Feb 27 2013

Going to Extremes: Eating Disorders

The scale doesn't measure your inner beauty, only your relation to gravity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Many people don’t realize the heavy toll having an eating disorder takes — both emotionally and financially. While it is possible to get quantitative results on the financial impact, many will never understand the emotional consequences that will last a lifetime. What most people don’t understand that it is NOT something that you can “just stop doing” whenever you want, nor do they realize it is as simple as eating rationally. It is a disorder, it’s not cry for attention, but rather a chemical imbalance that calls for action.

Confession:

I’m a survivor of this disorder. I was once a slave to my body — oddly my obsessive compulsive desire to control something in my life is what caused me to discover I’m OCD. I don’t compulsively wash my hands, lock & unlock doors, or count obsessively – but I found out that you can divert this energy into other channels — hence obsessively, compulsively controlling my body like a damn Nazi.

That’s why I’m joining the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week crusade in an effort to end the war against our own bodies. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disease in America. This infographic outlines the alarming extremes Americans go to in an effort to be thin: Continue reading →

Feb 19 2013

Falling asteroids and meteors and satellites. OH MY!

Image

I don’t know about you – but up until last week when I’d think of a meteor the thought that would come to my mind would be of trying to catch a beautiful display of “shooting stars” streaking through the night sky.  While I’ve watched enough sci-fi movies to be aware of a perceived danger from world ending asteroids, I’ve admittedly never really contemplated the real life danger from such a phenomenon.

Granted, I was familiar with the story of Ann Hodges who was taking an afternoon nap on her couch before being rudely, “rocked” awake by a meteorite that crashed through her ceiling, hit her radio console and smashed into her hip, but I figured she was just unlucky. Now after seeing all of the photos and videos of meteor that hit Russia, it leaves me wondering what the chances are of something like this happening close to home. (Not to mention my sudden curiosity as to why so many Russian drivers have dash cams installed in their cars?!?)

While I can’t address the probability of us being struck by a meteor, I can help address who would pay for the damages should your house suddenly be rocked by a meteor – or a more likely case of “blue ice” for that matter.

Standard homeowners insurance polices provide coverage for falling objects – including satellites, asteroids, meteors and space debris when the falling object causes to the structure of the home, as well as to property or belongings damaged within the building.

If a satellite, meteor or asteroid falls on your car, coverage is provided under the optional comprehensive portion of a car insurance policy. And if falling debris causes an auto accident, the liability portion of the policy would come into play.

In the tragic event that space debris were to strike a person, his or her injuries would be covered under health insurance and, in the event of a death, existing life insurance policies would kick in.

So, even when the sky seems to be falling, insurance can provide peace of mind.


Contact me if you would like to be discuss your home insurance so we can be sure you have the proper coverage in place for life’s next phenomenon. 

Oct 23 2012

Cyberbullying: What Your Kids Are Doing Online May Cost You

The rapid evolution of technology has affected the ways in which people and business communicate with each other in a very dramatic way –sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. The internet has become a forum that supports bullying and intimidation, fueling a worldwide growth of cyber liability. Right now the hot-button issue for parents is the risk of cyberbullying –both for parents of potential victims, as well as for parents of an accused cyberbully.

Stay Safe Online, Stop BullyingWhat in the world is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the same as the more familiar form of bullying, only that it that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Because cyberbullying can happen in the 24/7 world of social media, victims often feel that they have nowhere to hide –even in the safety of their own home. Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online –25% of them have had it happen more than once. 1 The end result of a Cyberbullying case can result in the loss of your lifetime savings, your house or other prized possessions. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that most cyberbullying cases don’t make it to a criminal level –some bullying victims are tired of hiding in the depths of darkness and despair, which can lead to a tragic results such as suicide –or Bullycide. The mere fact that this is such a phenomenon that a portmanteau word has been created to define this tragedy is absolutely appalling.

What can you do to protect your family?

Every homeowners policy is going to offer liability coverage at some level for “bodily injury or property damage” –but that definition does not include intangible damages for things like emotional distress, anxiety and mental injury –which are often the result of cyberbullying. This is not to mention the other violations your teen may encounter online –which my friend Alan McNaron covers beautifully in Personal Injury Protection from Social Media. In order to have any sort of coverage from a claim resulting from one of these kinds of situations a homeowners policy must have an endorsement that adds “personal injury” liability protection, which picks up the acts of libel, slander and defamation. But you still need to be careful –just because you have the coverage doesn’t mean you’re 100% protected! The only problem with this coverage will be with the exclusions, and there are likely to be more than one of them. It is not unusual to see an exclusion for “personal injury” if the insured (which also includes your kids) knew what they were doing was wrong or inaccurate. When you deal with a child’s access to the internet, compiled with the given errors in judgment, the risk for personal injury is certainly much greater –which also increases parents chances of being held liable.

The best defense against any type of exposure to this risk is to avoid it completely –always know what your children are doing online!

As a parent, you’ll likely want to allow your children to use technology for communications, learning and more –however you’re also going to want to be sure that they do so safely and securely. It is essential to establish household rules about technology use, as well as to monitor your child’s actions online.

Tips for establishing rules about proper use of technology:
  • Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology. For example, be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online. Show them how to be safe online.
  • Help them be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others. Once something is posted, it is out of their control whether someone else will forward it.
  • Encourage kids to think about who they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Should complete strangers see it? Real friends only? Friends of friends? Think about how people who aren’t friends could use it.
  • Educate their children about the potential dangers and lasting nature of a digital message
  • Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities
  • Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having
Tips for monitoring online activity:

Always know what your kids are doing online

  • Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities.
  • Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their online communications if you think there is reason for concern. Installing parental control filtering software or monitoring programs are one option for monitoring your child’s online behavior, but do not rely solely on these tools.
  • Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.
  • Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so. (92% of parents are Facebook friends with their children) 2
  • Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only use them in case of emergency. (72% of parents have their child’s Facebook password) 2
All too often parents only learn about the actions of their children after the fact…once the legal proceedings begin.

If you live in Indiana and would like to discuss your insurance with me Click Here.

Related articles

Sources:
1. 11 Facts about Cyberbullying
2. Most Parents Monitor Kids on Facebook and Have their Password
 Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Oct 18 2012

A Word to the Wise about Mobile Security

Mobile SecurityEvan as an advocate for safety and security, I recently had my own little run in with something I did wrong…combined with something I did right.

A couple of weeks ago I came into work on the weekend, so I took advantage of the street parking next to our building in the heart of Downtown Lafayette. It was a nice sunny day, so I left my window slightly cracked so my car wouldn’t be hot when I returned. I didn’t think anything of this action, I’ve always felt extremely (albeit naively) safe in Lafayette, it was broad daylight, and our Courthouse was in broad view only 50ft away –seriously, what could go wrong?

Low and behold I received a call from the Lafayette Police to notify me that someone from a local business saw four juveniles reach into my car and successfully pull my purse out of it. Some of my belongings were tossed onto my car windshield (apparently my business cards weren’t viewed as valuable –the nerve!), while an assortment of my belongings were scattered all around downtown –it was quite the scavenger hunt.  I was extremely fortunate to find my wallet about a block away (everything was still intact except for my pocket change), my checkbook was in the bushes nearby as well. Over by the bus stop the officer found my purse. Sadly I am still uncertain as to what else may be missing as a local business recently brought in my dental insurance card –something I had yet to notice as missing. One item that was missing that was not immediately recovered was my iPhone.

This is where the moral of my story comes in –it is ABSOLUTELY important essential that anybody who has a Smart-Phone set a passcode on it for security. 

If you don’t have a passcode on your phone then anybody who gains possession of it would have access to everything you’ve got stored on it. Phones can contain tremendous amounts of personal information. Lost or stolen devices can be used to gather information about you and. potentially, others. Protect your phone like you would your computer. With the endless apps that make our world convenient it is also opening up a world of convenience to a thief. I can’t express this enough for those of you who have access to work email on your phone –without a passcode lock on your phone you are giving someone else access to confidential information (not to mention the ability to send raunchy emails to your contacts “from you” should they be so inclined). Even if you don’t have access to your work email, but have a smart phone….LOCK IT!

If you have an iPhone I strongly encourage you to enable the Find my iPhone technology that it comes with and enable it –this brilliant piece of technology along with the amazing help of LPD is what allowed me to recover my phone.  At the time of the theft my phone was turned off so I couldn’t locate my iPhone –however I enabled the feature to “Notify me when iPhone is found.”  That night I was sent an alert with an exact address and map of where my iPhone was located, I called the officer who helped me out in the day, and she went to the house and retrieved it for me!  Now that is technology and law enforcement at its absolute finest!

While this whole ordeal was a royal pain, it ultimately all worked out well in the end –not to mention the fact that I was provided with the added bonus of the girl taking multiple pictures of herself, along with a couple of videos of her singing the Star Spangled Banner –mementos I will certainly treasure for a while.

So that said, I beg you to follow this advice to protect your personal information:
  1. LOCK YOUR PHONE!  If you have work email on your phone this really shouldn’t even be an option, consider it a MUST!
  2. If you do have an iPhone, be sure to utilize the Find my iPhone utility –it is absolutely brilliant and you never know when you might need it. Android users can take advantage of a similar service with the Where’s My Droid App.
  3. Don’t leave your windows cracked, not even slightly –neither daylight nor a nearby courthouse is enough to deter someone from a mischievous opportunity
Please take my advice and learn from my experience.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jul 17 2012

Dreams can come true

57 years ago today, Fairytales became a reality when Disneyland opened.

All our Dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them

But did you know that this dream may not have been possible without life insurance?


It’s true: After failing in the pursuit of traditional means of financing to build what would become Disneyland, Walt decided to provide his own financing. In 1953 Walt Disney gathered money from many sources, including borrowing money from the cash value in his life insurance policy in order to fund his first theme park.

This just goes to demonstrate the flexibility and freedom that can be provided through a life insurance policy. The ability to be your own banker when you need it most is priceless.

Thank you Walt Disney for having an amazing dream to design, create and build the most wonderful place in the world where childhood is infinite.

Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world

–Walt E. Disney


Source:
6 Famous Brands Started or Saved by Life Insurance

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Jul 12 2012

Don’t let Fido become a distraction – or a missile!

At just 30mph a 80-pound pet becomes a 2,400 pound projectile!

Although I consider myself to be a pretty passionate safety advocate against distracted driving, as well as having a huge heart for animals I have an embarrassing confession to make: Everytime I take my boys for a car ride I become a distracted driver, while also putting my four-legged kids in harm’s way.

I’ve never really taken the time to think about the distraction that having Cheech & Diesel in the car brings.

A survey of drivers who travel with their dogs showed 56% of pet owners have driven with their dog in a vehicle at least once a month over the past year.1  (Guilty)

Sixty-five percent of dog owners admit to engaging in at least one potentially distracting activity while driving with their dog:

  • 52% admit to petting their dog (Guilty)
  • 23% admit to using their hands/arms to keep their dog from seat hopping (Guilty)
  • 18% admit to reaching in the back seat to interact with their dog (Guilty)
  • 3% admit to taking a photo of their dog (Only guilty when my husband is driving, but I am sure that is just as distracting)
In addition to the driving distraction that Cheech & Diesel present as passengers in the car, they also pose another safety hazard — becoming a flying missile in the event of a sudden stop.  At an abrupt stop Cheech & Diesel would keep moving at whatever speed the car was traveling.  In the event of a crash, even if I was only going 30 mph, Diesel’s 80 pound frame would exert about 2,400 pounds of force.1There are some auto insurance policiesthat now offer coverage for pet injuries sustained as the result of an accident — however there is no coverage for the unbearable heartache one would endure in such a tragedy.

Tips for a safer trip:

BoxerinHarness

  1. Large dogs (such as Diesel) should be restrained with harnesses linked to a car’s seat belt.  Smaller pets should ride in crates or a travel-safe dog bed.
  2. Dogs should never ride on the driver’s lap.
  3. Don’t let your dog stick their head out the window — even though they love it.  Dirt and debris can cause injury or infection.
NEVER leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside a car can soar to well over 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke and possibly death. Pets can very quickly suffer just like humans, from heat stroke or heat exhaustion. On very cold days, hypothermia is a risk.If you live in Indiana and would like to discuss your insurance with me Click Here.

Sources:
1. 2011 Doggie Distractions Fact Sheet

Jun 8 2012

Who the hell leaves a kid in their car on a hot day?!?!

Alright, I’ll be the first to admit it – when I see the horrible headlines about a child losing their life to Hyperthermia (aka Heat Stroke) in a vehicle I wonder “What in the hell is wrong with the imbecile who could do something so horrible?!?”

I mean seriously, what type of a monster could be capable of such of such a thing?

As it turns out — the wealthy do. And the poor. And the middle class. Loving parents of all ages and ethnicities do it — and mothers are just as likely to do it as fathers. It has happened to a a dentist, a loving social worker, a postal clerk, and a Veterinarian. It even happened to a minister of music in a church parking lot.

I am 100% guilty of having judged these individuals to be monsters by all accounts. Anytime I would hear a tragic story about a child losing their life in a hot car I would instantly think to myself —”Those parents need to be shot”. I feel awful for having ignorantly assumed that this could only happen to bad, unfit parents — people who were neglecting their children to imbibe in alcohol and drugs— never once did I consider that such a tragedy could occur to loving, doting parents who were deceived by a tragic lapse in their memory.

I thank God for putting this article in front of me, which subsequently led me to this MIND-BLOWING article which opened up my ignorant, closed-minded eyes to the fact that this actually IS a problem in our society, forever changing my perspective. Initially I felt so guilty for having judged — but then I realized that only made ME feel better — the only true redemption of my guilt can come through vigilant awareness in helping make individuals be aware of this danger.

I don’t care WHO you are – this tragedy can happen to anyone

Continue reading →

May 1 2012

Share the road with motorcycles

Objects More Vulnerable than they Appear

Today, more people are riding motorcycles than ever before. Motorcycle riders represent almost every demographic group in the country. Riders now tend to be more affluent than 30 years ago. The average age of riders has increased, and more women are riding than ever before. In 2010, 4,502 motorcyclists were killed –while this is a decrease of 15% from the 5,312 motorcyclists killed in 2008, saving more lives is the ultimate goal. 1

Now that warmer weather has covered most of America, motorcyclists everywhere will soon be out in full force

In response to this increase, the NHTSA has proclaimed May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” During this time – and during the rest of the year – motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcycles, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Changing the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike will help decrease the numbers of motorcyclist killed and injured in crashes. Motorcyclists are reminded to make sure that they are visible to motorists, and that they follow the rules of the road. All road users are reminded to never drive, ride, walk or bicycle while distracted.

 Motorcycle safety is a Two-Way Street

Two Way Street

Automobile drivers need to be vigilant to look for motorcycles as they are harder to see, and are far more vulnerable to road hazards and impacts. Drivers of cars, trucks and buses are reminded to look out for and share the road with motorcycle riders. Things as simple as always using your turn signal, even if you don’t see another vehicle around, and scrupulously checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes can potentially avert disaster.

Motorcyclists have responsibilities too, in that they are reminded to obey traffic laws, wear DOT-compliant helmets and other protective gear, and make themselves visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape. In addition, motorcyclists are responsible for being alert to the actions of other drivers, and never EVER getting behind the handle bars while impaired. After all –Drinking slows down a riders reactions to curves.

Increasing safe riding and cooperation between all road users and motorcyclists will help to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.

Share the road with motorcycles with these safety tips: Continue reading →

Mar 15 2013

Four-Leaf Clovers Don’t Save Lives: Sober Drivers Do

clover cuffsThis Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day – and you know what that means:green clothing, green decorations and even green beer. But if you’re going to have a glass of that festive brew, be sure to hand over your keys first – because luck won’t keep you out of a jam on St. Patrick’s Day.

 
St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family.  Unfortunately, it has also become a very dangerous night due to the large volume of drunk drivers.

In 2010, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes – that’s one every 51 minutes!!1  That is 10,000 too many! 80% deaths on St. Patty’s Day involved drunk drivers who were nearly twice the legal limit!2

If you decide to imbibe and opt to enjoy an Irish Car Bomb, don’t rely on the Luck of the Irish to get you home – opt to get a Designated O’Driver!

Irish eyes smile upon the designated sober driver:

Designate a Sober Driver

Don’t bet on your Irish Luck this St. Patrick’s Day – or this could be you!

Finding a designated driver on St. Patrick’s Day isn’t Luck. It’s Smart!!

Sources:
1. Imparired Driving on St. Patrick’s Day | NHTSA
2. St. Patrick’s Day Safe Driving Campaign

Mar 7 2013

Be a Force of Nature

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week 2013: March 3-9

Be a Force of Nature

We were all surprised to see tornadoes rip through the South during the month of January, while having another major tornado rock the town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi in the month of February.  Severe weather has no boundaries, and the “rules of science” we all once believed in are proving to no longer be true.

Each year, people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries.  Severe weather knows no boundaries and does not discriminate —but that doesn’t mean we wave the white flag and surrender to nature’s whim.  It means now is the time to Be a Force of Nature in your community and resolve to build a Weather Ready Nation.

Being a force of nature when it comes to severe weather means taking appropriate action and inspiring others to do the same.  Your friends, neighbors and colleagues are more likely to prepare for the various weather hazards that frequently impact the nation when they see those around them prepare, so inspire them to act by being an example yourself.

So, what can you do to prepare?

Be a Force of Nature by pledging to prepare. When you pledge to prepare, you will take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather.  Click the button below and register your support:

Pledge to Prepare
Take Action:

Severe Weather

Last but not least, Get Tech Ready

Mobile technology and social media also offer great opportunities to show others how to prepare. Through the use of everyday technology, individuals, families, responders and organizations can successfully prepare for, adapt to and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies and disasters.

According to The American Red Cross, the internet – including online news sites and social media platforms – is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe.

With effective planning, it is possible to take advantage of technology before, during and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs — so Get Tech Ready.

Know your risk. Take Action. Be a Force of Nature

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