October 20, 2025
October is an exciting month, we’re back into the swing of the new school year, the temperatures are dropping and Virginia’s beautiful fall folliage is in full swing.
In this post we’ll go over a few key items for this time of year:
- Fire Prevention Week (giveaway!)
- Deer Crossing Awareness
- Haunting Claims (and Prevention)
- Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
The first week of October is Fire Prevention Week – we as insurance agents like to acknowledge this especially with upcoming holidays. Did you know most fires occur in the winter? The months of December, January and February account for 30% of all home fires. With peak days specifically on Thanksgiving and Christmas due to unattended cooking.
Being prepared can ensure your holiday memories stay positive and avoid serious accidents that can lead to emotional and financially devastating loss.
Inspect your lights and cords: Before hanging holiday lights or decorations, check for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Replace damaged strands immediately and never overload outlets or extension cords. Avoid daisy-chaining multiple power strips or extension cords. Use surge protectors and unplug decorations before going to bed or leaving the house.
Check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers: Test smoke alarms before the holiday rush and replace batteries if needed. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher (and know how to use it) in the kitchen and near fireplaces. For a limited time this holiday season, Teagle Insurance will be giving away FREE fire extinguishers (while supplies last, limit 1 per client). Come by the office to grab yours!
Cook with caution: Holiday cooking is joyful but hectic! Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. Keep towels, paper products, and wooden utensils away from the stovetop. And if a grease fire starts: never use water; instead, smother it with a lid or baking soda.
Plan for the unexpected: Review your fire escape plan with family members. Make sure everyone knows how to get out safely and where to meet outside.
Fall is gorgeous in our great state of Virginia but also a time to use caution when driving. The best way to avoid collisions with deer is to stay alert, use high beams and allow yourself extra time. Especially watch out for deer in the early morning around dawn and in the evenings. Remember, if you see one, there are likely more. Unless you’re a hunter of course – haha!
Carving pumpkins this season? What a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit! Remember this simple swap – use LED candles instead of those with a real flame. The LED candles last much longer plus they can avoid serious damage caused by fire.
Fall and Spring are great times to do a home maintenance check. We’ve created a Fall specific home maintenance checklist to make it easy for our clients. You can access that checklist below.