Safe Driving Secrets for Mothers this Holiday

This holiday season, even with the recession, more and more people are taking to the roads, shopping, visiting friends and family. Hence, this is one of the most dangerous times of the year, and in the blink of an eye, a holiday celebration could go sour and could result in a lifetime tragedy.

Here are some safety tips you could make use of this holiday season

Tune Up! – The holiday is marked with drastic weather conditions such as rain, snow, hail and sleet. Ensure that your car is efficiently tuned up before getting on the road. Repair problematic cars before getting on the road.

Zero Distraction – Distractions can take the attention away from the driving task and place the driver at an increased risk of crashing. For instance, the average person under the ideal condition takes ¼ of a second to identify a road hazard (such as seeing someone dart out between two cars), ¼ of a second for the brain to process the situation, and another ¼ of a second to make a decision on how to avoid the hazard. If travelling at 30mph, that processing time translates to about 33feet before the driver even reacts to the situation. And this is definitely an ample time to knock off the child who is just 4 feet away after reaction time if one is not alert.

One of the greatest dangers that affect holiday drivers is the fact that they are usually physically and sometimes emotionally stressed by too much activities and kids in the car. When a driver becomes tired or overstressed, they lose their alertness, and the ability to drive defensively is greatly diminished. Since most people are always in hurry, and when you combine speed with the distraction, it is a good recipe for disaster. for you and your kids

It is much better to adjust your schedule and plan more time for driving before heading out. Get some rest in between, like stopping for coffee or snacks, sit and relax before heading to another destination.

Car Seats – Properly secure babies and toddlers in a car seat, and ensure that the bigger kids use a booster seat and seat belts at all times. In no situation should you overlook these safety precautions, even when traveling short distances. It is also important to know that the safest place for children is the rear seat.

Follow The Rules – It is very important that you observe the rules and take extra caution when on the road. Since almost everyone is also in a hurry shopping for last minute gifts.

Be Mindful of Other Drivers – Be aware of other drivers and in no circumstance should you drink before or while driving, since this might impair your vision and could affect your ability to see other drivers on the road. If you see someone driving in an unsafe manner, keep your distance and prepare yourself for sudden moves.

I hope you find this tips useful, feel free to share with me what you think could help other mothers be safe this holiday. I look forward to hearing from you.

Blessing a mother and a chemical engineer. Her safety conscious blog for mothers can be found at http://www.safehomehappymom.com/

Could Overuse of Disinfectants be harmful to you?

  

Most disinfectant products say their products will help you keep a cleaner and healthier home but is that completely true? Growing research has shown the potential problem unleashed by the increased use of disinfectants in the home. Health impacts such as asthma and dermatisis (skin rashes) have been associated with disinfectant chemicals. New research is examining the potential for more serious health effects such as breast cancer and immune system effects. These health risks are simply unnecessary when non-toxic alternatives to disinfect are available.

Visit Women’s Voices for the Earth to learn more about disinfectant overkill and determine if you overuse disinfectants in your home.

A good way to keep your house clean is constantly wiping surfaces with warm soap and water. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after cooking, before handling your kids and most importantly replace toxic chemicals with non-toxic alternatives.

I recommend seventh generation cleaners. Click on the images above to purchase green disinfectant that poses no risk to your health

A mother's worst nightmare

This is the story of a mother who did everything from childproofing to cleaning but still fell short. Read the story of Kaiser and you will learn a thing or two.

One question to ask yourself is how safe are your window blinds?

(Dec. 17) -- The baby didn't look right.

On the way to bed, Linda Kaiser checked on her 1-year-old twins and found a parent's nightmare.

Her little girl Cheyenne had pulled the cord off a window shade and strangled herself.

That June night seven years ago marked the start of one mom's child-safety crusade -- a campaign that culminated Tuesday with the national recall of millions of shades and blinds similar to the one that killed Cheyenne.

Kaiser, of Elgin, Ill., was a dental assistant who stayed home to care for her twins and their older sister. Today, she runs the national grassroots advocacy organization she founded after Cheyenne's death, Parents for Window Blind Safety.

"This isn't just about my kid," she said. "It's about other kids who died."

The national recall, issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the industry-supported Window Covering Safety Council, includes products from some of the largest retailers in the country: Walmart, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Big Lots and J.C. Penney, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"This recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up blinds. About 5 million Roman shades and about 3 million roll-up blinds are sold each year," the federal commission noted in a news release.

Kaiser has worked tirelessly on three fronts: spreading the word about potential window shade dangers, offering support to other parents who have suffered similar tragedies and educating the public.

For her, and parents like her who have lost a child in similar accidents, the fight isn't over. In some ways, the attention the recall brought is just the beginning.

Many parents know to tie up the pull cords used to raise and lower shades. But the cords that run along the back of the shades are easy to pull away from the fabric -- an adult can do so with a pinkie finger, Kaiser said. Since 1991, the federal agency has received reports of more than 200 children dying from window shade pull cords, five of them in the past three years from the exposed backing cords.

That's how Cheyenne died too.

Kaiser thought she had followed every safety precaution in her home. She and her husband had installed child-proof outlet covers and safely stored medications, and she had tied up the shades' pull cords. In honor of Cheyenne, Kaiser's friends created a memorial Web site. Two other parents, searching for answers in their own children's deaths, found the memorial and contacted Kaiser.

They both had children who strangled on cords within two weeks of Cheyenne's death.

"I thought, 'We can't just sit here and do nothing,'" Kaiser said.

Kaiser admits she sometimes wanted to give up. She wrote the CPSC often, with no response. She would tell others her cautionary tale, and people would look her in the eye and tell her she was a negligent mother.

"This is not about parental supervision," Kaiser said. "I don't think people understand how fast this can happen, and how fast a child can die."

As an example, the parents' group posted a public service announcement on YouTube that features a frightening home video. A mom, filming several children in what looks like her home, pans the camera and sees her 3-year-old beside a window with a cord around his neck. As she speaks to emergency workers, her son, freed from the cord, starts crying.

This week's recall was too late to save 3-year-old Brandyn, who died Sept. 11. But his father, Navy Chief Petty Officer Phillip Coppedge, of Norfolk, Va., credits Kaiser and her organization with supporting him and his family through their grief. He is married and has three other children, ages 21, 15 and 10.

Many mornings Brandyn would sit by the window and wave at the big kids heading to a nearby school. But he never messed with the blinds, his dad said.

In September, Brandyn's oldest brother was babysitting. He went to the bathroom, and when he returned, the boy had gotten tangled in the shade.

All the shades are gone from the house now, and Coppedge and his wife brace for a rough winter season -- Christmas without Brandyn, and then what would have been the boy's fourth birthday in January.

The family still plans on buying the toys they wanted to give to Brandyn; they'll just give them to Toys for Tots instead.

Coppedge has warned everyone he knows about the shade dangers.

"I have been in my own way taking a stance," he said. He's also working to develop a program with the Navy's Fleet and Family Support Center to speak with new parents about the shades.

Kaiser, too, plans to keep pushing. The recall doesn't include all the shades that have injured or killed children. She's not stopping until it does.


"We're not done yet," she said.

References:

www.sphere.com

Safety Precautions Santa is hopeful you take this holiday

Now that the kids are at home during this holiday season. You should be getting ready to make sure that there are systems in place to keep them safe. Here are some good safety tips to incorporate into to your home and when you are out shopping. Enjoy!

Holiday Shopping Mall Safety

The holiday season is here and thousands and millions of people will be frequenting the mall in search of gifts for their loved ones but crime is not taking an holiday. Try to find a mall where safety is taken very seriously. This means, you can easily spot a surveillance camera, and mall security officers are visible

• Parking – Park in an open and well lit area as close to your destination as possible. If you are shopping at night and feel uncomfortable walking alone to your car, ask the mall security officer to walk you. Look for a security camera and try to park close to that. Take extra care when returning to your car. If you notice anyone suspicious in the parking area you can use your keys as a weapon. If needed, you can also use your car’s alarm system by pushing the panic button on your alarm remote control or car horn to draw attention
• Avoid Germs – Make sure everyone sanitizes their hands every 30mins to avoid germs. If visiting the food court, be sure to wipe all furniture down before taking a seat at the table
• Purse and Packages – Don’t overload yourself with packages. Thieves are always on the lookout for people who might be distracted, keep track of your packages and try to stay off your cell phone. Hold your purse close to your body or use a front pocket if carrying a wallet.
• Rest Rooms – Avoid using restrooms that are tucked away in a back area of a mall or store department. If you can, find a restroom near the mall’s food court or other well-trafficked area and always accompany your child
• Clothing and Accessories– While you shop, make sure you check for potential safety hazards such as clothes that could cause strangulation, entrapment or choking hazards
• Fire Emergencies – Always know where the closest exits are located. In case of a fire or other emergency, make sure you can find the nearest exits and remember to avoid using elevators in an emergency.

Home Safety

Children are harmed at home than any other place these days. This is why you should put safety first at all times.

• Christmas tree – Faulty wiring and overloaded electrical outlets are one of the most common causes of seasonal house fires. It doesn’t matter if the tree is artificial or real, if a fire sparks due to your wiring, the tree will still burn. When buying a tree, make sure that the needles don’t fall out when you bounce it on the ground. These types of trees tend to dry out very quickly, meaning they will also burn quickly. Be sure to keep your live tree watered so it does not dry out. Only use safe decorations. Do not light your tree with candles or lights designed specifically for outdoor use.
• Medications –  Take medications and medical supplies out of your purse, pockets and drawers, and put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock
• Alarms: Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home and carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas. If already installed, re-test them!
• Avoid Overload: Check for overloaded extension cords – usage should not exceed the recommended wattage.
• Paint Safe: Check walls for loose paint. Consider VOC- free paints if repainting
• Childproof: Make sure all appliances, electronic gadgets, electric circuits, bookshelves, furniture, are secured. Cover all sockets/outlets. The last thing you want is spending Christmas at the ER.
• Watch Cord Placement: Extension cords should not be placed under rugs or heavy furniture, tacked up or coiled while in use.
• Fire Safety:  Practice a fire escape skit your family, so everyone knows where to go in the case of a fire emergency. Place all-purpose fire extinguishers in frequently used areas of your home; the kitchen, bedroom and basement. Be sure to check expiration dates regularly and know how to use them safely. Classes might be offered in your local fire station
• Movable heaters: Do not place heaters close to flammable materials. Make sure heaters are at least three feet’s away from all appliances.
• Unplug Appliances: Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use and store them out of reach.
• Save Money: Set your heater between 62-65 degrees Fahrenheit and warm up in your blankets. This might be a good time to snuggle with your family. We all need it

Mindful Eating This Holiday Season

 
Avoid the 5 pounds the average American gains this holiday season! For people who are already overweight, the holiday weight news is worse. Here are the five tips I will share with you to maintain or possibly lose weight this holiday season.

Healthy Snacking – Before a holiday dinner, make sure you snack on something an hour earlier. That way your stomach is already half way there.

Pick Out The Healthy Foods – Go for the vegetable and seafoods instead of the mashed potatoes and steak cuts. It’s much healthier and it tastes just great.

Keep Burning Those Calories! – Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you should stop working out. Keep walking, jogging and running even if the gym is closed. Another good idea is to go dancing with your hobby or have an outdoor activity with the entire family this holiday. Not only will you have a wonderful time, you will burn at least 300 calories doing that.

Don’t Stuff Yourself – Our mind is programmed to eat a lot when there is a lot. This is because you get drawn to all the food you love all at once. A good thing to do is to savor them. If you plan on eating everything, make sure they are sample size. Do not seat by the buffet table, digging away. Get away, mingle with friends and family, you’ll be glad you did.

Cook Less – Cook the necessary holiday dinner, don’t go overboard. Roast the turkey, ham, etc…substitute mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower. Stay away from Soda’s and finally enjoy your holiday!

Online Parental Boundaries - Helping your Child Navigate the Cyber World

Children's exposure to negative internet content is on the rise. Exposure to pornographic, violent online games, online gambling, and so on has deemed the cyber world unsafe for our kids. The problem is that kids of this generation cannot imagine a life without the cyber world, social networks such as facebook, twitter, etc. They just cannot see themselves living a quiet normal life where you are not being bullied constantly on facebook or held for every word spilled on twitter which by the way is irretrievable. In a world where our teens are as familiar about sex, drugs and violence through the internet media, blogs and youtube. It raises concerns as to where we are headed as a society.



How do you think we can protect our children against the detrimental effects of the cyber world. How can we understand the degree to which our child is exposed to negative cyber content? How can we excercise our rights as parents to influence positive internet usage?

Please post comments.

Endless Shoes and Handbags for Chic Moms

I found this awesome website that you can get amazing deals on men and women shoes, accessories and handbags.  Not only do you save $15 on boots, you get free overnight shipping! I advice that you go for comfort and edge. Happy shopping!

Go Natural On Her Skin

I started looking at organic products when Camille developed a fungal infection due to diaper rash and her diaper area just looked a hot mess and scary. I decided to go organic on all of her skin products and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Lotions with artificial ingredients can irritate your baby’s skin. These synthetic ingredients can cause skin irritation, dryness, and skin disturbances. This is why I advice new moms to go natural with their children.

There are tons of organic baby skin products out there for babies. Baby’s skins are more sensitive and needs to be kept free of chemicals, and toxic products. There are lots of natural skin product you could use on your newborn, toddler or bigger kids, ranging from Methods, Avalon Organics, Aubrey Baby, Baby Oh Baby, Burt Bees, Weleda and many more.

I use Avalon Organics on my daughter and it’s been a joyful ride. The fragrance-free nurturing organic massage oil is my favorite; it’s a pleasant and relaxing experience for both of us.

When shopping for organic products, pay close attention to labeling and make sure they are free of hidden chemicals such as toxins, artificial preservatives, mineral oils, dyes, petroleum jelly or fragrances.

A Recycled Holiday - Think Green!

   

A lot goes into parties and celebration during the holidays but we can all share satisfaction in reducing the amount of non biodegradable materials we bury into our planet. Without going through too much trouble, you can green up your Hanukah, Christmas and New Year activities with these simple tips.


• Green Shopping Bags – I know we are all doing a good job of bagging our groceries now in recycled paper or bringing our own recycled bags to the grocery store but we can also apply that to our holiday shopping by bringing our own recycled bag to the mall. Shopping is a pleasure, do so without hurting the environment. Bag those holiday gifts and decorations in your own reusable bag.


• Recycled Dinner Party – Oh yeah, throw one! Just kidding! But when hosting holiday events, parties or dinner, try using recycled paper plates and napkins, plastic ware and reusable glass. Check online or your local store for these biodegradable wares. Re-using materials keeps items out of landfills, saves energy and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• The Power of the Internet – The average American spends more than three hours online. Try sending e-Holiday greetings to your loved ones, and save energy and save money. Try www.holidays.net for free holiday greeting cards, they look so chic and creative too.

• Go Natural on Toy Purchase this holiday – Not only am I afraid of product recalls these days due to harmful chemicals or lead paints, I know that my baby enjoys playing with a spoon and a cup as much as a toy. Encourage your kids to be creative in making their own toy from holiday items found around the house or the neighborhood, be it a cardboards or plastic cups. If you absolutely have to buy a toy that requires active play and one that does not require batteries. More than 14 billion toxic batteries enter our landfills each year—enough to reach the moon and back.

• Reduce your energy consumption- Turn down the thermostat and cuddle some more with family at night time. If you are not home, turn off your heater or air conditioning system.

Safe Home, Happy Mom is here!!!

At Safe Mom Happy Mom, safety is important to us because we know its important to you. And there is no one more important to keep safe than your family and home. To keep your kids, family, loved ones and home protected, explore our blog for valuable safety tips. Being safe means being worry-free.