a Lifeguard's Seven Tips About Pool Safety

Teach kids to swim at a young age. It's never too early to install a love of water in a child. Make baby's bath tub fun and happy! Then, when he or she is a toddler, teach them how to float on their backs and roll over. Formal swim lessons can begin at around four or five.

Don't leave children unattended. Even if a child can swim or is wearing a personal flotation device, he or she should not swim alone.

Use U.S.-Coast Guard approved flotation devices. While it may be tempting to save money by purchasing water wings or fins at a discount store, this is not the time to cut costs. Unapproved flotation devices can provide pool owners with a false sense of security and are not completely safe.

Don't dive in shallow water. Never, ever dive into pool water that is less than five feet deep, or when the bottom can't be seen. It can result in serious head and/or neck injuries that may be permanent.

If it thunders, seek shelter. Get out of the water immediately if it thunders. If swimmers can hear thunder, it means that the storm is close enough for lightning to strike a conductor of electricity such as pools, trees, or anything metal. Stay out of the water for 15 minutes after each clap of thunder is heard.

Avoid all distractions. Whoever is in charge of watching swimmers in the pool should not be on a cell phone or any electronic device. No reading and no headphones. Stay close to the pool and don't look away—even for a minute. 

Keep glass containers away from the pool. It is must to keep glass away from the pool and its surrounding area. If it shatters, it will not only be extremely difficult to clean up on the pool deck, it can also slice the pool liner or cut someone's foot.

Labor Day deals kick-off summer clearance as stores prep for holiday

FatWallet.com, where millions of deal hunters go to stack coupons with cash back, presents a one-stop-shop to quickly compare the best Labor Day deals and coupons from hundreds of top retail stores. Early Labor Day sales bring the kick-off of summer clearance which coincides with Back to School clearance, as well as the clearing of other big ticket inventory, like major appliances, mattresses and furniture. Shoppers can reap savings to the tune of 20-80% on patio furniture, grills, tailgating gear, summer clothing and shoes, and a variety of items for the home as retailers look to make inventory room for holiday merchandise. FatWallet members will stack additional savings from increased cash back from dozens of top stores including Walmart, Home Depot, Sears and Overstock.

Lke President's Day and Memorial Day, retailers now lengthen Labor Day sales into a 10 day marathon resulting in some of the best prices of the year on a wide variety of items," states Brent Shelton, Online Shopping Expert from FatWallet. "September can be very fruitful to family budgets, if they know what to shop for."

Seven Labor Day and Seasonal Clearance Hacks:

1. Summer Clothing Clearance: The perfect opportunity to buy t-shirts, shorts, sandals, swimwear and sunglasses at the lowest seasonal prices from 50-75% off retail at both bigbox and branded stores like AERO, Levi's, Nike and PacSun.
2. Back to School Clothing and Tech Clearance: Hitting back to school clearance the last week of August during early Labor Dayevents can offer savings of up to 25% more than in August and July, including laptop deals and older cell phone deals in September (thanks to new iPhones).
3. Yard, Grills and Patio Furniture Clearance: Starting Labor Day and through September, home and garden items see huge discounting from 20% to 60% off, including savings on other accessories like seat cushions, grilling utensils and weed whackers. 
4. Appliances and Mattresses: To make room for new models, Labor Day sales offer 50% or more discounting on the big ticket home items, especially last year's appliances and mattresses (not refrigerators) - the lowest prices we'll see until Black Friday.
5. Fall Fashion: Waiting until mid to late September will pay dividends on buying fall fashion as sale pricing becomes more in focus on the items once summer inventory is cleared out, ramp up to 40% off by the end of the month on boots, jeans, jackets and sweatshirts.
6. Sports and Outdoors: Expect end of season clearance on baseball, golf, biking, camping and fishing and in season sale pricing for hunting apparel and gear from Cabela's, Walmart, Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shops.
7. Holiday Travel Deals:  Best time to book in advance for Thanksgiving and Holiday travel (times, selection and price) as top travel sites offer up to 50% off on airfare, hotels and packages. TIP: Add cash back from more than 100 travel sites shopping through FatWallet and find insider tips for best rates, credit card hacks and stackable travel offers on FatWallet's Travel Discussion forum.

After Splurging in 2014, Families Trim Back-to-School Spending for 2015

Average Spending on Back to School Has Grown 42 Percent in Past 10 Years

After spending more on school supplies and electronics in 2014, parents this year will head into the back-to-school season evaluating what their children really need before spending on new items. According to NRF’s Back-to-School Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average family with children in grades K-12 plans to spend $630.36 on electronics, apparel and other school needs, down from $669.28 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $24.9 billion. Additionally, indicating the continued growth in the back-to-school arena, families on average have spent 42 percent more on school items over the past 10 years.

Regardless of the slight decrease, survey results point to a more confident consumer when it comes to spending and the impact of the economy. The survey found 76.4 percent of families with school-age children say they will change their spending because of the economy, the lowest in the seven years NRF has been tracking it, and down from 81.1 percent last year.

“As seen over the last 13 years, spending on ‘back to school’ has consistently fluctuated based on children’s needs each year, and it’s unlikely most families would need to restock and replenish apparel, electronics and supplies every year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Parents this summer will inventory their children’s school supplies and decide what is needed and what can be reused, which just makes good budgeting sense for families with growing children."

“Heading into the second half of the year, we are optimistic that economic growth and consumer spending will improve after a shaky first half of the year,” said Shay.

As Economy Improves, Impact on Spending Lessen

Solid growth in job creation and consumer confidence have greatly contributed to the economic recovery, which could be positively impacting how families shop for school items this year. The survey found 40.6 percent of those who say the economy is impacting their spending plans will look for sales more often, down from the 46.2 percent last year and the lowest since NRF began tracking this in 2009. Additionally, 29.8 percent will buy more generic or store brand products, down from 34 percent last year and another survey low.

For those who have to restock what their children need for school, 92.7 percent will purchase new apparel, spending an average of $217.82, though most (94.1 percent) will head out for new school supplies, spending an average of $97.74; families will also spend $117.56 on new shoes.

In 2014, 58.3 percent of parents said they would buy electronics for their school-age children, and planned to spend an average of $212.35 — one of the highest amounts seen in the survey’s history. Having less of a need for electronics this year, however, families said they would decrease their spending on gadgets for their children and will spend an average of $197.24.



Source: 2015 NRF Back to School/College Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.
"Heading into the second half of the year, we are optimistic that economic growth and consumer spending will improve after a shaky first half of the year."
NRF President and CEO
Matthew Shay


Early Birds Change Course; Omnichannel Offerings Desired by Shoppers

More families with children in grades K-12 are opting to wait before rushing out to shop. According to the survey, 19.6 percent will shop at least two months before school, down from 22.5 percent last year. Starting a little later this year, two in five (42.8 percent) will shop at least three weeks to one month before school, down slightly from 44.5 percent last year. More families (30.3 percent) will shop one to two weeks before school, up from 25.4 percent last year.

When asked why they begin shopping for back to school at least two months out, 64.9 percent said they shop early to spread out their budgets, and half (51.1 percent) do so to avoid crowds associated with school shopping. Other popular reasons include not wanting to miss out on popular merchandise (21.5 percent) and prices and promotions being too good to pass up (45.3 percent).

Planning to shop around for their school merchandise, families will head to their local department (56.4 percent), discount (62.2 percent), clothing (53.5 percent), electronics (22.4 percent) and office supply stores (35.9 percent). And slightly more than one-third (35.6 percent) of those looking for school items will shop online.

For the first time, NRF asked about shoppers’ intentions to use retailers’ omnichannel offerings; of those planning to shop online, nearly half (48.4 percent) say they will take advantage of retailers’ buy online, pick up in store or ship to store options, and 17.3 percent will look for expedited shipping offers. Nine in 10 (92.1 percent) will take advantage of retailers’ free shipping offers.

“Savvy and budget-conscious parents today have plenty of experience when it comes to looking around for great deals and value-add promotions, and it seems mom and dad will use that to their advantage this summer to take advantage of retailers’ omnichannel services,” said Prosper’s Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow. “To ease hectic schedules and long shopping lists, it’s likely that we’ll continue to see consumers try out and regularly use services like free shipping, reserve online and even same-day delivery — options busy parents have been waiting for.”

Broken out by age, Millennials are much more likely to use these channels: Two-thirds of 18-24- and 25-34-year-olds will use a buy online, pick up in store or ship to store option (65.7 percent and 65 percent respectively), and 15.4 percent of 25-34-year-olds will use a reserve online option, much higher than the 9.1 percent of average adults who plan to do so. Additionally, 23 percent of 18-24-year-olds will use same-day delivery, significantly more than the 10.2 percent of average adults.


Three-quarters Say Half of What they Buy for School is Influenced by Children

Fashion-forward teens and tweens know just how to get mom and dad’s attention when it comes to new school gear to make their friends stop and stare. According to the survey, 86.4 percent of school shoppers say their children will influence one-quarter or more of their back-to-school purchases. And for the smaller purchases, children plan to chip in some of their own money; teens will dole out $33.27, and pre-teens will spend an average $17.57.

- See more at: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/after-splurging-2014-families-trim-back-school-spending-2015#sthash.l4mBg9yf.dpuf

Americans Ready for Barbecues, Travel for Independence Day

Summer is in full swing and Americans are ready to put on their red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family — and plenty of food. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 Independence Day Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, more than 156 million consumers—nearly two thirds of those celebrating (64.4 percent), are planning to take part in the patriotic holiday by attending a cookout, picnic or barbecue, spending an average of $71.23 per household, up from $68.16 last year. Total spending on food items for the holiday is estimated to reach $6.6 billion.*

“The busiest half of the year for retailers is about to begin, and with economic conditions swaying in consumers’ favor more so this year than last, many seem eager to take advantage of retailers’ promotions,” said NRF President and CEO Mathew Shay.

When it comes to shopping for new Independence Day merchandise, though many already have all the patriotic gear they need, more than 48 million consumers - 22.8 percent -will hit the stores looking for decorations, apparel and more to celebrate in style.

The survey found 42.6 percent, or 103 million celebrants, will attend a fireworks display or community celebration, and 11.5 percent – 27 million of those celebrating, will watch a parade. The holiday weekend is also a popular time for travel and vacations as more than 33 million Americans say they will head out of town.

When asked about the impact gas prices will have on their spending, nearly eight in 10 (78 percent) say that the price of gas will not impact their spending for the holiday weekend, up from 70.1 percent who said so last year.

“Consumers this summer and for the 4th of July will take advantage of lower gas prices to head to the beach or get together with family– something they’ve had to think long and hard about in recent years with higher energy costs and limited budgets,” said Prosper Insights Consumer Insights Director Pam Goodfellow.

About the Survey

- See more at: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/americans-ready-barbecues-travel-independence-day#sthash.4vAzxGop.dpuf

It's Vacation Season! Where Travelers Want to Go this Summer

Memorial Day officially kicked off the summer season, and many travelers are looking forward to their next vacation. Travel companies have an insider's view of where customers are looking to go, which often reveals interesting trends.

RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange, looked at search data from RCI® subscribing members planning a vacation from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2015 to get a big picture view of where travelers are hoping to visit this summer.

When searching by destination, the top searched locations were:

1. Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya areas of Mexico (9.1 percent)
2. Florida's Southern Atlantic coast (7.7 percent)
3. Tenerife, Spain (7.2 percent)
4. Cancun, Mexico (5.5 percent)
5. Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina (5.4 percent)

When searching by specific city, the top searched locations were:

1. Orlando, Florida (14.8 percent)
2. Kissimmee, Florida (11.3 percent)
3. Malaga, Spain (4.5 percent)
4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (4.2 percent)
5. Williamsburg, Virginia (3.8 percent)

Don't Let Mosquitoes Take the Fun Out of Summer

Keep Your Family Safe From Biting Bugs and the Diseases They Carry

ST. LOUIS -- When the weather's just right for enjoying the backyard, the last thing you want is to have your good time spoiled by pesky insects. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures you can take to protect family and friends from mosquitoes and other biting bugs.

Keep Bugs at Bay 
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or traveling to exotic locales, use a personal insect repellent as your main line of defense against biting bugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a repellent when spending time outdoors as a highly effective way to minimize risk of contracting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

When you're choosing a repellent, consider the length of time you plan to stay outdoors. DEET-based repellents, such as Unscented Backwoods Cutter® and Cutter® All Family® products, are recommended for those who plan to spend longer periods of time outdoors in more heavily infested conditions. Other options for families are oil of lemon eucalyptus, found in Cutter® Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, and geraniol-based products, such as Cutter® Natural Insect Repellent.

Also, treat your lawn with an all-purpose, EPA-registered lawn spray labeled for use against mosquitoes. Cutter® Backyard™ Bug Control Spray Concentrate, for example, creates a barrier against biting bugs in your lawn for up to 8 weeks of control. Spray over the entire yard, including ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, for up to two months of residual protection from mosquitoes.

Last, use an area repellent around your patio, deck or campsite to create a zone of mosquito protection while you're spending time outdoors. Easy-to-use, all-weather citronella products, such as Cutter® CitroGuard® American Holiday Triple Wick Candle, use the natural repelling properties of citronella oil to repel mosquitoes and other flying bugs for up to 40 hours.

Control Mosquitoes 
In addition to effective treatment on your skin and clothing and around your home, limiting mosquito activity around your lawn can also decrease your exposure:

• Remove the places mosquitoes breed. At least once a week, empty water from flower pots, bird baths, barrels and pet dishes. Empty and change water in fountains, bird baths, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
• Cover swimming pools, and make sure you're not allowing water to collect on the top of your swimming pool cover. Clean out leaves or debris from rain gutters.
• Avoid overwatering your lawn – your grass should be getting about 1 inch of water per week from a combination of rain and watering. If your lawn is still soggy several hours after watering or if water is pooling on the surface, you have too much moisture.

Mosquito-Borne DiseasesNot only are mosquitoes pesky, but they can also be dangerous. Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people each year worldwide, and they're generally at their peak during the summer months. Keep an eye out for reports of several mosquito-borne diseases on the rise in recent years:

• West Nile virus is the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Although only one in five people who contract the virus develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches or vomiting, the virus can cause serious neurological illnesses that can be fatal, such as encephalitis or meningitis. Experts expect the virus to remain a domestic health concern for years to come.
• Although Dengue fever is primarily thought to be a tropical disease, occasional cases have been detected in southern states, including Texas and Florida, in recent years. As many as 400 million people are infected with dengue fever in the tropics and subtropics annually. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache behind the eyes, rash and muscle pain.
• If you're planning to travel outside of the United States this summer, be aware of the risk of mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus. Previously only found in Africa and Asia and most recently in the Caribbean, the virus has been confirmed in several U.S. states among recent travelers to those regions. The painful chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye) virus causes fever, joint pain and swelling, headache or rash, according to the CDC. The chikungunya virus is highly uncomfortable but not deadly.

Beware Of Summer Vacation Rental Scams

AARP Fraud Watch Network Alerts Consumers: Don't let your Summer Turn into a Nightmare

CHICAGO -- Americans planning their summer vacations need to be aware of con artists who use the Internet to lure consumers into summer rental scams. Con artists use the Internet to post fake rental opportunities for beach houses or mountain cabins only to steal money from unsuspecting consumers who wire money for security deposits. AARP's Fraud Watch Network is constantly receiving information about ongoing online frauds and alerting consumers through useful tips designed to protect their money.

"The last thing you want to hear is that the dream beach house or mountain cabin you rented for you and your family doesn't even exist, especially after you have already paid for the rent or the security deposit," said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo. "You've worked hard all year –you deserve to spend a fun, relaxing vacation with your loved ones away from home. AARP's Fraud Watch Network is giving you some tools that will help you protect your money and enjoy your vacation."

Recognize the signs

• Fake ads – Con artists will lift a legitimate ad from Craigslist or another website, attract attention by adding a bargain-basement rental price, include a fake email address, and then ask prospective renters to wire money or send a prepaid debit card for a security deposit.
• The reel-in – With budget rates attached to a too-good-to-be-true listing, scammers try to get your money before you find out the property just doesn't exist.
• Too good to be true – In more advanced scams, scammers create entire websites highlighting a variety of rental properties around the world at attractive prices. The sites come complete with detailed photos and descriptions of the properties, information on local attractions, renter testimonials, and even currency exchange calculators.

Protect yourself

• Use a reputable website, travel agency, or online broker to find your rental.
• Do your research: check that the person offering the rental is the actual owner, and verify that the address is real. You can use Google image search to see if the photos in the listing match the reality, and search for the actual address.
• Never wire money. Paying with PayPal or a credit card can offer some extra security.
• Beware of below-market rental offers. Con artists go after consumers tempted to quickly take advantage of a "great deal."
• Be wary when a property owner claims to be outside of the U.S.
• Try to get referrals from friends who might have some vacation properties they can recommend and are familiar with.
• Never respond to emails coffering vacation rentals to avoid common phishing schemes.

If you've been scammed, notify local law enforcement and your Attorney General. Go here to find out where to report fraud and be sure to warn others by telling your story on our Fraud Watch map.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of identity theft or fraud, contact the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Center at 877-908-3360.

You can also sign up to AARP's Fraud Watch Network and receive alerts about cons and scams going on in your own state. For additional information and resources, follow Terri Worman's and Sid Kirchheimer's AARP blogs on frauds, scams, and consumer protections.

Vacation Spending Survey: 6 in 10 of Americans Will Go On Vacation

BELOIT, Wis.-- FatWallet.com, the one-stop resource for online coupons and deals with cash back savings, announced results from its Vacation Spending Survey* (TNS Global). Of 1,000 American adults surveyed online, 83% said they regularly go on vacations and 6 in 10 go on vacation every year, with 3 in 10 saying they go on two or more vacations per year. Surprisingly, 17% said they never go on vacations, jumping to 21% for 40-somethings and 35% for those that earn less than$30k/year.

According to the US Travel Association, total domestic leisure travel is forecast to exceed $1.6 Billion in 2014. FatWallet's vacation survey also reveals that almost half (46%) will spend more than $1,500 on their next vacation, while 13% will spend more than $3,000(20% for those that earn $75k/year or more). To save money, 73% of vacationers said they look online for special offers and travel deals, use miles and points or look for cash back rewards. Clothing and souvenirs rank as top choices for what vacationers will shop for.

Key vacation survey results:

• Frequency:  Total of 83% of Americans said they go on vacations (93% for those who earn +$75k/year), of those, 32% go more than once a year, 27% once a year, 6% every other year, 18% every few years and 17% never go on vacation.

• Spending:  54% will spend less than $1500 on their next vacation (71% under the age of 30), 46% will spend more than $1,500and of those, 13% said they will spend more than $3000.

• Booking:  48% book 1-6 months in advance, 11% +6 months ahead, 15% less than 1 month and 2% wait until the last minute. 46% get vacation information and advice from family and friends while only 7% use a travel agent for this. 60% said they will use a travel web site and/or a coupons and cash back sites to book their next vacation.

• Saving:  Free WiFi (72%), Free Breakfast Buffet (67%) and Free Parking (66%) are the most important hotel amenities. When booking, special online offers and deals (42%), points or miles (18%) and cash back rewards (13%) will be used most to save when booking their next vacation.

• Shopping:  Vacationers mostly shop for wearables (58%), health & beauty products (30%) and swimwear (28%) to take with, while souvenirs (65%), clothes (39%) and jewelry (16%) were tops for bringing back home. Notably, 1 in 4 will shop for coupons to use and save on their vacation activities.

"Late April is prime time when consumers look to book and save the most on their summer vacations," stated Brent Shelton, FatWallet spokesperson. "FatWallet offers vacationers easy opportunities to save more by earning cash back from more than 100 of top travel sites, including Booking.com, Priceline, and Hotels.com." FatWallet members will stack cash back savings with hundreds of the most current airfare, car rental and hotel deals. The FatWallet Deal Discussion forum is host to smart travelers that share insider information and travel tips for finding the best domestic and international vacation rates.

Don't Be "Board" With Your Deck: Tips for Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Memorial Day holiday less than two weeks away, you may have realized your backyard deck is a wreck. But even if you have no deck at all, it may be time to start dreaming of something bigger and better.

-- With the

Thompson's® WaterSeal® has launched its 2014 Deck of Your Dreams Sweepstakes to help transform your dull outdoor space into a vision of perfection, with a grand prize valued at more than $15,000. That includes $10,000 in cash for building or repairing a deck,$5,000 in gift cards from the popular Plow & Hearth (www.plowhearth.com) of home furnishings and an in-person visit from HGTV/diy Network star, Jeff Wilson, who will offer his expert guidance throughout the design and building process. Enter atwww.thompsonswaterseal.com from April 5-October 4.

Past winners have included the Beck family in 2011 (tore out a 250 square foot composite deck and built a 750 square foot deck), the Durands from Minnesota in 2012 (built a 10x18 screened-in deck on their new house) and the Freeman family from Georgia in 2013 (just completed a 12x12 octagon-shaped deck.)

Wilson says that considerations when building a deck include size, shape, built-ins and type of wood. "But there are also a lot of creative choices to make once the deck is finished," he commented. "It's no different than finishing a family room or any indoor space." To choose a color of deck stain, Wilson suggests referencing the color wheel, and choosing a color that is opposite of your house color for a complimentary effect.

"The new line of Thompson's® WaterSeal® Waterproofing Stain at The Home Depot® come in the five most popular colors – Acorn Brown, Maple Brown, Harvest Gold, Sequoia Redwood and Woodland Cedar – which will work with most home styles," he said.

And since "deck-cessories" make the deck, Plow & Hearth offers the following tips to up the style, function and comfort factor:

• When selecting furniture for outdoor use, be sure to pay attention to the materials from which it was made. Woods like teak, cedar, eucalyptus and cypress are durable, long-lasting and require little maintenance. While wicker can be made of natural materials like rattan and bamboo, it is often crafted of resin—a durable, low-maintenance, easy-to-clean material. Wicker is often lightweight, which makes it easy to move around to create new seating looks whenever you wish.
• The addition of deck planters can really make a deck come alive (literally!) Self-watering planters are an ideal choice, because their reservoir system ensures plants get the water they need to grow.
• It's important to find the right style of furniture for an outdoor space. Adirondack chairs remain a favorite outdoor option. Rockers and gliders offer a traditional, comfortable way to enjoy a leisurely afternoon on your deck.
• Adding a trellis is an effective and affordable means to add vertical interest to an otherwise boring wall on the deck. Trellises can be almost any size.
• Looking for the perfect lighting so the deck can be enjoyed late into the evening? Solar lighting is an eco-friendly, energy-saving option, plus it requires no wiring or cords, which means installation is quick and easy. (And adequate lighting even makes the deck safer for use at night.)

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

ST. LOUIS - Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN), manufacturer of LLumar® window film, is educating consumers on the risk of sun damage in places that may surprise people. To help kick off Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Eastman will be providing skin protection tips and hosting a sweepstakes on their Facebook page May 8-30th. The sweepstakes winner will receive free window film professionally installed on their vehicle and $1,000 Visa® prepaid card. Additionally, the company has partnered with The Skin Cancer Foundation to make a free, downloadable brochure (PDF) about window film available to the public, dermatologists and window film distributors. The brochure outlines the danger of UV rays that can penetrate glass, and discusses how window film can protect people while in their home, in the office and while driving.

Many people are unaware that the sun's harmful rays can penetrate glass – both in cars and buildings. Scientific research shows that drivers are especially vulnerable on the left side of their bodies, where they are exposed to harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) rays from side windows in cars, which are typically unprotected. The average American spends more than 101 minutes a day in a car, and most of that time, they are inadvertently exposing themselves to damaging rays.

"Damage from certain kinds of ultraviolet rays is cumulative," says Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, vice-chair of the dermatology department at St. Louis University.  "These rays, called UVA rays, penetrate deep into the skin and can silently accelerate the aging process, cause wrinkles and even skin cancer."  Unlike UVB rays, which create immediate effects like blistering and burns, UVA rays create long-term damage that is not immediately noticeable. "That's why many people don't realize their skin is getting damaged from sitting near windows in cars or even at their desks at work," says Dr.  Glaser.   

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends adopting a complete sun protection regimen which includes seeking shade and covering up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, in addition to daily sunscreen use. The Foundation also emphasizes the importance of sun protection while driving. Using high performance window film (sometimes referred to as tint) in a car offers all-day protection.

Did you know: Today makes the first day games were played in revered ball parks

This is an important anniversary date for Americans who revere old baseball parks — the Green Cathedrals of nostalgia. April 20 saw the first recognized games played at Boston's Fenway Park, Detroit's Tiger Stadium, Chicago'spreviously used Wrigley Field, and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The years were 1912 for Boston and Detroit, 1916 for Chicago, and 1950 in Baltimore. Fenway Park and Wrigley Field remain cherished outposts of the national pastime. The Detroit and Baltimore parks were closed in the 1990s and demolished in the first decade of this century. There are 814 professional sports teams and clubs in the U.S., 32 of them are major league baseball clubs, and another 250 or so are in affiliated or independent minor leagues. Profile America is in its17th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

From the Best Museums to the Top Theme Parks, FamilyFun Announces Winners of Annual Travel Awards

Disney's Magic Kingdom takes #1 overall spot; Educational museums and historical sites among family favorites

NEW YORK 

-- FamilyFun magazine announced today the winners of the 2014 FamilyFun Travel Awards, an annual search for the best kid-friendly locations and vacation spots as chosen by real families from across the country. For the second year in a row, U.S. family travel destinations were ranked in a variety of categories, including kid-friendly cities, zoos and aquariums, and theme parks. All of the winners will be featured in the April issue of FamilyFun, including the top 12 overall winners, which represent the highest-scoring destinations from each category.

"This year's travel award winners offer worlds of discovery and adventure for families across the map," said Ann Hallock, Editor-in-chief, FamilyFun magazine. "Family vacations are all about having fun, and while many of the families in our survey seek that out through attractions like theme parks and zoos, it's clear that families are also looking for learning and outdoor experiences."

Orlando, Florida, swept this year's family travel destinations, with Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Universal's Islands of Adventure, and the City of Orlando taking the top three overall spots. The Strong Museum, located in Rochester, New York, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, in South Dakota, round out the top five Travel Awards winners of 2014. Museums, historic sites, and national parks and preserves also had a strong presence in the awards, with the top five in each category listed below:

Top 5 Family Museums

1. The Strong Museum (NY)
2. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (IL)
3. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (IN)
4. American Museum of Natural History (NY)
5. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (DC)

Top 5 Historic Sites

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD)
2. National Mall and Memorial Parks (DC)
3. The White House (DC)
4. Lincoln Home National Historic Site (IL)
5. World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (includes Pearl Harbor Visitors' Center and 8 other sites in 3 states) (HI, AK, CA)

Top 5 National Parks and Preserves

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC, TN)
2. Yellowstone National Park (WY, MT, ID)
3. Mammoth Cave National Park (KY)
4. Yosemite National Park (CA)
5. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (MN)

Additional categories include kid-friendly cities, zoos and aquariums, and theme parks. To view the full list of FamilyFun Travel Awards winners for 2014, check out the April issue of FamilyFun magazine in print or on the iPad, or visit familyfunmag.com.

Meatless Grilling

Ever consider going meatless? We’ve have tried from time to time. In fact, John went vegetarian for three years in the 1970s during his 20s. At the time, he was a member of a band called First State Bank where everyone had to be vegetarian. Back then, there weren’t many options. It was pretty much fruit and veggies and strange concoctions from health food stores. When he joined a different band, he became a meat eater again.

I’ve dabbled with it from time to time, maybe going a week or two with little or no meat. It was easy to substitute prepackaged veggie patties for hamburger patties. My favorite is the MorningStar black bean patty. A warmed patty topped with a slice of tomato, roasted pepper and cheese, and you have a quick, yummy, meatless lunch.

I never ventured into grilling veggie patties. Traditional burgers and dogs for me – and I’m not alone. According to a recent MorningStar Farms® survey, 63 percent of Americans agree that backyard barbecues are the biggest temptation to stray from a veggie diet during the summer when compared to eating on road trips and at food festivals.

To make grilled meatless patties more enticing, MorningStar got Chef Carla Hall, cohost of ABC’s “The Chew” and former “Top Chef” competitor to come up with some recipes.

“It’s all about the flavor,” said Chef Carla Hall. “The MorningStar Farms veggie burgers give people a variety of meatless options while adding sizzle and spice to any summer barbecue or party.”

According to the survey, veggie burgers are the No. 1 choice for people considering a meatless version of popular foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken patties. Additionally, half of the survey respondents feel that opting for meatless meals as little as one to three times each week would improve their diet.

MorningStar Farms also has introduced the Burger Back Guarantee, which provides a full refund for those who purchase the product and decide it’s not for them. Details are available atwww.morningstarfarms.com.

Chef Carla Hall lends the following tips to ensure outdoor gatherings sizzle with flavor:

Spray some nonstick cooking spray on the grilling surface before turning up the heat. It makes flipping food easier than ever.

Take the salad out of the bowl and use it to top grilled burgers. Whether it’s a slaw or Caprese salad, consider this the adult version of playing with your food.

Use the grill to take advantage of summer’s wide produce selection. Marinate fresh vegetables in light salad dressing and grill until tender for a tasty side dish. After the meal, add slices of angel food cake and stone fruit or pineapple to the grill for a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Browse more of MorningStar’s recipe ideas. Comment back and tell me your favorite!

Guide to Beach-proofing Your Tech Gear

The beach is a popular place for fun in the sun but a potentially dangerous place for unprotected electronics. To protect gadgets from sand and water, Consumer Reports recommends using zipper or slider food bags.

Any zipper or slider bag will probably provide passable protection. Consumer Reporters advises that you buy a few bags in different sizes to see which ones fit their devices best, and consider replacing the bags periodically, particularly if sand has scratched the surface and affected how clearly the device's screen can be seen and its controls can be used.

Beachgoers should place gadgets in bags before they leave home, and try not to remove them until they're back home and have brushed off the sand and water. Remember, to take decent photos at the beach, the phone or camera will have to be unsealed and removed from the bag.

Source: Consumer Reports via PR Newswire

July is National Hot Dog Month

To celebrate the start of July's National Hot Dog Month, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) is proud to announce the winner of its t-shirt slogan contest. 'Hot Dogs: Relish the Moment' was America's top choice for the Council slogan, beating seven other finalists in a Facebook poll. Gadi Lefkowitz of Baltimore, MD, who submitted the winning slogan, wins a $250 gift certificate to the grocery store of his choosing to build the perfect summer picnic and a custom designed t-shirt with his slogan immortalized on it.

Contest runner ups were:

1st runner up: 'Make the Dog Days of Summer a Footlong' by Joe Lilli
2nd runner up: 'We Know How the Sausage Gets Made' by Susan Schonfeld

They will receive $150 and $100 gift certificates to their favorite grocery store respectively and each will get a t-shirt with their slogan. Altogether the contest drew more than 225 unique entries from around the country.

"The creativity and enthusiasm of hot dog fans is nothing short of amazing," said NHDSC President and 'Queen of Wien' Janet Riley. "Just as there are millions of ways to top a hot dog and everyone has their favorites, there were almost too many good slogans to choose from and the online voting was very tight."

The contest results were announced just as the Fourth of July week was about to begin – a week when Americans will eat more than 150 million hot dogs. That's just part of the seven billion hot dogs that Americans eat between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
"There's no better month for hot dog fans than July," said Riley. "Whether out at a ballgame, backyard barbecue or celebrating America's birthday, hot dogs are the perfect all-American food."

For more information about hot dogs and sausages including the winning t-shirt designs, visit the Council's website at http://www.hot-dog.org/ and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NHDSC. For hot dog videos including proper hot dog etiquette, visit our youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/hotdogcouncil.

Established in 1994, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council conducts scientific research to benefit hot dog and sausage manufacturers. The Council also serves as an information resource to consumers and media on issues related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs.

Source: National Hot Dog and Sausage Council via PR Newswire

Keep Summer Pests at Bay

ATLANTA -- The first day of summer brings warmer temperatures and more time outdoors; unfortunately, that also means you are more likely to get stung by fire ants, bees and wasps and bitten by mosquitoes. As you barbecue with friends or work in your garden, watch out for the following insects that can spoil your outdoor fun.

Mosquitoes

“While fire ants, bees and wasps are dangerous because of their stings, the number one pest to look out for this summer is the mosquito," said Jim Warneke, Orkin's Southeast division technical services manager. "They can carry serious diseases, some of which are fatal."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus, malaria, dengue fever and the virus that causes encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

"The CDC reported 712 cases of West Nile virus in 2011, and dengue fever rarely occurs in the United States," said Warneke. "Prime mosquito-biting times are dusk and dawn, so be sure to take the proper precautions and spray an EPA-approved insect repellent on exposed skin, and wear long sleeves and socks if possible."

Mosquitoes only need a few ounces of water to breed and survive, making them very hard to control, so Warneke suggests removing any standing water from gutters, birdbaths or flower pots.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are reddish-brown and bite and sting when they are disturbed or feel threatened. They attach themselves with their mandibles to people or animals and inject venom through their stingers. Fire ant stings and bites are very painful and can be fatal, but most victims experience painful red bumps.

Fire ants prefer warm and dry, sunny weather and avoid shady areas. Mounds can grow up to 24 inches in diameter and 18 inches high. They are most common throughout the southern U.S. but have been found as far west as California and as far north as Maryland.

Bees, Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets Flying, stinging insects like bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are found all across the country, and they like to build their nests in inconspicuous places.

"Yellow jackets tend to build their nests in the ground, and paper wasps are notorious for building their nests under a building's eaves and soffits," said Warneke. "They also tend to build nests in ornamental plants and hedges. Bees, on the other hand, will build their nests in many different locations, from inverted, unused flower pots and barbecue grills to inside the walls of homes and buildings. They spend their time around flowering plants, so be careful when you are pruning your roses or other annual flowers."

Bee, wasp, hornet and yellow jacket stings are painful and can cause symptoms ranging from headaches, fever and fatigue to vomiting and convulsions. Stings can also be deadly to those who are allergic to their venom. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket and fire ant stings are the cause of about 500,000 allergy-related emergency room visits each year and at least 40 deaths in the U.S. from anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction.

Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, are typical throughout the southeastern U.S., but can be found throughout the country. They, too, are opportunistic when it comes to building nests and will make their home just about anywhere, warns Warneke.

"It is best to stay away from all bees because they are difficult to identify," said Warneke. "All honey bees have a pheromone in their stingers that will attract other honey bees, and that could lead to additional stings."

Warneke recommends the following tips to help prevent flying, stinging insects from being attracted to your home:

Remove all unnecessary food and water sources.

Seal cracks and crevices around doors and windows.

Clean up spilled food and drinks immediately, and keep drinks covered.

Keep gutters clear, and direct water from downspouts away from your home.

Thin vegetation, and do not pile mulch or allow soil to accumulate against your home's siding. This could provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and access for ants to enter your home.

Source: Orkin via PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1eSMQ)