TIPS
4 "U"
If you
have a tip you’d like to share, on any subject, please forward
to the Editor to Stan
SAFETY
| SECURITY | THE HOUSE
| TECHNOLOGY | SAVVY SENIOR
SAFETY
If
you have a tip you’d like to share, on any subject, please forward
to the Editor to sbj4@cox.net
SMOKE DETECTORS
Most smoke detectors in Sun City, not all, are powered by 110-volt
electricity. Therefore they do not draw on the 9-volt battery unless
the 110-volt power goes off. In other words, the batteries are there
as backup only.
Modern 9-volt batteries have about a 5-year shelf life (many are dated)
and therefore do not have to be changed every 6 months. The exception
to this exists in the very early Sun City homes. DW installed a few
homes with battery powered only smoke detectors. I have replaced batteries
in over 100 Sun City homes and have found only one home with battery
powered only smoke detectors. It was built in the late 1980s or early
1990s.
I have advised
many home owners that have smoke detectors powered by 110-volt electricity
that they probably can replace the batteries every 3 to 4 years without
them beginning to squeak. Frank Beers, Handyman & Director
Sun City Summerlin Charities, Inc.
There has been
discussion about using the new Lithium 9 volt battery in the smoke
detectors as they last 4-5 times longer. This minimizes the hassle
of changing these batteries in the ceiling smoke detector. One person
I know is using them states they are the same size so fit. Their cost
is $5 - $6 each based on quantity ordered from www.batterywarehousedirect.com
(Editor)
You can detect scorpions with a Scorpion UV flashlight (32 LED Ultra
Violet Black Light from Arizona from: www.scorpionmaster.com
or 480-802-1085 (in Chandler, AZ). With a flashlight purchase
of $20 or more, you will receive a FREE package of our Scorpion Master
Barrier Strips. The coupon code is “Summerlin”
and you must add the package of Barrier Strips to your cart,
and then can type in the coupon code at checkout. The coupon will
expire on 07/31/10.
SECURITY
SCAM: Anytime and every time you are asked for your
ID or P/W and Birthdate, do not, I repeat, DO NOT SUBMIT. JUST DELETE
THE MESSAGE.
EXAMPLE 1
cox technical assistants nebo20@cox.net
RE: A V2RSGT virus has been detected
A V2RSGT virus has been detected in COX webmail Account. Your email
account has to be upgraded to our new Secured V2RSGT anti-virus 2010
version to prevent damages to our webmail log and your important files.
Click your reply tab, Fill the columns below and send back to us or
your email account will be terminated to avoid spread of the virus.
Current Username: ..............
Current Password: .............
Date of Birth: ..................
Note that
your password will be encrypted with 1058-bit TWL keys for your password
safety.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
System Administrator
EXAMPLE
2
Watch out for a "Wells Fargo Online" message requesting
you to "Confirm Your Wells Fargo Security Question." I called
Wells Fargo; they gave me their security department address that I
used to forward the message. Be careful. Never respond to an email
that asks you for security information. Bob Hall
You can send "suspicious" emails (that ask for any info)
to CustomerAbuse@cox.net
for investigation.
Technology is
so wonderful; how to break into a home in less than 6 seconds with
audio/visual aids!!
Please look at your garage door and how it is framed into the house
as it may be similar to this example. (The Editor checked and his
is not framed this way)
After our home inspection the inspector noted that our garage door
had a dent in it. We determined that someone tried to break in. Then,
searching youtube, we found the following video. Please watch it.
Our solution - we took the pull string off and zip tied the lever
up to the slider. Now you have to cut the zip tie in order to release
the lever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=CMz1tXBVT1s
THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL
YOU:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your
carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2.
Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in
your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window
to make my return a little easier.
3.
Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means
there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out
always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway.
And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long
it takes you to remove it..
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create
car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway
are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your
alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set.
That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the
windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom
- and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up
there too.
8. it’s raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you
forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I
don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere
or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always
check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe
where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take
it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm
system . If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out
of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates
the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at <http://www.faketv.com/%3E;
http://www.faketv.com/)
THE
HOUSE
A
lady got up very early one morning and went outside to pickup the
Sunday paper; she noticed someone had sprayed red paint all around
the sides of the neighbor’s brand new beige truck. She went
over and woke him up and gave him the bad news. He was, of course
extremely upset.
And
they stood there trying to figure out what could be done about the
problem. They decided there wasn't much recourse but to wait until
Monday, since nothing was open. Just then another neighbor came out
of his house, surveyed the situation and immediately went to get his
WD-40 out and cleaned the red paint off with it. Guess What! It cleaned
up that paint without harming the original paint on the truck! I'm
impressed!!
Water
Displacement #40. The product began from a search for a rust preventative
solvent and de greaser to protect Missile parts. WD-40 was created
in 1953 by three Technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.
Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement'
compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus
WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas
missile parts.
Ken
East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40
that would hurt you...' IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL’. When you
read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has
ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works
just as well as glass. It is a miracle! Then try it on your stove
top... It Is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1)
Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains.
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewelry chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some
windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly,
with WD-40!
20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier
to open.
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, well
as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles
for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running
smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve
arthritis pain
37) Florida’s favorite use 'Cleans and removes love bugs from
grills and bumpers.'
38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and
you will be catching the big one in no time.
40) Ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark
and wipe with a clean rag.
42) If you've washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry,
saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and Presto! Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the
moisture and allow the car to start.
44) If you peel off a sticker from any container, mirror, automobile
etc., it will take the stickiness off and leave it cleaner that you
had ever thought possible.
Keep
a can of WD-40 in your kitchen cabinet. It is good for oven burns
or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling away and heals
with NO scarring.
Remember,
the basic ingredient is FISH OIL
CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING
Take
your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster..
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum
foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Peppers
with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer
and better for cooking.
Add
a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef.
It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
To
really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
Spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then
beat them up.
For
a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes
mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a
wonderful minty frosting.
Add
garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of
garlic and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of
garlic.
Leftover
snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply
chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples.
Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over
the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla
ice cream. Yummm!
Reheat
Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove,
set heat to med-low and heat till warm.
This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the
cooking channel and it really works.
Easy
Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all
broken up.
Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly,
cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag
away when done easy clean up.
Expanding
Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it
with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size.
You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also
eat less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating
refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place
them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will
keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper
weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet
newspapers,
Put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch
and for-
Get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they
will not
Get through wet newspapers.
Broken
Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-t ip t o pick up the small shards of glass
you can't see easily.
No
More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel
Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle
your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the
plant and the squirrels won't come near it.
Flexible
vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an
empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It
can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have
a clingy skirt or dress.. Same thing works with slacks that cling
when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... At DA!
... Static is gone.
Measuring
Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with
hot water..
Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient,
such
As peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy
Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the
glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works
better than a cloth!
Re
opening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include s om
ething inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for
an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving
cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to
use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it
in your hair.
Goodbye
Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2'
with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well.
You will find those flies drawn to the cup an d gone forever!
Get
Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take
it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or
so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry
about pets or small children being harmed!
INFO
ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things
around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something
and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was
clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.)
He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter
over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made
of a mesh material .. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter
looks like. Well .... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It
didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a
film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't
SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer r sheets to
make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too.
You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box
... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen.
This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house
down with it!
He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very longtime
(and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out
and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbru sh (or other
brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the
dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new
everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So,
I thought I'd share!
Note: I went to my dryer and
tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little
bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed
it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30
seconds. Then when I rinsed it .. the water ran right thru the screen!
There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was
talking about!
NEW AREA CODE: READ AND PASS ALONG
Do Not DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284, AND 876. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PROVIDED BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
They get you to
call by telling you that it is information about a family member who
has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to
let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.. In each case, you
are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many
new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2,425
per-minute.
Or, you'll get
a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on
the phone as long as possible to increase the charges
The 809 area code
is located in the Dominican Republic. The charges afterward can become
a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If
you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance
carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you
that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company.
You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have
done nothing wrong.
AT&T VERIFIES
IT'S TRUE :
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=26988
SNOPES VERIFIES
IT'S TRUE: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
GO
GREEN & SAVE GREEN
Earth Day is celebrated once a year on April 22, but there are steps
you can take throughout the year to improve energy efficiency at home
and save a little money along the way as well.
Find Energy Star
products for your home. Choosing energy-efficient products can save
families about 30 percent ($400 a year) while reducing our emissions
of greenhouse gases. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances,
remodel, or buy a new house, you can help. Energy Star is the government's
backed symbol for energy efficiency. The Energy Star label makes it
easy to know which products to buy without sacrificing features, style
or comfort that today's consumers expect.
Change your air filter regularly. Check the furnace air filter every
month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If
the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change
the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow
and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool - wasting
energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building
up in the system - leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system
failure.
Install a programmable
thermostat. A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are
away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through
proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can
save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
Replace light bulbs.
Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs
in them with Energy Star qualified lights can save $70 a year in energy
costs. Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
provide high-quality light output, use less energy and last up to
ten times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving money
on energy bills and replacement costs.
Here are few more easy fixes:
• Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power
than an oven.)
• Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired.
• Insulate your home, water heater and pipes.
To learn more about the Energy Star program and other energy-efficient
ideas for all areas of your home, go to www.energystar.gov.
Whether
you use this news on car shopping or forward it to someone else I
hope it’s beneficial. Following is an example of Suzie Orman’s
FREE newsletter which can arrive in your “inbox”. By going
to www.MoneyMindedMoms.com
you can subscribe for yourself and others. I had it sent to my daughter
and daughter-in-law, as well as myself. It always has good, sound
advice. Suze Orman is a very astute financial advisor. Whether or
not you know who she is, the young people in your family will know
of her.
Learn
Sarver Heart Center's
Continuous Chest Compression CPR
Every three days,
more Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest than the number who
died in the 9-11 attacks. You can lessen this recurring loss by
learning Continuous Chest Compression CPR, a hands-only CPR method
that doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest.
It’s easy and does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, making
it more likely bystanders will try to help. It was developed at
the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
http://medicine.arizona.edu/spotlight/learn-sarver-heart-centers-continuous-chest-compression-cpr
http://www.savvysenior.org
