Are you taking preventive measures to prevent a break-in?

Many families have the “it’ll never happen to me” syndrome. Except there’s a burglary every 18 seconds in the U.S., according to a Safe Wise report. The good news is that research from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology found that a home security system tends to deter burglars.

Take action now to prevent a “should have” situation by protecting your home with a wire-free home security system. Lorex’s battery-operated design eliminates the need for any bulky cables, so the system can be installed discreetly indoors and outdoors and maintain your home’s aesthetic integrity.

Is your family educated about fire safety?

It’s also important to be proactive about fires and avoid being a part of these scary statistics: The National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2016, there were 1,342,000 reported fires that caused 3,390 deaths and $10.6 billion in property damage. The American Red Cross encourages families to come up with a fire escape plan, as well as follow fire-prevention tips and fire-safe habits. Fires start and spread quickly; practice with your children how to use a fire extinguisher and how to escape during an emergency.

Have you thought about home protection while planning your vacation?

In the midst of all the excitement surrounding an upcoming vacation, protecting your home while away can become an afterthought. Posting a countdown to your vacation on social media and sharing pics during the trip may seem innocent, but this can be an open invitation for criminals to scope out your house. The majority of home invasions are committed by burglars who live close by, so you’ll want to eliminate any signs that it’s unattended. Install a light switch timer, stop your mail and ask a trustworthy neighbor to keep an eye on your house.

Is your backyard a safe and secure environment?

The backyard is a playground for the whole family. From grilling out to dips in the pool, the backyard may be your family’s favorite place to hang, yet you’ll want to survey the area for areas of potential danger. Prevention identifies these hot spots that are prone to potential accidents and hazards: the grill (and used charcoal), toxic plants, small pools of water where mosquitos live, an unfenced pool, areas sprayed with pesticides and the deck if it’s worn and weathered.

Do you have a carbon monoxide detector?

A carbon monoxide detector is a must-have for household safety. A Secure Life explains that this colorless and odorless gas is found in combustion fumes produced by stoves, burning wood or charcoal, heating systems and gas ranges. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, especially since it’s undetectable as it builds up over time. Install an alarm that detects carbon monoxide, plus contacts emergency services and paramedics.

Use this Q&A as a reminder and refresher for home safety and protection. If you’re like most families, you live a busy and sometimes overwhelming life. It’s easy to overlook household dangers and hazards amidst all the chaos. Carve out some time to address home, fire and backyard safety, and give yourself some peace of mind.

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Of course, venturing out on the open road with your spouse and kiddos takes a lot more preparation than running errands around town. To be sure everyone is happy and occupied — and, most importantly, you make it to your destination safe and sound — check out these four tips to ensure a successful family road trip.

1. Give Your Vehicle a Thorough Checkup

Of course, ensuring your vehicle is ready for the open road should be your No. 1 priority. Thus, if your ride is due for some routine maintenance, make sure to schedule a time to get that done prior to your trip. And with winter weather right around the corner, make sure to ask for a cold weather tune-up that includes adding anti-freeze.

Additionally, carefully check your vehicle’s tires prior to leaving; after all, you want to ensure they’re in great condition to handle rain, snow and other extreme weather conditions. And if your tire treads are getting low and/or you spot any rot, make sure to replace them and splurge for tires that can handle any type of rough terrain and harsh weather conditions.

2. Fill a Backpack for Each Kiddo

When traveling long distances, keeping your children occupied and happy is the name of the game; after all, no one wants to hear the dreaded, “Are we there yet,” question repeated 1,000 times. With that in mind, provide a backpack to your kiddos that’s full of plenty of puzzles, games and portable entertainment systems to prevent boredom and whining.

As Travel Channel notes, work with your kids to determine which items they would enjoy for hours at a time and, more importantly, whether these necessities are suited for a vehicle. Some ideas include new coloring books (along with packs of crayons and pens), stickers, travel games, books and stuffed animals. But don’t forget that beloved blankie.

3. Prepare Plenty of Snacks

To ward off hunger on the road, your family will need plenty of sustenance. Before departing, head to the grocery store and stock up on snacks that are reasonably healthy and not too messy to eat in the car. Some ideas include those ubiquitous yet tasty goldfish crackers, pretzels, granola bars, fruit leather bars, trail mix and plenty of juice boxes and bottled water.

You might also want to pack a small cooler with refrigerated snacks like hard boiled eggs, string cheese, rolled up slices of turkey and ham, grapes and apple slices. More importantly, if you have enough wholesome goodies in the car — and everyone can reach them — you may be able to avoid stopping at fast-food joints and convenience stores when hunger kicks in.

4. Go for the Gadgets

It’s 2017, so your kids are likely experts when it comes to all things tech-related. But whether you allow your kids a certain amount of screen every day or try to limit their use altogether, road trips provide a perfect opportunity to bend the rules a bit. A smartphone, tablet and portable DVD player will likely be popular items to bring along — just make sure these electronics are fully charged for optimal use.

But to keep these gadgets running, particularly when you’re in the middle of nowhere, make sure to invest in a portable car charger. Download some new apps, check out DVDs at the library, and let your kids enjoy their electronics — at least for a portion of your journey.

Thanks to these four tips, you and your family are more likely to arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed, rather than frazzled and tired. Bon voyage!

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OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:
These are the official rules that govern how the The Happy’s Ulimate Easter Basket contest will operate. This contest will be simply referred to as the “Contest” throughout the rest of these rules.
In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to BSM Media 1002 NE 1st St Pompano Beach, FL 33060, the Sponsor of the Contest. “You” refers to an eligible Contest Entrant. Visit http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ or other time server to determine local time.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY DATES?
This Contest starts at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on April 16, 2014 and ends at 11:59 pm ET on April 20, 2014 (“Entry Period”). See http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ for your local time.

CAN I ENTER?
You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements at the time of entry:
• You have a registered account on Pinterest; and
• You are 14 years of age or older at the time of entry (“Entrant”); and
o If you are a minor you should ask for your parent / legal guardians permission to enter, as any prize won by a minor will be awarded to their parent / legal guardian
• You are NOT a resident of any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
o Note: U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Therefore residents of these countries / regions are not eligible to participate.
• You are NOT an employee of BSM Media (“Sponsor”), or their respective parents, subsidiaries and agents; and
• You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest; and
• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of an employee of the Sponsor or Intrepid Travel.
• This Contest is void within the geographic areas described above and wherever else prohibited by law. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.
HOW DO I ENTER?
To enter, do all of the following during the Entry Period:
1.) Create or login to your Pinterest account
2.) Create a new board entitled “The Happy’s Ultimate Easter Basket” (your “Entry”)
3.) Complete your Entry with pins of your favorite items for the ultimat Easter basket, whether from Pinterest or from a personal collection. Include the hashtag #TheHappys on each pin. Submit your entry here.

Limit one Entry per person and per Pinterest account. You may not create multiple accounts using multiple identities to gain more than the entry limit. To be eligible, your Entry:

• Cannot have been submitted in any other prize promotion
• Must comply with all Pinterest.com Terms of Use (http://about.pinterest.com/terms/)
• Cannot contain, as determined by Sponsor, content that is sexually explicit, violent, derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group, which violates any law, or which communicates a messages inconsistent with the positive good will to which we wish to associate.
We are not responsible for Entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for Entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason. We will automatically disqualify any Entries received in excess of the Entry limit or any entries not meeting the eligibility requirements. Your use of Pinterest is subject to the terms and conditions on Pinterest. BSM Media has no control over Pinterest and BSM Media’s use of Pinterest for hosting the application is not an endorsement by BSM Media of Pinterest, or to any content, products or services available on it.
WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES
Following the conclusion of the Entry Period a panel of judges from BSM Media will review all eligible Entries and select five Prize winners based on the following judging criteria:

50% – The quality of pins
50% – The overall cohesiveness of the board

The decisions of the judges are final and binding in all matters related to this Contest.

Five Prizes: Two (2) The Happy’s Pets, One (1) Chase & Play Ball, a $25 Target gift card (Approximate Retail Value $75)

All prizes are stated in US dollars. Approximate Retail Value of all prizes awarded US$375. Potential winners will be notified via email within seven days following the random drawing. If the notification is returned as undeliverable, or if no response is received with in the specified prize claim deadline, we may award the prize to the next highest scoring winner. Winner will be required to provide an active email address in order to be contacted for eligibility verification and prize award fulfillment. Limit one prize per person. If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the social media account used to enter the Contest. 

If you are confirmed as a winner of this Contest:
• You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and
• You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and
• If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and
• Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.
WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?
Your odds of winning this Contest depend on the number of eligible Entries we receive.
WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST?
By entering this Contest you agree:
• To abide by these Official Rules; and
• To release and hold harmless Sponsor, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Contest or any prize won; and
• That Sponsor’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Contest; and
• That by accepting a prize, Sponsor may use your Entry, your likeness and your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Contest, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.
WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS CONTEST IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?
This Contest will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Contest.
WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE CONTEST CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?
If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Contest, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to randomly select a winner from among all eligible Entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest.
If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law and we may ban you from participating in any of our future BSM Media promotions.
HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?
For a list of winners, send an email by May 1, 2014, with the subject line “The Happy’s Ultimate Easter Basket” to elizabeth@bsmmedia.com.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS CONTEST?
BSM Media 1002 NE 1st St Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Pinterest is not a sponsor of this contest.

• Molly Gold from Go Mom Inc. discusses summer, sports, and staying organized.
• Susanne Budofsky and Robyn Spritzer, Huggies MomInspired winners for their Hold On Handles design.
• Robynn Delin, Director of Licensing and Marketing for the Alexander Doll Company in New York.
• The Mom’s Roundtable discusses family friendly summer vacationing.
• Lon Rosen, founder of One Beat CPR.

Listen to the podcast here or download the free Mom Talk Radio app here

Dates, Locations Also Confirmed for All Five Events

SAN DIEGO, February 22, 2011—Moms in Business Unite, offering a unique educational conference to enhance the professional and personal lives of women and mom business owners, announced today that it has secured two fabulous keynote speakers for its five 2011 conferences. Maria Bailey, the foremost authority on marketing to moms, will headline the inaugural conferences in Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Detroit, while Lorin Beller Blake, an expert on female entrepreneurship, will keynote the third annual San Diego conference.

Bailey, who served as the keynote for the MIBU 2010 conference, is CEO of BSM Media and an award-winning author, radio talk show host and nationally known speaker. Beller Blake, CEO of Big Fish Nation, is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and business coach who’s passionate about helping women achieve their goals.

“We’re just thrilled that both these outstanding speakers will be inspiring 2011 conference attendees,” said Randa Cote, founder of SPE Solutions and Moms in Business Unite chairwoman.  “Maria Bailey electrified our 2010 conference, so we couldn’t be more delighted to have her help us kick things off at our four new locations, and we know Lorin Beller Blake will provide San Diego women entrepreneurs with invaluable motivation and encouragement.”

Huggies® MomInspired, a grant program created to provide funding and resources for inventive moms with baby or childcare product ideas and businesses, will serve as the Title Sponsor at the May 19 conference in Atlanta at The Loudermilk Center; August 3 in San Diego at the University of San Diego; September 21 in Denver at the Hyatt Denver Tech Center; October 12 in Boston at the Conference Center at Bentley University; and October 19 in Detroit at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.  Registration will open soon and sponsorship opportunities are still available for all conferences. To learn more, visit www.momsinbusinessunite.com.

About Moms in Business Unite

The Moms in Business Unite Conference is the vision of five women entrepreneurs who united to empower and educate the growing number of women in business. The annual event, inaugurated in San Diego in 2009, provides business education and solutions for establishing a balanced work and family life by bringing together accomplished instructors, relevant life and business topics, and a truly unique learning environment. It helps women and mom business owners pursue their entrepreneurial dreams by providing tools, resources, and guidance through the various stages of business ownership. Learn more at www.momsinbusinessunite.com.

About Huggies® MomInspired

The Huggies brand provides simple solutions for moms and dads to fully enjoy each and every day of parenthood. The Huggies brand is a part of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation portfolio of trusted brands and is essential to helping moms around the world have a better life. Launched in 2010, the Huggies® MomInspired Grant Program was created to provide the resources and seed capital for moms to either turn their great ideas inspired by personal motherhood experiences into successful businesses or help take their existing businesses to the next level. For more information and to view the first round of grant recipients, visit www.HuggiesMomInspired.com.