• Shedding Light on Candle Safety
  The greatest number of candle-related fires can occur during the holidays. Keep your family safe.
• Did You Know?
  Nine of the top 10 U.S. locales for car thefts are located near U.S. borders or ports.
• Wild Weather: Slippin' & Slidin'
  Take some precautions, and be prepared for winter ice on the roads.
  
• Pumping Pointers: How to gas up safely
  Ensure your next visit to the gas station remains uneventful with these simple tips.
  
• Penny-Wise
  Save yourself up to 10 percent on major coverages with a simple safety course.
• To Do -- Now
  Get to work today on this checklist to help head off winter woes.

Shedding Light on Candle Safety
The beauty of a Menorah or the scent of a pine candle at Christmas causes many people to overlook one basic fact: "A candle is an open flame," cautions Marty Ahrens, fire analysis specialist for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The greatest number of candle-related fires during 1999 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) occurred on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve. Keep your family and home safe with these tips from NFPA:

• Never leave a candle unattended. Almost 40 percent of all fires occurred after candles were left unsupervised or inadequately controlled.
• Keep candles away from flammable items. More than 20 percent of candle fires began because the flame was too close to an object.
• Don't place candles where a family pet is likely to knock them over.
• Always extinguish all candles before going to bed. Thirteen percent of candle-related fires started after the user fell asleep.

Did You Know?
Nine of the top 10 U.S. locales for car thefts are located near U.S. borders or ports.

1. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona
2. Fresno, California
3. Modesto, California
4. Stockton-Lodi, California
5. Las Vegas, Nevada
6. Miami, Florida
7. Sacramento, California
8. Oakland, California
9. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Washington
10. Tacoma, Washington
    Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), June 2003. (Statistics are for 2002.) www.nicb.org

Wild Weather: Slippin' & Slidin'
The most dangerous patches of winter roadways, says the American Automobile Association, are at shaded areas, underneath bridges, on overpasses and at intersections. That's because these are the spots where ice is most likely to form first or be the most slippery. If you do start to skid on ice -- and your car doesn't have antilock brakes -- don't hit the brakes. Instead, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go, then straighten the wheel as soon as the car starts moving in the right direction. If you do have antilock brakes, apply gradual pressure to the brake pedal while steering in the direction you want to go.

Pumping Pointers: How to gas up safely
Remember last winter's news reports of gas station fires? As the weather turned cold and dry, a number of pumpers unwittingly created dangerous static electricity, which ignited gas vapors as they stood at a self-serve pump. Although reports of static-related fires have increased since 1999 -- with approximately 150 incidents documented, according to the Petroleum Equipment Institute -- pumping gas is still relatively safe. Each year, in fact, Americans head to the self-serve pump more than 11 billion times. To help ensure your next visit to the gas station is an uneventful one, follow this advice:

1. After exiting your vehicle, discharge static from your body by touching your bare hand to a metal part of the car located away from the gas tank.
2. Never get back into your car while refueling. Rubbing your clothing against the car's seat can "recharge" you with static.
3. If a fire starts, leave the nozzle in the car, back away from the vehicle and notify the station attendant.

Penny-Wise
Save up to 10 percent on major coverages of your MetLife Auto & Home auto policy by taking the National Safety Council (NSC) driver safety course online or in the comfort of your own home on video or CD-ROM. This renewable discount is effective for three years and available in most states to drivers licensed for at least two years. Click here for additional information.

Discount available in most states. Speak with your MetLife Auto & Home agent or representative for details.

To Do -- Now
Get to work today on this checklist to help head off winter woes:

• Stack firewood away from the house. This helps keeps rodents away from your foundation -- and out of your house.
• Test your snowblower now, before the first storm hits.
• Prevent ice dams by clearing gutters.
• Assemble a winter survival kit for your car. Include flashlight, first-aid kit, jumper cables, nonperishable food, water, flares, blanket, sand or cat litter, and rock salt.
• Check the tread on your car's tires. Good tires make winter driving safer.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned, if necessary.
• Stock up on batteries and flashlights. In case of a power outage, they're safer than candles.
• Check holiday lights for broken sockets or frayed wires. Use insulated staples or hooks outdoors.