Make your last Summer Holiday the Best! Stay safe while Grilling!!

Labor Day is best known for outdoor time with family and friends, as we say a final goodbye to the summer. It’s also a good time to showcase your awesome grilling skills for everyone in the name of fun. But, like most skills, being safe is a huge part of what makes your showcase so awesome.

Sometimes in the heat of summertime entertaining, we forget a few minor steps that could definitely ruin a good time. Check out these safety tips for food prep and grilling safety and be sure to share some of your own tips (or yummy recipes) with us in the comments!

Keep it clean!! Wash food before you prepare it and wash your hands after you handle each item before touching another. Wash everything raw meat comes in contact with, especially your hands. Wash! Wash! Wash!


Keep it covered!! When you step away, even for a second, be sure to cover your food. Pesky insects and critters are the only things in your back yard craving that feast more than your guests. Flies are your #1 enemy with uncovered food…one moment they’re standing on dog poop, the next moment they’re standing on your BBQ ribs…yikes!


Keep it hot!! Bacteria die around 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that all cooking surfaces are brought to a very high temperature. If you enjoy low & slow cooking, start your smoker off by making sure all metal parts are brought to a temperature above boiling water before you start cooking.


Keep it fresh!! Using a marinate for your meats? Be sure to marinate meats in a bowl in your refrigerator and not on your counter. If you want to reuse your marinate as a baste, remember raw meat has been in it—boil it first! Keep your meats refrigerated until it’s time to cook.


Keep it safe!! Keep a fire extinguisher handy and be sure you know how to use it. Also, be sure you know how to cut fuel lines to the grill if you’re not using charcoal. Even though we believe grilling is pretty instinctive and easy, it’s always important to fully read the instruction manual for your grill. Grills have very specific ranges of operation.


Keep your distance!! That aromatic smoke that fills the air and gets your tummies growling is part of the experience, but smoke from your grill contains carbon monoxide and other dangerous substances that cause cancer. But not only should you keep your distance, so should your grill. Be sure to place the grill far from your home, garage, greenery or anything that could catch a spark. Also be sure your grill is located in a place where guests aren’t gathering and taking a chance at getting burned.


Keep it healthy!! You should never leave your grilling utensils outdoors with your grill. Keep them clean and indoors until you need them outside.

What kind of grill do you use? The leading cause of gas grill fires is an obstruction in the path of the fuel. Be sure to inspect behind, underneath and inside your gas grill. Make sure gas lines are secure and not leaking or damaged. If you see trouble, turn off all control valves and the fuel tank and be sure everything is disconnected. The number one problem with a charcoal grill is getting it lit. Lighter fluid is dangerous and should never be added to already hot coals. Also remember that your food can be creating more flammable material in the form of grease. Grease fires are the leading cause of house fires and that same culprit collects in your grill over time. It’s easy to find several pounds of grease in your grill after only a few cook outs. Be sure you are keeping your grill clean.

Your friends at SouthGroup Insurance want you all to have a safe and happy holiday with your loved ones, and good advice isn’t the only thing we’re giving away this Labor Day weekend!

Be sure to check us out on www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast  for our Family Picnic Contest!! CLICK THE PIC TO ENTER - HURRY BECAUSE THE CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 30 AT 4 PM!!!

YourTrusted Choice Insurance Agent stands ready to assist you. We help you through the maze of insurance coverages, carriers, and premiums, and we find the best personal coverage for you at affordable rates. We help you save money on your insurance --- and we save you time!  But remember, when it comes to insurance one size does not fit all.
We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisor, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Dawn Garza, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Kayleigh Davis, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,
FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel !

We have 3 Gulf Coast locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS. We can write coverage in 40 different states. 
Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!

 

Give Us a Hand ...

While the right hand may be jealous, today we celebrate south paws as August 13th is "Left Hander's Day". Some famous left handers include presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, famous guitarists Jimi Hendrix and Tony Lommi and actors Nicole Kidman and Robert DeNiro. These people pushed through the right hander's world with innovation and dedication. Jimi Hendrix flipped his guitar upside down and strung backwards to become a guitar legend. Decades ago, left handers were frowned upon and forced to use their right instead but in modern times we celebrate the right to go left!

Today we embrace the fact that either hand will do just fine, but just like the rest of your body your hands need care too. Modern times have our hands facing challenges far bigger than simply being forced to choose which hand to use. The average American spends at least 6 hours a day using computer keyboards and mice in the work place. Others are doing hard labor with their hands. Many are using their phones texting multiple times throughout the day. The tasks seem simple, but we are actually taking advantage of some of our most important tools and without proper care our hands could suffer unforeseen injuries.

Tendonitis, trigger finger, cuboidal tunnel and carpal tunnel are just a few examples health problems our hands can encounter caused by our daily tasks. Ergonomics is the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user. For example, to protect your writs from long term injury your arms should be at 90 degrees from your elbow to your fingers when typing. The industry has recognized this need and wrist pads for use with keyboards are now available. But, protective equipment is only one preventative. Exercise is a key element in keeping your hands healthy.

Here is a video offering a few exercise ideas that help you with hand health: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DayQeLkc710. Or visit this website for some useful exercise ideas that you can print and pin up beside your desk as a reminder: http://www.nd.gov/risk/files/website_pics/assessment/Hand_Exercises.pdf .

Wondering what else you can do to help your helpful hands? Change your diet! By the time we reach age 30, we've all incurred damage to our cartilage (the thin rubbery tissue that covers joints and protects our bones from rubbing together). We don't feel these injuries, but over time they can cause chronic inflammation. Salmon is one of nature's best anti-inflammatories because it's full of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, which protects the outer membrane of joint cells. Vitamin C is a valuable source of what your body needs in numerous ways, but when it comes to your joints it is also a preventative in developing rheumatoid arthritis. Beans of all sorts are a good source of protein, but did you know black beans are richer in antioxidants and loaded with manganese (an indispensable mineral for healthy joints)? And don't forget to eat your veggies. Kale and Broccoli are two beneficial vegetables that are good for us in countless ways including our hand health.

If you are experiencing even slight pain in your hands, it is best to see your physician immediately to detect any problems early on. Some symptoms that should be addressed include; joint pain, trouble flexing, joints locking, lumps, swelling, numbness, tingling or pain that may even be in your arm or elbow. Remember to take care of your most important tools, your hands.

SouthGroup Insurance services wants our friends and family to stay healthy and see your doctor regularly. As an independent agency, we are able to shop with multiple carries to find the best coverage for you at the best rates available. If you do not have health insurance to help with your medical expenses, contact our office for a free quote today!

If you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, Dawn Garza, Tammy Hogue, Brittany Jones, Wendy Johnson, Denise Russell, Melissa Moran, Alex Treutel, Susan Monti, Kayleigh Davis, Anne Gillam, Ashlie Moody, and Whitney Zimmerman at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: atreutel@southgroup.net , phone:228-466-4498, fax:888-415-8922,

FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have 3 locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi, 5400 Indian Hill-Diamondhead, and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.
Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!