How To Protect Your Kids From Secondhand Smoke

If you, or someone in your family, smokes and you have children, then it is important to ensure that they are not the recipients of secondhand cigarette smoke, which is classified as a known human (Group A) carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Secondhand smoke is scientifically correlated with a range of illnesses from Asthma to Cancer to heart disease, and it is even more damaging to children whose lungs and immune systems are still developing. Given the statistics, the less exposure your kids have, the better.

Stop smoking. If you or anyone else in your home smokes, the most effective way to prevent harm to the kids is to quit persuade the resident smoker to quit as soon as possible. It is a hard habit to break but look at just some of the benefits you get for stopping:

• Healthier kids, less respiratory illness (and fewer medical bills) for you and for them,
  
• Clean home environment, no yellowing paintwork, no odors.
  
• Cleaner, healthier teeth & gums, which can save you from having work done at the dentist.
  
• Cleaner upholstery, curtains, and Arrange Your Bedroom Mirrors.
  
• No chance of household fire from a cigarette or of cigarette burns.
  

Smoke outdoors. Make it a rule to never smoke inside the home, even in the middle of winter. Indoor smoke builds up and anyone in proximity to that smoke is a target of the carcinogenic chemicals and respiratory irritants cigarette smoke contains. The chemical particles also fall onto the household furniture, upholstery and walls, and continue to emit potentially damaging chemicals long after the cigarette is extinguished, not to mention the stale odor of tobacco smoke. But, standing on your driveway and lighting up will be bad for people who pass by, and smoke in the yard can easily go over walls and fences. However, smoking outdoors is always the best choice. because the smoke will naturally disappear much faster outdoors than indoors. smoking in your home is similar to smoking in a car with the windows rolled up. except that the effects are more instant in a car rather than more long term in a home.

Never smoke in the car. It is never okay to smoke in a car when you have kids, even when your kids are not in the car with you, because the smoke residue lingers and off-gases whenever the kids are in the car. Rolling down a window helps some, but can blow the smoke directly into your kids' faces.

Ask Avoid Offending Uninvited Guests to light up outdoors. It is your home and you have a right to a smoke-free environment. Be polite but firm and let the guests know that because of the kids, there is a strict "no indoor smoking" policy in place.

Keep the kids away from public places where smoking is concentrated. If you do not live in an area with laws banning smoking in restaurants, find the restaurants that voluntarily ban smoking when you take your kids out to eat. This also applies to concerts, shows, entertainment places, and anywhere that smokers feel comfortable lighting up. Be aware that even where smoking is banned indoors, many places still permit smoking on outdoor patios. Keep the kids away from tables of smokers or take them indoors.

Ask Choose a Good Babysitter not to smoke. This can be difficult, especially if you are asking grandparents or friends to babysit, but you must be firm for the sake of your children's health.

Make alternative arrangements. If you work or follow hobbies in a place that permits smoking, and you need to take your child there for any amount of time, make sure that your child is not exposed to the smoke of others in this environment. If you cannot manage this, make alternative arrangements.

• Air fresheners only mask the scent of cigarette smoke - they do not remove it. Save Money on Hepa Filters suck up the odor, but all the harmful chemicals will still be lingering, undetectable but still harmful.
  
• Remember what secondhand smoke exposes children to. Would you allow your children to consume or inhale arsenic, lead, mercury, DDT, acetone, ammonia, formaldehyde, cyanide, or carbon monoxide? These are the chemicals found in secondhand smoke. They may not be visible, but they are there. When inhaled even in small amounts on a regular basis, they can cause significant damage to a developing body. Secondhand smoke causes 3,400 cases of lung cancer each year and 22,000 to 70,000 heart disease in adult non-smokers in the US each year (American Lung Association).
  
• If you slipped and smoked in your car or indoors, vacuum thoroughly and clean out the car or the room by wiping down furniture, car upholstery, etc. and leave the windows wide open to let in fresh air. Empty all Make an Aluminum Can Ashtray and put the garbage bag outside. The amount of extra cleaning effort might help to convince you that it is just easier not to smoke in the first place.
  
• Change the air filter in your car if you smoke in it. They will contain the smoke smell and make it worse when you turn on your heat or A/C.
  

• The surgeon general states that there is NO safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Short exposures to second hand smoke can cause blood platelets to become stickier, damage the lining of blood vessels, decrease coronary flow velocity reserves, and reduce heart rate variability, potentially increasing the risk of heart attack (American Lung Association).
  
• Kids exposed to cigarette smoke can get severe bronchial and other respiratory illnesses, and have an increased exposure to carcinogens, which can trigger cancer. Young bodies are far more vulnerable to cell mutation triggered by secondhand smoke as they are growing. But, that does not make adults completely immune to secondhand smoke either.
  
• Cigarette smoke contains around 4000 chemicals, a number of which are known carcinogens.
  

What Does It Take To Make a Change?

You want to lose weight, stop smoking , start an exercise program or make another positive lifestyle change. But you keep putting it off.... because you're not motivated right now.

Motivation is an important part of making a lasting lifestyle change. You can't buy motivation at the grocery store, but you can create it. Think of it as two part process. First, increase your internal motivation, your personal drive to succeed. Second, boost your external motivation by using outside support and inspiration.

Helpincrease your motivation:

Examine how you think about the change. Do you believe that "exercise" means a pain- filled 60 minutes at gym? Challenge those beliefs. For example, remind your self any physical activity in beneficial whether it's a neighborhood walk, an hour gardening, an afternoon of gold or a night dancing.

Focus on the positive. Make a list of all the possible positive outcomes of making the change. For example, instead of focusing on your weight, notice if your clothes fit better, you fell more energetic or your doctor says you've reduced your risk of diabetes. If you stop smoking, remind your self that your children will no longer be exposed to second hand smoke, you'll save money and you'll reduce your risk numerous health problems.

Make it personal. Choose an approach that works for your personality. For example, if you hate to jog but love to dance, create an exercise plan that includes dance classes or aerobic dance DVDs. If counting calories doesn't appeal to you, focus on choosing appropriate foods and portion sizes.

Set realistic goals. As the Chinese proverbs say" the journey of a thousand miles begins with one steps". Pick one achievable action that takes you towards your goal. If you want to lose weight, maybe you can begin skeeping the cookie at break time today. If you aren't ready to quit smoking, perhaps you could stop smoking in your car. Review recommit to your goals daily or weekly.

Step up your external motivation:

Develop a support system. Yes, you are responsible for changing. But as with any important project, don't you want a strong team working with you? So , enlist support: a co-worker, friend, significant other or health care provider. Having others to encourage you can help you stay inspired.

Reward yourself with something that matters to you each time you reach your goal. It might be anything from having a pedicure after a good week's workout to buying yourself a new golfs clubs after you've stopped a smoking for a month.

One final point. You'll probably have days when your best in tensions go out the window. Don't feel guilty or blame your self if that happens. Recognized it as part of making a change, and use the strategies above to return to your desired healthy behaviors.

Network at a Conference

Networking at a conference is easier than you think--even if you are shy. Following are some simple steps you can take to network effectively when attending a conference.

Look up the people who will be presenting at the conference. They are influencers who can help you get better networked into your targeted industry. Take the time to visit these presenters websites. They should also all have email addresses on their websites--even top executives may have emails. But, if they don't try to find them on sites like Link In
Tell these influencers you look forward to hearing their talks. You are growing a relationship when you recognize someone for the valuable expertise they will be sharing at a conference. These presenters will appreciate you taking the time and you will gain relationship equity with them. They will, most likely, email you back and thank you. Now you can re-email them and let them know you will make sure you introduce yourself, in person, when you see them at the event.
Go up and introduce yourself at the event. Go to the presenters' talks you have emailed. Go early and sit in the front row. After their presentation take up a business card with a personalized note you have written on the back telling them how much you appreciated their insights. This will build even more relationship equity. You can also ask to follow up with a quick phone call with a question you may have about their presentation. Now you are at the point where you have really created a connection and, more likely than not, laid the groundwork for a long-term connection with whom you can develop all kinds of new business or career opportunities.
Follow up with an email to the presenter. If you can, send a relevant article to the topic they shared.
Stay in touch with the presenter by email and phone. Anything can happen here. It's all about sharing who you are and what skills you offer to the world of work that should start a great conversation around connections and opportunities for all those great influences you meet at conferences.


# Through my research you are about 7-10 more effective face-to-face than you are over the phone. That's why being present at a conference with industry influencers you can meet and network with is very crucial to your success.
# Remember when connecting with someone it is all about figuring out what matters most to that person. To this end, ask great questions like, "What's one thing you have not done in your career you would still like to do." For me this question, alone, has lead to me doing book coaching for the CMO of Motorola (we co-authored a book - Networlding) and a news anchor.

* Don't be greedy and focused on you first.
* Don't push your ideas. Ask questions instead, first and then, use your ideas to add to those with whom you are networking.

Remain Emotionaly Unattached

Want to be totally unattached in life? Never be missed even if you moved out of state? Being emotionally unattached is key to all these desires.

Never attend any parties; if you want to be EU (emotionally unattached), never attend any social events. You may want to go hang out at someone's house or go to a party, but don't -- as soon as someone sees you being human, they might want to talk.
Never raise your hand in class or volunteer any information about anything. While you may be an expert on a particular subject, keep your mouth closed, because if anyone notices that you are smart, he or she might want to talk to you about something else, and soon personal matters will come up.
Be utterly silent; if nobody notices you, you're doing it right.
Have an attitude of superiority. Nobody likes a jerk, and an attitude of arrogance will give you the needed boost of being a social outcast.
If you must talk to anybody, allude to a past of pain and mystery; people tend not to like dealing with someone who could hurt them.
Always ask yourself, "How does this situation or person serve me without me giving anything in return." If you feel the need to give back, then avoid the situation or person all together.
Watch this: change

* Always examine your reasons for being EU.
* Never hurt anybody physically or emotionally
* Always remain clam cool and collected. if you don't it shows you care


* This will ensure that you will be alone for a while, so beware

Prevent Identity Theft

Identity thieves have become so creative and talented that no truly perfect protection scheme can be a guaranteed success. There are, however, many steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of victimization. Consider these practices, all of which can stop some identity theft before it happens. Although some may be more inconvenient to implement than others, all are recommended.

Don't sign your name on your credit card - instead write "See ID". This causes a photo to be shown with the card. In the stores which have not switched to "Chip and Pin", they may not be that good at comparing signatures to the back of a card. Identity thieves cannot always be sure whether or not their signature will be compared to the one on the back of the card. In a busy store the clerk is not that careful to match your signature.
Don’t carry more than you need. Don’t carry extra check blanks, credit cards, passport and other identity you're are not planning to use that day.
Never carry your Social Security Number (or cards like medical with it on) with you unless you are going somewhere where it will be absolutely necessary.
Never use your social security number as a pass word, or place it on your checks.
Keep your PIN numbers a secret. Remember your PIN (personal identification) numbers. Do not write them down. If you must write them down, DO NOT allow that list to leave the home. People who absentmindedly scribble their PIN numbers on the back of their credit cards are inviting inappropriate use.
Choose good passwords and PIN numbers. Choose account passwords and PINs that no one else will guess. Avoid easily guessed PIN numbers or codes like birth dates, common numerical sequences, mothers maiden name, phone number, etc. Choose options no one would be able to guess even if they were privy to other parts of your personal information. Good passwords will include Capital and small letters, numbers and characters, and be at least 8 characters long.
Keep your information safe. Be vigilant about keeping your wallet or purse on your person when outside the home. At work, keep those materials in a safe and secured place don’t leave your jacket with your wallet in on the back of the chair when you go off to a meeting or lunch. At home, put documents containing personal information in a safe if you have one. Minimally, store the information in a non-obvious location.
Watch out for so-called "shoulder surfers." That person behind you in line at the ATM may just be another shopper short of cash. Or, they could be paying close attention to you in hopes of seeing your account balance and PIN number. If they like what they see, you might lose your card before you know it! Make it difficult for these criminals. Shade the monitor area with your hand when typing in your PIN and try to block others’ view of the screen. Be aware of machines below a food court etc, many thieves will take photos and video's while you enter your information. Also watch the machine itself. Some thieves have added skimming devices, in which they can duplicate your card. Try lifting the keyboard or removing a protruding card slot.
Destroy revealing documents. Don’t just throw your old billing statements and other documents containing important information into your garbage. There are "dumpster divers" who are willing to wade through old coffee grounds and rotten orange peels to get their hands on your data. Invest in a cross cut paper shredder and completely destroy such documentation. If you get a shredder make sure it’s one which doesn’t just create strips of paper which can be pieced back together. If you don’t get a shredder, at least tear the materials into small pieces. When using this strategy, some believe in a two-bag approach. They will place half of the remains of a torn document in one rubbish bag and the other half in a different trash container in the home (or, if you have a compost bin, mix part of it in with your compost). Be sure to shred pre-approved and other credit offers - Don't just toss in the trash. Many thieves will use these to appy for credit in your name at a different address. Good garbage safety practices can reduce identity theft.
Protect your snail mail. The mail transports millions of pieces of personal information every day and is one of the most common sites for identity theft activity. Get a post office box. Don't put a red flag up to have your mail picked up, mail it directly from the box inside the post office. Don't have checks mailed, pick them up at your bank.
Keep a master account record. Create and maintain a record of all of your accounts. You should record all account numbers, the business or bank’s address and telephone number and other pertinent information (like expiration dates). This will allow you quickly and easily check for problems and to take action if you ever have concerns. It also allows you to keep better track of your finances, in general.
Pay attention to bills. Many of us simply pay bills as they come, and don’t really pay attention to when they should arrive or what they should contain. Train yourself to pay attention to billing cycles. A missed statement may be nothing more than a clerical error on the part of the company, but it can also be a warning sign that your mail was intercepted or redirected. Tracking your regular billing dates will help you see warnings before it is too late.
Check your credit report on a regular basis. The identity thief will most likely try to obtain credit or store cards in the name of a victim. Many of these cards are used normally for a time with the aim of increasing the credit limit attached to the card. This means that by checking your credit file once or twice each year, it may be possible to spot credit that was not applied for by you. If you do see such a card, it is vital that you report it to the company involved, the police and the credit referencing agencies as soon as possible. Make sure to keep copies of all letters sent as they may be required at a later date to help you prove your story. You may wish to sign up for credit monitoring, the sooner you catch a problem the easier it is to fix.
Do not give out your social security / national insurance number. This number is used to identify us by government for taxation, health care and retirement benefits. It is also a number used by credit referencing agencies for identification. Should an identity thief discover a social security number, the process of credit and loan applications becomes much easier. The video shop don't need your number. Before you do give out the number ask "How it's going to be used?" and "How are they going to safe guard it?"
Protect your computer. Many identity thieves now use complex software to obtain sensitive information such as passwords and login details without the user's knowledge. A strong and regularly updated firewall and anti-virus program will provide most of the protection an individual needs.
If you get an email that tells you to check or update your information, (for any reason) do not use the link in the email. Even if the email letterhead/background looks like it came from your bank. This is a form of phishing for your information. If you think the email is real, log on directly to the company or banks web site, check your records there, if there is no changes, you just avoided being scammed.


# An interesting tactic is to write "PLEASE CHECK ID" on the back of your credit/debit card with a permanent marker, in place of the authorized signature. This is more likely to stand out, as most retailers don't check to match the signatures on the card with the credit slip anymore. Check with your credit card company before you do this though - some retailers who do check the signature may question it.
# Be very careful about giving any individual/organization multiple I.D. (Passport/Driver License/Social Security Number etc.) as well as your checking account details for any kind of transfers.
* Think carefully before you disclose sensitive personal details to other people or display them online. Many people show their date of birth and full name on social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook. An identity thief actually requires only a few pieces of information to begin fraudulent activity, so guard these details carefully.

Be Careful:

# Identity thieves are now making almost anyone a target. It is even possible to use the identity of young children and the recently deceased. The only group of people who are genuinely unlikely to be targeted are those who already have poor credit or have been bankrupt. Applications for credit on behalf of these people are often very difficult.
# Studies in the UK show that the average victim will spend up to 330 hours of phone calls and letter writing to put their credit history back as it was before they were a victim.
# Chip and pin cards can be read while still in your wallet