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	<title>Smart Meter Safety</title>
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	<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com</link>
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		<title>Minimizing Space for Workstations at Home</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2013/03/29/minimizing-space-for-workstations-at-home/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2013/03/29/minimizing-space-for-workstations-at-home/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=18</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Almost all of us work from home at some time. Some of us have full-time jobs that require us to be at our home office all week, and some of us only use our workstations at home to pay bills and write emails. Whatever the home workstation is being used for, there are a few [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Almost all of us work from home at some time. Some of us have full-time jobs that require us to be at our home office all week, and some of us only use our workstations at home to pay bills and write emails. Whatever the home workstation is being used for, there are a few things that can be done to minimize the space that they take up and the clutter that they often engender.</p>
<p>The older home office desk was huge. This was primarily because older monitors took up a great deal of space. Although many people have<span id="more-18"></span> upgraded their monitors, plenty of them still use the old workstation. If you have a small monitor, it is a great time to replace that big old desk. This will save room in your home and force you to tidy up the work area.</p>
<p>Another thing to look at is your printer. Is it covered in dust? Is it the size of a small car? If a printer is something you only need on occasion, it may make sense to have your printing done by a professional. Their prices are reasonable, and getting rid of the old printer will save you tons of room.</p>
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		<title>Protect Yourself from Electrical Fires</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/10/12/protect-yourself-from-electrical-fires/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/10/12/protect-yourself-from-electrical-fires/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An electrical fire can be a real disaster and many lives have been lost to this homeowner&#8217;s nightmare as a result. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can protect your home and your family from the threat of electrical fire. Here are just a few suggestions to protect yourself from old sparky: 1.) Get [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An electrical fire can be a real disaster and many lives have been lost to this homeowner&#8217;s nightmare as a result. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can protect your home and your family from the threat of electrical fire.</p>
<p>Here are just a few suggestions to protect yourself from old sparky:</p>
<p>1.) Get a home security system. Providers like <a href="http://www.quortek.com">Quortek</a> offer sophisticated monitoring systems that not only watch for intrusion but rising heat and smoke levels, as well. In many cases, these sensors have been instrumental in preventing a minor fire from becoming a major blaze.</p>
<p>2.) Unplug unnecessary electronics and try not to overuse a single outlet. Just because an electrical outlet has two faces doesn&#8217;t mean you should occupy them both. And be wary of any electrical plugs where you can jury-rig other wires onto them.</p>
<p>3.) Have a plan. Just like the fire drills from your school days, make sure everyone in your home knows how to act and where to go in the event of a fire. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of being prepared and knowing how to act.</p>
<p>And, as always, be wary of faulty equipment. That includes chewed or frayed wires, cheap electronics, etc.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How to Prevent Electrical Fires</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/07/22/how-to-prevent-electrical-fires/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/07/22/how-to-prevent-electrical-fires/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=14</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Electrical components in your home are often the cause of an electrical fire. Many electrical fires occur because of old wiring in a home. The best way to prevent an electrical fire is to eliminate any chance of a fire from occurring. Frayed Wiring Wiring for an electrical device that appears frayed is old or [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Electrical components in your home are often the cause of an electrical fire. Many electrical fires occur because of old wiring in a home. The best way to prevent an electrical fire is to eliminate any chance of a fire from occurring. </p>
<p>Frayed Wiring</p>
<p>Wiring for an electrical device that appears frayed is old or worn and should not be used. If you see any frayed wires on an electrical device, do not plug it into an outlet. You will want to replace the device or<span id="more-14"></span> the electrical cord. </p>
<p>Overloading Receptacles</p>
<p>Overloading the receptacles in a home is when too many devices are plugged into the same outlet. This will typically occur during the holidays or when outlets in a room are scarce. Do not use multiple cords or adapters in a single plug. The best way to eliminate this issue is to use a power strip. </p>
<p>Placement or Cords</p>
<p>Electrical cords should never be placed under a carpet. Walking over a cord that is under a carpet often leads to wear that can cause arcing. This arcing is one cause of electrical fires in a home. Make sure an extension cord or other electrical cord is not placed in a high traffic area. </p>
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		<title>Safe Storage Solutions for Portable Devices</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/07/09/safe-storage-solutions-for-portable-devices/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/07/09/safe-storage-solutions-for-portable-devices/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Portable devices have become what most people use to save their big files. Everyone wants to get a drive that is portable for pictures and movies. People want to be able to travel with the files that they love the most. This has caused many people to look for the safe storage solutions that will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Portable devices have become what most people use to save their big files.  Everyone wants to get a drive that is portable for pictures and movies.  People want to be able to travel with the files that they love the most.  </p>
<p>This has caused many people to look for the safe storage solutions that will last.  This really depends on the drive and the methods that are used with the drives.  The Passport drives are typically the most stable drives on the<span id="more-13"></span> market.  They are less likely to crash.  They are also much more reliable when you need them most.  </p>
<p>It is always a good practice to also release the drive before removing it. Users should make sure that it is safe to remove the drive first.  This is how you protect the data from corruption.  If you continue to eject the drive before time you will find yourself with a corrupt partition.  This will eventually lead to lot of trouble with the storage options after time.  </p>
<p>It is better to use the portable storage in a correct way.  This is the only way to really save the data.  It is also good to back up the drive very often. </p>
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		<item>
		<title>Installing Detectors</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/06/24/installing-detectors/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/06/24/installing-detectors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=12</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Choosing to install detectors in your home is a decision that could potentially make a critical difference. Staying alerted to the presence of smoke from a fire or even of odorless gasses that can present a serious health threat can be as simple as installing the right detectors. With an early warning system that will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Choosing to install detectors in your home is a decision that could potentially make a critical difference. Staying alerted to the presence of smoke from a fire or even of odorless gasses that can present a serious health threat can be as simple as installing the right detectors. With an early warning system that will able to alert you to any possible danger you will have a better way to keep yourself and your family safe. </p>
<p>Smoke inhalation, structure fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are all very real threats that claim many lives each<span id="more-12"></span> year. The good news is that early detection can make a lot of difference. Purchasing and installing the right detectors in your home may be the best decision you will ever make.</p>
<p>With easy and convenient options for purchase, simple installation and a dependable service features there is a lot to be gained with this installation. Learning what model would be best suited for your home as well as souring any tools you might need can be all it takes to enjoy greater security. Protecting yourself and your family from harm is an important issue, with the right tools and resources you can enjoy greater safety.  </p>
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		<title>Extension Cord Safety and Overload</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/06/09/extension-cord-safety-and-overload/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/06/09/extension-cord-safety-and-overload/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=11</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Extension cords are great for connecting short and long cords together. For instance, if you have a small power tool you need to use in another room or outside in the garage, you will need an extension cord. An extension is meant to add length. The biggest problem most people run into is actually a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Extension cords are great for connecting short and long cords together. For instance, if you have a small power tool you need to use in another room or outside in the garage, you will need an extension cord. An extension is meant to add length.  The biggest problem most people run into is actually a simple one. If they would take a few minutes to check the watts and recommended wiring specifications of a cord before they use it that information could<span id="more-11"></span> prevent a lot of house fires.Get more information here. <a href='http://gizmodo.com/5903218/how-to-choose-the-right-extension-cord-for-anything'>http://gizmodo.com/5903218/how-to-choose-the-right-extension-cord-for-anything</a></p>
<p>Fires associated with using extension cords happen when people overload the watts.  Electrical cords are sold and used according to their weight and purpose. For instance, if you need to plug in an iron you would use a regular lightweight extension cord because the iron does not require burning a lot of watts.</p>
<p>To operate a computer you would definitely need a heavy gauge cord. The heavier the size of the electrical cord is the more money it costs. However, no one should put a price on safety. Stay safe take a close look at the wiring size before plugging up an appliance or other electrical device. Be sure it is within the AWG system guidelines. Never overload your extension cord with more watts than it can deliver.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Dryer Fires and Prevention</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/27/dryer-fires-and-prevention/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/27/dryer-fires-and-prevention/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Even though, October is Fire Prevention Month, Fire Prevention should be a year round quest. Clothes dryers are subject to fires if not maintained properly. According to the United States Fire Administration there is an average of 13,000 fires due to malfunctioning clothes dryer. Dryer fires claim 15 victims and injure nearly 300 people every [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Even though, October is Fire Prevention Month, Fire Prevention should be a year round quest. Clothes dryers are subject to fires if not maintained properly. According to the United States Fire Administration there is an average of 13,000 fires due to malfunctioning clothes dryer. Dryer fires claim 15 victims and injure nearly 300 people every year. To put dryer fires into a destruction perspective, such fires cause $88 million in property damage.</p>
<p>Lint build up is responsible for dryer fires. The machine runs very hot, and lint is very flammable. It is essential to clean the lint trap after<span id="more-10"></span> every use. After every 10 uses or each month, clean the lint trap with a stiff brush and warm water and soap. This will remove the remnants of lint and prevent build up. To clean the lint trap further and more effectively, vacuum the lint trap as well as vents in the rear of the dryer at least every 4 to 6 months.</p>
<p>Remove the vent conduit, from the dryer to the outside vent and with a vacuum, remove any build up of lint in the   conduit. There are special dryer vent brushes available for cleaning vents and lint traps. Replace the dryer conduit if it is made with foil or vinyl, as they are flammable.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Childproofing the Living Room</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/25/childproofing-the-living-room/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/25/childproofing-the-living-room/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=9</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Childproofing a home is an undertaking that can often begin with something as simple as socket protectors and can end with locking toilets. But when it comes to childproofing the living room, there can seem no end to the dangers for babies taking their first steps and toddlers who love to see what can go [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Childproofing a home is an undertaking that can often begin with something as simple as socket protectors and can end with locking toilets. But when it comes to childproofing the living room, there can seem no end to the dangers for babies taking their first steps and toddlers who love to see what can go in their mouth.</p>
<p>Socket protectors are almost a no brainer when it comes to childproofing. But with all of the media devices that are used today, protecting your child doesn&#8217;t end there. Cords<span id="more-9"></span> and other wires should be tucked away. Making use of zip ties to keep wires bundled and out of your child&#8217;s reach can prevent falling media players from tugging little hands. </p>
<p>Corner protectors are another tried and true device that can keep your little one&#8217;s head from any damage, but you should also take the time to rearrange items on shelves. Moving any items smaller than an adult fist out of the reach of children is an important step to take to avoid choking hazards. </p>
<p>You should also be aware of any furniture or other living room items that children may want to climb on or tug on. From standing bookshelves to window shades and cords for adjustments, you should always take precautions. Fill the bottom rows of shelves so they can not be used to climb and tie cords up so they can not be reached by small children.</p>
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		<title>Work-at-Home Schemes</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/24/work-at-home-schemes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/24/work-at-home-schemes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=8</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Working from the comfort of your home sounds like a near ideal job. Because this idea is quite popular, many individuals have made it their goal to rob you of your money. While some of these schemes are quite obvious, there are many out there that seem legitimate and are very difficult to detect. One [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Working from the comfort of your home sounds like a near ideal job.  Because this idea is quite popular, many individuals have made it their goal to rob you of your money.  While some of these schemes are quite obvious, there are many out there that seem legitimate and are very difficult to detect.  </p>
<p>One of the biggest points to look out for is the asking of money.  Most legitimate work-at-home businesses will not ask you for money of any kind.  Most<span id="more-8"></span> of the time, it is in the form of &#8220;materials&#8221; you would need to get started.</p>
<p>Secondly, stay away from schemes that say they are free, but need a certain dollar amount from you for shipping or some other excuse.  Keep mindful of the small print and pay attention to any requests of needing money from you.  Although some legitimate work-at-home ideas require an &#8220;investment&#8221; of some kind, be wary of how much they are asking.  Can you afford to lose it?</p>
<p>Finally, keep vigilant on research.  If you put the organization&#8217;s name in your favorite search engine, most of the time you will see if they are legitimate or not.  There are a lot of websites out there that may help decide on whether the scheme you are looking into is actually legitimate or fake.  </p>
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		<title>Phishing and Scams through E-mail</title>
		<link>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/20/phishing-and-scams-through-e-mail/</link>
		<comments>http://www.smartmetersafety.com/2012/05/20/phishing-and-scams-through-e-mail/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.smartmetersafety.com/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of us have seen a number of emails that come pouring in asking for personal information. Some of these take the form of &#8220;help me and I will pay you&#8221; schemes while others look like legitimate emails from respectable companies. Sometimes, it is very difficult to tell which ones are real. Never hand out [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many of us have seen a number of emails that come pouring in asking for personal information.  Some of these take the form of &#8220;help me and I will pay you&#8221; schemes while others look like legitimate emails from respectable companies.  Sometimes, it is very difficult to tell which ones are real.</p>
<p>Never hand out your personal information in an email.  If you are truly the winner of $10 million, then they should already have that information.  Avoid emails that say you are a beneficiary or winner, but yet don&#8217;t have your name when they contact you.  If<span id="more-7"></span> your name isn&#8217;t mentioned in the email at any point, it should throw up a red flag.  </p>
<p>Another item to watch for is when they are looking for your information and the email was sent to &#8220;Undisclosed Recipients&#8221; or something similar.  This means, the email was mass produced and you are not the only one seeing it.  Sometimes, there will even be a long list of the individuals that the email was sent to.</p>
<p>Watch out for links in emails, even from those you know.  Sometimes, a bad link will be placed into an email to try and get your account information by sending you to a website that looks identical to one that is legitimate.  Always hand type addresses in if you are suspicious about the email&#8217;s contents.</p>
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