Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can help prevent fires. From 2006-2010, decorations were the first item ignited in an estimated average of 1,000 reported home structure fires per year, resulting in an average six civilian deaths, 53 civilian injuries and $16 million in direct property damage.Stay safe this Halloween with these safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association. When choosing a costu...

View articles on Business and Personal Insurance, Commercial Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits in this edition of Risk Issues. Find the following informative articles and more: Most 2012 supply-chain disruptions were from tech-related events, not weather Getting tough on temp safety Directors and Officers Liability Insurance: Staying afloat in a sea of change 12 ways to avoid PPACA fines Practice sound risk management for your time-share investment Spouses who plan together are ...

Part 3: Basic commercial insurance to considerTornado. Wildfire. Winter melt. Hurricane. Flood. You never know when disaster will strike. Now is the time for small business owners to get prepared for the possibility of disaster by reviewing their business insurance needs and policies. Consider these basic commercial insurance coverages. Building Coverage provides coverage up to the insured value of the building if it is destroyed or damaged by wind/hail or another covered cause of loss. Thi...

Part 2: Review your insurance planIt's important to plan ahead when you own a small business. There are many risks involved if your business is ever hit by a disaster and you aren't prepared. Take critical measures to help protect your company and be sure to review your insurance plan.Make sure you have sufficient coverage to pay for the indirect costs of the disaster—the disruption to your business—as well as the cost of repair or rebuilding. Most policies do not cover ...

Part 1: Steps to build a planBusinesses that are forced to close down following a disaster run the risk of never being able to open their doors again. While there’s no way to lower the risk of a natural disaster like a hurricane, there are critical measures that can be taken to protect your company’s bottom line from nature’s fury. A disaster plan and adequate insurance are keys to recovery.No matter how small or large a business, a business impact analysis should be developed ...

The Glatfelter Agency today announced it has acquired the group benefits practice of Ian S. Young Associates, based in Reading, Pa.According to Scott Rogers, president of The Glatfelter Agency, the acquisition allows Glatfelter the opportunity to further expand its agency operations and presence into Berks County as well as the surrounding communities.“We believe the business practices and client service standards established by Ian S. Young Associates are well aligned with those of The Gl...