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National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

November 15th is National America Recycles Day. This day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. The America Recycles movement was started in 1997 and since then has helped people everywhere learn the importance of recycling. In honor of today, here are some helpful tips to follow when going green and helping the environment.

Save energy to save money:

 – Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.

-Unplug appliances when you are not using them. Even if they are plugged in and not in use, energy is still being drawn to them.

Save water to save money:

-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will also lower your water and heating bills.

-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating your water.

Less Gas = more money:

-If you are traveling a short distance, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Not only will this help the environment but it is better for your health also.

Recycle all plastic/glass bottles and papers:

-It may be a pain but be sure to recycle all of your used bottles and newspapers. Set up a separate recycle can outside by your garbage pails to help make sorting your trash easier.

Help make the earth a better place to live in today! Don’t forget to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Looking for a simple way to make meditation part of your daily routine?

Looking for a simple way to make meditation part of your daily routine?

Looking for a way to make meditation part of your daily routine?  Consider giving this simple tea meditation a try.  How often do you make yourself a cup of tea?  Have you ever stopped to think about the steps involved in preparing and enjoying that cup of tea?  When considering the role of mindfulness in your daily schedule, the answer can be as simple as making your cup of tea.  Stop and take the time to consider every step involved in this process, take time to smell the aroma and then concentrate on the way you feel as you take the first few sips.  Sound simple enough?  Give it a try.  Will tea meditations become part of your daily routine?

by Denise Visco

Diabetes and Life Insurance-Do you know the facts?

Diabetes and Life Insurance-Do you know the facts?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  Do you know the implications of this disease with regard to obtaining Life Insurance?

Diabetes does not prevent you from buying Life Insurance but it comes with a significant price increase.  For example, a 57-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes and an A1C below 6.7 can buy a 20 yr. term policy for approximately $155 per month with a $250,000 death benefit, while the same man with an A1C above 6.7 and below 7.5, the premium would be approximately $232 per month for the same coverage.  The premium amounts are estimates but clearly show the difference between how the amount you would pay for Life Insurance differs.  The reason for this is that a person with a serious health condition such as diabetes is put in an insurer’s substandard class due to a higher risk of death.  Sounds frightening?  It is!

Is there anything you can do to avoid the higher premium and the high-risk category?  You can wait until your A1C is controlled for a minimum of 6 months before applying for Life Insurance.  There are also some companies that will accept proof that you have maintained a healthy diet and exercise program as well as maintained your medication schedule for a period of time and will make you eligible for the lower premium policy.  This information varies from carrier to carrier.  The best way to safely obtain this information is to purchase Life Insurance through a certified Life Insurance Representative.

If you would like more information on purchasing Life Insurance with diabetes or any other special health condition, contact Steven Visco at C.H. Edwards, Inc./Visco Family Insurance at 516-249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net.

by Denise Visco

What is a Notary Public?

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public (sometimes called a Notary or a Public Notary) is an individual authorized by the state or local government to officially witness signatures on legal documents, collect sworn statements and administer oaths.  A notary public uses an embossing tool to verify his or her presence at the time the documents were signed.  Most states issue a unique identifying number to each notary public in order to prevent fraudulent use of the embosser.

An attorney or other public figures can be granted notary public status, but no legal training is required to apply for the position.  Certain legal documents are required to be “notarized” in order to be recognized in court, so a notary public spends most of his or her time observing routine signatures.  Due to the fact that identities are so critical, a notary public may also spend some time verifying the names of the parties involved in the signing.  Generally, all parties provide some form of official identification (Driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, etc.) in order for the notary public to feel comfortable about certifying the signatures.

A qualified notary public should have a high level of integrity and respect for the legal process.  Several organizations offer courses on the legal and social aspects of becoming a notary public.  Notaries can not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed or religion.

C.H. Edwards, Inc. has a licensed notary on staff and we offer this service to our clients Free of Charge.  This is just an added benefit of choosing an Independent Insurance Agent.

Do not hesitate to come in and take advantage of the opportunity should the need arise.

Keeping your Skin Healthy in the Winter

Keeping your Skin Healthy in the Winter

Keeping your Skin Healthy in the Winter
 
Winter weather is not the best for your skin. Cold weather and low humidity levels result in dry air that steals moisture from your skin. Indoor heat, hot showers, and harsh cleansers also reduce moisture in your skin. This lack of moisture leads to chapping, redness, itching that is just plain uncomfortable. What can you do to try to beat these conditions and keep your skin healthy this Winter? Try some of these tips.
 
1. Wash with Lukewarm Water
 
Hot Showers and baths feel good, but when washing your hands or face choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping too many oils from your skin.
 
2. Moisturize as much as possible.
 
Keep moisturizer with you at all times and also keep it located in the bathroom near your sink and shower so it is available to use liberally every time you wash.
 
3. Choose Moisturizers Carefully
 
Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in winter months. Be sure to find a formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Look for something oil based rather than a water-based solution. Look for hydrating ingredients like lavender, chamomile or jojoba which help to soothe dry, itchy skin.
 
4. Protect your skin
 
Wear gloves and scarves. Don’t forget sunscreen. Winter sun can be just as damaging as summer.
 
5. Exfoliate
 
Moisture can’t get in if dead skin cells are plentiful. Find an exfoliating mask that you can use on your face, hands, and lips then follow up with a moisturizer. Exfoliating body washes are also helpful in winter months.
 
Try some of these tips to help keep that healthy glow all winter long.
 
The tips offered in Wellness Wednesday are suggestions for keeping healthy and do not replace the advice of a physician.
 
by Denise Visco
 
For more information on insurance, visit our website at www.chedwards.net
 
#WellnessWednesday #Winter #HealthySkin #Health #SelfCare #LongIslandInsurance #Auto #Home #Business #Life #Flood #CHEdwardsInsurance #FarmingdaleInsurance #ViscoFamilyInsurance #WadingRiverInsurance #StevenVisco #DeniseVisco
Driving Safely in Snow and Ice

Driving Safely in Snow and Ice

Winter weather is here and so is the task of driving in snow and ice.  Of course,  the best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all if it can be avoided. This is not always an option so try not to go out until snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work.  Make sure and allow extra time to reach your destination.

Here are some tips to keep in mind for driving safely on icy roads 

  1.  Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.  You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  2. Brake gently to avoid skidding.  If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  3. Turn on your lights to increase visibility to other motorists.
  4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads which will freeze first.  Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks.  The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind them.
  9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions.  Even four-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Try to incorporate some of these tips into your winter driving experience and have a safe winter weather driving season.

For more information on Auto, Home, Business, Life, and Flood insurance, visit our website at www.chedwards.net.

For more helpful insurance tips and information visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chedwardsinsurance

by Denise Visco

Do you know what the slowdown and move over laws mean?

Do you know what the slowdown and move over laws mean?

Insurance Tip Thursday
 
Do you know what the slowdown and move over laws mean?
 
Your driving and see emergency vehicles with flashing lights coming up behind you or stopped alongside the road as your passing, what do you do?
 
Under NYS law, drivers must exercise due care when approaching vehicles that have their emergency lights illuminated. On highways, that includes moving out of travel lanes next to shoulders, if possible.
 
There are versions of the Slow down, move over law in all 50 states. If you are unaware of your states law, visit DrivingLaws.AAA.com.
 
For more information on Auto, Home, Business, Life or Flood Insurance visit our website at www.chedwards.net
 
by Steven Visco
 
#InsuranceTipThursday #SlowDownMoveOver #ItstheLaw #All50States #AAA #LongIslandInsurance #StevenVisco #CHEdwardsInsurance #Farmingdale #ViscoFamilyInsurance #WadingRiver
Keeping Pets Safe this Holiday Season

Keeping Pets Safe this Holiday Season

Wellness Wednesday

Keeping Pets Safe this Holiday Season

Our pets are part of our family so it isn’t unusual for them to join in our holiday festivities. Even though they are part of our family, pets have special needs that don’t allow them to celebrate in the same way we do.

Pets like to sit under the dining table in hopes that they will pick up a scrap or two. Sharing your meat scraps with a pet can be ok if no seasoning is used. Ingredients like onions can cause fatigue in pets, raisins in fruitcake can cause kidney failure as well as garlic, nuts, and nutmeg that can cause a variety of GI issues Be careful with the foods your pet may pick up or given.

Pets also like to linger around the Christmas tree trying to get a few sips of the water used to keep your live tree fresh. Although it seems harmless, Christmas trees leach out fertilizer and other toxic chemicals into the water. Standing water becomes a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria. It is best to keep your pets out of this water no matter how cute it may seem. A suggestion would be to cover the trees water basin with foil or plastic wrap to keep your pet safely out of the water.

Pets are also one of the most requested gifts from children. How do you know if your child is ready for a pet? Ask yourself this question first. How good is your child at reliably completing chores? This will tell you how likely they are to help with the pet. This will also help you understand how much your child can do on their own and how much help you need to contribute. This should be a family decision as your new pet will become the newest member of your family.

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy holiday season.

by Denise Visco

For all your insurance needs, visit our website at www.chedwards.net

#WellnessWednesday #PetSafety #WomansDayMagazine #HappyHolidays#LongIslandInsurance #CHEdwardsInsurance #Farmingdale#ViscoFamilyInsurance #WadingRiver #DeniseVisco #StevenVisco

October is Long Term Care Planning Month

October is Long Term Care Planning Month

October is Long-Term Care Planning Month

What is Long-Term Care?
Unlike traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed to cover long-term services and supports, including personal and custodial care in a variety of settings such as your home, a community organization, or other facilities.

For more information on Long-Term care insurance plan that is right for you and your family and to receive a quote, contact Steven Visco at C.H. Edwards, Inc. at 516-249-5200. www.chedwards.net

#LongTermCareInsurance #OctoberisLongTermCarePlanningMonth#CHEdwardsInsurance #LongIslandInsurance #LifeInsurance #StevenVisco

Taking Road Safety Seriously Every Day. Today’s shortcut can be tomorrow’s danger.

Taking Road Safety Seriously Every Day. Today’s shortcut can be tomorrow’s danger.

Wellness Wednesday

Taking Road Safety Seriously every day. Today’s shortcut may be tomorrow’s danger.

Thanksgiving is just a day away and the December holidays begin just after. Did you know Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday of the year?

Road safety should be observed year round, but at the holidays it is especially critical. Rushing around to holiday events, shopping and visiting family puts you in the car more often and it is easy to take a shortcut to try and save a few minutes. Distracted driving and not observing safety precautions can lead to serious consequences.

Let’s consider a few safety concerns that you should never cut out.

-Buckle Up! So many adults just jump into the car and go. Besides being a violation because it’s the law, using your safety belt will protect you from serious injury in the event of an accident.

-Making sure children are restrained is also important. Allowing the independence of doing it themselves is important but is also a violation if they are not properly fastened in their seats.

-Obey the speed limits at all times. The few minutes you save speeding can lead to a speeding ticket, moving violation and increased insurance rates.

-Forget about the cell phone! If it can not be accessed through your car, it can wait until your next stop. In addition to the possible accident, you can cause by taking your eyes off the road to answer the phone, using a cell phone while driving is also a violation that comes with a hefty fine.

-Never drive if you have had too much to drink or are taking medication that restricts your use of driving a motor vehicle. This may not be a decision you can make in the moment.

The holidays are an exciting time to be spent with family and friends. Practice safety and make it a holiday to remember.

The above are suggestions that are made based on research of best practices, motor vehicle, and insurance guidelines. They are a reminder to practice caution.

For more information on automobile insurance or a free, no obligation quotation visit our website at www.chedwards.net or call us 516-249-5200.

by Denise Visco

#WellnessWednesday #AutoInsurance #BestPractices #Safety #Family#HolidayDriving #Home #Auto #Business #Life #Flood #DeniseVisco#StevenVisco