The Importance of Contractors Insurance

The Importance of Contractors Insurance

Work accidents happen, it`s a fact. Protecting yourself and your business with contractor’s insurance is one of the many steps in getting a job successfully done. Here at C.H. Edwards, our commercial lines specialists help businesses customize a contractor’s insurance solution that is right for their business. Whether its small, midsize or a large commercial construction projects, we are sure to do it all.

So you might be thinking, well who needs contractor’s insurance. We have the answer for you. “General contractors, contractors, and subcontractors are commonly required to carry contractor’s insurance by the various laws and businesses they work for.” This is very important especially with the summer being known for an increase in construction.

There are a few things that you need to have in place to make sure you are covered. “Commercial General liability insurance, or CGL, is a fundamental part of a contractor’s insurance program. It provides protection for third party Bodily Injury and Property Damage. We here at C.H. Edwards understand that each contractor has its own set of exposures. We help put the best program together based on the Contractor’s Operations.

Some other additional insurance coverage you may need or consider are the following:
• Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability
• Disability Coverage
• Workers Compensation
• Commercial Automobile
• Property Coverage
• Inland Marine (Contractors Equipment Coverage, Builder’s Risk, Installation Floater)
• Contractors Pollution Liability

When getting contractors insurance, there is many ways you can get the perfect package
Having the right coverage is crucial to your business and we are here to help you with all of your needs.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Stay safe this summer with our pool safety tips!

Stay safe this summer with our pool safety tips!

Relaxing by the pool and enjoying the sun is one of the best parts of summer. While you are enjoying this fun filled summer activity, it is important to remember how crucial pool safety is. It is not only important to keep yourself informed but also your children or anybody visiting your pool. In this blog, you will find helpful pool tips from the American Red Cross.

  • Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a 4-feet high fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. Consider installing a pool alarm that goes off if anyone enters the pool.
  • Keep children under active supervision at all times. Stay in arm’s reach of young kids. Designate a responsible person to watch the water when people are in the pool—never allow anyone to swim alone. Have young or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  • Ensure everyone in the home knows how to swim well by enrolling them in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses from the Red Cross.
  • Keep your pool or hot tub water clean and clear. Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly test and adjust the chemical levels to minimize the risk of earaches, rashes or more serious diseases.
  • Establish and enforce rules and safe behaviors, such as “no diving,” “stay away from drain covers,” “swim with a buddy” and “walk please.”
  • Ensure everyone in the home knows how to respond to aquatic emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking water safety, first aid and CPR courses from the Red Cross.

These very helpful and informative tips can help keep your pool time as safe and fun as possible. You can find out more tips on the American Red Cross website, www.redcross.org. You can also go to www.HomePoolEssentials.org to take an online pool essentials course. This course describes steps that home pool owners need to take to prevent any accidents and keep their pool well maintained. Now it’s time to grab your sunscreen and pool float and enjoy the summer!

Water Conservation Gardening Tips

Water Conservation Gardening Tips

As the weather heats up, many homeowners will be heading outside to start planting their favorite flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetables.

Along with efficient gardening comes extended and excessive water use. Here are some simple tips that will help you conserve water while keeping your garden in tip-top shape.

The right plants. The best water conservation strategies start and end with plant selection. Look for drought-tolerant plants. Many have gray or silver foliage. Others have thick, fleshy leaves and are called succulents. These plants naturally need less water.

Compost. Adding compost to your garden soil regularly, not only adds beneficial nutrients, but also helps the soil retain moisture.

Shredded Leaves. Shredded leaves make excellent mulch, and better yet, they are free! Spread them in the fall to insulate the soil and prevent frost damage of perennials. The shreds will eventually break down and feed the soil, just like a compost.

Drip Irrigation. If you want to water your pots more efficiently, use a drip irrigation system to put water in the root zone. You can even hook it up to a timer to automatically start and stop irrigation.

These are just a few tips to help you save on water this gardening season. So, get out there, get gardening and save while you’re at it too!

For more information on water conservation please visit http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/top-10-ways-conserve-water.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Selena Gomez lights up the stage at the Barclay Center.

Selena Gomez lights up the stage at the Barclay Center.

The lights dimmed and in a blink of an eye, the princess of pop had taken the stage. And yes, we are talking about Selena Gomez here. Last week, she had made a stop at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn as a part of her Revival Tour. DNCE and Bea Miller also made an appearance to kick off the start of an amazing show.

Selena performed a majority of songs from her most recent album, which is titled Revival. Some of the hits that she performed included, “Kill Em with Kindness”, “Good For You”, “Me & My Girls” and “Nobody”. She also performed some throwback tunes including, “Who Says” and “Come and Get It”.  From the glittery costumes to the dance routines, there was never a dull moment throughout the entire show.

Over the past few years, Selena has gone through many rough patches. Including her extremely public breakup and also being diagnosed with lupus. This tour meant a lot to her and her confidence had made it clear that this was in fact, her revival. “This show is so centered around me, and I mean that in a way of confidence, of strength,” Gomez says. “It has a beautiful feel to it, but it is about me, so if I wanted to come in one day and say I want to change [a song in the show] or add this, I can do that. That’s the first time I’ve ever really been able to do that in my life. And I feel, I feel great about it. It’s not me making sure I hit all the dance moves. There’s so much I want to prove to myself for this tour and it’s just based on me, it’s based on my voice, it’s based on what I say to my crowd,” she adds. “That’s all I really want.”

Selena is also taking this tour to bring awareness to lupus. She will be donating the proceeds from each ticket sold to the Alliance for Lupus Research. “Based in New York, ALR (Alliance for Lupus Research) is a national voluntary health organization whose mission is to find better treatments and ultimately prevent lupus. Gomez’s camp says ALR was selected because of its broad reach. Gomez revealed her lupus diagnosis in a 2015 Billboard cover story.” With the success of her current tour and with all of her future plans, Selena is definitely taking the world by storm.

Stay cool for the summer with starbucks!

Stay cool for the summer with starbucks!

Starbucks is about to give you some new options to wake up in the morning and to stay cool all summer long. This summer, Starbucks is releasing two new types of Cold Brews. These two new menu items will be Nitro Cold Brew and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.

 

Let`s start off with the Nitro Cold Brew. This is considered a spin on the signature Cold Brew. But this time is unique because it’ll be infused with nitrogen. The reasoning behind this combination is to give a smoother and more creamy texture to the beverage. What makes it even more fascinating is that it will be poured to perfection right out of a tap. “Nitro Cold Brew is cold right out of the tap and served unsweetened without ice. A Tall (12-ounce) serving has 5 calories and 0 grams of sugar.” This new way of serving up a classic Cold Brew is definitely going to be interesting to see. “We start with a small, chilled keg of Starbucks Cold Brew coffee,” said Anthony Carroll, a 20-year partner on Starbucks Coffee team. “Then it’s infused with nitrogen, which unlocks the super-smooth, natural sweetness of the Cold Brew coffee, which then cascades from the tap with a velvety texture you can see and taste.” Currently this beverage is being offered in select stores in Seattle. By the end of the summer, the list of participating stores will increase. And we are in luck, because New York is on the list! Along with 500 company-operated stores in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

 

The second Cold Brew is a sweeter version of the signature drink. “We wanted to create a coffee-forward iced beverage with a splash of sweet cream,” said Christal Canzler from Starbucks beverage development team. This delicious combination will be made with Starbucks Cold Brew over ice and finished off with a house-made vanilla sweet cream. “A Tall (12-ounce) serving is 100 calories and 12 grams of sugar.”  These two new beverages will definitely help you stay cool for the summer. Which one will you try first?

 

Happy National Doughnut Day!

Happy National Doughnut Day!

Happy National Doughnut Day! Are you planning on celebrating this sweet day? One way you can do this is by stopping by your local Krispy Kreme. No matter what kind of doughnut you like, they are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Aside from the free doughnuts, there’s actually a lot more behind this day. This sweet tradition goes all the way back to World War I. During this time, the women who volunteered for the Salvation Army would make doughnuts for the soldiers who were fighting over seas. The Salvation Army then took this idea and launched National Doughnut Day in 1938 in Chicago. The purpose of this day was to raise funds and awareness for the organization.

This tradition then carried into World War II. But this time the Salvation Army volunteers had a new title. They would be called either Salvation Army`s dough girls or dough lassies. As LIFE wrote of the volunteers, “They are hand-picked for looks, education, personality and experience in recreational fields. They are hardy physically and have a sociable, friendly manner.” The soldier’s spirits were instantly lifted when they were delivered doughnuts. The slogan “doughnuts will win the war”, was also commonly used. Now you know the historical facts behind this delicious treat. You can also donate to the Salvation Army when you pick up your free doughnut at Krispy Kreme!

 

Calling all WWE fans!

Calling all WWE fans!

Are you a wrestling fan? Well I have some good news for you! There is a SmackDown mash up about to take place every week. The best part is that it will be live! Every Thursday, starting July 19th. This is considered to be the second longest-running weekly episodic program in all of television history.

 

The star-powered roster has never been stronger. This includes appearances from competitors from WWE NXT, and top superstars like John Cena and Seth Rollins. All of this excitement will be brought right to your living room every Thursday. Now with it being live, you’ll feel like you are actually there!

 

“WWE’s flagship programs will both leverage the incredible depth of our talent roster, distinct storylines and the unpredictable nature of live TV,” WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon said. “This move will undoubtedly build more excitement and deepen engagement with our fans around th­e world.” Don’t forget to tune in Every Thursday on USA Network at 8/7 C. WWE is about to be shaken up like never before and it’s something you won’t want to miss!

Get the inside scoop on Disney dining!

Get the inside scoop on Disney dining!

 

The only thing that can make a Disney vacation more magical is the perfect Disney dining. From character dining to quick service to even snacks. I am going to tell you my top favorites from Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida.

Meeting the characters is always one of my favorite parts of any Disney trip. And what makes it even better is dining with the characters. My absolute favorite character dining is the Best Friends Breakfast at O`hana, in the Polynesian Village Resort. From the moment you walk in, you’ll feel like you are on a Hawaiian roller coaster ride with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. This delicious breakfast is served family style and is loads of fun. My second favorite character dining is the 1900 Park Fare located at the Grand Floridian. The dining time depends on what characters will be there.  During the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, you’ll be joined by Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh. This all you care to enjoy buffet is filled with scrumptious treats such as fluffy pancakes, Mickey waffles, fruit, omelets and so much more. The dinner here is even more decadent as you dine like royalty. You will join Cinderella and Prince Charming as their guest of honor. Their royal friends are also sure to be in attendance. My third favorite character dining experience is the Crystal Palace located in the Magic Kingdom. You’ll feel like you are in the Hundred Acre Woods with Pooh and his friends. All of the food is fantastic but I must say, the mac and cheese is the best. There are so many other dining experiences that Disney World has to offer. It`s hard to choose which ones to pick for your visit.

            Next up is the quick service. These are perfect for an action packed day that leaves little room for a full sit down meal. The one quick service that I always make sure to do is at, Be Our Guest. This is my favorite quick service location in Magic Kingdom. The main dining room is absolutely gorgeous and it looks like the exact one from Beauty and the Beast. The meal that I always get is the Croque Monsieur. And you can`t forget to try the “grey” stuff because it`s delicious. No matter how many times I go there, I always leave singing Be Our Guest from the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack for the rest of the day. My second favorite quick service is also in the Magic Kingdom and that is, Casey’s Corner. This old fashioned hot dog joint is the perfect stop before catching the Festival of Fantasy parade. My favorite hotdog from there is the barbeque slaw dog. My third favorite quick service location is basically anywhere in the World Showcase in Epcot. But the Tangierine Café is definitely number one for me. The best dish there is the Shawarma Chicken and Lamb Platter.

 

Now on to the snacks! Everything is better Mickey shaped and at Walt Disney World you’ll find a lot of that. My all-time favorite snack is the classic Mickey shaped ice cream. Other amazing mickey shaped snacks are, the giant Mickey chocolate chip cookie, a Mickey pretzel and Mickey lollipops. Some other classic snacks include Dole Whip and turkey legs. With all of this amazing food at Walt Disney World, there is no way that you will ever be hungry.