"She’s done with driving school and ready to hit the road.
So you’re getting her a car. You may want to check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) list for the safest cars for teen drivers, which the agency published on its website. The list categorizes the cars according to make, model and prices, taking into consideration the vehicle’s safety and driving features vis-à-vis the driver’s skill level, price points and safety rating. The list also enumerates the best pre-loved models to get for your teen, based on a market preference which was observed in a national phone survey where 83% of respondents said that they bought vehicles that have been previously used. Vehicle prices range from $2,000 to $20,000 and all have an electronic stability control feature, which IIHS says is a must for a teen driver who is still developing her motoring skills and may not be able to negotiate difficult driving conditions. The Institute also said to always look for a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rating, and take note of product recalls on models when shopping around for a vehicle." Read the Full Article "Insurance Institute Picks Safest Cars for Teens (Not Necessarily Safest for Other Road Users)" by Allie Sanchez Keep your family safe by learning how to identify and avoid these wicked garden plants.
"Some years ago, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosted an exhibit of “evil plants” that had the potential to harm not only the gardeners who grew them, but anyone else who might make contact with them. The exhibit, of course, was designed to protect visitors from harm; it was an instructive showcase of the dangers that can lurk in our landscapes. Some plants that grow in the wild or in cultivated gardens are toxic enough to cause death. Still, many have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes, in rites of passage or for witchcraft and other purposes. They can be alluring and beautiful, hiding their deadly characteristics behind their charms. Take wolfsbane, for instance—just don’t take it internally. Ancient herbalists wrote about this wicked plant, also known as wolf bane, and described its effectiveness as a poison. A member of the Aconite family, wolfsbane is a perennial wildflower, native to Europe and parts of Asia, and all parts of the plant are deadly. Handling wolfsbane can cause severe symptoms, including numbness and dermatitis. Hunters once dipped their arrows into the juice from the plants, or baited traps with them, to poison wolves, rats and other animals around their barns and pastures. Aconite was also said to have been an ingredient in “flying ointments” made by witches to create the sensation of soaring. Dioscorides, an early Roman physician and pharmacologist, knew wolfsbane as lycoctonum, which comes from the Greek words for “wolf” and “man.” The plants were believed to have the power to ward off werewolves and shape shifters, and were strung around doorways and grown near homes. Today, these plants are commonly known as monkshood. They bear yellow, cream or blue flowers from spring into summer. Books by early herbalists also reference other “bane” plants, meaning nightmarish plants that cause distress and pain leading up to death. Fleabane (Mentha pulegium), for instance, is an aromatic member of the mint family often referred to as pennyroyal. While its dried leaves have been used to repel fleas and other insect pests, the plant contains essential oils that are toxic to animals and humans. Even handling the plants may irritate the skin or cause serious allergic reactions." Read the Full Article by Lynn Coulter... Stress Relief & Self-Esteem "A Dutch study asked two groups to complete a stressful task. Afterwards, one group gardened for 30 minutes, while the other group read indoors. Not only did the gardening group report better moods than the reading group, they also had measurably lower cortisol levels. Cortisol, “the stress hormone”, may influence more than just mood: chronically elevated cortisol levels have been linked to everything from immune function to obesity to memory and learning problems and heart disease. It may be more than brain hormones causing higher self-esteem scores for gardeners: there’s no more tangible measure of one’s power to cause positive change in the world than to nurture a plant from seed to fruit-bearing." Heart Health & Stroke Risk "Gardening may be just one way to achieve your target 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week — but gardening provides a rewarding motivation that makes it happen, unlike a treadmill, which invites associations with hamsters in wheels. A large Stockholm study showed that regular gardening cuts stroke and heart attack risk by up to 30% for those over 60. Raised beds can save the joints and extend possible gardening years for seniors, or for anyone wishing to garden more comfortably. Make sure to expose your limbs (without sunscreen) for just 10 minutes during midday gardening: this will give you enough vitamin D to reduce risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, and various cancers. Those with the lowest Vitamin D levels may be doubling their risk of dying of heart disease and other causes: and in most cases, too much time spent indoors is to blame. Try for 30 minutes of gardening a day: if your schedule won’t let you fit in half an hour at a stretch, try a quick 15 minutes in the morning, and another 15 after work. The evidence is clear: too much sitting is dangerous for your health, so break it up as much as you can with little spurts of activity." Hand Strength & Dexterity "As we age, diminishing dexterity and strength in the hands can gradually narrow the range of activities that are possible or pleasurable. Gardening keeps those hand muscles vigorous and agile without oft-forgotten exercises such as a physiotherapist might prescribe. Related research has inspired rehabilitative programs for stroke patients involving gardening tasks as a satisfying and productive way of rebuilding strength and ability. But don’t push your hands too far: gardening can also set the stage for repetitive stress injuries, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel. Practice hand-healthy gardening by using a few simple warm-ups, positioning your body comfortably and ergonomically, and changing tasks frequently before strain becomes evident. Alternate use of your right and left hands to balance your body — using your non-dominant hand is one of many exercises to keep your brain functioning well as you age." Brain Health & Alzheimer's Risk "One long-term study followed nearly 3000 older adults for 16 years, tracking incidence of all kinds of dementia and assessing a variety of lifestyle factors. Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia, reducing incidence by 36%. Another study estimated the risk reduction at 47%! Why does gardening make such a difference? Alzheimer’s is a mysterious disease, and the factors influencing its incidence and progression remain poorly understood. However gardening involves so many of our critical functions, including strength, endurance, dexterity, learning, problem solving, and sensory awareness, that its benefits are likely to represent a synthesis of various aspects." Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia, reducing incidence by 36%. Immune Regulation "This one is a wild card. Not only does the Vitamin D you’re soaking in from the summer sun help you fight off colds and flus, but it turns out even the dirt under your fingernails may be working in your favor! The “friendly” soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae — common in garden dirt and absorbed by inhalation or ingestion on vegetables — has been found to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis, allergies and asthma: all of which may stem from an out-of-whack immune system. This particular organism has also been shown to alleviate depression, so go ahead and get your hands dirty. Researchers are still speculating how our immune system may interact with our brains and play into a variety of mental health issues in addition to our ability to fend off infection: inflammation may provide the key link." Depression & Mental Health "Plenty of your friends and neighbors have probably mentioned what a “lift” they get from a morning’s sweat amongst the lettuces and radishes. To add professional legitimacy to anecdotal claims, the growing field of “horticultural therapy” is giving proven results for patients with depression and other mental illnesses. The benefits appear to spring from a combination of physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work. To build the therapeutic properties of your own garden, aim for a combination of food-producing, scented, and flowering plants to nourish all the senses. Add a comfortable seat so you can continue to bask in the garden while you rest from your labors. Letting your body get a little hot and sweaty might also have hidden benefits: as devotees of hot baths and saunas can attest, elevated body temperatures are also correlated with increased feelings of well-being. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and know your limits." Credit "6 Unexpected Health Benefits from Gardening" by Robin Jacobs Next time you head out to clean your car, try these deep cleaning tricks to keep your car in tip top shape!
Now is also a great time to check up on your auto coverage! Give us a call today! 740-654-2848 www.ConnerInsuranceAgency.com
A very informative and important video!
Credit to Hoohoohoblin Here is a helpful checklist with ways to allergy proof your home this season!
Bedroom
Credit to Mayo Clinic. All too often the excitement on prom night is overshadowed by a tragic event. This year, make prom safety just as important as the dress your daughter will wear or the style of your son's tuxedo. Your advice will play an important role when discussing teenage driving tips that might prevent them from becoming a tragic statistic.
Prom Tips for Teen Drivers If your child plans to drive their own car, the family car or will be riding in another vehicle, discuss the following issues. Explain that you want them to have a memorable evening, but more important is that they come home in one piece.
Once you get your driving tips for teenagers out of the way, there are other tips for you to consider as well.
Another way to relieve worry about prom safety is by renting a limousine and driver for the evening or serving as a driver yourself. It might be worth the cost or the effort on your part to be sure that your kids have fun but always have a responsible driver behind the wheel. We also urge you to download The Parents Supervised Driving Program, a guide for parents designed to help your teen be a safe and responsible driver. If you have any questions regarding teen driving laws and safe teen driving, please visit us at www.ConnerInsuranceAgency.com. Article from SafetyInsurance.com. When springtime rolls around Lancaster, almost everyone thinks of cleaning. That’s fine (we probably all need to do a little more of that, after all), but there’s something even more important to keep in mind: home maintenance.
So, when it’s time to set your clocks ahead for daylight-saving time and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, give your home a checkup, too. Here are some suggestions from the Department of Housing and Urban Development: INTERIOR & APPLIANCES · Check the basement and/or crawlspace for any signs of standing water or dripping. · Pull your dryer out and clean the exhaust hose and vent (lint found here is a common cause of house fires). · Vacuum refrigerator/freezer coils for efficiency. · Clean exhaust fan outlets and screens. · Check all air filters and replace, if necessary. ROOF, SIDING & WINDOWS · Check for damage to your roof and have a professional inspection, if necessary. · Go into the attic. If there is visible moisture or discoloration, your roof might be leaking. · Examine the paint on your siding and trim. If it is peeling, you might need new paint to protect against the effects of weather. · Check for leaks around window and door sills. Improving your seals can lower your energy bills. YARD & EXTERIOR · Check for signs of rodents and other pests. · Clean debris from gutters and downspouts, and make sure they are draining away from the home. · Trim overhanging tree branches and shrubs. Remember, winter weather can cause significant damage that is easy to spot, but it often results in wear and tear that homeowners can miss if they aren’t looking closely. It’s well worth it to spend a little time on home maintenance this spring, so that wear and tear doesn’t turn into something more serious. |
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