Personal Safety, Family Security, Home Protection Devices

SAFETY TIPS FOR HOME AND AWAY

STOP IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, which has led to increased attention from financial institutions, law enforcement, and consumers. But identity theft stands out from other types of crime because roughly half of the victims of identity theft do not know they've been victimized.

The number of US adult victims of identity fraud was 8.4 million in 2007 (Javelin Strategy & Research Survey - February 2007).

Helpful hints to stop identity theft (fraud):

Buy a gel pen with black ink like a Uni-Ball 207. Gel ink has pigment that cannot be chemically stripped. The Uni-ball is inexpensive and has a great finger grip. The Uni-ball 207 Gel uses specially formulated inks that contain color pigments, which are absorbed deeply into a check's paper fibers. This prevents 'check washing' by thieves.

Pay Online to stop the delivery of paper statements to your home or office eliminating the possibility of your statements being stolen before or after.

Opt Out by calling 888-567-8688 and tell the credit bureaus to stop selling your information to credit card companies and insurance firms. You can opt out for 3 years or a lifetime.

Shred all documents with personal information on it. Buy a shredder with three-way shredding and credit card shredding.

Pay with a credit card or cash and not a debit card which takes the money directly out of your account. Feel free to walk with the server to the register and watch them swipe your card using the business POS machine. This will prevent them from scanning your card using their own resources.

Fire Safety for Your Home and Family

Fire is perhaps one of the most tragic incidents that can happen, and can often result in burn injuries. This type of injury is one of the most painful and life-altering events a person can face. Keep the following in mind for fire safety...

* Don't overload the outlets

* Don't store things over the stove

* Turn pot handles so children can't pull them down

* Wear tight sleeves when you cook

* Use metal fireplace screen

* Have the chimney checked and cleaned yearly

* Use special outlet covers to keep children's fingers out

* Buy smoke detectors and install outside sleeping areas

* Plan two escapes from each bedroom

* Don't smoke in bed

* Have heating equipment checked yearly.

* Don't store things near the furnace or heater

* Replace batteries in smoke detectors yearly

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A FIRE

* Get out immediately! Don't try to grab your possessions. They can be replaced -- you can't.

* Have a predetermined place to meet all occupants of the residence so everyone can be accounted for.

* Call the Fire Department. Don't assume someone else has.

* Give any information you can to the fire department regarding the location of the fire and what is burning.

What to do if you suspect you or someone else has dehydration or heatstroke

EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR HEATSTROKE

Call 911 if you or anyone you know is experiencing any of the following during a heat wave:

* Loss of consciousness * Seizures

* Moderate to severe difficulty breathing * Confusion, severe restlessness or anxiety

* Rapid heartbeat * Hot, dry, flushed skin, with no sweating or

* Severe vomiting and diarrhea with excessive sweating

While you are waiting for the ambulance, you can apply emergency first-aid treatment for heatstroke:

* Move the person into a cooler place, out of direct sunlight.

* Remove unnecessary clothing and place the person on his or her side to expose as much skin surface to the air as possible.

* Cool the person's body by sponging or spraying cool (not cold) water on him and fanning him.

* Apply ice packs to the groin, neck and armpits, where large blood vessels lie close to the skin surface. Do not immerse the person in an ice bath.

* Check the person' rectal temperature frequently and try to cool it to 102.3 degrees.

* Do not give aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce a high body temperature with heatstroke. These medications may cause problems in the case of heatstroke.

* If the person is awake and alert enough to swallow, help him drink fluids.

TREATING MILD HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

If you or someone else feels unwell from the heat, take these steps immediately to cool off and replace fluids:

* Stop activity and rest.

* Get out of direct sunlight and lie down in a cooler environment. Elevate your feet and remove all unnecessary clothing.

* Cool down by applying cool compresses and fanning yourself. Ice bags placed under your arms and in your groin area, where large blood vessels lie close to the skin, will cool you down more quickly.

* Drink, drink, drink! Juices or water are enough to replace fluids lost from dehydration. Sports drinks with electrolytes will work, too.

* If you are not on a salt (sodium)-restricted diet, eat something with a little salt, such as a few nuts or pretzels.

* Heat rash (prickly heat) can occur if the sweat ducts to the skin become blocked and swell, causing itching and discomfort. The rash usually goes away without treatment. Antihistamines may help if you are having problems with itching.

GAS LEAKS

Gas leaks can be very dangerous, possibly resulting in a deadly fire or explosion, so be sure to know the signs of a gas leak and what to do in an emergency. There are three ways in which you can detect a gas leak:

Smell: Natural gas is injected with a distinct odor, which many people equate to that of rotten eggs.

Sight: Visible blowing dirt, bubbling water or discolored vegetation near a buried natural gas line.

Sound: A hissing or blowing sound near the gas meter or gas appliances.

If you suspect that gas is leaking----

1. Exit the building or area immediately, leaving doors and windows open as you exit. Do not open windows if they're not already open. Do not use your telephone or cell phone, operate any appliance, light a match or turn light switches on or off.

2. Call your gas company from outside the building.

3. Wait until your gas company determines it is safe to return.