Health-Wellness-Safety Tips
See our helpful and informative articles on Health-Wellness-Safety Tips each month
HEALTH and WELLNESS
Tips for Tackling Dry Eye Symptoms
(BPT) - Did you know that too much time spent looking at your smartphone, computer or TV can lead to symptoms of dry eye? If you are having blurry vision, gritty, scratchy or watery eyes, you might be one of the 30 million Americans with dry eye. And for a majority of those people, a complex disorder called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a root cause of dry eye symptoms.
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“While dry eye is more prevalent in older people, more young people are being diagnosed due to increased screen time, diet and other factors. There are many causes for dry eye, but it is important to understand conditions like Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and how to best find relief for symptoms,” said Dr. Whitney Hauser, optometrist and “The Dry Eye Coach”.
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Follow these tips to help ease the discomfort of dry eye and to determine if you need to talk to your eye doctor if symptoms persist and become more severe:
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1. Take breaks from your devices
It is easy to lose track of screen time when the new normal includes relying on digital devices for everything from staying connected to your family, working and even ordering household necessities. Be sure to take breaks to give your eyes a rest and, most importantly, don’t forget to blink. Failing to blink regularly can contribute to drying out your eyes, so try following the 20/20/20 rule; look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes while reading or staring at devices and computers for prolonged periods of time.
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2. Make small changes to your lifestyle
Taking care of your eyes in a variety of ways can help keep dry eye symptoms at bay. Small changes like wearing sunglasses outdoors to reduce exposure to wind and the sun, properly cleaning your contact lenses before inserting them if you wear weekly or monthly lenses, using a humidifier in your home and staying hydrated can help reduce dry eye symptoms.
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3. Use an over-the-counter eye drop for relief
Over-the-counter dry eye drops are a great option to replenish the eye’s natural moisture, especially for people with mild symptoms. This can be a convenient option because you can take it with you and alleviate symptoms no matter where you are.
4. Make an appointment with your eye doctor
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If you’re having persistent visual fluctuations, irritation, watery eyes and dryness, you might have a condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Consider making an appointment with an eye doctor to discuss in-office treatments.
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DECEMBER
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HEALTH and SAFETY
8 simple ideas to prevent home break-ins
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(BPT) - Did you know most burglaries are home break-ins? Keeping your home secure is vital to the safety of yourself, your family and your belongings. Here are several simple ideas to increase your personal safety.
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1. Install a home security system.
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Security systems offer perhaps the most powerful protection for your home. Even a simple alarm system and a few well-placed signs in your yard and on your windows can greatly diminish the likelihood of home break-ins. If you can afford it, motion sensors on doors and windows, along with 24-hour monitoring, delivers even greater protection. Check for discounts on your home insurance for a monitored security system.
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2. Check out smart home technology.
Consider investing in security cameras and other smart home technology, such as video doorbells and keylocks. These systems are much easier to install now using wireless devices and can help you monitor your home and alert you to potential activity. They also provide a great way to check in on pets when you're away from home.
3. Don't hide keys outside the house.
For convenience, many people hide a spare key outside near the front door. It might be under the welcome mat, in a planter or on a ledge. If a key is easy for your family or friends to find, it's also easy for thieves to find. Instead, consider leaving a key with a neighbor you trust.
4. Keep those bushes trimmed.
High, full bushes and shrubs around your home are ideal places for thieves to hide while they work on opening your window. By keeping bushes trimmed and lower to the ground, you're making it harder for would-be burglars to gain access to your house.
5. Make it look like you're home.
Most thieves want to strike while you're away. With some good sense and creativity, you can fool them into thinking you're home even when you're not. Consider purchasing timers that turn your lamps and TV on and off at different hours of the evening. You might also consider a timer for your front porch light. If it's lit during the day, it could be a telltale sign that you're away for an extended period. Along that line, don't let the mail or newspapers pile up when you're on vacation. Either suspend service or ask a neighbor to pick them up for you. Check into newer technology lighting that allows you to control lights remotely using your smart device.
6. Install outdoor lighting.
Darkness is a burglar's best friend. When thieves approach your home and bright lights in their faces suddenly confront them, it can be a strong motivation to move on. Motion-activated lighting systems are inexpensive, easy to install and a great way to put thieves in the spotlight. Plus, when you come home at night, these lights will switch on and illuminate the path to your door.
7. Make friends with your neighbors.
Chances are, the neighbors surrounding your home are just as interested in home security as you are. Together, you can create a network of eyes that's always on the lookout for suspicious behavior. If you're going out of town, let your neighbors know in advance so they can be extra vigilant. When they go on vacation, you can do the same for them. Exchange phone numbers and emails with your neighbors, so you can contact them when an emergency arises. Consider joining neighborhood watch groups or online forums to keep informed about things going on in your neighborhood and the local area.
8. Keep windows and doors locked.
This tip may seem obvious, but unlocked doors and windows are the cause of many successful burglaries. When the weather's nice, you may open a window and then forget to close it at night or when you run an errand, offering a tempting target for burglars. In addition, don't leave valuable items, such as purses, laptops or credit cards, in plain view through your windows. Thieves may take this opportunity to quickly break the glass and grab your valuables.
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HEALTH and WELLNESS
Fire safety tips that could help save your life
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(BPT) - Having working smoke alarms in your home is as important as wearing a seatbelt in your car. It's a necessity that protects you and your loved ones. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately three out of five home fire deaths occur in residences with no working smoke alarms or without any smoke alarms at all. These cases can be avoided as smoke alarms are accessible and easy to install.
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Smoke alarms serve a critical and life-saving purpose, sounding when smoke is detected to give people the most time possible to escape and call for help. The NFPA shares that the risk of dying from a home fire is cut in half if working smoke alarms are in place. However, only 23% of Americans check their smoke alarms monthly, according to data from a new survey conducted by UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Smoke alarms with dead, missing or disconnected batteries account for a significant number of fire tragedies, and according to the NFPA, 46% of nonworking smoke alarms are due to missing or disconnected batteries.
While an unexpected chirp - beep, beep, beep - from a smoke alarm may sometimes be a nuisance, the need for working smoke alarms is critically important. Forty years ago, people had around 17 minutes to escape their home in the event of a fire. Today, due to synthetic materials, furniture, more spacious floorplans and lighter-weight construction materials, people now have three minutes or less to escape their home. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning that there could be a fire.
New technology has made smoke alarms better at differentiating common smoke from cooking, and an actual, potentially life-threatening fire. While it is difficult to eliminate all nuisance chirps, the next generation of alarms will greatly reduce nuisance alarms due to cooking - the leading reason for a smoke alarm to be disabled, according to the NFPA and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). This practice is extremely dangerous.
"Simply put, the complacent 'it won't happen to me' approach many take when it comes to fires can have significant consequences today," said Steve Kerber, vice president, Research, UL FSRI. "Working smoke alarms are an easy and effective safeguard to protect you and your family, and with new technology greatly reducing nuisance alarms, we're hoping to see significantly fewer disabled alarms in the field when responding to fires."
Smoke alarms help save lives. Here are helpful fire safety tips to follow:
* Install working smoke alarms on every level of the house, in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and in the basement.
* Position smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from the stove.
* Test all smoke alarms once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
* Don't disable your smoke alarms.
* Working smoke alarms will continue to provide protection through the end of their 10-year life span. At the end of the 10-year span, install new alarms with enhanced technology.
* Create an escape plan, practice it with your immediate and extended family and caregivers, and act on it when an alarm sounds.
* Close Before You Doze. A closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames, keeping rooms survivable for longer.
* Get down, get out and stay out if a smoke alarm goes off in your home or building
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November
HEALTH and SAFETY
3 things that may go wrong if you don't winterize your house
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(BPT) - Fall is here, which means, like it or not, cold weather is just around the corner. While most of us would prefer not to think about turning on our heat just yet, this is actually the best time to check your heating to ensure everything is operating as it should.
Neglecting to winterize your home and letting small issues pile up can have big repercussions. Ahead of the winter season, HomeServe, a leading provider of service plans, repair and installation services for the home, wants to make sure you're aware of three major things that may go wrong if you don't winterize your house or neglect your heating system.
1. Your utility bills may skyrocket. Utility bills often jump up in the winter due to the increased hours of darkness and the cost to heat your home. But if your heater is on the fritz or your filters are clogged, you could be in for an even bigger surprise. Dirty filters cause your furnace to work harder, which leads to inefficiency and a shortened lifespan for your heating system. Replacing filters is often an easy task for homeowners. A yearly tune-up is an inexpensive way to help prevent a costly system breakdown in the coming months. Also, keep in mind that some warranties require annual tune-ups, so don't let your warranty go invalid by skipping this year's tune-up.
2. The threat of carbon monoxide is very real. Do you know how old your furnace is? Do you know how long it's been since a professional checked it over? Carbon monoxide poses a health threat when the heating system flue, vent or chimney becomes blocked from debris or other material. During a heating system tune-up, a professional service technician can check to make sure all your vents are not blocked and are working properly. Drains and traps also need to be checked and combustion gases should be analyzed and compared to the specifications of your furnace or boiler to make sure everything is running safely. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home is another smart way to help with early detection.
3. Water pipes can burst. It's not just your heating system that needs to be winterized. All too often it happens - we wake up to realize our pipes are frozen, or even worse, leaking. Before the cold sets in, make sure outside hoses are put away and water is turned off. Evaluate which pipes are at the greatest risk for freezing during cold weather. For example, if your water pipes come up from an un-insulated crawl space, or if they are in or close to an uninsulated outside wall or vent, they are more likely to freeze and burst in low temperatures. Inside pipes should be covered in insulation to keep pipes warmer longer. Pipe insulation is easy to apply and available at most hardware stores and home centers.
By having an annual tune-up in the fall, you can catch small issues now, instead of experiencing bigger problems in the dead of winter. A tune-up can also save energy, reduce heating costs and prevent a system breakdown in the coming months.
HEALTH and WELLNESS
Give breakfast a boost before school: Fuel your kids' day with wholesome on-the-go options
(BPT) - School is back in session, which means hectic mornings spent searching for missing shoes and backpacks, and jam-packed schedules with homework sessions and extracurricular activities. Morning meals at home or at school are imperative, and for busy parents, breakfast snacks on the go can be key when rushing out the door.
Incorporating an easy, delicious, wholesome breakfast snack option like new
GoGo squeeZ SmoothieZ - available now on Target shelves - into kids' routines helps keep them full while offering the nutrients kids need to jump-start their day. Each 4 oz portable pouch is gluten-free, pantry-friendly, a source of calcium, and has 4 g of protein in yogurt, fruit and whole oat blend.
Registered Dietitian and founder of Real Mom Nutrition Sally Kuzemchak shares a few reasons why incorporating a morning snack can contribute to kids' overall well-being throughout the day:
1. A nutritious breakfast offers energy for an active lifestyle
It's important for kids to eat something wholesome each morning to fuel their day. Breakfast snacks that are rich in calcium and protein help them stay energized and full until lunchtime. Also, getting a boost of energy at breakfast makes it easier for kids to be active throughout their day, contributing to a more active lifestyle in the future.
2. Eating breakfast improves alertness, concentration and memory function
Just like the stomach, the brain needs nutritious foods to thrive. Skipping breakfast may affect your child's focus or leave them feeling drowsy and irritable. A breakfast filled with whole grains, fiber and protein can help improve kids' attention spans and enhance concentration and memory skills.
3. A daily breakfast routine sets healthy habits
Just like making their bed or brushing their teeth, nutritional habits should be taught early on. Making breakfast part of a kid's daily routine offers the building blocks for a healthy and balanced lifestyle as they become older.
Start mornings off right by adding GoGo squeeZ SmoothieZ to your breakfast routine. Help your kids stay full and give them the boost of energy they'll need to thrive this school year.
October
HEALTH and SAFETY
Fire safety tips that could help save your life
(BPT) - Having working smoke alarms in your home is as important as wearing a seat belt in your car. It's a necessity that protects you and your loved ones. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately three out of five home fire deaths occur in residences with no working smoke alarms or without any smoke alarms at all. These cases can be avoided as smoke alarms are accessible and easy to install.
Smoke alarms serve a critical and life-saving purpose, sounding when smoke is detected to give people the most time possible to escape and call for help. The NFPA shares that the risk of dying from a home fire is cut in half if working smoke alarms are in place. However, only 23% of Americans check their smoke alarms monthly, according to data from a new survey conducted by UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Smoke alarms with dead, missing or disconnected batteries account for a significant number of fire tragedies, and according to the NFPA, 46% of nonworking smoke alarms are due to missing or disconnected batteries.
While an unexpected chirp - beep, beep, beep - from a smoke alarm may sometimes be a nuisance, the need for working smoke alarms is critically important. Forty years ago, people had around 17 minutes to escape their home in the event of a fire. Today, due to synthetic materials, furniture, more spacious floorplans and lighter-weight construction materials, people now have three minutes or less to escape their home. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning that there could be a fire.
New technology has made smoke alarms better at differentiating common smoke from cooking, and an actual, potentially life-threatening fire. While it is difficult to eliminate all nuisance chirps, the next generation of alarms will greatly reduce nuisance alarms due to cooking - the leading reason for a smoke alarm to be disabled, according to the NFPA and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). This practice is extremely dangerous.
"Simply put, the complacent 'it won't happen to me' approach many take when it comes to fires can have significant consequences today," said Steve Kerber, vice president, Research, UL FSRI. "Working smoke alarms are an easy and effective safeguard to protect you and your family, and with new technology greatly reducing nuisance alarms, we're hoping to see significantly fewer disabled alarms in the field when responding to fires."
Smoke alarms help save lives. Here are helpful fire safety tips to follow:
* Install working smoke alarms on every level of the house, in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and in the basement.
* Position smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from the stove.
* Test all smoke alarms once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
* Don't disable your smoke alarms.
* Working smoke alarms will continue to provide protection through the end of their 10-year life span. At the end of the 10-year span, install new alarms with enhanced technology.
* Create an escape plan, practice it with your immediate and extended family and caregivers, and act on it when an alarm sounds.
* Close Before You Doze. A closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames, keeping rooms survivable for longer.
* Get down, get out and stay out if a smoke alarm goes off in your home or building.
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