Tip Tuesday: Make Memorial Day Weekend A Safe One!

As many of us are gearing up for a long weekend, let's not forget to play it safe this Memorial Day.

The American College of Emergency Physicians has released a list of the top five tips that you and your family should follow in order to stay safe and healthy over the holiday weekend.

Tip 1: Food Safety — To avoid food poisoning, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture recommends cooking fresh poultry to 165 degrees, hamburgers to 160 degrees and beef to at least 145 degrees. Refrigerate all perishable food within 2 hours, 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90 degrees. To guard against cross-contamination of bacteria, keep uncooked meats away from other foods.

Tip 2: Grill Safety — Emergency physicians see firsthand the dangers associated with an outdoor grill. Consumers should thoroughly clean a grill of any grease or dust. Check the tubes leading into the burner for any blockages from insects or food grease that can cause an uncontrolled fire. Replace any connectors which can lead to a gas leak and keep lighted cigarettes, matches or open flames away from a leaking grill. Do not use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport and porch or near any surface that can catch fire. Also, always follow the manufacturer's instructions that accompany the grill.

Tip 3: Water Safety — To prevent drowning, avoid alcohol when swimming or boating. Wear a lifejacket whenever you are on a boat. Make sure young children are supervised at all times when near the beach, on a boat, or by a pool or hot tub. Don't swim alone or in bad weather. Learn to swim and teach your children to swim. We also recommend that you learn CPR in case of an emergency.

Tip 4: Sun Safety — Protect against sunburn and heat stroke. Wear sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher and apply it generously throughout the day. Wear a hat outdoors and a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Drink plenty of water, especially when in the sun or if you are sweating heavily. If you feel faint or nauseous, get into a cool place immediately.

Tip 5: Travel Safety — Do not drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking. Wear your seatbelt at all times. Make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced and is in good working shape before a long road trip. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings if you are in an unfamiliar place and know where the nearest emergency room is to you at all times in case of an emergency.

Source: American College of Emergency Physicians

While Memorial Day has long been observed as a time for fun in the sun and spending time with our family & friends, let's not forget the real reason behind Memorial Day. Be sure to take a moment this weekend to remember those who have fallen fighting for our country.

Did you know? A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time.

Wishing everyone a wonderful, safe holiday weekend!

Michelle D.

Tip Tuesday: This Friday is National Bike To Work Day!

Now's your chance...Your chance to jump start your summer workout routine, rework your daily commute and help the environment - all at the same time! At the risk of sounding too cliche, I guess three REALLY is a charm!

Friday, May 21 is National Bike To Work Day. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty pumped about it! I'm sure we could all come up with an excuse not to participate, so I thought I would help counter some of the most common reasons not to.

Excuse 1: I don't even own a bike!

Now is the time to get one! While the upfront costs may seem a little daunting, look around for a good deal. If you're only using a bicycle as a means to commute, a standard bike will work just fine. Plus, once the expense of purchasing the bike is over with, the maintenance costs are minimal, if any. As a motivator, remind yourself how much you pay in gas each month.

For starters, try checking out some bicycle buying advice from ConsumerReports.org

Excuse 2: It's too sweaty.

According to bikerumor.com, a common concern is the need to change in and out of work clothes. But you don’t necessarily need to pull a Clark Kent-like outfit change.

“Unless you’re riding for endurance, you can wear your everyday street clothes for normal commuting,” said Meghan Cahill, a spokeswoman for the League of American Bicyclists, an advocacy group in Washington, D.C.

The sight might jar Americans, but Cahill noted that it’s common to see people riding to work in suits in countries where bicycling is more common.

If you’re not comfortable with that idea, you could always bring a change of clothes or leave a pair of dress shoes at the office. Many offices these days also have gyms where you can shower.

Excuse 3: I live too far from work.

It is reported that half of Americans work commute is under 5 miles. For the other half, try finding a half-way point between work and home where you could park your car and bike the rest of the way to work. Remember, where there's a will, there's a way!

Still need more motivation? Watch Today's Commuter Challenge segment on NBC, "Ditch the Car for a Healthy Commute."

I hope all of our readers will consider changing their commuting habits - if not permanently, at least for the day!

Stay tuned for photos of our own agency participants as they commute to work THIS FRIDAY!

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Until Next Week,

Michelle D.

Check Out Our New Web site!!

I am so pleased to announce the launch of our new Web site, www.benefit-advisors.com, which went live last week. There are some great new tools available to you, including online quoting capabilities and a brand new "chat with an agent" feature. Now you can browse our site for the latest news and information, meet our team and more, all from the comfort of your own home.

Much thanks to Jack Moring of Visual Harmony for his professional expertise and design work!

Happy browsing!

Michelle D.

Don't Forget Mom This Weekend - Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9!

It's that time of the year again...time to celebrate the women in our lives, our Mothers! Neeed some gift ideas? Want to whip up a special, healthy meal for Mom? Women's Day Online has some great tips, recipes, crafts and more to make this Mother's Day the most memorable yet.

If you're a UnitedHealthcare member, I found out some awesome news yesterday too! UHC has teamed up with 1800Flowers.com to offer its members a 15 percent discount on flowers for Mother's Day and thoughout the year. UHC members, click here for more information on obtaining your discount.

If you're not a big fan of sending flowers, you might consider something a little more therapeutic, like a massage. If your Mom is anything like mine, she rarely takes the time to pamper herself, so this year I decided to schedule a mother/daughter massage to celebrate Mother's Day the relaxing way! The health benefits of massage are also a plus. Some studies have found massage helpful for the following:

1. Stress relief (who doesn't need a little of this every now and then?)
2. Managing anxiety and depression
3. Pain
4. Stiffness
5. Blood pressure control
6. Infant growth
7. Sports-related injuries
8. Boosting immunity
9. Cancer treatment

Source: mayoclinic.com

Rest assured, whatever you decide to do for the special women in your life, they are sure to appreciate the thought & the effort!

Until Next Week,

Michelle D.