Safety at Home

Officer Buckle and Gloria

mslny — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:21:31 +0000

by Whitney

I’ve wanted to spread the gospel about Officer Buckle and Gloria ever since I started writing for the Safety at Home blog. This charming fictional duo from a children’s book by Peggy Rathmann are the presenters of safety tips to auditoriums full of young people. Never stand on a swivel chair, they warn us.

Here’s the story: Officer Buckle has been known to put kids to sleep with his boring lectures on safety. But when a police dog named Gloria joins his road show, its popularity skyrockets. Why? Because behind Officer Buckle’s back, Gloria is performing amazing acrobatic tricks to act out the safety tips he describes. Unbeknownst to Officer Buckle, he is the straight man in a comedy routine.

When Officer Buckle says, “Never put a thumbtack where you might sit on it,” Gloria hops high into the air as if she just sat on a sharp object.

The audience loves the team, and they listen closely to the tips. No more accidents in Napville!

When a TV crew films one of his sessions and our straight man sees his performance on television for the first time, he realizes what has been going on and refuses to continue the shows. Of course, Gloria the dog becomes depressed.

As you may have guessed, the happy ending in this tale about teamwork brings the safety shows back on stage, but only after an unfortunate banana pudding accident knocks some sense into Officer Buckle about how valuable his safety advice is.

And the ultimate safety tip that ties it all together? Always stick with your buddy.

Recommended for kids 4-8.

Image from Penguin Group. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute endorsement.

Don't Fry

mslny — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:55:01 +0000

by Heather

I am extremely fair-skinned. You might call me pale and if we were both 12 years old, you probably would call me Casper (as in the Friendly Ghost) and scare me away from wearing shorts for 10 years. If I dared to wear a bikini on my honeymoon, then you might sneak up behind me so your friends could take a picture of how tan you look compared to me (this really happened folks!).

So, I know a thing or two about sun protection:

Always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Reapply often (every two hours, after sweating or swimming). Make sure to use a sufficient amount to get good protection.
Don't forget to slather up those hard to reach spots. I've been seriously burned on the top of my head, the backs of my knees, the tops of my ears, and just about everywhere else.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeves and pants. Think you can't play like this? Check out Holden and me in our super-suits.
Head for the shade as often as you can. Sip cool drinks.
Keep babies under six months out of the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo by Heather Gibbs. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

When it rains, it pours - and makes lightning

mslny — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:30:41 +0000

by Whitney

I don't want to shock anyone (pun intended), but I just learned that 19 people have died from lightning related accidents this year.

Last week was National Lightning Safety Awareness Week in the United States, and I'm about to jump on a plane to New York where it will be raining. Summer is lightning season and if you're going to be doing outdoor activities, especially around the 4th of July, you should be aware of these tips from FEMA.

If you hear thunder, head indoors
Avoid contact with anything that plugs in, from telephones to appliances
Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash dishes, do laundry, take a shower or wash your hands.
When I told Heather - a hand-washing addict - about this rule, she smugly told me she'd use her anti-bacterial hand spritz during a storm
Do not touch concrete walls or floors

For more information about lightning-related safety, visit the NWS Lightning Safety and Awareness page.

Photo by sdbrown4. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

First Aid and Emergency Care

mslny — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:32:11 +0000

by Heather

In the past week, I think the after-hours urgent care clinics of the world have been filled with the calls and visits of my friends. In a single night, Whitney took Julian to get his first stitches and my son woke himself up by vomiting. In both cases, we were immediately thrown out of our normal routines and into that panic place.

Whitney told me that when Julian hurt his head (heads bleed a lot, oh yes they do!), she was so freaked out that she couldn't remember her husband's cell phone number. I joked that she should have written it on Julian’s belly, but that wasn't so helpful.

The very next day, I received a great reference guide called the Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care by the American Medical Association. Had it been in my hands sooner, I might have known the best treatments for puking-yourself-awake illnesses (and she still wouldn't have remembered Ryan's cell phone number).

This guide is chock full of doctor-tested, comprehensive, current and accurate medical advice including when to call the doctor and when to handle things yourself (fully updated from an earlier edition). I know, I know … we use the Internet for all that. But when you need MEDICAL ADVICE, you shouldn't take it from random strangers, right?

Topics include:

Concussions (my friend Heather's daughter had one last week)
Splinters and stings (an everyday occurrence)
Emergency childbirth

The guide features lots of other topics for whatever else you and your kids might get into with easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations.

Was last week rough on anyone else? Did you conquer all the bee stings and dog bites with the confidence of an all-star mom? Use the comments to brag a little.

Photo by Whitney. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

Campfire Safety

mslny — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:38:13 +0000

by Whitney

My mom has developed a very sweet grandmotherly ritual with my four-and-a-half year old. She has been teaching him songs from her childhood, including television jingles that she only partially remembers. She Googles the songs to get the words right, and then teaches them to Julian. He picks up songs very quickly and now has a small repertoire of 1950s Girl Scout songs, including “Smokey the Bear.”

Unfortunately, the Smokey song doesn't actually have any campfire safety guidance in its lyrics. So when I sat down to write this post, I had to research my own.

Like my mom, Smokey has gotten online and offers tips on his Web site. Here are five to memorize before your summer camping trip:

Use an existing firepit or ring. If you must make your own, make sure it is permitted at your campsite
Make sure your firepit is 15 or more feet away from any branches, trees or brush. Dig the firepit one foot deep and circle it with rocks
Make sure your firepit is downwind from your tent and gear
Allow your fire to burn out completely. If there is not enough time for this, pour water until it completely stops hissing
If water is not available, use dirt or sand. Stir. Continue until the ashes are cool to the touch

Smokey the Bear says if it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Happy camping!

Photo courtesy of wishymom. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

A giant backyard art project

mslny — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:28:45 +0000

by Heather

Yesterday, I did my first triathlon in five years. I was busy swimming, biking and running while my husband, Rookie Dad Alec, handled the duties at home.

Rather than just sitting around building with blocks until I returned, my family impressed me by doing a shed clean-up project and an art project, all wrapped up in one.

He started the adventure by doing some quick web searches on “safe paint disposal” and realized that there is no good way to throw out cans of liquid paint without posing an environmental hazard (but if you can donate it to someone with their own project, go ahead!). The best paint to throw away is dry latex paint.

Here are Alec's steps to entertaining preschoolers, drying paint for safe disposal and killing time until naps begin:

He gave the boys strict instructions to not touch the paint or step on the cardboard. At preschool, they come home with paint all over their faces, but we tend to be a bit more uptight about that sort of thing
He opened a large washing machine box that had been serving as a fort and turned it into a canvas
He poured one color onto the cardboard and alternated lifting the sides and watching the paint roll all around until it was thin and drying
He opened more cans of paint and repeated step 3
All of them watched the colors and shapes change

I think their finished result looks like a lion. Can you see it?

We can leave our mural of awesomeness in the backyard for a while or cut it up with the rest of the cardboard for recycling.

How to dispose of old medicine.

How to dispose of old electronics.

Photo courtesy of Heather Flett on SafetyAtHome. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

Senior-proofing your home

mslny — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:42:14 +0000

by Whitney

The title of this post might bring a smile to some readers' faces, but the topic is quite a serious one in my family right now. We just said goodbye to my stepfather's 86-year-old mother. Though no one would argue that she didn't live a long and fulfilling life, we all cringe each time we have to tell someone how she died: she fell down her own stairs.

If you are part of the sandwich generation, you may live with or host elderly people. Whether they have trouble walking or are simply baffled by your high-tech telephone, consider making a few modifications to make them more comfortable and secure.

Just like we baby-proof our houses to make them safer for curious little explorers, there are some easy steps we can take for the benefit of Grandma and Papa:

Put a list of emergency phone numbers near the phone - in large type
Make sure all electrical cords are updated and bear the UL Mark. Replace those that show signs of wear and tear
Place nightlights where they can clearly light the way for someone who awakens in the middle of the night to use the bathroom
Set your water heater so that it cannot produce scalding water in case the faucet is turned the wrong way quickly
Choose bathmats and hallway rugs with rubber backings or put nonskid mats underneath them

As for the stairs …

Check for proper lighting on and around stairways
Examine handrails and steps for possible defects or weaknesses
Check stair coverings for possible trip hazards

Any other tips to make the lives of our aging friends and family safer?

Photo by suswann. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

Father's Day Contest Announcement!

mslny — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:22:07 +0000

by Whitney

Are you about to pull the trigger on a big Father's Day purchase like an HDTV, high-end power tool kit or GPS device for Dad's car? Or, maybe you want to treat him right with an electronic back massager, video game console or professional-grade food processor? Moms who like to shop, I've got good news for you.

Your Father's Day purchases just may earn you an extra prize this year if you participate in the Safety At Home contest taking place on Facebook.

What you need to do:

1. Become a Fan of Safety at Home on Facebook.

2. Purchase a UL certified gift for your loved one(s) this Father's Day.

3. Take a picture of the gift's UL Mark.

4. Upload the picture to the Safety at Home Facebook page wall by Father's Day, June 21, 2009.

One winner will receive a $100 gift card from Best Buy, towards a purchase of UL certified home electronics or appliances - AND - weekly winners (2) will receive a UL influencer kit that includes holiday lights, tip sheet, UL branded water bottle and safety tip magnets.

More details are available on the Facebook page.

Photo by SafetyAtHome. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.

Safer interactions with Fido and Spot

mslny — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:28:03 +0000

by Heather

To prevent dog bites, you can prepare the dog and you can prepare the child. When Holden was bitten by his grandparents' dog, we had done neither. The dog, Luke, was a nice-enough dog with very little exposure to children. Poor Luke went from living with an older couple in a small apartment to having three children under age 3 visiting regularly, making strange noises and playing with his toys.

And Holden, at that time, was fearless.

Tips for the dog

Never leave your dog alone with children younger than age 5
Provide a crate where the dog can escape from stressful situations

Tips for the kid

Let a dog sniff your child's closed fist before a child tries to pet it
Do not run from a dog, wrestle with a dog or play tugging games; the dog will win. Even lying next to a dog or hugging a dog can end badly
Teach children to give dogs plenty of space while they eat
Make sure you really know the dog in question before starting to play

Here are two good articles on the safe mixing of dogs and children:

Dog Safety

Kids and Dogs: Safety First

If you're a parent and a pet owner, what do you do to keep everyone safe?

Fireworks Safety

mslny — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:20:56 +0000

by Heather

When I was a teenager, my family went to upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains for occasional long weekends and school breaks. One Fourth of July, I remember lazily watching the darkened sky from a boat in the middle of Seventh Lake waiting for my friends to put on their fireworks show from a floating dock.

Rather than the show they had planned, a spark from one of the lit wicks set the big-mack-daddy-finale ablaze and everyone dove into the water… a huge mess of soggy fireworks and teenagers, but luckily nobody got hurt!

If you're the parent of young children, you may be simultaneously reminiscing about your experimentation with bottle rockets while you try to keep them away from your kids. It's a delicate balance.

But rest assured, fireworks are dangerous. Here are some tips and facts for when you need to answer questions like “BUT MOM, WHHYYYYYYY?!”

According to the CDC:

60 percent of injuries from fireworks occur in the month surrounding July 4th
45% of fireworks-related injuries occurred among children ages 14 years and younger; Injuries were most commonly associated with firecrackers (26 percent), sparklers (17 percent) and rockets (17 percent).
Sparklers were associated with over half the injuries of children under five. I don't know about your kids, but mine are still likely to eat their own birthday candles if I turn away for too long.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that parents should attend professional fireworks displays rather than using fireworks at home … or on a floating dock in a lake, I'm sure.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety also has a few safety tips if you insist on putting on your own fireworks show.

Photo by orangeacid. Some rights reserved. Usage does not constitute photographer’s endorsement.