Mayonnaise and School Lunches

For years I believed that mayonnaise left out in the sun would spoil and cause illness. If potato salad had mayonnaise, it must be kept cold or thrown out as a spoiled food.

When I look up mayonnaise, I was surprised to find that it is made from vegetable oil and egg yolks. How icky to think that the condiment is just oil and egg yolk. Oh well, it is safe to put mayo on a sandwich and send it to school for lunch.

I'm not sure that I would want to eat the sandwich with mayonnaise after 10 hours or so but for school lunch OK.

Now I asked my mother Mrs. Know-it-All and she said not to use mayonnaise on the lunch bread. Well guess what? For once she's wrong!

I think that I will put those new ice packs in the lunch any way to keep the mayonnaise cool (it tastes better that way).

School lunches are a challenge since the children want fast food. The cost of school food adds up quickly if it is used 5 days a week. Lunches from home need to be fun, so a child looks forward to it.

Now when I went to school all those years ago, lunch was PB and J (peanut butter and jelly) or nothing. No choice was offered. Those good old days are gone. Kids are so much wiser and demanding.

I have found that it is not wise to send a child to school with lunch they hate. Keep it simple, send the same thing day after day and the child will eat it.

I so enjoy working on the Internet and blogging. I found a web site http://www.gotogails.com/new371934.html where I got a free personal web site.

Choose Peace for our Children

Sounds good "Choose Peace". This grass root group is not talking world peace (nice), but peace in the inner neighborhoods of our cities here in America and around the world.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, the horrible homicide rate has become unbearable. Children and families are suffering and injured while sitting in their homes or front porch. Drive by shoot outs and gun battles are hurting and killing way too many people. By spreading "Choose Peace", we can make a change.

The group is new and hopes to spread to help take back neighborhoods and cities. It is one person at a time, talking to another person and spreading the word. Choose Peace and hope will return.

Go To: http://www.decidetochoose.com for more information.

Summer heat & Children Left in Autos

There is a horrible rise on child deaths due to children left in cars during the heat of the day. The inside turns into an oven and children die.

I want all adults to sit in a car at noon with all of the windows up or even open. It gets hot fast and very hot faster.

What a sad way to lose a child.

Always needing a babysitter?

Great babysitting leads!

Cats and Kittens with Children

Cats are cute. Kittens are cuter. Pets teach children the responsibility of feeding the cat, changing the water and cleaning litter.

Teach a child how to interact with cats before bring one into the home. If the child and the cat do not bond, the loss of the cat could be traumatic.

Child Harness

When you walk your pet, you protect the dear pet with a collar and leash. It is for the protection of the pet.

When you walk your child, you hold hands. The child can slip out of you grip and get hurt. When you travel or shop, your attention is split between your child and the activity that needs to be accomplished.

A child harness is a safety restraint for walking with small children. What a wonderful safety net this is for your peace of mind!

There is debate about the pros and cons of the harness. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_harness for more information.

I for all its worth am in favor of the harness and safety!

Kid Safety at the Petting Zoo

It's time to take the children to the zoo. Are you thinking about the extra safety need at a petting zoo?

E. coli infections can be picked up at petting zoos. I have not always cleaned my hands after petting a horse, goat etc. Children must be protected more than adults.

Go to: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/safety/a/petting_zoos.htm for more information.

Poison Ivy - Ick!!!

I love the summer and everything that comes along with it...except for those little green leaves that bring along the itchies!! Poison Ivy! When I was a kid, I was out of school for two weeks with it. And I now have two children with such sensitive skin who I know will struggle with it as well. We've kept it away till now, but I know it's just a matter of time. I found this article by Healthwise which I have found the most helpful of all the information out there. Hope it helps if poison ivy comes your way!
"The rash (allergic contact dermatitis) from poison ivy, oak, or sumac generally is mild and can be treated at home. Home treatment for the rash usually helps relieve symptoms but does not speed up healing of the rash.
If you know you had contact with one of these plants, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the rash can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water within 10 or 15 minutes of contact. You could also try using a product (such as Tecnu or Zanfel) that is designed to remove the oil from your skin.
To relieve itching and help dry blisters, apply wet compresses or soak the area in cool water. Antihistamine pills or calamine lotion may help relieve symptoms.
If you have a moderate to severe rash, you may need to see your health professional. He or she may prescribe corticosteroid pills. These medicines may help improve or clear up the rash more quickly. Prescription corticosteroid creams, ointments, shots, or gels may also be used, but pills or shots are usually more effective.
A frequent complication of the rash is infection. If this occurs, your health professional will probably prescribe an antibiotic cream that you spread on the affected skin if the infection is small. Otherwise, you may need antibiotic pills or a shot.3 To prevent infection, try not to scratch the rash, and cut your fingernails short to minimize the possibility of opening the skin and spreading bacteria.
Regardless of what type of treatment is used after a rash develops, the length of time it lasts will vary from person to person.

Happy Summer to all!!

Back to School Safety

Ok, its only July 7, 2008 and going back to school is 6 weeks to 8 weeks away. NOW is the time to get ready to get back to school safety information!

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has great information and down loadable checklists. It is impossible to top the information.

Just go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/america.html and you will be pleased!

This site offers safety tips on playgrounds, bicycles, skateboards and additional issues.

Burt's Bees for Diaper Rash

I have young children who have both suffered diaper rash. My daughter had the worse case and I tried every brand out there to treat it with no luck. My friend recommended Burt's Bees Diaper Rash Cream. It worked in an instant!! No more diaper rash! I've used it ever since. For diaper rash, there's nothing better than Burt's Bees!!

Children's Summer Colds

How do you treat a summer cold in children? When going to the gym with child care, I noticed a child with a runny nose and coughing a lot. In stead of leaving my children to catch this cold, we left.

I looked up this information on summer colds and pass it on now.

Go to: http://bcbsma.medscape.com/viewarticle/438730 for info.

Go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/438730_3 for info.

I feel that the common cold will spread no matter what I do. But I feel good about not letting my children get extra exposure.

Cats and Children Safety

Found great information about cats and children.

Go To: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1495&articleid=627

It is so important to introduce a pet into the family properly.

This site has solutions for common cat-child related issues.

Children and Dog Bites

A web site with dog rules for Children.

Teresa's Bad Rules

These are rules that kids in Teresa's dog obedience classes call the "bad rules" because they don't like some of them.

Following these dos and donts will help keep promote child safety around dogs and prevent dog bites.

Do not hug a dog, put your face close to his face or lie on him. Do sit beside your dog, rub his chest or scratch him on the side of the neck.

Do not play chase-me games with a dog. Do play hide and seek - where the dog has to find you or an object that you hide.

Do not play tug-of-war games with a dog. Do play fetch with the dog - teach the dog to trade the object for a treat so he won't try to tug.

Do not lean over or step over a dog. Do respect a dog's resting place - go around him or ask an adult to move the dog.

Do not bother a dog who is sleeping, eating, has a toy or bone, is hurt or has puppies. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

Do not dress a dog up in play clothes. Do dress up your stuffed animals.

Do not hit a dog or poke him with a stick. Do be gentle with dogs.

Do not pull a dog's ears, tail or fur. Do scratch the dog's chest or the side of her neck - most dogs enjoy this.

Do not stick fingers or hands into the dog's crate. Do ask an adult to let the dog out of the crate if you want to pet her.

Do not play in the dog's crate. Do play "in and out of the crate" with the dog - toss a treat in - dog goes in to get it - dog comes back out - toss another treat in etc (with adult supervision).

If your dog does not welcome you with wagging and panting - leave him alone. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

If your dog gets too rough or excited, be a tree until he gets bored and goes away.

Do not run and shout around a dog that is not in a crate. Do be calm around dogs; involve the dog in an activity such as chewing on a bone or playing fetch so he doesn't feel that he needs to chase you to have fun.

For more information GO TO: http://www.doggonesafe.com/keep%20kids%20safe%20around%20other%20people's%20dogs.htm

Summer Safety

As this is the first day of summer, it is good to reflect upon the safety issues that summer brings.

I could go on and on but I have found that the American Red Cross did that already.

So my summer safety tip is Go To: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=summer+safety

Have a safe summer!

Child Safety and Cars

When I was a child, car seats were not used. Seat belts were barely used. Kids rode in the front seat. Kids fought to sit in the front seat.

Boy, how have times changed and for the better. My children have always been in car seats, booster seats and never in the front passenger seat.

There is another issue not as often stressed but very deadly. Cars back over children, are stolen with children and are set in motion by children.

One web site totally addresses all of the issues of a child in a non-traffic motor vehicle related event. It is not for me to digest this for you. Go to: http://www.kidsandcars.org/ for the whole story.

Child Safety Publications

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a large list of publications about child safety.

The concerns of these publications vary. It is a good place to look for up to date information on safety in the home but also in the neighborhood.

Go To: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chld_sfy.html for the free information.

Family Watchdog

For anyone who has children, you have to get signed up with Familywatchdog.com. This website lets you know of any sexual predators who live or work close by. And it keeps you updated when there is any new activity...predators moving in or out. Please check it out, for the safety of your children!!

Crime Prevention

There is a wonderful website for children to play and learn about crime prevention.

Children are so easily lead into trouble helping look for a lost dog. I am an adult and I would try to help also. Crimes are not possible to stop. Being aware of the intentions of evil people keeps us alert.

Go to: www.mcgruff.org to help your child learn through games, stories and interaction play.

Watch along with your children!

Music Lessons

At what age should a child start muisc lessons?

Since I have no talent for music, I wanted an answer when I discovered my child could keep time.

I found a site which has helped me understand age and music. Go to: http://musiced.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/atwhatage.htm for additional information.

I found a child size violin 1/4 at www.gotoerins.com . I bought one for my daughter and the guitar for my son. They are twins.

Dry Drowning

A 10 year old boy went to a swimming pool for the first time with his mother. They went home after more than an hour. He felt tired and took a nap. When his mother checked on him, he was unresponsive. She called 911.

The boy died. The cause of death was determined to be dry drowning. Water in the lungs.

As a life guard and trained by the American Red Cross, I had never heard of dry drowning. The condition may have nothing to do with a pool.

Check on the link for more information. Go To: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_drowning

It helps one to be aware of the reasons a dry drowning death can happen.

Is it safe to bring your children to Chuck E. Cheese?

I thought it was. But I am now re-considering. I recently brought my 3 children , 2 - 4 year olds and one 8 year old, to Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese prides themselves on keeping our children safe. Everybody gets their hands stamped when they walk in so that no children leave the premises with anyone other than who they came with. While we were at the restaurant, my stamp came off from hand washing. When it was time to leave, the worker at the door checked the kids hands and then mine. When he noticed my stamp was gone, nothing was done. He just let me walk out the door with the children...no questions asked. So, next time you think about going to Chuck E. Cheese with the kiddos, think twice!! It's not as safe as they promise it to be!