(NAPSI) — According to the National Safety Council, an American is accidentally injured every second by a preventable event, a vehicle crash, a fall or the like. If you or someone you care about is ever among them, there are things you should know.

One Man’s Story

“I was a victim twice,” says Jose V., as he recalled his five-year ordeal that began at a construction site. “First, the day I was working to off-load a 3,000-pound bag when, all of a sudden, the operator lifted the cables and my fingers were mangled and the doctor had to remove three of them,” he explained. “Then, I found out this was only the start of my problems and I would become a victim again. My bills were getting out of control, I was about to lose my apartment, and I had no idea how I would care for my family. I was depressed and scared. Even now I get shaken up thinking how bad it was.”

Jose is not alone. He is one of tens of thousands of average, everyday people from around the country who each year find themselves battling insurance companies and other deep-pocket defendants who delay settlement of legitimate insurance claims.

“When you are physically damaged and struggling for almost five years to regain your strength and your ability to work, it takes a mental toll,” said Jose. “Bills piled up fast and the settlement was very slow in coming. There was one delay after another. I was just determined not to give up, and between the support I got from my family and the advance I received from LawCash, I did not have to accept a lowball settlement. The longer they delayed resolving the case, the more concerned I became about being on the street. If it were not for the money I was advanced over the five years it took to settle, my children would have suffered even more and the greater the pressure I would have been under to accept whatever amount I was first offered,” he added.

For Jose, as with thousands of Americans each year, financial relief came in the form of what the legal community calls pre-settlement funding. According to Harvey Hirschfeld, president of LawCash, “Our firm is in the business of leveling the playing field for consumers whose meritorious claims are being delayed. With cash on hand to pay for life needs such as rent and general living expenses, managing cash flow, and securing medical care while awaiting settlement of their case, victims are in a stronger position and don’t have to simply accept the amount a company’s insurer initially offers.”

How It Works

The company does not promote or encourage litigation. All its clients must be represented by legal counsel and must have filed a legitimate claim before it will accept an application. Nor does it influence the case itself, as all decisions related to the legal approach and overall strategy are between the victim and his or her attorney.

Perhaps most importantly, the pre-settlement funding—a minimum of $500—is not a loan. If the case is lost, claimants owe nothing. In addition, they’re not required to put up collateral or make interim payments, and the advance has no effect on their credit.

“My doctors repaired my hand,” said Jose. “LawCash allowed me to live. Since I didn’t have to take a lowball settlement, my lawyer was able to keep up the fight for me and my family. This resulted in a fair settlement for many times more than I would have gotten if I had to settle early. For a portion of my total settlement, I was able to protect my future and my family.”

Learn More

For more facts or to apply, go to www.lawcash.net or call (800) LAW-CASH.

(NAPSI) — If you’ve returned to the U.S. from an international trip, you’ve no doubt seen beagles with blue jackets sniffing luggage in the baggage claim area. Visitors to Hawaii and Puerto Rico may also see these four-legged officers in green jackets helping to find prohibited fruits and vegetables hidden in luggage. As cute as they are, these detector dogs, who work alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and USDA, are performing an important job. They are helping to keep harmful invasive pests out of our country, including 19 called Hungry Pests, which can severely damage our crops, trees and landscapes.

Invasive pests cost our country $40 billion each year in damages and related costs. They come from other countries and can spread quickly, since they have few natural predators here. These invasive insects and plant diseases are the reason we are losing oranges to citrus greening disease, and ash trees—a popular shade tree in parks and communities—to the emerald ash borer beetle. But by knowing what not to bring back, you can help protect so much that we love.

Detector dogs help human inspectors catch incoming materials that may be otherwise overlooked. Through their keen sense of smell, the dogs can quickly scan unopened bags and alert USDA and Customs officials as to which ones should be hand-inspected. In fact, dogs are able to detect a single scent among many overlapping ones. And, on average, they have hundreds of millions of scent-detecting cells, as compared to humans, who only have five million.

Why are beagle and beagle mixes chosen for this role? Because of their smaller size and gentle disposition, they are good around people and tend not to be intimidating. They also have a keen appetite, so happily train and work for treats. Most of the dogs come from shelters. Those selected are sent to the USDA National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia, where they go through rigorous training. Those who successfully complete the program become detector dogs.

Be thankful these dogs are trained to find prohibited items before they enter the States. A seemingly harmless piece of fruit could carry an invasive pest hidden inside. And if it finds its way to your neighborhood, your trees and plants could be its next target for destruction.

So, what is safe to bring back home? Small quantities of canned foods or foods packed in vacuum-sealed jars (except those that contain meat or poultry) are generally allowed. Some fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers and agriculture items may also be allowed, but only after they’ve been inspected and cleared by USDA or Customs officials. Be sure to visit USDA’s “Traveler Information” page before your return trip to learn more and always declare all food, plants and other agriculture items to USDA or Customs officials.

When it comes to protecting our country from invasive pests, you can make all the difference. Be wise when traveling and know what’s safe to bring back, so you don’t pack a pest. Learn more by visiting www.HungryPests.com.

(NAPSI)—When Mother Nature sends enough rough weather to make it tough to keep skin smooth, the good news is she also created a way to soften it up again. Notably, honey and other products you may already have right in your own kitchen.

Why Save The Skin You’re In

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects the other organs, makes you sensitive to touch and literally keeps you from evaporating. If it’s itchy, dry and cracked, it can affect your health and happiness.

Fortunately, honey is a pure, botanical product at an economical price point. It’s a natural humectant, meaning it takes moisture from the air and traps it. These healing, moisturizing qualities are why many expensive cosmetics contain premium honey. Raw honey is even used to help treat wounds and prevent scarring and it encourages growth of new tissues while hydrating skin. Honey naturally leaves skin soft and supple. It also fights off bad bacteria, tightens pores, protects skin from sun damage, and moisturizes.

Dry Skin Remedy Recipes

Here are two simple ways Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey can help your skin feel more supple.

Aunt Sue’s Dry Skin Remedy

This soothing, dry-skin solution is easy and effective, taking only minutes to make with three simple ingredients.

1 tablespoon Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey
1 teaspoon olive oil
Juice from ½ a lemon

Mix honey, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl. Apply lotion to dry areas and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe off with a warm washcloth. Repeat as needed.

Homemade Honey Hand Balm

Easy to make, this hand balm does wonders for dry skin and can be used as a lotion, hair conditioner or cuticle cream, as well.

½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup almond oil
5 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
1 tablespoon shea butter
1 ½ tablespoons Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey
10−20 drops of lavender oil
8-ounce glass jar, or several small tins with lids

Combine all ingredients except the honey and lavender oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals for two minutes or until all ingredients have melted. Mix in the honey and lavender oil and immediately pour into the jar. Let cool to room temperature. To reach desired texture, melt the balm again and add or remove beeswax or lavender oil.

Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey is pure, U.S. honey, produced by the Sioux Honey Association Co-op, representing 275-plus independent beekeepers and nearly 100 years of honey-producing experience.

Learn More

For further honey facts, tips and skin care recipes, go to www.siouxhoney.com/beauty.

(NAPSI) — Many people don’t know it, but when your kidneys stop working, so do you. Your kidneys are as essential to life as other vital organs, such as your heart. Kidney healthy is also heart healthy, so when you “Heart Your Kidneys,” you also show love for your heart. That’s because the No. 1 cause of death in people with kidney disease is heart disease.

The Problem

More than 30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and most are unaware of it. One in three American adults is at risk for chronic kidney disease. It’s the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., and growing in prevalence. For many people, dialysis or a transplant is needed just to stay alive.

What To Watch For

Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and a family history of kidney failure. People of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. African Americans are three times more likely than whites, and Hispanics are nearly 1½ times more likely than non-Hispanics, to develop end-stage renal disease, also known as kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) urges everyone with risk factors to speak with their doctor about taking the two simple tests, blood and urine, to check for kidney health. And if you don’t have major risk factors for chronic kidney disease, you should still discuss your kidney health with your doctor. Even if you inherit kidney disease, you may be able to slow its progression with lifestyle changes. You can join the conversation on social media and post #HeartYourKidneys. NKF is the largest, most comprehensive and long-standing organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.

What To Do About It

On World Kidney Day, March 8, throughout March—National Kidney Month—and at any time of year, NKF says, all Americans should “Heart Your Kidneys” by following some simple tips.

“Eat right, exercise, drink water, and keep your kidneys healthy, because whatever you’re good at, there’s only one you,” says 10-year-old “America’s Got Talent” singer, kidney transplant recipient, and first-ever NKF Kid Ambassador Angelica Hale in a new “Heart Your Kidneys” video public service announcement.

At age 4, Angelica’s kidneys failed. Her mother, Eva Hale, donated one of her own kidneys to her daughter to save her life. Today, both mother and daughter are healthy. Angelica has also become NKF’s newest kidney advocate on Capitol Hill at the Kidney Patient Summit in Washington, D.C., by supporting NKF legislative priorities.

Fast Kidney Facts

• Your kidneys are located in the back just below your rib cage.
• Each of your kidneys is about the size of your fist.
• The kidneys’ major function is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body.
• Kidney disease usually affects both kidneys.
• Nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant.

Learn More

For more information about kidney health, visit www.kidney.org.

(NAPSI) — Here’s health news you may be glad to see: A healthy lifestyle may reduce your risk of getting vision diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can damage central vision and currently affects 11 million Americans. If you already have AMD, such a lifestyle may help protect your remaining vision. Here are hints on how.

Tips To Help Your Vision

Don’t Smoke. Smokers are more than twice as likely as nonsmokers to get AMD. Smoking narrows the blood vessels, reducing blood supply to the eyes. If you smoke, make a plan to quit with your doctor’s help.

Exercise Regularly. Exercise may reduce inflammation, which is a key contributor to AMD. It can also help lower eye pressure, which improves blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.

Eat a Varied and Nutritious Diet. Both your eye health and your overall health benefit from a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, including dark leafy greens, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains.

Maintain Normal Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels. High blood pressure narrows the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Cholesterol deposits in the eye contribute to AMD.

Maintain a Healthy Weight. Being overweight contributes to AMD and increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Develop a healthy diet and lifestyle plan.

Protect Your Eyes Outdoors. Sunlight exposure may increase the risk of AMD. Wear wide-brimmed hats when outdoors and use high-quality sunglasses with a UVA and UVB rating of 99 to 100 percent.

Keep Track of Your Eye Health. It’s important to monitor your vision, to help with early detection of eye problems or to slow the progression of AMD. Schedule regular, comprehensive eye exams with your eye doctor. More than a vision test, the exam should include pupil dilation to detect diseases, and the use of tonometry, which measures eye fluid pressure.

Ask your doctor how often you should schedule exams, based on your risk factors. These include a family history of AMD and being over age 60.

Learn More

For more eye care advice, you can download The Top Five Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor and other free vision resources at www.brightfocus.org/eye-health, or call (800) 437-2423.