National Cyber Security Alliance Responds to Equifax Breach

September 8, 2017 by 1 Comment

 Equifax announced a major data breach yesterday affecting some 143 million Americans’ personal information. According to the company, the data breach left Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other sensitive information at risk sometime between mid-May and July of this summer.

“Major breaches like this one remind us that it is critical for internet users to remain continually diligent about practicing good cybersecurity habits,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). “As our connected world grows and vast amounts of information is collected and stored, the scale of data breaches is likely to grow. Businesses and organizations that accumulate data must operate with a deep understanding of the value of that data to cybercriminals and the other risks to their customers, employees and networks. It is essential they employ a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity and be prepared to respond if a breach occurs.”

Fortunately, Equifax is reporting no evidence of unauthorized access to core consumer or commercial credit reporting databases at this time. Nevertheless, NCSA urges all Equifax users to take action now to secure their accounts. Equifax is offering complimentary identity theft protection and credit file monitoring. Information can be found at equifaxsecurity2017.com/enroll.

Following any breach, everyone can better protect their accounts by following these steps to stay safer and more secure online, including:

  • Lock down your login. Use strong authentication — more than a username and password to access accounts — to protect your most valuable accounts, including email, social media and financial.
  • Keep clean machines: Prevent infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other internet-connected devices.
  • Monitor activity on your financial and credit card accounts. If appropriate, implement a fraud alert or credit freeze with one of the three credit bureaus (this is free and may be included if credit monitoring is provided post breach). For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission website identitytheft.gov.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. Scammers and others have been known to use data breaches and other incidents to send out emails and posts related to the incident to lure people into providing their information. Delete any suspicious emails or posts, and get information only from legitimate sources.

This data breach happens as the nation prepares for National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an effort co-founded and co-led by NCSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to educate businesses and all digital citizens about staying safer and more secure online. More information is available at staysafeonline.org/ncsam.

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The Best Areas In Your Home To Put A Smoke Alarm For The Best Safety

August 8, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Smoke alarms are an important part of monitoring the safety of your home. As many as two-thirds of all fire related deaths occur in homes without smoke detectors, or with smoke detectors that are not functioning due to improper maintenance. In order to reduce death and injury, you need to have enough smoke detectors throughout your house, and to make sure that they are installed properly.

Types Of Smoke Alarms

There are three primary types of smoke alarm: Ionization, photoelectric and combination.

  • Ionization Alarms – Ionization alarms contain small amount of radioactive material that creates an electric current within the alarm. When smoke enters the detector, it disrupts the current, causing the alarm to sound. These smoke detectors are best at detecting fast-burning fires.
  • Photoelectric Alarms – Detect smoke by using a light source. The light becomes scattered by smoke particles, activating the alarm. Photoelectric alarms are better for detecting slow-burning fires with low flames.
  • Combination Alarms – As the name suggests, combination alarms combine both technologies in order to detect both category of fire. Fire protection units recommend using combination alarms, or to install both types of alarms throughout your home.

Older models of smoke alarms are actually heat detectors. They are not as effective at rapidly detecting fires as the more modern alarm types.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With modern alarms you also have the option of getting a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector. You should also have a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of your home if you have any fuel-burning appliances. Purchasing a unit that is able to detect both can reduce the amount of total units you need to install throughout your home.

Alarm Placement

For optimal protection, you will need multiple smoke alarms. Most homes don’t have nearly as many smoke alarms installed as is recommended.

Smoke alarms should be installed:

  • On every floor of the home, including the basement
  • Inside each bedroom
  • Outside of each bedroom – one in the hall outside multiple bedrooms is alright

Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the unit that you purchase to determine whether the detector should be installed on the wall or on the ceiling. The most common units require ceiling installation with a few feet of space between the detector and the wall.

The instructions will also inform you how much square footage the alarm covers. If you purchase less powerful detectors you will need to install more of them throughout you home.

Connecting your fire alarms with an interconnected alarm system can also be important, especially for large homes. In an interconnected system, if the alarm sounds in the basement, the alarms by the second floor bedrooms will also sound, providing you with an early alert.

Alarm Maintenance

Smoke alarms may be powered differently and therefore require different maintenance. Testing on a weekly, or at least a monthly basis, can help to ensure that your alarms are functioning and will detect smoke in the case of a fire.

Alarms powered by 9-volt batteries are common due to their low cost. The downside to these alarms is that the batteries need to be replaced frequently. Weekly testing is recommended for optimal safety with these alarms, or to change the battery twice per year in combination with monthly testing.

You can also purchase alarms that take a 120-volt battery or a 10-year lithium battery. While these are more pricey, they are more reliable. Some townships require a minimum 120-volt battery.

If you are living in an older home, you will likely need to install more alarms, and may need to replace any existing ones. Check the existing models to see if they are heat detectors, rather than smoke detectors. If they are heat detectors – you should replace them with smoke detectors or install additional smoke detectors for optimal safety.

Conclusion

In order to protect yourself and loved ones from fire and carbon monoxide injury, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors need to be installed throughout your home. Do your research when selecting alarm units and be sure to purchase different types of detectors, or opt for a combination alarm. You should also make sure that the units you purchase have been tested by a recognized laboratory to ensure efficacy.

Install your alarms per the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure that you have enough throughout your home. With proper maintenance and battery monitoring, you will be as safe as possible in your home!

Joanna Sommer

Joanna is the Senior Editor for InformedMag and is passionate about security and tech. She has been working in the home safety and security field for 5 years. Joanna loves to travel and enjoys going to hot yoga and Barre classes. She is dedicated to creating articles that both educate and help people make an informed purchasing decision.

Filed Under: safety Tagged With: ,

Radiator dos and don’ts: staying warm and safe this winter

February 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Having a central heating system and nice, smart, heat-emitting radiators in your home is, of course, all about making sure you and your family keep snug and warm through the winter months. However, sometimes one or all of your radiators may not feel like they’re as warm as they should be or you may feel they’re not operating as they should and, because of that, may even be dangerous to use. In which case, what should and shouldn’t you do when it comes to radiator safety…?
Don’t fiddle with the valve

The radiator’s valve is there to do a job and so, unless you definitely know what you’re doing, don’t play around with it in order to make the room warmer or cooler. Should you open the valve, it’s likely to allow excess piping-hot steam escape from the radiator. Generally speaking then, the valve should be open completely if the radiator’s not in use, or closed completely if it is in use. Moreover, should a banging sound be emanating from the radiator, it probably means the device is leaking – don’t fiddle with the valve, get in an expert to repair the radiator.

 

Keep the boiler’s pressure down

Something else people have a wont to do to generate more heat from their central heating system is to turn up the boiler’s pressure, believing this will increase the heat of the home’s radiators. Don’t do it; because it won’t. In fact, high-pressure steam from the boiler will actually move through the system slower than low-pressure steam. And, in addition to keeping valves closed on the radiators you’re using, check to make sure the pipes that connect the radiators to the boiler are well insulated.

 

Are your children aware of radiator safety?

It’s important for young kids to be aware of what radiators are capable of. There aren’t many dangers associated with them, of course, but as soon as they’re able to understand, children ought to be informed that if they touch the hot metal of a radiator it could burn them (potentially badly) and that, technically, hanging something from a radiator could cause it to catch fire. Also, it’s true that not all radiators look exactly the same – for instance, standard traditional-looking models appear different to stylish radiators and, in turn, one of these will appear different to an electric towel rail. Thus, this may confuse a child if it’s not properly explained to them, so it’s important to stress all radiators can potentially carry the same dangers. If you are concerned, there’s always the option of installing an elegant metal or wooden cover over a radiator or placing a guard in front of it.

 

Location, location, location

Many radiators are located on walls beneath windows, specifically because this can be the most effective position for it to heat a room and keep it warm. However, this also means that the top of a radiator could come into contact with the bottom of a window’s curtains or drapes. You need to ensure this can’t happen, otherwise there genuinely may be a danger the curtains/ drapes could catch fire.

And that goes for furniture too. It may sound obvious to say that sofas, chairs, tables and the like shouldn’t be positioned too close to a radiator but, owing to the fact their upholstery could be burned or – again – in the worst case scenario they could catch fire, it’s worth pointing it out. Especially as there have been recorded instants of toddlers and young children falling into gaps between furniture – especially beds – and radiators and getting burned.

All in all then, like the other tips outlined above, use your common sense when it comes to radiator safety – and if you’re concerned about something that you can’t solve simply yourself, be sure to call in a professional expert.

 

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Top 4 Safety Travel Tips

December 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

travel tips

Taking a vacation is one of the things that helps make life fun.  In fact, studies show that four out of five domestic trips made are for leisure. Getting away from it all is sure to be ideal for better health and less stress. However, you will want to be sure to make the most of your trip, and this means not worrying about what could go wrong. The ideal way to do this is to be as prepared as you can be by putting specific safety tips into place before you leave. Knowing these tips will enable you to have fun while taking time off work.

Tip #1: Secure your home

One of the ideal ways to ensure you won’t have any issues with your home while you’re gone is by activating your security system before you leave. It’s ideal to rely on this type of security to keep your home monitored when you aren’t there to do this job.

Some of the things you will want your security system to do is alert others if an intruder enters your property. This could involve creating a loud siren noise that will blast the neighborhood when an individual attempts a break-in.

The more advanced systems may get in touch with the police immediately if this occurs or you could even have cameras installed that enable you to watch your property at any time.

Tip #2:  Update insurance

One thing you will want to be sure to do is to update your health and auto insurance before leaving. You may need to simply review your policy or make some major changes to help ensure you’re properly covered. The last thing you want to do is to have to make an emergency room visit away from your local area and not have insurance.

Of course, if you’re driving a long distance it’s imperative to have the right amount of auto insurance. This will allow you to feel secure if you’re involved in any type of accident. Additionally, having health insurance as an added protection plan can help you feel even more confident.

Tip #3: Plan for travel emergencies

Getting ready to hit the road is sure to be exciting. Regardless if you’re going a long distance or only making a short trip, you will want to enjoy your time.

It’s ideal to plan ahead for any travel emergencies that may occur and below are a few ideas to enable you to do so:

1.  Tell a friend where you’re going in the event you need assistance for any reason.

2.  Pack a food kit to keep in your car in the event you’re stranded.

3.  Do some research and look for the closest medical facility in the area you’re headed. Be sure to put the address in your GPS.

4.  Keep a bag of essentials in your car that may include a flashlight, blankets, and other things to make you feel more secure.

Tip #4: Create a first aid kit

It’s important to have a first-aid kit with you when traveling. This will enable you to address minor accidents with ease and allow you to feel more prepared.

Be sure to have bandages, ointment, over-the-counter pain relievers and other items you may need in an emergency travel situation.

The key to having the most fun on your vacation is to alleviate the stress and enjoy the surroundings. This can be done with a little bit of preparedness beforehand that can allow you to have the peace of mind you need while doing so.

Filed Under: lifestyle, safety, traveling Tagged With: ,

Want To Know What is in Your Favorite Restaurant’s Foods?

September 20, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Want to know what is in the food you consume when you eat out? Make better choices when you are choosing a restaurant- here are the best and worst chains, and why.

New antibiotics scorecard: number of top restaurant chains restricting use in chicken doubled in 2016
Subway and Wendy’s most improved; KFC, Olive Garden and 14 others get Fs

what is in your food

Since last year, twice as many of the nation’s top fast food chains are responding to the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance by adopting strong policies that prohibit the routine use of antibiotics, or medically-important antibiotics, in the meat and poultry they serve. This is according to the second annual Chain Reaction report and scorecard, released today by a group of consumer, environmental and health organizations, which grades America’s top 25 restaurant chains on their policies and practices regarding antibiotics use and transparency in their meat and poultry supply chains. The nine chains earning passing grades are Panera Bread (PNRA), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), Subway, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s (MCD), Wendy’s (WEN), Taco Bell (YUM), Pizza Hut (YUM) and Papa John’s Pizza (PZZA).

Today’s report, Chain Reaction II: How Top Restaurants Rate on Reducing Use of Antibiotics in Their Meat Supply, is being released amidst a public outcry from consumers and shareholders urging chains like KFC, Olive Garden and In N Out Burger to adopt policies prohibiting the routine use of antibiotics in the meat and poultry they serve. The results from Chain Reaction II come one day before a high-profile meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on antimicrobial resistance, a major global health crisis caused by the misuse of antibiotics by the medical community and livestock industry.

Chain Reaction II highlights include:

  • Panera and Chipotle continue to lead the pack with solid “A” grades for implementing comprehensive policies that restrict antibiotics use across their meat and poultry supply.
  • Nine of the surveyed companies — twice as many as last year — received passing grades, largely due to their transition to chicken raised without antibiotics or chicken raised without medically-important antibiotics.
  • The restaurant chains surveyed this year made little progress on beef or pork.
  • Five companies with strong chicken policies received grades ranging from B to C- (Subway, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell.)
  • McDonald’s earned an improved grade of “C+” this year, after completing its 2015 commitment to end the use of medically-important antibiotics in its domestic chicken supply — with 100% of the chicken at its 14,000 U.S. locations meeting this standard. But the company has yet to take action on beef or pork.
  • Subway improved the most, leaping from an “F” in 2015 to a “B” in 2016. Last fall, under pressure from the coalition and consumers, the chain committed to ending the use of antibiotics across its entire meat and poultry supply by 2025. Very few other chains—and none at this scale—have taken such a strong stance. Implementation of new policies for chicken began this year, but not turkey, pork or beef.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts was the only company to be downgraded to an “F” this year after weakening its publicly stated antibiotic policy.
  • The following chains also received an “F,” either for having no disclosed antibiotics use policy or for having policies that allow for the continued routine use of antibiotics in the production of the meat and poultry they serve: Applebee’s, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Chili’s, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Domino’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, IHOP, Jack in the Box, KFC, Little Caesars, Olive Garden, Sonic and Starbucks.

Research for the Chain Reaction II report, including the survey of the top 25 U.S. restaurant chains, was compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Food Animal Concerns Trust, Friends of the Earth, Consumers Union, and Center for Food Safety.

Filed Under: food, safety

Child Passenger Safety Week #STORKS #TheRightSeat

September 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The Right Seat Isn’t The Only Thing Keeping Your Kids Safe! Let’s Talk About Child Passenger Safety Week!

The Right Seat Isn’t The Only Thing Keeping Your Kids Safe! Let’s Talk About Child Passenger Safety Week!

If you are a parent, it is very likely that you have spent countless hours researching your new baby’s car seat, or which car seat you need to buy next as your child grows and grows. I know that my son is constantly growing it seems, and sometimes I look at him and think maybe he is getting to that age where he doesn’t need a seat. But that just isn’t the case. Many parents take their kids out of a car seat or booster seat way too early. While a good car seat is vital for protecting your child in the event of a crash, it is not enough on its own. Even the best car seats cannot force you to properly install them or buckle your child in.

Every 33 seconds one child under age 13 is involved in a car crash— but safety seats, if used correctly and installed correctly, dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury to children.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbkjToOqJ3Q]

 

Is Your Child In The Right Seat?:

  • Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
  • Children ages 1-3 should be kept rear-facing as long as possible.
  • Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
  • Be certain you’ve installed your car seat correctly by having it checked at an inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with you to a seat check appointment!

Is Your Seat Installed Properly?:

  • Installation Resources:If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child’s safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats:     http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightFit.htm
  • Free Car Seat Checks: During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 events in 45 states across the country, where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge.  Locate a car seat check event here:http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm

The Right Seat Isn’t The Only Thing Keeping Your Kids Safe! Let’s Talk About Child Passenger Safety Week!

As a parent, you are your kids’ strongest influence when it comes to modeling safe driving practices, including buckling up every time you get in the car. Teach your family that safety is the responsibility of all passengers as well as the driver.

Get this message out to your friends and family!

  • Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit gov/TheRightSeatand make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
  • Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat
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“Rise from the Ashes” with Smokey the Bear #SmokeyBearHug #OnlyYou @smokey_bear

August 24, 2016 by 4 Comments

smokey the bear

If you are one to keep up with national news, you have no doubt seen the chaos and devastation that the wildfires are causing across 7 different states. Thousands of acres burned, families who have lost their homes, and even people who have lost their lives. We have all heard the message of Smokey Bear – he has been telling us to prevent fires for 72 years now. His message is just as important now as it was back in 1944.

Smokey Bear’s message about wildfire prevention is the center of the longest running and one of the most successful PSA campaigns in our nation’s history. Although progress has been made, accidental, human-caused wildfires remain one of the most critical environmental issues affecting the U.S. the Soberanes fire, in California, is a perfect example. This fire was caused by an abandoned campfire. By someone being careless and not thinking about the consequences.

fire

We have to take preventative action, always! And while we all know that matches, burning cigarettes, and abandoned campfires are all potential threats for wildfire – there are MANY lesser known causes. Ones that you might be participating in and not even realize it.

Did you know? A wildfire can start due to the following:

  • Improperly extinguished fire pit
  • Dumping ashes from a BBQ/grill
  • Metal chains hanging from a moving vehicle
  • Parking over tall, dry grass
  • Dying embers left in a campfire
  • Oil from a lantern

Note: To Avoid Such Issues You May Make a Best Fire Pit that will help in various ways while traveling.

Coinciding with Smokey Bear’s 72nd birthday, the Ad Council, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), have launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) created to help prevent wildfires nationwide by increasing awareness about less commonly known fire starts.

forest fire

Although most of us don’t behave this way intentionally, each year we learn of devastating wildfires caused by careless behavior which can impact millions of acres of forest and thousands of homes. Although four out of five wildfires are started by people, nature is usually more than happy to help fan the flames.

  • In 2014 there were 7,933 wildfires caused by lightning, but 55,679 wildfires caused by human error (as reported to the National Interagency Fire Center).
  • In 2015 58,916 human-caused wildfires burned over 2 million acres.

Nature, the forest, our parks and trails – these are all an immensely important part of our lives. We need to take the pledge to be smart when we go outdoors. To do everything we can to preserve our beautiful forests. Will you join me in taking the pledge? I for one want to see these incredible lands preserved for my children and for their children.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, safety Tagged With: , ,

Make Sure Your Kids are in #TheRightSeat #STORKS

August 5, 2016 by 2 Comments

pic3

Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? Car seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are completely unrestrained at the time of the crash.*

The Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) want you to know about Child Passenger Safety. They hope to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.

This summer, the Ad Council and NHTSA have unveiled new PSAs featuring characters from Warner Bros.’ upcoming animated adventure Storks. By using the tagline, “Find the Right Seat For Your Flock,” the PSAs urge parents and caregivers to protect their child’s future, by making sure they secure them in the right car seat for their age and size. The English language PSAs direct to SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat and the Spanish ads direct to SaferCar.gov/Protegidos where parents and caregivers can find more information on how to determine if their child is in the right car seat.

The campaign features footage and characters from Storks, which delivers a fresh and funny look at the legend associated with storks delivering babies.

Will you help us spread awareness about the importance of having “the right seat” and “the right fit”?  Here are a few simple ways you can help:

  • “Is Your Child In The Right Seat?”
  • Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

dragon pic

  • How confident are you that your child’s car seat or booster is #therightseat? Enough to stake their lives on it? Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old.
  • Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
  • To locate a Certified Child Passenger Safety technician in your area, go to SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat or download the free SaferCar app from the iTunes App Store.
  • Register your car seat and booster seat at SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat so you will be informed if there is a safety recall on your model.
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