When summer swings round to your part of the world it means a dip in the pool and also it is a kid’s right of passage to plunge into the home pool. But child safety should be a priority.

Yes, it’s fun - but for some there is going to be heartache with the loss, by drowning, of a loved one, especially a child - that, perhaps is the most hard-hitting. Australia, a nation which enjoys a high portion of home swimming pools also has a high record in toddler and child drowning. Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State holds highest toddler drowning record in the nation.

This is not good and legislation is at hand to tighten up the already nation-wide tough pool safety regulations. It can be prevented. Prevented by strict adherence to good Child Pool Safety tips. Child Pool Safety Tips are everywhere, but with the warmth, the fun and that cool, inviting water, it becomes so easy to ignore them. Owning a home pool brings responsibility and in a lot of cases, changes to house and the backyard. Let’s have a look at some Child Pool Safety tips and make your summer hassle and tragedy-free.

1. CHILD POOL SAFETY - EDUCATE.

Teach your child to swim and learn about water safety - there are swimming classes and talks about safety available from the municipal swimming pool operators. They’re trained in child pool safety.

2. CHILD POOL SAFETY - IN SIGHT, PLEASE

Ensure that the pool can be seen from a designated family are, ideally it should have a doorway leading to the yard for quick access. If you are building the house, this needs to be addressed. For those with an already established house and pool, then you’ll need a Home Safety Camera. These are many and varied and your swimming pool supplier can help you decide on the best one. Just as a navigation aid is a valuable tool to motorists, a pool safety camera is integral for child pool safety. The camera should be placed in the room where there is access to the yard.

3. PLEASE FENCE ME IN

In some countries - like Australia - fencing a pool is mandatory. Where it is not required by law, then common sense should prevail and pool owners should endeavour to erect one. Ideally it should be about four feet (approx 122cms) and lockable. There are plenty of attractive styles to choose from - your home hardware store can help here. Oh! Most reputable insurance companies demand that you have a fence. Ideally, an alarm should be fitted so that if someone opens the gate, you’ll know. The responsibility for child pool safety is yours.

4. CHILD POOL SAFETY SIGNS:

You have the pool. It is a magnet for your friends and neighbours and their children. You will need to let the pool users know that as well as being a fun part of the yard, it is also a drowning hazard. Preferably it is best to have them posted every 15-20 feet and please have one erected at the gate to your pool. Again, check with your pool supplier or home hardware store for appropriate safety rules, and what to do In An Emergency, signage.

5. DEPTH

As with municipal swimming pools there is a deep and shallow end. The same should apply to your home pool. It should be shallow enough for the smaller child to be able to stand up with his or head well above the water; as an added child pool safety tip, ensure you should emphasize and have a sign telling swimmers not to dive into the shallow end.

6. CHEMICALS:

You want to keep your pool sparkling clean and germ-free so of course, you’re going to need chemicals to keep it so. Chemicals - a good aide - can also be nasty little things causing burns, blindness and even death. To ensure this does not happen, be very careful even to the point of fussiness of child pool safety and safety from harmful chemicals, so:

a. Maintain the correct balance, and
b. Keep The Chemicals LOCKED AWAY.

7. FLOATERS:

Keep these on hand and ready to throw into the pool at all times, a struggling swimmer will need one to grab on to.

8. DIAL EMERGENCIES:

If you can, install a phone close at hand, ready to dial the emergency number for example 911. Please don’t use a cell/mobile phone unless it is emergency number capable. Most of them are today.

9. FILTERS:

A must, and please, have a filter fitted that is capable of pulling water from the top - use of a leaf finder is helpful - and not from the bottom - this is a trap for the kids and can suck a small child down to drown. Child pool safety has to be foremost in all pool owners’ minds at all times.

10. LET THERE BE LIGHT:

Night swimming is fun and dangerous. Ensure the pool is well lit, especially for night swimming - no dark places, please. If you can’t see you can’t save. Children are prone to sneak out of the house for a duck in the pool - s, so tempting. Child pool safety for the kiddies going on a moonlight swim is paramount at this time. Remember child pool safety, so, Let there be light.

11. GLASS AND OTHER SHARP NASTIES:

Child pool safety- well any safety means no hazards in or around the pool - especially breakable glass. Make sure any receptacles are either plastic or other non-hazardous material.

12. HORSEPLAY.

By horseplay I mean rough stuff, such as wrestling poolside, pushing or throwing someone in (It was fun at the time, but my brothers and I almost drowned - many times, because of this) Child pool safety was not practiced by us then.

13. OLD SOL CAN BE CRUEL

Poolside Fun on Sunday - you’re sore as heck on Monday. So be aware and keep discomfort and possible melanomas at bay with a good sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher. A big must if you are planning to spend more than fifteen minutes in the pool. Another child pool safety tip - and adult too - to preserve health.

14. THE LIFEGUARD.

Use the pool only when a trained person is available - preferably someone responsible over 16 years. Ensure the person designate and other pool users know who’s in charge. Please make sure that person is well versed in child pool safety. You know, it’s perfectly normal to be uneasy about your child’s safety not only in the pool, but other places. Sure, there’ll be accidents and sickness,

If that’s all - well, that’s fortunate. At the risk of portending doom and gloom, there are going to be little ones who drown, due to lack of child pool safety. You don’t want to be one of those statistics. Go, seek help from all agencies. Make sure child pool safety is top of the list - and have a good swimming summer.

15. CPR! CPR! CPR! - Learn it.

It won’t be long. People are counting down the time until they can put their wintertime shoes away for the summer months and its children activities. Have you been taking care of your feet? Here’s how to get your feet ready to show off in this year’s cute summer sandals.

If you’ve neglected your feet during the winter months, don’t despair. There’s still time to get your feet looking sexy and it won’t take forever to get them there!

Start out by taking a long look at your feet. You want to be sure there aren’t any cuts, scrapes, or torn cuticles. Since the easiest way to get your feet ready to show off is to use vinegar, salt, and lemon juice, it would hurt like crazy to get any of those in a cut! You may also want to trim and file your toenails before going any further.

Next, head to the kitchen. “The kitchen?” you ask. Yep, the kitchen! In a bowl, mash several slices of fresh lemon with 1/4 cup Epsom salt. This will make a pre-scrub to soften any rough spots you may have. Rub this mixture into your feet and then put on a pair of white socks for at least 15 minutes. While you’re waiting, crush 10 mint leaves with 1/4 cup Epsom salt and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and set it aside.

Fill a basin with hot water (but not too hot) and 1 cup of red apple cider vinegar. Add marbles to the water to massage your feet as you soak them. Just taking the time to soak them would also work, even if a massage would make your feet feel better.

After you’ve soaked your feet long enough that the water has started to cool, you can grab the mint and Epsom salt mixture. Rub that into your feet to remove dead skin. Rinse your feet in cool water and then massage olive oil into them. Put your feet back into white socks and leave them on overnight. The longer you leave the socks on, the softer your feet will get.

Substitutions can be made for most of these steps; however, not all of them. Coarse salt, table salt, or even sugar can be used for Epsom salt. You can use mineral or canola oil in place of olive oil. The only element in all of this that you wouldn’t want to substitute is the red apple cider vinegar as it will both soften the skin and help neutralize odors. Dusting your feet with corn starch before bed and before putting on shoes will also neutralize odors.

Summertime feet you’ll be proud to show off are just a few short steps away. By following these steps, you can have the feet you’ve always dreamed of. It’s time to put your best foot forward.

From a very young age parents repeat the words “don’t talk to strangers” to their children over and over again for child safety concerns. Conversations may end with parents listing the people in the child’s life with whom they are allowed to talk and give information to. But does your child really understand the meaning behind those words? Do they know this doesn’t mean the gentleman down the street who dresses “strange”?

You want to be sure your child or children understand who a stranger is. You also want to pass along instructions on how they are supposed to react to any situation involving a stranger approaching them. Here are some tips to help teach your child about stranger danger.

Start by reviewing the aspects your child already knows about. Discuss the topic of predators and methods they use to try and gain the trust of children. Remind your children:

* Never take candy from strangers.
* Never accept toys from strangers.
* Never get into the car of a stranger for any reason.
* Never believe a stranger who says they’ve been sent by a parent to pick them up. Having a family password will enable your child to know for sure.

Encourage your child to use the buddy system when walking to and from school, to the corner store, or to a local park. In fact, using the buddy system where they are not accompanied by an adult is the best idea.

Be sure your child knows what to do in case of any trouble or fearful situation. Remind them to yell “NO!” very loudly. Then they should run to a safe place if a stranger comes too close or makes them uncomfortable.

Speaking of safe places, does your child know how to recognize one? Tell your child to be aware of any and all safe places they can go to if they feel uncomfortable. Knowing their full name, address, and phone number is important so they can give it out ONLY when they’ve reached safety.

It’s also important that your children know who safe people are. Help them realize that not all strangers are bad people, but it’s not easy to tell merely by looks. Make sure you explain to them there are some adults they can turn to, such as police or security officers, teachers, clerks at the corner or grocery store, or even employees, nurses and doctors at the neighborhood clinic or hospital - whether they know them personally or not.

After you’ve explained the dangers, help your child feel safer by letting them know there are more good people in this world than there are bad people. You want them to grow up as healthy children but you still need to explain the danger of strangers or what to do if they are approached by someone they don’t know.

Despite parents’ best efforts, each year children are hurt during the 4th of July by fireworks. Knowing what to do in case of burns is important for child safety, not only during July fourth, but at all times of the year. These basic first aid tips are for burn injuries when fireworks are the culprit.

The easiest way to avoid burns from fireworks is to enjoy public displays only. While it is unlikely that your children will be injured at a public display, due to the distance the fireworks are from those viewing them, it is still possible. Most injuries, however, occur when the general public purchase and use fireworks at home.

Of course, you know how important it is to use care when fireworks are in the plans. While most injuries from fireworks occur on the head, face, or hands, the bottom of the feet may also be affected. Most injuries will be minor burns or first degree, but second degree burns are possible. If the unthinkable does happen and your child gets burned due to fireworks, you’ll want to act quickly.

1. Put the fire out. If the child’s clothing is on fire, have them stop, drop, and roll to extinguish the flames. You may also want to put a dampened towel or blanket over them to put out the flames.

2. Determine if the burn is severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. First degree burns are superficial and the skin is still intact. Second degree burns affect the top two layers of the skin and often blister. Third degree burns destroy the skin. Both second and third degree burns need immediate medical attention. Any burn that covers more than 10% of the body would fall into this category. Call for an ambulance to allow a trained professional to care for these burns.

3. If the burns are minor, they can be treated by running cool water over the affected area and then covering it loosely with a sterile compress. You may also want to apply a topical burn cream to the area and have them take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

4. Second degree burns, or worse, require you to cover the area of the burn with a cool, moist, sterile bandage, cloth, or towel. DO NOT immerse the person in cold water as this will cause them to go into shock. Leave burned clothing on the person as removal may pull the skin away and invite infection. Get professional medical help as quickly as possible, by either calling 9-1-1 for help or taking them to a hospital if they can be transported.

If you feel you must use fireworks at home, be diligent in supervising children. Even though sparklers aren’t considered to be as dangerous as some fireworks, children are sent to the emergency room each year due to injuries from these items.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. On a family trip to an amusement park, their child is separated from them and is lost. If that family had used personalized child safety tattoos, their child would have been able to go to a park employee and they could have been quickly reunited with one another.

You can explain to your child the importance of staying close to you when you’re out in public. However, even though you and your child do your best, it is still possible to get separated. Temporary tattoos can be used to help keep your children safe and give you peace of mind. Here’s how they work and why they’re such a great idea.

Temporary tattoos are a fun, colorful ID product that can be used to keep children safe. They come in a variety of tattoos. The tattoos, which remain on the skin for three to seven days even through bathing or swimming, can be used to provide a telephone number to contact in case a child gets lost or otherwise separated from a parent or caregiver. There are also temporary tattoos which alert others to emergency medical information.

Lost and Found temporary tattoos are perfect for children or adults with autism or another medical condition that makes verbal communication difficult. They attach emergency contact information directly to the skin. They cannot be removed in the same way as a lanyard and ID or a piece of jewelry.

Made of safe, non-toxic, and hypo-allergenic pigments, the temporary tattoos are FDA certified. Temporary tattoos are not to be used on or near the eyes. They are easily applied and can be removed with rubbing alcohol or baby oil.

Besides giving your peace of mind should your child be lost while out and about, they may actually save a child’s life. Suppose your child has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts or another substance. Wearing one of these temporary tattoos will enable teachers or others to contact someone who can help because the tattoos have an emergency number on them.

Even though parents do everything they can to ensure their children are safe, children can quickly move away from a parent or caregiver. They can slip away and truly be lost. If the child is young and doesn’t know their telephone number, temporary tattoos provide the information needed to get you and your child back together.

There are several temporary tattoo manufacturers. To find one, you can search for them online. A few possible manufacturers are Safety Tat or Tottoos, however, there are others. You can also check with local Child Advocacy Centers to see if they know of manufacturers of these personalized child safety tattoos.

Sun worshippers make their way outdoors to catch the first rays of the sun, often before temperatures outside have stabilized. However, spending too much time in the sun without protection has been proven to cause skin cancer especially for child safety. You can reduce your risks of being a skin cancer statistic by following any of these five tips for being sun smart.

The medical profession has determined that at least 90% of all skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to the sun. If you’ve gotten sunburned just twice before you turned eighteen, you have double the risk of developing melanoma later in life. To avoid skin cancer:

1. Use sunscreen. This is probably your easiest and best plan to avoid damage from over-exposure to the sun. Applying SPF 15 or higher sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays to your skin and lips will help protect you. Apply sunscreen thirty minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply it every two hours while you’re in the sun. If you’re wearing sunscreen and bug repellent, be sure to apply the sunscreen first.

2. Cover up. When you’re going outside, after applying sunscreen, planning your wardrobe is another easy option. Even though it could be hot outside, wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses will limit the amount of skin that will be exposed. Covering up can also shield you from poison ivy, bug bites, as well as cuts and scrapes.

3. Seek shade. If you don’t want to be covered from head-to-toe, plan on avoiding the sunshine as much as possible. The hours of between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are the worst times for being outdoors in direct sunlight. When those hours arrive, finding a place in the shade or going inside will keep you safe.

4. Guard your eyes. Sunshine can do more than damage your skin; your eyes can also be affected by UV rays. Finding sunglasses or other eyewear that blocks 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays is important. It would also be helpful if they wrapped around to offer more protection to your eyes.

5. Try a fake tan. You may love sun-kissed skin, but you know that spending too much time in the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. To have the best of both worlds, use a fake tan product such as a self-tanner that changes the color of your skin over a period of time. You can have the bronze glow of a sun tan without having to worry about cancer in the future. Don’t forget to use sunscreen with a fake tan; they don’t protect your skin, just make it look tanned.

Having a tan has long been considered to be a sign of health. Times have changed, however, and people know that tanning is risky business. Don’t forget to safeguard children’s skin by using these same five tips for being sun smart. You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer as well as your children’s.

Summer children activities mean time spent outdoors. And you know spending time outdoors means the possibility of bug bites. You want to protect your child from bugs, but you don’t want to use sprays that could be dangerous. What are your options?

Even if your child is outside wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, there are no guarantees mosquitoes won’t bite. In fact, mosquitoes can bite right through clothing. It’s important to teach your children not to swat at insects that sting or bite.

Bug sprays have used DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) for years. This chemical compound, approved and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is effective for repelling insects. However, there has been some concern about using DEET on children. DEET-based products provide protection for two to ten hours.

If you cannot find an alternative, be very careful when applying DEET products to children; be sure to use the lowest possible dose, 10 percent DEET. DEET should not be reapplied and should not be applied to children younger than two months old according to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

One alternative to bug repellents with DEET are products made with Picaridin. Picaridin lasts for four to eight hours, is recommended by the CDC, and has been in use in Europe and Australia since the 1990s. It is odorless, doesn’t damage synthetic materials, and feels light. Like DEET products, it is not recommended for use on babies younger than two months.

Products made with Lemon Eucalyptus can also be found as an alternative to those made with DEET. These products are not recommended for children younger than the age of three, however. Lemon Eucalyptus provides six hours of bug-repellent protection. As the only natural plant-based protection, you may want to consider using this type of product if you don’t have children younger than three in your family.

There are other DEET-free products on the market, but you’ll want to read the labels closely to ensure you’re getting a true DEET-free product. One product, Bug Band, comes in spray lotion, towelettes, and a glow-in-the-dark bracelet. Ingredients come from geranium, rosemary, soybean, and mint oils and extracts. They purportedly are water resistant, reusable, and work for 120 hours.

The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend the use of hybrid products that contain both a sunscreen and bug repellent. They reason that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours whereas but repellent won’t need to be reapplied for four more hours. Combining the two products may also reduce how effective the sunscreen is.

Children are going to spend time outside during the summer months. If they’re outside, they will most likely face being bitten or stung by bugs. Using a bug repellent is a great way to protect your child from bugs. Your only other choice may be keeping them indoors, and even that isn’t a guarantee that they’ll be bug-bite free.

What’s the 4th of July without fireworks? Cities and towns across the country host July Fourth displays that are attended by millions every year. However, some people prefer to have a more hands-on approach to fireworks. If this is you, you’ll want to be aware of the dangers of having and using fireworks, especially for child safety.

Fireworks are the creation of the ancient Chinese who are believed to have developed as early as 581 AD after they discovered how to make gunpowder. Since the chemicals and powder are explosive, the danger of injury has always been associated with fireworks, which are still produced in China to a great degree.

Children are enamored with fireworks. They love to watch them and will often try to shoot them off to have their own fireworks display. The problem, however, is that they are dangerous - especially when handled or used improperly.

* Fireworks are made from flammable materials and explosives. Due to this fact, thousands of people and pets are injured each year, some even requiring amputation. For fireworks to be safely enjoyed, they should be used only by trained professionals.

* Fireworks can cause fires and this is one of the biggest reasons for not allowing children access to them. Children can either be burned while trying to light the firework or they can accidentally catch something around them on fire.

* Fireworks should not be lit while indoors or in dry grassy areas.

* Even fireworks that don’t explode can be hazardous to children’s health. Sparklers can become so hot that after they’ve been used they can still cause first, second, and third degree burns if they’re stepped on. To avoid this problem, if you feel you must use fireworks around children, you’ll want to have an empty metal trashcan where all sparklers can be disposed after the sparks stop.

People are so used to having fireworks readily available to them that they may not pay attention to how dangerous they can be. Each year a third of all injuries due to fireworks happen to children under the age of fifteen, most of those injuries occurring to boys. Firecrackers are the worst offenders for causing injuries, followed by sparklers.

To help you keep your children safe, and still enjoy the beauty of fireworks, the simplest thing you can do is let the professionals do it. Not only can you avoid injuries, you’ll also see a much better fireworks display. And, since professional fireworks shows are free to the public, you’ll save yourself quite a bit of money. This really is the best way to enjoy fireworks and not have to worry about keeping your children safe.

Dogs are often called man’s best friend. This may be partially true; however, that doesn’t mean they are friendly for child safety. In fact, some children are afraid of them. If this describes a child you know, you can use these smart ways of helping children overcome the fear of dogs.

Despite the fact they’re animals, dogs can be very similar to humans. You can tell when a dog is being playful or when they want to be left alone. Some dogs even smile at you because they’re happy to see you. When it comes to helping your child overcome the fear of dogs, it’s a good idea to begin by teaching them to read dog behavior.

If your child is afraid of dogs, take them to a pet store. They will have puppies and dogs for the child to look at but they stay behind a glass where the child and animal are safe. This will allow your child to see the animal without fear of being hurt.

Don’t try to force your child to pet an animal. They may have good reason for their fears. Let them watch dogs from a distance. This will allow them to see how dogs interact with other children and adults. It will help them to recognize when there is danger and when there is not.

After they become comfortable seeing the animal from behind the glass, ask if you can see one of the calmer animals. The sales person will bring dog into an enclosed room where you can get to know the animal. They will remain with you and will be able to help protect your child. They may also have some more ideas for helping your child overcome their fear of dogs.

Teach your child that when a dog is wagging its tail or its whole body, there usually is nothing to fear except if the dog inadvertently knocks the child down. Explain to the child that the dog is being friendly and that it means them no harm. This can be especially important if your child has been bitten or nipped at before.

On the other hand, if a dog comes running toward them with their ears back and barking, the child is fully justified in being scared. The child needs to know to stand still rather than run, however. Running may be an automatic response, but running will only encourage the dog to chase the child. Helping your child recognize the difference between a dog that’s friendly and one that’s not can make all the difference in the world as to how they respond to them.

When being introduced to a new dog, have your children follow these steps:

* Stand still; let the dog sniff at them.
* Let them look to you for cues as to whether the dog is friendly or not.
* After they become comfortable, or at least less uneasy with the dog being near them, teach them to hold out the back of their hand for the dog to smell.
* Finally, when they’re ready, tell them to move slowly and then gently pet the dog on the back of the neck or the head.

It is possible to help a child overcome their fear of dogs. These smart ways may give you information you need to help your child. If you’re still unsure about introducing your child to dogs, ask a veterinarian or your child’s pediatrician for more ideas.

Virtual worlds are all the rage and parents’ concern in ensuring child safety in virtual worlds is easily understood. With toddlers and preschoolers it is very easy for parents to ensure the child’s safety, simply open an account and link it to your child’s to monitor safe play. The situation is a little bit different with teenagers who are very techno savvy and know their way around the internet.

Our research has uncovered an excellent and safe site that children aged 7-14 can enjoy. The site strongly advocates safety practices and have a number of safety features in place to protect your children. The site has a dedicated parents’ page and provides information that counts. Some of the safety features include: filtering of telephone numbers and addresses; no URL links; no vulgarity and private messaging; reporting features and moderators in place to police the site. Best of all parents can actually request the chat logs dating back 90 days to ensure kids safety in virtual worlds.

Kids safety in virtual worlds is the responsibility of the parents. One way of making sure that your child is not misusing their virtual world privileges is to talk to your kid. Discuss their online experiences as you would their daily activities. Do not be judgmental, listen to what they have to say and provide guidance in a calm manner. Since virtual worlds duplicate school room behavior, bullying, sexual communication and harassment maybe part of the virtual world. Despite the language filters that are in place, kids have found a way around the filters by using alternative text. Communication is vital – unless your child is honest with you, you will probably never know what goes on in their virtual world. Visit the site, look at avatars, screen names, profiles, social network sites visited and the type of friends they are socializing with.

Children are trusting souls and often share passwords. You need to educate your child on the importance of how much harm shared passwords can cause. Friends can sometimes stop being friends and use passwords to misrepresent your child. Teenagers probably will not take you seriously, but you need to create awareness. Sow the seed to get them thinking!

Take kids safety in virtual worlds seriously - visit the sites your child is using and examine the safety features and tools provided. Usually there is a safety page on the good sites designed for parents. Go over the safety features with your child to make sure they know how to report abuse and block offenders. Kids also need to be taught the importance of correctly representing themselves when registering on the sites and to use the safety features provided.

Child development in today’s world is probably one of the most difficult tasks of all. What is the role of a parent? Where do you draw the line on authority? Who does what in their role as parents? What are your responsibilities as a parent? Parents today need all the help they can get and this article seeks to answer some of the more baffling questions that plague modern day parents.

What is the role of a parent in the old fashioned context was for the father to take on the authoritative role of provider and protector and the mother to nurture. We would be hard pressed to maintain this concept in a society such as ours. Both parents work and more often than not single parenting seems to be the norm.

Children need to know and accept that parents are in charge. Raise your children on love and teach them the art of respecting people. Honesty, truthfulness, sincerity are virtues you can inculcate in your child with the right kind of upbringing. Teaching your child morals and values in life is not something that is picked up as your child grows, rather something that is taught from the knee high stage onward.

What is the role of a parent? It certainly isn’t a dictator! Authoritative parenting requires parents to be firm in raising children, rearing them on love and warmth, teaching and guiding, avoiding harsh discipline and being clear in what they expect from the child, yet flexible when necessary. In order to be a good parent you have to walk a fine line between overindulging and overbearing in your treatment of children.

Families that make the effort to have family time sessions, share information, fun and laughter at mealtimes, and participate in the decision making will continue to strengthen the bond that binds. There is a very popular saying, “Families that pray together, stay together.” I would like to stretch that to include those families that share and care build an interdependency and oneness that continues to grow over time. Treat your children with respect and they will learn to respect you. If you have older children, involve yourself in their lives without intruding. Smaller children are easier to manage, get them involved even in your shopping activities and weekly cleaning and you will find they make willing helpers.

Children need to feel loved and wanted and that is the main focus of what is the role of a parent in a child’s life.

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Kids tend to be very impatient while crossing roads and herein lies the significance of child safety for kids. Every year many kids get injured or suffer fatal accidents on the road. While crossing, kids get hit down by speeding cars. Many kids have the tendency to play on the streets and become totally ignorant of their surroundings. Hence there are certain definite precautions that ought to be taught to kids at a very early stage. Dangers are always lurking out there on the street and constant alertness is always required. The basic rules for road safety should be taught to kids when they are very young.

Give your kids clear instructions of not venturing out to the streets alone. It is preferable if an adult always accompanies them and the kids should hold the hands of that person. Instill within them the basic habit of looking at both directions before crossing a road. They should be taught to first look in the leftwards direction, then right and then again left.

Whenever a sidewalk is available it should be used. You need to explain to your kids the importance of crossing on crowded and busy roads only when the “walk” signal is present. It is very important that you teach your kids the meaning of the major traffic signals in your training on road safety for kids.

When a blinking or an orange-colored hand (solid) is displayed, it means that crossing the road at that time is unsafe. Instead if a white-colored figure is present, it implies that the road/street can be crossed safely. Children who study at elementary levels in school should be taught to ride their bikes along the right flank on the road, and walk along the left side. Cycles move in the direction of traffic while pedestrians against the direction of traffic flow.

Acquaint your kid with situations where a car swerves abruptly ahead of him or when the ball rolls over to the road while playing. These are very common situations which must be mentioned in road safety for kids. Again there are some region-specific traffic rules which are present. As a parent it is your duty to make your tots aware about the local rules in road safety for kids.

In some places, it is absolutely legal to turn right when there is a red light on, while in some places it is not. For older kids or teens, the driving rules need to be properly taught. The importance of switching lanes in a proper manner should be explained. When you go out for a drive take your kids along with you and show them what to do in scenarios when a call is coming on the cell or when a turn is missed. Undoubtedly making your kids self-sufficient is important but there is an appropriate age for every activity.

Experts recommend going along with kids to their schools till the age of nine. Kids learn very quickly and if you teach them the right techniques then your mission of road safety for kids would certainly be successful.

From FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), to NRA (National Rifle Association), gun child safety for kids is being constantly and consistently publicized. Before you teach your kid how to handle a gun, you have to first make him aware of the vital significance of safety and responsible behavior with guns. Some rules are being discussed below regarding the training techniques of gun safety for kids.

1. The fundamental rule: Holding a gun safely is the first step of learning how to use a gun. Even when the gun is in an unloaded state, dissuade your kid from pointing the barrel towards themselves or towards any person. According to the guidelines of NRA, this is the ‘golden rule’ of handling a gun, or for that matter any weapon. Also ask your kid to be conscious of the direction in which the gun is pointing while he is in motion or during hunting.

2. Keeping the fingers away the trigger: Teach you kid to keep away his fingers from a gun’s trigger until the aim has been clearly determined or just prior to firing. This rule is particularly significant while going out for hunting in the jungles. The body has a natural tendency to become tense when the person trips over and at that time if the finger happens to be in the proximity of the trigger, it might be pulled reflexively.
3. Taking the gun from someone: Another important lesson in gun safety for kids is that while taking a gun from somebody it needs to be taken by the stock. If your kid grabs the barrel and pulls it by mistake, an accidental discharge might occur which can often have fatal consequences. According to the data revealed by the National Rifle Association, accidental discharge happens to be the most frequently occurring accident in young people handling guns. Also the chamber or the bolt should always be kept open while moving around with guns. This would prevent accidental firing from the gun. Also guns should be carefully and safely kept inside the gun-cases in unloaded state.

4. Properly firing the gun: This is another important aspect of gun safety for kids. Kids should be trained to only fire at objects at which the aim has been fixed and decision to shoot has been finalized. They should be taught to avoid shooting at rocks or water from where there are high chances of ricochets occurring.

In U.S. many untoward incidents have occurred due to impulsive shooting behavior and rash temperaments being present in the teenagers and elder kids. Incidents of ghastly shooting sprees across the world have made everyone very worried of this alarming trend. Hence from a tender age inculcate the sound habits of using a gun in gun safety for kids. You also need to make your children aware about the difference between movies and real life. Guns are not something to fool around with and possessing a gun brings an added burden of responsibility. These aspects need to be clearly explained to your kid.

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There are different child safety trainings that ought to be given to kids so that they can be better prepared to face any eventuality. Fire safety for kids is one such important aspect of safety training and giving the training properly can help your child to protect himself/herself in fire exigencies.

Fire-safety sessions are organized in different schools, but it is extremely crucial that you personally impart this training at home. Only then can the kid grasp all the fundamentals of fire safety clearly and apply the techniques taught when you are not present. Fire if not properly tackled can easily go out of control and assume dangerous proportions.

One important facet of fire safety for kids is the use of smoke detectors. In a fire accident more people die due to suffocation and inhalation of toxic smokes than from actual burns. Hence it is imperative to keep a smoke detector at each level in your house and most importantly, close to sleeping zones.

If you get early warning signals you can be in a better position to combat the fire from spreading. Ensure that all the smoke detectors present in your house are in proper working condition and monthly testing of these gadgets is important. Also the batteries used in the smoke detector needs to be changed on a yearly basis. You should show your kid this gadget from close range so that he/she can understand its mechanism properly. Hands-on experience is really a critical component of fire safety for kids.

Another important lesson that needs to be provided to kids is to handle matches and lighters with caution. If possible it is better that young kids do not use these materials as they are made for adult handling. For very young kids or children it is advisable that adults keep these stuffs away from the reach of their tots. Also throwing lighted things in the fireplace or fiddling with lit candles should strictly be discouraged. Adults themselves should always behave in a rational and responsible manner while dealing with fire as kids often pick up things subconsciously from their parents/guardians.

In the program of fire safety for kids the importance of having a proper fire safety plan should be underlined. A routine evacuation drill is taught to kids in schools but teaching your kid the evacuation plan for your own residence is extremely important.

A proper floor plan of your room should be in place where there is a minimum of two escape routes from every room. Chances are high that one exit point gets blocked during a fire accident and then the second exit option has to be availed. If necessary, windows might also have to be used for escaping.

Hence unless you are prepared for these situations through mock rehearsals it is hard to implement these practices in real-life crises. A meeting point should also be determined where the residents would meet after evacuating the house. If you are interested to know more about fire safety for kids then you can can easily go online and find many useful resources over there.

Striving to be a good parent in a difficult world full of trials and temptations is a daunting task especially for child development. What qualities should a good parent possess is a question well worth the asking. Read this article to get some valuable input on how to be a better parent in trying times. Maybe you are a single parent struggling to raise a teenager on your own or you may be an overworked parent trying to raise tiny children. The qualities you will need to possess remain the same with few adjustments as the years roll by.

Read on to find out what mothers the world over consider as the answer to the question, “what qualities should a good parent possess.”

Patience with a capital “P” heads the list. You are going to have to call upon hitherto untapped resources to find the patience to deal with day to day circumstances that arise when raising children.

Let your children know how much you love them and never be backward to demonstrate the love you have for them. This will teach them to express their feelings and emotions and help them grow into caring individuals.

Pay attention to what your children are trying to tell you. Listen without judging and try to understand the reasons behind their actions. Talk to them without getting angry and frustrated and they will talk back to you. Your children need to feel confident in coming to you with their problems; they need a listening ear and someone to guide them when they go off track. If you rant and rave you will only succeed in pushing them away from you and you can bet they are not going to come to you when in a crisis.

Make time for your children, set aside family time that is totally devoted to them. Take the time to get creative when planning family activities and make sure that you include their personal favorite activities as well. Every one is always busy and has plenty to do but that will not work as an excuse. Your children need and deserve your attention – give it to them!

Treating your children with respect means they will in turn respect you, your authority and your decisions. While they may not always agree with your decisions, especially when it restricts television or telephone talk time, they will respect what you say. This is the best way to encourage obedience.

Learning to laugh and stay cool in situations where you would rather explode is an excellent quality to have. This provides a calm and stable environment for the children.

Keep personal disagreements with your spouse separate from the children and never interfere when one parent is doing the correcting. Time enough to discuss it with your partner behind closed doors if you do not agree with something.

When you consider what qualities should a good parent possess, the list is seemingly endless. Hopefully this article will help you get started.

Parents with children in school need to stay on their toes to help them succeed socially and schooling wise. There are lists of ways for parents to help child education and you need to invest time and effort in learning and practicing the suggested methods. This article focuses on how to get your child to discuss school and the happenings of the day. Without this information you will not be in a position to help the child.

There are lists of ways for parents to help their kids in school and some general ideas have been discussed in this article.

It does not matter what age group your child belongs to – don’t pounce on your children the moment they walk through the door to find out about tests, grades and other school stuff. Younger children are usually more willing to discuss what happened at school, eager in fact to share information. This is not the case with older children especially teenagers. You have to give the children time to unwind first. Choose general topics to talk about and give them something to eat and drink, children always fare better on full stomachs. Avoid being authoritative and forceful, your children need to feel comfortable confiding in you.

It is always good for parents to be aware of the teachers, friends, classrooms, school layout and subject matter that concern their children. In this way you can ask specific close ended questions that will give you more than monosyllabic answers. Stay involved by reading the school letter, talking or emailing teachers and chatting with the parents of their friends. There is no need to be nosy, just diplomatic.

You have to be patient and understanding with your children in order to help them in school. A parent who is always losing their cool becomes hard to approach. Encourage openness and try to keep discussions open between the child and both parents. Be aware of the nuances of your child’s speech and on the look out for social or academic problems that the child maybe facing. In other words learn to read between the lines but don’t go off tangent at any given opportunity. Be supportive, show love and kindness when helping a child deal with school issues.

With smaller children you may have to provide solutions to the problems that arise in their small world. Teach them problem solving skills and possible responses to the problems they face. Consider the child’s maturity level and stage of development before bursting into speech. With older children they probably already have the answers on how to handle problems and are just seeking parental support. Serious issues need to be addressed to the teacher to get their insights on how best to handle the matter. However, you need to know when to intervene and when to gently suggest solutions to your children.

There are endless lists of ways for parents to help their kids in school and remember practice makes perfect!

Virtual worlds are all the rage and parents’ concern in ensuring child safety in virtual worlds is easily understood. With toddlers and preschoolers it is very easy for parents to ensure the child’s safety, simply open an account and link it to your child’s to monitor safe play. The situation is a little bit different with teenagers who are very techno savvy and know their way around the internet.

Our research has uncovered an excellent and safe site that children aged 7-14 can enjoy. The site strongly advocates safety practices and have a number of safety features in place to protect your children. The site has a dedicated parents’ page and provides information that counts. Some of the safety features include: filtering of telephone numbers and addresses; no URL links; no vulgarity and private messaging; reporting features and moderators in place to police the site. Best of all parents can actually request the chat logs dating back 90 days to ensure kids safety in virtual worlds.

Kids safety in virtual worlds is the responsibility of the parents. One way of making sure that your child is not misusing their virtual world privileges is to talk to your kid. Discuss their online experiences as you would their daily activities. Do not be judgmental, listen to what they have to say and provide guidance in a calm manner. Since virtual worlds duplicate school room behavior, bullying, sexual communication and harassment maybe part of the virtual world. Despite the language filters that are in place, kids have found a way around the filters by using alternative text. Communication is vital – unless your child is honest with you, you will probably never know what goes on in their virtual world. Visit the site, look at avatars, screen names, profiles, social network sites visited and the type of friends they are socializing with.

Children are trusting souls and often share passwords. You need to educate your child on the importance of how much harm shared passwords can cause. Friends can sometimes stop being friends and use passwords to misrepresent your child. Teenagers probably will not take you seriously, but you need to create awareness. Sow the seed to get them thinking!

Take kids safety in virtual worlds seriously - visit the sites your child is using and examine the safety features and tools provided. Usually there is a safety page on the good sites designed for parents. Go over the safety features with your child to make sure they know how to report abuse and block offenders. Kids also need to be taught the importance of correctly representing themselves when registering on the sites and to use the safety features provided.

13 teams attending the 20th Annual International Snow Sculpture Championships

Experience the visual wonderment of the creation and exhibition of snow art especially for children activities. The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships return to Breckenridge for the 20th year from January 26-31, 2010.

Thirteen teams from around the globe have been invited to compete from seven countries including Canada (two teams), China, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia and the USA. The United States teams invited include Alaska, Colorado (Breckenridge and Loveland), Idaho, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Snow Sculpting is attended annually by more than 30,000 people of all ages from across the USA and the world.
Each year, four-person teams are assigned 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made Colorado snow. These teams work within a five-day period to create their sculptures. From these blocks of snow, the teams often craft enormous pieces of whimsy, although some deliver powerful political or social commentary.
The finished pieces are achieved after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants - just the ingenuity of the sculptors and a medium that lends itself, if only temporarily, to the persuasion of hand tools.
When the sculptures are finished on Saturday, January 30, a panel of well-known artists and patrons of the arts serve as judges. Awards are presented to the first, second and third place sculptures on Sunday, January 31. Awards are also given for People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice and Artists’ Choice. There are no cash prizes; the artists instead revel in the reward of hard work, forged friendships, freedom of artistic expression and the satisfaction of long hours of preparation that lead to the event.
No one would have guessed 20 years ago that the first International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge would have grown into the renowned world-class event it is today, and that the founders of the event would still be passionately sculpting for Team Breckenridge 20 years later.

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SOURCE Breckenridge Resort Chamber

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the week of January 10 through 16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of the flu vaccine. With flu experts warning that the U.S. should prepare for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu, it is crucial that Americans take the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones from this dangerous illness and receive the H1N1 vaccine while supply is available for child safety.

Individuals who would like to find an H1N1 vaccination clinic in their area or learn more about the virus can visit h1n1.findaflushot.com, an online resource sponsored by Maxim Health Systems. Visitors to the site can find convenient clinic locations by simply typing in a local zip code.
“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu,” notes Steve Pellito, National Director of Wellness for Maxim Health Systems. “By taking the simple step of getting your H1N1 vaccine, you are helping keep yourself, your family, and your community healthy.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that anyone who falls into a high risk category for complications from H1N1 should get vaccinated. This includes:
People six months through 24 years of age
Pregnant women
People who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

SOURCE Maxim Health Systems

Family physician and cholesterol expert Michael Cobble, M.D., has some simple resolutions and child safety fun advice for staying heart healthy in the new year. Cobble is a board-certified clinical lipidologist (NLA), certified hypertension specialist (ASH), medical director of the private practice Canyons Medical Center in Sandy, Utah, and Chief Medical Officer at Atherotech, Inc., developer of the VAP Cholesterol Test.

Here are Dr. Cobble’s heart-healthy ABC’s for 2010:

• Active: Be active every day — take the stairs, park further away,buy a push lawn mower. Find ways to move your muscles, clap your hands, move your feet.
• Breakfast daily: Start each day with a good breakfast, including dairy, fiber and fruit. Select items such as whole grain toast, low or fat-free milk, bananas, pears and high-fiber oatmeal with nuts and berries.
• C. Cholesterol management: Get an advanced test that tells you and you doctor about the dangerous cholesterol — directly measured LDL, non-HDL, apoB and subparticles — that can hurt your arteries. The Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) lipid test from Atherotech is one such test.
• D. Diet: Think moderation, balance and “heart healthy” throughout the day. Eat fruits, veggies, fiber, complex carbs, proteins and healthy fats. Experience European dining with each meal.
• E. Exercise: Exercise daily — walk at lunch with coworkers, before orafter work with your pets, join in team sports or find an outletthat gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes a day.
• F. Fiber is your friend: Read the nutrition label on foods so you knowwhat you’re eating and to better manage your cholesterol, fiber andother nutrients.
• G. Glucose in moderation: Too much sugar and starch contribute todiabetes. Get tested for diabetes with a blood glucose test, and cutback on pasta, potatoes, sodas, ice cream and fast food.
• H. Healthy lifestyle: Lead a healthy lifestyle, which means no smoking,seeing your clinician every year for a physical, and laughing often.Spend time with friends, kids and grandkids.
• I. Imagine: Use your imagination to enjoy life and get the most out of each and every day. Have fun, do what you love and what makes youhappy.

SOURCE Atherotech Inc.

Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, is encouraging the public to celebrate the arrival of the New Year responsibly especially for child safety.

ATF wants you to know that celebratory gunfire is not only unsafe, it is against the law. Discharging a firearm into the air is a crime and can lead to felony charges under California state law or federal charges if that person is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Bullets shot into the air can climb up two miles and then fall at a rate of 300 to 700 feet per second, killing or injuring those that are struck.

“ATF wants to ensure that all those celebrating New Year’s Eve have a great time and enjoy family and friends. We don’t want to see the New Year ruined by senseless tragedy just because someone thought it would be ‘fun’ to shoot a gun in the air. Random gunfire on New Year’s Eve has gone down significantly in recent years, but even one is too many,” said Torres.
In addition to celebratory gunfire, ATF is reminding the public that the use of illegal fireworks is also prohibited. Illegal fireworks meet no safety standards and can be deadly in the hands of children. Federally banned fireworks include M-80s, M-100s, Silver Salutes and Cherry Bombs.

“ATF will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that persons who possess firearms or fireworks illegally are prosecuted to the fullest extent possible to include federal prosecution if warranted,” added Torres.

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Irwin Redlener, MD, President and Co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund, a national organization that advocates for and develops primary child care programs for disadvantaged and medically underserved children, today released the following statement on release of the final Senate health care legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid:

“First and foremost, we applaud the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on producing this historic health reform bill which will provide millions of currently uninsured children access to comprehensive health insurance coverage.

“We support Congress’ goal to fulfill President Obama’s campaign promise to provide mandated coverage for all children. We have been vocal in our concern for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and we are hopeful that Senator Reid’s manager’s amendment, that keeps the program intact through the end of 2019 with funding until 2015, will be preserved as Congress moves forward with this process.

“We do remain concerned, however, about its future fate: CHIP will run out of funding in 2015 and expire in 2019, moving millions of children into private coverage through an untested health insurance exchange that will increase costs and may deter families from signing their children up for insurance. The implication of fewer kids with health coverage is disastrous, both from a public health and an economic standpoint.

“As the bill moves forward, CHF urges Congress to preserve CHIP and provide funding for the entire authorization period.

“We are pleased with the number of positive health measures for kids and their families, among which are provisions that will require insurance companies to allow children to stay on their parent’s plans until they are 26 years old and Medicaid expansions that allow foster children to remain on Medicaid until they are 26 years old.

“The legislation bans insurance companies from denying children with pre-existing conditions coverage under their parent’s plans, an important reform measure which we believe will enable sick children, and families suffering under debt, to get the care kids need.

“Likewise, we are pleased with the inclusion of pediatric specific benefits in the list of essential benefits to be provided to all Americans in the newly formed exchange and efforts to strengthen access to oral health for children. Pediatric oral health is often lacking in medically underserved areas, with dire consequences for children and families.

SOURCE Children’s Health Fund

Use of wood-burning devices is prohibited on Christmas Day

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is issuing the third Winter Spare the Air Alert of the season for Friday, December 25, 2009, which bans burning wood, manufactured firelogs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.

Stagnant weather conditions and wood smoke from the 1.4 million fireplaces and woodstoves in the Bay Area, will bring the region into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category of the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index. This is bad for child safety. Children, adults, and especially people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, are advised to limit outdoor exertion.

“Air quality is unfortunately forecast to be unhealthy on Christmas Day, and the Air District is taking steps to protect public health by issuing a Winter Spare the Alert,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Please remember this holiday season that children, the elderly and those with heart and lung problems are most susceptible to the harmful effects of wood smoke.”

During this Winter Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, woodstoves and inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood-burning devices. Homes without permanently installed heating, where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only source of heat, are exempt.

The public must check before they burn during the Winter Spare the Air season which runs from November 1 through February 28

SOURCE Bay Area Air Quality Management District