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Family Education
FBI Safety Tips
Physical Fitness For Tots
Amber Alert
Missing & Exploited Children
Getting Your Family Interested in Reading
Looking for ideas on getting your family interested in reading? Then make it a family activity. Here are some ideas from The National Book Foundation:
Incorporate books into standard family games. For example, play charades with book titles.
Have family outings to the library and have every family member check out one book.
Start a family reading night in your family where you can read and discuss a book together.
Kids love performing plays and drama skits for the family -- why not incorporate that into their book reading? Have them read a book, choose their favorite scene, and then recreate it for the family.
Simply read to your children. You will both benefit from the time spent together. And your children will benefit from stretching their imagination and learning new things.
Plan for Pets When Arranging Vacation
AMES, Iowa (AScribe Newswire) -- Taking FiFi and Fluffy on vacation is easier than it used to be, but still requires plenty of advance work, says an Iowa State University veterinarian.
As an increasing number of hotels and tourist attractions welcome pets and offer facilities, more and more families hit the road with a dog or cat in tow.
"It's really important to make a plan for your pet at the same time you develop your travel plan. You need to make several decisions and think through many details before you go," says Dr. Kim Langholz.
For example, find out what health papers you need for the animal and which vaccinations are required where you're going. If you're traveling by air, will your pet fly under your seat or under the plane? And, as much as you love your animal, are you sure your friends and family will really welcome your pet into their homes?
Above all, start planning early, she said.
"If you were hoping to take FiFi to the beaches on Maui next month, you - and FiFi - will be disappointed. It can take six to eight months to prepare a pet to travel to a rabies-free area of the world," Langholz said.
"It's much easier to have fun on vacation when you've planned ahead for the care of your animal," she said.
Langholz offers the following tips for including pets in your vacation.
BEFORE YOU GO
Have your pet examined by a veterinarian. Tell the veterinarian where you plan to go, how long you will stay and your mode of transportation. Your veterinarian can help you determine which vaccinations and antiparasitic medications will help keep your pet healthy and parasite free.
Always make sure the information inscribed on your pet's ID tag is current. A cell phone number on the tag is helpful.
Consider having your pet microchipped. This is especially important when traveling. If your pet wanders off in an unfamiliar town, a microchip can help ensure you'll be reunited.
Make sure it is legal to transport your pet into specific cities, states or provinces. Right or wrong, some breeds - such as pit bulls - are not allowed in some areas. Ferrets also can pose legal difficulties.
WHAT TO PACK
Take a health certificate with you when you travel with your pet. Carry a folder with your pet's vaccination information, medications, veterinarian's telephone number and perhaps a copy of recent blood work, if your pet has a significant health condition.
If your pet is on medication, make sure you have enough for the entire trip. Double check the medications!
Pack your pet's favorites. Bring plenty of their regular food, so you don't have to deal with upset stomachs and diarrhea. Some people take a supply of tap water from home, so their pet doesn't have to adjust to water with a different taste or mineral make-up. Take plenty of your cat's favorite kitty litter to avoid inappropriate elimination caused by a litter change. Pack toys and the favorite blanket or pillow.
Carry a first aid kit for your animal when you travel. First aid kits are available for pets of different sizes.
AIR TRAVEL
If you are flying, check the airline's policies before you go. Some will take pets as "carry-on" bags; some will allow animals in the cargo hold. Try to select a direct flight to minimize the amount of time the animal is in the carrier and the potential for overheating or chilling the pet if temperatures are at extremes.
ON THE ROAD
Transport your pets in a carrier. Or buy a good quality seat harness for your big dog and teach it to sit with a seatbelt on. Pets become projectiles in automobile accidents. Protect your pet just as you would protect your children.
Do not let your dog hang its head out the window. Objects - rocks, sticks, insects and debris kicked up by tires - are traveling at high rates of speed and can cause severe eye injuries.
Dogs and cats with shorter faces - pugs, Boston terriers, Persian cats, etc. - can experience difficulty breathing even on a good day. It will be harder for them to breathe and cool themselves on hot, humid days. Make sure air conditioning is on when traveling in the car, and that their carriers are not in direct sunlight.
Do not allow your dog to ride in the back of a pickup truck without placing it in a secured carrier. Every year, many dogs are seriously injured or killed when they jump or are thrown from trucks.
Make sure your pet is secured with a leash before you open the car door to let the animal out at a rest stop.
Do not leave any living thing in a parked car for any period of time. In the summer, your pet could suffer from brain damage and heatstroke. In the winter, your pet could suffer from hypothermia. It can take only a few minutes to kill your pet. Don't make this irreversible mistake.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Animals on sailboats, motorboats or other watercraft should wear properly fitting, personal flotation devices. Not all dogs know how to swim!
Animals (usually dogs) that go boating, camping and hiking with owners need clean drinking water. You can carry drinkable water or treat the water your pet will consume. Don't let the dog drink from streams, ponds, standing water, etc. They can pick up some nasty parasites. Carry collapsible bowls for the animals' water and food.
IF YOUR PET STAYS HOME
If you plan to board your pet while you travel, visit some kennels to see their facilities before you make a reservation. Find out what vaccinations and antiparasitic treatments they require for animals that board. Vaccination requirements can vary slightly from kennel to kennel - some facilities may require proof of recent de-worming or flea and tick prevention.
Ask if they will allow you to supply food for your pet. Do they offer any extra services, like extra walks during the day, play time or grooming services? If you like the boarding kennel, book your dates early, especially for peak vacation times.
Have your pet examined by a veterinarian before boarding. Tell the veterinarian what the kennel requires for preventive health measures.
If you decide to have a pet-sitter care for your animal while you're away, be sure your veterinarian knows your preferences for emergency care or in case of an unexpected health problem. Some people leave specific emergency instructions with the veterinarian.
Backyard Safety
While the backyard can provide a fun place for your children to play this Spring, it can also create hazards for their safety.
Playground Equipment
Families with playground equipment should take special precautions when choosing and installing the equipment. More than 200,000 children each year require emergency attention due to accidents on playground equipment.
When purchasing equipment, look for soft rubber seats instead of hard wood seats; step ladders instead of rungs; slides or platforms no higher than six feet tall for school-age children or four feet tall for pre-schoolers; and guardrails on any platforms, ramps or ladders.
When installing the equipment, pad the play area with nine to twelve inches of a shock-absorbing material, such as sand, pea gravel, shredded tires, rubber mats or mulch. Be careful not to suspend more than two swing seats within the same support structure or attach ropes or cords to the set. Cover all protruding bolts, and make sure the set is securely assembled before use. Once the equipment is installed, always supervise your children while playing.
Water Hazards
Parents need to be especially vigilant with water safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 350 children under the age of 5 drown every year in swimming pools, and another 2,600 are treated in hospital emergency rooms following submersion accidents.
Many parents who have suffered the tragedy of a drowned child say that they had only turned their back for a minute. Be sure to closely monitor your children when around a pool or spa area, install safety fences or devices, keep a phone nearby for emergency calls, remove ladders from aboveground pools when not in use, cover drains (to prevent hair being caught), maintain spa temperature lower than 104 degrees Fahrenheit and be trained in CPR. Another water hazard is an empty bucket - these fill up with water quickly, and even that small amount can be a drowning danger.
Poisons
While many dangerous poisons can be found in the home, there are several to watch for outdoors as well. Make sure there are no cleaning products, chemicals, pesticides, or other dangerous items such as lighter fluid or paint thinner out while children are playing. Chemicals should always be stored in their original containers, and never in a milk or juice bottle, which children may mistake for a drink. The backyard should also be checked for poisonous plants and even wild mushrooms that are in areas where children can reach.
The phone number for the local poison control center should be placed near the phone. If a child is poisoned and is unconscious, call 9-1-1 immediately and/or take him to the nearest emergency room. If the child is conscious, you can call the poison control center with the following information: your name and phone number, the child's age and weight, the time of the poisoning, and the container of the poison consumed.
Other Hazards
WebMD warns that some pressure-treated wood contains arsenic and poses an increased risk in cancer in children who eat or play on this type of wood. Seal the wood every six months; keep children (and pets) away from the soil underneath the wood; cover picnic tables with a cloth; avoid pressure-washing the wood; and prevent children from playing on rough wood (to avoid splinters containing arsenic).
Other dangers include gardening tools, lawn mowers and other yard tools that could become a dangerous toy to a child. Keep kids away while power tools or lawn mowers are in use, and lock up barbeque grills and gasoline containers. Children should never play outdoors without sunscreen on, even if it is a cloudy day.
Other People's Backyards
When children play with friends in the neighborhood, parents may not have as much control over safety issues. However, there are certain things that you can do to help ensure your children are safe when playing away from home. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends that children under the age of ten not be allowed to cross streets alone. Older children who are allowed to cross the street should know all pedestrian safety rules. Children should also be aware of play areas that are off-limits, such as construction sites, abandoned buildings, railroad tracks, dumpsters or unsupervised swimming areas. You can also inspect neighborhood play areas to make sure playground equipment is not rusted or broken, or has hard surfaces such as concrete.
Set up safety rules regarding wheeled transportations such as bicycles, skateboards, scooters and inline skates. SAFE KIDS found that, "nearly 51 percent of children ages 10 to 14 who suffered a serious bike injury were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury." They suggest children always wear a safety helmet when riding, and that they learn roadway safety rules. Make sure your children's bicycles are maintained, and that all reflectors, tires and brakes are working properly.
Copyright by Family First. All rights reserved.
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