SAINT LOUIS, MO – APRIL 22: Clean up after the destruction left behind by tornadoes that ravaged the area. April 22, 2011 in Saint Louis, Missouri

(NAPSI)­­—Having the right outdoor power equipment on hand year-round is important—in more ways than many people realize. That’s according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which advises home and business owners to grow familiar with safe operating procedures and think ahead before foul weather or a power outage disrupts life.

“It’s important to be prepared year-round given any season can be storm season. We see more people investing in portable and whole-house generators and having other outdoor power equipment on hand such as chainsaws and water pumps to mitigate any damage from felled trees and water damage and floods,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of OPEI, an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles and golf cars. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Every step of the way, women, especially mothers, have a lot to juggle. While trying to conceive, being pregnant, raising children and going through menopause, their to-do lists are long. One important task which may not be the first to come to mind is maintaining good oral health.

“Oral health plays a role in all stages of life and it pops up often for mothers,” said Kyle Dosch, DDS, a licensed dentist who serves as Delta Dental of Washington’s dental director. “Demonstrating and teaching the importance of good oral health habits is critical to the overall health and well-being of you and your family.”

Pre-pregnancy

There is evidence to suggest a correlation between oral health and fertility. Women with periodontal disease took nearly seven months to conceive, whereas women without periodontal disease took only five months, on average. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Back to School presents parents and students with opportunities to have important discussions about life choices. One thing to connect on before the first bell rings is understanding and avoiding tobacco, including electronic cigarettes.

An increasing number of Florida school-aged children have either used an e-cigarette or know someone who does. While combustible cigarettes are almost entirely gone from our state’s schools, e-cigarettes were by far the most-used tobacco product among teens in 2021. In 2021, 18.3% of Florida high school students reported current use of e-cigarettes, a 16.6% increase compared to 2017.

Unsure how to address tobacco with your child? Here are some tips:

1.Study up. Before you have the conversation, spend some time making sure you’re aware of the most recent changes. Did you know the minimum smoking age is now 21 across Florida, or that some previously popular brands like JUUL are now less popular among teens and young adults? Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Open enrollment is quickly approaching and while businesses continue to navigate through economic uncertainties, dynamic shifts and the ongoing Great Resignation, strong benefits offerings could help retain employees.

That’s what was revealed by the fifth annual HSA Bank Health & Wealth Index, a report that explores trends in consumer financial and physical health, and for the first time, mental health. Here are the key findings:

• More than half of Gen Z would change employers to get better healthcare benefits.
• Thirty percent of respondents were not sure if they could afford healthcare costs in the near-term or in retirement.
• Families with children really value telehealth. Sixty-one percent of respondents with children reported using telehealth services compared to 43% of respondents without children.

Continue reading →

by the We Can Do This 

COVID-19 Public Education Campaign

(NAPSI)—The new school year is quickly approaching. In addition to buying pencils and notebooks and putting school clothes in order, getting kids vaccinated against COVID-19 is an essential step for getting back into the classroom. All children 6 months and older are eligible for COVID vaccines, and children ages 5 and older who have already been vaccinated are eligible for a booster for continued protection.

“Being in school, interacting with other students and teachers, and participating in extracurricular activities are important to the overall well-being of kids,” said Dr. Kenneth Alexander, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando, Florida. “Vaccinations are the best way to protect kids of all ages from COVID, and the best way to make sure they stay engaged in the classroom and activities they need and enjoy.” Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—For the world’s leading neuroscientists, unlocking the brain’s capacity to stimulate neural plasticity has become something of a Holy Grail.

That’s because enhancing plasticity is perhaps the most important step towards repairing central nervous system (CNS) damage. In fact, it can have a profound impact across multiple neurological functions, including improving motor, sensory and cognitive abilities such as memory.

People marvel at how children are able to learn things so quickly and easily. This ability is mediated by their brains’ nimble neural plasticity. Neuroscientists once believed that neuroplasticity manifested predominately during childhood. However, research in the mid-20th century demonstrated that many aspects of the brain can be altered, even in adulthood. Still, the developing brain has a significantly higher degree of plasticity than the adult brain.

The human brain consists of enormous networks of neurons. They act as messengers that use electrical impulses and chemical signals to transmit information between different areas of the brain, and between the brain and the nervous system. Even a very simple task, such as standing or sitting, typically involves millions of interconnected neurons. Damage to these interconnected systems can be catastrophic.  Continue reading →

by Matt Muller

(NAPSI)—If you’re like many people, you may be curious about crypto. From crypto direct deposits and debit cards to decentralized saving and lending and cross-border payments, the cryptoeconomy is rapidly challenging many of the core ideas around what money is and how it can be put to work. As cryptocurrency grows in popularity and use cases, you may have questions about how this digital currency works—and how secure your personal information and finances will be. Read on for answers to some common questions about crypto safety and security.

How can I be sure that my crypto transactions will be secure? Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—The 2022 hurricane season is underway, with the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project Team forecasting an above-average storm season for the Atlantic basin. Emergency preparation experts say now is the time to get ready, especially as CSU places the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along U.S. coastlines at 71 percent.

When a hurricane hits, food, water and other critical supplies can run short and this year the situation could be even worse due to ongoing supply chain issues. What’s more, severe storms will negatively impact an aging electrical grid that is overdue for updating, causing the power to go out for days—if not weeks. In short order, residents may find themselves in dire need for supplies and backup power. 

What You Can Do

To help people better prepare for outages, the power outage experts from Generac, a global energy technology company, share the following tips:  Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—More than 5,400 postal employees were attacked by dogs in the United States in 2021. From nips and bites to vicious attacks, aggressive dog behavior poses a serious threat to postal employees and just about everyone else.

To help people understand the enormity of this serious issue, the U.S. Postal Service provides information on the do’s and don’ts of responsible dog ownership as part of its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign.

The campaign runs Sunday, June 5, through Saturday, June 11 but any time is a good time to consider dog bite prevention. This year’s theme is “The USPS Delivers for America—Deliver for Us by Restraining Your Dog.” You can help spread the news of the campaign by using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—A fast, reliable Internet connection has become a critical part of our daily lives. From remote learning and working to networking and searching for jobs, Americans everywhere felt an online shift during COVID-19.

And, while the country gradually recovers from the pandemic, the collective need to stay connected remains stronger than ever.

Enter the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

ACP extends and makes permanent the Internet subsidy for families in need that began under the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Falling under the $1.2T bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the ACP is part of a $65 billion broadband Internet initiative designed to bring affordable or even free Internet service to families who qualify.

Eligible households can save up to $30 a month, or up to $75 if they reside on tribal lands. Continue reading →