Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2023-05-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – The expanded use of technology offers big benefits for businesses. Without the right safeguards, it also means more vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Often lacking effective technology controls, small businesses are easy targets for hackers. According to a 2021 Verizon report, 46% of cyber breaches affected businesses with less than 1,000 employees. Of the small businesses hacked, 60% were out of business within a year of the event.

“Small businesses have been through a lot in the past few years,” says Aaron Stamm, retail consultant at Acuity Insurance with more than 35 years of experience in a broad range of retail, especially loss prevention. “To protect their business, it’s critical that business owners know the cybercrime risks, how to prevent attacks and how to protect their business in the event of a loss.”

Top cyber-risks for small businesses

Small businesses are especially vulnerable to ransomware attacks. This occurs when information or data is held hostage and a monetary payment is demanded to release it. Multifactor authentication can help to prevent this from happening.

Simple ways to improve cybersecurity

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for cybersecurity. The right fit for you will be unique to your business, data and needs.

But business owners don’t have to be computer experts to follow cybersecurity best practices, including:

• Updating and patching your systems. Software providers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in their products and send “patches” to fix any issues they find. Until you make these updates on your system, your data is at risk. Turn on auto-updates to ensure your system is up to date.
• Using secure passwords and multifactor authentication. People are a major vulnerability. Teach everyone in your organization about password best practices and use multifactor authentication wherever you can.
• Backing up your data outside of your current network. If a cybercriminal accesses your network, they can take it hostage and keep you out of your systems. If you have your data backed up elsewhere, you can minimize the damage, avoid a costly ransomware payout and get back to work.

How businesses can protect themselves from cybercrime

Even the most comprehensive prevention plans can be thwarted. Cyber insurance should be part of the risk management strategy of every small business. Though it doesn’t prevent cybercrime, cyber insurance can help a business get back on its feet if a loss occurs.

Cyber insurance varies widely and can include both first-party coverage, which pays the business in case of a cyber loss, and third-party coverage, which provides protection in the event a suit is brought against the business, following a cyberattack. Some insurers also bundle first- and third-party coverages like Acuity’s Cyber Suite, which is designed to help businesses respond to a range of cyber incidents.

“No matter your business’s size or scope, it’s not immune to cyberattacks. Work with an independent insurance agent who can help you select the right coverage for your business,” Stamm said.

2023-05-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – The thrill of the road is never the road itself.

The beauty of a journey comes from enjoying the views before you, not the surface beneath you. When you’re on an adventure, the last thing you want to worry about is your tires. You want to focus on the experience and enjoy the ride.

But to enjoy vacation magic, sometimes you have to endure the mundane. Here are some easy ways you can focus on your tires now, so you can focus on adventure down the road this summer.

Choose the right tires

When you’re driving, you want to be able to predict how your vehicle will handle. You want to trust your tires to grip the road and keep you safe.

That starts with choosing the right rubber. It’s important to make sure you’re driving tires that are responsive to all possible road conditions, strong enough to protect from road hazards, and energy-efficient.

Headed to high altitudes where snow might make a sudden appearance? All-season tires won’t cut it in frosty weather; all-weather tires, however, are certified with the three-peak mountain snowflake to guide you through unpredictable conditions. Yes, there’s a difference between all-season and all-weather! Just ask your tire dealer.

Many tiremakers put materials in their tire compounds to help avoid blowouts. Nokian Tyres infuses the latest generations of its products with durable Aramid fibers, which provide lightweight protection from punctures and blowouts.

And the right tires can save serious gas money. Rubber with low rolling resistance gives your car better fuel mileage and lowers emissions, increasing your range while helping protect the environment.

Get inflated and feel the pressure

Once you’ve determined whether you’re riding the right set of rubber, it’s time to inspect your tires before you hit the road.

You should check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long road trips. Low tire pressure can lead to poor fuel efficiency and premature tire wear. Make sure you’re rotating your tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

And inspect your tires regularly for signs of wear such as uneven tread wear, cracks, bulges or punctures. If you notice any of these signs, take your vehicle to a tire service professional for inspection.

Know your turf

What surfaces will your tires be touching? Do you plan to tackle tough terrain, plod through pothole-filled roads or escalate to high elevations? Researching road (and off-road) conditions will help you know whether your tires are up to the task.

If you’re venturing into a place with rough roads like Quebec, like the winner of Nokian Tyres’ 2023 Worst Roads in North America contest, then it’s especially important to make sure your tires are properly inflated and equipped with durable technology like Aramid sidewalls.

If you’re headed toward elevation, be sure to check weather conditions, as they can change on a dime. You’ll also want to add a little extra juice to your tires, since tire pressure decreases at high altitudes.

So, if you’re planning an adventure, don’t overlook the importance of your tires. Choose rubber that offers the reliability and safety you need to enjoy the ride. And remember, when it comes to tires, boring is a good thing.

To learn more, visit NokianTires.com.

2023-05-16T08:13:00

(BPT) – Do you remember the excitement of getting your driver’s permit and license? For teens, driving represents freedom and independence. However, they must understand it’s a privilege with serious responsibilities.

You may be feeling some anxiety about your teen driver, but you can help prepare them for this important milestone. Before letting your teenager behind the wheel, check out these four tips that can help them get ready to hit the road.

1. Drill the basics

Before you hit the road, train your teen on the basics. Show them how to adjust the seat, steering wheel and the side and rearview mirrors to suit their needs. Make sure they can locate the car registration, insurance card and car manual and discuss situations they’ll need to pull them out.

Also, take a few minutes to review the vehicle controls and demonstrate how each works. For example, point out and explain the dashboard controls, turn signals, headlights, safety features like airbags and seat belts, wipers, emergency lights, parking brake and release, engine on/off and warning indicator lights.

2. Review rules and responsibilities

Talk with your teens about the rules and responsibilities of driving so they can get themselves and their passengers safely from Point A to Point B. It’s especially important to emphasize that driving requires their full attention and that removing or reducing distractions, such as their phone, is essential.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a teen’s chances of crashing increase six times when dialing a phone and 23 times when texting. Meanwhile, State Farm’s 2023 Distracted Driving survey found that drivers who had their license for five years or less were significantly more likely to use smartphone apps and record and watch videos while driving than drivers who had been licensed for more than 10 years.

Let your teens benefit from your driving knowledge and experience. Share stories about distracted driving and the outcomes for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. These stories can help them understand that even a momentary distraction can lead to serious consequences.

3. Practice driving at night

Experienced drivers know driving at night is more difficult than during the day. Practice is essential to staying safe while driving in the dark.

More than half of the State Farm survey respondents did not have nighttime driving practice while learning to drive. Nearly half did not feel they had sufficient driving practice overall before getting a license. Make sure your young driver gets some night-driving experience so you’re both more comfortable with evening outings.

4. Be a good role model

Your teen’s driving education starts at home. You can’t rely solely on driver’s education class to teach your teen the rules of the road and safe driving practices. Model safe driving practices by remembering to buckle up and always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Also, when you’re in the driver’s seat — whether it’s to the grocery store, school or sports practice — use the trip to explain the choices you’re making behind the wheel. You can also share tips you learned from your driving experiences that may not be covered in class.

Be proactive and get your teen road ready this summer. Using these four tips and other Teen Driving 101 tips from State Farm, you can ensure your teen is prepared to get behind the wheel.

2023-05-15T08:03:00

(BPT) – Straus Family Creamery supports the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s recommendation to explain the differences in the nutritional content of dairy milk vs. plant-based “milk” with appropriate labeling so people can make informed choices. For many, the non-dairy alternatives cannot compare to the taste and culinary performance of real milk. The sweet grasses from the green coastal pastures in Northern California make all the difference in the fresh, pure taste of Straus organic milk, which contains only one ingredient: organic milk. High in quality protein, Straus organic milk is considered a complete protein because it contains all nine essential amino acids the body needs. Choosing Straus also means supporting sustainable organic farming practices that are better for the planet.

2023-05-12T12:59:00

(BPT) – Technology advancements are the drivers of our global community. They have and continue to pave the way to the future. With recent discussions on the pace of technology developments and debates over the benefits and drawbacks of rapid growth, it is now as important as ever to be thoughtful about the company’s approach, as a global society, to new technology innovations. Are we working on technological advancements that will lead us to a better future? Are we innovating with the purpose of creating a positive impact on society?

As a brand that stands for Life’s Good, LG is committed to innovating for a better life. This mission runs deep throughout our work at LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center based in Silicon Valley, United States. LG NOVA is made up of a team of entrepreneurs tasked with exploring new business areas that can have a positive impact on people and the planet.

LG innovates and invests in creating exceptional consumer experiences with its innovative products. LG NOVA is an extension of that commitment to innovation, working specifically to expand into new areas of development to grow LG’s business and provide new solutions and services that improve people’s lives. LG NOVA’s current focus areas — including digital health, clean tech and sustainability and smart industries — are in areas meaningful to the LG brand ethos of Innovation for a Better Life.

While corporate innovation centers are not new, LG NOVA is unique. Combined with its focus on innovating for impact, its methodology of expanding into new growth areas is built around working with external innovators and startups to co-create new businesses and test them on the open market underneath the stability and strength of the LG brand. From this “outside-in” approach, LG NOVA can learn and grow from domain experts in the market, giving it a head start in the businesses it brings to market. For the entrepreneur or startup, LG’s global resources and investments provide greater stability and opportunities to overcome the challenges facing new businesses today. The strategy is a winning situation for both parties.

Soon after it was founded in 2021, LG NOVA introduced the Mission for the Future challenge program. The program was designed to bring startups from all over the world to LG NOVA for collaboration on technological innovations with the potential to create a positive impact on society. In its first year, the program received 1,300 applications from companies. In its second year, it received over 2,170 applications. The overwhelming response is an indicator of a greater movement and ecosystem focused on innovating for impact — of which LG is now a key player.

Fast-forward to today — LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future challenge program is not just about LG innovation, it is also about creating a community of innovators to build the future. Through this program, LG is helping propel the growth of innovation for good throughout the industry. In particular, the areas which LG NOVA is pursuing exhibit key indicators of a desire for change and are now at the ready point for technological advancements to spur greater digital transformation.

The delivery of healthcare, for example, has seen great change over the last few years. Healthcare is now front and center of our desire for a better life — and is now recognized as playing a huge role in our overall well-being. Of the close to 3,500 companies that entered LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future challenge over the last two years, one-third of them focused on digital health. More and more people are adopting new technologies focusing on improving their health. According to the Consumer Technology Association study, Driving Consumer Adoption of Digital Health Solutions, 70 percent of consumers say they are likely to use one or more digital health solutions in the future to improve their overall health or well-being.

LG has entered the Digital Health space, launching its first solution in November 2022. Over the long term, LG is working on solutions to transform the way that people experience healthcare, with the hopes of providing greater access to more healthcare services for people who need them the most.

The importance of clean tech and sustainability has risen dramatically over the last few years. Technological innovations have continued to progress in this area, creating greater possibilities and potential for viable businesses to grow with the mission of creating a more sustainable world.

In our most recent industry engagements, we’ve seen tremendous energy and interest from startups, corporations, and investors in this space. Our focus in the LG NOVA program is on finding innovative solutions to provide more sustainable power and electric mobility. Now is the time for these technologies to put us on the right path forward and spur lasting change for a better future.

With new advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, mixed reality, data analytics and others changing the innovation conversation, entrepreneurs are contemplating how to make greater use of these new developments in a meaningful way to help people and the planet, whether it is with AI or in the Metaverse. Recognizing the pitfalls and benefits as well as changing the lens through which these technologies are viewed can help us discover the real value that these technologies can bring to advancing society. In this particular area, LG NOVA is exploring the use of new technologies in applications to solve real-world problems and looking at the potential for disruption through the use of new technologies in enterprise.

We’re on the brink of a major technological evolution. In the last decade, technological innovation has taken a large role in shaping our society, from the invention of social media to the simple task of ordering food online. These changes are taking place as people shift their behaviors to adopt more digital technology, creating a greater opportunity for innovation. At LG, “We all are brave optimists who always boldly take challenges and ceaselessly innovate the way we work.” So, to LG, Innovation for a Better Life is more than a slogan. It’s about making a positive impact on people and the planet. LG believes that innovation can indeed lead us to a better future and that collaboration across companies and the ecosystem is key to maximizing the growth potential.

By Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, SVP of Innovation for LG Electronics, Head of LG NOVA

2023-05-12T10:01:00

(BPT) – Complete silence … that’s what Mom really wants this Mother’s Day. And a lot of other things that don’t include flowers, framed pictures, kid artwork or any other, ahem, cliche gifts. This year, Carter’s went straight to the source, asking thousands of moms on social media to share their honest answers. And now we’re spilling the tea.

ALONE TIME. It sounds like such a simple thing, but for Mom, it’s the ultimate luxury. Here’s how the moms of Instagram and TikTok would spend this rare, precious time:

“Drinking my coffee uninterrupted while it’s still HOT!”

“Complete silence.”

“In my pajamas, watching a Dateline marathon with a bottle of wine and cookies in bed — all to myself!”

“An adult sick day: A day where I stay in bed from sunrise to sunset, watching movies, reading, napping and generally pretending I’m a cat.”

“24 hours where no one asks me to do a darn thing.”

“Eight straight hours of sleep!”

TO BE PAMPERED. Motherhood is exhausting! Every mama deserves some indulgent self-care. Spa treatments, manicure/pedicures, massages and bubble baths were the crowd favorites. (Added bonus: For the gift-givers, this is as easy as picking up a gift card, booking a treatment or taking the kids out of the house; but for Mom, it’s a priceless gift she won’t forget.)

VACATION. But not a trip. Dubbed a mom-cation, this gift looks a bit different for everyone. For some, it’s a one-night stay at a hotel, complete with room service, binge-worthy Netflix shows and the best part, NO alarm clock. Other mamas said they want a relaxing weekend getaway with their mama friends, soaking up the sun and drinking cocktails without anything being asked of them.

JEWELRY & SHOPPING SPREES. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to spoil the women in your life. Two words: Shopping. Spree. Moms are constantly shopping for their families, but never for themselves. Spend the day shopping wherever, and for whatever, she wishes, followed by dinner out sporting one of her new purchases. Another top response from moms — and no surprise here — was jewelry. A special piece with a child’s birthstone or engraved with a child’s name is something Mom will treasure forever.

A CLEAN HOUSE. The best gift of all is a clean house that you didn’t have to clean, and the moms agree. Send them out while you do the chores, hire a cleaning service or call in an expert to organize and declutter the house. One mom told us she wants to be given a TaskRabbit, a same-day service platform that connects you with “taskers” who can help out with odd-jobs, errands and mundane everyday tasks people so often put off. The options are endless, so ask Mama what she wants to get this gift just right!

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOOT. Many moms shared that they want to have professional pictures made with their kids and family this Mother’s Day. A perfect keepsake and memory that she’ll have forever. Take it a step further and make a full day of it. Hire her a personal stylist so she feels her best; book a blowout or someone to do her makeup; and after the photoshoot, take her out to dinner at her favorite restaurant. Above all, make her feel special. Tell her how beautiful she is and how much you (and the kids!) appreciate her. These are the gifts that keep on giving long after Mother’s Day is over.

With this list, you’ll never have to worry about getting the wrong Mother’s Day gift again. The moms have spoken!

2023-05-12T09:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re looking to improve your skin’s appearance, ask yourself: What are you doing for your skin while you’re asleep? Because about one-third of your day is spent sleeping, make the most of that valuable time by taking proactive steps so you can wake up with smoother, firmer, healthier-looking skin every morning.

“When you sleep, skin cell turnover rates increase, and your skin repairs itself from the day’s damage. But there’s more that you can do to help your skin while you’re sleeping,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, board-certified dermatologist. “By using a retinol serum at night, you can enhance the activities that are already naturally occurring. This can help your skin look its best when you wake up in the morning, and with continued use, improve radiance, texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Here are tips to revamp your nightly skincare routine so you’ll get the amazing results you want.

Make sure to thoroughly remove dirt, grime and makeup

Even when you’re feeling tired and the hour is late, it’s vital to take time to cleanse your face before bedtime, removing all traces of makeup before applying serum and/or moisturizer. Otherwise, dirt, oils and makeup residue will be sitting on your skin all night long. By not removing those impurities, you’re preventing your skin cells from being able to completely renew themselves overnight, leaving your skin looking dull and tired the next day.

Use RoC Retinol Correxion^® Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules

After cleansing your face, use a retinol product that will refresh your skin overnight. Retinol is known as the gold standard of skincare by many experts due to its benefits that work deep within the skin’s surface to reveal renewed, fresher-looking skin. RoC was first to discover a method for stabilizing retinol, combining it with ingredients like vitamin E and oxygen boosters to make it safe and effective for daily use. RoC Retinol Correxion Night Serum Capsules provide perfectly measured doses of pure RoC retinol in easy-to-use, 100% biodegradable capsules, filled with a lightweight fluid that drenches your skin and dries to a silky finish. Even better, this magic serum in a jar is great for traveling and is TSA approved — just pop in your bag and go!

The high concentration of pure RoC retinol is combined with a bio-derived antioxidant to deliver twice the effectiveness of vitamin E to stop environmental aggressors that accelerate signs of aging. Each capsule is designed to rival prescription skincare without the irritation; 100% of testers had 0% irritation. After one night you’ll wake up to smoother, revitalized-looking skin. According to a clinical study, 97% had visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles. After four weeks of use, Retinol Correxion Night Serum Capsules were clinically proven to visibly show firmer skin — and will continue delivering results over time.

Visit Target.com to learn more about this must-have nightly serum.

Don’t neglect your pillowcases

If you’re going to press your face against a pillowcase for 6-8 hours every night, wouldn’t it be ideal to make sure yours are really clean? Wash your pillowcases frequently in hot water so you’ll be sleeping on a clean surface each night. Consider buying extra pillowcases so you can swap them out almost nightly. Your skin will thank you.

Moisturize your bedroom, not just your face

If you have dry skin or live in an arid climate, it may benefit your skin to use a portable humidifier in your bedroom. Keeping your bedroom’s humidity levels between 40-60% will help your skin naturally absorb more hydration overnight, while you’re (literally) getting your beauty sleep.

Following these steps, you’ll soon see the results — a healthier, more youthful complexion that you’ll be happy to wake up to every morning.

2023-05-11T12:01:00

(BPT) – Mental Health Awareness Month provides a meaningful opportunity to improve understanding and provide compassionate support for the millions of Americans impacted by overlapping mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD). Recent effects felt from the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded these issues amongst adults and children. It’s important to recognize that mental health disorders and SUD are not character flaws. Rather, they are medical conditions that can have complex dual roles in a person’s overall health and well-being.

Impact by the Numbers

Consider the impact of mental illness and addiction in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five Americans will experience a mental illness each year, with one in 25 experiencing a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Research shows that mental illnesses and substance use disorders occur together at high rates. In fact, one in four people experiencing a serious mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), adults 18 years and older who experienced serious mental illness or anxiety or mood disorders in the past year were more likely to have used illicit drugs compared to those who did not experience any mental illness. Nearly 1 in 3 adults had either a substance use disorder or any mental illness in the past year and approximately 6.4 million adults had both SUD and serious mental illness. Notably, while mental illness and SUD frequently co-occur, it is essential to recognize that not all individuals with a mental illness also have SUD, and vice versa, and a significant number of people with both conditions are not receiving adequate treatment.

The Complex Relationship Between Addiction and Mental Illness

Various factors can contribute to the co-occurrence between substance use disorders and mental illnesses including:

• Common risk factors can contribute to both mental illness and substance use and addiction.
• Mental illness may contribute to substance use and addiction.
• Substance use and addiction can contribute to the development of mental illness.

For people contending with a dual diagnosis of a mental illness and SUD, the help they receive should be sensitive to the nuances of each in addition to the complicated ways in which one influences the other. Perceptions based on incomplete or mistaken understanding and stigma can contribute to barriers to recovery for those living with these illnesses, which commonly disrupt personal relationships and professional opportunities as well as potentially pose life-threatening risks to health and safety, including risk for overdose. Pathways to treatment and recovery are made easier and more accessible through support from family, friends, and peers.

Support often starts with understanding. Conversations about mental and behavioral illness and its relationship with addiction and SUD should appropriately identify each as a standalone category of medical illness, capable of occurring together, a status known among healthcare providers as comorbidity. These are diagnosable, symptomatic, treatable diseases, which present important challenges to individuals and the public.

Recovery Is in Reach

People living with mental health disorders and addiction can and do get better, and long-term recovery is more likely with treatment. Treatment programs take a variety of approaches and may include combinations of medication, individual or group counseling, self-help measures, lifestyle changes, peer support, management of withdrawal symptoms, or behavioral therapy. When researching available options, make sure that the program is appropriately licensed and accredited, is backed by research, and has experience with your particular mental health issue.

Given the frequency with which mental disorders and substance use disorders are reported in the United States, understanding the problem is an effective means of fostering a more inclusive and thriving community. Mental Health Awareness Month creates a helpful framework for public discussion and education about topics that disrupt lives, cost dollars, and damage valuable social connections. Public health leaders know that an important component of stigma reduction is engaging in open learning about a subject that may seem intimidating or unpleasant. There is no age range, demographic group, or geography that these diseases do not reach. If you’re struggling with addiction or other mental health issues, you don’t have to do it alone. The path forward begins with reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and access to support and treatment to live a healthy, productive, and satisfying life.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Treatment Locator at https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ or call their national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

2023-05-11T10:47:00

(BPT) – Graduation is an important milestone, whether your child is graduating from elementary school, high school or college. With each milestone comes new advantages, new responsibilities — and learning opportunities. As your child grows and becomes a little more independent, there are important lessons at each stage they can learn about managing money that will help set them up for financial success later in life. Whichever graduation you’re celebrating this year, take advantage of the moment by helping your child learn new financial skills.

Here are tips and tools your child can benefit from as they graduate this stage in their life.

Money basics: How to save and track your money

Elementary school presents a great time to explain the basics of banking, so they can understand ways to save and help protect money they may get from their allowance, birthdays or lemonade stand. This is a great age for them to begin learning to track how much money they have, and how to save toward specific goals, ultimately teaching the value of money and the satisfaction that comes with achieving their goals.

One useful tool for these early lessons is opening a bank account for your child. Chase First Banking^SM is a parent owned account designed with 6-12 year olds in mind and is available for those 6-17. It comes with a debit card for kids along with oversight by parents, offering no monthly service fee, tools, tips and safety features to help them learn the money basics. Parents can monitor their spending and set limits on where and how much they can spend in one place. For your child, learning how to use these financial tools now will make it easier when they’re older.

2. Gaining independence: Balancing earning, saving and spending

As your child enters high school, they’ll need more skills and confidence to handle their finances as they become more independent. Whether getting their first jobs or saving up for bigger goals — like college — they could use both autonomy and a little guidance.

Help your high schooler learn smart strategies for managing their money by opening a Chase High School Checking^SM account so they can start off on the right foot. With this account, your teen can set up direct deposit and use Autosave to set aside money automatically toward a savings goal. Your teenager can set up account alerts to help them manage and monitor their account activity, and since the account is co-owned by you, you’ll be able to continue monitoring their activity as well.

3. Finances 101: Tools for managing money in college and beyond

Students moving from high school to college — or venturing into the wider world post college — may have a lot more to keep track of. Between juggling their studies, a job and planning for their future, they need both the guidance of their parents as well as smart tools to handle their increasingly independent lifestyle. While it’s important to treat college students as the adults they are, and to give them the confidence they need to step into financial freedom, it’s also important to continue helping them build good money habits as they begin to navigate the real world.

For college students aged 17-24, Chase College Checking^SM can be a valuable partner. On top of learning to track the money they earn, save and spend, they can also use tools like Zelle^® to split the bill or pay back family and friends — whether they’re chipping in for a group trip or divvying up rent for their apartment. The Chase Mobile app^® makes it easy to stay on top of their banking needs when they’re on-the-go.

Ready to help your child get started on the road toward financial success? Learn more about tools to help them learn good money habits at Chase.com/StudentBanking.

Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, are subject to approval.
Chase Mobile^® app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply.
Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

2023-05-11T13:01:00

(BPT) – Being a pet parent involves much more than providing just their basic needs. To keep your pet happy, active and healthy, it’s important to encourage them to play, while providing opportunities for safe exploration and fun bonding time with their family. Whatever kind of pet you have, there are steps you can take that will help them thrive.

This May for National Pet Month and beyond, here are tips to help you have fun with your furry family member.

1. Understand their needs

Every animal has needs beyond shelter, food and water. Most cats need places to feel safe, like high perches or snug sanctuaries — plus opportunities to practice stalking and hunting (toy mice and wand toys). While all dogs need outdoor exercise and opportunities to bond with humans, their behaviors vary by breed. For example, dogs bred to herd sheep (collies, sheep dogs and shepherds) love to chase balls and flying discs, while terriers enjoy digging.

Take this month to research your pet’s breed and ask your veterinarian about their behaviors to understand how they’ll most enjoy playing. Because they’re also individuals who may not conform to expected behaviors, observe your furry friend as you play and notice what they respond to most. Can you tell when they’re engaged and excited? That can help you identify the best ways to play with them.

2. Know their developmental stage

It’s also crucial to understand your pet’s life stage. Puppies and kittens have tons of energy and behaviors, like chewing on things, that they may outgrow as they get older. Mature animals have less energy and stamina, so ask your vet about the level of activity you should encourage.

Continue stimulating your pet through enrichment activities to help keep them active. Switching out toys occasionally can help adult animals stay curious and interested in play, keeping them healthier as they age.

3. Create a dedicated play space

While you may associate playing with your pet as an outside activity, it’s great to have a space set up for playing with your pet indoors, too. This should be an area where you won’t have to worry about knocking things over, so make sure there’s enough room to play and explore.

Try a basement room (ideally with windows for natural light), screened-in porch or sunroom outfitted with pet beds and their favorite toys.

4. Clean and disinfect pet toys and play areas

Pets’ play areas and their toys are often overlooked when employing a cleaning and disinfecting routine. Consider the type of surface and how often that surface is touched when determining when to clean and when to disinfect. If the space is high traffic, you’ll want to clean more frequently or disinfect in addition to cleaning.

To clean and disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces, try FamilyGuard™ Brand Disinfectant Cleaner, which is expertly formulated for use in homes with children and pets. For disinfecting your pets’ hard, non-porous toys and surfaces, choose the FamilyGuard™ Brand Disinfectant Spray which is designed for use on over 100 surfaces¹, including where kids and pets play.

FamilyGuard™ Brand Disinfectant Cleaner and FamilyGuard™ Brand Disinfectant Spray are both formulated to kill 99.9% of germs², when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces, by allowing to sit on clean surfaces for at least five minutes. Surfaces like plastic toys and other items your pet may lick or put in their mouth require the additional step of rinsing with drinkable water after disinfecting with FamilyGuard Brand™ products.

5. Pet-proof your home

When getting a new pet, especially if they’re young, pet-proof your home just as you would babyproof before the birth of a child. Look for potential hazards your pet could encounter by starting on the floor to see what they could get into. Are there cords waiting to be chewed? Choking hazards under tables? Work your way up, tucking cords away (or getting cord wraps) and removing anything that could harm a pet.

Then consider what houseplants could be toxic to your pet. Make sure to look up the plants you have in your home and remove or put any out of reach if they’re toxic.

Follow these tips to help you have a happier pet who will love spending time playing with you and your family for many years to come.

1 See www.FamilyGuardUSA.com for full list of approved and prohibited surfaces.
2 Use as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. See label for details.