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Each year, about 1,300,000 people are killed in road accidents. This is a mind-numbing number of deaths for the worst reason in the world. This means that over 3,000 people die every single day due to collisions on the road. Road accidents can happen anywhere in the world, and at any time. It is one of the most random, split second things that can ever occur. Everything can go wrong because of one tiny twitch of a hand at the wrong moment. People travel at such high speeds in the world now that nearly every accident is either fatal or leaves someone critically injured, or disabled. Mobile phones and the road People are now so used to mobile phones that they think that they can drive while using them. It doesn’t matter how mad you think your driving skills are, you still can’t text while driving. Unless you are capable of seeing and concentrating on two separate things with equal intensity, of course. This isn’t humanly possible, so you can put that thought away. From texting to calling to using mobile navigation systems, people are always finding ways to use their mobile phones. It almost feels like they just can’t keep their paws off those screens, not even for the time it takes to drive from point A to point B every day. No amount of justification makes it okay People tend to give all kinds of excuses when they are asked why they text while they drive. For most, it is that some texts are too important to be ignored. However, as one grieving mother puts it, no text message is more important than your own life. What can I do to stop myself and my kids from texting? If you are a parent, there are a couple of things that you can do to stop yourself, and your teenagers from texting behind the wheel. For your kids, there is something known as a drivecam, which records live video of what is going on in the driver’s seat, and sends you updates. For everybody, there are apps on Android and iOS that block all text messages and all messaging platforms for the duration of the drive. Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families Health Insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #distracteddrivingawareness #healthawareness

Alcoholism is a significant issue that still plagues the U.S. It’s estimated that there are roughly 95,000 alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. every year, making it the third-leading preventable cause of death in the entire country. It’s why the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month back in 1987. Despite the fact that more people are becoming aware of the dangers of alcohol dependence every year, there are still things that people don’t know about it. For example, few people understand the difference between alcoholism and an alcohol use disorder. The Difference Between Alcoholism and an Alcohol Use Disorder According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, an alcohol use disorder refers to anyone who abuses alcohol or has a dependency on alcohol. There are also three classifications under which a person can be diagnosed as having an alcohol use disorder: mild, moderate, and severe. Symptoms of an alcohol use disorder include: Being unable to limit how much you drink Spending a significant amount of time drinking or getting more alcohol Feeling strong urges to drink alcohol Giving up social activities and hobbies as a result of drinking alcohol Drinking alcohol in unsafe situations (such as while driving) Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when not drinking It’s worth noting that being diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re an alcoholic. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with a severe alcohol use disorder, you can also be diagnosed as being an alcoholic. Alcoholics experience all of the symptoms of someone with an alcohol use disorder as well as: Increasing tolerance to alcohol The inability to stop drinking Neglecting family and friends due to drinking Continuing to drink despite experiencing negative consequences (such as being arrested in California for drunk driving) Having an alcohol use disorder does not necessarily mean you’re an alcoholic. However, if you are an alcoholic, then you have a severe alcohol use disorder. To find out more about the dangers of alcoholism or about health awareness in general, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #alcoholuse #alcoholusedisorder #alcoholism

How to Prevent and Treat Sports Eye Injuries Different activities and sports have different levels of risk for eye injury. Make sure that you’re using the right kind of eye protection for each activity. Regular eyeglasses do not offer proper eye protection and in some cases can make an injury worse if they shatter. Be careful during activities or games involving projectiles and other sharp objects that could create injury if in contact with the eye. If you have an eye injury go to the emergency room immediately, even if the injury appears minor. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Take the following steps to avoid sports eye injuries: Wear proper safety goggles (lensed polycarbonate protectors) for racquet sports or basketball. In order to be assured that your eyes are protected, it is important that any eye guard or sports protective eyewear are labeled as ASTM F803 approved. This eyewear is performance tested to give you the highest levels of protection. Use batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields for youth baseball. Use helmets and face shields approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association when playing hockey. Know that regular glasses don’t provide enough protection If You Get Hit in the Eye: Gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. Don’t use steaks or other food items. These can get bacteria into the eye. DO NOT apply any pressure. If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your ophthalmologist or emergency room. Even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury, like a retinal detachment. Eye injuries can cause vision loss or blindness. That’s why having an ophthalmologist or other medical doctor examine the eye as soon as possible is important, even if the injury seems minor at first. DO NOT attempt to treat a serious eye injury yourself. Learn More about Sports Eye Safety:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families Vision Insurance needs! #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #EyeSafetyAwarenessMonth #Californiahealthinsurance #VisionInsurance #eyesafety

Everybody loves sports, especially here in California; however, few people consider their eye safety when playing sports. Yet it’s estimated that more than 25,000 people are treated for a sports-related eye injury every year in the U.S. It’s no surprise when you consider how vulnerable the eyes are in almost any sport that involves physical contact (from basketball to boxing) or equipment (such as hockey sticks or tennis balls). To help spread awareness about the importance of protecting your eyes while playing sports, April has been designated as Sports Eye Safety Month. Eye Safety Tips Injuring the area around your eye (or the eye itself) can cause significant damage and can even result in blindness in the affected eye. As such, it’s critical that you protect your eyes when playing sports. The following are a few tips that can help prevent eye injuries: Always wear the proper equipment: If you’re playing baseball and you’re up to bat, don’t play without a helmet. The same goes for hockey and other sports that typically require safety equipment to be worn. Use helmet face shields: Make sure that if you’re wearing a helmet, you also wear a face shield on that helmet. If a sport requires a helmet, it means that there’s a risk of injury to the head. However, most helmets don’t cover the eyes (such as baseball helmets), so be sure to wear a helmet that has a face shield. Wear safety goggles: You should wear safety goggles when playing any sport that involves a ball of any kind, such as tennis or basketball. A tennis ball or a basketball to the face can cause serious damage to your eye or eye socket. It’s worth noting that sports goggles can also help shield your eyes from the sun’s glare. If you don’t protect your eyes while playing sports, you could end up with a serious eye injury that may prevent you from playing your favorite sport in the future. Severe eye injuries can even lead to blindness, so be sure to keep eye safety in mind. For more safety awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #eyesafety #EyeSafetyAwareness #eyesportssafety #SportsSafety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around one in three Americans suffer from sleep deprivation. People should generally get around seven to nine hours of sleep every night, and sleeping less than seven hours in a night can be considered sleep deprivation. Many people don’t realize how important it is to get enough sleep, which is why March 13th through March 19th was Sleep Awareness Week. The Consequences of Sleep Deprivation Not sleeping enough can have significant consequences. Getting enough sleep is critical to your metabolic regulation, memory, learning abilities, and emotion regulation. Sleeping adequately is just as important as exercising. With that in mind, the following are some of the consequences of not sleeping enough: Memory issues – A lack of sleep can cause problems remembering things. That can affect individuals who are still in school and can hurt work performance as well. Depression – Not only has a lack of sleep been linked to increased irritability and stress, but it has also been linked to depression. Weakened immune system – Not sleeping enough can cause your immune system to weaken, making you more vulnerable to getting sick. Poor hand-eye coordination – People who are fatigued drive just as bad or even worse than those who are intoxicated. The CDC estimates that 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries related to car accidents have been caused by fatigued drivers. How To Improve Your Sleep If you’re not sleeping enough, then the following are a few tips that you can apply to improve your sleep throughout the night: Stop using electronic devices an hour before going to bed Maintain a routine and go to bed at the same time every night Read a book before going to bed Take a warm bath or shower before going to bed Turn off all lights when you go to bed Sleep deprivation can cause a lot of health problems, not to mention increasing the risk of getting into an accident in California or elsewhere if you’re driving. For more health awareness tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Lackofsleep #SleepAwareness #Sleepdeprivation #Sleepdeprived

A lot of people don’t realize that poisoning in the home is a big problem in California as well as the rest of the country — poisoning has become the number one cause of death, ahead of car accidents. It’s estimated that around half of all poison exposures are to children under the age of six. Additionally, 92% of all poisoning deaths happen to adults over the age of 20. To help spread awareness of the danger of home poisonings, March 20th through March 26th is National Poison Prevention Week. What Causes Poisoning in the Home? The following are some of the most common causes of poisoning in the home: Painkillers – Opioids have been responsible for countless deaths over the years. In 2020, opioids were responsible for 68,630 deaths in the United States alone. Many of these painkillers are commonly prescribed as well. Personal care products – Personal care products include everything from cosmetics to shampoos. Such products are dangerous when left within reach of young children. Cleaning products – Like personal care products, cleaning products, such as bleach, can be incredibly dangerous if not properly stored and a child gets their hands on them. Sedatives – Adults who are prescribed sedatives can be poisoned if they take too much or combine them with other medications or with alcohol. Foreign bodies – Foreign bodies often include toys produced with certain chemicals that are dangerous to children. Preventing Home Poisonings The following are a few safety tips to help prevent poisonings in your home: Always put potential poisons away after use. Store potential poisons in their original containers. Do not move them to your own containers. Keep potential poisons out of reach of children. Use childproof locks or safety latches to keep them from getting access. Never put potential poisons near your food. Don’t mix medications. Safely discard containers that contained potential poisons or any products that are expired. Keep these safety tips in mind to prevent poisoning in the home. Be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store for more health and safety advice today. #causesofpoisonings #NationalPoisonPreventionWeek #poison #poisonprevention

The deadline for submitting your tax return is coming up, which means that you’ll want to make sure to protect yourself against potential tax ID theft. A significant amount of people use online tax return services, such as TurboTax or Credit Karma, to do their tax returns. Unfortunately, that means there’s a greater risk of having your social security number stolen. If your social security number is exposed, it can be used to file a false tax return in your name. However, if you’re careful, you can avoid such fraud. Ways to Prevent Tax ID Theft The following are a few tips that you should follow to prevent the theft of your social security number: File Your Taxes Early To commit tax fraud, scammers need to submit a fraudulent tax return before you do. The earlier you submit your tax return, the less likely it is that you’ll become a victim of tax fraud. Keep Your Social Security Number Safe As long as your social security number is safe, you won’t be the victim of tax fraud. As such, take every precaution to keep your number secure. For example, never carry your social security card with you. Instead, keep it locked up somewhere safe in your California home. If you’re planning to throw away documents with your social on them, shred them first. Sign Up for Identity Protection The Identity Protection Pin is a unique six-digit number that the IRS will assign to you if you request it. When it’s assigned, you’ll be required to provide it on your return. It’s another level of protection against potential theft since thieves will need your social security number as well as your pin to submit a fraudulent return. Be Wary About Scams The IRS will only communicate with you through direct mail. If you receive emails, texts, calls, or social media communications that are advertised as being from the IRS, they are likely scams trying to trick you into giving up your social security number. Be sure to use these tips to protect yourself against tax ID theft. For more safety awareness tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #IDtheft #PreventingIDtheft #PreventingTaxIDtheft #TaxIDtheft

March 14 – 21 is Brain Awareness Week What’s the key to keeping your mind sharp and your brain healthy as you grow older? Online puzzles? Nutritional supplements? Mall walking? Pickle-ball tournaments? The truth is, there’s no single “miracle cure” for memory problems or other brain changes that come with aging. But there is cause for optimism. Science points to a combination of social factors and healthy habits that—taken together—can help you build, preserve, and protect your brain’s function over time. How to maintain brain health Here are some tips for filling—and not draining—your reservoir of brain power: Exercise regularly If you smoke, quit Take care of your heart Avoid a high-sugar diet keep your mind stimulated Moderate of avoid alcohol sleep well Preventing memory loss Experts used to think brain development peaked in late adolescence and it was all downhill from there. They believed if a person lost brain cells due to problems like a head injury, stroke, or substance abuse, nothing could be done to restore memory and brain function. Now, thanks to discoveries in neuroscience, we know that the brain can grow new cells and form new neural connections. Like our muscles and other body parts, the brain can rebuild itself through repeated use and exercise. This is great news for people who intend to live a long time. It means we can prevent memory loss by focusing on mental, physical, and social activities that promote healthy brain development. Even people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Explore the brain. Visit www.Dana.org Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you an your families health insurance needs! #BrainAwareness #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness

National Consumer Protection Week – March 6 – 12th Our personal data is everywhere, and providing information like passwords and account numbers to access online accounts is something many of us do on a daily basis. Unfortunately, whenever we supply our PII, we are taking some level of risk that a criminal could steal and misuse it. But there are ways to reduce the likelihood of identity theft, and many of these strategies are simple and free. The best way to help prevent identity theft is to sign up for an identity theft protection service. Although an identity theft protection service can’t prevent identity theft, it can alert you promptly when it happens to limit the damage and help you recover. Identity theft protection can help safeguard your personal information for a monthly or annual fee. Subscriptions can include monitoring of credit reports, financial accounts, medical information, social media activity, the dark web, and more. Identity theft protection companies also provide recovery services if your information is compromised. Some offer identity theft coverage of up to $1 million and access to attorneys or private investigators to help you restore your credit and reputation. Most also give you a dashboard to view notifications and contact customer service if fraudulent activity occurs. Besides subscribing to an identity theft protection service, there are other ways to help prevent identity theft. Freeze your credit. Collect mail daily. Review credit card and bank statements regularly. shred documents containing personal information before throwing away. Create different passwords for your accounts. Install antivirus software. Enable two-factor authentication on devices and accounts. What can you do if you suspect or know that your identity has been stolen? Recovering from identity theft can be a long, stressful, and potentially costly process. Many credit card companies have adopted policies that try to minimize the amount of money you are liable for, but the implications can extend beyond your existing accounts. To minimize the extent of the damage, take action as soon as possible: Start by visiting IdentityTheft.gov – This is a trusted, one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft. Information provided here includes checklists, sample letters, and links to other resources. Possible next steps in the process – You may need to contact credit reporting agencies or companies where you have accounts, file police or other official reports, and consider other information that may have been compromised. Other sites that offer information and guidance for recovering from identity theft are: Federal Trade Commission – https://www.consumer.ftc.gov United States Department of Justice – https://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html Social Security Administration – https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf Learn more:Download Smart, Simple Coverage Starts Here. Protection for your family, your business & your personal identity. Your Health and Safety Matters! For more information on Identity Theft Protection, Click Here. #ConsumerProtectionWeek #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #Californiahealthinsurance #HealthNews #ConsumerProtectionAwareness

Poisoning in dogs is a serious issue that every dog owner should be aware of. If you have a pet dog, then odds are you care greatly about it and do everything you can to keep it safe. Unfortunately, there are a lot of household items that may seem harmless that can end up poisoning your dog if they consume them. It’s estimated that there are around 232,000 pet poisonings in the U.S. every year. These poisonings are caused by everything from cleaning products and gardening products to plants and people food. To help prevent dog poisonings, March has been designated as Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month. Signs of Poisoning in Dogs If your dog has consumed an item that is poisonous to them, you’ll want to act quickly by taking them to your vet as soon as possible. The quicker you act, the better the chances will be of saving your dog. With that in mind, the following are a few signs that indicate your dog may have consumed something poisonous: Your dog is breathing rapidly Your dog exhibits a weak or rapid pulse It’s experiencing a change in body temperature The dog’s gums appear pale The dog has lost consciousness Your dog is experiencing paralysis or is having trouble standing Your dog is having seizures It is bleeding excessively What To Do If Your Dog Has Been Poisoned First of all, call your vet. They will tell you what to do. If you can’t reach your vet, then call the Animal Poison Control Center. You can reach them at 888-426-4435. They will provide you with guidance on what to do for a consultation fee. They are available 24 hours a day.You can also call the Pet Poison Hotline. If you take your pet to the vet, take any of the potential poison that remains. If your dog ate it all and vomited, take a sample of the vomit. This will help the vet determine what poisoned your dog so they can treat it more effectively. Poisonings in dogs are a serious threat throughout California homes. Understand how to identify if your dog is poisoned so you can get them the care they need. For more pet safety advice, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Petsafety #poisoningindogs #dogpoison #Petpoisonprevention #petpoison

Burn injuries are more serious than a lot of people realize. They continue to be one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths in the US. Because people may not be aware of how serious injuries caused by burns can be, February 6th through February 12th has been designated as National Burn Awareness Week. Facts About Burn Injuries To help spread awareness throughout California about the importance of burn safety, the following are some burn-related facts you should know: It’s estimated that around 400,000 people are treated for injuries caused by burns in the U.S. every year. In 2018, there 40,000 experienced injuries caused by burns that were bad enough to require them to go to the hospital. The odds of a U.S. resident dying due to exposure to smoke (caused by a fire) or fire are one in 1,498. An estimated 73 percent of all burn-related injuries that were treated in burn centers were the result of accidents within the home. Children under the age of five are twice as likely to be seen for burn-related injuries in hospital ERs than the general population. Around 40 percent of all burn-related injuries happen to children that are under the age of 15. Fire Safety Tips Although around 96.7 percent of burn victims that are treated in burn centers survive, many of them will have significant scarring and physical disabilities that can last their entire lives. Because many burn-related incidents occur to children at home, it’s critical that you keep the following fire safety tips in mind, especially if you have kids: Teach your kids about fire safety: Make sure your kids don’t play with matches or lighters if they find them. Teach them to tell the nearest adult if they find them. You should also teach them to stay away from open flames (such as if there’s a fire in the fireplace). Never leave candles burning unattended: If you’re lighting a candle, don’t leave the room without putting it out. Never leave the stove or grill unattended if it’s in use. Especially if there are kids around. Burn injuries are a serious problem in the U.S., especially where kids are concerned. Make sure to keep fire safety in mind to help prevent burn-related injuries. For more safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #burninjuries #Californiaburnawareness #NationalBurnWeek

What is and eating disorder? Eating disorders are serious, complex and potentially life-threatening mental illnesses. They are characterised by disturbances in behaviours, thoughts and attitudes to food, eating, and body weight or shape. Eating disorders have detrimental impacts upon a person’s life and result in serious medical, psychiatric and psychosocial consequences. Before you can address and treat a problem, you must identify the problem. Warning signs of an eating disorder include: Alterations in Weight Unusually marked weight loss. If the person weighs less than 85 percent of their ideal body weight and exhibits other characteristic signs of an eating disorder, this person can be diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Patients can still be close to, at, or even above their ideal body weight and still have an eating disorder. This is fairly often seen in binging and purging behaviors typical of patients diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa. Preoccupation with Body Image May spend an inordinate amount of time looking in the mirror. Makes negative comments about her physical appearance and insists that she is overweight. May become preoccupied with certain celebrities and models on the Internet and magazines and compare themselves unfavorably to them. Wears baggy clothing to hide their body shape. Learn more:Download Your health and safety matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #eatingdisorderawareness #healthawareness