Category: Safety

Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks

2/29/2016

Sandvik Insurance Agency's 6 Ways to Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks

In today’s online environment, even Fortune 500 companies aren’t exempt from cyber-crime, but they aren’t the only target. Are you aware of your risks?

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) states that companies with less than 100 employees lose approximately $155,000 every year as a result of fraud. Small businesses are often at greater risk resulting from less security across the business, such as inadequate network and computer security or lack of background checks in their hiring process. Companies and government organizations worldwide are focusing on cybersecurity as a critical priority. Here are six tips to protect your business assets and data:

1.   Keep up with current trends
Employees are potentially your biggest weakness when it comes to fraud, but if informed, can act as a first line of defense. Educate yourself and your staff on current security threats and prevention measures. Frequent training and written policies for passwords and handling of company information are just a couple ways to help reinforce behaviors and stay ahead of an ever-changing risk.

   2. Guard important information
Make sure personal and business accounts are separate. This is a common area of fraud for a business of any size, so check account activity every day. Don’t give your c card or the number to an employee or company unless you’re familiar with them. Switch to online bill pay and protect your mail to prevent any sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands.

   3.   Put security first
Invest in a firewall, quality anti-virus and malware/spyware detection software and be vigilant about keeping them up-to-date. Back up daily to help keep your business moving forward in the event you experience a cyber-attack. Dedicate one computer for online banking transactions and try not to use it for email, social media or web-surfing if possible.

   4. Good hiring practices
One of the best ways to help prevent fraud is by hiring the right people. Basic background checks are just good business practice, especially if employees will be dealing with sensitive customer information, high value merchandise or handling cash. Stay informed about which background checks you can legally pursue and how you can do some research on your own.

5. Be smart about your phone and Wi-Fi use
You’re busy and on the go, but resist the urge to connect when you’re away. Your devices may be set to search and connect to available networks in range. Adjustsmartphone, tablet or laptop settings to avoid automatically connecting to a network that appears public, but could be monitored by a cyber predator.

6. Contact your independent insurance agent
Your agent understands the risks unique to your business and will work with you to find an insurance company that has the right coverage for you. Cyber liability insurance can help you recover from the effects of cyber-crime and minimize the impact on your bottom line.

From a risk that began with the so-called “Y2K” or Millennium bug that prompted fears of widespread computer failure, cyber coverage has changed at the rate of technology and will continue to do so. Stay informed and make sure your business is insured. Courtesy of Integrity Insurance

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Avoiding Deer Collisions

11/2/2015

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AVOIDING DEER COLLISIONS
Picture this: you’re driving along a winding country road enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and all-of-a-sudden a huge buck runs in front of your vehicle. How would you react? Fall is peak time for deer-vehicle collisions thanks to deer mating season which begins in fall and runs through January. During this time deer are very active and on the move. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle collisions result in an average of 187 fatalities annually.

Back to the question — how would you react? Not sure? Here are some helpful tips on how to avoid a collision:

1. Say “no” to swerving — Never EVER swerve. Swerving is especially dangerous because it puts the driver at risk for a head-on collision with oncoming traffic, trees or even a ditch and confuses the deer as to where to go.

2. SLOW down — Slow down if you’re driving through an area with high deer populations. If you drive defensively, you’ll have more time to break if you cross paths with a deer.

3. Leader of the pack — Deer rarely travel alone so if you see one it’s likely another is close behind.

4. Put your foot on the brake — If you cross paths with a deer, brake firmly while staying in your lane and blow your horn to frighten the deer away.

5. Green eyes — At night watch for the shine of eyes along the side of the road (their eyes usually look green).

6. Sun up, sun down — deer are most active at dusk and dawn.

7. Center lane — the center lane on a multi-lane road is the “safest” place to drive because it gives deer space and drivers additional time to react.

8. Faulty-products — There are many products on the market that claim to shield off deer (like whistles and repellent) unfortunately, these products are not proven to work.

Remember deer collisions can happen to the best of drivers. If you strike a deer never touch the animal. Pull over to the side of the road as soon as you safely can, call police immediately and report the damage to your insurance agent as soon as possible.

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Fire Safety Tips

10/1/2015

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SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY'S FIRE SAFETY TIPS
October is Fire Prevention Month. It’s a good time to pause and educate yourself on fire safety. According to the Red Cross, each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in house fires in the United States, with direct property loss estimated at $7.3 billion annually. House fires are preventable so take action to keep you and loved ones safe by following these tips.

Smoke Detectors — get in the habit of checking the alarm on smoke detectors monthly and replacing batteries twice a year. Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom and on all levels

Fire Escape Plan — it’s important to create and practice a fire escape plan. Explore alternate escape routes in case the fire is blocking the main exit. If you have small children, National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) has an escape planning grid http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/escape-planning/basic-fire-escape-planning which may help them better understand what they should do and where they should go

Cooking — when using a stovetop, always stay in the kitchen and if you have to leave (even for a brief moment) turn it off. Always stay in your house when you’re using the oven, checking it regularly. It’s also important to keep items that are flammable such as potholders and towels away from the stove

4. Space Heaters — the number of residential fires typically peeks December through February, mostly due to the increase in usage of space heaters. Always read and follow the directions and keep it at least three feet from anything flammable. Never place a space heater near a bed or in a spot where a child or pet could easily knock it over

   5. Fire Extinguishers — a fire extinguisher is a good tool when a fire is contained in a small area and used after the fire department has been called. The NFPA says to remember PASS when using an extinguisher.
   Pull the pin
    Aim low
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
Sweep the nozzle from side to side

Did you know there is a shelf-life on fire extinguishers? Check to make sure yours isn’t expired by looking at the date on the gauge.

6. Teaching Fire Safety — teach kids the facts so they know how to protect themselves.

Cover mouth and nose with clothing to make it easier to breath while getting out of the house
Crawl and stay low to the ground as smoke rises, making it more difficult to breathe
Never touch a doorknob as it could be extremely hot; instead touch the door — if it’s hot do not open as it means there are flames on the other side
Never stop to gather personal belongings
Stop, drop and roll to extinguish a fire on clothing
Call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency

Being prepared is the best way to protect you and your loved ones during a fire. Share this article with family and friends so they too can help prevent fires and stay safe.

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Social Media + Vacation Safety

8/14/2015

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SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY'S SOCIAL MEDIA + VACATION SAFETY

It’s summer vacation! Whether you’re packing up the car and driving up north or going on a dream European vacation, it’s important to know your Tweet, Instagram or Facebook post could potentially be bait for a criminal looking for their next target. We live in a digital world and according to the Electronics Security Association, it’s estimated that 75 percent of burglars are using social media to find targets. You may recall in 2013 the role social media played when 400 teens crashed ex-NFL player Brian Halloway’s house after word got out on Twitter that his place was vacant for the weekend causing nearly $20,000 in property damages (not including stolen items).

Here are some social media safety tips to ensure protection of your property and belongings while you’re on vacation.

1.    Keep your lips sealed — it’s fun to share the news that you’re heading to Disney World, but stay quiet as criminals often search keywords; according to a study by Electronics Security Association, burglars are likely to steel higher valued items if they know no one will be home for a few hours

2.    #Latergram — keep your vacation photos off social media until after you are back home and use the hashtag #latergram to show it was taken earlier. If you can’t wait to share photos upload them on Google Photos and only share it with those close in your life

3.    Hidden data — did you know that when you post a photo on social media it may include hidden data (called EXIF) which includes where and when the photo was taken? Facebook and Instagram remove this information automatically but other social media platforms and some phones like the iPhone do not. It’s quite easy to remove this data, just follow these simple steps http://www.howtogeek.com/203592/what-is-exif-data-and-how-to-remove-it/]

4.   Pricey souvenirs — did you purchase an expensive souvenir on your trip? Leave the photo of your new Italian leather bag off-line as you could still be a target upon your return

5.    I am here — disable GPS location-identifying settings; even if you’re posting a message not relating to the trip, like wishing your sister a “Happy Birthday,” your exact geographic location could still be captured and shared; simply disable this function on your social media setting to ensure your exact location will not be revealed

6.    Be Private — change your social media account settings to ‘private’ or ‘friends only’ to ensure only your connections are seeing posts

Share these tips with your teens and anyone else you’re traveling with who is on social media. Do you take any other precautions on social media? If so, please share in the comment field below. Happy (and safe) travels!

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Grilling Safety Tips

7/27/2015

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SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
In the Midwest there’s two things almost all of us love about summer—enjoying the warm weather and grilling. In fact, July is peak grilling season followed closely by May, June and August and we all can agree there’s nothing better than the smell of food like burgers, salmon and ribs cooking on a grill.

This popular summer pastime can be dangerous – deadly, actually. Did you know grills cause thousands of fires, hundreds of injuries, dozens of deaths and millions of dollars in insurance claims annually? Before you fire up that grill for your next barbeque, take a look at these safety tips to ensure your next experience is safe.

1.    Be prepared — always read the owners’ manual and follow safety guidelines for your new grill (they’re usually available online if you no longer have a copy). Inspect the parts and accessories on a regular basis and do not use if there are leaks or cracks.

2.    Keep kids and pets far away — Kids and pets should never be near a hot grill, period. Their curious little minds can cause injury fast; it just takes a split second to get a severe burn. If you’re grilling at home, indoors is the safest place for them to be while an adult is grilling; if being indoors is not an option make sure they stay at least 20 to 30 feet away from the grill.

3.    Grease -- A grill plus grease equals a deadly concoction. It only takes a few cookouts for grease to collect and cause a flare-up—this is when grease or fat drips down into your coals and catches fire. Flare-ups are a normal part of grilling but can get out of hand fast and cause injury. To avoid flare-ups, regularly clean the grease catch pan, properly preheat your grill, use lean cuts of meat and don’t over oil or marinade your food.

4.    Charcoal — Use the proper starter fluid (reference your owners’ manual to identify the type) and store it away from children and heat sources. Never add starter fluid after the coals have been ignited.

5.    Propane -- Gas grills are becoming more popular and the #1 cause of fire with these types of grills is obstruction in the path of the fuel. Regularly inspect your tank and hose (remember: everything is extremely hot so wear proper protection). Bugs, dirt and even small animals can climb into your grill causing the gas to flow improperly.

6.    Watch the weather -- you never want to be outside during bad weather and grilling just increases your chance of injury. You may recall a few years ago when ESPN’s Hannah Storm was badly injured in a grill fire after wind blew out the flame and propane flooded her grill. She attempted to re-ignite it, causing an explosive fireball resulting in burns on her, neck, chest and hands. She is now an advocate for grill safety partnering with the National Protection Agency to tell her story. [embed link: http://www.nfpa.org/hannah ]

7.    Location — Always grill outside in a well-vented area away from trees, cars, houses and garages. A hot grill can easily cause severe burns, so never attempt to move it while it’s hot.

Please share these tips with family and friends. Do you have any additional safety tips? Share in the comment field below!

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Swimming Pool Safety Tips

6/1/2015

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SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY 11 SWIMMING POOL SAFETY TIPS

Summer is near and with that comes the increased use of swimming pools. Before you jump in, make sure the pool you’re using is safe and that there are rules in place. The National Safety Council reports that 600 children and adults drown annually in swimming pools; of those, half in home pools. In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injuries.

Make a slash in swimming pool safety by following these 11 tips to protect your loved ones:

An adult who is a strong swimmer should watch children at all times
- Infant and toddler — adult in the water holding the child
- Older child — adult in the water paying constant attention and avoiding distractions like talking on the phone, texting, socializing, drinking
- Never allow a child to swim alone regardless of their swimming ability
Install a fence that completely surrounds the pool area to prevent children from entering on their own; fences should be climb-resistant, at least four feet high and be self-closing / self-latching
Install an alarm on the door of your house leading to the pool and the pool gate itself to alert adults if someone is entering the pool
Become CPR certified (check your local hospital for courses) and post instructions near the pool
Always keep a stocked first-aid kit nearby
Expose your children to water safety and swim lessons at a very young age (check your local recreation department, Y or Red Cross for class information)
Never keep strollers or bikes near a pool
Enforce pool rules for children and adults to follow
1. “No running on the pool deck”
2. “Stay away from drain covers”
3. “No diving in the shallow end”
4. “Always enter the pool feet first”
Inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket in the water
For additional protection, install a power safety cover over the pool when not in use.
Never use a pool that has missing or broken pool drain covers; if someone does become stuck to a drain pry a hand between the person’s body and drain to break the seal instead of trying to pull their body away from the powerful suction

Please share these tips with family and friends. What pool rules to you enforce? Share in the comment field below!

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Reduce Car Accident Risk

4/24/2015

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3 Easy Ways to Reduce The Risk of a Car Crash

Spring has arrived, and the warmer weather often prompts people in Rochester, Minnesota to hop in their cars for weekend (or longer) road trips.

Unfortunately, too many of those trips will end up being memorable for the wrong reasons, due to crashes and other risks that drivers face anytime they hit the road.

You can take control of your next trip, whether it’s across the state or across town, by following these simple rules:

1.   Pay attention. Do you know how many drivers around the country are using cell phones or other electronic devices right now? If it’s daytime, the answer is approximately 660,000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says. Anything that takes your eyes off the road or distracts you increases your risk of a crash. Here’s another reason to avoid distractions: If you’re completely alert, you have a better chance of steering clear of that guy who is shaving on his way to work.

2.   Stay sober. One bad decision can change lives forever, and driving under the influence is an extraordinarily bad decision. Nearly 15,000 died in 2012 in crashes involving impaired drivers, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). So get a designated driver — or better yet, be a designated driver. Best of all, have the party at your house and let everyone sleep over.

3.   Slow down. They say “speed kills,” and, as depressing as it sounds, it’s true. Crashes caused by excessive speed cause more than 10,000 deaths a year on average, the NSC says. Surprisingly, you are most at risk on roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or below. Remember, the posted speed limit isn’t always the best speed to travel. Depending on conditions, going slower might be the safest option.

Improving safety on the roads isn't rocket science. Just a little common sense can make a big difference for you, your passengers and your fellow drivers. So be alert and be safe out there on the roads in Minnesota.

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Spring Storm Safety Tips

4/6/2015

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Sandvik Insurance Agency Tips To Protect Yourself And Property From Spring Storms
The saying “April showers bring May flowers” is true, especially to us in the Midwest. Spring storms like thunderstorms, heavy rain and tornados are inevitable and often times unpredictable. When severe weather strikes with little notice the risk of injury to yourself and damages to your property greatly increases. Here are some helpful tips to help protect you, loved ones and property during the next ‘April shower.’

Keep yourself and loved ones safe

Monitor the weather by downloading an app for emergency info (American Red Cross or FEMA.gov)

If severe weather strikes, go to the lowest level in your home and stay away from windows and glass

Never use electronics during a storm and avoid touching metal objects

Conduct a home inventory (photos, video) of your personal belongings for insurance purposes and store in a safety deposit box or cloud-system

Install a sump pump with a battery backup system

Prepare a basic emergency kit

o   Bottled water (one gallon per person for up to three days)
   o   Three-day supply of non-perishable food (don’t’ forget a can opener, disposable plates and utensils)
o   Flashlight and extra batteries
o   First aid kit
o   Fire extinguisher
o   Battery powered radio
   o   Blankets
   o   Important documents in a waterproof container — insurance policies, medical records, identification

Help avoid a property claim

Clean out your gutters, drains and downspouts so that rain can flow off your roof
Inspect downspouts so they’re properly secured and placed for water to flow away from your house

Trim trees and shrubs

Have a professional inspect your roof and repair loose shingles

Secure outdoor patio furniture or other objects that could be moved by strong winds

Get all contents off the ground in flood prone areas

Read and understand your homeowner and auto insurance policies, especially your deductibles — talk with your independent insurance agent to make sure you have the appropriate amount of insurance coverage

What other precautions do you take to keep yourself and property safe during a storm? Let us know in the comment field below!

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Dangers of Impaired Driving

3/3/2015

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Sandvik Insurance Agency Shares Dangers Of Texting While Driving
Would you ever drive the length of a football field at 55 mph blindfolded? Well that’s essentially what you’re doing when texting while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting behind the wheel takes a driver’s eye off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which is the time it takes to go from one end zone to the other. Dangerous? Incredibly. Deadly? You bet. Texting while driving has now replaced drinking and driving as the leading cause of death among teenage drivers.

Teenagers are not the only ones guilty. According to a survey conducted by AT&T, 49 percent of American adult drivers admitted they text while driving. In that same survey, more than 90 percent of drivers know texting while driving is dangerous. So why are we still doing it? Experts believe we compulsively check our phones because every time we get an alert on our phone our brain sends out a signal that makes us feel happy. Drivers are saying they continue to do this because it’s a habit, like to stay connected and it makes them feel more productive.

States are now enforcing strict texting while driving laws and public service like AT&T’s campaign It Can Wait [hyperlink: http://www.itcanwait.com/all] are working hard to educate the public on the dangers and consequences.

Here are some stats and tips on how we can end texting while driving:

Disturbing Stats

More than 3,000 teens die each year in crashes caused by texting while driving (autosafety.com)
Cell phones are involved in 1.6 million auto crashes each year that cause a half million injuries and take 6,000 lives (United States Department of Transportation)
Truck drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident when texting behind the wheel
It’s estimated that 40 percent of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that puts people in danger (National Safety Council)
Women are more likely than men to reach for their cell phones while driving (National Occupant Protection Use)
48 percent of young drivers have seen their parents text while driving (Consumer Reports)
Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent (National Safety Council)

How you can help

Lead by example
- Don’t send or respond to a text message while driving or at a red light; doing so puts you and others at risk and may even be against the law
- Turn off your phone and put it in your pocket or purse; only use it when the car is in park
Always stay focused on the road when driving
Speak out if you are in the car with someone who is texting behind the wheel
Spread the word to promote safety in your community

Texting while driving, it will cost you.

Wisconsin’s inattentive driving law prohibits drivers from texting behind the wheel; the penalty for a first offense is as high as $400 and a four-point deduction, get caught a second time and you’ll pay up to $800
Minnesota’s texting laws prohibits drivers from texting behind the wheel; the law also prohibits sending ‘electronic messages’ and includes but is not limited to email, instant message, a command or request to access the internet; penalty for a first offense is $300
Iowa’s inattentive driving law prohibits drivers from texting behind the wheel; the penalty for a first offense is as high as $1,000 for causing a serious accident
It’s very easy for law enforcement to subpoena a cell phone company and check your account to see if you were texting
Such fines may also increase your auto insurance premiums

Apps

AT&T developed the DriveMode app for iPhone which silences incoming texts alerts and turns on automatically when the car is moving at 15 mph or more; the app alerts the sender of the text that the recipient is driving; it even alerts parents if a young driver disables the app
Android users have the ability to download the TxtShield app for $1.99 which blocks emails, browsing and common calling (except 911) whenever the car is moving more than 10 mph

To learn more about the dangers of texting and driving, check out this infographic courtesy of textinganddrivingsafety.com: http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/

Do you have any additional tips? Please share in the comments field below. We’d love to hear your suggestions!

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Winter Sports Safety Tips

1/2/2015

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HAVE FUN, BE SAFE
SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY
WINTER SPORTS SAFETY TIPS
It’s 25 degrees outside and last night’s snowfall left the perfect amount of fresh powder on the ground. These weather conditions are winter sports enthusiasts’ paradise! While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and adrenaline rush, don’t leave safety behind as you head out the door. According to the National Safety Council, in 2012 more than 65,000 individuals were injured while participating in winter sports (snowmobiling, snowboarding and ice skating) and required treatment in emergency rooms from injuries like frostbite, concussions and broken bones.

Here are just a few helpful tips to keep you safe while enjoying your next winter activity.

Sledding

Children, teens and adults should wear a well-fitted multi-sport helmet, just like you would for biking and skateboarding
Sit up face-forward and never slide down a hill face first
A safe sledding hill should never lead to a road, body of water, grove of trees or into a crowd of people
Inspect sleds regularly to make sure they are not worn or damaged

Snowmobiles

Children under six should never ride a snowmobile and no one under the age of 16 should drive alone
All drivers and passengers should wear a well-fitted helmet designed for snowmobiles, which can go up to 90 miles per hour. A bike helmet does not offer adequate protection
The Department of Natural Resources offers a snowmobile safety class for youth, visit these link's below for more information
- Wisconsin: http://1.usa.gov/1dKQ56g
- Iowa: http://bit.ly/1wSOZne
- Minnesota: http://bit.ly/1ySf8hf

Skiing and Snowboarding

Obtain proper equipment; be sure to have your ski or snowboard bindings adjusted correctly by a ski professional
A study conducted by the National Ski Patrol states wearing a helmet may reduce risk of head injury by 35 to 50 percent
Know the terrain and be aware of the surrounding skiers/snowboarders; snow conditions can change fast
Wear a ski mask to protect your skin from wind and sunburn

Hockey and Ice Fishing

Hockey players should wear a helmet, mouth guard along with knee pads and elbow, shoulder and shin protection that is properly fitted
When ice fishing, know ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away; check the ice at least every 150 feet; If the ice is 2 inches or less STAY OFF
Know how to react if you fall through the ice (stretch arms out wide and kick as if you were swimming; shout for help and try to crawl backward onto solid ice)

General

Wearing a proper helmet is important but it should not encourage you to take more risks, know your limits
Wear properly fitted winter sports gear; make sure helmets, boots, skis and skates are the correct size
Dress in layers; clothes should be close fitting and water/wind resistant to avoid frostbite which is most common on the fingers, toes, ears, cheeks and chin
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and wear sun screen as the sun reflects of snow and is stronger than you think, even on cloudy days
Never go out alone; if possible go in a group or at the very least, a partner, who can help if you fall and check you for signs of hypothermia
Always lead by example

These tips should help you stay safe and allow you to still have fun while enjoying what you love doing with family and friends. What is your favorite winter sport? Tell us how you practice winter sports safety.

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Sandvik Insurance Agency Blog

Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks

Avoiding Deer Collisions

Fire Safety Tips

Social Media + Vacation Safety

Grilling Safety Tips

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Reduce Car Accident Risk

Spring Storm Safety Tips

Dangers of Impaired Driving

Winter Sports Safety Tips

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