GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Dancing is one of the most beautiful art forms and has a unique method of storytelling. Dancers go through hours of rigorous practice and rehearsals to present a story or perform meticulously. This demands a massive amount of strength and stamina to present flawless performances. The demanding nature of dancing can cause injuries and severe health implications for the performers.

If you are a dancer or are undertaking lessons to become a dancer, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this article, we will be discussing some of the most common dance injuries and how to heal them faster.

1. Sprains:

Sprains are one of the most common dance injuries. They require 8-10 days to heal completely. Using a bandage to support the muscles can help them heal faster.
However, if somebody is prone to constant straining, it is best to show the affected area to the doctor. Unattended sprains can lead to severe ligament tears, which can be extremely painful and might also require surgery for proper recovery.

2. Slip discs and back pain:

As dancers, you are expected to position yourself in various postures constantly. Improper techniques or exerting your body for long hours can severely affect your spine and neck.
Misaligned backbones or slipped discs can cause severe pain and might need surgery for proper healing. However, going to a chiropractor every month to ensure proper bones and muscular structure alignment will ensure that your body stays strong and flexible.

3. Snapping hip:

Experiencing a popping sound near the hip joint indicates snapped hips. Repeated bending leads to tightness in muscles around the hip. Snapping hips can become painful over time and affect the dancer's performance.
The best way to avoid snapped hips is by applying ice to the area and reducing movement. Stretching and strengthening exercises under the supervision of a trainer also help significantly reduce the pain.

4. Knee injuries and ligament tears:

The knee is probably the most exerted part of a dancer's body. The constant bending can severely stress the knees and impact the knee caps. Overly exercising the knee can have serious complications such as the kneecap eroding, a painful tear in the ligament, muscle pulls, etc.
To avoid this, wearing knee covers is an intelligent way to cushion the blow from hard surfaces. Using heat therapy can also ensure faster healing of minor tears in muscles or ligaments.

The injuries and their severity can vary depending on the kind of dance and the number of hours one puts in. Taking proper care and allowing rest for your body is one way to ensure that you go through lesser injuries. However, if you face severe pain throughout the day or during practice, it is best to go to a doctor to fix the problem.

Using ice packs can ensure that your muscles and bones are well-rested after an intense practice session. If you are someone who wears shoes while dancing, you must wear good shoes with proper cushioning. Sometimes, these injuries can be completely unprecedented and even happen to experts. It is best to invest in a personal accident insurance policy to safeguard yourself in such situations.

If dancing is your passion, then enjoy it thoroughly! Keep these tips in mind and ensure your personal accident insurance policy to reap the best benefits and positive results even if you accidentally injure yourself while dancing.

Click HERE to know more about an individual personal accident insurance policy.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

While having the best health insurance policy in India can prevent you from financial losses due to hospitalization, but being fit can help you stay away from various health conditions. Fitness is one of the most fundamental needs of leading a healthy life, which cannot be achieved in any other way. Here are seven tips that will motivate and guide you to take up your fitness seriously.

• Make time: One can not wait for the perfect day when you will have all the time in the world to kick-start the process. You can never have enough time, and it all depends on how you choose to prioritize your aims and set a timeline for the same. It is essential to schedule your workout efficiently and make it a critical part of your priority list. Analyze your habits and routines to finalize a time that will be perfect for you to hit the gym or workout on your own.
• Move gradually: People believe that extreme workouts are all that matters when it comes to ensuring fitness. However, this is not the right approach since different bodies have a different limit, and pushing the body beyond the limit can lead to severe injuries. You can always start by engaging in some basic exercises, which can then be elevated into intense workouts gradually.
• Formulate it easy has become an essential part of our lives with the advent of technology and regular developments. It is important to include the same for your exercise since your main aim is to transform it into a habit. If it is a gym, look out for ones which are near your workplace or home or in your society, since it will be easier for you to be a regular.
• Search for your fitness personality: It is vital to have a little introspection and look for the inner motivation to push yourself. Maybe you are the kind who likes to exercise with a partner or in a group, or you could be the kind who wants to engage in the workout alone. You could like it fast-paced or feel better indulging onto slower ones. All these things must be taken into account before selecting a regime and formulating the kind of exercises you wish to pursue.
• Give it sufficient time: 21 days is the minimum account for anything to transform into a habit, it is important to understand that it will take a minimum of 8 weeks for a workout to become a part of your life and showcase desirable results.
• Choose your goals: It is important to remember that the performance is more important than results, thus enjoy the process of working out instead of focusing or hoping for immediate results. Look at the improvement made in your life during this time, and you will learn to adapt better.
• Reach and celebrate small goals: Your progress and appreciate yourself for the efforts you are putting in. Celebrate your achievements by buying something beautiful for yourself or going for a “cheat meal.”

Along with following these tips for better fitness, you must also opt for the best health insurance policy in India to take care of all aspects of your health.

Unprecedented times ask for unprecedented measures !! Many such measures and changes were enforced on our “way of life” due to COVID 19 crisis.

One such major change also for us Magmaites was WFH or "Work From Home". WFH became the new normal for us over the course of time, however this transmission has not been easy to many of us.

Once it was declared critical to put restrictions on physical movements to contain the spread of deadly virus - technology came to our rescue. This has been to ensure continuity of 'Work' even if it happens from the “safe” corners of our 'Homes'.

The vivid transition in our work lives -

1. To start with, it has evidently erased the physical boundaries of Home and Office

2. Those grapevine discussions over a 'Chai’ break' sound like a thing of past

3. Zoom has virtually intruded in to the Meeting spaces across all offices. One age-old proverb calling 'Man': a social animal, sounds meaningful and valuable now.

4. The very definition of “office time” has erased and one cannot see official and personal time differently as the office settings sometime tries to evade the personal or leisure settings. Perhaps, a reason, why Psychologists believe that separation from office-space would certainly have a toll on mental wellbeing of most of the people.

5. However, there are reasons to smile too. For, people are able to save a lot of travel-time - eventually adding to their overall productivity and happiness. They are able to give more time and attention to their loved ones as well. Almost everyone is trying their hands at long lost talents and hobbies - that is again adding to their mental wellbeing and creativity.

6. We were able to connect with our family members more and it has opened various possibilities in our relationships. This has definitely added immense value in our personal lives

At the end of the day, what we can look forward to is to have more disciplined and balanced approach to deal with these challenges and opportunities posed by our newly adopted WFH practices, and we can hope to get the better of this deadly virus soon enough, so as not to miss out on our beloved office tea breaks any longer !!

Coronaviruses are a large group of RNA viruses. It comes under the sub-family Orthocoronavirinae. Coronavirus virions are spherical to pleomorphic enveloped particles. The envelope is studded with projecting glycoproteins and surrounds a core consisting of matrix protein enclosed within which is a single strand of positive-sense RNA (Mr 6 × 106) associated with nucleoprotein. The envelope glycoproteins are responsible for attachment to the host cell and also carry the main antigenic epitopes, particularly the epitopes recognized by neutralizing antibodies. OC43 also possesses a haemagglutinin. The size of coronaviruses ranges from 26 to 32 kilobases. Most human coronaviruses fall into one of two serotypes: OC43-like and 229E-like. Coronaviruses cause acute, mild upper respiratory infection(Common cold) to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS).

Discovery of coronaviruses

The very first discovery of the coronavirus took place in 1960, the name of this virus comes from the crown-like spikes that it has its surface. The word corona came from the Latin word "Crown." The early discovered was an infectious bronchitis virus which was found in chicken's respiratory tract and then later in 1963 two more cases were discovered from the nasal cavity of humans named As Human Corona Virus 229E and Human Corona Virus OC43 as a result of zoonotic transmission (transmission of disease from animals to humans). Since then the cases have occurred in several other forms in minimal numbers. Many shreds of evidence in history state that corona has always spread from an animal to a human, for instance, SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was transmitted from bat to a human being in china in November 2002 and caused severe acute respiratory syndrome(Infected-8,098 and Killed 774). That virus disappeared by 2004. Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS) is caused by the MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) which is also called camel flu was transmitted from camel to human in Saudi Arabia in September 2012(Infected-2,056 People and killed 862 people worldwide). But this time the scientist are having difficulty in identifying the animal responsible for COVID-19.

WHAT IS A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS(nCOVID-19)

Covid 19 means : CO = corona, VI= virus ,D= disease 2019.

A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV), which was first identified amid an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, China in December 2019, which has a well-known seafood wholesale market, were a large number of people come to sell or buy live seafood; this market is also known for its wide variety of seafood. This strain of coronavirus was named COVID-19 on February 11 by the World Health Organization. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director of WHO, mentioned that they had to find a name that didn't point out any animal, geographical location, a person, or a group of people. The name should be easily pronounceable and had a clear relation to the disease. It's essential to have an impartial name so that other names don't get stigmatized. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, its first such designation since declaring H1N1 influenza a pandemic in 2009.

How does infection happen?

COVID-19 appears to be spread via respiratory secretions when infected people cough or sneeze, similar to how influenza (flu) spreads. Currently, people at risk for COVID-19 include those who have been in close contact with infected people within 14 days before their symptoms began. The average time from when persons are exposed to signs of illness is about 5 days and can range from 2 to 14 days.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

People with COVID-19 have a fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, and diarrhoea, which are all symptoms similar to other viral infections, such as the flu. People who need hospitalization usually have severe pneumonia.

What are the prevention methods that we should follow?

1. Washing your hands with soap - every time you come from outside.

2. Social distancing of around 6 feet - so you do not get the infection.

3. Wearing a mask - this prevents the droplets from entering.

4. Living in a hotter environment - do not turn on your AC - the virus does not survive in hot conditions. Drink hot water/tea.

5. Cleaning and disinfecting the environment around you.

6. Take your medication for your illness - as COVID generally clings to your already existing illnesses and escalates it - this causes most deaths in diabetics, heart patients etc.

Life has been kind of different in the past two months, with minimal exposure to the outside world. Indeed, one crucial part of everyday life that we all miss is going to our offices. As work from home became the norm, meetings that happened in client’s conference rooms were replaced with e-meetings. The lunchtime chatter was substituted with a discussion of pending daily chores. While few may feel that work from home had perks like hot home-cooked meals for lunch (cooking at home became a compulsion for our safety), and the casual Friday clothing all days of the week but nobody will disagree that economy is suffering.

While COVID-19 may have altered our lives, but, it is crucial to get back to business. We must try and become better than earlier so that business of business, living and fighting Corona Virus can go on together. Pre-caution, vigilance and immunity/preparedness are the key operating sentiment. Some of these skills that we acquired as part of evolutionary growth will become sharper.

As we plan to get back, we will need to re-establish our routines. Your travel companion, your vehicle deserves your attention It is “it” that will run and literally carry you for business. After months of being out of focus, it is time we brought back the lights. Before you go out, here is a mandatory checklist for you to perform at least a couple of days before you start - Check whether your insurance policy is still valid. In case your policy has expired during the lockdown, do not worry. Just click on the link below to renew your Motor policy. (Provide renewal link)

Give a nice look to your vehicle form all the sides and see if there is any accidental damage. In case you find one immediately reach out to us. Also check for leaks, corroded fittings, rotten hoses or compromised seals. In case you find any immediately contact the car service centre for remediation.

- Ascertain whether your vehicle battery is charged or not. You will not be able to self-start the vehicle if the battery is dead. In case it is do not worry, our road side assistance program is there to help the customers.

-Check tyre air pressure and avoid ride disturbance that could happen due to inadequate tyre pressure. Do you see flat spot the spots that come on the tyre, if a vehicle sits for too long. Weight of the vehicle causes flat spots on the tyre where the rubber meets the road. While it may not be a cause if immediate concern but it does impact the tyre in the long run.

Agree that you couldn’t clean your car and dirt has piled up on the surface but hold. Don’t wipe the surface directly with a damp cloth. Ideally we should remove the dust sing a dry cloth or with an air pump otherwise using the damp cloth will cause swirl marks.

Clean the wipers with a damp cloth and avoid damage to wiper and windscreen

Check your running lights. Activate turn signals, headlights, brake lights, and high beams to ensure they are functional.

Now that you have reached a stage where everything mentioned above checks a tick on your list it is time to go for a quick spin. Take your car out for 20-minute drive close to home. It will loosen everything up and evaporate the moisture in the exhaust and in the engine. It will also give you a chance to listen for any rattles and engine misses while keeping an eye on the vehicle's gauges for abnormal engine temperatures, battery charging, and oil pressure.

We all know about the various traffic rules to abide by the motorcycle riders. As essential as following the traffic signals, learning and understanding all the warning signals that your vehicle gives you is equally important.

If you own a two-wheeler, you must be familiar with its parts and how every element contributes to the overall working of your vehicle. However, people often ignore maintaining or paying attention to the motorcycle's needs. Being too occupied with the hustle of daily life, you may neglect your motorcycle's deteriorating condition and continue using it in that state. This negligence can result in unfortunate occurrences.

What are the warning signs in a motorcycle?
Your motorcycle is designed to alert you of its needs and requirements. Every two-wheeler has a dashboard equipped with warning lights that flash as coloured symbols when a problem arises. While every two-wheeler differs, its dashboard typically consists of the speedometer, RPM meter, and fuel gauge. Next to these numbered dials are a bunch of warning lights that flash in various colours.

These warning lights in a motorcycle mostly follow the same system as the traffic lights to display the severity of the warning.

Blue or Green: the motorcycle's system is active and functioning correctly.

Orange: Something is malfunctioning and must be looked into as soon as possible.

Red: A defect has been detected in your motorcycle's system, and you must stop driving as quickly as possible.

Here are the few commonly found warning lights.

1. Engine temperature:
Regular usage of the motorcycle can overheat the engine. In this case, the engine's temperature rises, and the surrounding components are prone to damage. The dashboard will flash a red warning light in the shape of a thermometer to warn the rider about this overheating.
When this warning light is displayed, the best thing to do is stop riding the vehicle. It is essential to rest and let the engine cool down. Riding an overheated two-wheeler can be risky.

2. Oil pressure warning:
Oil is used as a lubricant in every motorcycle to reduce friction between its moving parts and gears. The oil pressure warning light will flash on the dashboard to alert the rider of low oil levels. Low oil pressure can damage your vehicle's engine and severely affect the bike's performance.

3. Engine management warning:
This orange warning sign is responsible for alerting you about a broad set of features that may be malfunctioning either collectively or single handedly. While the signal usually stops flashing after a few seconds of ignition, the vehicle could have issues involving its emissions, air intake, fuel, etc. Although you may have purchased reliable 2 wheeler insurance online, you must remember that riding the motorcycle, despite this warning, can be destructive for the bike and your safety.

4. The indicators:
These are green warning signs on the dashboard that blink when the rider clicks on the indicator while turning.

5. Neutral indication:
A green warning sign simply indicates that the bike's gearbox is in neutral gear.

It is important that you remember these warning lights are installed to protect you. You might have opted for 2 wheeler insurance online to protect your vehicle, but understanding the functioning of your bike and regularly maintaining it is your responsibility.

Click HERE to buy 2 wheeler insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

You are aware of the importance of cleaning and maintaining your two-wheeler, which can help you extend the life of your vehicle. But do you know that the trunk is often the most neglected space of your two-wheeler?

Your helmet, papers, groceries, umbrella, water bottles, etc., are primarily stored in the trunk of your two-wheeler. This makes it most susceptible to dust and dirt. In this article, we will take a look at a few easy ways to keep your trunk clean.

1. Organize:
The first step to maintaining a clean trunk is to keep everything organised. Try keeping your papers, first aid, and helmet systematically instead of throwing them into the boot. Store the essential documents in clean zip-lock plastic to avoid tears. Keep the first aid in a small pouch for easy access in an emergency. Efficiently organising the materials within the trunk helps you keep the space clean and provides you with easy access whenever you want something.

2. Dry cloth:
We tend to keep the helmets or wet umbrellas directly inside the trunk without giving a thought. One way to ensure clean trunk space is always keeping a dry cloth handy. If it is necessary to keep your wet umbrellas in the boot, keep the umbrella in plastic before placing it into the boot. To ensure that there is no water left, take a dry microfiber cloth and pat dry the area inside the boot. Do not forget to dry the area just under the seat as well. Moisture can lead to corrosion, eventually eating up the entire chassis. To avoid this, always ensure that your vehicle is dry.

3. Use sprays and cleaning solutions:
Ever so often, use mild cleaning liquid to clean the space out. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the area. After this, use the soap to wipe down inside the boot. Use a dry cloth to wipe off any remaining liquids to avoid stains.

4. Accidental spills:
Sometimes, we forget our shopping bags and end up stuffing our trunks with groceries and other essentials. This can create a chance of an accidental spill. Always use a dry cloth and a plastic container to take out the waste. After clearing out the spill, use a wet cloth to wipe down the boot’s insides. Use a non-corrosive spray or a sanitizer to get rid of the greasiness. Use another dry cloth to get rid of the residue. If you notice any dirt inside the nooks and corners, use an old toothbrush or a makeup brush to reach the area and clean out the excess gunk.

These are a few ways in which you can ensure clean trunk space. In the future, if you wish to sell your bike, a well-maintained and clean vehicle is a testament to the excellent ownership displayed by you. Another way to add value to your vehicle is by investing in the best two wheeler insurance in India. Being a responsible owner, you must ensure the safety of your two-wheeler by having the best deals to get guaranteed financial protection against any accident.

Click HERE to know more about the best two wheeler insurance in India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Workers are the backbone of any manufacturing facility. Working relentlessly to get the best quality products is a result of their hard work. But sometimes, we tend to neglect the importance of these workers and take their safety for granted. Inspection of workspace safety throughout the day is one way to ensure a safe environment in the factory. This also shows that you care for your employees and their well-being. Safe working spaces have a direct effect on the productivity of the workforce.

In this article, we will discuss a few ways in which you can ensure the total safety of your workers.

1. Usage of machines and their maintenance:
Improper use of machines is one of the leading causes of workplace injury. Using tools and equipment for their intended purpose only is the first step to avoiding an accident. For the newer workforce, orientation sessions can be conducted to familiarise them with the latest tools and machinery. Regular cleaning and inspection should also be made part of their work to ensure added safety and extended lifetime of the machines.

2. Clear the aisles:
Aisles are the most used parts of a factory. Be it the moving of various things from one place to another or simply the employee movement within the facility. It is extremely important to frequently clean the space if the area is used for liquids and other greasy materials. Clean up any spillage immediately to ensure the best working conditions. Also, make sure that there are no small parts of the machinery lying around that might cause tripping and falling.

3. Keep emergency exits clear:
Blocked emergency exits have been the reason for some of the most dangerous and fatal hazards in manufacturing units and factories. To ensure safe access to the exit, avoid blocking emergency exits. A cluttered work area will also pose a danger if one wants to exit immediately. Placing different objects in their specified storage areas will help keep the work area clean and organised.

4. Eliminating fire hazards:
Working with combustible materials can pose real threats to your factory and the people working in it. If you work with combustion tools, keeping only the required amount at hand can ensure a lesser chance of any danger. When not using the chemicals, keep them stored in a cool dark place away from ignition points. Do not forget to store the waste in metal holders and dispose of it daily.

5. Take breaks:
Work-related injuries are caused due to strained muscles and over exhaustion by the workers. When tired and burnt out, one finds it difficult to focus and deliver top-quality work. Instead, taking regular breaks ensures alertness during work. Providing the workers with proper restrooms and clean drinking water facilities is another way to ensure that your workers are taken care of and that you care for their well-being. A rule of thumb is to allow a fifteen-minute and a thirty-minute break for working for four hours and six hours, respectively.

These are a few ways to ensure that your workers are safe at the facility. Investing time and efforts for the well-being of your workers will provide a dedicated workforce that delivers top-quality outcomes. To add more value to their lives and work, invest in public liability insurance to help them and your factory in an emergency and cover the medical and other expenses incurred during the process.

Public liability insurance is a safety net that provides financial protection if your business faces a compensation claim due to a worker’s injury or property damage. Do not forget to look for the best public liability insurance India options.

Click HERE to find out more about public liability insurance India.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.