Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

We’re one day closer to Halloween! Yesterday, we featured some tips for homeowners. Here are some tips for trick-or-treaters…and their parents! As always, please be vigilant about keeping your children safe!! Here are a few tips to make sure they are easily seen.

1. Use glow sticks and flashlights. Make sure that your child stands out in the dark.

2. Travel in groups.

3. Remind your child not to enter the home or vehicle of a stranger, even when invited. They should have an adult with them.
4. Remind your child not to eat treats until they return home so they can be inspected.
5. Discuss and plan your route before walking. If your child is older, and you are not walking with them, it is best to have an idea about where they may be. Remind them not to leave the route unless you agree upon it ahead of time.
6. If your child has a cell phone, have them call and check in. They can easily report their location in case of emergencies.
7. If homes do not have their lights on, this usually means they are not inviting trick-or-treaters.
8. Purchase reflective tape to add to costumes or bags. You can find this in many hardware departments and stores.

9. Make sure you adhere to town curfews and trick-or-treating hours.
10. Remind children not to cut through people’s property or through alleyways.
11. This is a great time to remind and teach children how to use traffic signals to cross, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of a vehicle.

Be safe and have a great time!!

Halloween Tips for Homeowners

It’s amazing that if you’re a Michigander – or a Mid-Westerner – autumn is probably one of your favorite times of the year.  There are a list of reasons to love autumn – the colors, cooler weather means digging out some of your favorite clothing, and of course, THE HOLIDAYS!!!

Most people I know are so glad that the Halloween season is upon us. Even adults like to dress up and play pretend sometimes! I love seeing the kids this time of the year – trick-or-treating at my house is a festival in and of itself. Many of our neighbors go all out this time of the year, creating their own haunted houses. Before all these visitors arrive at your home Thursday, here are a few things you need to consider as a homeowner.  It’s always nice to be prepared and avoid any unnecessary accidents.

• Turn on all of your outside lights.  Leave them on throughout the evening and even after trick-or-treating is over.  It helps to deter vandalism. 
• Make sure your driveway, walks, and paths are clear of debris, leaves, garden and lawn equipment, and decorations.  The last thing anyone wants are injuries on their property. 

• If you have walkways, railings, or steps that need to be repaired, do so before Halloween; If they are not repaired, post a sign to caution visitors. 
• Accidents happen! If a pumpkin is smashed on your sidewalk or steps, make sure you clean up the slipper goo.
• Put away cars, bikes, planters, sprinklers and other outdoor items that you may still have out to deter theft or vandalism. 
• Be careful with or avoid candles – use holiday lights instead, or use battery-powered lights. 

SWIMMING POOL OWNERS – Be sure your pool cover is secure, the gates are locked, and that the lights are on in and around the pool area. If you own a trampoline, this applies to your home as well.

PET OWNERS – Watch your animals. They may not be used to little visitors. Make sure to keep him or her away from the front door.

DRIVERS – Slow down! It gets dark early and children are very excited. Watch for them in the street and on medians. Exit driveways and turn on to streets with extreme care and caution.

Friday Fun

It’s almost the weekend! If you’re like us, you have had a busy week and are ready to spend some time relaxing. Take time to enjoy some time with you family at one of these Michigan events:

Lansing Area
Lansing City Market 6th Annual Harvest Festival 
Shawhaven Haunted Farm
Corn Maze at BestMaze

Grand Rapids Area 
Chrysanthemums and More 
New Salem Corn Maze 

Detroit Area 
5th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival 
Scream Machine 
Halloween in Greenfield Village 

Battle Creek / Kalamazoo 
Trick-or-Treat Fun Run/Walk
The Great BooZoo

Elsewhere
Mackinaw Island Halloween Weekend 

Take some time to enjoy the wonderful fall weather and have a great weekend!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As most of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. You have probably seen quite a few businesses, people, and even sports teams supporting the cause this month.

According to the Susan G. Komen foundation there will be an estimated 232,340 new cases in women and 2,240 new cases of breast cancer in men this year.

Here are some other statistics you’ll find interesting:

Reach out and help someone today by supporting survivors and other cancer research groups.

Teach Me Tuesday

Welcome to our new blog! Every Tuesday we will feature a product that you might have, need, or just want more information about! 

We’re going to start with one of Capital’s most popular product –bond coverage. The most important thing to know is that bonds are not insurance policies – they are guarantees.

There are many reasons that you might need a bond for your business. Here are just a few…

• As a business owner, you may need a surety bond to guarantee payment for state sales taxes.
• As a contractor, you may need to post a license or permit bond to guarantee your work for licensing requirements.
• Attorneys may have clients that are required to post court bonds, such as administrators or executors bonds, to guarantee their performance while distributing assets in estate situations.
• Notary publics are required to post bonds in most states. 

Capital can provide you with the following types of bonds:

• License – a bond guaranteed to a state or federal agency
• Indemnity – guarantees any loss should a party fail to meet deadlines
• Payment – promises payment to all subcontractors and vendors
• Performance – guarantees the performance of contractually agreed upon work

You can easily apply for a bond by completing one of the applications on the Capital Insurance bond page. For more information and help with bonds, please contact Angie Moberg by email or at (517) 482-7900.