Think about it: summertime usually revolves around things like grilling, fireworks, camping, and lazy afternoons in the hot sun.

What else does it mean?

Burns from those grills, firework explosions, tick bites…you see where we’re going here.

With the cost of health care steadily going up, it’s become ever more important to lower your risk for accidents and other health issues.

And don’t worry: this doesn’t mean you have to avoid all the good stuff this summer. Here are some easy ways to prevent these summer health issues…

Let’s think about grilling for a minute. There’s nothing better than burgers and hotdogs cooked on the grill, right?

But, grills are more dangerous than you might think. According to Consumer Reports, over 5,000 people went to the emergency room in 2007 because of grill related injuries (source: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/07/grilling-safety.html).

What can you do to avoid that costly trip?

• Never grill in an enclosed area like the garage. Always pull your grill into an open area.
• If you’re cooking with charcoal, never spray the grill with lighter fluid after the fire has been lit. Flames can often follow the fluid back to the container that’s in your hand.
• Keep the grease pan empty. Grease easily catches on fire, and can cause flare-ups.

Mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, bees…now that it’s summer all of nature is out in full force.

And, don’t underestimate these little bugs; according to MSNBC, they send over 500,000 of us to the emergency room each year with potentially fatal allergic reactions (source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19979406/).

So, how can you have fun outside without getting eaten alive?

• Think bug spray. If you’re uncomfortable with the chemicals used in traditional bug spray (like OFF), there are several organic brands that use natural ingredients, like EcoSmart (link: http://www.ecosmart.com/).
• MSNBC suggests spreading a 3 ft. layer of wood chips between your yard and the woods. Ticks can’t cross the chips, so this will keep them out of your yard.
• Also, make sure there is no standing water in your yard. And, this includes your gutters. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Now let’s take a look at fireworks. Who doesn’t love fireworks?

They make all of us feel like kids again. But, fireworks are incredibly dangerous…

According to the Center for Disease Control (source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm ), 2006 saw over 9,200 people in the emergency room over firework related injuries. There were 11 deaths.

Fireworks are a great addition to any celebration, but it’s vital that you use them safely. Here are some tips:

• The CDC reports that more injuries occur with sparklers than rockets. Surprised? We sure were. Watch children carefully when they’re using sparklers. And never light, or combine, more than one sparkler at a time.
• Never try and re-light a firework that didn’t go off. The National Council on Firework Safety (source: http://www.fireworksafety.com/) recommends waiting 20 minutes, and then soaking it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water close by in case of an emergency.

With all the exciting, fun things that we do during the summer months, it’s no surprise that accidents can increase as well. But all it takes is a little prevention to dramatically lower our risk…

All of us here at Page Insurance Agency wish you safe, healthy summer fun.

The Swine Flu is receiving significant international attention. Now, the World Health Organization has raised the Pandemic Threat Level to 5 (out of 6!)

I wanted to share these tips with you.  Please pass them on to those you love….

• Stay informed. Visit the CDC for the latest reliable information.
  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
4. Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, face masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

We all have hobbies of some sort, from building models to knitting to maintaining the home.

EVERY hobby has inherent risks-many that you may never think of. So, when you set out to work on your hobby this Spring, be aware of a few of the things that could cause you problems down the road like repetitive motion, high force, awkward joint positions, direct pressure on the joint, and prolonged and constrained posture.

Many hobbies require manual dexterity; be careful when using your hands frequently, as overuse can aggravate existing arthritis, cause carpel tunnel syndrome, or cause you to develop tendinitis. Here are a few tips to help you prevent injury and allow you to work longer:

• Take frequent breaks. Make sure you stop what you are doing and rest for at least a few minutes a couple of times each hour.
• Listen to your pain. If something starts to hurt, stop what you’re doing. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
• Stretch. Depending on your hobby, you should stretch different muscles, but make sure the muscles you plan to use are ready to be used-stretch them out before you start.
• Practice good posture and proper technique. Poor posture and/or technique can lead to injuries down the road, so make sure you are in the most relaxed and comfortable position possible when you start.

Enjoy working on your favorite hobby this Spring, and put yourself in a position to work on it for years to come-be safe and smart and prevent injuries!

P.S.: Remember, proper insurance protection requires constant vigilance. Did you know that 37% of unpaid claims result from perilous GAPS in insurance coverage? Be sure to let us know whenever changes arise in your life.