Blog Archive: June 2019
June 27
Isn’t it nice not to have to worry about snow and ice anymore? It’s fun to drive down a dry road in the sunshine. But it can also give you a false sense of security, leading you to drive over the speed limit. Lest you think speeding is a victimless crime, note that 113 motorists died in 2018 on Minnesota roads in speed-related crashes, according to preliminary numbers. That’s the most speed-related traffic deaths we’ve seen in a decade (up from 88 in 2017). Thirty of those fatalities happened over the summer – it’s part of the reason we call Memorial Day to Labor Day the 100 deadliest days...
June 24
It’s summertime, and the open road is calling. Perhaps this is the year you gather a few of your closest motorcyclist friends and venture out on a group ride together. Where will you go? What adventure awaits? Only you can answer those questions, but as you’re thinking about them, also keep safety in mind. Your group should be about five to seven riders. If you have more than that, break the group into smaller sub-groups. The larger group as a whole and the smaller sub-groups should each have a lead rider and a sweep rider—that’s the person who rides at the end of the group...
June 20
You likely don’t know his name. And you probably don’t think about what he does. But every time you walk into a building in Minnesota, you are safer there in part because of Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD) Fire Safety Supervisor Jon Nisja. But don’t take our word for it: This weekend, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) presented Nisja with the James M. Shannon Advocacy Medal, which recognizes “individuals who have made significant contributions to the fire loss problem through advocacy.” That description fits Nisja to a T. He became a firefighter in Mankato...
June 17
It seems like just yesterday they were learning to ride a bike – and now your teen is learning to drive a car. If you’re hoping they’ll get their road test before school starts (or even before the snow flies), you’re not alone. Many other families across Minnesota are looking to do the same thing. In fact, since the beginning of 2019, an average of 494 people have taken a class D road test every weekday in Minnesota. So you’ll want to start planning now. If you want to book online, you can do so two months in advance. Want even more lead time? If you call DVS at 651-284-1234, you can book up to six...
June 13
Summer is finally here, and that can mean a lot more free time for the kids. And although our parents’ biggest concern was having us home by dinner time, you may have bigger worries – like how much time your kids are spending online, and what’s happening to them while they’re there. But if you take time to prepare, communicate, and monitor, you’ll go a long way toward summer online safety for your child...
June 10
You’ve booked the tickets. Read every guide book. Gotten recommendations for the best things to do from people who have been there. Yes, you’re ready for your vacation! But a successful summer trip isn’t just about planning for your destination. It’s also about planning for what will happen at your home while you’re gone. And with a few simple precautions, you’ll have more fun knowing your home is safe while you’re gone. Read our latest blog for a few pre-vacation steps you might not have thought of....
June 6
The kids are out of school and you’ve saved up your vacation days, so you know what that means: cabin time! You’re probably itching to get up there, air the place out, and stock up on marshmallows and bait. But while you’re making all the preparations for the perfect cabin getaway, don’t forget to check fire prevention and safety off your list. Does your cabin have a kitchen? That’s the room where most fires in Minnesota start, so you’ll want to take some extra precautions there. Keep anything combustible (like towels, oven mitts or paper towels) well away from the stove...
June 3
The span of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is 100 days long – and those 100 days are the deadliest of the year on Minnesota roads. Preliminary numbers show that in 2018 alone, 124 people died in traffic crashes during the 100 deadliest days. They account for 33 percent of all 2018 traffic deaths, even though the span of time is only 27 percent of the year. So far this year, there have been 115 fatalities on Minnesota roads, compared to 121 at this time last year. How can we keep that trend going through the 100 deadliest days? We all have to do our part...
