But everyone is at risk of being impaired behind the wheel because they're too tired. The National Safety Council offers these suggestions to prevent drowsy driving:

• Get plenty of sleep before you head out on the road.
• If you start to feel tired, go to a safe area for a quick rest. But don't pull over at the side of the road.
• Try not to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• For long trips, start driving early in the morning, and plan to switch off driving with a buddy.
• Keep the temperature inside the car cool and comfortable.
• Take a quick break every 100 miles or so to have a snack, get some fresh air or just to stretch your legs.

Here are guidelines from the U.S. National Safety Council to keep your children safe:

• If you want to open a window for fresh air, only open those that are high enough that children cannot reach them. Keep others closed and locked.
• Move any furniture or other items away from windows, so that children can't climb on these objects to reach windows.
• Don't count on screens to protect your child. They are not strong enough to prevent children from falling through them.
• Teach your child not to play near windows or glass doors. Set rules about staying away from them.
• A window needs to be opened only 5 inches for a child under age 10 to fall through. In many locations, landlords are legally bound to install window guards in apartments with children.

Here are things to keep in mind when selecting exercise equipment, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Consider the difference between exercising at home, versus joining a gym. Make sure that you're comfortable with doing it at home.
• Consider less expensive options that offer more variety in your exercise. Look for a stand to convert your regular bicycle into a stationary bike, or consider free weights and a bench instead of a resistance machine.
• Choose a place in your home that is pleasant for exercising. Make sure it's well-lit and well-ventilated.
• Make sure you know how to properly use the equipment before bringing it home.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to lessen stress and reduce your chances of a headache:

• Get plenty of sleep every night.
• Maintain a healthy diet, including staying away from junk food.
• Don't smoke.
• Get plenty of regular exercise.
• Stretch your neck, shoulders and upper body frequently. This is particularly important if you work all day at a desk or computer.
• Maintain good posture.
• Practice meditation, yoga or deep breathing techniques.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help you stay emotionally healthy:

• Establish what you are feeling, and what's causing those feelings.
• Be open with yourself and others about your emotions, instead of keeping the sources of stress and anxiety to yourself.
• Focus on the positive things in your life instead of dwelling on the negative. Deal with what's bothering you, but don't let it overwhelm you.
• Try relaxation methods, including meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises.
• Take care of your physical self with a healthy diet, regular exercise and a good sleep schedule.

Here's a list of daycare red flags to watch for, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• You cannot get the staff to answer your questions or address your concerns.
• The staff does not allow parents to participate in daily practices at the center.
• You hear about problems at daycare from your child, or your child doesn't seem happy there.
• Accidents happen frequently and without explanation.
• There is frequent staff turnover.
• Other parents tell you about problems they have encountered.

Here are suggestions for a clean kitchen, courtesy of the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse:

• Each week, wash all sponges, dish rags and towels in the washing machine with hot water.
• Make sure all cooking utensils are clean before you use them, and wash them thoroughly immediately after cooking.
• Keep all kitchen counters and surfaces clean before and after preparing food. Clean them with a solution of one teaspoon of bleach to one quart of water.
• Always wash your hands with warm water and soap before working in the kitchen, especially when handling food.

Pay attention to these warning signs, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that you may not be getting enough shuteye:

• Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.
• Problems focusing.
• Falling asleep at school during class.
• Feeling depressed, irritable, moody or sad.

Here are risk factors that may make you more likely to develop high blood pressure, courtesy of the American Heart Association:

• Being significantly overweight or obese.
• Eating a diet that's too high in sodium (salt).
• Drinking alcohol to excess, or too frequently.
• Getting insufficient exercise.
• Feeling too much stress or anxiety.
• Having a family history of high blood pressure.
• Being African-American.
• Being age 35 or older.

If you think you've come in contact with poison ivy, follow these suggestions from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

• Stay outside until your skin has been properly cleaned.
• Cleanse skin with a generous amount of rubbing alcohol.
• After the rubbing alcohol, rinse your skin thoroughly with plain water.
• Shower, washing the skin thoroughly with soap and water.
• Wash clothing with rubbing alcohol and water to remove any residue from the plant.

The U.S. National Safety Council offers these suggestions to protect your skin from sun damage:

• Wear sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Apply it properly, thoroughly and regularly, even on cloudy days.
• Protect your skin with a hat, long sleeved shirts and long pants, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Limit exposure to very reflective surfaces, such as sand, water, snow, tile and buildings. These surfaces can increase the risk of a burn or significant skin damage.
• Don't use a tanning bed, either at home or at a salon.
• Be careful of the hours you spend in the sun. Limit exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Remember this tip: If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun's rays are very intense. At that point, seek shade or get indoors.

Before you crank up the mp3 player, read these suggestions to prevent hearing loss, provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Wear protective ear coverings when working in a noisy area, such as around traffic or loud machinery.
• Wear earplugs when you know you'll be around loud noise for prolonged periods, especially when operating noisy tools and equipment.
• Use rubber mats under noisy electronics and appliances.
• Avoid too much noise at once, such as the TV and noisy appliances going at the same time.
• Don't use more noise to block out another noise. For example, don't turn up the music to drown out the sound of traffic or the vacuum cleaner.

Here are easy ways to get plenty of vegetables in your diet, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• Buy fresh vegetables that are in season -- they'll be at their peak flavor, and often less expensive.
• Keep plenty of frozen vegetables on hand for quick and easy microwave meals and sides.
• Look for conveniently packed vegetables, such as washed and peeled carrots, pre-washed bags of salads, and cut vegetables.
• Save time by making a baked potato in the microwave instead of the oven.
• Alternate your veggie choices and how you cook them. Try them raw and crunchy, then try them steamed.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Don't look directly into the illuminated headlights of another car. Keep an eye on the yellow line in the road instead, until the car has passed.
• Be constantly aware of potential hazards, including potholes, construction equipment, or stopped cars.
• Pay careful attention to your car and those around you, especially while driving in bad weather.
• Be careful driving on the highway, and look out for other drivers that quickly change lanes to exit the road.
• Don't get emotional about other people's driving habits.
• Never drive while tired.

Prevent backpack injuries by lightening the load. Check your child's backpack each day, and remove any items that aren't needed. Also, make sure the child uses both straps, to distribute the load evenly.

Here are warning signs that your child's backpack may be too heavy, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

• A difference in posture when wearing the backpack.
• Significant difficulty in putting the backpack on or taking it off.
• Complaints of pain or discomfort when the backpack is on.
• Red marks on the skin from the backpack straps.
• Feelings of numbness or a tingling sensation, especially in the back or shoulders.

Here are recommendations on choosing and assembling a swing set, from the U.S. National Safety Council:

• Make sure the equipment is very sturdy, and look for sets that can be changed or upgraded to accommodate your child's growth.
• Secure the legs of the set in below-ground concrete. If you use anchors that come with the set, keep them below ground. Make sure all cables are taut. Cap any screws or bolts.
• Slides should not be too steep -- no more than a 30-degree slope. The slide must have tall sides to prevent falls, and an area at the bottom where children can regain balance and sit upright.
• Avoid sets with "S" hooks, or any parts that can pinch, cut or crush small fingers. Avoid any rings that are less than 5 inches or greater than 10 inches in diameter.
• In general, equipment should not be higher than 8t feet tall. And metal equipment, used in hot weather, can lead to burns.

Here is a list of important vitamins and minerals to include in your diet, and how to get them, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Calcium, which is found in yogurt, cheese, milk and other dairy products; sardines, salmon and perch; soybeans and white beans; spinach and oatmeal.
• Potassium, which is found in sweet potatoes, seafood, fruits including bananas, peaches and honeydew; beans and dairy products.
• Magnesium, which is found in vegetables, bran, beans, tofu, brown rice and nuts.
• Vitamin A, which is found in the meat organs such as liver and giblets; vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes and spinach; and cantaloupe.
• Vitamin C, which is found in oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, guava and papaya; and vegetables such as red and green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.
• Vitamin E, which is found in nuts and seeds, turnip greens, peanut butter and spinach.

Try these suggestions to make exercise a tough habit to break, provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Plan to exercise at a certain time every day, so it becomes part of your schedule.
• Write up and sign a contract, where you agree to exercise.
• Mark your calendar with a daily appointment for exercise.
• Keep a diary of all of your exercises. Log everything you do, and your progress.
• Have your doctor write out an exercise prescription, including how much exercise you should do and how often.
• Try joining a health club or gym. Paying a membership fee may prompt you to get your money's worth and go more frequently.

With dentistry's many advances, diagnosis and treatment gets more sophisticated and comfortable all the time. Here are some tips:

• It's often best to share your anxiety. If you're tense or anxious, tell your dentist and the dental staff. Getting your concerns out in the open will let your dentist adapt the treatment to your needs.
• Try to choose a time for your dental visit when you're less likely to be rushed or under pressure. For some people, that means a Saturday or an early-morning appointment.
• If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen to your favorite music.
• During the dental visit, you might try visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach.

These techniques work wonders for many -- try them on your next visit.

Usually pink or reddish in color, these darkish lines can also appear on diabetics, or among children who rapidly gain weight.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers these additional facts about stretch marks:

• They can look like indented ridges in the skin, and eventually may turn white and look like scars.
• They most often appear on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and the flank.
• They can result from long-time use of some medications, such as cortisone skin creams.
• Lotions and creams that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks have little proven value, the NLM says.

Here are suggestions to reduce your risk of Lyme disease, courtesy of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Stay out of areas where ticks are likely to be, including wooded areas, tall grass, and places with lots of leaf cover.
• Use an insect repellent on skin and clothing. Look for products that contain 20 percent to 30 percent DEET.
• Another repellent, permethrin, can be applied to clothing, but never directly to the skin.
• When heading to where ticks may gather, wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt that are both light in color, so it's easier for you to spot ticks.
• Check yourself thoroughly for ticks before heading indoors. If you spot a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers.
• Be aware of any unusual symptoms, including a circular rash, tiredness, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these safety suggestions:

• Make sure blades are sharp and the mower is working properly, and only inspect the mower when it's turned off.
• Before you start to mow, check the yard for rocks, sticks, toys and any other objects that could get caught in the blades.
• Wear protective gear and clothing, including long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves and safety goggles.
• Never use a lawn mower while barefoot or wearing sandals.
• Never allow someone to ride with you on a riding mower.
• Be especially careful when mowing steep hills.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this advice about soothing bug bites:

• In cases where the insect's stinger is still in the skin, scrape a flat, firm object against the area to extract it. Don't use tweezers, as more venom could be released.
• Clean all bite and sting sites thoroughly with soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack to the area to soothe a sting. Apply for 10 minutes, remove, and repeat.
• Take an antihistamine, and apply a topical cream to soothe itching.
• Watch out for signs of an infection, such as increasing redness, pain or swelling that develops well after the initial sting.

It may include some or all of these physical symptoms, says the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Blushing.
• Sweating.
• Feeling nauseous.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Having trouble talking to or making eye contact with another person.

If you have these symptoms, a doctor should evaluate you for a social phobia. The physician can also recommend treatment options, including medication and/or behavioral therapy.

Sleep apnea is associated with loss of sleep, and more serious conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, the American Lung Association (ALA) says.

Among children, sleep apnea often is caused by inflamed tonsils or adenoids, which should be evaluated by a pediatrician.

While the best course of treatment should be recommended by your doctor, the ALA offers this list of possible ways to control sleep apnea:

• Maintain a healthy body weight with exercise and a healthy diet.
• Attend a sleep lab, where sleep apnea can be analyzed and specific treatments recommended.
• A technique called a nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), which delivers air through a mask.
• Special dental appliances.
• Surgery.