BE SMART WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE (AND OTHER DEVICES) - Part 1

Passwords are your first line of defense.  To be strong, they should be long, complex, and use symbols, letters, and numbers.  Avoid these common passwords that can be easily hacked:

Combining your name and birth year (or your kids' or pets'), especially with an uppercase letter as the first character.  Hackers can crack these with minimal research.

Sequences of numbers such as 123456

password
qwerty
abc123
111111
iloveyou
adobe123
123123
admin
letmein
photoshop
monkey
shadow
sunshine
princess
trustno1
000000

Source: SplashData

Next month: More safety tips . . .



I APPRECIATE YOUR REFERRALS TO MY PRACTICE -- THANK YOU!

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY . . . OUCH!!! - Part 1

Texting thumb, Mousing elbow, Guitar Hero wrist -- these syndromes can cause debilitating problems.  Performing a repetitive movement like clicking a mouse may cause microscopic tears in tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues.  Without adequate time to rest and repair themselves, these tears can become inflamed, and the gradual accumulation of such microtraumas can lead to the ailment known as repetitive stress injury.  A single mouse-click isn't stressful, but clicking a mouse for hours -- particularly when you are sitting with poor posture -- can result in the pain, tingling, and numbness characteristic of a repetitive stress injury.
Source: Yoga Journal

Next month: Tips for preventing and relieving repetitive stress injury . . .


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HOW TO AVOID OVERPAYING ON YOUR HOSPITAL BILLS - Part 2

Continued from 7/5/14 post:

Here are some costly errors to look out for:

Duplicate orders for medications, lab work, or room fees - you might be billed for a canceled procedure, or for 11 cholesterol tests instead of one.

Operating room times - the anesthesia record states what times surgery began and ended.  With O.R. rates ranging from $69 to $300 or more per minute, being over-billed for extra minutes add up.

Up-selling - if your doctor orders a generic drug but the hospital provides you with a more costly brand-name version, you are not responsible for the increased charges.
Source: Consumer Reports


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HOW TO AVOID OVERPAYING ON YOUR HOSPITAL BILLS - Part 1

Did you know that 8 out of every 10 hospital bills contain multiple errors?  Even if your insurer covers overcharges, they will count toward your lifetime spending cap.  Here's what to look for:

~ Incorrect basic data - if information such as your insurance group number is wrong, the amount the plan covered is likely to be off too.

~ Unbundled fees - call your insurer to see whether multiple lab tests in one day should have been bundled under one fee, and what items are included in kit, tray, and room fees to avoid duplicate charges.  Operating room fees, for example, cover sheets, gowns, and gloves.
Source: Consumer Reports


Next month: More mistakes to look out for on your hospital bills . . .


Seeking guest authors!  I invite you to write a brief educational article to promote your work to other professionals and my clients.  Please let me know if you are interested in this free marketing opportunity by calling me at 617-738-8222!

MOVING MATTERS

Question: I've heard horror stories about moving companies holding people's belongings for ransom and charging thousands of dollars more than the quoted fee before delivering.  How can I make sure this doesn't happen to me?

Answer: Never select a mover on price alone.  By gathering 3 written estimates, you can identify unrealistically low prices that could mean extra charges later.  Compare estimates and all other services for a thorough picture of your total costs, and always require a physical, in-person estimate.  Seeing firsthand the size and quantity of your goods is the only way to effectively estimate costs.

Movers are legally required to deliver your goods for no more than 10% above a non-binding estimate unless you change the scope of services after the estimate was provided.

Stop the move if an upfront deposit or pre-payment in cash is required.  Always ask about additional fees and get answers in writing.  Never let your mover leave before you receive a written copy of your contract, inventory paperwork, and any possible guarantees and warranties.  You should also ask for your driver's full name, driver's license ID, truck number, and cell phone for easy contact during the move.

When an interstate move takes place, federal law requires movers provide you with a Rights and Responsibilities booklet which you should read carefully to know what to expect from your mover.
Source: Graebel New England Movers, Distinctive Homes Boston



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GOOD FOOD GONE BAD

Nothing says "summer" more than eating outdoors!  But don't let food poisoning spoil your fun.  Here are a few safety rules:

- Pack raw meats, poultry, and seafood on the bottom of the cooler to reduce risk of their dripping on other foods.
- Pack coolers until they are full; a full cooler stays cold longer than one that is partially full.
- Don't put a picnic basket or cooler in the car trunk; keep it inside an air-conditioned car.  Outdoors, keep coolers in the shade with lids closed, replenish melted ice, and open coolers as infrequently as possible.
- Keep cold foods 40 degrees or colder, particularly those containing eggs or mayonnaise.
- Hot foods, especially meats and poultry, should be heated to at least 140 degrees and served immediately.
- Discard food left out for more than one hour.
- Wash all melons before cutting.  Bacteria causing food poisoning are often on the rinds and can be spread by a knife cutting through the rind or by your hands.  Cut melon should be refrigerated to prevent bacteria that thrive on them when they are not cold; sitting on top of ice is not cold enough.
- When in doubt, throw it out!
Source: UC Berkeley Wellness Letter


GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND EASY RELAXING MEDITATION CDs MAKE GREAT GIFTS FOR FATHER'S DAY (SUN., JUNE 15th)!

10 TIPS FOR CREATING DELETE-PROOF EMAILS

Make the top line the bottom line - use a short, informative headline as your subject line.  Summarize your key points and don't leave it vague ("hi") or blank.  Readers will decide from the subject line whether to read now, read later, forward, or delete.

Don't end up in the trash and SPAM folders - avoid using all capital letters, exclamation points, and words that will trigger SPAM filters.  (Search "spam triggers" for a list).

Identify jokes and political messages in the subject line for good internet etiquette.

Keep it brief - multiple small paragraphs are more effective than one long one.  The average person's attention span is 3-4 paragraphs.

Number each topic - this makes complicated messages with many topics or questions easier to understand and makes replying - by the number - simpler.

Trim your reply - leave only essential portions of previous messages, not the whole thread.

Keep your signature line short - 2-3 lines maximum with nothing nonessential.

Proof-read - double check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Slow down and cool off - What you write is documented forever and may be circulated widely, so be careful not to come across as abrupt or rude.
Source: PC World



COULD YOU USE HEALTH EDUCATION CONTENT FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG, WEBSITE, OR HAND-OUTS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS, OR EVENT?  I CAN SAVE YOU THE TIME AND EFFORT -- BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED MATERIALS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS FOR YOU TO REPRODUCE AND PERSONALIZE WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION.  PLEASE CALL ME FOR MORE DETAILS AT 617-738-8222.