It is no wonder that consumers are afraid to buy almost anything in stores anymore because there have been so many reports of products malfunctioning, resulting in serious injuries up to and including death. Unfortunately, most people don’t know where to turn or who is ultimately responsible for making reparation for malfunctioning products so they simply go after the manufacturer. While that is one course of action, there are others who can be held accountable as well.

CPSC on the Duty to Report – What to Report

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a branch of the United States government, there is actually a chain of those who have a duty to report any products that meet certain criteria. If a product:

• Could result in a significant risk of injury
• Fails to comply with codes and rules of the CPSC
• Creates a risk that is considered to be unreasonable
• Results in the injury or death of a child, regardless of that child’s age
• Results in specified types of lawsuits

That product must be reported to the CPSC by law. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences for anyone who has the responsibility to file a report.

One example would be the riding mower Raptor SD recall that was issued in 2014. This rider mower had the potential to cause serious harm to the rider/driver because of a malfunction in the seat switch. The seat is intended to turn off the mower if the rider leaves the seat but this was found to be defective, leaving the mower on. This has the potential to cause serious injury to the rider when he/she was off the mower. Being left on, it could literally mow down the operator if they inadvertently stepped in front of a mower that could go at any moment.

CPSC on Who Has the Duty to Report

Now then, getting to the crux of the matter, who do you report in an instance like that? Who has the duty to report any malfunctioning products like that rider mower? Public safety is always the primary concern, so according to the CPSC, any:

• Importer
• Manufacturer
• Retailer
• Distributor

Of products for consumers has a legal obligation to report any of the above stated reasons why a product should be reported.

As an example, let’s look at the Raptor SD. A lawn and garden shop might sell a rider mower to a customer who goes home and begins to mow their lawn. The manual and all advertising says the mower shuts itself off and fails to operate if the rider leaves the seat for any reason. Hypothetically, a rider gets off to move a branch in his way and the mower lurches forward causing serious injury to that rider’s leg.

The consumer takes the mower back to the store, after medical attention of course, and demands a refund. The store refunds the money. Now then, the store (retailer) has been apprised of the situation and now has the legal responsibility to inform the CPSC. But the buck doesn’t stop there!

The retailer tells the distributor that they want to send back all Raptor SDs because they are defective. Now the distributor also has the legal obligation to file a report because they have been made aware of a malfunction resulting in concern for the safety of the consumer. Then, the distributor notifies the manufacturer of the situation, refusing to distribute any more of this brand and model of riding mower. Now it is also the manufacturer’s responsibility to file a report with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and also to alert the general public.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured

If you have been injured by a malfunctioning product, as the consumer you have the right to sue for compensation. Your first line of action should be to hire an attorney who will then look into the matter for you. After that, you need to decide who to name in the suit.

Your attorney can help you compile a list of those you wish to bring a suit against which could include any and all of the above parties. It will take time, effort and solid investigation to ascertain who knew what and when, but if it can be proven that they were privy to the information prior to your injuries, you would have a fairly solid claim.

In fact, they may not even need to be informed to be held accountable in some instances. The bottom line is that you should always seek a winning personal injury attorney if you have been injured by a malfunctioning consumer product. Get the just compensation you deserve.

Book Your Lifestyle’s latest app release allows customers to book their beauty treatments anytime – anywhere, in a matter of seconds. With lots of beauty gifts along the way, Book Your Lifestyle now offers a more rewarding way to book beauty treatments on-the-go and manage your beauty calendar in one handy place.

In addition to the quick and easy user experience, for the next booking made through the app, Book Your Lifestyle’s customers are rewarded with one of the popular beauty products from the industry partners and luxury make-up line Glo & Ray.

Book Your Lifestyle’s CEO and co-founder David Smith commented, ‘’we are delighted to announce an imminent release of the industry’s latest App on iOS and Android. We love it and believe it offers the most convenient and rewarding way to book beauty appointments vs. anything that is out there. It’s neat, simple and to the point, with booking “in a few taps” and offering great rewards to further enrich our customer’s experience.’’

The dedicated beauty industry app features an easy access to the best salons and spas with the conveniently stored venue details for checking on-the-go. A list of all past and future appointments allows for the customers to list their favourite salons and spas in one handy mobile diary and simply tap to book favourite places again. Book Your Lifestyle’s app invites customers to uncover all the best salons, spas and treatments nearby, as well as get the most competitive prices, discounts and offers. Book Your Lifestyle’s ultimate commitment is to make it incredibly easy to search for the salons you love and wish to come back time and time again, without having to make a single phone call.

The App is available to download via Google Play Store & App Store.

Useful links:
https://www.bookyourlifestyle.com/
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/book-your-lifestyle/id1168452953
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bookyourlifestyle

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Meeting new people can be a tough and intimidating prospect. Some people suffer from social anxiety and meeting new people exacerbates their symptoms. Others simply have a dislike of meeting new people in new situations despite wanting to meet those people. It can be so easy to find ourselves avoiding certain social situations and becoming almost reclusive in our quest to avoid those awkward first time conversations with someone new. But why should we have to hide ourselves away? What if there was a way we could get to know new people without having to put ourselves in that situation first?

It can be so difficult to make ourselves get involved in those situations, especially when our mind is telling us to cut and run. It needn’t be hard to meet new people though. With the technology available nowadays, people have so much more stuff at their disposal for all aspects of life. People can immerse themselves within games thanks to virtual reality, can meet new people online thanks to online dating sites and can sell something to someone the other end of the country with a few clicks of a button.

But how can people who find such social situations difficult actually get to meet new people? The simple answer is: get online. Meeting new people is a terrifying prospect for anyone, let alone someone who suffers in situations like this. It is much easier to go into meeting someone in real life for the first time if you know a little more about them and what better way to do this than online dating, in particular online chat rooms.

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Meeting someone in a bar or at an event can be great and you may hit it off straight away – but you may then find that you have little to nothing in common. However, by spending a little bit of time on your online profile listing the things that interest you, you are more likely to connect with an individual who has similar interests and are interested in what you have to say.

Whether you choose to start messaging people almost instantaneously or whether you choose to chat to a few new people, going online gives you the opportunity to encounter new people from all walks of life, from all locations and people with a wide variety of interests. You can also narrow down your searches too to find people local to you; those with similar interests or hobbies too.

But why is this so much easier than meeting them outright? Breaking the ice virtually means you get to know a lot about them before you actually meet face to face for the first time. You get to know what things they like, what things they dislike and all the things in between that crop up in conversation usually when you meet face to face for the first time. If you find that you aren’t interested or the thought of meeting them still terrifies you, you don’t have to go through with it. However if you are interested in meeting them in real life, then it will be more like meeting an old friend, less terrifying and awkward and the anxiety you feel should be lessened.

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How do you know where to find new people though? You will need to sign up to a top dating site and set up your free profile; showcasing what hobbies and interests you have, your location and a great picture that get people interested. Some people use such sites for finding long term relationships, some use them for casual flings – that’s true – but there is also the possibility of finding friendship and companionship online too if that is what you are looking for.

There is no need to worry about awkwardly breaking the ice face to face when you finally get round to meeting as you will both already have a variety of topics that you know you can discuss. You’re still meeting a new person, you just know a little bit more about them than you would the average new person you meet. Why not give it a go and find new people online today who could become your new best friend.

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A well known London plastic surgeon claims that many women are developing facial wrinkles “10 years too early” as a result of staring at computer screens and smartphones, according to the Daily Mail.

Dr Navid Jallali, who operates a plastic surgery clinic in London, notes that many young women are considering anti-wrinkle injections in order to counter the effects of spending a long time on smartphones, tablets and other devices.

Health and medicine experts have long warned about the potential dangers of smartphone use, pointing to issues related to posture and ‘slumped’ neck position. A Korean medical study found that heavy smartphone users have more rounded shoulders than the general population.

Over the years, health experts have coined “computer face” — a non-scientific condition that can result from spending long hours staring at a screen. “Computer face” is likely a result of excess stress on the muscles around the eyes and forehead, which help to focus on small text.

According to plastic surgeon Dr Michael Prager, office workers are most likely to develop deep wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, in addition to jowls and other facial cosmetic issues.

Squinting, frowning and concentrating to read small text on a computer screen are all likely to speed up and amplify the development of wrinkles. Sitting in one position for long periods of time is also thought to contribute to the development of jowls and facial wrinkles.

Once wrinkles have developed, they’re best treated using facial fillers and injections, such as Botox, which works by reducing muscle activity around the eyes, nose and forehead to slow wrinkle development and the lighten the appearance of facial lines.

Botox is most effective at reducing the visibility of forehead wrinkles and “crow’s feet” — thin wrinkles that appear around the eyes when squinting.

It’s also effective at preventing the development of wrinkles. Many plastic surgeons recommend that patients use small, infrequent injections of botox to prevent shallow, non-obvious wrinkles from developing over time.

After its mainstream introduction more than 15 years ago, Botox has developed from a rare and expensive non-surgical cosmetic treatment into a popular anti-aging procedure.

Anti-wrinkle injections are growing in popularity, both because of an increase in interest from women in their 30s and 40s, and growing demand from Millennials interested in reversing the development of wrinkles and frown lines.

With the average Brit spending two hours and 24 minutes every day on a smart device, Botox and other anti-wrinkle treatments seem poised to grow into an even more common treatment option.

In an age where the price of everything is soaring while people’s salaries stagnate, it is becoming all too easy to find yourself immersed in debt very quickly. While some surprise and unexpected situations happen that can leave you without a great deal of cash left over, there are certain things that you can do to help minimise the amount of debt you concede. Here are some of our top tips for keeping debt at bay, regardless of your situation, to maintain your cash flow stability…

Create an emergency fund

Ideally we would all like to be debt free, and one way of seeking to achieve this over an extended period of time is through setting up an emergency fund where you put a lump sum of money aside each month. This account should be used for depositing money only and should only be turned to if you really find yourself struggling to make ends meet in the event of a financial emergency.

Work out a budget and stick to it

The easiest way to only spend the money that you have is through working out a practical and feasible monthly budget that breaks down all of your expenditure and income and works to balance the two. Why not explore some of the free money calculator tools online or explore using an app to keep track of your spending?

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Check which benefits you may be entitled to

If your level of income is low or you have certain health issues that are preventing you from taking on full time work, then it may be well worth looking at your options when it comes to claiming benefits. While some people that there is a stigma attached to benefits claimants, it is important to remind yourself that they are put in place for a reason and are designed to help those who need it.

Avoid late payments of any kind

When you have multiple outgoings at any one time, it can sometimes be hard to keep on top of all of them, which is where trouble can begin. By marking off all of your bills, utility payments all other expenses on a calendar or spreadsheet you will be better able to see what you have left to pay before your next payday. Should you ever find yourself in a position where you are a little short of money, then consider taking out a same day loan which will help to consolidate existing payments. Once you have paid off all of your expenses you can then pay off your short term loan quickly and easily.

Ask yourself what you really need

It’s something we are all guilt of and that is finding excuses to justify our wants as needs. While we need food to sustain us, we certainly do not need to purchase an additional handbag or pair of trainers. If you are struggling to make ends meet then why not look at things that you can cut out of your monthly expenditure. While it will be hard to resist the temptation of purchasing things that you have become accustomed to, improving your level of restraint will benefit your wallet significantly in the long run.

They main thing to remember when it comes to avoiding debt is being able to live a comfortable life within your means while also being able to put a little bit aside for times when you cannot help but be a little strapped for cash. Through making some mindful changes and making the effort to stick to guidelines you set yourself at the start of the month (refer back to the budget!), you will soon find that you become more free of debt as you go on.

House music producers Blockhouse are set to release a cover version of Ce Ce Rogers’s classic House music anthem Someday for summer 2017! Already receiving rave reviews, this is set to be the summer anthem of 2017!

Christmas 1991, 2am on a Wednesday morning, and producer Jezz Wright has just done his old friend Shane a favour. He’s squeezed him in for a quick recording session to record a version of CeCe Rogers Classic House track Someday – the only problem is they have three hours and Jezz is in the middle of another production which means if he won’t power down, there’s only 3 seconds of sample time left on his sampler.

But not to be deterred Jezz bashes down an approximation of the piano, strings, bassline, squiggle and a couple of break-beats that Shane, then one third of Liquid, supplied. He samples just four words from CeCe and creates the anthemic vocal riff on the keyboard, throws a simple 8 bar repetitive arrangement together and puts a very rough mix down on some scrub tape. The trio (Shane had brought his mate Eamon along) agree to get together again to finish the mix. But they never do. Instead Shane & Eamon pressed up a few thousand white labels which made an immediate impact in the clubs, signed the unfinished track to XL, and on March 21st 1992 Liquid’s Sweet Harmony climbed to Number 15 in the UK Top 20. The rest, as they say, is rave history. Despite remixing the track and finishing the vocals to more closely resemble CeCe Rogers masterpiece – recording engineer and producer Jezz never got to release the finished version.
But fast forward 25 years later and mission accomplished. After a 20 year absence from the recording studio Jezz has teamed up with DJ Pressure M (Mark Wright) and Afro-American singer Nikki J to finally re-record the finished product that never was and pay true homage to Ce Ce’s classic house anthem.

Jezz remarks “You can’t turn the clock back – but you can wind it up again. It’s been 25 years in the making – and now a new generation can appreciate this iconic track as it might have been” This is not ‘Sweet Harmony’ this is ‘Someday’ – a true cover version of CeCe Rogers masterpiece – a version that sounds more like a fitting tribute to the original, whilst at the same time tipping the hat to the original rave generation but with a splash of now!

Blockhouse was a recording studio and recording project in the late 80’s/Early 90’s based in Stratford, East London. It also spawned a small co-operative not-for-profit dance label to showcase some of the talent that passed through its doors. Innovative break-beat productions that have stood the test of time. Today Blockhouse is the studio name for this recording project featuring Pressure M (Mark Wright), Jezz and vocalist Nikki.

Mark has been a DJ since 1987 and contributed to spreading the emerging house sound across London and beyond in those early days. He spent several years as resident at the Ministry of Sound for AWOL and the Powerhouse in East London. He featured at many of the World Dance events across the UK as well as working in Ibiza and the US. Mark is excited about being back in the studio, he remarked that “House Music has been a prominent genre for the past 25 years and this is an exciting time to be back in the studio creating music again, for a new generation.” Here’s to Ibiza, Summer 2017!

Blockhouse – Someday is out on itunes/Google Play/Amazon plus other digital outlets through the Converge label: 1st June 2017 (four different flavours)

www.twitter.com/trueblockhouse

Promo videos: https://goo.gl/P71Dm8

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Everyone knows the UK is a nation of dog lovers, however, our tastes are constantly changing to include breeds of all different shapes and sizes. This year it has been revealed that climbing the list of in demand breeds, is the pint sized French Bulldog!

However price comparison site MoneySuperMarket have advised new pet owners to be wary of the potential veterinary costs involved with the fashionable pooch, which is known for its array of possible health problems.

The average annual premium for popular breeds such as Labradors, currently sits at around the £303 mark whilst, the average premium for the French Bulldog sits at £490! This is down to the high amount of veterinary costs involved in owning one of these stylish small dogs.

It’s estimated that over the course of a French Bulldogs life time, these vet costs could amount to a mammoth £22,318, making pet insurance a must have for owners.

Credit – Army Medicine, Flikr, Creative Commons

Rose Howarth, Head of Pet Insurance at MoneySuperMarket, has commented on these statistics:

“Pet insurance is crucial as different animals are prone to a range of illnesses that can really start adding up, and that’s before counting the risk of an accident. It’s vital that owners take out the right insurance for their dog, as different breeds are susceptible to different kinds of ‘lifestyle’ illnesses.

Alongside pet insurance options, MoneySuperMarket offers tips and tricks on how to keep your pet as healthy as possible and make sure you don’t get caught out by unexpected vet bills.”

To find out more about the unhealthiest breeds and common ‘lifestyle’ illnesses dogs face, MoneySuperMarket has produced a helpful guide, which also includes tips and tricks to keep your pet in peak condition You can take a look at the guide here – http://www.moneysupermarket.com/hubs/pet-insurance/pet-health-tips/

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Earning new qualifications is an exciting part of your professional life and can offer a whole host of benefits, from personal (such as increased confidence in one’s own abilities) to the monetary gains that come with being able to pursue a leadership position, for example. However something that many professionals wrestle with is the fact that some qualifications take a long time to study for which slows down the pace of progress that you make in your career. The great thing about a PRINCE2 qualification is that it is easily accessible online (which means you can learn in your own time) and can be learnt in a relatively short pace of time.

So what is PRINCE2 you ask? PRINCE2 stands for ‘Projects in Controlled Environments’ and one of the most popular and recognised project management methodologies out there. This qualification essentially works to offer an in-depth understanding of project management best practices which in turn helps to ensure projects are always delivered on budget and on time. The great thing about PRINCE2 is that it can be used in many different industries and sets an exceptionally high standard when it comes to project management here in the UK.

Becoming accredited in PRINCE2 (or becoming a registered PRINCE2 practitioner) works with you sitting two exams – one being the Foundation and the other being the Practitioner exams. Some professional training organisations offer you the chance to attend courses that range from two days for the Foundation level, three days for Practitioner as well as one day refresher courses to keep your knowledge topped up. In the UK it is common for individuals to take both their Foundation and Practitioner certification exams as part of a week or two week long course. The great thing about PRINCE2 is that its training syllabus has a greater focus on outcomes as opposed to inputs through training.

Foundation

The Foundation exam is a multiple choice one hour paper in which you are required to answer 75 questions with the aim of passing with at least 50%. This exam is closed book.

Practitioner

The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification features objective testing and requires you to answer eight questions that come in 10 parts and are each worth one mark each (each set of 8 is worth 10 marks in total). You are required to achieve an overall score of 44 out of 80 in the aim of passing by at least 55%.

If you are contemplating a future in project management then it is highly recommended that you become qualified in PRINCE2 in order to secure your position as a stand out candidate when it comes to securing a job in the field. The qualification will enable you to have a better grasp of the language, procedures and system associated with project management. The skills you learn through this methodology can be applied to all manner of project management situations and will really help to open doors when it comes to forwarding your career- why not see where it can lead you?

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Just as you thought life with a newborn couldn’t get any more difficult than those night feeds and nappy changes that you’ve just about mastered, your routine is about to throw you a curveball: that very first outing with your new bundle of joy. Of course, you always knew that this day was coming. You couldn’t stay snuggled up at home forever, although nothing is likely to prepare you for the sense of overwhelming dread that you may feel when you first leave home with your infant in tow – or rather, when you first even think about leaving the house. What if she’s ill? What if you forget something? What if he cries the entire time?

The truth is that surviving your first outing with your newborn and every subsequent trip needn’t be as difficult as you fear. In fact, you’ll soon find that you relish every moment that you and your new family spend away from home. But how do you get over that initial anxiety? The trick is to prepare for every eventuality. Here are just a handful of the tips that you shouldn’t leave home without taking heed of.

Pack for the occasion

It doesn’t matter where you’re going or how you intend on getting there; what’s important is that you prepare for the occasion prior to leaving home. Packing a bag with your baby’s essentials will help you feel unrushed ahead of the adventure before you. Whether you’re going shopping or on a trip to the zoo, aim to pack a change of clothes or two, sufficient nappies and wipes, a soother if your child uses one, any medication that your newborn may be taking and a selection of muslins or burp cloths for lunchtime. For one so small, your newborn requires an incredible number of accessories, so be sure to buy a diaper bag to pack it all in. Chevron diaper bags are a great option for chic yet practical parents, as items with the fashionable chevron pattern are both stylish and able to conceal small stains easily.

Remember refreshments

Newborns are often unpredictable when it comes to hunger, so you must be ready to settle down and feed your baby at the earliest possible opportunity. New places and scenarios can trigger a sense of unease in small babies, who will be likely to want food as a means of calming and quieting down. If you’re breastfeeding, then ensure that you’re dressed appropriately, wearing a loose blouse or maternity top for ease. You’ll also want to pack a feeding bib or muslin to provide a little privacy. If you’re bottle feeding, then take a sufficient number of sterilised bottles, measures of formula, a flask with some hot water and a bottle-warming bag to carry your baby’s current feed as well as a means of cooling the milk down if it’s too warm to begin with.

Navigating busy spaces

If you’ve ever tried to navigate a pushchair between supermarket aisles or through crowds of people, then you know how utterly exhausting the whole experience can be. Very few people seem to see you coming, and those who do are loath to move out of the way with any urgency. When you’re heading somewhere that’s likely to be busy or difficult to traverse with a bulky pushchair in tow, wear your baby in a harness or sling. Such accessories can be purchased relatively cheaply and will prove invaluable when your hands are free and able to tackle grocery shopping, an older sibling or multiple doors. If carrying your baby will be difficult, then ensure that you have a lightweight stroller for outings – you’ll thank yourself when you’re nipping in and out of the crowds.

Surviving time on the road

Long car journeys can be difficult for anyone to enjoy, but when you throw a newborn baby into the mix, you may have an even more challenging matter on your hands. It’s important to remember that your newborn baby will need very little in the way of mental stimulation at this stage. You might even find that he or she sleeps for much of your journey. If you’re going to be cooped up in a car for any length of time, then preparation is vital. Learn your route inside out and identify motorway service stations and built-up areas that may prove useful if you need to make a spontaneous stop. Do you know how long you’ll be on the road for? Have you checked for traffic alerts and road works? Journey time, emergency stops and likely obstacles should be mapped out in advance if at all possible. Finally, ensure that your baby has the correct rear-facing car seat and that you’ve packed everything needed to enjoy the journey ahead. There’s no reason why this adventure shouldn’t be fun.

Soothing a fussy baby

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of any outing with a newborn is the moment that you’ve been dreading: when he or she decides to bawl for no apparent reason. Dealing with a newborn’s meltdown while you’re away from home can be an isolating experience. However, it’s essential to remember that every parent has dealt with the same scenario at one time or another. Once you’ve ascertained that your baby isn’t cold, hot, hungry or damp, take a moment to calm down. It’s little use calming a fussy baby while you’re upset. Don’t be afraid to stop what you’re doing to soothe your baby or allow a friend or family member to try their luck. You should also prepare for such eventualities by packing a soother or soft toy that your baby can associate with comfort.

Above all, remember to breathe. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself during those first outings with your baby since life with a newborn is seldom predictable. Rather than focusing on the trauma of numerous nappy changes, ill-timed requests for food and screaming from both parties, look at the positives that you’re able to take from every situation. Yes, you may have been anxious about it, but you managed to leave the house and return unscathed. Surviving an outing with a newborn is as much about your attitude as it is the seamlessness with which the day runs. Try and enjoy every moment and each new experience; your newborn won’t stay very little for very long, after all.

Leg and yellow helmet of injured lying worker at work.

Simply put, anything that can potentially threaten the wellbeing of an employee can be considered a hazard in the workplace. Where things get more complex, however, is when we consider the fact that hazards can be divided into either physical dangers or psychological dangers. Whether you run a small business or a large one, it is your responsibility to eliminate or, at the very least, minimise the number of hazards that your employees face on a day to day basis. The wellbeing and safety of your workforce is of the utmost importance, which is why it is the responsibility of managers to identify, monitor and rectify any potential hazards in their workplace to ensure no issues are missed.

Dangerous exposures

Particularly in a scientific environment, some hazards can come from employees being exposed to harmful chemicals, radioactive materials and other potentially toxic substances that can threaten their physical health. In construction, exposure to asbestos was a particular problem until it was banned in 1989, for example. Appropriate training, signage and building maintenance can help to reduce the threat to workers.

Hazardous working conditions

In some jobs the way that a work space is laid out can have a profound impact on the safety implications of the role. Jobs that require heavy lifting can make for lifetime injuries if there are no proper procedures put into place. Similarly, workplaces with wet floors and high walkways can be especially hazardous and steps need to be taken to minimise the risk of potential accidents.

Ergonomic dangers

Even with jobs that require your employees to sit at a desk all day, there are always going to be some dangers and hazards. For example, repetitive motion injuries can be a significant problem and can lead to legal action if the injury is serious enough. Employees that work long hours with computers without breaks can also develop computer vision syndrome and spinal injuries. These types of injuries can be prevented by allowing employees regular breaks and investing in good quality furniture and equipment that is suitable for long hours of use.

Biological hazards

Some businesses can present their workers with dangers that are more sinister than others. In healthcare, for example, workers are exposed to dangers such as diseases, viruses and medical waste, which can have a very detrimental effect on their overall health and wellbeing. Employees who work with dangerous animals can also be directly exposed to the threat of being bitten or stung.

Should any of your employees suffer an accident at work in spite of taking the proper precautions, then your employees will be able to complete an accidents at work claim. The claim can be used in any industry or sector and can be made on behalf of a past or present employer, which means that you can make a claim on any accident that happened within the last three years. As an employer, you can minimise the risk of there being an accident in your company by ensuring that you follow all of the proper safety guidelines and regulations required. It is also important that you have an employee accident log book to keep a detailed account of any accident that happens and make it a priority to ensure these incidents do not repeat themselves.

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Getting ahead with your university assignments is exceptionally important, as you can reduce your levels of stress and actually stay ahead of the game to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for any exams and create a better your student work/life balance. There’s plenty of ways that you can do this, and if you’re serious about getting a top class degree from your university, then you’re going to want to make sure that you’re ahead.

Preparing Before The Year Begins

Whether you know people who are a year ahead on the same course as you, or you’ve requested the curriculum for that specific course, getting ahead by preparing before the year begins is important. For example, if you’re an English Literature student, knowing the books that are required to be read throughout the year and starting them early can really help by putting you ahead of the game. This way, you can enjoy the book that you are reading, then re-read it throughout the year in order to closely digest the information and analyse it in a deeper way. While there are some subjects where you may not be able to necessarily learn the practical side of things beforehand, beginning to home-study the theory to get a feel for your course and the assignments that are set to come up can really help you to get ahead.

Get A Helping Hand

There can be times when life gets on top of you, or you just don’t quite understand the assignment that you have been given. It is at this point that you should aim to get a helping hand. This can provide you with a little bit of a boost, and if it is coming from your classmates, then you will find that you may actually end up understanding everything a little bit more. If you’re beginning to run out of time before your university assignment deadline, then you may want to consider an essay writing service that can provide you with some additional information or even the entire essay depending on how much help you need.

Plan Your Time Effectively

If you’re working alongside your university degree, then you will find that time can sometimes run away with you. Breaking down your time with effective time management can really help you when it comes to keeping on top of your workload. You may even consider setting yourself mini-deadlines along the way. This way, you will be able to keep your momentum going, while also helping to be realistic.

Know Your Limits

One of the things about university assignments is that you’re going to want to ensure the quality is there. If you’ve set yourself a deadline of doing an assignment late at night, when you know that you are going to be exhausted and time would be better spent relaxing, then the likelihood is you aren’t going to get a lot done – and what you do get done isn’t going to be as good as it may have been if you were focused. Knowing your limits is an important, yet often forgotten about, tip when it comes to keeping on top of your university assignments.

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Paying off your debts can be a great feeling.  We all have bills that need to be paid, and when you can reduce one bill, it puts more money in your pocket at the end of the month.  Whether you are a student with college loans, or you have medical bills to pay, there are a few things that you can do to help maintain your current lifestyle while getting ahead.  Here we are going to discuss some of the best ways you can pay that debt off while keeping the lifestyle you are used to.

Start with a List of Bills You Pay

Before you get too far and start to really stress over how you can save your money, you need to take one very important step.  That step is making a list.  Make a list of every single thing that you spend money on.  How much you spend and the frequency that you spend that amount should be noted.  Go ahead and add the list up and get yourself a grand total for the month.  Simply subtract that from your take-home pay and you should have a great idea of where you can cut costs and how much money you can save each month.

Adjust the List so it’s Easy on the Eyes

Now take a look at the list that you just made.  It might be depressing to see all of the things you have to pay out for, but in the end, you will feel great paying them off.  Now take that list and organise it so your debts are listed lowest to highest.  Seeing the lowest amounts at the top will give you a sense of accomplishment much faster as those bills are paid.  Now take a minute and find out where you can cut back to get more money for the “paying off debt” pile.

Simple Reductions Can Add Up

Simple reductions in the ways that you spend money can really add up at the end of the month.  If you are a smoker, for instance, you could look into vaping.  As a more affordable way to get the same satisfaction as you would while smoking, vaping is an option for you.  Getting all the supplies you need is easy with Vape UK.  This is just one of the reductions that you can make in your daily life that will not change your lifestyle overall, but will save you money in the end.  Another example might be how much money you spend on eating out.  Eating out can be very expensive and cutting back just a few times a month can really increase the amount of money in your wallet.

This is just a short summary of steps that you can take in order to pay off your debt and continue living the lifestyle that you have grown accustomed to living.  Saving money is easy, but taking the steps outlined here will make the process more efficient and effective, so you can meet your goals faster.

The ToniqLife & Nutrizuno ‘healthy retreats’ team are delighted to announce dates for their third exclusive five-day retreat. The retreat is designed for individuals with a busy professional or personal lifestyle and aims to help clients de-stress, re-energise and reboot both their body and mind.

‘Our aim is for our clients to leave feeling rebalanced and re-energised after a combination of relaxation, delicious, nutritious food plus one-to-one support from our fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and yoga specialists. The retreat includes gentle posture, mobilisation and stretching sessions as well as the option for more energetic activities’, says Caroline Chilton-Bates, Founder of Bath based nutrition and corporate wellness company Nutrizuno, and ToniqLife’s Nutrition Director.

‘We have had really positive feedback from all of our clients who attended our previous two retreats and are pleased to announce dates for our next retreat in September 2017. We are very fortunate to be partnering once again with the beautiful F Zeen Retreat hotel, which is a luxurious 28 room family run hotel with a focus on quality and service, allowing our clients to enjoy a healthy, relaxed stay on the beautiful island of Kefalonia’, continues Caroline.

Why de-stress?
Stress is one of the major factors that can stop us from achieving our personal wellness goals. Reducing stress in your everyday life is vital for maintaining your overall health as it can improve your mood, boost immune function, improve your sleep patterns, promote longevity and allow you to be more productive in your professional and personal life.

‘We will focus on simple effective exercise routines and nutrition strategies our clients can implement to improve their wellbeing, manage stress and re-energise their body’, says Arron Collins-Thomas, Founder of Bath based ToniqLife Fitness Studio and ToniqLife’s Fitness Director.
The retreat is not designed as a bootcamp but to help clients unwind and recover from the stress of everyday life and return better equipped to manage internal and external stress.’ continues Collins-Thomas.

The retreat will be held in the luxurious F Zeen Retreat hotel located on the Lourdas beachfront, where the turquoise Mediterranean sea is a natural extension of the hotel. This is an adults only resort focused on relaxation and privacy and allows anyone with children to have a true ‘child free’ experience.

What’s included:
Accommodation for 5 nights
All food, including a 3 course dinner each night
A health shot every morning
A nutritional juice/smoothie per day
Herbal tea and infused water throughout the day
Daily Group Fitness Session
Daily nutrition presentation
Two personal training sessions with Arron
A one-to-one nutrition support session with Caroline
Two Yoga sessions with Anastasia
Two evening meditation sessions (optional)
Nutrition, wellbeing and fitness support during the retreat
One complimentary massage (or spa treatment)
10% discount on any other spa treatments
10% discount on any purchase from the boutique
15% discount on accommodation and 10% off dining for any additional days booked
One organised outdoor activity
Transfers to and from Kefalonia airport to your retreat – F Zeen Retreat hotel

Prices range from €1,400 to €1,900 per person and exclude flights. There is an early bird discount of €100 per person for bookings made by 15th June 2017. EasyJet flights are available from London Gatwick and Bristol Airport for those in the West Country. Places are limited. Bookings can be made directly with F Zeen Retreat hotel on T. UK +44 (0)207 183 5383.

For more information about the retreat see – http://www.nutrizuno.com/eventsandretreats/

Credit : Pexels

If you’re a regular rider, you’ll know the difference that a good fitness regime can have on the quality of your experience. Whilst horse riding has plenty of fitness benefits on it’s own, getting fit and healthy prior to riding means you’ll have improved posture, balance and endurance, along with a decreased risk of injury. While it’s important to get yourself fit before riding, however, it’s crucial that you make time to ensure your horse is regularly trained and ready for the riding season too. If you’ve been slacking on exercise lately and need to prepare a fitness plan for you and your horse, take a look at these great tips.

Stamina

The stamina of you and your horse is an important part of riding. You’ll want to have the capacity to ride for lengthy amounts of time without tiring out or slowing down, and luckily there are some exercises that you and your horse can do to combat this.

You

Weight training is a good exercise for stamina, improving your strength and allowing you to do activities for extended periods of time. Other exercises such as jogging, walking or cycling can also benefit both your mental and physical stamina, and are also an easy activity to incorporate into your day.

Your horse 

Start to get your horse ready for riding by taking them for regular walks. If your horse hasn’t been very active in a while, begin with shorter walks of half an hour, steadily increasing the length of the walk up to about 2 hours. After walking your horse for 2 or 3 weeks, take them for rides in 15 minute intervals, before increasing to an hour. Doing this training should ensure your horse is prepared for a successful and healthy riding season ahead.

Diet

Adequate nutrition and diet should be a top priority for you and your horse before riding. Find out about some of the foods you should eat when it comes to keeping both of your health and energy levels high.

You

Weight gain can be bad for riding, making you feel sluggish and could possibly be hazardous to yours and your horse’s health and safety due to the extra weight. Make sure you’re eating well in preparation to riding your horse, with a balanced diet made up of plenty of healthy fats and protein for high energy levels and concentration. It’s also crucial to drink plenty of water in between riding to avoid dehydration, aiming for at least six to eight glasses a day.

Your horse

Similar to yourself, a balanced horse diet is essential to keep your four legged friend fighting fit. An inappropriate diet could lead to your horse developing a range of negative health conditions, which could include colic, laminitis and obesity – among other things.

Ad-lib forage should be the foundation of all horses’ diets. However some animals are prone to overeating and gaining weight, so Regular Body Condition Score assessments will help you to monitor weight changes and take action to adjust their diet as necessary.

If your horse gains weight a lower calorie forage may be needed but never restrict it to less than 1.5% (dry weight) of his bodyweight per day, and speak to a nutritionist about adding balanced horse feeds to ensure he gets the intake of nutrients.

Flexibility

Flexibility plays a large role in performance when riding, particularly in the pelvis and hips. Prepare yourself and your horse for riding season with some useful, targeted stretches.

You

You’ve likely heard of the benefits that yoga can have on your flexibility and general health and wellbeing, but you might not be sure of the specific poses you can do to benefit your riding experience. Yoga poses that target your hips can work wonders at ridding your body of any tightness which can negatively impact your ability to ride. In the lead up to riding you should aim to do a couple of specialist yoga stretches a day, along with some simple quad, hamstring, lower back and neck stretches as part of your pre-riding routine.

Your horse

A regular stretching routine is vital for your horse to prevent the risk of pulled muscles and improve circulation. Stretching can be done as part of your horse’s pre-ride warm up, and after rides to help the cool-down process. It’s important to remember to stretch your horse in an easy, relaxed way, avoiding excessive pressure on the muscles and joints and making sure they’re kept comfortable.

Despite 60.5% of respondents previously having been or currently in a relationship with a meat eater, 45% of vegans stated that they’ve experienced suffering due to their spouses’ meat consumption.

The research, conducted by German Online-Dating-Agency, www.gleichklang.de, and the German spoken vegan lifestyle portal www.vegan.eu, was carried out to discover the romantic attitudes between vegans and meat eaters, and is the largest survey worldwide of its kind.

Over 5,000 vegans between the age of 18 and 83 took part in the survey, which also discovered that 74% always hoped that their meat eating spouse would become a vegan. 51% of respondents admitted that they’d actively tried to convince their partner to stop eating non-vegan food.

In terms of the quality of the relationships, vegan-vegan relationships came out on top,  followed by vegan-vegetarian relationships, with vegan-meat-eater relationships reporting the lowest relationship quality.

It seems that meat eaters in a relationship with a vegan do take steps to improve relationship satisfaction, with 78% stating that they’ve reduced their meat consumption, and 53% admitting they’ve stop eating meat completely when at home.

It was also revealed that female vegans are more likely to enter into a romantic relationship with a meat eating spouse than male vegans (64% versus 41%). However, the main reasons for these findings appear to be that there are far more female vegans than male vegans. In this survey, 83% of the participants were female. This conforms to similar findings in other surveys and studies on vegans.

When it comes to attitudes towards meat consumption, vegans who chose the vegan diet because of health reasons had less of an issue with a spouse who eats meat than vegans who chose the vegan diet out of a concern for animals. The highest rate of problems was reported by ethical vegans who were actively involved in the propagation of the vegan lifestyle to reduce animal suffering.

When discussing the results of the study, Psychologist Dr Guido F. Gebauer, commented: “It can be helpful for vegans to seek a vegan spouse. The choice of a vegan spouse can improve relationship satisfaction and reduce conflicts, especially if the vegan lifestyle is deeply related to the moral conviction that it is wrong to kill and eat animals.

“However, when a spouse that eats meat shows the willingness to reduce meat consumption, a romantic relationship between a vegan and a person who eats meat can be satisfactory as well.”

Dr. Gebauer presents his results including detailed information on the sample in detail on vegan.eu: http://www.vegan.eu/kurz/liebeveganfleischesser.html

Recruitment of participants
84,7 % of the participants were recruited by paid advertisement on Facebook targeting people who were vegans. The rest were mainly readers from vegan.eu. Results were virtually identical in both sub-groups which increase confidence in the general validity of the results.

Life is all too much of a rush. There are deadlines, bills, shopping the 9-5 grind. Our time is dictated and yet we never seem to take time. It is imperative that we do make time for ourselves in a day, it helps us achieve calm, balance it allows us to focus and for us to get in our bubble for a short time and de stress. You may even find those ten minutes actually makes you more productive. Either do them all, or one or two, but take a look at this list and make sure you take ten minutes a day out for you, stimulating all the senses to bring on that sense of relaxation.                         

1. Switch off any unnecessary technology

In our ever interconnected lives it is easier than ever to be Permanently engaged and in contact with someone. For ten minutes just switch off anything you do not need for these ten minutes of down time, switch off the television, the laptop whatever is not essential for that moment.

2. Put on some relaxing music

Listening to music lowers blood pressure and it is a good way to relieve stress. This is a good opportunity to relax, fill your house with soothing sounds or create your own space and put on some headphones and transport yourself away! Soothing jazz, classic acoustic sounds or just instrumental music is best, nothing too fast and up tempo.

3. Light up

Lighting candles is a great way to help you relax. Artificial and fluorescent light can be quite exhausting.  The flickering of a candlelight can be relaxing and soothing, if you have aromatherapy candles this can create a relaxing environment. Pick candles like Yankee Candles or Neom which have authentic and relaxing fragrances.

4. Indulge in a little hugge

The Danish word for Hugge, pronounced “hoo-ga”, there is no literal translation but it best interprets as cosiness, so put on some cashmere socks, sit in your favourite chair, grab a soft blanket or throw and enjoy your favourite hot drink. You should make the quality of that drink a priority, it is for you to indulge.  Invest in a good quality coffee machine such as a Nespresso machine.. This allows you to have a luxury coffee experience and indulge in the smell helping create that sense of peace and indulgence for you. These machines don’t have to break the bank, for a little outlay for the machine you can buy pods from a number of makers and high quality coffee such as gourmesso capsules compatible with nespresso machines. There are a number of suppliers on the market now, but consider the gourmesso capsules, which have organic and fair trade options helping create a wider sense of hugge and having a good conscience.

5. Escape into another world

Remember books! Transport yourself away and think about some escapism transport yourself and indulge the life of the characters, create your own little haven.

One of all of these work to create a sense and some moments of relaxation, it is important we all take time out each day for us for healthy body and mind. Buy the best you can whether its candles or coffee to really help your indulgence and relaxation situation.

For some, cosmetic surgery is a side-effect of an accident or medical condition, but for others it is very much a personal choice made from a desire to want to improve one’s appearance. Regardless of the reasoning behind your desire to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure, there is no moving away from the fact that it has evolved significantly over the last decade in particular.

Today we can look towards having surgery that does not show any sign of scarring and some procedures are even becoming less and less invasive, which would have been unimaginable a few years ago. It is safe to say that technology is an important factor when it comes to revolutionising the face of the cosmetic surgery industry and has made body modification more accessible than ever before.

Replacement techniques

Technology has been rapidly altering the way that surgeons are performing their procedures as what was once considered to be revolutionary is very quickly becoming outdated. This can be seen with regards to procedures such as dermabrasion and carbon dioxide lasers. Dermabrasion works to remove the existing level of skin and encourage newer and fresher skin to emerge in its place. New technology in the form of carbon dioxide lasers means that you can perform the same procedure as seen with dermabrasion but without the same level of disruption to the skin.

Bespoke treatments

Today we are given the opportunity to tailor our cosmetic surgery experience to best suit our needs and budgets. While in the past you would very much be limited to where you would be able to have your surgical procedure performed, today you can make the most of the latest technology and the trend of medical tourism in creating the ultimate cosmetic surgery package. For example you can have your consultation in London with highly reputable company Longevita and then head to Longevita in Istanbul to undergo your particular surgery.

Previews

Something that has really altered the face of cosmetic surgery is the fact that we now have equipment which is able to use 3D photographic images of patients and then generate new images surrounding what their body or face will look like once surgery is completed. By overlaying images of the person in their current form, you are able to get a clear picture of how they will change once surgery is completed and their body is healed.

New application of older technology

Some well-known technology is now becoming repurposed for use in the cosmetic surgery field. For example, the endoscope is now being used to help perform face lifts as opposed to simply being used to check the inside of someone’s stomach. This allows surgeons to make smaller incisions which offer patients the additional benefit of having less area for scarring.

Technology has meant that we are able to have cosmetic surgery procedures performed today that were not only not viable years ago or are more likely to be comfortable when they are being performed- both during and in the recovery stages. We can be certain that, with the rate in which technology is moving forward, the progress we will see in this industry will be even more advanced in another decade or so.

Pic Credit – Pexels

British summertime; to say it can be difficult to predict when the sun is going to make an appearance would be an understatement. One minute you can be caught in the midst of a downpour of biblical proportions, the next it can be cracking the flags – so we need to make sure we’re ready to make the most of the good weather at the drop of a hat. So to make sure your garden is as ready for BBQ season as you are; here are some top tips to help.

Create a space

If you’re hosting a BBQ your guests are going to need an area to eat, drink and be merry. Rather than lugging your best dining room chairs outside, (where they will invariably be left in the rain when everyone rushes inside!) invest in some rattan garden furniture that is easy to wipe clean but still comfortable for your party! Patio slabs and decking can sometimes look tired after Winter, so give them a quick clean with a  power hose, to remove any grime and slippery moss.

Keep your lawn tip-top

It goes without saying that mowing the lawn with keep your garden looking tidy and much prettier for guests – not to mention giving any children who may come along a space to play. If your grass is looking a bit worse for wear, buy some grass seeds to and be sure to keep it watered with a sprinkler over the dry patches.

Fill your freezer

It really is true that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach – so make sure you stock your freezer with burgers and hotdogs – both meat and vegetarian – so you’re always prepared. After all, there’s nothing worse than turning up at the supermarket on the hottest day of the year, only to find out that everyone else had the same idea as you and there isn’t a scrap of BBQ food left!

If you’re putting on a bit of a spread, make sure you’re stocked up on dried pasta and some frozen veggies – then it’s always easy to whip up a couple of side dishes if necessary!

Create an ambience

So you’ve got the food sorted, the seating sorted and the lawn looking great – next up is ambience. Add a bit of colour to your garden with some hanging baskets or potted plants, and – if you plan on partying into the night – look at getting some outdoor fairy lights to make the area look magical!

The final leg of Brasil Junino’s European road show will be held in London, it was announced today. Brasil Junino, an international cultural exhibition that seeks to promote Brazil’s famous Festas Juninas, or June Festivals, will be hosted by the Embassy of Brazil in London from 27 May to 4 June.

Several headline acts are already confirmed as part of the exciting line-up, including Zeu Azevedo, the legendary Brazilian musician, composer and saxophonist. The festival will also feature live dance recitals, or quadrilhas juninas, by Si Bobiá a Gente Pimba, from Brasilia and Raio de Sol, from Recife. There are also plans for a series of live street performances throughout Central London, to help promote the initiative.

The 10-day programme – which includes stage performances, presentations, traditional costumes, as well as an exhibition profiling the largest and most-spectacular festivals in Brazil – gives the British an exclusive opportunity to experience these uniquely Brazilian festivities, which normally occur throughout June each year.

“These festivals offer a rare and insightful snapshot of the Brazilian people, set to a tantalizing backdrop of colour and sound”, explains Edilane Oliveira, Brasil Junino’s curator“. Brazilians famously love to party, but the Festas Juninas, or June Festivals, are a fascinating expression of Brazilian culture and symbolism – it is a story that needs to be told. Brasil Junino is our way of shining a light on our coveted festivities and getting Londoners to join in the fun”, she added.

Brasil Junino has already received critical acclaim in Brazil, after it received more than 500,000 visitors in Rio de Janeiro, during Rio 2016. Now in London, having already visited Lisbon, Madrid and Rome, the organisers hope not only to promote tourism and culture in Brazil, but also effectively kindle relationships between Brazil and the UK.

“Ties between Brazil and the UK have always been strong”, explains Ms. Oliveira, “and the two countries share a love for festivals, music and the arts. Festa Juninas are second only to Carnival in Brazil- they represent a nationwide celebration of life and community – so nothing could be more natural than wanting to invite London to the join the party and learn a little in the process”, she concluded.

Brasil Junino opens on 27 May and runs to 4 June at the Embassy of Brazil in London, 14-16 Cockspur St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5BL. It is open to the public from 1pm to 7pm daily and entry is free. A full list of the program and further information is available at: www.brasiljunino.com.br

Daniel Asante loves art but hates the plodding process of the art world. That’s why he created Kompetes – a phone app that makes art easy.

There are three key features to the Kompetes app:

• Artists can enter competitions to win prizes and build their skills
• The Kompetes community gets to vote on certain competitions and offer feedback to artists
• Kompetes will make available information about the art world to help all artists and art-lovers develop their appreciation for the art world.

Available through the iOS store, Kompetes aims to give every artist a chance to demonstrate their abilities, every art lover the chance to vote for the art they love, and the art world a chance to be at everybody’s fingertips. This app disrupts the classical process of exhibiting, shortlisting and rewarding art by replacing a slow, elitist approach with an immediate, democratic and exciting platform.

The first two contests: “Kompetes International Art Competition 2016” and “Kompetes International Photography Competition” were profoundly successful, receiving multiple entries and selecting strong winners who demonstrated both technical mastery and passionate vision.