How Do You Start Your Day?

Did my alarm really go off already?  Man it's hard to get going in the morning sometimes (OK for some of you maybe all of the time).  I really like the following advice from a personal trainer on 3 things to do each day to start your day out successfully:
1) STRETCH - take a few moments to stretch your body, arms, legs - get your blood flowing and your muscles warmed up
2) BREAKFAST - take the time to eat a healthy breakfast - the most important meal of the day
3) PUNCTUALITY - be ON TIME to your first appointment of the day whatever that may be.

What do you think?  Are you willing to give the big 3 a try?  Let us know if they work for you?

Greg Ahlstrom - Accounting Manager

Earthquakes in Georgia: a Significant History

The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile were shocking events that gained the attention of the entire world. Most people sympathized with the plight of those inhabitants and many were certainly generous with time, money and materials but the reality is that we still hold a measure of aloofness because neither happened close to us. But have you ever thought of the possibility of something happening right here in Georgia?

We had a small taste of natural disasters when parts of Georgia and Alabama were flooded around September 2009 but what about earthquakes? It may surprise you to know that the state of Georgia has a fault line running through it!

The Brevard Fault Line runs southwest-northeast across Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina with reportable earthquakes since the 1800’s.

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BE PREPARED FOR THE PEAK OF HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricanes in Georgia?  Yes! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Georgia is at particular risk of being affected by hurricanes because it is a coastal state.  The hurricanes that affect Georgia are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st until November 30th, but the majority of activity is from August until October. Therefore, every state resident and business owner should plan what to do in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. The following tips can help you keep your business up and running this hurricane season.

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Cell Phones: Will You Put It Down?

When I got my new cell phone from Verizon, the booklet on the NV Touch had some info on cell phone use and warnings.  My curiosity sent me to www.nhtsa.gov.  

I have highlighted some important points from that website.  Here are a few excepts:

“In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes that involved distracted driving. Distracted driving applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving.  Of special concern is the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices, especially cell phones. The relative risks of the various tasks drivers engage in are still being assessed, but in general the safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving, which includes talking, dialing, and texting. 

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Safety Is No Game!

Here at Champion, at the end of the work day we always get a safety tip and a bingo number. The bingo winner gets however much money has accumulated during consecutive accident free work days. Of course the employees who have access to these safety tips via e-mail are those who are exposed to such inner-office dangers as: being near an open doorway at or around 5pm. I once saw 3 employees all enter the time clock room at once, becoming lodged in the doorway. This is known as the 3 stooges effect. Very dangerous, and threatening to accumulated bingo stipends. The biscuit lunge, especially seen at crowded business meetings has accounted for fully one-third of all injuries in the boardroom. (Year end reviews account for the other two-thirds). Staring out the window for long periods of time has been linked to a certain eye condition often times associated with slumber, (which has been linked to unemployment). Leaving popcorn in the microwave unattended has always been a pet peave of mine, and it really compromises the air quality standards as established by Ga Air Safety Protocal (GASP). With all these hazards, maybe we should re-think Safety Bingo, because safety, my friend is no game.

Keith Barnhart - Estimator

Georgia Lightning Awareness Week June 20-26, 2010

Lightning kills more people in the United States every year than tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. In Georgia, lightning kills or injures several people every year. Lightning occurs mostly during the warmer months of June through September.

Lightning can also cause significant damage to personal and commercial property. In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. Below are some lightning safety tips for inside the home or business. We hope they help everyone stay safe during this year's storm season.

- Avoid contact with corded phones.

- Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.

- Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.

- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

As always, the Champion team is committed to doing everything in our power to continue to provide outstanding service during this year's storm season. If you have any questions please feel free to call our office at 770-253-6070.

LEARN ABOUT FREE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

HAILSTORMS: What to Do Before, During & After

Hail might seem like a minor concern but it can shatter windows, leave pockmarks in siding and most importantly destroy or damage roof coverings. Here are some helpful hints to protect your home.

Before 

- If you need to re-roof select an impact-resistant roof covering. These products have passed the UL2218 impact test with a rating of Class 1 through 4. Class 4 (most resistant) has proven to be highly effective in hailstorms.

 

- Make sure your roof covering is impact-resistant. Do not rely on building codes or regulations to protect you. Look for the UL2218 label on the package and literature confirming the product has passed this test.

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Summer Fun Trivia

1. What does SPF stand for?
A. Standard Protection Factor
B. Safe Protection Factor
C. Sun Protection Factor
D. Sun Performance Factor

The correct answer is "c".

2. You won't burn if you are outside all day during the summer and...
A. sitting in the shade
B. wearing a hat, long pants and a long sleeve shirt
C. it is cloudy
D. none of the above

The correct answer is "d".

3. When should you apply sunscreen?
A. Once you are outside
B. 5-10 minutes before going outside
C. 30-45 minutes before going outside
D. 2-3 hours before going outside

The correct answer is "c".

4. Which of the following infections are more common in the summer?
A. Lyme Disease
B. Influenza
C. Tonsilitis
D. All of the above

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What Water Damage Is Covered By Insurance?

Many people often ask "What kind of water damages are covered by insurance?" and I came across the helpful article. It also includes information on how to clean up after a flood to prevent mold...

Many people have no clue as to what types of water damage is covered under their home or business insurance policy. Homeowners and business owners are becoming confused, hearing about mold insurance claims getting denied, and lots of questions arise about water damage to their homes. This article will go on to explain what types of damage is covered by your home insurance or your business policy and what you should do if your house has damage.

What Water Damage will your Home Insurance Policy cover?

Homeowners policies don't cover damages from a flood, you would need to purchase flood insurance if you want to be specifically covered for water damage caused by a flood. Your home insurance policy would pay for damage from rain coming through a hole or a window if the hole had been caused by strong storm winds. But if you have a pipe leaking inside your house that created water damage over time, that wouldn't be covered. It simply comes down to if your water damage was caused by a covered event such as a storm or if the water damage happened because you failed to keep your house repaired which would not be covered. If you are unsure as to what kind of water damage is covered, carefully read through your home insurance policy or call your the company.

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Hurricane Preparedness Week May 23rd - 29th, 2010

How to prepare well before a hurricane hits 

Most people do not think of preparing for a hurricane until the threat is imminent. Preseason hurricane preparedness focuses on tasks that one would usually not have the time to complete once a hurricane is forecast to impact a community. These types of jobs may take days or longer to be properly prepared. Knowing how to be prepared for severe tropical weather first focuses on taking an inventory on which issues would impact your property and family. Once the inventory is taken, the items then should be prioritized as to the potential negative impact it could cause if not rectified. 

What to prepare for... 

Before knowing how to prepare for a hurricane, one needs to know what to prepare for. A hurricane brings a number of threats: high winds, storm surge, tornadoes, and flooding.

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