It’s always important to keep holiday safety in mind when the end of the year comes around. The risk of getting hurt increases during the holidays for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s due to a lack of toy safety awareness or a lack of travel safety. One thing that few people think about when it comes to safety awareness during the holiday season is parking lot safety. Parking Lot Holiday Safety Risks People automatically assume that they’re in a safe area when driving around in a parking lot — most likely because the speed limit is very low to prevent accidents from occurring. However, just because people are driving slowly doesn’t mean there’s no risk. There tend to be a lot of accidents that can result in injuries in parking lots, especially during the holidays in California when stores are packed. There are numerous reasons for this: People are often on their phones while driving through parking lots and aren’t paying attention to the road. People who are leaving their parking spaces often forget to check their blind spots and back into someone or something. Parking lots are very congested with both vehicles and people during the holidays, which means the risk of an accident can increase. Holiday Safety Tips For Navigating Parking Lots To ensure that you don’t get into an accident in a parking lot this holiday season, be sure to keep the following safety tips in mind: Be careful when backing up – When leaving a parking spot, don’t just rely on your rearview mirror — look over your shoulder and check your blind spots. Back up slowly just in case a pedestrian or car passes by. Pay attention when driving through a parking lot – Besides avoiding traffic and pedestrians, you’ll want to be on the lookout for any cars that are leaving their parking spots that aren’t paying attention. Follow the law – Stop at the stop signs and stay under the speed limit when driving through parking lots. Park away from the store – The further away you park, the less congested it becomes, thereby lessening the risk of getting into an accident during the holidays. Be sure to keep these holiday safety tips in mind when driving through parking lots in California during the holiday season. For more holiday safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #holidayparkinglotsafety #holidaysafety #parkinglotsafety

Parking Lots Are Riskier Than You Think Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. And, around the holidays, parking lots become even more dangerous. Key points Factors such as distracted driving, speeding, more frequent turning and higher pedestrian count are among the reasons that these incidents occur. In addition to vehicles, parking lot surfaces can play a role in injuries and incidents Auto insurers report the number of claims spike on Black Friday and run above normal throughout the holiday shopping season. The number of incidents is probably higher than insurance claims indicate, as many fender-benders go unreported. So Many Distractions In an NSC public opinion poll, 66% of drivers nationwide said they would make phone calls while driving through parking lots. Respondents also said they would: Program GPS systems (63%) Text (56%) Use social media (52%) Send or receive emails (50%) Take photos or watch videos (49%) NSC found teens (59%) were more likely to engage in personal grooming than adults (53%) while driving in parking lots, but less likely to be on the phone (60% vs. 66%). During the hectic holiday season, drivers and pedestrians also are likely to be distracted by extensive to-do lists and are hurriedly trying to get from one place to another. One way for consumers to steer clear of trouble is to pick a lot where pedestrian traffic is restricted and video surveillance equipment is used to monitor the facility. Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs!

Toy safety is something that you want to make sure you keep in mind as the holidays approach. If you have children, then you want to ensure that any toys that you buy for them, as well as any toys that they receive from friends or family, are safe to use. Because a lot of people don’t realize that some toys may pose a danger, they often don’t keep safety in mind when buying presents for a child. The following is a brief guide on toy safety that you should be sure to follow this holiday season. Toy Safety Risks The risk of injury as a result of a toy is greater than you might think. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were around 198,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms across the United States in 2020 alone. An estimated 75% of those injuries were to children 14 years old and younger. There were nine toy-related deaths in that same year. Toy Safety Tips Due to the potential injury risk that certain toys may have, it’s essential that you keep the following toy safety tips in mind if you plan on buying a toy as a gift for a child: If the toy uses fabric, make sure that it’s labeled as either flame retardant or flame resistant. Any stuffed toy that you buy should be completely washable. If the toy is painted, the paint should be marked as lead-free. Any art materials that you purchase should be advertised as nontoxic. If you’re buying crayons or paints, look for ASTM D-4236 on the package, which ensures that they’ve been thoroughly tested for safety. Buy new toys. Older toys may not meet current safety standards. Check the age recommendations on every toy. A toy meant for an older age group may pose a risk to younger children (for example, they could pose a choking hazard due to smaller parts). Are you planning on buying a gift for a child this holiday season? Then be sure to keep toy safety in mind. For more safety awareness advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #holidaysafety #holidaytoysafety #toysafety

More and more people are in need of long-term care as the years pass. The reasons for this are simple: every generation is bigger than the last, which means there are more senior citizens than ever before. On top of that, people are living longer. The downside to this is that there is a greater need for long-term caregivers. It’s estimated that there are roughly 45 million caregivers in the U.S. alone that are taking care of loved ones. What Does Long-Term Care Consist Of? Longterm care refers to personal care needs. Generally, these are not medical needs, but assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, getting dressed, and more. Caregivers not only help with activities of daily living, but also with things like housework, grocery shopping, financial management, and more. Facts About Long-Term Care The following are a few facts about long-term care that will help you understand just how important long-term caregivers are: Long-term caregivers spend an average of 21 hours a week taking care of their loved ones. Few people in need of long-term care can rely completely on a professional caregiving service. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, it’s estimated that 78% of adults in need of long-term care rely on family members and friends. Around 37% of caregivers in the U.S. were forced to switch from full-time to part-time work in order to care for their loved ones. Around 29% of caregivers are forced to use their own savings to help provide care for their loved ones. That is because Medicare doesn’t include longterm care as a benefit. Additionally, most insurance policies have limits on any long-term benefits that are provided. The average length of long-term care is three years, according to the National Center of Health Statistics. Long-term caregivers do a significant amount of work, and it’s important to understand and appreciate the growing need we have for them in the U.S. For more information about caregivers, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Family caregivers are often taken for granted, but the work they do to provide long-term care to family members can be very challenging and time-consuming. A caregiver takes on a lot of responsibility for helping out their loved ones, whether it’s shopping for them, cooking for them, cleaning them, or more. Because of how much personal time they dedicate to their loved ones, it’s important that we recognize their sacrifices and hard work. That’s why November is designated National Family Caregivers Month. Tips for Family Caregivers According to the Institute of Medicine, 90% of long-term care in the U.S. is provided by family caregivers. That means a staggering number of people sacrifice their personal time and effort to take care of somebody, despite not getting paid for it. Such time and effort can even conflict with their personal lives, making it even more challenging. If you’re a caregiver for a family member, then it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there are things you can do to make life easier. The following are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re a family caregiver: There is assistance available. Country Senior Ride Services and Meals on Wheels are just a few services you can use to help ease the demands of caregiving. It’s possible to take time off. Your family member might need constant attention, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a breather. Respite care and adult day care services are available to look after your family member for anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. You’re not alone. Not only are there many other caregivers out there, but they have support groups you can join. A support group can help with your mental health as well as help you obtain valuable advice about caregiving from others. Reduce your stress. Caregiving can be stressful. Try to reduce your stress levels by taking time for yourself, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and considering activities such as yoga. Family caregiving is crucial to the seniors living in our country. For more information about family caregiving, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #familycaregiving #nationalcaregiversmonth #unsungheroes #caregivers #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #familycaregivers

Understanding some of the more common diabetes facts is critical to generating awareness and helping with prevention. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t familiar with these facts, which is why November is National Diabetes Month. Hopefully, by spreading awareness of the following diabetes facts, people take greater care when it comes to preventing and treating diabetes. Diabetes Facts You Should Know The following are a few important diabetes facts that everybody should be aware of, as reported by the CDC in 2020: Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, accounting for more than 10% of the population. Of these 34 million people, only 26.9 million have been officially diagnosed. An estimated 7.3 million people are undiagnosed, which accounts for 21.4% of all cases. A massive 88 million Americans over the age of 18, which accounts for 34.5% of the adult population, have prediabetes. Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal and that you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. An estimated one out of every three Americans will develop diabetes at some point in their lives. Understanding the Risk of Developing Diabetes At-risk individuals should be particularly careful about their health and should consult with a doctor regularly to do everything they can to prevent diabetes. Risk factors include: Being older than 45 Being overweight Not being physically active Having a family history of diabetes Can Diabetes Be Prevented? By understanding the risk factors, you can make changes to your lifestyle to help prevent diabetes. But even if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you can take steps to better manage it. These steps include: Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor Maintaining a healthy weight Getting at least 10 to 20 minutes of exercise in every day Eating a healthier diet with less sugar and salt Testing your blood sugar regularly Knowing about diabetes can help you take preventative steps. If you think you might have diabetes, be sure to speak with your doctor in California. For more diabetes facts and health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #DiabetesAwareness #diabetesfacts #DiabetesPrevention #DiabetesTreatment

A caregiver—sometimes called an informal caregiver—is an unpaid individual (for example, a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or neighbor) involved in assisting others with activities of daily living and/or medical tasks. Formal caregivers are paid care providers providing care in one’s home or in a care setting (day care, residential facility, long-term care facility). A caregiver can be your family member, partner, friend or neighbor who helps care for you while you live at home. About 80 percent of care at home is provided by unpaid caregivers and may include an array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking, and other services. On average, caregivers spend 20 hours a week giving care. More than half (58 percent) have intensive caregiving responsibilities that may include assisting with a personal care activity, such as bathing or feeding. Information on caregivers show that: About 65.7 million people in the US (one in four adults) were unpaid family caregivers to an adult or child in 2009 About two-thirds are women Fourteen percent who care for older adults are themselves age 65 or more Most people can live at home for many years with help from unpaid family and friends, and from other paid community support Caregiver Tips for Beating Stress Focusing on the rewarding aspects of caregiving can also help you beat caregiver stress. We’ve compiled a short list of tips for getting in touch with positive emotions and fighting stress, gathered from the Family Caregiver Alliance: Learn to recognize warning signs of stress and frustration. Practice physical and mental relaxation techniques. Rethink a difficult situation objectively. Find your “why” and remind yourself of it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving (415) 434-3388 | (800) 445-8106 Website: www.caregiver.org Email: info@caregiver.org FCA CareNav: https://fca.cacrc.org/login Services by State: www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/services-by-state/ Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for your health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #CaregiverAwareness #healthawareness

The Great American Smokeout event challenges people to quit on that day, or use the day to make a plan to quit. Did you know? Approximately 40 million American adults still smoke, and that Life expectancy for long-term smokers is approximately 14 years shorter than for nonsmokers. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the country.. Luckily, your lung health—and your overall health—improves soon after you quit. You will start breathing better and coughing less. One of the most important actions anyone who smokes can take to improve their health is to quit smoking, regardless of their age or how long they have been smoking. There are proven treatments to help you quit: Whether you want to make your quitting journey at your own pace or with a group ,a counselor can help you make a plan to quit smoking and give you tips and support to increase your chance of success. Counseling is available in person, over the phone, or online—and texting-based support programs or smartphone apps can give extra encouragement. Seven FDA-approved medications are proven to help people quit smoking. These include pills, patches, gums, and lozenges; some are prescribed by your doctor, and others you can get over the counter at a pharmacy. If you smoke, and are thinking about quitting, make this year’s Great American Smokeout the day you commit to a smoke free future. Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday in November be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. Plus, the American Cancer Society can help you access the resources and support you need to quit. Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for your health insurance needs! #Californiahealthtips #CaliforniaRealtors #QuitSmoking #GreatAmericanSmokeout #Californiahealthinsurance

Earthquake safety is something all California residents should be familiar with. If you live in Southern California, then odds are you’ve experienced a minor earthquake at some time or another. Usually, it’s not a big deal. You feel a slight shaking for a few seconds and then you move on with your day. However, California has had its share of massive, destructive earthquakes in the past, which is why it’s important to be prepared in the event of a major earthquake. It’s one of the reasons why the Great Shakeout was organized. The Great Shakeout Earthquake Safety Drill The Great Shakeout drill is held once a year. This year, it will take place at 10:21 a.m. on October 21st. The idea behind the drill is to pretend like a real earthquake is happening wherever you are. By participating in the drill, you will learn how to act when an actual earthquake occurs. As such, the drill is a great way to spread awareness of earthquake safety. You can register for the Great Shakeout online to receive email updates. Earthquake Safety Tips The following are the safety tips that you should follow in the event of an earthquake. Keep in mind that these are the steps that you will practice during the Great Shakeout: Drop to the ground – As soon as you feel an earthquake, drop to the ground. Major tremors can cause you to lose your balance, fall, and hurt yourself, which is why you should drop to the ground right away. Protect yourself – Major earthquakes can cause things to fall or collapse, so use your arm to protect your head while you find cover (such as under a desk). If there’s no cover inside, stay away from windows and stay near an interior wall. Hold on – Either continuously protect your head or hold onto your shelter until the shaking stops. To prepare for a potential earthquake, you should also put together a list of out-of-town contacts for you and your family. This ensures that everyone knows who to call or text in case of an emergency. For more earthquake safety tips or for safety advice in general, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #earthquake #earthquakesafety #earthquakesafetytips

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on prediabetes and preventing diabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes—that’s 88 million people—but the majority of people don’t know they have it. The good news is that by making small healthy lifestyle changes, it is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes and even reverse your prediabetes. Here are some tips to help manage prediabetes and prevent diabetes. Take small steps. Making changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can be hard, but you don’t have to change everything at once. It is okay to start small. Remember that setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed—the key is to get back on track as soon as you can. Move more. Limit time spent sitting and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, 5 days a week. Start slowly by breaking it up throughout the day. Choose healthier foods and drinks most of the time. Pick foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and sugar. Build a plate that includes a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks. Lose weight, track it, and keep it off. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight. Seek support. It is possible to reverse prediabetes. Making a plan, tracking your progress, and getting support from your health care professional and loved ones can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes. Stay up to date on vaccinations. The COVID-19 (booster shot, if eligible) and flu vaccines are especially important for people who may be more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or the flu, such as people with diabetes. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep/partner-community-organization-information/national-diabetes-month Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #DiabetesAwareness #healthtips

Lung Cancer Awareness Lung cancer may not cause any symptoms, especially in the early stages of disease. Therefore, it may first be detected on X-rays, CT scans, or other kinds of tests being done to check on another condition. The following signs and symptoms of lung cancer may also be caused by many other conditions and are not specific to lung cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following: Coughing symptoms A cough that gets worse or does not go away Coughing up blood Chest symptoms Breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath New wheezing when you breathe Ache or pain in your chest, upper back, or shoulder that doesn’t go away and may get worse with deep breathing A hoarse voice Frequent respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis General physical symptoms Feeling unusually tired all the time Weight loss with no known cause and loss of appetite Trouble swallowing Swelling in the face and/or veins in the neck Lung cancer that spreads may cause other symptoms, like pain in the back or other bones or weakness in the arms or legs. If it spreads to the brain, it may cause headaches, seizures, or vision changes. Did you know? Over 2.2 million people worldwide will get lung cancer annually Lung cancer kills more people each year than any other cancer Lung cancer screening saves lives More research = more treatments = better outcomes Cutting-Edge research helps us attack lung cancer head on NFCR-funded scientists are working around-the-clock on projects that can help us attack lung cancer. For example, in July, the FDA approved the drug Iressa® as front-line treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The approval is extended to only those patients whose tumors contain specific mutations, which were originally identified by NFCR scientist Dr. Daniel Haber. Also, thanks to NFCR-funded research by Dr. Alice Shaw, a new and better way to treat resistant cancers is emerging. By successfully identifying drug combinations that halted the growth of resistant cells in tumor models, her research will hopefully lead to the development of effective therapeutic strategies for patients with ALK-positive NSCLC (mutations in the ALK gene), which could be clinically tested within one to two years. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs! #CaliforniaHealthInsruance #CaliforniaRealtors #HealthNews #LungCancerAwareness

Anyone who experiences symptoms of breast cancer should visit their primary care physician right away. Behind skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women. It’s estimated that one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, survival rates are climbing. The most important factor in surviving breast cancer is catching it early, which is why October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Symptoms of Breast Cancer Understanding the symptoms associated with breast cancer is vital to catch it in time. By doing self-checks and getting regular screenings, you may be able to identify breast cancer in its initial stages, making it easier to treat and survive. With that in mind, the following are some of the common symptoms of breast cancer: A lump that has formed near the breast or the underarm. A lump that can be as small as a pea on the breast. The skin around the breast or nipple turns a reddish color. The skin on the breast or nipple becomes inflamed, scaly, puckered, or dimpled. An area under the skin of the breast becomes hardened. An area of the breast becomes different in color, texture, or feel than the rest of the breast. There’s a discharge from the nipple that’s either clear or blood-stained. Facts About Breast Cancer The following are a few breast cancer facts you should know: When breast cancer is diagnosed in the localized stage (beginning stage), there is a 5-year survival rate of 99%. 63% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S. are identified during the localized stage. There are more than 3.8 million U.S. breast cancer survivors. A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer an average of every two minutes in the U.S. Schedule a Breast Cancer Screening Today If you notice any potential symptoms of breast cancer, then make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor in California as soon as possible. For more information about breast cancer awareness or about cancer in general, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcancerawarenessmonth #breastcancersymptoms