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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?

 

Hands-free driving is about to have a new meaning!

Hands-free driving is about to have a new meaning!

Hands free driving is about to get a new meaning. One of the first self-driving cars will debut in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania next week. And the company debuting this vehicle is Uber. This past February, the ride-sharing company announced that they would be partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to open its Uber Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh. It is preparing to launch autonomous vehicles in to its fleet by 2020.

“Self-driving cars have the potential to save millions of lives and improve quality of life for people around the world,” Uber said in a blog post on its site, citing a statistic that 94% of car accidents that result in the loss of live involve human error.

Uber`s rival Lyft, is also trying to get in on all of this action. Lyft has released a statement this month that they are currently in the same process. “Executives at Lyft and Uber have said one of the top hurdles to their success is navigating a patchwork of regulations that govern the use and liabilities of autonomous vehicles. Federal regulators are working to help companies figure out how to meet safety standards when designing cars.” This project is still in the early stages for both Lyft and Uber. With all the pros and cons to this, it’s interesting to see what will happen.

The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

Spring has sprung and so have the flowers at Disney World`s Flower and Garden Festival.  This festival of flowers, food and fun will run from March 2nd, 2016 to May 30,2016 and is definitely something to add to your Disney bucket list.

Characters and iconic Disney scenes come to life as Epcot transforms to a garden wonderland.  These 90 days at Epcot will be filled with classic traditions of the festival along with new ones. Some exciting things you’ll find is the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This series includes Darlene Love and The Georgia Satellites, as well as returning favorites. There will also be a new kids play ground called The Harmony Gardens Musical Playground. You’ll also find new outdoor kitchens and also new menu items. The two newest kitchens include La Isla Fresca serving up Jamaican food along with the Cider House. These two new kitchens will join the 11 other booths serving up all kinds of delicious foods from the World Showcase. And you’ll also see flowers galore. From themed flower gardens to topiaries to life size figurines of Disney characters!

If you think this flower crazy event is unbelievable, here are three fun facts that will blow your mind. The first fun fact is more than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival. The second fun fact is Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants. And the last fun fact is it takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.

What can be better than spring, flowers in the shapes of Disney characters, scrumptious food and great music? This year’s Flower and Garden Festival has that all covered for you and more. If you are heading down to Disney this Spring, this is definitely something worth seeing.

Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

It’s that time of year where coffee becomes a little more than necessary in the morning. That is because it is time to spring forward.  Sunday, March 13th marks the first day of Daylight Savings. For some people this could be seen as just a loss of sleep but for others it is a sign that sunny and longer days are finally here.

The saying “Spring forward, fall back” is an old expression used to remind people to adjust your clocks. Although making sure you get up in time in the morning is important, there are also several necessary tasks to ensure a safe and happy spring and summer season. This could be looked at as a safety spring cleaning. Here are some necessary things to check off of your safety spring cleaning list. The first thing you should do is check to make sure there is a functioning fire detector and carbon dioxide detector in each room of your house. If you know there are any detectors that are over ten years old, then it’s time for new ones. After inserting fresh batteries check your alarm by activating the safety test button. Now that the alarms are all checked, it is time to clean your alarms. This can be done by gently using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust and cobwebs. Because what use is a working alarm if you can’t hear it. Lastly, you should make an escape plan and review it with your entire family. It is a good idea to get everyone involved including the kids. After you have made your plan, make sure you have all functioning emergency supplies put together in several locations of your home. A good idea would be to create a backpack filled with flashlights, batteries and other items you feel are necessary. Once you have an action plan set, it’s time to test it out. Make sure everything is set and everyone is aware of the plan in case of an unfortunate tragedy.

Now that you know the importance of this safety spring cleaning list, it is time to put it into action. Whether you’re enjoying your cup of coffee with an extra shot of espresso or enjoying the outdoors, it is always best to put safety first and protect your home and family.

Things To Consider Before You Choose a Summer Camp

Things To Consider Before You Choose a Summer Camp

The weather is finally getting warmer and thoughts of sunny summer days are upon us. School will be ending soon and summer camp may be in the picture. Finding the right summer camp for your child’s particular needs may not be as simple as you may think. Start early to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for. Here are some tips to get you started whether your looking for a day camp or a sleepaway camp.

Staff –A good staff can make all the difference! Are the staff members skilled in engaging a shy student that may have a difficult 3-summer-camps-for-kids-with-celiac-diseasetime coming out of there shell? How long have the staff members been working with the camp? Are they trained in emergency procedures and CPR? Are background checks done on every employee? What is the counselor to camper ratio? In the case of a sleepaway camp, how do they handle homesickness? A good facility will be eager to answer your questions.

What is a camp day like? If early enough, can visitation be arranged? A good, well-rounded camp day should have varied activities to meet the needs of all campers unless you opt for a specialized camp such as for sports, music or dance. Is food provided or supplied by the family?

Ask to see schedules and inquiry how closely they are adhered to. If it is a specialized camp, make sure the kids have the opportunity for downtime and to take part in activities that are not geared toward their specialty. In the case of a sleepaway camp, what are the daily menus like, what kind of activities do they offer in the evening and what is the counselor to camper ratio at this time? Are there family visiting days?

Goals-A good camp should be dedicated to making sure they provide campers with good, safe fun! Parents should look for a camp that is looking to foster relationships. Since summer camp is a seasonal activity, it should be a goal of the camp to provide the best possible experience to the campers so that they want to return the following year. Friendships among campers and comradery with staffers would be a sure way of making that happen. Making memories will ensure for a positive camp experience and the likelihood of a camper begging to return and make choosing a camp easier in the coming years.

Now that we discussed some of the criteria for choosing a summer camp, the rest is up to you and the camper. Make a list of camps to be considered, what you expect of the program and get out and find the one that is best suited for you and your child.

Don’t forget to check with your insurance agent if you decide on a sleep-away camp.  Make sure you have off-premises theft coverage to cover your child’s belongings while they are away.

Have a wonderful summer and may your days be filled with Happy Campers!

For more information on Home, Auto, Business, Life, and Flood Insurance contact our office at 516-249-5200.

Written by: Denise Visco