Welcome I would like to take this time to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and safe new year. It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone once more. The years all seem to fly by so quickly any more. Did we not just celebrate the millennium? Happy New Year to one and all!

The year 2005 is now upon us and the residential building boom continues. Even though interest rates are starting to move slowly upward the sale of new homes continues to be strong, builders across the country, as well as, in our own area continue to report record backlogs of new home starts. As usual, there are those who are predicting gloom and doom for the housing industry in 2005. They say that the momentum cannot and will not continue. Seems like I have been hearing this for the past two years, however, the strong building pace continues. All indications seem to point to another great year. Good luck to our builder customers. Sell, sell, sell!

The year 2005 will represent a milestone for some of The Professional Handyman Inc. key employee’s. Michele Holl, Alan McCauley and Richie Barbito will all celebrate ten years of service with the company during this year. I wish to thank them all for ten great years of exemplary service. They are three big reasons why the company has managed to grow and succeed.

With Regards,

Michael Jerdan
President

We are fast approaching the time when we start thinking and preparing for the holidays. It is also a time when we look towards the New Year and plan for the future.

One of the ways you can plan for your future is by saving today. Directing money to an IRA, through payroll deductions, is the easiest way to build a retirement nest egg. Payroll deductions allow you to reduce your taxable gross income today and save for your retirement years.

The Fidelity Simple IRA was chosen to provide this service to us all. Once a year we are given the opportunity to enroll and make adjustments to the amount we contribute and the funds that this money is to be invested in. This open enrollment period is November through December. In the mail you should have received a packet explaining the plan and the guidelines, which govern our IRA.

For more information, go to www.advisorxpress.com and select the Fund Class “T”.

Snow blowers can cause serious injuries even death

Using a snow blower seems like a simple task, but, according to NATLSCO, there are more than 1,000 amputations and 5,000 hospital emergency-room-treated injuries per year associated with snow blowers. Injuries most frequently occurred when consumers tried to clear the auger/collector or discharge chute with their hand. The resulting injuries caused by the rotating snow blower blade or auger usually left tissue so damaged and mangled that repair or reattachment was not possible.

Since 1992, nine deaths have been recorded. Two resulted from being caught in machinery and seven were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as when a snow blower’s operator breathes in the machine’s exhaust while in an enclosed area.

According to university studies, there is a correlation between accidents and difficulty in moving while operating snow-removal equipment.

About one-fifth of the injury victims lost their footing and accidentally stuck their hands into the discharge chute while trying to steady themselves.

Also, about half the accidents involving snow-removal equipment happen to first-time users or those using the equipment for the first time each winter.

Other risks include being caught in chain drive sprockets, struck by propelled objects and burns from contacting mufflers and/or hot engine parts.

Inexperience causes accidents, so review the operator’s manual before use.

When necessary, stop the engine, disconnect the sparkplug wire, and use a long stick to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine. Never use your hands to unclog a snow blower.

Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.

Never leave the machine unattended when the engine is operating. Shut down the engine if you must leave the machine for any length of time. Never leave the machine running in an enclosed area, such as a garage with the door closed.

Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine. Don’t add gasoline to a running or hot engine. Always keep the gas can capped, and store gas away from ignition sources.

If you have an electric-powered snow blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times. Also begin nearest the electrical outlet and work outward to minimize the chance of running over the power cord.

Maintain and properly use the “continuous-operator” or “dead-man” controls that allow the snow blower to operate only when a lever is continuously pushed by the operator.

Plan a route before you start. Clear the area of any debris and rocks before you begin snow removal. When clearing a gravel area, don’t try to remove all the snow. Set up the snow blower so the blades operate about an inch above the gravel.

Note manhole covers, stumps, banks, curbs, large rocks, small shrubs and other obstructions. Consider marking these obstacles with stakes or flags.

Clear snow by operating the snow blower up and down the face of slopes, not across the face.

Use extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

Do not attempt to clear anything steeper than a 35 percent slope.

Shut off equipment and remove the sparkplug wire before making repairs or mechanical adjustments.

Stay Healthy This Winter It has been said that winter is the season of colds and flu. There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting and spreading colds and flu.

Drink fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids is important in flushing out toxins and in helping get through a cold or the flu. Fluids include water, fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, milk, coffee and tea. Make healthy food choices. We tend to eat more during the winter, which can lead to unwanted weight gain. It is important at this time of year to continue to make healthy food choices. Stay active. When it is cold and snowy outside, we are not as likely to go for a walk or do much work outside. However, regular exercise will help keep you healthy.

Hand washing. One of the most important things you can do to prevent flu is to wash your hands frequently.

It you drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy, stay active and wash your hands often you will have a better chance of staying healthy this winter.

You got the safety tips. So where’s the beef you say? Well, here it is.

“Snow blowers,” did someone say snow blowers? That’s two words. Did you know that? Mike did. Anyway, a snow blower must mean it’s cold outside and that reminds me. Thanks, for the jackets, Mike. The company looks well represented now. I guess this newsletter thing works. Now, if I could just get some of the guys to put their big beef in writing. When I do, I’ll be sure to spell check it. Don’t you worry.

In November, prior to his exit, Governor McGreevey signed into law, the bill which delays implementation of the Home Improvement Contractors’ Registration Act until December 31, 2005.

The new law delays the requirement that contractors who are engaged in the making or selling of home improvements register every year with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The new law also contains provisions which mandate certain information be included in home improvement contracts and provisions regarding cancellation of contracts.

Additional information will be forthcoming from the Division of Consumer Affairs. Consult their website www.njconsumeraffairs.com

Hey everyone DID YOU KNOW that the President of our company’s son, Michael Jerdan, Jr., is in a band and the band is pleased to announce that they have just released a CD. Yes, the name of the band is “Brookfield” and the CD is entitled, “Maybe this time.” Brookfield will be heading out to LA in November on tour. You can check them out at www.brookfieldrecords.com. I did, pretty good stuff. Wonder where he got it from …. must be mom.

Latest Update

Here we go!!!! It is now official. Michael Jerdan and his band Brookfield hit the Grape Street Philadelphia on February 16, 2005. Details will be on www.BrookfieldMusic.com shortly. This will be their first local concert.