Happy New Year from all of us at Scurich Insurance Services!
One in five people resolve to lose weight or get healthier every January. Several additional New Year’s resolutions can also prolong your life, so consider adding them to your resolution list this year.
Vitamins help with Illness Prevention
Regular doses of Vitamin D – followed with 15 minutes of sun exposure (to activate the Vitamin D), Multi-vitamins, Zinc (with Amino acids to help Zinc absorption)
Eat Fewer Calories
Food fuels your body, but when you eat fewer calories, you lose weight and reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Choose a smaller plate, chew each bite carefully and stop eating when you start to feel full to eat fewer calories and prolong your life.
Add Brain Foods to Your Diet
Certain foods help your brain and body function properly. Plan to add these brain foods to your diet as you live a healthier lifestyle this year.
- Avocado
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Nuts and seeds
- Pomegranate juice
- Whole grains
- Wild salmon
Meditate Often
Meditation reduces stress and anxiety, improves your mood and boosts your brain’s grey matter, which helps to regulate your sensory perception, muscle control, decision making and self-control. Listen to a meditative CD or simply sit still and relax as you add this practice to your daily routine and gain its benefits.
Learn Something New
When you learn a new skill, you stretch your brain and improve your memory. Resolve to take a college class, learn to edit photos or watch TED talks that enrich your life and your brain with new thoughts, ideas and lessons.
Move Every Day
Regular movement helps you stay fit, improves your overall body function and reduces stress and depression. As a bonus, moving outdoors in nature could lower your blood pressure and boost your immunity. Whether you take a walk, sign up for a dance class or join a sports team, aim to move at least 10,000 steps per day and live longer.
Start a New Hobby
Hobbies like gardening, cooking and reading improve your quality of life. Many hobbies also reduce your stress levels, improve your focus and boost your brainpower. Start a hobby or two, and you increase your enjoyment of life and life expectancy this year.
Play More
Play helps kids develop properly and learn essential skills, and play gives adults important benefits, too. Relax your body and stimulate your mind when you put together up a jigsaw puzzle, join a bowling league, shoot hoops during work breaks and play more in 2018.
Get a Physical
During your annual physical, you and your doctor review your current health and address any ongoing health issues. Prioritize this visit to stay healthy now and into the future.
Resolve to live longer thanks to these resolutions. They improve your life and your health.
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The brand new Smart TV you receive for the holidays adds value to your home entertainment system. Connect it to the internet and use a remote control, smartphone or tablet to watch movies and videos, post photos to social media sites, and access apps such as Netflix and Skype. Despite its smart features, your Smart TV can be hacked. Take steps to protect your new Smart TV from hackers.
How are Smart TVs Hacked?
While technology manufactures work tirelessly to patch potential security problems in smartphone and computer technology, Smart TV manufacturers haven’t been as vigilant. Hackers can gain access to your Smart TV via an unsecure internet connection or application source codes. They can then perform several malicious or invasive tasks.
- Steal your credit card information or identity.
- Access your passwords.
- Utilize voice recognition software for data-mining purposes.
- Use your browsing history to send you targeted ads or instant advertising messages.
- Turn the camera on and spy on your or your possessions.
- Take over social media apps and post questionable, offensive or inappropriate content on your behalf.
- Access and modify files.
How to Prevent Hackers
You can take several steps to deter hackers and protect your Smart TV.
- Update firmware and patches regularly.
- Utilize the firewalls on your Smart TV and network router.
- Perform regular malware scans.
- Check for data-mining language in your TV’s manual, features or settings. Turn off or disable any data sharing permissions if possible.
- Separate your device networks. Use one for your Smart TV and another for other devices so a hacker can’t access all your internet-connected devices.
- Exercise caution when browsing the internet. Consider reserving your TV for entertainment purposes, and use your secure smartphone or computer to browse the internet, perform online banking tasks or shop.
- Inspect instant messages that pop up on your TV screen. Only open messages from reputable and reliable sources.
- Cover the camera. A piece of tape or paper prevents a third party from accessing the TV’s camera and spying on you and your family.
- Disconnect the internet. When your Smart TV is not in use, disconnect it from the internet so hackers cannot access the device.
- Discuss ways you can secure your specific Smart TV with its manufacturer.
- Purchase cyber insurance. It can protect you if your preventative efforts fail and a hacker uses your personal information, data or TV for unlawful purposes.
You can protect your new Smart TV from hackers when you take these preventative measures. They protect your personal information, secure your new device and protect you and your family.
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Get a good night’s sleep, and you’re more likely to wake up alert, energetic, happy and able to function. Since November is National Sleep Comfort Month, implement six tips that help you sleep better and more comfortably.
1. Invest in a Quality Mattress and Comfortable Bedding
Your sleep comfort depends largely on your mattress. If it’s lumpy, hard or scratchy, you’ll toss and turn instead of truly resting. Visit a local mattress store today and invest in the best mattress and bedding you can afford. It will quickly pay for itself as you sleep better and enjoy greater productivity and happiness.
2. Lower the Temperature
Because your body heat rises slightly as you sleep, you’ll be more comfortable when you lower your bedroom temperature by a few degrees. Opening a window or turning on a fan produces the same results.
3. Limit Big Evening Meals
Visiting the buffet for dinner tasted good at the time, but a large evening meal increases overnight discomfort. It will keep you awake and give you indigestion and heartburn. Step away from the kitchen at least two hours before bed. If you need a snack, indulge in a small portion of cereal with milk, fruit or granola.
4. Skip Alcohol and Caffeine
Your late-afternoon coffee affects your sleep 10 to 12 hours after you drink it. Your nightcap might make you drowsy, but the alcohol will wake you in the middle of the night. To boost your afternoon energy level, grab an apple, walnuts or cheese. If you want an alcoholic drink at night, enjoy it at least two hours before bedtime.
5. Relax
When you’re anxious, tense or stressed, your body won’t be able to relax. Practice yoga, deep breathing and visualization. As you relax your mind, your body will follow, and you’ll enjoy more comfortable sleep.
6. See Your Doctor
If you still can’t get comfortable at night, talk to your doctor. Discuss physical or mental issues that might be preventing you from getting adequate rest. Check with your insurance agent, too, about whether chiropractor visits or specialty pillows are covered by your insurance.
With a good night’s sleep, you wake up in a good mood and ready to tackle the day. Use these six tips to get your most comfortable sleep this month.
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Life insurance makes sense for you because it gives your surviving family members financial peace of mind if you were to die. However, do your kids need life insurance, too? November is National Adoption Month and a good time to consider this insurance option for your children.
Receive Lifetime Coverage
Pay the monthly premiums, and your children gain insurance for life. In many cases, they won’t even need a health exam when they’re older unless they want a death benefit increase.
Enjoy Low Rates
Most life insurance policies use age to determine premiums. You’ll pay less to insure your young children, and permanent policies lock in the premiums for the life of the policy.
Eliminate Health Exams
Most life insurance policies don’t require kids to undergo a complete medical exam. Since kids are usually healthier than adults, they typically won’t be denied coverage. This benefit is especially important if a serious medical condition like diabetes or heart disease runs in your child’s family.
Gain Cash Value
The premiums you pay for permanent life insurance cover the policy and build cash value. That cash could grow at a variable or fixed interest rate. By the time your kids turn 18, they could have a healthy accumulation of cash to pay for college, buy a house or save until they retire.
Cover Final Expenses
Parents don’t expect their children to die young, but accidents happen. Life insurance covers final expenses and protects your family’s finances.
Evaluate Your Budget
Despite the benefits; your budget may not stretch enough to include life insurance for your kids. After you ensure you’re adequately insured, weigh the benefits of life insurance for your children and discuss your needs with your insurance agent. He or she can work with you to find a policy that’s right for you.
Consider Alternative Saving Tools
Roth IRAs and 529 Plans assist parents in saving money for their children’s futures. Investigate these saving options as you choose the best way to provide for your children.
Whether or not you plan to adopt a child during National Adoption Month, November’s a good time to consider life insurance. Your agent can discuss your options with you as you adequately care for your children.
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Valued at $46.2 million, the Graff Pink diamond is one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world. Your jewelry box might not hold anything that priceless, but you certainly want to insure your valuable or sentimental pieces, including the diamond cufflinks you wore at your wedding or your grandmother’s ruby brooch. November is Real Jewelry Month and the perfect time to make sure your necklaces, bracelets, rings and other real jewelry are insured.
1. Hire an Independent Appraiser
An independent appraiser will carefully and thoroughly inspect each piece of jewelry you own, and he or she will then determine the exact value of your works of art. Be sure to obtain a signed document that includes a detailed description and appraiser’s value for each piece.
2. Check Your Current Insurance Policy
Most homeowner or renter insurance policies include cash value or replacement coverage for personal belongings. As long as that figure is high enough to cover everything you own, including your real jewelry, you’re set.
3. Purchase a Rider
If your current policy does not cover your valuable gems, purchase a rider. It offers additional coverage for your precious collection.
4. Take Pictures of all Your Pieces
The police need detailed descriptions of your jewelry if a piece is lost or stolen. Take detailed pictures of each piece to increase the likelihood of recovery.
5. Update Your Inventory Regularly
Once you’re sure your jewelry is adequately insured, mark your calendar for an annual inventory review. Add new pieces you recently purchased and remove pieces you sold or gave away to ensure your collection is completely covered.
6. Inspect Your Jewelry
As part of your annual review; take your jewelry for an inspection. The jeweler will look for loose settings, chips or scratches. Take new pictures after any needed repairs are made.
7. Store Your Jewelry in a Safe Place
Insurance will replace your real jewelry if it’s lost, stolen or damaged, but don’t take chances. A fireproof safe hidden in your home or a safety deposit box at the bank protects your gems, especially if you own expensive pieces that you wear only on rare occasions.
You do not want to file a claim for stolen jewelry and find out it wasn’t insured. Follow these tips and talk to your insurance agent today as you protect your valuable collection and celebrate Real Jewelry Month.
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Every year, over 3,000 fires occur in office properties, reports the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). You can prevent such incidents in your business when you follow several fire prevention tips. They’re important during October, National Fire Safety Month, and all year.
Know the Laws
Your business must follow local fire safety laws. After you discern the laws, codes and regulations, take the necessary steps to ensure you’re in compliance at all times.
Check Wiring
Regularly inspect all the wiring in your building, including electronic and extension cords. Replace frayed wires and cords with cracked insulation or broken connectors. Limit the number of plugs per outlet, too.
Operate Machines and Appliances Properly
The machines and appliances you use may overheat and start a fire if they’re used improperly. In addition to following the recommended operating procedures, ensure air can circulate properly on all sides of your machines and appliances. You may also wish to unplug non-essential items when they’re not in use.
Use Hazardous Materials Carefully
Paint and all flammable, combustible or hazardous materials should be stored, dispensed and cleaned properly. Train all staff to know and carefully follow the usage recommendations for all hazardous materials.
Remove Clutter
The storeroom, break room, hallways, and stairwells are often hotspots that collect clutter. Clear out unnecessary items from these areas as you reduce fire hazards and improve your escape options.
Maintain Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers and the Sprinkler System
Regularly inspect the tools that can notify you of a fire or put a fire out. These items should be in good working order at all times.
- Change the smoke detectors’ batteries at least twice a year.
- Charge and inspect the extinguishers regularly.
- Ensure the sprinkler heads are not damaged or covered.
Limit Smoking Areas
If you allow your employees, vendors and customers to smoke on your property, designate specific smoker-friendly areas outdoors. Provide sturdy outdoor ashtrays to secure flammable cigarette butts and ashes.
Close Doors
Keeping doors closed can prevent a fire from spreading. Instruct your staff to close the office, storeroom and other doors when possible. Never dismantle doors or prop fire doors open, either.
Remove Garbage
Refuse can contain combustible materials that prompt or spread a fire. In addition to a dumpster or designated refuse area outside, assign staff members to remove garbage from the building every day.
Hire a Safety Officer
Businesses of all sizes benefit from employing a safety officer. This person oversees the fire prevention plan and makes arrangements for safety, such as marking escape routes, testing fire extinguishers and overseeing emergency drills.
Prevent fires in your place of business when you implement these tips. They’re important during National Fire Safety Month and year-round.
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