Tag: information

Top Holiday-Related Accidents

The holidays are right around the corner! Along with all that merriness, cheer, and celebration can also come accidents. Around the holidays is one of the most accident-prone times as people are distracted and stressed. As I say over and over, knowledge is power, so here is a list of the most common accidents that occur around the holidays, so that you and your loved ones can be aware and prepare.

Did you know that poisonous plants are actually all around right now? Mistletoe, holly berries, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis are all dangerous when swallowed. Make sure to keep these away from where pets and children can get ahold of them. If they do get consumed, call poison control immediately.

Electrical fires are also common around this time of year as people try to over-use extension cords. You should use a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) to prevent electrical shocks and don’t plug in more than 3 strands of lights into a single extension cord, as a good rule of thumb. Also, keep cords out from underneath rugs, as this is also a common cause of fires.

Open fireplaces can cause trouble if not properly taken care of. Always make sure to have your chimney inspected at the beginning of the season before use; make sure you have a grate or screen in front to keep stray embers inside the fireplace, where they belong; and remember that only one artificial log should be used at a time. And if things do get out of hand, always use a fire extinguisher or sand. NEVER water.

Home cooking fires are also prevalent as there tend to be many things going on at once during the holidays. Take extra care to make sure all things flammable are away from the stove.

Christmas tree fires are most commonly due to a tree being too close to a heat source (i.e. a space heater or fireplace). Also make sure that if you get your tree from a lot, they cut off at least a ¼ inch disk from the bottom of the tree so that your tree will absorb the water.

Home heating fires are one of the most common accidents, especially caused by space heaters. Make sure that they are kept far away from flammable material and always turn it off when you leave the house.

Over 5000 Americans went to the hospital in 2007 for holiday decorating related falls. Make sure you’re using a stable ladder on a level surface and that you have someone there to help spot you should anything go awry.

Here’s hoping you have now been well-armed with information and that your holiday season goes along safely and cheerfully. Happy pre-holidays from everyone here at Sweeney & Sweeney!


Top 10 ACA Points You Should Know

Are you wondering what the different parts of the ACA really mean? Straight from Blue Shield, here are the top 10 key issues you should know about.

1. Guaranteed Issue – No one will be denied healthcare due to health, age, gender, or other issues including pre-existing conditions.

2. The Individual Mandate – All individuals will be required to have coverage that qualifies as the minimum essential by January 2014, or risk paying a tax penalty.

Ind. Mandate table

3. Grandfathered Plans – People who have healthcare plans that were in effect prior to March 23, 2010, can keep their plans if they want. The only caveat is they are not subject to the ACA’s requirements.

4. New Marketplaces – Marketplaces (Exchanges) have been created as a place for people to explore and compare different health plans. You can access this marketplace directly through brokers and individual carriers just as before.

5. Open Enrollment – This Open Enrollment period began on October 1, 2013 and ends March 31, 2014.

6. Essential Health Benefits – All non-grandfathered plans for individuals and small businesses will include the following 10 categories:

  • Ambulatory patient services
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioural health treatment
  • Prescription drugs
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
  • Laboratory services
  • Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
  • Pediatric services, including or and vision care

7. Metal Level Plans – All non-grandfathered health plans offered to individuals and small businesses will be required to provide coverage at a “metal level”—Platinum (90%), Gold (80%), Silver (70%), and Bronze (60%)—based on the actuarial value (E.g. With a gold plan, the Insured pays 20% of health care costs, while the plan covers 80%).

8. Federal Subsidies – Subsidies will be available starting 2014 for those whose annual income is between 134% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who meet the guidelines. Subsidies will help lower the costs of both premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Those who fall less than 134% below the poverty level may be eligible for Medi-Cal. Tax credits will also continue to be available to small businesses with 25 or less full-time equivalent employees to help cover the costs of providing coverage.

9. ACA Taxes – Taxes covering the ACA will start January 1, 2014. Click here for a downloadable copy of the ACA tax fact sheet

10. Play-or-Pay – As of January 1, 2014, the ACA requires companies over a certain size to offer affordable health coverage to full-time employees and their dependents or face paying a penalty if an employee receives federally-subsidized coverage through the Exchange.