15 Things You Should Teach Your Kids about Stranger Danger

Do your kids know what to do if they are approached by a stranger?  Stranger danger is real.  Each and every kid must be taught what to do in case they find themselves in a dangerous situation with strangers. Listed below are 15 things that you should teach your kids about stranger danger. Knowing these things can help keep them safe and arm them with information they need to recognize when a problem exists.  

·         Bad things do happen to children as a result of “strangers.” Make sure that your children are aware that bad things do happen to children. You don’t have to go into to detail, but be sure they know that the fairytale world where everyone is safe is not real.  

·         Not all adults are good people.  Most kids feel that all adults are trustworthy.  Be sure you kids know differently.  Not all adults have their best interest at heart. 

·         Some people are “good” strangers.  There are some adults who are good strangers. You kids do not need to be afraid of firefighters and police officers who are sent to help them.  Stress that people in uniform are often “good” strangers. 

·         If someone approaches you, walk away immediately. Tell your kids that they must walk away from adults who try to talk to them who they do not know. Rule #1 should always be to “DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS.”

·         Don’t accept food or candy from people you don’t know. Similarly, accepting food, candy or gifts from strangers can also be very dangerous.  Tell your kids to never accept these things from people they do not know. 

·         If something seems out of the ordinary, find an adult that you know. You want to make sure that your child knows what to do if he or she is threatened.  Find an adult that you know if you are in danger. 

·        Make sure you child knows his or her name, address, and phone number. Kids of all ages should know this crucial information. It can help in case of kidnapping or other stranger danger situations. 

·         Never walk the streets alone. Stress the importance of the buddy system.  Advise your kids to never walk the streets alone.  Two kids are harder to lure for strangers than one. 

·         Tell your parents where you are going. Require that your kids inform you on where they are going. Have them call when they arrive. Keeping tabs on them can help you become alert if and when there is a problem. 

·         Never approach a strange car.  This one speaks for itself but it must be ingrained in your child’s mind. 

·         Don’t open the door to someone you don’t know. If your child stays home alone, he or she should be instructed to never open the door. 

·        In stores, it’s important to stay as close to mom as possible. Abductions often happen in malls and stores.  Explain the importance of sticking together while in the store. 

·       Scream if you feel you are in danger! If your child feels imminent danger, a scare tactic must be in place.  Tell your child to scream as loud as possible if he feels he is in immediate danger. 

·        Remember license plate numbers of people you feel threatened by. Getting as much information as possible will be crucial during those dangerous situations.  Coach your child how to get as much information as he or she can to help catch the person. 

·        Call your parents if you feel unsafe.  Allow you kids to carry cell phones to make him feel safer. You will be a phone call away if a problem with strangers arises or if he feels unsafe.  Cell phones have saved the lives of many children and now make it more difficult to strangers to get away with crimes.

Above are 15 things that you should teach your kids about stranger danger that can help save their lives.  Be sure that your children know how handle situations that may arise.  Whether it’s not talking to strangers or calling you when they feel threatened, knowing what to do will make all the difference in the outcome. 

This article is contributed by 1001 Wall Clocks, an online store that offers a large range of decorative modern wall clocks.

15 Things to be kept out of the Reach of Your Child for Home Safety

How safe are your children in your home? Safety is an important part of raising children in a loving and nurturing home. Knowing that they are safe when they walk into the doors of your home can give you peace of mind.  Below are 15 things that should be kept out of the reach of your child. Read over this list to see if there is something that you have missed in making your home as safe as it possibly can be. 

• Medications. This is a no brainer! Regardless, countless parents still leave their medications lying around for little hands to get a hold of.  Make sure that all medication is out of the reach of your child.  This may mean locking up a cabinet or putting them in the top of your closet.

• Firearms. Guns are not toys.  Guns should be stores in a lock gun cabinet. This includes what seem to be harmless guns such as pellet guns.  Pellets may not kill, but they can certainly put an eye out.

• Cleaning products.  Kids love to mimic mom and get busy cleaning.  Unfortunately, this can have a devastating impact on a child’s health if he or she is to get a hold of the cleaning products.  Keep all cleaning products out of the reach of your children.  Don’t store them away under the sink!

• Knives or other sharp objects. Kitchen knives are often reported as one of the top household products that cause injury to children. Where are the knives that you use to cook dinner located? Keeping them in a drawer is very dangerous. Choose to relocate them to a safer place such as a high cabinet or far enough in a corner on the countertop that you child cannot reach them.

•  Electrical outlets. How many times were you tempted to find out what was going on in those electrical outlets? Your little ones will be just as curious.  Be sure to make sure the electrical outlets in your home are covered to help protect your children from electrical shock.

• Breakable vases. Vases, or anything breakable for that matter, should be kept out of the reach of children.  Broken glass causes many unthinkable injuries each year.  That pretty vase you have sitting on your coffee table may just be an accident waiting to happen.

• Cords from blinds. This is an old one in the book but still needs to be taken seriously.  Cords from blinds should be placed up high.  You don’t want to give your little one a change to get the string wrapped around his or her neck. 

•  Necklaces.  Similarly, necklaces can also pose a risk to your child. Keep long necklaces out of the reach your child.  Make sure that your child doesn’t wear necklaces to bed to avoid a potential choking hazard.

• Marbles or other small objects. Marbles can be fun for your child to play with. Unfortunately, they almost always make it to the mouth.  Keep marbles out of the reach of young children

• Handles from pots on the stove. When you are cooking, play close attention to the handles on your pots.  Place them out of sight so that young children won’t attempt to pull them down.

• Watch batteries. Discard of old watch batteries. Swallowing these can cause serious harm to children.

• Children’s vitamins.  Vitamins are medication. Keep these out of the reach of your children.  Children often view them as candy.

• Fluoride tooth paste.  Children like to eat tooth paste. This can be dangerous to their health as well.

• Burning candles.  Children are highly interested in candles!  Keep burning candles out of the reach of children. 

•  Plastic bags. Be sure to discard of or put all plastic bags up high where you children can’t reach them. Suffocation is real and happens all too often with plastic bags. 

Use the list above to help make sure that you children are safe.  Keeping these items up high and out of reach of your children may just help save their lives.  Have peace of mind knowing that these things are far enough out of reach to keep your child safe. Did we leave anything off the list? Feel free to leave your ideas in the comment section!

The article was written by 1001 Artificial Plants – An online store of decorative artificial flowers and tropical floral arrangements.

Peace of Mind: Internet Safety for Your Kids

Kids of all ages now have access to the considerable content found on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, lots of this content is not appropriate for children. Some of this questionable content can be easily accessed by mistyping while performing a simple online search or while on any of the various social networks designed to make our world more interactive than ever before. Fortunately, there are ways to keep kids safe and enjoy some peace of mind as your kids surf the Net and interact with friends online.

Social Media

Technically, you have to be at least 13 years of age to sign up for Facebook. Realistically, the site has users younger than this. Talk to your kids about social media and why it’s best left to older people and how important it is to take precautions even if you’re an adult.

• Avoid posting your full name and address.

• Avoid posting information that may narrow down your location such as the name of your school.

• Setup accounts so only friends can access photos and other personal posts made to the site.

• If your child receives comments that make them feel uncomfortable, have them inform you right away.

• If your child does not want to add you to their account compromise with a stipulation that you get to view their pages periodically to make sure there isn't anything inappropriate posted.

• Set specific hours when your child can access their social network accounts.

Websites

Kids like to be entertained. If you have a Netflix account, it may seem harmless to allow your child to select some movies to stream online. The feature of many sites that automatically propagates suggestions once one or two words are typed can turn up some suggestions you do not want your child to see. Some sites do have special settings where content can be restricted. This can be a double-edged sword for parents who wish to view mature content later since it takes a while for normal settings to return on some sites. Another option is to set restrictions on what websites a child can access from a specific computer, laptop or smart phone.

Email

Simple messages can easily be shared through email.  However, some of the information passed through email can be harmful on several levels. Inform your child that they should avoid opening email attachments from people they do not know. If they are unsure if they should view an attachment or not, tell them to get your permission first. Some email services allow parents to block email recipients who send attachments of any kind. Most email services offer some form of parental controls. Settings can be adjusted for the age of the child. Inform your child that if they receive an email that is threatening or inappropriate, they need to inform you right away.

Additional information you should tell your child:

• Never share Internet passwords.

• Never agree to meet someone you only know from the Internet.

• Block someone who makes you feel comfortable or has an inappropriate conversation with you.

Software

There is a wide selection of software designed to keep kids safe while accessing the Web. Look for per-user configuration options on the software you choose, especially if users of different ages will be accessing the same computer. Content restrictions for a 6-year-old are very different from what is appropriate for a 16-year-old. Products like PC Pandora and Webroot Parental Controls link settings directly to each user's account and not the computer in general.

Safety Standards

There are three basic rules that apply when it comes to keeping kids safe online. These rules can be adjusted with age, but generally apply to anybody under the age of 18.

1. Limit Usage - Set a specific amount of time your child is permitted to be online each day. Set restrictions. For example, family time starts with dinner. After homework is completed, no more IMs or online time until the next day. Be firm and do not make exceptions.

2. Keep the Computer in Sight - Place the computer in an area where kids can be monitored without you hovering over them every second, such as the living room or family room.

3.  Use Security Features - Every computer has some form of security protection. Make sure Internet restrictions are set, and check browser history to see where you child has been online.

Toni Alvarez is a mother and a computer tech who writes for broadbandcomparison.org, a site where you can learn about fibre optic broadband, and also compare broadband rates and values for your business or personal use. 

5 Pool Safety Tips for Winter

When the cold winter months hit, and your pool becomes temporarily unusable, that doesn’t mean it automatically stops being a hazard for curious children and careless adults. You need to take steps to protect your pool and the people who might wander near it.

Not everyone has to deal with the same kinds of winters, of course. Greater Houston pool management, for example, probably won’t have to do much winterization, but anyone who faces some kind of off-season should follow some simple tips to increase the safety around your pool.

• Maintain Adult Supervision at All Times – Just because there’s snow on the ground and the temperature has dropped below the temperature that even the most active kids would want to play outside, it doesn’t mean you can let your attention waver. You never know when your children might try to find their way to the pool. Make sure they never do it without someone nearby. To this end, you might also consider adding an alarm to the gates, just in case the children are particularly sneaky.

• Alert Any Visitors – With the winter comes a number of holidays and even more guests. You may have trained your own family to be careful around the pool and to avoid going near it without someone watching, but your friends and their children won’t know these rules. Take the time to explain to them the possible hazards and what to do if there is a problem.

• Install Proper Gates and Fences – Your pool should be surrounded by a fence at least four feet tall. The bars in the gate should be close enough that no child could squeeze through, and there shouldn’t be anything that an industrious child could use as foot or hand holds. The gates all need to be self closing and self latching with the unlatching mechanism on the poolside of the gate at least three inches below the top of the gate.

• Maintain the Pool Area – If someone gets past all your other precautions, you should make sure the pool area is as safe as possible. Don’t let the ice and snow build up around the pool area and keep it free of equipment, toys, and other branches or clutter. You should also keep the pool water clean and clear so in case someone should fall in, you’ll be able to see them immediately.

• Winterize but Don’t Walk Away – In order to protect the condition of your pool, you need to balance the chemicals, remove all the deck equipment, add the necessary winterizing chemicals, and place a strong cover on the surface. Once this is complete you can’t sit back and assume everything will take care of itself. Continue to check the pool cover for damage and make sure the pool remains drained to the appropriate levels. If you make regular checks, you should be able to see when something needs to be done to minimize the hazard of an unused pool in winter.

These are simple steps, but if you are take the time to properly winterize your pool and ensure that there is someone nearby whenever the children are playing in the area, you can reduce the risks and make sure that everyone gets to enjoy the winter months.

Keeping Children Safe in the Car

Guest post by Kevin Poon

Not too long ago I came across a blog post that stuck with me. When I still couldn't get it out of my head after quite some time, I realized it's because I felt like I needed to share the information with others, that many people would benefit from the information the same way I have.

The blog post focused on the safety of our children. More specifically, it focused on how safe our kids are when we take them with us in the car or even on an airplane. What struck me is the fact that we all want to think that our children's safety is our number one priority, but how many of us really take the time to think about the amount of their precious little lives they spend in a moving vehicle?

The post, which was on the website for a brain injury attorney in Florida, mentioned one forum the author watched on C-Span. The panel consisted of professional, knowledgeable people with legitimate information and statistics. To give just a sampling of the people on the panel, there was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a representative from the Center of Disease Control, along with people from the Highway Safety Research and the National Transportation safety Bureau. With people like that, you can pretty much guarantee accurate information.

The opening comment for the forum, which also included a variety of doctors, was "If common sense were a reliable guide, we wouldn't need science."

The blog then pointed out that, even though children are much safer in cars today than they were 20 years ago thanks to improved safety seats, we are still losing one child each week to an automobile accident! That's one child each week of every year who loses his or her life in an automobile accident, with many more being seriously and permanently injured. The writer then focused on one tragic outcome of automobile accidents, which some think is a fate even worse than death: brain damage. The statistics that were then listed are heart wrenching and include the following.

Automobile accidents are second only to falls when it comes to accidents causing brain damage.

• Of the 63 children who lost their lives in 2009, 100% could have been saved if child restraints had been used properly.

• The choices we make when it comes to safety restraints are the main factor in whether our child would survive an automobile accident.

• Because it is habit for parents to use safety seats on infants and toddlers, they have a much better chance at survival than our pre-teens who we don't typically use child safety seats on.

The last fact seems to stick out the most. Our babies live while our older children don't. It's a fact that most traumatic injury is caused when a head hits the windshield or door. Pre-teens are often not restrained properly if at all which puts them at greater risk of sustaining injury.

Of course, I watched the C-Span forum myself eventually. They stated how important proper education is for parents when it comes to car seat safety. This education should include ways of dealing with older kids who can be stubborn and who attempt to negotiate everything. To quote the members of the panel, "Safety is not negotiable."

In addition to all this information, I learned a few quick tips from the new 2011 car seat recommendations posted on the American Association of Pediatrics all parents should know:

• Until they are at least two years old or until their weight and height have reached maximum allowed for a rear facing car seat, infants and toddlers should face the back of the car. This information is from the Association of American Pediatricians and is current as of April 2011.

• It is also recommended that children under 4 feet 9 inches between 8 and 12 years of age should use a belt-positioning booster seat whenever they ride in a car.

Thank you, Kevin for this vital information!

Our Family's Fourth of July: Making Memories and Keeping it Safe

I'm a huge fan of holidays - and extremely sentimental about family traditions and creating memories. My children are a bit let down about the fact that New York doesn't allow you to shoot off your own fireworks like South Carolina does. So, this year we will again go see the fireworks (we were in New York last year, too, but in South Carolina/North Carolina the three years prior). We had too much fun shooting fireworks in our yard while we lived in the south...but, I can say that there were some very close calls that were scary. One firework shot right past me, wayyyyy too close for comfort! (I actually felt the "air blast" from it)

I am sure that they will ask the question again, "Can we do our own fireworks?" about five hundred more times before the weekend is over...and the answer won't change, but I bet we'll get our hands on some of those "poppers" and some sparklers...I think those are legal. :)

With all that said, I'm hoping that everyone has a SAFE and happy Fourth of July. And, speaking of safety, I'm going to put my little two cents in...

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports:


"There were reports of three fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 8,600 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2010. In 2009, CPSC had reports of two deaths and an estimated 8,800 injuries. In 2008, CPSC had reports of seven deaths and an estimated 7,000 injuries."

Many of these injury statistics include children!

If you live in a state where fireworks are legal, please be careful around the children! Yes, fireworks are "cool" and intriguing, but as we all know, they are also dangerous! Keep a close eye on the children and be sure to keep the kids at a good distance away from where you are shooting the fireworks. Additionally, be sure that you are shooting away from the people who are watching.

Do not. Do not. Do not re-light a firework!

Sparklers can be dangerous, too. Did you know that fireworks "burn at temperatures of about 2000 degrees"? (According to the CPSC). Please do not let your kids do sparklers alone!

However fun it may be, it's not smart to shoot off fireworks from a glass or metal container. Ever heard of shrapnel? I hope that creates a visual for you...

Keep a container or bucket of water nearby, just in case you need it. It's better to be safe than sorry, right?

Know what types of fireworks you are shooting and how they work. Do they shoot straight up? Sideways? In circles? Then, you can plan on clearing the area that it will shoot in and avoid trees, wires, etc. In the same breath, don't expect every firework to react the way it is supposed to. We have had many-a firework do things that we never expected! Be prepared for anything!

Finally, don't let your kids shoot fireworks by themselves and ask your children who they will be with and where they will be going if they are not going to be with you on the Fourth of July. If they are planning to "do" fireworks with friends, be sure to check if there will be an adult with them...better yet, tell your kids to bring the fireworks and their friends to you...then you can ensure their safety. :)

Please have a safe and happy Fourth of July, enjoy your family and make some good memories! We plan to cook out on the BBQ, play in the backyard, head out to a pretty fireworks display, celebrate summer and make our own memories!

How do you plan to make memories this Fourth of July???

Tire Safety Week: Keep Your Family Safe For Your Summer Travels! (Guest Post)

I received this email in my inbox the other day and thought it would be ideal to help spread the word...I, personally know that the winter roads are colder, but when the tires on your family vehicle hit that hot summer pavement, the mixture of that heat and the rubber on your tires...well, let's just say that it can immediately pose a problem if your tires aren't completely safe.

With that said, the following is a guest post from my inbox:

Summer driving season has officially arrived and while we are all concerned with safety on the road, we often forget one of the most important components: our tires.  According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660 highway fatalities are caused by underinflated tires annually.

This National Tire Safety Week (June 5-11, 2011) tire expert and Michelin subjective test driver, Sarah K. Robinson can share her tips for tire safety.  She can explain some of the simplest steps you can take to ensure you have a smooth, and most importantly safe, ride this summer travel season including:

• Check you tire pressure – Check your tire pressure at least once a month and before and after a long trip.  Tires can lose 1-2 psi per month.
• Examine your treads – Always make sure your tires have at least 2/32” of tread depth (the penny trick). Examine the wear patterns; the wear patterns can tell you whether your tires are over or under inflated and if your alignment is off. 
• Avoid hydroplaning – Simple adjustments to driving including reducing your speed and avoiding wet spots, especially standing water can reduce your risk of hydroplaning.
• Rotate – Tires should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles.
• Keep deepest treads in the rear – Make sure when replacing just two tires that you put the two tires with the deepest treads on the rear axle regardless, whether you have front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

About Sarah K. Robinson - As the first female test driver at Michelin North America, Sarah K. Robinson is paving a new road for women in the automotive world. Robinson’s current responsibilities as a subjective test driver for Michelin include evaluating tire performance in both objective (e.g., wet braking) and subjective tests (e.g., wet and dry handling, noise) then delivering her results to Michelin’s designers and engineers to ensure the best possible tire is brought to market. She also develops and coordinates all visitor demonstrations, product launches and promotional activities occurring at Michelin’s test track, Laurens Proving Grounds (LPG) in Greenville, South Carolina.

Holiday Tree Safety (Guest Blogger)

I'm excited to present another guest blogger who not only wants you to have a very blessed and enjoyable holiday season, but also wants you and yours to have a safe holiday, too! Thank you, Andrea, for your contribution to Mommy Rantings this holiday season!

roomserviceusa.com

Holiday Tree Safety

The holidays are a magical time of year, especially for children. Decorating a Christmas tree is an important tradition for many families, but during the excitement concerns for safety can often be brushed aside.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that between 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded on average to 240 home fires caused by Christmas trees each year. In addition to causing approximately $13.1 million in property damage annually, one of every 15 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.

Along with fire concerns, there are other hazards that come along having a tree in the home. Seasonal Concepts has put together Ten Christmas Tree Safety Tips to remind families of the importance of danger prevention for a happy holiday season.

1. The safest home holiday investment? A flame-retardant artificial tree. It only takes a one little spark to ignite a real tree and destroy a family’s holiday and home.
2. Place holiday decorations at least three feet away from any type of open flame.
3. Real trees tend to drag in dirt and allergens. Parents of young children are oftentimes unaware of these tree-related allergies until the live tree is already in the home. Artificial trees are allergy-free so your little ones can enjoy the holidays without the sniffles.
4. A pre-lit tree saves more than time by helping to prevent accidents caused by extension cords and live electric circuits.
5. If celebrating the holidays with children under the age of 4 and/or pets, consider an artificial tree. Live trees shed needles, which can be painful for crawling children or harmful if swallowed by pets.
6. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Artificial trees eliminate the need to bring water near electrical holiday lights.
7. Consider the weight of the tree when making a purchase. A lightweight tree is safer in case of a fall and easy to move from room to room.
8. Provide a solid foundation for your holiday tree by placing it on a flat, level surface.
9. Place your tree in the appropriate sized stand. An artificial tree comes secured molded into a stand, and is a safer option when considering a large tree.
10. Do not hesitate to seek safety advice from your local fire department. When it comes to holiday safety, prevention is key.

 

Andrea Wolk is a designer by passion and degree. In 1998, Andrea joined Seasonal Home Concepts where she is currently the Brand Manager for Christmas and home décor. Specializing in trend identification, she is responsible for seasonal selection and purchasing, as well as all in-store design layouts. Andrea is an avid enthusiast of all visual art, but home décor seems to be my calling, as she especially enjoys providing practical advice to help you beautify the space you call home.

Seasonal Concepts is an online retailer and sells over 100 styles of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees, as well as other holiday decorations and indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories. Visit www.seasonalconceptsonline.com.