Secured Shopping
Last month marked the 11th Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to raise awareness about cyber risks and online safety. As the holiday season approaches, many customers who want to avoid long lines and crowds in stores may prefer online shopping to complete their gift lists. While the Internet offers convenience, it also provides opportunities for hackers to access personal and financial information of unsuspecting shoppers. Hackers use three common techniques to take advantage of online shoppers. These methods are:
- Targeting vulnerable computers;
- Creating fraudulent sites and email messages; and
- Intercepting insecure transactions.
Don't let holiday hackers ruin your Cyber Monday activities. Here are a few tips to stay safe while shopping online:
- Keep personal information private and passwords secure;
- Use secure websites for purchases. Look for the locked padlock icon at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address;
- Shop with companies you know; and
- Use anti-virus software, a firewall, and anti-spyware software.
Cyber security is a shared responsibility. Visit the DHS Stop.Think.Connect. website for more ideas on how to make using the Internet a safer experience this gift-giving season and throughout the year!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Preventing Hyothermia
Some parts of the country are receiving an early dose of heavy snow storms and plunging temperatures. These cold temperatures can make your body lose heat faster than it's produced. This condition results in abnormally low body temperature, also known as hypothermia .
Hypothermia affects the brain, leaving the person unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because individuals experiencing it may not know that it's happening. Individuals most often affected by hypothermia include:
- Older adults with inadequate heating, food or clothing;
- Babies sleeping in cold rooms; and
- People who remain outdoors for long periods like the homeless, hikers or hunters.
In extreme cold, make outside trips as brief as possible to protect your health and safety. However, if you must be outside take a few special precautions :
- Work slowly if you have to do heavy outdoor chores;
- Notify friends and family where you will be before you go hiking, camping or skiing; and
- Dress warmly and in layers. A waterproof jacket will help you stay warm and dry if it starts to snow.
Do not ignore shivering. It is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Learn the other signs of hypothermia and how to care for someone who may be suffering from it before your next outdoor winter excursion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Winter Care for Older Adults
The winter months can bring exciting events such as holiday decorating, travel, and snow. But it can also bring slips, falls, and other health emergencies. For older adults, being prepared for these winter events is important and can save lives. With parts of the country experiencing an arctic blast of winter weather, now is the time to check in with older adult family members, friends and neighbors. Here are a few considerations when helping older adults prepare for winter weather:
- The immune system weakens with age. Once flu season ramps up and the cold air blows in, it's much more important for older adults to visit their doctor if they become sick;
- Have back-ups for medical equipment. Make sure they have extra hearing aid batteries, glasses, and other medical supplies, such as oxygen;
- Be sure they have enough medicine to last for a week. Keep medications, copies of prescriptions, and treatment information in an emergency supply kit;
- Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in the U.S. Non-slip shoes are a great way to help them navigate slippery conditions; and
- Shoveling can put too much strain on the heart and be dangerous if individuals have problems with balance or osteoporosis. Older adults, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, should leave snow shoveling to others.
It's always a good idea to have a communications plan . If you do not live near your older adult family members, make arrangements for neighbors to check in with them. Also, ask the neighbors if it's ok for older family members to contact them in an emergency. With your help, older adults can enjoy the winter months safely. Check out this FEMA guide for more tips to help prepare older adults for emergencies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dates for Your Calendar!
|
