Each spring, New York State enforces a residential burn ban from March 16 through May 14 to help prevent wildfires. As of yesterday, the ban has officially been lifted , but fire safety should remain top of mind. While the Finger Lakes has seen steady rain this week, the risk of fire can still escalate quickly with a few dry, breezy days. If you’re planning to burn brush, enjoy a backyard fire pit, or take part in spring clean-up, it’s important to do so with caution. Why Does the Burn Ban Exist? The annual burn ban is in place to reduce the threat of wildfires during one of the most vulnerable times of the year. In early spring, before trees and vegetation fully green up, dead grass, leaves, and branches are dry and highly flammable. Combined with seasonal winds and low humidity, even small outdoor fires can spark large, fast-moving wildfires—especially in rural areas. This proactive ban has proven to significantly lower the number of wildfires across the state each year, protecting homes, farmland, and natural habitats. What Homeowners Should Do Now With the ban lifted, it’s a good time to: Review your homeowners insurance to ensure you're protected against fire-related damages. Practice safe outdoor burning , such as keeping fires a safe distance from structures and never leaving them unattended. Consider additional coverage for properties with wooded acreage or high-risk features. At Simco , we’re here to help you navigate risks like these—before they become problems. Whether you need a policy review or simply want to make sure your coverage keeps pace with your lifestyle, we’re just a call or click away .

May is Mental Health Awareness Month , and it's a great time to reflect on the mental well-being of your team. As awareness about the importance of mental health continues to grow, many employers are seeking ways to support their employees. It’s crucial to recognize that mental health plays a significant role in an employee's overall performance, job satisfaction, and well-being. In the U.S., 76% of workers report experiencing at least one symptom of a mental health condition, and 81% say they’ll seek workplaces that prioritize mental health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite these numbers, many workers are hesitant to discuss mental health struggles, particularly when it comes to the workplace. As employers, it’s important to foster an environment where employees feel supported and understood. Here are some impactful ways to support mental health in your workplace, including a few creative strategies you may not have considered: Encourage Regular Mental Health Breaks and Downtime Everyone needs a moment to breathe, and it's important that employees feel they can step back when necessary to recharge. This might mean taking a short break or an afternoon off to reset mentally. Allowing employees to work at a more manageable pace when needed can help prevent burnout and chronic stress. When employees feel supported in prioritizing their mental health, they’re more likely to remain productive, engaged, and loyal over time. You can also encourage employees to take "mental health breaks" throughout the workday. These breaks can be as simple as setting reminders for short pauses to breathe, stretch, or step outside for a brief walk. These moments help employees clear their minds, reduce stress, and return to work more focused. It’s important to create a culture where taking breaks isn’t only accepted but encouraged, especially during stressful periods. By prioritizing both scheduled downtime and spontaneous breaks, you’ll help your employees maintain their mental well-being, leading to a more balanced and productive work environment. Offer Paid Time Off, Mental Health Benefits, and Flexible Schedules Offering paid time off and mental health benefits is not just about reducing financial barriers for employees—it’s about making mental health care more accessible. In many cases, employees may delay seeking help simply because they can’t afford to lose work hours or pay. Flexible schedules can also enable employees to attend therapy or make time for other mental health treatments that help them stay well. When employees know they have access to these resources, they’re more likely to seek help proactively rather than suffering in silence. This not only aids in their overall well-being but can prevent bigger issues from arising down the road, benefiting both the employee and the business. Provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides employees with confidential access to professional resources for a variety of personal and mental health challenges. The beauty of EAPs is that they offer employees expert help without the stigma of speaking out at work. Offering an EAP ensures that employees can reach out for assistance on issues like stress, anxiety, addiction, or personal relationships—without fear of judgment or consequences. At Simco, we provide an EAP through our HR advisory component to businesses, giving employees a safe space to get the support they need, which ultimately leads to better employee engagement and a healthier workforce. Make Reasonable Accommodations When an employee requests accommodations for a mental health condition, it’s important to handle the situation with care and understanding. Engaging in an open and respectful conversation to explore how you can adjust the work environment, expectations, or hours shows empathy and commitment to their well-being. For example, an employee struggling with anxiety may request flexible hours to avoid rush hour, or someone with depression may benefit from a quieter, more isolated workspace. By providing reasonable accommodations, you not only comply with the law but also create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive regardless of their mental health challenges. Create Digital Spaces for Friendships to Grow Loneliness, especially in remote or hybrid work environments, can exacerbate feelings of isolation and stress. While it’s easy to assume that working from home or in digital spaces means less connection, the opposite is often true. Employees can feel more isolated and disconnected than ever. One effective way to mitigate this is by creating virtual spaces dedicated to casual, non-work-related conversations. Encouraging employees to use virtual platforms for socializing or setting up fun, interactive events like digital coffee breaks or team trivia games can create a sense of camaraderie. In a remote setting, human connection doesn’t have to be lost—it can be enhanced by making it a priority through digital spaces. Promote Good Mental (and Physical) Health Supporting employees’ mental health means supporting their overall well-being. You can encourage mental health by promoting healthy habits such as mindfulness, yoga, or even simply taking a walk during breaks. These activities not only relieve stress but can also increase focus and energy levels. Employers can organize weekly wellness programs, invite yoga instructors, or even provide access to apps that promote mental well-being. When employees see that their workplace is invested in their physical and mental health, they’re more likely to reciprocate with increased engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. Normalize Conversations About Mental Health Creating a culture where employees feel safe to speak openly about mental health is crucial. It’s not just about providing resources; it’s about creating an environment where it’s okay to ask for help. Encourage managers and leaders to lead by example—when leaders are transparent about their own mental health or well-being, it opens the door for others to do the same. This can be achieved through regular conversations, check-ins, and creating a space where mental health is normalized as part of a healthy workplace culture. Reducing the stigma around mental health ensures that employees don’t fear discrimination or judgment when discussing their struggles. Leverage Additional Resources There’s a wealth of resources available to businesses and employees. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides virtual recovery resources, while the U.S. Surgeon General’s framework for workplace mental health offers actionable guidelines to improve mental well-being in the workplace. Beyond government resources, partnering with mental health organizations or consulting with benefits brokers can help you enhance your offerings. At Simco, we support businesses with expert advisory services to help design employee benefits packages that prioritize mental health support, ensuring that employees have access to the right care at the right time. Support Remote Employees by Encouraging Time Outside the Home Remote work can offer flexibility, but it can also lead to feelings of isolation, especially for employees who lack social interaction with coworkers and spend long hours in the same environment. One way to combat this is by encouraging employees to occasionally work outside of their homes, whether at a local café, co-working space, or a public library. Changing the scenery not only helps break up the monotony but also allows employees to interact with different environments, which can boost creativity and reduce feelings of isolation. Employers can even offer stipends or reimbursements for working in co-working spaces or coffee shops to help facilitate this. It’s important to remind remote employees that stepping outside the confines of home can be a helpful way to recharge, meet new people, and foster a sense of connection with the world beyond their screens. This small change can make a significant difference in mental health, improving both mood and productivity. Key Takeaways Investing in mental health benefits doesn’t just support your team. It also enhances productivity and creates a positive, inclusive company culture. Taking steps to support mental health in the workplace shows your employees that they are valued and cared for, leading to a happier and healthier workforce. When mental health is integrated into your workplace strategy—not as an afterthought, but as a core focus—you create the conditions for long-term success, fueled by healthier, more focused, and more fulfilled employees.