The holiday season is here, and it’s time to celebrate. As you prepare your home, follow several safety tips that help your holiday season be merry and bright.
Indoor Decorations
Miniature houses, ceramic reindeer and scented candles add a festive dimension to your home during the holiday season. Be sure to keep fragile items away from the edge of tables or mantles and out of small children’s reaches. Extinguish any candles before bedtime or leaving the house, too.
Christmas Tree
A traditional symbol of the holiday, your Christmas tree looks pretty as its light twinkle. Keep your family safe when you secure the tree into a sturdy stand. Water your real tree regularly or choose a fire-resistant artificial tree to prevent a fire. If you use lights, don’t use frayed strands, hide the light power chord under a rug to reduce the tripping hazard and unplug the lights before you leave the house or go to bed. Remember to hang ornaments out of reach or place a baby gate around the tree, too, to protect children and pets.
Gifts
Share joy this holiday season when you give gifts to your loved ones. Remember to keep all gift wrapping supplies away from pets that may eat shiny ribbons and get sick. Also, purchase adequate insurance for jewelry, art and other expensive gifts. To prevent thieves from stealing your holiday joy, hide gifts until Christmas morning, secure your house with a security system and keep the windows and doors locked.
Outdoor Decorations
Whether you go all out when decorating your house and lawn or simply hang a wreath on the door, follow outdoor decoration safety. Always use a ladder to hang lights on your house. Don’t overload electrical outlets, either. As a rule, connect only three outdoor extension cords together in one strand.
Visitor Prep
Welcoming visitors is part of the season’s fun. Clear the walkways of ice and debris before guests arrive. Consider installing extra lighting, too, to prevent falls and trips. When preparing food, follow food safety guidelines. Store fresh foods at the correct temperature, cook foods thoroughly and place leftovers promptly into the fridge.
The holiday season is a joyous time of celebration. Follow these safety tips as you decorate your home and welcome guests. Contact your insurance agent, too, to update your home insurance policy and insure all your gifts.
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According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, crime, from burglary and shoplifting to fraud and embezzlement, plays a role in up to 30% of business failures. To help protect your company (and keep your insurance costs under control), use this checklist:
Employees:
- Do background checks on all applicants
- Train employees on safe opening and closing procedures
- Instruct them on what to do in case of robbery, make it clear that they should never endanger themselves by trying to protect money, property, or other valuable items.
Money:
- Keep the amount of onsite cash to a minimum. Make bank deposits daily and vary your time and routes to and from the bank
- Skim cash drawers throughout the day to ensure that large amounts of cash are not kept in the registers
- Check cash register receipts against your deposits daily to reduce the threat of employee dishonesty
- Immediately mark any checks received as “For Deposit Only.”
Property:
- Make sure that all doors are locked during non-business hours
- Keep rear doors locked from the outside at all times by installing panic locks. Do not use padlocks
- Keep the interior and exterior well lit during non-business hours
- Have a safe on site to store small amounts of cash, important documents, or other valuable items. Change the safe’s combination periodically
- Install security cameras throughout the property, with all entranceways and cashier areas under surveillance
- Set up a perimeter security system with appropriate signage to warn would-be criminals that the property is protected.
Our experts stand ready to review your security procedures at any time. Just give us a call.
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The holidays are almost upon us and alcohol will be flowing at company parties throughout the land. Beware! If an employee or guest gets inebriated at a social function sponsored by your business and then injures another person, you could be held liable.
Consider this scenario: After polishing off four eggnogs in an hour at the company’s Christmas party, one of your workers toddles off to his car. The employee almost makes it home when he runs a red light and T-bones a car. The car is damaged and injures the driver. The driver then sues your business for negligence in allowing the employee to drive home although he was clearly “under the influence” at the company party.
What’s more, under state and local “social host” laws, your business might face a fine or even imprisonment for continuing to serve alcohol to an adult who is legally drunk.
Under your comprehensive general liability policy is a clause for host liquor liability. The insurance company will pick up the tab for property damage and bodily injuries, up to “each occurrence” or “general aggregate” limits for the CGL. This coverage will also pay for court costs, legal fees, and other expenses – and these payments will not apply to the limits.
Be sure not to confuse host liquor liability insurance with Liquor Liability coverage, which protects businesses that manufacture, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages (such as liquor stores, bars, and taverns) against claims for injuries caused by intoxicated customers. If you’re in one of these businesses, you’ll need both types of policy.
To learn more, feel free to get in touch with our agency at any time.
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Preparing for a vacation can be one of the most exciting times in life. However, it comes with responsibilities beyond buying plane tickets and making hotel reservations.
For example, it’s all too easy to overlook the need for Travel Insurance. These “‘peace of mind” policies can protect travelers against everything from trip cancellation, and travel delays to lost luggage, medical emergencies (most Health policies have only limited coverage abroad) – and more.
Because coverages and rates vary widely, it can be difficult to choose the policy that’s best for you – and your pocketbook. To help you make the right decision, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have a tight flight connection?
- Am I going to be travelling on non-refundable flights?
- Where am I going and what are the risks associated with traveling and the situation at my destination?
- Do I have any health problems that might crop up during my trip?
- Will I be driving?
- Will I be taking part in downhill skiing, surfing, or other high-risk activities?
- If I missed a flight or get injured, would I be able to afford a return ticket?
- What is the refund policy on my coverage?
- Have I read the fine print make sure that you understand exactly what is covered and – just as important – what isn’t?
- Have I compared similar policies to note any major price discrepancies?
Our Personal insurance specialists would be happy to help you answer these and other questions, to help ensure your peace of mind as you travel.
Bon voyage!
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Exercising regularly. Create a fitness culture in your company, maybe provide gym benefits. For back pain prevention, weight control, abdominal muscles and stretching are key.
Stop smoking. Smokeless workplaces have gained in popularity for environmental reasons, but an additional consequence is fewer back issues.
Take a break. Repetitive motion or long periods of idleness create back stress. Sitting for an hour or lifting for an hour can cause back pain. Bending and twisting should be avoided. Bend at the knees and pivot, don’t twist the back, particularly when lifting.
Take a break while driving too. A short walk awakens your mind and neutralizes the cumulative effect of road vibration on your body.
Proper posture. Whether driving, lifting, or completing repetitive tasks, use the proper posture to protect your back.
Safe Lifting. The lower back is particularly susceptible to injury and pain from poor lifting techniques.
* Lift with your legs. Squat and lift rather than bending forward and lifting.
* Proper posture means a straight upper back with a natural lower back arch.
* Test load weight. Push the load with your foot first. Do you need a helper?
* Lift close to your torso, waist level.
* Do not twist your back while carrying anything.
* Use devices like dollies, forklifts, or conveyors.
Back injuries occur in the morning more frequently. Stretch and start light. Get your back ready for more strenuous work.
Back injury prevention requires awareness, so train your employees properly. Those workers who will likely lift should do stretching exercises first.
Design your operation for lighter lifts. Create smaller loads of frequently purchased, used or stored. Don’t store heavy objects higher than the waist.
Pre-hire qualifying should include assessing the weight which can be safely lifted and carried by the individual. And, use a mandatory weight restriction for lifting for all employees.
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