent a tragedy. Fires caused by a homeowner's carelessness, such as a grease fire or a fire that started because flammable liquids were stored inside the home, are also preventable. An ounce of home fire prevention could be worth a life
Smoke and toxic fumes are the leading cause of death in fires. That's why it's so important to get out immediately and stay out.
Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/fire-prevention.asp Summer is officially here, and if you're like me, you can't wait to get on the road and go on some adventures! There's nothing more enjoyable than good company, good food and an open road with endless possibilities.
If you're traveling in an RV, you have the benefit of more convenience! You now have a kitchen, shower, bathrooms and bedrooms. It definitely saves money on hotels, and may save you time on stops along the way too. But, just like any trip, your RV vacation can go sour very quickly if you ignore certain safety precautions and regular maintenance. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 20,000 RV fires happen every year.⚹ That's a scary number to consider. The good news is, most RV fires are preventable! Before you hit the road, read these fire prevention safety tips so you can have a worry-free trip with your family and friends!
⚹ https://www.nps.gov/articles/p52-rv-fire-safety-101.htm Source: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/fire-safety-for-your-rv.asp It's important to keep in mind that the life of an RV tire cannot be measured by miles alone, nor can you always rely on tires that "look good."
Given the stop-and-go nature of many RVers, RVs often sit for extended periods of time in-between use. When they are in use, they are often subjected to heavy loads during extreme weather conditions such as high heat. Both situations can lead to tire damage and failure, which can quickly put a damper on any trip — or turn into a dangerous situation. The primary reasons for RV tire deterioration include the following: Ozone and UV Exposure Over time, RV tires are exposed to a great deal of UV rays and ozone poisoning. This can lead to cracks in the rubber, especially in a tire's sidewall. Though a tire's exterior may look just fine at first glance, further inspection may reveal small cracks on and within aging sidewalls that worsen with time. Improper Tire Inflation Under- and over-inflation can both lead to blowouts. To help prevent this, check the inflation pressure or your tires at least once a month, and always before starting a trip. Do this when tires are cold, as heat generated during driving temporarily increases air pressure. Never remove air from a hot tire, which may result in under-inflation when the tire cools. Excessive Load Weight and Uneven Weight Distribution Tires frequently subjected to maximum loads will wear faster, while tires that carry loads below their rated capacity can be expected to last longer. Be sure to load your RV evenly. Uneven load distribution leads to uneven tire wear. Tire Construction Tires of different constructions, such as radial and bias ply, as well as different sizes and stages of wear, can harm vehicle handling and stability. Use the same size and type of tire on all wheel positions. All RVs built since 1972 have a certification label that contains the following important information:
Tire Care Tips The most important thing you can do to extend the life of your tires is to inspect them regularly. The following tips will also help:
Need RV Insurance? In addition to RV tire care, make sure you have insurance coverage specialized for your RV. Check out our RV Insurance coverage options or get a quote. |
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