4th of July fireworks, parades and cookouts are an excuse for you to relax with family and friends. As you plan your celebration this year, take several steps to ensure safety for everyone involved in celebrating the United States’ birthday.
Use Fireworks Safely
Public fireworks displays are the safest way to enjoy the beautiful colors and terrific booms of this July 4th tradition, especially when you maintain a distance of at least 500 feet between you and the show. Firework displays at home can be fun though too. If you go that route, take these precautions.
- Follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Never allow children to play with the fireworks.
- Stock a fire extinguisher or water supply nearby.
- Wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.
- Remove flammable materials from the area.
- Never point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles or structures.
- Properly dispose of duds rather than trying to relight them.
Take Precautions While Grilling
Burgers, hot dogs, fruit and pizza taste delicious when they’re grilled. Grab your favorite side dishes and follow a few precautions that ensure you and your guests grill safely.
- Always supervise the grill when it’s in use.
- Never grill indoors or in a fully enclosed area such as a garage or tent.
- Use lighter fluid sparingly and never after the coals are ignited.
- Keep children and pets away from the hot grill.
- Remove flammable objects, including trees, from near the grill.
- Use long-handled tools to handle food.
Stay Safe on the Beach
Swimming is a fun summer activity, and it’s good exercise. At the beach, lake, public pool or backyard pool, stay safe with these tips.
- Swim only in designated areas.
- Obey the lifeguard and all posted signs.
- Get out of the water during a storm or if you hear thunder or see lightening.
- Require children to wear life jackets.
- Don’t dive into shallow water.
Wear Sun Bathing Protection
Picnics are part of many July 4th celebrations. You should also take these protective measures.
- Wear sunscreen that’s at least 15 SPF.
- Remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, hair part and the tops of your feet.
- Avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV rays are strongest.
- Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours or more frequently if you’re sweating.
- Drink plenty of water even if you’re not thirsty.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves if you have to be in direct sunlight.
- Watch for signs of heat stroke, including hot, red skin, shallow breathing and rapid, weak pulse.
Your July 4th celebration will be safe when you take these steps. For more advice, talk to your health insurance agent. He or she stands ready to help you have the best birthday party ever.
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When it comes to hackers stealing confidential client information, most people think of their primary targets as mega-corporations; banks, credit card providers, online retailers, and so forth. (American Express, MasterCard, and Sony come to mind.)
However, more than half of small and midsize businesses have experienced at least one data breach in the past year, according to a recent nationwide study by the Ponemon Institute. What’s more, only 33% of surveyed companies suffering breaches notified affected individuals that their personal information was ever at risk – despite laws in 46 states that require such notification.
The primary causes of these breaches were employee or contractor error, lost or stolen laptops or smart phones, and procedural mistakes, according to the study commissioned by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co.
The survey also found that:
- Nearly nine in 10 respondents (85%) shared their customer and employee records with third parties by providing billing, payroll, employee benefits, web-hosting, or other information technology services.
- Seven in 10 respondents (70%) said that data breaches are more likely to occur if they outsourced data.
- Despite this outsourcing exposure, more than three in five businesses surveyed (62%) did not require third parties to cover costs associated with a data breach in their contracts.
“Smaller companies are targeted by data thieves, but they often don’t know how to respond when sensitive information they keep on customers and employees is lost or stolen,” warns Hartford Steam Boiler Vice President Eric Cernak. “Failing to act in a timely and effective way can harm the reputation of businesses and even risk legal penalties in many states.”
For professional advice on helping you minimize the growing financial and legal threats to your business from data breaches, please feel free to get in touch with our agency at any time.
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Friday
at
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Please come and enjoy a country run in Toro Park at the magical time of day known as sunset.
With cool temps and beautiful shadows on the course, this time of day provides a great opportunity to run a fast cross country race.
Once again we will offer the
- Kids one mile, 2.2 mile
- High School 3 Mile Challenge
- A 4 mile run
- A “Sunset Runner” is for those diehard runners willing to race a combine 10k of cross country running by doing both the 2.2 and 4 mile runs with just about a 30 minute break in between.
Come get in a great summer workout and support Hartnell College Cross Country.
This event is open to all ages, abilities, and even dogs!
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With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, you might be looking for an Irish or neighborhood pub or some Irish grub. Check out these “Best of Yelp” reviews and ratings for Irish and pub favorites in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Gilroy.
Is your favorite here? Disagree with the ratings? Share your views in the comments.
Poet & Patriot Irish Pub, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz | 4 stars
Rocksalt R. of Capitola writes: “This is a great local bar where you can order a beer and be treated well by the always friendly staff. Nice and dark, full of history, and very relaxed.”
Britannia Arms, 110 Monterey Ave., Capitola | 3 stars
Omid L. of San Jose writes: “We are big FANS of Capitola Britannia Arms! When we visited, Jamie helped us. He is extremely hospitable and such an Awesome Bartender!! :)“
Parish Publick House, 841 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz | 4 stars
Erin W. of San Jose says: “The best pub in Santa Cruz. The beer selection is awesome, the wait staff is super friendly, prompt, and on top of their shit, and the food is excellent. My favorite is the bangers and mash – the mash potatoes are so incredibly good and are topped with cheese! Yum. My boyfriend likes to get the super spicy wing sauce. Watch out – it’s the real deal. Good job, Parish. You’re doin’ pub grub right.”
Claddagh Irish Restaurant, 1300 1st St., Gilroy | 3.5 stars
Cameron E. of Gilroy says: “Had the bangers and mash it was phenomenal, also ordered the Irish cream shake. It was really good. The service was great and the food came out hot and fresh.”
99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall, 110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz | 3.5 stars
Sandra J. of Santa Cruz says: “This place is really cool. The food is awesome and the servers are always in a great mood, even when they’re tired or busy. Trying to get through all the beer selections, but have to admit it’s more work than you’d think.”
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz | 3 stars
Prime O. of Santa Cruz says: “Love coming here for lunch, or late night drinks. Guiness on tap, a large whiskey selection, and a menu filled with many delicious choices! Their reubin is quite good, and they hand cut their fries which are super delicious.”
Callahan’s, 507 Water St., Santa Cruz |4 stars
Stoney G. of Santa Cruz writes: “Local watering hole with great entertainment and a place where everyone knows your name by your 3 drink. :-)“
Surf City Billiards Bar & Cafe, 931 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz |4.5 stars
ERic O. of Santa Cruz writes: “This is the best place to play pool in Santa Cruz. 10+ quality tables, plus shuffleboard, ping pong and darts. This joint gets pretty crowded most nights for a reason. Generally the music is great, the crowd is diverse, and the vibe is very chill.”
–Images courtesy of Yelp reviewers.
–Content By: http://patch.com/california/watsonville/yelps-top-irish-spots-neighborhood-pubs-around-santa-cruz-county-0
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It’s the beginning of fall and apple picking season is in full effect. And the place to be is Clearview Orchards.
Organic Fuji and Gala apples are specialties of Clearview Orchards, although they also offer a number of other apple varieties.
Bring your family and your picnic basket. Once you are done enjoying a picnic on our lawn, feel free to pick your own apples. Other delicious items you can pick up at Clearview:
- Honey.
- Pumpkins (we have red, white, or pink)
- Dried lavender
- Apple cider
- Apple pops
Want a getaway? We can do that too. We offer a luxury yurt that boasts such amenities such as a queen bed, a full kitchen, sofa, and full bath with shower. The yurt is centrally located amongst lavender fields, flower gardens, avocado, and Fuji trees. An array of wildlife including deer, coyotes, raccoons, and hawks can be viewed from the yurt. This would be a perfect getaway for you and your partner looking for a romantic country getaway.
What: Clearview Orchards for picnicking and apple picking
Where: 646 Trabing Road in Watsonville
When: Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 am-5:00 pm through Sunday, October 26th.
Cost: $2 a pound for apples
Who: Everyone!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3111208?s=QpQT and http://www.clearvieworchards.com/index.html
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