An Environment for Bullies~!!

An Environment for Bullies

It has become evident, now more than ever, that one of the biggest deterrent to a child learning, is the very real problem of bullying. Children cannot learn when their focus is on survival and not an upcoming spelling test. In fact, any schoolwork pales in comparison to the threat a child feels every day when he walks into the cafeteria for lunch.

The Scope of the Problem
Recent statistics reveal that nearly 3 million students every year are bullied by roughly 2 million students playing the role as bully. In fact 1 in 7 students, from the time they enter school to when they graduate some 12 years later is either a bully or has been victimized by one. Strong evidence suggest that the most common motivation behind school shootings are revenge from being bullied. A staggering 87% of school shooting and other forms of violence is believed to be because of some form of bullying! In fact murderers are twice as likely as their victims to have been bullied, and finally, an estimated 280 thousand students all across the US are bullied each and every month. You cannot draw a more direct line from bullying to the problems children’s face in the school educational system.

The New Problem of Bullying
Back when many of us were children, the problem of bullying thankfully stopped once we were safely home from school. People do not write bullying letters or throw bricks with notes attached through their victim’s bedroom windows. Unfortunately our children today are vulnerable to bullies in a much different way. Bullies now have access to our children through the internet; a practice known as cyber bullying . Children today have access to each other through various social media platforms like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, and Skype. Children also use basic webcams as well. While the prevalence of cell phones has also made our children more vulnerable to bullies, it seems that bullying pretty much skipped over that form of bullying in preference to online forms of bullying often called cyber stalking. Thanks to the advances of technology in our world today bullies have access to their victims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can now attack their victims whenever and wherever and school administrators, teachers, parents, and police have been at a loss when it comes to preventing this enormous scourge on our society. If children cannot successfully regroup back home and get away from their tormentors, what can they do? Only 1 in 4 teachers see bullying as a real problem and therefore only report bullying a paltry 4% of the time even though a staggering 90% of children grades 4^th through 8^th grade report being bullied! Children and guns do not mix, especially when you throw bullying into the mix. Some studies even report as high as 75% of all school violence is due to bullying.

Forms of Bullying
Not everyone recognizes bullying when it is happening, and part of that is due to the fact that even though it is still very serious, not all bullying is so obvious and sticking another child’s head in the trash can in the hall. There are 4 types of bullying.

• 
  Verbal: This can be making threats, calling names, or anything designed to make another person feel intimidated and afraid.
• 
  Physical: This can be as mild as a shove in the hall or a swirly to violence with weapons or just fists. It’s the most obvious but not always the most serious form of abuse a child can be made to endure.
• 
  Social: This can be as seemingly benign as leaving someone out of games or other group activities or deliberately ignored. It can also be in the form of spreading nasty rumors about the victim. This is a very common form of bullying and can be severely damaging to the victims.
• 
  Cyber: This is using technology like chat rooms, instant messaging, instagrams, emails, and pictures to humiliate, coerce, and embarrass fellow students.

Prevention Starts in the Home
If you expect to be able to bully proof your child, you’re going to have to start before he/she begins school. The more you can do at home to create a strong independent child the better. The more you can do to build up his self-esteem the harder it will be for some bully to tear him down again. Keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and your child is important. The better a child feels about himself the less likely he will allow a bully to make him feel bad about himself. Enrolling you child in self-defense classes is a great idea. Do your research so you can find a school that shares some of your beliefs and views on handling school bullies. Any karate school you send your child too should not just teach the physical moves; that is but a part of the whole picture. Your child should be taught, and modeled respect for others and themselves. If they respect their minds and bodies the less likely they will allow others to disrespect themselves. While you cannot stop all bullying, you can lessen the damage it can do to your child.

If your child complains to you about bullying it’s important that you believe him. You can doubt all you want in your mind, but your child should only see you the protector that believes in him. Find out what is happening to your child and what he/she expects you to do about it. You may find that your child wants to handle things on his own and just wants your support. You might also find that you need to step in and exert your parental control and make sure the bullying STOPS immediately. Above all, listen to your child.

The Pain Ends Here
If you discover your child is one of the millions of victims of bullying it’s important that you send a strong message to your child. You must believe and act immediately. You can say you love and support your children all you want but you have to show it. The moment you find out, you need to make a plan of action. Many children do not want their parent’s overt involvement in their help. They do not want a knight in shining armor to swoop in and rescue them. Most kid’s school reputation could not take that much of a hit. Ask your child if he has an idea of what he would like you to do, then read between the lines. You know your child best and what he says may not exactly be what he wants. Trust your gut instinct and act on it.

Lindsay Holland is a professional blogger that provides parents and guardians with information and reviews for after school care programs and day cares. She writes for The Learning Experience, a leading after school program in Merrimack and child care center in Merrimack NH.

Splatalot Gains Nickelodeon US Air Time~!!

Splatalot, Canada's obstacle course reality series has been picked up by Nickelodeon US bringing it to American viewers for its first season.  

The series airs on YTV and Teletoon French and will debut its first 24 half~hours episodes which features children attempting to make their way upon an extreme obstacle course while avoiding the pitfalls that would throw them into the water with a medieval twist.

Distribution 360 has sold Splatalot in a deal that will allow Americans to enjoy the off~the~wall reality show for kids.  The show is currently seen in over 100 countries worldwide, as it was originally commissioned as an international production involving YTV, the BBC and Australia's ABC.

The Most Important Skill for Self-Defense: Mental Preparedness

Mentally preparing yourself for an attack of any kind is the most important, and sadly neglected, part of anyone’s training. People can learn the physical moves that are necessary to protect themselves in a relatively short period of time, but it can take years to learn how to be mentally prepared to pull the trigger or strike with deadly force. Few people appreciate the importance of this skill for self-defence.

Ready or Not Here He Comes
One thing you can bet on if you are ever attacked is that your assailant is mentally prepared. He has thought through what he is going to do and psyched himself up, so to speak. He is alert and ready to ruin your day, whereas you are asleep in your bed or just walking down the street thinking of everything other than self-defense. Your attacker is like a raging bull and you are like a little fluffy white kitten with sleep in your eyes.

Fighting is not second nature to us humans. We have to be taught to go from the mindset of the kitten that is helpless to that of a tiger that is perfectly capable of protecting himself. Bottom line is you have to be able to go from your normal nice guy persona to a raging tiger in a split second; that is how you will be able to keep yourself form being injured, or worse.

The Flick of the Switch
In any self-defense situation whether you are armed or not you have to be able to go from relaxed to ready like the flick of a light switch; it has to happen that fast. So how do you learn to do that? When you go to shoot your gun for example, do not be casual about it.

You set your gun down on the table at the firing station and take a few steps back. If your gun is holstered that works as well. Take a moment to collect yourself. Think about something that stirs deep emotions for you. Think about your children if you have them. Think about your wife or husband. What would it feel like if any one of these people were violently murdered? Bask in the anger that comes to the surface. When you feel that rage you step up to the firing line and grab that pistol and shoot. If it’s in your holster draw and fire the moment you are in the firing zone. Imagine the person who killed your loved ones is standing in front of you with a gun drawn. Focus on that anger as you fire with your own weapon.

Then when you step away from the firing line take a deep breath and relax while thinking about something that gives you peace. When you step up to the firing line again make that switch to anger about someone who has hurt you or your family. Do that over and over again. Step up, get angry, step back and relax. You can do the very same thing if you are practicing martial arts. Be relaxed and calm before you enter the training area. The moment your foot steps onto the mat you get angry. You are training your mind to make the switch from mild mannered kind person to a precision fighting machine that can protect yourself and your loved ones. With some practice it becomes like the flick of a light switch. You can turn it on and off at will. If you are ever attacked you just flip the switch.

The Element of Surprise
One of the most important principles of self-defense is the element of surprise. Ever hear of someone disarming an attacker with a gun drawn? It’s not because he was faster than a bullet; it was because he did what was unexpected. Let’s take that gun example.

If someone has a gun pointed at you, you need to get within arms- length if you can. If you have determined that your assailant is going to pull the trigger you attack. You knock the gun away and strike with a deadly blow. The key here is surprise. By attacking you are doing the least expected thing. If your assailant thought there was even a remote chance of you knocking his gun away he wouldn’t be close enough for you to do so. When you attack, his brain has to go through the following steps in order for him to pull the trigger.

Acknowledge you are actually attacking him.
Sift through a number of possible responses
Decide upon the response
Act on the decided course of action
Your attacker has to do all that before you ram your finger in his eyes or crush his throat. Bottom line is you don’t have to be faster than a bullet; you just have to be faster than your opponent. Action takes fewer steps and gets a head start. Now I’m not saying go and try to disarm an armed attacker. I just want to demonstrate how effective and important the element of surprise is.

Close Cousins
I bring up anger because fear is its close cousin and it’s easy to swap one for the other. Fear causes you to hesitate or even fail to react at all. Fear makes you slow and saps your strength. You have to be able to take that fear and turn it into anger which can be your friend. Anger gives you strength and focus. Anger gives you the courage you need to do what you have to do to stay alive. Like the light switch you have to be able to flick it on and off on command. You remember that next time you step on the mat to train or step up to the firing line and draw your weapon. When you are finished training, take a deep breath and relax; your job is done.

Adam works for the Gun Safe Store AND teaches firearm safety. The gun safe store has a wide variety of gun safes and pistol safes.

Kansas City Homes ~ Fortifying Your Home During Tornado Season

Kansas City homes see more tornado activity than many other homes in the United States.  "Tornado Alley" stretches from the area north of Texas through eastern Nebraska and northeast to Indiana, with Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas seeing more than their fair share of one of nature's most deadliest forces.

Taking steps to ensure one's safety is always an advantage between life and death and its best to be prepared for when nature lets loose no matter where you live, for a tornado can strike at any time and without any notice.  Being prepared by taking a few basic steps will help to protect your family and possibly your home from any kind of severe damage.

First of all, most building structures either meet or exceed the current building codes for high~wind regions, giving your structure a better chance of surviving violent and destructive windstorms.  Although there is no way to predict if your home will stand if struck with a direct hit, it is better to make sure your codes are in place and your structures sound. And one should never open their windows during a violent high~wind storm, you do not want to give the wind any opportunities to enter your building.

When inspecting your home it is best to pay particular attention to the following areas:  windows, doors, roof, gables and your houses connections (how your structure joins together).  If you are handy with a saw and hammer than you will probably get by with doing all the fortifications on your own or if you are not, then there are many professionals who are certified to do the work for you.

Remember to keep your outside grounds clean and trim, make sure weak branches are pruned and one suggestion is to change all your rock/gravel material to shredded bark, ensuring less damage to your home if high winds happen to pick the rocks up and begin hurling them like bullets around your property.  If a storm is approaching, remove all items that cannot be tied down, off of your property; you wouldn't wish to have your child's tricycle or the wheelbarrow come flying through your home as you prepare to ride out the storm.  

It is imperative to always have an Emergency Plan for you and your family, become familiar with the Emergency Broadcast System in your area and keep an Emergency Preparedness kits nearby in case things get really upsetting.  While nothing is ever for sure, being prepared is always better than not, it could save you and your families lives one day.  And like Dorothy once said..."There's no place like home~!!"

  **  This is a sponsored post for Remax, however, all the points and views are my own~!!  **

Real Estate Investor's Guide To Selling A Zombie Fortified Home

With the threat of a zombie attack looking more and more real in today’s uncertain world, having a well-fortified home is an absolute necessity. Real estate investors understand the need to sell homes that buyers are seeking, so why not a zombie fortified home for those enthusiasts looking to be prepared? Zombie fortified dwellings don’t always scream "buy me" as buyers, even those preparing for the end of days, prefer homes that look attractive. Following are a few tips and ideas to make any home more fortified against a zombie apocalypse while remaining visually appealing for the still living. 

Highlight the Best Features
This is good advice no matter what type of home you are selling. Any dwelling capable of repelling an attack by the living undead will have its positive features. Suburban homes are already built in good neighborhoods and hooked up to running water and electricity. They are also attractive, spacious and easy to modify. Try to downplay the fact that these homes will be right at ground zero when the time comes.

Bunkers and castles are very sturdy, and castles also have the added charm of turrets and a moat to stop the mindless undead. They are also built in strategic and easily defensible locations so homeowners can see the zombie attack coming for miles. When the question of upkeep and heating costs arises, focus on the long-lasting, reliability of the stone walls.

Location! Location! Location!
Savvy real estate investors can always play up the positive aspects of a home’s location. It doesn’t matter where buyers are living when the zombie horde arrives, these investors will already have made the sale. In suburban and city areas, point out the close proximity of conveniences like gas stations, schools and grocery stores. Also point out that buyers will be more likely to find and band up with other survivors in these high-population areas. In the countryside, focus on the freedom, room to grow crops and start new communities. Also point out that there will be fewer roving zombies to worry about and lots more time to spot them before they get close enough to eat homeowners.

If real estate investors happen to be dealing with recreational vehicles (RVs), they can point out their mobility. Owners have the conveniences of home no matter where they go. Just don’t mention the low miles per gallon and complications that come from running out of gas.

With a little forethought, investors can spin any location to show its positive benefits. Just remember to make that sale and get the heck out the area before zombies attack.

Improvements to Raise Property Value
Finally, investors should suggest that current owners make a few improvements to the property. Improved fortification can help raise the value of any dwelling. Consider adding extra defenses to a property to keep out the undead. Things such as bars on the windows, heavy locking shutters, stone walls, and metal fences are all instant ways of adding value.

The more long-term survival minded will appreciate other additions to the home. Adding a back up power generator and rainwater collection system increases the odds of survival for any homeowner. Those that want to maintain their current quality of life will love solar power panels or wind power added to a property to supply electricity indefinitely.

Selling a zombie fortified home before the apocalypse is easy. Investors just need to understand how their buyers think and how they can play up the positive features of any fortified dwelling. Look at the best features of the property. Play up the positive sides of location. Consider adding improvements. The important part is making the sale sooner rather than later. We don’t all live forever.

Photo Credit: Paul Goyette via Flicker Creative Commons

About the author: When not catching late night zombie flicks and preparing for World War Z,  Sam is a real estate agent for great neck apartments.

AMC's The Walking Dead ~ Season 3 Updates

The Walking Dead's Season 3 Location Manager chats with AMCtv.com about what makes the South well suited for horror and where he would go if the world ended.

Dispatches From the Set ~ Location Manager Mike Riley

AMC Announces The Walking Dead Season 3 Preview Weekend ~ July 7 & 8

AMC The Walking Dead Marathon

How to Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit for Your Dog

It is something we never want to think about, the bad situations and natural disasters that could put you, your family and pets in serious danger, yet happens all the time around the world. You do not want to be in a panic wondering what to grab and take with you as you evacuate your home during a time that would be very stressful. The best way to ensure that you have what you need is to prepare in advance for what you would need to take for you and your family, as well as having a specific emergency preparedness kit for your dog.

What to Pack
Emergency preparedness kits should include the essentials needed to live for several weeks. This includes clothes, food, water, medicine and any toys for entertainment and blankets for shelter and sleeping. It is also important to have access to monetary funds, while it is best to have cash stored away; a credit card is also a viable option.

Specifically when it comes to packing an emergency preparedness kit for your dog you
should include the following:

Food*: have 7-21 days of food, either dry or canned (pop-top)
Water*: have 7-21 days worth of water
Food Dishes: one for water and one for food
Medicine*: 7-21 days worth of any medicine your dog requires
Pet Carrier
Blanket
Disposable Bags: waste clean-up
Extra Collar & Tags
Extra Harness & Leash
Pre-printed Lost Pet flyers (just in case)
Copies of medical records
Pet First Aid Book
A Few Toys/Chew Toys

*Food, water and medicine should be rotated in and out often so these items do not go bad and become unusable in the event of an actual emergency.

Other Preparations
Make sure all of your emergency preparedness kits for your family and pets are near an exit and can be easily found and grabbed in the event of an emergency. On top of preparing and maintaining all of your emergency preparedness kits there are also, a few other tactics you can do that can make a world of difference in an emergency. If you do not already, you should get a rescue alert sticker for your home. Available at most pet supply stores, this sticker tells emergency rescue workers how many people and pets are in the house, if it comes to the point that they need to search for survivors. If you are able to get everyone and your pets out of the house, make sure to write “evacuated” over the sticker (or place a pre-written “evacuated” sticker on it). This will let workers know you are safe so they can put their efforts on any other homes that may be affected by the disaster. The other important step to take ahead of time is to plan where you will go for shelter in the event of an emergency. If you have family or friends who are willing to take in your family and pets great, otherwise, you will need to research shelters that are pet friendly, as some shelters will not take in pets. You can also look into a pet only shelter for your pets if you are comfortable leaving your pet for a little while as you all recuperate from the emergency. You may also want to consider installing a microchip in your dog that way your dog will always be connected to your whether he loses his collar and tags or not.

Susan Wright, DMV works closely with wireless dog fence professionals as an expert. Dr. Wright is a veterinarian, writer, and dog owner. When she’s not working caring for family pets, she spends her time writing articles to teach tips on proper pet care.

Campbell's ~ HELP Hunger Disappear~!!

Hunger is a complex issue, but we can all do our part to help. With close to a million Canadians turning to food banks for support, a little help can go a long way.

Visit Campbell Canada's Facebook page and HELP hunger disappear~!!

Campbell's Canada will donate 1 bag of food equivalent to 5 lbs. of food on your behalf JUST for liking their page~!!

Easy peasy...right?!  Soooo...what ARE you waiting for??  ;)

How to Survive a Bear Encounter

If you are out in the woods there are times when you may come in contact with a bear. Often times people will be enough to frighten a bear away. If they are noisy enough they will not even know that they were ever close to a bear. However this is not always the case, sometimes bears approach people, so here are some general guidelines if you encounter a bear.

First you should determine what kind of bear you are dealing with. Black bears and grizzly bears respond differently to different stimuli. If you can determine which type of bear you are dealing with it will help you to make the best decisions for how to proceed.

cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo shared by Tambako the Jaguar

Black Bears
If you are dealing with a black bear and you have some space between you and him, and get a little loud. Say things like, “Get out of here. Go away bear.” You can also hit a couple of rocks or sticks together, or whatever else you find. If the bear starts to approach you further, use your bear spray, which you should carry with you when in bear country. If the bear comes even closer you might try throwing some of those rocks and sticks at him. If that does not work and the worst happens stand your ground. In the worst case scenario, if the bear attacks fight it back. You should punch the bear in the face and nose and claw and dig at the eyes. Kick, hit and fight for your life.


cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography

Grizzly Bears
However this is not how you handle an encounter with a grizzly. Grizzlies are more aggressive and should be handled differently. If you encounter a grizzly you want to determine the distance between you and the bear first. If he is far enough away just talk in a calm voice and announce that you know he is there. If possible back slowly out of the area and make sure not to run or turn your back to the bear. If the bear comes within 25 feet of you, now is the time to use the bear spray. Bears do not like the smell and it should encourage them to leave. If that does not work then stand your ground. Stand up straight and look as big as you can, not challenging the bear, just big. If the bear comes toward you in a curious way stand your ground and the bear spray. If that does not work and you are attacked, then you should cover your neck and lay flat on your stomach or in the fetal position, as you want to protect your stomach and neck from the bear.

If you encounter either of these bears, remain calm, stand your ground, and handle the situation as it plays out.

Written by JustRopes.com, where climbing experts shop.

5 Essential Tools For Your Next Outdoor Adventure

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by Al_HikesAZ

When planning any outdoor outing it is essential to always pack the right gear for whatever activity you are going to be doing. You would not go boating without a lifejacket or hiking without a canteen or pack for water. There are some essential tools that you should never be without if you are going to be outdoors. These tools can get you out of sticky situations and can be used for the most basic needs that anyone in a survival situation could need. And let’s just face it; whenever you are outdoors your adventure could turn into a survival situation relatively quickly.

Knife
So what five tools should you always have with you when you are on an outdoor adventure? I would always start with a knife. Pocket knives are great and convenient for everyday use and they will work if that is all that you have, but given the choice, survival knives are going to better to have with you than a plain old pocket knife or even a Swiss Army knife. A separate multi tool is always good to have, but a dedicated knife is essential.

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by s_mac

Fire Starting Kit
A knife will cover protection, cleaning fish and food. Now we need to cover cooking and warmth. The next tool for that job would be a fire starting magnesium stick. There are many basic types on the market and most of them can start a fire even in slightly damp conditions. Choosing one that can work in wet conditions though your best bet. This will give you a better chance at starting a fire in case you get caught in a rain storm or your supplies get wet.

Water and Food
The next two tools go hand and hand because they tackle the same need. Everyone must have water to survive. You should always have water purification tablets with you. Boiling water will work in a pinch, but for the best results your water should always be purified if you are getting it from an unfamiliar source. A canteen or water carrying device is needed in order to carry water, so you will need one of these as well. The last essential that I would add to this list is pouched, prepared food. I know that may sound just a little weird to some, but it is always smart to have an energy bar or trail mix or something with you just in case.

Written by JustRopes.com, the online leader in climbing ropes and other safety equipment.

Black~Legged Ticks in Ontario

Black~Legged Ticks, formerly known as Deer Ticks, carry an infectious disease called Lyme Disease and if left untreated can prove to be fatal.

Over the past few weeks I have noticed, via my Facebook feed, that several people are complaining about ticks and the increase in people seeing them on their persons over other years has been staggering.  It is because of this I decided to bring awareness to the situation and mayhaps, giving some of you the information you require to get help before it becomes a health problem.  If you love nature, such as I do, your going to need to know such information in order to better equip yourself before traversing into the wild.

Ticks are closely related to spiders...shiver...and are typically small when unfed, at all stages of their growth blood is needed in order to survive their design.

Ticks cannot fly and are quite slow and they usually sit upon tall grasses and bushes waiting for a host, such as people or animals, to brush against them and allow them to attach themselves to you.

They can take up to several hours to find a suitable place to infest your body and the bite is quite painless, so often you do not even realize they have attached themselves to you.  One good thing to note, but you can never be sure, is that, many of the ticks do not carry the Lyme disease, however, who wants to play Russian Roulette with an insect?

In Ontario, Black~Legged Ticks are more often found in rural areas, along the shores of Lake Erie, Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.  The boundaries of tick populations are not easily defined and it is believed that contamination into other neighbouring areas is inevitable.

The nymphal stage usually begins in the summer months and it is at this time that is more likely for one to contact Lyme disease via a tick bite than any other.  Even though Ontario has a higher risk of Lyme disease than any other location, the chances of actually contacting the disease is slim.

Ticks feed on blood by inserting their mouthparts and not their whole bodies into the skin of its host.  They feed slowly and their bodies will actually enlarge as they eat, making it more visible for the eye to see.  It usually takes about three to seven days for a tick to complete its meal.

If a tick has bit you that does carry the Lyme disease it is important to note that it usually takes about 24 hours after it has begun to feast for the infection to set it, this is why it is imperative to always check your person after an outing with nature.  The bacteria infection takes time in order to migrate from the tick's stomach to its salivary glands and it is because of this delay that buys you time from infection.

Now let's assume you have been infected, symptoms usually begin to appear within three days to one month.  If you show signs of fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and a skin rash, especially one that has a red bull's eye, you should seek medical advice.  And please note, not all show the red ring rash.  Antibiotics will help clear any early signs of Lyme disease.

In order to avoid ticks, some handy things to remember are to wear light coloured clothing, it makes it easier to see the offending creatures.  Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, with closed footwear and socks.  If you are able, tuck your pants into your socks for added protection.  If you know you live in an area that has had reported Lyme Disease then it is important to have tick repellents that have DEET as well as, using tick and flea collars on your pets.

Do not put anything on the tick or try to burn it off, though I did hear if you soaked a cotton ball in some liquid dish detergent and gently dab it upon the area for a few seconds, it will draw the tick out.  I have never applied this but it may work, especially for those hard to reach areas~!!

Remember where you found the tick if at all possible and report it to your public health workers.

Clean the bite site thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and soap and water.

Blood tests should conclude whether or not you have contracted the disease and further medical treatment can be decided upon then.

I love and adore nature and wouldn't want these tiny insects to spoil my enjoyment nor would I wish for it to spoil yours~!!  If you hear of any in your area, please share your story below, help keep us all informed~!!

Zombie Insurance for Your Home

In many parts of the country it is necessary for homeowners to have disaster insurance of some form or another. For instance, in California you might purchase earthquake or fire insurance or in Florida you might opt for hurricane or flood insurance.  However, did you know that over 95% of American’s lack insurance from the most certain of all impending disasters? We aren’t talking tornadoes or meteor showers here, this is far worse, we are talking about a zombie apocalypse. 

The sad truth is that most people are woefully unprepared for such an event and when it does happen, only the well prepared will even have a chance of survival.  There are no guarantees of survival, but there are some steps you can take to help yourself out.

The best thing you can do is to have a safe house out in the country or somewhere remote.  Ideally up in the mountains or a in deep, secluded forest.  This will provide cover as well as easy access to firewood to keep your warm in the long winters. It should also be equipped with well water and fully stocked with supplies.  At first sign of the apocalypse you should escape to your safe house. Let’s be honest though taking out a second mortgage to buy a safe house is a luxury few can afford.  Let’s focus on your current home instead.

Think of your home as your castle, because once things get bad, it pretty much will be.  You need to be able to weather the siege of assailants who may come against you at any moment.  First, go to Home Depot or a lumberyard and purchase plywood, 2x4’s and nails. You will need to board up every window and door as much as you can.  Put all the heavy furniture you can in front of them as well. You will need to leave at least one emergence exit that you can get out of quickly but you need to keep it covered, lightly boarded and well hidden.

IF help arrives at all, which it probably won’t, but if it does it may take weeks to do so.   Therefore you need to stock up as much food, water and medicine you as you can.  Be sure to ration things out the best you can. Purchase fuel and store it as well.  Emergency wind up flashlights that do not require batteries are an excellent purchase as well.  If you have to leave in a hurry the fuel will be needed for your truck. 

I cannot express this enough, you need to turn one room into a panic room.  This should be somewhere defensible like a basement or second story room if possible.  Reinforce the walls and double barricade the windows and doors. Place most of you supplies in this room. If worse comes to worse, this is your last line of defense.

Finally, stock up on weapons and ammo, they will be your best friend. Generally speaking, shotguns and swords can make quick work out of zombies, but handguns, rifles and even chain saws can work. Whatever you can get your hands on, use it. It is important to have at least one quiet weapon that doesn’t need fuel or ammo , like an axe, since conservation and stealth will be your best way of staying alive.

Despite all of this your odds of surviving a zombie apocalypse are still pretty slim, but at least this will give you a chance. Which is more than most people will have.

Jeff Jordan lives, breathes, fights the undead and writes in sunny Southern California. He mainly writes about zombies. automobiles, mortgage refinancing and pop culture.  He would write about romance and dating but it shoud be obvious he knows nothing about it.

How To Survive a Nuclear Holocaust

Have you ever worried about a nuclear holocaust?  It can be a challenging time for any body and it's important to take certain steps in order to avoid radiation contamination.

Those who dwell near a radiation leak should abandon the area immediately.  In certain circumstances, the military will be dispatched to help those in severely contaminated areas as well, the television/radio will provide an emergency broadcast giving you full directions on your course of action.

A Geiger counter is an essential tool for monitoring radiation, both inside and outside of your home.  It is very important to monitor for radiation levels for if they climb too high, you will have to evacuate your facility.

I would recommend using HEPA air filters during this time, as it is imperative that you minimize the radiation inside your home.  It would also be an added benefit to vacuum on a regular basis.

Following the guideline listed below, you and your family should feel safer in the decisions you will have to make in the event of a nuclear holocaust.

From: BestHealthDegrees.com

What is a Survival Kit?

What is a Survival Kit?

One phrase that you've probably been hearing a lot these days is “survival kit.” With all the stories of impending doom, tsunamis, WW3, and global disasters, people are starting to think a little bit more seriously about their futures. How many things you you depend on to keep you alive every day? Your car? House? Refrigerator? There are hundreds of thousands of tiny little things that we use every day that we completely take for granted.

What if, in the next hour, all of those things were stripped away, leaving you with nothing but a few items you can scavenge and your wits for survival? Sadly, most of us wouldn't make it when the brown stuff hits the fan, and that's where survival kits come in.

Survival Kit Meaning
A survival kit is a bag or package with just the basic supplies that the human body needs to stay alive. This includes stuff like food and water, as well as tools for making fire, building shelter, and possibly finding more food in the wild. Survival enthusiasts also call it a “bug out bag,” because when things go south this is all you need to “bug out” and get out of the major population centers, where survival will me the most difficult.

Bug out bags are usually contained in something that's easy to carry and not too heavy, such as a duffel bag or a backpack. The trick with a bug out bag is to use your space wisely, because it's so limited. You want to have enough supplies to be able to survive for at least a week, but you also need to be able to move quickly on your feet and not present a target to other survivors who may not have been so prepared.

What Should Go Into a Survival Kit?
Just the basics. That's all you need. In a realistic situation, a survival kit should really only be necessary for a few days, sometimes just a few hours. However, the last thing you want to do is under-prepare and then find our you're still waiting for aid after the supplies have run out. A good survival kit for any situation should have:

Water – A healthy human being can only function well for three days without water. After that survival becomes next to impossible. You should have at least a week's worth of water for each person.
Food – We can last longer without food, but to keep our strength up we still have to keep eating. Your survival food should be lightweight and compact, and be either preserved or dried so that it can last for an indefinite amount of time. Shelter – Ranging from a tent to a simple tarp on a tree branch, shelter will keep you dry and out of the elements.
Fire – Matches or a lighter (or both) so you can build a fire for warmth, protection, and signaling.

Kiersten Jones is a blogger who explains the need and use of survival kit through her blogs. If you're interested in Kiersten’s blogs related to survival kit  please contact through her website.

How to Survive a Zombie Attack

It's bizarre to think that los of us take this issue quite seriously. We've been fed so much from films about zombies and viruses that spread around, taking people over. I think it's all gone to our heads a bit, and we think it's a genuine threat.

So much so, that I have even created a survival guide, based on how people manage to survive in the films. Whether you really take this advice... well I'll leave it to you to decide whether you really want to take heed - maybe print it out and keep it in your pocket?

DO's

Do keep a TV on to help you assess the situation. Many seem to find it prudent to turn off the TV in the middle of a broadcast in order to have a moment's silence to absorb the information. They're insane! Knowledge is power, so keep the television on, assuming a zombie connected disaster hasn't taken out the national grid.

Do keep a weapon with you at all times. Presuming you don't own a gun, some of the best ones to go for are metal poles with a makeshift pointy end. Nice and sturdy, and helps keep you at some distance from the disease ridden zombies. Curtain poles are perfect.

Do remember this: "remove the head or destroy the brain". This is the only way to kill zombies properly, so if you're with other people, try and form a team with specialised methods. You can poke the zombie around with the curtain pole to slow him down a bit, and someone else can have a sledge hammer to bash his head in. If they're still not eliminated, someone else can deal with chopping the head off with an axe. Simples!

Do keep a survival rucksack with you at all times, with some long-life food, and don't ever take it off to have a 'wander round'.

Do stick together with the group you're with, and never 'split up' to find something. If you encounter another group of people, take great care. Try and observe them from a distance to assess if they're trustworthy.

DON'T's

Have you barricaded yourself into a room with boards nailed to doors and windows so the zombies can't get to you? Well for god's sake, DON'T put your head next to a gap in the boards. After a tense moment or two, a zombie hand will emerge at alarming speed and they will manage to somehow break through and eat you alive.

Don't even think about looking outside through the gaps, or you will get infected blood splattered onto your eyeballs.

Don't blindly take government advice, which could actually lead to disaster. How do you know that the government isn't corrupt and actually wants you dead, by giving you instructions that lead you to danger?

Don't talk loudly. You're supposed to be QUIET so that zombies won't know you're there, so for the love of god, keep your voice down!

Don't let people endanger you. If someone's kicking off and endangering the safety of the group, you'll have to take the situation into your own hands and take them down.

Dealing with zombies is a dangerous business and you should think through your own personalised plan to survive an attack. How long the attack will last is something else to worry about since you don't know what ruthless ideas the government have to contain the virus. But, if you hang in there, keep up the moral of the group, and don't do stupid things, you should be fine.

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History of Shields

Types of shields

Used for thousands of years from all corners of the globe, shields have been a means of protection from attack by either stopping projectiles such as rocks arrows or bullets or by redirecting or slowing down a blunt hit from a sword, club mace or axe. Over time, shields became much more than a means of protection, and represented an allegiance or a social status. Although not as utilized as much in the modern world, shields still serve many cultural and practical purposes and hold major unnoticed roles in our day to day lives.

Early Shields

The oldest forms of shields were sometimes made of metal, but were usual constructed out of wood or animal hides. They often served not only in combat, but also as a means of shelter. Shields reached their height of importance during the early European Middle Ages, as shields were made out of small round sheets of metal. This immediate method of protection when linked together formed a wall of protection, and gave way to early forms of battlefield tactics.

Middle Age Shields

Over time, the simple small and circular shield was replaced by the kite shield, which led to the heater shield style which is often the prevailing image we have of middle aged shields. These shields were more durable and quite often these shields served as symbolic purposes, as they would hold the family crest or another symbolic image across the shield. The decline of the use of shields came with the entrance of gunpowder propelled objects. Although quite simple, and only capable of shooting one shot at a time, early rifles could pierce both shields and armor rendering them useless.

Modern Shields

Modern shields used today are professionally constructed and are usually intended for two purposes in the law enforcement industry. Riot control shields are made from metal and polymers, and offer protection from low velocity but heavy objects such as rocks, bottles and bricks. They are also an effective means for blocking or pushing back large crowds of people. The second purpose of the modern shield is for bullet protection purposes. These shields are much heavier and less mobile, and are made out of advanced synthetics that make them bulletproof or bullet resistant.

Non-Combat Shields

Excluding combat shields from the picture, shields are built and maintained to shield us from heat and harmful radiation. Nuclear power plants would not be able to exist with advanced shields to prevent harmful radioactive waves from entering our bodies. The same goes for lead shields used every day in dentists' offices and medical centers to reduce the long term damage X-rays have on the human body.

Citations:

• Image via Taifighta

This article was contributed by Pro-Tec Equipment, manufacturers and distributors of trench shields and other trench shoring products.

UKnowKids.com ~ Parental Monitoring

UKnowKids.com is an advanced parental intelligence system.

Featured in Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Parenting.com, UKnowKids makes parenting easier and gives you the tools to make it safer for your children.

After one of his children became a victim of a online predator, Tim Woda, felt there had to be a better way to keep children safe while online.  Tim's brother, Steve, joined on board and sometime in June of 2009, UKnowKids was born.

Along with a team of highly successful programmers, internet security and risk management personal, the goal was to create the first Parental Intelligence System in order to help parents keep their social and mobile kids safe.

Their online service make's it much easier for you to connect to your child's online personality.  UKnowKids.com's technology helps protect your children from online predators, bullying, and sexting.  Without constantly hounding your children, this service allows for easier tracking by providing parents with the necessary tools to keep their children safe.

You get:

Comprehensive Facebook Monitoring

Mobile Phone & Text Message Monitoring

Monitor activity from any location.

Receive daily top contact lists

Recently added social networking friends

Time of Day reporting

Text-lingo & slang translation

Contact & Message search engine

Tools to help you teach your children

Pictures posted by your child

Pictures posted of your child

Notifications sent by email of SMS

Customizable Notifications

Now...if ANY of you would like to check UKnowKids.com for FREE...then grab yourself a copy of the code below and go sign up NOW~!!  


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10 Safety Tips for Using a Facebook Site for Kids

There will come a day when children may ask their parents if they can set up a Facebook profile.  Although many parents will be fine with this, there are others that have some concerns.  Facebook is not meant for young kids and there are age restrictions to prevent children under the age of 13 from using this site.  It is possible that there are adults out there that use Facebook with the wrong intentions.  Young children may not understand what is safe and what is not safe to post.  Many times kids give up information too freely.  Facts such as where kids live, where they are going throughout the day, who they are going to be with, and if they are going to have adult supervision will enable someone to track down these kids. 

Even though Facebook may not be the right choice for the entertainment of a child, there are sites that are specifically created for kids under the age of 13 that have the strictest security.  Parents need to do some research and understand how the website works before allowing their child to set up a public profile.

Creating Safe Online Profiles
There are a few things that kids can do to ensure safety while using a social networking site for kids without giving too much information away. 

1. Do not use real name – Kids can make up a nickname or alias.  That way their friends will know who they are but it will keep their identity private from people trying to find or contact them.
2. Keep personal information private – Do not reveal information about yourself or family members that would not normally be revealed or information that may be used to find out your location.
3. Do not post a photo of yourself – Instead upload a picture of something else or use an avatar such as a cartoon character to keep your identity private.
4. Do not give out an address or phone number – Giving out your address or phone number can give a stranger the ability to find or contact you.
5. Do not post inappropriate photos or videos – a rule of thumb for deciding which pictures should be posted is to consider if your parents would approve of these pictures. 

Networking Safety
After creating a profile there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure all content stays age appropriate.

1. Do not talk to strangers – if a stranger approaches you online, tell your parents.  Some friend requests are fine because they are from other children but it is best to let your parents determine who it is safe to network with.
2. Do not trust that a message is from who it says it is – websites and accounts can be easily hacked to send messages to other people.  Contact that friend to make sure the message is from them.
3. Type the social networking address into the browser – If you log into a fake site then you are giving your personal information to someone who could potentially steal it.
4. Be selective about friend requests – Accept friend requests form only people you know.  Identity thieves have been known to create fake profiles in hopes that they might get information from you.
5. Choose a social network carefully – Determine which Facebook site for kids has a privacy policy and which ones are monitored frequently.  Some sites even allow parents to create a profile to monitor what the child encounters online. 

Enjoy spending time on a social networking site just make sure it is safe and secure for all users.

Kids Social Network is a safe social networking site for kids that is constantly monitored to ensure that it is the safest kids social networking site out there.

4 Really Good Reasons You Should Use A Breathalyzer

Owning a breathalyzer of your own probably wouldn't be on the top of your priority list.  A lot of us are very trusting of ourselves.  We have high beliefs that "I'll be fine" and "I've done this type of thing many times before."  I have a breathalyzer of my own and I have found a handful of reasons of why I'll keep it around.  Here they are:

1) Keeping Yourself Honest
What is it about alcohol that gives you this blooming sense of confidence?  I've walked out of many parties and bars completely convinced that I was perfectly fine to drive.  It was only when I was on the road that I started second guessing myself.  I'm assuming many people run into this as well.  A breathalyzer can keep you honest.  It'll help to remind your brain that you aren't as good as you think you are.  To me, actually seeing the result and my BAC is very powerful to me because it's shown right there to me in black and white.  No grey areas, you're either over the limit or you're not.

2) A Good Reminder
I put my breathalyzer in my car where I know I'll always see it.  This way, I can remind myself to use it if I need to.  For some, this won't work out so well.  You might need to actually attach it to your keychain, if you can.  Now, keep in mind that you could get busted for jumping into your car without the engine being turned on.  Where I live, if you have the keys in the ignition, even if the car is off, you're subject to getting a DUI.

3) Save Your Life... And Others
Driving intoxicated is downright irresponsible.  You know it.  We all know it.  No one needs to tell you.  The problem is that we are always a little bit more inebriated than we really think we are.  It's better to not trust yourself in these situations.  I'm sure there are many people that love you.  Take yourself out of dangers way and remove the possibility of hurting others.

4) Use It At Parties Or Social Gatherings
This could be a cool entertainment idea at parties.  Now, don't drink so much that you're just trying to top the high score, that would defeat the purpose.  People can easily make a huge game out of a breathalyzer, that's not what you want.  However, as a designated driver, you could use it to monitor the BAC of others to ensure that people who are too drunk to drive stay safe.  You can buy mouth pieces separately for pretty cheap. That way, things stay sanitary.

As an extra tip, I taped a piece of paper to the back of my breathalyzer with taxi cab phone numbers and the numbers of trusted friends that I could call should I ever need their help.  This will take the work out of hunting for the information you need since you're less likely to do it when you don't have the information ready.

Dan Thomas is an avid health & personal development enthusiasist who loves to share his knowledge.  He also writes reviews for breathalyzers including what you should know about them.  Follow him on Twitter (@HealthCrazyDan) to follow his views on health, fitness, and personal growth!