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Memorial Day kicks off "100 Deadliest Days" of summer for teen drivers

We hear so many statistics in the course of a day that it’s sometimes tempting to tune them out. But every once in awhile, we hear a stat which stops us in our tracks by the sheer number of people it affects. For me, that happened today, when I read an article which stated that the 100 or so days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest for teenage drivers.

The article sites texting while driving and cell phone usage as the primary causes of these accidents. Nearly all accidents involving teens occur while another teen is driving.

Parents, before you give your teens the keys during this Memorial Day weekend, be sure to remind them of the dangers of texting while driving and encourage them to keep the car a ”no-phone zone.”

This simple reminder may literally mean the difference between life and death for your teen this summer.

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Make your car a no-phone zone: are you up for the challenge?

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Okay, I’ll admit, I’m guilty. Guilty of picking up the phone while driving to make a quick call, listen to voicemail, read a text---guilty of driving while distracted by technology.

And (not to justify my actions by any means), I’m far from alone. In fact, safety experts say so many Americans drive while distracted that the problem is now epidemic.

According to a report released by the National Safety Council, more than 25% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by drivers texting or talking on cell phones. And more than 6,000 people are killed and nearly 500,000 are injured each year by distracted drivers.

In response to these statistics, media mogul Oprah Winfrey designated April 30 “No Phone Zone Day.” Her challenge: to get distracted drivers to put their phones down and for once, just focus on the road.

While there is no real way to measure how many people took part in—or met—Oprah’s challenge, she did succeed in bringing national attention to this problem.

I took Oprah’s challenge, and to make sure I wouldn't be tempted to answer or make a call, I went a step further: I turned my phone off.

Did you meet the challenge?

Protect your wireless network from hackers

Do you know what dangers lurk in your favorite local coffee shop? We’re not talking about bacteria; we’re talking about hackers looking to steal your online financial information.

That’s right. If, like many people, you surf the net on your laptop in public places, you may be inviting hackers to steal your information. Recently, the Today Show aired a segment on this subject. According to the report, hackers can easily access vital financial information by tapping into your wireless network. And because women perform an estimated 85% of online shopping, they’re especially at risk. Here’s how to protect yourself.

First, protect your computer. Make sure your computer has Wi-Fi Protected Access (also referred to as  WPA protocol) and that you have a password for your wireless network.

Second, enable your firewalls. According to the Today Show report, more than half of all Americans who have firewalls never enable them.  You’ll also need to install spyware and anti-fishing software, in addition to anti-virus software, to fully protect your computer.

Finally, when teleworking in a public place, do not bank or shop online, and never save passwords or credit card numbers.

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Show courtesy for motorcyclists during Motorcyle Safety Awareness Month

Spring is here, the weather is beautiful, and it’s the perfect time to take your motorcycle out for a spin. But before you go, remember that a little courtesy goes a long way--and may just safe lives-- on the road.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and according to The National Safety Council,  motorcyclists are nearly 40 percent more likely to die in accidents than motorists. Sadly, most accidents occur when a motorcyclist hides in a vehicle’s blind spot and the motorist turns left without checking to make sure passage is clear.

If you’re a motorist, remember to give motorcycles plenty of room on the road. And, be sure to physically turn to check for motorcyclists. Don’t rely on rear view and side mirrors.

If you’re a motorcyclist, be sure to use signals when turning or changing lanes. Never veer in and out of traffic and be careful not to cut off the driver behind you. Also, always wear protective gear and at night, make sure to wear reflective gear.

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Bullying: it's not child's play

For the first few months of my son’s fourth-grade year, he suffered from recurrent headaches and stomachaches. This was odd, considering that he has always been a very healthy child. It was even odder that he suffered from these ailments only on school days. It didn’t take me long to suspect that my son was being bullied by his classmates. After a few conversations with him, I discovered I was right.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, approximately half of all children are bullied at some point during their school years, and at least 10% of children are bullied on a regular basis.

What is bullying? Simply put, it’s the intentional, repeated tormenting of another person in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. Bullying can involve name calling, teasing, taunting, spreading rumors, trying to make others reject someone, or cyberbullying (sending cruel instant messages or email messages or posting negative messages about someone on websites).

In my son’s case, two of his classmates were calling him names, taking his school supplies, and in many instances, disrupting the class, picking on other students, and blaming it on him.

While you can’t fight your child’s battles, there are things you can do to address and hopefully stop, bullying. The first and most important thing you can do is pay attention to the warning signs, which may include some or all of the following:

·   Child tries to avoid going to school and is often sick (headache, stomachache, etc.)

·         Loses interest in hobbies and friends

·   Loses appetite

·   Overall change in mood; becomes withdrawn

If you notice these signs or any sudden, obvious change in your child’s behavior, address it immediately. And if you find that your child is being bullied, by all means, take it seriously! Bullying can have a long-term, even lifelong, negative effect on your child. Talk to your child’s teachers and administrators and if need be, the bully’s parents.

That’s what I did in my son’s case. After repeated meetings with and letters to teachers and school administrators failed to stop the bullying, I requested a meeting with the bullies’ parents. Turns out, school officials had not made the parents aware of their children’s behavior. After our conversation, they addressed the issue with their children. Thanks to their cooperation and quick response, my son and his classmates now enjoy a bully-free classroom experience.

Avoid Census Scams

Did you mail in your Census form by the April 16th deadline? If not, you can expect a Census Bureau employee to visit your home starting May 1st.

The information gathered by the Bureau's survey takers will be used to allocate federal funds for infrastructure and community projects and to determine Congressional seats, and you are required by law to cooperate with the Census Bureau. However, you should also know how to protect yourself from scams.

First, never invite a stranger, even a Census Bureau survey taker, into your home if you are home alone.

If a Census Bureau employee visits your home, check for a valid Census ID badge. Each Census Bureau survey taker is required to wear one, and you should feel free to ask for a driver's license or some other form of identification to verify the information on the badge.

The Census Bureau will never request your Social Security number or bank account information. If a survey taker does ask for this information, you should call your local police department or 1-866-226-2864 to report fraud.

Also, beware email scams. There is no online version of the 2010 Census, nor will the Bureau send emails about participating. If you suspect email fraud, do not click on the link; instead, forward it to itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov.

Tax Time: Prime Time for Identity Theft

With the April 15th tax deadline just around the corner, it's a fitting time to talk about identity theft, particularly as it applies to children under 18. What's the significance of April 15th as it applies to identity theft?

Because in order to claim a child as a deduction on taxes, parents must provide their child's social security number. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it could cause damage that can take literally years to repair.

According to the Javelin Strategy and Research Center,  10 million Americans fell victim to identity theft in 2008. That's up 22% from 2007. Children are a particularly attractive target for identity thieves. Because of their non-existent, and therefore clean, credit histories, the theft of their identities can go undiscovered for a long time.

How can you protect your child from identity theft?

Never, ever carry your child's social security number or card around with you. Keep it locked in a safe-deposit box. Use it only when necessary, such as when filing taxes, providing information for financial accounts, applying for a passport, or enrolling your child in school.

Also, be sure to check your child's social security earnings record each year. You can do this by requesting a Social Security Earnings Record, which will alert you if someone uses your child's social security number to get a job. Call 1-800-772-1212 to request a report, or contact one of the three credit bureaus to obtain a credit file on your child.

And if you find that someone is using your child's social security number fraudulently? File a report with your local police department and online at the Federal Trade Commission website.

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New Gang Initiation Targets Female Motorists

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Gang activity in the United States is not a new problem, and in fact, is growing in many parts of the country.

Gangs and other criminals are coming up with clever ways to lure unsuspecting victims, especially women, away from their vehicles and into danger.

A warning issued April 3, 2010 by the Lee County, Fl police department warned motorists of a gang initiation in which would-be members place a car seat containing a fake baby by the side of the road, normally near a wooded area or grassy field.

The gang’s target are women, who, reacting to their mothering/nurturing instincts, will stop to check on the baby. At that point, gang members will ambush, beat and rape the woman, and normally, leave her for dead.

Police warn that if you see this or any other suspicious activity while driving, do not stop. Call 9-1-1 and report it to the authorities.

Do Criminals Have an Open Invitation to Your Home?

A friend of mine lives within driving distance of her parents. One of the best things about living so close is that she gets to visit regularly. In fact, she even has a key to their house. But she rarely has to use it, because more often than not, she arrives at their house to find the garage door fully raised, allowing easy entry for her—and unfortunately, any thief, criminal, or vagrant in town.

As much as it scares me to think about it, my friend’s parents are prime targets for home invasion—the violent entry or burglary of an occupied home.  Sound far-fetched? Not according to the US Department of Justice, which reports that one in five homes will experience home invasion at some point. And sadly, once inside the home, perpetrators rarely stop there:  according to the Justice Department, 38% of all assaults and 60% of rapes in the United States occur during a home invasion.

Want to make sure this problem never lands on your doorstep? Follow these six simple steps to protect  your home from invasion:

·    Install security devices, such as alarm systems or bars, in all windows

·    Use locks on all entrances to your home

·    Install and use a peephole in your doors to assess visitors before opening the door

·    Never allow young children to answer the door

·    Install and set home security systems to prevent home invasions while you are asleep or away from home

·    Never leave a house key under a mat, in a mailbox, or any other place outside your home

For guaranteed protection against home invaders, Call Pop-A-Lock Atlanta . We offer a FREE security audit on your home, and we’ll replace faulty locks on your doors and windows so you and your family can rest easy and have peace of mind.  And, for weekly safety and security updates, subscribe to this blog.

 

Prevent Carjacking in 10 Simple Steps

I got a call the other day from a friend who was alarmed by something she’d seen earlier that morning.

“I saw a little girl in a car,” she began, “and she was crying and calling, ‘Mommy.’ I looked around and noticed her mother had left her in the car while she ran up to a building to drop something off.”

But what especially alarmed my friend—who admitted that she, too, has left her child unattended in a car just long enough to run an errand--- was that the woman had left the car running.

“What was she thinking?” my friend asked, in disbelief. “Anyone could’ve jumped in that car and taken off with the child, and the woman wouldn’t have been able to catch her.”

And she’s right. Carjackings can and do happen anywhere and at anytime. In fact, they most frequently happen in very public places—places you wouldn’t expect, such as at traffic or stop lights at intersections, parking garages, shopping malls, gas stations, car washes, residential driveways, and even valet parking entries (outlets/areas?).

Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your chances of being a victim of carjacking. Following are 10 things you can do today to protect yourself and your vehicle from  violent vehicle theft:

1. Avoid parking in areas where you cannot see easily or where others cannot easily see you

2. Always be alert to your surroundings, even when you’re in a hurry

3. Follow your instincts if you sense any type of danger, even though none may appear imminent

4. If you notice someone loitering near your unoccupied car, keep walking until the person leaves

5. When approaching your vehicle, keep your key in your hand  and check the back seat--and yes, even underneath it-- before getting in

6. Don’t linger; when you enter your vehicle, always lock your door, start your engine, and drive away

7. Teach young children to quickly enter and exit the car

8. Always drive with your doors locked and windows rolled up

9. Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers. If someone makes you feel uneasy, get into your car quickly, lock your doors, and drive away

10.  If you see a stranger whose car has broken down, stay in your car and use your cellphone to dial police for help

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