ETA Partners with iFinancial Services

L - R: Joe Betten, Joe Pilla, Adam Kearns

Nesquehoning, Pa - ETA Insurance Group, one of the leading and trusted insurance and benefits agencies, announced a strategic partnership with iFinancial Services.

In their never-ending commitment to customers and community, ETA Insurance Group (formerly ETA Benefits Group) is expanding their lineup of financial services in order to further strengthen customer relationships.  The partnership with iFinancial Services will offer guidance and support to households and business owners with IRAs, 401(k)s, CDs and investments such as mutual funds and annuities. This mission is to help clients protect and improve their futures by offering a more comprehensive set of strategies which support their financial goals.

Joseph A. Pilla, President of ETA Insurance Group, commented on the announcement: "Our partnership with iFinancial Services adds an important dimension to our services to continue efforts to move our clients ahead in life."

iFinancial Services and their team of professionals bring over 60 combined years of experience in wealth management, investments and insurance. "We are pleased to partner with ETA Insurance Group and believe we will provide significant value to their customers" said Adam Kearns, Wealth Advisor and Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) at iFinancial Services. "We want to stay in the forefront and provide options that fit their lives. Adam will operate as the dedicated, licensed representative to the community.  Adam Kearns is a FINRA and LPL Registered Representative and Wealth Advisor. In 2012, Adam achieved the designation of Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) from InFre. He holds insurance licenses in the states of PA, WV, NC, FL, and TX.

About ETA Insurance Group
ETA Insurance Group is an independent, locally-owned, full-service insurance agency and employee benefits consulting firm comprised of dedicated and experienced insurance advisors. Since 1999, we have proudly served businesses, families, and individuals throughout Pennsylvania, with a strong presence in the Northeast, Central, and Lehigh Valley.

About iFinancial Services
At iFS, we get to know and understand our clients through a comprehensive analysis of their personal financial situation and offer our Wealth Management, Insurance, and Retirement services. We strive to simplify the client experience and will always put the client first. We don't put all our clients in the same model/portfolio, a "one size fits all" model. Every client receives a custom experience with a portfolio suited to each individual, tailored to address their concerns and goals.

ETA Insurance Group and iFinancial Services and LPL Financial are separate entities.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.

Tips for Safe Snowmobiling

January 13-19, 2019 is International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week. This is the perfect time to talk about smart snowmobiling habits so you can have a safe, fun time in the great outdoors all season long.

Below are a few safety tips to follow when you’re out on the trail:

·     Don’t drink and ride. You wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) drink and drive a car, and you shouldn’t consume alcohol if you’re going to operate a snowmobile. You need to keep your full attention on operating the machine. Drinking dulls your senses and reflexes, which increases the likelihood of an accident. Don’t put yourself or any other riders at risk—leave the alcohol at home. (Many states have laws prohibiting alcohol consumption when operating a snowmobile).

      Dress appropriately.  Like any sport or activity, wear the proper equipment for riding—suit, helmet with eye protection, gloves, and boots. You should also layer your regular clothing under the gear so you stay warm and dry.

Avoid private property.  When you get out on the trail, stay on designated snowmobiling paths only. If you venture onto private property, you could get cited for trespassing.  
   
Go slow. Speeding is the number one cause of snowmobiling accidents. It is recommended to keep your speed at or under 40 mph, especially at night. It’s also not advisable to cross bodies of water on a snowmobile, even if it appears to be frozen. You can never be sure of the ice’s thickness, and you have less control of your snowmobile on ice, so it’s harder to get and maintain traction on a slick surface.

      Don’t ride alone. Snowmobiling is better with multiple riders in a group. Not only is it more fun, but it’s easier to keep track of each other when you’re on the trail. It all comes back to having a safe, fun experience in nature.

Snowmobile insurance is another way to protect both yourself and your snowmobile. At ETA Insurance Group, we work with several carriers that offer plans for riders’ various needs and budgets. Contact us for more information about this valuable coverage and to learn more about the carriers we work with.

Are there any other tips you’d add to this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Recipes for National Mocktail Week

January 13-19, 2019 is National Mocktail Week, so it seemed like a great opportunity to share a few tasty drink recipes that don’t include alcohol.

Whether you’re abstaining from alcohol because of diet or other lifestyle changes, you’re pregnant and must abstain, or you’re just looking for some new drinks to try, the recipes below can help get you started.

THE CLASSIC SHIRLEY TEMPLE

Photo: Pinterest

Ingredients

• 1 ounce grenadine syrup
• 4 ounces ginger ale
• 4 ounces lemon-lime soda
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

How to Make It

Fill a glass with ice and add the grenadine. Add ginger ale and lemon-lime soda. Stir, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

ALCOHOL-FREE MOJITOS

Photo: Pinterest

Ingredients

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 cups mint leaves, chopped

2 cups lime sherbet, softened

1 cup lime juice

1 cup water

8 cups club soda

Lime slices for garnish

How to Make It

• Combine 2 cups water and the sugar in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave on High for 5 minutes. Stir the mint into the water; let stand for 5 minutes. Strain and discard the mint leaves from the syrup; set aside.
• Stir the lime sherbet, lime juice, and 1 cup water together in a large pitcher until well combined. Pour the mint-infused syrup into the mixture. Add club soda and stir. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices.

ALCOHOL-FREE MINT JULEP

Photo: Kenilworth and Co.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 1/2 cup prepared lemonade
• Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

How to Make It

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and 1 tablespoon of chopped mint. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. After about an hour, strain out mint leaves.

Fill 2 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice. Pour 1/2 of the lemonade into each glass and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint sprig and a straw. Serve on a silver platter.

CHERRY LIME RICKEY

Photo: Recipes Hubs.com

Ingredients

•       ½ cup tart cherry juice
•          Juice of 1 lime
•          1 packet granulated sugar substitute
•          Club soda
•          Lime wedge for garnish (optional)

How to Make It

• In a measuring cup, combine the cherry juice, lime juice, and sugar substitute. Stir to dissolve the sugar substitute.
• Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cherry juice mixture. Top with the club soda. Serve with a straw, garnished with the lime wedge, if desired.

What are some of your favorite alcohol-free mixed drinks? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Winter Car Care Tips

Photo: OpenRoad Auto Group

The holiday season is usually a bright spot in what is typically a cold, gray, dreary time of year. Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year’s is over, unfortunately we still have a few months of cold, gray, and dreary weather to get through!

Winter can definitely be a tough season, and the harsh elements can take a toll on both your home and vehicle (especially your vehicle) if you don’t do some preventive maintenance first.  There are a few simple steps you can take to get your vehicle road-ready for winter driving.

Install winter wiper blades. If you’ve never had winter wiper blades before, you’ll notice a difference the first time you use them. They’re heavier than regular blades and contain a special rubber portion on them that keeps ice from collecting. Like regular blades, make sure you buy a set of winter blades that are the right fit for the size and shape of your windshield so they work properly.

Check your tires. Most vehicles come with all-weather tires, but some older models still need to have the tires switched over to the winter ones. According to the PepBoys’ corporate website, winter tires are made of soft rubber that won’t harden in the cold, and their tread is typically deeper, which give them a better grip and allow them to pass through snow easier. And don’t forget to check your tire pressure! Cold weather can cause the pressure to decrease slightly, which can impact how well your tires handle winter driving. Check your pressure regularly throughout the winter and fill them as needed.

Keep your wiper fluid full. Anyone who has driven in a full-fledged winter storm knows how quickly the visibility can change. Your wiper blades work overtime on these occasions, and at the same time, you likely use quite a bit of your fluid. Check your wiper fluid well often—there’s nothing worse than driving in poor conditions and not being able to see, and as a bonus, having a splattered windshield and nothing to clean it with! It’s wise to keep some extra fluid in your car, as well.  Be sure to use all-season fluid so it doesn’t freeze in the line (note that “summer” fluid will freeze once the temperature drops below 32 degrees F).

Check your brakes. Sailing over a patch of black ice is not the best time to discover your car needs new brakes. If they’ve been showing signs of wear and tear or you’re nearly pushing the brake pedal to the floor, don’t wait to take your vehicle in for service. You don’t want to take any chances with your vehicle when driving in winter weather, so winter is not a good time to put off any kind of vehicle maintenance.

Pack an emergency kit. Winter can be unpredictable at best, and you never know when you might be stuck on the road for an extended amount of time. Be prepared with an emergency kit for your car. It should include blankets, at least one extra set of clothing, candles, extra cell phone charger, nonperishable food (protein bars and/or trail mix work great), road flares (in case your vehicle is in distress), first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, and bottled water.

Being proactive with preparing your vehicle both inside and out will go a long way towards staying safe on the roads this winter. But the best way to protect yourself and your car is to watch the weather forecasts and don’t go out if you don’t have to!

How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Photo: Inc.com

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions. From losing weight to quitting smoking to finally getting organized, we frequently set goals for ourselves and are ready get started on January 1, but our enthusiasm and motivation frequently wane after only a few weeks.

So how can we make resolutions we’ll actually keep?

A New Year’s resolution is like any other goal, and the key to reaching a goal is to commit to what you want to do, then develop a realistic plan that’s easy to follow and suits your lifestyle. For instance, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds this year, but you regularly put in 12-hour workdays and snack on unhealthy food throughout the day, chances are you’ll have a tough time losing weight. The key is to work a weight-loss plan into your jam-packed schedule however you can.

One way to reach your goals is to follow the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Results-focused, and Time-bound. This helps to keep your progress high and stress level low.

Ready to get started? Below are a few additional tips to keep yourself on track with your New Year’s resolutions

Start small. If your goal is to lose weight, one of the worst things you can do (and one of the fastest ways to lose your momentum) is to aim higher than you can reasonably reach. For instance, if going from your couch to your fridge or pantry is the most exercise you’ve gotten in a year, you’re probably not ready for a 5K race this weekend. Start by walking around the block, then going a bit further or for a longer time the next time you head out.

Keep a record of your accomplishments. Track your progress. Keep a food journal so you can have a written record of everything you eat. Write down every cigarette you smoke so you have an accurate list of how many you smoke in a day, then taper off gradually.

Reward yourself. You should celebrate small victories along the way. Treat yourself to a massage or that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing when you lose those first ten pounds. For every day you go without a cigarette, splurge on yourself. Whatever your resolution is, reward yourself when you reach an important milestone.

Have a friend join you. Many of us find it easier to stay motivated if we’re accountable to someone. Are you determined to finish that novel you’ve been writing? Join a writing group or connect with a critique partner. Get a workout buddy or accountability partner with whom you check in regularly. It’s harder to slack off when you know someone else is counting on you to show up.

Continue to challenge yourself. As you reach the smaller goals, keep pushing yourself to go further. If you keep up your weight loss and exercise routine, set new goals. Sign up for a 5K or other competitive event. If you quit smoking for a few months, look at what other vices you could reduce or eliminate.

Reaching a difficult personal goal is an empowering and liberating achievement. Be proud of what you’ve done! What will you do next?

Tips to Keep Your Christmas Jewelry Sparkling

Whether it’s given as a symbol of a lifetime commitment or just as a heartfelt gesture, jewelry is a popular Christmas gift for people of all ages. Taking care of each piece properly is important to keep it looking beautiful for years to come.  

Old-fashioned methods tend to work best when it comes to cleaning most precious metals, but each has its own unique properties so it’s important to understand the differences before you begin scrubbing.

Gold

·         Gold doesn’t tarnish, but it can become dull or discolored from repeated exposure to oils in your skin, lotion, makeup, or other chemicals.

·         One of the best cleaning agents for gold is plain old dish detergent. Squirt some detergent into a bowl filled with warm water and let the item soak for a few minutes. Scrub it gently with a toothbrush and sit it on a towel to air dry. Finish up by giving it a quick polish with a soft polishing cloth.

Silver

·        Silver is a softer metal and scratches easily, so it requires more delicate care. Clean sterling silver pieces with a soft 100% cotton or flannel cloth; use mild dish detergent and warm water to clean rhodium-plated silver.

Gemstones

• Most gemstones are durable in and of themselves, but you still need to handle them carefully, especially if the stone is in a high or unique setting. Repair loose stones (and the prongs, which is likely the problem) as soon as possible to prevent them from falling out.
• Some stones are stronger than others and should be stored accordingly. For instance, don’t throw a diamond ring on top of a pearl necklace if your jewelry box is less than perfectly organized—the diamond could scratch the pearls.
• The best cleaning methods vary depending on the type of stones. Harder gems like diamonds are best cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush (to gently scrub away dirt and grime that builds up in the setting); softer, organic stones like pearls and amber should just be wiped clean with a soft cloth.

General Jewelry Care

• As a rule, remove your jewelry when doing a physical task that could damage the piece.
• Keep your jewelry away from harmful chemicals, such as chlorine or bleach.
• Put on your jewelry after you apply perfume, hairspray, or lotion, as each contain ingredients that could damage various metals.

For an added layer of protection, consider purchasing insurance for your most precious jewels. Whether you’re now the owner of a brand-new wedding band or engagement ring as of Christmas, or recently inherited an heirloom that’s been in your family for generations, keep those pieces the treasures they are with proper coverage. Some insurance plans require regular inspections and cleanings to keep the coverage in force, but the requirements vary among different plans.

Here at ETA Insurance Group, we help protect what matters most to you. Give us a call to learn more about the best plan for your needs and budget.

How to Prevent Common Holiday Fire Hazards

Photo: Budget Direct

As the song says, in many ways the holiday season really is “the most wonderful time of the year”. But in other ways, it can be the most dangerous time of year.  The important thing is to be cautious so your celebrations are more “wonderful” than “dangerous”.

The holiday season may not seem like a peak time for house fires, but the truth is, nearly 47,000 fires occur during this time, according to the American Red Cross’ website. Below, we look at a few common holiday fire hazards and how to prevent them.

Real trees. It’s just not Christmas without a tree but keeping a live one healthy takes work.  Place your tree in the center of the room, away from drafty windows and at least three feet away from a heat source. Water the tree daily (if not more) to keep it hydrated. (Dry trees are a major safety risk.) A real tree should be tossed right after Christmas or when it becomes dry.

Candles. Candles are widely used in many secular and religious holiday traditions and celebrations, and their increased usage means they’re a bigger potential fire hazard. To minimize the risk, never decorate your tree with candles or open flames. Keep lit candles a safe distance from Christmas trees, decorations, drafty windows (and window treatments like curtains or draperies), and heat sources like portable heaters and radiators. Always extinguish lit candles before leaving your home or going to bed.

Lights and decorations. String lights and other decor add a festive touch to our homes both inside and out, but look at each item before using it. Never use lights with frayed cords (and replace any burned out bulbs if possible). Check lights, ornaments, and other decorations for broken pieces or sharp edges—while not a fire hazard, per se, you don’t want your holiday gathering to end with a trip to the emergency room because of a nasty cut.

Fireplaces and portable heat sources. Just like candles, fireplaces and other heat sources (space heaters, pellet stoves) tend to be used more this time of year. Keep decorations and other flammable items (such as table linens) away from these heat sources. According to the National Fire Protection Association’s website, 42% of decoration fires start because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Monitor your heat and fuel levels and extinguish everything properly before leaving your house or going to bed.

Keep your holidays memorable for all the right reasons. Follow the above tips or visit nfpa.org to learn more about keeping your home safe this season and all year round.

Five Ways to Prevent Package Theft This Holiday Season

Many of us shop online all year round, but there is a definite uptick during the holidays. Consumers love the convenience, but one major downfall to online shopping is the increased risk of package theft, also called “porch piracy”. A 2016 survey conducted by the home security company Ring.com found that nearly 20 percent of homeowners reported having a package stolen within the previous year.

Protect yourself from package theft by following these few simple tips:

               -- If possible, have packages delivered to your workplace so they are actually in your hands.
  
               --Utilize your home security system’s cameras. Keep them turned on anytime you and your family are away from home so you can track the activity at your house.

    --Instruct drivers to leave packages at another location. According to statistics on Ring.com’s website, 73% of homeowners have packages dropped off at the front door, so this is the most obvious location for a thief to look. Both FedEx and UPS have apps that allow you to choose where you’d like your packages delivered, so take advantage and choose an alternative drop-off location, such as at your back door or with a trusted neighbor.      
      

         --Sign up for delivery alerts. Most e-commerce sites will notify you when your package ships and give you an expected delivery date. If you know when your package is arriving, you can rearrange your schedule so you or a family member can get home and take the package inside so it’s not sitting on the porch for hours.

       --Request a signature for your deliveries. This might be the most inconvenient option, especially if you and your family are out of the house all day, but most delivery companies offer extended hours during the holiday season.  You can choose to get your package dropped off in the evening or on a weekend to ensure you’ll be home to sign for it.

The holiday season can be stressful enough—you shouldn’t have to worry about potential package thieves.  Besides the tips listed above, ask your neighbors to look out for any suspicious vehicles or individuals in your neighborhood so everyone’s property and belongings stay safe.  

ETA Insurance Group is a local, independent insurance agency that works with over 50 carriers. We offer a full line of insurance products for all your needs, from home and auto to health, life, and Medicare. As independent agents we can shop around to find you the best coverage for your needs and your budget.  

Holiday Safety Hazards for Your Pets

Our pets are part of our family, so it’s only natural that we’d want them involved in our family holiday celebrations. But some of the holiday items and customs that are second nature to us can be hazardous, even deadly, to our pets. Below are a few of the most common holiday safety hazards for our four-legged friends and how to avoid them:

Christmas decorations. Decorating our homes both inside and out is one of the best parts of the season. And no home is complete without a Christmas tree. But both can be dangerous for your pets. Cats often love to play with tinsel, but if it’s ingested, it can get stuck in their digestive tract and require emergency surgery to remove it. Trees are another potential hazard. Some cats love to climb; make sure your tree is secure in the stand so your kitty doesn’t knock it over. Many dogs are also drawn to tree water.  Remember to add fresh water regularly so it’s not sitting and stagnating. Standing water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could make your dog very sick. Broken lights or ornaments can cut or burn your pet’s paws or digestive tract if they play with or swallow them. Artificial trees are much less work and can look just as majestic as a real tree; they’re also safer for pets.

Plants. Holiday plants add that festive touch to our homes throughout the season, but unfortunately, most of the prettiest ones are also the most dangerous for pets. Holly and mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal problems (mistletoe can also cause cardiovascular distress). Poinsettias are poisonous. Play it safe and decorate using artificial plants.

Electrical cords and lights. Keep all electrical gadgets out of your pet’s reach. Cords can cause electrical burns if the animal chews on them.

Candy and sweets. We like to overindulge during the holiday season, but allowing our pets to do the same is a bad idea. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats and should be completely off-limits. Baked goods in general are often too rich for pets, and some artificial sweeteners can cause liver failure and other health problems. If you’re not sure if a sweet treat is potentially harmful, play it safe and don’t give it to your pet at all. (Many of us often slip table scraps to our pets—keep in mind foods like onions, raisins, and grapes are toxic to dogs and cats and should be avoided).

Potpourri. We love to make our homes smell festive and welcoming, but many home fragrances can be dangerous or deadly for pets. Liquid potpourri can be caustic due to the essential oils and detergents in them, and the regular bagged variety can cause digestive problems if swallowed. Keep all home fragrances out of your pets’ reach, or find alternatives that make your home smell nice but are safer for your pets.

Guests can be another potential safety risk for your pet. Put your dog or cat in another area of the house, preferably a quiet room, if they're nervous or skittish around strangers and you're having guests over. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association website has lots of great information about how to keep your pet safe this holiday season.

How to Have a Fun, Safe Holiday Party

Photo: Westbay Management

There are plenty of things to look forward to during the holidays—beautiful music, decorating your house both inside and out, and just being with your nearest and dearest, whether it’s at an informal get-together or a black-tie holiday gala.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, you want to keep both your guests and your property safe. Below are a few tips to host a fun, safe gathering.

Make it family-friendly.  It’s not easy for everyone to get a sitter. Alleviate some of the pressure on your guests by inviting the kids along, too.  Have activities for the little ones, like a holiday-themed craft, movie marathon, and some games. Designate one or two responsible teenagers to oversee the activities so both the kids and adults can enjoy the night.

Suggest a potluck. If you’re on a budget, a potluck meal is your best option. If you’re having a traditional dinner, as host you’d be responsible for the main course and your guests can bring the side dishes. Or if you’re laying out a buffet, make one or two dishes and ask your guests to bring the other items (including paper goods).  

Choose a theme. Theme parties can make planning much easier because the food, décor, and dress code are all tied together.  Ugly Christmas sweater parties have been the big trend around the holidays for the past few years, but other trends are starting to catch on. One is a “vintage” Christmas party, where guests bring dishes right out of their mother’s or grandmother’s cookbooks from the 1960’s or 1970’s (and don’t forget to dress accordingly!) Another trend is a crafting party (or “Santa’s Workshop party”, if you will), where you and your guests create and decorate wreaths, ornaments, and package toppers (if not the packages themselves) for yourself and everyone on your list.  

Serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Not every guest will want to imbibe, so take that into consideration when planning your drink menu. Have a variety of food and beverage options so none of your guests feel uncomfortable or pressured to drink.

Be a responsible host.  Hosting an event is a lot of work. It falls on you to keep all food, drinks, and supplies stocked, guests mingling, and the night flowing smoothly.  It’s not always easy, but your most important job by far is keeping your guests safe. If it looks as though some of your guests have had a little too much, offer to drive them home, call one of their friends or family members to give them a ride, or ask another guest to take them home.

The holidays are definitely a time to celebrate, but if you’re planning to host a party this year, help your guests celebrate responsibly.

Are there any other tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Five Reasons to Shop Small This Holiday Season

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the official start of the holiday season. And the day after that is Small Business Saturday, one of the most important shopping days of the year for Mom and Pop retailers. American Express started this initiative back in 2010 as a way for shoppers to support their local businesses.

It’s important to support the small businesses that remain the heart of the communities they serve, but it’s just as important to support local service providers, such as banks, medical professionals, and yes, insurance agents!

Working with local businesses has many benefits, such as:

-Getting to know the vendors you patronize regularly helps to build camaraderie in the community. During the holiday season, many small establishments hold Open Houses or other events that allow customers to stop in and see what they have to offer. You might discover a new favorite lunch spot or shop for that perfect last-minute gift.

-Strong customer service and personalized attention—owners often learn their regular customers’ tastes and preferences and can recommend new products or services accordingly.

-Boosting the local economy by keeping your dollars in the community.

-Encouraging entrepreneurship among local students and young professionals.

-Stressing quality over quantity. You might find a smaller selection of items at a Mom and Pop operation, but they likely have better craftsmanship and will last longer than those you find at a larger chain store. Service providers like insurance agents can work with you to find better deals or cost savings to stretch your dollars further.

ETA Insurance Group is proud to be a small business and member of our local community. We are located in the heart of Nesquehoning, PA, but work with clients throughout Pennsylvania. We encourage everyone to think of their small businesses first when shopping. After all, it’s not only important to shop small this holiday season, but all year round!

Five Car Care Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

Photo: RepairPal

Your car is very much like your body—the more you take care of it, the better it will perform. And like your body, your car needs checkups now and then just to keep everything running like it should. Cars are incredible machines and many models can run for years before they start slowing down a bit, but that doesn’t mean they run forever. They have expiration dates just like everything else.

As a responsible car owner, one of the worst things you can do is ignore warning signals from your car. A small, fixable problem that you ignore today could lead to serious, more expensive problems later. Today’s models have warning lights for essentially every function—if your dashboard is lighting up, it’s time to stop and investigate the problem. It could be something simple (low or empty washer fluid) or serious—in any case, listen to what your car is telling you.

Below are just a few of the mistakes you don’t want to make when it comes to taking care of your car:

Put off scheduled maintenance. Pennsylvania state law requires annual vehicle inspections. Although this is the ideal time for you to take care of your car, don’t let it be the only time of year you take care of your car! Simple maintenance like changing the oil and filter (ideally every 3,000 miles) and keeping the fluids filled are all easy ways to keep your car running well all year long.   

Try to fix a problem yourself. Unless you have experience working on cars, or a warning light pops up for something simple like low oil, fluid, or you get a flat tire and know how to change it, let your mechanic pinpoint and repair other problems. Trying to fix it yourself can actually make a problem worse, and you’ll likely have to take it to a mechanic to undo your “repair” anyway, so just eliminate a step and go right to a garage.

Take your car to an unqualified mechanic or service center. If you’re going to go to a 

professional, however, make sure they know how to service your vehicle.  

Ignore the “check engine” light. The engine is the heart and soul of your vehicle, and if the “check engine” light on your dashboard is on, make an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible. That light could signal a wide range of problems, so it’s not something you want to leave unchecked.

Keep driving when your car overheats. If your engine is overheating, pull over immediately (or as soon as you can do so safely).  Continuing to drive with an overheating engine could lead to an engine fire, which could cause serious bodily injury to the driver (or death). Don’t take the risk. If your engine overheats, pull over and call for a tow truck or roadside assistance.

Even the most diligent driver can experience an issue or collision because of factors beyond their control, but keeping up with basic maintenance is one way to keep your car as safe and reliable as possible.

National Stress Awareness Day: Tips for Relieving Stress

November 7 is National Stress Awareness Day.  But if you’re living with chronic stress, you’re already aware of it. Stress can cause a wide range of health problems, from physical conditions like weight loss or gain, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders, to mental conditions like anxiety and depression. It can impact every area of your life, and although you probably can’t eliminate it from your life completely, it’s important to find healthy ways to live with it. 

Photo: Success Under Pressure

Below are a few tips to help manage your stress:

Learn to say “No”. One of the single biggest stressors for most people is simply taking on too much, whether at work, home, or volunteering in the community.  As the saying goes, “If you want something done, ask a busy person”, but even people with jam-packed calendars should take a break from doing it all now and then. Saying “no” doesn’t come naturally at first, but the more you say it (and you can be selective—many of us just like keeping busy), the easier it becomes! Giving yourself some time to relax and recharge is healthy…and necessary for your overall well-being!

Practice good time management skills. Remember the panic you felt as a kid when you waited too long to do a homework project that had been assigned several weeks earlier? And maybe you were up until midnight or later the night before the project was due, scrambling to finish? If you were that kid, unless you develop better time management skills, that feeling won’t go away when you’re an adult. Get yourself a calendar and keep it updated. Refer to it often. Virtually every type of device out there has a calendar, so there’s really no reason not to keep track of bill payments, social events, appointments, and various lists.

Exercise regularly. Between work and family, your spare time is likely limited. But taking care of your physical health is important for keeping your stress level in check. Just taking a brisk walk around the block a few times a week can help keep your weight down and burn off excess nervous energy. If you have more time, try to fit in a few regular sessions at the gym or take up a hobby with a physical component, like running or hiking.

Get enough sleep. It can be a vicious cycle—if you’re stressed about something, it often keeps you up at night. Lack of sleep causes you to feel sluggish, cranky, and just not feeling your best, so you can’t tackle the problem weighing on your mind very efficiently.  If you have trouble sleeping or just unwinding after a stressful day, try reading (preferably something not work-related), keeping your mobile device in another room so you’re not tempted to check messages or scroll through social media every few minutes, or jotting down some thoughts in a journal. Regular journaling is a great way to get your inner thoughts and worries down on paper and ease some of your mental burden.

Practice yoga, meditation, or another relaxing activity. Yoga and meditation are effective ways to manage stress because they both require focus and concentration on something other than the worries on your mind. Meditation is the practice of sitting quietly and focusing on your breath; yoga is an ancient practice incorporating physical, mental, and spiritual components that focus on breathing and includes a series of stretches and controlled movements.  

Make a regular habit out of managing your stress. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the many demands on our time; you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel if you make a conscious effort to reduce or eliminate some of your major stressors.

Prevent Scary Auto Accidents This Halloween

Photo: Driving Test Finder

Halloween is the holiday for celebrating everything spooky. But here’s something truly scary: Halloween is one of the most dangerous holidays when it comes to automobile accidents. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year.

What’s to blame for such a creepy statistic, and more importantly, how can we keep both kids and motorists safe on this night that’s supposed to be fun?

Luckily, there are a few easy things adults can do to protect the little ghosts and goblins in their neighborhood, and themselves if they plan to get behind the wheel.

Tips for Drivers

Yield to trick-or-treaters. Even if kids understand the basics about crossing the street properly, as a driver you should always be prepared for little ones to dart out in front of you.

Try not to pass stopped vehicles. Maybe the driver is going house-to-house with their child for trick or treating, or dropping them off at a friend’s. (And if you are dropping kids off, always use your 4-way hazard lights).

Skip the cell phone. Texting and driving is a bad habit any time of year, but it can be especially dangerous on Halloween with so many kids out and about. Keep your full attention on the road; you can answer your text messages or calls when you get to where you’re going.

If you’re going to a Halloween party, identify a designated driver in your group or have one on standby rather than get behind the wheel yourself.  

Try alternate routes. If you’re in a hurry to get somewhere or want to avoid large groups of trick or treaters, plan to take a different route through town to get to your destination.

Safety experts recommend discouraging new drivers from being on the road on Halloween simply because there are more children and potential distractions around you.

Tips for Parents

Take your child trick or treating if you can. This is the best way to ensure your child will only visit familiar houses, cross streets properly, look for cars, and overall have a safe night.

Teach your child the correct way to cross the street. Teach them to look both ways when crossing, and to only cross at corners or crosswalks. If you’re taking a young child trick or treating, make sure they are holding someone’s hand—either yours or an older child’s.

Skip your cell phone. If you’re out with your child but scrolling through social media or checking text messages, you could unknowingly lead your child into danger if you’re not paying attention to oncoming cars or what’s going on around you.

Halloween is supposed to be a time for some spooky fun—follow some basic rules, encourage your children to do the same, and enjoy the night!