The holiday season is a festive time when twinkling lights, Christmas trees, wreaths and more all help to adorn homes and properties throughout the country. However, these decorations often include electrical components, flammable materials and open flames. To ensure maximum safety for you, your loved ones and your home while still enjoying the beauty of holiday decorations, consider the following steps: Adhere to all installation and safety instructions regarding decorative lights. Inspect both newly purchased and old lights used in previous years and dispose of any that have cracks, exposed wires or loose connections. Avoid connecting more than three sets of decorative lights to a single extension cord. Unplug lights and other electrical decorations whenever they are unattended, including while you are sleeping. Set up Christmas trees at least 3 feet away from heat sources. Do not keep Christmas trees in your home for over two weeks, as they may become dry and present significant fire hazards. Hang breakable ornaments and those with detachable parts at higher levels to ensure they are out of the reach of children and pets. Use ground fault circuit interrupting outlets for outdoor lights and ensure these decorations’ plugs are kept away from snow, ice and water. Arrange potentially poisonous plans, such as holly berries and mistletoe, in areas that are out of the reach of children and pets. For more resources regarding home safety and homeowners insurance, contact us today. Source: Zywave

While preparing your Thanksgiving turkey in a turkey fryer can be a timeless tradition, it’s important to keep cooking safety measures in mind to protect yourself, your guests and your home. After all, the U.S. Fire Administration states that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Don’t let your next holiday gathering become another statistic. Use this guidance to ensure turkey fryer safety and enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving. Cooking Tips As with any cooking tool, it’s important to take caution when using a turkey fryer, as it can be extremely dangerous. Here are some tips to consider when frying a turkey: Stay in the area where you are cooking. Leaving the turkey unattended may cause the fryer to overheat, resulting in a fire. Use your turkey fryer on a level surface. Anything that might cause the fryer to tip over may result in a hot oil spill. Thaw your turkey before cooking. Water from a still-frozen turkey can cause the oil to bubble or splash over the pot. Keep small children and animals away from the fryer while it is in use. There is a great risk that a child or pet could run into the fryer, knocking it down and causing serious injury. A safe distance of three to 10 feet away is recommended. Have safety equipment ready. Use oven mitts, goggles and an apron while cooking. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency, and keep flammable items away from the fryer. Keep it Outdoors For your safety, only use a turkey fryer outside and away from your home. Never use a turkey fryer in a garage or on a porch. Also, be sure to keep some distance between yourself and the fryer as you monitor it—you wouldn’t want to accidentally get splashed with hot oil.  For more home safety guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact us today.

During the winter season, businesses face a unique set of property challenges, including the risk of frozen pipes and sprinkler systems. These issues can result in costly damage, disruption of operations and potential safety hazards. It is essential to understand which pipes and systems are most vulnerable to freezing, the impact of cold weather on pipes and sprinkler systems, and how to take preventive measures to protect your business’s operations. Where Are Pipes and Sprinkler Systems Most at Risk of Freezing? Pipes and sprinkler systems are most exposed to freezing in areas of a building or property where temperatures can drop significantly during cold weather. The vulnerability to freezing depends on the specific location and environmental conditions.  Here are the most common areas where pipes and sprinkler systems are highly exposed to freezing: Exterior walls—Pipes located near or within exterior walls are particularly vulnerable. These walls are exposed to the outdoor elements; when temperatures plummet, the cold can penetrate the walls and affect the pipes within. Ceiling voids—Ceiling voids are often poorly insulated and may lack heating. As a result, any pipes in the ceiling void can be exposed to freezing temperatures, especially in regions with severe winters. Basements and crawl spaces—Basements and crawl spaces are typically cooler than the rest of the building, so pipes may not receive sufficient heat. Utility rooms—Rooms housing water heaters, boilers and other plumbing components can be prone to freezing if not adequately heated. Exterior pipelines—Outdoor pipelines, including those used for landscaping, irrigation or fire protection, are exposed to the elements. If not properly insulated or protected, they can freeze in cold weather. Unheated storage areas—Unheated storage areas, such as warehouses or storage rooms, often lack sufficient heating. Any pipes in these spaces are at risk of freezing when temperatures drop. Roof—In some commercial and industrial buildings, roof-mounted sprinkler systems are installed for fire protection. Due to their location on the roof, where cold winds and precipitation can impact them, these systems can be exposed to freezing temperatures. What Impact Can Frozen Pipes and Sprinkler Systems Have on Businesses? The freezing of essential building infrastructure components like pipes and sprinkler systems can significantly impact your business, leading to a range of negative consequences that affect operations, finances and safety. Here are the key impacts of frozen pipes and sprinkler systems: Disruption of operations—Frozen pipes can cause leaks, leading to water supply shutdown and disruptions in day-to-day operations. Property damage—Burst pipes and malfunctioning sprinkler systems can cause costly water damage to a building’s structure, interior and equipment. Safety risks—Frozen pipes can cause leaks, flooding and slip-and-fall hazards. Water damage can also create electrical hazards. Further, malfunctioning sprinklers can be dangerous during a fire emergency. Loss of reputation and customer trust—Businesses that experience disruptions or safety incidents due to frozen pipes or sprinkler systems may suffer reputational damage. Customers and clients may lose trust in the company’s ability to maintain a safe and reliable facility. Regulatory and compliance issues—Certain industries and regions have specific regulations and codes related to fire protection systems. Failure to maintain a functional sprinkler system can result in legal compliance issues, fines and penalties. Increased insurance costs—Businesses affected by frozen pipes or sprinkler systems may need to file insurance claims to cover repair and restoration costs. This can lead to increased insurance premiums in the future. Operational inefficiency—Addressing the aftermath of frozen pipes and sprinkler system issues can divert resources away from regular business activities, leading to inefficiencies. Steps to Minimize the Risk of Frozen Pipes and Sprinkler Systems To reduce the risk of freezing pipes and sprinkler systems, businesses can take several preventive measures. The following steps can help protect the integrity of their infrastructure, avoid costly damage and maintain the functionality of fire protection systems: Insulate pipes. Insulate pipes in unheated or exposed areas with pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape to prevent freezing. Check the insulation for deterioration. Seal gaps and cracks. Inspect the building for gaps, cracks and openings that allow cold air to enter. Seal these areas to prevent drafts that can affect the temperature of pipes. Maintain adequate heating. Ensure that spaces containing pipes are properly heated, especially in areas with exposed pipes. Consistent heating prevents freezing. Monitor the heating system to ensure proper function and maintain suitable temperature in vulnerable areas. Drip faucets. During extremely cold weather, allow faucets to drip slowly. Running water is less likely to freeze, reducing the risk of burst pipes. Protect sprinkler systems. To prevent the freezing of sprinkler pipes, insulate or use heat tape in susceptible areas. Hire a professional to ensure proper installation. Consider using antifreeze solutions designed for fire protection systems. Conduct regular inspections. Schedule routine inspections of your plumbing and sprinkler systems, particularly before the winter season. Identify and address issues early to prevent more significant problems. Prepare for emergencies. Create an emergency plan for frozen pipes or sprinkler malfunctions. Educate employees on the protocol to minimize damage. Keep contact information of professionals for immediate assistance. Watch the weather. Stay informed on weather forecasts, especially during cold spells. Take extra precautions when extremely low temperatures are expected. Train employees. Train employees on how to identify signs of freezing pipes or sprinkler system issues and make sure they know how to shut off the water supply in case of an emergency. Monitor exterior systems. If your business has exterior sprinkler systems for landscaping or fire protection, monitor and winterize them properly. This may involve draining the systems or implementing other protective measures to prevent freezing. Use frost-resistant materials. When installing new plumbing or sprinkler system components, consider using frost-resistant materials that are less prone to freezing. Conclusion It is crucial to protect your business from frozen pipes and sprinkler systems to prevent expensive damage and maintain business operations during the winter season. By identifying areas that are vulnerable, understanding the impact of cold weather on pipes and implementing preventive measures, you can protect your business, ensure the safety of your employees and safeguard your assets. Contact us today for more information. Source: Zywave

Halloween celebrations can come with a range of fun activities and lead to lasting memories for your children. However, these festivities can also carry serious safety risks. That’s why it’s important to have precautions in place to protect your kids from the risk of Halloween-related injuries or accidents. Keep reading for an outline of Halloween safety tips for your kids. Costume Precautions Do not let children wear baggy or long costumes, as they are difficult to walk in and can be tripping hazards. Purchase wigs, costumes and accessories that are fire-retardant. Select face makeup and paint that is labeled as non-toxic and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent allergic reactions.  Place reflective tape on your children’s costumes and candy buckets if they are going trick-or-treating at night. Trick-or-Treating Safety Remind children to stay on the sidewalk and look both ways before crossing the street. Do not allow children under 12 years old to go trick-or-treating by themselves. Remind children to never approach or get into a car with a stranger offering them candy. Once your children get home, inspect their candy to ensure it’s safe to eat. Pumpkin Carving Tips Only carve pumpkins on a flat surface with adequate lighting, such as a kitchen table. Use a pumpkin-carving kit that includes tools appropriate for the task. Place lit jack-o’-lanterns away from flammable objects, such as sheets and curtains. Trick-or-Treating in Busy Areas In addition to these tips, make sure you take extra precautions when your children go trick-or-treating in busy areas. If you live near busy roads, consider only allowing your children to trick-or-treat during the day, or accompany children of all ages to keep them safe among fast-moving motorists. Source: Zywave

According to a AAA survey, potholes caused significant vehicular damage for 1 in 10 drivers in 2021. The average cost to repair pothole-related damage was $600 but exceeded $1,000 in some cases. What’s worse, the same drivers often filed multiple claims, averaging two pothole-related repairs a year. Common pothole-related damages include wheel and tire damage and damage to the suspension, steering and alignment systems. Potholes form when groundwater freezes beneath the pavement, causing it to expand and crack. When the ice melts, gaps are left under the pavement, weakening its structure until the pavement breaks beneath the weight of cars. Although potholes may be unavoidable, vehicular damage doesn’t have to be. Consider the following guidelines for avoiding pothole-related damage: Ensure your tires have proper inflation, tread depth, alignment and suspension. Scan the road ahead for potholes and drive around them when it’s safe. Avoid driving through standing water (which may conceal deep potholes) whenever possible. Slow down and avoid sudden braking if you must drive over a pothole or through standing water. Be aware of any new sounds or vibrations in your vehicle after hitting a pothole. Take your car to a trusted mechanic for a full inspection if necessary. Does My Insurance Cover Potholes? Collision coverage typically helps pay for pothole-related damages. This optional type of auto insurance can help pay for damage caused by collisions with objects (e.g., potholes or guard rails). This coverage typically has a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket cost you must pay before your coverage kicks in. You may choose not to file a claim with your insurance company if the cost to repair pothole-related damage is less than your deductible. For additional driving safety guidance and auto insurance solutions, contact us today. Source: Zywave

October 15-21 is National Teen Driver Safety Week. During this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages parents to have important conversations with their teenagers about staying safe behind the wheel. According to the United States Department of Transportation, 2,608 people were killed in crashes involving teenage drivers in 2021. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death among U.S. teens, and according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers ages 16 to 19 are almost three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes per mile driven than those ages 20 and older. Here are some tips to share with your teenager about safe driving. Don’t drive while distracted. Research has shown that texting and driving significantly increases crash risk, and in 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that 7% of teen fatal crashes involved distracted drivers. Educate your teen on the dangers of driving distracted—this includes eating, applying makeup and adjusting the radio, in addition to cell phone use. Don’t drink or do drugs. Drinking or doing drugs is both illegal and dangerous while driving a vehicle. In 2021, 19% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated. Remind your teenager that they should never get in the car with someone who is impaired—in addition to never drinking and driving themselves. Remind your teenager that they can call you or another trusted adult for a safe ride home if they need one. Limit passengers. Studies show that a teenager is three times more likely to engage in risky behaviors while driving with multiple passengers. Familiarize yourself with your state’s graduated driving law and enforce these requirements with your teen driver. Don’t speed. Speeding was a factor in nearly one-third (32%) of fatal teen crashes in 2021. Closely monitor your teen to ensure safe driving behavior. Be a good role model and don’t speed with your teen in the car. Wear a seatbelt. Seat belt use is lowest among teenage drivers. In 2021, over half (51%) of teenage driving fatalities were not wearing a seat belt. Talk to your teenager about why seat belts are essential. Set a good example by always wearing your seat belt with them in the car. Don’t drive while drowsy. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there were 684 fatalities due to drivers being drowsy while behind the wheel in 2021. Studies have shown that teens and young adults are particularly at risk of drowsy driving and subsequent accidents. Carefully monitor and limit your teenager’s night driving per state guidelines. Contact us today f or additional guidance on safe driving or questions about adding your teenager to your auto insurance policy. Source: Zywave

Preparing Your Home for Fall Pests As fall brings colder temperatures, the warm interior of your home can offer shelter, breeding spaces and a source of nourishment to household pests. Common household pests, such as flies, rodents, squirrels, wasps, ants and various bugs, can bring about property damage and health and safety risks for homeowners. By taking proactive steps to pest-proof your home, you create a safer, more comfortable and healthier living environment for you and your loved ones. Tips for Pest-Proofing Your Home To keep your home pest-free, keep the following tips in mind: Schedule a pest control service to treat your home with pesticide spray at regular intervals. Use traps or poisons to catch larger pests like mice or rats. Clean and sanitize your home regularly. Check and maintain the seals around all entry points of your home, including door and window seals and vents. Locate and fill in cracks or holes in your home’s foundation or structure. Put screens on attic vents and openings to chimneys. Ensure your basement, attic and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. Inspect any preowned furniture or thrifted items before bringing them into the house. Did You Know? Sometimes it takes knowing the ugly truth about pests to motivate you to take action. Did you know: An estimated 21 million homes in the United States are invaded by mice and other rodents each winter. Mice can fit through gaps as small as a dime. Mice can carry as many as 200 human pathogens, including salmonella. Your home is one of your biggest investments. Don't allow pests to find room in your house this fall unless you just want some extra company! Source: Zywave

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. During this annual event, government and cybersecurity leaders and the insurance community come together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. It is important to remember that businesses must stay cyber-secure to safeguard company data, protect customers’ personal information and ensure employee privacy. Here are 9 essential cybersecurity controls that organizations can implement to help manage their cyber exposures. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions: EDR solutions record and store events from endpoint, utilize various data analytics techniques to detect suspicious system behaviors, provide contextual information, block malicious activities and offer remediation suggestions to help organizations restore affected technology Patch Management: Patches are software and operating system updates that address security vulnerabilities within programs and products. A consistent approach to patching and updating software and operating systems can help organizations limit their cyber exposures. Network Segmentation and Segregation: Network segmentation refers to dividing larger networks into smaller segments, whereas network segregation entails isolating crucial networks from external networks, such as the internet. Both processes limit the risk of cybercriminals gaining expansive access to organizations’ IT infrastructures. End-of-Life Software Management: When software reaches the end of its life, manufacturers will discontinue technical support and security improvements for these products, thus creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. As such, having plans for introducing new software and phasing out unsupported products is critical. Remote Desk Protocol (RDP) Safeguards: RDP ports allow users to connect remotely to other servers or devices. Although these ports are useful, they can also be leveraged as a vector for launching ransomware attacks. To safeguard their RDP ports, organizations should keep these ports turned off when they aren’t in use and ensure such ports aren’t left exposed to the internet. Email Authentication: This technology monitors incoming emails and determines the validity of these messages based on specific sender verification standards that organizations have in place. Such technology can help keep potentially dangerous emails out of employees’ inboxes. Data Backups: Organizations should determine safe locations to store their critical data, generate concrete schedules for backing up this information and outline data recovery procedures to ensure swift restoration amid possible cyber events. Multifactor Authentication (MFA): MFA is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify their identity for login. Organizations should enable MFA for remote access to their networks. Employee Training: Employees are widely considered organizations’ first line of defense against cyber incidents, making cybersecurity training crucial. This training should occur regularly and center around helping employees identify and respond to common cyberthreats. For more cyber risk management and insurance guidance, contact us today. This information is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. ©2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Essentially, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams consist of cybercriminals impersonating individuals or entities within their targets’ trusted networks for malicious gains. These scams are categorized as a form of social engineering, which refers to a broader cyberattack method that preys on key human behaviors (e.g., trust of authority, fear of conflict and promise of rewards) to obtain unwarranted access to organizational systems, funds or data. While the specific methods utilized for executing BEC scams can vary, these incidents often follow the same general framework. Here are the main steps a cybercriminal takes when deploying a BEC scam. Researching the Organization First, a cybercriminal selects an organization to launch their BEC scam against. From there, the cybercriminal will conduct a range of research on the organization to help them develop a detailed profile of the company and its executives, create convincing emails and gain their target’s trust during the attack. This research may include activities such as the following: Analyzing the company’s website and LinkedIn page to understand its organizational hierarchy (e.g., members of the senior leadership team, primary department roles and reporting structures) Finding and examining individual employees’ social media profiles and professional platforms to learn more about their interests, job responsibilities and workplace connections Reviewing any other information available on the company (e.g., industry news articles, public records and press releases) to identify key organizational issues and developments Selecting the Target After researching the organization, cybercriminals will use the information they collected to prepare for their attack. At this point, the cybercriminal picks a specific individual within the organization as their main target for the incident, likely someone who has access to critical company funds and data. Launching the Attack Once they choose their target, the cybercriminal will deploy malicious software (also called malware) to access their target’s email account, monitoring the target’s digital interactions for days or weeks without their knowledge. Doing so allows the cybercriminal to see who the target frequently interacts with, what their conversations typically look like and the types of activities they conduct via email (e.g., paying invoices or sharing sensitive company files). The cybercriminal can then use this information to better impersonate a trusted sender and manipulate the target. What’s more, the cybercriminal may also hack into the email account of another individual in the target’s organizational network, inserting themselves directly into legitimate conversations and further convincing the target to engage in compromising activities. Here are some other common attack strategies the cybercriminal may use: Utilizing fake accounts or websites—If the cybercriminal opts not to hack into the target’s or a trusted sender’s email account, they will likely rely on fraudulent accounts or websites to launch their attack. For example, the cybercriminal may send emails using false domain names that appear genuine or direct the target to seemingly legitimate websites (also known as domain spoofing). Similarly, the cybercriminal may utilize lookalike domains, which almost exactly match the actual source, to deceive their target into performing certain actions. Creating confusing variations—In an attempt to convince their target that they are a trusted source, the cybercriminal may create an email address that is nearly identical to the source they are impersonating, with the exception of a few characters (e.g., altering the email address “janedoe@samplecompany.com” to “janedoee@samplecompanyy.com”). Using spear-phishing techniques—The cybercriminal may engage in spear-phishing by conducting additional, personalized research on their target and leveraging any extra details they discover to further motivate the target to believe their false identity. When spear-phishing, a cybercriminal will often impersonate a source who is more directly connected to their target (e.g., a close colleague or department leader). Deploying additional malware—When sending fraudulent emails, a cybercriminal may encourage their target to download harmful attachments or click on deceptive links in an effort to launch additional malware. Once activated, this harmful software can help the cybercriminal more easily gain access to their target’s systems, funds and data. Manipulating the Target Once the cybercriminal convinces their target that they are engaging in a genuine business interaction, they will conclude the attack by manipulating the target into wiring company funds to the cybercriminal’s personal bank account or a bank account controlled by a large-scale organized crime group; sharing sensitive organizational details, intellectual property, supply chain information or workplace documentation; providing account credentials; or disclosing confidential employee or customer data. Protect Yourself BEC scams have become a pressing concern for all businesses, regardless of size or industry. With these incidents on the rise, businesses simply can’t afford to ignore their BEC exposures. Nonetheless, by implementing effective prevention, response and recovery procedures, businesses can not only limit their likelihood of experiencing such incidents but also mitigate possible losses when attacks arise.  Above all, it’s crucial for businesses to understand that they aren’t alone in managing their cyber risks and safeguarding against BEC scams. There is a wide range of resources and guidance available from trusted experts and professionals. For more information, contact Vista Insurance Group today. Source: Zywave