HAPPY 4th!

Healthy Vision Month is observed each year in May. This is a great time to learn how vision problems can affect you and your loved ones, and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy.

Workplaces have requirements to provide eye protection and eye washes, depending upon the tasks that occur in work processes, but each individual should learn to care for their own eyesight as well.

As we pointed out for "Shop Small", despite our decades online and centuries-old bands, we area Small Business. This week is National Small Business Week.

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.

Malaria is still a Worldwide issue... 

Learn more:

World Malaria Day

Malaria – The Scourge of Africa, but found in the US, too!

Consumer Reports Recommends Natrapel

Read the NIH statement on World Malaria Day — April 25, 2017

How long will food stored in the refrigerator be safe to eat during a power outage?

Emergencies happen, especially with extreme weather conditions. When they do, the best strategy begins with an emergency plan. This includes knowing the proper food safety precautions to take before, during, and after a power outage.Minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness by knowing how to determine food safety. You can learn the right decisions for keeping your family safe during an emergency with these food safety facts from the Food and Drug Administration.

Blackout Survival Kits - compact survival kits designed to keep up to 4 individuals safe during a Blackout.

Be Prepared
• Have a refrigerator thermometer.
• Know where to buy dry ice.
• Keep three days worth of ready-to-eat foods on hand that do not require cooking or cooling, which depend on electricity.

When the Power Goes Out
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• A refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
• A full freezer keeps the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Refrigerators should be kept at 40 F or below for proper food storage.

Once the Power is Restored
• Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer.
• If you keep an appliance thermometer in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40 F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
• If you do not keep a thermometer in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can't rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours. Keep the door closed as much as possible.
• Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that stays above 40 F for two hours or more.

Inadequately refrigerated or frozen perishable food such as meat (like beef or pork), poultry (such as chicken or turkey), seafood, milk, and eggs may cause illness if consumed, even when thoroughly cooked.

Begin preparing for power outages, severe weather and other emergencies now by joining the Prepareathon.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month we want to remind all to raise awareness withing their circles of the dangers of Sexual Violence, which can also take place as a part of Workplace Violence, and for parents and educators can involve Teens – Dating – Violence.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and CDC’s Injury Center is urging you to spread the word about preventing sexual assault. Sexual violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people every year. National studies indicate that an alarming 1 in 5 women have experienced rape or attempted rape and 1 in 15 men have been made to penetrate someone during their lifetimes

Sexual Violence involves a range of acts including attempted or completed forced or alcohol/drug facilitated penetration (i.e., rape), being made to penetrate someone else, verbal (non-physical) pressure that results in unwanted penetration (i.e., sexual coercion), unwanted sexual contact (e.g., fondling), and non-contact unwanted sexual experiences (e.g., verbal harassment, voyeurism). The consequences of sexual violence burden victims with physical and psychological injuries that can last throughout the lifespan—a burden that also results in significant economic and societal costs.

Sexual assault is preventable, not inevitable. Evidence supports comprehensive approaches with interventions at multiple levels (individual, relationship, community) are critical to having a population level impact on sexual violence.

We've shared all sorts of information about mobile phone technology and safety... FEMA App – Your phone can prepare you, FDA, CPR and SmartPhone Apps, Reach Loved Ones and other articles... Are you old enough to remember a time before Smart Phones? How about time before mobile phones of an type?

Today, it's difficult to imagine a time before cell phones. But, that time wasn't all that long ago. On this day in 1973, the first portable cell phone call was made in New York using a
Motorola phone. Motorola researcher and executive Martin Copper called his rival Dr. Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs. The phone used to make this historic call weighed nearly two-and-a-half pounds, was nine inches long and more than five inches deep. It offered a talk time of 30 minutes, and took 10 ours to re-charge.

Most of us love to travel - exploring new places, learning about other people, cultures, architecture, art,, and more.

The last thing anyone wants is to become ill or injured while away from home. Planning a spring break trip? Protect Yourself While Traveling

We have shared articles and information about Traveling and how to Plan and be Safe, Travel Safety Tips, Being Prepared for Emergencies When Traveling or in a Hotel, Travel First Aid Kits, a Guide For RV Travel, and the Travel Safety App from the CDC.

Another thing to consider is that the Flu travels, too - while it may not be Flu Season at home, there may be outbreaks where you go. The risk for exposure to influenza during travel can depend on the time of year and destination. If you plan on traveling, make sure you know how to protect yourself from the flu. Check out the Influenza Prevention: Information for Travelers page at Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.