13 Family Safety Items for a Mom’s Purse

 

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I used to carry a massive satchel for a purse until, one day, I realized that I didn’t use 80 percent of the items inside, and that I was walking with one shoulder noticeably higher than the other.
That’s when I decided to pack lighter and smarter. I still carry my cellphone, a small wallet and I try to always have cash with me. But here are a few family safety items you may not have thought of – unusual items you can carry in your purse.

1. Two or three small pieces of moleskin; just the right size to cover a sore spot on a foot before it becomes a blister. Make sure to buy moleskin that has adhesive on one side.
2. Individual packets of sun block, insect repellent and antibacterial gel wipes. There’s no need to carry entire bottles if you buy some of these packets.
3. A black Sharpie. This is handier than a pen or pencil if you need to leave an emergency note with your car, or write your cellphone number on your toddler’s arm (in case the two of you get separated in an emergency).
4. Peanut butter in a packet for a quick jolt of protein. Almond and other nut butters also come in these foil packets.
5. A tiny LED flashlight to light the way, find your keys or signal for help.
6. A small pair of tweezers. This is not just for plucking a stray eyebrow but for removing slivers, cactus spines or tiny shards of glass.
7. Super glue can be handy to keep a small wound closed. Don’t use it on the face or near the eyes or on a jagged, deep cut. Of course, super glue is also handy for mending a broken nail or other small repairs.
8. A tube of lip balm or chap stick, wrapped in several inches of duct tape. (This is a good way to store a small stash of tape).
9. An individual packet of a powdered sports drink mix, to provide a boost of energy and electrolytes.
10. A set of hand and/or foot warmers during the winter.
11. Jelly beans, or other hard candies. These can help alleviate a sore throat or cough, pacify cranky kids and provide a boost of sugar. If yours contain Vitamin C, that’s even better.
12. Several safety pins of different sizes. The uses for these will become self-evident.
13. A multi-tool. Even in the days of carrying The Big Purse, I was always looking for a way to cut through twine, price tags, etc.

Keep most or all of these family safety items in a quart-size zip-top bag, both to keep things organized but also to provide a plastic bag for trash in all sorts of emergencies.

Lisa Bedford, author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com. She believes there is power and peace in being prepared.

Has Your Child’s Identity Been Stolen? Know the Warning Signs

 

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Many of us have heard the warnings about identity theft. But, did you know that your children can fall victim to identity theft too?
Recent statistics show that it happens. Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab found that 10.2 percent of 40,000 children involved in a 2011 study were victims of identity theft.
Childhood identity theft can have devastating long-term financial implications. It can affect a child’s ability to take out a student loan, receive a scholarship or get a credit card. Identity theft may even impact future job opportunities.

Child Identity Theft Warning Signs

How do you know if your child’s identity has been stolen? Be vigilant about protecting your child’s identity, and watch for the following red flags:

1. Unsolicited credit card offers. Have you received one or more unsolicited credit card offers in your child’s name? Credit card offers are never intentionally sent to minors.
2. Social Security account statement. These statements track annual contributions and anticipated benefits. Unless your child has a part-time job, an earnings statement in your child’s name is a clear indicator of fraud.
3. A bill or a collection agency call for your child. Don’t dismiss this as a case of mistaken identity. A call from bill or collection agency can be a clear sign of identity fraud.
4. The Internal Revenue Service contacts you about your child. If the IRS informs you that your toddler hasn’t paid his income taxes, this is a warning sign that someone may be masquerading as your son.

Tips for Preventing Child Identity Theft

Identity protection for your child starts with some privacy precautions. Here are some tips that may help reduce your child’s risk for identity theft:

1. Be proactive. Start by checking with the fraud divisions of all three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit reporting agencies typically do not keep a report on file for minors. If there is a report, then there’s a good chance that your child’s identity is compromised.} And consider purchasing identity restoration coverage, which can help protect you and your family against identity theft and help repair any damage to your identity. Talk to an Allstate agent for more information.
2. Be cautious when giving out your child’s Social Security number. If a school, youth sports team, or a medical office asks for your child’s Social Security number, know that it’s OK to question why they need it, what they will do with it and how they plan to keep it safe.
3. Shred anything with your child’s personal information. Shred forms, documents and mail before disposal.
4. Never carry your child’s Social Security card. To help reduce the risk for theft; leave you child’s card — and the cards of all the members of your family — in a safe place, like a safe at home or a safe deposit box.

What to Do If Your Child’s Identity is Stolen

If you find out that someone has stolen your child’s identity, there are some steps you can take to minimize the damage. If you discovered that a credit report (fraudulently) exists for your child, contact any one of the three major credit bureaus (that bureau is legally required to alert the other two) and ask them to put a “fraud alert” on the file. Report the identity theft to the FTC. Also, contact your local police department to file a report.
By taking a few simple proactive steps, and staying alert to early warning signs, you can minimize your child’s risk for identity theft or the impact it will have should it ever occur.
What concerns you most about someone’s stealing your child’s identity? Share your thoughts below.

Looking for ways to defend yourself against identity theft? Consider identity restoration coverage.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips for Chimney and Furnace Season

Thursday, January, 31st, 2013 at 6:16 am

Tags: Home Safety, Safety, Winter

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Winter is here. And while you’ve probably fired up the furnace plenty, and stocked up on firewood, have you studied up on carbon monoxide safety?
A common output of malfunctioning or improperly used appliances, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that’s nicknamed the “silent killer” because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it. Furnaces, stoves, ovens, water heaters and blocked chimney vents can all be potential sources of carbon monoxide, or CO.
So how do you protect yourself? Here are some important safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration that can help keep you safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter.

Furnace and Chimney Safety Precautions

• Have fuel-burning heating equipment and chimneys inspected annually by a licensed professional. This includes your furnace, water heater, wood stove and any portable heaters.
• Make sure the damper is opened and clear of debris before using a fireplace.
• Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
• When purchasing new appliances, look for products that have been tested and are labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside and is kept clear and unblocked.
• Damaged or discolored bricks at the top of your chimney, moisture around the windows and walls near a furnace, and excessive rust on vent pipes or the outside of appliances can all be signs of a potential CO problem. Call in a professional if you spot these signs.

CO Alarm Testing and Replacement

• Run a test on your CO alarms at least once a month, and replace them if they aren’t responding correctly. Sensors in carbon monoxide alarms have a limited life.
• A CO alarm isn’t a substitute for a smoke alarm, and vice-versa. You should familiarize yourself with the different sounds each alarm makes.
• If the carbon monoxide detector is beeping, go outside and immediately call 911 or the fire department.

Proper ventilation, a solid cleaning, and a working early-CO-detection alarm are your biggest allies when it comes to preventing a carbon monoxide buildup this winter.
Frank Rivera is the director of digital marketing for ADT Security Services. To learn more about carbon monoxide safety, visit www.adt.com.
Recommended by the editors:

• Winter Warning: How to Heat Your Home Safely
• Chim Chim Cheree: Chimney Maintenance Tips
• 5 Hidden Dangers in Your Home

For more on home safety, check out the Tools and Resources section on Allstate.com.

Cool Cars You Won’t Find in the U.S.

 

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We’ve all heard that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and truer words have never been spoken if you love cars. While we get some great choices here in the U.S., other countries have some sharp-looking cars and trucks that will never make it to our driveways.

In some cases, it’s a marketing decision that’s based on consumer trends, but other times, the cars just don’t meet our safety or emissions standards. Regardless of what’s holding them back, these are some of the top cars that you can’t buy in the U.S.

European Sedan: Alfa Romeo 159

If you want a sedan with Italian style, you don’t have many choices in the U.S. To make matters worse, the ones we do have, like the Maserati Quattroporte, aren’t exactly affordable. In Europe, Alfa Romeo sells sedans like the 159 that stand out from the pack, offering Italian style in a small, upscale package. All hope isn’t lost, however. The 159 is set to be replaced in 2014 by a new model, the Alfa Romeo Guilia, which the automaker plans to sell in the U.S.

Compact Car: Audi A1

Compact cars like the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 offer a great deal of style, but their retro-inspired looks may not be for everyone. That’s where a car like the Audi A1 steps in, with its good fuel economy and modern looks. Audi originally thought that the A1 wouldn’t sell well in the U.S., but with gas prices on the rise, a car that slots in under the Audi A3 might not spend much time on dealer lots.

Compact Truck: Ford Ranger

While there may still be a few 2011 Rangers on dealer lots, Ford has stopped selling its compact pickup truck in the U.S. Additionally, Ford added insult to injury by redesigning the Ranger that we can’t have. Ford sells the new Ranger in 180 other markets, so while full-size Ford trucks continue to sell like hotcakes in the states, you’ll have to look elsewhere if you want a smaller truck like the Ranger.

Off-Road SUV: Land Rover Defender

Rugged, off-road SUVs seem like a dying breed, and the Land Rover Defender is nearly as iconic as four-wheelers like the original Jeep CJ and the early Ford Bronco. The Defender earned a cult following when it was sold here in the 1990s, but new regulations in 1998 required airbags for both front-seat passengers. Since Land Rover couldn’t fit airbags without major modifications, they stopped importing the Defender to the U.S.

Hot Hatchback: Volkswagen Scirocco

The Volkswagen Scirocco originally hit U.S. streets in 1975, but just like acid-washed jeans, the low-slung hatchback faded out in the late ‘80s. In 2008, Volkswagen reintroduced the Scirocco, but the new car is only available in Europe. On this side of the pond, VW feared that the Scirocco might cannibalize sales from the GTI, and that the Scirocco’s base price would be too expensive. That could change, however, as some industry analysts suspect that the Scirocco could return to the U.S. after it gets redesigned.

If your ride is as awesome as some of these cars, you’ll be cruising all over town. To find out the gas prices in your area, visit Allstate.com’s Gas Price Locator.

Photos courtesy of: www.carbase.com, www.carpw.com, www.alfaromeows.com, www.autocarsight.com

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