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Commit a Minute To Holiday Safety

December 2, 2010 By 294 Comments

Christmas Lights OutsideOh the Holiday Crazies are among us. Family everywhere, frantic shopping, constant traffic, perfectly wrapping, decorating the house, cooking food, cooking desserts, cooking cooking cooking, party planning and need I go on? What aren’t we doing this time of year, oh I know, we’re not getting sleep. As a mom, you know life can get extremely busy while preparing for the holidays. However, sometimes the focus on celebrating can turn fun festivities into injuries and accidents if safety is not a priority for families. Studies show that nearly 230 people will visit the emergency room each day in November and December to be treated for holiday-related injuries.

 

imageUnderwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety organization, is calling all parents, specifically moms, to set aside time in their schedule to commit at least one minute to safety each day this holiday season. You know who UL is right, they have their label on almost every single cable you can find that goes into an electrical socket, but they do more than that, they are on appliances, always thinking about safety in everything we do.

We’re committing to Holiday Safety as a family and I invite you to as well.

imageMy husband decorated the house last weekend, he let the kids help in ways that were age appropriate.

He checked all of the cords, extension cords, and made sure they were safe to use and the indoor cords were used indoors and the outdoor cords were all outdoors. He carefully checked voltage, and organized the cords where they are not tangled in any way. And we placed one of the cables at our front door under our welcome mat so no one will trip on the cord on their way into our house. (we have smart neighbors, Thanks Robin!)

Here are a few more tips from UL:

Focus on the Fireplace
Move stockings and holiday decorations off the mantle before starting a fire in your fireplace and always use the fireplace screen. Recycle wrapping paper instead of burning it in your fireplace. Burning wrapping paper could produce dangerous sparks or flares of intense heat.
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Stay Warm Safely
Look for the UL Mark on your space heater and read the instructions before using it. Move space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn (e.g., curtains, blankets) and never leave a space heater on when you leave the room or go to sleep. Be sure to teach children (and practice it yourself) to never place anything on top of a space heater to dry.
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Keep Watch in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a busy place from Thanksgiving through the holiday season. Never leave anything cooking unattended, not even for a minute. Turn pot handles inward so that little hands can’t grab them. And keep your kitchen and your cooking area free of clutter to avoid unnecessary accidents.
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Use Candles with Care
Walk around your home and move candles away from anything that can burn. Store matches and lighters away from children and be sure to blow out candles before you leave the room or go to sleep. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Easy Electrical Safety
Check electrical outlets and make sure they are not overloaded. Look for the UL Mark on all your electrical cords and holiday lights. When decorating, inspect cords for damage and fraying and always keep extension cords away from where children play. Never run an extension cord under a rug or tack it up to a wall with a nail or staple.
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I have to say one other thing that happened today, make sure you watch your children when they are playing. I wasn’t paying attention to my son this morning and he pulled one of our stocking right off the mantle today and I’m lucky that the letter P, the stocking holder, didn’t hit him in the head and knock him off of the fire place. It would have left a nasty bruise. Kids and Christmas do go together but keep it safe!!

Enter to Win:

100.00 Visa Gift Card

To Enter:

Just leave a comment on this post telling me how you plan to commit to safety this Holiday Season!

 

The Gift Card provided for the giveaway is my compensation for this post and I wanted to share it with my readers. By posting this and all of you leaving comments, I will be entered into a contest to win a 250.00 Gift Card from UL. The blogger with the most comments wins! Thank you for your participation!

This giveaway ends December 31st.

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How to Create a Safe and Spooktacular Halloween, Thanks Giving and Holiday Season Giveaway

October 5, 2010 By 125 Comments

It’s October and Halloween is going to be here before we know it. I have always loved Halloween because I just love an excuse to dress up. Underwriter’s Laboratory is offering up some steps on how to be safe on Halloween.

HalloweenSafetyHow to Create a Safe and Spooktacular Halloween

For families across the country, Halloween is the official launch of the holiday and decorating season, which is why it is important for parents to recognize the potential safety hazards that may be associated with many of the season’s celebratory activities.

1. Inspect decorations for loose connections, frayed or bare wires and broken or cracked sockets when using lights to decorate the home for Halloween. When hanging lights, use plastic hooks or clips to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire hazards. Never nail or staple light strings.

2. Keep candles away from items that easily catch fire, such as decorations, window treatments and paper. Halloween is the fifth highest day for reported candle fires. Candles are the cause of approximately 15,000 reported house fires every year.

3. Look for flame resistant labels when purchasing costumes, fabric and accessories. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the fabric will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source.

Then after Halloween it always feels like November and December just fly by with Holidays and things to do. Growing up, I had a huge family. I have two moms and two dads and each of them have four/five siblings so visiting everyone was always a huge ordeal, but still fun. So I know that you will all be very busy this Holiday Season and I wanted to share UL’s tips on staying safe for the rest of the year!

DSC_8616Serve Up a Side of Safety This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the No. One day for home fires, which isn’t surprising  since Americans will roast, bake, brine, grill and even deep fry more than 45 million turkeys on November 26. This Thanksgiving, UL is offering these simple cooking safety tips to help keep cooks safe in the kitchen, regardless of their level of expertise!

1. Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking: Most fires in the kitchen occur because food is left unattended. If you must leave the kitchen briefly, carry an oven mitt with you as a reminder that something is cooking.

2. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it: Make sure the fire extinguisher is rated for grease fires and electrical fires and read the directions carefully. The acronym P.A.S.S. can help make sure you use it properly.

· Pull the pin; Aim the spray nozzle low at the base of the fire; Squeeze the nozzle to spray the contents; Sweep back and forth as you spray the base of the fire.

3. Do not pour water on a grease fire: Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread.

Last but not least is “The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year”, Christmas. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas and all of the festivities around that!

ChristmasLightSafetyWrap Up the Year Safely This Holiday Season

Between finding the perfect gift for loved ones, trimming the tree and sprucing up the house with festive decorations, safety can easily be overlooked during the holiday season. That’s why UL is reminding families to take a few minutes to think about the most precious gift of all when celebrating the holidays – safety.

4. A fresh tree is key:  If the needles are not fresh, it can lead to a greater risk of fire. Remember to ask your tree lot attendant to make a fresh cut to the base of the tree and place it in water as soon as you get home. Place tree in a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water and check moisture level frequently.

5. Indoor or outdoor? Look for the UL Mark:  Indoor-use only light strings are marked with UL’s green holographic label. Indoor or outdoor-use light strings are marked with UL’s red holographic label.

6. Read manufacturer instructions: When stringing lights together, the general rule is to not connect more than three midget light string sets together. Light strings with screw-in bulbs should never have more than 50 bulbs connected together.

7. Examine packaging: Parents should thoroughly examine new gifts, especially if they have young children at home. Pay particular attention to products in boxes or packages that do not offer the following:

· A brand name

· Manufacturer’s name with contact information for reporting problems with the product

Enter to Win:

P1010278UL picnic basket loaded with UL goodies

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me which of the tips is most useful to you!

This is not a sponsored giveaway and it ends October 25th.

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Pool and Summer Safety Disney Style

June 23, 2010 By 5 Comments

timon A few weeks ago I wrote about the Largest Swimming Lesson put on by Underwriters Laboratories. Underwriters Laboratories are all about safety and with summer time here pool safety is important for parents and children alike. When working with children though, it’s easiest to speak to them when you use their language and Timon and Pumba from The Lion King are excellent at speaking their language. Watch Timon and Pumba’s Water Safety Video with your children to teach them the following safety tips.

POOL SAFETY AT HOME

  • If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child’s reach.
  • Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.
  • Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.
  • Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

BE SAFETY SMART WHILE SWIMMING

· Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool every 10 seconds, and reach the water within 20 seconds.

  • Always have rescue devices, such as UL-LISTED life preservers, nearby.
  • Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
  • Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.
  • Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.
  • Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.

BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…

  • · Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.
  • · Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child’s weight and age fall within the manufacturer’s recommended limits for the equipment.
  • · Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…

  • · Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.
  • · Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
  • · Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.
  • · Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.
  • · Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.
  • · Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.

 

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central  on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

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Summer Months Mean Swimming Pools Be Safe

June 3, 2010 By 4 Comments

Today I have a guest post from The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson that takes place today!

 

More than 10,000 children on four continents will bob, float and flutter kick their way into the record clip_image002books by participating in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ at 2 pm GMT on Thursday, June 3rd.  As part of a global life-safety event, more than 200 aquatic facilities world-wide will provide a coordinated swim lesson and introduce a valuable life-skill that hopefully begins a lifetime of water safety awareness.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1-14. However, tragic pool deaths and injuries can and should be prevented. Research shows that a child who hasn’t learned to swim by the third grade likely never will, so teaching children proper swimming techniques at an early age is the first step in helping avoid tragedies down the road.

This summer, Underwriters Laboratories, a leading product safety testing organization, is providing useful pool safety tips to help your family stay safe, whether you’re swimming in the backyard, at the community pool or even participating in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™.

HOME POOL SAFETY

  • If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child’s reach.
  • Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence surrounding the pool.
  • Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets is strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can cause drowning.
  • Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

SWIMMING SAFETY SMARTS

· Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the water within 20 seconds.

  • Always have rescue devices such as UL-LISTED life preservers nearby.
  • Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
  • Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.
  • Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.
  • Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.

For more ways to keep your family safe, not sorry this summer, visit http://www.safetyathome.com.

Interested in participating in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™? Click here to find a participating pool near you.

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Protect Your family with CO monitors in your house #giveaway

February 11, 2010 By 269 Comments

CO_House I hear of people dying every year from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. If you have a fireplace, wood burning stove, or use gas of any kind you really should invest in a CO monitor. Some smoke detectors have the CO detectors included in them.

CO is caused by incomplete burning of fuel, propane, kerosene, gasoline, oil, natural gas, wood and charcoal. And because it is odorless and colorless it is a silent killer, people just die in their sleep. It even causes you to be drowsy, so you’ll never know what is going on. It is preventable though. It is recommended that you follow three steps: Inspect, Protect, and Detect. The Following details come directly from UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

Inspect

· Don’t forget to inspect! Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance. Over time, components can become damaged or deteriorate. Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances once a year as they can identify and repair problems with your fuel-burning appliances.

Protect

· Protect your family, especially while they sleep. Purchase and install UL-LISTED CO alarms outside each sleeping area, including the basement and any other locations required by applicable laws. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before installing a CO alarm. The UL-LISTING on a CO alarm means the product has been found free of foreseeable hazards and is safer for your family.

· Is your CO alarm installed in the right place? Do not place a CO alarm within five feet of household chemicals. And, avoid placing your alarm directly on top of or near fuel-burning appliances as these appliances will emit some CO when initially turned-on.

· Make sure you test, so your alarm works the best! Test and replace the battery in your CO alarm at least once a year. If your alarm is wired directly into your home’s electrical system, you should test it monthly. If your unit operates off of a battery, test the alarm monthly and replace the battery at least once a year.

· Know the signs of potential CO poisoning. CO poisoning may be the cause of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, tightness of chest, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and breathing difficulties. Because CO poisoning often causes a victim’s blood pressure to rise, the victim’s skin may take on a pink or red cast.

Detect

· If your CO alarm goes off – GET OUT – quickly and safely! Practice a CO safety escape plan with your family so everyone knows how to react to a CO alarm. If your alarm sounds, evacuate the building and call the fire department. If you or your loved ones experience symptoms of CO poisoning – headache, dizziness or other flu-like symptoms – seek medical attention immediately. And, when you return home, be sure to open windows and doors for ventilation. Then, call a qualified technician to inspect your appliances.

· Be alert, don’t get hurt! Streaks of carbon or soot around the service door of your fuel-burning appliances, moisture collecting on the windows and walls of furnace rooms and fallen soot from the fireplace or small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney are all signs of a CO problem in your home.

UL is sponsoring a giveaway on Mom Start. They are providing 5 CO detectors for me to giveaway.

To Enter:

Tell me the best location for you to put the CO alarm in your house?

Extra Entries:

Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site, blog, or facebook and tell me where you advertised it (include link to giveaway). 5 Extra Entries for each one you do
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Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Tweet about the giveaway and include a link to the giveaway
Comment on any other non-giveaway post
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Click on my Suave Link and leave a comment for every time you click on it. It’s easy!

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The contest will run until March 1st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

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