Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames
The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
• Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions.
• Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas.
• When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order.
Additional Tips
• Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
• Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
• Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
Cyber Crime: A Real, Present and Growing Threat
Here are some sobering statistics about the increasing problem of cyber crime:
- 47% of business affected by cyber crimes are small to medium businesses
- 90% of all cyber breaches are a result of human error
- 64% of small businesses don’t have any security measures to manage the use of personal devices
- In Canada, cyber crimes cost $3.12 billion a year
The average cost to an organization that is attacked is $3 million. Most businesses that have cyber insurance aren’t covered for that much, and less than 10% actually have any cyber liability insurance.
Being a victim of a cyber attack may actually put the organization out of business. The challenge is to figure out what insurance is necessary for an organization to cover their liability around data security. Contact your broker to discuss the specifics of your situation, and arrange protection for your businesses in this ever evolving economic threat.
W.H. Williamson & Co. Limited
