Father's day Index of articles Shopping For the Father Who Has Everything  A Father’s Day Gift Idea for the Golfing Enthusiast Treat Dad to the Ultimate Father’s Day Feast Dad’s Sunday Delight Get Father’s Day Back on Track with Garden Railroading Dads and Sons: Staying Connected Through the Years Dads and Pool -- What a Great Father’s Day Combination! Not Your Father’s VCR: High-Tech Features Make DVD Recorders A Hot Gift For Dad Identity Theft Defense for Dad

Shopping For the Father Who Has Everything 

(ARA) - Shopping is something we either love or hate -- but everyone agrees that shopping is most challenging when undertaken for that one person who has “everything.” Experts say that the key to success is to buy items that are new to the market and that match as closely as possible with the recipient’s personal interests. With a little thought, finding gifts for everyone on your shopping list can be a breeze. 

* The Coffee Lover -- Coffee makers have come a long way in recent years, and the latest sensation is single-cup brewers. These new machines, like the Home Café system, make a single cup of coffeehouse-style coffee in about a minute, and can brew directly into a travel mug for the “always on the go” type. The system uses pre-measured, prepackaged coffee “pods” so there are no grinds to measure or discard and no mess. To get your hands on a free one, enter to win at www.homecafe.com/sweepstakes. 

* The Gardener -- Chances are that the gardener in your life has just about every gardening tool there is. But for a gift that keeps on giving, why not enroll him or her in a bulb or flower of the month club? At flowermonthclub.com, monthly flower deliveries start at about $40 per month, and the recipient will be blooming as well! Not the flower sending type? Consider a subscription to a popular gardening magazine. 

* The Gadget Guru -- These “gadget gurus” like to be first in line when a new product hits the market. Consider an MP3 Player, which comes in a variety of cool colors, or perhaps a CD burner for the music lover. Is there a DVD fanatic on your list? At $20 a month, they’ll flip for a subscription to Netflix. Be sure to research what’s new and what’s hot -- and if you’re still not sure, go with a gift certificate to a local electronics store. 

Courtesy of ARA Content 

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A Father’s Day Gift Idea for the Golfing Enthusiast

(ARA) - The first day of summer will hold special meaning for dads around the country this year. That’s because it is also Father’s Day. Some dads will end up spending the day at picnics with their families. Others will go boating or hit the links. There are a lot of dads out there who enjoy the game of golf. 

David Edmondson of Huntersville, N.C., is one of them. “He plays a round every chance he gets,” says his wife, Angela. David originally took up the game after entering the corporate world so he could entertain clients. Now his wife says he plays just for the fun of it. 

And because he enjoys the game so much, every year for Father’s Day, he gets a golf related gift. “One year he received clubs. My son and I have also given him golf related books, clothes, and even a certificate for lessons,” says Angela. 

This year, David hand-picked his own gift -- a wall mural of one of the most picturesque holes at his favorite course -- Pebble Beach in California. Todd Imholte, vice president of Environmental Graphics, the company that manufactures the Pebble Beach Mural, says it’s one of the company’s hottest sellers right now. “Just goes to show there are a lot of golf fans out there,” he says. 

The image, captured by premiere golf course photographer Joann Dost, shows waves crashing behind hole number seven -- a par 3 hole that is considered one of the most treacherous on the course. From the elevated tee the green looks like it is surrounded by ocean, with waves breaking on rocks to the right and back. Unpredictable winds often catch even the most seasoned professionals by surprise. 

“David has never played the course, but every time a tournament held at Pebble Beach airs on television, he is glued to it,” says Angela. “He considers it one of the most beautiful courses in the world.” 

And David isn’t the only member of his family who appreciates the beauty and challenges of Pebble Beach. So does his son, Noah, who has been playing the game since he was 3-years-old. He is now 7 and has several junior titles under his belt. 

“The mural is meant to be a gift for David, but we ended up hanging it up in Noah’s room because that’s where he had the most white space,” says Angela. The mural is 8 feet high and 13 feet wide. 

“It (the mural) came broken up into eight pieces, which made it really easy to handle when we were hanging it up,” she says. “Each section was numbered and the instructions that came with it were easy to follow.” 

For more information about Pebble Beach, or any of the other murals Environmental Graphics sells, log on to www.environmentalgraphics.com. 

Courtesy of ARA Content 

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Treat Dad to the Ultimate Father’s Day Feast

(ARA) - The days of loud ties and boxes of golf balls are over. This year give Dad a memorable treat the whole family will enjoy. Father’s Day signals the beginning of summer, and that means it’s time to break out the grill. For this Father’s Day, treat Dad to a special meal with premium beef cuts he just can’t find in the store and a gift he will be raving about until next Father’s Day. 

Forget the boring brats and burgers. Beef up your summer dinners with exceptional meats full of flavor. For a meal your guests will remember long after the summer is over, choose Kobe beef -- rated the most flavorful, most tender, and best marbled beef in the world. Originally raised in Kobe, Japan, this unique beef is now raised in the United States. Graded with marbling several levels higher than USDA Prime, Kobe beef is unmatched in flavor and tenderness. It’s been called the Beluga, the Dom Perignon, the Ritz, the Cashmere, the White Gold and the Cadillac of Beef all rolled into one. While this beef is available only in limited amounts from a small number of sellers, it is still easy to enjoy. Uptown Prime (www.uptownprime.com or call 1-877-987-8696) delivers right to your door, and online ordering makes it easy to plan the perfect party. They ship their steaks in protective insulated coolers that arrive on the exact day you specify. 

Uptown Prime offers aged Angus beef and Kobe beef in all your favorite cuts -- filet mignon to sirloin. Known worldwide for their superior taste, these steaks were once available in only the finest, most expensive restaurants. Order their King of the Grill assortment and receive six 5-ounce premium top sirloin steaks and eight classic quarter-pound steakburgers. These are thick, juicy burgers that won’t shrink on the grill, made from the same top-grade beef as their steaks. Once you try these premium steakburgers you’ll never go back to plain ground chuck. You may even find yourself passing on the ketchup so you can better appreciate the rich flavor. 

Round out your meal with something more than a bag of chips. Create a special dinner by choosing unique sides that add a distinctive touch. A simple salad of vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese sprinkled with basil makes a sophisticated addition to the table. Or head to the deli aisle of your local market to try new and interesting salads made with wheatberries or wild rice. Their nutty, earthy flavors pair nicely with juicy steaks and burgers, and make a welcome change from standard potato salad and coleslaw. 

Food like this needs beverages to match. Search out interesting microbrew beers, homemade lemonade and bottled root beer to add a thoughtful touch to your gathering. Or try a nice merlot or zinfandel to toast friends and family with a summer cookout to remember! 

Courtesy of ARA Content 

Recipe: Cooking the Perfect Steak 

Instructions for 1 inch-thick steaks 

Times should be adjusted slightly based on thickness of steak and temperature of your grill/oven. 

Ingredients:

Steaks from Uptown Prime 
Salt
Pepper 
Olive Oil 
Butter 

Outdoor/Grill Cooking: Thaw steaks in refrigerator. Remove steaks from vacuum packaging and allow to rest at room temperature for a couple of minutes before cooking. Brush both sides of the steak with a light coating of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Make sure grill is clean. Set barbeque to high and let the grill heat for several minutes. Sear each steak for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, reduce heat to medium, approximately 2 minutes for rare, 3 to 4 minutes for medium. Never press down on the steak while cooking or stick it with a fork -- you want to sear in the natural juices. Place steaks on a warm plate and immediately top with 1 teaspoon butter. Allow steaks to stand for 3 to 4 minutes and serve. Enjoy! 

Indoor/Stove Cooking: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Season steaks and lightly brush with oil as above. Preheat an empty sauté pan on the stovetop on the high setting for 3 to 4 minutes (avoid using a non-stick pan). The pan should be very hot. 

Immediately place steaks in the hot pan. Sear each steak for approximately 3 or 4 minutes per side, turning with tongs (never press down on a steak with a spatula or stick with a fork -- you want to sear in the natural juices). 

Then, using a hot pad, place the skillet and steaks in the 450 degree oven and cook for approximately 2 minutes for rare, 3 to 4 minutes for medium. Remove the skillet from the over with a hot pad. Finish as above and enjoy! 

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Dad’s Sunday Delight

(ARA) - What did you get Dad last year for Father’s Day? Can you even remember or is it buried in a drawer somewhere between the tie that lights up and the gag golf ball? If you’re looking for a memorable gift for Dad this year, start by looking to your family’s lawn or garden. After all, football season is over and the weekend warrior has shed his team colors in favor of anything green. In fact, his green thumbs are pointing you toward “Dad-worthy” gifts in the lawn and garden section.

* Tools that have been around forever will pass their prime long before Dad passes his -- like the trowel with the bent blade or the rake with most of the prongs missing. Consider some new tools fit to keep up with Dad. Hand tool and power equipment designs are continually improving. They are now more efficient, easier to use and even more environmentally safe.

* Make Dad’s work easier by upgrading to a power tool -- a garden tiller, backpack blower or even a new string trimmer will give Dad something to brag about to the neighbors.

* So many tools Dad doesn’t know what to do with them all? Consider some storage and transportation solutions. For hauling his tools, compost or supplies around the yard, a utility cart that attaches to the lawn tractor could be the perfect gift. Or take a hard look at the storage shed or garage and consider new racks, shelves, hooks or even a new shed altogether!

* Has Dad been so focused on the grass he forgets to see the yard? Replace cracking flower pots or rotting fence. And don’t forget about work accessories -- replace worn-out garden gloves, and make sure his gasoline can is the sturdy plastic type that won’t rust or build up a charge of static electricity.

* Have Dad and his mower started to seem similar? Cranky or hard to start? Consider a tune-up kit, including oil, an oil filter, a new spark plug and a new air filter. Or have a trained technician perform routine service -- many John Deere dealerships now offer Ready-To-Mow, a 12-point maintenance service that comes to your house to maintain your mower, letting Dad spend his time working on the lawn rather than the mower.

All Dads like having a project to tinker around with outside. So let Dad’s desire add a little dimension to your yard:

* Try lawn ornaments or yard art -- or suggest Dad make his own.

* Consider a pond or water garden kit. A water garden is an ongoing project that Dad can continue to improve after he’s finished the basic installation. But getting him to read the directions may be a bigger project!

* Or if you just can’t decide, give Dad a gift certificate and let him go home with that one tool he’s always wanted but didn’t think he needed -- and watch him transform the yard.

So this year give a gift that Dad will remember -- and actually use -- all year long. After all, it’s not that Dad won’t love the socks or another tie, but a nice lawn and garden will actually be appreciated by other people too.

For more information about John Deere’s Ready-to-Mow service, visit www.johndeere.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

 
Get Father’s Day Back on Track with Garden Railroading

(ARA) - This Father's Day give dad a unique gift that will get him off the couch, back on track and into the garden -- with the whole family as his crew.

Combining two of the hottest hobbies -- gardening and model trains -- garden railroading is the fastest-growing family hobby in North America, according to the Garden Trains Association.

“This is a fun hobby that gets the whole family hooked," says Michael Stephens, president of the association. "People love it. It's grown-up playtime but outside in the fresh air and sunshine."

Garden railroads, similar to what Dad played with as a kid, are large G-scale model trains about 5 inches high and 25 inches long, but instead of running inside, the trains wind through backyard forests of dwarf conifers, over little man-made streams or around miniature mountain ranges.

The hobby began in Europe decades ago, but it recently caught on in the United States. The Garden Trains Association says there are about 40,000 garden train enthusiasts and some 1,000 garden train clubs in North America.

* All aboard for about $200

It's easy to get started. All you need is a space about 5 feet square and about 4 feet of track. For as little as $200, you can have Dad up and running in a weekend. "Most people get into gardening on a small scale and build over time. It's more fun when the set develops over the years," notes Stephens. Outdoor railroading attracts men in their mid 50s. With an estimated half of the enthusiasts women, garden trains are a great outdoor activity for the whole family, with everyone involved in making decisions.

* Come on, baby, do the locomotion

It's best to know a little bit about garden trains before getting started. There are annual outdoor train shows, conventions and displays across the country, the biggest being the Garden Railway Convention in Denver, August 12 to15, 2004 (www.denvergrs.org). For a list of events in your area, visit www.trains.com/community/events.

Visiting the Garden Trains Association Web site at www.gardentrains.org can provide a wealth of beginner information. If you want to find a permanent garden-railroad display in your area, go to the site and click on the newsroom. You can find more information about the hobby in Garden Railway Magazine, which is full of how-tos, and offers a 20-minute video and 96-page book on basic garden railroading for beginners. Log on to www.gardenrailways.com or call (800) 533-6644 for more information.

This Father's Day, Dad is sure to have some real fun creating his own tiny world -- with the whole family pitching in.

Courtesy of ARA Content

EDITOR’S NOTE: Outdoor model railroading, the fastest-growing family hobby in North America, is a great activity. Incorporate it with gardening or just enjoy it as you would indoor model railroading. For more information call Susan McCoy (610) 388-9330 or log on to www.gardentrains.org.

SIDEBAR

Whistle Stops

Check out these fun family events this summer. A complete list of garden railroading events can be found by visiting www.trains.com/community/events.

Great Scale Model Train Show and All-American HiRail and Collectors Show Sat, 6/19/2004, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sun, 6/20/2004, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Md. Admission Fees: $6; 12 and under free; family $12. Web site: www.gsmts.com

San Diego Model Railroad Museum Family Day Sun, 6/20/2004, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Categories: Model Railroad Location: San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego, Calif. Admission Fees: $5; under 15 free. Description: Running giant G-scale model trains, railroad-themed arts and crafts. Web site: www.sdmodelrailroadm.com

Texas Hill Country Railfair & Festival Sat, 6/26/2004, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sun, 6/27/2004, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Burnet Community Center, Burnet, Texas. Admission Fees: Adults $3, children under 10 free with each adult admission. Train ride tickets sold separately. Description: Featured at Railfair are rail car and equipment displays, operating model railroad layouts and much more. Shop with vendors of railroadiana and model railroad supplies. The Hill Country Flyer excursion train will offer special service from Cedar Park to the site of Railfair on both days of the event. Website: www.austinsteamtrain.org/

29th Annual LGB Model Railroad Club Convention Sun, 8/1/2004 through Thu, 8/5/2004. Location: Mystic Hilton, Mystic, Conn. Description: Tours, clinics, excursions, dealer hall, exhibits. Lots of large-scale fun set in beautiful Mystic Seaport, Conn. Website: www.bigtrainoperator.com/2004.

24th Annual National Gauge Convention Wed, 9/1/204 – Sat. 9/4/2004. Location: Westin Santa Clara Hotel, Santa Clara, CA. Description: 12 garden railways on tour plus garden railway clinic by Jack Verducci. Web site: www.narrowgauge2004.com

Dads and Sons: Staying Connected Through the Years

 (ARA) - If you’re the father of a little boy, there’s a good chance that right now you are enjoying a very close connection with your son. He probably idolizes everything you do -- dressing up in your clothes, imitating the way you read the paper or the way you stand when you talk. He tries to do everything you do and works hard to make sure he has your attention and your approval. You can see in your little boy’s eyes that he is utterly convinced that you are without a doubt the ultimate man in the world.

And if you are a dad whose son has gotten a bit older, you can stop for a moment and smile when you recollect those special days with your young son. As time goes by, though, your son gets older and your relationship changes. When your son begins to develop into a young man, both of you face challenges that mean working a little bit harder to maintain your bond. The relationship you develop now will set the course for a lifetime bond between you and your son.

Dr. James Longhurst, a licensed psychologist for Montcalm School, a residential treatment program for troubled and at-risk youth, says that in general, as boys become teens, they sometimes question or challenge all their previously held perceptions about their fathers. “This happens,” he says, “as they are trying to become individuals and to learn how to ‘be their own man.’ In this part of their lives, teen boys often reject their father’s values.”

Dr. Longhurst says that fathers need to realize that when their boy begins to become a young man, you as a father, need to be sure to keep things in balance. “Dads need to realize that they can never be as good, and all knowing as your young son thinks you are. Likewise, they are never as bad, or as stupid, as their teenage sons may say they are.”

When the father-son relationship is intense, Dr. Longhurst explains that it can be a key time for fathers to use crisis as opportunity, exploring their relationship with their son and working through the conflict to bring the relationship closer.

Sean, a student who recently graduated from Montcalm School and is looking forward to his first summer job, says that when he came to the program, he and his father had a very tense relationship that was, in some ways, at the heart of his troubles. Sean’s parents were divorced and his father, a recovering alcoholic, was changing his lifestyle and becoming a different person. That wasn’t easy for Sean. “I didn’t like my dad before when he was drinking, but I didn’t like him later when he started changing the way he lived his life. I had a lot of resentment because of my dad’s trouble with alcohol when I was young, but when he changed his life and became sober, I wasn’t ready for that either.”

Sean believes that before he and his father sought help through Montcalm School, the relationship was difficult for both of them. “It felt kind of superficial. We didn’t really spend any quality time together. Our relationship was pretty much going down the tubes. I stopped going to his house and I think I now know he didn’t treat me as bad as I did him.”

During his time at Montcalm School, Sean and his father had numerous conferences, facilitated by staff working for the program. They laid the cards out on the table, and Sean and his father realized, that they both wanted the same things from their relationship.

“It’s kind of like we came to realize, Hey, you’re my dad and I’m your son,” Sean says. “Why are we doing this? He apologized for the mistakes he’d made in the past, as did I, and we built a relationship based on trust. Today we’re open and honest with each other and issues don’t get swept under the rug.”

For more information about Montcalm School or its parent organization, Starr Commonwealth, which has a 91-year history of changing the lives of troubled youth and their families, call (800) 837-5591, or visit their Web sites at www.montcalm.org or www.starr.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Dads and Pool -- What a Great Father’s Day Combination!

 (ARA) - Want to break the mold on the traditional Father’s Day gift? Tired of ties? Had it with handkerchiefs? How about pool . . . as in billiards? Pool is a family activity that brings everyone together and what better way to say, “Thanks, Dad!”

American lifestyles have changed. According to the National Association of Home Builders, living room size has declined and one-third of homes built in 1999 have no living room. Many homes have a game room where folks gather for activities that transcend gender, age or ability. No longer a piece of sports equipment relegated to the basement, the pool table is the game room centerpiece, matching and enhancing the décor.

Stephen D. Ducoff, executive director of the Billiard Congress of America, a non-profit organization that promotes cue sports worldwide, also sees this trend. “Our retail members are working with more contractors, designers and home owners to furnish game rooms. Pool table sales indicate that more pool is played in homes with taverns and billiard rooms second and third respectively,” he says.

For folks on your list who have a game room, give a gift to spiff it up. The options are as rich and varied as the history of a sport that is becoming “everybody’s game.”

The pool cue (or cue stick) is vital and gifts that help maintain this piece of equipment are quite affordable, often less than $30. Kits to clean, condition and repair the cue, and tip picks, gloves, chalk and talc make great, inexpensive gifts.

Want to get on the stick? Pool cues run the gamut from utilitarian to extravagant. One-piece cues start at $25, two-piece cue sticks range from $65 to $300 and prices for custom cues run from $350 to $10,000. “Top shelf” specialty cues -- of exotic woods inlaid with wood, gems and stones -- express the player’s personality.

Cue cases to transport and protect the stick start at about $35 and go up from there. Colorful and unique billiard balls are a way to show your stripes, or solids for that matter. Pool balls decorated with NFL team logos, glow in the dark colors, or patriotic stars and stripes add a dash of design for about $200 a set. Polishers keep balls smooth and balanced and triangle racks perfectly align the balls for clean break shots. Prices for polishers and racks vary, but your billiard retailer will help you find what’s best.

Home improvement? Game Improvement! A set of practice balls -- for $30 or more -- and private lessons from a certified instructor -- about $50 to $100 per session -- can make a difference in a player’s game.

Need more suggestions? Books about pool range from a basic rulebook to ones on the sport’s history and heroes. “How to” videos range from $15 to $25 and videos or DVDs of classic movies such as “Hustler” or “The Color of Money” are a must for a player’s film library.

How about the ultimate gift -- a new table for the home or office? Slate pool tables start at $1,500 and from there the sky’s the limit. Women, who are an integral part of the table purchasing decision, can rest assured that it can be a piece of fine furniture, not just sports equipment. A trip to a local pool retailer proves that billiard tables and accessories are a décor enhancer.

Speaking of décor, decorative accents make a game room pop! Accessories such as lighting, mirrors and classic posters can add atmosphere and a touch of whimsy.

Table looking tired? Have the playing surface recovered with solid color fabric or designs to match the décor or declare the owner’s alma mater. Players awaiting their turn can do so on specialty stools equipped with a beverage rest and adorned with billiard motif upholstery. Cue stands, from utilitarian to intricate folk art carvings, range from $35 to $500 or more.

Still not sure what your pool-playing dad needs? A gift certificate from a local billiard retailer or a table time gift certificate at a local billiard room can take care of your quandary.

Gifts for the game room are the perfect thing for Father’s Day because they can be shared with others; and isn’t that what family is all about?

For more gift ideas or to find a billiard and game room retailer near you, visit www.bca-pool.com

Courtesy of ARA Content

Not Your Father’s VCR: High-Tech Features Make DVD Recorders A Hot Gift For Dad

 (ARA) – This isn’t your father’s VCR . . . it’s better! Fast growing in popularity and affordability, easy-to-use DVD recorders are changing the way dads interact with their beloved TV remotes . . . and are a perfect Father’s Day gift this year.

DVD, and the rewriteable DVD-RAM format in particular, is poised to become the recording medium of choice for consumers. “Not only is the picture quality better than VHS, about twice the detail and sharpness,” says Jeff Cove of Panasonic about the latest DVD recorders, “but the new generation of DVD recorders offers features that greatly enhance the viewing and recording experience.”

But, if you think a DVD recorder is technically beyond what you -- or your Dad -- will ever need, think again. Here are some features and functions the experts at Panasonic suggest you look for when shopping for a DVD recorder:

1. Chasing Playback. This simultaneous playback and record option, available only with DVD-RAM media, allows users to watch a program and record it at the same time. For those evenings when Dad gets home too late to catch the beginning of his favorite program, he can now watch the first part while recording the rest of the show.

2. Accidentally recording over favorite shows and family videos is a big “no-no” with most dads; so only ask for recorders which feature the DVD-RAM format. These units record in much the same way as a computer’s hard drive, automatically finding and only recording on blank spaces on the disk -- never over last year’s summer vacation!

3. Preserving VHS Memories. When Dad records his favorite VHS tapes onto DVD, he’ll actually be improving the quality of these images since DVD offers higher resolution. And, while he can connect a VHS deck to a DVD recorder, consider one of the new, all-in-one DVD-VHS combination units that make it easy to transfer tapes to DVD. An added benefit: DVDs take up a lot less room than bulky tapes.

4. Durability. While DVDs are generally more durable than videotape, not all DVDs are created equal! DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten to more than 100,000 times before they will wear out.

5. On-Screen Programming Guide. Look for those models which have a convenient onscreen program guide that lets consumers organize and plan their viewing and recording.

Cove recommends two new additions to Panasonic’s line-up, models DMR-E85H and DMR-E65, which feature these capabilities and more. Both units record on either rewriteable DVD-RAM or write-once DVD-R discs, and will also play back DVD-Video, music CDs, video CDs and MP3 formatted discs.

So, whether your Dad has an extensive videotape library to preserve or just wants to record his favorite programs, there is sure to be a DVD recorder that will fit his needs. Why not let technology put some fun in Dad’s life . . . and make gift giving easier for you!

For more information about DVD recorders and other consumer electronics products, visit www.panasonic.com. Panasonic products are available nationwide at major electronics stores.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Identity Theft Defense for Dad

 (ARA) -- Your father has protected you your entire life. From teaching you how to ride a bike or shoot your first free throw to sending you off to college or giving you away at your wedding, he has cared for you and always looked out for your best interest.

So what better time than now, with Father’s Day upon us, to return the favor? This year don’t just stick to the typical necktie or tool buying routine, take your father’s financial health into consideration and help protect him from unexpected dangers – like identity theft.

Identity theft is among the fastest growing crimes in America, and perpetrators are getting more sophisticated and adept at stealing the information they need to take over someone else’s credit cards and bank accounts. More than 10 million Americans and one in five families have experienced identity theft in the past year. During that same time period, consumers invested an estimated 300 million hours and $5 billion to resolve related issues.

Yet many consumers are unaware of its consequences and the tools available to protect their families. Adult children concerned with their parents’ vulnerability to identity theft can take steps to help keep financial information safe. Here are five easy ways you can help protect your father from becoming one of these statistics.

* Give dad peace of mind this Father’s Day. Consider purchasing the Equifax Credit Watch Family Program, a family discounted credit monitoring package available at www.equifax.com. Utilizing Equifax Credit Watch Gold, the service automatically alerts consumers within 24 hours of credit file changes indicating possible identity theft. The program also features $20,000 in identity theft insurance, as well as victim assistance with an identity theft specialist for step-by-step guidance and problem resolution.

* Lock it up. Make sure your father keeps all financial information and personal records locked at all times, especially if he has a housekeeper, or guest in the house.

* Watch the mailbox. Mail theft is among the most common forms of identity theft. Criminals can gain most of the information they need to commit the crime right in your dad’s mailbox. Encourage him to use a locked mailbox and pick up his mail daily.

* Shred it. Encourage your father to shred all sensitive documents before disposing of them.

* Don’t let hackers crack dad’s credit code. Be sure the virus protection software on your father’s computer is current and remind him never to open attachments from strangers. Other safety tips include using firewall programs and secure browsers with high-level encryption and password protecting any sensitive documents stored on his computer. Also, never discard a computer without erasing all personal information. Office supply stores sell “wipe programs” for this purpose.

This Father’s Day, give dad something he can really use – credit protection. For more information about protecting your father and your family from identity theft, contact Equifax at www.equifax.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content