With the fall comes the time change......

This weekend we "fall back" an hour, gaining us an hour of extra sleep. The daylight hours are getting shorter, meaning when most of us are traveling to and from work it will be twilight or dark. The weather is getting cooler and winter will be here soon. Here are some tips to help keep you safe and prepared for your commute!

• Inspect your car's headlights, tail lights, turn signals, etc. and make sure they are all working properly
• Put together a travel bag with necessities in case you happen to get stranded, such as: Flashlight, first aid kit, phone charger, blanket, a couple bottles of water, granola bars, road flares, jumper cables (anything you think will help)
• Have your emergency contacts written down and put in your glove compartment
• Check your tire pressure! As the weather cools, the air in your tires will constrict and will more need more added
• Check the tread on your tires! The better the tread, the more traction you will get to the roads
• Check your anti-freeze levels. If you have not had it serviced in the last couple of years, it would be a good idea to do so
• Make sure your windshield is clean. This will help in the event the sun glares through your windshield

Most importantly, watch out for deer and other animals in the roadways! With the decreased daylight hours, they are out looking for food and shelter at the time we are travelling to and from work. Their food source becomes limited in the fall and winter, so they will seek out new places to eat.

You can always contact us for more tips and ideas on how to keep safe.

Safe travels!

Barbie Lambert

Manager

East Tennessee Mutual Insurance Company