Category: Safety Tips

Free Covid Related Crisis Counseling

August 30, 2021

The California Department of Health Care Services is offering FREE emotional support services with the goal of assisting individuals, families, and communities recovering from the effects of Covid-19.  Receive up to 6 crisis counseling sessions via phone or website chat.  To learn more visit https://www.calhope.org/.

In the meantime, if you or anyone you know is in need of free help, please provide them with the following information:

Crisis Counselor:

To speak with Parents / Caregivers:

ZOOM Support Groups for Parents & Caregivers:

  • Refer to attached flyer

The attached flyer was shared with us by Veronica Cerda, a FEMA crisis counselor with CalHOPE-United Parents, a non-profit funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and run by California Department of Health Services. 

Please review the attached flyer for additional details.  Feel free to share with anyone in need.

D&D Update: CA Fires

September 8, 2020

As many of you already know, the spread of the fires throughout our valley have been detrimental.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the #Creekfire and the firefighters who are currently battling it in our Central Valley mountains. Something that we’ve encouraged on all social platforms is to Text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross Central California.

Funds will support those most in need. Together, we can support our community. Thank you!

Heat Illness Prevention Tips

August 24, 2020

Good morning, D&D!

As you know with the fires all over California the air quality has been unhealthy for many of us. Along with the fires the Central Valley has been in a heat wave, please take precaution, stay cool, and hydrated when you can.

An email was sent out to clients in regarding Heat Illness Prevention for employees last week and here are some tips we wanted to share with you all:

  • Plan – Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures
  • Training – Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention
  • Water – Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
  • Shade – Provide shade when workers request it or when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
  • When the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees, employers must provide one 10-minute “preventative cool-down rest period” every 2 hours. During the first 8 hours of a shift, the cool-down periods may be provided at the same time as the rest periods. 
  • If employees work longer than 8 hours, the employer must provide an additional 10-minute cool-down rest period every 2 hours. For example, if the shift extends beyond 8 hours, an additional rest period is required at the end of the 8th hour of work. If the shift extends beyond 10 hours, another is required at the end of the 10th hour.
  • Employers must ensure that employees actually take the cool-down rest periods required under this section.
  • Employers are required to provide additional breaks as soon as the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees. For example, even if the temperature does not reach 95 degrees until the last half of an 8-hour shift, the employer must ensure that employees take cool-down rest periods starting at the end of the 8th hour of work.

Policy Reminder: Rain Season

December 4, 2019

“I’m Singing in the Rain” is an old favorite musical lullaby. However, after getting soaking wet while dancing in the street can bring on the flu.

Commercial:

Please remember, The majority of Commercial Property Policies require “physical damage” to the building (i.e. roof) caused by a covered cause of loss allowing an opening for coverage to apply for interior rain damage. In other words, wind blows off the shingles to allow an opening for the rain to leak inside or a tree limb falls on the roof to cause an opening. Without the roof damage, rain leaks to the building interior is excluded.

If the roof just leaks from lack of maintenance or leaves clogged the roof drain, there is NO coverage. So please be prepared to warn your clients that the adjuster will due their due diligence by inspecting the roof.

Home:

The majority of the home policies take the opposite approach and afford coverage regardless for a sudden roof leak. They do not require storm damage to cause an opening. The Underwriters had more empathy that day, however please be cautious to imply coverage.

Warning:

Also be very cautious to recommend restoration companies to your clients without written back up that coverage is not authorized by D & D and must be approved by the Insurance Company.

On behalf of the P & C Claims Department

Thanksgiving Holiday Update: From Matt and Mike

November 27, 2019

Good morning everyone. Mike and I are extremely thankful for everything you do for D&D and we want to wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

If you are traveling this week, please be careful, as the weather is difficult throughout California.

We will be closing down our offices today for the Thanksgiving Holiday at 3pm and will be reopening on Monday Dec. 2. Thank you.

Enjoy your time off and see you in December!

Tips on the road: Thanksgiving Weekend

November 26, 2019

Thank you to Curt Zimmerman for providing us with this information on when to get on the road for Thanksgiving, according to Google Maps data.

Please click here to view the full article, and keep these tips in mind while driving throughout the weekend. Stay safe out there!