Save Lives and Property with Fire Safety Awareness
October 26, 2021
Save Lives and Property with Fire Safety Awareness

Due to great advances in building construction and fire suppression technology, the threat of total destruction and injuries due to a fire has slightly reduced over the last 10 years. But surprisingly, the number of deaths has increased by about 24% in the same time period and the property loss amounts have increased by almost 75% due to the cost of building and inflation. That means that fire safety and awareness is just as important today as it has always been. It’s not just children who need to learn the do’s and don’ts of fire safety, but we are all responsible to keep others safe by knowing and practicing fire safety. In this article I’ll provide top fire safety tips for both your home and business. As we come up on Daylight Savings time on November 7, I hope that you’ll remember to check your smoke alarms to ensure that they are working properly and change the batteries because as our old friend G.I. Joe used to say at the end of every episode, “now you know, and knowing is half the battle."


Fire Statistics

  • Wildfires were responsible for $9.8 billion in property damage in 2019 including structures and vehicles.
  • Structure fires (unrelated to wildfire) were responsible for 12.1 billion in property losses in 2019.
  • In 2020, 53% of fire loss in the U.S were residential fires and of this amount, 29% were multi-family residential buildings.
  • Smoke alarms were not present in 23% of single-family residential fires and 37% of the multi-family residential fires.
  • Residential fires account for almost ¾ of all fire related deaths, 76% of fire related injuries, and 46% of the loss in dollars.
  • The leading cause of the fire in residential buildings is cooking (50%), followed by heating fireplace, electric heater, furnace (9.3%), unintentional carelessness (7.7%) and electrical malfunction (6.8%).
  • 64% of the fire fighters in our country are all volunteer companies.
  • New York along with California and Texas lead the nation in the number of fire deaths.
  • Statistics show that men are injured or die at a much higher rate than women and African American males and American Indian males have the highest fire death rates per million population.
  • People aged 85 and older have the highest fire death rate.
  • Children 0-4 are the highest at risk of dying in a fire among children of all ages.


Tips for Commercial Properties

  • Ensure that you are using the proper types of detectors in the proper areas. For example, a heat detector is usually used in rooms with excessive dust or fumes.
  • Don’t obstruct detection units. For example, after painting ceilings, are the protective covers on the smoke detectors put back on?
  • Never leave portable heating devices unattended.
  • Make sure that there are no obstacles to exits.
  • Make sure that windows can be opened, and screens removed.
  • Keep anything that can burn away from electrical equipment.
  • Check for damaged or overloaded electrical outlets, cords and cables.
  • Ensure pull stations are always accessible.
  • Immediately investigate false alarms and make repairs – and make all other repairs immediately too.
  • Know where your fire hydrant is located.
  • Know where shut-offs for power, gas and any operations systems are.
  • Know the type and location of your HVAC.
  • Task your Safety Committee with designing a plan designating individuals who will be responsible for the plan, and practice it annually.
  • Landlords should routinely inspect smoke detectors to ensure that they are in proper working order and change the batteries regularly.


Tips for Residential Properties

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
  • Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
  • Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
  • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.
  • Watch your cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
  • Give space heaters space. Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Smoke outside. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
  • Inspect electrical cords - Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
  • Be careful when using candles - Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.



Sources:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/

https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-fire

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/stories/workplace_safety/

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/Reporters-Guide-to-Fire-and-NFPA/Key-Fire-Safety-Tips

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Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes That Put Your Business at Risk
October 1, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, small and mid-sized businesses are just as vulnerable, if not more so, than large corporations when it comes to cyberattacks. Limited budgets, fewer in-house IT resources, and the perception of being “too small to target” often leave business owners dangerously exposed. The reality? Hackers don’t discriminate based on size; they look for the easiest entry points. Here are the top five mistakes businesses make, how to avoid them, and what steps you can take today to protect your company, your employees, and your bottom line. 1. Relying on Weak or Outdated Passwords Passwords are often the first line of defense, and also the weakest. Too many businesses rely on simple or reused passwords that can be cracked in seconds with modern tools. The Modern MFA Landscape While passwords remain standard, multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become the new baseline. However, how you implement MFA matters: Avoid email for MFA codes. If a phishing attack compromises an employee’s inbox, bad actors can intercept the code and access sensitive systems. SMS is better but not bulletproof. Text messages provide an extra layer of security but can still be intercepted. Authenticator apps are the gold standard. Tools like Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, or Google Authenticator create time-based one-time codes that aren’t tied to email or SMS. Forward-looking companies are also exploring passwordless authentication, a model that reduces dependence on static credentials altogether. Until then, tightening password hygiene and upgrading MFA methods should be immediate priorities. 2. Overlooking Employee Training Even the most advanced cybersecurity tools can’t stop an employee from clicking a malicious link or downloading infected files. Human error remains the biggest vulnerability in most organizations. What Employees Need to Know Instead of broad, once-a-year sessions, ongoing training should focus on real-world risks employees face daily. Consider including: How to spot suspicious links and attachments Why “urgent” or “CEO fraud” emails are red flags Safe internet practices for remote or hybrid workers How to report suspicious activity without fear of blame Building a Culture of Cyber Awareness Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a company-wide culture. Leadership should model secure behavior and celebrate employees who catch threats. Over time, security becomes second nature rather than an afterthought. 3. Neglecting Regular Software Updates Software vendors release updates for a reason: to fix vulnerabilities. Delaying or ignoring these updates gives hackers a direct pathway into your systems. The Risk of Outdated Systems Running outdated operating systems, browsers, or applications often leaves “open doors” attackers can exploit. Businesses that don’t patch quickly enough have been at the center of major breaches. Automating updates or assigning a designated IT contact for patch management ensures vulnerabilities are closed before they can be exploited. Even for smaller businesses without dedicated IT staff, outsourced providers or managed IT services can fill this role affordably. 4. Failing to Prepare an Incident Response Plan (IRP) Too many businesses wait until a breach happens to figure out how to respond. By then, panic sets in, time is lost, and the financial damage increases. Why an IRP Matters An Incident Response Plan is essentially a playbook for what your business will do in the first 24–72 hours after an attack. It should outline: Who is responsible for containment and communication Steps for isolating affected systems Legal or regulatory reporting requirements How to restore backups and resume operations Tip: Run Cybersecurity Fire Drills Just like fire drills, businesses should run simulated cyber incidents. Testing your IRP helps employees understand their roles and uncovers gaps before a real attack occurs. 5. Assuming Insurance Alone Is Enough Some business owners mistakenly believe their general liability insurance will cover cyber-related losses. Unfortunately, most policies exclude data breaches, ransomware, or social engineering scams. The Role of Cyber Liability Insurance Cyber liability insurance fills these gaps by covering costs like forensic investigations, customer notifications, legal fees, regulatory fines, and even ransom payments (where legal). For small businesses, this coverage can mean the difference between survival and bankruptcy after a breach. But insurance should never replace prevention. Instead, think of it as a financial safety net that complements strong security practices, not one that replaces them. Click here to learn more about how Simco’s Commercial Insurance team can help protect your business with cyber and data breach coverage and beyond. Secure Your Business for the Future Cybersecurity is no longer optional for businesses; it’s a core part of protecting your employees, customers, and reputation. By addressing these five common mistakes, you’ll not only reduce your risk of an attack but also build trust with clients who want assurance that their data is safe in your hands. Taking proactive steps now, including strengthening authentication, investing in training, creating an IRP, and supplementing with cyber liability insurance, can save untold amounts of money, stress, and reputational damage later.
September 23, 2025
Open Enrollment season is just around the corner, running from October 15 to December 7 for Medicare and November 1 to January 15 for Marketplace/individual health plans (NYSOH in New York) . This is the annual window when you can review, change, or enroll in health insurance and Medicare coverage. But with deadlines, plan changes, and fine print to consider, many people unintentionally leave themselves exposed to gaps in coverage: periods when they aren’t insured. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs, denied claims, and stress for you and your family. Here’s how to make sure your coverage is seamless heading into 2026. 1. Know Your Enrollment Dates Missing the open enrollment deadlines is the most common cause of coverage gaps. Mark your calendar for: Medicare Open Enrollment : October 15 – December 7, 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace (NYSOH in NY) : November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 Employer-Sponsored Benefits : Dates vary by employer Tip: Don’t wait until the last week. Plans can take time to process, and waiting until December may mean your new coverage isn’t active on January 1. 2. Review Any Notices From Your Current Plan Insurance companies often send letters in the fall about plan changes for the upcoming year. Some plans are discontinued, premiums may rise, or provider networks may shrink. If you ignore these notices, you could roll into a plan that doesn’t meet your needs, or worse, be left without coverage. Check your mail and email for plan notices and share them with a licensed agent if you need help understanding the changes. 3. Don’t Assume Last Year’s Plan Is Still Best Healthcare needs change year to year, and so do insurance options. Prescriptions, providers, or even your financial situation may mean another plan is a better fit. Sticking with last year’s plan without comparing options could result in higher costs or limited benefits. Make a list of your current doctors, prescriptions, and expected healthcare needs for 2026. Use this to compare plans carefully. 4. Watch for Coverage Overlaps or Lapses Switching from one plan to another? Be mindful of dates. Sometimes old coverage ends before new coverage begins, leaving a gap. Other times, both plans overlap, causing billing confusion. Confirm your effective date for the new policy. For most enrollments completed by December 7 (Medicare) or December 15 (Marketplace), coverage will start January 1. 5. Get Help From a Licensed Professional Navigating Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, or Marketplace health plans can feel overwhelming. Working with a licensed agent can help ensure your coverage aligns with your needs, and that you won’t face any surprises when you need care. Reach out to Simco’s licensed agents for one-on-one guidance. We’ll walk you through your options and help you avoid coverage gaps. Final Thoughts Avoiding gaps in coverage during open enrollment comes down to being proactive, reviewing your options, and enrolling on time. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself the peace of mind that you and your family will be covered heading into 2026. Simco’s licensed agents are here to help. Whether you’re reviewing Medicare plans, Marketplace options, or supplemental coverage, we’ll make sure you stay protected without interruption. Contact us today to schedule your coverage review before open enrollment begins.
September 2, 2025
Many businesses rely on multiple vendors to manage critical functions such as HR, payroll/HCM, benefits, commercial insurance, and retirement plans. While outsourcing can provide specialized expertise in each area, using separate providers often creates hidden costs that can quietly undermine efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction. Here’s why integration matters, and how a consolidated approach can save time, reduce risk, and improve the employee experience. 1. Increased Administrative Burden When each service is managed by a separate vendor, administrative work multiplies. Employees and HR teams may spend extra hours logging into different systems to process payroll, submit benefits updates, or manage compliance tasks. Reconciling employee information across multiple portals and coordinating communications between vendors creates unnecessary complexity, which can distract your team from strategic priorities. 2. Higher Risk of Errors and Compliance Issues Fragmentation can increase the likelihood of costly mistakes. Payroll errors, mismanaged retirement contributions, and insurance coverage gaps often occur when systems do not communicate effectively. A single misalignment can have a ripple effect: Incorrect payroll deductions Late or missing retirement contributions Gaps in insurance coverage or compliance violations With multiple vendors, the risk of these errors and their consequences rises. 3. Limited Visibility and Reporting When each service lives in its own system, it’s hard to get a complete picture of your workforce. Without centralized reporting, many businesses struggle to: Analyze labor costs or benefits spending accurately Identify compliance gaps or coverage issues Track trends in employee engagement and retention Limited visibility makes it difficult to make informed decisions and optimize operations. 4. Compounded Costs Paying multiple vendors for separate services often results in more than just the sum of their fees. Each system typically comes with its own implementation, training, and subscription costs, which can quickly add up. In addition, internal administrative hours spent managing vendor relationships, reconciling conflicting data, or troubleshooting errors create a hidden expense that is often overlooked. Businesses may also face unexpected costs when trying to integrate or transfer data between disconnected platforms, or when compliance issues arise due to misaligned processes. Over time, these scattered costs compound, reducing overall efficiency and limiting resources that could be better spent on strategic growth initiatives. 5. Frustrated Employees The impact of fragmentation extends to employees. They may face confusion about where to access benefits or payroll information, experience delays in issue resolution, or encounter inconsistent communications. This frustration can lead to disengagement, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Businesses that integrate these functions provide a smoother, more cohesive experience for employees, resulting in higher satisfaction, better engagement, and a stronger workplace culture. Why Integration Matters Integrating HR, payroll/HCM, benefits, commercial insurance, and retirement services with a single partner simplifies operations, reduces errors, improves reporting, and enhances the employee experience. Businesses that consolidate services gain: Streamlined administrative processes and reduced duplication of effort Improved accuracy and compliance through connected systems Enhanced visibility into workforce metrics and financials Cost efficiencies by eliminating overlapping fees and redundant systems A more consistent, positive experience for employees By managing these services in a unified platform, your business can focus on growth instead of juggling multiple systems and vendors. Take the Next Step If your business is managing multiple vendors for HR, payroll, benefits, insurance, and retirement, it’s time to consider a more integrated approach. Streamlining these services with a single, high-touch partner like Simco can save time, reduce risk, and create a better experience for both your team and your employees.

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