Avoiding Halloween Horrors --- EEK!!!

Halloween is a great holiday for both young & old to celebrate together. It can be exciting and entertaining, but it also requires responsibility to keep it safe. Safety needs range from decorations to costumes to the candy children collect door-to-door. There’s never a dull moment with Halloween, but even though spooks are part of the tradition it doesn’t have to be a dangerous holiday!

When decorating for Halloween (or any holiday for that matter) you want to be sure of the following:
-When using a ladder or climbing on your roof to decorate, make sure that you are secure and that your ladder is stable. Do not work on this project alone.
-When using candles in your macabre decorations, make sure candles are fully extinguished when you plan to leave this unsupervised.
-Only use electrical lights that have been tested for safety and check each set of lights for broken sockets, frayed or bare wires, loose connections or other damage. Do not use damaged lights. Make sure lights are approved for outdoor use.
-Never exceed 3 strands of lights on an extension chord.
-Never string electrical lighting on metal items as the metal can become charged with electricity.
-Make sure that all electrical decorations are checked for safety and displayed according to the directions of the item including but not limited to if it is acceptable for outdoor use.
-Make sure all hanging decorations are secured to avoid falling and injuring people or property.

When costuming for Halloween here are some valuable tips:
-Be sure costumes fit correctly to avoid trips, slips and falls.
-Make sure eye holes in masks are large enough to avoid blocking any vision.
-Note that flame resistant costumes are safer>
-Do not wear decorative contact lenses without seeking advice from an eye care professional first.
-If the costume is dark, make sure reflective tape or vest is added so that you or your child can be seen in the dark to avoid any accidents.
-Test face paint before applying to be sure there isn’t a reaction and be sure to wash off all face paint completely at the end of the evening.

And, of course, there are many issues with taking candy from strangers but here are a few suggestions that will help you:
-Don’t allow children to snack on their treats until after trick-or-treating is complete
-Give all contents of their treats a full inspection and anything that is unwrapped or in a suspicious wrapping should be discarded
-Discard any commercially wrapped candy that appears to have been tampered with (such as discoloration, pin holes, tears)
-Check with your local Police Department to see if your city is offering free security scans of candy
-Avoid home made treats unless they are from trusted friends or family
-Inspect any toys given for hidden dangers and wash toys before use
-Inspect any fruits given thoroughly for pin holes, discoloration or other signs of tampering

Always remember when trick-or-treating to stay in a group, carry flash lights and make sure all members of the group are accounted for from house to house. Halloween is a fun time to enjoy family and friends for all ages. Follow these safety tips and don’t be haunted by Halloween horrors!

Your Trusted 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 and business coverage for you at affordable rates. We help you save money on insurance --- and we save you time!  And remember, when it comes to insurance, one size does not fit all.

We are your LOCAL Trusted Choice Advisors, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com / , SALES AND SERVICE AGENTS: Angelyn Treutel, Tammy Garfield, 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 or in person: 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 write coverage in 40 different states and can assist you with Mississippi insurance, Louisiana insurance, and Alabama insurance and many other states.

Thanks to Susan Monti for her words of wisdom!

GIRLS ONLY!!! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

Breast Cancer Awareness month is now upon us, but you should be checking your breasts every month! According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a self exam on a regular basis is very important.  While mammograms can detect cancer before you feel a lump, self exams help you to be familiar with your breasts' look and feel so you can be aware of any changes. 

Naturally, you shouldn't rely on self breast exams only though.  Doctors recommend women over 40 should also get yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams.  Mammography can detect tumors before they can be felt.  A clinical breast exam is performed by a healthcare professional trained to recognize any abnormalities or warning signs. Clinical breast exams are important because an experienced professional can notice a suspicious place on the breast that you may not recognize. 

If your test results are abnormal, remember that 8 out of 10 abnormalities found are not cancerous.  However, the only way to be certain any discoveries are cancer free is through further testing such as ultrasounds or MRIs.  If a mass is found to be solid, your radiologist may recommend a biopsy. 

Currently, the best way you can fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages.  Create your plan by setting yourself reminders to do self exams and to schedule clinical exams and mammograms based on your age, health history and history of cancer in your family.  Remember, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in woman in the United States.  All women are at risk for breast cancer, but when breast cancer is caught early and treated, survival rates can be near 100%.  Visit www.cancer.org/remindme to start your plan in motion. 

Please watch our page for more tips and information throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  And, please contact SouthGroup Insurance Services Gulf Coast for your free health insurance quote today.  Statistics from 2011 reveal that many women went untreated and unaware they had breast cancer because were without health insurance.  Be sure health insurance is part of your prevention plan!

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, 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!

 

 

Let's Get Physical -- and go CAMPING!!

Fall is in the air.  Summer and family vacations are almost behind us, but we are falling into the best season for camping.  Camping is a financially reasonable and refreshing way to spend quality time with your loved ones.  Fall is a good time of year to camp as it's not usually too hot or cold and can be quite comfortable out.  With the changing economy in the last few years, tourism has seen a spike in camping activity because it's such a great way to enjoy family time without the hassle and expenses of hotels and restaurants.  On the Mississippi Gulf Coast there are several great places to camp not too far from home. Of course, you can venture further into the nation to find thousands of wonderful camp grounds available. 

A family camping trip can be an enjoyable experience with little preparation.  Take time to plan ahead.  Here are a few tips that can aid your planning:
-Pack foods in tight, waterproof containers and keep them in an insulated cooler.
-Pack comfortable hiking shoes for everyone who plans to trek
-If you intend to swim, pack life jackets
-Pack an adequate supply of water for each individual on the trip (2-3 liters per person per day)
-Pack weather/activity appropriate clothing, including light full coverage clothing for bed time
-Pack insect repellant
-Regardless of the time of year, always pack SPF 15 or more sun screen.  The sun's rays   don't change even though the seasons do! 
-Pack adequate bedding
-Pack a flashlight
-Pack a well packed first aid kit, including ointments for rash or insect bite relief
-Keep a close watch on the weather to be sure the trip will be safe and that you have packed everything you need for certain conditions

Camping is a great way to get physical and enjoy the outdoors.  Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or grilling and sharing stories around the campfire are just a few ways to enjoy yourself on a camping trip.  But, remember the do's and don'ts of camping to be sure you and your loved ones can enjoy yourselves without any problems:
-DO wash hands and surfaces often - use alcohol based sanitizer when water is not available
-DO separate raw foods from cooked foods and keep all food at the proper temperatures to avoid spoiling
-DO cook foods to proper temperatures (for instance, ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees)
-DO wear weather/temperature appropriate clothing
-DO keep foods well stored and out of the reach of wild animals
-DO make sure any family pets along for the trip are vaccinated and keep a close eye on them--be sure to check them often for ticks also and have enough water and food packed for them too!
-DO apply insect repellant OFTEN
-DO apply sunscreen OFTEN
-DO shower before and after swimming
-DON'T go near any poisonous plants like poison ivy, oak or sumac.  (You may want to familiarize yourself with photos of these plants before you leave)
-DON'T use fuel burning equipment for heat inside of your tent--it can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to build up
-DON'T pet or feed wild animals--watch only from a safe distance
-DON'T swim or hike alone
-DON'T leave a campfire unattended-be sure to fully extinguish the fire

Do your research if you're inexperienced.  Always prepare for the unexpected.  Research the campground you plan to visit in advance.  Enjoy quality time with the ones you love and make memories!

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!