News You Can Use
An Easy Way To Improve
Your Home's Value
(StatePoint) Not all home improvements are created equally if you’re looking for
a clear return on investment.
But according to the National Association of Realtors, a bathroom upgrade is a
good bet, yielding a 64.1 percent return on what you spend.
And to do it well an architect can help, says the American Institute of
Architects. He or she will work with you to determine a plan of action for
meeting your goal.
It could be a simple change, such as adding flex lighting for ambience, or more
complex, like extensive remodeling, to completely redo the space.
To find an architect in your local area who will make the most of your space
visit www.architectfinder.aia.org.
Sleep Tips For Children
And Infants
(StatePoint) Sleep is vital for children’s overall health and development.
That’s why it’s important that children develop good sleep habits, right from
the start.
“Parents of infants need to know how to help their baby safely fall asleep,”
says Robert W. Block, MD, FAAP, of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
“And older children will benefit from an environment that helps them get enough
sleep.”
Here are some tips for safe and adequate sleep from the experts at the AAP:
Safer Sleep
Babies up to 1 year of age should always be placed on their backs on a firm
surface to sleep. This will reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or
SIDS, which is the leading cause of death in the United States for babies
between 1 month and 1 year old.
“While we don’t know what causes SIDS, we have learned how parents can
dramatically lower the risks,” says Dr. Block.
Make sure the crib, bassinet or play yard meets current safety standards and
hasn’t been recalled. And make sure to keep all objects -- including soft toys,
blankets and crib bumpers -- out of the crib, as they can increase the risk of
suffocation or strangulation. Consider using a sleeper instead blankets, and
make sure the baby’s head remains uncovered.
The crib can be in the same room as you sleep, but do not place the baby in the
same bed as you. Also, keep the baby away from smoke and smokers.
Warm, Not Hot
Keep the room where your baby sleeps at a comfortable temperature. In general,
dress your baby in no more than one extra layer than you would wear. Your baby
may be too hot if she is sweating or if her chest feels hot.
You may offer a pacifier, which can help reduce the risk of SIDS. However, other
products like wedges, positioners, special mattresses and specialized sleep
surfaces have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you are
breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before offering a
pacifier, usually around 3 to 4 weeks.
Children should be taken out of a crib by the time they are 35 inches tall.
Establish Routines
If your child or teen seems to be having trouble sleeping, try altering the
environment or establishing a routine. For example, see if your child sleeps
better in a dark room or with a night light. Do not allow a TV in your child’s
bedroom, and make sure he or she doesn’t watch or read anything upsetting or
scary within two hours of bedtime. Instead, a bath, warm drink or story time
will help a child unwind.
For more tips to help your young one get a good night’s sleep, visit the AAP’s
website for parents,
www.healthychildren.org.
If sleeping problems persist, consult your pediatrician. Even sleepers with the
toughest problems can learn good habits.
Budgeting Basics For
Kids
(StatePoint) Do you want your kids to be sensible about money, but aren’t sure
where to begin? You’re not alone.
Most teens --55 percent according to a new study from Capital One Financial
Corporation-- say they would like to learn more about money management skills.
However, half (51 percent) of them report that their parents discuss money and
banking concepts with them once a month or less.
“Overall, teens report limited practical experience managing money,” says
Shelley Solheim, Director of Financial Education at Capital One. “By having
conversations about finance and finding ways for them to practice necessary
skills when buying school supplies or clothing, parents can better prepare their
kids for the real world.”
Here are some tips to help you and your kids create and manage a kid-friendly
budget:
• Make it a family affair: Sit down and compile a list of supplies your kids
need and activities they want to pursue. Then see if you have any leftover
supplies from previous trips to the store, such as binders that can be re-used.
You can also scour community papers or online coupon sites for discounted
activities.
• Create a budget: Ask your children how much they think is reasonable to spend
on the things they want. Then draft a list and price each item using the
Internet or a mobile app. If you exceed projected estimates, work together to
prioritize the list.
• Be flexible: If your teens really want big-ticket items, work with them to
find the money. They can find ways to cut costs by clipping coupons, looking for
sales or buying used items. Any extra earnings can then be put into a savings
account, which lets families work towards savings goals together.
Parents can also turn to Internet sites to help encourage their kids’ financial
skills, using methods and tools that resonate well with them, such as online and
video games. In fact, 76 percent of teens say educational video and online games
are a good way to learn, according to the study from Capital One. One such tool
is the kid-friendly website JA Finance Park Virtual, which tasks kids with
meeting real-life needs such as developing a budget, maintaining a household,
supporting a family and pursuing a career through virtual simulation. To learn
more, visit www.financepark.ja.org.
Most of all, don’t wait to begin talking to your kids about money. The earlier
they start and the more they know, the better they’ll be prepared for the real
world.
Tips For Making Your
Home Senior Friendly
(StatePoint) More seniors than ever before are living healthy independent lives
well into their golden years. And a vast majority want to remain in their homes
as long as possible, according to the National Aging in Place Council.
However, most houses were not built to adapt to our changing needs as we age.
“The good news is there are many simple ways to make a home more functional for
your needs as you age,” says Shannon Sims, marketing communications manager for
Therma-Tru Corp.
By 2030, Americans 65 and older will make up 20 percent of the population. For
those wishing to make aging-in-place easier, there are several things to
consider.
De-clutter Rooms
Eliminate clutter that could get in your way, such as planters and small console
tables.
Pay attention to area rugs and other tripping hazards. And if you have wood
floors and carpeting, install transition strips where they adjoin.
Evaluate Your Entryway
To ideally accommodate a wheelchair, the doorway to your home should be at least
32-inches wide. Even without a wheelchair, a wider opening can be beneficial
when entering and exiting.
There are different doors you can install to meet your mobility needs and
personal style. For example, Therma-Tru offers 42-inch wide entry doors in its
Classic-Craft Rustic Collection and Classic-Craft Oak Collection, to allow for
easier access and for dramatic and elegant curb appeal.
Also consider how the door swings. A door that swings in may be easier to
operate than one swinging out. A remodeling contractor can help determine what
your home can accommodate structurally, provide recommendations for styles and
handle installation.
Tweak Bathrooms and Kitchens
Lowering countertops in your kitchen and bathroom can make using them easier.
And consider grab-bars for showers and bathtubs. For their part, curbless
showers and bathtubs with entrances that open can reduce the possibility of
falling.
Get a Grip
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 67 million adults
will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030. For them, just turning a
doorknob can be painfully difficult. Consider installing lever-style handles on
exterior and interior doors. And choose ones with a multi-point locking system
for ease of opening.
“Making life easier can be as simple as choosing low-maintenance entry doors
with easy-to-use levers instead of doorknobs. Or, to allow more fresh air and
light into the home, a homeowner can request Vented Sidelites on their doors
that swing open easily on hinges,” says Sims.
Upgrade Patio Doors
Patio doors tend to receive more traffic than front doors. If your patio door is
due for an upgrade, you can choose the classic elegance of a hinged door or the
modern convenience of a sliding door. Both are available in two-, three- or
four-panel configurations to ensure a wide opening.
Above all, when adapting your home, keep an eye on making your daily life
easier.
Tips That Let You Turn
Down The Thermostat
(StatePoint) With today’s high fuel prices, heating your home in the cooler
months can be expensive. By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for
eight hours, you can save up to 15 percent a year on your heating bill,
according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
“There are basic steps homeowners can take to maintain a comfortable home while
living with a lower thermostat setting,” says Bob Vila, home renovation and
repair expert.
To help you get started, Vila offers some useful advice:
Seal Your Drafts
One way to make sure you’re not throwing money out the window is to ensure
heat’s not escaping through it as well.
From mail slots to doorways, to cracks and loose window fittings, air leaks can
be found throughout the entire home, sending heated air outside. Without
compromising the ventilation system or air quality, you can seal most of these
leaks by applying weather-stripping.
Weather-stripping comes in many forms, including adhesive-backed foam strips for
door and window frames, sealants for cracks and shrink-film for windows. Many
come with easy application features.
Warm air can even leave a room through electrical outlets. Seal these holes
tight with fire retardant plastic foam outlet covers.
Gather Round
“Not all rooms should be treated equally when it comes to heating,” says Vila.
By targeting only frequently used rooms of the home, you can turn down the
thermostat and save energy. But don’t forget to close the doors of rooms not in
use.
Portable heaters are ideal for zone heating because there is no installation
involved, so you can create cozy spaces quickly. But traditional units can get
very hot, posing a risk to pets, children, and flammable materials like curtains
and carpet.
“Opt for a product with no exposed heating elements,” advises Vila. “You get the
warmth you want without any risks.”
Five Minute Fixes
There are also many quick fixes that will help you heat efficiently.
Between annual furnace check-ups, clean or replace air filters once a month.
Dirt and build-up prevent systems from operating at maximum efficiency.
Ensure heat registers are dust-free and clear of obstructions like drapes and
furniture. Change the direction of your ceiling fan to a clockwise rotation.
This forces cooler air upward, sending the warm air down into your living space.
Don’t forget that thermostats need upkeep as well. Calibrate your thermostat for
proper temperature readings and dust the inside and cover with a soft brush.
With a little effort, you don’t need to sacrifice your family’s comfort to save
a dime.
Engaged? Plan The
Perfect Wedding Registry
(StatePoint) For recently engaged couples this is the time to get everything you
ever wanted. Whether you’re starting from scratch, upgrading, expanding or
replacing, the goal is to turn a whole bunch of mismatched mine and yours into a
lifetime of ours.
“There are so many details involved in making sure you get exactly what you need
and want, but it doesn’t have to be stressful,” says Audrey Stavish, wedding and
gift registry expert at Bed Bath & Beyond. “Consulting a professional can make
the registry process stress-free and even fun.”
Stavish is offering some helpful hints to plan the perfect wedding registry:
• Plan Ahead: Start a wedding registry as soon as you say yes, to give guests
plenty of time. Where you register is important. Ask friends, family and
co-workers about their experiences. Opt for convenience and great customer
service. Choose a store that has locations nationwide and a website, making it
easy for you and your guests.
• Seek Help: It’s easy to get overwhelmed with planning a wedding. That’s why
couples rely on the advice of professionals -- from stylists to florists to
caterers. Don’t forget the registry expert! Also, take advantage of
complimentary wedding planning tools available on your registry website to
consolidate all your wedding information in one place.
• Visit a Store: It's in your best interest to visit a store and talk with an
expert consultant who can help you with your gift selections and share great
tips, like what cookware you will need to prepare your favorite dish. It’s
important to touch the towels, hold the flatware, and see everything in person.
Most couples go into the stores many times and also update their registries
online more than once.
• Dream big: A good formula is to register for two-to-three items for each guest
invited to the wedding. Friends and family will rely on the registry for your
engagement party, shower and holidays. And guests will appreciate having lots of
choices in a wide range of prices and categories.
• Let Your Friends Know: A complete wedding stationery ensemble helps you inform
your guests about every detail of your wedding -- from asking guests to save
your wedding date to thanking them for wedding gifts.
Planning a perfect wedding is every couple’s dream. But your wedding is just the
first day of your marriage. Your registry, however, will impact your daily life
for years to come. So be sure you plan it perfectly.
How To Make Valentine's
Day Extra Romantic
(StatePoint) If you’re planning a romantic dinner at home for you and your
Valentine, you’ll want it to have an extra special quality.
There are many great ways to set a romantic mood at your table.
Special Foods
There’s something very romantic about cooking and sharing the meal you created
together. For ideas, use a cookbook or online recipe site to plan a special menu
with foods you both love, but don’t eat often. Plan a meal with several separate
courses.
Ordering-in can be romantic too. It’s less fuss and mess, and allows you to
concentrate on each other. Just be sure to take the food out of its plastic and
paper containers before serving!
Fine Wine
Nothing says “I love you” like sharing a great bottle of wine. Whether you’re a
wine connoisseur, or a novice, you’ll want the wine to taste great with the
food. Pick a versatile bottle that will go well with every course of your meal.
For an unforgettable evening, get inspired by the land of amore and all things
fine, from Prada designs to Lamborghini cars. Choose a very special sparkling
wine from Italy. For example, Franciacorta is a top quality sparkling wine from
Italy, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its vineyards are set amongst
idyllic villages, castles and noble mansions, and the white sparkling wines are
rich, creamy and filled with millions of seductive bubbles.
Franciacorta pairs with a wide range of foods, from appetizers to salads,
seafood, pasta, poultry and meat. And because this Italian wine is made in the
same way as Champagne, it provides the same festive and romantic mood.
Be sure to serve sparkling wine chilled. So if you’re going to linger over the
bottle for a few hours, keep it on ice.
The Mood
If you eat dinner at home often, you’ll need to do something to make this
holiday meal different. You can change the look and feel of your home by
creating a romantic ambience. First, turn off the television. It’s hard to get
into the right mood with the cast of the Jersey Shore duking it out in the
background. Instead, play music you both like that’s not distracting to
conversation. Just avoid songs about breakups and heartache!
Turn down the lights and set out candles or tea lights. Roses or other fresh
flowers will add a nice touch to the room. And, of course, make sure the house
is sparkling.
A Table For Two
If you can, set the table in a room in which you don’t normally dine. If you own
a special set of dishes and utensils that you rarely use, tonight is the night
to bring them out. Tonight is also the night to use a table cloth or runner and
cloth napkins.
With a little effort, your Valentine’s dinner at home can be festive and
romantic.
Planning The Perfect
Marriage Proposal
(StatePoint) If you’re planning to propose to your sweetheart, you may be
feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand.
With a little fun preparation, however, you can take the stress out of one of
the biggest moments of your life.
Timing Matters
If you want a resounding “yes” to your question, ensure it’s the right time for
you and your significant other.
With a little finesse, you can find out how your honey feels, and still make the
question a complete surprise when the time comes. Watch a movie that involves a
marriage proposal or mention the engagements of friends and acquaintances to
gauge a reaction. This light detective work should give you all the information
you need.
Make it Personal
The perfect proposal is different for everyone. The most important guideline is
to consider the personality of your soon to be fiancée.
For a traditionalist, you can simply take a walk through your favorite park, or
the spot of your first date, and get down on one knee. And while the JumboTron
route is a perfectly acceptable option for a baseball lover who relishes the
spotlight, not everyone wants their special moment to be a spectacle in front of
thousands. If you or your intended are shy, you may need a quieter idea. Bake a
cake with the proposal written in the icing, or print the question on a trivia
card in your favorite board game.
Next Steps
Getting engaged is the first step in a long wedding planning process. Next you
will need to share the good news with your loved ones.
You’ll want to announce your engagement and wedding date right away to ensure
everyone can make it to your celebration, but don’t sacrifice creativity. Save
the dates cards from an online stationery store with customization options make
the process easier.
“Your wedding is your special day, so look for cards that express your
personality,” advises Mariam Naficy, CEO of Minted.com. An online store also is
a great option for wedding invitations, because the color and style options are
vast and easily searchable.
However you decide to propose, don’t forget to make the moment special, because
it’s one you’ll never forget.
Easy Ways To
Brighten-Up Your Home
(StatePoint) Does your home feel drab or dark? Are you tired of the same old
rooms and color schemes?
There are many easy, cost-effective ways to brighten your home’s appearance,
cheering up its occupants in the process.
From fresh coats of paint to sunny lighting schemes to lively window treatments,
small changes can have a big impact on your home. And some projects can be
tackled in just one short weekend.
Window Treatments
By literally letting more light into your home, you can make your days more
cheerful. Try replacing heavy drapes or dark colored shades with translucent
curtains or blinds. This way, you let in natural light while keeping prying eyes
at bay.
Other ways to invite natural light into your home include adding internal
windows within rooms to let light flow from one space to another, or installing
skylights.
Energy-Efficient Accents
Your lighting scheme can set different moods in different rooms. To make a room
both cheerful and efficient, use three different types of lighting: ambient --
or background -- lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. Stylish new
options for background lighting abound, such as pendants, chandeliers,
ceiling-mounted lights and new kinds of fixtures that can be hung in multiple
ways.
LED lighting is perfect to illuminate places for reading, food preparation,
dressing or other tasks. With a very long lifespan, such lights may never need
to be replaced and can save you money on electricity bills because they are
brighter with lower wattage.
The latest in accent lighting includes strings of remarkably thin LED light pods
that can easily bend around corners and fit into small spaces. This type of
sleek, modern lighting adds drama when entertaining, while also lowering
electricity costs.
“Accent lights like these use little energy so they can stay on all night, an
added plus for homes with small children or when overnight guests visit,” says
Jeff Dross, Kichler Lighting’s Corporate Director of Education and Industry
Trends. “No two homes are alike and their lighting shouldn’t be either.”
Warmth and Color
Liven up rooms by selecting a bright color scheme. Paint sets the basic tone, so
choose a light color, such as inviting yellows or cheery pastels. Remember, dark
colors can absorb light and make rooms darker. You can paint an entire room a
bright color or just one wall.
And you can add warmth as well as color by layering on pillows and throws to
accent favorite pieces of furniture.
For more creative home decorating ideas, visit the American Society of Interior
Designers at www.asid.org and click on
“Consumer Center.”
The brighter you make your home, the more cheerful it will become for you and
your guests.
New Tips For Finding A
Job
(StatePoint) Whether you are looking to switch jobs or are out of work, it can
now take longer than ever to find a new job. And it’s not just the economy
that’s to blame.
“The rules have changed when it comes to finding jobs,” says William Holland,
author of the new book “Cracking the New Job Market.” “Globalization and
technological advances have permanently transformed the job market. It’s not
about your credentials, but rather the value you offer a company.”
Recruiter Tony Beshara agrees. “A résumé is not a simple list of your
credentials, devoid of context,” says Beshara, author of the new guide,
“Unbeatable Résumés.” “It’s a sales tool that lets the hiring authority know you
can perform the duties needed immediately.”
To help job seekers, Holland and Beshara offer the following advice:
• Be open to all opportunities. In decades past, job seekers were told that
networking was critical to finding the right job, as if there was a hidden job
market only others knew about. That may have been true when companies hired
family members and friends of employees, but in today’s competitive market,
companies are focused on hiring the person who can best do the job with minimal
training.
So don’t shy away from applying to postings on job boards or company websites.
But continue to reach out to friends and family, or even connections through
social networking sites like LinkedIn. Just know that the most important thing
is that you match a company’s desired attributes.
• Tailor your résumé. The average résumé gets read in ten seconds. With that
kind of attention span, you better make sure your résumé stands out. This
doesn’t mean using distracting formats or flourishes. Make sure your résumé
reflects the responsibilities of the job in language the screener (often not an
expert in your field) can understand.
• Ace the interview. You need to demonstrate the value you can bring to a
company through the interview process. Before interviewing, prepare by making a
chart listing the job’s responsibilities and your matching experience. But
remember, the key to achieving maximum performance is to enter any testing
situation with an uncluttered mind.
• Plan for the future. The average white collar worker holds a job for two and a
half to three years, according to Beshara. Therefore, it’s wise to plan for
future job searches after getting your next job.
This means planning for a future period of unemployment by saving for an
emergency fund and living within your means so you don’t accrue debt, says
Holland. It also means keeping in touch with your network and updating your
résumé as you log accomplishments, adds Beshara.
More tips on finding a job in today’s economy can be found in the new books
“Unbeatable Resumes” and “Cracking the New Job Market.”
Baby Boomers: Protect Your Retirement Nest Egg
(StatePoint) For the more than 70 million Baby Boomers approaching retirement,
the road to their financial goals has become much cloudier than for previous
generations. With benefits such as Social Security and employer pensions less
certain, it is up to those approaching, or at, retirement, to choose the right
strategy and information sources for making responsible decisions. “Boomers are
living longer and more active lives and should consider taking greater
responsibility for the protection of their retirement savings so they don’t
outlive their nest eggs,” says Holly Burgess, VP, Strategy and Marketing
Communications, Liberty Mutual. “It’s important to create a safe retirement
savings strategy customized to your needs.” There are several things
Boomers can do to help safeguard their retirement.
Plan and Protect
Focus on protecting your nest egg via conservative investments. Start by asking what “safety” means to you. Are you seeking to protect your principal from stock market volatility or looking for protection from taxation as you grow your assets? Is your top priority planning for the unforeseen, such as funds for future medical emergencies? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, almost 20 percent of retiree income will be spent on health care. Knowing this will help you decide where to invest the portion of your nest egg you aim to safeguard.
Think Conservatively
An easy rule of thumb is that you’ll need to replace 70 to 90 percent of your pre-retirement income,say the experts at the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of Standards. Your asset allocation may change over time, the CFP Board points out. As you age you may opt to limit exposure to riskier investments like stocks by investing more conservatively.
Choose Safely
For the portion of retirement savings you want to protect for near-term use, consider safer options. Many financial planners are advising older Americans to consider conservative alternatives like Certificates of Deposit, Fixed Income Funds and Fixed Deferred Annuities. Unlike more volatile investments, Fixed Deferred Annuities protect your principal while providing the opportunity to generate regular, periodic income. These products are offered by insurance companies and pay a fixed, guaranteed interest rate for an initial period. The rate may change later but cannot drop below a guaranteed minimum. Unlike many investments, interest earned on an annuity is tax deferred. It is important to consider an insurer’s financial strength and to choose an annuity that allows you to customize it and access funds when you need them.
Take Control
“Don’t sacrifice control over the design
and price of the product you purchase. Pay for the features you need for your
individual situation,” says Mark McVeigh, SVP, Marketing and Distribution,
Liberty Mutual. Lastly, understand any risks or sacrifices involved with each
product.
Protect Your Eyes From The Winter Sun
(StatePoint) Just because it isn’t summer doesn’t mean you should put away those
sunglasses.
"Most people think sunglasses are just for the bright summer sun, but damaging
ultraviolet (UV) rays are present year-round," says Dr. Jenna Lewis, an
optometrist with VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits
company in the United States. “In fact, the sun sits lower in the sky during
winter, providing more exposure.”
While Americans are pretty good about wearing sunglasses in summer, most tend to
ignore the sun’s harmful effects in the winter months. But UV rays are dangerous
all year. Snow is reflective, and up to 85 percent of the sun’s UV rays are
reflected back up into the eyes.
Those UV rays damage eyes the same way they damage skin, and can cause
cataracts, macular degeneration and cancerous growths both inside and around the
eyes, all of which can cause blindness.
However, much of the damage the sun causes can be prevented simply by wearing
sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV rays.
Start Young
UV damage is cumulative over time and doesn’t heal, so start protecting your
eyes from the sun now. That includes making sure children are outfitted with
sunglasses and protecting eyes of all ages from the sun all year.
Most UV damage occurs before age 18, but less than 30 percent of children wear
sunglasses.
“In the winter, parents aren’t slathering their kids with sunscreen, and are
instead bundling them up with coats and scarves,” says Dr. Lewis. “So sunglasses
aren’t intuitively top of mind, but they should be.”
Check The Label
Make sure your sunglasses are 99-100 percent UV-rated. Tinted sunglasses won’t
provide UV protection unless they have a UV rating on the label. Wearing tinted
glasses that are not actually protective allow the pupils to dilate, which lets
more radiation in the eyes than wearing no sunglasses at all.
Also, the more coverage the frame provides, the more protection you will
receive. You may also want to get polarized lenses, which cut down on glare, if
you live in a snowy area or by water.
“When the sun is shining on the snow, it’s almost impossible to see, let alone
drive without sunglasses,” cautions Dr. Lewis. “And that’s a real safety
hazard.”
Be Functional in Style
Different color lenses work better for different conditions. For example, yellow
lenses are great for skiing since they filter out blue light that can make
focusing difficult. Green lenses are great for general outdoor use, and
brown/amber lenses enhance depth perception, making them good for driving and
sports. You can learn more at www.vsp.com. Or
see your local eye doctor, who can help you find the right shades for your needs
-- particularly if you prefer the convenience of prescription lenses.
Just remember as you’re bundling up this winter to make sure your eyes don’t go
naked!
Tips For Family Road Trips
(StatePoint) No matter where you choose to go on your next family road trip,
traveling by car with the kids can turn travel time into quality family time.
It’s almost inevitable that on some point on your journey you will face
overcrowded roads, tough driving conditions and many repetitions of “Are we
there yet?”
A little preparation can make your car trip safer and more pleasurable.
• Keep your little ones protected. Seasonal road trips can be dangerous due to
slippery conditions and additional motorists on the road. Many of the newest
child seats rely on innovative plastic materials for safety features -- three-
and five-point harness systems, shock absorbing foam padding, head impact
protection and fire-resistant upholstery -- that help protect your children on
the road.
• Fuel-up in advance on gas -- a full tank helps avoid extra stops along the
way. And consider installing a cell phone app that geo-locates gas stations with
lower gas prices.
• Lighter vehicles often are more fuel-efficient. So if your family can fit
comfortably, a smaller, lighter car could save on gas money. One reason is that
today’s cars employ many design, comfort and safety features made with
lightweight plastics, which helps reduce overall vehicle weight to improve fuel
economy. Modern automobiles now are made of 50 percent plastics by volume, but
only 10 percent by weight.
• Pack healthful road snacks. Consider foods such as cheese sticks, carrots and
dried fruits. Buy in bulk and pack individual portions in convenient re-sealable
plastic bags and containers. Avoid overly sugary treats that may make it harder
for kids to sit still.
• Transport food safely. Bring family meals in coolers and containers so you can
safely go straight from your kitchen to the car to your plate. Lightweight
plastic coolers are easy to transport and help keep prepared foods cold by
trapping cool air inside and keeping out warmer air. Airtight plastic containers
help keep individual dishes fresh.
• Use space-saving packaging. Packing for a trip can be challenging, so consider
using airtight plastic “space saver” bags that prevent wrinkles, keep your
clothes fresh and save space – this could even cut down on the number of bulky
suitcases that could block the driver’s visibility.
• Recycle along the way. When snacking on the road, reuse plastic grocery bags
to collect your recyclable plastic bottles, containers, bags and wraps until you
can drop them in a recycling bin.
For additional tips on car safety, recycling and more, visit
www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
But above all, pack a map or bring a GPS so the kids can answer the question:
“are we there yet?” Learning to read a map is a valuable life skill!
Protecting Your Home
From Winter Outages
(StatePoint) There’s nothing cozier than sitting indoors with a steaming cup of
hot chocolate on a cool winter day. But when the weather outside is frightful,
losing power can be uncomfortable, if not downright dangerous.
So how can you help ensure your family a warm and safe winter season?
Prepare
Preparedness is your best defense in an emergency situation. Whether you expect
an outage or not, you should install storm windows and insulate your home
properly for the winter.
Pack an emergency kit that includes nonperishable food and water. The guideline
is about one gallon of water per person per day. And don’t forget to have a
manual can opener on hand for canned food.
Keep a first aid kit handy and teach all the members of your family how to use
its contents. A flashlight, a battery operated radio, spare batteries, and a
supply of your medications should round out your emergency kit.
Prevent
You can avoid the danger of an outage with a standby generator that links
directly into your natural gas system. The generator will turn on automatically
during a power failure or blackout. And with a natural gas generator, you don’t
have to worry about running out of fuel like you would with a gasoline or
diesel-powered one.
An added benefit of these types of generators is that they can serve as
eco-friendly back-ups for off-the-grid homes powered by alternative energy
sources. More information can be found by visiting
www.comfortableresponsible.org
and clicking on “generators.”
Protect
When the power goes out, use common sense and cover up if it’s really cold.
Layers are best, starting with long underwear. Don’t forget to wear a hat
because most body heat is lost through the top of the head.
Mittens and thick socks will protect your digits. If you experience a loss of
feeling in your extremities or they appear unusually pale, seek medical
attention right away. Likewise, uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech and
disorientation are signs of hypothermia and deserve your immediate attention.
Remember, the best protection from a power outage is prevention by relying on a
backup generator as an alternate energy source. But if your power does go out,
make sure you are prepared with necessities and snuggle up with loved ones.