Raising A Healthy Family » Safety

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Char — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:03:09 +0000

For all the reasons we love technology, the Internet and social networking there are just as many reasons not to like it – especially when it comes to our kids! Not only are kids more comfortable than most of their parents when it comes to using the web, many of them know more than their parents about settings, the popular sites and how to use them. So, as a parent what are you to do to ensure that while your kids are online that they are safe?

EDUCATION!

Yep, one word. Education.

Educate yourself and educate your kids. Set guidelines, expectations, boundaries and be prepared to monitor them. Its not a matter of privacy (as in being an invasion of theirs) – its a matter of doing your job as a parent.

We all grew up with McGruff the Safety Dog (remember he “took the bite out of crime”), well McGruff is still around – and he is educating parents and kids how to stay safe in the neighborhoods of today – the Internet and its Social Media hangouts. The McGruff site (especially the blog) has excellent tips for kids and parents – and its not just the common sense stuff – its the real information that we need to be hearing! Learn How to Protect Your Child’s Online Activity – Free Trial

iTwixie.com, my tween daughter’s new favorite site has a great article on keeping kids safe online, too, but with a twist. We know kids are more likely to take risks when in the presence of their friends – like at a slumber party. Their article gives girls tips and solid advice on staying safe while surfing with their friends. (Slumber-ific Sleepovers: How 2 Keep U & UR BFF Safe & Having Fun)

SafeKids.com is another source of good online safety information. Not only do they have a quiz for pre-teens on Internet safety, they also have contracts you can print out that help make sure kids and grown ups are aware of the house rules, safety guidelines and expectations for online use.

Two more sites I like include Don’t Believe the Type and ConnectSafely.org.

The Internet and Social Networking is here to stay. If used responsibly it can be a great way to stay in touch with family, friends, connect with people who share your same interests, and bring the world closer together. And a little bit of education can go a long way.

Kids and Cell Phones – Tips for Keeping Them Safe

Char — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:23:05 +0000

When we were kids we didn’t have cell phones – I wonder how we survived (LOL)? Today’s kids, however, don’t know life without cellphones, texting and the constant communication that comes with it. And since today I officially became the parent of a TEENAGER (yikes!) with a growing social circle, the topic of kids and cell phones is one I deal with daily.

Like all technology, the benefits and convenience also come with new challenges and potential for misuse. Teaching kids how to be safe and responsible with cell phones and other technology is imperative. For example – do you monitor your kids’ phone usage? Do you have specific family rules in place as to when and to whom your kids can talk to?

The team at CellPhones.org has put together one of the best guides for keeping kids safe on their cell phones that I have read yet!

The basics include:

Be Aware of Surroundings
Parental Safety Controls
Limit Internet Access
Never Talk to Strangers (pertains to phone usage too!)
Discuss Sexting
and 6 more important reminders

If you have kids who have cell phones, take a few minutes NOW and go read the entire article on kids and cell phone safety now – it goes beyond common sense and it what I consider a Must-Read!

(image purchased via iStockPhoto)

Summer’s Here – Stay Safe

Char — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:07:23 +0000

Summer makes its official debut for 2009 this weekend, which typically means cookouts, family gatherings, swimming pools are open and school is just about out.

Keep your family safe this summer by reviewing some basic safety tips:

Last but not least, always keep a family safety kit on hand. Emergency kits are affordable and customizable. Stay Safe!

Summer Swim Safety Tips

Char — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:07:47 +0000

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional gateway to summer in the United States and is usually marked by picnics, family get togethers, and the opening of swimming pools.

Swimming is a healthy and fun activity for everyone, but it is also an activity that needs to be closely monitored. Did you know?

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the age of one and 14. (Centers for Disease Control, 2003)
Nine people drown in the United States every day. (CDC)
Two-thirds of all drownings occur between May and August. (Orange County California Fire Authority)
Approximately 75% of child drownings occur because of a lapse of adult supervision of less than five minutes.

So how do you keep your family safe in and around the pool this summer? Ambajam has a great list of 10 tips for swimming pool safety that include:

10 Tips to Swimming Pool Safety

If your child is missing, check the pool first. If the unthinkable has happened every second counts.
If you’re little one already knows how to swim they should still always be supervised. Knowing how to swim doesn’t prevent accidents from happening.
Pool Alarms. These can be used as an added safety feature and they are made for doors and for underwater.
Are there empty homes on your street? Do they have swimming pools? This can be very dangerous even if the pool is empty. If you aren’t sure if there is a pool, try using Google maps (satellite view) to check out your neighborhood. An empty home with a pool can be a hazard that is easily prevented by a phone call to the owner or real estate agent. Simply ask them to please place a lock on the side gate to prevent the possibility of a child wandering back there.
Long hair and limbs can get caught in pool drains creating a risk for your young swimmers. Make sure that no pool drains are broken or missing. Even better, if your child has long hair, pin it up to prevent accidental suction. Know where your circuit breaker is for the pool/spa and label it clearly in the event it needs to be shut off during an emergency.
Have your child wear an approved safety device at all times while you are around the pool. Arm floaties can easily slip off when a child jumps in. A flotation device that is snug and goes around the torso is a better option.
Identify other areas besides pools that pose a threat. Things like small wading pools or plastic tubs can be enough to compromise the safety of your child.
If you have a play date, ask if the child knows how to swim. If the answer is no, take extra precaution to lock all doors leading to the pool. If you are taking your child to a play date ask if there is a pool.
If you are going to a park, find out if there is a pool and know where it is. Make sure that there isn’t a way that your child can get in to the area.
Pool fences should go around the entire pool and be at least 4 feet tall. There should be a secure latch and/or lock if your child can reach the opening.

Check out the rest of her article for more information and additional safety resources.

Besides safety tips and precautions you need to take when in the neighborhood of a pool, and the numerous devices you can use to assist you and your family with the supervision and monitoring your children, pool alarms are definitely one of the best assets for your home, or some sort of security system. Of course to assist in preventing and reducing risk even further, consider installing security camera equipment

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

10 Playground Safety Reminders

Char — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:29:56 +0000

Each year, more than 200,000 kids are treated in hospital ERs for playground-related injuries. In the past six months I have heard first hand of two separate incidents where kids have fallen off the swings at the playground and have sustained significant head injuries. In neither case was the child doing anything wild and crazy, they just lost their balance.

As the days get warmer and the kids spend more time on the playground, keep the following safety tips in mind (yes, I know a lot of this is common sense):

Start with the sunscreen! Whether it is a sunny day or a cloudy one, protect your child’s skin with sunscreen. We like California Baby’s SPF 30+ Sunscreen: Everyday/Year-Round 2.9oz
Make sure your children are dressed in the appropriate clothes. Avoid hooded shirts/jackets that could get caught on corners – same goes for drawstrings. Wear closed toe shoes with non-slip soles.
The best surfaces for playgrounds are made of wood chips, mulch, smooth pea gravel, and shredded rubber.
Look for swings with seats made of plastic or rubber, not metal or wood.
Look for age appropriate activities/equipment and encourage children to play within their comfort zone.
Remind children to go down slides one at a time, on their bottoms, and feet first. Guard rails are for their protection, not for climbing on.
Check for hot surfaces on playground equipment (like slides, swings, and climbing structures) before allowing children to play on it.
Make sure there are no obvious hazards around the playground, such as broken glass, metal, tree roots, and such.
Be careful walking around swings, the base of the slides, under monkey bars, and around equipment in general.
Supervise children at all times! Remind them not to push, shove or crowd others while on the equipment.

These safety tips are not just for public playgrounds, but are essential for your backyard playground as well. For additional playground safety guidelines and tips, please visit the following sites: