Message From CEO

Can you believe December is here? Believe it or not, it is!  Thanksgiving and Christmas  are the time of the year to spend with family, to fellowship, tell and hear old stories, and to enjoy the wonderful cooking from the old recipe book that’s been in our family for generations. I actually enjoy the frenzy that takes place this time of the year. It gives all of us opportunities to visit and reconnect with our loved ones.

While we're on the subject, there are several safety issues that deserve our attention  to help with a successful fellowship. As most of you will be traveling quite a bit, make sure your vehicle (and your loved ones!) is prepared for the long trip. Check your tire pressure and antifreeze for the cold temperatures and remember that during the cold temperatures your battery will be less responsive;  good jumper cables are a must.  First aid kit, blankets, a good jack, flashlights with extra batteries and a car charger for your phone are essentials—these might be great ideas for Christmas gifts!

Once the Holiday season has passed HBCC will be back at work full force. We’re extremely grateful for our current backlog.  There are several new projects to get started right away: two in Tennessee, one in Arkansas and one in New Orleans. We’ll get started right away and continue to look for other opportunities. Thank you for a great 2010, and I look forward to a great 2011.

Be Safe!
Kenny

Workplace Values

Live your values. Behave ethically.

There is a television show on Friday nights – Maybe you’ve seen it.  It’s called  -“What Would You Do?”

Using hidden cameras, host John Quinones observes and comments on how ordinary people behave when they are confronted with an ethical dilemma that requires them to either take action or walk by and mind their own business. It deals with unethical situations - From bullying to abuse, racial attacks and public humiliation. Alarming is how many people choose to walk by and do not get involved.

Ethical dilemmas can happen at work, too – what would you do?  What Should You Do? 
Some situations considered unethical are:

Falsifying Documents
Fraud
Employee theft
Lying
Sexual Harassment
Discrimination
Workplace Bullying
Workplace Violence

Imagine if there’s a hidden camera. Could you or would you walk away if you were a witness to any of these situations? Learn to recognize unethical employee behaviors so that you can respond appropriately to unethical circumstances.— Live your values. Behave ethically.

 - Sharon Goolsby, Corporate Ethics & EEO Officer

Safety Update

A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires
Christmas Tree Fire Hazards - Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for the Holiday - Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree - Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree - Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights
Maintain Your Holiday Lights - Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets- Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.

Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended

Holiday Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable Decorations - All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace - It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.

Artificial Christmas Trees - If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.