RTAM Insurance Benefits Update August 2016

The following information is being provided to RTAM members who are currently covered by RTAM’s benefit plans as well as those who may be considering enrolling in the plans: • Stay Safe at Home: Fire Prevention and Safety – Home Insurance Coverage • “Have Your Say” -- RTAM’s 2016 Voluntary

Benefit Plan Member Survey Results

Stay Safe at Home: Fire Prevention and Safety – Home Insurance Coverage

With the many fires this summer in Manitoba and Alberta, fire safety may be an important topic. Following is some history on National Fire Prevention Week as well as some tips from Johnson Insurance, as part of the RTAM Home Insurance program.

This October 9-15, National Fire Prevention Week will educate the public about the importance of fire safety. National Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

Fire can happen in an instant: a small spark turns into a flame and makes its way through your home, engulfing everything in its path as it gets larger and stronger. With tens of thousands of home fires in Canada per year resulting in numerous injuries, damages and even deaths, fire prevention is an issue that all homeowners need to be aware of.

With temperatures outside falling and people spending more time, and using more electricity, indoors, the time is never better to refresh your fire safety strategies. Prevent fire in the first place by being aware of common hazards in the home.

Keep your property and family safe by following these tips: • Reduce the amount of combustible and flammable materials (paints and paint solvents, pesticides, propane, etc.) in the home. If possible, store these materials outside the home or garage in a separate storage shed and away from igniters in cool, ventilated areas using only approved storage containers; • Don’t ignore signs of potential electrical issues such as lights flickering, dimming or becoming brighter, switches and plugs not operating properly, blowing fuses or tripping breakers on a regular basis. These are usually signs that a larger problem exists. Have a qualified professional inspect your electrical system if you are experiencing any of these issues; • Don’t overload extension cords and power bars and never use an extension cord in place of permanent wiring, as they can overheat and produce sparks that can ignite flammable materials; • Replace damaged electrical cords; • Do not leave cooking unattended and turn off appliances when not in use; • In the case of a grease fire, smother the flame.

Do not throw water or anything else on it; this can cause the burning oil to splash, spreading the grease fire around; • Keep candles a safe distance from any flammable materials such as curtains and drapes and be sure to extinguish them before leaving the room; • Extinguish cigarettes in a large, deep ashtray and soak butts with water to ensure they’re fully extinguished before discarding them, especially if smoking outside; • Have heating systems including all associated venting inspected on a yearly basis, especially before the heating season begins.

Sometimes even the most comprehensive prevention measures can’t protect against the unseen dangers that cause fire, so it’s important to

have a plan in place to protect you and your family if fire does strike: • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, basement, garage and workshop and learn how to use it properly; • Have your extinguisher maintained regularly to ensure safe and effective operation. Lack of maintenance can lead to an extinguisher not discharging when required, or rupturing when pressurized; • Install a smoke detector on every level of the house, especially near sleeping areas; • Test your smoke detectors frequently and change the batteries every 6-12 months; • Prepare and practise an escape plan with every member of your household, including having an outdoor meeting place where you can safely call the fire department. Practise your escape plan with a fire drill every 6-12 months; • Ensure exits are clear of furniture or security bars that could prevent quick escape.

Keeping your home free of fire hazards and your family informed of fire safety practices is the best protection against experiencing devastating home fire losses. For more tips from Johnson Inc., visit www.johnson.ca

“Have Your Say” – RTAM’s 2016 Voluntary Benefit Plan Member Survey Results

It is important to get feedback from as many RTAM members as possible. In the Spring Issue of KIT, you were invited to participate in the RTAM 2016 Voluntary Benefit Plan Member Survey to answer the question: Does the RTAM Voluntary Group Insurance Benefit Plan meet your current and future coverage needs, in what areas of coverage can it be improved, and how can it adapt to changes in the public health care environment? The survey was conducted by Johnson Inc., RTAM’s Plan Administrator / Benefits Consultant.

Thank you to all members who took the time to complete the survey. Over 780 members completed the survey and members who provided an email address were entered into a draw for one of two $100 gift cards of their choice. The lucky winners are being notified.

The findings of this survey indicate an overall member satisfaction with the current RTAM Plans, with the majority of respondents (81%) rating RTAM’s Plans as good or very good. On average for all benefits, less than half of the responses (41%) indicated that the benefit level needed to be improved.

In general, more choice of benefit levels was suggested for drug coverage and travel trip durations in particular. In general, the comments indicated that more benefit level choice and more retirement information seminars would tend to increase the awareness of plans and attract more members to the plan.

For further questions and plan information, please call the RTAM office at 204-889-3660 (toll-free at 1-888-393-8082), or RTAM’s Plan Administrator Johnson Insurance toll-free at 1-877-989-2600, or email your question to pbservicewest@johnson.ca. You can also visit the website www.johnson.ca.rtam and click on Frequently Asked Questions (Plan FAQ or Claim Submission FAQ). n