Reminder to Motorists: As You Travel This Holiday Season, Pay Special Attention to Law Enforcement Officers Patrolling Our Roadways

/PRNewswire/ -- On the day before Thanksgiving 2008, Deputy Nick Pham of the Monroe County (FL) Sheriff's Office was on patrol on U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys when his police cruiser collided with a semi-tractor trailer. A four-year veteran of Florida law enforcement in Florida, the 43-year-old husband and father died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Deputy Sheriff Pham was one of six law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty on the nation's roadways last holiday season -- the period between the Thanksgiving holiday and New Year's. That can be a particularly dangerous time for law enforcement, as millions of Americans take to the roads and officers step up their safety patrols. In all of 2008, 71 law enforcement officers nationally died in traffic-related incidents -- the leading cause of officer fatalities for the 11th consecutive year.

To help prevent officer deaths and injuries this holiday season, the "Drive Safely" campaign of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is again reminding motorists to pay special attention to officers on the roads and to follow other common-sense traffic safety measures.

"Again this year, our dedicated law enforcement officers will be called on to give up time with their own families so the rest of us can travel in safety to spend the holidays with our loved ones. Every time we get behind the wheel -- and especially during the holidays -- we owe these brave men and women our full attention and consideration," said NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd.

"In addition to doing the obvious things -- not speeding or driving drunk -- drivers need to be especially mindful of officers who will be out enforcing traffic laws. If you see a police cruiser stopped by the side of the road, please slow down, move over and allow the officers to do their jobs safely and effectively," Mr. Floyd added.

The Memorial Fund's "Drive Safely" campaign promotes a number of actions motorists can take to protect law enforcement officers, other drivers and themselves:

-- Focus on driving. Avoid talking on your cell phone, eating, or hunting
for items in your vehicle while driving. When traveling 55 mph or
faster, a two-second distraction can be deadly. Adjust your speed for
road conditions, especially snow and ice.
-- Slow down and "move over." If you see an emergency vehicle stopped by
the side of the road, slow down and safely move over one lane if
possible. Forty-seven states now have "move over" laws, and violators
can be ticketed and fined.
-- Get out of the way of emergency vehicles. If an emergency vehicle has
its lights or siren activated, slow down, move to the right and stop
if possible. Once the vehicle passes, do not follow it too closely.
-- Stay off the shoulder. Driving on the shoulder of a roadway is not
only illegal -- it's dangerous. Emergency vehicles use the shoulder to
get to emergencies faster, where a few seconds can mean the difference
between life and death.
-- Watch officers' hands as they direct traffic. And listen for whistles
or other audible signals from officers on how to proceed.


For more information, safety tips and resources, visit the "Drive Safely" website at www.LawMemorial.org/DriveSafely.

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Three Simple Tips for an Affordable Family Camping Trip

(ARA) – When faced with financial challenges like those posed by the recent economic downturn, American families tend to react to their decreased discretionary dollars by getting “back to basics.” They pursue different leisure activities and ones that offer quality time that can bring them closer together.

While the jury is still out on exactly how many families will forgo their traditional, theme park destination vacation in lieu of a “staycation” -- the more eco-friendly option that is closer to home -- for those that do, they will find plenty of good news. Not only can staying closer to home be fun, but it’s relatively inexpensive, too. And unlike the typical blow-out summer vacation, staying close to home takes only a little bit of sensible planning, imagination and budget.

One of the best imaginable staycations for families is a return to the great American camping experience. For those who really enjoy roughing it, there are terrific products out there, but if you are among those who are shedding the conveniences of a hotel room for the first time and are seeking a more comfortable experience, consider these top tips for an incredible camping trip:

1. Pick the right campsite.
Backyard or backwoods? Chances are, your backyard is a wonderland that you’ve never truly experienced, and camping there allows you to do so without forfeiting your creature comforts. And it’s free, making this a great first option. But if you’re in the mood for a little more adventure and the idea of getting away inspires you, check out your local campgrounds and parks at koa.com or reserveamerica.com. Many campsites are available, including prime waterfront sites if the deep woods are not your thing, with basic fees of less than $20 per night.

2. Choose the right gear.
Borrow or buy? If you’re staycationing for the first time, borrowing camping gear from a friend is a great idea. It will allow you to try it out without risk and gain a better idea of what features you like when it does come time for you to buy. If you are ready to buy, remember that although purchasing gear is the most expensive part of camping, it is just a one-time expense and with care, your gear will last for years to come at little or no additional cost.

Whether you’re going to be staying at a local campground or in your own backyard, choosing a quality tent is key. Resist the temptation to buy an inexpensive one; with tents, you typically get what you pay for, and if your bargain tent ends up leaking during a sudden storm, you’ll regret the entire experience and be less likely to camp again. To be safe, avoid discount stores and choose a tent from a well-known manufacturer. When shopping, remember that size is very important, too; manufacturers typically list tent sizes according to how many sleeping bags or camp pads can fit inside, so if you need to store extra gear, you’re better off choosing a tent that sleeps more people than you need or that includes added storage space. Consider the Eureka! N!ergy tent -- it incorporates a 12-volt wiring harness and when used with the E! Power Pak (sold separately); it powers 12-volt accessories like lights, fans, radios, and cell phone chargers inside. Available in three sizes, it sleeps anywhere from four to 10 people. Visit www.epowertent.com for more information.

Sleeping bags go a long way to bring added comfort and convenience to a camping trip. When purchasing, look for bags that are rated to the lowest temperature you’re likely to see and let the kids take part in the selection; there are several fun and colorful sleeping bags sized just for them on the market. To make the campsite more user-friendly and comfortable, consider adding camp pads beneath your sleeping bag and additional furniture such as tables, folding hammocks, cots and chairs. Visit www.eurekatents.com for more information.

3. Bring the right essentials and be creative.
With the destination set and the gear selected, the rest of the essentials can be quite simple for a brief weekend trip, and often they’re items you already have at home. So, be creative. For example, because camping makes even the most mundane chores fun, even the kids will want to help, so make cooking a family affair by bringing your own portable grill and easy camp recipes from the Web. Let the kids share in the cooking fun by toasting marshmallows and making s’mores for dessert. For personal care, most family campgrounds offer basic amenities, although sometimes they can be limited, so stick to bringing the basic toiletries but skip the extras, like blow dryers. Lastly, remember to bring these inexpensive items that become absolutely priceless in the outdoors: first aid kit, flashlight, pocket knife, charcoal and starter fuel, trash bags, dish soap and for the kids -- cards, books, board games and ghost stories for having fun no matter what the weather brings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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How To Protect Yourself And Stay Secure While Traveling

(NAPSI)-According to a recent survey by American Express, 84 percent of women are generally more concerned than men about safety and security while traveling. However, there are certain precautions women can take to safeguard themselves and their personal information while away from home. Lindsay Moran, former CIA officer and author of "Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy," offers some insider tips on how women can stay safe while traveling:

• Undercover Address: Invest in luggage tags for checked bags and carry-ons that shield your name and address from potential prying eyes. Strangers don't need to know where you're going or your last location.

• Hotel Room Etiquette: Keep the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door at all times and put electronic gear and valuables out of sight. Most hotels offer in-room safes--use them.

• Safe Room: Place a cheap rubber door wedge behind the door for added protection and peace of mind.

• Use a Privacy Filter: When you're working on your computer in close quarters, it can be easy for people to glance over and see what you're doing. Consider using a 3M Privacy Filter, which "blacks out" the view on either side of the laptop screen, keeping personal or sensitive information private. This allows only the person sitting directly in front of the screen to see what is being displayed.

• Silence Is Golden: Be aware of your surroundings when conducting business in public. Crowded settings such as trains, airplanes and airport lounges can be hotbeds of eavesdroppers.

• Valet, Please: It's generally safer to use valet parking when available. Dark, deserted parking garages can be unsafe. Also, when you hand a valet your keys, remove everything but your car keys. He or she doesn't need access to your home, room or luggage.

• Call Someone: Always make sure that someone has a copy of your itinerary and hotel information so that, in case of an emergency, someone knows where you are.

• Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn't feel right to you, it's probably not. When you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, get smart and get out.

You can find more helpful tips at www.travellikeaspy.com.

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