While on a site visit in downtown Milwaukee, a West Bend loss prevention associate recognized a fire extinguisher in a restaurant kitchen indicating it had been discharged. This was puzzling because the fire extinguisher had been serviced only a few weeks before. After questioning the manager, a startling discovery was made. In a well-intentioned attempt to test the effectiveness of the newly-inspected fire extinguisher, the manager had taken the canister outside and discharged it. It quickly became clear this process was followed for every fire extinguisher within the facility! If a real fire had broken out in the building, there would have been no viable options for containing the flames because all of the extinguishers had been depressurized.

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In the event there’s an active shooter at your business, do you know what to do?  Will your employees be prepared to respond?  These types of situations are unpredictable and chaotic. They will affect everyone differently, but anyone can play an important part in reducing the impact of an active shooter.  Completing in-person or online training, workshops and drills will prepare your employees should a horrible event like this occur.

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More than 700 back-related injuries occur every day due to improper lifting techniques.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 269,000 back injuries every year in private industry alone.  Back injuries account for more than 25% of all lost-time injuries.  

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In the summer of 2016, news began to break about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones catching fire.  A large recall ensued and Samsung permanently ended production of the phone.  An investigation completed by a team of 700 engineers and researchers, that included 200,000 devices and more than 30,000 batteries determined that a deformity existed with one of the two types of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. This deformity caused the electrodes inside the battery to bend and then start on fire.

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We’ve all seen them and heard about the great value solar panels can bring.  As time goes on, the cost to install solar energy has decreased and their usage has increased.  With growth averaging 60% annually since 2007, a new solar project is installed every 2.5 minutes.  As of 2014, nearly 645,000 U.S. homes and businesses have gone solar.  Is solar energy right for you?  The Department of Energy provides very useful information to help you decide.

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I have two amazing rescue dogs, Dawson and Simba, who are pictured here.  Awww…aren’t they simply adorable?  When I worked for a veterinary clinic a few years ago, I had the ability to bring them along as my schedule allowed.  Usually, only one accompanied me at a time, as two dogs would be too much to handle.  While it was fun to have a companion with me, I found there to be some challenges as well.  As an employer, should you allow pets in the workplace?  Let’s look at some things to consider. 

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Have you ever hired a subcontractor to perform a service for your business?  If so, risk transfer is important to protect your business.   

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We're all professionals, and, as such, people expect that we act that way.  These tips are great reminders for ways you can put your best professional image forward!

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Hackers and thieves are on the hunt for your personal information every day.  Because our business requires the transfer of personal information, we need to be prepared to protect our clients' personal information, as well as our own.  Information security is an important part of best business practices in the insurance industry.

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As a small business owner, buying insurance to protect your company from accidental loss is an important decision.  You’re often faced with decisions about what coverages are appropriate for your business, how much it will cost, and what assets you can feasibly self-insure.

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