Tag Archives: activities

General Safety Issues

AGING? READ THESE TWENTY-FOUR TIPS FOR HELPING OUR BRAIN! (GUEST POST)

Happy April 1st!  Before we get one day older, you might take heart to these great ideas sent to us by Kenneymyers.com/blog/: 

  • puzzleAs you age your brain begins to shrink naturally.  However, if you eat right and stay active you can actually reverse the shrinkage.  Another way to keep your brain sharp is by using your brain to do puzzles that will challenge you.  You can also take a class.  When you are learning something new, you are using a different part of your brain, and in essence you are exercising your mind.  One of the easiest ways to keep your brain sharp is to stay socially active, whether it’s in person or online.  These 24 blog entries will give you some more ideas of things you can do to keep your brain in tip top shape.
  • Puzzles

Some people enjoy doing crosswords and other puzzles and complete them regularly.  If that’s you, it’s important that you change things up and try something new.  If you can create new pathways in your brain, you will be the better for it.  Try Sudoku or a word find.  Maybe you could take up playing chess.  The logic required to strategize in chess will really stretch your brain muscle.  If you don’t do puzzles now, you might take up the hobby.  Take a look at these six blog posts for more ideas on games that will keep you sharp.

Keep Learning

It’s important that you never stop learning.  When your mind is idle you may start to lose the ability to remember and retrieve information.  You are never too old to learn a new language or to take a class.  Think about things you’ve always wanted to learn and find a class where you can learn it.  Even reading a book about something new will help to keep your mind sharp.  Check out the following six blogs for more ideas on how you can continue to learn.

Stay Active

Exercise produces a chemical in your body that helps keep your brain young according to Dr. Edgerly from Columbia University.  He and his team have performed many studies regarding exercise and the effects of aging on the brain.  When you are sedentary you are not getting as much oxygen to your brain, which is needed to keep you alert and sharp.  By looking at these six blogs, you may find just the information that you need to encourage you to get up and move.

Be Social

It may sound funny that one way to keep your brain sharp is to go socialize with your friends, but it’s true.  Having a lively conversation with a friend or even the guy at the hardware store is one way to stimulate your brain.  If you are unable to get around, you might try signing up for Facebook online.  By posting once a day and reading other people’s posts you are being social and staying connected.  These six blog articles will give you some other ideas on how to be social.

Note: We appreciate these great ideas that apply to everyone, regardless of age.  When one reaches the point that they have more free time, it is wise to not lose time being with friends. Set a certain day, once a month, or as often as possible to take a little day trip together, or get out and join a golf group.  A new activity for me is learning to play bridge with my friends.  There are all types of fun things to do, so don’t stay on the couch and eat bon-bons every day!  Enjoy life, it’s too short, and getting shorter every day! pb

General Safety Issues

VACATIONING FUN ON THE WATER IN SOUTH CAROLINA: KEEP IT SAFE! (GUEST POST)

Vacationing Fun On The Water in South Carolina: Keep It Safe

People all over America sometimes spend months at a time saving money just to afford a trip to the beach. For residents of South Carolina, however, this “saving” period often just involves filling up the gas tank and heading off. This is because, even in the most remote areas of the state, South Carolinians are usually no more than 100 miles away from the nearest waterway. The choice of places to go and activities to enjoy is nearly endless, but it’s also important for an individual or family to know how to stay safe while enjoying the waters of the Palmetto State.

Places to Go

There are an abundance of water sources that South Carolina residents can enjoy. To the east and easily accessible to those who live in the southern parts of the state is the great Atlantic Ocean. Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are all popular destinations, but these beaches aren’t the only ones that people can enjoy. Those in the Midlands can spend their time at Lake Murray or head south to Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie. 

Residents up north also have a few options. Depending on where an individual resides, they are likely to be close to either Strom Thurmond Lake, Fishing Creek Lake or Wateree Lake. Many people even have fun at the smaller Monticello Reservoir after a few activities at the Sumter National Forest. It may seem unfair for South Carolina to have so many options while other states have so few, but with the humid summers that the state faces, many would agree that these waterways are well-deserved.

What to Do

There’s no shortage of things to do in, on and even above the waters of South Carolina. Those who visit the ocean can partake in surfing, scuba diving, parasailing and kite boarding, just to name a few. Those who end up at the state’s lakes can also enjoy fun events like jet skiing, waterskiing and tubing. Many of these activities can likewise be enjoyed on the state’s rivers along with kayaking and white water rafting. In addition, all of these places are great spots for fishing and swimming. There’s literally a little something for everyone to do. 

Staying Safe

Having fun in and on the water is all well and good, but it’s important for a person to take a few safety precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them. Unfortunately, even when proper precautions are taken, the negligence of others can cause injuries to even the safest of water-goers. This should remain an important consideration when enjoying oneself. 

  • Never consume alcohol while swimming, driving boats or in any water activities.
  • Keep an eye on children at all time. Young children aren’t strong swimmers and should always wear floatation devices.
  • Life vests should be worn by everyone on a boat, regardless of how well they swim.
  • Follow instructor directions when undertaking any special water sport (ie. parasailing, scuba diving).
  • Be aware of undertow which is a current under the surface of the ocean moving in the differing way to the surface current, usually away from the shore.
  • Never swim alone.

When another person causes an accident through negligence, it’s important for the victim to seek immediate medical attention and contact a personal injury attorney Charleston SC based or an advocate in any area of the state. This is less about a free payday and more about covering medical bills and losses. Accidents on the water can be detrimental; usually more detrimental than those on land. This can lead to serious injuries, property damage and even death. Without legal help, the victim of a waterway accident may suffer physically, emotionally and financially for the rest of their lives.

There is never a shortage of water activities to take up a person’s time while in South Carolina. From the South Carolina/Georgia border all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, residents and visitors have their pick of excitement. It’s important to remember, however, that safety should always come first. If an individual acts with safety in mind, they’ll reduce their chances of being in or causing an accident. A waterway accident may easily lead to personal injury claims and financial losses, so taking proper safety precautions will ensure that a person is on the right side of the aisle if ever involved in these situations.

As a safety advocate and avid beach goer, Kelly Dennie, freelance writes about many different topics. Howell and Christmas, LLC is a personal injury attorney Charleston SC based law firm that knows the state’s laws well and will fight for you to get comprehensive medical treatment, recompense, and other damages you are entitled to under the law. The representatives of the insurance company work for them and not you. Therefore, you should have a skilled attorney working for you that understands the legal issues and represents your best interest.

General Safety Issues

TEN TELLTALE SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED (GUEST POST)

 
 

Bullying is a problem of epidemic proportions, and can affect every aspect of a child’s life. While visibility around the issue has been raised as the most severe cases make national news, there is still a prevailing idea that bullying is part of childhood and is only a sign of “kids being kids.” Parents of children who are frequently the butt of bullies’ jokes know that the problem is much more severe than mere child’s play. If you’re concerned that your child may be the target of schoolyard or cyber-bullying, here are some signs to be on the lookout for. 

  1. Withdrawal from Activities – Has your child lost interest in extracurricular activities he once enjoyed? This could be a sign of your child being bullied. If he once loved his after-school clubs or teams and now actively avoids them, there could be harassment taking place that makes him reluctant to attend.
  2. Eating and Sleeping Habit Changes – Noticeable changes in your child’s eating or sleeping patterns can indicate that she’s under some sort of stress, which could be the result of being targeted by bullies. She could have a lessened appetite because of the thoughts running through her mind of her tormentor. If she’s eating more at home than usual, it could mean that her lunch is being stolen. Her sleeping habits could have changed because she now has nightmares about the person picking on her. There are a variety of potential causes for these changes, so they should be investigated.
  3. Irritability – Being picked on can put anyone in a bad mood, so try to look for the root of increased irritability or a shortened temper after school. Bullies wear on a child’s self-esteem, and a child with low self-esteem can lash out from that added tension.
  4. Avoiding School – The occasional faked stomach ache is a common ploy to get out of school for a few hours of sleep or to miss a test she’s not prepared for, but regular attempts to get out of going to school may be a sign of a child who’s actively avoiding her tormentors.
  5. Decrease in Grades – It’s difficult to concentrate on school work and getting good grades when that mean kid in class keeps kicking your chair or making fun of you. Your child’s grades might be suffering, not due to indifference to school, but due to a bully constantly nagging.
  6. Fidgeting – If your child used to sit still very well and for long periods of time but now seems to fidget, it could be because of a bully. A physical bully may spur the “flight” half of the “fight or flight” instinct, causing them to be hyper-aware of their surroundings and always ready to bolt.
  7. Unwilling to Discuss School – A child who avoids answering questions about his day or answers evasively could be hiding the fact that someone was picking on him. The part of the school day that has the longest impression on your child right now may be the fact that someone doesn’t like him and he’s being made fun of. It’s tough to remember the exciting parts of the day when your child’s thoughts are consumed by the torment of a classmate.
  8. Acting Out – Increased aggression and violent outbursts can be an indicator of bullying, as kids who spend their days being harassed seek an outlet for their frustrations. Any sudden personality change should be cause for concern, but a turn in a more aggressive direction should be addressed immediately.
  9. Being Mean to Younger Siblings – Is your child starting to pick on your other children? If so, she might have a bully she’s dealing with when you aren’t there. It’s natural to want to unload your burden onto someone else in the same way it was unloaded onto you. Your child could just need to get her anger out of her but doesn’t know how to, so she resorts to doing the same thing to her younger siblings that is being done to her.
  10. Unexplained Bruises or Injuries – Physical bullies do still exist. If your child comes home with bruises or injuries that are not linked to the regular rambunctiousness of a child, it’s time to get concerned. Yes, it’s possible that he fell down on the playground, but it’s also possible that he was pushed down by a bully and is scared to tell you about it.

The shame and embarrassment that can accompany being bullied is often enough to keep kids quiet about their troubles, especially if they’re afraid that they’ll be subjected to retribution for tattling. Be patient with your child and let him know that you’re on his side, and that you’ll find a solution to the problem together.

This article is shared with us by Teresa Belcher, of Nannyagency.net

General Safety Issues

PROS AND CONS OF TAKING CHILDREN ON CRUISES (Guest Post)

 With the holidays coming up, and kids out of school for a couple of weeks, some families may be considering taking a cruise.  Here are some thoughts sent to us by Jeralyn Nelson of HouseSittingJobs:
 
Cruises have become a popular vacation option lately because they offer multiple stops and plenty of activities both onboard the ship and off, and many of them have started catering to families, planning the entire cruise around kid-friendly events.  If you’re toying with the idea of taking the kids on a cruise for your next family vacation, then check out these pros and cons and see if they help if your decision making.

Pros

  1. More and more cruise lines are taking families into consideration and ships are more kid friendly now.
  2. Many of the cruise lines (Norwegian, Royal, Disney, and MSC) are catering to kids with ships that have attractions such as water slides, kids’ clubs, kids’ camps, mini-golf, outdoor movies, and video arcades.
  3. There are plenty of things for the kids to do so parents can enjoy some time alone.  Cruise lines have increased their staff to include camp counselors and others to work strictly with the kids on board.
  4. There are teen clubs where teens are free to dance the night away in a non-alcoholic environment or just hang out and make new friends.
  5. One cruise line (MSC) even lets kids cruise for free.
  6. Most cruise lines will accommodate the tastes of your child and several even make their own baby food, but you will need to request this ahead of time.
  7. Room service is free so if you would rather feed your child away from the crowds and distractions of the dining room you can.
  8. Staff members are willing to babysit on the ship during their off hours so that you can get out and take in a show.  Some parents prefer to bring their nanny or a babysitter with them on the cruise, and the cost for an on board babysitter can vary.
  9. High chairs are available in the dining room, or you can have one brought to your state room.
  10. Some cruise lines even have classes geared toward teenagers like photography and film making.

Cons

  1. Some cruise lines have not gone the extra mile to include very many kid friendly activities, so you’ll need to do some research ahead of time to see if they have or not.
  2. Even on the cruise lines that have been touted for their kid friendly programs there is often not enough for the kids to do.
  3. Typically kids have to be at least 3 to go into the kids’ clubs and they have to be potty trained.
  4. The tweens (8 to 12) struggle to find their place.  They are too old for many of the kid areas where they are doing crafts and games, but they are too young for the teen club areas.  Depending on the kid you may still find them saying that they are bored.
  5. While some cruise lines have added many kid-specific things to do there aren’t very many family friendly activities.  So if you are looking for a place that you can do something as a family the cruise ship may not be the place.
  6. Most cruise lines charge full price for kids.
  7. Most of the state rooms only have a stand up shower so if your child can’t take a shower you will need to bring an inflatable bathtub with you.
  8. Toddlers who are not potty trained cannot use the pools. Pools on the cruise ship are usually highly chlorinated and it probably wouldn’t be good for young kids anyway.
  9. There aren’t many outlets in the room so you will want to bring your own outlet strip to plug in cell phones, iPods, DVD players and the like.
  10. Closets are very small and filled with shelves, so keep that in mind when you are packing.  There are a few drawers, but not enough for everyone to have their own if you’re all in the same room.

Before booking a cruise with kids in tow, consider the pros and cons to evaluate if family cruising is right for you.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

LET’S HAVE A SAFE LABOR DAY!

Regardless of your plans for this last long week-end holiday, which marks the end of summer, beginning of school and football season, make plans to take extra precautions to have a safe three-day weekend.  Yesterday, we issued some great tips from the American Trucking Association for travelers.  Who should know better than the ones who are on our Nation’s highways more than anyone else? 

Labor Day began in 1882 in New York City.  In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected to celebrate “a workingmen’s holiday.”  I’ve got news for history:  there’s a lot of working women who need to be honored alongside them!  Canada observes the same day to honor its workers; many other countries have a Labor Day celebration at different times of the year.  

One thing that will be different about the traditional Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy telethon: Jerry Lewis, age 85, will not be hosting this annual money-raising project this year.  He has hosted the telethon that is held during the Labor Day Weekend for the past 45 years, and it is dear to his heart.   We need to continue this worthwhile cause in helping those who suffer from this debilitating disease and be grateful for what Jerry Lewis has done for the telethon. 

You’ll probably hear your fair share of political speeches, or attend your local annual fair or picnic that volunteers work hard to make successful.  Some folks will go to the lake for that last outing, or participate  in other water sports, such as fishing, boating,  swimming, or hike their favorite lookout spot.   Whatever you decide to do, please keep safety in mind: water safety, camping safety, food safety, and take along that first aid kit, just in case. 

Last, but not least, a friendly reminder from our nation’s law enforcement agencies.  Texas is participating in a nationwide impaired driving crackdown coordinated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that combines high-visibility law enforcement with a public information and education campaign.  Between August 19th (you may have already noticed more of them,) and September 5th, thousands of law enforcement officers will be working overtime to stop and arrest impaired drivers on Texas roads and highways.  TxDOT is reminding Texans: if you’re caught drinking and driving, you are going to jail.  And, as we said, this is a nationwide crackdown.  

Do not get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. (This applies to driving boats, as well.)  Designate a driver, call a cab, catch a bus, or get someone you trust to pick you up, or spend the night where you are.  A DWI arrest and conviction in Texas can cost up to $17,000 or more: fees include car towing, impoundment, bail, attorney fees, court costs, hearing and fees to regain and retain driver’s license, DWI fine, probation costs, fees for extended proof of insurance, plus insurance rate hikes.   The 2011 theme for Labor Day is: DRINK. DRIVE. GO TO JAIL.

Now that you are properly warned,  get out there and have a great Labor Day!  (We know that not everyone needs that warning.)  You have worked hard and deserve a day of rest and relaxation.  Just please stay safe – whatever you choose to do.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LET’S TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND SWIMMING!

New research shows that swimmers may live longer than runners and walkers! Researchers thought that swimmers and runners would have a lower risk of dying, but they were surprised that the swimmers had a statistically significant lower death rate than runners.  This serves as an inspiration to hop right into that pool where you can get year-round, low-impact aerobic therapy, or just take a few laps,  and hope to live longer!  Low-impact exercise in pools doesn’t strain your lower joints as intensely as running and walking.  This certainly doesn’t mean to give up your running or walking, but it gives you another reason to jump on into a new method of exercise.  Some persons can’t walk or run because of arthritis, so this would be a way for them to get some healthy and fun exercise.

Swimming is such an important activity for young people, and it is very important that children learn to swim.  Parents can teach them at a very young age to not be afraid of water, by accompanying them in the pool, and using floaties, tubes, etc. to keep them afloat.  Swim lessons are vital to everyone to be able to enjoy boating, and other water activities.  Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity needed for a healthy life, and millions of people enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and spas each year.  Listed is information from the Centers for Disease Control regarding information about swimming and the risks involved, such as drowning, water-related diseases, and sunburn:

  • There are 8.8 million residential and public-use swimming pools in the United States.
  • Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of all unintentional injury deaths in children aged 1-14 years and the 7th leading cause of unintentional injury death for all ages.
  • Among 0-4 year olds, 69% of drownings for which the location was known occurred in swimming pools. (Many home pools.)
  • There are over 6.6 million hot tubs in operation in the United States.
  • Sunburn is a risk factor for both basal cell carcinoma and melanoma (types of skin cancer). In 2003, a total of 45,625 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the United States, and 7,818 persons died from the disease . (Please use sunscreen!)
  • Over 12 percent (13,532 of 111,487) of pool inspections conducted during 2008 resulted in an immediate closure, pending the correction of the violations.
  • A total of 78 recreational water-associated outbreaks affecting 4,412 persons were reported to CDC for 2005-2006, the largest number of outbreaks ever reported in a 2-year period.
  • Of 48 recreational-water associated outbreaks of gastroenteritis during 2005-2006, 64.6% were caused by one chlorine-resistant parasite: Cryptosporidium..
  • Of 35 gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with treated (for example, chlorinated) recreational water venues, 82.8% were caused by Cryptosporidium .
  • Because of its resistance to chlorine, Cryptosporidium (Crypto) has become the leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with swimming pool venues. Reporting of cryptosporidiosis cases increased 208 percent from 2004 (3,411) to 2008 (10,500).
  • In the United States in 2007, almost 32 million individuals participated in motor or power boat activities .
  • In 2006, 3,474 persons were injured and 710 died while boating .
  • The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2006 statistics stated that approximately 87 percent of boaters who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Never leave a child unattended at a swimming pool.  Always check  that the swimming pool water has been tested for Crypto.  Water activities are a lot of fun, but can be dangerous if not taken seriously.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

IT’S JUNE, AND THAT MEANS IT’S NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH!

It is hard to believe that another month of June has rolled around, meaning it is National Safety Month – time to focus on round-the-clock safety and health.  The National Safety Council emphasizes that June is the time to stress the urgent need to reduce unintentional deaths and injuries on the road, in the workplace and at home.  Week One’s focus is on “Summertime Safety” (June 1-4). “Preventing Overexertion” is the theme for Week Two (June 5 – 11).  A subject that is very important to parents and teens during Week Three – “Teen Driver Safety,” (June 12-18.) Week Four, (June 19 – 25), we will emphasize safety ideas for “Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls.”  Finally, “ON the Road – OFF the Phone,” is the topic of discussion for the end of the month, (June 26 – 30.)  These are all subjects that affect most all of us in one way or another.  

Accidents happen every day of the year, regardless of whether it is at work, traveling, or at home.  It seems that summertime does bring some unusual accidents, and one reason may be because there are so many more outdoor activities going on.  Summer is the time for boating, fishing, waterskiing, canoeing, bicycling, skateboarding, swimming, and many other fun actions that may cause injuries if we aren’t careful.  (For the past two weekends, we heard of two different boating incidents where young persons drowned.  None of them were wearing life jackets.)  Playgrounds are inviting to little ones, so there should always be adult supervision when they play on the different types of equipment.    

Heat is a threat to workers who must become acclimated to the change in temperatures; many times, it is a drastic change from what they are used to.  They must stay hydrated and get some rest breaks in the shade during long work shifts.  Teens new to working in the outdoors should be sure to drink plenty of water orpowdered drink mix, and everyone should wear sunscreen and light colored clothing.  Student athletes should also stay hydrated while working out for sports. 

Those who work in agriculture always face extreme weather conditions – dry, hot, windy, and sunny.  Farm children need to be supervised by adults, especially while they are around water, such as ponds or tanks, and animals.  There are lots of ATV riders in summer weather, as well as motorcyclists, who should know the safety rules regarding their vehicles, and wear the right gear for protection.  

We hope this summer brings everything you are planning for: vacation time, relaxation, fun in the sun (don’t forget the sunscreen and sunglasses), safe trips, and the other things that many families plan for during summer months when they have school-age children.  It seems there are always some types of accidents, associated with hot-weather activities, that we can’t encourage everyone enough to be extremely careful when planning vacations, trips, and yes, even work.  For most of us, work marches on, so we need to make the necessary accommodations to stay cool and safe during each workday, too. 

One way for young people to be safe is to have a “buddy” system.  It is always better to have a friend along just in case there is a problem.  One extra important reminder about summer: there will be more children playing in their front yards (and possibly the streets).  So keep a watch out for them when you are driving in neighborhoods. 

Have a fun and safe summer!