Celebrate Safely

The Fourth of July is a great time to bring the family together for outdoor fun and activities. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.

If not handled properly, even small fireworks can cause eye and burn injuries in both children and adults. Lighting fireworks at home isn’t legal in many areas, so if you’re planning to use them this holiday, check with your local police department first. If they are legal in your area, keep the following safety tips in mind:

~  Children should never play with fireworks. If you allow your kids to use sparklers, make sure they are used outside and kept away from their face, clothing and hair.

~  Light fireworks one at a time, and never relight a dud.

~  Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of accidents.

~  Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before disposing of them.

 

 

Are We There Yet?

If you’re planning a family vacation this summer, you’re most likely focused on finding accommodations and someone to bring in your mail. But it is important to keep your children in mind; some get anxious about leaving home, even if it’s with family. If your child is uneasy about leaving home, consider these tips:

~  If your children are old enough, ask them to help you plan the vacation. They will be pleased they helped and feel excited when their portion of the trip arrives.

~  Get your children books, pictures, or brochures about where you are headed if it is an unfamiliar location. Explain why you chose this site and what types of things you plan to do upon arrival.

~  Ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep the night before a trip. It will lessen the stress of the morning rush.

~  If you are going on a long road trip, keep your children busy. Bring food, games, books, etc. to keep their minds off the length of the car ride.

~  Let your children bring something familiar from home, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or picture of their friends or pet.

~ On the trip, don’t force your children to endure adult-oriented activities such as formal dinners, long museum visits or plays in languages they don’t understand. Stick with trips to the zoo, beach, park or souvenir shop.

~ Pack extra food made especially for kids, such as juice boxes, fruit snacks and granola bars. Your children may be picky in certain restaurants.

~  If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, allow your children to call their friends or the person who is pet-sitting so that they can hear a familiar voice and find out what is going on back in their world.  

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 1:00 am and is filed under Newsletters.