Everyone wants a new pair of sunglasses to look cool, but before settling on a pair of shades, consumers should consider their eye health and how well sunglasses protect against the sun’s harmful rays. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), six factors are most important when shopping for sunglasses: Protection from ultraviolet (UV)…
Author: DCA Staff Writer
Elderly Can be Vulnerable to Dehydration in Summer Heat
With summer temperatures continuing to sizzle, staying hydrated becomes more difficult than usual. For older people, maintaining proper hydration can be even more challenging. The elderly are often more susceptible to dehydration because the ability to recognize thirst decreases after about age 50, and the ability of kidneys to regulate the body’s water supply also diminishes,…
Mobile Exam Room Offers Free Skin Cancer Screenings
In an effort to combat the most common cancer in the United States, the Skin Cancer Foundation is hitting the road this summer to offer free skin cancer screenings at part of its Destination: Healthy Skin campaign. Crossing the country with an RV outfitted with a mobile exam room, the Destination: Healthy Skin tour will…
Fireworks: Fun For You, But Not For Your Pets
Those fireworks that help make the Fourth of July such a fun outdoor celebration can be a nightmare for pets—especially for dogs. The booms and pops of fireworks can trigger high levels of anxiety in dogs, and that fear can manifest in destructive behavior, excessive barking, cowering, hiding, and shaking. There are, however, several ways…
Fight the Bite: Mosquito Control Awareness Week is June 26-July 1
After a particularly wet winter and spring in California, mosquito season has arrived. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, June 26–July 1, is an ideal time to take preventative measures that will help you fight the bite of mosquitoes this summer. The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) emphasizes the “3 D’s” of protection from mosquitoes—drain, dress,…
Drone Use Takes Off in Land Surveying
As more and more hobbyists use drones to capture memorable video and photos, commercial uses for unmanned aerial vehicles continues to expand at a rapid rate, from monitoring agricultural crops to crowd control by law enforcement. Among those emerging commercial uses for drones is land surveying. In its spring newsletter Bulletin, the state Board for…
Senior Scam Stopper Seminars Scheduled
Senior citizens are often a favorite target for scam artists such as unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors. That’s why knowledge is power. If seniors have the tools and information needed to spot a fake or notice red flags before something happens, the better they will be able to protect themselves. Since 1999, the Contractors State License Board has been sponsoring Senior…
CAL FIRE Wildfire Warnings, a New App, and a Chance to Win $10,000
May 7–13 is Wildfire Awareness Week, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is urging homeowners to prepare now for the dry, flammable season ahead. California’s wet winter has brought an abundance of spring grass and brush, which, after it dries, will pose great fire danger. Removing excess vegetation around homes and maintaining 100…
Home Improvement Projects That Will Pay Off for Sellers
With low inventory levels and a strong housing sellers’ market in California, you may be thinking it’s a good time to sell your home—or start making some improvements in preparation of selling. A few upgrades may be the difference between a disappointing home-selling experience and finding a buyer willing to pay your asking price or maybe a little…
Don’t Let Good Medicines Go Bad
There are a lot of things to check around the house as California starts heating up for summer; one of them is that your medications are being stored properly. Medications that are good for you can become ineffective or damaged when exposed to heat. While outdoor heat can damage medications, year-round heat inside the house can…