LIFE

Enjoying Safe and Healthy Use of Social Media

Social media has become a significant part of many people’s daily lives. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat provide users with opportunities to keep up with their friends, share life experiences and interact with people from around the world. However, social media can also have detrimental effects.

As you enjoy these applications and websites, you should also be diligent in protecting yourself. Failure to do so could negatively affect your relationships, mental health and even finances. Consider the following tips to ensure safe use of social media:

• Use strong passwords. Your social media accounts can be hacked, allowing perpetrators to access personal information and even impersonate you. Make sure you protect your passwords and refrain from using the same one for multiple accounts.
• Activate multifactor authentication (MFA). Even the most robust passwords may eventually be cracked. By enabling MFA, you can better protect your social media profiles by requiring additional proof of your identity, such as a fingerprint or verification code.
• Avoid oversharing. Part of the fun of social media is sharing your experiences with others; however, providing too much information may expose you to cyber-criminals.
• Check privacy settings. To better protect your privacy and data while using social media, consider adjusting your settings to limit who can see what you post or share.
• Beware of fake accounts. Scammers may attempt to connect with you using fraudulent profiles. Limit your interactions to people and accounts you can trust.

Contact us today for additional information about social media and cyber-safety.

MOTOR

Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

Vehicle theft increased by almost 25% between 2021 and 2022, according to recent Office for National Statistics data. Worse still, the rising cost of living could drive crime rates higher. As such, securing your vehicle has never been more important. Consider the following tips:

• Park responsibly. Ideally, keep your vehicle in a garage. Otherwise, park on a well-lit street or in a car park displaying a “Park Mark” sign.
• Deter thieves. Remove all valuables when leaving your vehicle, including mobile phones and sat-navs. This way, criminals will be less tempted to break in. Additionally, leverage appropriate anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks, immobilisers and GPS tracking systems, to further deter thieves.
• Remember the basics. Always close windows and doors when vacating your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even for a second.

Contact us today for further risk management   strategies and insurance solutions

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Refresh Your garden this summer

Gardening carries several benefits for your health and finances. In fact, outdoor improvements, such as well-kept flowers and a tidy garden, can significantly boost the value of your property. Gardening can also promote physical health, boost self-esteem and provide stress relief. Indeed, several studies have discovered a link between access to green space and increased mood and life satisfaction. For instance, a study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that those who gardened each day had well-being scores 6.6% higher than those who didn’t.

Bolster you well-being and improve your home’s appearance this summer with these gardening tips:

• Add colour. Plant colourful annuals that are already flowering, such as begonia, lobelia and celosia, to refresh your garden. Remove leaves and debris from plant beds and prime the soil before planting.
• Switch up the layout. Consider combining flowers of differing heights for a more dynamic display. In particular, planting alternate rows of flowering annuals and vegetables can transform old garden beds and create visual interest. Remember, you don’t always need to buy new plants; relocating existing plants can be just as effective.
• Conduct pruning. Although major pruning should wait until winter when plants are dormant, selecting smaller pruning tasks can help to reduce diseases and control pests. Cut back the current seasons growth on hedges and topiary to maintain shape and deadhead faded flowers.
• Look after your lawn. Invasive work, such as raking and scarifying, is best left until autumn. Instead, mow your lawn regularly and focus on adding moisture. Specifically water your lawn when its cool outside( eg first thing in the morning) to aid absorption. Consider a rain barrel to collect water for this purpose.
• Review security. Finally, when revamping your garden, include a review of garden security, as gardening supplies and outdoor furniture can pose and attractive prospect for criminals. Specifically, make sure your garden shed has robust, working locks, and consider ground anchors for any patio furniture left out overnight.

For additional lifestyle tips, contact us today.