HomeWise

FOR RELEASE THE WEEK OF DEC. 9, 2001:

How can I safely shop over the Internet?

Convenient as Internet shopping is, it has its hazards, says Marilyn Bischoff, University of Idaho Extension family economics specialist. Perhaps the most serious risk is identity theft, which happens when criminals obtain personal information—such as a credit card or Social Security numbers—and use it to commit fraud in someone else’s name. Bischoff offers these tips for protecting yourself:

• Shop with a reputable company whose retail outlets or mail-order catalogs you’re familiar with. “Be suspicious if the merchant doesn’t list a physical address or phone number.”
• Find out which precautions the company has taken to protect the privacy and security of your personal information. Don’t do business with electronic vendors unless they keep your bank account, credit card and other confidential information in an encrypted—or coded—form and unless each transmission is “secure” (often indicated by a padlock logo on the computer screen). Patronize Web sites only if they allow you to “opt out” or block personal information from being shared with other people or companies.
• Provide the minimum amount of information necessary to complete a transaction. Never give electronic vendors your password or Social Security Number.
• Be prepared for a possible problem. Before you buy, read information on the Web site regarding the company’s refund and return policies and your right to stop payment. Print out copies of purchase orders and confirmation numbers. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for errors or unauthorized withdrawals.

“Shopping and paying on-line can be safe and easy,” Bischoff says, “but the bottom line is that you’ve got to do your homework before entrusting your financial information to just any Web site.”

Ever since Sept. 11, I’ve been feeling very anxious and am eating a lot more food. Any suggestions on how to stop?

You’re not alone in increasing your food intake in response to terrorism, says Martha Raidl, University of Idaho Extension nutrition specialist. Weight-loss clinics across the U.S. have reported that their clients are indulging in more “comfort” foods like candy bars, French fries and mashed potatoes. That’s anticipated whenever people feel they’ve lost control of some aspect of their lives, Raidl says: they make more choices in other areas of their lives, like choosing to eat whenever and whatever they want.

Mental health experts say that once Americans have learned to handle the changes in their lives brought by terrorist attacks, they’ll start reining in these dietary indulgences. In the meantime, Raidl suggests that you try to relieve stress—and counteract the increased heart rate and blood pressure that can accompany it—by exercising more.

Indeed, health clubs nationwide say attendance has been up since Sept. 11. “People are not only relieving stress but also want to feel fit and strong and be among friends or people they can talk with,” she says.

Can I praise my 3-year-old too much?

Praising a child is a way of making sure he knows when he has succeeded, but, yes, it can be excessive, says Diane Demarest, University of Idaho coordinator of the Parents as Teachers demonstration project.

“Excessive praise can turn into a form of pressure,” she says.

Rather than a heavy dose of general praise, experts recommend giving kids timely, specific and accurate feedback. For example, say, “I see you can button your sweater now. You worked hard until you learned how. Congratulations!”

My parents are in their 80s and go to bed by 7:30 p.m. every night. When I visit them for a week or so, I like spending evenings with old friends. My parents say my “being out and about all night” interferes with their sleep and my key in the lock is jarring. Besides shortening my visits to two days, which is impractical because of the distance and airfare involved, what can I do?

Start by accepting the fact that many people in their 80s are set in their ways, says Harriet Shaklee, University of Idaho Extension family development specialist. “Your aging parents deserve every consideration. If you’re young, able and flexible and your parents are less young, less able and less flexible, try to accommodate them as much as possible.”

Also, keep in mind that older people do sleep lightly and are easily awakened, Shaklee says.

To meet your needs and protect your older parents’ fragile sleep patterns, how about spending some nights at your friends’ house? Let your parents know where you’ll be so they don’t worry.

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