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No one revels in the delights of summer like a kid. West Virginia schools are out, the sun is high and hot, and the long days are filled with light and the prospect of innumerable adventures. In fact, because there is so much potential for adventure-much of it unsupervised-many parents opt to enroll their kids in one or more summer camps in hopes that having a set schedule and a series of planned activities in which to participate will keep the youngsters out of trouble and, most importantly, out of harm's way. But summer seems to invite as many childhood accidents as it does moments of bliss, and no matter how structured a kid's summer is, a certain amount of mishaps are inevitable. The warm weather inspires a whole new slew of activities, many of which require an increased attention to safety on the part of both kids and parents. Use the following three tips to keep kids safer this summer:

Have Helmets on Hand - Kids spend a lot of time outside in the summer, and much of that time is spent on bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, and other wheeled contraptions. And don't forget about trampolines and pogo sticks-they, too, are popular with the rambunctious younger set. Consequently, there's an increased risk for head injuries in the summertime, when kids are outdoors doing things that can potentially result in crashes and falls. Have helmets on hand for all the kids in your life to don each and every time they use one of the above-mentioned items. Make sure every child has a helmet that is properly fitted to his or her head. Mark helmets with colored tape or children's names so they can readily identify which one is theirs, and store helmets in an easily accessible place, such as a chest near the front door, so kids never have an excuse (i.e. "I couldn't find it!") not to wear them.

Be Vigilant About Sun Protection - Severe burns, dehydration, and heat stroke all land kids in the emergency room during the summer months. Make a generous application of sunscreen part of the morning routine in your house, ensuring that every kid is covered in high SPF sun protection. Opt for a chemical-free, physical sunscreen (one that uses physical blockers such as titanium dioxide, rather than potentially toxic chemical screens) that offers broad-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) protection. Make sure kids have hats, as well as lightweight garments with built-in sunblocking capabilities that can offer further protection. In addition, encourage kids to stay hydrated throughout the day by providing each one with her own personalized, easily portable water container (choose a non-toxic metal model rather than a plastic one).

Revamp and Refresh Your First Aid Kit - If you haven't peeked into your first aid kit since last summer, now is the time to do so. Replace any expired products, such as aspirin and antibiotic creams. Consider revamping the kit's contents by adding the following: bee sting remedies, homeopathic remedies to aid in calming injured kids who are stressed or scared (chamomilla is a good start), essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus to repel mosquitoes and ticks without the kid-hazardous toxic chemicals in commercial products, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer for you or your child to use before applying any first aid. Make a few versions of the same kit: one to keep at home, one for your vehicle, and a smaller one for the backpack your kid takes on outdoor adventures-even just the ones he takes in the neighborhood.

Call or contact Arndt-McBee Insurance Agency today for any of your insurance-related questions.

Home sweet home is an obvious place to give a good scrubbing once springtime in West Virginia arrives. It's time to wipe the grime out of every nook and cranny, wash the carpets and curtains, and pack away the space heaters and down blankets.

Doing so can revitalize your business and put a new spring in the steps-no pun intended-of all your employees. Here are some tips:

• Declutter: Rid your business environment of all extraneous, unnecessary stuff: papers, broken supplies, ancient inventory that you can't seem to sell, etc. When doing so, remember to be earth conscious: recycle everything you can, dispose of all chemicals in the appropriate manner, and take used electronics to a facility that can repurpose or restore them, or make tax-deductible donations of still-useful items to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill.
• Liven Up the Landscaping: Consider planting some brightly colored flowers and lush plants around the exterior of your place of business. This may help to attract new customers, and is a natural mood-lifter. If you can't make these alterations to your business's outdoor environment, bring some potted plants and flowers inside. Let their fragrance and hues breathe new life into your business!
• Improve Functionality: Spring is a good time to upgrade and purchase tools, equipment, or technology for your business that is more functional and efficient. For example, consider replacing outdated cash registers or credit card machines with a multi-tasking computer system. Get rid of bulky file cabinets and scan all your documents into digital files that can be stored on a hard drive.
• Go Green: Spring is a time when we tend to appreciate the earth's beauty and bounty, so it makes sense to do what we can to preserve it. Consider making your place of business greener by installing a solar heating system, putting energy-efficient light bulbs in all fixtures, using recycled rainwater to hydrate your landscape, or designating special bins where employees can deposit their recyclable waste.
• Re-Evaluate Relationships: Relationships-between employees and between the business and its customers-are really what make a company thrive. This spring, re-evaluate the way your business approaches relationships. Do you have healthy relationships with your employees and do they get along well with each other? How do you maintain positive connections with your current clients? How to you attract new clients? Consider incorporating community-building activities into the workplace, such as potlucks, picnics, or sports events. Create a newsletter to stay in touch with your existing customer base, and try new forms of advertising to gain new customers.

For any of your insurance questions, Contact Arndt-McBee Insurance Agency today.

If you are a business owner in West Virginia who pays for your employee's health coverage and sick leave, you have good reason to motivate these employees to stay healthy. Good employee health translates to good financial health for you and your business!

Promoting employee health can be tricky, though. After all, your employees are generally neither your family nor your friends, so it may not be appropriate for you to discourage Mabel in Accounting from eating those jelly doughnuts for breakfast, or to comment on Jack in Human Resources about his recent weight gain. How can you inspire your employees to take care of their health while remaining professional and providing alluring incentives? Here are some ideas:

• Make Money the Reward - Enlist the help of an incentive-based health engagement company-there are a few different ones out there-which will set up a program for your employees. In a typical set-up, employees receive points for engaging in different healthy behaviors, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator, and each point has a monetary value. Employees can earn a maximum amount of dollars per year through the accrual of their points.
• Create Company Sports Teams - If you employ enough people, you can create two or more teams and have a weekly game of basketball, soccer, softball, or any other sport after work hours. If you have a small number of employees, ask another local business to form a team to play against yours once a week. In addition to promoting fitness, this activity can create more camaraderie among coworkers-always a good thing!
• Make Small Changes to the Environment - Post a picture or sign near the door of the elevator that will inspire people to use the stairs. For example, a simple graphic showing a person walking up a stairway with the words "Stay Healthy" printed on it can be motivating without having the effect of a shaming lecture. If your business has a snack or drink machine, keep it filled with healthful options like whole grain crackers, fresh fruits, juices, and waters. Even better, have a well-equipped kitchen available for your employees so they can prepare their own healthful lunches and snacks each day rather than ordering less-healthful options from restaurants and fast food chains.
• Exercise to Benefit Your Community - Does your community ever have walks, races, triathlons, or other similar events to raise funds for non-profit organizations? If so, encourage your employees to participate. If not, consider creating an event-like a 5K walk to raise money for your local animal shelter. Doing so will have many benefits: it will be good for employee health; it will increase the visibility of your business; and it will benefit the organization for which the funds are being raised
• Host a Healthy Recipe Potluck Invite all your employees to participate in a company potluck. Make the theme of the potluck low-fat, low-calorie, healthful recipes. Use this as an opportunity for employees to share healthy eating tips and recipes. As an incentive for participating in the potluck, have the evening culminate in a "tastiest dish contest"; employees can sample each dish and vote on their favorite one, with the winner receiving a prize or cash reward.

For any questions about employee health coverage, Contact Arndt-McBee Insurance Agency today.