How to Test Your Home for Radon

Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas occurring naturally in the environment. It can seep into homes through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations. Although it’s normal to have some radon in your California home, it can be dangerous if present at high levels. That’s why it’s so important to test your home for radon.

Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to test their homes for radon, much less about the potential dangers of radon, which is why January is National Radon Action Month.

The Dangers of Radon Exposure

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, claiming more than 21,000 lives each year. Those who smoke are even more at risk if they live in a home with elevated radon levels. It’s worth noting that the average level of radon found indoors is 1.3 picocuries per liter, about four times what’s found outdoors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any level of more than 4.0 picocuries per liter of air is considered a health hazard.

Information on How To Test Your Home For Radon

Testing your home for radon is the only way to know if you have a radon problem. One way to test the levels of radon in your home is to hire a professional tester. You can find a qualified tester by:

  • Contacting the California state radon office.
  • Contacting a private radon proficiency program for certified testers in your area.

Another option is to purchase a do-it-yourself radon test kit. Short-term tests can last anywhere from two days to seven days. They work by using activated charcoal to absorb the radon particles in your air so they can be measured. Long-term tests last more than 90 days and will give you a better idea of your home’s average radon level over time. 

Once you complete the test, you’ll need to send it out to an approved laboratory to receive the results.

Test Your California Home for Radon

Ensure the safety and health of your home by testing your home for radon. For more safety awareness advice and information, visit The Benefits Store today.

6 Tips for Dealing With Holiday Stress

Holiday Stress

The holidays are known for being a stressful period. In fact, it’s estimated that around 88% of Americans believe that the holidays are the most stressful time of the year. There are countless reasons for this: the stress of buying presents for everyone, hosting large get-togethers, dealing with family members, and the increased financial burden that the season brings. This stress can cause anxiety, headaches, irritability, sadness, sleep deprivation, and more.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to manage holiday stress so that you can enjoy the holiday season with family and friends in California. 

How To Manage Holiday Stress

The following are some simple tips to help you reduce your stress and feel better during the holidays:

  1. Take time for yourself. Make sure to take time for yourself to relax and unwind. This could simply mean taking a few minutes to read, take a hot bath, or go for a walk. Having some time to yourself is especially important when dealing with family stress.
  2. Set reasonable expectations. Don’t expect the holidays to be perfect. Try to let go of unrealistic expectations and focus on enjoying the season for what it is.
  3. Plan ahead. Start planning early for holiday meals, parties, and gifts. Planning ahead will help to reduce last-minute stress and help you to stay organized.
  4. Be realistic with finances. It’s easy to get carried away during the holidays. Create a budget and stick to it as best as you can. Don’t overextend yourself.
  5. Exercise regularly. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Even if it’s just a few minutes of yoga or a walk around the block, it can help to reduce your stress levels.
  6. Seek support. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talking to a therapist or seeking support from friends and family can make a huge difference.

By following these six tips, you can manage holiday stress and truly enjoy this special time of year. For more tips and advice on dealing with the holiday season or managing stress in general, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Older Driver Safety Awareness

People who live in California know that driving is essential to getting around and to be able to contribute or participate in the community in any way. Unfortunately, as you grow older, physical limitations can make it more difficult to drive.

Spreading awareness about the challenges older people face when driving is crucial to finding solutions to help them stay safe and mobile. It’s one of the reasons Older Driver Safety Awareness Week was established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Driving Technology That Improves Older Driver Safety

Older drivers often have issues with reaction time, vision, hearing, and flexibility, all of which can affect their ability to drive safely. To help address these issues, new technologies are being developed to help older drivers stay safe. Recent technologies that can help older drives include:

  • Emergency response systems. If a driver gets into an auto accident or has a medical emergency, an emergency response system can help alert emergency services, family, or friends.
  • Blind spot warning systems. Blind spot warning systems can alert drivers when there is another vehicle in their blind spot, helping them to avoid collisions.
  • Lane departure warning systems. These systems can alert drivers when they are drifting out of their lane, helping them to stay on the right track.
  • Reverse monitoring systems. Reverse monitoring systems help drivers avoid collisions when backing up by alerting them to any obstacles or people behind their vehicle.
  • Crash mitigation systems. Crash mitigation systems can detect if a driver is about to get into an accident and take corrective action, such as applying brakes or adjusting the steering wheel, to avoid a collision.
  • Smart headlights. Smart headlights can detect oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and street signs, making it easier for drivers to see in the dark.

Older driver safety is important, and these technologies are just a few of the ways to help keep them safe behind the wheel. By spreading awareness about older driver safety, we can help keep our loved ones safe and mobile. For more safety awareness information, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Choosing Safe Toys: 7 Tips

If you’re buying gifts for any children this holiday season, it’s crucial that you choose safe toys. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), roughly 198,000 injuries related to unsafe toys were treated in U.S. hospitals in 2020. Certain toys can cause all types of injuries, from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as choking.

There are a lot of toys out there that can be unsafe for children, so it’s important to take the time and make sure you are choosing safe toys.

Tips for Choosing Safe Toys

The last thing you want to do is buy a toy for a child that poses a safety risk. As such, if you plan to buy any toys this holiday season, be sure to follow these tips:

  1. Check the age range. Be sure to look at the recommended age range listed on the package before you make a purchase. 
  2. Read reviews. Read online reviews from others who have purchased the toy. This can help you identify any potential safety issues.
  3. Look for labels. Look for the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) label. This label indicates that the toy has been tested and meets the safety guidelines set by the CPSC.
  4. Avoid small loose parts. Small pieces, such as eyes on stuffed animals and removable parts, can be choking hazards for small children.
  5. Avoid toxic materials. Many toys are made of plastic and other materials that can contain toxins. Read the packaging for any warnings about chemicals.
  6. Make sure the toy isn’t flammable. Some toys, such as stuffed animals and dolls, can be made with flammable materials. Check the label to make sure it’s flame-retardant.
  7. Check recall lists. Check sites such as the CPSC and SaferProducts.gov to make sure the toy hasn’t been recalled due to a safety issue.

Following these tips will help with choosing safe toys for the children in your life this holiday season. Always use caution when selecting toys for children and always supervise them when playing with new toys. For more safety awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Avoiding the Flu Over the Holidays

The end of the year is typically when families come together to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, this time can also lead to an increased risk of catching the flu. The flu is more prevalent in winter because people are indoors more often, allowing the virus to spread more easily. Additionally, colder, dryer air also encourages the spread of the flu.

One of the best ways to avoid the flu is by getting the flu vaccination. To help promote awareness of the flu shot, December 5-9 was named National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Tips for Avoiding the Flu

Avoiding the flu isn’t difficult as long as you take the right precautions. Getting the flu vaccination is arguably the best way to protect against the flu. Each year, a new vaccine is developed to protect against the most prevalent strains of the flu. However, there are other precautions that you should take as well to avoid the flu. The following are some tips to help you stay healthy during the holidays.

  • Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching commonly used surfaces.
  • Disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs and countertops.
  • Avoid close contact with people who may have the flu.
  • Exercise regularly. Doing so will help boost your immune system.
  • Eat healthily. Like exercise, a healthy diet can help to strengthen your immune system.
  • Reduce your stress levels. Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to getting sick. Because the holidays can be a stressful time of the year, take extra care to manage your stress levels.

Avoid Getting Sick This Holiday Season

Avoiding the flu during the holidays is important since you’ll want to enjoy your time with friends and family without getting sick, and you won’t want to get anyone else sick. As such, you should do everything possible to avoid getting the flu, whether staying in California or traveling elsewhere. Use these tips to avoid getting the flu during the holidays, and be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store for more health advice and information today.