December

Executive Extract
By Karnik Doukmetzian
The wise man says that “to everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). In this issue of Solutions, we turn our attention to preparations for the winter season. Preparing for winter is not only for those who live in wintry areas with temperatures dropping below freezing, but anywhere in North America that may experience unpredictable weather. Full article

Holiday Travel
By Joshua Nieblas

As we approach the holiday season, winter travel presents specific challenges. One of them is driving during the winter months. Although most of us realize that winter driving is different, sometimes we overlook or ignore the challenges that winter can present. Driving can be dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, December 23 ranks as the third deadliest driving day and January 1 ranks as the fifth. Saturday is the worst day to drive and 3-6 pm is the worst time of day to be on the road.
Full article

Protect Your Buidlings
By Jack Wetmore

Gencon Insurance Company of Vermont has paid out high-dollar insurance claims for lost or damaged properties that could have been avoided by proper winterization of our buildings. Although our budgets are sometimes very tight, the preventive care of winterizing is an important investment. The costs of ignoring these needs can result in structural damage, loss of property, and increased insurance premiums that can occur due to fire, flooding, or structure collapse. Additional energy savings will result from some of these measures. Full article

Slipping and Sliding
Warren Walikonis, CRM

When the weather turns colder and precipitation comes in the form of ice and snow, we start thinking about walking on or driving on slippery surfaces. It is clear that responding properly to these conditions requires us to think differently than when surfaces are dry and good traction is in adequate supply. Full article

Risky Business Cartoon
By: John J. Dougan

“No dear. You were supposed to steer into the direction of the skid!”