1-800-DENTIST Blog

5 Ways to Wean Teens Off

of Sugary Drinks

My 13-year-old daughter got a nasty surprise during her last dental checkup. Digital x-rays revealed a cavity … her first. She was bummed. I was shocked. How could she have a cavity? I make sure she eats well, watches her sweets and practices good oral hygiene. Our dentist said the tooth decay was probably due to sugary drinks.

BINGO!

It turns out my daughter was drinking lots, and I mean lots, of sugary drinks at school and friends’ houses. Two or more sodas, sports beverages or energy drinks a day was typical. The scary thing is she’s not the only one doing this.

U.S. Department of Agriculture studies show that between the ages of 6 and 20 the consumption of sugary, tooth enamel-destroying drinks goes through the roof. That’s one reason tooth decay tops the Surgeon General’s list of chronic childhood diseases.

Parents can do a lot to break the link between sugary drinks and tooth decay. The smart choice -- switching to healthier alternative beverages -- doesn’t have to be traumatic. Most kids are perfectly happy drinking healthier choices. Here are five of our tooth-friendly favorites:

1. Water - Always economical and typically infused with fluoride, calorie-free tap water is still nature’s number-one thirst quencher.
2. Fruit Juice Fizzers - A splash of 100 percent fruit juice mixed with seltzer or sparkling water is a refreshing way to transition kids from soda to healthier beverages.
3. Sporty Half & Half’s - A 50/50 mix of sport drink and water creates a cool drink kids love. The best part? It dramatically reduces the sugars and acids found in most sports drinks.
4. Tea - Chilled black tea lightly sweetened with honey or stevia is a healthy alternative to canned iced teas.
5. Low-fat Milk - This old favorite is packed with bone-building, teeth-strengthening calcium.

Remember, it’s important to act as a good role model and reinforce “oral healthy” lifestyle choices with your own beverage selection. Nobody said being a parent was going to be easy.

1-800-DENTIST Blog

Happy National Flossing Day

Today is National Flossing Day, the favorite holiday of dental hygienists and periodontists everywhere. Surprised? Me too. I never knew that flossing had its own special day until I joined 1-800-DENTIST®.

It turns out that this holiday has been on the calendar since 2000. That’s when the National Flossing Council (NFC) first designated the Friday after Thanksgiving as the official day to honor the remarkable power of flossing to fight tooth decay and gum disease.
National Flossing Day is a big deal at 18D … so big that it’s a paid day off. Pretty cool, don’t you think?

According to the NFC, the goal of National Flossing Day is to encourage people of all ages to “consider the role flossing has played in his or her life during the previous year, and to celebrate flossing in order to help spread ‘Peace of Mouth’ in their own lives and the lives of others around them.” That’s one noble mission.

Flossing seems easy enough, but you'll want to make sure you're doing it right to minimize your risk of cavities and gingivitis. The best way to floss is to:

1. Break off just over an arm's length of floss.
2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers.
3. Slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth.
4. Curve the floss around the base of each tooth down to below the gumline.
5. Remove the dental floss using a gentle back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from your teeth.
6. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.

Everyone at 1-800-DENTIST wants to wish you and yours a happy and safe National Flossing Day.

Real Estate Blog

California Introduces “Green” TV

How much energy does it take for a couch potato to keep up with a great television series like House, MD? It’s a lot more than you might think and the answer is no joke for anyone who is concerned about protecting the environment. According to the California Energy Commission, televisions, DVRs, DVD players and satellite boxes now consume almost 10 percent of the total electricity used in a typical home. This is up from just 4% in the 1990s. The driving force behind the jump in power consumption is America’s love affair with giant flat–screen high-definition TVs.

Help is on the way for people who want to live “green” and still enjoy So You Think You Can Dance in the super-sharp glory that only a 45” flat-screen HDTV can deliver. California just became the first state in the nation to set energy standards which require a 33% reduction in the amount of electricity used by new flat-screen HDTV sets sold after December 31, 2010. Starting on January 1, 2013, stricter rules requiring a cumulative 50% power savings will go into effect. These regulations are reminiscent of the energy standards that were first imposed on refrigerators, air conditioners and many other household appliances in the 1970s. Once fully in place, these new standards are projected to save California five billion kilowatt-hours per year. Several other states, including Massachusetts, are considering implementing similar “green” TV regulations.

While the tightened standards do not apply to any of the approximately 35 million television sets currently used in California, you will want to keep the regulations in mind if you’re thinking about purchasing a new HDTV in the next year. Fortunately, there are about 300 HDTV models on the market that already comply with the 2013 energy efficiency standards. Many of these energy-efficient television sets are available nationwide; so, you don’t have to live in California to start enjoying state-of-the-art HDTV entertainment and lower electrical bills.

Real Estate Blog

Baby Boomers Creating
a Mini Housing Boom

Baby boomers, the generation of people born between 1946 and 1964, are suddenly reentering the residential real estate market in a very big way. It looks like the folks who brought us Woodstock, The Dating Game and disco are once again in the forefront of yet another major cultural trend. Only this one is sure to have much longer lasting implications for the rest of the country than Pet Rocks ever did.

According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 20 percent of the homes purchased last year were bought by people over 55. This is up from just 13 percent in 2001. Today, nearly a quarter of this demographic group owns either a vacation home, land or a rental property in addition to a primary residence. Several factors are driving this trend; perhaps the most important of which is that many members of the Baby Boom Generation have both the financial resources and the vision to take advantage of the great real estate values created by today’s reduced prices and low mortgage rates.

Real estate experts see this trend continuing for some time. Many baby boomers, especially those in the pre-retirement mode, are in the market for transitional homes where they can vacation now and then settle into after they leave the workforce. Others are interested in homes that better fit an empty-nest lifestyle. Surveys by the National Association of Home Builders and the MetLife Mature Market Institute show that this market segment is particularly interested in single-story houses with smaller floor plans and special senior-friendly amenities like nonslip floors, larger medicine cabinets and lower kitchen cabinets. Still another group of boomers see investing in real estate as a smart way to rebuild the savings and home equity they lost over the past couple of years.

Whatever their reason for buying, baby boomers are once again a major force in residential real estate. Their presence is breathing some much need life into the U.S. housing market.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

No key? No problem
for SmartScan biometric locks.

From Android to DVRs, locksmiths love gadgets. We're the classic early adopters who will always be at the head of the line whenever a cool new product is released. It's in our DNA. We can't help it. As guys who like working with our hands (yes, the locksmith profession is 99.9% male), we are fascinated by fun, functional, well-designed technology.

In the downtime between answering rekey calls and emergency lockouts, your typical locksmith spends hundreds of hours on the Internet reading product reviews on the latest and greatest in technological innovations. Our favorites at Fidelity Locksmith Services? Anything that makes our customers' lives easier. Right now, the hot topic among the technology geeks who make up the Los Angeles locksmith community is SmartScan, a revolutionary biometric keyless entry system from Kwikset.

If you ever dreamed of being able to open your door without a key or a key code, SmartScan is the lock for you. This state-of-the-art system uses patented biometrics technology to authenticate the identity of a person based on their physiological characteristics. With a Kwikset biometrically accessible deadbolt lock, a swipe of a valid fingerprint across the sensor is all it takes to unlock the door. Dirty or worn fingertips won't affect the SmartScan's performance because it reads sub-dermal fingerprint patterns located beneath the outer surface layer of the skin.

“Consumer acceptance of biometric technology is accelerating,” says Eric Lundquist, director of brand marketing for Kwikset. “It is currently available on portable hard drives and IBM ThinkPad computers, as well as in grocery store checkouts, gas stations and automobiles. Biometrics is an emerging technology that can give consumers an increased level of home protection and peace of mind.”

Locksmiths agree that Kwikset's SmartScan is an especially intelligently designed product. It's programmable for up to 50+ user fingerprints. The special timed “lock out feature” allows homeowners a choice of access options: continual access (24/7) for family members, temporary access for house sitters or contractors, and time restricted access for babysitters or housekeepers. More stylish than the bulky industrial-looking biometric security systems previously on the market, SmartScan is available in a variety of finishes that enhance any décor. An excellent lock for most any home or business, this advanced biometric deadbolt system can be installed on standard doors without hard wiring. The durable, low power consumption system operates on a battery with a life of one year (based on 20 accesses per day).

If you are thinking about installing a Kwikset SmartScan, your safest bet is to call in a state-licensed locksmith company like Fidelity. Since 1975, we've been a trusted leader in residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. You get extra peace of mind when you work with Fidelity. Our highly experienced locksmiths are bonded and insured. Everything we do comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guaranty. Call Fidelity Locksmith today for a estimate on a complete security upgrade.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Locksmiths Know Your Valuables
Are Safer in a Safe

Locksmiths love news stories like this, ones in which the good guys win. In this case, it was a Riverside, California, liquor-store owner who knew the best way to protect his hard-earned daily receipts was to keep them in a commercial safe.

At 6 A.M. on November 1, 2009, a passerby (probably a locksmith coming back from a 24 hour emergency lockout service call) noticed some suspicious activity at the Quick Stop Liquor Store. Three men were struggling to dismantle a reinforced security door so they could remove a commercial safe. Police were called to the scene where they quickly apprehended the suspects as they were trying to make their escape.

According to investigators, it appears that the alleged perpetrators, Barry McDaniel, Darryl Franks and Christopher Session, had broken through the roof of the Quick Stop intending to steal the store's safe. This proved to be a bigger challenge than they expected as it required several hours just to pry the heavy-duty, commercial-grade safe free of its base and push it across the floor to the store's front door. There, the suspects were stymied by commercial-grade locks and a reinforced security door. Authorities believe that the suspects, all from Los Angeles, would have made a clean getaway with the Quick Stop's money had it not been for the time lost trying to deal with the safe. Instead they are now being held without bail in the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Professional locksmiths understand that achieving complete security in a retail setting is not possible. However, you can come close with a little forethought and the right combination of locks, CCTV security systems, alarms, security doors, window grills and last, but not least, a good commercial-grade safe. The certified technicians from Fidelity Locksmith are experts at helping business owners plan cost-effective security solutions for every commercial and retail setting.

Want some extra peace of mind? Protect your valuables with a commercial or residential safe from Fidelity Locksmith Services. We also carry a complete line of fireproof safes. Contact us today for a FREE ESTIMATE.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Protecting Your Home
From Lock Bumping Break-Ins

Locksmiths in Los Angeles are seeing a record number of lock bumping burglaries.

Experts report that 90% of American homes are vulnerable to break-ins through lock bumping. What makes this disturbing statistic even more troubling is that YouTube has more than 1,600 videos which demonstrate the technique in great detail. With step-by-step videos showing criminals how to open most any home lock in a matter of seconds, it's no wonder lock bumping is fast becoming a major problem throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and Orange Counties. Making matters worse is the fact that a bump burglary leaves no marks or scratches. Since there is no sign of forced entry, insurance companies are reluctant to cover the victim's losses.

First discovered by Danish locksmiths in the 1970s, lock bumping is the reason the majority of locks in use today are obselete. Renowned security expert Marc Weber Tobias describes the process in his online column The Lockdown. "A 'bump' key works by tricking the tumblers in a pin lock to fall into the correct place for just an instant, but long enough for someone to turn the key and unlock the door. A basic key, a sturdy file, a little pressure, and a gentle 'bump' against the key is enough to knock the pin tumblers into place and pop a lock open.

"Any pin tumbler lock that utilizes two or more moving pins within each chamber is at risk. Door locks, post office locks, file cabinet locks, access-control override locks, and padlocks. All of them can be bumped if you have the key that will fit the keyway and has been properly cut . . . Are there exceptions? Yes. Can every conventional lock be bumped open? No, but statistically, a very high percentage can."

How can you protect yourself from lock bumping? If your home's locks are pre-2005 vintage, you should have a professional locksmith replace them with one of the more secure "bump resistant" models manufactured by Medeco, Mul-T-Lock and Schlage Primus. For greater protection, consider installing electronic locks, magnetic locks, or locks using rotating disks. These advance models, all carried by Fidelity Locksmith, are not vulnerable to bump attacks.

Check out Fidelity's blog for more tips on keeping your home safe. Better yet, contact Fidelity Locksmiths today for a FREE estimate on a complete home security upgrade.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Los Angeles Locksmith: Cracking the Hollywood Hills Celebrity Burglary Case

Celebrity burglary victims Paris Hilton, Audrina Patridge and Orlando Bloom surely breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when the LAPD announced the arrest of another five suspects in connection with a series of break-ins that has plagued the Hollywood Hills-area for almost a year. What has amazed everyone following the case, including the residential security professionals at Fidelity Locksmith Services, is how easy it was for the young suspects, average age 20, to get past the locks and alarm systems at the homes of such well-known celebrities.

Video: Security camera footage of the break-in at Lindsay Lohan's home.

A major break in this case came in September when Los Angeles police arrested their first suspect, an 18-year-old resident of Calabasas, who was identified in surveillance footage from an earlier break-in at Lindsay Lohan's residence.

Don't kid yourself about break-ins. If they happen to Hollywood stars like Lindsay Lohan and Rachel Bilson, they certainly can happen to you. In fact, a burglary occurs every 30 seconds in the United States. Fortunately, there are several easy-to-implement steps that greatly reduce the likelihood that your home will be burglarized.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Five Tips For Picking a Locksmith
During an Emergency

People in Los Angeles never think about locksmiths until they need one. Then there's a break in, a lockout or a lost car key and suddenly finding a good, local locksmith becomes an obsession. Unfortunately, this causes most Angelenos to start looking for a locksmith at the worst possible time in the worst possible way: during an emergency when they are stressed, feeling vulnerable and in a rush to get life back to normal as quickly as possible. Hurried decisions in such circumstances can be disastrous. Picking the wrong locksmith which can be an expensive mistake with long-lasting repercussions.

The expert's advice? No matter the situation, only consider working with locksmiths who can answer "yes" to these key questions:

1. Is the locksmith really based in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area? Many so-called "local" locksmith companies are actually little more than phone services. These virtual companies call in various independent contractors who "act" as their locksmiths. The expertise of these fly-by-night independents can vary widely.
2. Does the locksmith offer true 24 hour emergency service? There's nothing more frustrating than calling a locksmith at 3:00 A.M. only to learn that no one will be available to help you for another five hours.
3. Will the locksmith provide a FREE estimate before beginning a project? Estimates protect you from unscrupulous contractors who want to take advantage of you during an emergency. You can get in over your head fast if you begin a project without having an estimate in hand.
4. How experienced is the locksmith? Calling in a rookie can result in expensive damage to your home or car. Only work with experienced professionals who have the expertise to do the job correctly.
5. Is the locksmith licensed, insured and bonded? This is critical. While unlicensed, uninsured contractors may offer a low price, the risk is if something goes wrong (e.g., an injury, major property damage, etc.), you the homeowner are financially responsible.

At Fidelity Locksmith Services, we believe the best plan is to establish a working relationship with a reliable locksmith before an emergency occurs. We recommend contacting us today at 877-740-5060 for a FREE security consultation.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Play it Safe. Make Sure You Hire
A California-Licensed Locksmith

In many communities, virtually anyone -
even convicted criminals - can go into business
as a locksmith.

In most parts of the United States, you can, quite literally, take your life into your hands when open your home to a locksmith. Only 12 states, including California, currently require that all locksmiths submit to a rigorous licensing process before hanging out their shingle. This ensures that all would-be locksmiths in these states undergo a criminal history background check through the Department Of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This kind of consumer protection seems like a "no brainer." Yet, in over 75% of the country, virtually anyone off the street can go into business as a locksmith. With such lax regulation, it's unsettling to think who you are inviting into your home or business under the guise of a locksmith. Police agencies report that it's not unheard of for unlicensed locksmith companies to operate as fronts for criminal organizations - thieves or worse - who use service calls to target potential victims.

Despite California law, a growing number of fly-by-night locksmiths in Los Angeles and Orange County are working without proper licenses. This problem is compounded by the fact that these unscrupulous locksmiths also lack proper bonding and mandatory business insurance. Unlicensed locksmiths typically operate out of mobile units with only a cell phone and no traceable permanent address. They are often tied-in with "virtual" locksmith companies that may appear to be local but are actually national call centers with a contract locksmith or two in each locale. It is almost impossible to track down these locksmith if there's a customer-service problem or worse.

It's easy to protect yourself from falling victim to an unlicensed locksmith. Simply ask to see their license. All legally licensed locksmiths, even those operating out of mobile vans, must have their license and current renewal certificate conspicuously displayed at all times at their store and in each service vehicle. If you still have questions, you can always verify a locksmith's license by visiting the California Department of Consumer Affairs website at CA.gov.

Your safest bet is to always work with a verified state-licensed, locally-owned company like Los Angeles' own Fidelity Locksmith Services. Since 1975, our company has been a trusted leader in residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. You get extra peace of mind when you work with Fidelity. Our certified locksmiths are licensed, bonded and insured. Everything we do comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guaranty. Call Fidelity Locksmith today for a FREE estimate on a complete security upgrade.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Locked out of your car?
No problem for new iPhone app.

It can happen to anyone who drives. You are out at a club or restaurant having a great time with family or friends. As the evening starts to wrap up you get a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach - your car keys are missing. After desperately asking everyone if they have turned in a lost set of keys, you come to the grim realization that they are gone for good. This scenario has been playing out almost from the day former Cadillac salesman Vincent Bendix invented the turn-key ignition in 1910. While there is never a good time to lose a key, why does it invariably happen at the worse possible moment, typically in the pouring rain at 3:00 AM?

The nightmare of dealing with a lost car key is about to become a thing of the past thanks to a new application developed for the Apple iPhone. California-based Viper has just announced the release of SmartStart - a subscription service that can unlock/lock, start, open the trunk, heat or cool virtually any car, all remotely, all via your iPhone.

This remarkable new app works on any car with electric windows and locks (cars without a remote-starting feature may need to have a SmartStart receiver installed). SmartStart can be programmed to link up with multiple automobiles and it works most everywhere with cellular service. Parents throughout Los Angeles will instantly recognize the value of this feature. Imagine being able to unlock and start your kid's car in a Hollywood parking lot without leaving the comfort our your bed in Brentwood.

So, what if you are locked out of your car and you don't have an iPhone or the $500-plus it takes to install a Viper SmartStart receiver? Then you need a professional locksmith. Due to the sophisticated technology used in car lock/ignition systems and the ease with which they can be damaged by an inexperienced locksmith, it is critical best to call a company specializing in automobile lockouts.

Organic SEO Blog Posting

Top 10 Ways
To Prevent Home Break-Ins

Home break-ins are up in this down economy. According to figures recently released by the FBI, the number of burglaries and larceny-thefts rose sharply last year. The 2008 edition of the FBI’s annual publication Crime in the United States, reports that victims of property crime lost an estimated $17.2 billion last year. Sadly, this year has the potential to be even worse. With Lawrence Mishel, President of the Economic Policy Institute, predicting that the national unemployment/underemployment rate will rise to 33% in 2010, the odds that you may be the victim of a break-in are increasing, too.

Fortunately, there's a lot you can do to prevent your home from becoming another crime statistic. Police departments around the country recommend ten easy-to-follow tips to protect your family and valuables:

1. Install a solid-core or metal door at every entrance point. This is a critical first step since the majority of break-ins are through front or back doors.
2. Purchase a quality, ANSI-rated knob-in-lock set with deadbolt mechanism. Top brands to consider include Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, and Schlage Primus.
3. Use a heavy-duty deadbolt with a one-inch throw bolt and upgrade to a heavy-duty strike plate with 3-inch screws into the frame. This helps prevent the most common method of forced entry: simply kicking in the door.
4. Change or rekey the door locks whenever you move into a new house or apartment.
5. Secure sliding glass doors by installing metal track blockers / locks. The latches on sliding glass doors are notoriously vulnerable to break-ins.
6. Leave a light on. It's important to make your home appear occupied by using timers on lights, radios and televisions.
7. Protect windows with secondary locking devices because latches are easy to force.
8. Add timers or motion detectors to exterior lighting. This is especially critical at the rear of the house.
9. Get an alarm. Studies show most burglars will bypass any home they believe has a alarm system.
10. Be a good neighbor. Joining a neighborhood watch is one of the most effective ways to protect your home.

Remember, burglars are opportunistic criminals looking for unoccupied homes with easy access and escape routes. They will usually bypass a house if it requires too much effort or more skills or tools than they possess. Not all break-ins will be stopped; however, the few simple steps outlined above can significantly increase your level of security. While most of these recommendations can be implemented by a reasonably handy person, it's wise to call in professional locksmiths if you have any doubts.