safety tips Archives - Mother 2 Mother Blog

How The Government Is Keeping Your Family Safe

February 6, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how the government is keeping your family safe from disaster. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the chances of a major disaster hitting is going up. Over the last six months, we’ve seen a host of problems from the Australian bush fires to the new Wuhan coronavirus.

If you get the sense that there are more crises these days than in the past, you’d be right. In 1994, there was one state of emergency declared. The infographic shows the disaster. By 2016, that number had risen to seven states of emergency. At present, most experts believe that the biggest threat we face comes from climate change. As the planet warms, they argue, the number of extreme weather events will increase. Are you wondering how our government will get prepared for future state of emergencies?

This understanding has led to a growing sense that the government needs to improve its disaster preparedness. It needs to develop strategies that will allow it to deal with major crises in the best way possible, as they unfold.

How the Government is Keeping Your Family Safe:

For any crisis or emergency, there are four ways in which a government can respond: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery assistance. Over the last year, we’ve seen all of these in action, from the preventive action being taken right now to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to the reconstruction following the Australian bushfires.

The infographic below shows the government’s role in disaster response. It charts current statistics on the threat of disaster and shows how public administrators can respond. It also highlights some of the emerging technologies being used for disaster mitigation.

Infographic by Norwich University

Finally, we hope that our infographic has provided some insight on how the government is working to keep your family safe during a disaster. Have a conversation with your family on this information. It will give an understanding of the government’s role and help them feel safe during a disaster.

Tips on High Back and Backless Booster Seats

July 19, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Parents are often confused on buying high-back and backless boosters for their children. Besides the obvious, one booster has a back and one does not. And, the height and weight recommendations can be different also. Furthermore, all boosters are the next seat once your child exceeds the height and weight limits for front-facing car seats. Booster seats raise your child up on the vehicle seat. As a result, the seat belt will fit them properly. Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on purchasing high-back and backless booster seats for children.

It is essential to wait until your child is ready to upgrade from a forward-facing car seat to a booster seat. Waiting will ensure the safest situation if you ever get into an accident. According to healthychildren.org, your child has grown out of their forward-facing seat if they meet the following requirements:

The child has outgrown the height and weight limits of the car seat
The child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots of the seat
The tops of the child’s ears reach the top of the seat

Once your child has outgrown their forward-facing car seat, decide which booster seat would be best for them. Here are the differences between high-back boosters and backless boosters:

High-back Booster Seats

The goal of the high-back booster seats are to boost your child high enough for the seat belt to fit across them properly. The upper back of these seats are used to provide extra protection for your child’s neck and back in the event of a car accident. Additionally, this type of booster seat is better for younger children who still need the extra support. High-back booster seats are usually combination car seats that can transform from a 5-point harness seat to a booster.

This option is useful for vehicles that don’t have high seat backs or headrests.
This booster-style is also suitable for younger children who fall asleep during car rides. It is more comfortable for them and provides extra support to keep them from slouching down in the seat.
Some of these boosters have a seat belt guide to help the seat belt fit over your child better.
Seats that convert to a high-back booster have the option to use the 5-point harness. This option keeps smaller children safer for a more extended time.
Most models have cup holders attached.
Most models are adequate for children weighing 30 or more pounds.

Backless Booster Seats

The backless booster is used to raise your child for the seat belt to fit correctly as well. However, it lacks the high back. So, it doesn’t give the extra head and neck support and protection for your child.

This booster seat is suitable for older children who don’t need as much support.
This option is useful for cars with high seatbacks and headrests.
Some high-back boosters will convert to a backless booster when needed as your child grows.
Most models have cup holders attached.
Most models are adequate for children weighing 40 pounds or more and at least 35 inches tall.
Parents also love this option because these seats are usually cheaper to purchase. Also, they are easy to move between vehicles when needed.

Booster Seat Safety

Both booster seat provide the extra safety your child needs. When your child outgrows their forward-facing car seat and meets the height and weight requirements, they are ready to upgrade. Read the booster seat manual for recommendations on the safest way to install the seat. Also, check the check the car seat laws in your state to be knowledgeable of which car seat your child is required to use. You can check your car seat laws at www.ghsa.org.

Some booster seats have a latch option to connect to your vehicle’s latch system. Other boosters are just secured to the chair with the seat belt as your child is seated in the booster. Your child should be tall enough with the booster seat that the shoulder belt rests across their shoulders and the lap belt rests across their laps.

Healthychildren.org recommends that children be at least 4 foot, 9 inches tall before they should switch out of a booster seat. Children can usually reach this height between the ages of 8 and 12, but in most cases, they will reach this height between the ages of 10 and 12.

When choosing which booster option is best for you and your family, you should consider what type of vehicle you have. Furthermore, consider what your backseat consists so you can provide the safest choice for your child. Unfortunately, if your backseat only has lap belts a booster seat will not be an option. Booster seats booster seats must provide your child with the chest belt they need. In this case, you will need to find a forward-facing car seat with a harness that will accommodate a higher weight limit. Or, you can look at options for installing chest belts into your car.

New Law Requiring Longer Use of Booster Seats

In Washington state, a new law will be put in place next year after Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1012. This law states that children under the height of 4 foot, 9 inches must sit in a booster seat. So children between the ages of 10 and 12, will be required to use a booster seat until they reach the required height. Also, the seat belt must fit properly across their shoulder and their lap. If a driver is not following this rule, they will be pulled over and given a traffic citation.

According to CNN, Governor Jay Inslee signed this stricter car seat law to provide the safest possible way for children to ride in a vehicle. No other states have followed this exact pursuit yet, but 12 other states did update their car seat laws to require the use of rear-facing car seats for a more extended period. This new law will go in effect for Washington on January 1, 2020.

In Conclusion:

Upgrading to a booster seat is an exciting time for both parents and children. The seats are quickly transferable between vehicles and tend to take up less space than the average car seat. Choosing the right type of booster seat is very important, and you should consider your situation when making that decision. Many parents make the mistake of upgrading their child to a booster seat too soon or skipping the booster seat altogether, causing tragic consequences in the event of a car accident. Remember to read the manual of the booster seat for safety recommendations and also be knowledgeable on your state’s car seat laws. For more information on booster seat safety and tips, go to www.safekids.org.

You may also like: Educating Children About Safety

Arthur Bio:

Keren Simanova is a busy mommy by day and a passionate writer by night. While spending countless hours researching car seats for her children, she created an educational car seat blog, CarSeatsMom.com to educate other mothers about the importance of car seats. Further, along the way, the blog became an invaluable source for research of a variety of car seat brands, unique features, and mommy reviews.

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: parenting safety tips, safety tips, vehicle safety tips

Educating Children about Safety

March 23, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Some time back, there was a bizarre story of relatives who wanted to teach their son about safety. The six-year-old boy’s aunt, grandmother, and a co-worker plotted a kidnap. The co-worker kidnapped the child, locked him up and showed him a shotgun to silence him. He tied up the boy’s hands in a basement using plastic bags. With a threat of never seeing his mother, the child had to comply with the orders. Eventually, he was released, and every adult that was involved in the “lesson” was charged and arrested. Today, we’re going to give you parenting tips on educating children about safety.

Here’s our parenting tips:

1. Start early

Teaching your children about safety practices is something you should start when the child is about four years. At first, you will use simple explanations to explain this concept, but advance it over time. Begin by explaining the idea of crossing the road and move onto training them on how to behave when you are away. Safety training is not an event that you do at once, but rather a process that you follow over a period.

2. Talk about uncomfortable situations

Keep it low-key, but be clear on cases that you know would make your little one uncomfortable. Ask them whether they have been in such a circumstance and seek to understand how it made them feel. You may have plans to protect your kids, but working through such situations will help them to remain safe for a lifetime.

3. Avoid scaring your child

Just like in the case of the boy where the relatives decided to use scare tactics, sometimes parents feel that the only way to make their children safety conscious is by scaring them. That should not be the case because it will only freak them out and they will have a hard time managing when faced by such circumstances. When educating children about safety, explain safety concepts to kids the same way you would talk about fire safety or wearing a helmet on a bicycle.

4. Be specific

Explain some of the uncomfortable things that unsafe people may do. For instance, somebody with ill motives might want to give presents to your child. They might even want to be physical with the kids even when they request them not to. Unsafe people might also give inappropriate words to compliment on how a child looks. They can even ask them for directions or invite the child to help them look for a lost item such as a lost dog.

5. Move past the ‘stranger danger’

Most parents focus on strangers when they explain safety tips to their children, which is not always the case. Strangers are not the only people who can harm a kid. Even people who are known to your little one might have anterior motives. Let your child understand the importance of trusting their instincts and reporting anybody who forces them to do something that seems wrong to them.

6. Make your child the ‘boss’ of his or her body

There is nothing that is as important as your child knowing that they are in charge of their body. Make sure that he is aware that nobody is allowed to touch his body uncomfortably. If your little one has to go for a doctor’s appointment that involves physical examination, accompany them and ask the physician to explain what he or she is doing.

7. Make sure they know the vital information

Every child should know their parents’ names and contact information. Knowing their home address is also an important aspect. It is crucial for your little one to have an idea of a safe place to hide when faced with a dangerous situation.

8. Practice when you can

Play what-if scenarios with your child. For instance, you can ask them, “What if you coming home from school and a stranger asks for directions?” “What if someone invited to your home?” Asking such questions gives you an opportunity to empower your child to handle tough and risky situations.

Every responsible parent should be educating children about safety. Allow your kids to socialize from a young age so that they have a level of freedom and independence. But, it is all about finding a healthy balance and empowering your child.

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: children's safety tips, parenting tips, safety tips

Driving Safety Tips You May Be Overlooking

February 22, 2019 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Roughly 90 people each day are the victims of fatal car accidents in the US. Unfortunately, this is the highest rate among other comparable countries. That’s certainly a scary statistic, but you can still take your family on the road. The good news is that nearly all traffic collisions are preventable. Driving the speed limit, proper car safety seats, and eliminating distractions are all well-known precautions.

Driving Safety Tips:

Safety Measures Outside of the Vehicle

When shopping for a vehicle, be sure to exercise due diligence to select a vehicle that will keep your family safe. Remember, though, that your kids don’t have to be inside of a car to be injured by one. Nearby streets, busy or not, are a potential risk if your child isn’t consistently following safety guidelines. Remind your child to stay out of streets and pay attention to their surroundings. A majority of drivers speed in school zones, according to a study by Safe Kids Worldwide. This study also indicated that stop signs and other safety features put in place in neighborhoods with children are frequently ignored. So, no matter how child-safe you think an area is, you must remain diligent with safety.

Age-Appropriate Seating

Child safety doesn’t just pertain to babies and toddlers. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 tend to be more at-risk for injury in cars. This is due to oversight when it comes to proper child safety seats for kids in this age category. They’ve likely grown out of their car seats at this age. Many parents that means that they’re ready to ride with a standard seat belt. However, most children aren’t big enough for regular seat belts until 10 years of age. Once they’ve outgrown their car seat, they should be placed in a booster seat.

Be Aware of Stationary Safety Risks

Also, you should also teach your kids about car safety when vehicles are both moving and parked. For example, never cross the street by themselves. They should have someone take them across or watch them as they’re crossing. In addition, many accidents involve non traffic incidents. Children playing inside the vehicle can get caught in a power window or trapped in the trunk. Your children need to know that a car is n not a toy. In addition, be sure to keep your car locked.

Remember: all precautions only part of the time are only partially effective in preventing vehicle accidents. Employ all of these techniques to increase vehicle safety. Pass on this information to others as well; sharing is caring!

Before You Go

Before you even start driving, you should make sure that everything is as it should be. For example, some vehicles have ignition interlock devices which requires the driver to pass a breath test before the vehicle will turn on. If you experience an ignition interlock violation, the vehicle simply won’t allow you to move. Furthermore, make sure that everyone is buckled in safely before you move the car. This will minimize the risk of an accident. I hope you will take these driving safety tips into consideration, and make sure you and your family on safe before you hit the road and while you’re on it.

Filed Under: Safety Tagged With: child safety, family safety tips, safety tips, teen driving teens, vehicle safety

4 Ways to Keep Your Children Safe While on Vacation

October 22, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Keeping our children safe is always a top priority for parents. This is especially true when we are on vacation. Vacations expose families to different kinds of risks and dangers depending upon where they travel. Our mode of transportation could include danger and risk as well as what we do once we arrive at our destination. Today, I’m sharing ways to keep your children safe while on vacation. Below are some essential safety and travel tips for different kinds of vacation locations and activities.

Tropical Vacations

When it is cold where you live, taking your family to a tropical getaway is a popular vacation idea. However, there are certain precautions you need to make for babies and small children. Here are a few ways to keep your children:

· Preventing their sensitive skin from dangerous sunburn. Especially, between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun rays are the strongest. You should also apply sunscreen often when they are exposed to the sun.

· Because children don’t sweat as much as adults do, they can become dehydrated faster. Be sure to provide them with enough fluids on a regular basis/ And, watch for signs of dehydration such as fussiness, redness of the skin, and excessive crying.

· Tropical climates are known for insects that bite and children tend to be magnets to them. Using insect repellents will help to protect them. However, you don’t want to cause them harm from the harsh chemicals found in many repellents. Read the labels before using any repellent and be sure to avoid ears, eyes, open cuts, and mouths.

Boating Trips

Many families are boat lovers and taking their children out on the water can be a thrilling adventure. However, keeping them safe is something that requires some basic understanding of boating safety. Some ways to keep your children safe include:

· Create and share your float plan with a family member or local marina staff. Be sure to include where you are going and for how long.

· Establish basic boating rules. They should be required to follow them just like they do at home. For example, they should be told to keep their hands and feet inside the boat at all times.

· Every member of your family should have access to and wear a properly-fitting and age-appropriate life jacket.

· Be aware at all times of what is going on around you when on the water. This includes knowing where your children are and what they are doing.

· Have good situational awareness by always paying attention to other boats in the area, the weather conditions, and the tides and currents.

· Check the boating vessel before leaving the dock to verify that everything is in working order, especially safety equipment.

· Know the responsibilities, rules, and safety precaution responsible boating operators need to learn and follow.

Camping Trips

Taking your family camping can be a great escape from life’s ordinarily hectic routine. There’s nothing like sleeping in tents under the stars and cooking your food over a campfire. It helps families bond and get a release from the stresses of everyday life. Taking necessary precautions to keep everyone safe is imperative. Ways to keep your children safe include:

· Never leave children alone, especially small ones, near an open fire.

· Minimize tick and mosquito bites by applying bug spray to your children’s clothing. Always read the labels first.

· Give each family member a whistle to use in case someone wanders off. This will help your children get back to you should they stray too far from your camping grounds and get lost.

When Travelling Internationally

Taking your children on vacation to another country can be an enjoyable and educational experience. But, it doesn’t come without risks. To make sure your memories are good ones, here’s a few more ways to keep your children safe:

· Vaccinate your children against diseases for the country you plan to visit.

· Before booking your trip, check the security and safety of your preferred destination. If there is unrest, change your plans.

· Purchase world travel health insurance in case someone gets sick or injured while away.

Most importantly, do not take your eyes off your children. They are notorious for wandering away should something catch their eye. Hold their hands when in crowded areas. Another idea is to write your cell phone number on your child’s arm should the unthinkable happen and you lose them in a crowd.

Family vacations are wonderful times for sharing memorable experiences. There are too many horror stories we have all heard about where unplanned events or accidents happen. What was supposed to be a fun time can turn into a nightmare if there wasn’t a list of ways to keep your children safe.

Following necessary safety procedures and using common sense can go a long way to making family vacation memories beautiful experiences. Ways to keep your children safe should always be a priority.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety, Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: family travel tips, safety tips, vacation ideas

A Mommy’s Guide to Teaching Bike Safety to Kids

March 23, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

A bike is one of the many things that every child wants at some point in their childhood. It’s a great way to allow them to explore the world around them. Additionally, it’s a great way for them to learn about exercise. Unfortunately, when you live in a city and your kids have to ride roadside before reaching a park or bike path, safety becomes extremely important. In addition to knowing the laws for bike safety in your state, here’s a mom’s guide to teaching bike safety to kids when riding roadside.

Accidents Can Happen at Any Moment

Accidents can happen anytime; however, when riding roadside the risk is elevated. Unfortunately, accidents are impossible to determine. As a result, teaching your kids about riding roadside is imperative. Below are a few tips on teaching bike safety to kids that you can use to guide your children towards a more enjoyable biking experience.

According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, around 800 bicyclists and 5,400 pedestrians are fatally injured annually. Cars and bicycles account for 17.7 percent of 2015’s grand total of 35,092 deaths in the United States. With these staggering statistics, teaching bike safety to kids so they can observe proper safety guidelines makes sense.

If you live in a densely populated area, your children riding a bicycle roadside can cause worry. So, how can you as a mommy teach bike safety to your kids? Check out these tips:

The Safe Biker: Good Discipline

The first step to bike safety is to teach kids to be responsible bikers. Biking is a leisurely exercise and activity, but only if it’s done safely and properly.

Even if your child knows how to ride a bike, always remind them that it should be taken seriously. Make sure they ride a bike with both hands on the handlebars. Additionally, all items should be in a backpack or in the bike’s basket. Just as important, make it clear that only one person should be on the bike.

Don’t allow your kids to ride bikes while wearing headphones. They need to be able to know there’s traffic, and that can only be done if their ears are free from distractions.
Don’t allow your kids to be on their bike when it’s night, dusk, or dawn. This timeframe leaves them invisible to many drivers. If they have to ride a bike at dusk or dawn, make sure their bikes have lights and reflectors.

The Safe Bike: Get the Right One

Perhaps the most important aspect of teaching bike safety to children is making sure they know how to use the bike they are riding. Make sure the bike you buy is the appropriate age level for your child. This means you shouldn’t expect your child to grow “into” the bike.

Make sure the purchased bike suits the abilities of your child. If you don’t think your child can handle two wheels, then perhaps training wheels could help. If you think shifting and gears can be too difficult, .then perhaps just a single speed bike could work.
Try to make sure your child is also aware of things that can happen to their bike that can result in their new bike ending up in a state of disrepair. Aside from regular maintenance on your end, teach your kids just why you’re having their bike repaired in the first place. That way, if they notice that something is wrong with their bike, they may not take it out and consult you instead.

The Equipment: Using the Bike Properly

When you bought your kid a bike, chances are you bought the entire “package.” Aside from the bike, you may have bought them the various kinds of gear that the children in the packaging are also wearing. If not, then here are some of the equipment you need to make sure you have:

Always make sure your child has a helmet when they ride a bike. This is extremely important, regardless whether they’re riding at home or outside on the road.
When your kids are outside, make sure they wear clothing that is bright and reflective. If you can find cycling clothes adequate for your kids’ size, make sure they have them. It’s important that they know they should wear these clothes so they are easily visible by everyone on the road.

Teach Your Child Safely and Efficiently About Bike Safety

When it comes to road safety, it’s important that everyone is aware of their responsibilities of drivers and pedestrians. This includes motor vehicles, skaters, scooters, and bicycles. Having an accident related to a bicycle can still create problems for all parties involved. It can even end up in serious injuries or death.

If your child wants to learn how to use a bike, it’s important that you be able to teach bike safety to them effectively. They must know how to avoid accidents when riding roadside. If you want to know more about the legal implications of this subject, click here.

About the author: Dianna Charles

Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast who hopes to bring her youthful spirit to her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety Tagged With: bike safety for kids, child safety, safety tips

Baby Safety 101: How to Protect Your Baby from Slips and Falls

March 23, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Parents have it hard when it comes to taking care of a baby. Care goes beyond meeting their basic needs such as proper nutrition and hygiene. When your baby learns how to walk and explore the world around them, the difficulty level of parenting shoots from “cute but hard” into “extra cute, but extra hard.” When babies are in their cribs and they fall, you know they’re safe. Mattresses cushions their fall. However, when babies are outside the crib, there’s no guarantee that they’re safe from slips and falls. Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on baby safety.

The fragility of a baby’s body can make slips and falls life-threatening. If you have a new baby, these tips on how to protect your baby from slips ad falls may be helpful. So, how exactly do you protect your baby from slips and falls?

According to the Mayo Clinic when a baby starts learning how to walk, it can be a source of pride and joy for parents. However, when babies are learning how to walk they get excited. They may hit things around them that could cause them to fall. If a baby slips and falls at the wrong angle they can be injured. As a result, it’s a good idea to take action to prevent accidents. Here are a few tips:

Avoiding Slips and Falls

Slips and falls can be avoided by trying to make sure things at home are designed with your child’s safety in mind. Here are a few examples of how you can protect your baby from slips and falls:

Keep bathtubs safe by using mats. Mat help reduce the risks of slipping and falling while taking a bath.
Keep beds safe by installing safety rails on beds, especially if you have toddlers. If you have bunk beds, make sure kids six and older are the ones that use them.
Keep balconies safe by not letting your baby play unattended in these areas, especially when these areas are porches and fire escape locations. Children might use this opportunity to wander around the house and even the neighborhood.
Keep stairs safe by installing safety gates at the bottom and top of staircases. Furthermore, you can place covers on doorknobs that lead to staircases, the basement and the attic.
Keep windows safe by using window guards. You can also install stops that won’t allow windows to open beyond four inches. Babies five years old and younger can fit through six inch openings. Try to make sure windows are also inaccessible even if you have to install railings.

Keep the Outside Safe

While the outside world is a scary place, you can make it slip and fall proof. At least to a certain degree with proper care and guidance.

Keep your child safe on the playground by choosing ones that include sand, rubber, mulch, or wood chips. These types of area are safer than dirt and cement, which are likely to cause injuries.
When riding escalators carry your baby or hold your toddler’s hand. Additionally, make sure there aren’t any loose shoestrings, shoes, or clothing that can be caught in the escalator. Make sure your children doesn’t sit or play while riding them.
Keep an eye out for obstacles. Look carefully for wet patches that could cause you to slip, and take caution when walking through rain or snow.

Safety Comes First for Baby

Take a proactive approach. Make sure your baby is exposed only to things he or she can safely play with.

While this might seem to be an extra step in the plethora of things you have to do as a parent, this will definitely pay off in the long run. Especially, if you have play dates and invited guests in your home. Learning how to protect your baby from slips and falls is essential. If you’re wondering just what the legal repercussions are due to slippery floors, you may click here. We hope that you found our baby safety tips helpful. You may also like: Child Safety Tips

About the author: Vicki Haskett

Vicki is a law writing enthusiast who’s had over 25 years of experience in her field. She enjoys sharing her experiences with those who want to learn more about the legal world. In her spare time she spends quality time with her family and friends.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety Tagged With: child safety, home safety, safety tips