Home maintenance checklist, large print keyboard, SeniorSSuperStoreS Keeping in Touch newlsetter for baby boomers, seniors, senior citizens and the elderly

If you like the content of Keeping in Touch, please feel free to forward each copy on to as many folks as you wish. And, encourage your friends and family to visit with us at SeniorS SuperStoreS and sign up for their own subscriptions. Or, they may sign up for their own subscriptions by emailing us at "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "join" in the body of the email message.

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This issue of Keeping in Touch deals with more matters of interest to Prime Time Surfers:
1.) What's unique about today's date? Think about the combination of numbers.
2.) A computer tip about how to deal with those annoying pop-up windows.
3.) Annual home maintenance checklist
4.) A new health site you may want to check out: The Principal Financial Group.
5.) Do you have trouble seeing the keys on your computer keyboard?

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1.) A Brain Exercise:
Playing Numbers Games with Dates

Today's date is February 20, 2002. What happens today with the combination of times and date that won't happen again for a long, LONG time? Think now!

Looking at today's date in "military time", at 2 minutes after 8:00 PM this evening, the time will be 20:02, "military date" of 20 February in the year 2002, meaning we'll be at 20:02 20/02, 2002.

When will something like this happen again? Email us with your answers and we'll publish them in Keeping in Touch! Maybe on December 12, 2112 at 9:12 PM? Trying to figure this out is an "Excedrin moment!"

What happened at 2 minutes after 2:00 AM on February 2, 2002? The combination of time - 02:02, date 02/02 in the year '02 meant that we were at 02:02 02/02/02!

Go figure!!!!

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2.) How to Deal with Pop-up Windows

Have you been surfing the Web, and been bombarded by windows that keep popping open? No matter how fast you try to close them, they just keep coming.

Instead of trying to close the unwanted windows that appear by clicking on the exit boxes, use the keyboard. Hold down the Alt key, and while it's held there, hit the F4 key every time a new window opens. That'll kill 'em fast.

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3.) Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

A new year, time to make a resolution for your home as well as for yourself. Proper upkeep of your home is essential to its longevity. We've compiled the following checklist of projects that you should do annually:

** Shut Off Valves:
Review the location of all of the shutoff valves with all your family members so you'll be prepared for emergencies.
* Gas Shutoff Valve:
Identify the location and show family members how to shut it off.

**Electrical Panel/Breaker Box:
Identify the location and show the entire family how to shut off the main breaker in an emergency, or flip any circuits back on after an overload. If this happens often, consider hiring an electrician to upgrade your panel or wiring. Remember, newer appliances can put a strain on an older home's wiring.

**Central Heating and Cooling Systems:
*Gas-fired, Forced-air:
Hire a pro to inspect the thermostat, electrical components and controls, check the heat exchanger, flue, ducts, air flow and air fuel mixture, adjust the burner and oil the motor and circulating fan. Arrange for service calls before the start of heating and cooling season to get better attention and have more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
* Heat Pump:
Schedule an annual service call to have a certified pro to inspect the wiring, check belts and replace if needed, and oil the moving parts.
* Oil-fired Boilers:
Hire a pro for annual maintenance including flue cleaning, a fuel-filter change, cleaning & adjustment of the jets.

** Fireplaces and Chimneys:
Have your wood burning fireplaces & stoves inspected annually, cleaned and repaired as required to prevent chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and mortar and flashing failure. Water leaks can also cause your mortar to deteriorate prematurely. Consider installing a chimney cap to protect your chimney from water, debris, and critters.

** Clean Carpeting, Upholstery & Draperies:
Have your carpets, upholstery and draperies cleaned regularly, once every 12 to 18 months, to remove the dirt and grit that can wear them out prematurely. You should also have carpets cleaned after any event such as remodeling or holiday parties and eliminate stains as quickly as possible.

** Appliances:
Inspect appliance hoses and ventilation according to owners' manuals. Hire a service professional if it is necessary to replace them. Vacuum the coils behind your refrigerator and freezer (found behind or under the appliance) to increase energy efficiency.

** Garage Doors:
Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers, and tracks, tighten screws. If any more serious repairs are required, contact a garage door pro.

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4.) A New Health Site You May Want to Check Out
The Principal Financial Group Announces Principal Health News;
New Site Provides Personalized Health Information for Consumers
(Courtesy of our friends at BUSINESS WIRE.)

Knowledge is power. Becoming more educated and informed is the key to making better healthcare decisions and utilizing benefits wisely. To support consumers in proactively researching and addressing healthcare concerns, the Principal Financial Group(R) announces the rollout of its new online tool Principal Health News, now available at www.principal.com/principalhealthnews.

The new comprehensive site provides visitors personalized health and wellness information in several categories, including nutrition and fitness; lifestyle and wellness; alternative health; disease and illness; pregnancy and baby; and work and health. Information is also available concerning different life segments, including health content specifically designed for men, women, children and seniors. Principal Health News is available at no cost to all visitors, including the company's more than 80,000 health customers.

Principal Health News includes a searchable medical library, self care centers and links to additional resources. Web calculators are also offered to help in determining childhood immunization schedules, daily calorie use, target heart rate and Body Mass Index. The site provides several other interactive tools, including quizzes, polls and an e-newsletter that can be personalized by customers of The Principal to provide breaking news on topics of their choice, such as allergies, pregnancy and diabetes.

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5.) Do you have trouble seeing the keys on your computer keyboard?
If so, we have several products that will make using your computer easier and more enjoyable.

We offer large print keyboards (the keys are enlarged 500%) that are designed for individuals who suffer from macular degeneration, visual impairments, or just have a hard time reading the existing commands on their keyboards. When we look at our computer screen for extended periods of time, our eyes adjust to the content on the screen. Then, when we look down to our keyboard (especially if we wear bifocals), we often need to give our eyes time to adjust to the small print on the keys. Well, this is the answer!

You can find these neat products in our Leisure Products department.

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So, until next time, here's goodbye. Remember, if you want us to add any resources or items of interest, just drop us an email from the SeniorSSuperStoreS Contact Us page. Watch your email box for future newsletters!

To stop receiving messages from the SeniorS SuperStoreS Keeping in Touch newsletter list, just send us an email message to: "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "unsubscribe" or the word "leave" in the body of your message.

Until next time, happy Prime Time Surfing!