Grilling safely

Many Americans fire up the grill when the weather is warm, especially during summer holidays and family get-togethers. This adds up to more than three billion barbecues a year. But serious accidents can occur without proper precautions.

Here are some important tips to help you keep danger away when you are enjoying food and fun:

Choose a safe location for your grill. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than one-quarter (27%) of home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace or patio and 29% started on an exterior balcony or open porch.* Keep grills on a level surface more than 10 feet away from the house, garage, deck rails or other structures. Keep away from children, pets, landscaping and overhanging branches. Grills should not be used on a balcony or under an overhang.

Grill outside only! Never use a grill in a garage, vehicle, tent or other enclosed space, even if ventilated, due to risk of harmful carbon monoxide buildup.

Keep gas grills and supplies safe. Always store gas grills – and propane tanks – outside and away from your house. Turn off valves if the odor of gas is detected or when not in use. Check at least annually for leaks in the connections.

Use the right fuel the right way. While starting and maintaining the flame in a charcoal grill can be challenging, avoid shortcuts. Only use starter fluids intended for these grills. Never use gasoline or too much starter fluid. If the fire is too low, rekindle with dry kindling and more charcoal if needed. Avoid adding liquid fuel because it can cause a flash fire. Do not leave grill unattended.

Do not forget post-grilling safety. Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. If using a charcoal grill, dispose of coals by soaking them in water to let them cool completely and placing them in a closed metal container away from your home, garage or deck. Be aware that grills themselves remain hot long after extinguished.

Read more

Give Your Mom Life Insurance for Mother’s Day

Does your mom nurture, care and love you through thick and thin? Show her how much you care by giving her a life insurance policy for Mother’s Day.

Life insurance is not the first gift that comes to mind when you want to honor your mm, but it’s a practical gift that won’t die like a floral bouquet, and it gives her something she can really use, unlike yet another nightgown. Life insurance also gives your precious mom peace of mind since the policy funds can be used to pay for her funeral expenses and any outstanding bills. Consider this affordable investment as you decide how to honor your mom and repay her a little bit for all the investments she made in you over the years. 

How Much Will it Cost?

The cost of life insurance policies varies from person to person. You can’t put a price on your mom’s peace of mind, but do consider several factors that typically affect the cost of life insurance. These factors include: 

Health: A healthy adult will pay lower life insurance premiums. The same principle applies to non-smokers. Some companies require a medical exam to determine the insured health conditions, but others do not. 

Gender: Policies for women typically cost less than policies for men. That’s because women tend to outlive men by five or more years, which makes them less of a risk and thus cheaper to insure.

Coverage Needs: Higher coverage amounts mean higher premiums. So if your mom is the primary income earner in her household, you’ll want to purchase a life insurance policy with higher coverage. 

Age: Older premium holders will often pay more for their life insurance policy. 

Risk: People who work or engage in a high-risk or dangerous occupation or hobby will pay more for life insurance. 

Check with your insurance agent to discuss the life insurance policy options for your mom. Then choose a policy that’s right for her needs. While it’s an unconventional Mother’s Day gift, it’s one way you can honor your mother today and for years to come.

Read more

Mother’s Day is next weekend, bring Mom and Run for Shelter.

31st Annual Mother’s Day Run for Shelter

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services Benefit Fundraiser

Where: Ramsay Park, 1301 Main Street, Watsonville
When: Sunday May 10, 2015
First race starts at 7:45 am – see race times below

Online Race Registration:  http://tinyurl.com/oepnnoh
Or call: 831 728-5649 x107

Download 2015_Walk-Run_Registration

RACE INFORMATION

Registration: Race day registration and bib pick-up starts at 7:00 AM, Sunday, May 10th 2015.   Course closes at 10:15. Bibs are not transferable. Registration fees are non-transferable & non-refundable. For online registration go to Fees:   Registration Form required for EACH participant.

• 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – $35 for individuals (1 T-shirt)  Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2014: $45
• 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – $115 per family of four, max. 2 adults Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2015: $125
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run – $10 per child under 12 (no T-shirt) With T-shirt: $20  Registrations after Thursday, May 7, 2015 add $5

Race Start Times:

• 1K Kid’s Fun Run @ 7:45am
• 5K Walk @ 8:00am
• 5K Run @ 8:00am
• 10K Run @ 8:45am

COURSE CLOSES AT 10:00 am

• Course:   The course is certified: computerized time results will be announced & on the web site
• All runs and walks start and end at Ramsay Park.  Run and walk courses are different this year.  Course maps available at www.pvshelter.org
• Features:   Event T-shirt included in the fee (except Kid’s Fun Run); T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR FIRST 600 RUNNERS WHO REGISTER; Roses for the moms; Goody bags with goodies; Refreshments and water; music
• Awards:  10K Run & 5K Run/Walk – Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, male/female per 5-year age division; plus gift certs for the overall male and female place first placers in 10K and 5K.
• 1K Kid’s Fun Run – all youth receive accomplishment medals, 3-year age divisions. Kids’ Awards 8:30-8:45.

Want to contribute to PVSS- BECOME A SPONSOR!

THE EVENT

Entering its the 31ST consecutive year,  the Mother’s Day Run for Shelter will bring nearly 600 participants and 100 businesses, plus crowds of spectators together to raise a goal of $100,000 in support of services to homeless families in our community. Sponsors have the ability to market to almost 800 enthusiastic runners and supporters.

“The Mother’s Day Run is one of the most prominent events in Watsonville!”

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS

Download sponsorship packet

• Sponsoring the race provides your business with the wonderful opportunity to reach new customers    and build a brand that promotes healthy living, outdoor fun and care for the community.
• Increase visibility and brand awareness through Mother’s Day Run for Shelter promotions.
• Employees will feel good about your company.
• Your business will further connect with community.
• It’s tax deductible!

LAST YEAR’S RACE NUMBERS

• 540 registered runners plus a huge crowd of supporters cheering them on!
• 84 sponsors had their information shared with our community.
• Sponsors included Graniterock, Bay Federal Credit Union, S. Martinelli & Company and Union Bank
• Some racers travelled from 11 countries and 6 states
• The race raised $64,700 to support Pajaro Valley Shelter Services’ mission to end homelessness in our community.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services presents the 31st Annual Mother’s Day Run/Walk for Shelter on Sunday, May 10th at Ramsay Park in Watsonville and will include a 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and a 1K Kids’ Fun Run. Goodies include t-shirts, roses for mothers, medals for winners, continental breakfast and a live DJ. This year, families with strollers will be allowed in the event.  For 31 years, the community of Watsonville has supported PV Shelter’s Mother’s Day Run to ensure the continuation of services for homeless families. The first race was held in 1984 and raised $8,000. with a small crowd in attendance. This year we expect over 600 people to help raise $100,000!

This well-loved event can be enjoyed by attendees of all ages and skill levelS, from the competitive runners to the weekend joggers to families who want to walk together. Starting and ending in Ramsay Park, the race route is a beautiful trek around Watsonville’s slough trails. Start your Mother’s Day off by joining the community in supporting the end of homelessness for mothers, their children and families in South County.  The first race starts at 7:45 and the entire event ends at 10:00 am just in time to enjoy the rest of Mother’s Day.

“The Mother’s Day Run has become a tradition. For many, there are three generations who do the run/walk together, and then go to brunch afterwards. It’s a great family tradition –to help end homelessness on Mother’s Day.” PVSS Executive Director, Kimberly Ferm

Community Support

PV Shelter has the recipe for successfully changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness, by giving them the tools to help themselves. The Mother’s Day Run for Shelter is PV Shelter’s biggest fundraising event. The Race/Walk is an opportunity for the community to partner with PV Shelter to raise funds, so we can continue our mission of promoting self-sufficiency and changing the lives of families experiencing homelessness.

About Pajaro Valley Shelter Services: About Pajaro Valley Shelter Services:

Since 1983, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services has helped women, children, and families end the causes and cycles of homelessness. PVSS currently serves and helps house 80 families annually, while they complete a program to overcome financial barriers, and develop goals, skills and attitudes necessary to move on to stable housing and improved personal and economic self-sufficiency. Serving Santa Cruz County and focusing on Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, PVSS owns and operates an Emergency Shelter (for women and children), a Shelter Annex (for families with males over the age of twelve), thirteen units of Transitional Housing, and four units of Long-Term Supportive Housing.  Participants learn how to manage money, obtain employment, housing, care for themselves and their children, and more.

Source: http://pvshelter.org/

Read more

Safety Training: Reinforcement Pays

If workers don’t use what they’ve learned in safety training sessions, they’ve wasted their time – and their employer’s money. In many cases, the reason is a lack of reinforcement when they get back on the job.

The first step in avoiding this problem is to meet with participants beforehand to agree on mutual expectations and objectives for the session. Depending on the type of training, this discussion can take place up to four weeks before the program begins. Don’t wait until the day before the meeting.

After the session, simply asking trainees how they liked the program is not enough – even though that’s where reinforcement often stops. Instead, meet with workers individually and as a group for follow-up to help determine whether the training met everyone’s expectations, the work environment is supportive of the concept(s) taught, and the participants know how to implement what they learned on the job.

To reinforce the effectiveness of training, job safety experts recommend these guidelines:

1. Be sure that the trainer(s) have a solid understanding of the participants’ jobs and make the content relevant and practical.
2. Link the training to your company’s goals and objectives so that workers understand the importance and the relevance of the information.
3. Minimize interference from the job during the session so that trainees can give their full attention to the content.
4. Allow for reflection and application throughout the training, giving participants a chance to think about how to use this knowledge and skills back on the job.
5. Provide opportunities for practice and feedback to reinforce the training.

We’re always ready to advise you on implementing an effective follow-up program on your job safety programs.

Read more