How to handle too much mails? ads, credit card offers, etc etc, do you shred them?

Keep a small container next to it for any mail that needs to be shredded. We had similar concerns as you regarding ID theft, and we got tired of hand-shredding stuff or using our old cheap shredder that only took a couple of pages at a time. So we bought a heavy-duty shredder just for this purpose.

I think that a cross-cut or confetti-cut shredder offers a lot more security & protection for your private info than cheaper strip-cut shredders. Get one that also shreds credit cards. If you have lots of private stuff stored on CDs, there are many shredders that offer a CD-shredding slot as well.

From your other recent questions on askville, I assume that you have a child. It’s crucial that the shredder is kept unplugged AND in a room that’s locked at ALL times. Also, look for a shredder that has a specially-designed narrower entry slot or a special guard to prevent toddler fingers from getting in there (see CNN story below).

Some newer shredders now have a sensor that stops shredding immediately when the paper entry is touched. There’s something about shredders that magically attracts young kids; they may not be able to resist sticking their precious little fingers into the slot! Also take similar precautions if you have pets.

Below is the transcript from a segment on CNN’s ANDERSON COOPER 360 DEGREES that aired April 21, 2005. COOPER: Coming up next on 360, paper shredders. They are great to protect against identity theft, but they can be a hidden danger, putting you, your kids, even your pets at risk.

We’ll tell you how and what you can do about it.