Month: October 2019

2019-10-14T09:01:00

(BPT) – There are always reasons to entertain, especially now during the holidays. From decor to dessert, there isn’t one exact recipe for the perfect party, and the right combination can make a real difference. Candy maker HARIBO suggests sprinkling in moments of sweet childlike happiness to strike a memorable chord with party-goers. So, if you’re dreaming of ways to make your next get-together a reality, here are three helpful tips.

Prepare a tasty treat

An unforgettable food spread could very well be the cherry on top of a perfect party. Attempt a secret family recipe or recreate a dish from your favorite cooking show — the options are endless. If you’re short on time, plan a potluck where each guest brings an item. This is a delicious way to eat all your favorite foods and try new ones, too.

Or perhaps you’d prefer more light refreshments and quick bites. You can choose sour and sweet treats for something to satisfy each party guest’s palate. For example, gummi bears are tasty, easy to eat, they don’t make a mess and they’re enjoyed by all ages. “Gummi bears are a delicious and shareable treat, so they’re a party go-to that appeals to people of all ages,” says Lauren Triffler, head of communications, HARIBO. “Our iconic Goldbears are a particular fan favorite of gummi enthusiasts and come in five fruity flavors — Strawberry, Pineapple, Lemon, Orange and Raspberry. Through the fun variety in every bag, they add choices to any party mix and take the thought out of planning.”

If you decide to go the Halloween theme route, you can fill your bowls with ghostly gummies or sour vampire bats. And since the season of giving is approaching, you can also give your guests festive red and green holiday gummies.

The party favor is a popular way to win over guests and entice their return for future gatherings. As they leave, hand out mini bags of Goldbears and watch eyes light up.

Pick a creative theme

Whether filled with fun costumes or favorite tunes, a themed party can serve as a natural ice breaker and an easy way to connect with fellow partygoers. To really bring your theme to life, don’t skimp on decorations. They will enhance your space, and upon entry, guests will feel transported to a different time or place.

Incorporating games or activities can also add to a theme. A deck of cards for poker at Casino Night or a disco dance at a ‘70s soiree are unique ways to up the ante and may even inspire feelings of fond nostalgia. Plus, they provide crowd-pleasing amusement.

Also, don’t let timeliness spoil your party plans. An indoor pool party in the middle of winter? Make it a splash. Your birthday is still six months away? Hooray for half birthdays.

Remember, a theme is a great opportunity to get creative. So, let it take your next party to the next level.

Plan to mix and mingle

Lead by example. If your guests see you having a good time, they will feed off that energy. It can be tricky for some to navigate a sea of faces. As host, make introductions and encourage interactions. If you know two guests have not met before, one of the easiest ways to eliminate any possible shyness is to share a common thread that connects one to another.

Hosting or attending a get-together is a healthy way to turn your mind off from any adult stresses and relax in good company. You may never know how much you needed it until afterward, when you’re feeling refreshed and revived. The best part is new friendships may form and memories will be made.

2019-10-13T08:01:01

(BPT) – When it comes to how we use our cellphones, it’s especially important to understand data usage. Knowing what consumes your data, and how you use it, will help you recognize whether you’re getting the best deal on your wireless plan.

With unlimited talk and text becoming more common offerings, what most of us are really paying for on our cellphone bills is data. You’re using mobile data whenever you’re not connected to Wi-Fi and doing things like browsing the web, using apps, checking social media, sending or receiving picture messages, and streaming music or videos.

Here are a few important things to understand to make sure that you get the best service, at the best price, on your monthly data plan.

How it’s measured

Simply put, data usage is the amount of data you use in a billing cycle (usually a 30-day time frame). Your cellphone plan’s data is used whenever you use your phone’s internet connection to perform a task.

Anytime you send email, download a photo, stream video, view a web page, or post on social media, your phone is sending or receiving data across your carrier’s network. A megabyte (MB) and the larger gigabyte (GB) are the units used for measuring data. Industry analysts have found that an average cellphone user consumes about 5GB of data per month.

It’s hard to determine exactly how much data specific activities consume, since file sizes and download times can vary. To provide a general idea, it’s estimated that with 1GB of data, you can browse the Internet and use social media for around 40 minutes a day, stream about 10 hours of music in a month, and view 1-2 movies a month.

High-speed limits

With overage charges becoming nearly extinct and unlimited plans becoming more and more common, you might find yourself wondering why you should worry about your data usage at all.

When a cell phone plan has a designated monthly allotment of data, it means that you’ll get optimal data speeds up until you have reached the limit. So, if your plan has a 3GB data limit, you can use up to 3GB of data at full speed. Once you go over that 3GB of data usage, you can expect to encounter slower data speeds.

With that in mind, you might expect unlimited data plans to provide you with all of the best data you can possibly use in your billing cycle. But this is not the case. Most “unlimited” data plans actually have what is referred to as a “deprioritization threshold.” This is a cap on your high-speed data, meaning that if you reach the threshold (ranging anywhere from 20GB to 50GB) during a billing cycle you will actually be subject to slower data speeds during times of heavy network congestion, just as you would with a lighter use plan.

Choosing the right plan

So, the first step in managing your data usage is being realistic about how much you really need. The best way is to track your usage through your cellphone carrier: most offer up-to-the-minute details on your data usage either online or through a mobile app.

Then, seek out a carrier who offers plans that fit what you really use. If you’re a light to moderate data user, take a look at Consumer Cellular. This 100% U.S. based carrier offers no-contract data plans from 500MB to 25GB of data per month. Since your data needs can fluctuate from one month to the next, they also let you change your plan anytime you need to without paying any additional fees.

Before you decide, read the fine print. Find out what, if any, caps are placed on your usage, or if there are fees for going over or changing your plan. By understanding your own needs and what your carrier specifically allows, you’ll have everything you need to get the data you require.

2019-10-11T13:11:00

(BPT) – Winter weather is difficult to predict. Use these tips to help protect your home from the costly damage winter storms can bring.

Take care of your roof

• Keep your gutters clear. This keeps ice from accumulating and backing up under the shingles.
• Trim trees year-round so branches don’t fall on your house.
• Worn-out, missing or damaged siding and roof flashing can let water and ice into your home. Be vigilant and replace them.
• If your chimney is leaning or the mortar has seen better days, get it repaired.

Prevent ice dams

• Eliminate heat sources under the roof, such as lights and heaters in the attic, that can contribute to thawing.
• Keep the attic cool and ventilated to stop or slow the refreezing cycle.
• Consult a roofing professional to remove snow or standing water before an ice dam can form.
• Invest in a roof rake, a tool that allows you to stand on the ground and safely brush snow off the roof.
• Avoid trying to chip any ice dams off your roof, as you could damage the roof. Ask a roof specialist for help instead.
• Talk with your roof specialist about sealing the roof deck with a moisture barrier.

Prevent water damage

• Ventilate the attic and insulate the attic floor to stop warm air in the house from melting snow and ice on the roof.
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or 2 inches of Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed heat tape.
• Caulk cracks and holes in the home’s outer walls and foundation. Holes left by cable installation can also leave pipes exposed.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes.
• Trickle water from faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
• Locate the home’s main water valve — typically in the basement or outside near the curb — so you can turn water off quickly if a pipe does burst.
• If you leave the house unoccupied for an extended period, shut off the water and have a professional drain the system. Turn the heat down, but don’t turn it off.

Clear surfaces where you walk or drive

• Keep walkways, steps and driveways clear of snow and ice.
• Treat these areas with rock salt or de-icing products.

For more information on ways to protect your home, visit USAA.com/HomeSafety.

Safety guidelines are not intended to be all inclusive, but are provided for your consideration. Please use your own judgment to determine what safety features/procedures should be used in each unique situation.

USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates.

2019-10-10T12:58:45

(BPT) – Within eight days, Michael Adams, a 59-year-old husband and father of two from Moore, Oklahoma, suffered a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) — and survived them both. While many think a heart attack and SCA are the same, they are not. Recent heart attack victims have a higher risk of SCA, but there are life-saving treatment options available.

The difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest

A heart attack is caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. A heart attack sufferer will commonly experience severe chest pain but will usually remain awake and able to call for help. Unlike a heart attack, SCA happens without warning. It occurs when a failure of the heart’s electrical system triggers a dangerously fast heartbeat — so fast that it causes the heart to quiver or shake instead of pumping blood to the body and brain. This causes the individual to suddenly lose consciousness. The most effective treatment for SCA is an electrical shock (defibrillation). Without treatment, death from SCA can occur within minutes.

SCA risk after a heart attack

Adams’ story began with feelings of tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. While in church with his wife, Donna, he noticed his vision began to blur. He asked her to drive him to the hospital, where he learned he had suffered a heart attack.

After placing stents in Adams’ arteries to restore blood flow to the heart, cardiologist Dr. Ryan Norris, of the Integris Cardiovascular Physicians in Oklahoma City, explained that Adams’ heart function, or ejection fraction, was weakened to 30%. A normal ejection fraction is 55-70%. He was not out of the woods yet.

According to the American Heart Association, heart attacks increase the risk for SCA. This is especially true when the damage sustained by the heart muscle during a heart attack reduces the ejection fraction, as it did for Adams.

“For patients who have just experienced a heart attack and have a reduced heart function, the risk for sudden cardiac arrest is highest in the first 90 days of their recovery,” explained Norris.

Treating sudden cardiac arrest during heart attack recovery

Adams learned that there are medical devices available that can help protect patients at risk of SCA. As part of his recovery from the heart attack, Norris prescribed a LifeVest wearable defibrillator.

Because SCA can happen at any time, Adams was instructed to wear LifeVest under his clothes day and night, only taking it off for a short shower. He accepted his wearable defibrillator and wore it faithfully.

Eight days later, Adams was talking with a co-worker when his heart suddenly spiked into a dangerously fast rhythm. Without warning, he passed out. He was experiencing SCA.

Within one minute, LifeVest detected the dangerous heart rhythm and delivered a treatment shock that restored his heart’s normal rhythm.

“Survival of cardiac arrest is extremely low outside of the hospital,” said Norris. “The wearable defibrillator offers protection to patients we know are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and for Michael, it saved his life.”

Long-term protection for those at risk

Some patients’ hearts will heal and get stronger after a heart attack. Others may need to have long-term protection. Adams went on to have a permanent implantable defibrillator (commonly known as an ICD) surgically implanted in his chest. It will deliver a defibrillation treatment should he ever experience SCA again.

After surviving a heart attack and SCA, Adams is focused on living a healthier lifestyle. “I want to be here for my family,” he said. “I have more life to live and more memories to make.”

While a heart attack and SCA are different, a recent heart attack increases an individual’s risk for SCA. If you or a loved one has experienced a recent heart attack, talk to your cardiologist about SCA and the treatment options available for those at risk.

2019-10-10T14:01:00

(BPT) – According to the National Retail Federation, 41.4 million people shopped exclusively online from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday in 2018. As the holidays approach, online shopping will continue to grow in popularity, helping families spend more time celebrating the season and less time struggling through long disorganized lines, fighting massive crowds of frantic shoppers, and worrying about whether that must-have gift will still be on shelves at the mall.

While online shopping offers up a convenient way to purchase holiday gifts, many consumers are concerned about their delivered packages going missing. Ensuring your online holiday purchases are securely delivered can make your cyber shopping experience even more rewarding and stress free. Here are five tips that will keep your packages safe and your holidays happy.

1. Get deliveries straight to your garage with Key by Amazon

Online retailers such as Amazon serve as a popular holiday shopping destination. This season you can get your Prime packages delivered safely and securely right in your garage with Key by Amazon in-garage delivery. Amazon recently launched the new service to provide Prime members in 50 cities and surrounding areas with the option to select in-garage delivery at checkout. To provide peace of mind that your holiday purchases won’t go missing or get damaged by weather, all you need is a myQ-connected garage door opener linked to the Key App to have packages delivered directly into your garage for no extra charge. myQ technology can be added to all leading brands of garage door openers in minutes via a Chamberlain myQ smart garage hub, which is being offered at a low cost this holiday season.

2. Give specific delivery instructions

Most delivery services allow customers to set instructions. Ask your mail carrier to knock or ring the doorbell so that you are immediately alerted when a package arrives at your door. If snow, rain or any other weather issue is a concern, consider requesting that you mail carrier drop off packages in an out-of-sight dry spot. Get creative with these drop-off locations and use other delivery points such as back porches, patios and exterior basement stairs.

3. Sign up for delivery alerts

Major mail carriers and delivery services have systems for tracking packages. You can use tracking numbers to determine where an item is, and when it should be delivered. Check with your delivery provider to see if you can sign up for alerts via email or text message for when your package is shipped, out for delivery and delivered.

4. Team up with a neighbor

Work with a trustworthy neighbor to mutually look after each other’s packages. If a neighbor is home during an anticipated delivery, ask permission to have packages sent to their address or have them hold deliveries that come to your front door. Return the favor whenever possible, and bake a holiday treat or give a small thank-you gift to show your appreciation.

5. Request a signature

If you are ordering expensive items online, it is a smart idea to require a signature for delivery. By requesting a signature before a package is released, you can ensure that your online purchases are never left unattended. If you are not home at the time of delivery, the mail carrier will typically leave a note with options for rescheduling the delivery for a more convenient time or picking the package up in-person.

Holiday shopping is already stressful. Give yourself the gift of peace by trying out some of these package delivery tips, and spend more time enjoying the moments that matter.

To learn more about in-garage delivery, visit https://www.myq.com/key-by-amazon.

2019-10-10T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether your business is small, medium or large, as an owner you’re probably all too familiar with the threats of payment fraud. A proactive approach can make a big difference in reducing your chances of experiencing this common type of fraud, saving you significant time, money and stress.

A whopping 74% of businesses were victims of payment fraud, according to the 2017 Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) Payments Fraud and Control Survey. What’s more, 75% of that fraud was from check fraud. According to the AFP survey, the top three types of business payment fraud are:

Check fraud

Check fraud continues to be the most common type of payment fraud, as paper checks remain a commonly used payment method by businesses. Fraudsters can acquire unsecured check stock directly from the business or intercept mail to get a check that they will chemically wash to alter payment information.

Wire transfer fraud

This type of fraud is the second-most reported type of payment fraud — increasing 40% since 2011. The dramatic increase in wire transfer fraud is commonly associated with an increase in Business Email Compromise (BEC) tactics, typically where fraudsters gather valuable information about businesses and then write an email posing as an employee or business leader requesting urgent funds be wired quickly.

Corporate credit card fraud

Currently the third-most common type of payment fraud, incidents of credit card fraud tend to have more upward and downward swings from year to year that seem to coincide with large data breaches at retailers where card data was stolen.

Twenty-nine percent of businesses that responded to the AFP survey said they had experienced payment fraud with potential losses of $250,000 or more. And a staggering 8% of those expect potential losses to exceed $2 million.

Experts advise business owners to be particularly cautious about BEC scams as fraudsters are increasingly using this strategy in clever new ways.

“Business owners need to be as diligent in preventing fraud as criminals are in committing it,” said Andy Harmening, Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Consumer and Business Banking at Huntington. “Fortunately, there are great resources available for business owners to help them safeguard their businesses and their customers.”

BEC scams have evolved beyond the fraudulent transfer of funds. During the last tax season, criminals targeted human resource departments posing as company executives requesting employee W2 information via email. This information was then used in a variety of identity theft scams.

Here are some tips to help prevent BEC:

• Keep login credentials private and secure.
• Be suspicious of requests for secrecy or to act quickly.
• Don’t rely on email when requests are made to change payment instructions. Verify identity by using a known phone number, not a number in the email.
• Beware that fraudsters attempt to make emails look legitimate by using the name and logo of a real company.
• Look for poorly worded messages and grammatical errors.
• Remember that government agencies will never request a wire transfer.
• Watch for common phrases “code to admin expenses” or “urgent wire transfer.”
• Report suspicious phone calls, emails and texts.

Additionally, whether it’s BEC or another type of business payment fraud, it’s important to work with a bank that offers tools to help you proactively negate threats. For example, Huntington offers a variety of fraud mitigation tools, such as Check Positive Pay that provides early detection of fraudulent, altered or counterfeit checks through a daily verification of checks presented for payment against a check issue file. Another useful tool is Reverse Positive Pay, which allows business leaders to review checks posted before actually paying them, so you can flag fraud before it happens.

To learn more about cybersecurity tools, best practices and resources you may want to consider as you develop an approach to protecting your organization, visit huntington.com/Banking-That-Cares.

2019-10-09T23:01:00

(BPT) – –

2019-10-09T11:55:00

(BPT) – When disasters strike — whether hurricanes and tornadoes or floods and earthquakes — communities and organizations rally to help, using their unique strengths to boost support. While every attempt to support affected families and neighborhoods is appreciated, aid is most effective when it’s coordinated.

Here’s how collaboration boosts the aid response in the face of disaster.

Communities and charities working together

Local communities are often quick to respond to disasters, offering immediate in-kind donations and monetary contributions to organizations including food agencies and churches, who mobilize donors. Public calls for donations, such as telethons or hotlines, give the public an opportunity to contribute.

And people nationwide respond to those calls. The Red Cross reported that public support during the 2018 California wildfires enabled them to provide hundreds of thousands of meals and temporary shelter, plus financial assistance for tens of thousands of evacuees in the area.

The added power of private sector support

While individual donations and grassroots efforts from smaller organizations are vital, larger companies can offer logistical power and technological capabilities beyond what nonprofit or community organizations can achieve on their own. These companies amplify the volume and speed of aid delivery from charities and individuals, which is crucial for large-scale disasters.

During the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires, Amazon leveraged its large inventory to quickly and cost-effectively donate necessary specialty products, including 500 sifters and 40 air filters. The company mobilized these unique items in a way that individuals or smaller organizations would struggle to accomplish as quickly without support, due to the company’s expansive inventory.

Many for-profit organizations can offer easy ways for employees to give to trusted organizations. For example, charitable giving is made easy for Amazon employees and customers alike, who can donate via Amazon Pay, Charity Lists, or even by just asking Alexa to make a donation, giving resources to trusted nonprofit partners like the Red Cross and UNICEF.

Industries with certain specializations can use their expertise to offer support in ways individuals or charities can’t. For example, grocery and food industry companies can use their locations and resources to provide aid in the form of meals and food during times of need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Amazon was able to fill two of their Prime Air planes with humanitarian help bound for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Similarly, in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Florida, Amazon flew in donations — including tarps, batteries, baby food and generators — to isolated areas in the Panhandle with small planes and helicopters, staffed by volunteer pilots coordinated by the organizations GotLift and World Hope.

Collaboration among local communities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations

Despite their impressive resources, large companies can’t do it alone. When roads are closed or there are other obstacles preventing aid from reaching those in need, local community leaders can help companies by identifying alternate routes and coming up with creative solutions to help impacted families. Sometimes it’s as simple as communities alerting organizations about an immediate need and asking for assistance.

For example, in spring 2019, Ottawa declared a state of emergency due to sudden severe flooding, calling for hygiene supplies, towels, blankets and drinking water. Amazon worked with the city to respond with tens of thousands of relief items. In other disasters, the organization is able to join forces with local officials to build mobile pickup locations where people can collect relief items, designed with the community’s knowledge about which areas would be most accessible.

The missed opportunities of working independently

When companies, charities and individuals aren’t operating together, well-meaning efforts sometimes fail to make an impact — and may create more problems. Some have dubbed the donation of unnecessary relief items a “second disaster,” as organizations then have to dedicate scant resources to handling items that aren’t useful for addressing urgent needs.

With collaboration between for-profit and nonprofit organizations and local communities, however, guidance on how best to support relief efforts can be developed and clearly communicated. In some instances, such as the recent wildfires, the most necessary items — air filters and sifters — are not what people would have donated.

The most successful disaster relief and management efforts involve effective collaboration and coordination among individuals, charities and the private sector, with guidance from local community leaders. Working together, all these groups can make a difference, when and where it’s really needed.