Area briefing

A free lecture dealing with Internet safety and the protection of private computer data is planned for 5:30 p.m. today inside Greenspun Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

"The Economics of Cybersecurity: A National Dilemma" will address risks, threats and solutions regarding the issue.

The talk will focus on the distinctive aspects of cybersecurity, including crime, espionage and international conflict, in order to help develop solutions tailored toward each issue.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/72datym, call 895-0088 or email brookingsmountainwest@ unlv.edu.

PEDESTRIAN AND TRAFFIC SAFETY TO BE TOPICS DURING 1ST TUESDAY

Pedestrian and traffic safety are scheduled to be the topics during the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s monthly 1st Tuesday events, set for 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at the department’s area commands around the valley.

The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday.

For a list of area commands or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 828-3111

FREE HOME CARBON MONOXIDE TESTS OFFERED BY AIR-CONDITIONING BUSINESS

Sierra Air Conditioning is offering free home carbon monoxide tests to valley residents.

To participate, residents must schedule an appointment by calling the business at 380-7070.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning devices, such as furnaces and water heaters.

Store-bought carbon monoxide detectors are not always capable of detecting low-level emissions. Low levels can cause flu like symptoms, such as nausea, headaches and fatigue.

For more information, visit sierraair conditioning.com.

BELTWAY PROJECT TO ADD TWO LANES, WIDEN BRIDGES TO INCREASE CAPACITY

Construction recently began on the widening of the Las Vegas Beltway from Interstate 15 to Windmill Lane, Clark County officials announced.

The project is geared to improve traffic flow for local commuters and visitors on this heavily traveled section of the Beltway, which links McCarran International Airport and Interstate 15.

Drivers should be on the lookout for periodic lane shifts and lane closures during construction, county officials said.

The $30 million project is expected to take about two years to complete.

The project will increase the capacity of the freeway by adding one lane in each direction for a total of four lanes in each direction, between Interstate 15 and Windmill Lane. The project also includes the widening of four concrete bridges over this section of the Beltway: Paradise Road, Warm Springs Road, Robindale Road and the airport connector.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov or call 455-3500.

FREE RADON TEST KITS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT AWARENESS PRESENTATION

A community awareness presentation regarding the radioactive gas radon is set for 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at the Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive.

Attendees will receive a free radon test kit for their homes. Testing for the gas is encouraged by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the Nevada State Health Division.

Winter is the ideal time to test for radon as most homes are kept closed up for the winter, said Laura Au-Yeung, the southern area radon program coordinator for the cooperative extension. The test takes two to four days to conduct.

The leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers is radon, experts said. Although smokers have a higher risk of radon-induced lung cancer than nonsmokers, about 21,000 people die each year in the U.S. of lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure. The radon health risk is highly preventable, yet few people know about the radon risk or have their homes tested for it, according to valley officials.

Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in soil and enters homes through foundation cracks, openings and some of the porous materials used to construct foundations and floors of homes. It is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that can reach harmful levels when trapped indoors. Radon can enter any home, old or new.

For more information, call Au-Yeung at 257-5550, email her at au-yeungl@unce.unr.edu or visit radonnv.com. Any professional or community group that wishes to schedule a radon awareness presentation also may contact Au-Yeung.

PARKING AND PEDESTRIAN RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT IN KYLE AND LEE CANYONS

Those traveling to Mount Charleston for snow recreation are advised by law enforcement officials to heed parking Nevada Department of Transportation restrictions.

Motorists are not be allowed to park or walk on roadways in Kyle and Lee canyons through March. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol will enforce the parking restrictions.

Parking will be eliminated on transportation department right-of-way on state Route 157 from state Route 158 to the Mount Charleston Lodge and on state Route 156 from Lee Meadows to the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, 6725 Lee Canyon Road, and by the fire station in Lee Canyon.

No-parking signs are to be posted.

Where parking is allowed, including the Resort at Mount Charleston, 2275 Kyle Canyon Road, in U.S. Forest Service parking lots and land and east of state Route 158, vehicles must park in parking spaces or off the road with wheels to the right of the white lines. This prevents damage to vehicles and allows medical, police and fire personnel to respond to emergencies.

Vehicles parked over white lines, in no-parking zones or that impede traffic will be ticketed and towed. Fines begin at $190.

Visitors also are asked to refrain from playing or parking on private property or residential areas or areas marked "closed." Trespassing fines begin at $150. Snow chains and/or four-wheel drive vehicles may be required for travel on Mount Charleston.

Motorists who stop in travel lanes to put on snow chains will be cited.