Happy spring! I hope you have been able to enjoy some warmer weather and the extra sunlight that each day brings. The Benefits Committee is pleased to announce our Pet Insurance Referral Program. If you are interested in purchasing an insurance plan for your furry (or not-so-furry) friend, visit http://www.ncbcweb.com/benefits/pets for a list of companies that provide insurance plans for pets. Please note that this is a referral program only. These plans are not sponsored by NCBC or FedAdvantage.
Springtime also signals the arrival of the dreaded allergy season. According to a study by the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 20 million people in the U.S. age 18 and over suffered from seasonal allergies (or hay fever) in 2015. For those of you who experience seasonal allergies, you probably are aware of the common treatments such as antihistamine pills and sprays, eye drops, and even prescription medications.
Here are some additional tips from the Prevention magazine for combatting allergy season:
· Treat Early – Most medications work best if they are taken before pollen begins to spread through the air.
· Close Windows – When at home or in the car, close your windows and use the air conditioning instead to keep pollen out.
· Use High-Efficiency Filters – When used in your air conditioning system and air purifiers, these filters can trap pollen and other allergens, thereby keeping indoor air cleaner.
· Check the Pollen Count – Before heading outside, check your local news or favorite weather website/app. If the pollen levels are high, limit the amount of time you spend outdoors and remember to take allergy medication.
· Schedule Outdoor Activities for the Afternoon – Pollen count tends to be highest between the hours of 5AM and 10AM.
As always, if you have any benefits-related questions, feel free to contact me or the Benefits Committee. The Benefits Committee can be reached via email at [email protected].
Springtime also signals the arrival of the dreaded allergy season. According to a study by the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 20 million people in the U.S. age 18 and over suffered from seasonal allergies (or hay fever) in 2015. For those of you who experience seasonal allergies, you probably are aware of the common treatments such as antihistamine pills and sprays, eye drops, and even prescription medications.
Here are some additional tips from the Prevention magazine for combatting allergy season:
· Treat Early – Most medications work best if they are taken before pollen begins to spread through the air.
· Close Windows – When at home or in the car, close your windows and use the air conditioning instead to keep pollen out.
· Use High-Efficiency Filters – When used in your air conditioning system and air purifiers, these filters can trap pollen and other allergens, thereby keeping indoor air cleaner.
· Check the Pollen Count – Before heading outside, check your local news or favorite weather website/app. If the pollen levels are high, limit the amount of time you spend outdoors and remember to take allergy medication.
· Schedule Outdoor Activities for the Afternoon – Pollen count tends to be highest between the hours of 5AM and 10AM.
As always, if you have any benefits-related questions, feel free to contact me or the Benefits Committee. The Benefits Committee can be reached via email at [email protected].