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homes.newsminer.com 11 The benefits of smart refrigerators Smart technology can help people manage the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For example, people who utilize smart technology in their homes can adjust their thermostats, dim or increase lighting in a room, adjust the volume on their televisions, and lock their doors. Thanks to smart technology, homeowners can do all of those things and more in mere seconds, all without getting off the couch.

Many people were quick to embrace smart technology in their living rooms, where families typically gather to watch movies and entertain guests. But smart technology can be utilized in every room of the house, including the kitchen. In fact, smart refrigerators are one smart appliance that forecasters predict will become increasingly popular in the coming years. A 2019 report from Grand View Research estimated that the global smart refrigerators market size, which was valued at roughly $254 million in 2018, will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 13.7 percent between 2018 and 2025. So while smart refrigerators might be a curiosity for many homeowners at the moment, they will very likely become a staple of many kitchens in the years to come, as adults become more informed about the ways they can benefit by bringing smart tech into their kitchens. • SMART REFRIGERATORS CAN REDUCE FOOD WASTE.

Many people have found spoiled food in their refrigerators, and the problem of food waste is considerable across the globe. According to the United Nations Development Program, 20 percent of food purchased in India is discarded, while the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 133 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States every year. Smart refrigerators can help reduce food waste by reminding owners of expiration dates, potentially compelling them to make use of food before it needs to be discarded. • SMART REFRIGERATORS CAN SIMPLIFY GROCERY SHOPPING. The HBS Digital Initiative, which aims to build community and expertise around digital transformation at Harvard Business School and Beyond, notes that some smart refrigerators can be linked to online grocery shopping apps, potentially putting an end to instances in which shoppers forget items at the grocery store. Smart refrigerators also can be linked to recipe apps, which can make shopping for ingredients that much easier. • SMART REFRIGERATORS CAN SAVE SHOPPERS MONEY.

Smart refrigerators can be expensive, with some costing many thousands of dollars. However, over time smart refrigerators can help shoppers save money by saving them from buying items they don’t need. Smart refrigerators can take inventory of what’s inside a refrigerator, making it less likely that shoppers buy duplicate items.

Smart refrigerators may still be a curiosity for many homeowners, but they figure to become more commonplace in the years to come. Subject to terms, conditions, qualifications and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. Northbrook, IL. © 2012 Allstate Insurance Co. 202812 F602346-1

How to reduce skin cancer risk in winter

Sunscreen and the great outdoors go hand-in-hand during the warmer months of the year. For instance, few people can imagine spending a day at the beach without first covering their skin in sunscreen. But skin also must be protected when spending time outdoors in winter.

The World Health Organization notes that one in every three cancers diagnosed across the globe is skin cancer. While that’s a scary notion, it’s important to note that many skin cancer cases are preventable. Protecting skin in winter, a time when many people mistakenly believe their skin is not vulnerable to damage caused by the sun, is one way for people to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

• DON’T PUT SUNSCREEN IN STORAGE.

Even if you won’t be beachfront and basking in the sun’s rays, it’s still important to apply sunscreen in winter. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which specializes in cancer treatment and actively seeks tomorrow’s cures through cutting-edge research, recommends applying a sunscreen with a minimum sun-protection factor, or SPF, of 30. Make sure to apply sunscreen to all areas that may be exposed to the sun, including the face, neck, ears, and hands. The “set it and forget it” approach does not apply to protecting the skin with sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes that you are outdoors to ensure your skin is fully protected at all times. Skiers should recognize that they are much closer to the sun as they traverse the slopes, and that means the UV radiation is more intense on the mountain than it might be in the foothills or lower elevation areas. That heightened intensity only underscores the importance of reapplying sunscreen.

• DON’T FORGET TO PROTECT YOUR LIPS.

The DFCI notes that the lower lip is especially vulnerable to the sun’s rays. A lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher should be applied before going outside and then frequently reapplied while outdoors. In addition, women can use makeup with SPF to further protect their lips and their skin.

• AVOID TANNING BOOTHS.

Indoor tanning booths increase users’ risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging. In fact, the DFCI notes that cancer researchers have found that the risk of developing melanoma is 60 percent greater among people who have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning. And that risk only increases with each visit to a tanning booth.

• DON’T FORGET TO PROTECT THE SKIN WHILE ON VACATION. People who vacation in warm climates during the winter may be the envy of coworkers and neighbors upon returning home with a tan, but it’s imperative that travelers prioritize protecting their skin while on vacation. Embrace the same principles of skin protection, including applying sunscreen and wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, that you would when lounging by the pool or visiting the beach in the summer.

Unprotected skin is vulnerable to sun damage and skin cancer year-round, including when the temperatures dip below freezing.