Internet Guardian

Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

With ice, sleet, snow, and poor visibility, maneuvering a car in the wintertime can pose a mighty dilemma for many, as driving conditions only worsen with drastic weather changes. In order to increase the safety of you and your passengers, it is important to both appropriately prepare your car for the winter, as well as follow a few driving safety tips.

Preparing Your Car

When a car is in top operating condition, it will not only enhance the safety conditions for drivers and passengers, but also help people save on gas. One of the first things you should do is familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. It is important to read the owner’s manual and follow proper winterizing suggestions that involve the battery, lights, defroster, heater, motor oil, antifreeze, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, brakes and brake fluid, belt, hoses, and filters.

Before hitting the road during winter travel, you must clear the snow and ice from not only all windows and lights, but also the hood and roof of the car.

When driving in the winter, it is suggested to keep your gas tank above the halfway mark in case you become delayed or stranded in a snowstorm. In the case of an emergency, a cell phone or CB radio is known as a true lifesaver. During the wintertime, it is recommended to stock your trunk with emergency supplies, including a small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, scraper, brush, and bag of sand (or kitty litter), which provides traction for tires. Breakdown kits are also helpful, as should contain a blanket, gloves, boots, road flares, warm clothing, flashlight, extra batteries, water, and a first-aid kit.

Knowing the current road conditions also helps prevent disasters on the road. This is often accomplished by calling your local weather 411 service, viewing weather and traffic information on the Internet, checking the local news for weather advisories and traffic reports, and paying attention to flashing electronic highway signs.

On the Road

In addition to maintaining the safety level of your vehicle, you must also pay extra attention to the way you drive in the wintertime. This means staying off of the cell phone and adhering to the legal speed limit. Additionally, a driver should:

1) Always wear a seatbelt.

2) Stay alert and drive completely sober.

3) Drive with headlights on.

4) Give ample amount of time to slow down when roads are slippery. When roads are icy, it is suggested to delay travel, especially when “black ice” is involved.

5) Do not pass maintenance vehicles or plows on the right and give them at least 200 feet between them and your vehicle.

6) Avoid traveling on bridges during icy conditions.

7) Since trucks take longer to stop than cars, do not cut in front.

Avoid cruise control or overdrive in freezing cold weather.

9) Vehicles with four-wheel drive may get drivers going quicker on the road, but does not help them stop any faster.

10) Avoid pumping anti-lock brakes – it is much better to “stomp and steer.”

Some of us are so eager to get away that when vacation time comes around, we throw caution to the wind, failing to take the usual precautions that keep us safe in day-to-day life. Unfortunately, there are con artists out there who know this and are ready to take advantage. What’s more, even innocent accidents can blight a vacation. Small problems can prove much more troublesome than they are at home. It’s best to be aware and well prepared, so you can be sure of a trip that is safe and fun all the way through.

When you’re driving away from home, be aware that the rules of the road may be different from those you are used to. This can apply even if you’re still in the same country, as there are different kinds of terrain to account for and drivers in different regions develop different habits. The most dramatic example of it will arise if you visit a country where people drive on the opposite side of the road. In this situation, take your time to adjust to the new ways you should be moving and the new areas you should be paying attention to. Even if you usually drive a manual transmission, it may be a good idea to have a rental care that is an automatic to reduce the number of new things you have to worry about while driving on unfamiliar roads.

If you’re visiting a foreign country it’s always a good idea to have a dictionary or phrasebook with you, even if you’re confident that you can handle the basics of the language. This is among the more important vacation safety tips because people sometimes forget the vocabulary they need in emergency situations. Make sure you are informed about how the local health care system works and that you know where to seek help in an emergency. Be aware of what your insurance will cover. Make sure that any medicine you purchase comes from a qualified doctor or pharmacist.

The most important vacation safety tips for hotels involve forward planning. Ideally, you should work out where you’re going to stay well in advance and secure your bookings. The Internet makes it easy to research most places and read customer reviews. If for any reason you are unable to stay in the place you’d planned on, or if you feel the need to be more spontaneous, ask around for local recommendations. Trust your instincts and don’t stay anywhere you feel uncomfortable. Don’t leave money, expensive items, or important documents, such as your passport, in your hotel room. Make sure your hotel room door is locked at all times and keep your room number a secret.

If you keep these basic vacation safety tips in mind, you’re less likely to run into trouble, which means you’ll be more free to relax and enjoy yourself.

Social Networking sites provide a fantastic resource for people to meet new people and make new friends. From the comfort of their homes people can meet others from around the world, spending time chatting about an infinite variety of subjects and sharing photos, music, videos and more. In this virtual world it doesn’t matter what people look like as many people use cartoon characters or artistic pictures in their profile. This gives many people the confidence to spend time with a huge variety of people from various backgrounds and diverse values and beliefs. It is clear that, by breaking down social barriers in this way, social networking sites are achieving a valuable result in redefining the way that people interact. But, amidst all the positives, it is clear that there remains the possibility for some people to abuse the system, using the freedom of information that the internet aims to provide for their own selfish – and often both illegal and abusive – reasons. For this reason it is essential that users of social networking sites are aware of some basic safety tips before logging in and starting the exciting process to meet new people and make new friends.

1. Never assume that people are who they say they are. We have already mentioned that some people use cartoon images or artistic photos as their profile pictures. Whilst there is essentially nothing wrong with this, it provides the opportunity for people to pretend they are somebody completely different. Just because a person’s profile says they are a 16 year old female this is not necessarily true. It is possible that this person is actually much older, perhaps a male, and using these fake details to prey on younger people. Yes such cases are uncommon but they are far from unheard of and never assume that anybody is who they say they are.

2. Never disclose personally identifiable information on your page. Social Networking sites are viewable by a vast variety of people. As we have already suggested, this very fact is one of the reasons why they are so successful. But personally identifiable information such as your full name, address, phone number, date of birth, email address etc should not be displayed on your profile page. This may seem strict but identity fraud is a big issue and it doesn’t take much information for fraudsters to be able to assume your identity and start carrying out a string of illegal actions in your name. Use only your first name or a nickname and leave the rest off of your page.

3. Do not lie about your age. It is important that you are honest about who you are in the same way as you would expect to be honest about who they are.

4. Remember that meeting somebody you have met online is extremely dangerous. If you are under 18 then we would propose the blanket guideline of never meeting anybody under any circumstances. As we have already discussed it is impossible to be certain that a person really is who they say they are and tragic consequences have been recorded of people meeting somebody they have met online. Guidelines offered elsewhere that people under the age of 18 should always go with a friend when meeting somebody have simply led to both young people being put at risk. So the advice is simple: do not arrange to meet somebody you have met online if you are under 18.

If you are over 18 and are determined to meet somebody then we would suggest some guidelines to follow.

- Try and speak to the person on the phone beforehand to reassure you that the person sounds genuine. Never give your own number out at this stage – use a public call box if necessary.

- Arrange to meet in a well lit, public place. A café or well lit bar would be ideal. Do not meet at a person’s home or in a dark nightclub or similar.

- Ask somebody to come with you, at least for the first part of the meeting just to provide some support if required.

- Do not consume too much alcohol at your first meeting. Ensure that you retain control at all times. Ensure that you drink plenty of water or soft drinks as well.

- Never assume that a person is trustworthy and reliable simply due to the first hour or so of meeting them. Take any relationship slowly and do not put yourself in a vulnerable position until you are confident that you know that person.

5. Be very careful when uploading photos or videos containing pictures of yourself or friends. You should always get permission from others before uploading pictures containing themselves. Risqué and naughty pictures that might seem funny between close friends could easily be downloaded and possibly digitally altered by others before being redistributed. Do not upload pictures of nudity or similar (it is against the rules of most sites anyway) as this provides a clear temptation for other people to abuse.

6. Report any instances of concern as soon as possible to the site’s moderators. Most Social Networking sites have a contact form that would be suitable to use. Don’t be concerned that you are making a fuss or exaggerating a problem – the site authorities will look into it in detail and make their own judgement. But, for your own safety and the safety of others, please make sure you report any concerns you have.

Social networking sites, such as getsharing.com, are a fun, relaxing and innovative way to meet new people and make new friends. Following the simple guidelines above will help social networking become a safe and fun experience for all.

Anyone who has tried to locate a part for a low voltage life safety knows it’s true: It’s nearly impossible to try to find parts to repair life safety systems that are no longer being manufactured. (Life safety systems include fire alarm, nurse call, patient tracking and infant security systems.) The essence of the problem is a combination of the facts that: 1) such systems typically last for 10 – 15 years and 2) the manufacturers of such systems tend to change product lines and/or configurations every 3 – 5 years. As such, for example, a fire alarm system installed in a building in 2006 will function properly until at least 2016, but the company that manufactured the system may stop producing parts for it in 2010. (As an aside, even the 10 year old systems would likely function longer, but improvements in technology may mean that the existing system no longer operates efficiently, or may not have certain features or functionality that have become commonplace in the interim and, therefore, its owners may deem replacement a necessity.)

Companies that have these life safety systems installed and find themselves with a system that has a faulty part for which replacement parts are no longer manufactured are faced with a troubling and potentially costly dilemma: they either have to find an alternate source for the parts OR they have to find a way to make the system function in an acceptable manner without the faulty part in place OR they have to purchase and install an entirely new system. Depending on the size and complexity of the system, such companies can find themselves in a situation in which they need to find a $100 part or be faced with a system replacement with costs upwards of $200,000. Further exacerbating the problem is the fact that the very nature of these systems require a quick resolution or else, literally, lives could be at stake.

A temporary solution that some companies employ is to purchase a stockpile of spare parts when they initially install the system. The problems with this strategy are: 1) it is only a temporary fix, because the company will eventually run through its stock of spares, 2) due to the relatively high cost of the initial system and due to the fact that these systems do not provide any income to their owners, the cost justification of spare parts purchases at the time of installation is often not there, 3) the manufacturer’s warranty will expire while the spare parts are in stock and 4) the company would be guessing at which parts may fail at some point in the future, so it would not be guaranteed that its spares on hand would be the correct ones in the event of a parts failure down the road. Due to these problems, this strategy is generally ineffective.

Some of the companies that install life safety systems have recognized that this problem exists and have attempted to fill the void by maintaining a pool of spare parts. This solution works well for customers who are fortunate enough to be acquainted with these installation companies. For the vast majority of the companies who have life safety systems installed, but do not know these installers with the spare parts pools, this solution might as well be nonexistent.

Fortunately, the growing acceptance of business-to-business ecommerce has created a mechanism to address this problem. This mechanism would enable a company to become a clearinghouse for hard to find parts for low voltage systems. It facilitates both an efficient supply chain workflow and an effective product delivery system. PrimaryParts.com has taken the steps necessary to cultivate relationships with suppliers and end users to create a network of companies that maintain these hard to find parts and are willing to supply them to those who need them. PrimaryParts.com has also created a website that enables companies who are seeking such parts to easily search for the parts by a wide variety of features and to verify that they have found their part by viewing a photo of the part.

The Internet to the rescue! Fortunately the growing acceptance of business-to-business ecommerce has created an excellent mechanism to address the original problem and the shortcomings of the other solutions. Companies have risen to become clearinghouses to both buy and sell hard to find parts. These companies have cultivated relationships with both the end users and the suppliers to facilitate the exchange.

So search out websites such as primaryparts.com, to fill your legacy parts needs. You needn’t scrap an otherwise effective system for lack of a part!

If you need help with a hard to find part, email me at mwong@primaryparts.com or visit us at PrimaryParts.com and I’ll put our team to work on it. We handle new and legacy parts for fire alarm, nurse call, access control, and CCTV systems.

1. Safety equipment for bee keepers
Beekeepers have to wear suits that cover them and protect them completely from head to toe and that cannot be punctured by the bees, and through which the bees cannot sting them. To protect their face they have a mesh screen and also use smokers to calm down bees that have become very agitated. The smoker calms down the bees while the beekeeper gets the honey out of the hive. They also have to check that the bees are in their hives getting on with the honey making procedure and the only way they can do all this is if the bees are calm. Beekeepers also have a crowbar to scrape the honey out which can be quite difficult to remove. The bee hives are usually placed in secluded areas so that the bees do not become a menace to those who are moving around in that area. This is also to ensure that the bees are not disturbed by too much of noise and human traffic which will antagonize them and make them swarm.

2. Beekeepers get their tools on the internet
Most beekeepers prefer to get their bee keeping equipment on the internet as this way they can access hundred of different companies and get exactly what they want. The need among other things, tools for grafting the comb apart for scraping up the honey, comb cutters, special cages for capturing the queen bee, and many other things like containers for the honey. Honey is the favorite food of grizzly bears and bee keepers have to safe guard their bees from pests which could eat them up. Bees also have to have particular kinds of feeds which keep them healthy. Bee hives also have to have treatment against invasion from flies and moths which carry infection and diseases from compost and animal manure to the hives.

3. Expenses incurred by the bee keepers
The body suits that the beekeepers wear are fairly cheap, and do not dent the finances of the bee keeper, but what is an expense is keeping the hive safe from pests. This is not an easy task as the hives are situated in places like dense forests where there are many pests and birds to disturb the hives. So the beekeepers have to keep abreast of the new techniques to maintain their beehives in a healthy manner and safe guard them against pests.

As you and your family and friends bounce away on your new trampoline, you may notice that the mat, or bed, in the center of your trampoline is getting quite a workout, too. As you continue to use your trampoline, the mat will become worn and unsafe. After all, although it is reinforced and stitched to make it as strong as possible, a trampoline mat is simply a piece of fabric. Stitches will break and threads will become more fragile. As you notice signs of wear, you should begin researching replacement trampoline mats. One of the best places to look for a new mat is the internet. There are several excellent sites that provide information on purchasing a replacement mat.

TrampolinePartsandSupply.com is one excellent resource for people looking for replacement mats in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Here, you can find replacement mats for many trampoline brands and models, including JumpKing and Hedstrom. Looking at the available selection is as simple as visiting the site and selecting the ‘mats’ link on the home page. This link leads to a replacement mats page with photos and descriptions of each mat available. If you aren’t sure which mat is right for your trampoline, you can find information on the page about the proper mat and spring size for your frame. The site’s useful information, wide range of mat sizes and styles and competitive pricing makes it one of the best choices for people looking for replacement trampoline mats.

As you look at replacement beds for your trampoline, you may notice that some of them have a “target” stitched in the center. Having this mark in the middle of your mat is a wonderful safety option, because it helps guide jumpers to the middle of the trampoline as they bounce. Bouncing near the edges can be a bit more dangerous, but many people forget to check to see how close they are to the edge as they jump. Seeing the “target” will remind them to head for the middle of the trampoline.

Another thing to look for as you look at the available options is the mat’s warranty. Sometimes, the cheapest mat is not the best deal, especially if it only has a three month warranty. Check to be sure the mat you are considering has a warranty of several years before you make your final decision. A five year warranty is ideal. Remember, a mat that falls apart when you are jumping can cause serious injury, so you don’t want to look for the cheapest mat you can find.

Of course, ideally, you want to be able to use your original mat or any replacements for as long as possible. While some wear and tear is unavoidable, you can prolong the life of your mat with a few smart precautions. If you aren’t going to be using the trampoline, cover the mat with a tarp or a tent to protect it from damage caused by sun, rain and drastic temperature changes. You may want to consider storing it in a shed or garage during the winter months to provide further protection. Also, make sure anyone using the mat is wearing appropriate shoes. Spiked athletic shoes can really cause some damage.

Finally, if you notice any holes in your current trampoline mat or see any tears in the stitching on the mat’s edges, especially near the safety clips, please be sure to replace it immediately. If one of the holes enlarges as someone is jumping on the trampoline, he or she could become seriously injured.

== Shopping Online ==
Internet Shopping as become the norm these days. Many households now have computers, and make some form of purchase on the internet.
== But, is it safe? ==
Most companies have privacy statements, stating that they are hacker proof, and some even go as far as adding extra security features, to ensure consumer safety.
Major and small E-tailers, like Buy.com,Newegg.com,Ajgiftz.com and others have implemented [SSL] Certificate which provide encrypted segments of network connections from end-to-end.
Payment gateways such as Paypal and Google spends millions of dollars to ensure that their systems are safe.
Internet Shopping is as safe as going into the store, and keeps getting better.
==Before you select a store==
Do a background check. Look for a physical address (not a Post Office box), request a catalog by mail, or call and talk to a company representative.
==Explore the Web site for third-party seals of approval such as:
BBBOnLine (Better Business Bureau Online)
or
TRUSTe
Companies can put these seals on their sites if they abide by a set of rigorous standards-such as how complaints and disputes will be resolved and how personal information can be used. If you don’t readily see these seals on the site, look in the privacy policy or “Terms & Conditions” which should be clearly posted on the site.
Tip: If you do see the seals above, click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Some unscrupulous merchants will put these logos on their sites without permission, and they’re less likely to get caught if they don’t link back to the site.
==Find out what other shoppers have to say about an online store on comparison sites such as Epinions or Bizrate. These sites have customer evaluations built into their design with a number of smiley faces or stars.
==Review their shipping methods and policies to determine what carriers they use, their shipping rates, and if they provide tracking and insurance. Also find out where they ship from-goods are sometimes sent from international locations, which require customs and extra time.

Internet Dating can be very exciting, especially if you’re new to it. It can lead to some incredible off-line relationships, from lasting friendship to long-term love to sizzling sex encounters.

However, communicating with people over the Internet can also expose you to real danger if you’re not careful. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you start talking to people online.

In the talking phase:

Be Anonymous – When you’re first talking to somone you’ve met online, never give them your real name, phone number, home address, or real email address. It’s also a good idea to check with your Internet Service Provider to make sure your personal information isn’t listed in your online profile with them.

Use an alternate email service – Set up a second (or third, fourth, etc.) email address through one of the many free email services online. Below are the most popular ones. This adds another level of security to email communications between the two of you.

Hotmail

Yahoo! Mail

Google

Use common sense when creating your nickname – A nickname (nic) such as “hotmama1″ may get you more attention (of the kind you may not want) than you bargained for. Use a nickname that is not gender specific when joining discussion groups, chat rooms, and message forums.

Common Sense – Basically, use common sense when talking to people online. You wouldn’t give a stranger on the street, or even someone you met at a bar all your personal information, would you? Well, the same rules apply when talking to someone online.

After you’ve established the appropriate measure of trust, and you decide to meet someone you’ve met online, check out Internet Dating Safety Tips Part 2 – The Meeting Phase for additional tips to consider.

Atlantic City, NJ – Recently, the online dating industry has taken a hit concerning the safety of its members. A New Jersey police officer offers important online dating tips that can help online dating members keep themselves safe.

Police Officer Kenneth Bachman from Egg Harbor Township, NJ is very familiar with the online dating industry. Bachman is an eight year veteran of the Burlington County Sheriffs Office in Mount Holly, NJ. In April of last year, Bachman started a company called Shore Network Connections, LLC. Shore Network Connections is host to one of the only online dating websites on the internet dedicated solely to the men and women behind the badge. Additionally, Bachman has had the opportunity to investigate cases involving online predators.

Bachman offers some general rules that must be followed when utilizing an online dating website. Fist, never expose your personal information such as your name,address,phone number,etc to any other members until you get to know the person you are dealing with better. This is to insure your overall safety and well being. Generally most people online are basically harmless and sincere, but the internet does possess its’ share of bad characters. So act appropriately and be smart and cautious when dealing with people online. Second, be careful when choosing your online name. Pick a neutral gender name if you don’t wish to invite uninvited sexual advances online or sexual innuendo. However if your intention is to invite advances from the sexes, then be prepared for the potential deluge of advances. Third,

be very careful when meeting in person. When you feel the time is right, and meeting in person is appropriate, always meet in a public place with a group of friends. Never meet the person for the first time by yourself. By having your friends this presents a secure picture of support. If this person is worth it they will honor your request. Lastly, trust your instincts.

If your instincts are trying to inform you that something may be wrong, listen to them. If you are uncomfortable for any reason then this could be a sign to steer clear. If this person isn’t your type then let them know immediately. Remember there are all types of people and personalities online and people emotions should be respected.

These are just a few simple, but important rules to keep your online dating experience safe. There are also screening services on the market that offer background investigations on your date. You may have to spend a few dollars for the service, but you can be assured of your safety. Shore Network Connections LLC, a company whose ventures also include BadgeVacations.com, offering discounted travel rates to emergency service personnel and TheBadge.org, a singles community for Emergency Services Personnel received the “Online Safety Award” in 2006.

For More Information Contact:

Kenneth J. Bachman

(609) 338-4158

http://www.thebadge.org

If you’ve been wondering about how to get started with dating online, there is plenty of information on the internet that will help you to get started. Before you do you must keep a safety first attitude.

Here are 4 dating online safety tips to read before you get started with internet dating.

One: You must pick your online dating site carefully. You need to make sure that you check them out thoroughly. Read everything you find and find out what other people are saying about that site.

It is important that you find a dating site online that is legitimate before you use them or before you give them any money for membership. With all of the choices available to you this is easy to do.

Two: Always think about your safety first. Keep your personal information private, for now. You can give out your name if you want to but don’t let people know what your address or phone number is.

You can decide to give that to them later if you have a budding romance with them. Otherwise, keep this information to yourself. Because dating online can be be exciting it is easy to forget this simple tip!

Three: Always be honest and always be you. When you are talking to someone on a dating site, you do not want to lie and you want to keep your profile honest too. You also don’t want to act like someone you are not.

If you do this all the time then you will eventually forget who were acting like with someone or what lies you have told. Then you’ll become known as someone who cannot be trusted. Trust is one of the most important things about internet dating, so always be honest and yourself.

Four: Be patient and persistent. You may not find yourself that perfect someone on the first date. So you move on until you do. It may take some time but if you are patient and persistent than you will eventually find someone special that you can have a relationship with.

Consider that there are millions of people now involved in online dating so there is no need to get in a rush and there is no need to give up to quick either. There is someone for you out there, you just need to find them.

This is 4 dating online safety tips to keep in mind. Keep safety first, be honest, be patient, and look around for the right dating site before you join.