Federal regulators say drop-sided cribs have been involved in millions of recalls, and responsible for dozens of infant deaths when the crib frame separates from the mattress.

Get more information on:
Different types of cribs
Features to look for when buying
Check to see if your crib has been recalled

> Discuss this entry

Worried about swine flu? Who isn't? The CDC and the federal government says the best course of action to ward off the illness to is to wash our hands, cover our mouths when we cough and sneeze and to stay home if we feel sick.

Sounds simple enough, right?

Not so fast! I discovered a survey back in 2007 that shows people aren't as mindful about washing their hands as you would think. In fact, the findings were just downright gross. So that got me wondering how much the public really knows about how much germs are in their environment.

Check out this old News Illustrated that details my findings and the survey I mentioned. There's some pretty interesting facts in here, as well as a nice graphic teaching you how to wash your hands properly.

So please ... pass the soap, and let's help stop the spread of the nasty germs!

> Discuss this entry

Extremely dry conditions have contributed to the fires that closed Alligator Alley and could lead to more throughout the state. One of the main indicators of these conditions is the drought index map below. It is updated daily and can be found at can be found at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

HOW TO READ THE MAPS
601-800 Associated with severe drought. Live fuels burn actively, creating intense, deep burning fires.
401-600 Plant leaves, twigs, etc. (whole or decomposing) burn intensely.
201-400 Plant leaves, twigs, etc. (whole or decomposing) are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity.
0-200 Moisture levels are high and do not contribute significantly to fire intensity.

> Discuss this entry

Last Sunday, we started our Best of News Illustrated series, a collection of graphics hand-picked by the staff on a variety of timeless subjects.

We specifically chose "Killer Tans" to kick off the series, since we're in the middle of Spring Break season. Appropriate since a trip down A1A in Fort Lauderdale will tell you that there's a lot of people who are getting their daily doses of vitamin D.

Renee Kwok's page was originally published in 2006. It's an oldie, but a goodie. And you may learn something new!

If you want more information, check out the Food and Drug Administration's site, as well as Tanning Facts and Tanning Truth.

Or, if you want a break from reading, check out the Sun-Sentinel's Spring Break gallery.

Enjoy!

> Discuss this entry

So, now that Hurricane Ike is barrelling towards Houston and the Texas coast, one has to wonder how many people are actually taking this storm seriously.

Compare this to Florida's reaction last week when Ike was threatening to hit our lovely beaches. Our attitude was a wait-and-see approach.

The Associated Press must have been wondering the same thing and did some graphics about it. The first is a poll, asking coastal residents (though they don't say where they're from) about how they feel towards hurricane evacutions.

The second is look at the average costs of evacuating from New Orleans when Gustav was coming two weeks ago. I thought it was relevant because you kind of get an idea of what a family of four faces when they hit the road.

> Discuss this entry

The Navy along with the Coast Guard finished their surveillance test of the Florida Straits using a blimp. You might be wondering "what good is a slow moving blimp." Well, this was not just any blimp advertising your favorite energy drink. This was a custom fitted "Skyship 600," equipped with a special infrared camera, a powerful radar, two Porsche engines and a large gondola with enough room to fit special equipment.

The main advantage of the blimp is that it can remain airborne for extended periods of time which helps to save on fuel dollars. During its 6-week test the blimp produce great results and actually helped officials spot migrants on two different occasions.

The blimp could possibly be used to patrol the Straits and help protect the U.S. borders in the future.

You can download the News Illustrated page here.

Learn more about the blimp at Airship Management Services, Inc or check out airshipoperations.com.

> Discuss this entry

Here in Florida we take rip currents seriously.
Every year people die, from the young to the old, from Floridians to weekend visitors.

Before you hit our beaches please take a minute to learn about rip currents and tell your family. Then have a great time.

See an interactive on rip currents by the Sun Sentinel.
Read more information from NOAA.

> Discuss this entry

Surfers are known to ride the waves from stormy weather but it can be fatal. Take the man who was injured during Tropical Storm Faye and is now in critical condition.
To prevent from being blown around, read up on our News Illustrated about the basics of kite boarding here.

> Discuss this entry

High-powered lasers are dangerous and can cause severe eye injury. This image from the FAA shows eye damage from lasers. Even Class IIIa, laser pointers can cause temporary visual effects causing short-term blinding and disorientation.

The high-powered pointer below was listed for sale online. The Class IIIb laser has 50 milliwatts of output power, 45 milliwatts above the legal limit of 5 milliwatts, for a laser pointer.

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A DEVICE
Contact the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health at (240) 276-0326. Some laser pointers purchased online do not meet federal safety guidelines. They may have lasers too powerful. The FDA has more information.

CLASSIFICATION OF LASERS
Green lasers are used in:
Class I: CD players
Class II: Bar code scanners
Class IIIa, less than 5 milliwatts: Laser pointers and some gun targets
Class IIIb and IV, more than 5 milliwatts to 500 milliwatts: laser light shows, industrial lasers, research lasers.

> Discuss this entry

A man recently skirted death by "playing dead." Shots were fired into his car, he slumped forward and didn't move, saving his life.
Quick thinking can save your life too. Here are some positions worth knowing. Have any tips you want to share?
For more information you can also check out Associated Content.

> Discuss this entry