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April 2011 is Community Service Month. We help others in so many ways. Send in an original hand colored picture showing what you can do to change the world, one person at a time, to be automatically entered into our contest!
Congratulations to our March "Reading, in honor of Dr Seuss!" winners Michaela, age 4, and Olivia, age 9.
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Michaela, 4 years (Photo to come)
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Olivia, 9 years old
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January is Safe Winter Sports Month! Send in an original hand colored picture showing safety used with winter sports and be automatically entered into our contest!
Thousands of kids go to the ER every year because of sledding accidents. Learn to be safe while enjoying snow on sleds! Click here.
For information on ski safety click here.
Snowmobiles are popular in the winter wonderland, but there are many dangers. Follow safety precautions found here if you and you family snowmobile!
Hockey has quite the following locally. Kids need to wear protective gear and be careful when making contact with other players. Click here for more information.
For information about winter sports safety in general, click here. |
December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month! Send in an original picture showing safe toys or ways to play and be automatically entered into our contest!
Congratulations to our December "Toy Safety" winners: Avery, 4 years, and Audrey, 6 years.
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| Audrey, 6 years |
Avery, 4 years |
The end of the year is a huge shopping extravaganza for many, but gifts that are not age appropriate can be very dangerous. Toys that are damaged can also be hazardous. See this link for many toy safety links!
November was Things We are Thankful For Month. Congratulations to Isabel (9 yrs) and Caleb (4 yrs) for winning the coloring contest!
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| Isabel, 9 years |
Caleb, 4 years |
For a list of the top 10 ways to protect your family at home, click here.
For a customizable list of safety proofing by age and area, click here.
Congratulations to our October Isabella (3 yrs) and Katherine (7 yrs). Thank you for teaching us Halloween safety!
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| Isabella, 3 years |
Katherine, 7 years |
Congratulations to our October is "Fire Safety and Halloween Safety" Winners! Isabella (3 yr) won the preschool age group and Katherine (7 yrs) won the school aged group.
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| Meredith, 4 years |
Mycala, 9 years |
Above, Our September Contest Winners!
September Coloring Contest Topic: Eat Healthy!
Healthy eating, along with routine exercise and good sleep, help to ensure a healthy body. Most of us have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day to have energy and concentration to start the day off, but healthy eating every meal is important. Family meals not only encourage healthier choices, but also allow families to communicate and help build strong relationships.
Serve a variety of foods at each meal. Parents can be excellent role models by eating all food groups. Once children are about 3 years old, you can enforce the one bite rule: Taste a Bite Without a Fight. Basically, that means they have to taste a bite (one big enough to chew) before saying they don't like it. If they take an honest bite, parents shouldn't make them eat any more. (Of course sometimes they choose to eat more, and that is ok.) Never force kids who are full to eat more, and if you think your child is still hungry because they didn't eat well, don't allow them to snack. Kids learn quickly that there will be a snack offered and "save space" for that without eating the healthy stuff first. Healthy children in America do not starve themselves. If hungry, they will eat. We have a much bigger problem with obesity, steming in part from parents trying to be sure their kids aren't hungry. Let them get a little hungry, and they tend to eat healthier foods if that is what is offered.
Allow kids to help with meal planning and preparation. It teaches them a lot about balancing food groups if done correctly, makes them more likely to eat the meal, and can build family bonds from working together.
Teach kids about different food groups early so they can learn to eat a balanced meal. One website that is fun for kids to pick a healthy plate of food is Zis Boom Bah. It allows kids to put various healthy (and unhealthy) foods on a plate and it scores their meal ... have them try to get a 5 star meal! For more great websites for kids and their parents, click here to be directed to our Website Page. Scroll down to "Nutrition" for many options!
Monthly Coloring Contest: August is Exercise Month!
Congratulations to our August "Exercise!" Winners, Kyra - 8 years and Braden - 4 years. You both colored great pictures that made exercise look fun!
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| Braden, 4 years |
Kyra, 8 years |
Exercise is important for our bodies every day. Kids love to move naturally, and need to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily for good health. Exercise helps strengthen muscles and our heart. It can improve our balance and confidence. It helps us sleep better at night. It actually helps us stay happy by releasing chemicals called endorphins, which make us happy!
Fun Ways to Exercise:
- Ride Bicycles
- Play Sports with friends: basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, rugby, volleyball, hockey, and more!
- Gymnastics
- Dancing
- Martial Arts
- Skating
- Climbing on equipment at the park
- Running
- Horseback Riding
- Swimming
- Rock Wall Climbing
- Playing Catch
- Jumping Rope
- Cleaning your room (ok, maybe not so fun, but makes you proud when done!)
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Congratulations to our July "Fire Safety" Winners: Truan (8 years) and Katie (5 years)!
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| Truan, 8 years |
Katie, 4 years |
Monthly Coloring Contest: July is Fire Safety Month!
Household Fires:
Common causes of household fires include:
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Washers and dryers, click here
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Portable generators, click here
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Prevent home fires!
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Keep smoke alarms on every level of the home, replace batteries yearly, test them once/month, and replace the alarm every 10 years.
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Have an escape plan and practice it often with your kids!
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Consider a home fire sprinkler system.
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Use carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
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For more information, click here.
Fire Safety for Kids: click here for kid-fun fire safety tips!
Fireworks Safety: The Consumer Product Safety Council offers these recommendations:
- Do not allow young children to play with fire-works under any circumstances. Sparklers, consid-ered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
- Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
- Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.
- Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
- Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
- Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
- Observe local laws.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
- Don't experiment with homemade fireworks
- Use eye protection if fireworks are in use... eye injuries are the second leading injury from fireworks!
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Congratulations to our June... Block the Sun, Not the Fun Winners: Brooklyn, 4 yrs and Addison, 7 yrs.
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| Addison, 7 years |
Brooklyn, 4 years |
June is Water and Sun Safety Month-Block the Sun, Not the Fun!
Fun in the Sun Tips:
- Do not burn... sunburns increase your chances of skin cancer! Hats, clothing, and sunscreens can protect your skin.
- Tanning beds cause skin cancer and premature aging just like the sun.
- Sunscreen should be at least SPF 25. Reapply every 2 hours. Click here for more information.
- Clothing helps! Long sleeves and long pants, along with a wide-brimmed hat are a safe way to avoid the sun.
- UV rays are greatest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so use extreme caution during those hours.
- Clouds only block some UV rays, and you still need protection from the UV damage!
- Water reflects sun rays, so remember to use sunscreen often and don't rely on shade around water.
- Children younger than 4 years and the elderly are most at risk for heat related illnesses. Prevention includes drinking cool, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages, resting, wearing lightweight clothing, and going to shady or air conditioned areas if in prolonged heat.
- Heat stroke is very serious. It occurs when the body temperature rises rapidly (often over 106F within 10-15 min). Warning signs: body temperature >103, red/hot skin without sweating, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.
- If you suspect heat stroke, call 911. Get the person into an air conditioned or shady area, cool them rapidly with cool water immersion or spray, and give them fluids that do not have caffeine or alcohol.
- Heat exhaustion is milder than heat stroke. Warning signs include: heavy sweating, pale color, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, breathing and heart rate are fast but the pulse might be weak, nausea or vomiting, fainting. The skin might be cool and moist.
- Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms caused by a depletion of body salts. Stop all activity, drink a sports beverage, and rest for several hours if you develop these.
- Heat rash is common from sweating in hot, humid weather. It can look like red pimples or small blisters. It is common in the neck, upper chest and back, elbow creases, and groin. Treat the rash by going to a cooler area and keeping the skin dry.
- Drink plenty of cool liquids. Try to keep urine pale, which can require 16-32 ounces of fluids per hour in the heat. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Caffeine and alcohol increase the risk of dehydration and should be avoided in the heat.
- Vitamin D deficiency is widespread due to sun avoidance. Be sure to take your supplements! Click here for details.
UV rays can be dangerous in many ways:
- skin cancer
- premature aging / wrinkles
- cataracts and other eye damage
Look up today's UV Index, click here.
Just for kids... learn sun tips, click here.
For water safety tips for kids, click here.
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Congratulations to our May Bicycles... Earth Smart, Be Safe Winners:
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| Sarah, 8 years |
Katherine, 4 years |
May 2010: National Bicycle Month
Bicycles are not only fun to ride, but do not harm the environment, provide fresh air and exercise, and are an inexpensive mode of transportation. Bike to work week is May 17-21, 2010.
Safe Riding Tips:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet. Click here for step by step directions of how to fit a helmet.
- Click here for how to buy a helmet... the most expensive are not necessarily safer!
- Be sure the bicycle is the correct size. There should be 1-4 inches between you and the top bar if you stand straddling the bike (1-2 if a road bike or 3-4 inches if a mountain bike). The seat should be parallel to the ground and be low enough to allow the knees to slightly bend when the leg is fully extended. The handlebars should be at the same level as the seat.
- Be sure the tires are properly inflated.
- If riding at night, wear reflective gear and be sure your bicycle has a light.
- Check and oil your chain regularly.
- Be sure your brakes work well and don't stick.
- Always keep at least one hand on the handlebar. Do not carry items with your hands, and if wearing a backpack-- be sure it does not touch the back wheel.
- Do not wear headphones while riding... you must look and listen for dangers!
- Do not wear anything that will get caught in the bike chain or spokes: loose pants, untied shoes, backpack straps.
- Always wear sneakers, never open toed sandals, flip flops, or cleats!
- Learn the rules of the road:
- Children under 10 years should not ride in the street.
- On a sidewalk, watch for pedestrians and vehicles in driveways.
- Stop at all corners to check for traffic.
- If riding on the street, ride on the right (same direction as cars)
- Ride single file.
- Obey all traffic signals and yield to traffic.
- Use proper turning signals.
- Stay to the right and do not swerve into the road.
For information on teaching how to ride a bike, click here.
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Congratulations to our April 2010 : Sports Safety Tips winners!
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| Erin, preschool winner |
Dayne, school aged winner |
April 2010: Sports Safety Tips
- Always wear protective gear for your sport!
- Set a good example for others by always wearing a helmet and tennis shoes when biking, skating, or using a scooter!
- Learn the rules of the game and play smart!
- Treat everyone with respect and keep the game fun!
- Wear sunscreen for all outdoor sports.
- Drink plenty of water.
Parents...
- Don't push your child to do things he or she isn't comfortable with or push them to win. Sports should be fun.
- Know where your children are playing and be sure it is a free from broken glass, pot holes, and other things that increase the likelihood of injury.
- Know your children's coaches and other adults in supervisory roles to be sure they are good role models for all the children. Click here to learn about sexual abuse.
- Attend as many events as you can to show your child support (without pushing to win).
- Go on family outings, and be sure everyone -- including parents -- wears proper gear (sunscreen, helmets, etc) as needed.
- Did you know mouth guards are to prevent concussions as well as protect teeth?
- Click here for a Parent Code of Conduct.
- Click here for much more information, including a kid tip sheet, how to be a supportive coach, information on emotional injuries, and more!
April is also STD Awareness month. Click here for more information.
Gilian, our March 2010, Poison Safety Preschool Winner
Bayley, our February 2010, School Aged Winner: Heart Health
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