The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Change the batteries on your smoke detector and CO alarm Sunday

Now that you've figured out Sunday is Daylight Saving Time and you'll be setting your clocks back one hour, it’s a good time to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“Early warning is crucial to getting out of a house fire alive and for surviving CO poisoning,” Robert Adler, acting chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said in an agency blog article. “I encourage everyone to check and change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Doing this can save you and your family in a fire or CO emergency.”

The CPSC estimates that in 2016 nearly 352,000 residential structure fires resulted in about 2,410 deaths, 10,370 injuries, and $6.36 billion in property damage in the United States.

Be aware of scams if you’re recovering from the effects of Hurricane Dorian

When a natural disaster occurs, scammers are right there, adapting their fraudulent techniques to the latest emergency.

If you suffered damage from Hurricane Dorian, or if you’re looking for ways to help those in need, you can get information at ftc.gov/weatheremergencies. It offers ways to spot the scams that often follow disasters.

After a storm like Hurricane Dorian, scammers often target people who need to get their homes cleaned up or repaired, or find a new place to rent, said by Colleen Tressler, consumer education specialist for the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers may pose as a government official, asking for financial information or money to apply for aid that you can request on your own for free. They often demand that you pay by gift card, prepaid card, or wiring money. That’s always a scam, Tressler said.

Use caution when donating to victims of Hurricane Dorian

When a natural disaster occurs, scammers appear everywhere quickly to try to get your money.

“The destruction that Hurricane Dorian wreaked across the Bahamas is nothing short of a true humanitarian crisis – entire communities underwater, homes completely destroyed, and lives tragically lost,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “We anxiously wait for Dorian to pass through the southeast United States and hope for minimal impact and that communities remain safe.”

James urged people who want to support those who have been impacted to be prudent when assessing what organizations to donate to.

Baby boomers are thinking about vacationing, shopping, surviving earthquakes, and finding contentment

Last week was the Fourth of July, and so it shouldn't surprise anyone that boomers had their minds on vacations. But, then, finding joy was among their writings, too.

Topics include:

• Saving money on meals during a vacation.
• Dealing with summer safety issues, including fireworks.
• Buying a new car.
• Surviving the Southern California earthquakes.
• Finding that magical place that sustains, restores, and comforts us.
• Taking a vacation from constantly comparing our life to other people's ... because no matter what their Facebook page says, they’re facing challenges as well.
• Seeing that true contentment is really a deep-seated sense and appreciation self. 

This is the Best of Boomer Blogs #604 as reported by Tom Sightings of Sightings Over Sixty. Click here to get the links to the articles. As you peruse them, be sure to let the boomer bloggers know your opinions. We enjoy hearing from our readers.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Think fireworks safety this Fourth of July to avoid injuries and deaths, the CPSC advises

For years, I’ve written about the dangers of fireworks approaching the Fourth of July. And, for years, kids keep getting their fingers blown off and sustaining other injuries and even dying.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday that at least five fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2018 – all associated with reloadable aerial devices.

“CPSC works year-round to help prevent deaths and injuries from fireworks, by verifying fireworks meet safety regulations in our ports, marketplace and on the road,” said Ann Marie Buerkle, CPSC acting chairman. “Beyond CPSC’s efforts, we want to make sure everyone takes simple safety steps to celebrate safely with their family and friends.”

Injuries

There were about 9,100 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in 2018, with 62 percent of them occurring during the month surrounding the Fourth of July. During that period, firecrackers were the number one cause of injuries, making up for 19 percent of the estimated injuries.  For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for more than half of the total estimated injuries.

Myths and facts on drowning that every parent needs to know

By Sean M. Cleary, Attorney, The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary

Guest Blogger

Some parents already know the importance of swimming safety, especially for young children. Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the reality is, one in five people who die from drowning is under the age of 14.

Some swimming injuries and accidents are caused by myths about drowning that parents believe. If a drowning victim survives, he or she may suffer from long term disabilities such as learning disabilities or loss of basic bodily functions. No one ever expects it but tragedy can strike anytime.

Here are some common misconceptions on water safety that create a false sense of security and could lead to drowning:

Myth 1: I will hear my child crying, screaming, and struggling in the water in time to help.

The truth is drowning isn’t noisy. It's silent and can happen in just a matter of seconds. Children don't have the ability to figure out what to do when they’re in trouble. As a result, there can be very little splashing, waving, or screaming and they just slip away in silence. The misconception that you will hear your kids struggling really endangers them.

Portable generators are being recalled by American Honda due to fire and burn hazard

American Honda is recalling about 200,000 portable generators. They can leak gasoline from the fuel valve, posing fire and burn hazards.

Honda has received 19 reports of fuel leaking from the fuel valve.  No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Honda EU2200i, EU2200i companion, and EB2200i portable generators. The recalled portable generators were sold with a red or Camo cover. The names “HONDA” and the generator model name are printed on the control panel. The serial number is located on a lower corner of one of the side panels of the generator.

Rechargeable flashlights are being recalled by Harbor Freight Tools due to overheating and burn hazards

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling about 500,000 rechargeable flashlights.

The flashlight can overheat while charging, posing a burn hazard to consumers. Harbor Freight Tools has received two reports of the flashlight overheating. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Harbor Freight 80 lumen 12v rechargeable flashlights. The small black flashlight has a white button located on the side to turn the flashlight on and off. The base of the flashlight is a charger that fits into any standard vehicle 12V power port to charge.

Baby boomers pondering the holidays, travel, and change

Thanksgiving has always been nice celebration for me and my family. However, in recent years, I’ve been thinking more and more about the criticisms of the holiday.

Meryl Baer of Six Decades and Counting sheds some light on Thanksgiving. Baer did research and discovered some historical facts not taught in school, at least not when she went to school. Her “A Thanksgiving Story for Adults” isn’t X-rated, but includes details that might shock kids and many adults, too.

Carol Cassara at A Healing Spirit reminds us it's not Thanksgiving yet, and it’s still early in the holiday season. Cassara offers a gift guide for the special people in your life.

Rebecca Olkowski with BabyBoomster.com has updated her holiday gift guide for 2018. Look and see what she recommends for fun gifts you can order online for family, friends, and colleagues. And if you’re looking for something tasty to make for Thanksgiving check out her "Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup" of family favorites.

Tom Sightings of Sightings Over 60 is visiting Charleston, South Carolina, billed as America's most historic city. Take a look at “Discovering the Lost Cause” for a glimpse of the city – and a look at what really went on in its gilded past.

Jennifer Koshak of Unfold And Begin reminds us we’ve all been through change. Some easy. Some hard. But imagine finding out that not only is your husband leaving you for his mistress but that he’s lost all of your money and is leaving you in massive debt. That's what happened to Lee Gaitan who is the most recent Starting Over interview on Koshak’s blog.

Laura Lee Carter of the Adventures of the New Old Farts suffered a close call this past summer with wildfires in southern Colorado. Carter shares her thoughts about those caught in California's recent firestorms, and those who simply don't understand how it feels.

This is the Best of Boomer Blogs #573. Click on the links and see what boomer bloggers have to say. And, be sure and join in the conversations. Boomer bloggers love to hear from readers.

Copyright 2018, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How are your finances as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the holidays approach?

 

Are you in good shape financially? Many Americans don’t think they are, according to WalletHub’s  “2018 Halloween Spending and Financial Fears Survey.” Its results show:

• 75 million Americans say their finances have reached “horror show” status, including 30 percent of millennials and 16 percent of baby boomers.
   
• Two in three people think the economy will get scarier in the next 12 months.
   
• 54 percent of people think credit cards are a trick, not a treat. The worst credit cards charge annual fees as high as $995 and APRs up to 36 percent.
   
• 21 million people think a Halloween costume is worth going into debt for.
   
• 29 percent of people say money leads the list of things that scare/stress them out the most, followed by politics at 25 percent.
   
• 23 percent of people say their biggest financial fear is an unplanned emergency, followed by not having enough retirement savings, 22 percent.

The most expensive time of year is coming, when consumers traditionally rack up billions of dollars in credit card debt, investors shuffle their holdings, and people try to enjoy themselves before making resolutions

Things could turn out well, or not so good.