Last year it was spinach, before that it was beef, now tomatoes are in the hot zone as reports of salmonella have been recorded across the country.

As a result, many restaurants and grocery stores are pulling tomatoes off the menus and the shelves. Learn more about the outbreak from the FDA.

Product problems aren’t just restricted to food - tires, medications, cars, toys - many products have been recalled or pulled from the shelves. Top tips on what to do if a product has a problem or has been recalled, or if a food item is cause of illness…

Here in Minneapolis it has rained everyday this week and it seems the pattern is going to continue well into next week. Rain, rain go away!

If you’re stuck inside this weekend due to bad weather or really hot weather, here are a few activities you could easily tackle in an afternoon:

1. Do a home inventory! We do say it a lot but it’s the number one thing you can do to financially prepare for disasters. We’ve made it super easy to get started. Learn how…

2. Make emergency information cards. Handy for sleepovers and easy to slip into briefcases and backpacks, these little cards can help in an emergency situation.

3. Get a head start on birthday and wedding gifts. For bridal showers, a wedding day emergency kit is an inexpensive yet practical gift. For birthdays, get something your loved ones may not think to buy for themselves - emergency preparedness items like weather radios, flashlights and first aid kits. Click on the corresponding links for lists to print out and take with you as you shop.

4. Do some maintenance work on your cars, bikes and motorcycles. Regular maintenance is key to accident prevention.

5. Order your free credit report. This’ll help you spot identity theft before it’s too late.

Have a fantastic weekend and we’ll see you back here on Monday!

Our local CBS TV station WCCO has been busy covering the aftermath of this weekend’s tornadoes in Hugo, MN, and for last night’s Good Question feature segment, reporter Jason DeRusha asked the tough question: Are You Ready for a Disaster?

Our publisher, Susan Evans, was interviewed for the segment and she offered some great home inventory tips: see the video here.

Thanks to Jason DeRusha and all of the team at WCCO!

It’s Friday!

Here’s a new video we recorded with Greg Sherrill from Heartland Corporate Security. He shares his top tips on how to keep your car safe and deter break-ins:

Click on the video to view.

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake shook residents awake this morning in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The quake was felt as far away as Florida. A 4.6 aftershock also occured around 10:45 am CST.

Here are some really cool earthquake links (courtesy of Al Tompkins at Poynter Online):

• Constantly updated, worldwide earthquake activity from the Earthquake Hazards Program.
• Info, including history, for each state.
• List of the largest earthquakes by state.
• Seismic hazard maps showing where earthquakes are most likely.
• “Did You Feel It” page, where you can see maps of recent events with color-coded areas indicating how strong people reported the tremors. You can submit your own report there, too.
• “Top Ten” earthquake facts for the U.S. and the world, including deadliest, largest, most recent and most significant.

And for some Friday video fun - a TV station at the epicenter of the quake (Evansville, IN) certainly felt the tremors: watch it here on YouTube. 

Have you ever been in an earthquake? What happened? What did you do? Add your Comments below!

For those of you have already filed, congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back.

For the rest of you, best of luck as you try to meet today’s filing deadline. Don’t think you can make it? You can always file an extension but you’ll also need to do this by today.

• How to File a Tax Extension [IRS]

Tax day is also a great day to do some spring cleaning of your financial and personal documents. A few tips from Beth Givens, Director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse:

1. You’ll need to keep a few files indefinitely: examples include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce and adoption papers, citizenship records, and military service papers.

2. Also keep records of things you own until you sell them: deeds for real estate, other mortgage papers, automobile titles, bonds, and stock certificates.

3. How long should you keep tax records? The IRS has 3 years in which to audit your income tax return. However, this limit does not apply if you failed to report more than 25 percent of your gross income (the limit then is 6 years). There are no time limitations if you filed a fraudulent return or if you failed to file a return.

For a complete guide to tax recordkeeping, see IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals or call 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to obtain a free paper copy.

It’s the last day of our spring cleaning series! Looking for a few easy projects to tackle over the weekend? Look no further!!

Here are a list of projects that you can get done in no time:

1. Spring has sprung! If the weather’s nice, here’s a list of outdoor tasks you can do while you enjoy the sunshine.

2. Rain or bad weather got you stuck inside? Do a fire-safety roundup: organize and check the batteries in your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and all of your flashlights. (Don’t forget the flashlights in your home emergency kit!!)

3. Got extra time on your hands? We’ve been saying it all week but every firefighter, police officer or first responder we talk with says that a home inventory is the most important thing you can do for your family to prepare for the unexpected. So, what are you waiting for? Get started!

Thanks for reading our spring cleaning series. Check back next week for more helpful lifestyle and preparedness tips. Have a great weekend!

Existing home sales have risen by 2.9 percent, which is the first increase after six straight declines, according to MSNBC.

Thinking of buying a home? Selling your home? What to know:

-How Much is Your Home Worth?

-Home Inspection Tips

-Home Inspection: A Realtor’s Perspective

Sometimes we all need a helping hand. It’s hard to ask for help when we need it the most, especially when we’re ashamed, embarrassed or angry.

Do you have advice for someone in need? Read these real-life stories of what people have gone through - wildfires, caring for a loved one, hurricanes, theft - and share your advice below. People can always benefit from the wise words from others!

Real-Life Stories

• How I Survived the Cedar Wildfires
• A Caregiving Experience: John G’s Story
• Hurricane Katrina Victims: Lessons Learned
• My Home Was Burgled!

Share your advice below!

No need to reinvent the wheel - here’s some of the best blog entries from March ‘07:

• Prevent ID Theft: How Strong Are Your Passwords?
• Keep Your Family Safe from Fire
• Hotels: Room Key Security
• Something to Talk About: Make an Emergency Plan
• Podcast: What is an AED? How Do I Use One?