Home invasions on the rise

Times are tough - crooks are suffering too so they're looking for you!  I heard there was a recent rash in the  Cottonwood Heights area of SLC.  These are broad daylight burglaries where they quickly grab and go, sometimes while the owner is at home. 

Check this article for ideas to help keep your home secure.  Meridian Magazine

Filter for the kids' email

If you requested the state to put your email on Utah's "do not contact" list to protect from porn aimed at kids last year when I posted about it, this will expire soon so don't forget to do it again. It doesn't have to be only the kids either. Protect all your email addresses from this junk here.

Please don't do it

WASHINGTON (Reuters) Dec 21 - Text-messaging drivers are six times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who do not text, researchers said in a study released on Monday.

The researchers say the study, using simulator vehicles and identical traffic scenarios, also found the risk of texting behind the wheel appeared to be significantly higher than talking on a cell phone while driving, another dangerous distraction.

"When people talk on the phone while driving they are four times more likely to get into an accident. Here we find another ... increase in this risk," said researcher Frank Drews of the University of Utah, citing previous research.

While other studies have shown the dangers of text messaging while driving, Drews said in a telephone interview that theirs is the first to examine accidents rather than "close calls."

Click the post title for the whole report. It is so important to take every safety precautiohn while driving. Please don't text and drive! It's not just you that is in danger on the road. We can ignore a ringing phone and we don't have to be a slave to text messaging. Tell your friends if you don't answer it is because it is not a good time. Be patient! The life you save may be mine!

Computerized World

Elder Bednar warned of dangers on the web. Click the title to read the article in the Deseret News.

April

April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month

Sexual violence is almost always perpetrated by someone the victim knows. It is important for people in dating relationships to recognize the warning signs of dating and sexual violence.

Some of the warning signs of dating and sexual violence follow:

Victims

• Sudden changes in appearance
• Avoids contact with family and friends
• Lack of interest in things that used to make them happy
• Spends all of their free time with abuser
• Cries alot; moody
• Is very stressed with physical symptoms
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Defends abuser and his/her actions

Abusers

• Sudden and drastic mood swings
• Acts extremely macho or cocky much of the time
• Jealous and Controlling
• Cruelty to animals and/or children
• History of battering
• Constantly checking on partner
• Blames others for their problems
• Won’t take responsibilty for actions

If you or someone you know is in an abusive or dangerous relationship...
CALL 1.800.897.LINK (5465) A confidential Domestic Violence Information Line

In order to get a clear picture of the problem students experience with dating and sexual violence, the Violence and Injury Prevention Program reviewed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey to compared dating and sexual violence.
During 2007, 12.6 percent of Utah students were hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the 12 months before the survey.
In that same year, 11.9 percent of Utah students had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to.

If your teen is in a violent relationship, most likey they are NOT going to come talk
to you about it. Be the one to start the conversation.

Are you in a healthy relationship? Typically this would consist of:

• Respect: being emotionally affirming and valuing the opinions of your partner. Respecting their feelings, friends/family, activities.

• Open Communication: talking openly and honestly about your thoughts, feelings, opinions; without fear of ridicule.

• Honesty and Accountability: accepting responsibility for self and admitting when you are wrong.

• Non-Threatening Behavior: talking and acting so that your partner feels safe and comfortable.

• Trust and Support: supporting each other’s goals in life.

• Shared Responsibility: mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work. Making decisions together.

• Economic Partnership: making money decisions together and ensuring each partners benefits from financial arrangements.

For more information visit: www.health.utah.gov/vipp

Utah Service to Protect Kids

The Utah Child Protection Registry is a free service for Utah residents to protect their e-mail addresses and other electronic contact points from solicitations for certain adult-oriented products and services.

Like the do-not-call list, once a contact point has been registered, senders of messages that advertise prohibited products or services are required to remove the contact points from their mailing lists within 30 days. The service is free for all Utah residents and already protects over 150,000 contact points in the state.

You can read more about the registry as well as register online by clicking on this post title or visiting:
https://www.UtahKidsRegistry.com/friend

Spot the Tot

This is important - help prevent tragedies. This campaign, part of Primary Children's Medical Center's Safe Kids Utah program has now gone nationwide. Click on post title to read press release.

Spot the Tot Campaign Adopted by National Safe Kids Coalition

How to Prevent Driving Backovers in a Few Easy Steps

—Between 1997 and 2003, more than 20 Utah children were killed and more than 415 were seriously injured by back overs. In 2004 alone, 10 children were killed. Please remember to take a few simple steps before you back up. Prevention Steps:

• Before driving, check the street, driveway and area around your vehicle
• Drivers of SUVs and trucks should be extra careful
• Children should be taught not to play in, under or around vehicles
• Supervise children when a driver is leaving the home
• Adjust the driver's seat as high as needed to see clearly out the rear window
• Roll down windows to hear children
• Adjust side and rear mirrors to reduce blind spots

Major Risk Factors:

• Children under 5 years of age
• High-profile vehicles such as SUVs, vans and trucks
• Vehicles traveling in reverse
• Rushed and distracted drivers

Spot the Tot campaign partners: Primary Children's Medical Center, Utah Department of Public Safety, Emergency Medical Services for Children, Utah County Health Department, Utah Department of Health, Injury Free Coalition for Kids, SafeKids Utah, Salt Lake Valley Health Department.