9 Things Not to Worry About in '09

That You'll Never Again Be Able to Purchase Polaroid Instant Film
Don't lie—you were sad when Polaroid announced it was discontinuing its iconic instant camera and film. And if you're like us, you were initially skeptical of the high-tech replacement—a digital camera with a built-in printer called a PoGo. But it actually seems promising. It prints full-bleed 2-by-3-inch photos that are dry to the touch in about a minute. (No word from Polaroid on whether shaking is necessary.) Some critics will grouse that the printer sheets are expensive (a pack of 30 retails for $12.99) and that it's bulkier than other digital cameras. But when you consider that film for your vintage Polaroid costs even more (lots more on eBay) and that the camera required its own suitcase, it seems like a viable alternative. The PoGo will be available in March, 2009.

That You'll Suffer a Plastic-Wrap Calamity
You know when the plastic wrap starts to run low, and every time you tear a piece, the whole roll flies out of the box? Like you need plastic-wrap hassle, on top of everything else. Here's a trick we learned from—we swear—a forwarded email (which makes it maybe the single most valuable forwarded email of all time): At the ends of the roll of plastic wrap, chances are you'll find two little perforated tabs built into the side of the box. Don't believe us? Go to your kitchen right now and look. Press them inward, and they hold the roll in place. Amazing, right?

That the Telemarketers Will Find You
You know all about the Do Not Call Registry—a federally mandated way to keep pesky telemarketers from bugging you at home. But did you also know that it's been the subject of a number of Internet rumors and hoaxes since it was created? You may have heard that the list expired or that you need to register your cell phone. Neither is true. An expiration date was a possibility until 2007, when the feds abolished it. If you signed up your phone, you never need to renew it. And cell phones do not need to be registered and your number is in no danger of being released to telemarketers. So there—you can answer your phone without worrying that someone's trying to hassle you. Unless it's your ex or the collection agency, in which case the Do Not Call Registry won't help.

That You'll Accidentally Buy Counterfeit Drugs
Someone out there is making a profit by producing and selling bogus medicines that look remarkably similar to the real thing—it's a scary thought. But what's the real risk of receiving fake drugs? According to the Food and Drug Administration, licensed American pharmacies are safe. That even goes for licensed Internet pharmacies. (Yes, they exist—you'll know them by their "Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites" seal.) There have been a few instances of counterfeit drugs making their way into legit pharmacies, but in those cases, consumers noticed something was fishy. Drugs were in wrong-sized bottles, pills tasted funny, labeling seemed off. In short, if you have any questions about the taste, appearance or effectiveness of your drugs, bring them to the attention of a pharmacist or doctor.

That You'll Die in a Plane Crash
You're more likely to die in one of the following ways than in a plane crash: Heart disease, cancer, stroke, motor vehicle accident, suicide, fall, firearm injury, fire or smoke, natural forces (think earthquake, extreme cold), poisoning, choking and drowning. So you now have 12 more things to worry about, true, but cross the old paralyzing-fear-of-flying thing off your list.

That You'll Get Hairier Because You Shave Too Often
The more you shave your legs, the darker and thicker the hair grows in. Totally true, right? I mean, your mom did say so when you were 13. But here's a secret: Mom told you this because she thought you were too young to shave at 13, and she would've done (and said) anything to dissuade you from doing it. That, and she didn't really know whether it was true or not. Reality check: Shaved hair seems thicker because it's been blunted at the ends. In reality, it's the same old hair that's growing everywhere else on your body.

That You'll Be Seriously Harmed by an Over-the-Counter Gel or Cream
You've heard the scary news stories of people dying because they overdosed on pain-relief and numbing creams. But should you really toss your beloved stick of muscle strain reliever or steer clear of hydrocortisone forever? That's probably not necessary. While it's good to keep in mind that over-the-counter creams and gels are, in fact, medicine and should be treated as such, you don't need to ban them from your household. Just remember to always follow the directions on the package, and to use these products sparingly and only as they're intended. That means no more hemorrhoid cream for the bags under your eyes, got it?

That Your Forward-Facing Stroller Will Leave Your Child Emotionally Impoverished
A British study says that kids who ride facing forward in strollers tend to be more stressed out—and less engaged—than kids who ride while facing the person pushing. You know, in case you didn't have enough to feel guilty about. (And yes, the study did use the exact phrase "emotionally impoverished.") Before you ditch your ultra-convenient collapsible model for an inward-facing stroller, though, consider this: Your stroller style isn't reflective of your overall communication style. Sure, looking your kid in the eye while you're cruising the mall can raise your interaction level, but so can a bedtime story, a song or two during bath time, or regular old play. The point is to talk. It does a baby good! Your kid might even giggle along when he hears you cackling over phrases like "emotionally impoverished."

That Government Preparedness Web Sites Will Terrify Your Children
If only they rated government Web sites like they do movies. Did you know that both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have Web sites designed for children? They're done up in cheerful colors, feature cuddly-looking cartoon characters and include lots of info about fun topics like earthquakes, tsunamis and terrorism. (The DHS site includes a song set to the tune of "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" that reminds kids to "Grab your first aid kit and some clothes to wear / Don't forget your underwear," while FEMA features a quiz called "Disaster Math.") DHS also helps kids create a "basic" survival kit that includes an NOAA Weather Radio, plastic sheeting, and a wrench or pliers. You can stop the madness (and provide some perspective) by standing over your kid's shoulder while he surfs—not a bad piece of advice for any Web site. At least then you can reassure your child that he won't need to pack the signal flare all by himself.

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Phew....9 things I no longer need to worry about! Thank God!