Business Blog

Prevent frozen pipes during winter business closures (infographic)

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:30:00 GMT

Does your organization close for a week or two during the winter months? Many schools, childcare centers, and community buildings close around the holidays. While this provides a much-needed break for staff members to spend time with their families, it can also be a time when property issues occur because buildings are left empty. Check out our infographic with tips for preventing frozen pipes during winter breaks.

Childproofing your childcare facility

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:30:00 GMT

As a childcare provider, keeping kids safe is the most important part of your job. Sometimes it can be easy to overlook smaller things like childproofing and focus on larger issues, such as fire and playground safety. However, these smaller items can be just as hazardous and are often the most cited licensing violations at facilities. It’s important to regularly go through your center or home and make sure every area is completely safe for children.

Weighted sleep sacks in childcare centers

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Childcare providers often require parents to provide sleep items, like swaddles, pacifiers, and sleep sacks, for infants. Companies create products they claim will help babies sleep and therefore help parents sleep. Weighted sleep sacks are a recent example. Sleep sacks have a small amount of weight that goes on the baby’s chest. Similar to weighted blankets, infant sleep sacks claim to help babies sleep longer with their gentle, calming weight. The companies that make sleep sacks assert they’re very safe; however, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently advised against using these types of sleep sacks. So, what should childcare providers do when a parent wants their child to use a weighted sleep sack?

Essential building maintenance tips for a seamless transition to fall

Scott Stueber, CPCU, CISR, AAI — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:30:00 GMT

As the fall colors fade, commercial building owners and facility managers find themselves amid another seasonal transition. While the start of every season has challenges, the fall season brings a tougher set of challenges for commercial structures than other seasons. Fluctuating temperatures and inclement weather can cause a variety of hazards that can lead to injuries.

Trucking safety: hood opening and closing

Scott Stueber, CPCU, CISR, AAI — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Opening the hood of a semi-truck is a fundamental task during routine maintenance and troubleshooting. However, the process requires that safe techniques be followed to mitigate the potential risk of injury. Safely opening a semi-truck hood involves knowledge about the specific truck model, its safety features, and the conditions around you, such as wind gusts and other traffic.

Preventing fitness instructor burnout and injuries

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Employers across many different industries need help finding and hiring enough employees. The hiring crunch affects everyone, from childcare facilities to restaurants to YMCAs and fitness centers. For fitness centers, this means that their instructors may be spreading themselves thin. Having enough fitness instructors during January and February is critical, as a surge in individuals embarking on their New Year's resolutions visit their local YMCAs or fitness centers. People are more motivated after the holidays to live a healthier lifestyle.

Common cybersecurity threats and how to protect your business

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:30:00 GMT

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. More than ever, businesses are relying on technology and using online platforms for many important operations. Unfortunately, this means that cyberattacks and other digital threats have become more common as well, and you’ll need to take steps to keep your business safe.

Hypoxic blackout: are your lifeguards prepared?

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Organizations with swimming pools must be aware of hypoxic blackout which is an emergency that occurs when a swimmer hyperventilates and then passes out underwater. This can swiftly lead to the person drowning if they’re not pulled out of the pool. Ensure your aquatics staff members are trained on how to spot swimmers practicing extended breath holding exercises, which can quickly lead to hypoxic blackout. However, this is just the first step. Once your guards have identified that a swimmer is practicing something dangerous, are they able and empowered to talk to the swimmer and stop them? This can be quite challenging, especially because lifeguards are often younger than swimmers at the pool. Practicing challenging conversations in training settings and also ensuring lifeguards know that they can always rely on management to back them up if needed can help. Check out our video below for more information on hypoxic blackout and how to support your guards.

Cybersecurity: removable media and USB devices

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:30:00 GMT

While assessing cybersecurity risks for your organization, have you considered removable media? Removable media, like USB devices, are an often-overlooked piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. USB devices are small and can hold a lot of data which makes them useful to store and transfer information. However, USBs are easily lost and can be easily infected with malware. Take some time to review how your organization utilizes USBs or similar devices to ensure that your cybersecurity risk is minimized.

Apple orchard and farm safety

keggert@wbmi.com (Kayla Eggert, AINS, ARM) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Heading out to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard is a standard fall tradition for families. Many farm businesses rely on the seasonal business from these patrons. Hayrides, corn mazes, haunted forests or houses, playgrounds, food and drink services, animal petting areas, apple picking areas, and many other activities are often included in these experiences. While lots of fun, all these activities create unique risks that businesses should ensure are considered when planning for their fall season.