California has more than its share of earthquakes, which can happen without warning. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly two to three earthquakes occur in California every year that are big enough to cause moderate damage. Because of this, the Great California Shake-Out, an annual statewide earthquake drill, is held every October to help spread awareness of the importance of earthquake safety. This year’s Shake-Out occured at 10:21 AM on October 21st. Earthquake Safety Tips Being in an earthquake can be scary, but it’s important that you follow these critical safety tips. Doing so can help to save your life and the lives of your family: Drop to the ground as soon as you feel shaking. That will help protect you from being knocked down or injured by falling debris. Take cover underneath a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall. Try to stay away from windows, fireplaces, and anything that could fall on you. Hold on to your furniture or cover until the shaking stops. This will help prevent you from being tossed around and injured. Stay away from windows and exterior walls if you’re in a high-rise building. elevators are also not safe during an earthquake, so take the stairs instead. If you’re outdoors, move away from buildings, power lines, and trees. Try to find an open area where you can drop to the ground. If you’re in a car, stop in a safe location away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Avoid overpasses and bridges, as they could collapse. Teach Your Family About Earthquake Safety Be sure to talk to your family about earthquake safety tips. Practice dropping, covering, and holding with them, so everyone knows what to do. The upcoming Great California Shake-Out is the perfect time to do so. Have a plan for how you will communicate with each other in the event of an earthquake, as cell phone service may be spotty. For more safety awareness tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #earthquakesafety #earthquakesafetytips #safetyawareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while breast cancer awareness has grown in recent years, there is still much to learn about this disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Understanding what invasive breast cancer is and how to prevent it can help save lives. What You Should Know About Invasive Breast Cancer Invasive breast cancer is a cancer that has begun to spread from where it first began to other parts of the breast. This type of cancer is particularly dangerous because it’s more likely to spread to other areas of your body. It’s also more difficult to treat than non-invasive breast cancer. The following are some of the risk factors for developing this type of breast cancer that you should know about: Age: The older you are, the greater your risk. Family history: If you have a family member who has had breast cancer, you have a higher risk of developing the disease. Genetics: Certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Race: Caucasian women are more prone to getting breast cancer than African-American women. However, African-American women tend to be more likely to die from it. Certain medical conditions: Women with certain medical conditions, such as radiation therapy to the breast or chest, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Obesity: Women who are obese have a higher risk of developing and dying from breast cancer. Treating Breast Cancer Early The good news is that invasive breast cancer can be treated, and the earlier it is detected, the better the chances of survival. Women should perform regular breast self-exams and get yearly mammograms starting at age 40. If you notice anything unusual, such as a lump, discharge, or breast size or shape change, be sure to see your doctor in California immediately. For more health awareness information or health tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #Californiahealthinsurance #WomensHealth #breastcancer #invasivebreastcancer

The average lifespan of a human varies depending on various factors, including location. However, in the United States the average life expectancy of a male is 76, while a female’s average life expectancy is around 81. Of course, people can live longer than this – in fact, according to a new study, the longest a human can live is 115 years. Human Life Expectancy The world record for the longest life belongs to Jeanne Calment, who died at the age of 122 back in 1997. Over the last century, people have lived longer and longer, with the average life expectancy continually going up. However, researchers believe that the limit has finally been reached – and that limit is 115. The debate over whether the human life expectancy has a natural barrier is one that has been going on for years and years. Dr. Vijg, an aging expert at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, believes that even though there are examples of humans growing older than 115 years, such as Jeanne Calment, nobody will ever surpass that age again. Dr. Vijg and his students looked at data based on survival and mortality rates. They tracked how many people were alive in a given year and compared these figures from year to year so that they could determine how quickly the population grew at each age. Research revealed that the fastest growing part of society has been old people. For example, in France during the 1920’s, the fastest growing group of women were 85-year olds. This trend kept increasing, with the fastest growing group of French women in the 1990’s being 100-year olds. However, this trend of increases slowed down and then stopped. Dr. Vijg discovered the same overall trend in over 40 countries. He also discovered that 115 was the age at which the increase stopped. Dr. Vijg’s theory that no one can grow older than 115 is based on available data, but many scientists reject the notion that humans have a life span limit. Keep up with all the latest health news by visiting The Benefits Store today. #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #lifeexpectancy #Californiahealthinsurance #USLifeExpectancy #HealthNews

Every year, the dependency on technology grows. We use the internet for everything from work and school to entertainment and socializing. As our lives move increasingly online, it’s important to be aware of the risks we face online and take steps to protect ourselves. To help increase awareness about the importance of cybersecurity throughout California, October has been designated as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). Speaking To Your Kids About Cybersecurity If you have kids old enough to use the internet, now is a great time to talk to them about online safety and security. Teach them the importance of choosing strong passwords, being cautious about the information they share online, and not clicking on links from strangers. It’s also important to establish ground rules for internet use in your home and ensure your kids know what to do if they come across anything online that makes them uncomfortable. General Cybersecurity Tips To Follow In addition to talking to your kids about using the internet safely, the following are some general tips to help protect yourself online: Use effective passwords. A secure password is one that’s at least eight characters long and includes letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like your name, birth date, or favorite sports team. Keep your software up to date. Regularly update the software on your computer, phone, and other devices. Hackers exploit security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to keep your devices patched so they can’t take advantage of them. Be cautious about what you click. Don’t click on links or attachments from people you don’t know. And even if you do know the sender, be careful before you click. Cybercriminals are getting better at disguising their emails to look like they’re from a trusted source. Don’t share too much on social media. Be mindful of the information you share on social media sites. Hackers can use your publicly available information to answer security questions and access your accounts. Be sure to follow these tips and talk to your kids about cybersecurity this month. For more safety awareness advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #cybersecurity #internetsafety #internetsecurity

In the U.S., heart disease is the most common cause of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every five deaths is caused by heart disease. High cholesterol and triglyceride levels are major risks for heart disease. To help spread awareness of the problem, September has been designated as National Cholesterol Education Month. Difference Between Cholesterol and Triglycerides Cholesterol is a type of fat that’s present in your blood. It’s needed for many things, including making hormones and helping your body digest food. It’s produced naturally by your body but it can also be found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. As such, too much of it can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. It’s worth noting that there are good and bad types. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is bad. It can build up on the walls of your arteries and form plaque. This plaque can prevent blood from flowing through your arteries properly, which can lead to heart disease. However, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered good because it helps remove LDL from your arteries. Triglycerides are another type of fat found in your blood. When you eat more calories than you need, your body stores the excess calories as triglycerides. Too much of it can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. 5 Facts You Should Know The following are a few facts about the risks of high LDL and triglyceride levels that everyone should know: In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the U.S. Over 800,000 people have heart attacks in the U.S. every year. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). More than 20 million adults in the U.S. over 20 have CAD. You can keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels down by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. For more health advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #CholesterolAwareness #CholesterolEducationMonth #cholesterollevels #highcholesterol

Cancer in general is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with prostate cancer ranking as the third most common type of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 224,733 new cases in the U.S. reported in 2019 alone. Additionally, 31,636 men died as a result, in that same year. In fact, it is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the U.S. Additionally, it affects one out of seven men, with about one out of 41 men dying as a result. Because of how prominent it is, September has been designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. What is Prostate Cancer? Cancer of the prostate is a type of cancer that affects the prostate gland, which is a small organ located below the bladder in men. Cancer develops in the prostate when the cells of the gland begin to grow uncontrollably. That uncontrolled growth can eventually lead to the development of a tumor. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes. What Causes Cancer To Develop in the Prostate? Although the cause is not fully understood, there are certain risk factors that may increase a man’s chance of developing the disease. These include: Age. The older a man is, the greater his risk of developing the disease. The disease is rare in men under the age of 40, but the risk increases significantly in men over the age of 50. Family history. If men have close relatives, such as a father or brother, who have been diagnosed with the disease, their risk is increased. Race. African-American men are at a greater risk of developing cancer of the prostate. Diet. Men who consume a lot of dairy products are at a slightly higher risk. Because the direct cause of the disease is not known, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about your risk factors and what you can do to help prevent the disease. For more health information, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #ProstateCancer #ProstateCancerAwareness #prostatehealth

A lot of Californians don’t realize that getting food poisoning is much more common than it should be. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases. Those who are particularly vulnerable to getting food poisoning include children below the age of five, adults older than 65, pregnant women, and those who have health issues. Because of how big of a problem food poisoning is, September was designated as Food Safety Awareness Month. Food Safety Tips One of the primary reasons people get food poisoning is because they don’t handle or prepare their food properly. To help you avoid getting sick, here are some food safety tips to follow: Keep meat separated: When organizing your refrigerator, make sure that uncooked meat is stored on the bottom shelf in sealed containers. This will help prevent any juices from dripping and contaminating other food. Separate your raw meat from fruits and vegetables as well to prevent them from being contaminated. Wash your hands: It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) before and after handling food. This will help remove any harmful bacteria that could potentially cause food poisoning. Be sure to wash your hands after handling raw meat as well. Use sauce carefully: If you marinate your raw meat in a sauce, do not use that same sauce on any cooked food unless you boil it. Boiling it will help kill any harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer: One of the best ways to ensure that your food is cooked properly is to use a food thermometer. This will help you know for sure that your food has reached a safe internal temperature. Keep everything clean: It’s important to keep all surfaces clean when preparing food. This includes cutting boards, countertops, knives, and any other utensils that come into contact with food (especially raw meat). Use these food safety tips to help prevent potential food poisoning in California. For more health safety tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #FoodSafety #FoodSafetyEducation #foodsafetytips

There are so many different types of insurance that some types of insurance, like life insurance, can seem like an unnecessary expense. Many people mistakenly think that this kind of insurance isn’t needed because they are young or healthy. In fact, it’s estimated that around 95 million adults in the U.S. do not have such insurance. However, such insurance can be an important safety net for your loved ones in the event of your death. To help spread awareness about the importance of having insurance on your life, September has been designated as Life Insurance Awareness Month. Why is Life Insurance so Important? Most people mistakenly believe that such insurance is only needed if you are the primary breadwinner in your family. However, a life policy can be an important safety net for your loved ones regardless of your job or financial situation. A life policy can help your loved ones cover funeral costs, outstanding debts, and day-to-day living expenses if you die unexpectedly. Not to mention, such insurance can give your loved ones peace of mind knowing that they will be financially taken care of if something happens to you. Important Statistics To give you an idea of just how important a life policy can be, here are a few statistics: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 3 families would have faced financial challenges within as little as a month if the primary earner in their family passed away. It’s estimated that around 40 percent of all adults in the U.S. have no insurance on their life. Even though 60 percent of adults have such insurance, only 35 percent have an individual life policy. A significant amount of people who have it have it through their employer. Get Life Insurance Today Even if you’re young and healthy, it’s important to consider getting life insurance to ensure that your family is financially protected if anything happens to you. For more health insurance information or advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #insurance #lifeinsurance #lifeinsurancecoverage

As a pet owner, pet health is always a top priority. With that in mind, vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and safe from disease. Vaccinations help prepare your pet’s immune system to fight off infections and diseases and are an important part of preventative healthcare for animals. It’s important to note that pets require booster shots once in a while. A lot of pet owners forget this (or may not realize this), which is why August was designated as National Pet Immunization Awareness Month. Maintain Pet Health With Vaccinations As a responsible pet owner, you want to do everything you can to maintain your pet’s health. That includes making sure they’re up-to-date on their vaccinations. Your pet’s vet will likely have a vaccination schedule for you to follow, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of the different types of vaccines available for your pet, as well as when they need them. There are two types of vaccines: core and non-core. Core vaccines are those that are recommended for all animals, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on the lifestyle and risk factors of your pet. The following are the core vaccines for dogs: Rabies Adenovirus Distemper Parvovirus The following are the core vaccines for cats: Rabies Calicivirus Herpesvirus Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper) The following are some of the non-core vaccines for dogs: Kennel cough Lyme disease Leptospirosis The following are some of the non-core vaccines for cats: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) Bacterial upper respiratory infections How Often Do You Need To Vaccinate Your Pets? Both cats and dogs should be vaccinated at 14 to 16 weeks. Boosters should be given after one year, then every three years after that. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as the rabies vaccine. Your pet’s vet will be able to advise you on the best vaccination schedule for your individual pet. For more pet health information or for health awareness tips in general, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #pethealth #Petsafety #PetVaccination

Almost everyone in California drives a car. There are over 27 million licensed drivers in California, which is by far and away the most in any state. However, many drivers take their cars for granted, meaning that they don’t get their cars checked as often as they should. For example, few drivers worry about their brakes. However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), brake systems are the third most common factor in car crashes. For this reason, August has been designated as Brake Safety Awareness Month. How To Ensure Brake Safety The best way to prevent your brakes from failing is to have your brake system inspected on a routine basis. Generally speaking, you should have your car inspected every two years. During an inspection, a mechanic will check your brake system for any issues. If any issues are present, they can make the necessary repairs or replacements to ensure that your brakes work safely. What To Do If Your Brakes Fail Even if you are diligent about having your car inspected, it’s no guarantee that your brakes will work properly 100% of the time. Fortunately, if you know what to do, you can navigate the situation safely despite your brakes failing. Just be sure to follow these steps: Keep calm. Take a deep breath and keep calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Take your foot off the gas pedal. It may seem like an obvious tip, but it can be hard to think straight in such a situation. Make sure your foot is not on the gas pedal. Turn on your hazards. Let everyone around you know that there’s an issue by turning your hazards on. Downshift. Downshift a little at a time to avoid damaging your transmission. Downshift your way into neutral. Pull the emergency brake. Once you’re in neutral, pull your emergency brake. If you pull your emergency brake while going fast, it could cause your car to spin out of control. Use these brake safety tips in case your brakes fail. For more safety awareness information, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store. #BrakeSafety #carsafety #DrivingSafety

A lot of people in California live with serious medical conditions. In fact, it’s estimated that around one in five people in the U.S. has some sort of medical problem. Unfortunately, when emergency treatment is needed, fatal mistakes are often made because a person’s medical condition isn’t known. It’s why the MedicAlert bracelet or necklace is so important. However, many people are still unaware that this even exists, which is why August has been designated MedicAlert Awareness Month. What is Medic Alert? MedicAlert is a bracelet or necklace that acts as a medical ID. Essentially, it provides information about any medical conditions that the person wearing it may have. It also acts as a way to identify the person wearing it. In addition to the medical condition, individuals who sign up for Medic Alert will also have an online emergency health record that can be accessed from anywhere, at any time. Last, but not least, MedicAlert has a 24/7 emergency response team that has access to all of the online health records and who are trained to provide medical information to first responders. Do You Need Medic Alert? If you have any kind of serious medical condition, then a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace could save your life. If you’re unconscious or unable to respond during an emergency, first responders will be able to identify your condition right away and provide proper treatment. Being able to provide the right treatment could end up saving your life. It can also prevent them from making potentially fatal mistakes, such as administering medications you may be allergic to. You may want to sign up for MedicAlert if you have cardiac problems, serious allergies, diabetes, blood disorders, or other serious conditions. If you have family members with these conditions, or who have conditions such as autism or dementia, having them wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace is a good idea. A MedicAlert Bracelet or Necklace Could Save Your Life If you or anyone you know suffers from a serious medical condition, you should consider MedicAlert. For more health awareness information and advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Medicalbracelet #Medicalemergencyalarm #MedicalID #MedicAlert

After two years of being locked inside, many Californians are planning to travel this summer. If you plan to travel, keeping travel safety in mind is crucial, especially since the pandemic hasn’t ended yet. As such, you should do everything you can to mitigate potential risks so that you can enjoy a safe trip outside of the U.S., wherever you go. Travel Safety Tips The following are a few important travel safety tips that you should follow if you plan to travel this summer: Check the travel advisories for your destination. Before you book any tickets, be sure to check the travel advisories for your destination country. You may want to avoid any countries listed as Level 3 or 4. Get travel insurance. This is one of the most important tips, especially if you’re traveling to a country with a high level of travel advisories. Travel insurance will help you financially in case you get sick or injured while on your trip. It’s also a good idea to get insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption so that you can get your money back if you have to cancel your trip for any reason. Get the proper vaccinations. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may need to get certain vaccinations before departure. For example, if you’re traveling to a country with a risk of yellow fever, then you need to get the yellow fever vaccine. Be sure to check the vaccination requirements for your destination country and get the proper vaccinations at least a month before your trip. You should also make sure that you’re vaccinated for COVID-19. Gather your medications. If you take any prescription medications, be sure to bring enough for your entire trip, plus a little extra in case of emergency. You should also bring along a list of your allergies and any medical conditions that you have so that you can get proper treatment if needed. Be sure to follow these travel safety tips if you’re going abroad. For more safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness #travelsafety #travelsafetyduringCOVID19