BusinessVoice News Network

Here’s a safety tip you can “count” on every time you fly. Make note of the number of rows between you and the nearest exit. That way you can reach out and count the seats by touch as you pass them to make it to the exit in the dark, in smoke or even if the plane is under water. Source Link

These things found in most homes can cripple a WiFi connection. Keep the router away from microwave ovens or heavy-duty metal appliances, along with mirrors that have a thin coating of metal that can interfere with a WiFi signal. Baby monitors and cordless phones use frequencies that also clash with a router, and the water in a fish tank can play havoc when the router is nearby. Source Link

You can deal with stress on the job by changing your approach to work. Find things you can control and focus your energy there, like using a lunch break to re-energize. Be intentional with your time and try to plan more of what energizes you, make a manageable to-do list by breaking big tasks into several smaller ones and practice saying “no” to projects that don’t fit for you. Source Link

You can keep ticks off with clothing that has built-in insect repellent. Testing showed that insecticide-treated clothing stopped ticks from biting or caused them to fall off. You can treat your own clothes with a bug spray but clothing made with insect repellent can work for up to 70 washes. Source Link 

People who are always running late might try these tips to get back on-time. Use analog clocks to give you a visual cue of passing time and set multiple alarms for when to start preparation, as well as departure time and arrival time for an appointment. Figure out exactly how long it takes to get somewhere and then build in extra time, and plan what to do if you’re early to eliminate that excuse for leaving later. Source Link 

Hurricanes and other dangerous storms happen in summer, but don’t put your life at-risk after the skies have cleared and the power is out. Carbon monoxide from a gasoline-powered portable generator is a silent killer, so be sure to place it at least 20 feet away from the house and never use a generator on a porch or in a carport. And be sure home CO alarms are working properly. Source Link

Your laptop can be vital to work and play and there’s a right way to clean it. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with plain water to gently wipe down all surfaces but never spray any cleaner onto the laptop. Compressed air can blow dust and dirt from vents and gently shaking the laptop while holding it upside down will dislodge dirt and crumbs from between the keys. Source Link 

How can you improve the look of your home for just $20? Swap a regular light bulb for a smart model that lets you fine-tune the color and brightness, make over light switches, refresh cabinet hardware, or add self-stick paper to the top of an end table for a new look. You can even create giant wall art by stretching a colorful shower curtain across a simple wood frame. Source Link

These small steps might lead to a more-healthy life for you. Swinging arm circle exercises can help your shoulders and neck muscles and practice standing on one leg to improve your balance. Sit on the floor for 30 minutes a day for better hip joints, and get more steps by walking during a phone conversation. Source Link 

Why should you skip the tablet and grab a book when reading to your toddler? Testing showed that young children paid more attention to parents when sharing a paper book and were less likely to act out. Holding a real book was less distracting than using a screen that may encourage a child to play with it. Source Link

With more people shopping online, more scammers are trying to steal from you. It’s a red flag if you’re unfamiliar with a company and its ad shows up in your social media feed, and a super-low price might get you a counterfeit or pirated product. You can check out unfamiliar websites with review services at bbb.org or ScamAdvisor.com. Source Link

Meal delivery or takeout can be a convenient alternative when you want a night off from cooking but making healthy choices from an online menu can be a challenge. Avoid items that have the words “fried,” “crispy,” “creamy” or “breaded” in the name and tend to be high in saturated fat. Instead, look for terms like “baked,” “grilled,” “roasted,” and “steamed.” Source Link 

It may be easier to get older adults to use sunscreen by focusing on avoiding short-term pain versus the long-term risk of skin cancer. In one study, concern about getting a sunburn was a bigger motivator to use sunscreen and a reminder from their partner also helped. And older adults may prefer a spray-on sunscreen that’s easier to apply. Source Link 

Scammers are out to spoil some special connections in your summer travel plans. Think twice before hooking-up to free airport WiFi because some networks with familiar names could be powered by a hacker’s hot spot. There are other ways to steal your data so don’t charge your phone with a USB cord that’s not yours. And use a charger that plugs directly into a power outlet and not into a USB charging port. Source Link

How can you beat the ever-rising price of a first-class postage stamp? You can stock up now because Forever stamps you buy today can be used in the future regardless of price hikes. Just don’t look for a deal online because there’s no legitimate way to sell postage stamps at a deep discount. Those offers are likely from scammers who want to steal your credit card information. Source Link

You want to do your part for the environment but you can’t swap your car for a bike, switch to all-solar energy or recycle everything? Spending one minute less in the shower each day would save thousands of gallons of water a year. You could also stop using disposable products and keep a few plastic bags in your car so you don’t use more of them on every grocery trip. Source Link

Your house can be easier to maintain when you keep a diary for it. Start with basic information like the square footage, window sizes and door widths for each room, along with notes about paint colors using code numbers from the paint can. You can even make your own paint swatch on a file card that’s easy to take to the home store when you need to repaint or touch-up. Source Link

Avoiding injury when you’re a weekend athlete takes a week-long effort. Get at least ten to 15 minutes of stretching or strengthening each day to help prime your body for weekend activities. And eating a healthy diet all week long with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein will give your body the nutrients it needs to perform. Source Link