As we embark upon the Independence Day holiday, we begin in earnest a summer of fun. The key is to keep it safe. As kids are more active outdoors there are a few key things to keep in mind to make sure the toys kids do no harm. Here are some tips from OHealthy’s article, “How to Buy Safe and Fun Toys.”

One of the neatest things about being a parent is that you get to pick out all sorts of fun toys for your children. But although that revives the child within us, it also should remind us that without our adult discretion, those joyful toys can pose a very real hazard to our children.

Toy-related injuries send tens of thousands of adults and children to the emergency room each year. Most injuries occur when parents give their children toys meant for an older age group.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says a good toy should be safe for that child’s age, well-constructed and durable, appealing and interesting to the child, suited to the child’s physical capabilities and suited to the child’s mental and social development. Although there are age ranges given on the packaging of many toys, children within these age ranges vary in abilities and maturity. Take this into account when selecting gifts.

The nonprofit group Safe Kids Worldwide advises you to always supervise your children and use caution with these toys:

• Toys with long strings
• Toys with small, removable parts, sharp points or edges
• Toys that make loud noises, like toy guns and electronic musical devices (mp3 players)
• Propelled toys, including darts and projectiles

So what’s left to give a kid? Try some of these age-appropriate toys:

• Infants to 1 year olds – activity quilts, stuffed animals without button noses and eyes, bath toys and squeaky toys.
• 1 to 2 years old – books, blocks, fit-together toys, balls, push-and-pull toys, pounding toys and shape toys.
• 2 to 5 years old – non-toxic art supplies, books, videos, musical instruments and outdoor toys like a baseball tee stand.
• 5 to 9 years old – bicycles, crafts, jump ropes, roller skates, sports equipment and appropriate safety equipment to use with bikes, skates and sports equipment.
• 10 to 14 years old – computers, microscopes, board games and sports equipment.

Click here to read the full article.

Well, things are finally heating up.  It’s absolutely wonderful as I love summer.  However, because of the heat, parents have to be aware of seasonal dangers when it comes to the sun.  First and foremost on my mind during the summer months are heat injuries.  They can be mild or can cause death.  Heat exhaustion and stroke are nothing to be scoffed at.  The symptoms include:

• Often pale with cool, moist skin
• Sweating profusely
• Muscle cramps or pains
• Feels faint or dizzy
• May complain of headache, weakness, thirst, and nausea
• Core (rectal) temperature elevated-usually more than 100°F-and the pulse rate increased

Heat stroke symptoms

• Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)
• Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)
• May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later
• May be hyperventilating
• Rectal (core) temperature of 105°F or more

Okay, so it’s all pretty scary, but it’s VERY preventable.  Try to avoid being out when it’s ridiculously hot!  Don’t wait to mow the lawn until 1 pm on July 15th!!!  If you absolutely MUST be outside, rest frequently, drink water, and make sure that you cool off by sitting in the shade, air conditioning, or hosing yourself down.  Also, don’t forget that once you become a heat casualty, your more prone to additional heat injuries.  Other at risk groups include the young and the old.  If you suspect a heat injury, don’t mess around, don’t be proud, be paranoid and get medical assistance immediately!!!!

Do you have any tips or tricks for cooling off when it’s doggedly hot out?  Do you go to the beach, hit the pool, or just stay inside?  Please share your ideas below!

Since we all live on the eastern shore, it makes sense that we spend a lot of time at the beach.  I personally prefer Topsail Beach because the waves seem to be a bit more gentle than anywhere else locally.  On top of that the water is a little more shallow and I don’t have to be right on top of the kids every single second.  However, there are certain dangers that we need to look out for. 

I think the most important thing to remember is rip currents.  It’s important to explain to your kids that they cannot fight them.  I tell the girls to just hold their breath and let the current carry them.  Fighting a rip will just tire you (it doesn’t matter if you’re an Olympic swimmer).  I also encourage them to stay closer to the shore since they are still young, in hope that we’ll never have to deal with such a serious threat. 

I know it sounds lame, but I also make Mal and Vannah wear swimming shoes.  Why?  There are some really nasty types of bacteria in the ocean and if you cut yourself on a shell or other sharp object, the results could be ugly.  When I was stationed in Beaufort, our shop was a short hop to the water.  On our lunch break, we’d frequently go jet skiing.  One friend, Ryan, cut his foot on a shell and spent all of our 4th of July ’96 in the hospital on IV antibiotics.  Not a fun proposition. 

Finally, it’s important that you keep your kids protected from the sun.  Last year (and this one was completely my fault), I got burned to the point that my whole body was a blister.  Not only does this increase skin cancer risk, it’s just plain uncomfortable. 

What precautions does your family take in preparation for the beach season?  Are there any other special precautions you take?   How do you explain rip currents to your kids?

Well … it’s finally the season!  It’s warming up, the sun is shining and the kids are getting outdoors more and more every single day.  As a result, we can expect such things as skinned knees, bug bites, etc.  So, what’s in your First Aid kit?  Here’s what’s in mine:

1.  Band Aides:  Every mom and dad knows that bandages are a staple.  Whether it’s skinned knees, elbows, or just a scratched open bug bite, these little sticky miracles can make your kid feel a million times better (even if they don’t really have a feasible boo-boo!)

2.  Triple Antiobiotic Cream:  This is great for any type of open wound.  With skin super-bugs becoming an increasingly serious threat, it’s important not only to cover a wound, but to prevent infection.

3.  Cortizone Cream:  We all know that the South is infamous for its bugs.  My girls seems to attract every single mosquito in a 20-mile radius so this is necessary to stop the itching so they don’t scratch it open.

4.  Tweezers:  I can’t do without these; you can never find them when they’re needed.  Great for removing splinters.

5.  Benadryl:  Since the girls are allergic to antibiotics and have seasonal allergies (also great for bee stings,) this is a staple. 

6.  Sterile Saline Solution:  This is great for flushing out wounds or eyes.  Either way, it’s a great general purpose tool in your First Aid kit. 

7.  A DVD your kid has never seen:  This serves two purposes.  First, it can distract them from their injuries or serve as entertainment while you’re on the way to the emergency room.

What’s in your first aid kit?  Any suggestions because I’m always looking for additions.