Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

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Halloween Safety Tips

January 25th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

Halloween, though undoubtedly an occasion for fun, is also a time when accidents could occur. When even adults, let alone children, are excited, they tend to be less careful and allow mistakes to happen.

Simple common sense ideas could prevent your child or even yourself from being hurt or injured and avert a tragedy. Here’s a list of Halloween Safety Tips recommended by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.

• Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.

• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

• Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.

• This is also a great time to buy fresh batteries for your home Smoke Alarms.

• Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.

• Review with your children the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll,” should their clothes catch fire.

• Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

• Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) for those who visit your home.

• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.

• Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.

• Consider safe party guidelines when hosting an Adult or Office Party.

FUN ALTERNATIVES:

• Find a special event or start one in your own neighborhood.

• Community Centers, Shopping Malls and Houses of Worship may have organized festivities.

• Share the fun by arranging a visit to a Retirement Home or Senior Center.

• Create an alliance with College Fraternities, Sororities or Service Clubs for children’s face painting or a carnival.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

• Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects, and do not block exit doors.

• While children can help with the fun of designing a Jack O’ Lantern, leave the carving to adults.

• Always keep Jack O’ Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking.

• Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.

• Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.

• Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.

• Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins for non-emergency phone calls.

• Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.

• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

• Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• A Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• Remind Trick-or-Treaters:

• By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.

• Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.

• Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never cut across yards or use alleys.

• Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.

• Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.

• Always walk. Never run across a street.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).

• Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will.

• Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.

• No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.

• Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.

• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Halloween for Kids and Dads

Halloween’s just around the corner. And while your kids are all set to have a blast, they will appreciate your effort and participation in making it a memorable day for them. Of course, some activities are traditionally dad’s domain. A fun excursion for any family is an annual trip to pick out a pumpkin, though sometimes, just picking one up at the grocery store is a good plan if you only have time to do one thing. For a tongue-in-cheek, but accurate primer on carving, go to carving your jack o’ lantern.

For patterns and carving tips, check out jack-o-lantern.com, which has downloadable PDF pattern for cutting out unique pumpkins.

While commercial costumes are always an option, it’s not difficult to create spooky costumes for your kids when they go ‘Trick or Treating.’ Helping them put together costumes from material readily available at home will be a fun exercise in creativity for them that will also save you a few good dollars. Here are some amazingly simple Halloween costume ideas that you could use or innovate upon.

When it comes to dads and their kids, often the simplest activities give the most joy. Curve a pumpkin together during Halloween is a fun activity that stimulates kids’ creative faculties. Find more about Halloween safety tips on Halloween festival.

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Backpack Tips by a Lightly-Seasoned Veteran

January 20th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

As a college senior entering his final semester en route to a 6-year Bachelor’s Degree (not by design, but by indecision and poor scheduling) I consider myself qualified in the subject of backpacks. Of course, I do not wish to label myself as strictly a ’school backpacker’. In fact, as an Eagle Boy Scout I was no stranger to the damp hikes of the Washington wilderness with my sturdy external frame hiking pack. I have since traveled the world for work with my protective laptop backpack, and I now frequent the Rocky Mountains with my trusty mountain bike and hydration pack.

Now that my backpack credentials have been established, I would like to throw in my two cents in each category. I’ll start with school backpacks. Organization is key! I need a nice spacious main compartment with a multi-pocketed front pouch for all my nick-knacks. Pens, pencils, erasers, staplers, and (most importantly) candy and gum. Snacks. That’s what got me through high school. I also need some serious durability. Normally you would pair the term ‘durability’ with your outdoor packs as a requirement, but regardless of how dedicated you are to Mother Nature, I would love to see a man who has used his hiking pack as many times as the college grad has used his school packs since kindergarten. The fact is, your school backpack takes a beating. It doesn’t help that at the end of a wonderfully frustrating exam-filled day you skid your backpack across the ground (with it’s 85 lbs of books and loose paper) and kick it all the way home. I was lucky if a school backpack ever lasted me a full school year, let alone two. That is, until I found my current treasure, a beautiful North Face backpack that has served me well for over 2 years and still looks like the day I got it.

As for hiking backpacks, comfort is key! Yes all the fancy straps, clips, and cords are neat, but when you’re 2 miles into a 30 mile hike and your back and shoulders already feel like silly putty, you’re not too worried about your secret pockets and fancy bells and whistles. In fact, you’re burning everything you can spare in the evening fire to try to shed some weight. My advice, get a nice, ergonomic frame with a vented air-passage on the back and a padded, sturdy waist strap. Your legs and hips can support a lot more weight much more comfortably than your shoulders can. Make sure your pack is sized to fit your body type (some even have adjustable frames to get it just right).

Laptop backpacks should be all about protection. Make sure your notebook computer fits snug and has good padding all the way around. Backpacks tend to get tossed around and you don’t want your notebook computer to take a hard shot on the corner without padding to absorb the impact. Ogio makes a great line of laptop backpacks with a special attention to style as well. InCase makes some as well with a very soft, thick, padded pouch.

My modest investment in a hydration backpack was one of my smartest moves as an sportsman. You can’t have too much water when your out in the wilderness on a bike, board, or climb and a hydration backpack is the smartest and easiest way to keep hydrated. It can typically hold from 1-3 liters of water and they are light and snug enough that you barely even notice it on your back. They generally have additional compartments to hold a Cliff bar, knife, and some tools, for example.

Wherever life takes you, make sure your belongings are tucked a way in the appropriate backpack. To see a great line of sport, work, school, and travel backpacks, go to BackpackStash.com.

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Travel Tips On Safety For Young People On Vacation

January 14th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

It is common to find many young people on a vacation to be drinking and partying. But it is of utmost importance that young people practice safety when traveling especially when in a foreign country. This does not simply deal with the issue of irresponsible drinking alone but you have to be extra careful and be aware of your surroundings for your own safety and for a smooth vacation trip while having some fun, rest and relaxation.


It is important that you know your limits when it comes to alcohol drinking. The problem regarding hang-over is just a minor one. You should be more concerned with other potential effects of excessive alcohol drinking like alcohol poisoning, possible black out and the worst effect which could be death. Your judgment can be impaired by too much alcohol and you could possibly get into bad situations. Monitor your consumption of alcohol as well as the alcohol consumption of those people who are traveling with you.


Create a buddy system with your friends or travel group. Watch for each other and stay together at all times as much as possible. If you do get separated for instance at a party, check out on each other at least every hour. Decide on a rendezvous point or meeting place if you don’t happen to find each other. Staying close with your friends can be very helpful for the boys when one gets into a fight. As for the ladies, your friends will be there to save you should someone be making sexual advances in the hopes of taking advantage of your drunken situation.


Do not accept drinks, candies, etc. from strangers and don’t trust anyone. You have to be extra careful especially for the ladies who get drinks from stranger. You may never know that he is trying to drug you to be able to take advantage of you. Do not leave with someone whom you just met and never give out information like your hotel room, etc.


For every action that you will be doing, always think about the possible outcome or consequences that may have you regretting for it in the end.


When you are traveling out of the country, be aware of the laws, customs and rules of the country you are visiting. Many young people get arrested for intoxication in public areas or driving under the influence of alcohol. If you happen to get into trouble in a foreign country, immediately contact your local embassy in that country.


Do not bring excessive amounts of cash, unnecessary credit cards and blings that could make you an attractive target of robbers and snatchers. Leave a photocopy of your passport back at home and one in the hotel you’re staying. In case you happen to lose your passport or it gets stolen, having a photocopy can help speed up the replacement process.

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Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Children

January 12th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

As the day for trick or treating approaches, the idea of safety should be on the minds of all, especially parents of small children.

You may not know this, but the United States Department of Transportation has issued statistics, which demonstrate that the majority of fatal collisions between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under 15 years of age) happen most frequently between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (i.e., during trick or treating hours!)

Also, 84% of deaths among young pedestrians occurred at non-intersection locations (indicating children are most likely to dart and dash from mid-block into the street).

Halloween also sees more than its share of automobile accidents because of the number of parties that take place (with alcohol being consumed).

Shockingly, of all the highway fatalities that take place on Halloween, approximately two-thirds of them are alcohol related.

These are certainly sobering numbers and may have you thinking about staying home instead of exposing your children to any harm.

However, by exercising some good common sense, everything will be just fine.

After reviewing the previously mentioned statistics, as well as a number of websites devoted to Halloween safety, I compiled the following list of tips, which I hope that everyone will follow.

For a safe and enjoyable trick or treating experience,

-Don’t let the excitement of Halloween allow your children to ignore the normal safety precautions: look both ways before crossing the street; cross in a crosswalk or at a corner (do not walk into the street between parked cars); walk on the sidewalk; do not talk to strangers; do not go into homes or cars of people they do not know; and do not approach animals they do not know.

-Make sure children know their name, phone number and address and to provide this information to a police officer in an emergency or if they are lost.

-Younger children should have an adult with them while older children should provide their route and when they expect to return. If possible, provide a cell phone for your children.

-Children should only visit homes that have their porch lights on.

-Inspect your children’s candy before they eat it. Although food tampering is rare, it’s safest to eat only those candies that are individually wrapped and not homemade, unless you know the families who have prepared the homemade treats.

-Have flashlights or glowsticks for children and/or for the accompanying adult.

-Adults are reminded not to drink alcohol and drive. In fact, it is safest to save the cocktails until after everyone is safe at home.

When selecting costumes for the little ones:

-Make sure your child’s Halloween costume is made with fire retardant materials and has eye holes large enough for your child to safely see out of. The costume should be short enough so it doesn’t interfere with walking.

-If your child carries an accessory, such as a fake sword, make sure it is made from a flexible material such as rubber, so it cannot injure your child or others.

-Provide a costume that uses bright color or use reflective tape, so your child can be seen clearly by drivers and other trick-or-treating families.

-Consider using makeup on children?s faces instead of a mask to allow the child to see clearly.

If all of these tips are followed, then everyone will have a much safer and ultimately enjoyable Halloween.

Be safe!

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Must Read Halloween Trick Or Treating Tips

January 5th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

Halloween is such a fun and happy holiday . It would be a shame to have it ruined by an easily preventable injury or illness. As parents we need to ensure our children’s safety. By taking a few precautions, both parents and children can have an enjoyable Halloween experience. Here are some useful Halloween trick or treating safety tips that I’d like to share:

Tips for parents:

1. Make sure that your child’s costume and shoes fit properly.
This will reduce your child’s chances of getting hurt by tripping or falling.

2. Make sure that your child’s costume is also fire proof. Kids are curious and it takes only a second for them to touch a lit candle in a halloween pumpkin.

3. Add reflective tape to your child’s costume to increase visibility to passing motorists . Children should also carry flashlights, glow sticks or some type of illuminating device.

4. If your child wears a Halloween mask, check his/her peripheral vision to make sure vision is not impaired. Use face paint/makeup instead if possible .

5. Recharge your cell phone battery before leaving the house. I can’t stress how important this is.

6. Carry a flashlight with new batteries. You don’t want to be halfway through your rounds and have your batteries run out.

7. If you plan to trick or treat in another neighborhood, be sure to familiarize yourself with it prior to Halloween. Drive past it during the day so you can see where to park and also to see any areas of concern or dangerous areas. Houses with tall bushes or dogs should be avoided.

8. Have a designated place to meet in case of emergency. Always plan for the worst.

9. Stay in well lit areas and well travelled paths. Even familar short cuts could be dangerous at night.

10. Don’t stay out too late. You don’t want to be walking home or to your car alone with your kids.

11. Check the weather before going out and dress accordingly.

12. Bring a camera. Take memorable pictures and it can also be used to document any incidents.

Tips for kids:

1. Do not eat candies until your parents have a chance to inspect them first.

2. Always receive candy outside the house. Never go into a house unless accompanied by your parent.

3. Only go to houses with porch lights that are “on”.

4. Always stay within sight of your parents or older siblings.

5. Do not talk to strangers and more importantly, never accept rides from them .

6. Look both ways before crossing the street. Kids often forget to do this in the excitement of Halloween.

7. Do not touch any pets without asking the owner and your parents for permission first, and definitely don’t tease them with the candies.

Halloween is a great holiday for both parents and kids. Sometimes I wish I was young again so I could go trick or treating again!

I hope were able to get something valuable from our safety tips.

Be safe and be vigilant.

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10 Important Halloween Trick or Treat Safety Tips

January 3rd, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

When it comes to Trick or Treat Halloween night, it is important to sit down with your children ahead of time, and go over some safety tips. After you discuss the tips with your child, give them a mini quiz to make sure they fully understand the importance of following your guidelines.

Here are 10 safety tips you need set into motion for Trick or Treat Night.

1. Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult, preferably the parent. Your child needs to listen to the adult that is accompanying them.

2. Give children flashlights and glow sticks so that others can see them coming. Instruct your child to use them while outside.

3. Instruct your children to never go inside another person’s home, they are to remain outside the front door.

4. Let them know that they can not eat any candy until they get home. This will allow you time to inspect the candy to make sure its sealed and hasn’t been tampered with.

5. When possible, children should walk in groups or in pairs. They should never be out alone.

6. Have a preplanned route and go over that route with your child. If you accidentally get separated, mark off a few spots where you can rejoin up.

7. Every year, children get hit by cars on Halloween night. It is better for your child to walk than to ride their bicycles when out Trick or Treating.

8. If your child is wearing a mask with their costume, make sure the mask properly fits and is not obstructing their view. Personally, I prefer face paint and hats, over full frontal face masks for safety reasons.

9. Go over stranger danger safety tips with your child before they go out. Instruct your child to never get in a stranger’s car.

10. Children need to remain on well lit streets and on the sidewalks. They should never be running through dark yards or playing on the street or intersections.

By being prepared ahead of time and talking with your child about Trick or Treat night safety tips, you can have a fun and safe Halloween evening.

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Personal Safety Tips

January 2nd, 2010 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in Tips To Manage

Let’s face it. We live in an unpredictable and often scary world. Turn on the news and you are bound to hear stories of utter disaster – murders, rapes, and kidnappings just to name a few. As a result, just watching or reading the news can leave us feeling uneasy and defenseless. But, the good thing is, we have a choice. We can either stand by with the hope that none of this stuff ever happens to us or our families…or we can do something about it. Nowadays, a growing number of people are choosing to do the latter.

While we should not live life in fear, we most definitely should be prepared. It takes more than pepper spray, tasers and stun guns to stay safe – the most important element in achieving personal security is to have knowledge . As in most cases, knowledge is power.

Keep the following personal safety tips in a handy place for you and your family:

Personal Safety – When Out and About

* Let at least one friend or family member know where you are going, and what time you expect to return.

* Carry personal security devices, such as pepper spray (if legal in your stat) or a personal alarm.

* Exude confidence at all times. Never show fear or vulnerability while out.

* Always be alert and aware of your surroundings in any situation.

* If you suspect someone following you, cross the road, and head to a safe, well-lit place quickly.

* Avoid walking alone anywhere at night. Make arrangements to have a ride home or take a taxi.

* Never accept a ride from a stranger.

* Avoid poorly lit or deserted areas. If this cannot be avoided, walk at the edge of the pavement and keep away from bushes and dark areas.

* Consider carrying mace or pepper spray. Check your state laws to ensure that what you are carrying is legal.

* If someone threatens you for your money/purse/wallet, hand it over to them. Whatever is in there is not worth risking your life.

Child Safety – When Out and About and at Home

* Never give your name or details about yourself to a stranger.

* Never get into a stranger’s car or go with a stranger anywhere.

* If a stranger asks you to help them find a pet, or offers you candy, always say no.

* Never let a stranger into your home. If there is a knock at the door, check to see who it is by looking through the peephole or out the window. If it is someone you do not know, do not open the door.

* Have your parents show you how to work the home security system, if you are ever home alone.

* When answering the phone, never let a stranger know you are home alone.

* When outside playing, keep near other children. Try not to play, walk, or ride a bike by yourself.

* When out at night, such as Halloween, wear LED Safety Lights so you are visible at all times to drivers.

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Halloween Tips for Toddlers and Children

January 2nd, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Tips To Manage

Halloween is absolutely one of the years favorite holidays. Nothing look a cool fall night to dress up get some exercise and grab some tasty treats. For babies, nothing could be cuter than those chubby little cheeks all dressed up in a fun baby costumes! Here are a few tips to ensure that everyone stays happy and healthy.

Remember, your child probably has no idea what’s going on. To kids under the age of two or three, Halloween is just another day of the week. That said, make sure he maintains his normal schedule for as much of the day as possible. This means regular meal and naptimes, as well as quiet playtime without any older brothers or sisters popping in wearing their costumes. By doing this, you give yourself a better chance of having a happy baby as you go out trick-or-treating with older siblings, or visiting relatives to show off his cute costume.

Obviously a baby who is only a few months old should not have candy of any sort. For babies six months or older, however, it may be a little more difficult to decipher what is and is not safe. Until your child is at least three (older if he still has issues chewing food thoroughly) stay away from hard candies and thick taffy, peanut butter, or caramel. Lollipops can be safe as long as the candy is snug on the stick, and you watch him closely. Other good choices include chocolate or any candy that melts in the mouth. Cut or tear larger items into small bit sized pieces.

On the same note, since he has no idea what “Halloween” actually is, you can make the day more for yourself. That means putting him in the cutest costume you can find and taking dozens of pictures without protest (hopefully). The Baby Racing Costumer in Red and Blue or the Baby Police Officer Costume are both excellent choices for your little one. They’re made just the right size for infants, and he will look adorable sitting in a toy car or playing with kid friendly handcuffs while snap away. If you don’t have any older children to contend with, you may just spend the bulk of your night taking photos (and emailing them to everyone you know)!

If your youngster will be tagging along for a trick-or-treat jaunt, remember to bring along plenty of supplies. Extra diapers, juice, blankets, and toys may all come in handy even if you are not roaming far from home. Infants and young toddlers are notoriously impatient, so keeping everything you may need close by will prevent you from having to return home early or deal with a screaming baby house after house.

For kids old enough to actually trick or treat, they’re gearing up for the big day by planning their costumes and trying to figure out the houses with the best candy. Giving kids some freedom to make decisions is good, but parents still need to think about safety

Although you probably remember every news headline about poisoned Halloween candy or other horrifying tales, these incidents are literally a one in a million deal. Keep in mind that millions of children go trick-or-treating every year, and virtually none of them come in contact with anything dangerous. The reason these headlines are so noteworthy, is because they are so extremely rare.

Even so, it’s best to ere on the side of caution when it comes to kids. Keep them safe without spoiling all the fun by following a few simple guidelines.

Check all candy that comes from a stranger before letting your child dig in. Make sure all wrappers are still securely in place, and be sure there are no holes or blemishes on the packaging. Most of the time these things are nothing at all, but they could indicate candy that has been tampered with. To be extra sure, trash any “suspicious” pieces. Your kids won’t miss them.

While you’re out and about milking the neighbors for all the bubble gum they’re worth, be sure to keep a close eye on every child in attendance. If more than three kids will be joining the fun, bring an extra adult (or two) and instruct kids ahead of time to walk on the sidewalk only. If small toddlers will be present, keep them in a stroller or attach a “toddler leash” to their costumes. Little ones are fast and tend to disappear easily in a crowd.

Choose easy to recognize costumes. Although choosing the latest TV character may be
“in”, there are plenty of stylish and childrens costumes to choose from that will be easier to pick out in a crowd.

Stick to neighborhoods you are familiar with. If there is a particular area that is notorious for having “good candy” and you haven’t been there, take a quick drive by during the day to map things out. Choose which streets you will visit, keep a stretch of the neighborhood handy so you can easily find your car, and if you want to be super cautious check the crime in the area by searching online. Even better, take along a friend who knows the area and follow her lead.

A few minutes of preparation will make each and every Halloween fun for your kids and give you some peace of mind.

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