Practical Safety and Loss Prevention

From Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company

Safety and Loss Prevention Basics | Home Safety Tips | Vacation Safety Tips

Safety and Loss Prevention Basics
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Why should we all be concerned about safety and loss prevention?

Safety and loss prevention are critical to the long-term protection of a mutual’s members. Accidents and losses can result in injuries and death as well as property damage. We do not want to see the lives of our members at risk. Injuries and death can endanger the economic viability of the family farm or household.

Even though insurance can help you rebuild buildings or repair/replace equipment, damage to property can disrupt farm operations. This can mean lost opportunities and lost income for farmers.

On a broader scale, loss prevention helps keep premiums under control. When a mutual pays for losses that could be prevented, all members pay the price. Initially, that price is paid through higher insurance premiums. Over the long-term, excessive claim payments may eventually threaten the very success of the mutual. If mutuals ceased to exist, competition in the marketplace would be reduced. Less competition usually means higher prices.

While some losses are not preventable, it is in everyone’s interests to take reasonable steps to avoid losses. Most losses that are not weather-related can be prevented. Proper upkeep and maintenance coupled with an active safety program are keys to loss prevention.

What can you do?

Safety and loss prevention begins with you. While your insurance company and other resources can provide you with information and tools, only you can prevent controllable losses. Through your attitude and actions, you set the tone for yourself and others. When you adopt a commitment to a safer environment, others around you will do the same.

By reading the safety materials available from Central Illinois Mutual, you have already begun to develop your commitment to safety and loss prevention. You can also find additional information, including links to web sites of providers of safety related products and services.

We have partnered with providers of safety products and services to form the Farm and Home Safety Network. We encourage you to contact these providers for more information about how they can help you create a safer environment for your family, workers, and guests.

Primary Causes of Preventable Losses

When a loss occurs, claims adjusters and experts attempt to “connect the dots” to determine the primary cause and how the loss might be prevented in the future. Preventable losses can often be attributed to one significant human behavior trait—we are too often in a hurry! In our rush to complete a task, we become careless and often overlook obvious hazards or even ignore our own training and instincts. We often “know better,” but because we are in a hurry we take short cuts that create dangerous situations. Consider the following examples of preventable losses:

To save a few seconds obtaining a ladder, a worker stands on a chair to reach a fixture. The worker loses his balance and falls injuring his skull and back.
Instead of walking around a tractor, a farmer tries to step over a running power take-off (PTO) and is seriously injured when his clothing catches in the PTO.
Farm employee enters through the top of a grain bin alone and without a safety harness. The employee is pulled under the moving grain and is suffocated.
Farm employee and farmer attempt to move a long auger under an above ground power line. The auger contacts the power line and both are electrocuted.
Person uses power tools without personal protective equipment (PPE). Debris flies into left eye and requires surgery. Hearing is also damaged from the noise level.
Worker is welding too close to combustible materials. Sparks start a fire that destroys a building.

Safety Pledge

You can demonstrate your commitment to safety and loss prevention by taking the safety pledge below and sharing it with others:

“In everything we do, safety will be our number one priority. We will:
maintain all equipment in proper working order,

practice safe procedures at all times,

stay attentive around equipment at all times,

use personal protective equipment when necessary, and

never take safety risks just to save a few seconds.

By working safer, we will continue to be healthy and productive.”

Home Safety Tips
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While some losses are not preventable, most losses that are not weather-related can be prevented. Below are some examples of things you can do at home to prevent or reduce losses:

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Replace batteries at least annually. Replace detectors in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most detectors are designed to last 5 to 10 years maximum.
Install several ABC fire extinguishers at strategic locations in your home and around your farm. Replace or recharge the extinguishers when the gauge drops into the red zone.
Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. Read the instructions that accompany your fire extinguisher. In general: 1) call the fire department, 2) remove the plastic retainer if applicable, 3) pull the pin, 4) aim the extinguisher hose at the base of the fire, not the flames, 5) squeeze the handles to discharge the extinguishing agent, 6) sweep side to side.
Remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
Have chimneys of solid fuel burning appliances cleaned regularly, including fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.
Clean clothes dryer vent piping at least annually. Clothes lint is highly flammable.
Keep combustible materials such as drapes and furniture away from ignition or heat sources.
Store flammable liquids only in approved containers and store away from ignition sources.
Do not store gasoline or gasoline fueled equipment near appliances with pilot lights, with electronic ignition, or that may give off sparks. Gasoline fumes are heavier than air and can migrate across a floor to an ignition source.
Store portable propane tanks outside the house.
Maintain your roofing by making sure shingles and flashing are sealed down.
Replace roofing when shingles become brittle, curl, or show excessive wear. For longer shingle life, do not add layers. Instead, have the old roof torn off. This will facilitate replacement of damaged sheathing, installation of new roofing paper and flashing, and will result in a better looking roof as well as extending the life of your shingles.
Maintain your siding. Secure any loose clapboards, panels, or sections.
Do not overload electrical circuits.
Do not use extension cords in place of permanent wiring. If necessary, hire a licensed electrician to properly install new outlets.
Replace cords that are cut, frayed, or have exposed wires.
Do not remove ground prongs from plugs.
Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters for outlets within 6 feet of water sources, including the kitchen and bathrooms, plus the garage and basement.
Maintain sidewalks, steps, porches, and decks to prevent tripping hazards.
Install railings and guardrails in accordance with local building codes. In absence of stricter codes, install railings and guardrails for any walking surface that is 24 inches or more above a fall zone. Vertical posts (balusters) in railings and guardrails should have no more than 4 inches of spacing between them.
For homes with sump pumps, install a battery-operated back-up pump that can work when the power goes out. For homes served by municipal water supplies, there is also a back-up pump that can be driven by city water pressure rather than a battery.
Replace clothes washer hoses periodically with braided steel hoses. Better yet, install units that will turn the water off if a hose breaks. Or, install a valve that turns the water pressure off when the washer is not in use. Or, install a manual valve to cut the pressure when not in use or when you are away from home.
Install and use window locks and deadbolt locks on exterior doors.

Additional Considerations

Install fire and burglar alarms with a 24-hour monitoring service.
If you plan to be gone for extended periods, install a freeze alarm that will call you or a neighbor automatically if the temperature inside your home drops below a pre-set limit. This can prevent frozen pipes.
Install a water alarm on lower levels of your home.

Vacation Safety Tips
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Before You Go

Keep your vacation plans to your immediate family. There is no need to let the world know your home may be unoccupied for a time.
Do not post vacation information or photos on social networking sites until after you return. If you post information before you go, or while you are away, crooks know you are gone.
Have the post office hold your mail to avoid it piling up. Do the same with your newspaper and other regular deliveries.
Set several lamps on timers to go on and off at various times. Consider connecting a TV or radio to a timer also. This will give the appearance that someone is home.
Make sure all doors and windows are securely locked. If your garage door opener has a lock out option, activate it before you leave.
If you are leaving your car somewhere while flying, remove your garage door opener and any information that might identify your address.
As an alternative to parking your car, consider a shuttle service to take you back and forth to the airport. This also leaves your car in the garage to add to the illusion you may be home.
Close the valves to your washing machine and relieve the pressure. This could prevent a major water loss from a burst hose running for days. (Remember to turn them back on when you use the washer again.)
Arrange for a trusted person to check on your home periodically.
Let local law enforcement know you will be gone. They may be able to patrol your area more often.
If traveling by car, have your car inspected and serviced before you leave. Have the shop pay special attention to your tires and brakes.

Enjoy Your Vacation

As noted above, do not post vacation information or photos on social networking sites until after you return. Tell your children also.
When staying in hotels, learn the hotel’s emergency procedures and exits.
If fire starts in a hotel, check your door for heat or smoke before trying to escape. If it is hot to the touch, call for help and try to find another way out. If you exit into a smoke-filled hallway, stay low to breathe and improve visibility.
If it was necessary to bring valuables along, use the room safe (if available) to store them when not in use. If there is no room safe, contact the front desk.
Keep your room door secured at all times. Make sure any exterior doors or windows are secured.
Never open the door without checking who is outside and without knowing why they are there. If you are unsure about the person, call the front desk to confirm this person’s need to enter your room.
Women should keep their purses secure against them. Men should keep wallets in front pockets. Use caution when walking through crowds to avoid being pick-pocketed. Carry only the minimum cash and valuables you need. Don’t lose your whole vacation in one incident.
When traveling by car, plan and know your route before you go. Use online mapping services to help you. If you use a GPS, set it before you leave—not while driving.
Keep your cell phone handy in case of emergency, but do not use it while driving.
When refueling, stop at well-lighted facilities in high traffic areas. Use this same caution at highway rest stops.
If requested to pull over by law enforcement, acknowledge the officer, slow down, and proceed to a safe, well-lighted area where other people are around.

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