BusinessVoice News Network

Stamp prices just keep going up, but shopping on social media to find a discount might have your letters being “returned to sender.” The US Postal Service says scam artists are using Facebook and other social media to sell counterfeit stamps at up to half-off claiming they are closeouts. But it’s likely that the stamps won’t make it through letter-sorting equipment that checks for fakes. Source Link

Is your daily dental hygiene routine being done in the wrong order? You should start with a rinse to kill bacteria that multiply in your mouth overnight and then clean between your teeth with dental floss. The final step is two minutes of brushing but don’t cap it off by rinsing again with water because this will wash away the active ingredients in toothpaste that stay on your teeth. Source Link

The biggest burn hazards for kids aren’t found in the kitchen. Curling irons and hot combs cause thousands of burn injuries each year when children touch a hair styling tool that can reach temperatures up to 450 degrees. Educate kids about the hazards of these appliances and be sure there’s adult supervision if a younger child is using it. Source Link

If you avoid candy because it’s not good for your teeth you’ll want to skip these foods that are bad for your smile. Dried fruit has the one-two punch of sugar and stickiness and the flavoring on those potato chips might be like sandpaper to your teeth. And bottled water that isn’t distilled can be higher in acids that are tough on tooth enamel. Source Link 

Home values take a hit when you make these mistakes. Don’t neglect necessary maintenance or repairs, and don’t try to DIY a solution unless you’re sure of your abilities. Over-personalizing your home makes it hard for buyers to see themselves living there, and skipping energy upgrades with windows, insulation and HVAC systems can hurt a selling price. Source Link

Scams and fraud come in many forms but it’s easy to report a problem with an all-in-one online tool. The government website usa.gov has a feature that lets you report scams and fraud in just a few mouse clicks. You’ll get links and phone numbers to the right government agency that can help you. Source Link

It’s easier to spot a scam when you remember these five P’s. Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, say there’s a problem or that they have a prize for you. They may also pressure you to act immediately or tell you to pay in a specific way, like through a money transfer company or by using gift cards. Source Link 

Traveling overseas brings its own special health challenges and you should be prepared before you take off. At least four weeks before departure get up-to-date on all vaccinations including ones needed where you’re going. And take an ample supply of prescription medications and over-the-counter products like pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine or remedies for air or sea sickness. Source Link

With the flip of a switch you might be able to spend less on heating costs this winter. Ceiling fans have a switch that lets you reverse the airflow so it’s pushing air up. Instead of getting that cool downward breeze, changing the fan’s direction pushes warm air near the ceiling down towards you. Source Link 

Your WiFi router is the fast lane to information on all your home devices and you can keep them safe with a few simple steps. Change the default router credentials and create a strong WiFi password, turn on firewall and WiFi encryption, and create a guest network to protect your devices when others log on. And put your router in a central location further away from drive-by hackers. Source Link

Bite-sized exercise might be the easiest way to get moving throughout the day. Researchers found that five minutes of walking every 30 minutes helped counteract the health risks from sitting on the job. Beyond improving physical health, regular walks to break up sitting can put you in a better mood and help you feel more energized. Source Link 

You hear a lot about having strong passwords, but what about the usernames you pick for online accounts? You want a username that isn’t easy to link to you, so avoid any combination or clever spelling of your first and last name or the city or state where you live and don’t use your birth year. And be sure the username doesn’t hint at your password. Source Link 

There are plenty of places in the typical office where germs are just waiting for you. Things that get lots of touches like elevator buttons, escalator railings or door knobs are hot spots and so is the conference room phone. And watch out for break room coffee cups and disposable lids that might be handled by others as they grab for one. Source Link 

A panic attack and a heart attack can feel the same, but how do you know which one it is? If you have a history of anxiety it’s probably a panic attack. A heart attack is usually accompanied by weight or pressure on the chest that radiates to the left jaw. But in either case, it’s wise to err on the side of caution and call 911 and get medical help. Source Link

What foods are good for your eyes? Carrots are first in mind for many people, but any orange-colored vegetable or fruit with vitamin A will help, including sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and apricots. Vitamin C from oranges, grapefruit, lemons, peaches, tomatoes and strawberries has antioxidants to prevent or delay age-related macular degeneration. Source Link

Black Friday deals might make streaming TV more affordable for you. Last year, many services offered deep discounts on subscriptions during Black Friday weekend and they’re expected to do the same this year. To take advantage of many of these special offers you must be a new subscriber or one who’s returning after canceling the service before the sale begins. Source Link

A three-pronged approach to fitness over 50 should focus on muscle, heart and head. Resistance training can delay the loss of muscle mass that happens as we age and aerobic exercise will get your heart beating faster. And balance exercises can help prevent falls that are the number-one cause of disabling injury for seniors. Source Link

Top to bottom and wet to dry is the right way to do your housecleaning. Start by spraying any cleaners you use in the bathroom or kitchen and let them sit and work while you move on. Then dust from high to low, put away any clutter, finish in the bathroom and kitchen and clean floors last. Source Link