5 Tips To Burglar-Proof Your House

 

Too many break-ins are preventable. So here’s what you need to know about protecting your home from thieves:  

• First, know that summer is prime time for burglaries. They spike in July, August, and Labor Day Weekend when people are more likely to be on vacation. But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down other times of the year. December and January are also big months for burglaries. That’s when thieves pick through your recycling bin to see if there are any boxes for new electronics in there. So don’t put the packaging for new electronics in the bin until right before curbside pickup on trash day.  

• Another tip to avoid break-ins: Don’t leave lights on 24/7 or leave the radio playing constantly. That actually alerts thieves that you’re away. Instead, use a timer that turns things on at certain times.  

• A good way to burglar-proof your house is to add shrubs in front of windows, but only about three or four feet high. That’s high enough to make getting close to a window difficult, but short enough so a thief can’t hide behind them.  

• A burglar alarm is a great deterrent, even if it’s not connected to the police department. A loud alarm is enough to scare thieves away. And home improvement stores typically carry cheap alarms, like around $10, you can affix to a window or door.  

• Lastly, your dead-bolt on the front door is a safe option. Just make sure the plates that attach the lock to the door have three-inch screws. Typically, they’re installed with one-inch screws, which makes the door easy to kick in.

Dream Analysis 101

It’s time for some Dream Analysis 101.

• Why can’t you remember your dreams? It turns out that the part of your brain that stores information in long-term memory shuts off while you’re asleep. So your dreams never make it out of short-term memory. That’s why most people only remember snippets of their latest dream right as they wake up, and quickly forget them.
• Next, is it true that you never see yourself in your dreams? No, but you don’t always look like yourself. For example, in your dream you could look like Angelina Jolie – even if you’re a man. Not because you want to be her, but because you’d like to emulate her qualities.
• Finally, why do we have nightmares? Well,bad dreams may actually be good for us. As it turns out, most dreams are kind of bad. According to the journal Psychological Science, bad dreams help us sort through and regulate our stress. We’re able to let go of fears when we dream up bizarre and scary images. Bad dreams and nightmares are not the same thing. Nightmares are basically bad dreams that wake you up. They occur when there’s some kind of problem in the emotional processing. About 85% of us have at least one nightmare a year. Sometimes it’s due to medications – but most of the time, nightmares are a result of stress.

Tips to Help You Get Over Your Shyness

If you’re shy – you’re in good company. A lot of people are. Take actor Will Ferrell. He once considered himself painfully shy – so he’d do crazy things in public to try to beat it. In college, he’d push an overhead projector across campus with his pants hanging so low that people could see his rear end. Then his friends would encourage people to make fun of him – and that’s how he got over being shy.

Now, you don’t have to go to extreme measures like Will Ferrell did to get over your shyness. But if your timid nature interferes with your productivity at the office, you need to take action. So, here are some tips that’ll help from Psychology Today.

• Figure out what you’re avoiding. Let’s say you need to confront someone in the office and it fills you with anxiety. Perhaps a coworker keeps yapping on their cell phone and it distracts you. According to Peter Desberg, author of Speaking Scared, Sounding Good, weigh the cost of NOT confronting them. If every interruption takes up to 15 minutes to recover from, and they yap just once an hour on their phone, that’s as much as 2 hours of lost work time per day you BOTH lose. When you consider it in these terms, you OWE it to yourself – and the company – to say something.
• Put your boss on your same level. Or anyone else who intimidates you. In reality, everybody’s the same – no matter whether they make more money or have more power than you. Everybody was once a kid, everybody has insecurities, everybody has problems. So see people for who they really are – vulnerable, flawed, and just like you. Once you feel that you’re on the same level, they won’t have that emotional power over you.
• Set goals that are UNDER your control. Let’s say you’re applying for a NEW job. Write down the things about it that make you nervous. Then concentrate on the things you can CONTROL – such as how you describe your accomplishments, and what makes you the best candidate for the job. Then tackle each issue. For example, you might practice giving a mock presentation to a friend. After you do that enough and you start to feel confident about selling yourself, your fears will disappear.

Test Your Green IQ

#1. True or False: Running the dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing your dishes. That’s TRUE. A study by the University of Bonn in Germany found that it takes about 27 gallons of water to hand-wash 12 place settings. Since the average bathtub holds 20 gallons, that’s a little over a tub-full of water per day. On the flip side, your standard-size, Energy Star-rated dishwasher only uses about six gallons for a normal wash. So, using a dishwasher can save about 5,000 gallons of water a year, and $40 on your utility bill.

Next True/False question: “CFL” or Compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury so you shouldn’t throw them away. That’s TRUE. CFL bulbs, which cut energy use by 70%, contain trace amounts of mercury, which can harm your nervous system. You can be exposed if the bulbs break in the trash. Instead, drop off burned out CFLs at designated recycling areas at Home Depot and Ikea stores.

We’re testing your Green IQ. True or False: It takes more energy to shut down your computer than to put it to sleep. This one is FALSE! There’s an energy surge when you turn on a switched-off computer, but the energy you saved while it was off more than makes up for it.

The final True/False question: Toilets are the biggest water hogs in the house. That’s TRUE! According to the EPA, toilets use almost 30% of the water in your house. So, to save water, replace all toilets made before 1994 with new ones. Look for the EPA’s WaterSense label. You’ll save about $90 a year on water bills. If you can’t afford to replace your old ones, put a toilet dam or a brick in the tank. It cuts down on the space that can be filled with water. and saves about a gallon of water per flush.

Foods That Last Forever

Have you ever been digging through your pantry and found a forgotten bag of rice or a box of sugar you bought when Ronald Reagan was president? If you’re like most people, you’ll automatically toss it, because it can’t still be good, right? Well, according to University of Arizona researcher Timothy Jones, that’s a big reason why North American families throw away 40% of what they buy. Oold doesn’t necessarily mean no good. Here’s a list of foods that’ll outlast you:

• Let’s start with the most famous: Honey. It made headlines when archeologists discovered a jar in King Tut’s tomb that was still edible! MicrobiologistSebastian Zaat says bacteria can’t grow in honey because it contains a protein called defensin-1 – which outperforms many man-made antibiotics. Honey can crystallize. The fix: Just set the jar in warm water, and stir until the grainy parts dissolve.


• Here’s another sweetener thatnever spoils: Sugar. Janice Revell started a website called StillTasty.com to help people make good choices about using food. She says that bacteria can’t survive in sugar because of its very low moisture content. If your brown sugar is more like a rock, zap it for one minute in the microwave on low.


• Forever food #3: Pure vanilla extract. It’s mostly alcohol, so bugs don’t stand a chance. At least, as long as you keep the bottle capped to preventevaporation. Not all non-perishables are sweet: Both salt and vinegar are so effective at staying germ-free that they’re used to preserve other things like meat and vegetables.


• The last forever-food is a well-know staple: Rice. Again, because of the low moisture content, uncooked rice will last indefinitely. The exception is brown rice. It contains enough oil to support bacteria growth, and will turn rancid over time. So, you should use it within three months - or freeze it for up to one year.

There’s a New Internet Security Threat to Worry About

If you use public wi-fi at your local coffee shop or library know this: There’s a new and very serious threat to your online security. A new program – that anyone can download – allows people to see any and everything that’s going on on your computer. Things like passwords, emails, everything. The program is called “firesheep,” and it was created by a software developer named David Butler, who posted it for free on his website. Butler says he didn’t create firesheep so bad guys could steal your password and hack your accounts – he created it to point out just how vulnerable we all are on when we use public internet services.

Here’s the deal: big sites like Amazon and Facebook have a problem, and it’s one they all know about and haven’t bothered to fix. When you first log on to Facebook and enter your password, it’s encrypted. No one can see it. However, AFTER you log on, Facebook and your computer exchange a little piece of code, called a cookie, that allows them to recognize each other so you don’t have to keep logging on. That’s fine if you’re on a private network, but on public wi-fi it’s broadcast over the network for all to see. Firesheep grabs that piece of code and allows anyone with the program complete access to your computer. David Butler’s goal here was to force major companies to fix this issue. Only time will tell if his plan worked, but in the meantime here’s how to keep your information safe:

Don’t do anything that requires a password when you’re on public Wi-Fi. If you have no choice, only enter financial information on sites that have full end-to-end encryption. You can tell you’re on a secure site if the address starts with HTTPS. It’s got to have that S on the end; otherwise your data is flapping in the wind.

Common Household Items You Need to Recycle

From Yahoo Green:

Should you trash it or recycle? Beware! It’s illegal to toss some items because they can harm the environment. So, here’s a list of common household items that need special treatment – and where to dispose of them.

- First, batteries and electronics must be recycled. That's because they contain toxic metals and other pollutants. In fact, throwing away rechargeable batteries – including car batteries - is illegal in 41 states. Retailers like Staples, Best Buy and Radio Shack will take them back for free. They’ll also usually take old computers, cameras, televisions, and cell phones – but charge fees depending on the brand.

- You also need to recycle oil-based paint, which can be taken to your local household hazardous waste center. You can use latex paint as primer. Or donate it to a charity like Habitat for Humanity, or a school theatre group. If it’s completely dried up, you can just toss the can.

- Florescent bulbs should be recycled because they contain tiny amounts of mercury that can leak out if broken. Any Home Depot or Ikea will recycle them for free. If you absolutely have no way to recycle, the EPA suggests sealing the light bulbs in two plastic bags before tossing them in the trash.

- Aerosol cans should also be recycled in your curbside bins, because pressurized cans sent to a landfill can explode in a fire.

- Finally, don’t flush bacon grease or cooking oils down the sink, because it can clog up your pipes and back up sewer systems even if you use hot water. Your best bet: Absorb the grease in shredded paper or kitty litter before tossing it in the trash. Or pour bacon grease in a coffee can and toss it once it solidifies.

If you’d like to go further, visit EPA.gov, and click the section for Household Hazardous Waste.

Birth Order and Personality

Experts tell NBC News that their place in the household is intertwined with everything - from their hobbies to their grades to how much money they’ll make as an adult. For example: The firstborn is used to being the center of attention because they had their parents all to themselves until a younger sibling came along. In fact, researchers say firstborns get 3,000 more hours of quality time with their parents than later-born kids. Firstborn children also tend to be overachievers, score higher on IQ tests, get more education, and are more likely to make six-figure salaries. However, all that success comes with a price. Firstborns tend to be inflexible, they don’t like change, and can be downright bossy because they’re given a lot of responsibility at home. They also have an intense fear of failure. So for some, nothing they accomplish feels good. Dr. Kevin Lerman is the author of “The Birth Order Book.” He says it’s important to let your firstborn know it’s okay if they don’t succeed at everything.

Next in the birth order: middle children. Middle kids go-with-the-flow and constantly negotiate and compromise in order to “fit in.” Since “mid-kids” get less attention at home and can feel left out, they form stronger bonds with friends. The fix: Occasionally put your middle child in the spotlight by letting them pick where to eat out or what movie to see, so that they get to feel in control of the family from time to time.

Finally, there’s the baby of the family. Experts say the baby generally isn’t the strongest or the smartest kid, but they find ways of getting attention. They’re natural charmers with an outgoing personality, and take a lot more physical risks when they play. Since their parents have already gone through older children learning to walk, talk, read and ride a bike, last-borns can feel that nothing they do is important. Experts say treat the youngest like they’re just as special as their siblings, and expect them to follow the same rules, too.

Beware of The New "Places" Tool on Facebook

If you’ve got Facebook on your cell phone, beware: The new “Places” tool is getting a lot of heat. It allows you to “check in” wherever you are through your phone’s GPS, and a map of your exact location appears on your page. All your friends get an update about it too. We’ve already told you the downside of GPS-based location apps. For example, if you use Facebook Places, everybody knows where you are at any given moment. So let’s say this pops up on your Facebook page: “John is at Kohls on First Street” – Now your stalker knows where to find you, and thieves who are following you on Facebook know you’re not home. In fact, they also know how far away from home you are – so they know how long they have to break into your house and get away.
Another downside of the Places feature? You don’t have all the control! Your Facebook friends can also check you into places without your permission! So say your ex has an axe to grind, they could check you in at the movies when you’re supposed to be working. Do your kids have Facebook on their cell phones? Watch out. They could be broadcasting their whereabouts so everyone knows where to find them, including predators.
These aren’t the only problems with the “Places” tool: One of the places you can “check in” to is your own home. If you do that, everybody now has your home address and a map of how to get to it. If you’re on Facebook and don’t want people to know the “Places” you go, you can disable the option

Signs You Have an Anger Issue

From CBS News:

We all get annoyed if someone cuts in line in front of us, but there’s a difference between an occasional outburst and being an angry person. Here are four signs you have an anger issue:

Anger issue #1: Getting mad at the little things – like having to wait for an elevator. Dr. Redford Williams is a psychology professor at Duke University and author of the book, “In Control” and he says anger can have a positive effect – and urge us to take action. In fact, without anger, Rosa Parks would have sat in the back of the bus. Racial discrimination is a big issue. When someone gets angry at the little things they can’t control, that’s a problem.

The next anger issue: Interrupting. Angry people tend to be impatient, and have trouble letting others finish what they’re saying. Even when they let someone talk, they might only be pretending to listen.

Then there’s complaining: Dr. Williams says people who spend a lot of time ranting about politics, sports, the PTA, or the shortcomings of other people often have anger management problems.

Another sign of anger management issues: Being easily offended. Comments that others might laugh off can get under the skin of someone who’s on the edge of anger. They’re often waiting for others to mess up so they can pounce.

The final sign of anger management issues: Getting red in the face. Emotional heat can make your face red – just like hot temperatures you can measure on a thermometer. Anger can also cause labored breathing, fidgeting, and pacing back and forth, as well as serious health problems like high blood pressure and a higher risk for stroke, heart attack, and ulcers – because an angry body releases chemicals that reduce blood flow to the gut.

If any of these qualities describe you or a loved one, you can find help at the site Anger-management-Resources.org.

Here Are Some Handy Uses For Vinegar

If you need to unclog a drain or deodorize your shoes, grab the vinegar! You've heard that before on this show. Well, here are some handy uses for vinegar that you probably HAVEN'T heard so pay attention! We found these in Real Simple magazine.

* Use it to treat oily hair. Vinegar is a good degreaser for oily hair because it helps adjust pH levels. Just shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour a quarter cup of vinegar on your hair and rinse it again.

* Removing stubborn price tags or stickers. Cover them with several coats of vinegar, let the liquid soak in for 5 minutes, then wipe away the residue.

* Use vinegar to remove coffee or tea stains from the bottom of a cup. Just swish 2 tablespoons around in the cup and wash as usual.

* Making wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feel.

* Vinegar will kill weeds between cracks in paving stones and sidewalks. Just fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray a few times. But don't get it on the grass because it'll kill that, too.

* You can use it to deodorize your garbage disposal. Make some vinegar ice cubes and put them down the disposal. After you grind them up, run cold water through the drain. You're disposal will be smelling as good as it did the day it was made.

What's Normal Human Body Temperature?

What’s normal human body temperature? 98.6 Fahrenheit, right? Well, not exactly! According to The Week magazine, for most adults, normal body temperature is actually half a degree cooler. 98.1. So, how come the wrong temperature was established as the standard? Well, back in the mid-19th century, German doctor Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich decided to establish the norm for human body temperature. He acquired a new-fangled invention – the mercury thermometer – a 1-foot long glass tube that was held under the armpit for 11 minutes to get a reading. He took the temperature of 25,000 people at different times of day. He discovered that temperature differed from person to person. For everyone, it was lowest in the morning, and highest in the afternoon as activity and metabolism picked up. The range: between 97.2 and 100.4 degrees.

Once he had all the numbers, he had to calculate the “average” of over 1 million readings by hand – since the calculator had not yet been invented. He came up with the now-familiar average of 98.6. More recent studies discovered that not only is average human body temperature lower than that, it’s also different for different groups of people. For example, it’s slightly higher in women than men. Slightly higher in blacks than whites. Slightly higher in children than adults. On the flip side, body temperature is slightly lower in senior citizens. The overall average is 98.1 degrees. Of course, scientists were puzzled about how Dr. Wunderlich came up with 98.6. So, they examined his only thermometer. The result? The thermometer was calibrated incorrectly – so all of his readings AND his results were false.

Five Hidden Dangers of Using Facebook

Facebook is not very safe. That’s the opinion of Joan Goodchild, the senior editor of CSO Online – which stands for Chief Security Officer. She told CBS News there are five hidden dangers of Facebook:

* First, they’re sharing your information with third parties, like advertisers. Facebook can make money gathering as much info about you as possible, and then use it to attract advertisers. Goodchild says the more personal info you give out, the more money Facebook can take in.

* The second hidden danger of Facebook involves your privacy settings. Every time Facebook redesigns its website, your privacy settings revert to an unsafe default mode - essentially making all your info public. These redesigns happen about twice a year, and Facebook does not always notify you when they make changes. So periodically click on the Privacy Settings button and make sure yours are what you think they are.

* The third hidden danger of Facebook: Beware of clicking on those ads on the side of the page. Some contain malicious software. One of these so-called “malware” ads told Facebook users to download anti-virus software, but it was really a virus. Stay safe and ignore the ads!

* This next hidden danger of Facebook involves your friends - even your real-life friends. They can unknowingly make you vulnerable on Facebook. Let’s say their profile was hacked. The scammer can use their account or email address to send you malware. One of the most popular scams is called the “419 scam.” With the 419 scam you’ll get a message that says, “Help. I was mugged. I’m hurt. Please send money.” You think it’s a legitimate message from a friend, but it’s really a lie to get your cash.

* The fifth hidden danger of Facebook: fake profiles created by scammers. In fact, a recent study found that 40 percent of all Facebook profiles are fake, set up by imposters. If you have hundreds of Facebook friends, do you really know them all? Do you trust every one of them with your personal info or letting them know you’re out of town – or even out to eat? Probably not. So take your home address, phone number, last name, birth year and phone number off your profile NOW. Unless you have a burglar alarm and it’s activated, don’t tell anyone, “Hey, I’m off to the grocery store.” By the time you get back, you could have been robbed.

Modern Etiquette 101

It’s time for another lesson in Modern Etiquette 101. I’ll share the answers to etiquette questions from several experts interviewed by Condé Nast Publishing.

* Is it ever okay to break up with someone via email? Sure, if you’ve had only a few dates – or if they’re really creepy. That’s according to Michelle Fiordaliso, psychotherapist and coauthor of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ex. If you’ve dated for more than a month, find your inner backbone and call them to say goodbye. Better yet, break up in person.

* Do you have to RVSP to an eVite? Yes! It’s common courtesy to RSVP to every invitation. That’s according to Stacey Platt, lifestyle management expert and author of What’s a Disorganized Person to Do? She says there’s nothing more depressing than having to call your guests to ask whether they’re coming to your party, especially if it’s a wedding. So, spare them the aggravation - and RSVP.

* A friend constantly overloads your email inbox with jokes and chain letters. How can you get them to stop without being rude? The most painless, tactful solution is to ignore and delete. That’s from Will Schwalbe, coauthor of Send: Why People E-mail So Badly and How to Do It Better. He says that if they ever ask whether you received their emails, blame it on your spam filter – and explain how swamped your inbox is.

* Also: Is it ever okay to write texts or emails on your phone in public? Schwalbe suggests following what he calls the “Crossword Puzzle Rule.” In other words, ask yourself, “Would I pull out a crossword puzzle right now?” If you wouldn’t work on a crossword during a work meeting, at dinner with a friend, or in the grocery store checkout line – don’t type on your phone then, either.

* Is it okay to use Blind Carbon Copy on an email? Yes – but only when you’re sending a group email, and don’t want everyone getting everyone else’s address. Otherwise, using BCC can seem sneaky. If your BCC recipient hits “Reply All,” everybody’s going to know that you used it.

Facts About The Male Brain

Ladies, know this: behind your man’s tough exterior is a sensitive, emotional guy. According to neuro-psychiatrist Dr. Louann Brizendine, most of what we think about the way men are wired simply isn’t true. So, here are the facts about how guys really think, from her book The Male Brain:
First: Men are more vulnerable to loneliness. Being lonely is bad for everyone, but it takes a bigger toll on the social circuits in a man’s brain. Male loners perceive everything as a threat, and that means they have higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of alcoholism and depression.
The 2nd thing every woman should now about the male brain: We’re focused on solutions. Most guys know that when their wife or girlfriend is telling them about a problem, they should just listen and not offer suggestions. Brizendine says that men just can’t help it. The part of our brains responsible for feeling empathy does respond when you share a problem. Then the problem-solving region takes over, and we go into “fix-it” mode.
Man fact #3: Being a dad makes the male brain better. Fathers-to-be go through hormone changes just like expectant mothers. Their testosterone levels decrease while levels of bonding hormones like prolactin and oxytocin go up. That’s a good thing for our kids. When dads play with their children, it helps kids learn, increases their confidence, and prepares them for the real world.
Here’s one last fact about the male brain: Men are more emotional than women! As infants, the emotional centers of a boy’s brain are more active than a girl’s. MRI research shows that this remains true into adulthood. Guys just seem like they’re less emotional because they learn to hide their feelings as they grow up.
Want to learn more? Check out The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine.

3D TVs Can Cause Health Issues

If you’re planning on getting one of those new 3D TVs, make sure you read the warning label! If you’re pregnant, drunk, or tired, watching 3D TV could cause health issues. If you’re at risk for strokes or epileptic seizures, you’ll need to consult your doctor before watching a 3D TV. We read about this on CNN.com. Even if you’re not in one of those health categories, you could still be at risk. Apparently viewing 3D TV can cause motion sickness, nausea, disorientation, and eyestrain – among other things! The effects are so intense for some people that the manufacturers recommend not putting the TV next to open stairwells, cables, balconies, or other objects that can be tripped over, run into, knocked down, broken, or fallen over.
Here’s why it’s a problem for some people: a 3D image creates the illusion of depth when the brain fuses two, slightly different images projected on a screen. Experts call it ‘sensory conflict’ because it creates confusion and makes the brain think it’s been poisoned. That may sound far-fetched, but experts say that when we get poisoned, our bodies are triggered to throw up to get rid of what’s making us sick. While the 3D technology isn’t literally poisoning us, the sensory conflict can cause our brains to react by telling us to throw up.
Some people can’t do the 3D thing because they have problems related to the vestibular system. That’s the network of nerves, fluids, and ear canals that connect to the brain and help keep us balanced and oriented. Diseases like multiple sclerosis and inner ear conditions can contribute to vestibular disorders, and close to half of adults over the age of 40 suffer from them! The 3D experience isn’t just a problem for middle-aged people. Some younger folks are affected, too. They could be ‘stereoblind,’ which means that they don’t see properly out of both eyes. Or they may simply feel motion sickness from the 3D experience.
So what should you do if you’ve already bought a 3D TV or you’re planning to buy one? When watching, take frequent breaks. If you do feel sick, stop watching and don’t try to watch again until at least 30 minutes after your symptoms have subsided.

Four Things Restaurant Workers Wish You'd Do

From StarChef.com:
A lot of our listeners earn a living by working in a restaurant. Following these tips won’t just make your waiter happy, they’ll improve your dining experience and assure that you get great service.

The first thing waiters and waitresses wish their customers would do is: Smile and make eye contact. Besides being polite, it’s a lot easier for a server to understand you when you’re looking at them and speaking clearly.

Show up on time. Jay Remer Jr. has 40 years of experience in international protocol and corporate etiquette. He says that if you’re going to be more than 15 minutes late for a reservation, you need to call. You should also inform the maitre d’ in advance if you have a food allergy or want to bring in something special, like a birthday cake.

The 3rd thing restaurant workers wish you’d do: Turn of your cell phone. According to a recent survey done by the online wireless retailer LetsTalk, two out of three people think it’s rude to use a cell phone at a restaurant. However, only one out of three actually turns theirs off! Using your cell phone at the table is not only disruptive to those around you, but disrespectful to your dinner guests.

Let’s finish with a discussion on tipping. A lot of people forget that the wait staff doesn’t have total control over your dining experience. That’s why Michael Lynn, a professor at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, thinks that restaurants should impose a service charge of 15 to 20 percent. That way, customers would be more likely to speak up when something’s wrong – which gives the restaurant a chance to make it right. After all, if you’re unhappy about some part of your meal, bringing it to the manager’s attention will do more to improve your experience than leaving your waiter a bad tip.

900 Million People Don't Have Access to Clean Drinking Water

Clean drinking water - we take it for granted. According to the researchers at Condé Nast Publications, there are 900-million people in the world who don’t have access to clean drinking water, and every year, more children die from water-related diseases than from AIDS and malaria combined. Here are the facts you should know, and how you can help.

Dirty water is responsible for an estimated 80% of diseases in developing countries.

Also, a lack of clean water can keep girls out of school. In some cultures, women are solely responsible for fetching water. Girls can spend up to eight hours a day doing this, leaving hardly any time for an education. Gary White is the co-founder of Water.org, an organization fighting to provide safe drinking water and proper sanitation to needy areas. He says that if you bring safe water to a village, girls can stay in school, and women can spend their time farming or starting a business that can lift their community out of poverty.

Poor sanitation puts women at risk for violence. In many rural regions, for modesty’s sake, women walk to remote areas to relieve themselves. However, in places such as Ethiopia, there have been reports of women being attacked while doing this. If there was plumbing and clean water, bathrooms could be built so the women wouldn’t have to leave the village.

Now, if you want to help, here are some options. A $30 donation to Water-Aid America can provide toilets at school to help girls get an education. A $25 donation to Water.org brings someone clean water FOR LIFE.

Keep Your Computer Safe at Any Public Wi-Fi Hotspot

From Rodale Publishing:
Today, there are nearly 70,000 wireless “hotspots” in North America, where you can surf the Internet for free. Unless you’re careful, experts say any one of these hotspots could become “ground zero” for criminals looking to hack into your computer and steal your data! So, here are some tricks to help you outsmart the online hackers.

• Always update your computer’s security software. Experts say anti-spyware programs from companies like Norton or McAfee are your best line of defense against the most common cyber attacks. These programs generally update themselves automatically every week or so.
  
  
• Next, before you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot: Always double check the network NAME. Most public hotspots have a name that’ll reflect the business offering the Wi-Fi service. For example: A hotspot in your favorite coffee shop will usually include the coffee shop’s name. Experts say you should avoid logging onto any network simply called “Free” or “Public Wi-Fi.” Those are generally traps set up by hackers.
  
  
• Skip online shopping sites. In general, public networks tend to be the most vulnerable to hackers. So, you’ll be smart to avoid any Website that requires you to type in passwords or credit card information.
  
  
• Pay attention to network warnings. Most new computers will flash some kind of warning if you try to join a network it doesn’t recognize. The warning may include something about a “site certificate” or a “404 code.” That’s a techie way of telling you: “A hacker may be intercepting data from this site!” So, if you see one of these warnings, experts recommend stopping what you’re doing, and turning off your computer.
  
  
• Finally, if you have the money: Consider carrying your OWN Wi-Fi hotspot. A growing number of companies – like Sprint and AT&T - offer portable hotspots, which you can plug into your computer’s USB port. For about $60 a month, these gadgets will offer Internet access from anywhere you can find cell phone reception, and they’re considered more secure than any public Wi-Fi network.

Facebook Crime 101

Beware of what you post on Facebook. Criminals could be using that information to target you for theft! Think about it. How many of your Facebook friends talk about their new flat screen TV or post pictures of the Jamaican vacation they’re on? A new report says criminals are using this information to find their next targets. Michael Fraser is a former burglar who helped put the report together. He says it works like this: The bad guys will send out hundreds of friend requests on Facebook and Twitter, and see who bites, which is a lot of people. 13% of people on Facebook and 92% of people on Twitter will accept a request, no questions asked. Once they have access to your personal profile, Fraser says they’ll follow you closely and wait for you to post something about a new gadget you bought or an upcoming vacation. Then they make their move.

Some Facebookers make it really easy for crooks. They post party pictures that clearly show the interior of their homes. Fraser says this gives criminals a leg-up when they’re breaking in. Almost 10% of men actually post their HOME ADDRESS on their profile! Women are a little smarter, only 4% of women post addresses. Think about this: There are just over 15-million women on Facebook in North America. That means over 600,000 women are posting their personal home addresses for anyone to find!

So, who’s the worst offender when it comes to posting personal details online? Teens and young adults. According to the study almost two thirds of people between the ages of 16 and 24 are posting where they’ll be and when, on their Facebook page. This same age group is also more likely to accept a friend request from a total stranger. Not a good combo. So don’t let yourself become a target. Don’t ever accept a stranger’s friend request and keep private information private. If you want to catch friends and family up on a vacation you’re taking or a new entertainment system you just bought, send out an email from your personal account. That way you’ll know exactly who has access to the information.