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Spring Season vs. Seasonal Allergies

Spring Season vs. Seasonal Allergies

The beautiful spring weather is finally here! However, for some people, the spring season is the start of allergies. Allergies are nothing to sneeze at, but you can make your home more comfortable for people who do suffer from seasonal allergies.

Cleaning some often forgotten places can help improve the air quality in your home.

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Vacuum once or twice a week to draw up any dirt, dust or pollen.
  • Clear your clutter. Stacked old boxes and other lingering items hold unwanted dust and allergens.
  • Keep your bathroom free of mold by scrubbing counter tops, toilets and shower tiles regularly.
  • Clean your sheets in hot water at least once a week to remove dust and allergens.
  • Do not air dry your laundry. Leaving your laundry out to dry will cause your clothing to pick up pollen.
  • Be sure to clean your outside entry ways to avoid pollen, dirt and other allergens from being tracked in.
  • Indoor air quality can make a big difference when it comes to someone suffering with allergies. Regular housecleaning can get rid of many allergy triggers and help relieve symptoms.

 

Why Do Auto Accidents Occur?

Why Do Auto Accidents Occur?

Automobile accidents are undesired, incidental and unplanned event’s that most of the time can be prevented.
On average there are 27,000 accidents each day across the globe!
You may be asking, so what are the main contributing factors to car accidents?

According to NYS Department of Motor Vehicle, here are the top 9 contributing factors to accidents:

  • Driver Inattention / Distracted Driving (19.1%)
  • Following too closely (17.4%)
  • Failure to yield right of way (15.7%)
  • Unsafe speed (10.9%)
  • Slippery Pavement (10.0%)
  • Improper passing or lane usage (5.3%)
  • Unsafe lane changing (4.3%)
  • Traffic control disregarded (4.1%)
  • Turning improperly (4.0%)

When you are behind the wheel, it is important to be safe. All of these factors leading to accidents are preventable.

If you have any questions in regards to road safety, please give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call at (516) 249-5200 and our trained personal lines and commercial lines auto specialists will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Drive safely!

 

The Amazing Health Benefits of Running

The Amazing Health Benefits of Running

This past February, I ran my first 10k race. I ran the Disney Princess 10k in Orlando and it was an amazing experience. The road to the finish line included months of prep.

In this article, I am going to tell you my favorite tips on how to run your best race. After all it isn’t always about coming in first but enjoying your time while gaining amazing health benefits.

1. Make a plan. I found the easiest way to do this was by planning out my workouts so that overtime I would run longer and faster. I also found out that making my lunches on Sunday, not only saved time but guaranteed a healthy lunch every day.

2. Consistency is key. Although cheat days and rest days are necessary, they should be carefully planned. It`s best to use these days when your body is in need of it so that you can recharge. This makes it easier to refocus and still achieve your goals.

3. Make it social. You can do this by running with friends or join a running club. Find people who motivate you and push you towards your goals.

4. Train your mind. If you make diet and running a habitat then you can efficiently incorporate it into your daily life.

5. Keep your goals realistic. Gradually work up to running that full 10 k by adding on distance at a rate that’s best for you. Try a weekly calendar and write down your workouts and meals for each day.

With spring officially here, there are so many races and marathons happening all over Long Island. Some fun runs include the color run or there are also many races for charity. It`s never too late to make running a part of your life.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Helpful Tips For Your Next New Home Move

Helpful Tips For Your Next New Home Move

Every year, 12% of Americans move to new homes. The next time you are among the 12%, you may be able to save time, trouble and money when choosing a professional mover. By choosing a professional mover, you won’t have to worry about renting equipment and handling heavy bulky items all while being responsible if something goes wrong!

Here are six helpful hints to help with your next move:

  1. Be wary of the “guaranteed” estimates offered over the phone or online. Make sure you show the mover everything that needs to be moved, and get at least three estimates to compare.
  2. Check the company’s ratings with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer websites.
  3. Make sure all agreements are in writing and get a copy of everything you sign! Especially the bill of lading. Never sign any blank forms.
  4. Ask questions! If you do not understand something, make sure you have your mover explain everything in detail. Be sure to give your mover your cell phone number so that they can reach you at all times.
  5. Find a certified and insured professional mover.
  6. Last but not least, make sure that your new home is properly insured before moving in. Give an independent insurance agent, like C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call! We can help you with a new homeowners, condo, dwelling, or renter’s policy when it is time for your big move. (516) 249-5200.

Good luck!

 

Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring Cleaning Hacks

The spring season is finally here and for some it means warmer weather and sunnier days, but, to others it means spring cleaning!

There is a lot to talk about when it comes to clutter in our homes. Often, what seems like clutter is simple disorganization. Take a little time to put some systems into place and all of that clutter will magically disappear. Here are some quick organization hacks to help make your home orderly.

  1. Put a wine rack in your laundry room. Organize items like dusters, cleaning gloves and flashlights by installing a vertical wine rack on the wall. It will corral those items you use frequently and keep them in easy reach.
  2. Make your bed. One of the first things all new military recruits learn to do is to make their beds properly. It may sound trite but having a made bed instantly make the room look neater, and you will feel better too.
  3. Divide and conquer. Use clear plastic boxes in your drawers and on shelves to organize. For example, place shoe boxes side by side in a drawer to sort socks by color or store camisoles, wristlets or scarves.
  4. Tame your Tupperware. The plastic storage food containers we use in the kitchen gets notoriously messy. Use a clear box to store all the lids on their sides, like a file. Next, stack the containers inside one another.
  5. Get a utensil holder. Add a round ceramic pitcher near the stove to hold all the utensils you most frequently use. The rest? Put them in a drawer.
  6. Organize kitchen drawers. Add dividers or containers to keep your items from being jumbled.
  7. Tackle bathroom counter chaos. The bathroom counter is often the scene of a beauty product explosion. Curb the chaos by adding a lazy Susan in the cabinet. If all you have is space under the sink, go for a double lazy Susan. The top rail keeps small items from toppling over.
  8. Use magazine racks. Libraries and airline clubs know that keeping papers and magazines organized keeps the whole place neat. Get a standing magazine floor rack with multiple sections to put all your reading materials in one place instead of spread out on top of tables, end tables and night stands.

Will spring cleaning be at the top of your to do list this spring season?

 

Melting Snow and Water Damage

Melting Snow and Water Damage

The snow storms that recently hit New York State has left us with snow, sleet, ice and slush! As the snow begins to melt, it is important to protect your home from potential flooding and water damage. A few small actions taken now, will help ensure a dry house!
  • Move snow on the ground away from your home. The farther away from the structure of your house, the better.
  • If you have a sump pump, be sure to examine, test, and clean it! Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit. Make sure the discharge hose carries the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area.
  • Remove snow from your gutters and be sure to check your gutters regularly to make sure they are clean.
  • Most importantly, consider where your surrounding snow is going to melt! Using this strategy will help you locate where the best spots are for all that left over snow.

A flood can happen at any moment, to anybody! Call our office today and speak with one of our Flood specialists in regards to a flood policy for your home. It is better to be safe than sorry. Protect your home today.

(516) 249-5200
www.chedwards.net

Are Your Smoke Alarms Working Properly?

Are Your Smoke Alarms Working Properly?

Having a smoke alarm in your home is more important than you think. House fires kill on average 4,380 individuals every year. Ensuring that your detectors are working properly are vital when it comes to saving you and your family’s lives in the event of a disaster.
The answer to these three questions could save your life:
  1. Do you have a working smoke alarm with functioning batteries in your home?
    If you answered yes, that’s a great start. If you answered no, head to your local home improvement store and pick one up immediately. Sooner is better than never.
  2. Are they in the right room?
    Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in hallways, kitchens and living rooms.
  3. How old are they?
    You should change your alarms out every 10 years. If your current alarms are older than 10 years, its time!
If you want to avoid forgetting to change the batteries, you can purchase lithium batteries for $5-$10 dollars and they work for 10 years.
What will be your first step towards a safer home?
Simple Winter Hacks To Help You Save

Simple Winter Hacks To Help You Save

Colder days are ahead of us, and that means a higher utility bill, due to hot water and heat. Experts say that this winter season could significantly increase your bill compared to other years due to the rising fuel costs.

If you want to save some of your pennies this year, follow some of these simple hacks you can do around the house that will help you save big.

  • Put weather stripping around windows and doors to stop air leaks. Air strips are only a few dollars and they take seconds to install.
  • Turn your thermostat down when you’re not home. If your entire family is away from your home during the daytime, there is no reason to have the heat up. Instead, open your drapes and let the natural light and warmth in from the sun.
  • Set your ceiling fan to turn clockwise. This will allow the hot air that has risen to be pushed back down to warm you.
  • Check the setting on your hot water heater. Lowering your temperature 20 degrees can help you save up to 11 percent on your utility bill.
  • Take shorter showers. Although the hot water feels good, money in your pocket will feel even better. On average, an entire family can use up to 150 gallons of hot water in the morning while showering.
  • Perform an energy audit to see exactly how much energy you’re wasting and where the biggest problems are. You can either hire an expert to do this or you can do it for free by clicking here and seeing how, https://energy.gov/energysaver/do-it-yourself-home-energy-audits.

How much energy and money do you plan to save this winter season?