Protect Your Roof - Tips for Dealing with Heavy Snowfall

Be prepared for snow - no matter the month. Snow loads on roofs depend on the amount and type of snow, wind, air temperature, amount of sunshine; and roof variables including shape, thermal properties, exposures, and surrounding environment. Of all these variables, wind likely has the greatest influence on drifts and the damage they can cause.

• If your building is located in an open and particularly windy location, pay special attention to the accumulated snow from drifts.
• Pay special attention to low lying roof areas - ensure excessive snow on these areas is quickly removed. During the course of snow removal, snow from upper roof areas should not be moved to a lower roof level. Care should be taken to avoid removing snow within 2 inches of the roof covering to avoid damaging the shingles.

Understand what factors increase snow load. Although most roof designs can handle snow loads of between 20 and 40 lbs per square foot, the consistency of the snow impacts the overall load on the roof. Modern commercial building codes require a roof to withstand a minimum of 30 pounds per square foot. The design allows for a specified amount of bending typically 1 inch over a 20 foot span.

• It is the weight, not the depth of the snow, which is cause for concern. Light and fluffy snow may weigh between 5 - 20 lbs per square foot, packed snow between 20 - 40 lbs, and moisture laden snow upwards of 45 pounds per square foot. The removal of wet snow should be your priority!

Know what to look for. Signs that the snow load on your building is cause for concern include:

• doors that suddenly start to stick, particularly upstairs doorways on interior walls;
• cracks that become visible in drywall; and
• cracks in plaster around door frames.

If you suspect there's a problem, call a professional. If you suspect that your roof may have an excessive accumulation of snow, the safest decision is to hire a professional roofing contractor or professional snow removal contractor. Visit thedominion.ca to find one o four preferred vendors in your area. Before you hire a contractor, verify that they carry current liability insurance coverage - as to see their current certificate of insurance. It's important to review the certificate to ensure the policy terms and limits are adequate. You may be legally responsible for any damages that occur outside of what is stated in the policy.

Should you decide to clear some of the snow yourself, never climb onto the roof. Use a long handled rake with an expandable handle, likely available from your hardware or home improvement store.

• Keep your employees, customers, and building safe.

Equipment Failure Recommended Practices

Machinery...

...It's wonderful to shut it all off and enjoy the simpler things in life...

...But there's little to enjoy when your building's crucial systems such as boilers, air conditioning, elevators and electrical equipment break down.

A preventative maintenance program is our client's best bet to help combat equipment breakdown. Start with our Preventative Maintenance Program overview, found in our knowledge centre at thedominion.ca - help our clients stop a problem before it escalates, saving them time and money.

A few key equipment failure facts to start:

• Most equipment failure is the result of human error. Have processes and procedures in place that ensure the correct use of equipment.
• Trust your eyes and ears. Keep an eye open for any irregularities with machinery and listen for noises that don't sound right. If you detect something, call a licensed professional to take a look.
• For equipment new or old - be sure to check with the manufacturer for their recommendations regarding the type and frequency of maintenance.
• In addition to your annual checkup - make sure to get a service contract so you receive prompt emergency service for key equipment such as air conditioning.

Looking for more? We have the information you need in the format our clients want:

• Visit thedominion.ca to view our key tips for preventing equipment failure - easily copied and then sent to our clients.
• Visit thedominion.ca to view our Heating Boiler Start-Up Overview - relevant for this time of year. Our client can quickly access and start using these tips today to help protect their building! Send them to The Dominion's YouTube channel or link to the checklists to our website.
• Send our clients our video: the Keys to Business Protection for Preventing Equipment Failure.
• Send our clients helpful hints and tools branded by The Dominion and our brokerage.

MAKE SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE COVERED

Our Building Owner's Advantage Product offers insurance coverage for buildings and contents to ensure our commercial clients are covered. Peace of mind built just for them, in one convenient package. This product has many unique features to meet the needs of our clients - and not just forour realty accounts. This product was developed with all building owners in mind. For more information on our Building Owner's Advantage Product, speak with our underwriter.

Sturino & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
7 Jopling Avenue South
Etobicoke, ON  M9B 3P4

Slips & Falls Recommended Practices

Slips and Falls...

While the cartoons and comedy movies we've seen over the years have used slips and falls to make us laugh...

...it's not that funny if it happens on a property you're responsible for.

Winter is slip and fall season!  Snow, freezing rain, ice, and slush are the most common weather elements leading to slips and falls.  You can help our clients develop a Slip & Fall program using our Business Protection Series.

What's in it for our clients?

- Safer business premises;
- Reduced frequency of slips, trips and falls occurring on their business premises;
- Enhanced reputation and public image; and
- A documented paper trail of what they have done in the event of an accident.

Start with our Monthly Slip & Fall Prevention Checklist, found at http://track.thedominionkeepingintouch.ca/trakcing/t.c@yuub-ifcx-1edau8.

START THE CONVERSATION

A few key slip and fall facts to start the conversation:

• Slips, trips and falls most often occur on: icy roads and sidewalks, uneven pavement, potholes, stairs with no railings, changes in elevation, obstructions, or spilled liquid.
• Proactively maintain your premises. Minimize slip and falls by implementing a preventative maintenance program.
• What should you do when you discover hazards?\
• Post It: post signs to warn tenants and guests of potential dangers
• Prevent:  prevent access; erect barriers
• Remove: remove hazards
• Eliminate: repair or replace to eliminate hazards
• Concrete and asphalt may crack, shift or change shape overtime. Make sure to monitor the condition of your sidewalks, parking lots and entrance ways.  Repair as soon as possible; clearly mark hazard until repair is done.

Looking for more? We have the information you need in the format our clients want:

• Go to http://track.thedominionkeepingintouch.ca/tracking/t.c?yuub-ifcy-1edaut9 to view our key tips for preventing slip and falls - easily copied and then sent to our clients.
• Go to http://track.thedominionkeepingintouch.ca/tracking/t.c.?yuub-ifcz-1edauto to view our Winter Weather Tips Sheet - our client can quickly access and start using these today to help protect their building. Send them to The Dominion's YouTube channel or link to the checklists to your website.
• Send our clients our video: The Keys To Business Protection for Preventing Slip & Fall.
• Send our clients helpful hints and tools branded by The Dominion and our brokerage.

MAKE SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE COVERED

Our Building Owner's Advantage Product offers insurance coverage for buildings and contents to ensure our commercial clients are covered. Peace of mind built just for them, in one convenient package. This product has many unique features to meet the needs of our clients - and not just for your realty accounts. This product was developed with all building owners in mind. For more information on our Building Owner's Advantage Product, go to http://track.thedominionkeepingintouch.ca/tracking/t.c.?yuub-ifdl-1edaut8 or speak with our underwriter.

Sturino & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
7 Jopling Avenue South
Etobicoke, Ontario  M9B 3P4

Crime & Vandalism Recommended Practices

The crime...

...It's thrilling when it's fiction and in a blockbuster movie...

...But it's far from entertaining when it happens to you.

According to Statistics Canada, there are over one million property crimes in Canada each year. Help ensure our clients' buildings aren't a target for crime and vandalism. Good maintenance and housekeeping can help act as deterrents: properties are less susceptible to loss from crime and vandalism when they look like their owners care. Use our Crime & Vandalism Prevention Checklist found in our knowledge centre at thedominion.ca to help our clients focus on this.

A few key crime and vandalism facts:

• Make it bright. Exterior lighting is an excellent deterrent against unauthorized entry onto your property. Focus lighting on doorways, windows and other entry points.
• The security of your property is only as good as its weakest point.  Build in warning signals to alert you when something is not working properly and regularly inspect and test your security.
• Know the open and shut facts on doors. Installing doors that open outwards makes it difficult for criminals to pry doors open or kick them in. For doors with windows, consider installing wired glass or protective plastic film.

Looking for more? We have the information you need:

• Visit thedominion.ca view our key tips for preventing crime and vandalism - easily copied and then sent to our clients.
• View our Graffiti Prevention Tips in our knowledge centre at thedominion.ca - our client can quickly access and start using these today to help protect their building! Send them to The Dominion's YouTube channel or link to the checklists to your website.
• Send our clients to view the video entitled the Keys to Business Protection for Crime & Vandalism at www.thedominion.ca.
• Send our clients helpful hints and tools branded by The Dominion and our brokerage.

Share the series on your social media - directly from YouTube!
Each video on YouTube has a "Share" button directly on the video bar. Click this button, and choose one of the social media buttons below share this video with our network. Popular social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are integrated here. You can also add an introductory message, such as "A new video on fire prevention from The Dominion - check it out!"

MAKE SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE COVERED

Our Building Owner's Advantage Product offers insurance coverage for buildings and contents to ensure our commercial clients are covered. Peace of mind built just for them, in one convenient package. This product has many unique features to meet the needs of our clients - and not just for our realty accounts. This product was developed with all building owners in mind. For more information on our Building Owner's Advantage Product, visit http://goo.gl/Ddr3z or speak with our underwriter.

Sturino & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
7 Jopling Avenue South
Etobicoke, Ontario  M9B 3P4

Water Damage Recommended Practices

Water...

It's refreshing on a hot day, a lot of fun at the beach, but it can ruin camping trips

...or seriously damage your building

Should our commercial clients be worried about water damaging their buildings? Yes!

Water is the number one cause of property damage for Canadian commercial building owners - damage can inlcude sewer backup or burst pipes, or issues with plumbing and roofs.

Fortunately, there are steps our commercial clients can take to prevent or mitigate water damage. Share what you know:

• Severe weather patterns in Canada are on the rise; with this comes the increased risk of water damage to all buildings.
• 4 signs of possible sewage back-up are:
• sewage odour
• wet areas on the property
• slow fixture drains
• gurgling drin noises
• Heads up! Cleaning debris from eavestroughs and keeping an eye on soil moisture levels around the building are simple ways to keep buildings protected.
• Watch your water bill - unexpected increases in your water bill might mean you have a leak on your hands.

Looking for more? We have the information you need in the format our clients want:

• Go to the following link http://www.thedominion.ca/Libraries/Pdf_Files/Water to view our key tips for water damage prevention - easily copied and then sent to our clients.
• Go to the following link http://www.thedominion.ca/Libraries/Pdf_Files/Water to view our Water Damage Prevention checklist - a tool our client can quickly access and start using today! Send them to The Dominion's YouTube channel or link to the checklists to our website.
• Send our clients our video: the Keys to Business Proection for Water Prevention.
• Share one of the Tweets below.
• Send our clients helpful hints and tools branded by The Dominion and our brokerage.

MAKE SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE COVERED

Our Building Owner's Advantage Product offers insurance coverage for buildings and contents to ensure our commercial clients are covered. Peace of mind built just for them, in one convenient package. This product has many extensions customized for the needs of our clients - and not just for our realty accounts. This product was developed with all buiding owners in mind. For more information on our Building Owner's Advantage Product, speak with our Underwriter.

#Water is the #1 cause of property #damage for commercial building owners. Do you know how to prevent it? Learn how at http://goo.gl/pwvVP

Do you own a building? Are you worried about #waterdamage? Let's talk - I can help you develop a loss prevention plan.

Learn how to protect your building from #waterdamage, with help from @TheDominionINS. http://goo.gl/pwvVP

Sturino & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
7 Jopling Avenue South
Etobicoke, Ontario  M9B 3P4

Fire Damage Recommended Practices

Fire...

For thousands of years, it's helped mankind survive and thrive.

But, when it comes to your property, fire

...it's simply not good for business.

Fire can wreak havoc on our client's buidling. Help your commercial and residential building owners develop a full understanding of their exposure - a fire assessment plan is a good place to start. Our clients can take steps to prevent or mitigate fire damage in their building simply by understanding their risks better.

In Canada, the top five causes of fire are:

1.  Electrical Distribution Equipment
2.  Flammable/Combustimble - liquid and/or gas ignition
3.  Cutting/Welding Equipment
4.  Heating Equipment Related
5.  Human Error

Our Monthly Fire Risk Checklist will help our clients understand what areas of their building's operations are most at risk for fire damage.

• Smoke alarms save lives; providing early detection and warning of a fire allowing occupants time to get out of the building.  Diligently check smoke alarms and make sure that they are always in working order.
• Housekeeping is key. Don't feed a fire! Keep all areas inside and outside of your building free from debris and build up. Use the Monthly Checklist can be found on the following link http://www.thedominion.ca/Libraries/Pdf_Files/Fire to help you focus on this.
• Ensure fire prevention equipment is maintained, ready and accessible when needed. Regularly inspect your:
• stand pipes and hoses
• siamese connections
• sprinklers
• fire suppression systems
• Fires in dumpsters are on the rise. Keep your dumpster away from your building so fire cannot spread from one to the other.
• Go to the following link http://www.thedominion.ca/Libraries/Pdf_Files/Fire to view our key tips for fire damage prevention - easily copied and then sent to our clients.
• Go to the following link http://www.thedominion.ca/Libraries/Pdf_Files/Fire to view our Fire Equipment Maintenance tool - one our client can quickly access and start using today to inspect their equipment! Send them to The Dominion's YouTube channel or link to the checklists to our website.
• Send our clients our video: the Keys To Business Protection For Fire Prevention.
• Share one of the Tweets below.
• Send our clients helpful hints and tools branded by The Dominion and our brokerage.

BRAND YOUR EXPERTISE

Ask your underwriter for the brandable version of our printable educational materials today, and insert our brokerage's logo.
Embedding a video onto our website or within communications allow san individual to view the video then and there - directly on our site.
Embed our videos in our website in three easy steps:

1. Go to www.YouTube.com/TheDominionINS and choose the video you want to embed.
2. Each video on YouTube has a "Share" button directly on the video bar. Click this button - and choose the embed function.
3. Select your desired video size and use the embed code provided in the back end of your website or emails.

MAKE SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE COVERED

Our Building Owner's Advantage Product offers insurance coverage for buildings and contents to ensure our commercial clients are covers. Peace of mind built just for them, in one convenient pacakage. This product has many unique features to meet the needs of our clients - and not just for our realty accounts. This product was developed with all building owners in mind. For more information on our Building Owner's Advantage Product, speak with our Underwriter.

#Fire can wreak havoc on your building. Do you know how to prevent it? Learn a few quick tips in two minutes here http://goo.gl/wK4zs
Do you know how your tenants' operations could impact your fire safety? Use this simple checklist to learn how: http://goo/gl/rk6TJ
Lean how to protect your building from #fire, with help from @TheDominionINS http://goo.gl/wK4zs

Sturino & Associates Insurance Brokers Ltd.
7 Jopling Avenue South
Etobicoke, Ontario  M9B 3P4

Good Reading Material Category Fiction

I often find myself with some spare time on the weekend to read Novels Generally from our Local Public Library or that I have received as gifts.
I believe that Fiction well written is a wonderful way to escape the world we know and experience the world of others all done in the confimes of one's own residence.
This weekend I finished reading "Solar" by Ian McEwan who is an English Author.
He has at the time of this post authored 13 Novels. I read "Amsterdam" to which he was awarded the Booker Prize for Literature the English equivalent of The Giller here in Canada. I also picked up another of his titled "On Chesil Beach" Like all good fiction it lures you in until your imagination is captivated and you refuse to let go."Atonement" which is also been highly recommended is next on my List to read as I cannot recall all of the novels that I may have read by him.

I also read a while back "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel He also won the Man Booker Prize another Novel that is pure escapism first published in 2001 but discovered by me some years later. Martel was born in Spain but resides in Canada.

"The Cellist of Sarajevo" by Steven Galloway is also a short good read published in 2008 wwith a unique tale of The conflict which occurred in the former Yugoslavia. The imagery of this war torn conflict is quite amazing.

Generally it is a safe bet to look for Authors who have received the Nobel Prize The Man Booker Prize Pulitzer Prize or the Giller Prize.or those who are in the running and have made the short list

Popular books worth consideration especially if you are interested in East Coast Maritime Culture "The Bishop's Man" By Linden Macintyre "Island" by Alistair MacLeod
"Shipping News" by E Annie Proulx an American writer first published in 1993 and still a wonderful read, All have tidy neat stories interwoven with the customs and habits of a great part of the Canadian Life.