Musings: Danger In The News

Flat Screen Televisions

I never thought much about the following situations that these warnings address, but, after reading about them, I think it's important to make everyone aware of them.

A recent insurance company newsletter I received stated that there had been a 41% increase in television tipover related injuries to children during the last 20 years.

Part of this is because in the last decades, it was common to have more than one television per household.

Within the last 5 years, the proliferation of flat screen televisions, which are front-heavy and have a narrow center of gravity, the chance of even a small child pulling one off a stand increased dramatically. Even though these TV's are lighter in weight -- thus easier to pull or knock off -- they still are heavy enough to cause damage to a child. So secure the TV from little hands and boisterous children.

Rachel $1000 Email Scam

This one is so obvious that I can't believe anyone ever falls for stuff like this, but, apparently they do. This one started going around last week. So if you get an email from "Rachel" telling you that you’ve won $1,000.00 Visa gift card, and if you opened it, check your computer to see if malicious software got planted on your computer.

Honestly, if something sounds too good to be true then it usually is.

Fires

If you live or travel in a state that is hot and dry, for God's sake, don't throw cigarette butts or matches out a car window. I know if you're a smoker, that you get used to doing these things, but the results can be devastating in hot weather states where there's never enough rainfall in the summer.

In parts of Texas, there are signs on the roadside asking drivers not to do this, but it's appalling how many drivers just ignore those caution signs. Please be aware of your actions.

Takeaway Truth

Be careful out there.