The best way to avoid infection is to make sure you wear gloves when gardening or changing your cat's litter tray, wash fruit and vegetables before eating and cook meat thoroughly - although it is possible to still enjoy it rare, says the Food Standards Agency.

BBC: Infection risk posed by cats revealed

As well as making sure that you take precautions to try to avoid frozen or burst pipes it also makes sense to make sure that your insurance policy covers burst and frozen pipes, and any subsequent damage to your property, while it is empty.

BBC: Fergus Muirhead

The key is to remain skeptical, avoid unknown links, verify claims and make sure you change passwords on important accounts on a fairly regular basis.

FORBES: Hijacked by a Phisher? How the Grandparent Scam Works

To avoid spinning your wheels and wasting time, make sure you're on the same page as your manager.

FORBES

If you decide to sell your device or trade it in, make sure you wipe the device (reset it to factory default) to avoid leaving personal data on the device.

FORBES: FBI Issues Android Smartphone Malware Warning

To avoid the statute of intestacy, you need to make sure that you leave a legally-effective will at your death.

FORBES: Estate Planning Overview and Objectives

At the Petronio, as well as in certain areas of Pacific Colombia, viche is difficult to avoid, as some friendly local will undoubtedly make sure that you always have a full shot glass.

BBC: A little liquid courage in Cali, Colombia

Make sure the system you pick is user-friendly and can be readily adapted to changing household schedules in order to avoid false alarms.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Money | Keeping It Safe | 11/99