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Home Safety

Hurricanes can be pretty scary events – for grown-ups and kids alike. From a developmental standpoint, we know that children learn how to respond to situations based on the behaviors and attitudes of those around them. So here are some tips to help them – and you – be ready this hurricane season. Talk about hurricanes. Kids might be confused about what a hurricane is, so use simple age-appropriate descriptions of what they might expect if one is coming your way. For a younger child, you might say, “A hurricane is a tropical storm with very strong winds and lots of rain, lightning and thunder.” It’s also important to stress to kids that grown-ups will do their best to keep them safe. Try to remain calm yourself. Kids are sponges and can easily sense the emotions of those around them. When a parent seems overly upset or worried, this may […]

Picnics and BBQs are a fantastic time for family and friends to get together. And the food is one of the best parts, right? But foodborne illness (often called food poisoning) can strike when you least expect it — and can be very dangerous. Foodborne illness comes from contaminated food or liquids. The most common foods or beverages that spoil easily are: raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, seafood, beef and pork milk untreated water fresh fruits and vegetables — especially if not washed correctly salads — pasta, egg, potato salad, etc. unpasteurized ciders, milk and cheese Who’s Most at Risk for Food Poisoning? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that there are 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year. The people affected are both healthy and unwell (i.e., they have other chronic conditions). However, those with compromised immune systems are more highly susceptible to foodborne illness. For example, […]

The world is a jungle gym to little ones. Anything — and everything — can be a mountain to hike, a vine to swing on, or a river to dive into … at least through their eager eyes. But these fun adventures can quickly turn dangerous, even in your own home. Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children in the United States, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Although you may joke about keeping your kids in a plastic bubble to keep them from harm, there are more practical ways to make sure they’re safe, inside and outside your home. May is National Trauma Awareness Month, and Safe Kids Worldwide offers these fall prevention tips to keep your kids safe. 1. Inside the Home Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of all staircases. Not all safety gates are intended for use at the tops of stairs, so […]

As the days get longer and warmer, kids will naturally be spending more time outside — many of them on bicycles. Before they ride off, though, take the time to make sure your kids are riding safely and smartly. Dress for Safety Before your kids even leave the house, they should be dressed to ride. The Clothes Dressing for safe bike riding means children should: Most importantly, wear a helmet. Wear brightly-colored clothing so that other vehicles and pedestrians can easily see them coming. Avoid wearing loose clothing that can get caught in the pedals or chains. The Shoes Kids should wear shoes: with grips (like sneakers) with tightly tied laces. If laces are really long, they should be tucked into the shoe so they don’t get caught on the bike that can be snugly fastened on their feet — no flip-flops or slide-on shoes that could fall off or […]

In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, I can really appreciate the small conveniences that are available to make our lives easier…drive-throughs, single-serve coffee makers, even microwave meals. One of the biggest things that make our lives easier is washing machines. They make washing things so much more efficient. Many people would be lost without their washing machines and dishwasher. This is why many homeowners decide to insure their appliances at https://homewarranty.firstam.com/homeowner/home-warranty/michigan. That makes sure that homeowners can receive 24/7 support if their appliances break down. Someone will also come out and take a look at the appliance too. Hopefully, they’ll be able to fix it, allowing us to continue with our washing. But sometimes these little conveniences can carry a danger we never considered, especially when using pods. The laundry (and dishwasher) detergent packets/pods are a great example of what seems to be the perfect modern-day convenience. […]

Every year, about 3 million people – many, young children under age 5 – come into contact with poisonous substances. And most poisonings actually happen when parents or caregivers are home, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably taken safety precautions in your home. All of those baby gates, locks and childproof caps can help protect your child from harmful substances – that is, when everything is going according to plan. But when little ones sneak out of sight or there’s an inevitable change in your routine – like family visits, babysitters, running late, parties, holiday get-togethers, etc. – those safety measures may not work as well as they would on an ordinary day. And when you visit other people’s houses (like grandma and grandpa’s), there’s no telling what kids will get into. The Most Common Poisoning Culprits medicines cleaning products liquid nicotine […]