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Tips for Trick-or-Treating

Happy Halloween! For kids, Halloween night is one of the best nights of the year. You get to transform yourself into someone or something else and go door to door asking for candy (and it’s acceptable behavior). When it’s over, you get to count, organize and trade candy with your friends.

Kids and parents alike want a fun and safe evening. These simple tips will ensure a safe and fun Halloween night for everyone.

1. Plan your route ahead of time – Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.

2. Wear comfy shoes – Blisters beware. Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. You could be covering many blocks by foot.

3. Stay well lit – Apply reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road, carry a flashlight or use the light on your smart phone to guide the way.

Ms. Sun Halloween costume for kids

4. Avoid masks – Masks make it hard to breath. Use non-toxic makeup or face paint instead.

5. Check your candy – When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.

Have a safe, fun & Happy Halloween from all of us at Coolibar!

Source: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/7-trick-or-treating-safety-tips#ixzz2jKdrJ72m=&slideshow=slide1

 

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Parenting

4th of July Safety for Kids

Anticipation is growing as everyone awaits a weekend filled with water play, lip-smacking barbeques and grand firework displays this Independence Day. While the 4th of July can be fun, it can also be a hazardous day, especially for children who do not understand the dangers associated with some of the traditional festivities. This 4th of July, keep these simple safety precautions in mind when you and your kids are out at play.

 

Be SunAWARE

Whether this Independence Day is sunny or cloudy, you and your family will need sun protection when outdoors. If you’ll be around water, remember that the sun’s UV rays reflect off of the water’s surface, so you and your kids will be getting sun exposure in all directions! Be SunAWARE and protect yourself and your family from the problems associated with sun exposure by following these steps:

SunAWARE Advice

Be Alert Around Water

Any body of water can be dangerous for children who are not under close adult supervision. The American Red Cross offers this safety advice when in or around water.

* Actively supervise children whenever around the water—even if lifeguards are present. Do not just drop your kids off at the public pool or leave them at the beach—designate a responsible adult to supervise. Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

* Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

* Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone. This includes when boating too.

* Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.

See all of the American Red Cross water safety tips.

Play it Safe with Fireworks

Each year approximately 8,800 people visit the emergency room due to firework-related injuries. The risk of fireworks injury is highest for kids ages 10 to 14 – more than twice the risk for the general population. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission asks that you please use the following safety measures if fireworks are legal in your area and you plan on creating your own celebratory display.

* Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

* Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Young children often suffer injuries from sparklers, which burn at temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals.

* Never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse. Back up a safe distance immediately after igniting.

* Never re-light or pick-up fireworks that have not ignited fully. If possible reach them with a hose and dowse with water before approaching.

* Keep a bucket of water or hose handy in case of fire and to dowse fireworks after use.

See all of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission firework safety tips.

Have a fun and safe Independence Day!

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