Volume 2 Number 50 December 12, 2005

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but it’s also important to keep fire safety in mind as you celebrate.  Candles, tree lights and a fireplace can make for a festive atmosphere, but they can also pose a fire hazard.  The number of home fires often doubles in December, but by following a few precautions, you and your family can ensure you have a safe and happy holiday. Most importantly, make sure you have working smoke alarms and that your family has practiced a fire escape plan. Here are some additional tips: Make sure you have working smoke detectors.   Plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use them with an extension cord.    Keep space heaters and other heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture, walls, drapes and bedding.   Before using a fireplace, make sure the chimney flue is open so carbon monoxide gas can escape.     Turn out lights and snuff candles before going to bed or leaving the house. For more seasonal fire safety tips, including a new Home and Holiday Fire Safety CD, are available at www.MyFloridaCFO.com.  Awareness is critical when it comes to keeping your family and your home safe.

SERIES OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED FOR ORLANDO, TAMPA AND FT. MYERS  Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, announced a series of town hall workshops to give employers and employees an update on the state’s workers’ compensation system and to answer questions about recent rate reductions.  The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is located within the Department of Financial Services which Gallagher oversees. The workshops will be held in Ft. Myers on December 13th, in Tampa on December 14th and in Orlando on December 15th.  All of the sessions will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “Meaningful reforms, more aggressive investigation of workers’ compensation fraud and compliance efforts have led to dramatic savings for Florida’s businesses,” Gallagher said.  “But we must continue to improve the system for our small businesses and our workers.” CONTINUED

GALLAGHER DETAILS ONGOING EFFORTS TO COMBAT METH Fire and arson detectives respond to two meth lab fires in one week Tom Gallagher, State Fire Marshal, said that his office has responded to nearly 50 fires and explosions at methamphetamine or “meth” labs – including two in the past ten days.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office is hosting a meeting with representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection to forge a stronger partnership for combating this growing menace to Florida communities. “Almost every day, somewhere in Florida, law enforcement officers and first responders are being called to one of these dangerous labs,” said Gallagher, who is continuing to promote several legislative proposals he announced in June.  “We need to rapidly expand our response to combat this evil drug.” Gallagher is pushing for laws that would allow the immediate removal of children from a home being used as a meth lab and enhanced penalties for methamphetamine makers, particularly those whose labs injure first responders. CONTINUED

STRICTER REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING INSURANCE FRAUD  Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, announced that department rules outlining stricter requirements for insurance companies to report insurance fraud will soon be in place.  In the wake of multiple hurricanes, Gallagher directed the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) to tighten reporting requirements and enhance penalties for failure to report insurance fraud. “Insurance fraud forces Florida families to pay more in premiums than necessary,” Gallagher said.  “With explicit rules and stiff fines in place, there will be no excuses for failing to report fraud.” CONTINUED

OKEECHOBEE CONTRACTOR CHARGED WITH FRAUD, THEFT A contractor is facing grand theft and workers’ compensation fraud charges for using loan money for personal use instead of completing construction on a couple’s Okeechobee County home, and for failing to carry proper workers’ compensation coverage. Merle Dee Johnston, 69, of Okeechobee, was arrested on the charges following an investigation by detectives with the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud.  Johnston allegedly admitted to using some $23,000 of the couple’s construction loan money for personal use.  “This couple was left in a financial lurch and workers were put at risk of being injured,” said Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer who oversees the Department of Financial Services.  “We will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who disregards the law and the safety and welfare of others.” CONTINUED

ARREST OF TAMPA COUPLE FOR STEALING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, announced the arrest of a husband and wife who conspired to illegally collect more than $11,000 in unclaimed property.   Investigators with the Department of Financial Services’ Office of Fiscal Integrity said that the couple got caught when the man’s brother, and rightful owner of the unclaimed property, contacted the department to collect the money. “Stealing money for personal gain is unconscionable and warrants swift and severe action by state prosecutors,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CONTINUED