Vision Tips

(ARA) – If you’ve ever come in from a day sailing, picnicking or lying on the beach and your eyes felt tired, sore and gritty, you likely experienced ultraviolet radiation (UVR) overexposure. It’s critical to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays to decrease your risk of developing serious vision issues such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, the leading causes of blindness.

Maintaining vision health can be especially important for women. In fact, a report from the National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), “Women and Healthy Vision,” shows that women are at higher risk than men of having vision problems.

“Studies show women tend to live longer than men, putting them at a higher risk for developing eye issues that become prevalent with age,” says Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, a registered nurse and executive director of the NWHRC. “It is important for women to understand the facts when it comes to sun exposure and eye health so that they can better prevent unnecessary sun-related damage.”

Understanding ultraviolet radiation
There are three ranges of UVR: UV-C, UV-B and UV-A. The most damaging form is UV-C, but luckily it’s absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and doesn’t reach your eyes.

The second kind of UVR is UV-B rays. Exposure to these rays is closely linked with photokeratitis (a kind of sunburn of the cornea and iris), cataracts, pterygium (a white or creamy growth attached to the cornea) and even a form of eye cancer called squamous cell cancer. The third type of UVR is UV-A. Although laboratory studies find it can damage the retina (the light-sensitive membrane that covers the back of the eye), very little UV-A reaches your retina because most is absorbed by other parts of the eye. Still, some researchers suspect it may contribute to cataract development.

How to protect your eyes
Think sun exposure and eyes and you probably think sunglasses. While wearing sunglasses is definitely a good idea when it comes to eye protection, not all sunglasses are created equal. Look for sunglasses that transmit no more than 1 percent UV-B and 1 percent UV-A rays. Sometimes the information on the glasses will say they block at least 99 percent of the UVR.

Other things to look for when selecting a pair of sunglasses include:

* Lenses large enough to completely cover the eye and prevent as much light as possible from entering through the edges of the glasses. Wrap-around sunglasses are best.

* Gray lenses, because they provide the greatest protection.

* Darker lenses, particularly if you spend a lot of time exposed to UVR.

If you wear contact lenses, don’t toss the sunglasses. The best way to protect your eyes from the sun is a combination of quality sunglasses, contact lenses (if you wear them) and a wide-brimmed hat.

Protecting children’s eyes
Just as significant exposure to the sun in childhood is a leading risk factor for skin cancer in adulthood, so, too, is it a risk factor for later eye damage. In fact, researchers estimate we receive 80 percent of our lifetime exposure to UVR rays before age 18.

Additionally, children’s eyes transmit more UVR rays to the retina than adults’, increasing their exposure and risk of later eye damage. That’s why it’s so important to protect children’s eyes. While sports glasses offer important safety benefits, they’re designed to protect a child’s eyes from injuries, not from the sun.

It is best to teach children to wear a hat that shades their eyes as well as a pair of sunglasses. Use the stroller hood and try not to walk directly into the sun, pick the shaded side of the street if you can and while at the park, pool, or beach, try to keep little ones in a shaded area.

For more information and a free copy of the “Women and Healthy Vision” report, visit
www.healthywomen.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Outdoor Living

(ARA) – Instead of spending on pricey vacations, more Americans are turning to money-saving alternatives in their own backyards. Upgrading or adding a deck is a great way to take advantage of outdoor living spaces.

Homeowners today are viewing their outdoor living space as extensions of their home. Among the 40 million homeowners who have an available outdoor living space, less than one-third prep their decks appropriately for the season, according to a Glidden brand survey. If you’re planning on using your outdoor living space this season, you may want to consider improving or upgrading your current deck.

Although it now may seem like a challenging time to invest in your home, enhancing your outdoor living space can be cost-effective. Exterior and replacement projects bring homeowners the best return on investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report.

“Outdoor living has become an increasingly popular trend over the last few years,” says Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products, Inc. “When selecting your future decking material, research all of your options to ensure you’re purchasing material that best meets your needs.”

When making a decision on your available decking options, you may want to consider the three common types of decking material:

Composite
Representing 40 to 60 percent of new decks, composite decking is the latest trend in outdoor living spaces. Composite decking is made from a blend of woods and recycled plastic, vinyl or acrylic materials that prolong the life of the deck. Although the initial price of composite decking may be higher compared to other types of wood, the expected lifespan can save money in the long run.

Many homeowners are attracted to composite decking because it provides the appearance of real wood, requires little maintenance and typically comes with a longer warranty period. For example, TAMKO’s EverGrain is backed by a 25-year limited warranty.

“Composite decking requires no painting or staining which allows homeowners to spend more time enjoying their decks rather than working to maintain them,” says McNally.

Pressure-treated
Pressure-treated wood contains preservatives that provide protection against termites, insects and fungal decay. The wood product is placed into a depressurized cylinder. The cylinder is filled with preservatives under high pressure that forces them deeply into the wood. When the process ends, the cylinder is drained and the remaining preservative is reused. Applying preservatives is an attempt to slow drying which means less shrinkage occurs and the surface of the wood remains smoother longer.

Although pressure-treated wood is usually found at relatively low cost, it is at high risk for moisture damage. In order to protect a pressure-treated deck against weather and premature aging, the wood requires regular power washing and yearly application of stain and sealer.

Cedar
Cedar is another commonly used decking material because it is attractive, easy to work with and is naturally rot- and insect-resistant. Cedar wood decking material has less than half the swelling and shrinking tendencies of other domestic softwoods.

If cedar wood goes untreated, over time it will lose its natural golden hue and may turn a silver grey color. The average lifespan of cedar is roughly 10 years and, in order to double the lifespan, regular applications of staining and waterproofing are highly recommended.

When you’re ready to begin creating or improving your outdoor living space, research your options. Be sure you’re picking the best available material to ensure your deck will last you many more summer months to come.

Courtesy of ARA content

Explore Local Treasures

(ARA) – With a down economy and the potential for higher gas prices this summer, many Americans are looking to take a more budget-friendly trip. Taking a “staycation,” instead of a traditional vacation, is a great option to save money. A staycation means you spend your vacation exploring what your city, county and state have to offer instead of traveling far and spending an excessive amount of money.

Many state and county parks and recreation sites offer the opportunity to go kayaking, canoeing, sailing, biking and fishing, or just rent a cabin and relax. To find what your area has to offer, simply conduct an online search for your state’s tourism department. This will reveal all the travel destinations and activities available to you, so you can best plan your staycation this summer.

Bringing essential gear with you instead of buying or renting it when you reach your destination is another way to save money. Make a list of needed supplies, including food items, clothing and other gear you’ll need and pack your vehicle ahead of time.

If you’re hauling kayaks, a boat or any other large recreation items, you’ll need to use your pickup. Your truck bed is a great place to store items during your road trip, but you’ll want to make sure those items are protected from the elements and prying eyes. One way to protect your gear is with a roll-up truck bed cover.

These affordable roll-up covers are easy to install and will give you 100 percent bed usage for hauling your gear. You simply roll up the cover to retrieve items in your truck bed. A high quality and budget-friendly option is the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), a North Dakota truck accessory company.

This soft roll-up cover is made of heavy-duty, double-coated vinyl material that holds up to the elements and numerous years of use in all different weather conditions. The roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck model. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling your gear, making it a great option for your summer road trip.

A truck bed cover can also provide you with immediate gas mileage improvement, which may come in handy as gas prices tend to increase during the summer. A truck bed cover will help you save at the pump by reducing drag and making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. Most truck owners can see as much as a 10 percent increase in their fuel economy.

One Access Cover owner found the truck bed cover to come in very handy while on vacation. “Incredibly well made and functional product. If I would have carried a dozen of these with me on vacation I could have sold them all,” says Mike C. of Carpentersville, Ill.

For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover or the Access Roll-Up Cover & Rack, visit www.agricover.com or call (888) 874-7205.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Save On Travel

(ARA) – How does your family plan to save money on summer vacation this year?  Driving rather than flying?  Maybe carrying all the items you need instead of renting once arriving at your destination?  These are all great ways to save!  But how do you cut back on one of the biggest, yet totally necessary costs of travel – accommodations?

After airfare (which many travelers are eschewing in favor of less costly motoring), accommodations can be the largest cost associated with summer travel. Short of staying with nearby family (too much togetherness for some of us) or popping a pup tent at the local campground (roughing it isn’t for everyone), how can you cut accommodation costs?

Here are a few helpful hints for both families and business people traveling this summer:

* Stick with a suite deal – If you’re traveling with more than three people in your party, there’s a lot to be said for staying in a suite, from both a cost and comfort standpoint. Suites offer room for larger parties and one suite in a quality hotel can be more cost-effective than booking multiple rooms in a budget property.

Factor in the free extras that come with a suite at a quality brand like Embassy Suites, and the savings can add up further. You’ll save money on food and beverage at Embassy Suites because they offer a free cooked-to-order breakfast every morning and your favorite beverages at an evening Manager’s Reception.

* Timing is everything – If you’re traveling on business, you may not have much flexibility on timing. Still, it’s wise to avoid traveling to a destination during a well-attended festival or event – unless, of course, your business is connected to the event. For leisure travelers, a wiser course might be to choose your destination based on attractions and proximity to home, and then book travel during times when demand is likely to be lower.

Every destination has a “shoulder season” – a time when fewer people are looking to book rooms. Check with the hotel you’re interested in, or the area convention and visitors bureau, to find out when lower demand times occur. You can sometimes save substantially by traveling at those times.

* You’ve earned your rewards – Sign up for travel rewards programs. Look for programs that allow you to move points between accounts. For example, some airlines and hotel chains have programs that award you extra points for traveling with their partners or allow you to apply their points toward travel with their partners. Your points accumulate value faster with these types of programs.

* Shop smart – Comparison shopping is easier than ever thanks to the Internet. Numerous Web sites allow you to quickly find great deals, check out nearby attractions and even create a full travel itinerary. Once you’ve found a great online deal, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone, call the hotel and ask someone there if they can do better than the advertised online rate. If they can’t lower the rate, they may be able to throw in some extra incentives like discount coupons to nearby attractions or even a complimentary meal in the hotel’s restaurant.

To learn more about how to save on accommodations and get a “suite deal,” visit www.EmbassySuites.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Before Your Leave

(ARA) – With the summer travel season upon us, people are looking for ways to have fun and get the most out of their trip, while staying within budget.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil car and co-owner of the Kevin Harvick Inc. race teams, spends a lot of his time traveling from racetrack to racetrack. Throughout the years, he’s gained a lot of knowledge and experience in managing his travel budget.

“We are on the road at least 34 weeks out of the year, so keeping travel costs down is imperative to keeping a balanced budget, but it’s not always just about finding the lowest price,” said Harvick. “There are a lot of different things we do to get the most out of every dollar, from planning travel routes and fuel stops ahead of time, to performing regular maintenance on the haulers and using payment options that help save money.”

One example is the Shell Saver Card(SM), where drivers can save five cents per gallon on Shell fuel purchases through June 30 and two cents after that. Plus, the card links directly to a checking account so it doesn’t impact consumer credit scores.

Another thing to keep in mind when traveling is that using high-quality gasoline helps protect and clean critical engine parts, which helps drivers get the most out of every drop. Harvick also recommends using the Shell FuelStretch tips.

“Practicing the FuelStretch tips helps conserve fuel, save money and stay within budget without sacrificing quality,” said Harvick.

* Drive smoothly
Avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent at highway speeds.

* Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately
If your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent on average.

* Make sure tires are not over or under-inflated
Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve gasoline mileage by more than 3 percent.

* Minimize vehicle drag
Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can improve your gasoline mileage.

* Use the recommended grade of oil in your engine
Following your manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent.

* Choose a high-quality gasoline
Top automakers say that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts, which can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle and recommend using TOP Tier Detergent Gasolines. All Shell gasolines meet TOP Tier standards and stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts to help vehicles perform at their best.

* Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic
Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.

* Avoid idling
When you idle, you get zero miles per gallon.

* Avoid higher speeds
Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 miles per hour.

* Plan your outings to avoid separate trips
Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips.

* Use payment options that save money
Payment cards offer a simple way to pay for things quickly, but they can also save you money.

For more information on the FuelStretch tips and saving money with a Shell branded card, visit www.shell.com/us.

Courtesy of ARAcontent