Staying Safe at Home

Burglaries on properties whilst the occupiers are in are very rare as are attacks on people in their own home. However, there are a few simple precautions that you can take to make yourself and your family feel safer. When you are at home try not to leave windows open and doors unlocked that you cannot see, particularly those on the ground floor.

The same applies at night with leaving windows open. If you have latches that allow you open windows slightly but without them then being able to be opened more then use them. Never leave a key under a doormat, garden object or in fact anywhere where someone could find it to gain access to your house. If you are concerned about who might have keys to your property then change the locks or ask your landlord to do so. Never give keys to anyone that you do not know regardless of the reasons - they could easily get them to gain access to your house, and even sold on, copied. Don't let people into your house that you do not know.

Use security devices such as peep holes, door chains and bars in order to establish the reason for unexpected caller's visits and don't let them in without an appointment and proper identification. If you notice someone suspicious in your area or around your property then keep an eye on their movements and try and make a note of their description and any vehicles they may be using. Consider contacting a neighbour or friend or relative in the local area, or if you think a crime is in the process of being committed then contact the police. Sometimes a loud can be enough to scare off prowlers as they will not want people to know that they are there, such as a door banging, noise. Should someone gain access to your property whilst you are in then you should consider letting them take what they want in order to avoid personal injury to you and your family.

Most items will be covered by insurance and can be replaced whereas your health and wellbeing cannot always be guaranteed. You are allowed to use reasonable force to remove someone from your property. If you do end up in a situation where you have to fight back you can use legal items you have with you such as an umbrella, bag or keys. You can not use anything that could be defined by the law as an offensive weapon, not even to defend yourself. Reasonable force allows you to strike an attacker with the amount of force that stops yourself from being attacked. This means you can use enough force to allow yourself to get away.

Once an attacker is floored or incapicitated then do not stop to continue attacking them, getaway as quickly as you can and raise the alarm. Stopping to continue an attack could put you in more danger and force beyond "reasonable force" could lead to you facing an charge, or worse, assault.

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Stretch Mark Removal Tips and Remedies

Stretch spidery red and purple scars, those ugly, marks, can plague anyone. They appear with little to no warning, and seem impossible to get rid of. Many do not know what these marks and how to prevent or remove them, where they come from, are.

Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches more rapidly than it can renew itself, blocking the flow of collagen. This produces but eventually fade to silvery indentations in the skin, which first appears as red and purple lines, scarring. Stretch marks can be caused by puberty, rapid weight gain, pregnancy, bodybuilding, or intense physical activity. Their presence is a great source of anxiety to many and their removal seems difficult, both men and women, people. What Causes Stretch Marks? Stretch marks are caused when the elastic fibers that bind the skin (elastin &.

Collagen) are overstressed, resulting in small tears in the form of stretch marks. While skin's elastic nature is amazing in its ability to expand as we grow, unfortunately it has its limitations. Stretch marks (striae) are actually made up of scar tissue that result when the skin's ability to expand is exceeded. This can occur from bodybuilding , weight gain, pregnancy/ weightlifting, as well as from rapid growth spurts common during puberty. Some other known causes can be the result of using steroidal creams or if used on the skin for longer than a few weeks, such as hydrocortisone, ointments.

High doses of corticosteroids taken orally for longer than a month may also contribute to the occurrence of stretch marks. Stretch marks may vary in their appearance. When they first show up they may have a reddish or purplish coloration and appear slightly indented into the skin, with a noticeably different texture. In many cases, stretch marks may fade over time to a more silver-white color. However, their texture normally remains fairly consistent.

Because scar tissue tends to have less melanin (pigment), tanning may make them become more visible as they may not darken with the surrounding skin. How Can You Get Rid Of Them? There are several methods of stretch mark removal. Depending on what type you eventually choose, you may need to seek the advice of a doctor or other medical professional. This individual will be able to advise you specifically on an individual plan of stretch mark removal based on your personal needs. Should you go this prescriptions and non-prescriptions, be certain to tell your medical professional what medications, route, you currently use.

Some hormone and steroid-based medications can cause or increase the incidence of stretch marks, disruption your removal and reduction plan. Cosmetic procedures are the most reliable methods of stretch mark removal. Depending on the severity, dermabrasion methods of stretch mark removal or chemical peel procedures can be effective. These methods work best against or surface based marks, thin, small. Deeper or more severe stretch marks may require the use of laser surgery for effective removal. Topical treatments are also they may or may not be effective, but depending on the product, available.

Because it is generally considered a stretch mark removal may not be covered by your insurance company, cosmetic procedure, voluntary. Any medical procedure has the likelihood of being expensive. Before you decide what plan you wish to utilize for your stretch mark removal, it is wise to price the various plans. Different facilities may offer the same service at different prices. As mentioned above, topical treatments - lotions and creams - are available for those who do not wish to or cannot afford surgical or other medical treatments.

Some of these treatments are more effective than others, and it is wise to study the individual products before investing in a particular treatment. Those which are effective are best at their work if used prior to or shortly after the development of stretch marks. Use at the beginning of and during pregnancy is common. These creams help to keep the skin soft, preventing scarring as it stretches. Because of the difficulty of removal, prevention is usually the best remedy for stretch marks.

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Eat Healthy, Keep Your Job: Health Trends in America

There's a lot of talk about fat in the media today. As the U. S. government heightens its "war on obesity", fat is rapidly becoming a hot topic and more attention is being focused on the role body image plays in society. The Good NewsAmericans are becoming more aware of the role of a healthy lifestyle and making healthier choices with food. The food industry seems to be listening too!

In a recent study by Mark Clements 54, Inc, Research% of consumers surveyed said they look for items that are made with 100% whole wheat or whole grains when they shop for baked goods. 50% said they look for items that are low in saturated fats. 57% said they make an effort to add more salads, vegetables and fruits to their daily meals. These are great trends! Did you know? New York City has banned trans fat in restaurants there. Many have already begun to eliminate trans fats that make many snacks and fried foods dangerous to your heart and health, seeing this topic gathering steam, restaurants.

But listen to how the National Restaurant Association formally responded to the ban: "We don't think that a municipal health agency has any business banning a product the Food and Drug Administration has already approved, " said Dan Fleshler, a spokesman for the association. However, the fact that the FDA approves trans fats shows you just how little that agency's nod of approval means! The FDA has long been known to put food and drug manufacturers' interests before the public's health. Chicago is now considering a similar ban. that simply because something is low in trans fat, however, Note, does not mean it's low in fat. There are lots of empty calories in a potato chip, even if it was fried in a healthier oil. any food that comes packaged from a manufacturer, even if served in a restaurant, Also, like a bag of potato chips or a cookie, is exempt from the ban! Seeing the handwriting on the KFC and Wendy, Taco Bell, wall's are already eliminating the trans fats from their menus.

Expect to see calorie and nutrient counts on many menus in the coming year too. That's a trend that will empower consumers to make healthier choices. Did you know? Spain took the unprecedented action of banning fashion models who fall below an 18 BMI (Body Mass Index) from their runways and fashion photography! Wow! At least part of the world is taking responsibility for the fact that the images we see in the media every day have a powerful, negative effect on women.

Super-thin models have enormous impact on young women, who see them as "normal" and their shapes as desirable, often spawning eating disorders. But, don't think that Spain's models are now average sized! 18 is still considered underweight (think 119 lbs. on a 5'8" frame). "Normal" BMI measurements are in the range of 5 to Below 5 is underweight. The Spanish decision caused quite a scandal among American designers, who favor models with BMIs way below While it's definitely a move in the right direction, there's room for further change here. 66% of women say they are unhappy with their weight and only 13% say they are happy with their weight. It's hard to say how many are unhappy because they're comparing themselves to the models and actresses in the media. The fact is most people who are unhappy with their weight will diet and studies show the average diet adds pounds the dieter eventually gains the weight back plus an average of 10, no matter how much weight is lost while following a strict calorie reduction diet, because% more. Talk show host Tyra Banks is proclaiming her right to weigh 162 lbs.

At 5'10" tall (a BMI of 23, well within the normal range), her audiences love her looks but fashion industry folks are ragging on her. We might be healthier following her lead rather than dieting ourselves fatter every year. Did you know? Many corporations are taking an interest in the health and weight of their employees. Some regularly present programs on health, fitness and weight loss to their employees. Others host weight loss contests or offer health coaches to their workers.

However, Scott's Miracle-Gro has taken "interest" to a new level. They hired medical specialists to scour every aspect of employees' stop smoking, targeting those who needed to reduce their weight, heath, or get their cholesterol in line. They offer employees various programs to help them reduce the number on the scale or quit smoking. In September of 2006, they went "smoke free" and began firing anyone who smoked when they "failed their drug test. "Time will tell the outcome of the lawsuits that are coming from this policy, but the question is: With the rising cost of medical insurance, will companies hire/fire people who choose unhealthy habits? Will you have to "qualify" for a job with a certain level of health?

Can companies refuse to provide health insurance for anyone who can't maintain a healthy weight? "Big brother" may be alive and well in America's corporations! ConclusionBetween the big marketing machines of the food industry luring Americans to eat more and more (and spend more and more), and the fashion industry touting size 0 bodies as a norm, it's no wonder Americans are confused. As more and more evidence mounts that strict diets and new drugs don't work, doctors and healthcare professionals often feel helpless. One thing is clear: taking personal responsibility for our own health is a positive step. It gives us the the media or the company for whom we work, not the doctor, power.

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Free Financing?

Nothing in this world comes for free. Same goes with finances. Strictly speaking, "no cost finance" does not exist for all types of loans but some loans are "no cost" because the lender pays it on the behalf of the borrower and the borrower repays it over the period of loan with a part of the margin. Whenever you go for some finance you have to pay title processing fees, insurance, underwriting, escrow loan documents etc, recording, fees. are included in financing closing costs.

Then the question arises where from this no cost financing which some companies are offering coming from? This is due to the yield spread or the rebate the lender gives you. Now let us see how this thing works out. You can have your finance from many sources like commercial mortgage companies, mutual banks, banks, etc. they offer their customers a wholesale value interest rate. If the customer applies for a loan with a higher interest rate than this rate that is the whole sale rate, then the lender pays the customer or loan originator a fee called yield spread or rebate. There are many homeowners who do not have ready cash in hand.

They are unable to pay the costs of conventional refinancing or even direct mortgage brokers. These customers are approached with this "no cost" options by the lenders. The point that should be considered that does "no cost" refinancing keep up to their promises? It is common thing in life that are actually not, which sound too good to be true, things. Actually the thing that happens is these schemes have lot of hidden charges which are quite steep. Most of these financing companies opt to charge the customers between 1/2 a point to 5/8 of a point more interest that a customer will pay for a full cost loan.

In such cases, we should not go for a "no cost" refinance. Whenever it is advantageous we should take advantage of a "no cost" refinance. There are many cases where the current interest rate is significantly higher than the current refinance rate. In such cases you should be going for refinance scheme to take the most out of it. This type of financing may also be very useful for people who are planning to take the loan for a short period of time for living in their house.

The customers who are not sure of their loan period can also opt for this "no cost" refinance option. But they should have an option to refinance their loan later, if they plan to increase their loan period. Many borrowers consider the "no cost" refinancing option as they think they cannot afford the normal refinancing schemes. A piece of advice for them, they should do a little research and go for the best offering on "no cost finance". The loan originators who go for this refinance option should make sure that they are getting the correct options. They should be aware of the hidden cost of the schemes to avoid unpleasant surprises that may come up later. The customer opting for these schemes should not be required to pay lender fees or settlements as this will affect the cost of their loan.

The escrow costs and per diem interest would be paid by the borrower. These are the different prose and corns of the "no cost" refinancing schemes available in the market which a borrower should know before opting for these schemes.

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9 Real Credit Repair Tactics from a Credit Repair Agency

Statistics show that 80% of Americans have either bad or erroneous information on their credit reports. That means there's a great chance credit repair could be right for you. If you ask me a more startling statistic is 90% of the information on the internet teaching you how to improve your credit is bad or erroneous. Let me explain.

If you've done any research on credit repair, surely you've seen free dispute letters, If you haven't let me show you the pitch. "The FTC says under the FCRA credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate any dispute. If they cannot prove it's your debt in that time frame, they must delete it". Then it's followed with a generic dispute letter stating the following. "This debt is inaccurate, under the laws of the FCRA please investigate this account and delete it from my file". I've said it for years and finally people are beginning to realize, these letters rarely work anymore. Use some common sense for a moment. If it was that easy, we could all go charge until we're blue in the face and not worry about our bills because we have the magic letters. With that just not with that method, credit repair works and better then ever, said. The real way to improve your credit score is understanding the laws.

When I say that, I mean actually using the law as opposed to just quoting it in your dispute letter. Obviously, I can't cover every law here but I can point out a few violations that are present in nearly every trade line. Re aging debts - Among the most common violations on nearly every credit report. Understanding how a debt's "date of last activity" is calculated is paramount. Chances are it won't be reported accurately. Why?

Because collectors like to date it from the time they "bought the debt" and that is wrong and a sure fire way to have it removed. You can find "date of last activity" and "Re aging Debts" in both the FCRA and the FDCPA. Statute of Limitations (SOL) - Another very common infraction. The SOL I'm referring to is not the SOL for how long a debt can be reported on your credit file. I'm referring to how long a collection agent is allowed to attempt to collect and/or sue on an account. You might be surprised to learn that its only 3 to 4 years in many states.

Also, you must learn the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) I recommend an abbreviated version if you don't want to die of boredom. Learn how to read a credit report. You're mainly looking for Credit Limits and payment history, date of last activity for each account, balances. Learn the FDCPA - again abbreviated version should work. This law governs 3rd party collection agents. This is where you'll score most your points.

These guys can't seem to follow the rules. Other laws to look at: The truth in lending actFair Credit Billing ActHippaa - Medical disputesService members Civil relief act - special Military laws. If you don't see where I'm going with this, it's about finding actual violations of your loopholes and generic letters, not depending on luck, rights. It will take some time, there are a lot of laws to learn. You don't have to be a lawyer, but you do have to get out that fine toothed comb and figure out who has made mistakes.

IF there are violations of your accurate or not can come off, there is a great chance ANY debt, rights. It comes down to negotiating a trade off between you, and the "violator"4) Opt Out with the credit bureaus. Did you know that credit reporting agencies alert your creditors of new applications of credit you may be applying for? They alert them of disputes you're banking information? That, address changes, making's right, collectors subscribe to credit bureau services which enable them to more easily track you.

Opt out and this information is no longer available to your creditors. 1-888-5-optout 5) Check licensing information for collection agents. More times then bonding and insurance requirements in their home state only because the cost is so high too obtain in every state, collection agents will obtain the necessary licensing, not. If your state and requires the collector must posses them all or is not allowed to collect, licensing or insurance, bonding. Therefore, it is not a valid collection and must be removed from your credit report. You can check your Attorney Generals Website for requirements. Request the collector show proof he is allowed to collect the debt.

Sounds easy enough, but you'd be surprised. When you request validation of a debt, the collection agent must show proof he has a contract with the original creditor that he has the right to collect on their behalf. Furthermore, he must get proof you actually owe the debt. You'd be surprised how many collectors have nothing more then their internal records. That is not sufficient. He must get the original contracts directly from the original creditor and send them to you.

Send your disputes to different addresses. Credit reporting agencies have dozens of addresses which you can find on the net. Send your disputes certified mail, return receipt requested to different addresses. You are not required to send disputes to any specific address. Many of the addresses take much longer to get to the dispute department. That's not your problem, if somebody signs for your letter when it arrives.

It's their responsibility to get it to the right department. Credit repair can be very easy when you employ all the tricks and secrets of credit repair that you have at your disposal.

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Reconciling Your Past In Texas, Or What You Should Know About Your Medical History

Your family's medical history can provide insight into the diseases and conditions that are common to you and your relatives. Use this history for clues about your risk for certain diseases and conditions. Family gatherings in Dallas, Houston or anywhere else in Texas can be fun and memorable. They are also an ideal time to catch up on family news and information, including your family's health history.

By mapping your family medical history, you can help identify some health risks you may face in the years ahead and plan for measures to minimize or eliminate those risks. What is a family medical history? A family medical history or medical family tree is a record of illnesses traced among family members. It looks like the family tree you might have drawn in of course, with, school, the addition of health information. This tree shows the relationships between each family member. And, depending on how much information you're able to get for each while including health issues each family member faced, your medical family tree may end up being very detailed, relative.

What are the advantages of family medical history? By compiling a family medical history, you can help your doctor spot patterns of specific conditions and diseases among family members. Your doctor and other healthcare professionals can use your family's medical history - sometimes called a pedigree - for a number of things, including: Diagnosing a medical condition Determining whether you may benefit from preventive measures to lower your risk of a specific disease Deciding what medical tests to run Identifying other members of your family who are at risk of developing certain diseases Calculating your risk of certain diseases Calculating your risk of passing certain conditions on to your childrenWhat can't your family medical history tell you? A family medical history doesn't necessarily help everyone looking for answers about hereditary health concerns. For instance: If you're adopted, family medical histories only work for blood relatives. And if you are adopted and don't know your biological parents, your family's medical history won't tell you about your risk of inherited diseases.

Don't use it to predict your future. Whether you'll actually end up with an inherited condition depends on your health habits, especially diet and exercise. Knowing now that you're at risk of certain diseases can motivate you to change any unhealthy behaviors. It provides limited insight into small families. If you have few siblings and cousins, it could be more difficult to identify family health patterns.

Someday it may be to use genetic testing to predict all of the diseases you, and affordable, possible're at risk for. Until then, your family's medical history is probably the best way to look into your possible future. Gathering information about your family's medical history. Interview your relatives in person or on the phone. Or see if they are willing to take a few minutes at your next family reunion to answer your questions.

Talking with your relatives can also help you renew or build relationships, as well as gain valuable medical knowledge. Devise a questionnaire for your family. This should include questions about medical conditions your relatives have and their health diet and exercise, such as smoking, habits. Also include: Can you provide significant dates, including birth dates and other approximate dates when diseases/conditions were diagnosed? What major diseases has the family experienced?

Examples: heart cancer, stroke, disease, Alzheimer, diabetes, depression's blindness and deafness, obesity, disease. At what age were these diseases or conditions diagnosed? Was treatment successful? Any relatives have a tendency for other conditions: migraines or frequent colds? Have infertility, asthma, allergies, what was the cause? Any history of birth defects, stillbirths or infant deaths taken place in the family?

If so, miscarriages, learning disabilities or mental retardation? What is the family's dominant racial and ethnic background? Some diseases are more common among members of certain races and ethnicities. Is there any other information that may be relevant to the family medical history? There are other sources of information you could which are available through your state health department, such as death certificates, include, and family census records or obituaries, which might include letters, records.

Try to gather as much information on as many generations of relatives as you grandparents, including your parents, can, half brothers and sisters, brothers, sisters, nieces, uncles, aunts, nephews, children and grandchildren. If you're married and have children, include your spouse's family history as well. Make sure the information is as accurate as possible. If you don't have information regarding what caused a family member's death, don't guess. Incorrect information will give you incorrect results. Do your best to collect solid information about your closest relatives, which would be your immediate family.

What can I do if a relative doesn't want to share their medical information? You might come across some relatives who prefer to keep their health information private. There may also be relatives who do not want to talk about an uncle's alcoholism, a niece's treatment for mental illness, a nephew's dyslexia or a grandmother's Alzheimer's disease. Use tact and compassion to overcome this hurdle. In addition, consider these strategies to get family members to open up and share personal information: Emphasize that your purpose is to create a record that will help you determine whether you and your relatives have a family history of certain diseases or health conditions.

Make the completed medical history available to other family members so that they can also share the information with their doctors. Ask a question several different ways. Some people may be more willing to share health information in a face-to-face meeting. Others may prefer answering your questions by mail or e-mail. Word each question carefully.

Don't start with personal questions. Begin your interview by asking general questions about the whole family and then let your relative volunteer his or her personal health information. Be a good listener. As your relatives talk about their health problems, let them speak without interruption. Listen without judgment or comment.

Respect privacy. As you collect information about your relatives, respect their right to confidentiality. Some people may not want to share any health information with you. Or they may not want this information revealed to anyone other than you and your doctor. Now share your family medical history with your doctor. Take your completed medical history to your next doctor's appointment.

Your doctor can help you analyze disease patterns and can talk with you about your risk of developing certain diseases. If you're considering genetic testing, your doctor can discuss this with you and determine whether genetic testing is right for you. You're a young, healthy Texan and you certainly want to continue to stay healthy now and as you get older. So a comprehensive medical history might just help you pinpoint and avoid problems in the future. The right individual health insurance plan might also help you with your long-term fitness and health goals.

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Low Cost Dental Implants

Dental implants are a revolutionary development in terms of dental technology and are giving more and more people a reason to smile! Unfortunately due to the high cost of dental implants, they are still not accessible to many who could benefit tremendously from them. From the time dental implant surgery is undertaken until its final restoration is a period of three months to a year. The patient is billed according to how many implants are put into his/her mouth and the kind of restoration that is done at the end.

Depending on the patient, the fees can run anywhere from $1, 000 to as much as $25, The most readily undertaken dental implant surgery ranges from $850 to $3, A single implant will cost a patient less money than a need for many. To give an example, the replacement of one tooth by way of a dental implant costs approximately the same as a dental bridge does. Patients who require bone grafting will pay more than those who do not. The prices for dental implants vary greatly from country to country (and sometimes from dentist to dentist). For these reasons it is essential for a patient to do his or her research before committing to a particular dental procedure. Some insurance plans cover part of dental implants but not all, while other companies class the surgery as strictly cosmetic and do not cover the procedure at all. There are many people who have no insurance coverage whatsoever.

For all of the above reasons, many individuals seek low cost dental implants but don't want to sacrifice good work for cheaper prices. One option is to find out whether or not payment plans are available with the dentists in your local area. Often this is the case as many dentists realize that why most people value their teeth, it is often not their number one priority. Payment plans can offer flexibility to those who need it most. Most will offer a monthly plan but if you preferred to pay bi-weekly this could probably be worked out as well. Check into this before making a final decision.

If low cost dental implants are something you seek then the best place to look is at one of the many dental clinics scattered throughout the country. These charitable dental clinics are staffed by students in their latter stages of training to be qualified dentists, and they are both assisted and supervised in their work by professional and experienced dentists. They offer their dental services based on how much money a patient earns on a yearly basis. However many of these clinics have long waiting lists due to the modest fees they charged their patients. As well, many of these charitable clinics are only open on specific days (for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and may not have evening or weekend hours.

Many of these dental clinics do not provide emergency care and only accept patients from the local community and not from afar. While many of these charitable clinics do routine dental work such as dentures, fillings, cleanings, partials and extractions, some may or may not offer dental implants as a procedure. However there are some that offer this service so take the time to find out. Many people travel outside of the United States in order to find low cost dental implants. However the extra cost for travel and miscellaneous expenses may or not be something many people can undertake. Still others decide to forego conventional dental implants and instead opt for single day implants (or a procedure known as denture stabilization). These mini-implants can be placed in the mouth at a fraction of the cost of more traditional ones and take only a few short hours to complete.

Denture stabilization (as the name implies) serves to "stabilize" a denture or other prosthetic device in order to effectively have it stay in the place it is meant to stay in.

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