family safety
The following blog posts have the category Family safety
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude. But as we gather loved ones and tackle ambitious holiday cooking, a few common risks can pop up.
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The holidays are a time to gather with family and friends, but for many, that means long hours on the road. Whether you're driving across town or heading out of state, preparing before you travel can help make the journey safer and less stressful.
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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of protecting our digital lives. From personal accounts to business systems, everyone has a role to play in keeping information safe. At Urbasek Insurance Services, Inc., we want to help raise awareness of common threats and share practical steps you can take to improve your online security.
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As the leaves start to change and fall approaches, homeowners should take time to think about tree safety on their property. Trees add beauty, shade, and value, but they can also pose risks if not cared for properly, especially during autumn when weather can be unpredictable. Here are some important tips to keep in mind.
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As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets a little crisper, the familiar rhythm of the school year returns. For many families, this means the daily commute to and from school. Whether your child walks, bikes, or takes the bus, ensuring their safety is paramount. Let's dive into some essential tips to help make every journey a safe one.
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It can happen in an instant – your car stalls and you realize you are stuck on train tracks. Staying calm and acting quickly is the key to protecting yourself and others. Here's what you need to do.
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Summer is here! And with it comes dreams of sunny days, beach trips, and backyard BBQs. But amidst all the fun, it's crucial to remember that summer also brings its own set of potential emergencies, from intense heatwaves and severe thunderstorms to power outages and even wildfires. These situations can arise whether you're enjoying your usual routine at home or exploring new places on a family vacation.
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The 4th of July is a time to celebrate our nation's independence with family, friends, and fun. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, heading to the lake, or watching fireworks, it's important to keep safety in mind. At Urbasek Insurance Services, Inc., we want your Independence Day to be memorable for all the right reasons. Here are some key safety tips to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property this holiday.
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Summer in Illinois means sunshine, vacations, cookouts, and plenty of time spent outdoors. While the season is full of fun, it also brings some unique risks. Whether you're staying local or heading out of town, a few smart precautions can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe.
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Biking is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around. Whether you're commuting to work, riding through your neighborhood, or exploring new trails, bicycle safety should always come first. At Urbasek Insurance Services, Inc., we care about your well-being and want to share some helpful reminders to help protect you and your loved ones every time you ride.
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The sun is shining, the water's calling, and boating season is officially kicking off! But before you cast off your lines and feel the wind in your hair, let's talk safety - and peace of mind. Because this week, May 17th through May 23rd, 2025, is National Safe Boating Week - a crucial reminder to prioritize safety on the water so every adventure is a happy and secure one.
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The rumble of the engine... or the whirr of the electric motor! Getting a driver's license is a major milestone for teenagers. It's a symbol of independence and a gateway to new experiences. But as parents and guardians know all too well, it also comes with a significant layer of responsibility and, let's be honest, a few worries.
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New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. Whether you plan to party with friends, enjoy a quiet night with family, or head out to a large event, safety should be a priority. Here are some essential tips to ensure your New Year's Eve celebration is not only memorable but also safe for everyone.
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Winter brings snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that can challenge even the most well-maintained vehicles. Proper winter car maintenance is essential to ensure your car stays safe, reliable, and road-ready through the harsh conditions. Whether you're heading to work, running errands, or embarking on a holiday road trip, these winter car maintenance tips will help you stay prepared and protected.
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Thanksgiving is one of the busiest cooking days of the year, with families across the country gathering to prepare delicious feasts. But with crowded kitchens, high heat, and the rush to get everything done on time, accidents can happen. Whether it's preventing burns, avoiding fires, or using a deep fryer safely, here are some essential tips to ensure you have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.
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With the crisp air of fall comes a slew of outdoor activities that we often enjoy, but they can also bring potential hazards. From leaning over to clean gutters, to hanging Christmas lights, to raking the vibrant fallen leaves, it's essential to keep safety at the forefront to prevent fall injuries. Let's take a look at some common tasks and how to handle them safely.
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May is here, and that means it's time to dust off your trusty two-wheeled companion and celebrate National Bike Month! This annual event, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists, is a chance to rediscover the joys of cycling and encourage others to do the same.
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Let's face it... the days of soaking up the sun for that "healthy tan" are clearly over. Fears of skin cancer – namely melanoma – have overridden most peoples' desire for sun-kissed skin. But in the summer, when outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and water sports beckon, many tend to spend a lot of time in the sun doing what they love.
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With the arrival of summer comes the smell of sizzling food on the grill, as it wafts from across the neighborhood, and backyard dining is once again the norm. According to the Health, Patio, & Barbecue Association, 7 out of 10 families in the U.S. own a grill, making it by far the most common outdoor cooking method. And there's no doubt that summer wouldn't be the same without one.
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For nature lovers, many of the most memorable moments take place in the great outdoors, whether it's catching your first trout on a fly rod or summiting a peak. This is also where people often find the most solace, as time in nature can bring a sense of peace. Unless, of course, things go wrong.
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Road trips always seem like a great idea, but when there are kids in tow, it's not always as free-wheeling as one may have imagined. There's likely to be fidgeting, potty breaks, and are-we-there-yets, punctuated by the occasional, but often brief, nap-induced silence. But, it needn't be so. While every road trip involves an inevitable speed bump or two, here are a few suggestions for a smooth ride to keep smiles and sanity intact.
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In a world full of visible dangers, the last thing anyone in Illinois wants to think about is the invisible ones. But they're there and, believe it or not, many of them may be lurking inside your home. According to the CDC, each year, approximately 430 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 are treated for it. Mold is prevalent in an estimated 70 percent of American homes. And the EPA and Surgeon General attribute more than 21,000 annual deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. to radon exposure.
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Roadside breakdowns can be more than a mere inconvenience, emergencies of this nature, if not prepared for and handled correctly, can be dangerous for all involved, including other drivers. Following a few basic steps can ensure that you and your vehicle make it through the breakdown as easily and safely as possible.
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Little in life is as important as healthful, restful sleep, and lots of it. But little in life seems to evade American adults as pervasively. Insufficient sleep, health, lifestyle impacts nearly two-thirds of Americans. And, according to a recent study by the CDC, one in three adults doesn't get enough sleep on a regular basis.
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Swimming pools are wonderful complements to summer weather. Few things are better than stepping outside your home for a cool dip, hosting poolside parties or watching your kids play themselves to exhaustion in the water. Most of us understand that pools also pose a danger but it is important to understand the extent of that danger, the components and preventative measures we can take to keep our pools safe.
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Does your home need a new paint job or a quick refresh on the trim? Are the gutters overflowing with the remains of fall foliage? Or are larger issues demanding immediate attention, like doors and windows, the roof, or the foundation? Whether you thrive on weekends filled with do-it-yourself projects or hide at the mere suggestion, summer's long days and generally agreeable weather in Illinois offer the ideal opportunity to take on the range of home maintenance and improvement tasks to preserve value and functionality for years to come. Here are a few considerations for fixing up the exterior of your home in the months to come.
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For many, summer ushers in sunny afternoons spent lounging by pools, floating lazy rivers, and taking the boat out for waterskiing, fishing, and all things wet and wonderful in Illinois. And, whether by a backyard kiddie pool or a local pond, children are particularly enamored, making water safety a foremost concern for parents.
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As gentle spring breezes give way to summer's scorching temps, many without air conditioning in Illinois will struggle to keep their homes cool. But all is not lost in the absence of central air. There are many simple, tried-and-true measures you can take to bring comfort back to the summer months.
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It's one of those things that's overlooked until it's absolutely necessary: a first aid kit. Whether you're relaxing at home, navigating five-o-clock traffic, or summer adventuring in your new RV, having a simple first aid kit can mean the difference between an inconvenience and an emergency.
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How old is too old to drive? It's not necessarily an easy question to answer. Depending on physical health, skill, vision, and even location, elderly drivers can be capable of safely and predictably handling a vehicle well into their seventies and even eighties. And, as baby boomers age further into their golden years, an increasing percentage of drivers will find themselves in that bracket. In fact, the Federal Highway Commission's 2016 data noted a record 41.7 million drivers over the age of 65. That's nearly one in five of the licensed population, an increase of 15 million over 20 years ago. By 2020, drivers aged 75 and older numbered more than 17 million. And, by 2030, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one out of every four drivers will be an older adult.
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With summer, comes a welcome invitation for people in Illinois to spend as much time as possible outside. Not only does nature replenish Vitamin D and support immunity; reduce anxiety and depression; lower blood pressure and reduce stress; increase serotonin and reinforce circadian cycles for better sleep; and improve focus, but it may also help reduce cancer risk by increasing anti-cancer proteins. "Being outdoors in nature can be healing and beneficial for the body and mind," says certified therapeutic recreational specialist Erica Price. "Whether at the beach, forest, or in a neighborhood park, nature offers a calming effect. And, when we combine nature with physical activity, it can help fight depression and anxiety."
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As winter thaws into spring blossoms, summer beckons with backyard cookouts and campfires under the stars. Like many people in Illinois, spring also means an overhaul of all the recreational toys and gear that make those summertime adventures comfortable, including the family camper. Here are some considerations when readying your RV for all the camping and travel expeditions ahead.
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According to the National Safety Council, someone is killed in a car accident every 15 minutes, and many more are injured each day. Car accidents remain a leading cause of death in the U.S. year after year, and yet, reducing our risk on the road isn't something most of us think about once we've passed the exam and joined the ranks of everyday drivers. Here are some basics to review to make sure that you're doing your part to be a responsible driver, and to protect yourself and your community.
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Most of the modern world is plugged in these days to smartphones, ipads and laptops, among other things. And many of us complete the loop by coaxing earbuds into our ears, turning up the sound to shut the world out, even just for a minute. But this practice, along with the increased amount of dangerous noise present in the modern world, is causing epidemic levels of early hearing loss in children, adults and teens. Read on to find out what you can do:
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Boating season is on the horizon in most parts of the country, and for boaters, it's time to get your vessel out of storage and start performing the necessary inspections and maintenance to ensure that you're ready to hit the water as soon as the weather allows. Follow these tips to get your boat water-ready for summer:
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When Hurricane Katrina touched down in 2005, humans were not the only species affected by its destruction. And because emergency relief agencies were not in the business of saving pets, nearly half a million animals were left behind, devastating many owners and causing public outrage on their behalf. Passed in 2006 as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Act now requires state and local agencies to consider pets and service animals in their emergency preparedness plans. While most of us won't experience a disaster like Hurricane Katrina in our lifetimes, it's still up to us to consider our beloved companion animals when planning for emergencies, big and small. Here are a few things you can do:
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Everyone in Illinois agrees that cyber safety is important, but what, exactly, does it mean to be "safe" online? And what do parents really need to know? Here are the top five things you can do to teach your kids how to become responsible digital citizens:
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There are plenty of potentially hazardous activities that go along with the holiday season and the start of winter, such as stringing up Christmas lights, navigating the icy roads, and hopping on those skis or other snow sports equipment, just to name a few. This is also the time of year when we break out the snow shovels and ice melt, so that we, and our neighbors and visitors, can safely navigate our walkways and sidewalks.
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Did you know this April 26th through May 3rd is National Immunization Week? It's a great time to boost awareness about immunizations and, of course, ensure that you and your loved ones are up to date on vaccinations.
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Between personal motor vehicles, factories, trains, and other sources of toxic fumes, the outside air would seem to be significantly more toxic than the air within our seemingly pristine indoor environments. Unfortunately, this is an illusion. The air you breathe at home or work can be seriously harmful. In fact, according to a study by the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution kills approximately four million people worldwide every year.
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Most new parents would probably admit that their driving habits changed after having children. The one-time daredevil of the highway has transformed into a doting dad who never pushes the speedometer past a sluggish 65 mph; the lady lead foot who laughed in the faces of cops is now a minivan-loving, law abider who cruises so slow she would try the patience of a turtle.
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What would we do without our handy power strips? Those convenient blocks of electrical sockets, which enable us to convert one outlet into several, make it possible to plug in all the gear that we can't live without these days. A typical location for a power strip is the home office, where it helps computers, speakers, printer, monitors, and all sorts of other necessities come to life. But many households have power strips in multiple rooms, if not every room, since there are so many items that require plugging in these days. Hairstyling tools, cooking equipment, and phone chargers come to mind!
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Contractors are people, too. What does that mean? Well, even though they may have licenses and many years of experience in their profession, they are fallible. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are ethical and honest, while others seem to be missing a conscience. Just as you would be careful about choosing a nanny, a personal accountant, or a used car salesman, so should you use caution in selecting a contractor before you begin that home building project, renovation, or repair. Here are some good tips to avoid getting taken for a ride:
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The heat and humidity that tend to lurk around in the summer months around Illinois create the perfect recipe for thunderstorms. Occurring either late in the afternoon after big black clouds slowly build up and rumble or springing up out of nowhere, they often come with high winds and heavy rains.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the “silent killer” for a reason — it’s invisible, odorless, and tasteless, yet can be deadly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200 people in the United States die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, most often due to malfunctioning gas appliances. The American Medical Association reports even higher numbers and identifies CO poisoning as the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country.
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No matter where we live we all need to be aware of the extra precautions necessary to safe winter driving. Those of us living in climates where winter is non-existent or an infrequent visitor may need to take special heed. We don't get much practice driving on ice or in snow but business trips or vacations may require us to drive in foreign conditions. It's better to prepare ahead rather than rely on a crash course (sorry for the pun).
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Today many of us have a multitude of passwords to keep track of at work and at home. As passwords multiply it is easy to succumb to the temptation of using easy to guess words or simply leaving a sticky note on your computer. But these are generally bad ideas. Better is to come up with a strong password and keep it secret.
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Hurricane Safety
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Be prepared for storm season by knowing where to tune for weather updates, what to do before, during and after a storm hits. Go over your Hurricane Property Preparation Checklist to make sure you have time to complete all necessary preparations. Even in high hurricane winds, preparation can mean the difference between minor damage and devastation.
While the vast majority of products and toys produced for infants and children are safe, that is not always the case. In March of 2005, for instance, Graco agreed to a record 4 million dollar fine for failing to report deaths and injuries related to recalled goods or products about to be recalled. Each year, about one-third of the 350 or so products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission are intended for infants and small children. Small children are particularly susceptible to inherently unsafe products so it is a good idea to review recall information periodically.
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Exactly what is a tornado and what is a near tornado? When it comes to personal safety, it hardly matters. Even relatively wean tornadoes can be devastating, causing tremendous property damage. Learn a few facts about tornadoes and what you can do to keep you and your family safe before, during, and after a tornado.