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Planning ahead: How to protect your home from severe weather events

2022-07-28T23:01:00

(BPT) – Between the damage caused during severe storms and the increasing threat of fast-spreading forest fires, homeowners are understandably concerned about taking steps to protect their homes from damage due to natural disasters, whether that means hurricanes and tornadoes or flooding and wildfires. According to a nationwide homeowner survey, the majority of homeowners (76%) reported that their home renovation plans were impacted by the possibility of extreme weather, with more than half (54%) saying the possibility of extreme weather events strongly or somewhat influenced their home renovation decisions.

In the survey, conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of James Hardie in late 2021, nearly half of the homeowners (47%) said they or someone they know had repaired or renovated their home as a result of extreme weather, and 3 out of 4 of those homeowners who had personally undergone weather-related renovations focused that work on the exterior of their home.

Making sure your home’s exterior is in top condition and as strong as possible to endure tough storm conditions can give you and your family more peace of mind. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent damage when the weather dishes out its worst.

Focus on landscaping

Damage to your home is sometimes caused by features around the property, including trees and how your land is graded. It can be helpful to hire professional help (such as arborists and landscapers) to assess potential hazards around your home. Prevention measures may include:

  • Trimming dead or overgrown tree branches to minimize the possibility of branches hitting your home during strong winds.
  • Removing trees that are diseased or located too close to your home.
  • Grading your lawn to ensure water runoff flows away from your home to help prevent flooding.
  • Removing any debris in and around your property.

It’s also a good idea to make sure you can easily and quickly store or secure all your lawn furniture or any other outdoor items that could be picked up by strong winds before a severe weather event occurs.

Upgrade to siding you can trust

The siding you choose to put on your home is vital to help protect against the elements and damage caused by severe weather, including wildfires, floods and strong winds. While there are many choices available on the market, the best option that can help provide trusted protection against extreme weather is fiber cement siding, which is noncombustible and more durable than other building materials such as wood and vinyl.

For example, Hardie® siding is specifically engineered to resist damage from moisture and rot, while also being able to hold its own against rain and high winds.

Hardie siding also helps protects your home by being noncombustible, with strong fire resistance. This siding will not ignite when exposed to direct flame, nor will it contribute fuel to a fire — unlike wood, which fuels fire, or vinyl siding, which melts easily in a fire (or even from the reflection of the sun off Low-E glass windows). Hardie fiber cement technology resists warping, sagging and melting when exposed to heat or flame. Hardie siding is even recognized by fire departments across the U.S. Many insurance companies may offer discounts for homes using this siding, so it’s a good idea to ask your homeowners insurance provider.

“Homeowners are looking for beautiful finishes that also help protect their homes and families,” said Sean Gadd, president of James Hardie North America. “At James Hardie, we believe our products help provide trusted protection against harsh climate, pests, rot, and even fire.”

Don’t forget the roof

Nothing is more hazardous to your home during severe weather than a leaky or damaged roof. Make it a regular practice to have your roof inspected for areas of concern, including the flashing around your chimney, and to check that your gutters and downspouts are cleared out and in good condition. Water can cause a lot of damage to a home, so having a strong roof in good repair is essential.

To learn more about how you can help protect your home from severe weather, visit JamesHardie.com.

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6 sensational summer treats for any adventure near or far

2022-07-29T12:35:00

(BPT) – From a day escape at a local destination to a lengthy cross-country road trip, it’s prime time for summer adventures. And nothing pairs better with summer travel than on-the-go treats.

Every experience is better with a treat that helps make the ride go by quicker. Here are six sensational summer treats you must pack for your next summer adventure:

Make Your Journey Extraordinary with Kinder Bueno

Savor your summer road trips by taking a crispy, creamy Kinder Bueno along for the ride. No matter where you’re headed, with good music, great friends or family, and a chocolatey bite of Kinder Bueno, the journey is sure to be extraordinary. Kinder Bueno is a unique chocolate bar with a thin, crispy wafer beneath a blanket of smooth milk chocolate filled with a creamy hazelnut filling and topped with delicate dark chocolate drizzle. The bar even comes in individually wrapped, shareable packaging – perfect for sharing and creating special moments on the road ensuring your summer gets Bueno.

Playful flavors


Keebler Dip’mmms are a portable, fun and imaginative snack that features bite-sized versions of Keebler’s iconic Fudge Stripes cookies in a single-serve portable tray, along with delicious marshmallow dipping frosting. This fun snack is interactive and playful — the perfect way to pass the time on the road this summer.

Yum on the go

If you’re traveling and have a craving for Nutella, you and your travel crew will be overjoyed when you pull out Nutella and Go!®, the fun and convenient way to enjoy everyone’s favorite hazelnut spread. Nutella and Go!® is available with crunchy breadsticks, crispy pretzel sticks, or hearty multigrain sticks with oat and blueberries. The combination of thoughtful packaging and delicious on-the-go snacking creates the perfect treat for a playful break!

TIC TAC® – Big flavor, small mints

Whether you need something delicious that fits in your pocket while you wander or you want something to grab quick in the car while you pass the miles, Tic Tac® mints are small but bring big taste. Plus, there are flavors for every craving! From classic Freshmint to our newest Tropical Adventure and even limited-time flavors, such as Coca-Cola®, there’s something for everyone and every summer adventure.

CRUNCH Makes Summer More Fun

CRUNCH Bar’s combination of 100% real milk chocolate and crisped rice is the perfect enhancement to summer’s favorite campfire treat, s’mores, and the classic red, white and blue packaging makes for the most festive patriotic décor and party favors all summer long.

Cookies with worldly appeal

While sticking with its bite-sized shape that people know and love, the Famous Amos Wonders From the World feature four new takes on an elevated classic chocolate chip cookie, including chocolate from Belgium, coconut from the Philippines, hazelnuts from the Mediterranean and salted caramel from Britain. Each cookie transports your taste buds to far destinations, even if your summer trip is close to home.

Classic caramel, nougat and peanuts

Baby Ruth contains the deliciousness of dry roasted peanuts, rich caramel and smooth nougat. Baby Ruth’s red and blue packaging will match all your iconic American decor and apparel, perfect for festive summer gatherings. Grab some extras and pass out to all your new friends you meet on your travels.

Peanut buttery perfection

Summertime sweet treat cravings are hard to resist. So don’t! Bite into a crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery Butterfinger bar. This one-of-a-kind bar has a unique flavor and texture that you simply won’t be able to resist.

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Living With Psoriatic Arthritis? Tips to Manage Your Symptoms

2022-07-29T08:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Janssen

Imagine finding simple tasks, such as getting out of bed, dressing yourself or turning a faucet on and off, difficult to do because they’re too painful.1 That’s what a typical day can feel like for people living with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). About 1.5 million Americans are living with PsA, and although patients may experience symptoms differently, the condition can often interfere with basic daily activities.1,2

Active PsA is a chronic condition that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue, which causes inflammation in the joints as well as overproduction of skin cells. 3 Common symptoms of active PsA include joint stiffness, pain and swelling.4 Some patients with active PsA can also experience fatigue, which is an underestimated and underreported concern that can interfere with daily life. 4-6

PsA symptoms can vary and differ in severity from patient to patient, so it’s critical for healthcare providers and patients to have an open dialogue to build a personalized management plan together. 4 A PsA management plan may incorporate lifestyle changes as well as medication potentially to help address the disease symptoms.

“The symptoms of active psoriatic arthritis may be hard to describe or feel invisible at times, but that doesn’t make them any less real,” said Soumya D. Chakravarty, MD, PhD, Senior Director, Strategic Lead, Rheumatology Therapeutic Area at Janssen. “PsA can have debilitating effects on the lives of patients. It’s important for patients to speak about symptoms with their rheumatologist because there are strategies they can implement to help see improvement.”

Here are some top tips for managing symptoms of PsA:

Consider a Healthy Diet

While there isn’t a specific diet for PsA, research shows that certain foods can help reduce inflammation in the body, which contributes to the disease.7 Consider incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and healthy fats like fish and avocado, while reducing foods like fatty red meats, dairy, refined sugars and processed foods. 7,8

Think About Finding a Workout That Feels Good

Exercise while living with active PsA can feel daunting, but physical activity has many benefits, including helping to maintain a healthy weight, taking extra pressure off painful joints, keeping joints flexible and increasing endorphins, which can provide an energy boost. 8,9 Make sure to speak with your healthcare provider or a physical therapist about a workout routine that is right for you. As a general guide, try to target 30 minutes of movement each day if you’re able and consider lower impact workouts. 8

Lean On a Support System

For people living with PsA, the disease can have an impact beyond just physical symptoms. 10 Connecting with other patients who understand what you’re experiencing, whether in a support group or an online community, can help if you’re feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood or isolated. 10

Start a Dialogue With Your Healthcare Provider About Treatment Options

In addition to physical tests to assess the severity of your PsA, rheumatologists are also building treatment plans based on outcomes that are more personally significant to patients.6 “It’s important to speak openly with your rheumatologist because there are treatments that may help improve PsA symptoms,” said Dr. Chakravarty.

Be sure to describe your symptoms — such as joint pain, stiffness and swelling — with specific details about how they impact your daily activities. Also, let your rheumatologist know if you are experiencing fatigue from your active PsA. This information will help them develop an individualized treatment plan that is right for you, which may include a biologic therapy, such as TREMFYA® (guselkumab) — a prescription medicine used to treat adults with active PsA. Talk to your doctor to see if TREMFYA® is appropriate for you. TREMFYA® is the first FDA-approved medication of its kind to selectively block interleukin 23 (IL-23), one of the key proteins thought to be responsible for symptoms of PsA. TREMFYA® can help reduce the joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that make everyday tasks harder to do. In two medical studies, more than half of patients treated with TREMFYA® had at least a 20% improvement in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling at 24 weeks. Furthermore, at 24 weeks, people taking TREMFYA® showed an overall improvement in their ability to perform daily activities such as getting dressed, eating and walking. Some patients also reported improvement in fatigue as measured by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F), a questionnaire to measure self-reported tiredness, weakness, and difficulty conducting usual activities due to fatigue.

TREMFYA® is not for everyone; only your doctor can decide if it’s right for you. Do not use if you are allergic to TREMFYA®. TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including serious allergic reactions and infections. It affects your immune system and may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. Patients should be instructed to seek medical advice if signs and symptoms of clinically important chronic or acute infection occur. Patients should also be evaluated for tuberculosis before being treated with TREMFYA®. Please read the Important Safety Information and the Medication Guide for TREMFYA® available at www.tremfya.com to learn more about these and other risks for TREMFYA®. Discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

Coping with PsA can be overwhelming at times, but as difficult as it may be, don’t get discouraged. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to PsA management and it’s important to remember you have options. There are various steps you can take with your rheumatologist to help alleviate symptoms and better manage the disease.

WHAT IS TREMFYA®? (guselkumab)

TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light).

TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?

TREMFYA® is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious Allergic Reactions. Stop using TREMFYA® and get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
    • fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
    • swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
    • trouble breathing or throat tightness
    • chest tightness
    • skin rash, hives
    • itching
  • Infections. TREMFYA® may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA®.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:

    • fever, sweats, or chills
    • muscle aches
    • weight loss
    • cough
    • warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis
    • diarrhea or stomach pain
    • shortness of breath
    • blood in your phlegm (mucus)
    • burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal

Do not take TREMFYA® if you have had a serious allergic reaction to guselkumab or any of the ingredients in TREMFYA®.

Before using TREMFYA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?”
  • have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back.
  • have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
  • have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA®.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA® can harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA® passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA®?

TREMFYA® may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA®?”

The most common side effects of TREMFYA® include: upper respiratory infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, herpes simplex infections, and bronchitis.

These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use TREMFYA® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide for TREMFYA®, and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

cp-82626v3

References

  1. Kavanaugh, A., Helliwell, P., & Ritchlin, C. T. Psoriatic Arthritis and Burden of Disease: Patient Perspectives from the Population-Based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) Survey. Rheumatology and therapy, 3(1), 91–102. (2016). Accessed April 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40744-016-0029-z
  2. Johns Hopkins. Psoriatic Arthritis. Accessed April 1, 2022. https://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-info/psoriatic-arthritis/#:%7E:text=What%20is%20Psoriatic%20Arthritis%3F,may%20also%20affect%20the%20spine.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Psoriatic Arthritis. Accessed April 1, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076.
  4. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriatic Arthritis. Accessed June 1, 2022. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis/.
  5. CreakyJoints. What Does Psoriatic Arthritis Fatigue Really Feel Like? Accessed June 1, 2022. https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psa-symptoms/what-psoriatic-arthritis-fatigue-feels-like/
  6. Nowell, W.B., Gavigan, K., Kannowski, C.L. et al. Which Patient-Reported Outcomes Do Rheumatology Patients Find Important to Track Digitally? A Real-World Longitudinal Study in ArthritisPower. Arthritis Res Ther 23, 53 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13075-021-02430-0
  7. National Psoriasis Foundation. What’s the Deal with the Anti-Inflammatory Diet? Accessed June 1, 2022. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/whats-the-deal-with-the-anti-inflammatory-diet/.
  8. Arthritis Foundation. Psoriatic Arthritis Self-Care Tips. Accessed April 1, 2022. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/psoriatic-arthritis–self-care-tips.
  9. Creaky Joints. Psoriatic Arthritis Fatigue: 20+ Daily Routine Changes to Improve Energy. Accessed April 1, 2022. https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psa-healthy-living/psoriatic-arthritis-fatigue-routine-changes/.
  10. CreakyJoints. Psoriatic Arthritis and Mental Health: Link to Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue. Accessed June 1, 2022. https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/psa-treatment/psoriatic-arthritis-mental-health/.

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Breaking all the rules: Finding success in healthcare marketing

2022-07-29T07:01:00

(BPT) – It’s a well-known rule in marketing that if you’re a healthcare company you need to work with an advertising agency that lives and breathes healthcare.

But rules are made to be broken, and LevLane, a dark horse, full-service agency in Philadelphia, is showing that maybe that well-worn path so many have traveled is, well, worn out.

It’s a bold statement but rooted in real-world examples. Take a look at 10 random marketing campaigns in the pharmaceutical space right now and you’ll quickly sense a theme. They have the same bouncy music, the same format, the same look and feel. They might not be siblings, but they’re definitely close cousins.

For LevLane, an agency that’s been in business since 1984 and built its reputation leading campaigns for big consumer names like Taco Bell, Midas, Massage Envy and KFC, to name a few, when opportunities began to present themselves in the healthcare world, they were up for the challenge.

But how do you go from marketing chalupas and oil changes to birth control and dental insurance?

Easy — you do it with the right people who understand marketing, regardless of the vertical. And if awards are any indication of success, it appears that breaking out of the medical marketing box is working quite well.

In the years since the agency began its life sciences division, it has expanded its healthcare client portfolio to include pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic entities, major healthcare systems, payers, provider groups and most recently digital health organizations, all while racking up dozens of awards. In 2022, it reached another professional milestone: LevLane was named to the MM&M (Medical Marketing & Media) Top 100 Agencies for the 7th year in a row.

“Clients who have come to us from various healthcare segments are hungry for something innovative,” said Timmy Garde, Chief Innovation Leader, and Head of the Life Sciences Division at LevLane. “We bring a unique blend of integrated talent, a nimble structure where we can plug and play subject matter experts to the challenges at hand. In essence, we become an extension of our clients’ teams by leveraging all of our agency’s resources and then some.”

The transition from consumer-focused clients to traditional healthcare work, while not without its challenges, was more natural than most would imagine. The agency has always had a bespoke approach to client work, regardless of industry, so when it came to healthcare, they utilized the talent from their existing in-house disciplines and strategically partnered with medical, legal and regulatory experts to provide guidance without hindering creativity. That simple, but innovative, bolt-on model allowed the discipline teams to think as big as they do for consumer work while staying within the industry guardrails.

“We aren’t trying to be just another healthcare marketing agency. People come to us to get away from that,” said Kevin Dunn, SVP of Strategic Client Engagement for Life Sciences at LevLane. “We have all the same medical and regulatory resources available to us as a specialized agency, but our discipline teams are working on every client we have, which has been a real secret to our success in this space. The cross-pollination between industries allows us to bring much more creative, unique thinking to our clients because we’re not starting with regulation first — it’s always about reaching the audience with an authentic message. That’s our sweet spot.”

Seems that maybe consumer marketing may have something to teach the healthcare world after all.

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Back-to-school quiz for parents: Put your vaccination knowledge to the test

2022-07-28T07:01:00

(BPT) – It’s that time of year: Kids are squeezing in the last seconds of summer, and parents are working hard to make sure the first days back at school go off without a hitch. Once kids return to the classroom, it’s important to remember that their brains aren’t the only things that will be put to the test — their immune systems will, too. Parents, make sure your children are up to date on all recommended vaccinations to help prevent them from getting vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and chickenpox.

Parents, are you ready for your child to go back to school? Take this pop quiz to test your knowledge of routine childhood vaccines.

Which of the following is true about routine childhood vaccines?

  1. Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential and help make sure children stay healthy. Children who are not protected by vaccines are more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough. These diseases are extremely contagious and can be very serious, even deadly. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of these diseases in the U.S., especially in communities with low vaccination rates.
  2. Children may qualify for no-cost vaccines. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers vaccines at no cost to children who qualify. In fact, about half of American children receive VFC vaccines.
  3. Routine vaccinations during childhood help prevent 18 serious diseases. Some children may be behind on their recommended vaccines due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend children catch up on routine childhood vaccinations.
  4. All the above.

The answer: D!

Parents want to protect their children as best they can and ensure they can learn and grow — and routine childhood vaccinations are an essential step in getting there. Learn more about routine childhood vaccination so you can help set your child’s health up for success this school year.

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Make safety a priority with a storm and disaster preparedness plan

2022-07-28T14:53:00

(BPT) – Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and snowstorms can occur at any time, so preparing ahead is key. However, a study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that only 44% of Americans are prepared for an unexpected natural disaster.

“Unfortunately, severe weather can occur throughout the year, so it is important to always be prepared,” said Ashley Gocken, a home safety expert with First Alert, a leader in residential fire safety, now part of Resideo Technologies, Inc. “Implementing new safety measures or strengthening the ones that you and your family have in place can help save yourself from unnecessary stress should an emergency arise.”

Follow these home safety tips to help ensure your family is prepared during storm season:

Equip for emergencies. Being prepared for inclement weather includes having an emergency kit ready. In addition to necessities such as a first aid kit, flashlight, water and medical supplies, make sure your safety kit includes a multi-tool, portable phone charger, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, batteries, blankets and non-perishable food.

Know about CO. An invisible and odorless gas, carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S., leading to more than 430 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CO incidents can spike during storm season, due to the misuse of portable generators, stoves or grills as alternative heating sources during power outages.

In the case of a power outage, run generators in a well-ventilated, outdoor area to avoid CO build up in your home. Don’t operate them in the garage, even if you intend to keep the garage door open and be sure to keep it at least 20 feet away from any door, window or vent opening for extra safety precautions.

Install home safety tools. Because CO is impossible to detect without an alarm — and its symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and vomiting can easily be confused with the common cold — proper alarm placement, regular maintenance and alarm replacement are essential parts of your home safety plan. According to guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms should be installed in or near every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Equip your home with 10-year alarms or alarms with battery backup for protection during power outages. The First Alert Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup alerts residents to dangerous CO levels and, thanks to its battery backup, allows for continuous monitoring during a power outage.

For ultimate protection against the threats of smoke, fire and CO, install combination alarms such as the First Alert 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke and CO Alarm to eliminate the need to replace batteries for a decade. Make sure alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from CO sources to reduce the chance of false alarms, but if one does sound, leave the home immediately and call 911. Be sure to test all alarms regularly, and for those without a 10-year battery, replace batteries at least every six months.

Safely store valuables. In case of an emergency, make sure important documents such as birth certificates, passports and insurance papers are stored in waterproof or fire-resistant safes or security chests, and create password-protected digital copies for preservation. Move valuables, including family heirlooms and prized possessions, to higher levels of the home or to the same safes for maximum security.

“Putting the proper protections in place can better enable families are well-prepared when a severe storm arises, and all year round,” said Gocken.

For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.

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Make Summertime Entertaining a Breeze with Simple and Delicious Seasonal Items

2022-07-28T10:51:00

(BPT) – With summertime in full swing, entertaining family and friends is definitely on the agenda. Luckily, Amazon Fresh has everything you need to create a simple menu to make your entertaining not only easy and delicious, but also affordable!

  1. Summer Starters. Nothing screams summer like chips and dip! Kick traditional tortilla chips up a notch by pairing 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Aplenty Pineapple Salsa — a new twist on your traditional salsa that packs a crave worthy sweet and spicy punch. Looking for a yummy companion for your own seasonal homemade dip? Try perfectly crisp, small-batch cooked Aplenty Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Potato Chips — always a barbecue favorite! Packed with plant-based protein, Amazon Kitchen Classic Hummus is a delicious, healthy alternative when matched with Aplenty Sea Salt Pita Chips.
  2. Sizzling BBQ. For the main attraction, some great grilled entrees are on the menu! Chop Fresh Brand Chicken Breast Fillets into bite-size pieces and marinate them in Aplenty Hickory Bacon Bourbon BBQ Sauce to take your chicken to the next level with a rich blend of savory, salty and smoky notes. Once marinated, place chicken onto skewers with your favorite veggies and grill, basting the skewers with the barbecue sauce as it cooks. Or create a slider station using Fresh Brand Ground Beef with all your favorite toppings! Offer toppers including 365 Organic Hass Avocados, crisp lettuce, vine-ripened tomato slices and a selection of cheeses to allow guests to make their own culinary creations. For the plant-based foodie, grill up Fresh Brand Plant-Based Patties and Fresh Brand Plant-Based Italian Sausages to create the perfect, mouth-watering alternative to traditional BBQ entrees. Serve all main entrees with freshly baked rolls from the Amazon Fresh bakery.
  3. Sweet and Savory Sides. Keep sides simple by pairing proteins with fresh and delicious summertime fruits and vegetables. Amazon Fresh offers pre-made veggie snack and fruit trays that are a great accompaniment to any summer barbecue! The platters make a beautiful presentation and take the guesswork out of what to serve your family and friends.
  4. Decadent Dessert Bar. Who doesn’t love ice cream? Surprise your guests with the ultimate ice cream sundae bar. Serve luscious Amazon Brand Happy Belly Vanilla Ice Cream as the delicious base and provide a variety of elevated toppings for guests to construct their very own dessert. Try rich Aplenty Coconut Glazed Pecans or salty-sweet Aplenty Cinnamon Brown Sugar Flavored Pretzel Bites to add a blissful crunch to sweet and smooth ice cream. Or relive your favorite childhood memories and add chopped Aplenty Dark Chocolate S’more Bites as a topping because nothing says summer like a s’more! For those cookie lovers, try Happy Belly Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, packed with chunks of chocolate cookie wafers and sweet cream. Want to take it up a notch? Warm up decadent brownies, and make it a la mode — the perfect ending to a summer’s day.

Amazon brands, including Aplenty, Fresh Brand, and Happy Belly are available exclusively at Amazon Fresh online and in store.

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Intimacy is Key to a Healthy Relationship

2022-07-28T06:01:00

(BPT) – Vaginal health tends to be a taboo topic, but vaginal health issues are surprisingly common, affecting most women at some point in their lives. In fact, more than half of all women will experience vaginal atrophy or dryness. Yet, there hasn’t been enough focus on women’s intimate health issues, especially among young women, until recently.

“My patients have active sex lives into their 70s today, but perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness and painful sex, often get in the way of intimacy,” says Carolyn DeLucia, MD, a board certified gynecologist and intimate health expert and best-selling author in New York City.

“In fact, as many as 60 percent of all women experience vaginal atrophy during or after menopause, and this can take a heavy toll on quality of life,” she says.

For years, hormone replacement therapy was widely prescribed to treat symptoms of menopause, including vaginal dryness, but this all changed when the landmark Women’s Health Initiative study showed that taking estrogen and progestin after menopause may increase women’s risk for stroke, heart disease, blood clots, and breast cancer. Estrogen helps with menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and progestin is added to protect against uterine cancer in women who still have a uterus.

Hormone replacement therapy can help relieve these symptoms, but many women don’t want to or can’t take estrogen due to a history of breast cancer, she explains. “Every patient in my practice will experience dryness at some point in her lifetime, and it can be a source of constant discomfort and loss of self-esteem,” Dr. DeLucia says.

But those days are finally gone, she says. “VagiVital Aktivgel is a hormone-free water-based vaginal gel that relieves and treats symptoms of vaginal atrophy such as dryness, irritation or itching, discomfort during sex or when urinating,” she says. “This transparent gel releases water over time to restore pH balance and to encourage cell growth in the vaginal wall.”

Your pH level indicates how acidic your skin is, and when it rises, skin — including skin in intimate areas — can become red and dry, she says.

When women in a clinical study applied the gel using an applicator once daily for 12 weeks, they experienced less vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, vaginal pain/itching, and pain during urination.[1] The effective results are clinically proven and have been documented in a study conducted by female scientists at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Akademiska University Hospital in Uppsala, and the University Hospital in Umeå, Sweden.

The VagiVital brand features a cleanser too. “Every time we clean ourselves with a soap that’s not pH-balanced we’re getting rid of the natural moisturizing factors. Skin in intimate areas is even more prone to irritation from shower gels and soaps that are not pH-balanced,” she says. “The VagiVital Cleanser is totally soap- and fragrance-free and can clean, moisturize and restore the balance of your vagina,” says Dr. DeLucia.

“The improvements in symptoms we have seen from VagiVital are on par with what is seen with topical hormonal therapy,” says Rebecka Kaplan Sturk, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist, and a lecturer at the Karolinska Institute and Sophiahemmet University in Stockholm, Sweden.

“The VagiVital range is safe with no side effects,” she says. “The products are the perfect care for your intimate parts. The intimate V Cleanser gently washes while maintaining pH balance, while the VagiVital Aktivgel intensively moisturizes and soothes the sensitive intimate area.”

“I finally have something that I can offer women that doesn’t come with a long list of side effects and contraindications, and that actually works,” says Dr. Kaplan Sturk.

For more information visit https://us.vagivital.com/.

VagiVital is also available on Amazon – Gel and Cleanser.

[1]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0014/2760/3516/files/VagiVital_results_summary.pdf?11465557036627842575

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Tips and tricks to get kids ready (and excited!) to head back to school

2022-07-27T23:05:00

(BPT) – With summer in full swing, and the coming school year fast approaching, it’s time to help students and parents trade in pool floaties for school backpacks! To get us started, Amazon teamed up with lifestyle expert and mom Erica Domesek to share her five top tips to rock the return to the classroom.

1) Get crafty. Help your kids get excited for the new school year and show off their unique personalities by getting your craft on. Personalizing school supplies — from binders, to backpacks, to calculators — is an easy way to help students show up on the first day with confidence. All you need are stickers, markers, and appliques (you can find everything on Amazon!). I’m a big fan of DIY crafts, so my son and I customized his water bottle and lunchbox with stickers of his favorite things — dinosaurs and trucks — before he heads to his first day of preschool.

2) Make your list and check it twice. As a busy parent, staying organized is a constant pursuit. I use Amazon’s Back to School shopping guide which helps me spend less time stressing over my shopping list and more time soaking in those last weeks of summer! You can even shop for items by grade, category, and your child’s favorite character.

3) Show up in style. Tired of your kiddos saying they have “nothing” to wear? Take the stress out of first day outfit planning and use the weeks leading up to school to take stock of what clothes your kids have grown out of and what they need to be picture-day ready. Amazon is a one-stop destination for all fall fashion needs from head to toe with the added comfort of browsing together from the couch! Plus, Amazon Prime members enjoy free Same-Day Delivery on hundreds of thousands of items in over 90 major metropolitan areas, and free One-Day Delivery on more than 20 million items coast to coast. When your clothing items arrive, hold a fashion show at home to show off your new haul and make outfit planning a breeze.

4) Liven up lunchtime. Make your child’s favorite unofficial subject — lunchtime — even more exciting by building a back-to-school menu. Taste test new combinations of their favorite ingredients and take the stress out of packing lunches and snacks with a school lunch calendar. Need some inspiration? You can ask Alexa for recipe ideas — simply ask, “Alexa, what should my family have for lunch?”

5) Prepare for school and give back at the same time. With Amazon, it’s easy to give back to causes you care about while back-to-school shopping. Just head to smile.amazon.com to find the same shopping experience, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the eligible purchase price to a charity of your choice like schools, PTAs, and national organizations, at no extra cost.

Visit amazon.com/backtoschool to find everything you need to get ready for the new year including crafting materials, back-to-school fashion, classroom essentials, and so much more.

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5 ways to help your dog live a happy and healthy life

2022-07-28T02:01:00

(BPT) – People will do anything for their dogs. But, they may not always know how to best care for them. When it comes to furry family members, nothing is higher on the priority list than building a happy and healthy lifestyle. From finding ways to bond, to ensuring your dogs have proper grooming, exercise and social routines, pet parents have the important responsibility of helping Fido thrive. Here are five ways to help your dog live a happier, healthier life.

1. Teach your dog new tricks.

Dogs thrive on structure. Ensuring your dog understands basic commands is necessary to keep you, your dog and other dogs and people safe. Beyond that, new tricks are a great way to continue to teach your pup engagement and challenge them to keep their minds active. Once you’ve mastered “sit” and “stay,” try weaving in tougher tricks like fetching, exercise courses and the ever-challenging “stop, drop and roll.” However, three-fourths of pet owners believe they wouldn’t have been able to teach their dog any commands without using treats, according to a recent survey conducted by CLIF PET™. Reward your dog along the way with easy to tear treats like plant based jerky to reinforce positive behavior. Always remember, treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

2. Keep up with your dog’s grooming and maintenance routine.

Whether your dog has a long shiny coat, cute curls, short hair or no fur at all, grooming your dog keeps them healthy — and can feel like a day at the spa. Regular brushing, nail trimming and proper grooming should be implemented, especially as the seasons change and your dog’s needs change, too. Not only is grooming and maintenance an important part of your dog’s overall beauty routine, but it is also a great way to bond with your pet as you continue to build a loving and trusting relationship.

3. Take your pup with you on your next adventure.

Dogs need a vacation too! Instead of boarding or leaving your dog with a sitter, keep your whole family together and take Fido along for the ride. Whether you’re testing out van life in the great outdoors or opting for the pet-friendly options for your next bucket list destination, your pet will love the uninterrupted quality time that they get to spend with you as you explore the world together.

4. Help your dog meet new friends.

While you may be your dog’s best friend, it’s important that they are exposed to new people, places, dogs and experiences on an ongoing basis to ensure they are properly socialized. To encourage your dog to be more social, head to your local dog park and meet new dogs for your pet to play with, or bring them along to a pet-friendly patio for happy hour with human friends. As always, remember to exercise caution and proper leashing protocols, and follow your pup’s cues when it comes to new situations. And, to make sure your pup is the most popular at the park, stock up on treats to share and to give your dog when they make a positive interaction.

5. Head outside and spend time exercising with your furry friend.

Whether it’s a nice stroll around the neighborhood or a hike through your local mountains, getting exercise is important for your health and your pup’s health, too. A daily exercise routine is necessary for your dog’s overall health and wellness, as well as maintaining a healthy weight, and provides a great way to bond and incorporate your dog into your daily life. For life’s most exciting outdoor adventures, give your pup treats made with simple, wholesome ingredients like CLIF PET Plant Based Jerky, available at Petco, to keep them fueled while exploring the great outdoors.