According to the Kernersville website:
On 09-22-2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Kernersville Police Department will be performing a Child Safety Seat Inspection at the Target store located at 1090 South Main Street in Kernersville. The event is sponsored by Target stores. The event is open to the entire public. The Officers present will install child seats and then teach the parents the proper way to install the child seats themselves. Child seats will be available for families with financial needs.
Contact J.W. MABE - (336) 996-2294
Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tummy Time
Tummy time is a specific time that your infant spends on his tummy. It is important because it helps to increase head and neck muscles, limit the "flat spots" on the baby's head and allows the baby's back to get stronger which helps them to roll, sit, and crawl.
Once the baby is used to tummy time, It is recommended that it should occur for approximately 3-5 minutes, five times a day. Keeping the time short but doing it often will allow your baby to experience several different positions and remain interested in his surroundings. Most babies enjoy looking at people's faces more than anything else so lay down next to him or lay down with your baby on your chest so he is able to see you. This may help your baby become more comfortable with tummy time. As they get older, prop up their favorite toys or picture books around them for something to look at.
ALWAYS supervise your baby's play time. Plan tummy time when the baby is alert and awake and NEVER leave the baby by herself while on tummy.
Read more information here on the importance of "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play."
Once the baby is used to tummy time, It is recommended that it should occur for approximately 3-5 minutes, five times a day. Keeping the time short but doing it often will allow your baby to experience several different positions and remain interested in his surroundings. Most babies enjoy looking at people's faces more than anything else so lay down next to him or lay down with your baby on your chest so he is able to see you. This may help your baby become more comfortable with tummy time. As they get older, prop up their favorite toys or picture books around them for something to look at.
ALWAYS supervise your baby's play time. Plan tummy time when the baby is alert and awake and NEVER leave the baby by herself while on tummy.
Read more information here on the importance of "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
H1N1 is in the news again
The H1N1 virus, better known as Swine Flu is still among us. As reported in the Winston Salem Journal, health officials recently stated that "anyone hit with flu-like symptoms this summer has likely had a case of the H1N1, or swine flu." Symptoms of the H1N1 are a mild fever, aches and pains, a runny nose and a headache. However, if you experience more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or chest pain, you should get medical attention.
With school coming up it's inevitable that the flu will spread more rapidly as people will be in closer proximity to one another. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the following tips to limit transmission:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
* If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
* Put used tissues in the trash.
* Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Start practicing these tips with your children so they can be better prepared and protected when school begins.
The CDC also recommends that if you do get sick, "stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. Adults should not leave home until 7 days after symptoms begin; children should stay home 10 days after the onset of illness."
Read more about the H1N1 virus on the American Academy of Pediatrics website for further information including a list of frequently asked questions for parents and caregivers about the H1N1 virus.
With school coming up it's inevitable that the flu will spread more rapidly as people will be in closer proximity to one another. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the following tips to limit transmission:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
* If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
* Put used tissues in the trash.
* Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Start practicing these tips with your children so they can be better prepared and protected when school begins.
The CDC also recommends that if you do get sick, "stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. Adults should not leave home until 7 days after symptoms begin; children should stay home 10 days after the onset of illness."
Read more about the H1N1 virus on the American Academy of Pediatrics website for further information including a list of frequently asked questions for parents and caregivers about the H1N1 virus.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Is your child's car seat secure?
A Child Safety Seat Checking Station will be held on Friday, July 31, at the Babies R Us at 975 Hanes Mall Blvd. in Winston-Salem, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Local Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to check your child seat installation and answer questions.
Monday, July 13, 2009
What's on our bookshelf....
Where's my puppy? by Linda Slifka - Illustrated by Margaret Middleton
This story is about a boy named Jack who really, really, really wants a puppy. Jack finally gets a puppy and brings it outside to play. As puppies tend to do, Scruffy the puppy gets into some mischief and escapes from the yard. Jack is devastated and soon the whole neighborhood is looking for Scruffy. The puppy is soon found safe and sound. Jack is very happy and has a serious conversation with his parents about staying safe.
This story was inspired by the real-life abduction of the author’s niece. Linda Slifka says this book is a way of “gently instructing young children to stay safe by not wandering from the watchful eye of their parents, even when playing close to home.”
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Hidden Treasure Box
When your toddler opens a present, are they more occupied by the toy or the box? Several parents will say that the box or wrapping paper holds their child’s attention longer. This shows that your child does not need expensive/fancy/store bought toys to learn. You may not know it but your recycling bin is actually a treasure chest of materials to make the perfect toys. Let’s explore a few:
• 2 liter bottles – Save up about 6 bottles and you’ve got yourself a set of bowling pins. Use different size balls and explore with your child which ones knock down the pins the best. If you have thick carpet and the “pins” are having a hard time staying up, put some dry beans in the bottle for some weight. Make a mini bowling set and use empty water bottles.
• Magazines – Cut out pictures and make a collage. You can make a collage of blue pictures or things that start with the first letter in your child’s name. The possibilities are endless.
• Newspapers – Give your child a pair of safety scissors and let the cutting begin. This is a great activity for building strength in their hands needed for writing and it also helps with hand eye coordination. There is no pressure for them to cut out a shape or to cut on a line and they get more comfortable working with scissors. Shredding the paper with their hands is really fun too. Give them a stack of paper and let them shred in the middle of the kitchen floor for easy clean up. They can make confetti for a party or use some tape and make pom-poms.
• Paper towel tubes – Color/paint the tube to make a baton or cut out shapes and glue them on to make different animals. For babies and toddlers, you can put bells or beans inside and cover the ends with masking tape to make a rattle.
Homemade toys are great but remember that they haven’t been tested for safety the way store bought toys are. Always supervise your child when they are playing. Here are some other safety tips:
• Plastic bags – make sure that the bag cannot fit over your child’s head and watch them closely to make sure that they don’t bite off small pieces of the bag because they could choke.
• Small objects – It’s best not to give your child an object smaller than 2” in diameter. An easy way to test this is to see if the object fits inside of an empty toilet paper tube. If it does, your child could choke on it. If you toy contains small objects such as the rattle mentioned above, secure the tube with super strength glue and watch her while playing with it.
• Sharp edges – Place durable tape around the sharp edges and make sure it is secure so your child cannot take it off.
Be creative. The possibilities are endless!
• 2 liter bottles – Save up about 6 bottles and you’ve got yourself a set of bowling pins. Use different size balls and explore with your child which ones knock down the pins the best. If you have thick carpet and the “pins” are having a hard time staying up, put some dry beans in the bottle for some weight. Make a mini bowling set and use empty water bottles.
• Magazines – Cut out pictures and make a collage. You can make a collage of blue pictures or things that start with the first letter in your child’s name. The possibilities are endless.
• Newspapers – Give your child a pair of safety scissors and let the cutting begin. This is a great activity for building strength in their hands needed for writing and it also helps with hand eye coordination. There is no pressure for them to cut out a shape or to cut on a line and they get more comfortable working with scissors. Shredding the paper with their hands is really fun too. Give them a stack of paper and let them shred in the middle of the kitchen floor for easy clean up. They can make confetti for a party or use some tape and make pom-poms.
• Paper towel tubes – Color/paint the tube to make a baton or cut out shapes and glue them on to make different animals. For babies and toddlers, you can put bells or beans inside and cover the ends with masking tape to make a rattle.
Homemade toys are great but remember that they haven’t been tested for safety the way store bought toys are. Always supervise your child when they are playing. Here are some other safety tips:
• Plastic bags – make sure that the bag cannot fit over your child’s head and watch them closely to make sure that they don’t bite off small pieces of the bag because they could choke.
• Small objects – It’s best not to give your child an object smaller than 2” in diameter. An easy way to test this is to see if the object fits inside of an empty toilet paper tube. If it does, your child could choke on it. If you toy contains small objects such as the rattle mentioned above, secure the tube with super strength glue and watch her while playing with it.
• Sharp edges – Place durable tape around the sharp edges and make sure it is secure so your child cannot take it off.
Be creative. The possibilities are endless!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ooohhh Aaaahhh
Fireworks are an American tradition for the upcoming 4th of July holiday. I bet you’ve watched them every year since you were a kid, enjoying the bright colors and loud pops. I have always liked the loud noises and the rumble in makes in my stomach, especially during the grand finale.
Until recently, I had never thought of the impact that the fireworks could have on my hearing much less a child’s, with their tiny ears. After prolonged exposure to loud noises over 85 decibels (dB) such as fireworks, a child or adult could experience a ringing in the ears or even permanent hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss is called “noise-induced hearing loss.” Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells located in the inner ear. Hair cells are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged our hair cells cannot grow back, causing permanent hearing loss.
Here is a chart to give you an idea of the decibel level of every day items:
• 60 dB – normal conversations or dishwashers
• 80 dB – alarm clock, electric shaver
• 90 dB – hair dryers, blenders and busy traffic
• 110 dB – concerts, car racing, and sporting events
• 115 dB – MP3 players at full volume
• 120 dB – thunder
• 130 dB – ambulances
• 140 dB – firecrackers, fireworks, and gun shots
Ways to protect your family’s hearing:
• Limit exposure
• Distance yourself from the source of the noise
• Turn down the volume
• Wear proper hearing protection such as noise reducing ear muffs or ear plugs when in noisy environments
Please remember that noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and is almost always preventable. So, as you plan for your 4th of July festivities, pack some ear plugs and get there early to find a seat…in the back.
Until recently, I had never thought of the impact that the fireworks could have on my hearing much less a child’s, with their tiny ears. After prolonged exposure to loud noises over 85 decibels (dB) such as fireworks, a child or adult could experience a ringing in the ears or even permanent hearing loss.
This type of hearing loss is called “noise-induced hearing loss.” Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells located in the inner ear. Hair cells are small sensory cells that convert the sounds we hear into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged our hair cells cannot grow back, causing permanent hearing loss.
Here is a chart to give you an idea of the decibel level of every day items:
• 60 dB – normal conversations or dishwashers
• 80 dB – alarm clock, electric shaver
• 90 dB – hair dryers, blenders and busy traffic
• 110 dB – concerts, car racing, and sporting events
• 115 dB – MP3 players at full volume
• 120 dB – thunder
• 130 dB – ambulances
• 140 dB – firecrackers, fireworks, and gun shots
Ways to protect your family’s hearing:
• Limit exposure
• Distance yourself from the source of the noise
• Turn down the volume
• Wear proper hearing protection such as noise reducing ear muffs or ear plugs when in noisy environments
Please remember that noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and is almost always preventable. So, as you plan for your 4th of July festivities, pack some ear plugs and get there early to find a seat…in the back.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sun Safety
On Tuesday I wrote about water play and put a little blurb on the bottom about sunscreen. But sunscreen is a big deal and deserves more of a blurb so I’ve decided to expand a little. I’m a very fair-skinned person and have had numerous sunburns over the course of my life. I hated having sunscreen put on when I was a kid and often ended up with burns so bad I got blisters. In my adult life, I’ve gotten so much better and always start my day with a lotion containing SPF on my face. I’m also in love with sunscreen in a can. It’s so easy to apply and I don’t feel greasy afterwards. (One piece of advice – make sure to apply it when you’re not in a windy area because you end up wasting quite a bit.) Even though I've determined that I like sunscreen in a can, I'm still unsure of which one to pick.
Sunscreen is a little tricky to buy because there are so many choices. There are several brands and each one advertises something different. You can choose anywhere from SPF4 to SPF100+ which come in several different forms. I began to do some research and was sent this article by WebMD from a friend. It certainly gave me some things to think about when I choose my next sunscreen. I dug a little more and found an article called Summer Sun Care for Kids, also on WebMD. It has some really helpful tips but I know you’re really busy so I thought I would highlight some great points.
Adelaide Hebert, MD, from pediatric dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston stated that for younger kids “it’s easiest to get them to wear protective clothing.” I agree with that, going shopping for swimwear this year, we found that there are several colorful options for kids to choose from. WebMD states that sunscreen and cover-ups are just as important for older kids and teens plus the “tan” look is very popular. According to Hebert the safest way to get that look is to use spray or lotion self-tanners and some even provide some sun protection, just make sure to read the label closely.
The article also lists some Rules for Smart Summer Skin Care:
Rule #1 – Stay inside or in the shade between 10am and 4pm
Rule #2 – Everyone is at risk regardless of skin color or type
Rule #3 – Dress your kids in protective clothing
Rule #4 – Use sunscreen!
Purchasing sunscreen is a personal choice because only you know your family's needs. The important thing is to be knowledgeable about your choices and to read the label.
Sunscreen is a little tricky to buy because there are so many choices. There are several brands and each one advertises something different. You can choose anywhere from SPF4 to SPF100+ which come in several different forms. I began to do some research and was sent this article by WebMD from a friend. It certainly gave me some things to think about when I choose my next sunscreen. I dug a little more and found an article called Summer Sun Care for Kids, also on WebMD. It has some really helpful tips but I know you’re really busy so I thought I would highlight some great points.
Adelaide Hebert, MD, from pediatric dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston stated that for younger kids “it’s easiest to get them to wear protective clothing.” I agree with that, going shopping for swimwear this year, we found that there are several colorful options for kids to choose from. WebMD states that sunscreen and cover-ups are just as important for older kids and teens plus the “tan” look is very popular. According to Hebert the safest way to get that look is to use spray or lotion self-tanners and some even provide some sun protection, just make sure to read the label closely.
The article also lists some Rules for Smart Summer Skin Care:
Rule #1 – Stay inside or in the shade between 10am and 4pm
Rule #2 – Everyone is at risk regardless of skin color or type
Rule #3 – Dress your kids in protective clothing
Rule #4 – Use sunscreen!
Purchasing sunscreen is a personal choice because only you know your family's needs. The important thing is to be knowledgeable about your choices and to read the label.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
