Tag Archives: protect

Nov24

All Boostered Up!

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All Boostered Up!

Hello! This past Friday, I enjoyed a much needed day off to get my hair done for the holidays. As always, my time at the Shear Shop was fabulous and the excitement of the day didn’t end when I left the salon… If you want to call getting the COVID-19 booster shot exciting, that is. Lol, but I do! After my appointment, I met up with Johnny at Walmart to get our Moderna boosters just in time for the holidays and I am so happy!

Originally, we had our booster shot appointment scheduled at CVS only to learn that they didn’t carry the Moderna booster. Luckily for us, though, Walmart had it readily available and you can schedule an appointment or just walk in for your vaccines. We went with the latter option and were on our way home in under ten minutes. 😀

Despite my eagerness to get my booster shot, I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous. For those of you who don’t remember, my second shot of Moderna knocked me out for about three days and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to feeling crummy all weekend long. So, imagine my surprise when I woke up on Saturday morning not feeling completely miserable.

That’s not to say that I didn’t experience any side effects at all. On Friday night, I woke up several times in the middle of the night either feeling really hot or freezing cold. I also had a lot of tenderness in my arm and was tired all day Saturday. But that was about the worst of it and it was a vast improvement from shot number two so I’ll take it. 🙂

With the holidays fast approaching, I can’t recommend getting vaccinated enough to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while you celebrate. Do make sure that you call the location of where you’re getting vaccinated beforehand to make sure that they have your preferred vaccine available. Let’s kick COVID’s butt all together!

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots OF MODERNA!

How are you safely celebrating the holidays this year? Where did you get your COVID vaccine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov2

Easy Ways To Secure Your Home

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Easy Ways To Secure Your Home

If you’re decorating your home or working on some important home maintenance, then you might be thinking about your home security. However, a burglar can strike at any time and if your home isn’t secure, then you could be at risk. To help you get back to the more enjoyable home tasks, here are some easy ways to make your home is more secure:

Secure The Doors:

Don’t let someone just walk in your front door. More burglars than you’d think gain access through the front door. Check that all of your exterior doors have strong door frames, protected hinges, and a mail slot that can’t be used to reach through to unlock the door. If you’re moving into a home that someone else lived in, change the locks. This means that there won’t be strangers out there with keys to your home. You can also make sure that you have the best locks available.

There are some other easy reinforcements you can add:

  • Install a deadbolt
  • Add a strike plate
  • Upgrade to smart locks
  • Buy a video doorbell

Reinforce Sliding Glass Doors:

Sliding doors are loved by burglars, so make sure that yours are properly protected. You could use a window bar or a dowel in the track to prevent the door from being forced open from the outside. For a more high-tech solution, you can add a door sensor or a glass break sensor. These will alert you if someone tampers with the door, and the loud noise could scare off an intruder.

Lock Your Windows:

Windows are another entry point for intruders, as they are often left shut but unlocked by homeowners. If you’re considering replacement windows, make sure you take security into account. Manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective, and can often be quite flimsy. If you don’t think your window latches are secure, you can add new locks to them or key-operated levers to make them more secure. There are some other upgrades that you can make to:

  • Reinforce the glass with window security film
  • Install window or glass break sensors
  • Add window bars
  • Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows

Light Up The Landscape:

Intruders don’t want to be caught in a bright light. You can discourage would-be intruders by using plenty of outdoor lighting. Place lots of lights around your front and back yards, along any pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. These lights will make intruders less likely to approach the house, but you’ll also reduce the risk of stumbling yourself when you come home at night.

You can make your outdoor security lights even more effective with a few other tips:

  • Use motion-activated lights
  • Save power with solar-powered lights
  • Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer
  • Set up schedules with smart light bulbs

Keeping your home secure and safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Some simple, affordable upgrades can help you to keep things more secure, so you can feel much safer in your home.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct29

Keeping An Eye On Your Child’s Health This Winter

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Keeping An Eye On Your Child’s Health This Winter

Kids have a habit of picking up every little thing that is going around. It doesn’t matter if it is a cold or the latest dance fad. As parents, we want to make sure that our kids stay healthy so we need to keep an eye on them. Here are some ways to monitor your child’s health this winter:

Know what help is available:

Kids can have accidents and they can get sick at a moments notice so it is important to know what medical assistance is around you. Medicare On Video is a great way to understand what help you can get in the event of yourself or your kids needing help. Local hospitals are often signposted so that anyone can find them, not just the locals. And don’t forget, if you have any doubts, Google can be your friend.

Alert other parents:

It isn’t nice when our kids get sick but if they do, it is important to let the parents around us know so that they can prepare. Their kids might get lucky and skip the bug that is going around but it is always best to warn others if your kids have taken ill. If their kids became ill, you would want to know so that you can prepare. It isn’t a pleasant phone call or message to make but it is better than allowing viruses to run rampage through their group of friends. This is really useful if they are very young or have an issue with their immune system.

Fresh air:

One of the main reasons that the common cold and flues manage to do so well in the winter is because the ventilation in our schools are terrible in the winter. Every cough lets germs float in the air, and without open windows, they stay in the room. If you can, get your kids outside during the weekend and let their lungs breathe in some fresh air. Being in the fresh air helps to boost your immune system and helps to promote a healthy immune response in the body.

Pay attention to their mental health:

It’s not just your child’s physical health you need to keep an eye on in winter, it’s their mental health too. ‘Winter blues’ may not be taken seriously by some, but many people, especially young people, can develop depression and anxiety at this time of year. If you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health, consult a professional. Your doctor or a dedicated facility like the Eva Carlston Academy can provide support for your child and help them with their condition. Pay attention to your child’s mood and what’s going on in their life to help you stay tuned into potential issues.

Fresh food:

Kids get most of their nutrition through the food that they eat so make sure that they are getting plenty of healthy options. Of course, you can always add multi-vitamins if you think that will help. One of the best ways to ensure that they are getting the most out of their diet is with a wide selection of fruit throughout the day. They might not be keen on broccoli but they might love a bunch of grapes, instead.

Hopefully, you can get through this winter without any major issues and that your children continue to thrive under your watchful eye. Being sick is no fun at any time of the year but especially during the holiday season!

Featured Image By: Jupi Lu from Pixabay

Sep23

Safety Tips For Exercising Outdoors   

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Safety Tips For Exercising Outdoors   

Whether it’s a gentle breeze caressing your face while you run or the sun kissing your skin while you cycle, taking your workouts outdoors is always a refreshing experience. However, it is necessary to exercise without putting your health and safety at risk. Are you thinking about taking your fitness regimen outside? Here are a few tips that can help you stay safe while you exercise:

Map your route ahead of time:

It would be pretty frustrating losing your way when going for a run, walk, or cycle outside, especially if you’re new to the area. Thankfully, almost all smartphones come with a Map application and GPS functions, so you can plan your route before setting off. It is also advisable to share your route with someone you trust before you leave. If you take your phone along, be sure to keep your location on to make locating you easier if you should get lost or injured. If you already know your area, ensure that you avoid inconvenient places like construction sites, busy streets, etc. You might also want to avoid areas with stray animals to prevent incidents such as dog bites.

Dress for safety:

From workout clothes to the shoes you wear, you should aim for comfort and safety. Regarding footwear, having on the right shoes for the right activity will help to avoid blisters, twisted ankles, or any other injury. Also, your clothes should not inhibit blood flow or airflow in any way. If you plan on doing your outdoor workout at night or under poor visibility, you should wear workout clothes with features that make you more visible, especially when working out near busy roads. For example, you can wear bright colored clothes or opt for ones with reflectors to make you more visible to motorists.

Take your cell phone along:

Carrying a phone along when going for a run can be an inconvenience as you want to run or cycle ‘freely,’ but you also need to be safe. And if you get lost in an area without any internet connection, you will need something to use to call for help. Many workout garments come with spaces to store cell phones and keep them out of the way until you need them.

Protect yourself from the sun:

Sunscreen is an absolute must if you plan to work out in the sun, especially for your face. It is best to look for sunscreen products designed specifically for athletes, as they wouldn’t come off when you sweat. Moreover, the heat can wear you out pretty fast, so don’t forget to carry a bottle of water along. If possible, try to exercise during or after sunset because the sun can be scorching in the afternoon.

Protect yourself from the cold:

Cold temperatures can also drain your energy. It is possible to burn about 6,000 calories in one day when exercising in the cold. So, make sure you wear protective clothing. You might also want to take a bottle of water along to sip, as cold temperatures can suppress thirst, and you don’t want to be dehydrated.

Working out outdoors is great but doing it safely is the best with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep23

Repairs That Can’t Wait

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Repairs That Can’t Wait

While some repairs around your home can be done with a bit of DIY, there are some things that you just have to call in the professionals for. No one likes an unexpected bill for something breaking down. However, leaving it to get worse will end up costing you more money in the long run with more extensive repairs or having to buy a new appliance altogether. Today, we are going to look at a few key elements of your home that shouldn’t wait until the last minute if they are on the fritz:

Kitchen Appliances:

The purpose of appliances are to make tasks and chores easier for you. Handwashing dishes is a drag and going to the laundromat can be downright miserable! To keep yourself on easy street, it is crucial to fix problematic appliances as soon as issues arise. An improperly working stove for instance can be dangerous to yourself and your family. It’s therefore important to call in an Appliance Repair specialist as soon as possible because continued use can cause an even bigger, more expensive issue.

Meanwhile, a refrigerator that is going kaput will force you to throw away its contents as the food will not be safe to eat if its not kept cold. When appliances malfunction, it is best to find a repair person to do it all to save you the hassle from multiple different people coming in and out. For example, you can find quality fridge repair in Barrie that also specializes in washers, dryers, and ovens.

Car Troubles:

Bad breaks and bald tires are incredibly dangerous and even more so when there is inclement weather. Getting your car troubles fixed now will better protect you and your passengers, especially with winter fast approaching. Driving is one of the most risky things that people do every day so you want to make sure that your vehicle is always in prime working order. Getting new tires for the winter is a must and don’t forget your routine maintenance checks and oil changes.

When it comes to getting new tires, you will want to take your car to a shop that specializes in this specifically like Melksham Tyre Supplies (or a similar business in your local area). That way you can ensure that you are getting the best quality work for the task at hand. Tire specific shops might also run special promotions like a discounted tire rotation for every five thousand miles or free puncture repairs and this can help save money. Do your research to find the best service and deals near you.

Failing to tend to car repairs when needed can be a danger to yourself and others on the road and it should be taken seriously. If it’s recommend during your maintenance check to get a Steering Column Sensor Repair, an alignment, or new breaks, do so ASAP. And, if it doesn’t fit in your budget, you might be able to work out a payment plan with the repair shop.

Home Security:

When it comes to home security, it doesn’t just mean your security system. It also includes your windows, doors, and garage door. Any point of entrance for someone uninvited to come into your home should be checked on frequently. Schedule regular maintenance for your home security system and automatic lighting if you have them and call in a repair person immediately to change locks for windows and doors. Cracks, weak locks, and warping create a “welcome” sign for burglars as well as pests.

Keep you and your loved ones safe by tending to problems as soon as they arise. Although repairs can be expensive, peace of mind is priceless.

Sep21

Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

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Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

Taking great care of your home involves many different maintenance chores, some of them might be a little boring, but they are important! As the summer comes to a close, there are several essential tasks to complete around the house. To get your home ready for the fall, try tackling these chores:

Bleed your radiators:

If there is trapped air in your radiator, then you’ll find that you get random cold spots across the radiator. Before the weather turns cold, it’s a good idea to bleed your radiators. Look at the top of the radiator to locate the radiator valve. Next, you can use a radiator key, (turning the key counter-clockwise). Keep turning the key until water drips out, this process will release any trapped air.

Inspect your furnace:

The end of the summer is a great time to inspect your furnace. The first step is to look at the filter, if it’s dirty you should replace it. If the filter is dirty, this means that the airflow may be restricted. If the airflow is restricted, less heat can pass through the heat exchanger. The result is that your furnace may get hotter than normal. Over time, this can cause the furnace to fail and shut down.

If you suspect that there is a problem with your furnace you’ll need to call in the professionals. It’s especially important to do this if you notice a burning smell from furnace. Whether your furnace check is strictly maintenance or perhaps getting a new one, this is such an important task to complete come cold weather. Local professionals in your area or furnace installation in Denver will be able to assist in keeping your home nice and warm all winter long.

Protect your pipes:

During cold weather, it’s not uncommon for our water pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this from happening, there are several things you can do to protect your pipes:

  • Use Insulation: To protect your pipes you can purchase pipe insulation, which is usually made from fiberglass, foam, or polyethylene. Some of the best eco-friendly insulation materials include aerogel, denim, or sheep’s wool.
  • Run the faucets: If you leave one tap trickling a small amount, this can ensure that your pipes don’t freeze.

Clean out your gutters:

Now is the perfect time to clean out your gutters. If there’s a build-up of debris, this could cause problems with drainage and cause your roof to leak. If you can’t get on the roof yourself, you can call gutter cleaning services to do this for you. Ensure that there are no cracks in your roof or any shingles that need replacing.

Fertilize your lawn:

If you want a beautiful lawn, then you should definitely fertilize it as the weather gets cold. Applying a lawn winter fertilizer will give your lawn the nutrients it needs and the grassroots will multiply before going dormant. During the winter the roots will store food and you’ll find that you’ll have a lush lawn by the springtime. If you are lacking a green thumb, you might find you do a bit of a botch job of preparing and kill off some of your grass over the winter. If this happens to you, don’t despair! These days it’s easy to get in contact with a reputable lawn installation company that can fill out those weary areas of your garden with fresh, high quality sod come spring. This can help to give your lawn a more uniform look ready for the warmer months of the year, allowing you to enjoy it without the stress.

Preparing your home for the fall will help you to stay safe, warm, and relaxed. Once you’ve got those chores out of the way you might like to work on your interior design. Fall time is the perfect season to paint in warm colors and add bright accessories. From home maintenance to DIY projects, there are so many ways to create a beautiful home.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Sep3

How To Prepare For A New Puppy

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How To Prepare For A New Puppy

Adding a new addition to the family is an exciting time. A new puppy is bound to please the children as well as bring joy to the adult’s life. However, it can also be a lot more time and energy-consuming for adults. Although young children can care for and play with the new pup, it will likely not be their responsibility to take them for long walks, train them not to chew the sofa, and feed them at the right hours. If you are new to having a puppy and want some guidance, here are some tips.

Make sure their breeder is reputable:

If you are not rescuing your pup, then making sure that he or she comes from a reputable breeder is key. You will want to make sure that the puppy has had a caring and secure upbringing until they come into your home. Also, having a pup from a reputable breeder will ensure that they are free of illnesses and are as happy as can be. No matter if you are looking for a reputable Havanese breeder or Dachshund, you can find out more online as well as discover the story behind their owners while you do your research.

Prepare your home:

Before your new pup enters the home, you will want to set up a dedicated sleep and eat area so that they can settle in as soon as possible. Your dog might have had a long journey and need some food when they arrive. Thus, if you have somewhere ready for them, then they can eat and feel at home quickly. An area that is secure and warm is the best. You will want them to feel safe when they first arrive at your home and it will help them settle in.

Get their vaccines:

When a pup is young, they will need vaccines before they head out into the world. No matter if you plan to explore with your dog or go hiking with your dog, they will need to be protected from germs and disease. You will be able to attain these vaccines at any vet to help best protect your pup.

Consider puppy gates:

Puppies have a tendency to roam around a new home and explore. It is within their nature to be playful and this may result in them chewing through your favorite shoes and clothes. Putting up puppy gates will help limit them to certain areas. Gates are a great way of training the pup about where they should and should not go in the house. It will also keep them safe and away from any dangerous rooms or objects.

Likewise, you should make sure that your gates and fences are secure in the garden. Your pup will love to play in the yard and if you leave them alone for five minutes and the fence isn’t secure, you could put your puppy’s safety at risk.

Follow the tips above to keep the new addition to your family protected and happy!

Featured Image By: Karen Warfel from Pixabay

Aug10

Keeping Safe At Home During A Heatwave

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Keeping Safe At Home During A Heatwave

When a heatwave strikes, everything becomes more dangerous. Spending too much time outdoors can lead to an array of serious issues, and many activities become off limits as a result of high temperatures or water limitations. It can be hard to figure out how to stay safe during a heatwave, especially if you haven’t had much experience with extreme weather in the past. Thankfully, there are a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of to protect yourself despite the unrelenting sunshine. Read on to uncover some of the most effective steps that you can follow to keep cool and calm this summer:

Protect Your Property:

Your home should act as a safe sanctuary during a heatwave and there are many different ways that you can create a cool, refreshing environment in which you and your family can stay refreshed and healthy. The color of your home’s exterior can contribute massively towards its overall temperature as dark colors are more likely to absorb the heat whereas light colors like white can reflect it.

It’s a good idea to invest in a set of shutters that you can install outside of your windows because once closed this will act as a barrier between your home and the intense sun outside. You will be able to keep your windows open to benefit from a breeze without filling the room with sunshine, so it’s the perfect solution for a hot day. Installing an air conditioning unit may be something that you want to consider, but it’s important to note that the unit itself will emit a lot of heat which can intensify under the harsh summer sun. Stick with a simple fan if you want a cooler breeze, which is also far more environmentally conscious.

Adapt Your Garden:

It’s absolutely vital that you make an effort to adapt your garden to better suit the heatwave and its risks, as there are certain features that can pose a serious danger in the event of severe sunshine. For example, leaving piles of old branches, leaves, and grass cuttings out to dry may have been an acceptable activity during the winter, but this can easily lead to a fire if you make such a mistake during a heatwave. You don’t need to read a property damage restoration FAQ page to know that a fire in your garden could spread to your house in less than a couple of seconds, so you must be vigilant and adapt your outside space to suit the extreme weather that’s headed your way.

Heatwaves can come with a few benefits, as it’s a great time to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables that thrive on the intense sunlight. Extra spicy chilies, sweet melons, and juicy tomatoes will be great in your garden, so you may as well make the most of the opportunity to get some home grown vitamins to power you through the heatwave!

Stay cool this summer by adapting your property to the extreme heat!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May25

How To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

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How To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Children are vulnerable to most dental infections. Even though dentistry services have advanced recently due to technology, parents still have to play active roles to improve their dental health and that of their little ones. Oral health is essential because untreated dental conditions have been associated with diabetes, stroke, and heart diseases in adults. Also referred to as dental caries, tooth decay affects kids and adults. Thankfully, these are largely preventable with good practices. Here are a few tips to promote your child’s dental health:

Start caring for dental health as soon as possible:

By the age of 6 months, you may want to stop your baby from taking breast milk or formula at night. It has been thought that late night breastfeeding increases the risk of tooth decay in kids due to the lactose content (milk sugar). By 1-year-old, your child needs to have access to dental care services and be examined by dentists every three to six months. Dental services for families may differ and may include consulting pediatric dentists. Parents who live in the Lehi, Utah area may find Dry Creek Pediatric Dentistry services very helpful for their infants and children.

Stick to a healthy diet:

Being mindful of your child’s diet is one way to ensure that they don’t eat foods that increase their risks of getting cavities. The rule of thumb is that any food or drink with high sugar content is potentially unhealthy for their dental health. When your child eats more carbs, they will have a higher tendency to develop cavities.

Let your children taste the natural sweetness of fruits instead – that is way healthier than giving them too much candy. Discourage your little ones from eating a lot of snacks and soda pop. These not only could expose them to obesity; the mixture of sugar and acid could break down their teeth. The same is valid for juice – it’s another form of soda pop with no carbonation.

Give kids fluoride:

Routine application of fluoride hardens the enamel, making it difficult for acid to penetrate the teeth. While some town water supply systems are fluoridated, others are not. If that is the case in your community, you can ask your dentist to recommend fluoride supplements for you and your family. The majority of toothpaste on the market contains fluoride, but that alone is not enough to protect your child’s teeth.

Having said that too, excessive amounts of fluoride can lead to tooth discoloration. Always consult your dentists before giving supplements to your kids. During your children’s annual dental exam, dentists may apply fluoride varnish to their teeth. This topical fluoride helps prevent and heal early cavities.

When your child starts to develop permanent teeth, your dentist may apply a thin wash of resin (sealant) to the back of their teeth where chewing occurs. This coating prevents tooth decay by stopping bacteria from settling in the crevices of the molars. Finally, understand that regular flossing and brushing are essential to good dental hygiene.

A good understanding of dental care that is taught early on in your child’s life is so important and will help them to be proactive in better protecting their teeth.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar17

How To Protect Your Business

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How To Protect Your Business

If you want your business to be successful, then there are multiple different areas that you need to focus on protecting. Protecting a business is about more than just keeping your numbers out of the red, so where do you start? Consider the following:

Protecting your premises:

When people talk about protecting their business, they’re usually referring to the physical premises of their company. This can be your store or your office, but it might also include your warehouse or even your home depending on your business.

Protecting your business typically means having security cameras and alarm systems. However, there are some cases where a large warehouse may need security guards or even multiple systems to defend against intruders. This is extremely important to protect your staff as well as your stock and ensures that you won’t face any burglaries in the future.

Protecting your employees:

Your employees need as much protection as anything else in your business. This usually starts with looking after their physical and mental well being. It can mean keeping an eye on them to see if they’re healthy, but it can also mean checking on their work progress and seeing if they’re encountering any troubles.

You might also want to look at working with a health insurance broker to offer your employees benefit packages that help them stay healthy. This not only helps to protect your employees, but it can give them peace of mind knowing that their employer is looking out for their health. This adds another form of protection in the form of higher retention rates. It means that your employees will be less likely to seek out other career options because they’re happy in their current position with an employer that cares for their long-term health and well being.

Protecting your digital assets:

Most of us already have some kind of anti-virus software or firewall to help protect our computers from hackers, but that’s really not enough these days. Cybercriminals are becoming a major problem for businesses due to organized online crime and large teams of hackers that share common monetary goals. They won’t hesitate to target smaller businesses if there’s a chance that they can make a profit from breaking into your systems.

It’s a good idea to research and find managed IT support near you to help protect your online systems, but it’s also important to ensure that your cloud-based services and systems are all up to date. You also need to be careful of social engineering; a method of obtaining passwords and important data that can be used to break into a company’s computer systems and online services. Do not discount the importance of a strong IT team because your business could be highly vulnerable without them. To begin finding the right IT support for you simply enter a search for “Business IT Support Bluffton SC” (or your local area) to secure a good fit for your business.

As you can see, there are many different ways to protect your business and they are all equally as important as the other. Spend some time coming up with a protection plan for your company, your staff, and your digital assets if you want your business to last a long time.

Featured Image By: Unsplash