Rasmussen Chair Elect of Partnership for Economic Development

Morrow Insurance would like to congratulate producers Joyce Biddix, Charlie Cranford and Will Hendricks on completing the nine-month Vision Henderson County course this summer.

You can read more about this on BlueRidgeNow at: Thirty-three community members complete Vision

Safety in the workplace is critical to a business on many levels.  Are you, as an employer, making sure your employees are properly trained to avoid injuries?

7 Stupid Resons New Employees Get Injuried–
And How to Avoid These Mistakes 

1. Employers assume that new employees know more than they really do–and that common sense will prevent most accidents.
2. New employees are often afraid to ask questions.
3. The workplace environment is new to them–they aren’t familiar with its hazards or what to do in an emergency.
4. Employee training for a particular job often focuses on what to  do–but neglects training about the job hazards to avoid.
5. Employees do not know enough about hazardous substances in their workplace.
6. New employees do not thoroughly understand the necessity of using required PPE–or how to use it properly.

But the BIGGEST STUPID REASON may be:

7.   The employer does not send the message that safety is a high priority.

If you would like to download or view the entire article, please click on the link below.

Please join Morrow Insurance in supporting Blue Ridge Community Health Services building campaign. 

When can $10 make a difference? BRCHS is seeking 50,000 donations of $10 by August 31 to raise an additional $500,000 for our new medical facility. Can we count you as one of the 50,000 donors? You can give online at www.brchs.com or call 828-233-2204 for more information. Thank you!

Each year, approximately 75,000 people are injured seriously enough by lawnmowers to require emergency room medical treatment. Only a small percentage of the injuries are caused by mechanical failure; most are the result of human error.

Here are some tips to follow before and while mowing your lawn:

Become familiar with your mower.

Read the owner’s manual before using the mower for the first time. Note all safety and operating instructions. Learn the controls well enough to act instantly in an emergency and to stop the machine quickly.

Proper clothing is essential to protect your body from harm.

Always wear non-slip shoes instead of tennis shoes or sandals. Steel-toe safety footwear offers the most protection against the blade. Long pants help protect your legs from objects that may be thrown from under the mower. Use ear plugs to prevent hearing loss caused by exposure to the high noise levels.

Never leave a mower running unattended.

A mower left running unattended can be fascinating to a child. If the mower has an electric start, the key should never be left in the ignition. 

Always start the mower outdoors.

Never operate a mower where carbon monoxide can collect, such as in a closed garage, storage shed or basement. 

Police the area.

Before you start mowing, be sure the lawn is free of tree limbs, rocks, wires and other debris, which can get caught up in the blades, or be thrown and damage something or someone.

The main source of danger is the blade.

To perform its task efficiently, the mower blade must be sharp and travel at a high speed. If a hand or foot gets under the mower while the engine is running, it can cause serious injury. Never attempt to unclog or work on a lawnmower while the engine is on.

Disconnect the sparkplug wire.

Any time it is necessary to reach under the mower, disconnect the spark plug wire to insure that the engine cannot start. It takes a little extra time, but not as long as it does to recover from a serious injury.

Check for frayed or cut wiring.

When using an electric lawnmower, wires can easily get cut by the blade. Keep an eye on the wiring as you move the mower and check for frayed or cut wiring every time you mow.

With all the heat we have had, make sure you drink plenty of water and mow in the early morning, or late evening in order to avoid a heat stroke. Stay cool and safe!

Please join us tonight for Music On Main sponsored by Morrow Insurance.  Tonight’s entertainment will be The Night Crawlers (classic rock) and the Hendersonville Antique Car Club will host a Classic Car Show.  Bring a chair and sit back, relax and enjoy the music from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Put on your dancing shoes and head to Music On Main Street for some good toe tapping music.  Be sure to look for the Morrow gang!

Hat’s off to the Morrow Insurance team participating in the Chamber Golf Classic on July 11, 2011.    Pictured are Morrow employees Charlie Cranford, Jim Rasmussen and Brett Shaffer with Nathan Kennedy of First Citizens Bank. “Hot but fun” according to Charlie.  He should have worn a hat.  Morrow Insurance is a proud supporter of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

Please join us this Friday night for Music On Main sponsored by Morrow Insurance.  This week’s entertainment will be The Night Crawlers (classic rock) and the Hendersonville Antique Car Club will host a Classic Car Show.  Bring a chair and sit back, relax and enjoy the music from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Put on your dancing shoes and head to Music On Main Street for some good toe tapping music.  Be sure to look for the Morrow gang!

Morrow Insurance received word today of the passing of a company representative who has worked closely with us over the years.  Rob Rupinski of Mooresville, NC, a field representative with Cincinnati Insurance Companies, passed away of an apparent accidental drowning at age 48.  Rob has worked closely with our commercial insurance department for over 22 years and was a personal friend of many of our employees.

Please keep his wife Mary Jo and children Michael and Brandon in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Service will be next Tuesday at 11:00 at:
Williamson Chapel
575 Brawley School Road
Mooresville, NC 28117

The 13th Annual Four Seasons Compassion for Life Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, July 29, 2011 at the Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club from 11-5.

This tournament is played in a Captain’s Choice format. Registration covers greens fees, golf cart, lunch & dinner. Prizes will be awarded after dinner.

• Registration Fee $150
• Corporate Team Sponsor $1,000
• Mulligans available for Purchase 2 for $20

For more information visit http://www.fsgolftournament.com/

Morrow Insurance is proud to be a sponsor of this event.

One of the things that makes Morrow Insurance a special business is community involvement.  From civic organizations to non-profits, Morrow not only provides financial support but employees are actively involved.  Here are a few pictures from recent events.

Morrow Executive Vice President Jim Rasmussen chats with Dan Poeta of Horizon Heating & Air at the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours honoring Southern Alarm and Security.

Producer Charlie Cranford Runs in the Live United 5K and 10K Race

Camp Account Manager Jennie Reed crosses the finish line at the Live United 5K and 10K Race

Tori Shaffer,  wive of Vice President Brett Shaffer, crosses the finish line at the Live United 5K and 10K Race

 Camp Producer Will Hendricks receives an award at the Live United 5K and 10K Race

Kenmure Country Club will once again serve as host of the 13th Annual Chamber Golf Classic presented by NC Farm Bureau on Monday, July 11th, 2011. Registration is at 11:30. Shotgun start is at 12:30. Lunch will be served on the course.
This is a great opportunity to play one of our area’s premier courses while supporting programs that are important to the businesses and individuals of our community. The tournament also provides an excellent networking opportunity where Chamber members are able to meet and interact with clients and be introduced to prospective clients in a relaxed, informal environment. Proceeds from the event will go to support education and workforce development programs in Henderson County. The tournament proceeds also support activities such as the New Teachers Dinner, NC Scholars Luncheon, and Junior Leadership program.
A team of four can play for $800, hole sponsorships are $150. Call the Chamber for more information – 828.692.1413

Morrow Insurance is a proud sponsor of this event.

Morrow Insurance would like to congratulate Southern Alarm and Security on their 75th Anniversary.  Please join the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Celebration on Thursday, July 7 from 5:30-7:00 at the Hendersonville Country Club as we honor Southern Alarm & Security.

Please visit them at http://www.southernalarm.com/

Morrow Insurance would like to salute North Carolina Small Business Person of the Year Karen Caruso.  Mind Your Business Inc., on the corner of East Eighth Avenue and North Grove Street in Hendersonville, specializes in pre-employment screenings, applicant background checks for private sector businesses, and drug and alcohol testing for individuals as well as corporate and government clients.  Karen grew her business from a simple idea of background checks into a multi-million dollar business.

Caruso beat out 500 nominees from across the state for the award. The small business owners were judged on criteria including growth, sustainability, profitability, jobs in the community, and giving back to the community.

For a complete article, please refer to:  http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20110521/ARTICLES/105211008 

Congratulations Karen!

Morrow Insurance Agency will be closing at 3:00 pm today to get an early start to our holiday weekend.  We will be closed on Monday in observance of July 4th and will reopen on Tuesday July 5th at 9:00 am.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

With summer in full swing and 4th of July weekend around the corner, here are some tips to help you keep your activities safe and fun!

Life preservers Aren’t Just for Kids. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board – wear them! In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies to adults and children. More people in their 30’s die in boating accidents than any other age group. Today you can even get vests for your boating dog. Remember, it is a NC law that children 12 years of age and below must wear a life jacket at all times when in a boat or PWC.

Watch the Back of the Boat. Carbon monoxide kills in minutes. Tell your passengers where your exhaust pipes are located and turn your engine off when people are in the water. Don’t let people “ski” or “teak-surf” by holding on to the back of the boat. Some states have made teak-surfing illegal after several tragic deaths. Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats; older boats install devices for less than $100.

Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix. More than 50 percent of drowning result from boating incidents involving alcohol. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

Boats Need TLC Too. When you’re out on the water, make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waster and grease. Carry a charged fire extinguisher. Have your boat’s operating systems checked yearly by a certified marine technician. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadrons also offer free vessel safety checks.

Experience Counts! The US Coast Guard states that operator errors account for 70% of all boating accidents. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly trained. You can also earn boat insurance discounts from some insurance companies if you complete a safety course with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadrons. Most courses cost around $30.00, but there is one that is free for the twenty-five and under driver. It is: http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/NorthCarolina.asp  

Don’t forget the new law. Anyone under the age of 26 is required to pass a certified boater education class in order to legally operate any water vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more on NC waterways.

Sites for information: www.uscgboating.org      http://www.boatus.org  www.nws.cgaux.org/    http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/ncarolina.html