Lightsticks and Being Prepared

Lightsticks are a wonderful addition for emergency preparedness and prevention. They can serve in many different situations. There are a number of different types of lightsticks, from those that are used for amusement by kids to ones that are specially made for use in emergencies. While pretty much any lightstick will do, lightsticks that are made for camping or emergency supply kits tend to be more sturdy, have a longer shelf life and often come with additional features, such as a whistle and a waterproof compartment to store matches. Lightsticks with landyards allowing them to be worn around the neck … Continue reading →

Pet Preparedness

Pets can be considered part of the family. Make sure that you have a workable plan in place to take care of your pets in the event of an emergency. There are a lot of things that you can do ahead of time to ensure your pet’s safety, survival and comfort through most emergencies. In the event that you have to evacuate, you may not be able to take your pet with you. Most emergency shelters will not take pets for a number of reasons. Service animals are the exception. So, it is important to be able to do what … Continue reading →

Preparing For Car Trouble

Has your car ever broken down on the highway? Or maybe even on a long stretch of road in the middle of nowhere? To make matters worse, it is dark outside and you have the kids in the car. Years ago it happened to me. Luckily, my son was at home with his father. If he had been with me, I know the situation would have been a lot worse. At the time, I did not have a cell phone. I can hear it now, “What? No cell phone?” Yeah, that’s right. Can you imagine breaking down and not having … Continue reading →

Preparedness for Baby Sitters

Whether you only intend to be gone for an hour or you plan to be gone for most of the day or evening, your baby sitter needs tools and information in order to provide the best care for your children. It’s also important to give the baby sitter a tour of your home to point out important things such as fire extinguishers, hazards, open windows that need to closed and locked after dark, or anything else you consider important. Make sure the sitter also knows how various appliances work and what to do if a circuit breaker is tripped (and … Continue reading →

BEWARE—The Holiday Gift Card Scam

I don’t know where you live, but if you reside anywhere around the Midwest portion of the United States then you may have heard about a new scam involving gift cards. Thousands of victims have flooded area Better Business Bureaus with their tragic stories of being ripped off. Here’s how the scam works: Scammers go to a store where gift cards are hanging on a rack. They then copy numbers and merchant names from these gift cards. They wait a week or so and then call the 800 number that was on the back of the card to find out … Continue reading →

Holiday Gift Giving Safety

Did you ever stop to think that certain gifts we give to others could be dangerous? It seems that everywhere we turn these days, there are safety tips for everything. It might seem a little surprising when it comes to gift giving, but please read on. Allergies Many people are allergic to different types of foods. A peanut allergy can be very dangerous, and peanuts or at least traces of peanut oils are found in many products you might not suspect. Be sure to check labels carefully before giving a food gift to anyone that suffers from allergies. Labels today … Continue reading →

Give the Gift of Safety

If you are looking for a creative gift for a teenager or a babysitter you may consider giving her the gift of CPR/First Aid training. This is a great skill for any person to have. If you have a home daycare provider, she needs to re-certify every year. This is a thoughtful present that can save her some money. If you have a teenager that baby-sits for you on a regular basis, or a family member that baby-sits for others, this can be quite beneficial. You can consider giving the First Aid/CPR package to your home daycare provider. You may … Continue reading →

A Few Tips for Holiday Travel Safety

During the holidays, lots of people travel to visit distant family and friends. The trip itself can be an enjoyable adventure, as long as you are prepared. There are some precautions to take even if you don’t foresee any problems. No one expects to have an accident or emergency, but it can and does happen. Get a Check up Check out your vehicle or have it thoroughly checked out before leaving on a road trip. Check the tire pressure, the oil and other fluids like anti-freeze, filters, and the brakes. Also, fill up the tank and top it off frequently. … Continue reading →

Five Tips for Safe Holiday Shopping

That’s right! There are only 24 shopping days left until Christmas, and that’s including Christmas Eve! Be sure that in your hurry to get everything done, you don’t make mistakes that could be costly. Here are some tips to help make your holiday shopping experiences safer: 1. Clear out the trunk or storage area in your vehicle before you go shopping, so you can store your purchases there. If the area can be viewed, bring along a blanket to cover up your purchases. Never leave handbags, wallets, or change lying on seats or in cup holders even if doors are … Continue reading →

Tips for Safe Holiday Visits

If you’re going to be spending the holidays away from home, you’ve probably already started planning for the trip, the items to pack, and making arrangements to protect your home while you’re away.* However, there may still be a few things you haven’t considered, when taking small children for visits: 1. Bring childproofing items with you. Stores may not be open when you arrive. Pick up outlet covers and similar items before you leave. A baby gate won’t take up much room in your vehicle, so throw it in for good measure. It may come in handy. 2. When you … Continue reading →