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Top 5 Crucial Tips for Staying Sober While Traveling

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Do you have an upcoming trip, but are worried all the changes in routine may affect your sobriety? Read on to learn tips for staying sober while traveling.

Studies have shown that less than half of those who achieve a year of sobriety will relapse.

That’s positive news for those who are entering sobriety. But for those in recovery, there are still many challenges on the course to staying sober.

Traveling presents obstacles and new environments that may interrupt your daily routine.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid these traps. Here are five crucial tips for staying sober while traveling.

1. Stay Connected

A network is a very important aspect of sobriety. Make plans to stay connected to your loved ones and friends on your trip. This will help you maintain your support system wherever you are.

If you’re an alcoholic who’s a part of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), make sure to keep in touch with your sponsor. Any person in recovery can touch base with a therapist or sober friend while on the road.

A supportive network will look out for you and keep you accountable for your actions. If you can take them with you, that’s even better.

2. Maintain a Routine

The greatest challenge to traveling while sober is maintaining your routine. But, it can be done with dedication.

If you write in a journal every day, make sure to carve out some time to still do so. In general, make sure to practice self-care and don’t neglect your needs. Healthy eating, exercise, and proper rest are essential.

3. Keep Busy

Staying busy while you travel is the best distraction. It will help you avoid downtime, boredom, and too much empty space.

Make sure to plan in advance to stay active and engaged. Planned fun activities are great for any trip, whether it’s for business or pleasure. You can always take a city tour, visit a museum, or explore interesting neighborhoods.

4. Create Coping Strategies

Stress is a major element of traveling. Foreign environments, transportation challenges, and new circumstances can lead to anxiety. That’s why it’s important to have strategies ready for potential stress, instead of resorting to drugs or alcohol.

This may come in the form of meditation or some other kind of mental exercise. Whatever you use in your daily life will be helpful on your trip.

Also, prepare to cope with the added temptations of a new destination. Depending on where you’re headed, opportunities to drink may arise in various places. Be ready to avoid them or find a new setting.

5. Find a Temporary Recovery Network

You may find yourself staying at your new destination for an extended period of time. In this case, it’s easy to find another recovery network in a new city or town. Recovery meetings, such as AA, are held all over the world.

Local groups will welcome you wherever you are. They’ll help you stay grounded while you’re uprooted during travel. This center offers many effective treatment options and services for those in sobriety.

More Tips on Staying Sober

Staying sober is an ongoing process that requires patience and perseverance. When it comes to travel, these strategies will help you in your recovery and allow you to maintain a clear mind. To read more tips on living a healthy lifestyle, check out our blog.

 

When Enough is Enough : 10 Tips for Staging a Successful Substance Abuse Intervention

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Are you tired of sitting back and watching a loved one destroy themselves and everything around them? It’s time for a substance abuse intervention. Here’s how.

It’s scary to think about your loved one dealing with substance abuse. It’s even scarier to think about what might happen if you don’t address the issue.

About 21.5 million Americans struggle with substance abuse, which costs American society $200 billion in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost workplace productivity each year.

Substance abuse doesn’t have to be the story of your loved one’s life. We’re going through everything you need to know about staging a substance abuse intervention, from why you should do an intervention to the steps you need for a successful one.

Why Stage a Substance Abuse Intervention?

First things first: why should you stage an intervention?

Interventions are a helpful tool when friends and family have been unable to convince someone to seek support for substance abuse, especially if the individual is unwilling to accept that they have a problem.

It acts as a powerful way to convey a message from friends, family, and often a medical professional that someone needs help and their loved ones want to support them in seeking it.

What Happens in an Intervention?

The premise of an intervention is simple: the individual goes to a meeting with their loved ones, facilitated by an interventionist.

During this meeting, loved ones will read aloud a letter they wrote to the individual about how much they mean to the person, how their addiction has affected that person, and how they hope their relationship can proceed.

Signs You Need to Stage an Intervention

Admitting your loved one needs help is the first step towards getting them to admit that they need help. The key is to recognize problematic behaviors and know when to act.

This primarily has to do with recognizing the signs of addiction.

The specific signs of addiction can vary based on the drug of choice (opiate addiction is different than alcoholism, for example) but addictions do have a few commonalities. These include:

  • significant behavioral changes
  • significant physical changes
  • ongoing deceptiveness

Behavioral changes can include mood swings, irritability, or sudden failure to meet daily responsibilities. Physical changes can include anything from unexplainable weight changes to changes in sleeping patterns to a neglect of personal hygiene.

10 Steps to Stage an Addiction Intervention

Now that you know why you should stage an intervention and what to look for as signs that your loved one needs an intervention, let’s talk about what you should do during an intervention.

Remember that the ultimate goal of a family intervention is to get your loved one to agree to treatment. Structure your intervention with that in mind.

If your loved one does need to receive professional treatment for addiction, you can learn more about options with Jacksonville Metro Treatment Center.

1. Choose Your Team with Care

Before you write any letters or set a tie, you need to choose the right team for the task.

This isn’t as easy as choosing any family members who are willing to volunteer. You need people who know, love and trust the addicted person. More importantly, you need people the addicted person is most likely to listen to.

People who have strained relationships with the person are not the people you want in the room, even if they’re a close family member. The point of an intervention isn’t to air grievances or mend fences.

You can engage the whole family in recovery once the addicted person agrees to treatment, but that comes after the intervention.

It’s also a good idea to have a professional interventionist in the room to act as an impartial third party and keep the intervention on track and on message.

2. Find the Right Time and Place to Talk

When we talk about the right time, we’re not necessarily talking about a time of day, though that’s also important.

The bigger point here is to talk to your loved one during a sober moment, or as close to sober as they usually get.

In general, talking to someone while impaired by drugs or alcohol isn’t a great idea, as anyone who’s ever tried to reason with a drunk person can tell you. Besides a lack of rational thinking, drugs tend to impair a person’s ability to reason, remember, and react calmly to something they don’t like.

As a rule, first thing in the morning is usually a safe bet.

You should also find the right place to hold an intervention. Many families try to do this at home, but the family home can actually be too comfortable, as the person could retreat to the bathroom or their bedroom.

Instead, a therapist’s office is a good place to hold an intervention, as people tend to be on their best behavior and they won’t form negative associations with the room.

3. Gather Information

Next, you need to do your homework.

Gather information about nearby treatment options, as well as information on the type of addiction your loved one struggles with. This will help you have an informed dialogue when the time comes.

4. Plan the Order of Talking and Rehearse

Once everyone has the required information and you know where the intervention will happen, you need to figure out the order of speakers.

The intervention ends when the person leaves or agrees to go to treatment. Allowing the right person to speak at the right moment can reach the desired goal much faster.

For example, if the addicted person has a loving relationship with a spouse or child, the child could speak first and the spouse could speak last. That way, the child is speaking when the person is likely most resistant and needs convincing, and the spouse can speak when the person is feeling most moved.

You also need to hold rehearsals, preferably several. An intervention isn’t a school–emotions run high, and you need the speakers to keep emotions in check for the person to be receptive to what they’re hearing.

5. Write a Script and Stick to It

You also need to write a script, usually a letter to the addicted person. This will be your script. Anything not in the letter shouldn’t be said during the intervention.

Write your script and go through it several times with the interventionist. You want to maintain a calm, loving, nonaccusatory tone that nonetheless expresses the hurt you feel in a way that encourages the person to seek help.

Once you have your script, stick with it, regardless of what you or the addicted person may be feeling. Surprise can make people uncomfortable, and that can lead to critical errors that make the whole thing fall apart.

6. Mind Your Body Language

Your body language should be like the language of your script. It should show your loved one that you want to talk and you want them to change.

Be careful to maintain open, warm body language throughout the intervention. Your arms and legs should be uncrossed, with your hands unclenched. Your shoulders should tilt towards the person you’re speaking to, and you should look at them when you talk to them.

7. Manage Your Expectations

Before, during, and after the intervention, it’s important to keep your expectations in check and realistic.

The person likely won’t do a complete 180 shift in their life after an intervention, and it’s unfair to be frustrated when they don’t. It’s also unfair to be frustrated if they’re unreceptive to what you’re saying, no matter how badly the person has hurt you.

Remember that TV interventions are usually successful because, well, they’re on TV. Even if the whole intervention goes as planned, there’s no guarantee that the person will accept help, acknowledge that they need it, or even stay through the entire intervention.

It’s important to manage your expectations, as this will help you keep your emotions in check.

8. Keep Tempers in Check

With that in mind, it’s vital that everyone involved in the intervention keeps their tempers and emotions in check throughout the entire process.

If someone is addicted, chances are they’ve hurt you, intentionally or otherwise. That’s not fair to you or the other members of your family. But you should address those issues in treatment, not during an intervention.

The angrier or more upset everyone gets, the less likely it is for the addicted person to agree to treatment. Resist the urge to lay blame, argue back, launch counterattacks, or make ultimatums. If the person tries to pick a fight, don’t rise to the bait.

If the person picks a fight and manages to change the subject, you’re suddenly arguing about your family issues instead of the problem at hand, and that isn’t productive.

9. Don’t Give Up

Finally, don’t give up on your loved one, no matter how frustrated you might be.

They may be resistant now, but they need you at this moment more than ever. They need to acknowledge that they have a problem, and they need your compassion in order to do so.

Some people commit to making a change after one conversation. Others take several tries. The key is to keep trying and not lose your patience.

Beyond Your Substance Abuse Intervention

A substance abuse intervention can be scary, but this is when your loved one needs you the most. If you want your loved one to make a change in their life, you need to give them the support and prompting to do it.

If you need more tips for living a healthier, drug-free life, check out our blog for more tips, like this post on what to do if you think your child is on drugs.

 

Prepaid Funeral Plans: Preparing Your Family Financially

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In life, there are unexpected expenses you don’t always save up for. One example of this is paying for a funeral. A decade ago, funerals used to cost around £1,920. Nowadays, the cost of a decent funeral is around £4,000. Imagine how much it would be a decade from now. Saving enough for a funeral is not sufficient. Rising interest rates and inflation can cause your savings to decrease in value over time.

Although it is often thought of as taboo, preparing for funeral costs ahead of time by paying for a funeral plan is considered a sound financial decision. The advantage of paying for a funeral plan is the assurance that you are getting the services you wished to have while paying for prices at today’s rate. What are the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan?

The assurance of fulfilling your final wishes

You can buy a funeral plan for yourself or any of your family members. Unfortunately, if you don’t know the final wishes of your loved one, you may end up planning a funeral without knowing these wishes. If you pay for a plan now, you can ensure that these wishes are respected and granted when the time comes. More importantly, you have peace of mind knowing that a death in the family will not add unnecessary financial burden later.

You can choose a funeral director

Before you compare funeral costs and the cost of paying for a plan, you should also consider finding a funeral director you can trust. Most funeral plan providers work with a network of highly experienced funeral directors. Buying a plan also assures you that your service is locked in with a reputable funeral director.

Your funeral funds are secured

One of the reasons why people hesitate to pay for a funeral plan is the possibility of losing their money. On the contrary, funeral plan companies are also life assurance companies that ensure your money is secured. If you want a better guarantee, buy a plan from an established company. You can easily research reviews and feedback from clients and customers which will guide you in choosing the right funeral plan provider.

Secure your family’s inheritance

Worrying about money is the last thing you want when a loved one passes on. It is common to encounter this issue when a family is not prepared for such events. In some cases, paying for a funeral can lead to unnecessary debt. You can avoid worrying about finances if you prepay a funeral plan. Remember that if you have an estate, part of it will pay for funeral costs. By paying for a funeral plan, the estate is protected.

Careful financial planning should not only include expected events but must also take into account the possibility of unexpected situations. Paying for a funeral plan should be included in every family’s preparation. It gives you peace of mind and assurance knowing that when a loved one passes away, a funeral plan provider will support you every step of the way.

6 Traits to Expect from Professional Personal Injury Lawyers

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6 Traits to Expect from Quality Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’re dealing with injuries and a legal case, you’re stressed enough. Here are 10 traits you can expect from quality, successful personal injury lawyers.

If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, the victim of a car accident based on the negligence of others, or are dealing with the results of poor medical care, then we know that you’re already on the hunt for a good attorney.

Maybe your injury makes it hard to sleep at night, forces you to take strong medication, or has even left you with limited mobility.

So, what should you look for when you’re in the process of interviewing personal injury lawyers?

While some traits will depend on the specifics of your case, there are a few hard and fast rules that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to choosing the right lawyer.

Ready to find out more about how to find an attorney that will fight for you?

If so, then you should keep on reading this post.

1. Proper Licensing

Of course, the first thing that you want to do when learning more about a personal injury claim lawyer is to make sure they are licensed to practice law in your state.

The best place to go to check out and verify the licensing information of personal injury lawyers in your state? The American Bar Association’s website and database.

Simply click on the state where your case is located, then type in your attorney’s name into the search bar. You want to ensure that they are licensed in the state, and that their license is still currently active.

2. A Strong Web Presence

Once you’ve verified the licensing of a personal accident lawyer, you should also take a look at their web presence.

Is their website professional, frequently updated, and does it clearly list their contact information? Does it include testimonials, information about common legal problems, or have a blog?

If so, then you know you’re on the right track.

For example, take a look at the website of these attorneys.

In addition to excellent biographies and trial information about the firm’s lawyers, the site also contains the areas of personal injury law that they specialize in. These areas are organized according to incidents like truck and bus accidents, defective drugs, pedestrian injuries, and more.

These are the kinds of specifics that you’ll want to look out for.

3. An Excellent Trial Record

When you meet or speak with a personal injury lawyer in your area, you want to make sure that you have as much information as possible about their past trial records.

While it’s not realistic to expect zero case losses, see if they have experience with your specific case type, how often they’re able to settle out of court, and how many cases they’ve won.

You should also look into the amount of settlement that they’ve been able to win for their past clients, as well as the average length of the trials they’ve worked on in the past.

This will help you to better determine the kind of outcome that you may be able to achieve in your own case.

4. Great Industry Contacts

A personal injury claim lawyer should have numerous contacts within not only the legal profession, but also within the medical field.

They’ll also need to have connections with accident reconstruction specialists, mental health professionals, union representatives, and even financial experts who can ensure you’re requesting the proper settlement amount.

Ask your attorney what sorts of legal associations and law guilds that they belong to. This will give you a good idea of the network they’ve created for themselves. Additionally, be sure to ask about the qualifications of anyone else who may be working on your case.

5. A Specialization in Personal Injury Law

Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of working with lawyers who do not specialize in personal injury.

Your case is simply too important to leave in the hands of someone who only practices personal injury law secondarily.

Without this specialization, your attorney won’t be as experienced in things like Tort Law, collecting the proper evidence, or even the ins and outs of how a personal injury court case should play out.

Do you really want to risk working with someone who may not know the proper paperwork to file, or who could overlook key case details?

Work only with personal injury lawyers to ensure you have the best chance at justice.

6. Superior Communication Skills

Before you make a final decision about a potential personal accident lawyer, you need to ensure that they have strong communication skills.

This is why it’s so important to schedule an in-person case evaluation or consultation. First of all, doing so gives you the chance to ask all the right questions about their qualifications and experience.

But it also allows you to see how they explain difficult legal concepts to you. Are they clear and concise? Do they seem confident about your case? Are they persuasive? Most of all, do you feel heard and listened to?

If a personal injury lawyer can’t even get their own client on their side, there’s no way they’ll be able to convince a courtroom.

Looking for More Information About Personal Injury Lawyers?

From the right trial experience to great communication skills, we hope you’ve learned about the kinds of traits you should look for in personal injury lawyers.

Above all, remember to go with your gut. If you feel like there’s just not a connection between you and the lawyer — even if they have excellent credentials — it’s best to move on.

Looking for additional advice about working with legal professionals? Want to understand more about how to best prepare for a case?

We can help you with that.

Explore our blog for more information on what to expect and what you can do now to keep your case in good standing.

 

The 8 Most Comfortable Couches You Can Buy in 2018

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The 8 Most Comfortable Couches You Can Buy in 2018

Thinking about getting a new couch? Most likely style and comfort is at the top of your wish list. Look no further. Here’s the eight comfortable couches today.

You get home after a long day at work and snuggle up on the couch with your spouse and kids. Then, Rufus jumps into the mix because he, of course, wouldn’t have it any other way.

And neither would you.

All of a sudden, you realize that your couch is more than just another piece of furniture sitting in your home. It’s where some of your family’s most meaningful moments take place.

In other words, it’s where life happens.

For this reason, purchasing a new sofa to replace your current one is no minor task. Comfort and style likely top your wish list, and fortunately, several sofas on the market today meet these standards.

Here’s a rundown on eight comfortable couches that are available this fall.

Let’s jump in!

1. Comfortable Couches Include Simboli 415

If you’re looking for comfortable modern furniture, look no further than Incanto.

Many sectionals and sofas by Incanto feature wooden frames, as well as backs and seats that are filled with features. In addition, they are covered with high-quality leathers that are available in various colors.

A particularly popular couch is Incanto’s Simboli 415, a sectional that can also be used as a sofa bed. This sofa is known for possessing excellent quality and a modern design. However, its unobtrusive, thin arms and its ultra-fluffy backs and seats make it extremely comfortable, too.

This remains a top couch because it fits various spaces, can be shaped in a “U” or “L” form to accommodate your specific seating needs, and can easily complement your living room’s existing color palette.

2. Marbella Leather Couch

If you’re into Italian leather couches, like the Simboli, you’ll also quickly fall in love with Gamma International.

This company has a reputation for emphasizing comfort while not losing sight of contemporary design. This is evident in couches like the Marbella Leather Sofa.

What makes this and other Gamma International couches so comfortable is that their fillings feature soft foams and feathers for a one-of-a-kind relaxation experience.

3. Zeb Queen Couch

This sleeper sofa available through Wayfair is known for being comfortable, as the mattress part is made from memory foam.

However, the Zeb Queen Sleeper couch — which is available in espresso, charcoal, and quartz — also looks great in a variety of living spaces.

An added bonus? The sofa comes with a microfiber covering, which makes cleaning it a breeze.

4. Riemann Sofa

If you prefer your sofa to have a more traditional look, the Riemann Polyester couch will likely sit well with you.

This sofa, available through Home Depot, looks just as classy in formal living rooms as it does in family rooms. In addition, it comes in smoke, pearl, and blue hues, so just choose the one that works best with your living space’s existing decor.

A major plus of this type of sofa is that a microsuede fabric covers it, so cleaning it couldn’t be easier. Also, its curved design makes it easy to have conversations, thus making it a true family couch.

Above all, though, the couch has a padded hardwood frame and cushions that make the couch firm yet comfortable enough for kicking back and relaxing anytime.

5. DwellStudio Maxine Sofa

This sofa is among the most comfortable and gorgeous couches you can buy.

The DwellStudio sofa is an ideal option if you want a couch that oozes class and luxury. It features top-grain leather in 11 shades. You can also even personalize the sofa’s leg color, which may range from brass to chrome, bronze and even gold.

Maybe you plan to use the couch predominately for cocktail parties, or perhaps you need the perfect couch for casual weekend catnaps. Either way, you can expect this couch to remain easy to clean and to hold up for years to come.

6. Ashley Signature Sofa

The Ashley Signature Larkinhurst sofa is yet another traditional-looking sofa option with a style of its own thanks to its turned feet and rolled arms.

In addition, the couch’s polyester and polyurethane fabric mimics the look of weathered or distressed leather. As a result, the couch looks more expensive than it actually is.

Even though the fabric won’t be as long-lasting as real leather would be, it’s still relatively durable. On top of this, the earthy brown hue can easily handle stains well.

When it comes to comfort, this couch features back cushions that are attached, as well as seat cushions that are loose for great support. Also, because the cushions have zippers, you can adjust their fill material as needed to avoid having a strange lump in one of your cushions.

7. Radley Five-Piece Sofa

The Radley Chaise Sectional Sofa is a great option if you’re looking for a high-end-looking and versatile sofa for your living space.

This sectional does require a fairly big space due to its size. However, with its soft fabric texture, it offers an extremely comfortable area for hanging out with family and friends.

What’s great about this sofa is that you can easily rearrange its various parts to create a configuration that works best for your room size.

8. Willow Sofa

If your living space is on the smaller side, don’t worry — the Willow Sofa from Crate & Barrel should your space with no problem.

This couch is slightly smaller than your traditional sofa. There’s also a version of this sofa that is a little less wide for an even smaller space.

This classic, simple sofa is cushy and comfortable enough to relax on after a hard day while not feeling cramped despite its smaller size.

How We Can Help

In addition to highlighting the most comfortable couches, we offer a wide range of lifestyle tips to help you to keep your home looking great and in tip-top shape.

Take a peek here to learn more about how you can add value to your home — and thus to your life — for years to come.

 

Why Seniors Might Pose a Higher Risk for Car Accidents in Houston

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Statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that seniors account for as many as 18% of all the drivers involved in fatal car collisions every year. Seniors are classified as drivers who are 65 years of age or older. Although the younger generation is considered risky when out on the road, those who are older the 65 are just as risky, if not more so, then the teenage population who gets such a bad rapport.

Statistics also show that over 14 million Americans were in a car accident with a driver who was a senior citizen. The reason might be that being older increases your risk of being in a car accident. Studies show that with increased age comes a decreased reaction time, and after age 80, drivers are as much as six times more likely to be in a fatal car accident than their younger companions. This means that elderly drivers pose a significant risk when they are out on Houston streets.

Why the elderly are riskier drivers

Although seniors are less likely to speed, they are the cause of many more fatal car accidents than other age groups. Their inability to react quickly might be to blame. Their slow reaction time is especially problematic at intersections because they often don’t see signs, make improper left-hand turns or fail to yield when necessary.

Older drivers also have a lower threshold of attention for obstacles on the road and dangers when they present themselves.

The biggest contributing factors of increased risk when seniors are behind the wheel are:

  • Age-related injuries or illnesses
  • Failing vision or hearing, which might desensitize people to hazards
  • A decline in mental acuity or cognition related to dementia or Alzheimer’s that has yet to be diagnosed

How Texas deals with driving laws for seniors

Due to the increased risk of seniors being in a fatal car accident, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles have special laws that apply to people who are over the age of 79.

If you are ages 79 to 84, you have to renew your license through the state every six years by physically going to the DMV. If you are over 85, then you have to renew your license in person every two years. Drivers who are 79 or older have to submit to a medical evaluation and a vision screening to renew their license. Additionally, family members concerned about the driving behaviors of their loved ones can request that the DMV investigate whether their loved one should continue to drive or not.

What is a Possible License Restriction?

If a person is considered high-risk, they might be able to maintain their license, but have specific driving restrictions. If they don’t fail but are having difficulty passing their exam, then certain restrictions might apply. These restrictions can include:

  • Not being allowed to drive on the freeway
  • Only driving when there is someone over the age of 21 as a passenger in the car
  • Only driving during daytime hours
  • Staying under 45 miles per hour
  • Wearing their hearing aids when behind the wheel
  • Using vehicles equipped with tools to make it easier and safer to drive

If you believe that your loved one should not be behind the wheel of a car either for their own safety or for the safety of others, then you can ask the Department of Motor Vehicles to investigate and determine whether your loved one should retain their license or not.

For additional help, you can also ask that their physician request an investigation. If you need help because you have been in an accident with a senior citizen or you are a senior who has mistakenly had their license revoked, then it is possible to hire a injury attorney in Houston to help you.

How to Get Justice after a Refinery Accident

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There is a set of specific risks that come with working in a refinery:

  • Flammable and explosive substances;
  • Falling materials or debris;
  • Dangerous weather conditions;
  • Equipment failure;
  • Improper safety precautions employed by the company;

And these are only the elements that can cause immediate damage. Those working in a refinery can also be exposed to substances that can have lasting effects on their health. Respiratory issues caused by the low-air quality in a refinery, for instance, are common health problems. All these threats can result in injuries, leaving the workers to deal with a lengthy process of coping, recovering, and getting proper compensation for their injuries.

If you’ve been involved in such an incident, then you are most likely dreading the months to come. After all, it’s a bleak scenario most don’t want to think about until they are forced to:

  • It affects your livelihood and your entire family;
  • It can bring a long period of physical recovery;
  • Medical bills and treatment can affect your finances;
  • It can even force you to find a new job if the injuries are so severe that you are not cleared to work in the refinery again;

However, in the case of a refinery injury, it’s essential to gather yourself quickly, think of the next steps to take and make sure you minimize its effects as much as you can.

Take Immediate Care of Your Injuries

The first and most important step is to take care of yourself. Seek medical help right away, and inform your employer of your situation.

It’s possible to receive some medical care at the site of the accident, but you should also see a doctor of your choosing once your condition is stable. They can help assess your case and the severity of your injury, which will be useful when seeking compensation.

Seek Legal Counsel

If you’ve been the victim of a refinery accident, then it’s best to hire an attorney to represent your legal interests. Even if your employer offers insurance, a knowledgeable lawyer can help navigate your claims, avoid legal loopholes and get you fair compensation.

Trying to do this all by yourself would be a time-consuming and challenging process. After a refinery accident, your priority should be your health and well being, not trying to understand the complexity of compensation law, insurance policies, or other bureaucratic matters and problems that might arise along the way.

Hire an Experienced Lawyer

Your safest bet is to get the help of an attorney experienced in worker’s compensation cases, especially since this niche comes with a broad set of challenges. Do a bit of online research and look for law firms that have the right expertize to represent you. Some even offer free consultations, so you can set a meeting to discuss your case and see if you’re comfortable with them.

Don’t think that you can sit back and relax once you’ve hired a refinery accident lawyer. Ask to be kept in the loop and be updated regularly. Your attorney shouldn’t make any critical decision without you knowing.

Keep Detailed Accounts of the Events

While your lawyer’s job includes talking to witnesses and securing any documentation related to your accident, you could also take some precautions to speed this process.

For instance, you could create a list of witnesses and other incidents at the refinery. You could also collect all the medical bills you get for receiving treatment for the accident. Share everything with your attorney who will represent you in your worker’s compensation claim.

A Long Way to Go

The process of recovery and rehabilitation depends dramatically on the severity of your injury, though it’s unlikely you’ll be back to work very soon after an accident.

Employer negligence or not, having a professional handle your legal actions can improve your chances of winning a trial or receiving proper compensation. Your priority should always be focusing on your well being, not trying to figure out the legal system on your own.

Simple Fixes and Changes: How to Make Your Property More Profitable

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If you’re looking to improve your home’s value on the market, it doesn’t hurt to give it a little extra weight and gravitas by doing a few renovations here and there. Remodelling your house can be a challenging task, but it can be gratifying to fix your home from top to bottom. Here are a few home improvement tips that are sure to make your home the envy of the housing market.

Changing the colour palette

A smart way to expand your home’s surface area is by changing its colours. Don’t believe me? Try turning your room’s palette into lighter hues, and you’ll see the effect almost immediately. Dark tones often make the room smaller. Stay away from darker colours especially if you’re painting the interior of the house.

Improving the flooring, inside and out

Hardwood is very expensive to install and would take weeks before you could start working on your upper floors. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, vinyl flooring could be the right choice to make. Vinyl flooring comes in sheets and isexcellent for insulation inside the home. Not only do they come in various colours and textures, but they’re also cheaper than the flooring that they imitate. From marble to mahogany, they are easy to install and easy to maintain and clean.

Hiring commercial paving experts can give you the best value for your money if you’re looking to improve your home. If you’re looking for a great way to stylize your outdoors, you could opt to choose marble or concrete, but there are other options as well. Choosing resin-bound paving could be one of the smartest decisions you’ll make. Not only does it make your home safe from flooding, but it also comes in different tints that can put an accent on your interior’s colour palette together with your outdoor landscape design.

Furnishing to stay in style

It’s a bold move to sell your house fully equipped with furniture, but it’s a great way to entice a potential buyer with minimalist furniture. Not only does it look pretty and compact, but it also makes use of small spaces. Having stackable drawers and chairs can make a room feel much broader while still having room for valuables.

Widening your spaces

Emphasise your windows and doorways. Consider if your house faces the sunrise in the right direction so that you can plan where to place areas where natural light can come through. Installing windows or glass panels in those areas are great ways to make use of natural light to expand your room’s depth.

If you don’t have the liberty of having spacious enough hallways or bedrooms, now might be the time to widen your spaces and to reduce your walls. Potential buyers are more attracted to wide open spaces, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas. If you can make the most out of it, be sure to give a much-needed adjustment to areas that have a lot of foot traffic.

7 Ways You Can “Go Green’ in Your Home to Save the Environment

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Are you interested in doing your part to save the environment? Here are seven of the best eco-friendly changes you can make to “go green” in your home.

The clock is ticking on how long fossil fuels will last. Some estimates guess that oil, coal, and gas will only be around for 35, 107 and 37 years. To save the environment, we’ve got to make some changes in the way we live.

We all need to do our part to save our resources. There are many ways you can be part of the solution. And it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune, either.

You can live a greener lifestyle if you try these 7 things.

How to Save the Environment: Go Green!

Do these 7 things, and you’ll make a difference in the lives of everyone on the planet.

1. Conserve Energy

This tip costs you nothing. In fact, it can save you a ton of money and benefit the environment at the same time!

  • Turn Off Lights – Leaving the room? Turn off the light!
  • Use Low Wattage Bulbs – Replace light bulbs with energy-conscious bulbs. They may cost a little more up front, but they last 10 times as long.
  • Plug Into Power Strips – Use power strips to turn on and off power to many electronics or appliances at once.
  • Use Less Heating & Cooling – You can use the sun to heat in the winter by opening the blinds. Keep your house cooler in the summer by closing them up. Block any drafty windows or doors during all seasons. Energy efficient windows and curtains can help reduce heating and cooling use, too.

Another energy conservation option is to go solar! Since solar installation is an investment up front, it may take a little longer to see savings. But, the benefit to the environment is instant!

2. Save Water

This is a responsible choice that benefits everyone. Water may not be a fossil fuel, but we all need to conserve it.

Use water responsibly by following these tips.

  • Take Shorter Showers – Set a timer and finish your shower in 10 minutes or less! You can conserve a lot of water if you keep your showers short.
  • Install Low Flow Shower Heads – Low Flow shower heads reduce the amount of water that comes out of your shower head. You can use up to 50% less water if you install one.
  • Repair Leaky Faucets – That drip is costing you money and wasting water. Get it repaired to conserve water.
  • Drink From The Tap – Most people have treated water and it’s safe and healthy to drink! Stop buying bottled water and use what you’ve already got.
  • Water Lawns Less – Reduce the time you water, and do it early in the morning or late at night. It will be more likely to soak into the soil with less run-off. Consider Zeroscaping for low maintenance, low water lawn options!

3. Drive Less

Controlling the amount of fuel you use is a fantastic way to save the environment.

There are three immediate benefits to using this tip:

  1. It reduces harmful chemicals that pollute our environment.
  2. It conserves fossil fuels.
  3. Less gas for your car means those resources last longer. Third, you could get more exercise and connect with people!

Here are some great alternatives to driving:

  • Carpool – Find a coworker or a friend going in the same direction. Take turns driving to conserve fuel use and costs.
  • Walk or Bike – If you’re close enough, consider walking or biking to work. You’ll save money and fuel and get some exercise, too.
  • Mass Transit – Live and work close to the city? Skip the car altogether! Use the mass transit options your city has in place.
  • Combine Errands – Run all your errands on a single day instead of spreading out in several mini trips all week.

4. Cut Out Disposable Products

Reduce the number of disposable products you use. Here are some ways to do this, now!

  • Use Your Own Bags – Plastic bags are a terrible use of resources! Do your part to reduce them. Take reusable bags to the grocery store, farmers market and anywhere else you shop.
  • No More Disposable Cups – Buy a reusable coffee cup and take it with you to the coffee shop. Better yet, make your coffee at home!
  • Wash Your Dishes – Quit using paper plates, cups and napkins. Use the dishes in your cabinet to eliminate these wasteful products.
  • Switch to Cloth Napkins – You’re doing laundry, anyway. Buy several cloth napkins and toss used ones in with your towels on laundry day.
  • Quit Paper Towels – Microfiber cloths and dish towels are a great alternative to paper towels. You won’t need to waste paper with this option!
  • Try Unique Reusable Products – Look for some creative green living products that are coming on the market. Many are environmentally friendly and reusable, like these reusable sandwich bags!

5. Recycle

If you don’t have a recycling service it’s time to get one! Many containers and paper products can be recycled. Glass, plastic, and aluminum are all recyclable!

Recycling not offered in your neighborhood? Most grocery stores have recycled bins you might be able to use.

6. Grow Your Own Food

Thinking about starting a garden? It can save you money, bring in fresh, organic produce and conserve resources, too!

The more food you grow for yourself, the fewer resources are used to get food to you. It’s healthier, too!

Here are some gardening ideas to help you live green.

  • Patio Gardens – You don’t need a big yard to grow vegetables. Pick out some pots and start a garden right on your patio.
  • Vegetable Landscaping – Looking for a way to make your yard do double duty? Consider landscaping with vegetables. You can eat them and even share with your neighbors.
  • Produce Sharing Programs – Speaking of sharing with your neighbors, why not be a trend starter? Consider starting a produce sharing program. Trade vegetables to help each other save the environment, save money and eat healthy, too!
  • Community Gardens – Connect with people and share food through community gardens. Everyone plants and tends the garden, then enjoy the rewards of their labor.

7. Go Paperless

Stop receiving paper copies of bank statements, utility bills, and credit card statements. In fact, look at every way you can possibly stop receiving mail.

Here are some options to reduce the amount of mail you receive:

  • Use Electronic Bill Pay – No more stamps, no more envelopes, no more bill coupons! Send those bills through the electronic bill pay system to save those resources.
  • Sign Up for E-Bills – Receive your statements via email to cut out paper and postal costs.
  • Use Couponing Apps – Sign up for electronic coupons with your grocery store and favorite shops.
  • Take Your Name Off Mailing Lists – Don’t let companies send you catalogs or magazines. Look at them online, instead.

Traditional mail uses up fuel, wastes labor resources and kills trees. Conserve them by cutting out all but the necessary mail.

Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late

The clock is ticking. The time to change to a greener lifestyle is now.

Do your part to save the environment by making even a few of these changes in the way you live. We can’t wait any longer to make the move to a greener, more responsible lifestyle.

Looking for more articles about home and lifestyle topics? Check out our blog!

Looking to advertise in our magazine? Feel free to contact us.

 

 

4 Local Marketing Ideas to Help Boost Your Business Sales

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With so much talk about digital marketing, it’s easy for business owners to forget about other methods. These 5 local marketing ideas are sure to inspire you.

When you run a small business, the more customers, the better. And one way to do that is to market yourself.

Marketing works, and the success you have with it depends on how good at it you are. The amount of attention you get depends on how well you put in place your strategy. So, here are some local marketing ideas that will help you stay on the mark with your marketing plan.

Local Marketing Ideas

These are some fool-proof ways to catch everyone’s eye. The more personable and unique you are, the more people take notice.

1. Trade Shows

Trade shows, or exhibitions, are a great place to start. There, you’ll find other business owners and those in the same industry. It’s also a great place to market yourself to would-be customers.

Set up a booth and introduce your product. Don’t forget to shake hands and strike up conversations with others. You’ll likely learn quite a few things from those who have been in the business longer.

It’s also a great time to hire a custom stickers maker. Get some stickers to hand out that have all your information on them. Be sure and make the design pop, keeping it close to your brand.

2. Volunteer in the Community

Another wonderful way to gain a customer base is by volunteering in the community. Take some time to give back, knowing it’ll come back around to you. Some great ways to volunteer are:

  • Sports team sponsoring
  • Bake sale for charities
  • Auction for charity
  • Create a team for marathon events
  • Adopt a highway to pick up trash
  • Plant trees in exchange for business
  • Host lunch events for kids

When people see you giving to the community, they feel good about giving their business to you.

3. Social Media Presence

In this day, a solid social media presence is an excellent way to get attention.

Create an account on all the most popular platforms, keeping true to your brand in design. Be unique, and stay in touch with customers. The more you interact with customers, the more they’ll respect your company. Don’t be afraid to have fun, too.

4. Hang Up Posters and Flyers in Local Businesses

One of the oldest types of marketing and PR is flyers. Hanging up posters and flyers in windows is a great way to get noticed. Letting others do the same in your business also sets up a partnership, allowing others to do the same for you. It’s a cycle of respect among small business owners.

Why do flyers and posters garner so much attention? Most people are visual. And flyers with your company’s info brings in business.

Business and More

Use these local marketing ideas to boost your sales and gain more customers. Not only will you find them easy, but you’ll also see they’re effective. People like a company that goes after what they want instead of waiting for business to come to them.

Want more business and marketing reads? Check out our business archive for everything you need.