Everyone cheers in our house when those first flakes fall from the sky. No matter how busy we are, we take a moment to marvel. We love winter sports – especially snowmobiling. When it all kicks into high gear, my wife and I sometimes feel like we have to play safety cop, but we don’t mind. It's a good idea for snowmobilers to brush up on safety tips and strategies before heading out. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, there were 212 snowmobile accidents in 2011 in Minnesota alone with 19 fatalities. Ensure a safe, fun season by sticking to these must-know snowmobiling safety tips: Check First. Then Go. Before any of us hits the trails, we make sure to check the condition of our sled. A snowmobile enthusiast friend of mine is a stickler for this checklist: throttle, ski assemblies, rods, belt, headlights/taillights, brakes as well the fuel and battery levels. It's also a good idea to check the weather and remember to pack an emergency kit (flares, extra key, first aid kit, flashlight, spare fuel, etc.). Protect the Trail. Remember to respect the trail systems and riding. Avoid disturbing local wildlife and only ride within the areas you're permitted -- no matter how much your little ones beg to chase the snow bunnies. Pay Attention. The longer you ride, the slower your reaction time. If you’re sleep deprived because your youngest was having nightmares last night, it might not be a great day for a ride. (Speaking from experience.) Even though you may not feel tired, the combination of motion, wind and vibration of the machine tends to dull your senses. Take breaks every few hours to stay safe. Safety Trumps Style. Our friends tell their daughters that all the fashonistas on the trails wear warm gloves, goggles, and a windproof outer layer. These items can be vital to safety, and all the cool kids are doing it. Tell Others Your Plan. Another great idea prior to a snowmobile ride is to create a "snow plan." That’s a description of your planned route (kind of like a flight plan for snowmobiles). Keep it handy so family and friends all know where to find it. Never Add Alcohol. Just not a good idea. The increased sleepiness and slower reaction time are a formula for disaster. (Picture a two-year-old at the mall without a nap – worse than that.) Never drink and ride. By the way, it’s illegal, too. Avoid Riding at Night. Snowmobiling after dark can be a blast but requires special attention. The golden rule: Don't over drive your headlights. Always drive slow enough to see an object in time to avoid a collision. Stay safe on the snow this season!  

(video courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

Ahh, the winter wonderland of Chicago. Glistening, snow-covered lawns, sparkling icicles…and tacky vinyl kitchen chairs in the street? Saving your shoveled-out parking spot in Chicago has become a time-honored tradition called “Chicago Dibs.” It ranks up there with 16-inch softball and Italian beef sandwiches. This is truly a legitimate (albeit controversial) practice that is based on one principal – if you shovel it out; you have dibs on it until the next melt. If it makes you feel better, call it parking spot insurance. No questions asked. (Although the morality of Chicago Dibs is hotly debated every winter.) While practiced in other snowed-in cities like Boston, Philadelphia and even Washington D.C., Chicago remains the gold standard in saving a shoveled-out parking spot. Even former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley defended the oddball practice, saying in 2000: "If someone spends all their time digging their car out, do not drive into that spot. This is Chicago. Fair warning.”  (Clearly he was in touch with the common man!) The locals stake their ”Chicago Dibs” with an odd and ingenious menagerie of unloved garage sale rejects. The variety of placeholders is really quite spectacular. In that spirit, may we present to you our Top Ten List of Chicago Dibs Parking Spot Holders in Chicago: [slideshow] Share your favorite parking spot saver stories and photos with us! Tweet a description or photo of the oddest parking spot saver and include the hashtag #chicagodibs. We'll retweet our favorites!   Photos courtesy of boston.com, temporaryservices.org, and retrokitchentable.org.

Last winter, my car really took a beating. Having just moved back to Chicago, I’d forgotten the total havoc months of ice, sleet and snow can wreak on metal and rubber. But Snowpacalypse 2012 won’t catch me off guard. To get ready, I started by weather-proofing my car tires. Try these tips to help maintain your status as king of the road, no matter what Mother Nature brings your way: Test Your Tire Tread One of the first ways to tell if your tires are ready for winter roads is to examine the wear on their tread. If your wheels are properly aligned and you’ve rotated your tires regularly, the tire tread should be worn evenly on both sides. If yours isn’t, this could be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment and need adjusting before the big freeze hits. Uneven or excessive tread wearing can cause major problems during the winter months, as roads get slicker and your tires require more grip to brake and accelerate. Take the 'penny test': Take a Lincoln penny, hold it between your thumb and forefinger so that Lincoln’s head is showing. Place the top of Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tire’s tread. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread, you have a safe amount of tread. If you can see above Lincoln’s head, then you need a new tire. Become a Tire Pressure Aficionado One cause of uneven tire wear is under-inflation. Did you know that tires lose about 1 pound per square inch of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops? While this might not sound like much, it can be, considering that a drop in tire pressure as small as 5 psi can alter a car’s safety. Plus, keeping your tires properly inflated can help them last longer—and might even save you a few dollars at the pump. Consider Buying Snow Tires You might think snow tires are only for mountain men who live in the tundra. But the truth is that regular tires just don’t perform as well during the winter as they do the rest of the year. In fact, colder temperatures can cause standard tires to become too hard and lose their normal traction, even when there’s no snow on the ground. The service department at your local car dealership can help you decide whether snow tires make sense for your area’s weather, and can also recommend the best tires for your make and model. I opted to put snow tires on my SUV this year, and I don’t think I’ll ever look back. While preparing your car for the winter whiteout takes a little extra work, it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Better tires means fewer breakdowns—so you can spend less time at the side of the road and more time hibernating in your man cave.  

Snow tire photo courtesy of Alexander Olm via Flickr

Safety is a significant issue for every homeowner and eliminating unsafe situations inside the home should be a top priority. Proper installation and usage of electrical and gas lines, carbon dioxide and fire alarms, and window and door locks are all important for day-to-day home safety. But what about extreme conditions? Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and even home invasion are all examples of severe situations in which families may benefit from a safe room. What is a safe room? Simply put, a safe room is a secure, reinforced, well-stocked room where individuals can go to avoid the risks and potential dangers that may arise in other parts of a home. But how do you create a safe room in your house? Our infographic provides some ideas: [infographic]

You don’t have to be a fan of the Winter X Games to know that snowmobiling is cool again. Wherever snow is not just a four-letter word but a fact of life, you’ll find a growing number of hardcore sledders riding the trails and backcountry. According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), more than 2.1 million sleds are registered in North America. It’s easy to see why snowmobiling is so popular. It’s an invigorating sport that’s great exercise and brings people outdoors to interact with nature and each other. A perfect escape from your computer screen or smart phone. Of course, there’s also the adrenaline. You can get a contact high just watching those X Games maniacs with all their jaw-dropping backward flip Supermans (as you might guess, a “Superman” is a trick where the snowmobile is launched and the rider’s body is in a horizontal position above the snowmobile hanging onto the handles. Don’t try this at home). Sledders sure love the freedom of riding for miles through virgin powder. In fact, ISMA estimates that the average snowmobiler in North America rides 1,414 miles per year. But for whatever reason (mesmerized by all that pure white snow? Headgear too tight?), they can sometimes lose their bearings when it comes to making sure they’re protected. Not from physical harm or the elements, but from the unexpected that can instantly turn an exhilarating cruise into a “what was that?” crash. You wouldn’t think of riding without a helmet. But sledders everywhere forget that they also need to protect their snowmobiles—and personal funds—from accidents. Some of the reasons given for not getting snowmobile insurance are as outrageous as a big-air heel-click: “No one else is buying snowmobile insurance.” Remember what your mother said when you asked for her OK to do something and bolstered your argument by saying that all the other kids are doing it? Then she said, “If Tommy jumped off the bridge, would you follow him?” Maybe that’s not the right question to ask a snowmobiler, but you get the point. “It’s too expensive.” For only $10 per month on average, snowmobile insurance can protect you, your passenger, your snowmobile and even someone else’s property. “I’m a great driver.” No one doubts your skills. But an unseen tree stump or partially hidden fence can cause even a professional to lose control. You wouldn’t drive your car without insurance—why take that chance on your sled, especially when you consider that some high-powered snowmobiles can weigh more than 600 pounds and achieve speeds in excess of 150 mph! “Snowmobile accidents aren’t that big of a deal.” According to a study in Clinical Orthopedics, snowmobile accidents in North America cause approximately 200 deaths and 14,000 injuries each year. “My sled isn’t worth that much.” ISMA reports that the average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile is about $8,500, which isn’t exactly chump change. You also need to consider what it could cost you if you damaged someone else’s sled or property, or caused bodily harm. If you’re a hardcore snowmobiler, you can’t wait to squeeze the throttle and churn up clouds of virgin powder. But before the first snowflake hits the ground, be sure to check with your insurance agent about protecting you, your sled and your money. Happy trails!

For more information on snowmobile coverage and tiding safety tips, visit Allstate.com.