• Exercise your pet regularly. It can be tough to fit in regular exercise for your pet if you have a demanding job, but it's important to engage with your pet to keep them from getting bored or anxious...and taking it out on your couch, carpet, or other belongings.
• Consider purchasing toys that keep your pet engaged. If toys are available that are appropriate for your pet's size, age and activity level, it's less likely they'll resort to scratching on your leather sofa or chewing on your table legs to keep them entertained.
• Training is a must. It takes a lot of time and patience but making sure your pet is properly trained and housebroken can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run. If you don't have time to train them yourself, consider obedience classes or consultants to help you understand and manage your pet's behavior.
• Take time to pet-proof your home. If there are certain areas of your home you don't want your pet accessing when you're not home, you may want to install gates or other barriers. Look at each room from the pet's perspective and move items like plants or breakables that you don't want them to be near. Some pet owners prefer to crate train their pets, to ensure that pets won't cause damage when the owners are away. If you're adopting a puppy or kitten, keep in mind that they may not be housetrained, and take appropriate precautions.
• Proper grooming is also important. If your dog's nails are properly clipped, accidental scratching of hardwoods, linoleum or other flooring is much more likely.

Want to take this info with you? Download the free pdf here:

If you're a pet owner who is hitting the highway for a road trip, chances are that your pet is coming along for the ride. Pets can be fun co-pilots, and taking a few extra steps before and during your trip can ensure that everyone has a safe, fun drive!

• If this is your pet's first road trip, take them on a few shorter trips first to see how they adjust and react to riding in the car.
• Be sure that you have the proper equipment to keep your pet secured and safe while riding in your vehicle. Depending on your pet's size, you'll want to investigate what kind of restraint, crate, or carrier is best.
• Pack extra supplies, including water, blankets, toys, food, medications, leashes and waste disposal supplies.
• Try to stop every two to three hours to let your pet get a drink of water, some exercise and a chance to relieve themselves.
• When it comes to staying overnight, remember to choose locations that are pet-friendly. Not all hotels permit pets in their rooms, so plan ahead!

Want to take this info with you? You can download a free pdf here:

Do you have a plan in place for hurricane season? Don't know where to start?

This guide from Heritage Insurance has important information about preparing your home and your family for hurricanes, and what to do in case you are affected. Click below to download a free copy of the guide.

​Stay safe!

What's wrong with this picture? There's no fence around the pool!
This such as fences, life jackets, and first aid kits can reduce the risks that come with taking a dip. Whether you are in your own backyard pool, canoeing down a river or deep sea fishing, safety should always come first. Check out the download below for a list of simple steps you can take to improve water safety. 
Also, check out www.safeboatingcampaign.com/about for additional water safety help. 

Every rider appreciates a smooth highway when they hit the road, but unfortunately we have to deal with the inconvenience of road construction to improve driving conditions. For motorcyclists, road construction can create especially hazardous situations. To stay safe in those construction zones during your next ride, follow these bike safety tips:

• Watch for uneven pavement, as well as rough or grooved surfaces. Before repaving begins, surfaces need to be prepped properly, and this can create dangerous riding conditions. Be careful and reduce your speed if you encounter these pavement conditions, as they can cause your bike to tilt unexpectedly or pull to one side suddenly.
• Pay attention to cones and barrels. Although they are commonly used to route traffic in construction zones, cones and barrels are often hit by cars or trucks accidentally, causing them to tip over or be pushed into your lane
• Be aware of sudden traffic stops.
• Use caution on new pavement that is unmarked. If you’re driving on unmarked pavement, watch carefully for unexpected lane shifts – and be sure to watch the drivers around you, as they may be uncertain about lane markers and other important markings as well.
• Watch for slippery conditions when you see fresh paint.
• Increase your following distance. When traffic gets heavy in construction zones, keep more space between your bike and any vehicles in front of you.
• Be careful when changing lanes, and use the lane that’s safe for you. Try to avoid driving in a lane with grooved pavement, if possible. If you need to change lanes (and it’s safe to do so), make sure to move from grooved pavement to new pavement by rolling over it at a sharp angle.
• Watch out for other drivers who might be distracted. 

Like this article? Download it below.​

​On a cool evening, gathering around a fire in your back yard can be a fun activity, but making sure that you’re using your fire pit safely can mean the difference between an enjoyable night and a dangerous situation. Follow these tips to help stay safe:

• Select a flat, level area for your fire pit, away from flammable materials, and construct your fire pit from non-flammable, dry materials, like rough stones, concrete blocks or bricks.
• Keep your fire small and controlled, and avoid starting a fire on a windy day. Use small sticks, dry wood or paper to light your fire, and never leave it burning unattended.
• Keep the area around the fire pit clear of debris, including leaves and sticks, and keep a fire extinguisher or hose nearby in the event of unexpected fire spread.
• At the end of the night, be sure to extinguish your fire using plenty of water. Stir and spread the ashes to be sure they cool completely.
• Watch the extinguished fire closely, and never leave it unattended until the embers stop smoking or steaming completely.

Download a copy of the checklist here:

If you’re getting ready to hit the road on a trip in your RV, chances are that you’ll engage in some pre-trip maintenance to make sure you’re ready to go. To help prevent the possibility of potentially dangerous blowouts and safely get off the road in case a blowout does occur, follow these helpful tips.

• Check for proper tire inflation. Look on the driver’s side door for a sticker that contains information on tire size and PSI (pounds per square inch). Be sure that the tires installed meet these requirements, and check your tire pressure to make sure they are inflated to the suggested PSI. Severely overinflated or underinflated tires can put you at higher risk for a blowout.
• Check your information on tire purchase history. With normal wear, RV tires need to be replaced approximately every five years. Keeping good records of your tire purchases can be a helpful reference point for when to replace your tires.
• Inspect your tire tread. Minimum recommended tread length varies by tire, so you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s website for specifics.
• Inspect your tires’ sidewalls for cracks. This is especially important to consider if you store your RV in the outdoors during the cold winter months. Look closely for cracks, bumps or fissures, and get your tires serviced or replaced if you see any present.
• Make sure to rotate and balance your tires on a regular basis. In most cases, you’ll need to have your rear tires rotated to the front, in order to prevent uneven wear. You’ll also want to have your tires balanced regularly to make sure certain tires don’t wear out quicker than others. 
• Consider your RV’s load rating and weight limit. Along with the recommended tire PSI, the yellow sticker located on the driver’s side door also includes information about weight limits. Check on these limits when you’re planning an extended trip, especially if you’re planning to carry a lot of heavy gear or supplies on board your RV.
• Balance your load across all of your RV’s axles. In case you are hauling heavy equipment or supplies, be sure to balance the weight across the axles as carefully as possible. Too much weight toward one side, the front or back of the RV can put additional pressure on those tires, increasing your risk of a blowout.
• In the event of a blowout, react quickly and calmly. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep steering straight, as the vehicle may lurch toward the direction of the blown out tire. Do not slam on your brakes, and check your mirrors to see if it is safe to pull off of the road. Turn on your flashers and calmly pull over to the shoulder.

Download the checklist here:

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​The Challender Insurance Agency recognizes the huge impact teachers have on our children’s lives every day. We want to help keep great teachers in the classroom by illuminating the value of these wonderful educators and showing support for those giving 110%.

We all know an educator who has gone above and beyond or has left a lasting impression on us by all the good that they do. Now is our chance to give back to them in a small way.

Recognize your Favorite Educators on our Facebook page and we will feature a new deserving teacher every day in the month of May!

Tell us their Name, the School where they teach, which Grade, and why they are your Favorite Educator, + a Picture so we can feature them on our page.

Still feel like doing more? Us too! We will be conducting a school supplies collection box all April long! Simply drop off a few of your everyday school supplies to the box at our office. At the end of the month, we will divide all the items up and deliver them to our local educators in need!
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To help kickstart the donations, Challender Insurance Agency will give the first $100 in supplies. Thank you so much for participating in our Teacher Appreciation Month and in helping show all our educators how much we value and need them!

(Please only nominate those who give permission to be posted publicly.)

Publish Date: 2/25/2022
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Whether your vehicle is a small economy car or a large SUV, everyone can benefit from improving their fuel economy. If you’re concerned with saving the environment by reducing the amount of fuel you use or just want to make filling up your tank a bit easier on your wallet, read on to learn more about some simple ways to save money on gas and improve your gas mileage.

Before You Hit the Road:

• Reduce the number of unnecessary, heavy items that are inside or on top of your car. Even if you have an empty bike, kayak, or canoe rack on your vehicle, removing the extra weight can help improve your fuel economy, especially on the highway.
• Remember to have your vehicle regularly serviced. Even if you don’t put many miles on your vehicle, regular service can ensure that you have the best possible fuel economy, in addition to improving performance and extending the life of your vehicle.
• If your car’s “check engine” light comes on, get to a repair shop as soon as possible. Chances are that the issue with your engine will increase fuel emissions and reduce your fuel economy, and it’s best to get these issues dealt with as soon as possible.
• Check your tire pressure, and make sure that your tires are always properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase the rolling resistance on the ground surface, which decreases your fuel efficiency.
• Be sure to use the motor oil recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Vehicles go through a series of rigorous tests to determine the most efficient type of motor oil for your engine. Using a different weight or type from what is recommended can create increased friction on your engine’s mechanical parts, which pushes your engine to work harder.
• Keep your gas cap sealed tightly. Over time, the rubber seal on your gas cap can begin to deteriorate, forming cracks that allow oxygen to pass through your gas tank. Increased air entering the gas tank and engine increases your fuel consumption. Replace these seals regularly, especially if you live in extremely hot or cold climates.
• Regularly replace your air filter. It might seem simple but replacing your vehicle’s air filter as recommended by the manufacturer improves your engine’s ability to draw air from the environment, which in turn makes your engine work less hard and increases your gas mileage.

​​​While You're Driving:

• Avoid speeding up and slowing down when driving. Overall, it’s much more economical to drive the speed limit, as accelerating quickly greatly increases your fuel consumption.
• If possible, avoid leaving your engine idling. If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, it’s better to just shut off your engine.
• When you’re approaching a stop sign or red light, take your foot off the gas pedal early and allow your car to slow down gradually until it’s time to brake.
• When you begin to accelerate from a stop, accelerate smoothly and gradually. This allows vehicles with automatic transmissions to shift into higher gears sooner, reducing strain on your engine and saving fuel.
• If you’re driving on the highway, consider using cruise control when it’s safe to do so. It will help you to maintain a constant speed, reducing fuel use.
• During the summer months, try to minimize your use of air conditioning. The engine power required to operate the air conditioner compressor can have a serious impact on your fuel economy. Similarly, when it’s hot outside, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to decrease heat buildup in your car. This will reduce the strain on the air conditioner to cool the car after it’s been sitting.

 
Whether you’re headed on a long trip or just your daily commute, keep your vehicle protected on the road with the right insurance coverage. If you have questions about your current coverage or want to know how to get additional protection to help you feel safe, reach out to your local agent. They’re here to help you get answers to all of your insurance-related questions.