1. Keep that ladder out and clean out all the debris that has been left in the gutter.  One way to do that is to use a pressure washer.  Keep that debris though, it could be used for mulch.
2. Check all your spikes and make sure that the spikes are properly placed throughout the gutter.  You may need to consider getting some new ones, if warranted.
3. Use bead silicon sealing to close up any leaks your gutter may have.  This sealant will be proven effective against rain, snow, and ice.
4.  Inspect all the rivets that need to go into your gutter also.  It may be time to replace them.  Any local hardware store will have the rivets and a rivet gun for you to purchase.
5. Before using the pressure washer, make sure your gutter is securely fastened with all the new rivets and spikes.
6. If your gutters are rusted out, you may want to consider replacing them with aluminum or vinyl gutters.

• Leaking gutters.  On the extreme side leaky gutters can also cause leaky roofs, mold, and it can rot away at the surroundings.
• Leaky roofs.  If your gutter is filled with debris, any rain, snow, or ice, won’t be able to go anywhere, causing a leaky (and expensive repair) roof.
• Basement leaks.  Gutters usually end up at the foundation of the house.  If there is any damage to the run off, then the water can wind up in your basement.
• Rotted Wood.  Some houses and/or foundations are made of wood.  If the gutter is not properly taken care of, the build-up will cause wood to rot.
• Cracks in foundation.  Same principle as above.  Any debris left can create cracks in the foundation.

If you believe you don’t need Workers Compensation insurance, here’s a reality check:

Myth. I only have a few employees, or mostly part-time employees.

Reality: Workers Comp makes sense no matter how many employees you have. It helps cover medical expenses and lost wages for employees with job-related injuries and protects against lawsuits from injured workers if you’re found negligent. What’s more, some customers and clients may require you to carry it.

Myth: My employees won’t sue me.

Reality: Never say never. Injured workers might well sue to pay medical bills that could run into millions – not to mention pain and suffering or punitive damages. Workers Comp provides legal defenses that can slash your liability.

Myth: Workers Comp is too expensive. If one of my employees is injured, I’ll just pay out-of-pocket.

Reality: Weigh the cost of coverage against potential losses from an injury, especially if the employee sues. The longer a worker is off the job, the more it costs to cover lost wages and productivity. Severe injuries can take weeks or months to heal– or even lead to permanent impairment.

Myth: I provide a safe workplace. My employees won’t get injured.

Reality: Mistakes happen even in the “safest” workplace. Many companies post signs proclaiming the number of days without an injury on the job, but rarely do they read “365 days” Even the most minor mishaps can cause major damages.

Myth: Medical costs in the Workers Comp system are too high.

According to the National Council of Compensation Insurance, the medical cost inflation rate for Comp has been similar to that for Group Health insurance during the past several years. Legislation and regulations have led to the expansion of cost-containment programs.

To make sure you have this essential protection, at an affordable cost, just give us a call.

Criminal identity theft occurs when an imposter gives another person's name and personal information such as a drivers' license, date of birth, or Social Security number (SSN) to a law enforcement officer during an investigation or upon arrest. Or the imposter may present to law enforcement a counterfeit license containing another person's data.

Frequently, but not always, the imposter fraudulently obtained a driver's license or identification card in the victim's name and provides that identification document to law enforcement. Or the imposter, without showing any photo identification, uses the name of a friend or relative. In many cases, the imposter is cited for a traffic violation or for a misdemeanor violation and is released from the arrest. The imposter signs the citation and promises to appear in court. If the imposter does not appear in court, the magistrate may issue a bench warrant, but the warrant of arrest will be under the victim's name.

The identity theft victim may not know there is a warrant of arrest issued under his/her name. The victim may unexpectedly be detained pursuant to a routine traffic stop and then subsequently arrested and taken to county jail (booked) because of the outstanding bench warrant.

In some cases the imposter will appear in court for the traffic or misdemeanor violation and plead guilty without the victim being aware of this event. In other cases, the imposter is arrested and booked at the county jail for a felony such as a drunk driving or other serious public offense. The imposter provides the victim's name and personal information. This information is then recorded in the countywide data base and is usually transferred to the State's criminal records data base and possibly to the national data bases, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Some identity theft victims, unaware of the earlier criminal activity by the imposter, may learn of the impersonation when the victim is denied employment or terminated from employment. In these cases, the employer conducted a background investigation and had relied upon the criminal history found under the victim's name. Note that the employer is legally obligated to inform the victim of the reason for the rejection of employment. (See Federal Trade Commission information about this requirement atwww.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/credit/bus08.shtm

Unfortunately, as with financial identity theft, the burden of clearing one's name within the criminal justice system is primarily on the victim. The victim must act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage. Yet, the responsibility to correct the erroneous data in the various criminal justice computer systems is with the officials working within the criminal justice system. There are no established procedures for clearing one's wrongful criminal record.