How to make your family vacation a great one

Summer is here, which means it’s time to think about family vacations! (If you haven’t been thinking about them all year, that is.)

The family part of family vacations, however, can make things a little complicated. You want to choose a destination that is fun for everyone, including the kids. You want to ensure they’re safe on the trip, wherever you go. And you probably want to figure out how to make traveling with them easier, too.

We’ve got you covered with some great tips, so you can relax when you hit the road—or at least after you get to where you’re going.

Instead of thinking about where to go, first think about what you want to do. Experts interviewed by the New York Times recommend starting with figuring out what you want to do on your vacation, because that will help you narrow your list of possible destinations. Want a laid-back trip with lazy days, but one that will still keep kids of all ages engaged? Maybe a beach trip is best. Looking for a few thrills? Theme parks are great for kids ages 3-12 (younger kids might not be able to go on many of the rides, and older kids might not be as enthusiastic). Think it would be best to give everyone a chance to do their own thing? Cruises have lots of family-friendly options, along with chances for kids to be more independent.

To help the kids feel good about where they’re headed, you can let them choose some of the activities for certain days, or actively involve them in designing the entire itinerary.

Think about how you’ll get there, too. Traveling with kids—especially young ones—can be a challenge. For trips longer than a couple of hours, one old trick is to wrap up inexpensive toys or treats for children and use them as a reward for good behavior. For every hour they’re good, they get to open a present. Not only will that help keep them in line, it will keep them occupied for the hour in between.

Some vacations require a flight, of course, but car trips and train travel can be great options for families. In the car, you’ve got flexibility and control—you can meander and explore along the way, break the trip up however you like, and pull over whenever you want for rest or a fun activity. You don’t have as much control on a train, but there’s plenty of space to move around, and kids often find it fun to watch the world go by outside.

Keep safety in mind. When you’re away from home, no matter what kind of vacation you’ve planned, make sure your kids know what to do if you get separated or there’s an emergency. Safewise.com recommends that families practice these situations—and create “information cards” for kids to carry that include phone numbers, where you’re staying, etc. Having your children wear bright, recognizable clothing, or even using GPS devices to keep track of them, are good ideas as well.

Another useful trick many parents use is taking a photo of each child every morning before embarking on the day’s adventures. Then, if someone gets lost, you have a current photo to share so people know exactly what to look for.

Don’t try to do too much. As one travel-company professional and mother of three told the New York Times, make sure to build some downtime into your itinerary—she recommends limiting planned activities to a half-day or less. The rest of the day can still be fun, but give yourself a break with some time at the pool or a local park.

There’s no way to guarantee a great vacation, obviously. But with a little planning and consideration, you and your family will be well on your way. Safe travels this summer!

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS TIPS

Hurricane shutter guide: Compare types

Hurricane shutters remain the most economical solution for most homeowners to protect window openings in a storm, although hurricane-proof glass is increasingly popular. Prepare ahead of time, say experts, particularly with panels and plywood protection. Make sure the right tools and hardward are on hand before the storm nears. Here's the lowdown on hurricane shutters and window protection.

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Storm panel hurricane shutters

These steel or aluminum shutters attach to the walls around windows and doors on bolts or tracks. Storm panels are corrugated, and each piece overlaps the next for maximum strength. There are several styles of storm panels to choose from.

The first style incorporates both tracks and bolts. The top of the panel is slipped into a track above the window, and the bottom of the panel is secured to bolts that are permanently attached beneath the window.

The second style uses a set of C-shaped tracks above and below the windows and doors. Bolts slide into the tracks from either side and must be manually aligned with the holes on the panels.

The third style uses only bolts permanently set into the wall beside the windows and doors. They can be loosened as the panel is hung horizontally, and screwed down to secure it.

The biggest problem with storm panels is that homeowners often don't check them when they buy a home. Many discover later that panels are missing or were cut improperly, or are too heavy to install themselves.

PROS
-- Most inexpensive of the permanent shutter systems.
-- Removable, so they don't change the look of the house when not in use.
-- Strong, and can provide excellent protection for both doors and windows.

CONS
-- Require storage, but usually stack together tightly and take up little space.
-- Can be difficult to handle; hanging can require more than one person.
-- Sometimes don't line up properly.
-- Have sharp edges.

Average cost: $7-$8 per square foot;
Average storm preparation time: 15 minutes per window depending on the style.

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Accordion hurricane shutters

These one- or two-piece hurricane shutters are housed beside the windows or doors when not in use. They unfold accordion-style to cover and protect during a storm.

PROS
-- Permanently affixed beside the windows and don't require any extra storage space.
-- Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.
-- Some models can be locked with a key and may be used as a theft deterrent.

CONS
-- Can look bulky and out-of-place on some houses. Consider the aesthetics before having them installed.
-- Glide on wheels, and have the potential to break more easily than some of the other systems.

Average cost: $16-$20 per square foot
Average storm preparation time: 15-30 minutes for an entire house

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Colonial hurricane shutters

These are two-piece louvered shutters that attach to the wall beside each window. The fold together to protect the window.

PROS
-- Are permanently affixed beside the windows and don't require any extra storage space.
-- Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.
-- Are decorative; they can beautify as well as protect your home.

CONS
-- Some types of colonials require a storm bar or center rod to lock the shutters in place. This can increase installation time.
-- Can't be used to protect doors, and must be combined with another shutter system to ensure complete home protection.

Average cost: $18-$30 per square foot
Average storm preparation time: At least 45 minutes to an hour for an entire house.

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Bahama hurricane shutters

These one-piece louvered shutters attach directly above the windows and prop open to provide shade for the window. Bahama shutters are storm-ready when lowered and secured to the wall.

PROS
-- Permanently affixed beside the windows and don't require any extra storage space.
-- Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.
-- Provide permanent shade and privacy, even in the open position.

CONS
-- Have traditionally been weaker than other systems, but the newest models protect well.
-- Some people complain that they block too much light.
-- Design limits their use. They can't be used to protect doors.

Average cost: $18-$30 per square foot
Average storm preparation time: 15-30 minutes for an entire house.

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Roll-down hurricane shutters

These shutters attach above the window. They roll up and store in an enclosed box when not in use. They are lowered either manually by a hand crank or automatically by push button, and lock in place for storm protection.

PROS
-- Are permanently affixed above the windows and don't require any extra storage space.
-- Can easily be made storm-ready by one person.
-- Offer some of the best protection, and make an excellent theft deterrent.

CONS
-- Most expensive of the popular shutter systems.
-- Push-button-operated roll-down shutters require a battery backup system so the shutters can be lowered and raised during power outages.

Average cost: $30-$55 per square foot
Average storm preparation time: Minimum; probably the easiest shutter to operate.

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Hurricane glass

This glass can withstand hurricane debris and eliminate the need for hurricane shutters. It costs more, especially to retrofit an older house. Modern code requirements, which already require hurricane shutters or other protections on new houses, make the glass a more practical option at the time of construction.

PROS
-- Eliminates the need for hurricane shutters.
-- The most practical hurricane glass is similar to a car windshield, with a durable plastic-like layer sandwiched between glass. The outside layers break, but the center prevents a hole.

CONS
-- Must be installed by a window contractor.
-- The frame must be replaced along with the panes to meet code.

Average cost: $35-$50 a square-foot, including new window frames and layered hurricane glass
Average storm preparation time: None.

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Other window coverings

-- Some newer window covers are made of a high-tech fabric that allows light and visibility while protecting from high winds effectively enough to meet hurricane codes. One brand is Armor Screen, which costs roughly $15 per square foot. These fabric screens must be installed by a dealer, not the homeowner.
-- Few, if any, types of window film as storm protection meet hurricane codes, but may give some limited protection if properly installed.
-- Less expensive panes, commonly used as thick plastic-like security windows, are about half the cost of layered panes. But they are less aesthetically satisfactory for household use because they scratch easily and fog when in contact with household cleaning chemicals.

Average cost: Varies widely.
Average storm preparation time: Varies by type.

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Plywood

Plywood hurricane shutters do not meet most building codes, yet many homeowners who lack more permanent storm shutter systems cover their homes with them. If you decide to use this system, it is important to install the shutters correctly.

Barrel-bolt plywood shutters
Use on concrete-block stucco homes that have windows inset at least two inches from the exterior wall.

• Buy plywood ahead of time, before the rush. Make sure it is at least 5/8 of an inch thick./li>
• Buy 3 or 4-inch barrel bolts, enough for one bolt for a minimum of every 12 inches of plywood.
• Cut the plywood sheets to size for each window, allowing for a snug fit in the inset.
• For larger windows or sliding doors, attach two pieces of plywood together with 2x4's or a piano hinge.
• Attach bolts to plywood, mark where you need the holes to be drilled in the concrete stucco.
• Drill holes, in marked spots in concrete stucco.
• When storm approaches, fit plywood into the inset as tightly as possible. You don't want wind to get under the shutter.

Overlapping plywood shutters
If your windows do not have a 2-inch inset, plywood shutters can overlap.

• Buy plywood ahead of time, before the rush. Make sure it is at least 5/8 of an inch thick.
• Cut the plywood sheets to size for each window, allowing for an overlap of at least 4 inches. Label each panel.
• Drill corresponding holes in the plywood and walls. Use a 1/4-inch drill bit for the wood. Use a masonry or carbide-tipped bit for concrete or stucco walls.
• Hammer 1/4-inch lead sleeve anchors – not plastic – into the holes in the wall. The anchors should be at least 2 inches long.
• When a hurricane threatens, use tapping screws at least 2 inches long to bolt the plywood in place.

Average cost: $1 - $5 per square foot
Average storm preparation time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours per window.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

                                                     Serving Florida since 1964

Are you prepared for Hurricane Season 2020?

Hurricane season officially begins June 1st and experts agree this one will be above-average with an estimated 14-18 tropical storms predicted, 7-9 of which are projected to turn into major hurricanes. In honor of Hurricane Preparedness Week, which ran May 3th-May 9th, now is the perfect time to start thinking ahead and gather everything you might need for the Hurricane Season coming up. Get ready with these 3 easy steps: Make A Supply List Check to see what you already have and restock during the next several weeks. Here's a good supply list to get you started: Emergency Supply Kit Gather Important Documents Gather important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. Plan An Evacuation Route Find out if you live in an evacuation zone and determine who issues evacuation orders for your area. Plan for multiple options on where you would go and how you would get there. Don't forget to plan for pets!

COVID 19 UPDATE - WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Your friends at Bob Lancaster are still here.  We've temporarily changed our office hours as follows:

Monday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday: CLOSED

Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

We understand that the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges for everyone. We hope you do everything to stay healthy and safe.

Some of our insureds may have difficulty making their payments when due. If you are having financial problems due to COVID-19 we recommend that you call your insurance company directly to make payment arrangements.  For anything else please call us directly, or come in and see us during business hours.

Thank you!

Florida’s stay at home order: What you can and can’t do

The state of Florida will be under a stay-at-home order beginning at midnight on Thursday 4/2/2020.

So what does that mean for Floridians? It's not much of change from the recommendations already issued by state officials, and it does not change anything for residents living in areas that had already been ordered by local governments to stay at home.

Health care facilities, gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores and emergency services will be open.WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES?

But essential businesses are more than you may think, separated into several different categories. See below for a list of essential businesses from the United States government.

WHEN DOES THIS GO INTO EFFECT?

The statewide stay-at-home order begins at midnight on Thursday, April 2. It will last for 30 days. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he expects that he will extend the county's already existing stay-at-home order to mirror the time frame laid out by Gov. Ron DeSantis,

CAN I GET IN TROUBLE FOR VIOLATING THE ORDER?

Yes. It's enforceable by local law enforcement.

In Central Florida counties that have already enacted stay-at-home orders, officials have not made any arrests.

CAN I GO OUTSIDE?

Yes. Law enforcement officials will not stop residents who are on their way to or from work or who are out for necessities like going to the pharmacy or getting groceries, or just taking a walk. People gathering in any size group may be asked to physically distance themselves or go home.

WILL GROCERY STORES BE OPEN?

Yes, essential services will still be operational including, but not limited to:

• Grocery stores
• Gas stations
• Pharmacies
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Hospitals, clinics and healthcare operations
• Garbage/sanitation
• Public transportation

WHERE DOES THE STAY AT HOME ORDER APPLY?

All of Florida.

CAN I VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY?

Officials do not want people visiting their families unless it is an emergency situation. You may travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons. If possible, it is recommended that you drop off supplies, food, and medication to those relatives in need of assistance, but minimize interaction.

CAN I ORDER FOOD?

Yes, grocery delivery will be available as well as meal-delivery, drive through, and take-out options.

WILL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BE WORKING?

Public travel, like Lynx and SunRail, will remain open for those who provide essential services.

CAN I LEAVE HOME TO EXERCISE?

Yes. Outdoor exercise like running or taking a walk is perfectly acceptable; however, exercise gyms, fitness centers and associated facilities are closed to reduce the spread of coronavirus. While exercising outside, you should still practice social distancing by running or walking at least six feet away from other people.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES?

Essential businesses are likely more than you may think, separated into several different categories. The following is a list of essential businesses from the United States government.

• Workers providing COVID-19 testing; Workers that perform critical clinical research needed for COVID-19 response
• Caregivers (e.g., physicians, dentists, psychologists, mid-level practitioners, nurses and assistants, infection control and quality assurance personnel, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists and assistants, social workers, speech pathologists and diagnostic and therapeutic technicians and technologists)
• Hospital and laboratory personnel (including accounting, administrative, admitting and discharge, engineering, epidemiological, source plasma and blood donation, food service, housekeeping, medical records, information technology and operational technology, nutritionists, sanitarians, respiratory therapists, etc.)
• Workers in other medical facilities (including Ambulatory Health and Surgical, Blood Banks, Clinics, Community Mental Health, Comprehensive Outpatient rehabilitation, End Stage Renal Disease, Health Departments, Home Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Long Term Care, Organ Pharmacies, Procurement Organizations, Psychiatric Residential, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers)
• Manufacturers, technicians, logistics and warehouse operators, and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products
• Public health / community health workers, including those who compile, model, analyze and communicate public health information
• Blood and plasma donors and the employees of the organizations that operate and manage related activities
• Workers that manage health plans, billing, and health information, who cannot practically work remotely
• Workers who conduct community-based public health functions, conducting epidemiologic surveillance, compiling, analyzing and communicating public health information, who cannot practically work remotely
• Workers performing cybersecurity functions at healthcare and public health facilities, who cannot practically work remotely
• Workers conducting research critical to COVID-19 response
• Workers performing security, incident management, and emergency operations functions at or on behalf of healthcare entities including healthcare coalitions, who cannot practically work remotely
• Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, such as those residing in shelters
• Pharmacy employees necessary for filling prescriptions
• Workers performing mortuary services, including funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemetery workers
• Workers who coordinate with other organizations to ensure the proper recovery, handling, identification, transportation, tracking, storage, and disposal of human remains and personal effects; certify cause of death; and facilitate access to mental/behavioral health services to the family members, responders, and survivors of an incident

LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRST RESPONDERS

• Personnel in emergency management, law enforcement, Emergency Management Systems, fire, and corrections, including front line and management
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• 911 call center employees
• Fusion Center employees
• Hazardous material responders from government and the private sector.
• Workers – including contracted vendors -- who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting law enforcement and emergency service operations.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

• Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail that sells food and beverage products
• Restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations - Carry-out and delivery food employees
• Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging
• Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically
• Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs
• Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers
• Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail
• Company cafeterias - in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees
• Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education
• Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments
• Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids
• Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce
• Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood products
• Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution

ENERGY

Electricity industry:

• Workers who maintain, ensure, or restore the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, including call centers, utility workers, reliability engineers and fleet maintenance technicians
• Workers needed for safe and secure operations at nuclear generation
• Workers at generation, transmission and electric blackstart facilities
• Workers at Reliability Coordinator (RC), Balancing Authorities (BA), and primary and backup Control Centers (CC), including but not limited to independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and balancing authorities
• Mutual assistance personnel
• IT and OT technology staff – for EMS (Energy Management Systems) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and utility data centers; Cybersecurity engineers; cybersecurity risk management
• Vegetation management crews and traffic workers who support
• Environmental remediation/monitoring technicians
• Instrumentation, protection, and control technicians

Petroleum workers:

• Petroleum product storage, pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, road transport
• Crude oil storage facilities, pipeline, and marine transport
• Petroleum refinery facilities
• Petroleum security operations center employees and workers who support emergency response services
• Petroleum operations control rooms/centers
• Petroleum drilling, extraction, production, processing, refining, terminal operations, transporting, and retail for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing
• Onshore and offshore operations for maintenance and emergency response
• Retail fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops, and the distribution systems that support them

Natural and propane gas workers:

• Natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, including compressor stations
• Underground storage of natural gas
• Natural gas processing plants, and those that deal with natural gas liquids
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities
• Natural gas security operations center, natural gas operations dispatch and control rooms/centers natural gas emergency response and customer emergencies, including natural gas leak calls
• Drilling, production, processing, refining, and transporting natural gas for use as end-use fuels, feedstocks for chemical manufacturing, or use in electricity generation
• Propane gas dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including propane leak calls
• Propane gas service maintenance and restoration, including call centers
• Processing, refining, and transporting natural liquids, including propane gas, for use as end-use fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing
• Propane gas storage, transmission, and distribution centers

WATER AND WASTE WATER

Employees needed to operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater/drainage infrastructure, including:

• Operational staff at water authorities
• Operational staff at community water systems
• Operational staff at wastewater treatment facilities
• Workers repairing water and wastewater conveyances and performing required sampling or monitoring
• Operational staff for water distribution and testing
• Operational staff at wastewater collection facilities
• Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems
• Chemical disinfectant suppliers for wastewater and personnel protection
• Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting water and wastewater operations

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS

• Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-border travel)
• Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.
• Mass transit workers
• Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and maintaining rail infrastructure and equipment
• Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators
• Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services
• Automotive repair and maintenance facilities
• Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations
• Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies
• Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers
• Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers, ramp personnel, aviation security, and aviation management
• Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off- airport facilities workers

PUBLIC WORKS

• Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential dams, locks and levees
• Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues
• Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences
• Support, such as road and line clearing, to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications
• Support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste

Communications:

• Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call-centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, undersea cable landing stations, Internet Exchange Points, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment
• Workers who support radio, television, and media service, including, but not limited to front line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering and reporting
• Workers at Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations, and Network Operations staff, engineers and/or technicians to manage the network or operate facilities
• Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables
• Installation, maintenance and repair technicians that establish, support or repair service as needed
• Central office personnel to maintain and operate central office, data centers, and other network office facilities
• Customer service and support staff, including managed and professional services as well as remote providers of support to transitioning employees to set up and maintain home offices, who interface with customers to manage or support service environments and security issues, including payroll, billing, fraud, and troubleshooting
• Dispatchers involved with service repair and restoration

Information Technology:

• Workers who support command centers, including, but not limited to Network Operations Command Center, Broadcast Operations Control Center and Security Operations Command Center
• Data center operators, including system administrators, HVAC & electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, data transfer solutions engineers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators
• Client service centers, field engineers, and other technicians supporting critical infrastructure, as well as manufacturers and supply chain vendors that provide hardware and software, and information technology equipment (to include microelectronics and semiconductors) for critical infrastructure
• Workers responding to cyber incidents involving critical infrastructure, including medical facilities, SLTT governments and federal facilities, energy and utilities, and banks and financial institutions, and other critical infrastructure categories and personnel
• Workers supporting the provision of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (incl. cloud computing services), business infrastructure, web-based services, and critical manufacturing
• Workers supporting communications systems and information technology used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy and other critical industries
• Support required for continuity of services, including janitorial/cleaning personnel

OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Workers to ensure continuity of building functions
• Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures
• Elections personnel
• Federal, State, and Local, Tribal, and Territorial employees who support Mission Essential Functions and communications networks
• Trade Officials (FTA negotiators; international data flow administrators)
• Weather forecasters
• Workers that maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting other critical government operations
• Workers at operations centers necessary to maintain other essential functions
• Workers who support necessary credentialing, vetting and licensing operations for transportation workers
• Customs workers who are critical to facilitating trade in support of the national emergency response supply chain
• Educators supporting public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing other essential functions, if operating under rules for social distancing
• Hotel Workers where hotels are used for COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures

CRITICAL MANUFACTURING

• Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

• Workers at nuclear facilities, workers managing medical waste, workers managing waste from pharmaceuticals and medical material production, and workers at laboratories processing test kits
• Workers who support hazardous materials response and cleanup
• Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting hazardous materials management operations

FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Workers who are needed to process and maintain systems for processing financial transactions and services (e.g., payment, clearing, and settlement; wholesale funding; insurance services; and capital markets activities)
• Workers who are needed to provide consumer access to banking and lending services, including ATMs, and to move currency and payments (e.g., armored cash carriers)
• Workers who support financial operations, such as those staffing data and security operations centers

CHEMICAL

• Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains, including workers at chemical manufacturing plants, workers in laboratories, workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper products.
• Workers supporting the safe transportation of chemicals, including those supporting tank truck cleaning facilities and workers who manufacture packaging items
• Workers supporting the production of protective cleaning and medical solutions, personal protective equipment, and packaging that prevents the contamination of food, water, medicine, among others essential products
• Workers supporting the operation and maintenance of facilities (particularly those with high risk chemicals and/or sites that cannot be shut down) whose work cannot be done remotely and requires the presence of highly trained personnel to ensure safe operations, including plant contract workers who provide inspections
• Workers who support the production and transportation of chlorine and alkali manufacturing, single-use plastics, and packaging that prevents the contamination or supports the continued manufacture of food, water, medicine, and other essential products, including glass container manufacturing

DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE

• Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. Military. These individuals, include but are not limited to, aerospace; mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers; IT support; security staff; security personnel; intelligence support, aircraft and weapon system mechanics and maintainers
• Personnel working for companies, and their subcontractors, who perform under contract to the Department of Defense providing materials and services to the Department of Defense, and government-owned/contractor-operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities

“Three-Legged Stool” Approach to Risk Management for Amusement Exposures

In today’s ever-changing $22 billion Amusement industry landscape, new and diverse types of attractions are rapidly gaining popularity across the U.S.  From trampoline parks, amusement parks and adventure parks to family entertainment centers (FECs), there are more choices than ever for family fun and entertainment.  But with each of these operations come a special set of inherent risks that must be taken seriously and properly managed to ensure that guests are safe—and the fun keeps rolling.

Three Key Areas of Focus

While there are a number of risk management tools specific to each unique type of operation, there are three foundational areas of focus that, when properly addressed, significantly reduce overall operational risk and exposure.  We refer to these as the “Three-Legged Stool of Risk Management,” as each of these “legs” supports the other to create a strong foundation.

Let’s take a closer look at these three areas: signage, waivers and video surveillance, and dive into detail on each.

1. Signage 

Signage is a key area of focus for Amusement operations, as it is a common area of exposure.  There are a variety of different signs depending on the size and type of facility, each with its own important role:

• Facility/building/park map – “Where can we find the bathrooms and exits?”
• Instructional or informational – “What time do you close?”
• Educational – “Who owns the facility, and what year did it open?”
• Directions – “Where does the line start?”
• Warning or safety – “How tall do you need to be for this ride?”

Clear, effective signage enhances the guest experience by providing key information in a visible, easy-to-understand format.  Most importantly, however, signage is an essential tool in defending the park against personal injury claims.  Signage is essential in supporting the operator’s responsibly to sufficiently inform guests about risks of their location and its attractions.  Specifically, owners have an obligation to provide all relevant information on the potential risks associated with an attraction, as well as rules that include age, height, weight and restrictions involving certain types of medical conditions.

Other considerations when it comes to signage:

	Signs need to speak the right language. Parks should be aware if they need to incorporate different languages into their signs and ensure there are ways to communicate with guests who do not speak English.
	Location and positioning are key.  Signs with both rules and warnings need to be present in the park, well placed and clearly visible.  A sign should be at the entrance of each attraction so it can’t be missed.  It should have contrast with surroundings and in a position to be the most visible.  An effective sign should clearly list the rules and warn of all potential hazards.
	Signs need to be reinforced by staff direction.  To reinforce the signs, staff should be instructing guests on how to use equipment, and should intervene when guests are not complying with posted rules and regulations.

2. Waivers

The second leg of the stool is the facility’s waiver system.  Generally speaking, for a waiver (also known as a liability release or “exculpatory contract”) to be enforceable:

• It must be clearly worded and unambiguous in its intended purpose to release the operator from all legal liability—even for negligence.
• All important verbiage must be prominently located on the waiver (i.e., not fine print “legal-ese” buried at the bottom of the document).
• The waiver must be signed by the participating guest.  Each adult guest must sign a waiver, and the responsible adult must sign a separate waiver for each child.  (Note: Courts across the U.S. are split as to whether these so-called “parental” liability waivers are enforceable, and this remains a state-by-state gray area).

Having a signed waiver for every incident is important when defending claims.  Even in states where waivers are not as favorable from a legal standpoint, the waiver can still be an effective deterrent for an injured party to pursue a claim.  With the potential for the statute of limitations extending for a longer period of time with young minors, waivers need to be preserved until the statute of limitations runs out.  For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep them electronically to ensure they are readily accessible and easily retrieved.

A waiver should be reviewed by an attorney to make sure it encompasses all key points and addresses all attractions in the park.  In addition, each state may have specific wording that should be incorporated into the waiver to provide the best defense.

Additionally, waivers should be reviewed periodically to ensure they are up-to-date and all necessary changes are incorporated.  If guests have signed a waiver, they should sign a new waiver every time there is a change to the waiver.

3. Video Surveillance

The final—and arguably most important leg of the three—is a good surveillance system.  If there is proper signage that accurately presents the rules and hazards, a guest has signed a waiver and there is video footage of the entire incident, it provides a solid defense to any claim that is received.

Parks should seek to implement a network of video surveillance cameras to monitor facilities, parking areas, exhibits, rides, and other important areas.  Video cameras support the staff’s ability to remotely observe park or facility areas, allowing them to monitor live video feeds in real-time from a central control area.  They also allow staff to review recorded video for post-event investigation if there is an incident.

Clearly, there’s not a “one size fits all” solution when it comes to the right video surveillance system for a park or facility.  Based on the square footage and number of attractions, the number of cameras necessary to provide adequate coverage can vary widely.  In addition, the quality of cameras and video and storage are also important factors to consider.

The ultimate goal of any video surveillance system is to ensure that each attraction has sufficient coverage, and any video can be retrieved at the time of incident (or reviewed) later if it wasn’t pulled right away.  Bottom line—the video should be clear enough to see the important details of the incident to verify the event and the people involved. 

Video storage should be able to retrieve a minimum of six months of video when needed.  The length of storage is important on those occasions when an injured party does not come forward right away, if there are problems pulling the video at the time of incident, or when dealing with a fraudulent claim.

Summary

There are so many important things an operator can do to protect oneself from claims, but having signs, waiver and video surveillance is a solid foundation for any Risk Management program on which to build.  If you have adequately warned guests of potential risk, given appropriate instruction, had them assume the risk by signing a waiver, and have an incident on video, then your ability to defend a claim has been greatly increased.

                    Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620 

Bob Lancaster Insurance

                                                     Serving Florida since 1964