Summer Road Safety Tips (3)

Summer Road Safety Tips (3)

3. ON THE ROAD

Getting there is half the fun of a road trip vacation. Plenty of distractions both inside and outside your vehicle can take your attention from the road.
Cranky fellow travelers, traffic congestion, road construction and detours, ringing cell phones, unfamiliar roads, and loud music are just a few you might encounter. While you can expect some distractions, you can also counter them with safe driving techniques to keep you focused.

Tips for Staying Focused

The best way to stay focused while driving is to avoid fatigue
So schedule your trip to allow for frequent breaks. Stopping for food or beverages, taking time to pull over at a rest stop just to stretch your legs, staying overnight at a motel and sharing the driving are all good strategies for avoiding fatigue and staying alert behind the wheel.

Traveling with Children

Remember that long trips can be especially tough on children.
Stopping along the way makes the trip easier and less tiring for them as well- and more of an adventure too! Also, bring along a few favorite books or soft toys to keep the little ones occupied. The trip will seem to go faster for them, perhaps lessen the number of times they ask, “Are we there yet?” and better enable you to keep your attention on driving.

Buckle Up America. Every Trip, Every Time.

Along with staying focused, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up properly at all times. In fact, buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to keep yourself and your passengers safe while on the road.

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Summer Road Safety Tips (2)

Summer Road Safety Tips (2)


2. WHAT TO TAKE

Some take-along items make your trip more pleasant, such as favorite CDs to listen to or snacks to tide you over until the next rest stop. Others help keep you and your passengers safer. While you don’t want to ever overload your vehicle, you will want to make room for basic safety equipment.

Child Safety Seats

If you’ll be traveling with children, you’ll need to make room in your back seat for appropriate child safety and/or booster seats.
Guidelines for proper child safety and booster seat use can be found at www.boosterseat.gov under “Which seat is right for my child?

Emergency Roadside Kit

Even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, so it’s advisable to put together an Emergency Roadside Kit to carry with you. A cell phone tops the list of suggested emergency kit contents since it allows you to call for help when and where you need it.
A suggested Emergency Roadside Kit contains:
• Cell phone
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Flares and a white flag
• Jumper cables
• Jack (and ground mat) for changing a tire
• Basic repair tools and some duct tape (for temporarily repairing a hose leak!)
• A jug of water and paper towels for cleaning up
• Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
• Extra windshield washer fluid
• Maps
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Summer Road Safety Tips

Summer Road Safety Tips

This is the time of year when people vacation and take summer road trips. Getting to your destination and back safely is priority number one.
So take a few minutes now to focus on what matters most. By following the 3 steps below, you can map out a strategy to avoid road trouble and ensure your entire trip is as safe and worry-free as possible.

1. BEFORE YOU GO
Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, tire rotations, goes a long way toward preventing breakdowns before they happen. If your vehicle has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, it should be in good shape and nearly ready to travel.
Providing your vehicle is well maintained, getting it ready for a road trip is relatively quick and easy. If not— schedule a preventive maintenance check-up with your mechanic now. Perform the following basic safety checks before you go:

Vehicle Safety Checklist

• Tires — Air pressure, tread wear, spare
Check the air pressure in all your tires, especially the neglected spare. To get an accurate reading, check pressure when tires are cold, meaning they haven’t been driven on for at least three hours. You can find the correct pressure for your tires listed on a label inside the driver’s doorframe or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual — the correct pressure is not the number listed on the tire itself.
Also, take five minutes to inspect your tires for signs of excessive or irregular wear. If the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, it’s time to replace your tires. If you find irregular tread wear patterns, it means your tires need rotation and/or your wheels need to be realigned before you leave.
• Belts and Hoses — Condition and fittings
Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure they are in good shape with no signs of blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber. High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade, so it’s best to replace them now if they show signs of obvious wear. While you’re at it, check all hose connections to make sure they’re Secure.

• Wiper Blades — Wear and tear on both sides after the heavy duty imposed by winter storms and spring rains, it’s likely that your windshield wipers are ragged from use and ready to be replaced. Moreover, like rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are susceptible to the summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear. If they aren’t in tip-top condition, invest in new ones before you go.
• Cooling System — needed servicing and coolant level
Carefully check your coolant level to make sure it’s adequate. In addition, if it’s time to have your cooling system flushed and refilled (or even nearly time), have it done now. On a long road trip in summer heat, you’ll want your cooling system functioning at peak performance to avoid the possibility of your engine overheating.
• Fluid Levels — Oil, brake, transmission, power steering, coolant, and windshield
Obviously, you’ll want to check your vehicle’s oil level. And as with coolant, if it’s time or even nearly time to have the oil changed, now would be a good time to do it. In addition, check the following fluid levels: brake, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer, and coolant. Make sure each reservoir is full and if you see any sign of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced.

• Lights — Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights
See and be seen! Ensure all the lights on your vehicle are in working order. Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights. Towing a trailer? Be sure to check your trailer lights too. Failure of trailer light connections is a common problem and a serious safety hazard.
• Air Conditioning — Sensitive to heat? Check AC performance before traveling
If you’re traveling with someone sensitive to heat, you may also want to ensure that your air conditioning system is functioning properly. Lack of air conditioning on a hot summer day can adversely affect people who are in poor health or are sensitive to heat, such as children and seniors. If the air is not blowing cold, it’s a good idea to have the system repaired before you go.
Knowing the route to your destination and being well informed about weather and road conditions as well as unusual traffic activity ahead: crashes, road closures, work zones, or heavier than usual congestion will help you to head off traffic nightmares before they materialize.
Plan Your Route
• Obtain information on the latest tie-ups, traffic jams, roadway conditions and visibility before you get behind the wheel. Then you can plan your route to avoid some delays or allow yourself extra drive time. Whether it’s TV or the Internet before you depart or drive time radio on route, keep yourself informed.
• Plan your route ahead of time. Getting lost is embarrassing, frustrating and exasperating, but knowing where you’re going ahead of time can reduce your stress and ensure that you arrive safely and on time.

Summer Safety Alert!

Remember: Never leave children unattended in parked vehicles especially during warmer weather. Even on a relatively cool summer day, with windows partially cracked open, temperatures inside a vehicle can soar, rapidly causing occupants to suffer from heat illness or even die from heatstroke.

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Helmet Selection Tips

Helmet Selection Tips
Many people are aware that there is a New York State law mandating that all bicyclists under the age of 14 wear a bicycle helmet. Some people know that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. Many people, kids, teens and grownups alike, know that they should always wear a helmet when we ride. However, the reality is, many riders just don't. The main reasons appear to be quite simple. They're uncomfortable. They're not cool. They are perhaps unaffordable.
So what can be done to change those negatives into positives and get more riders to wear their helmets every time they ride? Let's break it down.
Comfort: Select a helmet that IS comfortable. You won't know unless you try one on. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes without trying them on first! Use the padding that comes with the helmet to make it fit your head snuggly, without gaps. Certainly, a helmet that doesn't fit right will probably sit in the garage, which won't help you out when you crash on your bike. Straps and fasteners need to be strong and sturdy, not thin and flimsy.
Style: Select a style you can live with. If you are shopping for a tween or teen, allow them to select a style they like, because if they don't like the way it looks, they won't wear it. Lighter, reflective colors make more sense as they are more visible to motorists. Ideally, a smoothly rounded outer shell, with no sharp ribs or snag points is recommended. Coolness, ventilation, fit and sweat control are some critical comfort needs. Air flow over the head determines coolness, and larger front vents provide better air flow. Excessive vents aren't really necessary. There are helmets with pony- tail ports for girls, and bald bike riders may want to choose a helmet with smaller vents to prevent unusual tan lines.
Cost: Helmet prices can range from $20 to $200. The average rider does not need a $200 helmet! Serious racers traveling at high speeds may need a more sophisticated helmet, but children, tweens, teens and the average adult will do fine in the sports retail store or large discount type store. Just be sure to look for the Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker on the inside to be sure it meets safety standards.
Be sure to dispose of helmets that have been involved in a crash. You may be unable to determine just by looking at it if the foam inside has been compromised in the crash, rendering it unsuitable for future protection.
Be sure to wear your helmet, snug and level, with the straps fastened each time you ride.
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Dimming the Lights

Dimming the Lights
After listening to comments and studying the problem for more than two years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seems ready to act. As this issue of Car & Travel went to press, the agency was expected to take a first step by proposing new rules lowering the maximum allowable height for headlights on passenger vehicles. NHTSA will probably also soon propose more new rules covering HIDs, auxiliary lights, adaptive frontal lighting, aiming and other issues.
However, even if NHTSA would begin regulating all glare sources tomorrow, you'd still have to live with the HIDs, fog lights, out-of-whack headlights and other eye-offenders already on the road. For that reason, safety experts maintain that the immediate solution lies not with engineers designing better lighting systems but with drivers learning to manage the effects of glare.
· In fact, you can do a lot to reduce glare-associated discomfort. Follow these tips: Make glass disappear. If you can see the glass between your eyes and the road, then you're not looking through it; you're looking at it. And that means the glass isn't clean enough. Wipe your windshield thoroughly, inside and out, removing all road grime, accumulated film, and especially bug splatters, which catch and scatter light. Repair chips and cracks in the windshield promptly, and clean or replace your windshield wipers to eliminate streaking.
· Look away. When oncoming headlights threaten to blind you temporarily, "the simplest solution is to avoid looking directly at the glare source," says Dr. Timothy Wingert, associate professor of optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. "Of course, sometimes that's easier said than done, since the glare source is the brightest, most interesting object in your field of vision." Directing your gaze down and to the right (to the white edge line on the side of the road) seems to work best. That way, you can maintain your lane position, and your peripheral vision can still detect the motion of potential hazards.
· Get AR-coated eyeglasses. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, consider an anti-reflective (AR) coating. It costs $80 or more, but most wearers will tell you that it's well worth the price. "I wouldn't own a pair of glasses without it," says Dr. Jeffrey Weaver, director of clinical care for the American Optometric Association.
· Typical plastic lenses transmit only 92 percent of light. But AR-coated lenses transmit nearly 100 percent--eliminating internal reflections. Clinical studies show conclusively that AR-coated lenses improve vision, day and night, and reduce glare and reflections compared with conventional eyeglasses.
· The downside? AR-coated lenses require careful handling, because they scratch and smudge more easily than non-coated lenses. Although their vulnerability to marring scared off many buyers when AR coatings were first introduced, newer formulas have proved a bit more durable.
· Adjust your mirrors. You can adjust your outboard mirrors to fight glare from headlights behind you. From your normal seating position, tilt your head until it rests against the driver's-side window; adjust the left mirror so that you can just see the left rear fender. Then, lean to the right until your head is near the vehicle's centerline; adjust the right mirror until you can just see the right rear fender. This adjustment technique not only shrinks blind spots, but also keeps trailing headlights from shining directly into your eyes. Combined with the "night" setting on the center-mounted rearview mirror, it will usually eliminate uncomfortable glare coming from the rear. If glare still bothers you, consider self-dimming mirrors (available as optional or aftermarket equipment), which darken automatically in response to brighter light.
· Have your vision checked. Eliminate incipient cataracts or other medical problems as possible sources of light sensitivity. Eye care experts recommend a thorough exam every three years for people under 40, every two years for 40- and 50-somethings, and every year for those over 60.
What You Can Forget Some companies’ market yellow-tinted night-driving glasses, which supposedly block the specific wavelengths of light responsible for nighttime glare. Simply put, they don't work. In fact, by reducing the amount of light reaching your eyes, they actually impair your ability to see at night. And, like wearing sunglasses at night or indoors, using night-driving glasses may eventually make you more sensitive to sunlight during daytime driving, as your eyes become accustomed to lower levels of light.
Several years ago, the Federal Trade Commission fined one company--Nationwide Syndications, Inc., marketer of "Night Safe" glasses--for making unsubstantiated claims about its product. However, that hasn't stopped other companies from making similar claims about similar glasses since. A recent study sponsored by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded, "Reasoning based on solid physiological and perceptual concepts, and backed up by almost 60 years of empirical research, yields no real support for the use of fully tinted glare-blocking glasses as a means of achieving safer nighttime driving."
Unfortunately, eliminating glare isn't as easy as putting on a pair of special glasses. The ultimate remedies lie not in quick fixes but in better engineering, better regulation and better driver education.

With the Sun in Your Eyes
Although nighttime glare draws the most complaints to government regulators, daytime driving obviously presents problems, too. Sun glare can make reading traffic lights and signs difficult, temporarily blind you to potential hazards, and turn an ordinary commute into a squinty, headache-inducing experience.
High-quality sunglasses should form your first line of defense. Take these tips on picking a good pair:
· Go eyeball to eyeball with yourself. Those fashionable, barely tinted specs? Forget 'em, says the American Optometric Association. When trying on a pair of sunglasses in the store, look at yourself in the mirror. If you can see your eyes clearly, then the glasses aren't dark enough to provide adequate protection in strong sunlight.
· Go gray. "Neutral gray lenses alter your color perception the least," advises Dr. Timothy Wingert, associate professor of optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Above all, avoid blue lenses. They transmit sunlight's blue wavelengths, which can result in age-related macular degeneration and other eye problems later.
· Go with UV protection. Although ultraviolet light has nothing to do with glare, it can harm your eyes. Look for specially coated lenses or ones made of polycarbonate, which block nearly 100 percent of UV light. Stickers or tags identify lenses that afford UV protection; tint or color alone cannot protect against UV light.
· Go polarized. "Polarized lenses help mostly with reflected glare, such as the kind you get off snow, water and road surfaces," says Wingert.
· To handle other glare that you can't block with sunglasses or the sun visor, safety experts suggest repositioning yourself. Sometimes just tilting your head to one side does the trick; other times, you need to shift position within your lane or even change lanes altogether--provided you have room to do so safely.
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Blinded by the Light

Blinded by the Light
Want to stir things up at your next cocktail party or neighborhood barbecue? Try mentioning behind-the-wheel glare. Few topics provoke a more passionate response among people who drive. Over the past few years, the federal government found out just how passionate, as regulators fielded hundreds of angry letters and e-mails complaining about headlights, fog lights and a variety of other sources. Here's a sampling of what they heard:
"I have driven since 1961 and have seen the amount of light hitting the oncoming driver goes up by a factor of 10 or more. With the use of more lights, greater strength of lights, tighter focusing of lights and blue-white spectrum lights, the result is momentary blindness, day, dusk or night…. This very real driving distraction…is being allowed to run wild."
"Some of these SUVs and small trucks have six or seven lights in front, all of them bright and blinding."
"You have a wall of light either coming at you or filling your mirrors from behind."
The cries of protest haven't let up. In January of this year, the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) released a report showing that nearly one in three drivers found nighttime glare "disturbing." And for analysts who dismiss glare as a problem that bugs only seniors, NCSA had even more surprising news. "The ratings of discomfort from glare for older drivers were not significantly different from that for younger drivers," said the report. In fact, researchers found the highest percentage of glare-disturbed respondents among middle-age drivers--those from 35 to 44 years old and from 45 to 54 years old.
Obviously, glare is making a lot of folks see red these days. What are government regulators doing about it? What are carmakers doing about it? And, perhaps most important, what can you do about it?
Where Glare Comes From
Generally, complaints about glare fall into four broad categories:
1. High-tech lights. Many observers trace the public outcry against glare to 1996, when automakers first introduced high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights on the U.S. market. These lamps use ionized xenon gas to produce not only more light, but also a different kind of light. It looks blue-white compared with the yellowish beams from halogen or conventional bulbs. Drivers often find the amount of light and its color blinding.
Size matters, too. On many newer models, automotive designers have taken advantage of HID technology to shrink headlights and give the cars a beady-eyed, almost birdlike look. Although the style seems hip, the tiny projector HIDs increase beam strength and glare as well. Studies show that smaller lamp areas create more bothersome glare than larger ones of equal luminance. Current federal regulations don't cover headlight size or shape at all.
While acknowledging that HID headlights take some getting used to, safety experts and automakers are quick to point out their advantages. For example, drivers in cars equipped with HID headlights can see more of the road, and they can see it better.
"It is important to note that some sources of potential glare provide significant safety benefits," noted the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) in its response to the federal government's request for comments about glare. "HID headlamps more easily allow for broader and brighter beam patterns than their halogen kin."
Automakers also insist that U.S. drivers will adapt to high-tech lights in time, just as they've adapted to other innovations. AAM cites complaints about glare when U.S. carmakers introduced halogen headlights in the '80s, when Europeans first encountered HIDs, and when Canada and Scandinavian countries mandated daytime running lights. As the industry group notes, "The consistent pattern…is an initial spike in complaints, which virtually disappear once the public becomes accustomed to these lamps and the safety benefits they provide."
2. The "Hummer effect." The sheer number of sport-utility vehicles on the road presents a real problem for drivers in passenger cars. Designed with high ground clearance for off-reading, the typical SUV sports headlights about 9 inches higher than the average car's. That's just tall enough to shine directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers in lower-slung passenger cars. Call it the "Hummer effect," and it's one more reason why lots of people hate big SUVs. On the other hand, proponents claim higher vehicles provide a more commanding view and high-mounted lights project farther down the road, giving drivers more time to react to potential hazards.
Current federal safety standards dictate that the optical center of all vehicle headlights measure no higher than 54 inches. AAA and other safety groups have called for lowering the maximum allowable height, and AAM concedes that a slight reduction might benefit most drivers.
3. Misaimed lights. Even low-tech lights can contribute to glare. According to research sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, headlights off by as little as one degree will affect oncoming drivers. And the obvious remedy--regular state inspections such as those required in New York--don't always work. Studies show that nearly half of cars in states requiring inspections have at least one badly aimed headlight--a result only slightly better than states with no inspections at all. The older the vehicle, the more likely it is to have off-kilter lights.
Meanwhile, Honda, General Motors and other carmakers have been developing super-sophisticated "adaptive lights" that swivel around curves, adjust for hills and other terrain, and modify their beam patterns to suit other driving conditions. Although such systems promise better visibility, whether they'll make glare better or worse remains to be seen. As AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety researchers recently noted, "If we have not been able to maintain proper aiming of a fairly simple mechanical device such as the replaceable-bulb headlamp, what new problems will occur with a more complex system that relies on multiple sensors and a computer?"
4. Auxiliary lights. Many vehicles, particularly SUVs, sport fog lamps and other extras in front. Used properly in conjunction with low-beam headlights, fog lights cast a low, broad beam that really does improve visibility on foggy nights. Unfortunately, many drivers use them on clear nights and seldom if ever check their aim, which contributes to glare. Furthermore, current federal safety standards don't cover fog lamps or other auxiliary lights.
To be Cont.
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Storing Tires

Storing Tires

If you change from radials to snow tires in winter, switch back to radials in spring or just happen to have extra tires lying around, you face the problem of keeping the unused tires in tip-top condition. Proper storage will help them last longer and keep them rolling true. Follow these tips:
· Choose a cool, dry, dark spot. Sunlight, water, oil and grease can damage rubber compounds. Heat matters, too. Although you don't exactly have to treat tires like fine wine and keep them in a carefully controlled environment, you shouldn't bake them in a tin-roofed shed or other spot where the heat will rise more than 10 degrees above ambient temperature.
· Keep appliances and chemicals away. Electric motors, generators, heavy-duty meters and transformers produce ozone, a form of oxygen that deteriorates rubber over time. Don't store tires within 50 feet of such devices. Rubber can also absorb vapors from gasoline and volatile solvents (such as paint thinner), which will affect tire life.
· Use a pallet if possible. "If you can, store tires on their sides rather than standing upright," advises Dan Zielinski of the Rubber Manufacturers Association. "The best spot is off the floor, on a wooden pallet, for example, to allow air circulation."
· Prevent flat spots. If you must store the tires mounted on a vehicle for a long period of time, it's best to take the weight off. Ideally, you should put the vehicle on blocks to prevent the tires from settling out of round. Failing that, move the vehicle a few inches every month to prevent flat spots.
·
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A Safety Boost for Kids

A Safety Boost for Kids

When it comes to the health and safety of your child, would you settle merely for what the law requires? Would you take a chance with your child's life?
This year, the New York State Legislature passed a law requiring that all children from birth through age 6 less than 4 feet 9 inches tall ride in an appropriate child safety seat. For most kids at the upper end of that age range, "appropriate" means a belt-positioning booster seat. With passage of the law, New York joins 28 other states in mandating proper protection for kids at the awkward "in-between" stage--too big for a forward-facing child safety seat, and not big enough for a lap-and-shoulder belt alone.
No one doubts the need for the new law. Traffic crashes remain the No. 1 killer of kids between ages 4 and 7, and experts agree that the right restraint dramatically reduces the risk of injury and death in a collision. Nevertheless, too many parents and caregivers allow kids to graduate to lap-and-shoulder belts too early. Some surveys indicate that more than half of children in that in-between age use neither a booster seat nor a safety seat.
But safety experts also agree that truly conscientious parents don't stop at the letter of the law. In fact, pediatricians will tell you to forget the "age 7" rule. Age and even weight aren't the most important criteria in judging whether a kid is ready to get out of a booster seat. "Ultimately, you have to ask yourself, what's best for the child?" says Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. "I know my kids will probably stay in their booster seats until they're 10 or so."
How can you make sure that your child rides safely, not just legally? The answers are a little more complicated than the law implies--but far simpler than you may think.
Out of the Saddle
Booster seats come in two types: high-backed ones (for cars without built-in head restraints in the back seat) or the backless variety (only for vehicles with built-in backseat head restraints). Essentially, they allow the children to sit higher, putting them in position to use the vehicle's lap-and-shoulder belt properly.
When does a child grow out of a booster seat? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, whether a child can ride adult-style, using only a lap-and-shoulder belt, depends on how well the child "fits" the vehicle's back seat. With the child sitting up straight (his or her bottom meeting the crack where the seat cushion meets the seatback, and the child's spine resting flush against the seatback), the kid's knees should bend at a comfortable, 90-degree angle at the edge of the seat cushion. The shoulder belt should pass across the chest--not the neck or throat. And the lap belt should fit across the hips--not the stomach or abdomen.
Under those guidelines, children can generally graduate out of a booster seat when they grow to 4 feet 9 inches, but a good fit really depends on the kid and the car. For instance, some vehicles have lower or scooped-out back seats, which affect seating height. The biggest problems occur when a kid is too short, the seat too low or the seat cushion too long.
"The child slouches down and the belt rides up," says Smith. "By doing that, the lap belt slides up over the abdomen and the shoulder belt slides up over the neck and throat. In that position, the crash forces would be distributed over places where they can cause internal injuries."
Just as worrisome, a high-riding belt becomes uncomfortable. Children will usually duck under the shoulder belt and tuck it behind their back--leaving their upper body unrestrained. Experts also warn that sitting the child on towels, a pillow, telephone book or other jerry-rigged boosters can't substitute for a true, approved booster seat.
Most 7- and 8-year-olds, however, don't measure up to the 4-foot 9-inch guideline. "When you look at the median height for age, most children don't reach 4 feet 9 until they're closer to 10 or 11 years old," notes Smith. That means those kids need booster seats far longer than the laws in New York and many other states require. Several states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Vermont, require booster seats at least until age 8--older than New York's new requirement, but still too young for most kids, according to American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations.
Forward-Facing Seats
At the other end of the spectrum, toddlers over 1 year old should ride in harness-type, forward-facing safety seats. They're not ready for booster seats until they meet any one of three criteria: their ears reach the top of the safety seat's back, their shoulders go above the slots for the harness straps or they exceed the weight recommended by the seat's manufacturer (usually 40 pounds). Here again, size is the primary consideration. For instance, the requirement that the child's ears not reach the top of the seatback echoes advice for adults on properly fitting head restraints. "If the ears are above the back of the safety seat, the child is at risk for extension of the neck around the back of the seat in a crash," notes Dr. Dennis Durbin, associate professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
However, some age-related issues may affect the decision on when to move into a booster seat, especially for relatively tall toddlers. "I had this very discussion with a colleague of mine," says Durbin. "Her 5-year-old is getting close to outgrowing the harness-type safety seat and meeting the requirement to move into a booster. But the question becomes, is the child developmentally and behaviorally ready to sit comfortably for long in a booster seat?" Kids at that age tend to squirm a lot or tuck the shoulder strap behind them and leave it there while they reach for things. "You don't want to restrict their movement entirely, but you do want to keep them in the proper seating position," continues Durbin. "So the decision really depends on the maturity of the individual child as well as size.
Convincing Kids
Every parent knows that kids grow up too fast--but not nearly as fast as they want to. Naturally, impatient kids want to leave their boosters behind and ride "like a grown-up" as soon as possible. Don't give in. To get kids to settle into booster seats until they're ready to graduate, experts suggest emphasizing the advantages of a booster seat--a better view out the window, for instance.
Besides, the law now demands that children ride in an appropriate seat through age 6. For most kids, however, good sense and good safety demand that they ride in booster seats even longer.
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The Worst-Case Survival Kit for Your Car

The Worst-Case Survival Kit for Your Car

A big credit card company asks over and over again on its TV ads, "What's in your wallet?”With summer travel season here, a better question might be, "What's in your trunk?" You want to prepare for whatever fate might throw your way on the road, and good preparedness starts with the right emergency gear.
Unless your car has run-flat tires, it already comes with a survival kit for the most common emergency--a flat tire. Check the inflation pressure of your spare tire every six months or so. (If you have a flat or under-inflated spare, then you really don't have a spare at all.) Know the location of the jack and jack handle/lug wrench and how to use them.
Some people like to assemble two emergency kits -- one for summer and one for winter -- each containing items specific to the season.
"Why bother to put one in and take the other out every six months?" says Tom Waring, senior director of health and safety for the Red Cross of Greater New York. "Kitty litter works great for traction on ice, but it can also be used in mud. A good hat will keep you warm in winter and keep off the sun in summer. Try not to make it so complicated. The things that you take in and out should be the exceptions."
The stuff listed below will save you time, save your sanity and may even save your life. Consider carrying these items in a big plastic tub in your trunk or cargo area:
Mechanical Preparedness
• Jumper cables. The longer the cables, the less jockeying you'll need to do to position a vehicle for a jump-start. But added length also requires added thickness to carry the current on a cold, wet day. Thickness is measured in gauge numbers -- the lower the gauge number, the thicker the cable. When comparing sets of equal length, choose the one with lowest gauge number.
• Flashlight (with extra batteries) or other noncombustible source of illumination.
• Tools. Pliers, an adjustable wrench, utility knife and screwdrivers (Phillips and flat head) will do for most situations. A collapsible shovel also comes in handy for snow or sand. You might also consider a few cable ties (to bind electrical wiring under the hood), PVC tape (to temporarily repair a leaky hose) and mechanic's wire (to keep a tailpipe or other component from dragging after a clamp breaks).
• Warning devices. Although flares attract plenty of attention and warn oncoming traffic of a roadside breakdown, they burn out in about a half-hour. On the other hand, reflective triangles are reusable and fold flat in your trunk. They should measure at least 17 inches long and 2 inches wide on each side. Look for the symbol "DOT" or the statement that they conform to all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
• Traction aids. A sack of sand or kitty litter works on ice, snow and other slick surfaces.
Personal Preparedness
• First aid kit. A good kit should contain plenty of bandages and gauze dressings in assorted sizes, waterproof tape, latex gloves, antiseptic towelettes or alcohol wipes, wound ointment, cold packs, scissors and--most important--clear instructions on basic first aid.
• Cell phone (with charger).
• Work clothes. A pair of old jeans or coveralls, oversize sweatshirt, work gloves, hat and sturdy shoes can save your everyday clothing and provide extra warmth if necessary.
• Blanket. A Mylar blanket works wonders. Lightweight and inexpensive, it provides warmth without absorbing water or perspiration. Spread on the roof of your vehicle, it reflects sunlight and keeps the interior cooler.
• Whistle. You can blow louder and longer than you can yell to attract help.
• Clean-up supplies. A package of premoistened towelettes, a roll of paper towels or shop towels keep you tidy and can also be used for personal hygiene.
• Personal supplies. "We recommend that you customize the contents of any emergency kit to fit your particular circumstances," says Keith Robertory, preparedness expert with the American Red Cross national headquarters. "For example, are you allergic to bee stings? Then you might want to include an EpiPen or antihistamine." Families with infants will pack extra diapers and formula; fair skinned folks will want sunscreen.
Family Preparedness
Although the stuff above will help in a roadside crisis, other emergencies -- hurricanes, floods, terrorist attacks and the like -- may require evacuation. "In that case, your car becomes an extension of your home," says Red Cross's Waring. Keep the following in your vehicle or ready to go in a plastic tub, backpack or duffel bag:
• Food and water. Simple, high-energy foods such as nuts, raisins and peanut butter require no cooking. (Remember a can opener!) The Department of Homeland Security recommends keeping a three-day supply of water for your household--one gallon per person per day.
• Portable radio (and extra batteries). If you're stuck in traffic or turn off the engine to conserve gas, a radio will give you the latest bulletins without running down your car battery.
• Phone list. Rather than relying on your cell phone's memory (which dies when the battery dies), keep a paper list of relatives and other contacts in a zip-lock baggie. Long-distance landlines often remain open when high call volumes overwhelm local or wireless networks.
• Local and regional maps. "Don't assume that you know the best evacuation routes," notes Waring. Traffic, power outages and other problems may force officials to reroute you to unfamiliar areas. A compass helps, too.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape. Despite late-night talk-show jokes, the Department of Homeland Security still stands by its duct-tape advice. Officials note that if a biological or chemical attack forces you to create a "shelter-in-place," you won't be laughing.
• Dust masks or cotton T-shirts. You can improvise air filters in a biological or chemical attack.
• Garbage bags and twist ties for personal sanitation.
• Personal supplies. Here again, experts recommend customizing the kit for your individual needs. Possible items include extra prescription medication, antacids, aspirin/acetaminophen, anti-diarrhea medicine, laxatives, syrup of Ipecac or activated charcoal (for poison control), fever thermometer (for diagnosis of exposure to biological agents), and contact lens supplies.
Above all, says Waring, every family should have its own disaster plan.
The Red Cross of Greater New York offers a free interactive CD ("Together We Prepare New York") to help you develop one of your own. To get a copy (Windows 98 or higher), call 877/733-2767, ext. 2435, send an e-mail to preparing@arcgny.org or visit www.nyredcross.org.

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Plan A for Overheating

Plan A for Overheating
The reasons for overheating are soaring temperatures, blazing sun, baking pavement, crawling traffic. When your engine's temperature gauge starts to climb, take this action plan, suggested by the National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA).
· Shut off the AC. Open the windows to keep yourself cool. Cutting out the air conditioning eases the workload on your engine.
· Rev the engine a little. If you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic, shift into "Park" or rev the engine a bit with the transmission in neutral. Either technique increases coolant circulation so that it can dissipate heat faster. When you do move, inch forward using a feather-light touch on the accelerator. Avoid "riding the brake," which increases not only brake wear but also drag, which makes the engine work harder.
· Turn on the heater. Yes, the heater. It will draw heat from the engine compartment to the passenger cabin, making you less comfortable but your engine a lot cooler.
If you've tried the steps above and the needle keeps climbing toward the red zone, then pull over safely to the side of the road and open the hood.
Unfortunately, there is no "Plan B" for overheating. Over-cooking your engine will cause serious damage and lead to very expensive repairs. Wait until it cools off.
Never open the radiator cap (scalding, pressurized coolant could spray all over you) and never pour water directly on the engine or radiator to speed up the cooling process (the abrupt change in temperature could crack components).
If overheating persists, take your car to a technician ASAP. Low coolant, a leaky or collapsed hose, plugged radiator, slipping belt or even low oil level can contribute to overheating. According to NARSA, vehicles with more than 50,000 miles most commonly suffer cooling system problems. But age, not mileage, looms as the biggest factor, since hoses and radiators deteriorate over time.
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How to Handle Your SUV

How to Handle Your SUV

When you get behind the wheel of a sport-utility vehicle, you become your own worst enemy. Statistics show that nearly two out of every three fatalities in SUV crashes involve no other cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles or pedestrians. They involve only the SUV and its occupants. In these so-called "single-vehicle crashes," the driver somehow loses control of his or her machine--with tragic consequences.
Nowadays, Americans drive more miles in SUVs and vans than they do in passenger cars. But why can't they keep these wildly popular machines under control? Why do SUVs show such a high incidence of single-vehicle crashes?
"The response characteristics of an SUV or van are inherently different than those of a passenger car," says Dr. William E. Van Tassel, AAA's national director of driver training operations. "Drivers can't change how an SUV behaves. So they have to change their driving. They have to adapt to their vehicle."
In nature, species need to adapt or die. The same holds true for you on the road in an SUV. Experts offer these survival tips:
Create more space. "Because SUVs ride higher than cars, drivers have a better view of the road ahead," says Barbara Ward of the Club's Traffic Safety Department and an instructor in the Driver Improvement Program. "As a result they tend to follow the car in front of them too closely."
That can present a serious problem when you consider an SUV's stopping distance. An SUV weighs more than a typical passenger car--often a lot more. For instance, even with no people or cargo aboard, a Ford Excursion tips the scales at close to 7,200 pounds. That's the equivalent of nearly two and half Honda Civics.
"Mass is a big factor in determining stopping distance," notes Van Tassel. "A driver's response time is just as quick in an SUV as it is in a car. But once the brakes are applied, the SUV will take longer to stop."
To compensate, you have to increase the available space to allow for a longer stopping distance. In a passenger car on dry roads, experts typically recommend a two- to three-second following distance. (As the car in front of you passes a stationary marker, begin counting, "One Mississippi, two Mississippi…." If you reach the marker as you reach "two Mississippi," then you have a two-second cushion of space.) In an SUV, however, experts recommend a three- to four-second cushion under the same conditions.
Wet, icy and snowy roads demand an even bigger cushion--despite the four-wheel-drive capabilities of many SUVs. Just as a high view of the road ahead may lead to following too closely, a four-wheel-drive SUV's go-anywhere traction has a dark side. "Many SUV drivers definitely get overconfident," notes Ward. The four-wheel-drive system that helps you go on slippery surfaces doesn't help at all when you have to stop.
Reassess your passing ability. An SUV's weight makes a difference not only in stopping but also in accelerating. "An SUV usually has a little more horsepower, but of course a lot more mass to move," notes Van Tassel. "So you have to be more careful in estimating passing distances." Allow extra time and distance when turning into traffic from a driveway or side street, too.
Take turns more slowly. "Because SUVs have a higher center of gravity than a car, they're less stable when turning and more susceptible to rollover," notes Ward. "You have to slow down on curves, sharp turns and exit or entrance ramps."
In fact, rollovers present the biggest danger to people in SUVs by far. Statistics show that SUV occupants are 11 percent more likely to die in an accident than people in passenger cars, and experts largely blame rollovers for the difference. The problem plagues all SUVs, but especially small ones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that SUVs with wheelbases around 100 inches are four times more likely to roll over than passenger cars.
Automakers have attempted to address the rollover tendency with technology. For example, Ford's "roll-stability control" extends stability control with additional sensors that monitor a vehicle's wheel lift. When the sensors detect an incipient rollover, the automatic system selectively applies the brakes to individual wheels as necessary to restore stability. Although such technology can't override the laws of physics and allow you to blaze around turns, it does help you recover from mistakes. Whether this technology prevents real-world rollovers--or simply inspires more overconfidence among SUV drivers--remains to be seen.
Recheck your mirrors. "An SUV's size improves forward visibility, which drivers generally perceive as a safety plus," says Van Tassel. "But that size also means that they probably see worse out the back."
He recommends changing the mirror settings to reduce the significant blind spots in many SUVs. Adjust the driver-side outboard mirror by tilting your head until it rests against the door window; then, position the mirror until you see just a portion of the rear fender. (You'll see none of the fender when sitting upright.) Adjust the passenger-side outboard mirror the same way. Tilt your head toward the center of the vehicle, and position the mirror so you can glimpse a portion of the rear fender in the inner edge of the glass.
Redistribute your cargo. Loading cargo on a roof rack only exacerbates an SUV's top-heaviness. "You want to keep the weight close to the center of the vehicle, as low as possible," says Van Tassel. In vehicles with three rows of seats, passengers should opt to sit in the second row rather than the third. Stow luggage and other heavy cargo on the floor between the axles whenever possible.
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How to Behave on a Bike

How to Behave on a Bike
Getting fit, cutting congestion, curbing pollution, fighting the high cost of gas or just having fun—all of these reasons help explain the recent explosive growth of bicycling. In New York City, for instance, the number of bicyclists has doubled in the past two decades, and everywhere a lot more people are pedaling to places where they used to drive before.
But as the number of bikes on the road increases, so do the possibility for conflict with cars and other vehicles. You can minimize your conflicts—and maximize safety for everyone—by taking these tips.
• Wear the right gear. Start at the top, with the single most important piece of safety equipment for any cyclist of any age or experience level: a helmet. Of the 540,000 cyclists who wind up in emergency rooms every year, one in eight suffers a head injury. Worse yet, 70 percent of all fatal bike crashes involve head injuries. In a crash, helmets reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by 85 to 88 percent.
A good helmet fits snugly and rests low on your forehead, leaving about two fingers’ width between the brim and your brow. Most importantly, it has a sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, American Society for Testing & Materials, or Snell (the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit standards and testing organization). And, of course, it doesn’t work unless you buckle it.
Finally, light- or bright-colored clothing—especially the reflective kind—helps drivers and pedestrians see you, day and night.
• “Drive” your bike like a car. As a wheeled vehicle, a bicycle has rights—and responsibilities—equal to those of a car or truck. “Bicyclists have the right to use the road,” says Joshua Poppel, executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition. “But they also need to follow the law as much as everyone else on the road.” That means obeying traffic signs, signals and markings, just as a car would.
Some cyclists justify such behavior by pointing out their vulnerability. Grossly outnumbered, outweighed and overpowered by cars, they feel the need to take every edge that they can get, even if it means breaking the law. So, for example, they might slip through a red light when there’s no cross traffic, just to get a head start on the cars waiting for it to turn green. The maneuver buys the cyclists a half-block of peace when they don’t have to think about vehicles overtaking them. According to their reasoning, breaking the letter of the law in such a situation actually contributes to safety.
Poppel takes issue with those safety claims. “I’ve never seen statistics to back up the claim that running red lights in that situation make cyclists safer,” he says. “Potentially, you still put yourself in danger, because cars still have to pass you—if not at the intersection, then a half block later.”
In fact, violating the rules of the road increases the risk of a crash, emphasizes Blackburn. And if the threat of a crash doesn’t scare you, then the threat of a fine might; cyclists who violate the law can get a traffic ticket, the same as a driver would.
• Stay off sidewalks. Local ordinances usually prohibit all but young cyclists from using sidewalks, since a bike presents a real hazard to pedestrians who don’t expect to come in contact with a bike. But even in less heavily trafficked suburban areas that might permit sidewalk cycling, bikes belong on the roadway for safety’s sake. For instance, a driver backing out of a driveway might not see a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk until it’s too late. “Adults may feel safer riding on the sidewalk, rather than in the road, but this perception can be misleading,” notes Poppel. “Not only is there a visibility issue associated with riding on sidewalks, but it also confuses the protocol of when and how bicyclists interact with motor vehicles.”
• Light up at dusk and dawn. In New York, state law requires a bicycle to have a white light visible at least 500 feet in front and a red taillight visible at least 300 feet in back—not only at night, but also 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Communicate, communicate, and communicate. For a bicycle—or for any other vehicle, for that matter—sharing the road safely requires every road user to conduct themselves in a predictable manner. Other people must know exactly what to expect from you on a bike: riding with traffic as far to the right as you deem safe, signaling for turns and stops, yielding to pedestrians and using turn lanes just as any other vehicle would. Make eye contact with other drivers to be sure that they see you and know your intentions. “Cyclists and motorists like need to be conscious and aware of each other’s presence on the road,” says Blackburn. “Sharing the road is just that—sharing.”
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Tips for Walking and Playing Outside Safely

Tips for Walking and Playing Outside Safely
Children age two to six represent just over six percent of the total population, but are involved in up to 25% of all pedestrian mishaps. Nearly one-third of the five to nine year old children killed by motor vehicles are pedestrians. Children enjoy playing outside, but they lack the judgment skills to cope with traffic. Children often act without thinking, and often expect that adults, including motorists, will be watching out for them.
A few facts that should help adults understand why children are so vulnerable may seem obvious. Physically, children are shorter, giving them a totally different perspective of the road. Preschoolers also have less defined side vision, and focusing required more time than is generally true of adults. They also do not localize sounds as well as adults. Young children are adventurous and may act impulsively. They still do not have concepts of what is safe, dangerous, or illegal. Children don't have the skills to handle these risky situations until around the age of 10. Children give most of their attention to play, family or friends, and it is unlikely that they will think about or respond to traffic at the same time unless properly guided.
For parents and caregivers, some tips for outside safety include:
· Supervision! Toddlers and preschoolers must be watched constantly and in close proximity to the supervising adult.
· Find a safe place to play. Good choices include fenced yards, parks, playgrounds, and schoolyards.
· Stay away from the unsafe places to play. A driveway is not considered safe unless it can be blocked off to traffic and constant supervision is present. A backing vehicle can seriously hurt toddlers, as it is almost impossible for a driver to see them. Even for older children playing on a driveway, maybe just shooting some baskets, supervision and having the driveway blocked to traffic is a necessity. The street is also not a safe place to play or learn to ride a bike. Riding a bike takes skill, and children who are learning might not be able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic.
· Get children in the habit of crossing the street safely. For children under 10, this means holding a grown-up's hand, crossing at an intersection, and looking left, right, left and over your shoulder before and during crossing. Pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you. Many young children assume drivers will see them, but that is not always the case. Encourage children to never dart out for a lost ball, dog, or school work caught in the wind.
· Encourage safe bike riding. Require children to wear helmets, have bikes or tricycles that are the proper size and in good working order, and supervise. Make sure to find a safe place to ride.
· Set a good example. Young children learn by watching adults. Show them safe ways to cross by crossing safely yourself. Wear a helmet every time you ride and observe traffic rules. Be a great role model! http://www.allaboutlongisland.com

15 must-know tips for protecting your identity

15 must-know tips for protecting your identity
At some point, we've all wished we could change places with someone else, preferably someone rich and famous. Guess what? There are plenty of people who'd love to be plain-old you and they'll go to great lengths to get their hands on your identity.
More than half a million people find themselves victims of identity theft each year. If you're an ID thief's mark, you'll likely face years of lost money and added frustration as you work to clean up the mess.
The best protection is prevention. Here are some tips to safeguard your good name:
1. Be watchful of shoulder-surfers. At ATMs and phone booths, thieves will stand close enough to see PIN numbers punched in by users.
2. Mind those credit card receipts, especially since only a few credit card receipts have stopped listing full account numbers and expiration dates. Put the charge slip copies in a safe spot until your credit card bills arrive.
3. Buy a shredder and use it. Shred everything, including credit card receipts (after you've reconciled your bill), old bank statements, medical statements, everyday bills, and pre-approved credit card offers. Any document that has personal financial information on it can give an identity thief a foothold into your life.
4. Write clearly on all credit applications. Consistently and completely fill in all credit and loan applications using your full name, first, middle and last. Every bill that comes to your house should be addressed exactly the same.
5. Monitor your credit accounts carefully, so you'll know if a bill's missing or unauthorized purchases have been made. Close out unused credit cards. Cutting them up is not enough.
6. Limit the number of credit cards you carry. The fewer cards you have, the easier it is to track them.
7. Get a credit report at least once a year and clean up any errors. Look for personal information and credit accounts that are not yours. Credit bureaus make mistakes.
8. Never leave paid bills in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a post office box.
9. If you're moving, contact all your creditors and update them of your address changes immediately. You don't want credit information and new credit cards being delivered to the wrong address. Likewise, if your credit card expires and you don't receive a new one, call your creditor immediately.
10. Protect your Social Security number. Only give your Social Security number when absolutely necessary. Avoid using it as your account number whenever possible. If merchants demand it, ask for an alternate number and take your business elsewhere if they insist on writing it on your check. Likewise, don't print it on your checks.
11. Never carry your Social Security number and driver license together in your wallet.
12. Don't provide your Social Security number, bank account number or credit card number to anyone who contacts you through telephone solicitation.
13. If you're shopping with an online merchant for the first time, look for the Trust-e symbol or a Better Business Bureau online seal. These indicate the seller has been independently audited and deemed trustworthy.
14. Make sure any online credit card charges are handled through a secure site or in an encrypted mode. You'll know you're on a secure site if the Web page on which you conduct your transaction begins with https instead of the usual http.
15. Only shop on Web sites that offer a privacy policy. Know how your personal information will be handled. Print out privacy policies, warranties, price guarantees and other important information.

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Win Spyware Protect

Win Spyware Protect


Win Spyware Protect, is a rogue anti-spyware application designed to scare you into purchasing. What they do is:-

1- They send you a spyware.
2- Once you're infected, the Trojan will display misleading warning messages that pop up on your Taskbar. WinSpywareProtect warning messages claim that your computer is infected with dangerous parasites in an attempt to trick you into purchasing WinSpywareProtect's commercial version.
3- In addition, WinSpywareProtect may generate annoying popup advertisements that may cause unstable system performance. WinSpywareProtect program can be difficult to remove manually, and will continue to try to recreate itself.
4- You get scared, you visit their site to buy.
5- They will give you three options; one of them is $ 29.95 to protect your computer for 6 months. If you choose this they will send you an e-mail that they charged you $94.84 for this program and two other programs “ Scam”
6- The software will not work. You call them and you will have endless answering systems with an option to leave a message so some one will contact you. And when you choose this option they say “We are sorry the mail box is full”.
7- You e-mail them; they will answer in three days with a useless answer.


Here is what you should do


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Update your Windows system and IE browser

Update your Windows system and IE browser
Cheaters use security flaws to install unwanted programs. Update your software’s frequently and you will be fine. We are talking about Microsoft systems and browsers because they are the target of cheaters, being the most popular.
Keep your browser up to date, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp and get the latest version and patches for MS Internet Explorer.
Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and download the latest upgrades and security patches for Windows systems.
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What is a Trojan?

What is a Trojan?
A Trojan is a type of program that enables a hacker to intrude and make changes to your computer. It is a threat in disguise. Like the Trojan horse popular in the Greek history, it appears safe (in the form of software program and e-mail attachment). But once opened, the Trojan may install itself on your computer and gain access without your consent. Generally, the initial objective of a Trojan is to browse your hard drive to determine anything of worth such as credit card information, passwords, confidential documents, email addresses, confidential designs or pictures, or even calendar information regarding the user’s whereabouts. Once found to be a potential source, the intruder then gets inside and manages your files totally. The intruder can do the following: rename, create, delete, view and even transfer files to or from your computer. Trojans will enable the intruder to open and close your CD-ROM drive, spam and gain control to your keyboard and cursor. Trojans can also use a program manager that will allow the intruder to install, execute, open or close any software programs. Indeed, it is big threat to security. How does it affect your computer?
The business starts first by the user installing the Trojan itself. This is done by deceiving the user with a seemingly useful system enhancement or perhaps a free game containing Trojans. By installing a free game, for example, Trojan will be automatically installed too. Trojans can also come in common disguises such as files from unknown sources, e-mail attachment from unknown sources, and files from any online activity client like ICQ. Once contaminated by Trojan, any distant user will inevitably have free access. The dirty work then starts. Other types of Trojans are: Remote Access Trojans, Mail Trojans, FTP Trojans, Telnet Trojans, Keylogger Trojans, Fake Trojans, and Form Trojans.Protect your Computer from Trojans
Trojans can also be distributed as email attachments, or bundled with other software programs. You should always be wary of opening attachments and downloading programs from the Internet unless you are sure it is from a secure and trusted source. If possible, confirm with the sender.
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What is Thief-ware?

What is Thief-ware?

Thief-Ware is software being used in an unethical or disagreeable manner. The term does not necessarily mean that the software is involved in outright thievery or other serious criminal activity as determined by law. Some of the software mentioned places links on victimized sites for visitors to click on, leading them away to other competitor sites. Many site owners would say the software is stealing visitors, which makes Thief Ware an appropriate name for such services and software.

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What is Ad-ware?

What is Ad-ware?

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. The justification for Adware is that it helps recover programming development costs and helps to hold down the cost for the user. Adware has been criticized for occasionally including code that tracks a user's personal information and passes it on to third parties, without the user's authorization or knowledge. This practice has been dubbed Spyware and has prompted an outcry from computer security and privacy advocates, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

How does it work?
Adware applications technically run in the background of the computer and function as a spy watching all your moves. The information gathered will then be logged and used to create a user profile that is relayed to advertisers. The user profile may include unrelated personal information too and then sent to a data collection site. It is extracted on to narrow online search results to match the profile or, as a data mining tool, to evaluate the surfing habits.Adware attacks usually start by attaching it to an installed program like a freeware, software that is available for free. Freeware installers inadvertently sign up for unlimited pop-up ads supply. Common examples of freeware that may include Adware are computer games, unusual mouse pointers, instant news or weather updates, applications boasting to improve efficiency of your computer, and even the smiley’s being used on e-mails.
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What is Malware?

What is Malware?

Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a portmanteau of the words "malicious" and “software". The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.Many normal computer users are however still unfamiliar with the term, and most never use it. Instead, "(computer) virus" is used in common parlance and often in the general media to describe all kinds of malware. Another term that has been recently coined for malware is badware, perhaps due to the anti-malware initiative Stop badware or corruption of the term "malware".Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. It includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, and other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant, for instance in the legal codes of California, West Virginia, and several other U.S. states.Malware should not be confused with defective software, that is, software which has a legitimate purpose but contains harmful bugs.
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what is a computer virus?

what is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a set of computer codes that overwrites, replaces or attaches itself to some part of a program or operating system in order to make a copy (or copies) of itself. It comes with instructions that set off some task(s) that affect the infected computer. These may range from the comparatively harmless to really destructive. Some viruses display text or pictures, but other than that, they are relatively harmless. Others, reduce memory space, modify existing data, or use up CPU processing time. But the destructive ones may overwrite or destory all your files or even crash your hard disk!

How does a computer get a virus?

A virus can be introduced to a computer in various ways. It can be attached to any file or programs that you copy from floppy disks, or download from the Internet. While many viruses today spread through email, and they are released not only by opening the attachment but also by simply opening the email itself.

The virus can be activated the minute it is installed on your computer; but in many cases, it can remain inactive until you run or execute the program that contains it. You will not usually be aware of the presence of the virus, and may innocently spread the virus to others.

An ounce of prevention

A virus can do its dirty work on your personal computer or your network; but there have been many cases that a particular virus wreaks havoc on the entire world, severely compromising many corporate businesses and government functions. Thus, it is important to take the necessary precautions before it is already too late.

As the world gets connected with today’s intricate cyber world, viruses spread faster than ever. So when you notice that your computer is acting a bit weird or erratic, you should immediately scan for a virus.

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what is Spyware? 2

what is Spyware?

Spyware is software that attacks the user’s internet connection at the background without the user’s knowledge. Spyware can do a lot of things that you wouldn’t generally want to happen, such as: capture all the information that you enter through the web; add unknown sites to your internet favorites or to your desktop (as icons); hijack your default settings and homepage, monitor your browsing activity, and; append unwanted and disrupting search bars and toolbars to your browser. Your privacy will be compromised because Spyware makes it possible for someone to sell any of your personal information that you entered on your PC, and with all of these occurring either in combinations, your hard drives become stuffed. Thus the PC slows down.

How does it attack the computer?

Spyware can enter your computer in different ways. It may be pop-ups or window ads, through an instant messenger service, attachment of spam through your e-mail, by sharing files, music and photos, or it can be installed by a hacker or someone who uses your computer. At times Spyware is bundled with a preferred program which is being unveiled in hidden text as a component of the end-user-license agreement (EULA).
Once the programs have entered your PC, they will find their way onto your system and install themselves in various potential dwellings like your registry, start up menu, folders and files.
Most Spyware programs ensure their survival by sprinkling traces of the program throughout your system to make full removal more difficult (and sometimes nearly impossible). Once installed, Spyware operates insidiously in the background.
The problem with Spyware has gone a long way. It can even invade your privacy like your bank account numbers, social security number and even passwords can’t get away with it.

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What is Spy-ware?

What is Spy-ware?

Spyware is part of an overall public concern about privacy on the Internet. Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported Software (Ad-ware). It is a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users. There are several large media companies that offer them to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid.

Spyware can come in the form of cookies; information transmission, web bugs, and most are deliberately hidden so users are unaware of the Spyware.

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100 Diet Tips (10)

100 Diet Tips (10)

91. Worried about the trans-fat content in your peanut butter? Good news: In a test done on Skippy, JIF, Peter Pan, and a supermarket brand, the levels of trans fats per 2-tablespoon serving were far lower than 0.5 gram -- low enough that under proposed laws, the brands can legally claim zero trans fats on the label. They also contained only 1 gram more sugar than natural brands -- not a significant difference.

Eating Less Isn't Enough -- Which Exercising Tips Will Help Me Shed Pounds?

92. Overeating is not the result of exercise. Vigorous exercise won't stimulate you to overeat. It's just the opposite. Exercise at any level helps curb your appetite immediately following the workout.

93. When you're exercising, you shouldn't wait for thirst to strike before you take a drink. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Try this: Drink at least 16 ounces of water, sports drinks, or juices two hours before you exercise. Then drink 8 ounces an hour before and another 4 to 8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Finish with at least 16 ounces after you're done exercising.

94. Tune in to an audio book while you walk. It'll keep you going longer and looking forward to the next walk -- and the next chapter! Check your local library for a great selection. Look for a whodunit; you might walk so far you'll need to take a cab home!

95. Think yoga's too serene to burn calories? Think again. You can burn 250 to 350 calories during an hour-long class (that's as much as you'd burn from an hour of walking)! Plus, you'll improve muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance.

96. Drinking too little can hamper your weight loss efforts. That's because dehydration can slow your metabolism by 3 percent, or about 45 fewer calories burned a day, which in a year could mean weighing 5 pounds more. The key to water isn't how much you drink; it's how frequently you drink it. Small amounts sipped often work well than 8 ounces gulped down at once.

How Can I Manage My Emotional Eating and Get the Support I Need?

97. A registered dietitian (RD) can help you find healthy ways to manage your weight with food. To find one in your area who consults with private clients call (800) 366-1655.

98. The best place to drop pounds may be your own house of worship. Researchers set up healthy eating and exercise programs in 16 Baltimore churches. More than 500 women participated and after a year the most successful lost an average of 20 lbs. Weight-loss programs based on faith are so successful because there's a built-in community component that people can feel comfortable with.

99. Here's another reason to keep level-headed all the time: Pennsylvania State University research has found that women less able to cope with stress -- shown by blood pressure and heart rate elevations -- ate twice as many fatty snacks as stress-resistant women did, even after the stress stopped (in this case, 25 minutes of periodic jackhammer-level noise and an unsolvable maze).

100. Sitting at a computer may help you slim down. When researchers at Brown University School of Medicine put 92 people on online weight-loss programs for a year, those who received weekly e-mail counseling shed 5 1/2 more pounds than those who got none. Counselors provided weekly feedback on diet and exercise logs, answered questions, and cheered them on. Most major online diet programs offer many of these features.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (9)

100 Diet Tips (9)

81. Put a sign on the kitchen and refrigerator doors: "Closed after Dinner."

82. Brush your teeth right after dinner to remind you: No more food.

83. Eat without engaging in any other simultaneous activity. No reading, watching TV, or sitting at the computer.

84. Eating late at night won't itself cause weight gain. It's how many calories -- not when you eat them -- that counts.

86. Skipping breakfast will leave you tired and craving naughty foods by midmorning. To fill up healthfully and tastefully, try this sweet, fruity breakfast full of antioxidants. In a blender, process 1 c nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, 1 1/3 c frozen strawberries (no added sugar), 1 peeled kiwi, and 1 peeled banana. Pulse until mixture is milkshake consistency. Makes one 2-cup serving; 348 calories and 1.5 fat grams.

87. If you're famished by 4PM and have no alternative but an office vending machine, reach for the nuts. The same goes if your only choices are what are available in the hotel minibar.

88. Next time you're feeling wiped out in late afternoon, forgo that cup of coffee and reach for a cup of yogurt instead. The combination of protein, carbohydrate, and fat in an 8-ounce serving of low-fat yogurt will give you a sense of fullness and well-being that coffee can't match, as well as some vital nutrients. If you haven't eaten in 3 to 4 hours, your blood glucose levels are probably dropping, so eating a small amount of nutrient-rich food will give your brain and your body a boost.

89. Making just a few changes to your pantry shelves can get you a lot closer to your weight loss goals. Here's what to do: If you use corn and peanut oil, replace it with olive oil. Same goes for breads -- go for whole wheat. Trade in those fatty cold cuts like salami and bologna and replace them canned tuna, sliced turkey breast, and lean roast beef. Change from drinking whole milk to fat-free milk or low-fat soy milk. This is hard for a lot of people so try transitioning down to 2 percent and then 1 percent before you go fat-free.

90. Nothing's less appetizing than a crisper drawer full of mushy vegetables. Frozen vegetables store much better, plus they may have greater nutritional value than fresh. Food suppliers typically freeze veggies just a few hours after harvest, locking in the nutrients. Fresh veggies, on the other hand, often spend days in the back of a truck before they reach your supermarket.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (8)

100 Diet Tips (8)

71. If your family thinks they need a very sweet treat every night, try to strike a balance between offering healthy choices but allowing them some "free will." Compromise with low-fat ice cream and fruit, or sometimes just fruit with a dollop of whipped cream.

72. Try two weeks without sweets. It's amazing how your cravings vanish.

73. Eat more fruit. A person who gets enough fruit in his diet doesn't have a raging sweet tooth.

74. Eat your sweets, just eat them smart! Carve out about 150 calories per day for your favorite sweet. That amounts to about an ounce of chocolate, half a modest slice of cake, or 1/2 cup of regular ice cream.

75. Try these smart little sweets: sugar-free hot cocoa, frozen red grapes, fudgsicles, sugar-free gum, Nutri-Grain chocolate fudge twists, Tootsie Rolls, and hard candy.

How Can I Conquer My Downfall: Bingeing at Night?
76. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large majority of people who struggle with night eating are those who skip meals or don't eat balanced meals during the day. This is a major setup for overeating at night.

77. Eat your evening meal in the kitchen or dining room, sitting down at the table.

78. Drink cold unsweetened raspberry tea. It tastes great and keeps your mouth busy.

79. Change your nighttime schedule. It will take effort, but it will pay off. You need something that will occupy your mind and hands.

80. If you're eating at night due to emotions, you need to focus on getting in touch with what's going on and taking care of yourself in a way that really works. Find a nonfood method of coping with your stress.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (7)

100 Diet Tips (7)

61. Remember, eat before you meet. Have this small meal before you go to any parties: a hardboiled egg, apple and a thirst quencher (water, seltzer, diet soda, tea).

62. As obvious as it sounds, don’t stands near the food at parties. Make the effort, and you'll find you eat less.

63. At a buffet? Eating a little of everything guarantees high calories. Decide on three or four things, only one of which is high in calories. Save that for last so there's less chance of overeating.

64. For the duration of the holidays, wear your snuggest clothes that don't allow much room for expansion. Wearing sweats is out until January.

65. Give it away! After company leaves, give away leftover food to neighbors, doormen, or delivery people or take it to work the next day.

66. Walk around the mall three times before you start shopping.

67. Make exercise a nonnegotiable priority.

68. Dance to music with your family in your home. One dietitian reported that when she asks her patients to do this, initially they just smile, but once they've done it, they say it is one of the easiest ways to involve the whole family in exercise.

How Can I Control a Raging Sweet Tooth?

69. Once in a while, have a lean, mean salad for lunch or dinner, and save the meal's calories for a full dessert.

70. Are you the kind of person who does better if you make up your mind to do without sweets and just not have them around? Or are you going to do better if you have a limited amount of sweets every day? One RD reported that most of her clients pick the latter and find they can avoid bingeing after a few days.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (6)

100 Diet Tips (6)

51. A healthy frozen entree with a salad and a glass of 1 percent milk

52. Scramble eggs in a nonstick skillet. Pop some asparagus in the microwave, and add whole wheat toast. If your cholesterol levels are normal, you can have seven eggs a week!

53. A bag of frozen vegetables heated in the microwave, topped with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts

54. Prebagged salad topped with canned tuna, grape tomatoes, shredded reduced-fat cheese, and low-cal Italian dressing

55. Keep lean sandwich fixings on hand: whole wheat bread, sliced turkey, reduced-fat cheese, tomatoes, and mustard with horseradish.

56. Heat up a can of good soup.

57. Cereal, fruit, and fat-free milk make a good meal anytime.

58. Try a veggie sandwich from Subway.

59. Precut fruit for a salad and add yogurt.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (5)

100 Diet Tips (5)

41. Don't "graze" yourself fat. You can easily munch 600 calories of pretzels or cereal without realizing it.

42. Eating pasta like crazy: A serving of pasta is 1 cup, but some people routinely eat 4 cups.

43. Eating supersize bagels of 400 to 500 calories for snacks

44. Ignoring "Serving Size" on the Nutrition Facts panel

45. Snacking on bowls of nuts. Nuts are healthy but dense with calories. Put those bowls away, and use nuts as a garnish instead of a snack.

46. Thinking all energy bars and fruit smoothies are low-cal

what can I eat for a Healthy Low-Cal Dinner if I Don't Want to Cook?

47. A smoothie made with fat-free milk, frozen fruit, and wheat germ

48. Have the smallest fast-food burger (with mustard and ketchup, not mayo) and a no-cal beverage. Then at home, have an apple or baby carrots.

49. A peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread with a glass of 1 percent milk and an apple

50. Precooked chicken strips and micro waved frozen broccoli topped with Parmesan cheese

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (4)

100 Diet Tips (4)

31. Use prebagged baby spinach everywhere: as "lettuce" in sandwiches, heated in soups, wilted in hot pasta, and added to salads.

32. Spend the extra few dollars to buy vegetables that are already washed and cut up.

33. Really hate veggies? Relax. If you love fruits, eat plenty of them; they are just as healthy (especially colorful ones such as oranges, mangoes and melons).

34. Keep seven bags of your favorite frozen vegetables on hand. Mix any combination, microwave, and top with your favorite low-fat dressing. Enjoy 3 to 4 cups a day. Makes a great quick dinner.

Can You Give Me a Mantra That Will Help Me Stick to My Diet?

35. "The best portion of high-calorie foods is the smallest one. The best portion of vegetables is the largest one. Period."

36. "I'll ride the wave. My cravings will disappear after 10 minutes if I turn my attention elsewhere."

37. "I want to be around to see my grandchildren, so I can forgo a cookie now."

38. "I am a work in progress."

39. "It's more stressful to continue being fat than to stop overeating."

I Eat Healthy, but I'm Overweight - What Mistakes Could I Be Making Without Realizing It?

40. Skipping meals: Many healthy eaters "diet by day and binge by night."

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (3)

100 Diet Tips (3)

21. Sit when you eat.

22. Dilute juice with water.

23. Have mostly veggies for lunch.

24. Eat at home.

25. Limit alcohol to weekends.

How Can I Eat More Veggies?

26. Have a V8 or tomato juice instead of a Diet Coke at 3PM.

27. Doctor your veggies to make them delicious: Dribble maple syrup over carrots, and sprinkle chopped nuts on green beans.

28. Mix three different cans of beans and some diet Italian dressing. Eat this three-bean salad all week.

29. Don't forget that vegetable soup counts as a vegetable.

30. Rediscover the sweet potato.

To be cont.

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100 Diet Tips (2)

100 Diet Tips (2)

11. Eat the low-cal items on your plate first, and then graduate. Start with salads, veggies, and broth soups, and eat meats and starches last. By the time you get to them, you'll be full enough to be content with smaller portions of the high-calorie choices.

12. Instead of whole milk, switch to 1 percent. If you drink one 8-oz glass a day, you'll lose 5 lbs in a year.

13. Juice has as many calories, ounce for ounce, as soda. Set a limit of one 8-oz glass of fruit juice a day.

14. Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages. Have fresh fruit instead of fruit juice.

15. Keep a food journal. It really works wonders.

16. Follow the Chinese saying: "Eat until you are eight-tenths full."

17. Use mustard instead of mayo.

18. Eat more soup. The no creamy ones are filling but low-cal.

19. Cut back on or cut out caloric drinks such as soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc. People have lost weight by making just this one change. If you have a 20-oz bottle of Coca-Cola every day, switch to Diet Coke. You should lose 25 lbs in a year.

20. Take your lunch to work.

To be cont.

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