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Your Guide to Smart Toys for Children

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Every parent knows that their child learns through play. Hence, wouldn’t it be amazing if the toys you give to your child are the ones that educate and entertain them? In short, can you provide your child with smart toys that help them with their development?

Yes, definitely. You can browse through the internet for toys suited for specific learning stages of your kids. Toynk has a wide selection of toys for every age and you can categorize or filter your search when you go to their website.

How Babies Play

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Keep in mind that play in your child’s initial year is about discovery. Babies utilize their five senses to learn about the interesting new world that surrounds them. Does an object feel soft or hard? Rough or sticky? What does it do if I drop it? Many plays are composed of mouthing or tasting an object or dropping, banging, or shaking it.,

A play turns out to be more complex and coordinated when your kid builds new motor skills. A good example of this is the following:

  • At around four months old, your baby starts to grasp and reach for objects.
  • By six or seven months, your baby can move the object between his or her hands.
  • At about nine months, a newly developed pincer grasp makes it simpler for them to grab smaller things, such as small age-appropriate toys and blocks.

Through this period, play is normally a solitary activity. However, playing side by side along with other kids or babies and copying activities is typical by year’s end.

At this stage, you are your kid’s favorite playmate.

Smart Toys for Smart Babies

Below is a list of the common smart toys for smart babies:

Push and Pull Toys

This toy will help your baby with balance and the development of big muscles. As they push and pull more, they boost the muscles for running and climbing. They can use such toys to control moving their legs as they develop into toddlers.

Ring Stacker

Did you know that a ring stacker is a toy where rings of various sizes and colors are stacked into a cone? This one is considered a classic toy. Your baby will like biting and holding the rights at the start. They start putting the rings into the cone as their fine motor skills enhance. Later as toddlers, they will begin to know numbers and colors when they stack and count the multicolored rings.

Baby Mirrors

Your baby will be attracted when they stare into a baby mirror as their expression transform. Later, your baby will distinguish the drooling and smiling cute creature staring back.

Your baby will become more familiar once they know that, and hence, they explore more about parts of their body as well as their surroundings.

Nursery Mobiles

We also have a nursery mobile as a smart toy. This one has a dancing figure that will enhance the attention span and support the vision of your baby.

Smart Toys for Toddlers

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At this stage, your baby is building their awareness of objects as well as their function. They love yapping on a toy phone, drinking from a big cup, and stacking blocks. That’s when pretend play begins. That lays the ground for preschool play.

Your baby begins to learn the function of specific objects and will begin to tell the difference between a color and shape.

You can opt for vibrant toys, which are fun to play with. Many toddlers around two years old can scribble with a crayon, stack blocks, or kick a ball at least four tall. At three years old, most toddlers could pedal or a mini tricycle or do basic puzzles.

Your small baby can master new abilities by doing stuff repeatedly. Hence, expect to notice that often as they begin taking charge of their surroundings.

Below are some of the best smart kids for toddlers:

Board games

These are excellent ways to spend time with your toddler. They can also support learning opportunities, satisfying your child’s competitive urges and desire to master new concepts and skills.

Roleplay and pretend toys

These toys are supported with stuffed dolls and animals, such as having a tea party. They help with social and emotional development by teaching your toddler the ideal way to show themselves emotionally.

Toys that support thinking

Smart toddlers can be entertained through play and learn simultaneously. You need to support your kid to play with multipurpose toys where they can learn matching, sorting, counting, colors, and build their fine motor skills at the same time.

Smart Toys for Preschoolers

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Your baby will begin to utilize toys and objects as they’re planned to be utilized. Nonetheless, they will find other efficient uses for them as well. Bear in mind that a preschooler can notice endless possibilities in their surroundings, not to mention they are the creators and masters of everything they see.

Children at this age assume they have powers and are powerful enough to beat monsters. Below are the best toys for preschoolers:

Puzzles

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They enhance dexterity, coordination, and show spatial connection and rational thinking.

Construction and Blocks Sets

Erection a building and finding ways to avoid it from falling enhance your kid’s problem solving and hand-eye coordination skills. Preschoolers utilize construction set and their creativity to make animals, buildings, vehicles, and more.

Smart Toys for Big Kids

Interest and talent begin to firm up. Physical skills are getting fine tunes like big motor skills. Your child learns to skateboard or ride bikes with two wheels. Below are the best smart toys for big kids.

Cards and Board Games

This game supports cooperation and helps your kid deal with their emotions, which go along with losing and winning.

Science Toys

It supports problem solving and discovery, along with science toys. Chemistry sets, binoculars, and telescopes, among others, are the best example of science toys.

Rubik’s Cube

Rubik’s cubes have evolved so much these years. They have the perfect combination of math and motorists, plus your kids will have so much fun! We have to recommend Smart cubes, such as GoCube- a totally amazing gift for your teen.

Jump Ropes

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Playing jump rope with friends allows your child to learn how to take turns and play in harmony along with their friends. Jumping rope needs coordination and supports the development of big problem solving and motor skills.

Indeed, toys are an essential tool to help your kid mature and grow. Nonetheless, you should remember that toys are also essential in their development and growth. Hence, make sure you choose smart toys that are suitable for your kid’s age.

We wish you the best of luck! Share your insights with us about this post by leaving your comments down below!

5 Pros and Cons of Buying a New Construction Home

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Purchasing a home that allows you to settle down and live your life comfortably is the goal for many people, especially the younger generations. Everybody wants to have their own place, but unfortunately, this costs money, and sometimes a lot of it.

When it comes to tastes and different people, there’s always someone who will prefer something different than you do. Some find living in an apartment easy and convenient, while others can’t imagine their life unless they live in a house that’s large and roomy with a huge backyard. But, what’s good for the spider is chaos for the fly, and now we’re back to what we mentioned in the first sentence of this paragraph, which is that tastes vary based on personality.

However, we can all agree upon one thing, and that’s that living in a freshly built home created just for you is an unimaginable feeling. There are so many pros of this, but a few cons as well, basically just like everything else in life. Thankfully, today we’re here to talk about it, so if you cannot make up your mind or you’re wondering what the good and bad things about this are, this is the right place to be. Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

You’ll know all the important details of the home

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When purchasing a home that was building a long time ago, and people already spent a lot of years living in it, it’s like purchasing a “cat in a bag”. Honestly, it’s not a good thing to do, but it’s the most affordable option, which is why most people tend to go with it. There’s nothing wrong with the will to save money, but extra hidden costs will slowly start to frustrate you a lot, not to mention that they’ll keep your economy on the edge at all times.

Did the previous owner tell you about that problem with the roof where the water starts leaking inside the home every winter? Did they mention the backyard fence that was repaired about five times and it’s almost going to come apart but they painted it so that it looks brand-new? Not really, all of these things are important details and they’ll start showing one by one when they are least needed. This is why we always prefer and advise others to purchase a home that’s built specifically for them. Because you’ll be the one to know all of these details in case they ever show up, instead of being lied to by the previous owner that’s just trying to get rid of the place.

There aren’t any hidden issues with the house

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When they build a brand-new home for you, it’s going to take years, if not decades for problems to start occurring. This means that you’ll initially pay more for it, but then you won’t be forced to deal with issues for many years to come. Also, if you do regular maintenance around the house, chances are that issues won’t ever start appearing. Can you be sure that everything is built properly? Yes, when the home is built for you, you can be present at the construction site and everything is built according to your plans, so if your plans are flawless, the home will be flawless as well. Premierrealestate.pro is a website where you can learn more about the pros and cons of construction homes at a blog written and led by professionals with years of experience in this sphere.

In case you need more information on this topic before purchasing, the internet is the best way to get them. Use it to your advantage. After all, the money you spend on a construction home that’s brand-new is definitely not a small amount.

You’ll be the first one to ever step into it

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Apart from functionality and all that, there’s a satisfaction factor in purchasing a brand new construction home as well. It’s not all about avoiding maintenance for many years and other similar things. There’s a very special feeling that you get when you walk into your freshly-built home, and it’s irreplaceable. A lot of people who experienced it said that it’s a lot “fresher” compared to moving into a place where people lived for a lot of years beforehand.

It does cost more money to build it

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Now, we cannot really hide the truth, which is that purchasing a construction home that’s brand-new and built for you is very expensive. It will require you to save money for many years before being able to make the transaction. But, is it worth it at the end? Yes, it is. And, it is very important to do research on your neighborhood and the overall location where you want to build your home.

Prices will vary, but so will living circumstances. Some neighborhoods are quieter, others are busy and noisy, but as we mentioned above, every person has their own preference when it comes to these things. Doing research is very important though because the amount of money you’re going to put into this is usually a once in a lifetime type of a thing. Of course, excluding those who can purchase multiple homes during their lifetime.

You need to wait sometime until it’s done

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Last but not least, we have to mention that although this is the best quality of life choice that you can make, it’s also the one that is the most time-inefficient. If you need a home quickly and urgently, this is definitely not the best decision that you can make. It can sometimes take up to two or three years for a home to be built depending on the area and the circumstances, as well as your budget. So, if you want to move in quickly and without wasting any time, you should probably consider purchasing a home that’s already built. But, everything in life has its own pros and cons. You have to weigh them in in order to make the final decision.

 

 

Ways Social Media Has Changed the Game for Employee Recognition

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Everyone on this planet has already heard of social media. Indeed, we all have. Others would debate it is the most potent invention since the printing press, while some would say it is only a curse for our regular lives. A few would say it is only a fancy form of telephone. Whatever the case, it has had a massive influence on how incentive, reward, and recognition providers do business.

Take note that social media is a massive network for acknowledging employee achievements, both externally and internally. Your company can offer recognition to superior performance, new hires, work anniversaries, and many more.

That recognition enables team members to engage that works to establish team cohesiveness. An employee can also congratulate one another, keeping up with the company’s current events, and engaging with their coworkers.

Social media can also lessen your organization’s turnover. One research discovered that 39,00 hourly workers using networking sites weekly stayed at their jobs longer compared to their colleagues.

Below are different ways social media changed the game of employee recognition, equipped with ways to use to your company’s advantage.

Helps the company’s recognition program going

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Take note that employee recognition should be consistent. However, it is so simple for it to fall on the verge. The straightforwardness of posting employee recognition on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social networks makes it simple for the program to go in between significant events. It also helps you prevent needing to restart the recognition program.

Social media is an integral part of the entire recognition program. Nonetheless, it should not be the company’s overall strategy. It will help if you’ll combine it with live events such as company-wide recognition meetings, an employee of the month programs, and award ceremonies, among others.

Giving your employees rewards like keepsakes or employee recognition crystal trophies, which are more than gifts, allows them to have a lasting effect beyond social media. Employee recognition awards, in-person events, and social media mix to make the program the most efficient it could be.

Makes employee recognition more fulfilling and valuable

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Did you know that employee recognition on social media is relatively simple? You might be even shocked by its real influence. Staffers love the power to share social media posts that acknowledge them.

Offering public commendation could make the most of the benefits of recognition and the capability to share it with family or friends on Facebook, as well as with business associates on LinkedIn. which makes social media appreciation more efficient. In short, your team will receive double the praise.

Recognition from top executives, supervisors, and managers is the ideal form of employee recognition. It exceeds credit from people outside of the company and teammates. You see, social media makes it simple for people in executive positions to offer commendation. That helps you offer relevant employee acknowledgment with minimal effort.

It’s simple to share the recognition

The best thing about social media is that it allows simple sharing of employee recognition. You only need to open your business social media account, enter your post, and click “Post.” The message must be customized and thoughtful, but you don’t need to spend a considerable amount of time thinking about the best words to use.

Remember that employee recognition on social media is an efficient way for higher executives and managers to demonstrate to their teams that they care, not to mention it’s cost-efficiency.

Makes an excellent recruiting tool

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More and more job seekers are seeking jobs online. Sites such as Glassdoor enable folk to post reviews regarding their staff, not to mention that job seeker could learn about a company from its LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

In fact, it has been found that sixty-six percent of individuals trust opinions posted online. On the other hand, eighty-three percent trust suggestions from family or friends.

So, do you have a substantial social media presence with a considerable amount of positive reviews and employee recognition from your clients and staff? Then that could make it simpler for you to recruit and retain the ideal workers.

Helps establish community

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Building an inclusive company, establishing community, and breaking down silos must be your organization’s utmost priorities. Fortunately, social media helps with all such things by offering staff platforms to engage and connect in ways they might not otherwise. Further, it allows them to provide peer-to-peer (P2P) recognition, which is the most efficient form of employee recognition.

For instance, LinkedIn’s tool referred to as Kudos enables users to make instant and stunning appreciation posts to anyone in their network. That’s a beautiful example of how social media and employee recognition go together.

Your staff is willing for opportunities to acknowledge one another. One survey found that forty-four percent of people would regularly offer peer recognition if they have the necessary tools. You see, that tool is social media.

It transformed people’s expectations

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Undoubtedly, social media and the internet have transformed every person’s behavior. We are currently living in a world of immediate satisfaction. For instance, shoppers are eager to wait for three seconds for a website page to load before leaving the website.

Need-it-now behavior influences people’s lives offline, as well. You like instant gratification when talking about watching TV shows, making purchases, and even employee recognition. Please note that employees do not want to wait for the yearly awards ceremony to know how amazing they are at their jobs. As an alternative, they wish to hear it daily. Social media is an excellent method to achieve that.

Remember that the way you communicate with one another is at the core of engagement and recognition. Social media has spread and undergone massive changes. It now stands as an almost omnipresent commodity. Hence, social media in the workplace is nearly inevitable.

Social media has made the planet much smaller, and everyone’s actions much visible. That leaves fewer excuses for lack of appreciation. That is well worth rejoicing in the long game.

Customer Data Platforms: The Reality Behind the Hype

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The imperative to gather every piece of data stays ingrained in the fabric of enterprise business through a decade after Big Data became the next big thing. The hype has disappeared on big data. However, organizations are still dealing with its impacts. No doubt, today’s hottest technologies are in response to the complications launched by the big data mentality to collect everything.

The hype for big data has been put out to pasture for several years. Nonetheless, big data’s central tenets stay with us: velocity, variety, and volume of data.

Customer Data Platform (CDP) striving to resolve the most complicated challenges of today’s marketers

The worldwide market for CDPs is anticipated to increase substantially throughout the following years. In fact, the CDP Institute attached industry revenue for 2019 at 1 billion USD. It also anticipates the sector to reach roughly 1.3 billion USD by 2024.

On the other hand, ResearchandMarkets foresees the sector will increase from 2 billion USD to 10.3 billion USD by 2025. It will grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 34.0 percent throughout the forecast time.

That massive development is being driven by:

  • the need to navigate complicated privacy regulations
  • the propagation of customer touchpoints and devices
  • higher anticipations for marketers to create real-time bespoke experience across channels

What does it mean?

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Gartner foresaw that the average adult in America would own over six smart devices by 2024. On the other hand, Cisco predicts that the figure of devices connected to IP networks across the globe will increase to over three times the worldwide population by 2024.

Potential customers and existing customers utilize all of such devices to engage with the organizations they do business with. Further, these customers expect such companies to distinguish them whatever device they are using at any given moment.

Did you know that a survey performed by Salesforce State of the Connected Customer founds that seventy-eight of respondents want to utilize various channels to engage with brands depending on context? However, six percent expect brands’ engagements with them to be personalized according to previous engagements.

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That concern is not going to vanish anytime soon. Segmenting the customer data of Salesforce by generations shows that younger associates switch devices more than older. Further, they tend to be including IoT-type connected devices into their range.

It’s worth mentioning as well that customer data security and governance have jumped to the forefront of marketer challenges. That’s because the soup of data regulations continues to increase.

The four technologies Gartner called out as transformative within their latest Hype Cycle revolve around one theme: making data helpful and practical. Those technologies are composed of the following:

  • real-time marketing
  • blockchain for advertising
  • AI for marketing
  • Customer data platforms

Each of these takes a segment of the original promise of big data. They strive to change it into a fully realized part of the martech stack. The hype might be similar – converting all data you gather into relevant, meaningful information.

Nonetheless, new guiding principles have arrived beyond only veracity, volume, and velocity in the intervening decades among the heyday of big data as well as today’s world.

Big data was able to set the table for such principles. Today, people are reaching the time for them to be served up to customer experience teams, IT professionals, and marketers as obtainable goals.

Each of those technologies takes up the job left behind by big data.

However, the best customer data platforms signify the most transformation of the hyped-up tech.

How can CDP help?

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This is where the customer data platform comes to the rescue. In case you didn’t know yet, CDP is a system created for non-IT use to simplify customer data flow through the martech stack and build a single customer view.

Together with the proliferation of potential customer touchpoints, massive expectations, make identity resolution, and cross-device IDs essential for keeping marketers, service professionals, and sales experts present the best total customer experience.

Customer data platforms provide that normalization and consolidation, making the data profiles accessible to other systems as well.

On top of that, remember that CDP vendors look to strive to support marketers deal with the privacy concern. They do this by presenting powerful data governance protocols, which are approved by third party organizations. That guarantee compliance, along with such kinds of regulations and other data security standards.

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For instance, a lot of CDP vendors are the International Standards Organization (ISO), Service Organization Control (SOC), and Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) certified. Such audits approve best practices around:

Gartner’s hype cycle points to an organization’s need to better act and control their data in a future where data is limited by regulations and consumer expectations commanding rigorous privacy standards. Nonetheless, Gartner’s positioning of CDPs on the Digital Marketing and Advertising Hype Cycle continues the wider trend of controlling the technology’s strategic potential through the enterprise.

Hence, it only perpetuates the continuous segmentation of intelligence and data sources, which make a single view of the customer impossible.

Big data wanted too big for its time. However, the idea of having one source for all your data continues today on the Customer Data Platform. With a CDP, you can deal with enterprise-level volume and a collection of sources through many integrations while allowing delivery channels and such real-time insights.

However, we need to admit that the underlying challenge stays the same: organizing data is a company-wide initiative that is limited through the lens of departments and tools. Big data attempted to transform that. A few years later, organizations are beginning to seriously take the need for an independent data layer designed to inspire massive, structural transformation.

There you have it! We hope you now understand the reality behind the hype for customer data platforms. Hopefully, you find this post helpful and informative at the same time.

What are your thoughts about this post? Share your insights with us by leaving a comment down below!

7 Tips for Enhancing the Look of Your Fireplace

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A fireplace, unlike any other addition, adds a unique touch to your home,. It brings with it an air of elegance, history, and can completely transform any room. Unfortunately, such elegance can quickly turn into an overaged household item when left unattended over the years. You may have inherited the house from your parents or perhaps you’ve been living in it for long enough to desire a makeover. Looking for ways to upgrade your fireplace can give you the change you’re looking for in all cases. If this is what you’re looking for, then you’re right where you’re supposed to be. Here are 7 tips to enhance the look of your fireplace.

1. Clean Your Fireplace

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Even the most sophisticated household items will fail to showcase their beauty if left to accumulate dirt and dust. That gets even worse with the fireplace where the burnt ashes and soot accelerate the accumulation of dirt. You’ll need to do regular maintenance on your fireplace after every use, where you collect any scattered ash and clean the surrounding area. In case the wood has been completely used up, you’ll want to remove it as well, keeping in mind to leave it until it cools down completely.

Over the years, you’ll find your fireplace turning blacker with every use. You shouldn’t leave it until it reaches that level, with a deep cleansing every few months being sufficiently effective. You can still start now if you haven’t cleaned it for years, but it’s going to take some more effort on your part to achieve the feat.

To perform a deep cleansing routine, you’ll need to be prepared for a messy session of cleaning. Make sure to wear old clothes, sturdy gloves, and a face mask. Don’t forget to cover the surrounding floor as well, so it doesn’t get damaged.

You’ll start with preparing the cleaning agent, which can either be store-bought or a homemade recipe. A good DIY cleaning agent can be made from cream of tartar, mixing vinegar and water, or adding dish-soap to water. You’ll also need cleaning tools like a brush, a piece of microfiber cloth, and a duster or sweeper.

Once that’s ready, you’ll start the cleaning process. Make sure to leave the fireplace to cool down for at least 12 hours before starting. Remove the burnt ashes and used up firewood with the sweeper, sweep the inside of the fireplace from upwards to downwards, and use the vacuum cleaner to remove the fine particles. Dip the brush into the cleaning agent and brush the insides of the fireplace until it’s completely wet, and leave it to soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Afterward, use a dry piece of microfiber cloth to wipe the insides. After cleaning the insides, you’ll need to clean the microfiber cloth and use it to clean the glass, if you have any.

To clean the glass, you’ll dip the cloth in water and then dip in the ashes you’ve collected from the fireplace. Although it may sound counterintuitive, you’ll be amazed at how quickly that will remove the soot attached to the insides of the glass. Before discarding the ashes, consider scattering them in the yard to repel insects and snails. These ashes can also be used to fertilize the garden, thanks to their high mineral content.

2. Use the Right Kind of Wood

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Using the right kind of wood will lift a great weight off your shoulders when it comes to maintaining the cleanliness of your fireplace. You’ll have one of two options when it comes to wood, either kiln-dried or seasoned wood. As the experts at Buyfirewooddirect.co.uk explain, there are so many advantages to using kiln-dried wood over the traditional seasoned firewood. It all comes back to the amount of moisture in the wood, and how that affects its burning rate and exhaust produced.

To understand the difference between both, it’s worthwhile to point out how firewood works. If you’re camping in the wilderness, your options will be limited to fresh or green wood from your surroundings. Any camper knows how difficult it is to light up that wood, much less keep the fire going on nothing but the greenwood. That’s because it has a high content of moisture that prevents the fire from lasting long.

To make the wood more efficient for household use in ovens and chimneys and for outdoor camping, the wood is dried using one of two methods: a kiln or air-drying. Kiln-dried wood reaches a much lower moisture content, making it much more efficient in burning and heating. Wood dried by air is known as the traditional seasoned wood; it contains more moisture, burns less efficiently than kiln-dried wood, and produces less heat. Moreover, kiln-dried wood burns more cleanly as it produces less soot, in addition to being free from insects, fungi, and mold.

3. Change the Mantel

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If you’re looking for a way to completely transform the fireplace, then you’ll want to consider changing the mantel. Whether it’s changing the whole mantel or adding one where there was none, this change will definitely work in your favor. You’ll be able to turn an old fireplace into a modern one by changing the material of the mantel. For instance, consider switching the old and cracked hardwood for simple marble slaps. Alternatively, you can take your contemporary fireplace back in time by installing a vintage wooden mantel that’s rich in classic drawings or designs. On the other hand, you can call upon your creative and artistic skills and design a custom mantel to match the decor of the room.

The most important thing to keep in mind when changing or installing a mantel is to follow the parameters of code requirements. These requirements dictate the size of the mantel, the distance between the combustible material and the sides of the firebox, and the length of the horizontal piece. You can do it yourself if you’re skilled enough in this area, but you may need the help of a professional to ensure that proper safety measures are in place.

4. Upgrade its Surroundings

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Although they can be decorated to give a modern air, mantels will always be a traditional fireplace item. If you’re looking for a more contemporary look, you’ll find that your options are unlimited. Once you decide to upgrade the surroundings of the fireplace, you must first identify your budget, the effort you’re willing to exert, and the time it will take you to complete the project. Depending on the previous factors, you’ll be able to narrow down your brainstorming session to a few achievable looks.

For instance, if the budget and effort taken don’t pose any issues for you, then you can consider transforming the whole wall. That may even be necessary in case the wall holding the fireplace has been severely damaged or requires a lot of attention. Instead of attending to individual items in the wall, it may be worthwhile to transform it into a minimalistic yet modern look. You can achieve that by building a new wall with another layer of drywall in front of it, and then design the exterior according to the decoration of the room. You can even get more creative with the second wall layer and create nooks on the sides of the fireplace.

On the other hand, you can work around the fireplace you already have in place. For instance, you can install tiles around the fireplace, and that will give you a myriad of design options to choose from. You can go for mosaic tiles, neutral tones, or colored tiles to match the color of the wall. Otherwise, you can go for a stone or brick setting to deliver a classic look. For a more natural look, you can opt for concrete or natural stone instead.

5. Give it a Paint-Over

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A simple way to upgrade your fireplace and mantel without going overboard is to simply paint it.

When looking to paint a traditional fireplace, you’ll want to keep the classic elements intact while breathing life into them with a fresh layer of paint. The color of the paint you use needs to be chosen well, serving to accentuate the fireplace as a focal point while fitting in with the surrounding walls.

In case you have wooden surroundings, the repaint process may require a little more effort on your part. You’ll need to strip and sand the wood first, after which you’ll clean the area and apply a primer. Once it dries out, you’ll paint the wood with two layers of coatings, leaving the first one to dry properly before reapplying the paint. You can finish it with semi-gloss acrylic paint to give it a fresh and elegant look. As for the tiles, there’s nothing easier than giving them paint over after cleaning the tiles and using the right paint. Don’t forget to seal off the edges using a painter’s seal to avoid ruining the surrounding walls.

Speaking of paint, you’ll have to make sure that the material withstands heat. That becomes even more important in the case of painting the insert. After applying the first layer, wait and check if it sticks to the surface well, since not all materials can be painted.

In the case of brick surroundings, you should totally consider whitewashing them. Brick is not exactly the best, or easiest, material to paint over, so whitewashing them using a mixture of white latex paint and water can do you wonders. You’ll first spray the brick with water, dip a rag in the mixture, then use it to apply the paint over large areas. To reach finer areas, you can use a dry brush. You may need a second coating to get the bright tone you’re looking for. Additionally, you can check out the best modern shiplap fireplace ideas.

6. Change the Type of Fireplace

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If you’re looking for a total upgrade for a number of reasons, then changing the type of your current fireplace may be what you’re looking for. Other options can be more practical, energy-efficient, and easier to maintain. Here are the four main types of fireplaces, so take your pick.

Wood-Burning Fireplace

These are the most traditional fireplaces. They give the full experience of living in a vintage house, but they have many downsides, one of which is the need for firewood and cleaning the mess that comes with it. You can settle for an open-hearth fireplace, which is certainly the most romantic of all, but it’s also the least efficient when it comes to heating and maintenance. Many people opt for enclosed fireplaces or fireplace inserts instead.

Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces take away some of the hassles that come with wood-burning fireplaces, delivering a cleaner and more efficient experience. They fall short on delivering the air of the first one, though. You can go for a direct-vented built-in gas fireplace if you want to get yellow flames like you’d get with a traditional fireplace, or spice up your living room with a blue flame by installing a ventless built-in one.

Electric Fireplace

Alternatively, an electric fireplace can be installed without any chimneys or gas lines. This low-maintenance alternative can be a great option for practicality, but the fire you get will only be simulated by the heated coils. You can play around with its built, choosing a mantel electric fireplace or settling for an electric fireplace TV stand.

Ethanol Fireplace

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If you’re looking to completely embrace the modern look, then an ethanol fireplace is your best choice. In addition to the practicality and safety, you’ll have a myriad of design options to choose from at ethanol fireplace suppliers. You can go wall-mounted or portable ones and then choose the size, shape, and flame color you like. Much like ethanol fireplaces, alcohol gel fireplaces deliver the same advantages.

7. Get Creative in the Off-Seasons

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Finally, you can’t afford to neglect your fireplace in the off-seasons. Just because you’re not using it to light a fire doesn’t mean you can find more creative uses for it. You’ll definitely remove most of the decor surrounding the fireplace when you’re using it anyway, so the off-seasons are a great time to redecorate your room with all the items you’ve moved to storage. Additionally, you can decorate the inside of your fireplace using wood stacks, books, or toys. You can also keep the light going by placing a few candles and lighting them to set the mood.

Your fireplace has been majestic in all its glory when it was first installed. However, now that time has left its print over this piece of art, it’s time to create your own art. Depending on the state of your fireplace, there are a lot of enhancements you can make. You can always start with cleaning it, then you can move on to decorating, upgrading, or doing a makeover.

Evolution of MP3 Format

Mp3 is a music format that developed more than 30 years ago, and it was nothing short of revolutionary. The reason why this one is so important is that it managed to convert large music files into much smaller ones and makes them much easy to be sent all across the internet. There is pretty much anything that should surprise you about this whole concept if you know that before Wi-Fi, people used dial-up connections, who were much slower.

Therefore, narrowing down the size of the music files in order to send them easier was one of the priorities, mainly for the music industry. We can see that it heavily depends on the internet and the quality of connection. Pretty much the whole situation we now have is the direct product of the needs that were crucial back in the day. We can see an echo of these times in the case of converting music videos into this format.

In case you are interested in how it works, be sure to take a look at mp3juice.best. According to the newest information we have in front of us, the companies who’ve developed mp3 as a compression format, Fraunhofer IIS, and Technicolor made the decision of ending the license for this format. Therefore, at the end of 2017, this format expired.

But, does this means that mp3 is now dead? We are not sure, to be honest. Nevertheless, we would like to talk about the evolution of this format and how it became one of the most important ones in the history of music. Let us talk about how the evolution of this format and why is it highly important, even today.

Source: Pinterest

What is MP3 Really?

As we’ve mentioned, mp3 is a musical format that managed to lower the size of music files, without any compromise when it comes to quality. We are talking about a term that stands for MPEG audio layer III. A couple of years before the introduction of this concept, some standards were established by a couple of crucial information in the musical industry.

The first standard that was created was MPEG-1, and it was based solely on changes made in the video formats. As you know, some updates led to the next version. Ultimately, we’ve got what we now know as mp3. But, different from previous versions, this one had its influence only on music formats.

Source: The Conversation

How it All Started?

The concept of this format was created and published by a German company, called Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The company we are talking about was the owner and the main face behind the whole concept until its recent expiry. The initial researches with the aim of coming up with low bit-rate audio that doesn’t make any kind of compromise with the quality of the sound itself started back in 1987.

Between 1987 and 1995, there were a lot of different significant inventions that we’ve mentioned above, like MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. Both of these inventions led to the invention of mp3. On the 26th of November that year the patient was issued.  The company that invented this was directly the one that earned all the money from the paid licenses by other companies. At the end of the 20th century, in 1999, the world had the opportunity to take a look at the first portable mp3 player, which appeared on the market.

Source: UltimateGaN

Who is the Person Behind it All?

When you Google the term “the father of mp3”, you will receive an answer that the person responsible for it is Karlheinz Brandenburg. Even though we are talking about a person who doesn’t take any pleasure from being called the father of mp3, there is absolutely any doubt that he really is the father of this concept. When you google up some of his interviews, you can see that his initial intention was to have a small file music format that can transfer a significant quality of music in a matter of seconds.

As we can see, he succeeded in the end. Thankfully, there is a lot of different information that you can find about him and how he managed to create something so great, which lasted for almost 30 years. One interesting story is about how they managed to market their product after it was done. Naturally, the marketing started before the product was finally released. This happened back in 1995. This was the moment when they have made a decision about what the extension will look like.

Source: Reduce Reuse Recycle

The Influence of MP3

It goes without saying that mp3 has a significant impact on the way how we listen to our music. We can have more songs on only one CD or device thanking solely to this concept. Before that, the amount of music that can be in only one place was strictly limited and was dependent on the size you have at your disposal. Moreover, we can see that the largest percentage of music wasn’t portable before its appearance, but now, we can see that pretty much all of the music in the world is portable. Therefore, we can thank for it only to mp3 and its investors.

Furthermore, we can see that this format influenced the creation of a lot of different formats that emerged in the future and kept some of the key elements from it. Furthermore, we can say that mp3 has become nothing short of a standard when it comes to digital music. Without any doubt, we cannot imagine today’s world without having this concept in it. But, with the recent demise, it’s uncertain if we are going to be able to have anything similar to it in the future. Maybe there will not be any changes at all, who knows?

Source: Travel + Leisure

In Conclusion

Without any doubt, we are talking about one of the most influential inventions in the history of music. Mp3 made it possible for a lot of people to enjoy good music throughout the world. We’ve mentioned that it was nothing short of revolutionary. It really was that, due to the fact that there was a plethora of positive influences this concept had on the industry.

Want a Hollywood Smile? Visit the Right Dentist

There’s a lot you can signal to people with just a smile. This one expression can draw people into their trust. They’ll feel warmth and pleasure and ease in your presence.

Smiling even helps you to feel better. Studies show that the act of smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin. Smiling makes the people around you feel better, but it also releases natural chemicals that improve and elevate your mood.

Smiling is contagious, and nothing signals positivity to those nearby faster and more reliably. However, some people lack the confidence to smile for different reasons. Often, it’s physical insecurity they feel over their teeth.

Confident adults smile as much as 50 times a day, while happy children might do so 400 times daily. Wouldn’t it be nice to go on living your life with the carefree attitude of a smiling child?

Many of your favorite celebrities have undergone dental work that significantly improved their smile. These celebrities are no doubt loaded with talent and looks sufficient to reach the heights of fame, but having straight white teeth couldn’t have hurt their chances of making it in Hollywood.

Everyone deserves to smile, and nobody should go through life reluctant to express joy. Here are a few ways that the right dentist can help improve your teeth and oral hygiene, so you feel confident enough to beam that smile over and over again. Learn more about that.

Source: www.ordinacijavukovic.rs

Cosmetic Dentistry

Dentistry has made significant advancements in the last few years, and newer treatments can restore your teeth in a way that combines aesthetic improvement with heightened functionality. If your teeth are discoloured, and you’d like them restored back to their natural white colour, there is help for you.

The dentists like Dentistryon7th.ca use tooth-coloured resin and ceramics to transform your teeth back to what they were. These high-quality restorations are strong, durable, and metal-free, bonded to the tooth structure.

These composite fillings will match the shade of your tooth and are a wonderful alternative to an amalgam of silver and mercury. Your teeth will feel strong and natural, and you’ll never feel embarrassed to smile again.

Make sure the dentist you see can factor in every variable of the equation, from tooth height, width, shade, or shape. Such treatments may include bridges, crowns, veneers, implants, orthodontics, whitening, and more.

If one tooth is too long or wide, it can be shaved down so it doesn’t stick out. If there’s a gap or a crack between teeth, it can be filled in with bonding.

It’s essential that the dentist balance both your health and aesthetic needs. In fact, dental problems can cause other problems in your face if not corrected. For example, if you’re missing teeth and leave the space open and unfilled, it could cause changes in the structure and muscles of your face.

Every cosmetic improvement they make should be aligned with what most benefits your body. Getting a Hollywood smile will also dramatically improve your health as explained by expert dentists from Zahnarzt Zürich.

Source: Mount Pearl Dental

Invisalign®

Once, if your teeth were crooked and you wanted to straighten them out, you needed expensive and unattractive braces and bands. Now, the Invisalign® system can fix your teeth with clear plastic “aligners.” Even famous basketball players use it! Here is how it works.

The patient wears an aligner for a period of about two weeks. This should reposition the teeth up unto the point when they’re ready for the next aligner. They wear an aligner until the teeth are in their final position.

The best thing about the system is the aligners are inconspicuous. Unlike braces, it’s hard to even see there’s anything on your teeth! Look for a dentist who offers free consultations for Invisalign®. The Invisalign® procedure can transform your life because no matter how self-actualized a person you are, you’ll feel significantly better about yourself once you have straight teeth.

Denture Alternatives

Some people with missing teeth resort to dentures, which can be problematic at times. Dentures need to be maintained carefully. Sometimes food particles can get stuck in spaces and cause irritation, or people are restricted in the food they can eat because hard and sticky food can potentially pose problems for dentures.

Now, there’s an All-on-4 Implant System, which is a more attractive alternative to dentures. The system creates a full set of replacement teeth patients receive within 24 hours, requiring four sets of dental implants, which support a fully customized set of teeth.

This Implant System alleviates pain, so people can chew and eat meals, which is really a way of saying they can live comfortably. Not only are alternatives to dentures like the All-on-4 Implant System easier to live with, but they’ll also preserve your jaw bone and keep you healthy.

Source: Sedation Dentist

Dental Implants

Dental implants are another alternative to getting dentures that can restore your smile and confidence. Losing even one tooth can result in adjacent teeth experiencing tipping, drifting, and erupting.

Losing more than one tooth can reduce your ability to speak and chew and contributes to the collapse of your bite, which in turn results in stress on the jaw joints and facial muscles. This type of stress on the jaw can reduce the vertical dimensions of your face, which can make a person look older than they are by increasing the lines on their face.

The best dentists take physiological factors like these into account and cosmetic concerns. Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss — just like natural teeth, they help stimulate the jaw bone and prevent bone loss.

Source: Premium Dental Center

Ordinary Check Up

One simple way to get a more confident smile is to visit a dentist for a straightforward checkup. The dentist will give your teeth an in-depth polish and clean hard to reach areas where food particles can get trapped.

You’ll be assessed for cavities, they’ll check that your gums are healthy, and they’ll ensure you have no broken fillings. If it turns out you do have issues requiring attention, it’s better to know early on and get them treated soon, before they develop into further problems that cost more time and money to fix.

Some of the improvements dentists make don’t take very long to fix, and they can even be done in the initial appointment. They can file your teeth, fix cavities, and repair old fillings done at a time when materials like silver were routinely used.

When you visit a dentist, you’ll always walk out of their office with improved oral health and a brighter smile. It’s a good idea to visit a dentist twice a year, or every six months.

Source: toxnetlab

Pick a Dentist with a Track Record

Even if you’re only visiting for a routine checkup, it helps to see an elite dentist. Where have they studied? Who have they treated?

Presumably, any dentist you see will have the requisite certifications to practice! But the more they have, the better off you’re likely to be. Finding a dentist who belongs to several professional membership groups and fellowships is especially important if you’re going in for more advanced dental work, like implant surgery, sinus lifts, bone and tissue grafts, and more.

Beyond the framed certifications on their wall, this kind of experience is a testament that they know what they’re doing. Every medical procedure can involve a certain amount of risk, and the risk level drops depending on the professional you’ve chosen.

Source: Marketplace.org

Visiting the Dentist During a Pandemic is Safe

It’s understandable during COVID-19, when everyone is encouraging you to stay home, to think this applies even to dentist appointments, but the better thing to do is weigh the specifics of your situation. Dentist’s offices are open now in many regions because they can offer patients a sterile environment.

At the same time, if patients or dentists are experiencing any sickness or symptoms, they must be proactively urged to stay at home.

By now, the pandemic has been going on for longer than six months, which means that even if you got a checkup the day before the pandemic began, you’re overdue for another appointment. The dentist you visit will surely follow basic precautions, such as wearing masks, staying more than six feet apart from people indoors, and minimizing the number of people in the same indoor space at a time. Hand washing on both sides is crucial.

Check the recommendations from local health experts, but visiting the dentist should be safe. Indeed, there’s a risk that people may have oral health problems go undiagnosed because, understandably, they’re trying to remain in their home. Weigh the specifics of your situation and double-check what the experts say, but visiting the dentist should be fundamentally safe.

Smiling sends people subconscious signals they register immediately. There’s no faster way to communicate friendship, warmth, and even love to people than by smiling. You’ll feel better when you smile frequently, and so will everybody around you. Visit the right dentist near you to get yourself a Hollywood-level smile that will bring good cheer to you and everyone around you, and better oral health too.

What the Top Commercial Collections Agencies Do and Don’t Do

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. This is true of all business models, including business to business companies. You still need to get paid, on time, regardless of whether your customers are individuals or multi-conglomerate companies.

In fact, your overdue accounts tend to pack more of a punch in the B2B world. One contract could have millions hanging in the balance.

A business to business debt collection agency is there to help in case delinquent customers are threatening to turn off your cash flow. But don’t entrust this delicate task to just any agency. Check out this list to ensure you’re choosing the best agency for your needs.

Here’s what the top commercial collection agencies do — and what they don’t!

Source: Opus Beverly Hills

They DO Treat Your Debtors with Compassion

Every business has a code of ethics that informs how they approach overdue accounts. The top commercial collections agencies build theirs around debt recovery laws and trade organization best practices.

What this code ends up looking like is different for every commercial collection agency.

The debt recovery experts at Summit A*R have what’s called a P.H.D in collections. Standing for “preserve human dignity,” it means they treat each debtor with integrity and respect. To see how this influences their commercial collection services, check out Summitcollects.com for more information.

As you search for agencies, remember that whatever company you choose will be an extension of your company. Choose one with a code of ethics that matches your own; it’s the best way to ensure your debt recovery tactics preserve your business’ reputation.

The DO Have a Perfect BBB Rating

Reading up on an agency’s code of ethics on their website is a great starting point, but you’ll want to get a second opinion. A third-party look at their services will be the true test of how they treat your customers and vendors.

Go online to see how they fare on websites like the Better Business Bureau and TrustPilot, paying close attention to reviews left by customers and debtors alike. You know you’ve hit the jackpot when even the person who owed money leaves the agency a glowing review.

Source: LendUp

They DO Provide Transparent, Affordable Fees

The top commercial collections agencies value transparency when it comes to their rates and fees. They understand how frustrating it is to be in your position, with your cash flow in your debtors’ hands. They don’t want to complicate matters by sending you a complicated contract full of hidden fees.

Look for a commercial collection agency that takes their payment only if and when they successfully recover your debt. Upfront payments and mandatory minimums raise red flags about their billing process, so you’ll want to avoid these when you can.

They DO Collect Stubborn Debt

The top commercial collections agencies are masters of negotiation. In most cases, they can convince your debtors it’s time to make good on their payments with charm alone.

But fair-weather debt recovery isn’t your only concern. It’s crucial you find a company that can collect when things get tough.

Some of the top agencies will have a set of tools that they can pull out for the most stubborn cases.

  • Credit Reporting — Unlike in-house collections departments, a national debt collection agency has the power to share delinquencies onto business credit reports.
  • Skip Tracing — When a customer skips town, a skip tracing team can track them down with the help of a private investigator.
  • Litigation — If you need to take a vendor to court, the top agencies will ensure it’s a financially viable option before connecting you with expert attorneys.
Source: Oklahoma Policy Institute

They DON’T Harass Your Debtors

Perhaps the biggest stereotype of collection agencies is that of the tenacious phone call. Determined agents call all day and night, hounding debtors about their overdue accounts at dinner and at work. They’ll stop at nothing to get what they need.

But there’s a problem with this. It not only goes against a strong code of ethics, but it also violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

The FDCPA is a federal law that regulates the way debt collection agencies may treat debtors, and it prohibits unfair collection tactics. One of them is how often they can call people. According to the FDCPA, they can’t call someone before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. They also must stop calling if your debtor has an attorney representing them.

They DON’T Use Threats or Aggressive Language

Another negative stereotype of the industry involves the screaming collection agent hurling threats and obscenities at the debtor. Shady businesses fall back on these abusive tactics in the belief that intimidation will get people opening their wallets faster.

The top debt collection agencies will never represent your business in such a way.

The FDCPA prohibits any language that may be considered harassment, including profanity or threats. Any agency that uses these techniques are breaking the law and should be avoided.

They DON’T Misrepresent

Pretending to be someone else (like a lawyer, for example) may be another form of intimidation that’s against the law. While there may be accounts that require legal action, a genuine attorney will take on this role — not the debt recovery specialist. They also can’t threaten to do things that they can’t, including arresting someone who has overdue accounts.

No reputable commercial debt agency will ever lie about these things in order to get your money back; if they’re good at their jobs, they won’t have to resort to these deceptions.

With experienced negotiators on their team, the best agencies know how to reach a deal without falling back on these illegal practices. And again, they have tools such as credit reporting and skip tracing to convince even the most stubborn accounts.

The Takeaway

Every company will deal with at least one delinquent account over its lifetime, but this doesn’t mean you should take bad debt as the necessary cost of keeping your doors open. You deserve to get paid for your products or services, whatever they may be.

Source: accountcollections.co.nz

Consider this list a rubric for when you search for an agency. It sets reasonable expectations from your business to business debt collection agency by outlining what they will and won’t do. Partner with an agency that follows suit to have a reliable team on your side.

7 Indispensable Items Every Traveler Should Own

Have you ever boarded a plane, only to realize that you’re never going to sleep because of all the noise? Have you pulled at itchy clothing, lost charge on a phone in the middle of nowhere, carted around bulky books to read or lugged a giant suitcase up a flight of hotel stairs? Everyone’s had a few miserable travel experiences, and they nearly always stem from not having the right stuff.

Travel may be on hold for the moment, but that shouldn’t stop you from stocking up on the essentials. Soon enough, global travel will go back to normal, and you’ll want to be prepared for when it does. With Christmas right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to think about travel clothing and travel gear.

Whether you’re buying for yourself or a jet-setting loved one this holiday season, here are seven items that no traveler should be without.

1. Merino Wool Clothing

Source: Pinterest

Your life can be neatly divided into two sections: the time before you knew about Merino travel clothing, and the time after. This wonder-material has long been a poorly kept secret among world travelers. It makes traveling so much easier and cleaner.

Because Merino wool is breathable and bacteria-resistant, you can wear it for long periods without it getting smelly. Some travelers report wearing their Merino wool shirts for weeks on end without any noticeable odour. That’s not all. Merino wool is also insulating, meaning you can wear that same t-shirt as an effective base layer in cold weather.

It’s soft, quick-drying and sweat-wicking too, making it an all-around powerhouse for travel wear. For versatile, sophisticated Merino wool travel clothing, check out Unboundmerino.com and peruse their shirts, underwear, socks and sweaters.

2. Packing Cubes

Source: chiletravel.website

If you’ve ever dragged a large suitcase up a cobblestone hill in Europe, you can attest to the merits of packing light. You can do the “roll method” to help save space, and, of course, you can cut down on the amount of stuff you pack. But for an effective tool that enables you to reduce the size and keep everything you want to pack, reach for packing cubes.

Essentially, packing cubes are like mini-suitcases inside your suitcase. They compress your belongings, removing all that unused space and allowing you to fit more inside a bag. They’re also handy in that they organize your belongings. The last thing you want is for your bag to fling open on the luggage carousel and some underwear to come tumbling out. With packing cubes, you keep everything neatly compartmentalized.

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Source: The Verge

As a traveler, you have to contend with a lot of noise: screaming kids on the airplane, boisterous chatter on the train, raucous parties on the street under your hotel room and more. To tune out the sound, grab a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

While still more expensive than regular headphones on average, noise-cancelers are well worth the investment. Especially in those first few days arriving in a foreign country, when you’re battling against jet lag to get a good night’s rest, they are true life-savers.

4. A Portable Charger

Source: EasyAcc

Nearly every operation requires a phone. When you need to consult a map, you check a phone. If you have to call your embassy, you reach for your phone. And when you need to figure out where to eat for dinner, your phone has a ready list of recommendations. It’s a vital lifeline.

To ensure that your lifeline never goes dead, pack a portable charger. These handy devices allow you to wirelessly charge your devices – phone, e-reader, camera, etc. – wherever you are. They aren’t expensive either, making them a great stocking stuffer idea this Christmas.

5. Portable Wi-Fi

Source: Banggood

The same way a portable charger keeps you connected to your lifeline, a portable Wi-Fi device ensures you’ll never be without the internet.

These small but mighty devices allow you to connect on the road. If you’re lost in the middle of Tokyo and in need of directions, a portable Wi-Fi could be your savior. And if you just need a few YouTube videos to pass the time as you bus across South America, a portable Wi-Fi device provides at-the-ready entertainment.

Unsure which of the many portable Wi-Fi devices to choose? Consult this Wirecutter article, which lists the best devices at a number of different price points. Their top pick is the Verizon Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, which doubles up as a portable charger.

6. An E-Reader

Source: Upgraded Points

Physical books certainly have their time and place. It’s a fantastic feeling being able to rifle through the paper pages of a novel. But when you’re traveling, you have to consider space and weight.

If you don’t already own an e-reader, consider picking one up this holiday season. E-readers have the capacity to store countless books within a thin, lightweight tablet, ensuring that you’re never without a book to read. They fit neatly within the pocket portion of your backpack or suitcase. And, because the technology is nearly 15 years old now, they have come down in price significantly.

E-readers may not be as romantic as their paper counterparts, but reduce space and weight and allow you to carry thousands of books wherever you go.

7. First Aid Travel Kit

Source: Columbia Nurse Practitioner Group

Safety comes first – or, in the case of this list, it comes last. It’s always surprising how few travelers carry a first aid kit. Traveling is ripe for unexpected accidents, including scrapes, scuffs and cuts, and those accidents don’t always happen under hygienic circumstances.

Especially in the time of COVID, you want to avoid hospitals and clinics if you can. Find a first-aid kit that comes with hand-sanitizer, band-aids and gauze, and supplement your kit with cold medication and other over-the-counter treatments.

Before long, you’ll be back on an airplane heading to a far-flung destination. To ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, pack these seven essential items. If you have a globetrotting loved one in your life, use this list for gift inspiration this Christmas. Happy trails!

Is a Root Canal Treatment Harmful?

Skepticism may shield you from harm or poor decision making in many situations, but when it comes to medical and dental questions, the “background noise” of public talk or poorly researched articles can trigger and – in some cases – even exaggerate already existing fears, to a harmful degree.

The fear of the dentist is as old as dentistry. Among common dental procedures, root canal treatment and wisdom teeth removal undoubtedly take the top spots in terms of dental anxiety among most patients. But, thanks to modern methods of anesthesia and minimal-invasive approaches, most of these fears are exaggerated and the benefits of the treatment far outweigh the risks of both of these procedures.

Source: home dental clinic

According to gddc.qa the rationale for root canal therapy in general, stipulates that, once the dental nerve and pulp, get either infected or irreversibly inflamed, it needs to be removed and the emptied root canal should be disinfected, cleaned and shaped for a root canal filling. In other words, the tooth should be preserved in function, by eliminating the source of the pain. The main objective therefore is to save the tooth from otherwise being extracted. And, according to literature and the combined experience of a vast majority of dental professionals, it works very successfully since many decades.

So, why is it that, this established and scientifically proven method of tooth preservation, is being criticized from a small number of dentists, who apparently found a sizeable audience.

Source: Conklin Family Dental

To explain this, we need to look back to the founder of the idea of the harmful root canal treatment, which takes us back almost a century to the year 1922 when Dr. Weston Price published his textbook outlining what he saw as potential dangers from Root Canal Therapy. He argued, that root canal treatments, would cause severe illnesses and chronic diseases. Almost immediately, his arguments were dismissed by the American Dental Association (ADA) with reference to a lack of scientific evidence for his proclamations in the light of overwhelming evidence for the benefits of root canal therapy. Although Dr. Price didn’t find a significant followership in his times, his work gained late attention in the circles of alternative medicine. As the century passed, the arguments are largely unchanged. Root Canal Treatments are being suspected to cause chronic diseases and autoimmune responses, without providing any scientific evidence to prove the claims.

But in the age of the internet and its huge load of valid and invalid sources, scientific evidence is not always considered sufficiently – especially and understandably – by readers or listeners of a non-scientific background.

Source: Hospital Lane Dental and Implant Clinic

It is up to the scientific community and their representative bodies, to counter false or unfounded claims, wherever they arise. This is as true for root canal treatments as it is for most vaccinations.

With that being said, the following summary is meant to shed light into some of the most common misconceptions and false claims (we will refer to both of them as “myths”) in regards to root canal therapy.

1st myth:  the procedure is very painful

Source: Joy Dental Pines

The fact is that most root canal treatments done under proper local anesthesia aren’t painful. If there is a pain experience, it is almost every time manageable with further local anesthesia. Especially methods like intraligamentary and intrapulpal anesthesia can help out, in severely inflamed teeth, where there might be a resistance to conventional local anesthesia. The pain management on infected teeth can also involve a prescription of pain medication (and in some cases antibiotics) prior to the root canal therapy.

Unfortunately, not all dentists mastered the art of pain prevention and management through the proper application of different anesthetic agents and methods. But most dentists and almost all specialists in endodontics show sufficient skills nowadays.

It is important to remember, that root canal treatments are in fact the most effective way to resolve dental pain and save the treated teeth at the same time. Most patients leave their dentist very satisfied, but as with most things, it is rather the negative medical experiences that get reported to our friends and family.

2nd myth: Root canal treatments cause illness and chronic diseases

Source: Dental Designs

As already mentioned above, these rumors bar any scientific evidence. The scientific community is also not taking them seriously, because all evidence points to the advantages of root canal treatments. This, however will not prevent the spread of false information in the digital age and dental professionals will have to further educate their communities and patients on this and similar other dental topics to counter some illegitimate claims from the spheres of alternative medicine. The most effective way to achieve this might be a less scientific approach and rather an appeal to the common sense of the patients. Their skepticism might be shaken by the simply outlying the alternative treatment plan, which almost always involves invasive extractions and costly replacements by implants or fixed partial dentures. Some alternative dentists, I talked to about the question of alternatives, told me that they recommend just to leave the extraction site alone and do nothing.

Considering that teeth play a crucial role in our food intake, digestion and quality of life, this argument might – for very good reasons – not appeal to too many patients. Even dental implants, which can safely be considered the best alternative for a missing tooth, should not be seen as a better replacement in case there is reasonable hope to save a tooth through a root canal procedure. Firstly, the tooth is structurally superior to any artificial replacement. Secondly, sufficient root canal treatments have roughly the same long-term prognosis as dental implants. Last but not least, a successful root canal treatment comes at significantly lower costs, when compared to implant procedures.

Source: Devshree Dental Care

With all this information in mind, the patient still has to make a sophisticated decision, which must not always favor a root canal therapy. But an unjustified vilification will deprive many patients from, what is one of dentistry’s most established conservative procedures for saving teeth. And that would constitute nothing less than a major health awareness issue.

Build A Successful Natural Oil Business With Expert Manufacturing Solutions

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An increase in demand can be seen for natural oils across the wellness, cosmetics, and personal care sectors which has created a thriving market....