Safety

It doesn’t matter whether you are a guy or a gal where safety is concerned and the tips and information here are directed toward both young men and young women.


Guys always think they will be fine … because they are guys. But, it is better to take a few precautions no matter who you are and that you are safer and not leave a ‘sorry’ family behind.


 Always be aware of your surroundings: A good, quick glance around prepares you for what is going on in the immediate area and who is about and anything else you need to be aware of.


 Walk with your head up and with your posture/back as straight as possible: Your body language says a lot about you to others. When you walk with your head down and body slumped you give others an image of someone too tired or depressed or weak to put up a fight.


 Caution is important when walking alone to your vehicle:  if walking alone to your vehicle, especially at night … have your key in hand and ready. Look around. Make a visual note of other people and vehicles near your own. If a van is parked on the side of your vehicle that you are getting in on … enter your vehicle from the other side.


As you walk toward your vehicle, glance around and look to the under carriage, the front and the back. If you see ANYTHING or ANYONE suspicious turn around and go back toward safety.


 Always check the interior of your vehicle before entering it: Before opening your vehicle door glance inside and especially in the back seat to be sure no one is hiding inside. Once you get inside your vehicle, immediately lock your doors and then put on your seat belt.


 Do not roll down your windows while parked, especially at night. Start your vehicle and leave the area quickly but safely.

Selective Service

Young men from the ages of 18 to 25 must register for Selective Service in the United States. It is the law of the land.

It is the way the United States Government collects the names and addresses of young men from 18 years to 25 years of age who may be called to duty in the Armed Forces in case of a national emergency. A national emergency would be determined by Congress and the President.


Registration must take place within 30 days of the 18th birthday and when men become 26 years of age they can no longer register according to the Military Selective Service Act.

Who is Required to Register?

All male United States citizens and documented or undocumented immigrants who live in the United States and its territories must register if they are between the ages of 18 to 25.

If You Don’t Register?

It is a felony not to register. If prosecuted and convicted of failure to register for the Selective Service young men between 18 and 25 years of age can be fined up to $250,000 and put in jail for up to five years. It is also possible to lose the eligibility for student financial aid, government jobs and training, and United States citizenship for male immigrants.

Forms which can be mailed in to the Selective Service System are available at U.S. Post Offices. Instructions for completing the card are included in the form.

After registering, you should receive A Selective Service Acknowledgment and a Selective Service Number. This should be kept in a safe place in case you need it in the future.


You can verify your Selective Service Number by going online at     www.sss.gov/  to “Check a Registration”. If you move, it is required by Federal Law that you submit a change of address and this can be done by going online at www.sss.gov/ to “Report a Change of Address Online”.  You can also fill out a SSS Form2 which is a Change of Information form. You can get this at U. S. Post Offices.

Slipcovers

 
Looking for a quick way to add a new look for your couch or stuffed chair?

Try using sheets as slipcovers. Sheets can be bought in many colors and can be used just by putting them over your couch or chair and tucking in along the arms and where ever you think will be useful in helping to keep them in place.

You can be creative and get cording at the fabric store or discount department store and use this to tie around the base of the sheet covered couch and this will also help to keep the sheet in place.

You can also purchase generically manufactured slip covers. Diagrams on the packages will indicate whether or not one of these can fit your sofa or chair.

Social Security Cards

 
Today it seems every American citizen gets a Social Security card within days of birth. It is imperative, important, and necessary to keep that card in a safe place.  That might be a special file for important papers or a small fire safe but never in your wallet or purse. If your wallet or purse is stolen and your social security card is in it ….your identity is stolen and this can lead to months and years of future problems that can ruin your credit and even involve you in the court systems if fraud is committed using your Social Security number.

Almost the only time you will need to produce the Social Security card along with your driver’s license and possibly birth certificate is when being employed for a new job. When the employer asks for the Social Security Card, tell them you will happily bring it in as you do not carry it with you normally.

However, if you have applied for a job and have been hired and told to come in on whatever day they want you to start, they will want you to fill out W2 forms, give them a copy of your drivers license and social security card for their employment records … so on that day take it with you. Then take it back home and put it back in the safe place.

The reason the employer wants the card is for employee taxes, and to insure that he has employed a legal citizen.

Starch

Stain Removal

As soon as possible rinse the fabric that has been stained with blood in cold water.  You will have more success if the blood is not allowed to dry. Put liquid detergent on the spot and gently rub into the fabric, then soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Rinse, if the stain has not been removed, then repeat.

Hydrogen Peroxide can also be use on blood stains. Either pour a small amount on the stain or dab it on with a cotton ball or cotton swab. The peroxide may bleach colored fabric.



Grease Removal:

Sprinkle a small amount of flour or baby powder on grease and oil splatters which have gotten on clothing or table linens. Do this as soon as possible. Do not rub into the material but allow the flour or powder to soak up the grease or oil.  Put the flour or powder on both sides of the material.

The flour or powder can be left on the fabrics until time to launder. When you are ready to put the fabrics in the washer put a little extra liquid detergent on the spot and gently rub.

Do not put fabric softer in the rinse. Remove the fabrics that have been treated from grease stains and let them air dry. You can hang them on hangers. After they have dried, check to see if the grease has been removed. If not rub the spots again with detergent and let them sit for an hour or until you are ready to do laundry again.

If you dry grease stained fabrics in the dryer before being sure the stain has been removed the heat from the dryer can set the stain into the fabric. It will be even more difficult to remove.



Ball Point Ink Removal:

If fabric or clothing has been stained with ball point pen ink, spray with hairspray until soaked and then wash. If you don’t have hair spray try using Isopropyl alcohol which can be found at a drug store, grocery or department store. Be sure the stain has been removed before adding fabric softener or drying in the dryer. These could set the stain. If it has not been removed try repeating the treatment.

If the ink is permanent it is very likely the stain can not be removed. You can always try … just in case … but most likely permanent is just what it says …permanent.




Dirt:

The best way to remove dirt is to let it dry and then brush it off with a soft bristled brush if on clothes and fabric. Wash according to the instructions on the clothing label.

When dirt is on carpet, let it dry and then vacuum. Trying to remove it before it is dry will just make it worse and push the dirt deeper into the carpet pile.



Rust Removal:

Put lemon juice on the rust stain until soaked and put the cloth or garment in the sun and allow drying.  Repeat if not removed…if removed then wash.

Cream of tarter and salt: make a paste with water and equal parts of salt and cream of tarter. Put in the sun to dry. If not removed repeat but if it is gone: wash.




Spot Removers:

Rub or spray a commercial spot remover on the stain on your clothing or other material, perhaps a table cloth. Let it sit for about a half hour before washing. There are some spot removers that can be put on the stain and left several days until you have time to do the laundry. You can get these removers in the detergent aisle where you buy groceries.

If you need extra storage space for things that you don’t use everyday or only seasonally try building a table out of a door which you can get for under $25 at a home improvement store. You can also get inexpensive table legs which can be easily attached. Paint or stain the table and place against the wall behind your sofa.

Not only can you store boxes and other small items under it but you also have extra table space for lamps, books and other trivets.

Use closed baskets or trunks for end tables and coffee tables. Blankets and other items can easily be stored in these. Cushions can also be put on trunks for extra seating.





(see Disaster Preparedness)

 


Many use exercise as a stress reliever. A brisk walk or a bicycle ride can both help or a half hour swim if you have access to a pool.

After a long day at work try enjoying at least a half hour of quiet time with a hot cup of tea before starting dinner or household chores to prepare for the next day.

Try a nice warm bubble bath by candle light.

A soothing cup of warm tea along with a good book and soft soothing music can ease the stress of a long hard day.



There are several different kinds of Surge Protectors available on the market.  These can be found at stores that sell computers, and other electronic equipment as well as home improvement centers.

For safety in case of a thunderstorm or power outages caused for other reasons a Surge Protector will help protect your equipment against a sudden outage or surge in electrical power.

Some manufacturers offer guarantees that their Surge Protectors will indeed protect the equipment you plug in. They will insure them up to $25,000 or perhaps more depending on the Surge Protector and who manufactured it. When you purchase one, read the instructions and all the fine print as you may need to register the product and show a receipt of purchase.