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January is Eye Care Awareness Month

January is Eye Care Awareness Month

January is Eye Care Awareness month. Many think that eye exams and checkups are not as important as annual physicals from your primary doctor. That is not always the case.

It’s generally not necessary to see an eye doctor every 6 months for an eye exam, however, it is important to know when you should get your eyes checked. Age and medical conditions are two things to consider when making this choice.

Here are some other signs and symptoms that will let you know when it is time for an eye exam:

Sudden blurry vision or focus problems can be a sign of a larger health issue and should always be taken seriously. Even if it is happening in just one eye, play it safe and get it checked out.

Sudden appearances of visual disturbances such as floaters can be a sign of a retinal detachment, a retinal tear, or a retinal hole. If you experience this symptom, be sure to seek medical attention to avoid future vision loss or damage.

Gradual Blurring of Vision usually occurs over time or as we get older. If you have to move closer or further away from objects to have a better focus, it’s time to get a checkup.

Frequent or recurring headaches can be a closely related sign of a vision problem as well.

Having some infrequent eye pain or eye strain isn’t usually a big problem. However, if you are experiencing frequent eye pains or need to strain your eyes to focus, this could very well be a sign of a vision problem.

It is important that you and your family to get eyes checked today. Schedule an appointment with your eye care specialist for the New Year to avoid any future problems.

If you don’t have an eye doctor, find one at www.allaboutvision.com. This sight will help you locate an eye doctor in your area.

For more informational blogs like this one, visit our website at www.chedwards.net

Written by: Amanda Haase

A Little History Behind The Celebration of the New Year and New Year’s Resolutions

A Little History Behind The Celebration of the New Year and New Year’s Resolutions

2016 is here!  The holidays are over.  Winter has arrived with shorter days and dark and colder nights.    The tendency to review the prior year and create a plan for the year ahead is on most to-do lists.  This kind of thinking leads to the dreaded New Year’s resolution.  It could be to resolve to exercise more, eat better, or kick the habits that are preventing us from enhancing our lives as we choose.  All too often, these practices are short lived.  We fall back into the ways of the previous year within a few short months or even weeks.  Have you ever wondered where or why the idea of the New Year’s Resolution came from in the first place or why the New Year was decided to take place on January 1st?

Looking into this subject, I learned that the celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest holidays on record.  It observance dates back to Babylon about 4,000 years ago.  At that time the New Year was celebrated in late March and the celebration lasted 11 days.  January 1st became the New Year in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar in Rome.  This was only true in cultures that used the 365 day solar calendar.  The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the God of beginnings and ends and the protector of doorways, arches and gates.  Janus had two faces, one on the front and one on the back of his head so he could simultaneously look into the past and the future.  After a few changes, by the sixteenth century  January 1st. was again decided on by Pope Gregory the XIII after his revision of the Julian Calendar.

Now that we know the origin of why the New Year is celebrated on January 1, let’s look at the concept of the New Year’s resolution.  The tradition of New Year’s resolutions began in Rome and had mostly to do with seeking forgiveness from their enemies and doing good for others in the new year.  The Romans also exchanged gifts on New Year’s Eve, usually gifting items that were believed to bring good fortune to the recipients.  As early as the 17thcentury, the Puritans would skip the festivities of the holiday, but participated in the practice of reflection over the past year and contemplation of the year ahead.  They then made resolutions like making better use of their talents, being charitable and avoiding sin.

The making of New Year’s resolutions today is one of personal choice. The historic reason behind them is far removed from the early days but nonetheless meaningful.  I like to resolve to grow in the next year, to educate myself to become more knowledgeable, to continue my quest for good health and to support my husband and children on their journey to achieve personal happiness.  What might yours be?  Whatever it is, make it meaningful and lasting.  A fresh start is offered to us at the beginning of every year.  Make the most of it!

If considering Life Insurance or making sure you are receiving the most insurance at a price that you can afford is on your list of resolutions, give C.H. Edwards, Inc. a call and let us assist you on this path to growth.  Call us at 516-249-5200. View our website at  www.chedwards.net learn about us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chedwardsinsurance.

Happy New Year from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc., a family owned and operated  Independent Insurance Agency in Farmingdale, New York.

Written by: Denise A. Visco

What To Say / What Not To Say At The Dinner Table

What To Say / What Not To Say At The Dinner Table

Thanksgiving dinner is a time for families to share thanks and reconnect. This is especially true when it comes to busy families. Life can be stressful, which can make it hard to keep up on all the things going on within your family, good or bad.

Keeping dinner discussions positive and saving the tough stuff for later is important, particularly with your children. Children who are faced with more positive interactions are happier, healthier and better learners in school.

Try a few of these positive swaps at your dinner table:

Instead of… “What homework do you have due on Monday?” Say… “What was the best part of your day today?”

Instead of…” Finish your carrots. There are starving children in the world” Say…” Did you know that carrots help keep your eyes healthy?”

Instead of…”Eat one more bite of your food” Say…”This is the last meal until dessert, ask your belly if it is really full!”

A positive life style is not only good for little ones but is good for everyone! Looking on the brighter side can help you become a better person, employee and friend.
Encourage positivity in your home today.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Winterizing Your Vehicle

Winterizing Your Vehicle

Winterizing your vehicle is a wise idea! Taking an hour or two out of your day to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind. The time spent now will avoid the cost and hassle of a breakdown during severe weather.

Here is a checklist to follow when winterizing your car this season:
1. Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance.
2. Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system.
3. Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.
4. Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure.
5. Be thorough about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals.
6. If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in.
7. Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item no matter what time of year.
8. Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks.
9. Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
10. In your trunk, make sure to include an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

Preparing yourself and your vehicle will insure safe travels this winter.

For more information on auto insurance, call C.H. Edwards, Inc. and one of our representatives will be happy to help you.

Be safe!

Written by: Amanda Haase