Month: August 2020

2020-08-30T20:01:00

(BPT) – Quarantine and social distancing paired with limited retail hours and store closures has caused a massive influx of online shopping. This means more home deliveries — and unfortunately — more opportunity for package theft.

In fact, one in five Americans were victims of home package theft amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to research from ValuePenguin.com by LendingTree, and 33% knew someone who’s had a package stolen during the quarantine.

With most people planning to continue to shop online in the future, it’s important to take proactive measures to deter theft and protect belongings. Here are five strategies to help you stop thieves and keep deliveries safe:

1. Home security devices

Installing home security devices such as outdoor cameras or a video doorbell can help deter thieves. Keep in mind, most video doorbells store footage via the cloud and you will likely need to pay for a monthly subscription to get access to your video history. There are options that store video locally without a subscription, like eufy, that you may want to consider.

While these types of devices are great for capturing the moment of theft, they aren’t usually enough to stop the crime from happening in the first place. Most thieves know that with swift action they can grab the package and get away and all you’re left with is a video image of the act. You can submit this to police and use it to prove your package was stolen to the retailer, but few videos result in arrests.

2. Smart delivery boxes

A smart security box at the entryway is a great option for secure package delivery. For example, the Smart Drop from eufy Security is a smart outdoor mailbox made with cold-rolled carbon steel that features a built-in camera with face and motion detection. Its tough, all-weather design stands up to the elements and is virtually tamper-proof for thieves.

With multiple ways to open, such as pin-code and remote opening via the eufy app, it’s easy for home residents and delivery workers to use. Plus, with a large, 68-liter capacity, it’s big enough for almost all the common deliveries. The Smart Drop is available on Kickstarter starting at $149.

3. Ship to a secure location

To ensure packages stay secure you can opt to ship your order to the store and pick up from there when it arrives. You also can request to hold packages at your local post office and pick up from there during business hours.

While this option keeps packages safe, it is less convenient because you still need to leave your home to retrieve your items. Some places may offer curb delivery of your shipment while others may require you to go into the store and wait to pick up the item.

4. Request signature confirmation of delivery

If you know you or someone in your household will be home and willing to answer the door, you can add signature confirmation to your delivery. This means that the package can only be left with someone who signs for it rather than just left at the entryway.

The downfall of this option is if no one is home, the package will go back on the truck and you may face delays in getting it. After several attempts your package may be held at a facility where you have to pick it up in person.

5. Request packages be placed in a secure location

When you order something you may have the opportunity to add a delivery request. In this place you can note the package should be placed out of plain sight, especially from the street, such as behind a plant or under porch stairs.

You might also consider adding a motion sensor light that will turn on any time it’s dark when movement is detected, which can help guests and delivery people, but also deter thieves who don’t want to be seen.

From making sure you’re home to receive a signature confirmation delivery to using a smart mailbox like Smart Drop from eufy Security, these tips help you stop thieves in their tracks so you can get your packages safe and sound every time.

2020-08-27T12:05:00

(BPT) – At a time when the nation is more divided than ever over politics, race and whether to wear a face mask, the opinion of one side is often not just opposed to that of the other side but incomprehensible.

Living in separate digital spheres as well as different areas of the country, the two halves of America were “socially distant” even before the pandemic. Trying to understand our fellow citizens is critical as we approach the presidential election — not to mention the Thanksgiving dinner table — and yet, it feels harder now than ever before.

But while the path toward greater division sometimes seems like a one-way street, there are actually many ways to bridge the gap of understanding. “Curiosity is no longer an option, it’s required to understand the new world we are living in,” says Emmy-winning journalist and OZY Media co-founder and CEO Carlos Watson, host of The Carlos Watson Show, a new show on YouTube that aims to heal America’s wounds by presenting a series of meaningful conversations with diverse, influential guests. With more than 10 million views since its August debut, Watson’s Anderson Cooper–meets–Oprah style of conversation clearly resonates with an audience that craves insightful, impactful and surprising conversations on everything from Black Lives Matter to love, with public figures who might not normally show up in their social media news feeds — from Sean Spicer and Baker Mayfield to George Lopez, Malcolm Gladwell and Tina Knowles-Lawson.

Here are some tips, curated by Watson, for how to break out of your bubble, just as he has facilitated at his own virtual coffee table.

1. Listen to others from across the aisle

This sounds like an obvious place to start, but in many ways it is the hardest step. Not just giving airtime but actively listening to opposing viewpoints is rarely practiced by TV talking heads. One good place to start is by following several people on social media with whom you disagree and seeking out interviews online — not for hot takes on the news of the day, but for in-depth profiles of their lives and careers.

While fiery debates are what often trend online, YouTube’s hidden gem is the respectful exchange of differing opinions — and they too can rack up view counts. “This is genuinely the first time I have seen two opposing sides having such a respect for each other in the political realm,” comments Taylor Whiteside on an episode of The Carlos Watson Show in which Watson and actor Terry Crews debate the latter’s controversial “Black supremacy” tweets. “This is what true discussions should look like,” continues Whiteside in his comment on the most-viewed episode of the show so far, with 1.3 million views.

2. Seek out deep, meaningful conversations

In 2020, we might have forgotten what it means to have a heart-to-heart with a friend over a bottle of wine, but those long-form discussions are still very much possible through a computer screen. Don’t be afraid to talk about difficult issues like race and to openly advocate for change. But this doesn’t mean just talking politics — the broader conversations you can have, the better. Instead of searching for the “gotcha” moment, find ways to learn the backstory behind someone’s belief system.

3. Make the difficult choice to diversify your life

Look around. Your church, your kids’ school, your group of friends, your barbershop and your gym are probably all full of people who look like you and think like you. Start by diversifying your media consumption — check out OZY’s 30-Day Justice Plan for some useful suggestions. To take the next step, would you send your kids to a more integrated school? Would you change employers for the opportunity to have co-workers who hold different opinions from yours? Would you bring your family to a new place of worship if it meant more fully integrating your social world? Building relationships that cross traditional social lines — whether in race, politics, age or place of origin — is the first step toward understanding, empathy and, ultimately, a sense of shared fate that will demand real change.

Start your bubble-bursting journey by tuning into episodes of The Carlos Watson Show, every day on YouTube.

2020-08-27T09:01:00

(BPT) – Mark your calendar for September 17 because it is National Pet Bird Day! This very special annual day of celebration was created in 2019 by the Bird Enjoyment Advantage Koalition (BEAK) to recognize all of the wonderful ways in which pet birds enrich our lives as well as educate on the responsibilities and commitment that come with having a companion bird. Post joyful pet bird photos, stories, stats and articles on social media using the hashtag #NationalPetBirdDay and join the celebration!

2020-08-26T13:01:00

(BPT) – The past century has seen technological advances no one anticipated. Take the simple act of sending mail. While the ability to send material to the next town or across the world has been around a long time, the methods have completely transformed. It once took days, weeks or months to receive a letter or package from afar, but now everyone expects to shop online one day and receive products the next.

How did this evolution happen?

The postal system spurs commerce

While the United States Postal Service was established in 1775, the first U.S. postage stamps weren’t issued until 1847. When they were first used, there were concerns about stamp theft, and affixing them was not easy, as they required moistening.

At the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, the USPS hosted an exhibition displaying its first picture postcards, along with the first event-commemorative stamps. By the century’s end, mail was delivered using transportation methods including stagecoach, train and ship.

The turn of the century brought increased demands on the postal system as mail order catalogs, introduced by businesses in the second half of the 19th century, became commonplace. But businesses still found mailing and shipping cumbersome and inefficient. Most stamps were affixed one at a time!

Early innovations

Chicago inventor Arthur Pitney, a wallpaper salesman and expert on adhesives, attended the World’s Fair in Chicago. He left the fair inspired to rethink the postal process. To eliminate the labor of hand stamping business mail and to prevent stamp theft, Pitney invented the first postage meter, patented in 1902.

Meanwhile in 1908, Walter Bowes incorporated The Universal Stamping Machine Company, which sold canceling machines to the Post Office. These machines made it possible to mark stamps to prevent re-use. When Arthur Pitney and Walter Bowes collaborated to form The Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Company in 1920, they changed the future of business mail forever.

This year Pitney Bowes celebrates their 100th anniversary. It was Sept. 1, 1920, that the USPS formally approved the use of their postage meter, followed by the Posts in England and Canada two years later. Their improved product, built off Pitney’s original invention some twenty years earlier, the newly created Model A mailing machine expedited the process of business mailing, imprinting the postage amount and postmarking the date. For businesses, metered mail saved time and money while also providing accurate accounting and mailing records — something we may take for granted today, but a breakthrough in the early 1920s.

A century of change

The innovations kept coming. In 1939, Pitney Bowes, Inc. unveiled the “Mailomat,” a coin-operated postage meter and letter box. Recognizing small businesses as a growth engine of economy, the company developed the first affordable postage meter for small businesses in the early 1950s.

In 1951, Robert Pitney, Arthur’s son, was issued a patent for a remotely resettable meter. This invention would pave the way for later innovations, from Postage by Phone in 1979, to today’s ability to reset postage online.

Signaling the end of the old-fashioned postage stamp, the first self-adhesive stamps were invented in 1979. While the early version was unsuccessful, a better adhesive was invented in 1989, quickly replacing its predecessors.

The digital age

With the advent of the internet and email, traditional mail naturally declined. Then came the explosion of e-commerce, with customers everywhere ordering products online and expecting them to be delivered to their door.

This provided new opportunities for businesses focused on shipping solutions. For example, Pitney Bowes partnered with eBay, developing technology for eBay shippers to print their own Postal Service labels from their accounts.

In recent years, the company has created technologically advanced solutions so businesses can streamline their mail processing and shipping operations more efficiently than ever before. In 2017 the company launched an all-in-one machine for businesses to weigh mail, assess shipping options, print labels, sort and track a high volume of packages and letters quickly and accurately.

E-commerce shows no signs of slowing down. On Cyber Monday 2019, the company’s Global Carrier Services platform printed over one million labels in a single day. At this point it’s hard to even predict where technology will lead business next.

To learn more about continual innovation at Pitney Bowes and its advances for mail and shipping over the last 100 years, visit PitneyBowes.com.

2020-08-26T07:01:00

(BPT) –

If you’ve ever seen hot spots on your dog, you know the havoc they can cause. If left untreated, a spot of dermatitis can turn into a gooey, oozing, bloody wound that will continue to get worse the longer it is left alone. Summertime is a hot bed for hot spots because pups are more active outdoors and can start itching from a variety of irritants like fleas, environmental allergens, skin infections or trapped moisture from swimming. Once itching, biting and licking start, bacteria can invade the area, combined with heat and humidity, and it’s the perfect recipe for nasty hot spots. Then rapid relief is the name of the game.

Here are three easy and super-fast ways to help your dog recover.

1. Identify the Problem:

Hot spots are localized areas of inflammation. Look for well-defined areas of redness, swelling and hair loss. There may be a discharge of fluid or blood, which can cause crusting and matting of the surrounding hair. Your dog will help identify them too, with tell-tale itching and biting that can create additional inflammation and secondary bacterial infections. That perpetuating cycle of itching and scratching will cause frustration for both of you! If you find anything that looks more like a puncture wound, an animal bite, large cut, or your pet is in pain, a visit to your vet is needed. But if all signs point to a hot spot or smaller wound, you can provide fast soothing relief, stat!

2. Find Treatment:

Here’s the good news. Treating hot spots does not need to be a costly and complicated process. Silver Honey™ Hot Spot & Wound Care from Absorbine Pet Care™ combines the natural power of medical-grade Manuka Honey and MicroSilver™ BG to heal hot spots and wounds quickly on dogs, cats and horses. It is gentle on skin yet powerful, proven to stop 99.9% of bacteria immediately and start healing faster.

While this revolutionary formula is tough on bacteria, it soothes and moisturizes the treatment area to protect the skin. Silver Honey™ is effective on hot spots, cuts, abrasions, sores, rashes, fungus, scratches, burns and wounds. Made with natural, medical-grade active ingredients, Silver Honey™ goes to work to shed dead tissue and promote new healthy tissue growth. So your pup will feel better AND look better.

Silver Honey™ is the first product of its kind to combine Mother Nature’s strongest antimicrobials to soothe, protect and heal. Gathered exclusively from the hives of bees that feed off the nectar of the Manuka Tree, Manuka Honey has unique antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MicroSilver BG is a powder of micro-sized pure medical-grade silver particles that fight germs and boost the skin’s natural defenses. Together that is a whole lot of goodness and quick relief.

Available in two convenient application methods, Silver Honey™ Spray Gel is ideal for treating large areas of skin and provides continuous coverage of the wound. The ointment option is great for treating wounds with long-term scabbing. It will soften older, persistent scabs to promote the healing of the wound beneath.

3. Monitor During Healing:

Silver Honey™ soothes the skin to reduce the desire to scratch and bite, plus includes a bittering agent to deter licking. However, we all know dogs can be persistent! Do your best to dissuade your pup from going after the area (even if it means wearing the ‘cone of shame’ for a couple of days). Keeping your dog interested and active in play time will help distract from the wound and avoid boredom that can lead to scratching and licking. Be sure to keep the area clean. You may need to trim the hair around the area to prevent matting. If the wound gets wet, dry it carefully (remember, hot spots love moisture and heat!) and re-apply Silver Honey™. Since Hot Spots can be a recurring problem, arm yourself by adding Silver Honey™ to your first aid kit so you can start treatment at the very first sign of trouble. Quick, easy, pain-free relief and an end to frustration — now THAT’S a recipe for stress-free summer fun.

Be ready for quick relief for your pet this summer and all year long with Silver Honey™ Hot Spot and Wound Care from Absorbine Pet™. Available at independent pet stores nationwide, or order online at AbsorbinePet.com and Amazon.com.

2020-08-26T14:38:05

(BPT) – If you dream of the perfect outdoor living space for relaxing with a good book in the shade, entertaining family in your outdoor kitchen, playing with the kids in the sunshine — or just breathing in the sights and sounds of nature in your own personal oasis — here are some tips to help kickstart the planning process when the time is right for you.

Modern landscaping and hardscaping offer limitless possibilities, so you can find the right solution to complement the way you live and your personal tastes. Whether you want a stylish lounge area for entertaining, a green-filled hideaway for connecting with nature, or a clean, minimal space for family fun and games, you can make it happen using a combination of pavers, walls, fire pits or even full outdoor kitchens.

Channel your imagination, with a little pro advice, to help you create an outdoor space that is perfect for your family, budget and home. One great resource is Collections by Belgard, which offers outdoor designers, contractors and homeowners a way to virtually re-imagine their outdoor space by pairing the right textures and colors to match the home’s style — as well as the homeowner’s vision.

First, spend a little time with your dream, nailing down what type of outdoor space you really want. What do you most want to do in your outdoor space, and what style best expresses your vision and personality?

Relaxed entertaining center

Maybe your dream sanctuary is a cozy fire pit surrounded by lounge seating to create a comfortable outdoor living room family and guests can enjoy day or night.

Or perhaps you want to dazzle guests with your culinary skills at a complete outdoor kitchen — including fun extras like a smoker, wine cooler or brick pizza oven.

Plan the exact features you want before choosing the style, and you can make your dreams come true.

Cozy natural retreat

Create a space for unwinding from the week’s stresses. Could you arrange a trellis or pergola bursting with plants and flowers to set your retreat apart from the rest of the yard? You could install relaxing hammocks or a serene fountain to complete your oasis.

Then choose hardscaping elements to work hand in hand with your favorite natural elements. For example, Belgard’s Natural Collection provides hardscaping with the look of slates and worn stone that can set the tone for your special hideaway.

Eye-catching extension of your living space

Whatever plans you have for hardscapes, furnishings, appliances and more, consider the overall ambiance you want to create. Consider not only the natural environment, but what style best complements your home’s aesthetic.

Want a more aged, rustic appearance to suit your traditional style home? The antique, tumbled look of features from the Heritage Collection combined with elements from the Natural Collection may suit that style.

Focus on family fun

Maybe your dream is to add outdoor recreation areas for you and your family. Consider making space for giant stacking blocks, life-size checkers or chess, cornhole or ring toss. How about a mini hedge maze or paver labyrinth?

Then use the existing feel of your home’s exterior as the basis for your stylistic direction. You could go for a traditional, old-world aesthetic or combine traditional items with the more modern-looking Metropolitan Collection to add warmth to your contemporary space.

Homeowners and outdoor designers can work together to mix and match a variety of textures, colors and styles to create an outdoor space that suits any landscape — creating an extension of your home to make all your summer dreams come true.

Visit Belgard.com/summer for more design ideas and inspiration.

2020-08-25T11:01:01

(BPT) – Since the beginning of the pandemic, many normal aspects of everyday life have been put on hold — including dental checkups. For months dental offices were closed, or available only for dental emergencies. Now dental offices are opening again, with new health and protocols to help protect patients and employees.

While regular appointments were cancelled or postponed, oral health remains a top concern for many people. According to a dental study conducted by Guardian Life, some adults who were unable to access regular preventive care stepped up their efforts to improve their own oral health at home. On average, 20% of those surveyed reported making changes to their oral health habits, mostly for the better. Many reported practicing increased flossing,brushing more frequently and thoroughly as well as eating a healthier diet.

Given restricted access to preventive care during early 2020, many patients now feel ready to schedule exams. Many said they anticipated returning to the dentist in September. Yet, survey respondents all expressed the need for increased safety precautions to reduce their anxiety around in person visits, along with enhanced communication with their dental office.

While nearly 3 in 10 adults said they’re more anxious about visiting the dentist since the outbreak, the majority of adults (52%) claimed that their level of anxiety about visiting the dentist did not change due to the pandemic. Patients planning to visit their dentist soon ranked using protective equipment and physical distancing or limiting the number of patients in the office as their top concerns.

What you can do to maintain good oral health:

Keep up with regular dental checkups. The American Dental Association (ADA) currently recommends dental visits at least once every six months to maintain oral health and to detect issues early. While 8 in 10 adults believe oral health is important, many do not receive regular preventive dental care. Even before the pandemic began, less than half (45%) received semiannual exams.

“Oral health is connected to our overall health, underscoring the importance of maintaining regular dental exams for preventive care,” said Dr. Randi S. Tillman, Chief Dental Officer, Guardian Life. “Dental offices nationwide are working hard to keep visits safe for you and your families, so now is the perfect time to get caught up on preventive care. The dental profession has always been strongly committed to infection control protocols, and now more than ever, practices are in strict compliance with CDC guidelines.”

Contact your dentist. Find out their current hours, appointment availability and their health and safety protocols. Ask questions like:

• What protective gear are you requiring for employees and patients?
• How are you limiting patients in the waiting room?

Over 1 in 3 survey respondents said it was vital for their dental office to communicate their safety measures to make them feel more comfortable about returning to the dentist.

Learn about teledentistry options. Teledentistry, digital communication and online self-service tools are now significantly more accessible from dentists. Many providers can consult with patients using electronic means like video conferencing to monitor patient oral health and discuss specific concerns.

According to the survey:

• 1 in 6 adults reported feeling more positive about teledentistry since the pandemic, viewing tool.
• Nearly 1 in 4 were open to using teledentistry, even after dentists started seeing patients again.
• Millennials and working parents were the most likely to use teledentistry in the future.
• Parents were more likely to use teledentistry for their child than themselves, both during and after the pandemic.

Overall, there was increased interest in using electronic communication with dental offices, both for setting appointments and consultations. A higher percentage said they preferred to use texting and online chat.

While most respondents were unaware if their provider even offered teledentistry services or whether teledentistry was covered by their dental insurance, more than one-third said they would be open to trying teledentistry. Some said they favored it over traditional in person visits for certain conditions and situations — such as when physically unable to go in person due to caring for young children or an elderly parent, or because of work schedules.

Need dental coverage for your family? Learn more about dental insurance at www.guardianlife.com/dental-insurance.

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Unless otherwise noted, the source of all information is from the 2020 Guardian’s Workplace Benefits Study titled “Dental Benefits 2020”

©Copyright 2020 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y.GUARDIAN^® is a registered service mark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America^®

2020-106908 (Exp. 8/22)