(BPT) - Cooking equipment is the top cause of home fires, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

(BPT) - When David Bowen’s father fell taking out the trash in 2016, it set in motion a series of health challenges the family is still battling together. Bowen, 62, hired a part-time professional caregiver to assist his father and his mother, who was battling Alzheimer’s, but he found himse…

(BPT) - It’s well known that where you live can influence your health. The recently released United Health Foundation’s 2018 America’s Health Rankings Senior Report dives into this issue. The sixth annual report finds that older adults who live in rural areas often experience poorer health o…

(BPT) - You're 10 years or less away from retirement. You can clearly see the next phase of your life down the road and it's coming up fast. Are you ready for it? Do you have a comprehensive plan in place so you don't outlive your savings?

(BPT) - A record number of women are running for public office this year. In the near future, we can expect more female public servants representing the American people — from local chambers to Capitol Hill. In light of this exciting trend, it is important to highlight programs that help dev…

(BPT) - When surgery is necessary, anesthesia ensures your child can safely receive life-saving or corrective treatment while managing the pain and discomfort of the procedure. Anesthesia’s effect on the developing brain is being researched continually, and you’ll be comforted to know that a…

(BPT) - Outdoor living season means backyard BBQs, yard games and relaxing with a good book or good friends. If you own a wood deck, however, it also means considerable time and money spent on seasonal maintenance and deck repairs.

(BPT) - Most of us look forward to the balmy breezes and cheerful sunshine brought about by spring and summer, especially those of us living in climates where winter is long, gloomy and bitterly cold. Yet as we get our shorts, polo shirts and swimsuits out of storage, it’s important to remin…

(BPT) - Summer is a great time to create memories with friends and family, and some of the best times happen when you gather your favorite people together on your deck, balcony, poolside or screen porch. As singer John Mayer puts it, “A little bit of summer's what the whole year's all about."

(BPT) - American household demographics constantly change. With kids grown and moved out, many adults are considering remodeling to meet their future needs. This has inspired the idea of aging in place, meaning the desire to have a high quality of life in your home as you get older. In the U…

(BPT) - Whether it’s transforming a fixer-upper into your dream home or just giving a makeover to your kitchen or bathroom, home improvement projects are on the minds of many new homeowners across the country.

(BPT) - If you’re an American woman today, chances are your busy lifestyle is preventing you from seeking out the regular check-ups and screenings so important to maintaining your health. And that’s true regardless of your economic status or whether you live in a rural, urban or suburban area.

(BPT) - As the major outdoor living trend sweeps the nation, decks are getting bigger. But with television shows featuring 3,000-square-foot monster decks, the average homeowner is left to wonder, “Just how big of a deck do I need?”

(BPT) - If you’ve ever felt tense, anxious or simply unable to relax while performing your job, you’re far from alone.

(BPT) - Are summer’s sizzling temperatures causing you to retreat from your favorite outdoor spaces? Garages, patios, sheds, gardens and other outdoor areas should be enjoyed throughout the year. Unfortunately, heat and humidity can quickly make being outside intolerable during the dog days …

(BPT) - The warmer-weather months are the ideal time to get outdoors, stay active and focus on your health goals. Staying fit and eating healthy can come easy when you keep a few simple tips in mind.

(BPT) - It’s summertime, and temperatures are on the rise. Whether relaxing at the pool, cheering for a favorite team or just hanging out with family and friends, keeping cool is at the top of the list. Nothing fancy needed — with a hat or cap to keep the sun away from the eyes, an umbrella …

(BPT) - Staying hydrated is a necessity, but sometimes it’s difficult to tell when your body needs water, especially during warmer months. Experts say on average men need 15 cups (3.6 liters) and women need 11 cups (2.6 liters) of water per day. Our bodies are about 60 percent water, and jus…

(BPT) - For most parents, their child’s first steps or first words are incredible moments in their lives and a reason to celebrate. Well before their child is born they look forward to these milestones.

(BPT) - Getting your house in order can be a struggle, especially as we age. Sorting through decades of belongings is often emotional and stressful, as questions and decisions pile up: Is this jewelry valuable? What should I do with all these tools I no longer use? Will this china set have s…

(BPT) - As American baby boomers begin to exit their careers and opt for more leisurely lifestyles, some 10,000 are expected to retire every day through 2029.

(BPT) - Do you cringe each month when your utility bills arrive?

(BPT) - It’s summertime, and you’ll want to spend many sun-drenched hours in the great outdoors. But while Mother Nature is flourishing, it feels like you’re wasting too many precious summer afternoons and evenings doing chores in the yard and garden.

(BPT) - It's been in the news for years now: the decline of pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies, and how it’s upsetting our world's healthy ecosystem. We need pollinators for the growth of many of the foods we eat each day – according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, …

(BPT) - Across the U.S., the housing market is picking up pace moving into the peak of the summer homebuying season.

(BPT) - When it comes to avoiding germs, some people take it to an extreme. They are fastidious about using a paper towel to avoid touching the door in a public bathroom, wipe down every square inch of an airplane seat and can hardly go 15 minutes without re-sanitizing their hands. Some habi…

(BPT) - The rapid pace of change in jobs means the era of one-and-done learning is over. It no longer matters what you learned in the past — to stay relevant you need to upskill. So if you want to improve your marketability and get ahead in your career, it’s time to think about the valuable …

(BPT) - If The Old Farmer’s Almanac prediction holds true, this summer will be a hot one. The weather forecast anticipates temperatures for the season to be “hotter than normal” across most of the U.S. If you’re ready to kick up your feet and soak in these rays, now is the perfect time to ge…

(BPT) - Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and express your creative side — and fortunately, you don’t have to be a master craftsman — or spend a fortune on materials — to have fun and enjoy the benefits.

(BPT) - Many women do not realize the vagina is an ecosystem that requires a balanced environment to remain healthy; and events like menstruation, sex, and hormonal changes can throw off that balance. The result can be odor and discomfort, according to Lauren Streicher, M.D., Medical Directo…

(BPT) - When you sip a wholesome smoothie or savor a slice of cheesy pizza, do you ever wonder who’s behind your favorite dairy foods?

(BPT) - It’s that time of year again when unwanted weather patterns like severe thunderstorms, rainstorms and tornadoes can wreak havoc on homes and businesses.

(BPT) - While summer is synonymous with beach days, vacations and barbecues, there’s something else bringing the heat this season: heartburn.

(BPT) - Whether you are buying a home for the first time or you are just looking for an upgrade, it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with tips that can make your search go from overwhelming to enjoyable. Rather than learning the hard way about hidden expenses and difficult neighbors, ther…

(BPT) - From outdoor cookouts to dinner parties on the patio, summer is the ideal season for entertaining guests. According to a recent survey commissioned by Delta Faucet, an overwhelming majority of homeowners (89 percent) plan to host at least one summer gathering this season. To ensure h…

(BPT) - It’s a conversation no family wants to have, but one that can be vitally important — talking to a loved one about memory loss or cognitive decline.

(BPT) - Summer is here, which means it’s finally time to part ways with your knit scarves and cute wool jackets — at least for the next few months. It’s the season to bathe in the sun and enjoy the warm weather.

(BPT) - Whether a fancy five-course social event, a laid-back barbecue or a progressive dinner party, what separates average from impressive entertaining is innovative and original ideas. One way to surely catch the attention of your guests while tempting their taste buds is to feature choco…

(BPT) - In the cold of winter, at the start of the year, people all across the country resolve to live a healthier lifestyle — yet summer is actually the perfect time to start your resolution. Think about it: the weather is beautiful, the kids are out of school and fresh produce is abundant.

(BPT) - Neighborhood cookouts are quintessentially summer, and totally fun. Because of that, it’s no surprise that you may want to host them as often as possible, even every weekend if you could. But that introduces a new challenge — how do you keep your events fresh and interesting for your…

(BPT) - School closing for the summer may mark lazy days for kids, but local businesses are bracing for peak season. With unemployment at a 17-year low, and a record 6.6 million job openings reported at the end of March, it’ll be tougher than usual to serve the seasonal boom of customers as …

(BPT) - The summer season is the best time for enjoying the garden you’ve worked so hard on throughout the spring months. As the flowers bloom, the herbs mature, and the vegetables ripen, it’s time to celebrate all your hard work with a garden-to-table meal.

(BPT) - If you’re like many people, the warm months of summer are when you are most active outdoors. You’re not alone. The same is also true for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. New findings show these pests are more than just an annoyance, they can pose a health risk. According to the Centers f…

(BPT) - This year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day. The common goal for this observance is simple: to help keep Americans healthy and fit at any age. This national awareness day is the perfect opportunity for individuals to make or renew resoluti…

(BPT) - As Americans gear up for sun, surf, barbecues and all the other fun activities that represent summer, they’re also concerned with how to keep themselves and their homes comfortably cool this season.

(BPT) - How can there be thousands of dollars difference between contractor bids for similar home improvement projects on neighboring homes? And how can homeowners get an idea of what a new roof will cost?