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.