Brooks-Waterburn

Here’s a tricky question that I’ve run into in my own business from time to time, and one that I expect you’ve encountered: How do you feel about the hero employee who turns up for work when they’re patently sick? Sheesh, you’ve probably done it yourself. But does it make sense?
 
Well, of course, that all depends on what kind of sickness it is and how it impacts on everyone else’s performance. But the bottom line for me is that if an employee – or even you – has a contagious sickness, you should not be in the workplace.
 
The reason is so glaringly obvious it hardly needs stating — but I will. The sick person will simply infect others, and then you’ll have an even bigger problem on your hands. Still, some employees, especially the good ones as it happens, seem to think they’ll get marked down for taking sick leave. Your job is to let them know that’s not the case — and don’t wait till they fall sick to tell them. Let them know it’s more important that they give you as much warning as possible if they think they might be heading for sickness, so you can make plans to cope with their absence.
 
For instance, an employee who feels under the weather on a Saturday should call you that day to alert you to the possibility they might not turn in on Monday. And if you detect a heavy bout of coughing and sneezing in the workplace, send the sufferer home straightaway. It’s true that some employees might abuse this policy but you’ll get to know who they are, so you can implement a different policy to deal with them.
 
On the other hand, an employee with, say a broken leg, might be perfectly capable of working normally, or another person with a non-contagious, sometimes a serious one, might prefer to be at work where their mind can be focused on other things.
 
You should be prepared to allow this provided it does not breach either workplace regulations or the terms of any health insurance coverage, nor significantly disrupt productivity. You may want to take professional advice on this, such as getting a note of opinion and support from the appropriate medical person and speaking to the local office of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
 
If all of these hurdles are cleared, the important thing is to sit down with such an employee to ensure you fully understand the issues and any special needs that might arise as a result of their condition — and be comfortable that you can meet them.
 
One final point concerning employee sickness: it’s worth spending a little time looking at what aspects of the various job functions in your business could be done at home, perhaps with the use of phone and a PC, in case there are circumstances where people feel perfectly happy to do their job but you’re not happy about them coming in and spreading their germs around.  Again though, make sure you’re on safe regulatory, medical and insurance grounds.
 
Just some thoughts about how you might deal with sickness issues in the workplace. But, naturally, I wish you and your employees the best of health!

Here is an excerp from my latest book “Protect Yourself”  It gives some important information on protecting your home

How to Protect Your Home and Save Money

As far as I’m concerned, home safety boils down to two things – protecting your home and possessions, and taking care of yourself and your family. Let’s start with the building and contents.

 Things that won’t cost you a cent

 You don’t have to turn your home into a fortress or spend a lot of money to make your place a heck-of-a-lot tougher for thieves to penetrate. In fact, there are a few things that won’t cost a cent. I’m thinking here about keeping your doors and windows locked whenever possible, the garage door shut, letting trustworthy neighbors know and canceling newspaper and mail deliveries when you’re going away, and fixing those shaky old fences.

 Don’t hide an emergency door key outside – thieves know all the “secret” places you believe they’ll never think of, including that little bunny-rabbit figurine with the hidden compartment underneath. And be wary about trusting a youngster with an entry key. Give it to a relative or neighbor. Don’t even keep your main key with items that identify your address, and never leave it in your car.

 While we’re on the subject of cars, you do always close your windows (leaving breathing space for pets if you have them) and lock the doors when you leave it, don’t you? And, of course, you never leave your engine running while you dash across to the ATM? A friend of mine has never seen his cherished sports coupe since he did that a few years back.

 Low budget route to peace of mind 

Here’s a comforting thought. When you spend just a small amount of money to improve your home security, you substantially reduce the risk of being burglarized. Even better, you may be able to cut your insurance premium by up to 20% – different insurers have different rules, so you’ll need to investigate this.

You can buy a window lock for less than a dollar, a door safety chain for a couple of bucks, and a peephole that lets you view visitors before opening the door for just a little more. They’re all simple to install but, if it’s beyond your ability, find a friend, neighbor or relative who can help.

If your door locks and latches are old, or if you lost a key, replace them, making sure the new ones have a deadbolt at least one inch long. If your door has glass that a thief could break to reach through to the handle inside, consider a double deadbolt that has a key lock on each side – BUT always leave the key in the inside lock when you’re at home, otherwise you won’t be able to escape in an emergency.

 Beyond this, we’re talking home security alarms and detectors, but again it doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. As I write this, I just did a quick check online and found systems at one big Internet retailer starting from as little as $25. It was wireless too – easy to install, with no messy wiring to do.

However, I’m not necessarily saying this is the way to go. It depends on your neighborhood crime risk, your personal vulnerability (for instance if you live alone) and your budget. You generally get what you pay for and this is an area where you might want to consult a professional – both about your needs and to do the installation. But if you do this, make sure you get two or, preferably, three competitive bids.

 More sophisticated systems might include audible external alarms, external lighting directed at your home, cameras, internal motion sensors and even direct links to the security company that alerts them if your home is broken into. You can get more information on these options, including local experts from the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association at alarm.org.  

 Watch out for smooth talkers

 You can have all the security systems in the world in place but they’re of limited value if you let a burglar in through your front door. These characters come in all sorts of guises – like phony utility workers or someone asking for a glass of water or to use your bathroom or phone – but they all have a convincing story to tell.

They may even distract you inside or outside your home while an accomplice gets to work, or open a door or window so they can return later. The solution is not to let anyone into your house (nor go outside with them) unless you’re 110% sure of who they are. Check their credentials and, if necessary, phone their supposed employers before letting them in. And use a door chain to prevent them forcing entry.

Protect yourself from fire and fumes

Wouldn’t it be just great if we could build totally fireproof homes? I mean, building materials, furnishings and clothing that just didn’t burn. Technically, I suppose it’s possible but it’d cost you a small fortune. And since most of us can’t go that route, let me tell you about the four things I’ve done in my home – bearing in mind, the most important thing in any home fire is the safety and survival of the occupants.

Installed fire/smoke alarms (a few dollars each) in all main rooms and hallways, and I check batteries regularly. If you already have them and they’re more than 10 years old, I recommend you replace them.

1.  Bought a fire escape ladder that I keep on an easily-accessible shelf on the landing, in case fire traps anyone upstairs. If you buy one, make sure everyone knows how to use it!

• Placed a fire extinguisher in an entry-way closet. This only works if you take the time to learn how to use it (and what sort of fires it works on), regularly replace it, and use it only to tackle small fires – and then only AFTER calling 911.

 Developed a simple fire safety and escape plan that I discussed with my family. The number one rule: Get out of the house and stay out. My plan included talking to my kids about fire dangers and appropriate behavior. See the next chapter for more on this

 You can pick up some more useful tips on fire safety at home at firesafety.gov.

 By the way, you may find that your local fire department offers free home checks and even free or cheap alarms.

You should also install at least one carbon monoxide alarm in your home (preferably near the bedrooms), which will pick up on fumes from furnaces, fires, other appliances and vehicles that reach a danger level in your home.

 Weather-proofing your home

 Would-be burglars and wayward flames are the most obvious threats to the security of your home. But there are others. Take the weather for instance. It never ceases to surprise us – or the meteorologists! – does it?

 But there are a few simple steps you can take to minimize weather impact on your home and family. Lagging exposed pipes is probably the first thing that comes to mind – and not just outside either. One home I owned was plumbed for laundry appliances in the garage. I never used the system but completely overlooked the fact that it was still full of water – until the thaw after a particularly cold spell! L

 On the other hand, when the weather is hot and dry, it’s your body more than your home that you have to think about – keeping well-hydrated and staying cool. Don’t forget to take care of maintenance of your air conditioning and ventilation systems and to follow any advisories on brush clearance in a fire-risk area.

 If you live in a storm, tornado, flood, or hurricane prone area, your basic safety rules include monitoring weather warnings, securing all vulnerable areas, including doors and windows, and knowing what to do if the worst happens. We take a closer look at preparing to deal with natural disasters in the next chapter.

 As Boating season is upon is, here are my top 10 tips to stay safe in the water.

1. Always wear a life jacket and insist that your crew and guests do the same. Approximately 75 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned in 2009.(1) Eighty-four percent of those who drowned were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket. Always have an adequate supply of personal flotation devices aboard. Make sure that children are wearing appropriate life jackets that fit correctly. Drowning was the reported cause of death for approximately 50 percent of the children who perished in boating accidents in 2009. Seven out of every 10 boaters who drowned were on vessels less than 21’ in length. In cold water areas, life jackets are even more important. A fall into water colder than 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) can induce “cold shock” – a sudden gasping for air that can increase the risk of drowning, especially in older people.

2. Never drink alcohol while boating. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and the leading factor in 16% of all boating deaths in 2009. Stay sharp on the water by leaving the alcohol on dry land.

3. Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents – take a boating safety course. Eighty-six percent of all reported boating fatalities in 2009 occurred on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety course.(1) You may even qualify for a reduced insurance rate if you complete a safety course. Contact your local Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron chapter(2) or visit www.uscg.mil for more information on courses in your area.

4. Stay in control by taking charge of your safety and that of your passengers. Boaters between the ages of 36 and 55 accounted for the highest rate of accidents, injuries and fatalities in 2009.(1) Don’t forget that safety begins with you.

5. Understand and obey boating safety recommendations and navigational rules. Imagine the mayhem that would result if car drivers disregarded highway traffic laws. Know and understand boating safety procedures and rules of navigation before taking to the water, and practice them without fail.

6. Operate at a safe speed and always maintain a careful lookout. Overall, operator inattention, operator inexperience, excess speed and improper lookout were the leading contributing factors in all reported accidents.(1) Know your boat’s limitations as well as your own. Take note of visibility, traffic density and the proximity of navigation hazards like shoals, rocks or floating objects. Don’t invite a collision by going faster than is prudent.

7. Check the weather forecast. A calm day can quickly turn ugly on the water. Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions and stay on top of the forecast while boating. Promptly heed all weather and storm advisories.

8. Hyperthermia is a significant risk factor for injury and even death while boating. Cold water accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. The closer you are to rescue support the better your chances are, therefore an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or Global Positioning System interfaced Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB/GPIRB), and/or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), is recommended especially when boating in waters that

are below 59ºF. These safety devices should be considered when boating in waters of any temperature. Boaters can be at risk of hyperthermia in warm waters, where expected time of survival can be as little as two hours in waters as warm as 60 – 70ºF. To learn hypothermia risk factors and how to better your chances of survival, visit http://seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/hypothermia.

9. Use a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO can harm and even kill you inside or on the deck of your boat. All internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, colorless, poisonous gas that can make you sick in seconds and kill in minutes. Even just a few breaths in high enough concentrations can be fatal. CO symptoms are similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication, and can affect you whether you are underway, moored or anchored. Remember, you cannot see, smell or taste CO so know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and avoid extended use of the transom area when engines are operating. To learn more about the symptoms of

CO sickness and how to keep you and others safe, visit www.uscg.boating.org/safety/carbon_monoxide.aspx.

10. File a float plan. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you always tell a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you’ll be back. Make it a habit before leaving on any boat trip. The proper officials can be notified promptly if you don’t return when expected.



As far as I’m concerned, home safety boils down to two things-protecting your home and possesions, and taking care of yourself and your family.  Let’s start with the building and contents.

Things that won’t cost you a cent

You don’t have to turn your home into a fortress or spend a lot of money to make your place a heck-of-alot tougher for thieves to penetrate.  In fact, there are a few things that won’t cost a cent.  I’m thinking here about your doors & windows locked whenever possible, the garage door shut, letting trusworthy neighbors know and canceling newspaper deliveries when you’re going away.

Here’s a few other tips to protect you and your home:

• Don’t hide an emergency door key outside
• Leave a key on the inside of a double deadbolt lock while your home so you can escape
• If your door locks and latches are old, or if you lost a key, replace them.
• Install Fire/Smoke detectors in all main rooms and hallways.  Also, remember to check the batteries regularly!
• Place a fire extinguisher in an entry-way closet
• Develop a simple fire safety  and escape plan that you discuss with your family. 

At Brooks-Waterburn, it is our goal, to not only protect you but prevent losses as well.  Check out our website for more information www.brookswaterburn.com

　FORESIGHT PRESERVES EYESIGHT

There are all kinds of eye hazards in construction work – and there’s excellent protection for every eye hazard you’ll find on a project. Just remember: there’s every kind of eye protective device readily available – but you’re using your one and only pair of eyes right now.

Here are some of the more common operations where eye protection is an absolute must:

• Chipping, sledging and hammering on metal, stone or concrete.

• Using manual, pneumatic and power impact tools.

• Caulking, brushing and grinding.

• Drilling, scaling and scraping.

• Soldering and casting hot metals.

• Handling hot tar, oils, liquids, and molten substances.

• Handling acids, caustics, and creosoted materials.

• Gas welding, cutting and brazing.

• Electric arc welding and cutting; also, any operations that may expose the eyes to dust, gases, fumes or liquids. Drilling overhead.

• Working where there’s dust blowing around.

Eye protection can be comfortable when you get a good fit. True, goggles can fog up, but you can wear a sweat-band if you sweat a lot – and there are anti-fog liquids, too. Maybe there’s some inconvenience involved in using eye protection – but what’s that compared with the “inconvenience” of having to learn how to read Braille?

1.Make the time to review and understand the risks that surround you.    

We live in an age of rapid change and deepening uncertainty. Perhaps more than ever before in our lifetimes, we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  But one thing we do know is how much we want to protect those thingst hat are precious to us – our family and friends, our homes and other property, and our own well-being. That, at least, is a constant in our busy lives.

We also know that, despite these unchanging needs, we face challenges and risks to them that call for sensible preparation and timely action. Our aim is to give you the information and tools you can use to meet those challenges. By knowing how to cut the risks and how to respond effectively in an accident or crisis, you can substantially improve your security and the welfare of those who matter so much to you, and gain some peace of mind.

Oftentimes, safekeeping is a matter of commonsense. But in the hectic whirl of life or the heat of the moment, commonsense can fly out of the window and we end up doing things that may not turn out to be for the best. That is why it pays to think ahead – to take precautions before trouble confronts you and to gain the knowledge that will help you keep a level head if it turns up.

Above all, it seems to me after considerable experience of helping others to do just that, there are five vital things thatyou need to do to protect yourself and your precious ones most effectively.

2.

Take the appropriate action to minimize those risks.  Often, this does not need to cost much, or indeed, anything.

3.Be prepared to deal with a crisis in a calm and intellegent manner.  

4.

Let others – your kids, your partner, your employees or work colleagues-know how important theses things are, what you’ve done to protect them and what they should do to protect themselves. 

5. Insure yourself against the threats to the safekeeping or your family, your properity. 

You can do this if you already know what you will do if an emergency does arise.

Hi Everyone:

Did you know…..??

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage to your home.  During the past decade, a flood claim with only 5 inches of water has amounted to more than $33,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from this devastating financial loss.

As a reminder, flood insurance must be purchased before flooding occurs and has a 30-day waiting period from the date of the application (unless purchased in conjunction with a loan closing).

• FLOOD DAMAGE is NOT covered by homeowners or standard commercial property insurance policies
• Statistics indicate homeowners are FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY to suffer a loss from a flood versus a fire or other catastrophic event
• 70 to 80 percent of all U. S. natural disasters involve flooding
• Flood is the  most common natural disaster in the US

 Remember, you don’t have to live in a near the water to be at risk for a flood claim.  In fact, most floods in this area are caused by losses other than water overflowing from a river or other body of water.  Don’t be at risk for this devastating loss.  Learn about the value of Flood insurance by calling us at 516-997-9800 or check our website at http://www.brookswaterburn.com/insurance-quotes/flood-insuranceRegards,

Larry Trapani
President
Brooks-Waterburn Corp
123 Frost St., Suite 204
Westbury, NY 11590
516-997-9800
516-997-7957 Fax
ltrapani@brookswaterburn.com

One night in ancient times, three horseman were riding across the dry bed of a river.  Out of the darkness a voice shouted “HALT”..whereupon they did.  The voice then said, “Dismount and gather rocks from the ground and put them in your pockets.”  They did as instructed and the voice said, “You have done as I commanded.  Tomorrow you will be both glad and sorry.”  Puzzled the horsemen rode on.  The next morning they found that the rocks they had collected had transformed into diamonds and rubies and they remembered the warning the voice said to them.  They were indeed both glad and sorry.  Glad they had taken some and sorry they had not taken more…..And this is the story of insurance

Too many businesses find themselves unprepared when normal winter weather suddenly turns extreme.  During a severe cold spell, sprinkler or water pipes can freeze, burst, an produce devastating losses.  Water damage from this type of incident, known as freeze-up, can affect products in storage, paperwork,, records, furniture, machinery, computers, and all types of electronic equipment.  If water leakage goes undetected for an extended period of time (say over the weekend), extensive flooding can result.  Total costs often reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The following guidlelines will help you plan for and implement preventive measures to better protect your business from the threats of freeze ups.

Before the Cold Sets In:

1. Update your Emergency Response Program for winter emergencies to including appropriate response procedures for deep freeze conditions.

   Appoint one or more members of the team to monitor weather forecasts and initiate winter emergency procedures when appropriate.

   Develop procedures and priorities to be implemented when you lose heat and/or electricity.

2. Identify equipment, and piping that contains or uses water subject to freezing.  They will need to be promptly and thoroughly drained if heat or electricity is lost. 
3. Identify equipment that is vulnerable to freezing. Prepare the equipment for cold weather by:
   Draining & Securing any idle equipment
   Provide adequate heat or locating the equipment in a heated enclosure or protect it with suitable antifreeze.
4. Service the heating system before the heating season begins.  Make sure adequate supplies of alternate fuels are on hand if the system is capable of dual firing.
5. Open any on-site fire hydrant and allow water to flow until it is clear.

During the Cold Spells:

• Monitor temperatures every few hours in vulnerable areas
• Provide safe, portable heaters to areas that might fall below 40 degrees
• Provide heat or steam tracing for exterior piping that either contains liquids or needs to maintain constant temperatures
• Use tarps to erect temporary windbreaks.

Of course Brooks Waterburn always stands ready to assist you in any loss prevention question you have contact us at 888-997-9801 or check our our website at www.brookswaterburn.com

Effective November 27th 2010, the New York Dept of Insurance has raised the threshold for chargeability from $1,000 to $2,000. 

Basically, what this means is that if you are involved in an accident that is your fault, the insurance company cannot surcharge you for the loss unless the accident is over $2,000 in damages.  It has been many years since the last increase.  The unfortunate thing about this is that with the way cars are made these days, it is very difficult to keep an accident under the $2,000 threshold.  Even a minor accident can result in damages well above that amount. 

It’s not much, but it is something to keep your rates lower.  Please note that this only applies to accidents that occur after 11/27/10.

If you have any questions, please call us at 888-997-9801 or check out our website at www.brookswaterburn.com