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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2500 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Protect Your Child From Flu: Get Him Vaccinated—And The Babysitter, Too (NAPSA)—You’ve done your homework, researching and interviewing to find the best care for your child, but is your caregiver— nanny, babysitter, day care worker or family member—protected against the flu? Flu takes a big toll on young children. Each year in the United States, an average of 20,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. As many as one in five children under age 5 may have to see the doctor or visit the ER or other urgent care for treatment for flu. Around 100 children die from this serious disease each year. That is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children aged 6 months through 18 years get vaccinated against the flu. CDC also recommends that close contacts, especially family members and caregivers, of children younger than 5 get a flu vaccine each year to provide added protection to this high-risk group. Children under 6 months are too young to receive the flu vaccine, but they are among the most vulnerable to develop serious, even fatal complications from flu. This makes vaccination of their close contacts especially critical. “To significantly decrease your child’s chances of getting the flu, we encourage parents, all family members and caregivers to get vaccinated as soon as flu vaccine becomes available in your community,” says Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the National Center To protect their children, many parents make sure their babysitters get a flu vaccine. for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC. The flu is a contagious disease that can cause symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, coughing, extreme tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, and even nausea and diarrhea in children. It can easily spread from person to person. “Vaccination is the single best protection against the flu,” says Dr. Schuchat. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during this flu season. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus. For more information about the flu vaccine, contact your doctor or local health department. To find a clinic near you, visit www.fluclinic locator.org and enter your ZIP code. To learn more, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov/flu. A Picture-Perfect Turkey (NAPSA)—The first step in roasting a picture-perfect turkey, say the experts, is to start with a quality roaster. Here are some tips to help you choose one: • Avoid flimsy disposable roasters that can be unsafe and environmentally unfriendly. Instead, choose a Granite Ware roaster, which is very inexpensive, environmentally safe and will last a lifetime. Choose a heavy roaster that is designed to accommodate the weight of a turkey. • Porcelain-on-steel roasters provide an even heat distribution for uniformly cooked, beautiful turkeys. Most hardware and retail stores carry a line of speckled porcelain-on-steel roasters called Granite Ware. • Dark-colored roasters absorb the oven’s energy and evenly distribute it. • Roast your turkey at a constant 325 to 350 F. A 16- to 24pound turkey takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes per pound. • Add water or broth to the pan to baste with and to keep the meat moist. Baste every 30 minutes. • Use a meat thermometer to ensure thorough cooking. The deepest portion of the breast should read 170 F; the thigh, 180 F. • Once finished, let the bird rest for about half an hour so the juices settle before carving. What’s Your House Sign? Finding A Home That Fits You (NAPSA)—If you’re like most people, you figure that practical factors, such as the size of the kitchen or the number of bedrooms, are most critical when buying a home. New research, however, suggests that intangible elements and a combination of mental and emotional characteristics more often determine the types of houses people choose. Love At First “Site” According to a survey conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) and Coldwell Banker, 60 percent of people say the “feel” of a home is as important as the price, and 78 percent place more emphasis on “quality” than square footage. Surprisingly, the survey also found that 12 percent of respondents knew their house was “the one” even before stepping inside. After visiting just once, that statistic rose to 51 percent. “Many people do not realize how strongly emotional instincts factor into the home decisionmaking process,” said Dr. Ruth Peters, a family psychologist. “Some people even experience ‘love at first site’ when it comes to their homes, meaning sellers cannot overestimate the importance of a strong first impression.” Dr. Peters has seen how emotions can influence major life decisions such as finding a home and how people may have trouble seeing past them. “While trusting our instincts is important, it’s essential to look past emotional triggers like perfect white picket fences,” she said. “Homebuyers must also consider practical factors, such as school districts, to make the most Some people experience love at first “site” when buying a new home. informed decision for their families and ultimately the best investment.” The survey was conducted as part of the Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC “Housetrology” initiative, designed to examine what makes a house a home—or even a “dream home.” Captivating Quiz To encourage people to think beyond standard homebuying variables, the real estate company also developed an offbeat quiz that can help people determine their just-for-fun “House Sign” by answering a collection of lifestyle and behavioral questions. Most people are surprised and amused by their results. The quiz can be a fun way to link lifestyle preferences, such as your form of ideal downtime or the perfect meal, to being an “Urbanist” or even “Contemporarian.” Learn More To learn more or take the quiz for yourself, visit www.coldwell banker.com/housetrology.
