Pop A Lock Atlanta:

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.