The Internet is a powerful tool children can use to learn and connect with friends. Teaching them safe surfing practices when they are young can protect them throughout their lives.
This generation of young people will be the first raised in the Internet era. Using computers and devices that access the Internet will be something they expect rather than a new and exciting trend. As time goes on, their lives will become more and more “Web-based” through social networking, information retrieval, commerce, and connecting with family and friends.
We don’t teach children to drive by giving them the keys to the car and expecting them to be “self-taught.” Similarly, we shouldn’t let them sit down at the computer and surf away without training and supervision. At times it may seem our children know more about the Internet and technology then we do, however, that doesn’t change the responsibility parents have to teach their children to use the Internet safely.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
CYBER-SECURITY TIPS
Who wants to go phishing?
Consider this: If you receive a phone call from someone and they said, “Hi, this is (insert name here). I need to log on to your computer to clean a virus; could you give me your password please?” What would you do? No, this isn’t where you blame your kids for using your computer and catching a virus. This is a hypothetical question. It’s called ‘phishing’ and it happens. Hmmmm…“phishing happens”…maybe an idea for a new t-shirt with a big yellow smiley face on it.
If you do your banking on-line you have probably received emails from your bank warning of various schemes to steal your account information. These phishing schemes sometimes arrive as an official looking email with a link to what you ‘think’ is your bank’s web page. It is very easy to duplicate a webpage, so the ‘bad guys’ just make a fake page; you proceed to login; and presto, they have your username and password. They can then logon to the ‘real’ bank’s web page and buy that Harley they’ve always wanted.....using your money.
A simplified example yes, but food for thought. Check out the link below for information about fishing....err, I mean PHISHING. J
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html
Consider this: If you receive a phone call from someone and they said, “Hi, this is (insert name here). I need to log on to your computer to clean a virus; could you give me your password please?” What would you do? No, this isn’t where you blame your kids for using your computer and catching a virus. This is a hypothetical question. It’s called ‘phishing’ and it happens. Hmmmm…“phishing happens”…maybe an idea for a new t-shirt with a big yellow smiley face on it.
If you do your banking on-line you have probably received emails from your bank warning of various schemes to steal your account information. These phishing schemes sometimes arrive as an official looking email with a link to what you ‘think’ is your bank’s web page. It is very easy to duplicate a webpage, so the ‘bad guys’ just make a fake page; you proceed to login; and presto, they have your username and password. They can then logon to the ‘real’ bank’s web page and buy that Harley they’ve always wanted.....using your money.
A simplified example yes, but food for thought. Check out the link below for information about fishing....err, I mean PHISHING. J
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html
Monday, November 3, 2008
Crime Stats for our area
STOLEN VEHICLE 080105928 603 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/26
AUTO BURGLARY 080105954 1730 DEANNA DR 2008/10/25
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105823 1320 WILDCAT CT 2008/10/25
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105274 3000 CLARCONA RD 2008/10/24
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105958 600 CHEETAH TL 2008/10/24
AUTO BURGLARY 080104916 1725 VOTAW RD 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104522 2403 WALNUT HEIGHTS RD 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104675 2217 HEATHEROAK DR 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104204 240 STERLING ROSE CT 2008/10/21
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 080103559 815 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/19
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105996 1325 BOB CAT CT 2008/10/19
AUTO BURGLARY 080103120 809 JEFFCOAT ST 2008/10/18
AUTO BURGLARY 080102997 E SEMORAN BV 2008/10/17
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080103794 139 W CLEVELAND ST 2008/10/16
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080102139 25 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 2008/10/15
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080101820 1734 STEFAN COLE LN 2008/10/14
STOLEN VEHICLE 080101599 2375 LAKEVILLE RD 2008/10/13
STOLEN VEHICLE 080101059 120 S AURORA DR 2008/10/12
AUTO BURGLARY 080100989 523 E 11TH ST 2008/10/11
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100987 1138 OLD APOPKA RD 2008/10/11
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100387 238 BRONZE LEAF CT 2008/10/10
ARMED TO PERSON 080100114 454 W MAIN ST 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100129 1330 S CENTRAL AV 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105764 116 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080099758 104 PROSPER DR 2008/10/08
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080099936 113 E 13TH ST 2008/10/08
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 080098820 320 E WELCH RD 2008/10/05
STOLEN VEHICLE 080098312 1117 E SEMORAN BV 2008/10/04
STOLEN VEHICLE 080098819 1840 HUGGINS DR 2008/10/04
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080097936 1937 DEANNA DR 2008/10/03
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080097504 104 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/02
CARJACKING 080097167 615 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 2008/10/01
AUTO BURGLARY 080105954 1730 DEANNA DR 2008/10/25
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105823 1320 WILDCAT CT 2008/10/25
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105274 3000 CLARCONA RD 2008/10/24
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105958 600 CHEETAH TL 2008/10/24
AUTO BURGLARY 080104916 1725 VOTAW RD 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104522 2403 WALNUT HEIGHTS RD 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104675 2217 HEATHEROAK DR 2008/10/22
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080104204 240 STERLING ROSE CT 2008/10/21
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 080103559 815 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/19
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105996 1325 BOB CAT CT 2008/10/19
AUTO BURGLARY 080103120 809 JEFFCOAT ST 2008/10/18
AUTO BURGLARY 080102997 E SEMORAN BV 2008/10/17
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080103794 139 W CLEVELAND ST 2008/10/16
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080102139 25 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 2008/10/15
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080101820 1734 STEFAN COLE LN 2008/10/14
STOLEN VEHICLE 080101599 2375 LAKEVILLE RD 2008/10/13
STOLEN VEHICLE 080101059 120 S AURORA DR 2008/10/12
AUTO BURGLARY 080100989 523 E 11TH ST 2008/10/11
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100987 1138 OLD APOPKA RD 2008/10/11
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100387 238 BRONZE LEAF CT 2008/10/10
ARMED TO PERSON 080100114 454 W MAIN ST 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080100129 1330 S CENTRAL AV 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080105764 116 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/09
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080099758 104 PROSPER DR 2008/10/08
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080099936 113 E 13TH ST 2008/10/08
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 080098820 320 E WELCH RD 2008/10/05
STOLEN VEHICLE 080098312 1117 E SEMORAN BV 2008/10/04
STOLEN VEHICLE 080098819 1840 HUGGINS DR 2008/10/04
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080097936 1937 DEANNA DR 2008/10/03
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 080097504 104 ROGER WILLIAMS RD 2008/10/02
CARJACKING 080097167 615 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 2008/10/01
Saturday, October 25, 2008
CAR SEATS FOR YOUR CHILD
Which seat is right for your child?
4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly. Could yours be one of them?
Infants until at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds should be in a REAR-FACING CAR SEAT.
Infants must ride in the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle. This offers the best protection for your infants neck. Recline the rear-facing seat at a 45 degree angle. If the seat doesn't want to stay angled, a firmly rolled towel under the seat may help.
Kids over 1 year old and between 20 and 40 pounds can be in a FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT.
It is important that the seat straps be fitted properly. Route the harness straps in slots above shoulder level. The harness clip should be at armpit level. Place the seat in the upright position and keep the harness straps snug.
Kids between 40 and about 60/80 pounds (usually 4 to 8 years old) should be in BOOSTER SEATS.
A booster seat makes lap and shoulder belts fit correctly: low over hips and upper thighs and snug over the shoulders. These seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
Usually kids over 80 pounds and 8 years old can fit correctly in LAP / SHOULDER BELTS.
One way to tell if your child is ready is to check to see if there knees are bent at the edge of the seat without slouching. Never put shoulder belts under kids' arms or behind their backs.
Before you hit the road take a minute to be sure your child is riding safely. Study your vehicle owner's manual and car seat instructions carefully.
Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag (unless you have a manual cut-off switch and have turned it off!). The back seat is the safest place for kids of any age.
Send in the car seat registration card to be notified in case your car seat is recalled. If you have any questions call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline (888-DASH-2DOT).
Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash.
Route the safety belt correctly through the car seat.
Correctly buckle the car seat into the vehicle.
Get a tight fit -- the seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or toward the front of the vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual to see if you need a locking clip. Not all safety belts will secure your car seat without it
4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly. Could yours be one of them?
Infants until at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds should be in a REAR-FACING CAR SEAT.
Infants must ride in the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle. This offers the best protection for your infants neck. Recline the rear-facing seat at a 45 degree angle. If the seat doesn't want to stay angled, a firmly rolled towel under the seat may help.
Kids over 1 year old and between 20 and 40 pounds can be in a FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT.
It is important that the seat straps be fitted properly. Route the harness straps in slots above shoulder level. The harness clip should be at armpit level. Place the seat in the upright position and keep the harness straps snug.
Kids between 40 and about 60/80 pounds (usually 4 to 8 years old) should be in BOOSTER SEATS.
A booster seat makes lap and shoulder belts fit correctly: low over hips and upper thighs and snug over the shoulders. These seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
Usually kids over 80 pounds and 8 years old can fit correctly in LAP / SHOULDER BELTS.
One way to tell if your child is ready is to check to see if there knees are bent at the edge of the seat without slouching. Never put shoulder belts under kids' arms or behind their backs.
Before you hit the road take a minute to be sure your child is riding safely. Study your vehicle owner's manual and car seat instructions carefully.
Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag (unless you have a manual cut-off switch and have turned it off!). The back seat is the safest place for kids of any age.
Send in the car seat registration card to be notified in case your car seat is recalled. If you have any questions call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline (888-DASH-2DOT).
Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash.
Route the safety belt correctly through the car seat.
Correctly buckle the car seat into the vehicle.
Get a tight fit -- the seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or toward the front of the vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual to see if you need a locking clip. Not all safety belts will secure your car seat without it
Friday, October 10, 2008
Safety Tips for Halloween
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK OR TREATING
Trick or Treating should be one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids! They can get dressed in scary costumes and go door to door, begging "Tricks or Treats!" from neighbors or walk around the local mall. Lots of towns have a Harvest Festival so kids can Trick-or-Treat safely. But going door to door is the stuff of childhood memories! It should be a fun time, without trouble and pain, so following some easy tips can keep your child safe every Halloween.
Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.
Always accompany young children. Small children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween.
Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. *** Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don't go off the *** beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas.
Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
General Safety Tips For EveryoneHomeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well
Provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.
Artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard
If going to an adult Halloween party, make sure that you don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver if alcohol is being consumed.
Additional Tips:
Halloween Safety Tips: Treats, Makeup, Novelty Contact Lenses from the FDA
Trick or Treating should be one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids! They can get dressed in scary costumes and go door to door, begging "Tricks or Treats!" from neighbors or walk around the local mall. Lots of towns have a Harvest Festival so kids can Trick-or-Treat safely. But going door to door is the stuff of childhood memories! It should be a fun time, without trouble and pain, so following some easy tips can keep your child safe every Halloween.
Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.
Always accompany young children. Small children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween.
Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Stop only at familiar houses in your own neighborhood unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. *** Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don't go off the *** beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas.
Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
General Safety Tips For EveryoneHomeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well
Provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.
Artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard
If going to an adult Halloween party, make sure that you don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver if alcohol is being consumed.
Additional Tips:
Halloween Safety Tips: Treats, Makeup, Novelty Contact Lenses from the FDA
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
UPS Virus
I am sending this out, it is very important, so please be on guard on this virus.... Dave
COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING
The newest virus circulating is the 'UPS Delivery Failure'. You will receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were un-able to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached.DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.
True per http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp
COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING
The newest virus circulating is the 'UPS Delivery Failure'. You will receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were un-able to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached.DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.
True per http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Fog, What Do I Do
FHP: Tips for Driving in Fog
Fog is a thin layer of cloud resting on the ground. It can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. When conditions make fog likely, be prepared to cope at a moment's notice. It can be patchy, going from a light mist to a thick cover in an instant. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
SLOW DOWN - and watch your speedometer - before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers(hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.
REMAIN CALM & BE PATIENT!!
Fog is a thin layer of cloud resting on the ground. It can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. When conditions make fog likely, be prepared to cope at a moment's notice. It can be patchy, going from a light mist to a thick cover in an instant. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
SLOW DOWN - and watch your speedometer - before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers(hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.
REMAIN CALM & BE PATIENT!!
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