Headed away for the weekend? Or just want to keep your house safe? Here are our top tips for preventing burglary and break-ins:

1. Locked tight: Lock your doors and close your windows even if you step outside for just a moment. Theft is a crime of opportunity.
2. Home security evaluations: Contact your local police department — many police departments offer free home security checks.
   • A uniformed officer will visit your home and evaluate your locks, windows, lighting, shrubbery, alarms systems, etc. and then provide improvement recommendations. Follow through with these recommendations.
   • Your insurance company might also provide these kind of services.
3. Security systems: Consider equipping your home with a security system. Alarm systems can alert the police or fire departments directly, include a panic button and an outside alarm.
   • Read our article Buying a Home Security System to learn more.
4. Keep reading…

“It is getting tougher for travelers with a nicotine habit to find a place to light up,” according to a recent NYTimes article.

On my last air travel trip, I sat next to a smoker. When the plane was delayed (we had to actually deplane and switch planes), she told me she thought about going through security just to smoke but didn’t because she thought it’d be too much of a hassle. Instead she fought her cravings by turning to other vices.

Not only is smoking a hard habit to quit - it’s even harder to indulge in. According to the article, “more than 120 airports in the United States do not allow smoking anywhere indoors…and most car rental companies generally prohibit smoking in their vehicles.”

The article only mentioned Detroit International Airport as having two bars that have been outfitted with special ventilation systems for smokers but I’m sure there are more smoking-allowed areas in other airports across the country.

So before you head out on your next trip, I suggest using a search engine and type in the airports you plan to visit. Many airport websites have maps of their airports. Also, you can always email the help or “contact us” contacts listed on the site and hopefully they can let you know where smoking is allowed.

One bonus for smokers: Lighters are now allowed in your carry-ons as of August 4, 2007.

Know of a few airports or airport venues where smoking is allowed? Post them in the Comments!

Ever wish you could learn more about what causes your migraines? Your family’s history of breast cancer? Or just more about health care in general.
Today’s neat site, Healthfinder.gov, offers a huge health library, information about health care and links to health organizations. The site is run by the National Health Information Center of The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

I especially like the consumer guides section - it’s easy to navigate and provides a lot of information on many different topics. Check out for yourself:

• Healthfinder.gov

Have a medical site to recommend? Post it in the Comments!!

One of my favorite memories is sitting in front of our fireplace, warming up from being out in the cold weather and sipping on hot cocoa. Colder weather isn’t too far away so if you’re looking forward to “fireside chats” it might be a good idea to arrange for a chimney inspection.

Chimney fires can and do happen so it’s better to be on the safe side. Here are some top resources on chimney safety and related topics:

• Chimney Safety Institute of America
• NFPA: Heating Sources Safety
• Carbon Monoxide Safety
• Be Prepared - Home Fire

Have you put your number on the do not call list? The Do Not Call list premiered in June 2003 and numbers placed on the registry are only valid for five years.

So if you’re not sure when you registered, plan to re-register next year anyway and mark it on your calendar. I’m sure there will be several more news stories next June to remind you to do so.

Haven’t registered yet? People can register their home and cell phone numbers or file complaints at http://www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.

Child care is becoming increasingly expensive and quality, affordable care can be hard to find. We talked with Child Care Aware and child care providers to pull together a list of top things you can do to lower your weekly child care costs:

1. Start by contacting the local child care resource and referral agency in your state and area. Ask about state child care subsidies, eligibility information and how to apply for assistance. Also ask about local scholarship or tuition assistance programs.
2. You can also contact the state agency directly to learn more about child care subsidies and eligibility information. Click here for a list of state child care assistance contacts.
3. Contact local community centers like the YMCA, YWCA or religious organizations.
4. Keep reading…

Over 9 million Americans were affected by identity theft in the last year…were you a victim? Chances are you might not know it yet - the average time to detect identity theft is 14 months!

Today’s neat site, The Identity Theft Resource Center, offers helpful information for victims as well as for those looking to avoid identity theft. The ITRC is a nonprofit program dedicated exclusively to identity theft and also includes regional victim support groups on its web site. Check out their site to read identity theft facts, figures and how to protect yourself:

• Identity Theft Resource Center

How do you know if your home has been burglarized? Our contacts in police stations gave us the top warning signs of a home break-in:

• Open or broken windows and doors
• Broken screens, frames and door jams
• Unfamiliar footprints
• Damaged shrubbery, trees and bushes near windows and doors.
• Certain lights are now turned on or off.

If you see any of these warning signs or suspect foul play, do not enter the house. Call the police immediately. “Remember, it’s free to call 9-1-1. There’s no service charge!” says Officer Enrique Garcia of the San Jose, CA police department. “Call it in. It gives us an opportunity to come and check out the neighborhood.”

More home theft prevention tips… 

Not an easy task as many will assure you!
Here are a few sleeping tricks I’ve pulled together from friends, my own travels, and some online resources to help you catch some zzzz’s on your next flight:
1. Choose a window seat. This way you won’t be disturbed if someone has to get up to use the restroom.

2. Bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

3. Bring a neck pillow or your own pillow for extra comfort.

4. Wear layered clothing in case you’re too hot or too cold. I also always need extra socks and a sweatshirt (it’s always freezing up there at 35,000 feet!).

5. If prescribed, take a sleep medication or an over-the-counter drug like Benadryl or Tylenol PM to help you sleep. Do not take any medication without first talking to your doctor first!

6. Tell your seat neighbors that you plan to sleep and that you plan to sleep through (or not) the meal service(s).

Waking Up

1. Flying a long haul international flight? Use the restroom BEFORE breakfast is served (as soon as they turn the lights on) to beat the rush.

2. Consider setting an alarm to allow yourself enough time to “wake up” with enough time before descending and landing to adjust before disembarking the plane.

• How to Sleep on a Plane
• Be Prepared - Air Travel 

Similar to those seen at the airport, some hospitals are now asking ER patients to check-in using electronic kiosks.

According to this AP article, “Patients spend about eight minutes at the kiosks, using touchscreens to enter their name, age, and other personal information. The computer shows the patient a list of ailments to choose from, like “pain” or “fever and/or chills” and a list of body parts to indicate where it hurts.”

My only thought is that I hope those machines are cleaned and sterilized on a regular basis! What are your thoughts? Would you use a kiosk at the ER? How long have you had to wait to be seen at the ER?

More: What to Expect at the ER…