Safety Isn’t a Dramatic Movie Scene: Practical Ways to Reduce Everyday Risk

This month marks the 30^th anniversary of National Safety Month, a time dedicated to promoting safety in all areas of life—from the roads to our homes. While you may not celebrate this month with fireworks or cake, it's essential to take a moment to reflect on what safety looks like with your loved ones and family.

Building a culture of safety and accountability starts with you. In this practical guide, we will explore ways to create your own safe space at home, on the road, on the water, in the digital world, and while traveling. Taking action to protect yourself and your loved ones this June is not only smart, but it may also result in insurance savings. Let’s explore safety through the lens of some popular movies.

Home safety

“This is ridiculous. Only a wimp would be hiding under a bed. And I can’t be a wimp. I’m the man of the house.” — Kevin, “Home Alone”

When it comes to home safety, one classic movie that often comes to mind is “Home Alone.” However, we certainly don’t want you to leave a child behind during Christmas break or to resort to bobby-trapping your home to keep it safe from burglars. Instead, we want to equip you with practical home safety tips, starting with preparedness.

If your home is situated in areas prone to hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms, floods, harsh winter weather, or earthquakes, preparing in advance could significantly protect your most valuable asset. You may wish to explore resilience upgrades like a FORTIFIED roof, installing wind-resistant garage doors, creating defensible space around your property, or having a licensed contractor install a lightning rod. Additionally, clearing debris from gutters is essential. The specific actions needed could vary depending on your location and the unique hazards present in your area. Identify recommended actions based on different types of perils and create a plan to upgrade your home.

The good news is that investing time in resiliency upgrades offers a remarkable return of 13 to 1. For every $1 that communities invest in resilience, they save $13 in damages, cleanup costs, and economic impacts. Now, that's a powerful motivator!

You should also prepare for common household injuries such as falls, burns, and poisoning by keeping a first-aid kit readily available. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lists what to include, from aspirin to bandages, and is a great place to reference as you build your kit and set yourself and your home up for safety.

Road safety

“I live my life a quarter mile at a time.” — Dominic, “The Fast & Furious”

Zooming ahead to automobile safety, the most obvious choice here is the Fast & Furious franchise, which is full of steely one-liners, like “you can’t get tired, you can only accelerate,” as well as safety faux pas and explosions.

Hopefully, your daily commute to school drop-off or work is a lot less exciting than this movie franchise, and a lot safer... and slower.

From a safety perspective, make sure you and everyone in your car is wearing seat belts every time on every trip. If you have young kids, make sure they are in the right car seat or booster seat for their weight and height.

If you have teen drivers, set clear expectations regarding passengers, nighttime driving, and phone use. Check out our parent guide to safe teen driving.

Next, make “defensive driving” your go-to mode on the road. Give drivers ahead of you ample space, especially in rainy or snowy weather, and be sure to slow down in work zones and near cyclists, pedestrians, intersections, driveways, and school zones. If you see a crash ahead, resist the urge to stare, as secondary accidents are common when traffic suddenly slows.

Keep distractions at bay when you’re driving. Your phone, pet, fries, and the like can wait until you are safely parked. Distracted driving doesn’t just impact your safety and the people around you; it could also impact your insurance rates. Pay attention when driving, and you’ll reduce your risk and increase your safety by following the rules of the road. Learn more about reducing distracted driving.

Finally, keep your vehicle road-ready. A few minutes of maintenance—ensuring tires are properly inflated, wiper blades are replaced, headlights and brake lights are working, and routine service is performed—helps you avoid breakdowns and reduce accident risk. Consider keeping a basic emergency kit in the trunk, especially if you live in an area with snow, extreme heat, or long rural stretches.

Water safety

“Just keep swimming.” — Dory, “Finding Nemo”

In “Finding Nemo,” persistence solves a lot of Nemo’s problems. Around water—pools, yachts, and watercraft—persistence should be paired with preparation, supervision, and the proper safety equipment.

If you have a pool at home, consider safeguarding it with a fence around the perimeter with a self-closing gate, along with pool alarms and easily accessible life rings. When hosting gatherings or having children over, designate a “water watcher” who is focused solely on supervision. Sadly, in large groups, people may mistakenly assume someone else is watching the water.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children, which is why the American Red Cross recommends barriers of protection when it comes to water and water activities. These include pool fences, water watchers, life jackets in pools for weak swimmers, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for all in open water and on boats, and developing swimming competency and skills. This combined approach layers protection across water interactions to build safety.

When it comes to boating, approach each outing on the water with a “pre-departure” checklist. Check the weather, confirm safety equipment, ensure that your watercraft is fueled and in working order, share your plans with someone you trust, and review procedures with passengers so that in the event of an emergency, they know where safety gear is located and how to make a call for help. A word of caution: alcohol and boating don’t mix. Conditions could change fast on the water, and even confident boaters may benefit from following best boating practices. Stay vigilant and alert when on the water.

Digital and online safety

“With great power comes great responsibility.” — Uncle Ben, “Spider-Man”

In the digital world, your “great power” is convenience: banking from your phone, smart-home devices, travel apps, and near-constant connectivity. Your “great responsibility” is protecting your information and accounts.

Start with passwords and authentication but remember that many scams don’t “hack” your devices; instead, they persuade you to take action. Protect key accounts with strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication, bookmark the real login pages you use most, and be cautious about what you share publicly (details like pet names, schools, and travel plans could give bad actors a way to bypass security protocols). If a call, text, or email creates urgency, don’t click or respond right away; go directly to the company’s website or call a trusted number to verify that the alert is real. Learn more about protecting cyber safety by avoiding seven common cyber sins.

Travel safety

“Clark, let's just skip the house of mud. I think Dodge City was enough fun for one day.” — National Lampoon’s Vacation

Clark never seemed to have his family vacations go as planned. Truthfully, that could be the case in real life, too. Travel is smoother when you plan for the unexpected, whether that be flight delays, lost luggage, or medical incidents, with travel insurance, which, frankly, seems like something Clark did not have.

Still, before you hit the jetway, ensure your home is secure, “pack” travel insurance, and keep digital copies of your important documents (passport, driver’s license, itinerary, insurance cards). Be smart about where you pack your essential medications—in your carry-on, not your checked bag. Read more safe travel tips.

Safety is personal, and so is your coverage.

National Safety Month reminds us that safety is not one big decision but the result of many decisions at home, on the road, on the water, online, and while traveling that add up over time. Collectively, these actions help build a safety net around your lifestyle, assets, home, and, most importantly, your loved ones.

If you’d like help tailoring or reviewing your insurance program to ensure it matches the life you are actually living now, don’t hesitate to reach out. A new teen driver, a summer boat, or travel abroad could all paint a different risk profile and are worth looking at more closely.

Working with a broker could help you bring all of that into focus, identify gaps or overlaps, and find options that work for you. This risk review, when paired with strong personal safety awareness, sets you up to enjoy your life with greater ease and less worry.