What You Need to Know About Brake Failure

brake failure

Brake failure is not something most people worry about when it comes to driver safety. Unfortunately, it does happen. In fact, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) states that brake failure is the third most common vehicle-related factor in vehicle crashes. Because of this, August has been designated as National Brake Awareness Month.

Preventing Brake Failure

The last thing you want to do is find yourself driving on one of the busy Los Angeles freeways only to have your brakes fail on you. The most effective way to prevent such an issue is to take your vehicle in for a regular inspection at least once a year. Have your brakes looked at and if they’re starting to wear down or get old, have them replaced.

What To Do in the Event of an Emergency

Although getting your vehicle inspected regularly can help prevent brake failure, there may still come a time when your brakes fail while you’re driving. If this does happen, the following are a few tips to help reduce the risk of getting into an accident as a result:

  • Don’t panic – Panicking because your brakes aren’t working won’t help. People who panic may even step on the gas pedal by accident, which will only make things worse. Take a deep breath and try to calm yourself down so you can navigate your situation safely.
  • Turn on your hazard lights – Put your hazard lights on so that everyone around you knows there’s a problem.
  • Downshift if you drive manual – If you drive a manual car, downshift. Doing so can help slow your car down a little at a time. Even if you can’t stop all the way, slowing down can help prevent a bad accident. Shift into neutral once you reach first gear.
  • Use your emergency brake – Once you’re in neutral, pull your emergency brake. Once you come to a complete stop, don’t forget to put the car in park.

The last thing you want to do is get in a car accident, so be sure to have your car regularly inspected so that your brakes don’t fail. For more safety awareness tips, visit us at The Benefits Store.

Cholesterol Education Month: Why it’s Important

September is Cholesterol Education Month
September: Cholesterol Education Month

Why National Cholesterol Education Month is Important

It shines a light on a silent condition

High cholesterol has no symptoms itself, but it can lead to blockages of your arteries. This can result in heart disease. National Cholesterol Education Month raises awareness about this potentially dangerous condition.

It urges people to get checked

A simple blood test can tell you if your cholesterol is high and if you’re in danger of heart disease. Be there are no symptoms for high cholesterol, adults over the age of 20 are encouraged to get this test once every five years.

It galvanizes people to make healthier choices

High cholesterol can often be caused by one’s lifestyle habits. Poor diet, a lack of exercise, and other factors like smoking can cause or exacerbate the condition. Luckily, improving one’s lifestyle choices can also help lower cholesterol and National Cholesterol Education Month teaches people just how to do that.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance. It is produced by the liver and is present in dietary sources. It is a major component of cell membranes and is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids used in digestion.

Cholesterol is carried through the blood on lipoproteins.

There are two major types of lipoproteins:

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good” cholesterol
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol

Excess LDL cholesterol is deposited in the walls of arteries throughout the body. This can lead to ASCVD, which includes heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stable or unstable angina, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), including aortic aneurysm, al

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August Is About Pet Vaccination

Pet Vaccination

If you’re the proud owner of a pet, then it’s important that you maintain a pet vaccination schedule. A lot of people don’t realize that just like humans, pets, such as dogs and cats, require yearly vaccinations. To help spread awareness of this fact, August is National Pet Immunization Awareness Month.

What Vaccinations Should Your Pets Get?

There are two types of vaccines that your pets may require. The first type of vaccinations is called “core vaccinations.” These are absolutely necessary. For dogs, they include canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, canine distemper, and rabies shots. For cats, they include rabies, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I, and feline distemper shots.

The second type of vaccination is called a non-core vaccination. These vaccinations depend on the lifestyle and specific risks of your pet. Some of these non-core vaccinations for dogs include Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and canine cough shots. For cats, they include feline leukemia virus and bacterial upper respiratory infection vaccinations.

The following are a few examples of lifestyle risks that may warrant a non-core vaccination:

  • You board your pets regularly when going on vacation
  • You take your pets to the groomer on a regular basis
  • You take your dog to the dog park or other areas where other dogs are
  • Your backyard is shared with wildlife (such as an area where deer, raccoons, and other wildlife venture)

Setting Up a Pet Vaccination Schedule

Initial vaccines against certain diseases common amongst dogs and cats can be given to your pets in California once they reach six weeks of age. Once these vaccines are administered, booster shots are often required to ensure that these vaccines remain effective. Boosters are usually required the first year following the initial vaccination and then every three years afterward.

Get Your Pets Vaccinated

It’s vital to the health of your pets that you get them vaccinated. To determine whether your pet needs non-core vaccinations, speak with your vet in Northern California. They can also help set up a vaccination schedule so that your pet will get the booster shots it needs. For more pet health advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

What Is MedicAlert Awareness Month?

Having a MedicAlert medical ID on a bracelet or necklace can end up saving your life. Unfortunately, not enough people know what it is. Anyone who has a medical condition of any sort can benefit from having such an ID. To help spread awareness of the ID and how it can save your life, August is MedicAlert Awareness Month.

The Benefits of a MedicAlert Medical ID

Despite the fact that the medical ID has been available for almost half a century, not enough people are familiar with them — or use them. As such, the following are some of the reasons why you or your family members should wear such a medical ID if you have a medical condition:

  • Members can update and access their emergency health records online at any time and from anywhere.
  • An emergency response team has access to the online health records and is trained to provide vital medical information to first responders.
  • If you experience a medical emergency that leaves you incapacitated or unable to provide first responders or healthcare providers with information, your medical ID will be able to provide your health records and information for you. As a result, medical errors (such as a misdiagnosis or an error in medication) are reduced by as much as 50 percent.
  • First responders with access to the information on your medical ID will be able to take quicker action, especially if the condition you suffer from is difficult to recognize on the spot. Such a faster response time can end up saving your life.
  • Besides providing first responders and healthcare providers with important medical information, a medical ID also helps identify the person wearing it, which is useful if they don’t have any other identifying documents on them (such as a driver’s license).
  • Medical IDs are internationally recognized, which means that they can help save your life even if you’re not in California or the United States.

As you can see, having a MedicAlert medical ID can be life-saving if you have a medical condition. For more health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Children’s Eye Safety and Awareness

As part of Children’s Eye Safety Month, in addition to immunizations, it is highly recommended your child receive an eye examination before going back to school. The inability to see clearly affects not only academic performance but also athletics and self-esteem.  Start the new school year out right by making sure that your student is seeing clearly!

Common signs of vision troubles in children include: frequently rubbing eyes, squinting, tilting or turning head to look at objects, wandering eyes, or squeezing eyes. If you’re child displays any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment to have their eyes checked.

Protect Your Children’s Eyes from Too Much Blue Light

  • Research is suggesting that hours in front of digital screens each day may be putting children’s eye safety at risk. (ex: damage to their retinas later in life.)
  • Computer displays/screens of smart phones and other digital devices emit significant amounts of high-energy visible blue light. This can have long-term damaging effects on retinal tissue.
  • Though it’s still unclear how much blue light is too much, it’s wise to take preventive measures. Limit your child’s exposure to blue light from these devices.
  • It’s wise to have kids wear eyeglasses with photochromic lenses and/or anti-reflective coating designed to filter blue light. Also, attempting to place limits on the amount of time your child spends in front of a digital screen daily.
  • If your child doesn’t need corrective lenses, your eye doctor can prescribe light-filtering computer glasses that can protect his or her eyes from blue light and visual fatigue. Consult your eye care professional for more details. 

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), parents should consider these factors affecting children and computer use:

  • Children may not be aware of how much time they are spending at a computer. They may perform a task on the computer for hours with few breaks. This prolonged activity can cause eye focusing and eye strain problems.
  • Children are very adaptable. They assume that what they see and how they see is normal — even if their vision is problematic. It’s important for parents to monitor the time a child spends working at a computer. Making sure they have regular eye exams as directed by their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
  • Children are smaller than adults. Since computer workstations often are arranged for adult use, this can change the viewing angle for young children. Computer users should view the screen slightly downward, at a 15-degree angle.
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