Ready, Set, Snowmobile. Safety Tips from Foremost Insurance Group

A perfectly snow powdered trail and an awesome machine equals a wonderful world of snowmobiling. Foremost® not only insures snowmobiles, we have experts on staff that provide knowledge and know-how for snowmobile enthusiasts.

Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) January 27, 2012

A perfectly snow powdered trail and an awesome machine equals a wonderful world of snowmobiling. Foremost® not only insures snowmobiles, we have experts on staff that provide knowledge and know-how for snowmobile enthusiasts. Snowmobiling is a popular pastime and weekend or week-long trips seem to be the ideal way to spend winter free-time for snowmobilers all across the country.

“Safety plays such a big part of any of the outdoor products we insure. Snowmobile safety is especially important, noting that most accidents could possibly be avoided by following simple safety steps,” says Kevin Henry, senior product manager. “Here at Foremost, we focus on the steps our customers can take to make their adventures as safe as they can be.”

Foremost recommends that safety come first when preparing for a snowmobile trip, whether it’s a day, weekend or week. These tips will help you prepare and enjoy your next adventure on your sled:

• Know the law. Check with the local DNR, law enforcement agencies, dealers and clubs to make sure you follow all the rules in the area where you are riding.
• Gear up. Always wear protective gear such as a safety-certified helmet, warm gloves, a windproof outer layer and boots.
• Think ahead. Preparation is key during a long snowmobile ride. Check out the complete list of trip items on Foremost.com.
• Tread lightly and respect nature. Ride only in areas where it’s permitted. Wait for enough snow to cover vegetation, avoid running over trees and shrubs and don’t disturb wildlife around you.
• Maintain control and stay sharp. Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience. Be aware of current terrain, visibility and weather conditions, potential hazards or obstacles. Ride only when your senses are sharp. Never do drugs or drink and then ride.
• Check it out. Be sure your snowmobile is running properly before riding. Review your owner’s manual. Follow the recommended service schedule and be sure an authorized service provider makes all repairs.
• Take a friend. It’s more fun — and safer — to ride with a friend along.
• Be careful crossing roads. Stop completely and make sure that no traffic is approaching from any direction.
• Slow down at night. The slower you go, the more room you have to stop. Also, avoid riding along road shoulders at night where your headlight, and those of street traffic, could cause confusion.
• Beware of water. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Never cross over a frozen lake, pond or stream. You run the risk of breaking through the ice, and starting, stopping and turning are more difficult due to less traction.
• Know you’re protected. Be sure you have proper insurance coverage to protect your vehicle and provide liability coverage in case someone gets injured or property is damaged during the use of your machine.

Foremost wants you to be safe in your travels. To learn more about Foremost products or to share feedback, visit http://www.Foremost.com, our blog at blog.foremost.com, our Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/ForemostInsurance or our Twitter page at http://www.Twitter.com/Foremost.

A part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, Foremost Insurance Group (“Foremost”) has been a leader in personal lines insurance since 1952. Foremost is headquartered in Caledonia, Michigan. Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit http://www.Farmers.com, or http://www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

# # #

Noelle Kimble
Farmers Group, Inc.
(616) 956-4289
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/ready-set-snowmobile-safety-tips-foremost-insurance-group-180237555.html

Forest preserve district reminds snowmobilers to be safe, sober on the trails

Geneva—With winter officially here and snow sure to follow, the Kane County Forest Preserve District released a statement reminding snowmobilers to stay safe and follow the law.

“Snowmobiling is great exercise that brings people outdoors to interact with nature and each other. It is great for stress release and good mental health,” said Forest Preserve Officer Rick Splittgerber. “But it’s so important to be safe, use common sense, and follow all laws while riding.”

Splittgerber suggests the following safety tips before every trip:

• Point your snowmobile in a safe direction.
• Check the steering system. Does it move easily?
• Check the throttle. Does it move easily? Press in and release. Make sure it is not frozen in the “on” position.
• Check the brakes. Do they stick or bind?
• Check the headlights and taillights. Do they both work?
• Check the fuel level. Is it enough for the return trip?
• Check the oil injection. Is the oil well full?
• Check the emergency stop switch. Does it work?
• Is the track clear of snow and ice?
• Are you dressed properly?
• Always tell someone where you are going and approximately when you expect to be back.
• Never go alone. Always use the buddy system. Your life may depend on it.

In additional to regular trail signage, this year, “You drink, you ride, you lose” signs have been posted along the trail. The district said it hopes the signs will discourage riders from being under the influence of alcohol while operating a snowmobile.

Trails are patrolled by the Forest Preserve District police, the Kane County Mounted Rangers, and the Snowmobile Safety Patrol.

In the Kane County forest preserves, snowmobiling is only allowed on trails marked specifically for this purpose, including:

• Campton Forest Preserve (on internal, marked trails only)
• Great Western Trail (west of Wasco, only)
• Hampshire Forest Preserve (on internal trails only)
• Snowmobiling is also allowed for transit only through the following:
• Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on marked trail)
• Glenwood Park Forest Preserve (on the Batavia Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path)
• Rutland Forest Preserve (parking only)
• Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve (transit through preserve only on marked trail)

There must be 4 inches of snow, and the ground must be frozen. Snowmobiling hours are sunrise to sunset, except on the Great Western Trail, west of Wasco, where it is permitted from sunrise to 11 p.m. The speed limit in all preserves and on all trails is 15 mph, except the Great Western Trail west of Wasco, where it is 35 mph. Riders must stay on trails as marked.

The district also wants riders to be aware of recent changes made to the Illinois Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act, in April 2011. Snowmobiles must now be covered by liability insurance (unless riders stay exclusively on private property not denoted as a snowmobile trail). Proof of insurance is required. Additionally, non-Illinois residents are required to purchase a yearly snowmobile trail use sticker, if the vehicle is not registered in Illinois.

For more information on snowmobiling in the Kane County forest preserves, visit kaneforest.com/publications/brochures/winterActivities.pdf.

Article source: http://elburnherald.com/22430/2012/01/09/forest-preserve-district-reminds-snowmobilers-to-be-safe-sober-on-the-trails/

D Trail closed this winter for safety

By ELAINE DELLA-MATTIA, THE SAULT STAR

Posted 22 days ago

Outdoor enthusiasts planning to hit the snowmobile trails between Searchmont and Wawa this winter will have to rethink their options.

The D Trail between the two communities will remain closed for the 2012 season, said John Mayne, president of the Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.

The popular northern route will remain closed this year in the interest of safety due to the closure of Halfway Haven Lodge.

Snowmobilers will not be able to refuel or seek food or lodging along the route with the winter closure, Mayne said. Halfway Haven’s current owner is a senior and health issues prevent him from opening this winter, Mayne said. But he expects the trail will reopen for the 2013 season with a new owner of Halfway Haven Lodge.

“It’s unfortunate but we kicked around a lot of ideas and thought about a fuel bag program where snowmobilers could take extra fuel with them. But what happens if a machine breaks down or people get caught in a snowstorm? There’s nowhere to go for help in between.”

The trail closure is another blow to the decline in snowmobiling.

Last year, the club sold about 800 annual permits, but the numbers have dropped over the past few years, Mayne said.

The high cost of fuel and insurance and changing weather patterns with shorter winters have all contributed to the demise of the sport, he said.

“We go through phases,” Mayne said. “Now, we’re in a down phase, but what we’re experiencing is similar to what boating went through about five or six years ago and now they’re back up again and I expect we will be in a few years too.”

Volunteers with the Sault Trailblazers — and other clubs in the area — have almost completed annual fall trail maintenance.

Bridges along trail routes are repaired along with any damage to the trails caused by four-wheelers or rain washouts.

Trees and brush are also cut back and volunteers ensure that any major obstacles are removed from the trails.

Meanwhile, Wednesday is the last day avid outdoor enthusiasts can purchase snowmobile trail permits at an early-bird price of $200.

The price increases to $250 effective Dec. 1.

Permits can be purchased at the Christie Camper site at Canadian Tire or at the Sault Trailblazer’s Old Garden River Road office.

Temporary permits are also available once the trail system opens. Three day permits are $100; seven day permits $140 and special event permits for sanctioned events $35.

Trails will open when winter weather conditions are ideal for snowmobiling.

Trail conditions can be viewed daily online at www.ssmtrailblazers.com.

Advertisement

Article source: http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3388095