• An Ounce of Prevention
  Protect your car and home from winter damage with these simple measures.
• Wild Weather
  If you live in an area of the country that's prone to hurricanes, now is the time to make sure your family is ready.
• Oh Deer!
  The deer population has exploded in many areas of the country. Keep yourself and your car safe.
  
• Above Board
  Make sure you understand your liability when you serve on a community board.
  
• Did You Know...
  Choose the safest routes.

An Ounce of Prevention
Protect your car and home from winter damage with these simple measures:

• Clear rain gutters of leaves and other material. Water dumped from blocked gutters can break into basements or freeze, weakening foundations.
• Trim branches that could fall on your home in a storm.
• Insulate pipes at risk of freezing, and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to keep the lines open.
• Have your fireplace inspected. Both your fireplace and chimney should be properly vented and free of blockages. If necessary, have them professionally cleaned to ensure a warm, safe fire all winter.
• Winterize your car. Install snow tires or check the tread of your all-weather tires. Pay special attention to the battery, antifreeze, lights, heater, brakes and defroster.

Wild Weather
If you live in an area of the country that's prone to hurricanes, now is the time to make sure your family is ready to weather a natural disaster. The National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross offer this advice on preparing for hurricanes:

• Decide ahead of time where to go if you must evacuate -- to a friend's or family member's home, a motel or a shelter. Make plans for your pets, too, since most shelters won't allow you to bring them along.
• Plot your evacuation route and keep an alternate in mind in case your primary course is blocked. Keep your car filled with gas when a storm is forecast.
• Have plywood, nails and other materials on hand to help protect your windows. Also, be sure your garbage cans, patio furniture and other outdoor items are secured. Check mobile home tie-downs.

For more tips, see "Preparing for Hurricanes" on MetLife.com.

Oh, Deer!
The deer population has exploded in many areas of the country, bringing it into frequent conflict with motorists. To keep yourself and your car safe, the Insurance Information Institute advises:

• Be especially cautious in the early morning and evening, when deer are most active.
• If you see a deer, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast.
• Don't swerve; you could confuse the deer or lose control.
• Be alert for other deer -- they usually move in groups.
• Always wear a seat belt.

If you do strike a deer, don't go near it. Get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police. Contact MetLife Auto & Home Claims at 1-800-854-6011 at your earliest convenience.

Above Board
You may be taking on more responsibility than you think when you're elected an officer or board member of a church or community group. As recent corporate scandals have demonstrated, board members -- even those governing nonprofit groups -- can be sued for such things as libel or negligence. Homeowners or renters policies usually do not cover personal injuries such as libel and slander, but most umbrella (Personal Excess Liability) policies do. Make sure your umbrella policy covers your volunteer service. For added protection, ask whether the group you're joining carries insurance for its board of directors and officers. And make certain the organization is truly a nonprofit; most umbrella policies exclude business coverage.

Did you know?
If you're heading for the highway, the National Safety Council suggests the safest route is usually a controlled-access, divided route. Nationally, only about one in eight fatal crashes occurs on an interstate.