12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

More home fires happen on December 25 than any other single day except Thanksgiving. Fire officials are urging people to make fire safety part of the celebrations this holiday season. Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Have a home escape plan and share it with guests. Fires are always terrible but they seem worse during the festive holiday season.

Cooking is the leading cause, followed by heating. Many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year use candles.…

• Shut off water and drain outside faucets
• When traveling open up cabinets under the sink to help prevent pipes from freezing
• Make sure you have your chimney inspected and cleaned before using it this winter.
• Check your home’s heating and air conditioning system
• Paint, caulk and seal exterior wood
• Seal your masonry and hard surfaces
• Check your drainage
• Clean your gutters
• Make sure your attic doesn’t become a critter hotel

For our Construction clients: We received this notification from Donna Glover, an attorney with Baker Donelson, regarding a new Maryland law which will take effect on 10/01/2018.

New Maryland Law Makes Construction GC’s Liable for Subcontractors’ Violations of Wage and Hour Laws

Under Maryland wage laws, if an employer fails to properly pay its employees it may be liable for up to three times the wages owed to the employee, plus attorneys; fees and costs.  Employees may file a lawsuit against their employer within in three years after a violation occurs. …