YOUR LIFE.

SECURITY TIPS FOR "HOME ALONE" KIDS

Most children are excited about the freedom the summer months offer--especially when trusted to stay home alone. 'What excites children, however, often causes angst for parents," says Angela White, president of the Electronic Security Association, Irving, Texas.

ESA and Alarm.org provide the following safety tips for parents whose children will be home alone this summer:

* Post all emergency numbers in a prominent place, such as on the refrigerator. This includes your cell and work number, 911, and the number of a trusted neighbor or family member. If you have a security system, include the number for your monitoring company--and put all of those numbers on your children's cell phones.

* Teach children to keep doors and windows locked while they are at home and away. Also, if you have a security system, stress the importance of keeping it armed at all times.

* Never leave a key outdoors. Establish a safe place for your children to go if they lose or forget their key. Electronic locks with remote access can enable you to let your children in if they lose their key.

* If you have a security system or are considering installing one, include video surveillance with remote access so you can log in and check on your offspring from your computer, smartphone, or other mobile device.

* If you have a security system, teach your children how to use it. Make sure they know what to do when an alarm is triggered. Your kids should memorize their individual passcode and password.

* Make sure your children know that they never should open the door to strangers. If you have a video doorbell or other video surveillance, your kids can alert you, a neighbor, or law enforcement if a suspicious person is at the door.

* Consider installing door and window sensors. No less than 30% of burglars gain access to a home through an unlocked window or door.

* Prominently display your home security sign. More than 60% of convicted burglars indicate they would avoid a potential target home if they see an alarm system is present.

* Teach your children what they should do in case of a severe weather emergency. You can download the Red Cross Emergency App on smartphones or tablets.

* Do not allow your children to post that they are "home alone" on social media. This can prevent potential criminal surveillance of your offspring, as well as impromptu teenage house parties.

TEENS AND THE 100 DEADLIEST DRIVING DAYS

More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2017 during the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That is a 14% increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Washington, D.C. With school now out, AAA stresses the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most-dangerous driving days of the year.

'The number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers during the summer is an important traffic safety concern and research shows that young drivers are at greater risk and have higher crash rates compared to older and more experienced drivers," says Executive Director David Yang. 'Through education, proper training, and involvement of parents, we can help our young drivers to become better and safer drivers, which in turn keeps the roads safer for everyone."

Speed and nighttime driving are significant factors contributing towards the number of crashes and fatalities involving teen drivers:

* 36% of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occur between 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

* 10% of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involve a teen driver.

* There is a 22% increase in the average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days.

* 29% of all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver are speed-related.

SAVE MONEY ON LAST-MINUTE TRIPS

Now that summer travel season is here, most North Americans are looking forward to a couple of months of barbecues, weddings, reunions, and pool parties--and somewhere in there, a vacation. For those who prefer to line up their escapes in a flurry, GoLastMinute.com, Seattle, Wash., offers a list of tips to help travelers find fares and accommodations--and save money in the process.

Save your trip for late summer. Depending on where you want to go, the summer months either can mean an...

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