 |
|
Upcoming Events
Dec. 2, 16 & 30 / Jan
. 13 & 27:
Jean Day - We Wear & Share
Check out our Facebook for more information.
December 26:
Office will be Closed in Observance of Christmas
January 2:
Office will be Closed in Observance of New Year's
January 16:
Office will be Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King's Jr. Day
|
Individual Health Insurance- 2017
The open enrollment period for obtaining individual health coverage for 2017 begins Nov. 1, 2016, and ends Jan. 31, 2017. Now is the time where you can enroll in health insurance coverage or make changes to your health plan for yourself and family members. Feel free to contact our health benefits department today for a no-obligation quote.
|
|
December Employee Spotlight!
|
|
|
December Recipe
Slow Cooker
Chicken Tortilla Soup
An easy to make recipe that is SO flavorful and good!
|
|
Here are some ideas to help keep the water flowing inside, even as the freeze sets in outside:
|
|
|
Before It Gets Cold
- Drain water supply lines to your sprinkler and swimming pool. Don't put antifreeze in the lines; spills or leaks can threaten pets, wildlife and landscaping.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before putting them in storage. Place an inexpensive foam cover over the faucet. Better yet, close the inside valves that supply water to the hose bibs. Then open the outside hose bibs to let any remaining water drain out, and leave them open.
- Insulate water pipes with pipe sleeves, heat tape or heat cable, particularly pipes that run through unheated areas of the house, such as attics, basements, crawl spaces and garages.
As Temperatures Drop
- Keep your house warm, and allow the warm air to circulate as much as possible. Seal drafts and keep interior doors open. If you're going to be gone for an extended period, don't turn off the heat. Keep it set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow heat to reach the pipes. Be sure to move cleaners and other chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
- Open indoor faucets, hot and cold, to allow a trickle of water. Flowing water is less likely to freeze.
When a Pipe Freezes
- The first thing to do, faced with the telltale trickle, is try to find where the pipe is frozen. Keep the faucet open, and open other faucets in the house to determine if the problem is widespread. If it is, turn off the main water supply and call a plumber.
- If it's a single pipe, and you can reach the frozen section, try using a hair dryer, heating pad or portable space heater - just never leave it running unattended. Keep the faucet open and work up and down the pipe, starting at the faucet and working backward to the frozen section. Apply heat until full water pressure returns, then reduce the flow to a trickle until the cold snap ends.
- An alternative method: Wrap the frozen section with towels soaked in hot water. Don't pour hot water directly on a frozen pipe, and don't use a propane torch or other open flame.
If these approaches don't work, or if you have a leaking or burst pipe, don't hesitate to turn off the main water supply and call in a licensed plumber. And, be sure to touch base with your insurance agent, too, preferably before a crisis. You'll want to know whether you're covered for burst pipes and the ensuing water damage.
|
|
The Connection Between Office Camaraderie and Your Health
Getting along with your co-workers can make the task of going to work more enjoyable and, according to recent research, can actually improve your health.
Read on for tips and information:
|
|
2017 Marketplace Plan Premiums Rise 25 Percent
In late October, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2016-55 (Rev. Proc. 16-55). Rev. Proc. 16-55 increased the flexible spending account (FSA) dollar limit on voluntary employee salary reduction contributions to $2,600 for taxable years beginning in 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
