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24 Protect Plus (SM), a premier security program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC, knows how much fun summer can be. Gatherings with family and friends seem to increase markedly as the mercury rises. And since pets are often part of those summertime festivities, 24 Protect Plus wants to offer some helpful tips on how to keep pets safe and having fun.

Domesticated pets like dogs, cats and parakeets all need help with those summertime "do's" and "don'ts." Plain and simple, our pets count on us to protect them. Like 20th-century Scottish veterinarian/writer James Herriot (born James A. Wight) said, "I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs." With that in mind, 24ProtectPlus has some important summertime safeguards for all those creatures great and small:

-- Go solo. When it comes to running errands in the summer heat, go it alone. A car parked in the summer sun can heat up like a microwave in a matter of minutes. And rolling down the windows isn't much of a solution. There are too many sad stories out there about pets that were left out in the swelter -- for too long.

-- How Coleridge kept his cool. Just as "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" reminds us, having lots of water around doesn't guarantee we'll get to drink it. The same goes for pets; they need to have water bowls frequently checked and refreshed. Heed English writer Samuel T. Coleridge's words, and make sure pets have clean and drinkable water around at all times.

-- Walking on the sun. We all love sun and clear skies, but too much of a good thing isn't great for the skin. The same goes for pets; believe it or not, they will benefit from sunscreen. Better yet, it's probably a good idea to keep them out of the bright sun altogether. If pets must be out in the summer sizzle, take some time to apply sun protection -- especially to sensitive areas like the outer ears, mouth and nose.

-- Clip to my Lou. Not that pets shouldn't learn to dance or appreciate rhythmic clapping (we're talking "Skip to My Lou" for that), but why not save that for a rainy day? Instead, keep pets well-groomed. For cats and dogs especially, tangled or matted hair can be uncomfortable, so a neat 'do might be just the thing to do during the hotter weather.

Show those pets some good ol' TLC this summer. The hotter it gets, the more they may need these safety-minded messages from 24 Protect Plus.

It's no secret that current financial times are hectic, and the word "recession" is popping up more and more. So is the verb "to save." The problem is, offers are tempting, and the flesh is weak — so much so that many people not only don't save money, they end up spending more than they should. Wise spending is a safe way to navigate these uncertain times, says Credit Diagnosis (SM), a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC.

A few pennies here and there will make a big difference down the road. Take the time to make a plan to cut expenses on various fronts. Begin by calculating the amount spent during one month, and put the following tips to work during the following month and track the amount of money saved each time. The resulting amount will certainly be a reason to enjoy the long-awaited gratification. CreditDiagnosis offers some valuable ideas to incorporate on your cutting-expenses plan:

Groceries:

-- Plan a food menu for the week, make a list, and don't go grocery shopping without it.

-- Always use coupons, and take advantage of double-coupon days.

-- Use Sunday flyers to spot offers and sales at different stores.

-- Buy fruits and vegetables in season, and learn new recipes to maximize their use.

-- Grow vegetables and herbs at home.

-- Buy your canned goods and house-cleaning products in bulk.

-- Make your own baby food.

Utilities:

-- Select energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment.

-- Use low-flush toilets or other water-saving devices in the tank.

-- Set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature, and bundle up inside the house on cool days.

-- Hang clothes out to dry. Air-dry the dishes by keeping the dishwasher's door open at night.

-- Eliminate extra cable features and telephone services.

-- Wrap the water heater with insulation, and turn down the temperature.

-- Shop around for affordable cable, telephone and Internet providers.

Clothing and Others:

-- Always use coupons, or buy during end-of-season sales.

-- Buy, trade and sell clothes at consignment shops, especially for kids' clothing.

-- Find ways to repurpose old clothes. Make something new out of something old.

-- Brown-bag your lunch at least three times a week.

-- Go to matinees or to free movie screenings at a local library.

-- Exercise for free. Walk the dog, bike, jog, and dust off the old workout videos.

-- Keep the car properly tuned, and use public transportation whenever possible.

Try these tips and incorporate others you come up with while analyzing your personal situation. Cutting expenses today is a great way to secure a better future if hard financial times hit home, advises AP9 Credit Diagnosis.

24 Protect Plus (SM), a premier security program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC, wants to send out a message: Spring 2008 is here! So this year, along with flower planting and lawn maintenance, why not add car care to that spring-cleaning list? With the winter chill now only a memory, it won't be long before it's time to lower the car windows and raise the stereo volume. Hibernation period is over, people. Celebrate the rebirth by revitalizing the car.

Like 20th-century American writer E.B. White said, "Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car." So with that in mind, why not make that a clean-running, clean-looking car? 24ProtectPlus offers these safe and sensible car care tips; just think of it as a spring cleaning on wheels:

-- Honest Abe tells the entire truth. Start by checking the tires. Just take a penny and insert it in the tire's tread. If the top of President Lincoln's head sticks out, it may be time to replace the tires. That extra space may indicate signs of wear-and-tear. So don't take a chance. Worn-down tires don't grip the road well.

-- Clean that baby from head to toe. For some, a car is like a precious kid. And keeping it clean should always be top-of-mind. When cleaning, though, flip-flop things: Wash from bottom to top. Be sure to clean up the tires and undercarriage first. And use a separate cleaning mitt for the car's body. When it comes time to clean the inside, a hand or industrial vacuum should do the trick.

-- Air it out. Sure, it's great to have a clean car interior/exterior, but a great-looking car doesn't help engine performance. Check the air filter to see if it's clean. Any gunk left over from winter could slow things down.

-- Wipe the slate clean. Cars that have been out all -- or even part -- of the winter may have damaged wiper blades. And if April showers do indeed show up to bring May flowers, your wipers will need to work properly. Check them for cracking, tearing or chattering. Wipers that don't keep the windshield clean are all but useless.

-- Name that tune-up. The sound of a healthy car engine is music to the ears. Celebrate spring's return by checking all car vitals. Consider a tune-up that includes checking the battery, changing out the oil and inspecting the engine.

In addition to offering these helpful car care ideas, AP9 24 Protect Plus can also help with home improvement projects, legal and financial advice and other key safeguards. Enjoy a safe return to the road this spring: Happy motoring from the pros at 24ProtectPlus.

You can be a victim of identity theft while traveling. No, there's no need to store away your luggage and stay home for good, but it's wise to learn how to avoid identity theft while enjoying the next trip. PMIdentity, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC, wants consumers to be wary travelers and become their own "travel security agents."

Be cognizant. Be prepared. These are the rules to live by when traveling. Identity thieves and scammers could be around anytime, anywhere, and most of the time, they get what they're looking for from people who are just too oblivious to know about them or their schemes. As a public service, PM Identity offers tips for travelers to keep in mind before, during and after their time away from home:

Before:

-- Make copies of documents such as birth certificates, passports (if traveling abroad), credit cards and travel itinerary. Bring one copy along, and give another one to a trusted friend or relative who can be contacted in case of emergency.

-- Let the bank and credit card issuers know about the upcoming trip, so they don't freeze the accounts once they notice the unusual foreign transactions.

-- Get traveler's checks and some cash to bring along.

-- Store checkbooks along with other sensitive information in a safe deposit box, and request a mail hold through the US Post Office.

-- Clean out your purse and wallet of unnecessary cards or other forms of ID.

During:

-- Keep a watchful eye over your personal effects at all times: at the airport, during check-in, at the beach, etc. Place your belongings in an overhead compartment on the opposite side of the aisle, so you always have it in sight while in the air.

-- Use travel accessories such as money belts, security travel bags or purses and money clips.

-- Avoid using public computers for transactions when sensitive information is required. You can never be sure if the Internet connection is a safe one, and in some cases scammers could have placed devices to store all the information you enter, including e-mail passwords.

-- Use the hotel's safe to store extra cash, credit cards, traveler's checks, the copies you brought with you and other personal effects.

-- Be careful about what you say in public or the kind of personal information you share with perfect strangers, even if they seem nice and welcoming. After:

-- Retrieve all your mail and subscriptions from the Post Office.

-- Check your bank and credit cards accounts, and trace back all the activity with the receipts you kept from the trip.

-- Check your credit report and score to see if any changes have happened in the last few days. Keep monitoring both the report and the score in the following months.

No matter where you visit, your identity should come back home intact. It's a matter of knowing how to protect it at all times with easy tips and valuable resources, such as the ones offered by PMIdentity.

Spring is finally around the corner, and people all over the country are preparing to get their act in gear. Spring cleaning, yard work and the long-neglected home repairs are some of the activities on people’s lists. 24Protect Plus (SM), a premier security program provided by Adaptive Marketing LLC, recommends taking extra safety precautions while cleaning up the home and property, since many of the activities can pose a variety of health and safety risks.

Some may ask, what could be dangerous about cleaning the house? For starters, opening the windows to a warmer climate allows mosquitoes and other bugs to come in and out; taking care of the yard means taking more tools out of the garage and within the reach of kids; and moving furniture around can increase the chances for children and adults to trip and fall. None of these are things to panic about, but they merit attention. It’s all about awareness and prevention.

To promote a safe and enjoyable new season, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while preparing the house for spring, brought by 24ProtectPlus:

When outdoors:

-- Choose a good insect repellent, and apply over skin and clothes. Experts recommend having one bug spray for adults and another for children.

-- Deet, citronella and soybean oil are the most common ingredients on insect repellents. Products with deet are generally the best ones, but because it’s absorbed through the skin, it’s important to read the label and make sure the product doesn’t contain more than 10% deet.

-- Warn your family when standing near a frozen river or lake. In early spring, the ice is beginning to thaw, increasing the risk of drowning or falling into freezing water.

When mowing lawn:

-- Make sure to rake before mowing, to keep stones and debris from launching into the air.

-- Wear proper eye protection, and avoid using loose clothing and open shoes.

-- Check equipment before starting, and fuel up only when the engine is cool and off. Also, place blade guards on all trimming and cutting equipment.

When cleaning or repairing the house:

-- Keep any household and pool chemicals, poisons, paint and cleaning products out of the reach of children at all times. Try to do chores that involve these products when the kids are under adult supervision or away from home.

-- Use the ladder carefully. Read the manufacturer’s instructions, inspect before using, and verify that the ladder is the right height for the job.

-- When moving furniture, place them away from windows and accessible drapery cords; also, keep traffic areas free of clutter at all times to avoid tripping and injuries.

In addition to offering these helpful tips, AP9 24ProtectPlus can help families with their home improvement projects; legal and financial advice; medical records storage, and other key safeguards. Whenever families require savings and safety information, they can count on 24 Protect Plus.