Abandoned Mine Lands

Abandoned mines have been featured in many horror movies, and for good reason.  They can be both dangerous and scary.  But, even if you've wisely decided not to explore the spooky old mines that you know about, there may be dozens more around your area about which you're unaware.  To find out more about abandoned mine lands and what's being done to make them safe, see this page from the Bureau of Land Management: 

http://www.abandonedmines.gov/index.html

And, if you see a "Keep Out" sign, think back to the fate of the people in those horror movies and please do what it says. 

Sleep Apnea

Does someone in your household snore?  Do they ever seem to stop breathing entirely, then start back up again with a gasp?  Do they suffer from morning headaches or daytime sleepiness?  The cause of all these problems could be a form of sleep apnea.  See the page below from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for more information and a video that shows what happens during an episode: 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to other serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and stroke.  So, if you or a loved one have the symptoms, talk to your doctor today.  (And please, do your best not to doze off as you're driving to the doctor's office.)

REAL ID Act

Way back in 2005 Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which "enacts a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission report urging the Federal government to 'set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.'”  As of this year, many states (including Louisiana) haven't yet complied with the requirements of the REAL ID Act.  In those states you may occasionally hear that you'll soon need a passport even for domestic flights because the Transportation Security Administration will no longer accept your state's drivers' licenses as proof of identity.  Don't panic!  See this site from the Department of Homeland Security to find out why: 

http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-faq-public

Still, given how slowly many government services are moving these days due to budget cuts, it might not be a bad idea to start the process of obtaining or renewing your passport...just in case.

Summer Injuries

Summertime and the living is...well, dangerous.  When the weather gets warm people tend to go outside and play, and that play often involves amusement rides, swimming pools, ATVs, grills, and other products that can cause injuries if they aren't used and maintained correctly.  If you'd like to see just how often these types of injuries occur, see the statistics provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission: 

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Research--Statistics/Injury-Statistics/ 

And while you're out playing, don't forget your sunscreen and your bug spray.  Danger is everywhere.