October Newsletter

The Best Month for a Road Trip? It’s October!

I’m going out on a limb and declaring October the best month for a road trip. Do I have meteorological data, research, or a poll to back me up? No, I’m just basing it on my experiences.

Here’s what October has going for it:

• The color! Summer may have temperatures and spring may have flowers, but nothing (believe me) beats a good fall color tour. And believe it or not, California does have it’s share of vibrant orange, red, and yellow leaves.
• The temperature! For me, the perfect weather forecast includes two things: moderately warm days and crisp nights. Cool enough to wear jeans, warm enough to not worry about a coat. For a lot of our country, October usually has both.
• The prices! Unless you’re leaf peeping odds are you’re heading to your destination during its shoulder season meaning you’ll pay less and probably be surrounded by fewer people.

October is our last hurrah before the big holiday season and winter blows in. So put off the chores, hop in a car, and do some spontaneous or not-so-spontaneous road-tripping. Just make sure your car is ready for the trip.

Where should you go? There are so many choices. Yosemite. Big Bear. Lake Tahoe. Napa Valley to name a few. Or you can drive to your Alma Mater to take in a football game. If you have the time and the inclination, you can venture to the Pacific Northwest. It’s a good time to enjoy everything it has to offer when weather is optimal and the changing colors of nature must be seen to be believed.

So where are you going this month? No matter where you head, make sure you travel to your destination safely.

Trick or New Treats!

This Halloween, we all enjoy answering the door and handing out treats to the little ghosts and goblins that come a-knocking. Most of the treats they receive will be candy! So why not stand out from the crowd and give the kids something that is not packed with sugar? Here are some fun options to consider that they’ll enjoy:

• Glow sticks – here’s a not so fun fact: Children are most at risk for being hit by a car on Halloween night. So to help them stay visible, you can toss glow-in-the-dark accessories into their bag. Plus, who doesn’t love a glow necklace?
• Stickers – what kid doesn’t love decorating their notebooks with fun adhesives? Sheets of stickers make for fun treats that won’t weigh down trick-or-treaters’ bags.
• Fruit Leather – So good, it tastes like candy but with less sugar!
•  Snack bags – Pretzels and Goldfish crackers are yummy non-candy Halloween treat options.
•  Pencils, erasers and pencil toppers – School supplies in fun shapes and patterns give them something to enjoy after Halloween is over.
• Bubbles – Need I say more?
• Spooky accessories – Think plastic vampire teeth, plastic spider rings and other goodies that you can grab at the party supply or dollar store.
• Mini bottles of water – Walking from door-to-door can be a workout, so help them stay hydrated while they traverse the neighborhood.
• Temporary tattoos – Halloween themed tattoos are safe for the kiddos, easy to press on, and they’ll have a blast showing them off at school the next day!

We’re here for you – 24/7

Managing your insurance policies just got easier. Apollo Insurance Services is here for you whenever you need us! Whether you’re at home or on the go, our customer service portal offers you secure access to your insurance information 24/7 from your laptop, tablet or phone! We also have an Apollo Insurance Services app available in the Google Play or Apple Store.

You’ll be able to:

• View and reprint automobile ID cards
• View critical policy information
• Request policy changes online
• Access your agent’s direct contact information
• Receive documented confirmation of all activity conducted online

What to do in the event of a wildfire

Whether it’s the rolling hills of the Paso Robles wine country or the sandy beaches and oceanfront of Newport Beach, California is a wonderful place to live. But while the climate is perfect for comfortable living and outdoor fun and adventure, the dry weather presents ideal conditions for wildfires. Your friends at Apollo Insurance Services are here to help you protect your family and your property.

Wildfires strike suddenly and move quickly and unpredictably. If a wildfire is in your area, it’s important for you to listen to emergency channels and closely follow the status of the fire. Gather emergency supplies and valuable items in your car so you can evacuate when ordered.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
• Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
• Prescriptions or special medications
• Change of clothing
• Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
• An extra set of car keys, credit cards and cash
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Sanitation supplies
• Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
• Pet food and water

ITEMS TO TAKE IF TIME ALLOWS

• Easily carried valuables
• Family photos and other irreplaceable items
• Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
• Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY

There are steps you can take to help protect your property when you evacuate such as:

• If you’re able to, move furniture to the center of rooms and remove drapes and curtains to prevent combustion.
• Close all windows and doors to prevent drafts and reduce heat.
• Shut off natural gas from its source.
• Turn on all lights in your property so that firefighters can more easily see it
  through smoke.
• As you evacuate, lock your door as you leave your home.

EXIT YOUR HOME AND COMMUNITY

• If advised to do so, evacuate safely and remain calm while evacuating. According to Ready.gov, “always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night”.
• If you’re driving, roll up your windows and close the air vents. The smoke from the fire can get into your car, irritate your eyes and cause breathing problems.
• Turn on your headlights and keep your doors unlocked.