INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even if you have backup power, you should be warned that your basement does flood. Home alarm and security companies can provide you with an alert to your cell phone or pager when your power goes out or if your basement floods. Stand alone water alarm units exist that don't require a full security system.

SUMMARY: Get a warning system. Make sure you carry emergency contact numbers for your plumber or electrician in the event of receiving an alert.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Unfortunately, fraud and identity theft are becoming more-and-more popular. In some cases, con artists will mail-out falsified tickets in order to obtain an individual's private information. Make sure all of the information provided on the ticket is accurate and complete. Is your name spelled correctly? Address correct? If any of this information is incorrect or missing it may be an indicator of fraud. , the highway patrol or the local police department). Only the agency that issued the traffic violation can verify whether-or-not your ticket is indeed authentic. Have your citation number ready. The time and day of your arraignment should be listed on your citation. This is also the last day to pay any fees or penalties if you choose to do so. The ticket will also have the address and contact information for the courthouse you will be required to appear. In some states, this is the latest date that you can pay or appear in court. In these states you may appear in court anytime before this date to be arraigned. On this day, you will not be presenting your case or your evidence to the judge, but will instead, be entering a plea of guilty, guilty with explanation, or not-guilty. Those who enter a guilty with explanation plea, are admitting guilt but asking the court to consider the circumstances and conditions of their violation. This can lead to reduced penalties. When the judge announces your name and case you will be asked to identify yourself, at which time you will be able to enter a plea. Once you plead not-guilty, a date for your court-hearing will be set. Be sure to be on time. The court clerk will help you with all of the appropriate paperwork, and will be able to provide you with further information regarding your personal defense. This will include a time and date for your hearing, as well as a specific courtroom address and room number. Properly filing a "request for production" is very important. It establishes a legal date of receipt. Depending on your state, the prosecutor will then have a pre-determined amount of time to respond. If they fail to respond, you can ask to have your case dismissed. This paperwork will be needed when you return to court.

SUMMARY: Examine the ticket and all of the associated paperwork. Contact the agency that issued the ticket (i.e. Check your court date. Understand that an arraignment is not a court hearing. Appear in court for your arraignment. Visit the traffic court clerk. Ask the clerk how to properly "serve" the prosecutor with a "request for production" (more on this later).

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many people have a difficult time understanding gambling as an addiction because it lacks the chemical dependency of other addictions, like those to alcohol or drugs. As a result, you may need to explain to your family how gambling makes you feel and why you have been unable to stop thus far. You may really spell out what an addiction feels like. For example, you could say something like, "It may be difficult for someone who does not have an addiction to understand, but I feel unable to stop myself from gambling even though I know I shouldn't do it. I feel so happy and free while I am gambling, and then I feel bad afterwards, which makes me want to regain that happy feeling by gambling more." Try not to get angry with your family if they don't understand why you can't just stop gambling. Recognize that they do not understand the addiction and may need some more time. This conversation is your opportunity to come clean to your family about everything you have been attempting to hide from them. Some of the things you have to tell them may upset them, but it's important that they know the truth, so always be honest. Avoid minimizing the severity of your addiction in order to shelter your family. They need to know the true extent of your problem in order to help you. If you need to share something that will be particularly hurtful, you can prepare your family for it by saying something like, "You may already know that I have lost a lot of money, but there is something else that you don't know, and I know it will be very upsetting to you." If your gambling addiction has had a negative effect on your family in any way, you should acknowledge that and apologize for what you have done. While there is no way to change the past, it's important for your family to know that you regret your actions. Let them know that you recognize the impact your addiction has had on them by saying something like, "I understand that my addiction has caused you pain and I am deeply sorry for that." When you tell your family that you have a gambling addiction, they will probably have a lot of questions, so it's important to be open to answering them. Keep in mind that your family may have very little knowledge about addictions, so they may ask questions that seem to have obvious answers to you. They will probably ask you questions like when your addiction started, how often you gamble, or why you gamble. They may also ask you questions about your finances, which may be uncomfortable, but try to be open and honest.

SUMMARY: Explain your struggles. Be honest. Apologize for hurting them. Be ready to answer questions.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Fill a bowl or basin with 1 US quart (950mL) of warm water. Add 12 teaspoon (2.5mL) of dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon (15mL) of white vinegar to the water. Mix until well combined. This method may be best for larger stains, as you will soak the entire garment. Submerge the linen into the solution. Let it soak for approximately 30 minutes. This will allow time for the chemicals to react with the stain. You may want to gently stir the solution from time to time. Take the linen out of the soaking solution and rinse it with cold water. Pay special attention to the stained part of the garment. Don't use hot water, as it can permanently set the stain. Squeeze out excess moisture without wringing the fabric. Squeezing the liquid out instead of twisting it will help keep the shape of the garment intact. Set it out to dry on a flat surface or hang it on a clothesline. If traces of the stain remain, repeat the process by mixing up a fresh soaking solution. You may also want to try another method, such as rubbing alcohol, if the stain is particularly stubborn.

SUMMARY:
Create a cleaning solution. Soak the garment. Remove and rinse. Air-dry the linen. Repeat the process if needed.