Category: Blog

Published: 13 July 2020

During the summer, hot weather increases the risk for heat-related injuries and illnesses. Since 2008, more than 100 workers have been killed on the job as a result of heat stress. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the risks and symptoms associated with heat-related injuries and illnesses and to know how to prevent them on the job.

Heat stroke is the most dangerous of all heat-related illnesses. It occurs when the body loses the ability to regulate its own temperature. The average human body temperature is 98.6°F, and shifts of even a few degrees can cause serious harm.

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Category: Blog

Published: 09 July 2020

The gifts have been opened, the ornaments are starting to sag, and the fallen pine needles are multiplying daily – these are clear signs that it’s time to remove the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations from your home.  The longer they’re in your home, the more they dry out, making them a significant fire hazard. NFPA statistics show that nearly 40 percent of home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January. Although these fires aren’t common, when they do occur, they’re more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, as compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires.

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Category: Blog

Published: 08 July 2020

Behind their steel, concrete, and glass facades, buildings are pulsating energy hubs. In concert with the highly automated systems that deliver it, that energy can convey a sense that buildings approximate living, breathing organisms. In a sense, they are. Programmed HVAC systems hum around the clock, computer systems labor on, and security systems monitor the premises, even as they remain largely devoid of human life for half the day. Little wonder, then, that in a time of heightened concern with energy conservation, these complex structures with a life of their own — and the actions and decisions of those who own and inhabit them — are inviting more scrutiny. To read more on this important subject, click here.