One of the most common complaints over the Fourth of July weekend is about noise from fireworks. While it would be nice if neighbors would be more considerate and refrain from late-night blasts, if it happens and the noise is extended and excessive, please call 311 -- not 911 -- with those reports. Directing these issues to 311 still receives police response but keeps 911 lines free for real emergencies.

The CMPD has added staffing throughout the divisions for the Fourth of July and with your help, we can keep it a safe and enjoyable holiday for all

Red Rocks, Whitewater, and Bluegrass

US National Whitewater Center
TIMES: Fri, July 4
4th of July Celebration at the US National Whitewater Center.

US National Whitewater Center
820 Hawfield Road
Charlotte, NC 28214
704-391-3900

4th of July Rooftop Party

Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City
TIMES: Fri, July 4 7:00 PM
COST: $5 at door
Independence Day Celebration on the Rooftop at Holiday Inn Center City. 7-11 PM. Complimentary Appetizers 7- 8:30 PM. Great Music, Drink Specials & the Best Location in Uptown to Watch Fireworks!

Holiday Inn Charlotte Center City
230 North College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-335-5400

WATCH JULY 4 FIREWORKS AT MEMORIAL STADIUM, AND FROLIC AT THE FAMILY FUN FEST

Come to Memorial Stadium, 310 North Kings Drive, July 4 to watch the "Red, White and Boom!" fireworks. Admission is FREE. Gates open 6pm. Park for $5 in stadium lots 6, 7, and 8 along East Seventh Street. Fireworks start about 9:30pm. Activities include Moon Bounce (inflatables for children), watermelon eating contest, tug-of-war, sack races, etc. Food and drink concessions available. No alcohol or coolers allowed. Canned food will be collected for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Sales Tax Holiday

Sales Tax Holiday, G.S. 105-164.13C provides an exemption for certain items of tangible personal property sold between 12:01 A.M. on the first Friday in August and 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday. For 2008, the dates are Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 3rd. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item will be exempt.

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.

N.C. Public Health tips for beating the heat

Hot, humid weather can be more than just uncomfortable it can pose a threat to peoples health or even their lives, say experts at the North Carolina Division of Public Health. On Friday, two toddlers died in Dare County after climbing unnoticed into a neighbors parked car in the 90-degree heat. In 2007, at least 12 North Carolinians died from the effects of hot weather, and heat-related illness sent many more to emergency rooms or doctors offices.

Heat exhaustion can occur at temperatures above 90 degrees, and heat stroke can occur when temperatures rise above 105 degrees. If not treated immediately, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke and possibly to death.

During the summer months, the temperature inside a parked car can reach more than 120 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. Direct sunlight and a dark-colored car further speed the process. Children should never be left in a parked car, even for a few minutes and even with the windows open. Lock parked cars to prevent children from playing in them.

Heat can be dangerous to people of any age, indoors or out. To stay safe and healthy during hot weather, know the signs of heat stress and the simple things people can dolike drinking plenty of waterthat can prevent heat-related illness and death.

Children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and people on certain medications like tranquilizers or diuretics are especially at risk from high summer temperatures. So are older people who live in homes or apartments without air conditioning or good air flow and people who dont drink enough water. Hot weather also adds to ozone levels, making those with respiratory illness more vulnerable.

Being exposed to high temperatures for too long can cause muscle cramps, swelling in feet or ankles, or dizziness, progressing to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion, if not treated, can progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke is an emergency and requires immediate medical helpit can be fatal.

Heat exhaustion may make you feel dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseated, and perhaps thirsty, and you may sweat a lot. Your skin may feel cold and clammy, although your body temperature may be normal.

What to do:
rest in a cool place, out of the sun; drink plenty of water or fluids (but not alcohol or caffeine); wash off with cool water if possible; and get medical care. If not treated, heat exhaustion can turn into life-threatening heat stroke.

Signs of heat stroke include fainting;
a body temperature of over 104o; a change in behavior such as confusion, grouchiness, staggering or acting strangely; dry flushed skin and a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse; not sweating in spite of the heat; acting delirious; slipping into a coma.

What to do:
call 911; get the person out of the sun and heat and have them lie down; give them plenty of water or juice to drink if they are conscious; cool their body down with a cool shower or bath or by sponging with cool water. Prompt medical attention is criticalpeople can die of heat stroke.

To avoid heat-related illness on hot days:

* Drink plenty of water or fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid caffeine or alcohol.

* Limit your time outdoors, especially in the afternoon when the day is hottest.

* Be careful about exercising or doing a lot of activities when it is hot. Stay out of the sun, take frequent breaks, drink water or juice often, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

* Dress for the weather. Loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothes are cooler than dark colors or some synthetics.

* If you live in a home without fans or air conditioning, open windows to allow air flow, and keep shades, blinds or curtains drawn in the hottest part of the day or when the windows are in direct sunlight. Try to spend at least part of the day in an air conditioned place like a shopping mall, a store, the library, a friends house, or the movies. Cool showers can help, too. Do not use a fan when the air temperature is above 95o  it will blow hot air, which can add to heat stress.

* Never leave a child or a disabled or elderly person or a pet in an unattended car, even with the windows down. A closed vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels in as little as ten minutes.

For more information about avoiding heat-related illness, see the National Institutes of Health heat illness web page at health.nih.gov/result.asp/317 .

PLAN AHEAD NOW FOR REEDY CREEK NATURE CENTER'S HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL, A GREAT FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY, AUGUST 23

Most hummingbirds in the Carolinas make a remarkable journey to get here. After wintering in Central America, most fly about 500 miles, nonstop, across the Gulf of Mexico to return to North America for spring and summer. Park and Recreation hosts its second annual day- long festival celebrating ruby throated hummingbirds Sat, Aug 23 at the Nature Center in Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. The festival is FREE, 10am  4:30pm. It features hummingbird banding, fun games, crafts, vendors of hummingbird products, face- painting and storytelling about hummingbirds for the entire family. Donations accepted for nature programs. For more information contact 311 or Lenny Lampel at 704-598-8857 or lenny.lampel@mecklenburgcount ync.gov

BIKE HELMET SAFETY CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY FOR PARKS AND GREENWAYS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Carolinas HealthCare System and Mecklenburg Park and Recreation encourage youngsters and teens to wear bike helmets for safety this summer when riding in parks and on greenways. Selected Park Watch personnel will distribute special certificates for a free bike helmet to children younger than 16 who don't have a helmet. Youngsters with helmets will be "rewarded" with a ticket for Charlotte Knights baseball.

MECKLENBURG DOG PARKS NOW FREE FOR DOGS AND PEOPLE; POOCH PASSES NO LONGER REQUIRED

Mecklenburg County's dog parks are FREE as of July 1. The system of "pooch passes" ($35/yr for County residents) was phased-out over the past year. Dog parks are now available for all users without charge or membership requirements. All dogs must have rabies vaccinations as required by law. Dog owners are still responsible for their pets. Raleigh, Ft. Myers, Richmond, New York City, Seattle, and Portland, OR and other cities successfully run FREE dog parks without controlled entry. Mecklenburg dog parks are open 7amsunset every day at McAlpine Creek Park, Reedy Creek Park, Ramsey Creek Park and William R. Davie Park. A new dog park will open in uptown's Frazier Park, in a few weeks.

Kids and water: Drowning is preventable

RALEIGH  The warm days of summer are here, and more and more people are cooling off in pools, ponds lakes and the ocean, or enjoying other water sports like boating. But along with the fun comes a tragic rise in the number of drowning deaths of children, including several in North Carolina over the last week.

A 5-year-old boy drowned in a Hoke County pond last Friday, and a 2-year-old boy died in an above-ground pool in Chatham County on Saturday. And on Tuesday, an 11-month-old baby drowned in his home bathtub in Robeson County, underscoring how quickly a tragedy can occur when children are in or around water.

More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boys are much more likely than girls to drown, and racial and ethnic minority children are at significantly higher risk of drowning than white children are.

In 2006, 23 North Carolina children ages 0-17 drowned, and many more suffered water- related injuries (2007 data is not yet available). Near- drowning can cause brain damage that may result in lasting disabilities ranging from memory problems to leaving a child in a permanent vegetative state.

We can help prevent future deaths by making sure we take the right lessons from these tragedies, said Leah Devlin, State Health Director.

The more we study these deaths, the more we realize that drowning is very preventable, Devlin said. Over and again, we have found that children who died by drowning were not being supervised. Whether the children who died were toddlers who fell into swimming pools, teenagers having fun in a lake, or babies in bathtubs, adults were not around or were not paying close attention to make sure the children were safe. Also, in nearly all N.C. drowning deaths, the children were not wearing life jackets, or approved personal flotation devices.

Drowning is quick and quiet. If you have watch over a child around water, the most important thing to remember is supervision, supervision, and supervision, Devlin said.

She offered the following CDC tips for preventing drowning and other water- related injuries:

" Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.

" Use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices for children who are fishing, wading, swimming, or simply playing near water.

" Do not use air- filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles, or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

" Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.

" Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.

" Learn to swim and teach children to swim. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4. Constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.

" Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someones life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.

" If you have a home pool, install a four-sided fence that completely separates the house and play area of the yard from the pool area. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self- latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children. Also, consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks or alarms to prevent access or to notify you if someone enters the pool area.

" Remove floats, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use. The presence of these toys may encourage children to enter the pool area or lean over the pool and potentially fall in.

" Know the local weather conditions and weather forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous.

" Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat, or swimming ability of boaters.

" At the beach, know the meaning of colored beach flags and obey those warnings.

" At the beach, watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents (water that is discolored and choppy, foamy, or filled with debris and moving in a channel away from shore). If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore; once free of the current, swim toward shore.

Begin Pasture Renovation with Soil Testing

RALEIGH  Throughout North Carolina, many pastures are still in decline due to last years drought. Now that weve had some rain, its time to start turning that situation around. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler urges anyone planning to renovate cool- season pasture grasses in the fall to begin that process by submitting soil samples now.

At the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab, sample turn-around time is shortest during summer months. From the time samples arrive at the lab, analysis takes two weeks or less. Soil reports are immediately posted online at www.ncagr.com/agronomi.

The primary reason for soil testing now is to get the lime recommendation. If lime is applied in June, then there will be sufficient time for it to raise soil pH before pasture renovation in the fall. Proper soil preparation now will help ensure the success of re- seeding efforts in September.

To collect a representative soil sample, follow these basic guidelines: For each sample, collect 15 to 20 cores from random locations within a uniform 5- to 15- acre field. Collect cores to a depth of 4 inches. Mix these cores well in a plastic bucket, and then use this mixture to fill the soil sample box. For additional instructions, contact an NCDA&CS regional agronomist or visit www.ncagr.com/agronomi/uyrst. htm#info.

The best way to apply lime will depend on the amount recommended in the soil report. For 1.5 tons or less, surface application is acceptable. If the report recommends more than 1.5 tons and the pasture cannot be tilled, then surface- apply 1 ton of lime and apply the rest the following year. However, if tillage is an option, the best approach is to mix the entire amount of lime thoroughly into the soil. Incorporation of lime into the soil will give the new stand of grass a better chance of withstanding dry conditions.

For advice on soil testing and pasture nutrient needs, visit www.ncagr.com/agronomi/rahome .htm and contact the NCDA&CS regional agronomist serving your county.

NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long, Director
Mailing Address:
1001 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh NC 27699- 1001
Physical Address:
2 West Edenton Street,
Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-4216;
FAX: (919) 733-5047

The Number of People with Diabetes in North Carolina is Increasing

The North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control branch released information today concerning the rising rates of diabetes in North Carolina. In the last decade, the number of people with diabetes has increased by 102 percent. Now, more than 9 percent of North Carolinians have diabetes. Our state is facing a crisis&we need to help North Carolinians take steps to prevent diabetes or we risk being overwhelmed by the health and economic consequences of an ever- growing diabetes epidemic, said Dr. Marcus Plesica, Chronic Disease and Injury Section chief in the N.C. Division of Public Health.

The new data show that diabetes is becoming more common among middle-income adults, adults between the ages of 35 and 44 and those age 65 and older, males and whites. It continues to ravage the African-American, Hispanic and American Indian populations; their rates of death and disability from diabetes and related problems like heart attacks, stroke, blindness, amputations and kidney failure exceed those of other groups.

According to Dr. Plescia, the good news is that Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, can be prevented and that people with diabetes can prevent the complications. The report profiles several programs to prevent and control this disease. These programs include Project DIRECT, a community-based diabetes prevention and control program in Wake County; Diabetes Today, a curriculum designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide health professionals and community leaders with skills needed to mobilize communities and develop appropriate interventions for responding to the burden of diabetes and improving the quality of diabetes care; and the Hugh Young Memorial Diabetes Scholarship, which benefits professionals who attend diabetes training at the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine.

Dr. Joseph Konen, chair of the N.C. Diabetes Advisory Council, said that the new diabetes data should serve as a call to action for the people of North Carolina. We all need to do our parts with self- responsibility, and assisting others to lift the load, remove obstacles, make a difference, and not only stop the epidemic, but reduce the burden, he said.

For a copy of the report, please visit the diabetes website at www.ncdiabetes.org or call their toll-free number at 1- 877-362-2678.

It COULD Happen to You

Don't carelessly endanger your life - stay off the railroad tracks! People seem to think, "It could never happen to me, I can hear the train coming - I can get out of the way in time." Well, it can happen to you. There have been many injuries and deaths that could have easily been prevented if people avoided railroad tracks.

Walking on the railroad tracks is not only against the law, it is also dangerous. What if your foot got caught in the tracks, or you are walking across a trestle and a train is bearing down on you? Would it be worth it?

Train engineers are mortified at the number of people they see walking on the railroad tracks and especially the number of people who walk or jog with their headphones on. There have been too many close calls to count, and numerous deaths. See more videos.

Think of how it would feel if you were doing everything you can to stop an 8,000 ton train to keep killing someone? Your heart is racing as you continuously blast the horn, the train is sliding towards them and you are praying that they will realize you are there and get out of the way in time. Many people have said to themselves, "I thought I had the music turned low enough to hear a train coming." Being mistaken could cost you your life. Do you really want to take that chance?

Please remember:

Stay away from Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment. They are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.

Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings (either a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate). If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.

It can take a mile or more to stop a train. A locomotive engineer who suddenly spots you ahead has little chance to miss you.

Trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks, you can be hit by the train.

The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights or a gate. If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.

Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.

DO NOT cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so. Flashing red lights signal that a train is approaching from either direction. You can be fined for failure to obey these signals. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing.

If you are in a rail yard uninvited, you are trespassing and subject to criminal prosecution. The worst penalty is death.

DO NOT hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. There is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass. Trestles are not meant to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges!

DO NOT attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb or your life.

Be aware trains do not follow set schedules. Any time is train time!

Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels. "North Carolina is, unfortunately, sixth in the nation with trains and trespassing injuries, said Vivian Speight-Bridges, the state director of Operation Lifesaver. "People need to know the potential hazards presented to trespassers. Trains cant swerve or stop to miss you. Although trains are huge machines, environmental conditions can muffle sounds and they can approach you without your knowledge. Flying debris, banding and tie-down devices that have become unsecured can strike anyone within the right-of-way."

For more information on railroad safety and North Carolinas Operation Lifesaver, visit www.ncol.org or call (919) 831-3006.

National Influenza Vaccination Week Focuses

RALEIGH, NC – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated the week after Thanksgiving (November 26 – December 2) as National Influenza Vaccination Week. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, and to promote greater use of flu vaccine through the months of December, January and beyond.

The North Carolina Immunization Branch is recommending that people take this opportunity to get vaccinated. “We would like to encourage everyone who has not already done so to be immunized against the flu,” said Beth Rowe-West, Head of the NC Immunization Branch. "Getting vaccinated is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against flu, but their loved ones as well."

"People tend to lose interest in getting a flu vaccination after Thanksgiving. However, in North Carolina, flu activity typically does not peak until February or later, so people still have plenty of time to get their vaccine,” said Dr. Leah Devlin, NC State Health Director. “National Influenza Vaccination Week is an excellent opportunity for us to remind the public of the importance of influenza vaccination."

At the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week, 103 million flu vaccine doses have already been distributed nationwide. Flu vaccine manufacturers have reported they anticipate 132 million doses of flu vaccine to be distributed this year – an all-time record!

Vaccinations are recommended for anyone who wants to decrease the risk of influenza. While anyone can get influenza, many groups, including people aged 50 years or older, children aged 6 months to 59 months, those with chronic illnesses (heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes), and pregnant women, are at highest risk for complications. In addition, those in close contact with these high risk persons, such as health care personnel, and healthy household contacts and caregivers of high risk persons, are also at increased risk and should get vaccinated.

Each year in the United States, between 5 and 20 percent of the population is infected with influenza. Approximately 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of influenza complications. Since influenza is unpredictable, and different types and strains of influenza circulate throughout the flu season, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that influenza vaccine be offered throughout the influenza season-- even after influenza has begun to appear in a community.

To find a flu clinic in your area visit www.thecarolinascenter.org/fc f/. For more information about influenza and influenza vaccine visit www.immunizenc.com or www.cdc.gov/flu.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the CDC, and the National Influenza Vaccine Summit. (For more information about the Summit, please go to http://www.ama- assn.org/ama/pub/category/137 32.html.)

Recall Alert: Digitek® (digoxin tablets, USP, all strengths)

Morristown, NJ -- April 25, 2008 -- Actavis Totowa LLC, a United States manufacturing division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group, is initiating a Class I nationwide recall of Digitek® (digoxin tablets, USP, all strengths) for oral use. The products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a "Bertek" label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under a "UDL" label.

The voluntary all lot recall is due to the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may have been commercially released. These tablets may contain twice the approved level of active ingredient than is appropriate.

Digitek® is used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The existence of double strength tablets poses a risk of digitalis toxicity in patients with renal failure. Digitalis toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and bradycardia. Death can also result from excessive Digitalis intake. Several reports of illnesses and injuries have been received.

Actavis manufactures the products for Mylan and the products are distributed by Mylan and UDL under the Bertek and UDL labels. Bertek and UDL are affiliates of Mylan.

Any customer inquiries related to this action should be addressed to Stericycle customer service at 1-888-276-6166 with representatives available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm EST. Additional information about the voluntary recall can also be found at www.actavis.us.

Retailers who have this product are urged to return the product to their place of purchase. If consumers have medical questions, they should contact their health care providers.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by Fax at 1- 800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852- 9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Public Health Officials: Hot Cars and Kids are a Deadly Combination

RALEIGH  Warm weather is here, and with that comes more time outdoors, lots of opportunity for exercise and health benefits&and increased risks for children that unfortunately go hand- in-hand with the best of the season. With these risks in mind, state public health officials are urging parents and other caregivers to not leave children in cars.

"The death of a child in a hot car is a tragedy that doesnt have to happen, said State Health Director Dr. Leah Devlin. "The temperature inside a car can heat up very quickly, and a child left in a car is at great risk for heat-related death. No one should ever leave a child in a parked car  not even for a few minutes."

On a warm, sunny day, even at temperatures as mild as 60 degrees, a closed vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes. During the summer months, the temperature inside a parked car can reach more than 120 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. Direct sunlight and a dark- colored car further speed the process.

Heat exhaustion can occur at temperatures above 90 degrees, and heat stroke can occur when temperatures rise above 105 degrees. If not treated immediately, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

Since 1999, 13 North Carolina children have died of hyperthermia after being left by parents or caregivers in hot cars.

All caregivers should follow these tips concerning children, cars and heat:

Never leave your child in an unattended car, even with the windows down. Check to make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination, particularly when loading and unloading. Dont overlook sleeping infants.
Make sure you check the temperature of the child safety seat surface and safety belt buckles before restraining your children in the car.
Make sure that unoccupied cars are locked, so that children dont accidentally become trapped.

Ceiling Fans: Cool Breezes and Saving Money

As the weather gets warmer, we look for economical ways to cool our homes. Ceiling fans not only provide relief from the heat, but can also help save money and energy. To get the most from your ceiling fan:

Make sure it has been properly installed. The UL- listed metal box in the ceiling should be marked For use with ceiling fans.

Ensure that the blades are properly balanced. (A balancing kit may have been included in the original packaging or may be available from the manufacturer without charge.)

Use the fan to move cool air in the summer (blades rotate counter-clockwise) and warm air in the winter (reverse the motor so the blades rotate clockwise). In the summer the fan doesnt cool the room but creates a wind chill effect, making you feel cooler. Thats why it is recommended to turn off the fan when not in a room. In the winter, the rotation of the blades create a slight updraft, which moves the warmer air at the ceiling downward to warm the room.

Adjust the household thermostat to account for the ceiling fans cooling or heating effect. Of all the various types of fans on the market, the ceiling fans are considered the most effective for changing the room temperature because they create a draft throughout the entire room. When using a ceiling fan, a homes thermostat setting can be raised by about 4º F with no change in comfort.

Six Months Later: Revisiting Commitments to Eat Smart, Move More

RALEIGH  Last January, on the heels of the successful Eat Smart, Move More& Maintain, dont gain! Holiday Challenge, thousands of North Carolinians made New Years resolutions to eat better, be more physically active, and achieve a healthy weight. But, most of those resolutions were abandoned by mid-February. Now, six months later, the summer is a great time to get back on track towards accomplishing those goals.

During the month of July, local health departments and cooperative extension agents will be encouraging people to revisit their resolutions or make new mid-year resolutions through the Revisit Your Resolutions campaign. This campaign is part of the Eat Smart, Move More NC movement and was developed by the N.C. Division of Public Health.

This is a way to remind people of their resolutions, get them back on track, and re-establish their commitment to these goals, said Marie Shelton, healthy weight communications specialist at the N.C. Division of Public Health. Oftentimes, we dont realize that making a change in our lives is a process that takes time. It is not uncommon to fail the first time we try. The important thing is to try again. We had great success with helping people to maintain their weight over the holidays last year and are hoping that this campaign will give them a little push to stay or get back on track.

A little push was all people needed last November when the Eat Smart, Move More& Maintain, dont gain! Holiday Challenge enrolled over 3,500 people from across the state, country and world. Ninety-seven of North Carolinas 100 counties were represented, along with 23 other states and two other countries. Of those participants, 84 percent maintained their weight during the holidays& and more than half of the other participants reported actually losing weight.

The Revisit You Resolutions campaign will provide tips for getting enough sleep, eating more fruits and vegetables, getting more physical activity, choosing better drinks, and eating smart and moving more while on vacation.

Eat Smart, Move More NC is a statewide initiative that seeks to reverse the rising tide of obesity and chronic disease among North Carolinians by helping them to eat smart, move more and achieve a healthy weight. More information is on the Web at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.

Does a Password Protect You Enough?

Passwords are a common form of protecting information, but passwords alone may not provide adequate security. For the best protection, look for sites that have additional ways to verify your identity.

Why aren't passwords sufficient?

Passwords are beneficial as a first layer of protection, but they are susceptible to being guessed or intercepted by attackers. You can increase the effectiveness of your passwords by using tactics such as avoiding passwords that are based on personal information or words found in the dictionary; using a combination of numbers, special characters, and lowercase and capital letters; and not sharing your passwords with anyone else. However, despite your best attempts, an attacker may be able to obtain your password. If there are no additional security measures in place, the attacker may be able to access your personal, financial, or medical information.

What additional levels of security are being used?

Many organizations are beginning to use other forms of verification in addition to passwords. The following practices are becoming more and more common:

two-factor authentication -
With two-factor authentication, you use your password in conjunction with an additional piece of information. An attacker who has managed to obtain your password can't do anything without the second component. The theory is similar to requiring two forms of identification or two keys to open a safe deposit box. However, in this case, the second component is commonly a "one use" password that is voided as soon as you use it. Even if an attacker is able to intercept the exchange, he or she will still not be able to gain access because that specific combination will not be valid again.

personal web certificates -
Unlike the certificates used to identify web sites, personal web certificates are used to identify individual users. A web site that uses personal web certificates relies on these certificates and the authentication process of the corresponding public/private keys to verify that you are who you claim to be. Because information identifying you is embedded within the certificate, an additional password is unnecessary. However, you should have a password to protect your private key so that attackers can't gain access to your key and represent themselves as you. This process is similar to two- factor authentication, but it differs because the password protecting your private key is used to decrypt the information on your computer and is never sent over the network. What if you lose your password or certificate?

You may find yourself in a situation where you've forgotten your password or you've reformatted your computer and lost your personal web certificate. Most organizations have specific procedures for giving you access to your information in these situations. In the case of certificates, you may need to request that the organization issue you a new one. In the case of passwords, you may just need a reminder. No matter what happened, the organization needs a way to verify your identity. To do this, many organizations rely on "secret questions."

When you open a new account (email, credit card, etc.), some organizations will prompt you to provide them with the answer to a question. They may ask you this question if you contact them about forgetting your password or you request information about your account over the phone. If your answer matches the answer they have on file, they will assume that they are actually communicating with you. While the theory behind the secret question has merit, the questions commonly used ask for personal information such as mother's maiden name, social security number, date of birth, or pet's name. Because so much personal information is now available online or through other public sources, attackers may be able to discover the answers to these questions without much effort.

Realize that the secret question is really just an additional password--when setting it up, you don't have to supply the actual information as your answer. In fact, when you are asked in advance to provide an answer to this type of question that will be used to confirm your identity, dishonesty may be the best policy. Choose your answer as you would choose any other good password, store it in a secure location, and don't share it with other people.

While the additional security practices do offer you more protection than a password alone, there is no guarantee that they are completely effective. Attackers may still be able to access your information, but increasing the level of security does make it more difficult. Be aware of these practices when choosing a bank, credit card company, or other organization that will have access to your personal information. Don't be afraid to ask what kind of security practices the organization uses.

Authors: Mindi McDowell, Chad Dougherty, Jason Rafail
Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization.

RECYCLING OF MERCURY THERMOSTATS CONTINUES TO INCREASE

RALEIGH - The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance is continuing its efforts to prevent mercury wall thermostats from ending up in the state's landfills with a recovery and recycling program.

The mercury switch recycling program, which began in January 2007, aims to reduce the amount of mercury that is released into the environment. Mercury-containing thermostats are a safety hazard and improper handling of these devices can contaminate surface water and endanger peoples' health. Children are especially susceptible to mercury's toxic effects.

In 2005, only 340 mercury thermostats were collected for recycling. In 2006, a total of 1,852 mercury thermostats were collected, making an increase in collection of 444.7 percent. Additionally, collection centers saw an increase of 61.6 percent for a total of 2,994 thermostats in 2007. The number of mercury thermostat collection bins jumped from 49 in 2005 to 76 in 2007.

The program is urging heating, ventilating and air conditioning wholesalers to recycle thermostats that contain mercury. The Thermostat Recycling Corporation facilitates collection by heating, ventilating and air conditioning wholesalers from contractors of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury switch thermostats. HVAC contractors will be able to make a positive impact on the environment by recycling these thermostats.

Participating wholesalers in the Thermostat Recycling Corporation in North Carolina are: R.E. Michael Company, statewide; Johnstone Supply in Fayetteville and Jacksonville and C.C. Dickson in New Bern and Hickory. The Thermostat Recycling Corporation is a not-for- profit corporation started by three National Electrical Manufacturers Association member companies.

The thermostat collection service is free, and mercury from recycled thermostats can be reprocessed for safer applications.

For more information, contact the Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance at (919) 715-6500 or check out the Web page, http://www.p2pays.org/mercury /. You may also visit the Web site for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association at: http://www.nema.org/gov/ehs/t rc/.

How to Effectively Erase Files from Your Computer

Before selling or discarding an old computer, or throwing away a disk or CD, you naturally make sure that you've copied all of the files you need. You've probably also attempted to delete your personal files so that other people aren't able to access them. However, unless you have taken the proper steps to make sure the hard drive, disk, or CD is erased, people may still be able to resurrect those files.

Where do deleted files go?

When you delete a file, depending on your operating system and your settings, it may be transferred to your trash or recycle bin. This "holding area" essentially protects you from yourself--if you accidentally delete a file, you can easily restore it. However, you may have experienced the panic that results from emptying the trash bin prematurely or having a file seem to disappear on its own. The good news is that even though it may be difficult to locate, the file is probably still somewhere on your machine. The bad news is that even though you think you've deleted a file, an attacker or other unauthorized person may be able to retrieve it.

What are the risks?

Think of the information you have saved on your computer. Is there banking or credit card account information? Tax returns? Passwords? Medical or other personal data? Personal photos? Sensitive corporate information? How much would someone be able to find out about you or your company by looking through your computer files?

Depending on what kind of information an attacker can find, he or she may be able to use it maliciously. You may become a victim of identity theft. Another possibility is that the information could be used in a social engineering attack. Attackers may use information they find about you or an organization you're affiliated with to appear to be legitimate and gain access to sensitive data (see Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information).

Can you erase files by reformatting?

Reformatting your hard drive or CD may superficially delete the files, but the information is still buried somewhere. Unless those areas of the disk are effectively overwritten with new content, it is still possible that knowledgeable attackers may be able to access the information.

How can you be sure that your information is completely erased?

Some people use extreme measures to make sure their information is destroyed, but these measures can be dangerous and may not be completely successful. Your best option is to investigate software programs and hardware devices that claim to erase your hard drive or CD. Even so, these programs and devices have varying levels of effectiveness. When choosing a software program to perform this task, look for the following characteristics:

data is written multiple times - It is important to make sure that not only is the information erased, but new data is written over it. By adding multiple layers of data, the program makes it difficult for an attacker to "peel away" the new layer. Three to seven passes is fairly standard and should be sufficient.

use of random data - Using random data instead of easily identifiable patterns makes it harder for attackers to determine the pattern and discover the original information underneath.

use of zeros in the final layer - Regardless of how many times the program overwrites the data, look for programs that use all zeros in the last layer. This adds an additional level of security. While many of these programs assume that you want to erase an entire disk, there are programs that give you the option to erase and overwrite individual files.

An effective way to ruin a CD or DVD is to wrap it in a paper towel and shatter it. However, there are also hardware devices that erase CDs or DVDs by destroying their surface. Some of these devices actually shred the media itself, while others puncture the writable surface with a pattern of holes. If you decide to use one of these devices, compare the various features and prices to determine which option best suits your needs.

Authors: Mindi McDowell, Matt Lytle

Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization.