Halloween Safety: 13 Don't-Miss Safety Tips!

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Halloween is traditionally a time for costumes, parties, parades, and treats; as parents, however, safety is never far from our minds! Sadly, CDC data shows that almost four times as many children (age 5-14) are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared to other evenings of the year.  In addition, many children are injured every Halloween; particularly by slips and falls. The good news is that most Halloween-related injuries are preventable if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treating and remember these basic tips adapted from the National Safety Council:

Remind your children that they should:

• Go only to well-lit houses and never enter houses.
• Travel in small groups, with an adult.
• Carry a cell phone and know how to reach a parent and call 911.
• Have their name & phone number printed on their costume (or use a SafetyTat).
• Bring treats home prior to eating so they can be inspected for tainting/spoilage.
• Wear well-fitting, reflective, flame-retardant clothing and shoes.
• Use face paint instead of masks.
• Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes. 
• Avoid carrying sharp or rigid costume knives or swords.
• Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
• Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks, and avoid crossing between parked cars.
• Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
• Always look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

-Destination Mom

Sites We Love: Safe Kids Worldwide!

In light of the increasing incidences of car seat recalls, it is becoming more and more important to register your car seat so that you can be contacted in the event of a recall.  Safe Kids Worldwide has everything you need to locate lists of recalls, help register your car seat and research other valuable car seat safety topics!

Tactics for Discussing Childproofing with Grandparents!

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Sadly,  often times, new parents are uneasy bringing their children to stay at grandparents' homes because the space lacks childproofing measures and may present numerous potential hazards.  So how do you tell your parents (or in-laws) that you hesitate to visit because you fear for your child(ren)'s safety?  Delicately, but firmly.

As kids, we all cringed when our parents delivered the "there comes a time..." talk to us.  No matter the topic (money, driving, sex, friends, etc.) it all came down to one simple lesson: accept personal responsibility for keeping yourself and those around you safe.  As parents, they had the benefit of the most up-to-date information on how to prevent the tragedies that could happen, so it truly was in our best interest to heed their advice (even if only grudgingly).

The same principle will apply when you have "The Talk" with your own parents (and in-laws) as a parent yourself.  In years past, young parents relied upon their own parents' experience almost exclusively to determine their parenting practices; however, the dawn of the information age has expanded the available knowledge base for new parents and has helped raise awareness of methods for keeping infants and young children safe (not to mention the medical and technological advances that have been made over the last 30 years!).

Heartbreaking statistics show that accidents remain the leading cause of serious and fatal injury to young children; changing everything from the way we select car seats to how we childproof our homes.  Sharing this information, along with your concerns for maximizing the enjoyment of visits by minimizing the stressors, can help ease the discussion's tension.  Below are two common scenarios you may encounter and suggestions for diplomatic responses.

Scenario:

• The "we raised you without all that stuff and you lived" mentality.  It's true, anyone reading this survived childhood, perhaps with just a few bumps and bruises, or perhaps with more serious injury; but why gamble with any child's safety? 

Tactics:

• Assure your parents that you are not attacking their parenting style or ability; share with them that by taking a few simple steps to childproof their home they would have more fun with their grandchildren because they would spend less time saying "no" and more time enjoying the visit.  Also (but only if its true!) let them know that childproofing would increase your comfort level during visits and may result in more frequent visits!
• For resistant parents, offer to bring your own childproofing supplies and take them with you when you go; it may be cumbersome, but it's worth it if it helps smooth familial tension. 
• If they are truly resistant, suggest visiting at a park or in your own home instead; not ideal, but you have to stand up for your child(ren)'s safety - you would never be able to forgive yourself if your child(ren) suffered injury or death because you acquiesced to save someone hurt feelings.

Scenario:

• Your parents or in-laws don't understand, don't have space for, or cannot afford "all those fancy gizmos."

Tactics:

• As mentioned above, you can transport and install your own safety items each time; or, consider offering to buy a childproofing kit, like the compact one developed by Travel-Tot, featuring an assortment of outlet covers, corner guards, pinch guards, and cabinet/door securing devices to be stored at grandma and grandpa's house for visits (minimizing what you need to carry along)! One of the nicest features of Travel-Tot's Travel Childproofing Kit is that the adhesive is temporary, so it goes on strong, but comes off clean without damage to finishes or furniture!

When you confront your parents or in-laws, firmly, but politely make it clear that while you do want to be able to share the joy of their grandchildren with them, your child(ren)'s safety is your priority.  Precious few bonds are as important as those between children and grandparents; and those bonds will only be strengthened by having open and honest lines of communication about important issues like safety.

Safe and happy travels.

-Destination Mom

Before You Leave the Country...

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Traveling out of the country with children can be a fantastic adventure!  But losing a passport or birth certificate can create utter havoc... so plan ahead.  In addition to packing all your important ID documents (i.e. passports, photo IDs, birth certificates, documents authorizing you to travel with your child outside the country if there are custodial issues), make a copy of each form along with your itinerary and leave them behind with a close family member or friend who can be reached in case of emergency. It may be the difference between a dream vacation and a real nightmare.  Safe and happy travels!

Travel-Tot: Stay Safe As Home, Wherever You Roam!

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Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys; and, while sharing the traveling experience with your child can certainly add to the thrill of the journey, it can also be stressful. Investing just a bit of time to make certain that your accommodations will be safe for your child helps ensure as relaxing and enjoyable a trip as possible for everyone.

It can be a real challenge to be removed from the controlled environment of a home living space. Hotel rooms, cruise ship cabins, rental properties, and even family member’s homes often lack the basic child-proofing measures to which parents have become accustomed in their own homes. Moreover, because cleaning standards vary from place to place, there is no guarantee that objects or surfaces that the guests preceding you may have handled were properly disinfected, which could result in you or your children catching someone else’s cold, or worse.  So what can you bring along to help make your room more child-friendly?

You can easily provide a basic level of protection from many of these hazards in just minutes' time with a few simple items (like those conveniently provided in the Travel-Tot Childproofing Kit!) including; outlet covers, doorknob protectors, cord guards, door pinch guards, and safety latches.  If you don't mind investing a bit more time, tools such as sanitizing wipes, a bath thermometer, and portable gates or guard rails can help provide additional protection from common hazards.

The bottom line is that when you are traveling with a toddler, a little planning goes a long way; it could be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a travel nightmare.

10 Simple Child-Proofing Measures For On-The-Go!

   

Here are some simple steps you can take to make your home-away-from-home safe and relaxing:

1. Get down on your hands and knees and explore the room from your toddler’s perspective; be sure to thoroughly check under beds and furniture for stray pills, buttons, pins, or other items that could pose a poisoning or choking hazard.
2. Arrange furniture away from windows or doors to prevent accidental escapes or falls.
3. Use guards to tie up electrical and blind cords which can pose a choking hazard to your little explorer.
4. Secure low cabinet doors shut with pinch guards to reduce risk of injury.
5. Ensure that all locks and latches on exterior doors are in working order and secure them to prevent unsupervised access to stairs, balconies, and terraces.
6. If your little traveler is curious about the toilet, be sure to place a doorknob protector on the handle to prevent unsupervised access.
7. Sanitize surfaces, door handles, faucets, remotes, phone handsets, light switches, and any other object from which your toddler could potentially contract germs with disinfecting wipes.
8. Check water temperatures before you give your child a bath; the water may be hotter than what you are accustomed to at home and could pose a burn hazard.
9. If your toddler is a restless sleeper or is new to sleeping in a “big bed,” you may want to pack a portable guard-rail, or move the bed against a wall and use a chair along the open side to prevent a fall.
10. Finally, be sure to arrange the furniture in a way that allows for some play space; a room full of “no-nos” will result in a bored and irritated toddler, which will lead to a stressed and anxious parent!

- Destination Mom

The 411 on Carseats!

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It's no secret that we at Travel-Tot feel strongly about childproofing hotel rooms and other away-from-home lodging accommodations; but what about keeping your child safe while you are in transit?  Often families get so caught up in the planning, packing, and preparations for a family getaway that they don't remember that their mode of transportation may not already be child-safe.  Airplanes, taxis, and loaner vehicles are rarely equipped with properly installed safety devices; so what is a parent to do?

Bringing your own car seat or booster is the best option!  Thankfully, there have been great strides made in developing safety seats that can be easily transported when not in use.  For example, The Car Seat Lady recommends several fabulous options ranging from infant carriers that easily snap to compact strollers to combination stroller car seat/booster options.  These are great because they not only offer a safer seating option for flights or other vehicular transport, but they can be rolled (with a child it in!) through expansive airports or along sidewalks to taxi or bus depots; freeing up parental hands, and saving backs and sanity! 

A last resort if you forget or cannot bring your own car seat or booster, is a rental car seat.  Because it is impossible to know for certain if a rental seat has sustained an impact in a crash, it is always best to bring your child's own car seat; but a rental is better than nothing at all!  If the taxi or rental car agency offers to provide a safety restraint seat for your child, be certain to check that it is appropriate for your child's age, weight, and height.  Also be certain it is properly installed and that it is in working order with no broken straps or latches.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website provides a fabulous page with age-appropriate safety seat guidelines if you are unsure of what type of seat to request.

The emergency-only option for families travelling with a child is to use whatever safety feature is available (usually a lap and/or shoulder belt).  While it is true that any restraint is better than no restraint at all, using a safety belt alone on a young child is a last resort option and should never be done if an appropriate car seat or booster seat can be obtained.  If you are in a situation where there is no option other than to use a standard seat belt, there are several important steps you can take to ensure that the restraint offers the best protection it can:

• Never buckle more than one person into a car seat belt.  Buckling more than once person into a car seat presents the risk of the top person being fatally crushed in the event of a crash. 
• Never put the shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm of a passenger.
• Be vigilant about seat belt use for everyone riding in the vehicle; studies have shown that restrained passengers are 4 times more likely to die if someone else in the car is not restrained.

Used properly, car seats and seat belts save lives... a little planning and research can provide you with the knowledge you need to determine which option will best suit your unique needs. Safe travels!

- Destination Mom

The "Plane" Truth About Germs!

These fantastic tips come to you courtesy of our friends at Clorox®:

Researchers from Auburn University recently confirmed what we suspected all along – airplanes are crawling with nasty germs. In addition to common bacteria and viruses, airplanes can also harbor pathogens like E. coli, which can survive for hours, even days, on various parts of an airplane cabin.

Now before you panic and swear off air travel altogether, take a deep breath and remember there are ways to limit your exposure to bacteria and viruses on airplanes:

1. Wash your hands. Often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of travel, washing your hands is one of the easiest things you can do to minimize exposure to pathogens.
2. Pack Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes On the Go. They are the perfect size to bring in your purse or carry-on bag. Use them on your armrests, tray table and in the lavatory. Oh, and don’t forget to wipe down that window shade, you don’t know whose face was leaning up against it on the flight before yours!
3. Don’t forget about the travel pillow. When you arrive home from vacation, be sure to spray your travel pillow with some Clorox® 4 in One Disinfecting Spray, which effectively sanitizes soft surfaces and reduces allergens such as dust mites (ew!).

Paying It Forward: Back-to-School

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I am one of those people who eagerly anticipates shopping for school supplies. It's not that I am desperate to see my daughter return to school, there's just something about brand new notebooks, pencils, and folders that has always set my heart aflutter. So now that I have confessed secret love of stationery, I can also admit that my daughter and I finished her back-to-school supply shopping... in July.  Seems like maybe my affinity for binder clips and post-its is inherited, but I digress.  The point is, we scored some amazing deals by shopping at the beginning of school supply season; deals that allow even me to donate without breaking my rather modest budget!  

In our town (as in most, I imagine), we have an annual drive for school supplies that are distributed to children's charities; items are collected and provided to children who may otherwise have done without, or sometimes to classrooms where they are provided to children in need. It's a fantastic way to make certain all our students get off to a good start by feeling prepared and equipped to take on a new school year! It's a cause that's near and dear to my heart as a parent, and I encourage everyone to participate if you can.  It can be as inexpensive as a 50-cent package of index cards, or as generous as a $50 giftcard - every little bit helps. If you are a fan of coupons, many times you can even score items for free!

If you wish to help, but are uncertain what to get, a gift card is always a good choice.  Generally speaking, however, if you walk into any office supply, pharmacy, food, or bog box store during the months of July, August, or September, you can't miss the school supply sales.  They may even have a list of items that are needed, or a collection box for donated supplies!  Providing even one item can truly make a difference for a child in need. So this year, when you head out to go supply shopping, pay it forward with an extra notebook, or folder, or box of crayons - your donation could inspire a child and help pave the road to a love of learning!

Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Pet-Friendly Travels: BringFido.com!

When our daughter was two, we adopted a lab-mix puppy from a rescue shelter; a decision that changed our lives forever in ways we could not imagine.  Prior to getting a pet, we had traveled freely and worried little about where we would stay, often making spontaneous trips for weekends or holidays. However, having a puppy added a new wrinkle to the story.  Kipper, as she became known, was not terribly good in the car, would run away at every available chance, and was naturally curious, energetic, and friendly (which while admirable traits in a family pet, are not universally appreciated by people seeking tranquility and relaxation on vacation!).  

Fortunately, we are blessed to have a number of family members who also love animals, and who happily take Kipper in when we travel, and we reciprocate when they vacationed (in a happy coincidence, all the dogs in the family play well together and it was a very comfortable, cost-effective solution for us all!).  But what if you want to travel with your beloved pet?  I'll admit, it was a question that hadn't crossed my mind until a girlfriend and her family did just that, bringing their new dog to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I asked her how she had located a pet-friendly resort, and she shared a most amazing resource with me: BringFido.com!

BringFido is a dog travel directory that provides unbiased reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity. Information is also available on thousands of bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campgrounds that welcome pets in 150 countries worldwide.

When making vacation plans, dog owners look to BringFido.com for the lowdown on both airlines and hotel pet policies, as well as recommendations on dog beaches, off-leash parks, outdoor restaurants, and other animal attractions in more than 10,000 cities around the world. Bring Fido even has a toll-free number (877-411-FIDO) dog owners can call if they need assistance locating a pet friendly hotel at the next exit on the highway, an animal hospital that's open at 4am, or the best restaurant in Little Italy that allows dogs to sit at its outdoor tables.

Since launching in April 2005, BringFido.com has helped more than half a million people take their dog on vacation. So if your family plans to hit the road and wants to bring the whole family, BringFido.com is the place to go for everything you need to know.

Safe, happy, and furry travels!  

-Destination Mom

Bites and Stings: Helpful Tips!

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With summer in full swing, families and, especially, children are spending more time outside, but we're not the only ones enjoying the warmer weather; spiders, bees, and a variety of other bugs are out in swarms!  Most bug bites simply result in general discomfort and anxiety, but it is important to remember that some bites and stings can lead to infections or trigger serious allergic reactions. Below is information on how to treat simple bites and stings, as well as the signs that a serious reaction may be occurring.

Spider Bites

Know your spiders: The majority of spiders found in the U.S. are harmless, except brown recluse and black widow spiders.

The brown recluse spider (a small brown spider with a small violin-shaped mark on its back - see here) is found primarily in the midwest and south. Their bites can cause swelling and changes in skin color and blistering. Rarely, brown recluse bites can result in sunken ulcerated sores at the bite site, which can become infected if not treated properly.

The black widow spider (a shiny black spider with an orange hourglass shaped mark on its underside - see here) is found all over North America. Black widow bites can result in painful cramps within a few short hours of the bite; the cramps generally radiate from the bite location outward. In addition, black widow bites can also cause nausea, tremors, paralysis, vomiting, chills, fever, and muscle pain. If your child experiences any of these symptoms (or if you suspect the bite may have been caused by a black widow) go to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY.

For other spider bites:

• Clean the area carefully with soap and water.
• Apply cool compresses.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
• To help prevent infection, apply antibiotic ointment.

Stinging Insects

Know your stings: When a bee stings, it leaves behind its stinger and venom sac. If the stinger is still in the skin, try to extract it as quickly as possible with sterilized tweezers.  Wasps do not lose their stingers when they attack (that is why they can sting repeatedly).  Should your child experience a sting:

• Clean the area carefully with soap and water.
• Apply cool compresses.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
• For itching, give an over-the-counter oral antihistamine (with your doctor's approval); follow dosing instructions for your child's age and weight. You could also apply calamine lotion to the sting area.
• Seek medical attention if:
• the sting is in the mouth, throat, or lips - such stings can quickly result in severe swelling that can block airways.
• a rash or swelling develops around the sting site.
• Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if you notice any of the following signs, which may indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction:
• wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing,
• tightness in throat/chest,
• swelling of the lips, tongue, or face,
• dizziness or loss of consciousness, or
• nausea or vomiting.

Tick Bites

Know your ticks: The most common types of disease carrying ticks are dog ticks, deer ticks, and lone star ticks; deer ticks are the most common carriers of Lyme disease, and dog ticks and lone star ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain Fever. Particularly during summer months, it is imperative that parents routinely check kids and pets for ticks, especially if they've been in or around wooded areas.

If you find a tick on your child:

• Contact your pediatrician immediately.
• Use sterilized tweezers to grasp the tick firmly at its head or mouth, as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull firmly and steadily on the tick until it releases (avoid twisting or yanking the tick). If possible save the tick for identification purposes.
• Clean the bite site with alcohol.
• NEVER use petroleum jelly or a lit match to try to kill or remove a tick. Using either may cause the insect to burrow deeper which makes extraction more difficult and increases the possibility of disease transmission.

Other Biting Insects

There are countless other insects that can impart bites that may result in discomfort, itching, and even possible infection.  Mosquitoes, black flies, midges, fleas, and biting flies have all been associated with transmitting diseases that can be devastating to humans and animals.  If your child is bitten by any insect (whether you witness the bite or not) and develops any of the following symptoms, seek medical help IMMEDIATELY:

• rash,
• fever,
• swelling or discoloration at the bite location or surrounding areas,
• any oozing discharge from the bite location, or
• severe cramping or vomiting.

If your child experiences an insect bite with no apparent allergic or toxic reaction, simply:

• Clean the area carefully with soap and water.
• Apply cool compresses.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
• For itching, apply calamine lotion to the bite area.

Safe, happy, and healthy travels!

-Destination Mom

Feeding Little Travelers On-The-Go!

Feeding your little traveller on the go can be challenging at times! Depending on your child's age, there are a myriad of considerations to take into account for your young traveller, from allergies to maintaining your regular feeding schedule. Below are a few quick tips for keeping your little explorer satisfied and safe!

Allergies:

Your child is never too young to suffer an allergic reaction, so before you embark on any trip you should be aware of any possible food allergies your child may have and pack any possible medication he or she may require if an allergen is encountered. Stow the appropriate medicines, prescriptions and portable epinephrine injector (“epi pens”) in your carry-on luggage, where you can access them easily in case of an emergency. If you are travelling by air, it’s a good idea to carry a note from your doctor authorizing the possession of an epi pen.

Infants: 

• For train or air travel, pack a few extra bottles of formula in case of delays. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the TSA's limitations on carry-on liquids.
• If your infant has started on jar foods or cereals, be sure to pack items he or she has already tried and has not had an adverse reaction to - vacation is no time to discover a new allergy.
• Never attempt to bottlefeed or breastfeed an infant in a moving vehicle. Infants should always be strapped into an age-, weight-, and size-appropriate carseat when a vehicle is in operation.
• When bottle feeding, hold the bottle at all times and control the angle to moderate the flow to suit your baby.
• If baby is with you at the table, be sure to keep sharp or pointy items, hot liquids or dishes, and pills and other small items out of the his or her reach.
• Also, avoid drinking hot drinks when breastfeeding.

Toddlers:

• Young children should always be closely supervised during feedings, and that can present some difficulty depending on your mode of transportation. Consider packing a portable feeding seat to stabilize and immobilize him or her during mealtimes.
• To reduce the risk of choking, keep hard round foods, such as nuts and hard candy, out of very young children’s reach.  Cut your toddler’s food into very small bites.
• Always make sure children eat while sitting down.
• Keep all pills and medications separate from food items to avoid accidental ingestion by children. Also, watch carefully for loose magnets. If more than one is swallowed, they can attract each other in the body and cause serious injury or even death.
• Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect that medication or poison may have been accidentally ingested by your child. This number will connect you to emergency help in your area. Keep the number in your cell phone.
• Packing familiar items such as sippy cups, small spoons, straws, and bottles will help your child eat the way they have become accustomed to and can help prevent little mouths from overstuffing. 
• Also, following your child's normal feeding schedule will help keep you child from experiencing the discomfort of extreme hunger which can lead to crankiness and tantrums.

A little knowledge and planning go a long way toward making on-the-go feeding safe, comfortable, and hassle-free; so spend a few extra minutes on packing and planning, because enjoying the journey is as important as enjoying the destination!

- Destination Mom

2 Great, Cheap Travel Apps!

If there is one thing that can make travel more fun and simple, it's a great app! But with the whole, wide world of apps, how can you find the best ones without spending a fortune? We've got two (for under two dollars!) that just can't miss; so if you're heading out this summer, download one of these fantastic apps - you'll be glad you did!

• Tripit - This fantastic travel organizer links with your email and makes it seamless for you to keep all of your information in one place. Flights, hotels, dinner reservations, tours,car service, etc.  Cost: FREE!
• Allsubway - Boasts subway maps for 137 of the world’s most visited cities, the essential tourist's guide to public transportation. Cost: a mere $1.29!

Summer Safety: 4 Lifesaving Recommendations!

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We all know that summer is a great time to get out and have some fun!  What you may not be aware of, however, is that summer is marked by a dramatic increase in accidental injuries and deaths among young children (aged 14 and under).  Data collected by Safe Kids Worldwide demonstrates that during summer months there is a marked increase in unintentional injury-related deaths attributed to drowning, biking, falls, and motor vehicle occupant activities among young children. 

The following guidelines and tips can help prevent such tragedies by reducing the likelihood of serious or fatal injury:

Water Safety

General: Always actively supervise children near water.  Begin teaching children to swim at age 4.  Teach children never to swim alone and never to dive into water less than 9-feet deep.  Obey all posted safety precautions at beaches and pools.

Pools: All pools should have a locking, gated, 4-sided isolation fence (preferably one that affords visual access, i.e. fine wire- or poly-mesh, wrought iron, etc.)  Door alarms, pool alarms, anti-entrapment devices and pool covers can also provide an additional layer of protection when used properly.

Open Water and Boats: Be sure children are equipped with appropriately sized life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard when on boats, near open bodies of water, or when participating in water sports. 

Bicycle/Scooter/Skateboard Safety

General:  Make sure children wear snug, properly-fitting helmets at all times when biking or riding scooters or skateboards.  Be sure children are using properly sized equipment (i.e. on a bicycle, your child's feet should touch the ground when they are sitting on the seat).  Teach children the rules of the road and be sure they obey all traffic laws.  Be a good example; when riding be sure you always wear a helmet and demonstrate proper etiquette and obey the law and all posted regulations.

Fall Prevention

Windows: Keep chairs, cribs, changing tables and other furniture away from windows. Install window guards on all windows above the first floor.  Don’t allow children to play on balconies, roofs, or near open windows.

Playgrounds: Actively supervise children at playgrounds.  Make sure they use only age-appropriate equipment.  Be sure playgrounds have soft-surface coverings (i.e. rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or fine sand) at least 12 inches deep, extending a minimum of six feet in all directions around the equipment.

Sports: Make sure kids wear appropriate protective gear, properly fitted when practicing and playing sports.

Motor Vehicle Safety

Car Seat Safety: Properly restrain all children ages 12 and under in a back seat on every ride.  Secure infants in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, and at least until they are 12 months old and weigh 20 pounds.  Secure children who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds in forward-facing car seats.  Secure children over 40 pounds in belt-positioning booster seats until an adult seat belt fits properly (at least 4' 9" tall and 80 to 100 pounds, for most children that's between ages 8 and 12).

Driveway/Garage Safety: Walk all the way around a parked vehicle to check for children before entering a car and starting the motor.  Toys should not be kept near parked cars as they can lure a child into a driver’s blind spot.

Entrapment/Heat Stroke/Suffocation: Never leave a child unattended in a car, even if the windows are open. Always keep your car locked.  Keep automobile keys out of children's reach and sight.  Make sure vehicle trunks are locked at all times. Keep rear fold-down seats closed so kids won't crawl into the trunk.  Have your car retrofitted with a release mechanism inside the trunk.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy summer! 

-Destination Mom

Tips for Successfully Traveling with a Group!

Thinking of travelling with another family or other adults? Before you go, take some time to discuss these important details together:

• 

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  what each person wants to get out of the trip (i.e., activities, sites  to visit, cuisines enjoyed, etc.)
• how chores and childcare will be divided
• how you'd like to balance spending time, together and apart
• how you'll split the bills (best to discuss this way before the trip is finalized so that everyone's financial situation is accommodated and no one feels like they need to overspend!)

A simple discussion beforehand can help ensure that your trip is enjoyable and that everyone knows what to expect up front!

Happy Father's Day!

For all our amazing Dads - know that when we count our blessings, we count you twice! 

Happy Father's Day!

Kidecals: The Verdict Is In!

Image modified to protect privacy

Last week, we featured a great little company called Kidecals, and I mentioned that I had placed an order and would report back once I'd had a chance to use the product first-hand.  Well, I am very excited to report that my order arrived early yesterday morning, so I've had two days to play with them! 

To start with, the labels were even more beautiful than I had anticipated! I chose a simple round design with our family's initial in the center and then our contact information around the outer edge (see image at right - I put the white ring over my family's contact info for privacy purposes). I had spent some time customizing the color for the labels and was curious to see how "true to screen" my selection would be.  It was truly spot-on; now I know that monitor settings vary from user to user, so your mileage may vary, but the labels I received were exactly the color I chose!

I wanted to run the labels through the gamut of abuses they were designed to withstand, so I applied one to a travel mug (which I microwaved hot tea in and then ran through the dishwasher -  top shelf, heated dry cycle), one on my daughter's backpack (which is really being pushed to the limit as she is clearing her desk out for the year), one on a sweatshirt jacket (I placed it on the tag and ran it through the washing machine and dryer, using hot water to wash and high heat to dry), and one on my cell phone case (because I loved how it looked!). I am thrilled to report that all the labels remained in place, did not fade, crack, melt, or peel off - not even in the dishwasher! I was staggered! I have melted plastic storage containers in my dishwasher, so I was sure the hot-cup label would melt or peel, but it looked as good coming out as it did going in!

I can now say without reservation that Kidecals are truly excellent; the quality is top notch, the ordering process is easy and fun, the shipping was free and fast, and the wide variety of decals and labels guarantees there's something for everyone! So if you are in the market for a personalized, attractive, high-quality organizational tool, I highly recommend Kidecals!

Family Summer Bucket List!

image courtesy of photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The school year is rapidly drawing to a close, and many families are starting to get "summer fever!" Maybe a fun family getaway is even already booked; but do you really know what your family wants to do this summer? Try asking!  

Take a day to try and schedule an informal family meeting (you could even discuss it over a meal!), to ask for input for summer fun from each of your family members. Then use that feedback to create a "Family Summer Bucket List!" 

Here are a few tips to make your list making experience fun and feasible:

• All family members should be respectful and take turns speaking
• No mocking or ridiculing other family members' ideas or suggestions
• Though each idea may not appeal to everyone, all activities must be family-friendly
• All activities must fit within the family-determined budget
• All activities must be safe and legal
• All suggestions should be open for discussion unless they do not conform to safety or other considerations

Ideas can be as complex as planning a family trip abroad or as simple as proposing a family picnic, use your imagination! Bucket-listing can help a family discern which interests or activities the family members share, and by including the kids in the list-making process they will be more invested in the activities you ultimately select! So grab a tablet, laptop, or pen and paper and have at it!

Looking for a Great Alternative to Hotels?

Looking to get away but trying to make your dollars go the distance? Consider "vacation rentals by owner" (VRBO)! Not only do private rental properties generally cost less than a hotel room, but most properties can accommodate a larger number of guests than a standard room and most feature a full kitchen, which allows you to save on dining costs as well! Other advantages of renting over hotel stays include: more privacy, greater diversity of accommodation styles and amenities (waterfront, mountain, pool, beach front, etc.), and greater flexibility with respect to accommodating pets. Our favorite resource, with almost 200,000 properties spanning the globe, is Vacation Rentals By Owner; check it out before you book your next getaway!

Make a Memorable Memorial Day!

image courtesy of Ohmega 1982/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As I sent my best wishes this past week to a dear friend who is deployed overseas, it struck me how very much we owe all those brave men and women, and their families, who serve in the armed forces. Our military families make tremendous sacrifices in the name of our national defense; in my friend's case, her deployment meant leaving behind her husband and 3-year old son.  It can be easy to forget that many brave service-people are spouses, children, parents, and siblings to loved ones they leave behind when stationed far from home.

As Memorial Day approaches, we encourage you (and your children!) to reach out and show your gratitude by finding a way to support our troops and their families.  There are many phenomenal organizations that provide support and services to soldiers and their families during deployments; below are two that offer numerous simple ways you and your family can help touch the lives of our country's military families:

Homefront Hugs

Homefront Hugs is a national volunteer organization in its 10th year, and a proud recipient of the Four Chaplains Award!  With a clearly stated mission "to offer unconditional support to our troops.veterans and families and make sure no hero is or feels forgotten," Homefront Hugs strives to make sure all Americans know they can make a difference (even from home!) in numerous ways thanking those who serve. Homefront Hugs promotes stewardship in communities across the USA reaching out to all regardless of ability, religion, age, or ethnicity.

Homefront Hugs needs volunteers urgently to thank our heroes by adopting a deployed soldier, adopting a brave military family, writing our wounded troops, or donating funds or supplies! You can help from home and become one of our awesome volunteers.

For more information, check out their page on Facebook!

Soldiers' Angels

"May No Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. The volunteers of Soldiers' Angels work tirelessly to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members and their families. 

To date, their volunteers have sent hundreds of thousands of care packages and letters to "adopted" deployed service members; with the assistance of their generous supporters , the many volunteers of Soldiers' Angels have accomplished this and much, much more on behalf of the grateful citizens of the United States of America.

For more information on donations and how you can help, check out their website!

Selecting the Best Sunscreen!

image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sunscreen is a fact of summer! Parents are all too familiar with making sure to slather their little ones with sunscreen anytime they will be outdoors, whether at the beach, at a sporting event, or even just in the backyard! But when it comes to picking out a sunscreen for their children, most parents select a sunscreen for their baby, toddler, or young child based simply on:

• the highest SPF they can find (typically 50+ or higher)
• that it is marketed as a kids' brand (Aveeno Baby, Banana Boat Kids, Coppertone Kids, Coppertone Waterbabies, etc.)

While these are great characteristics to look for, there are a few factors parents can take into consideration to simplify:

• most sunscreen formulations are not dramatically different for children, so it is not always necessary to buy separate sunscreen for your child and yourself
• the best sunscreens are not necessarily those with the biggest pricetags

The best sunscreens will: 

• provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
• have an SPF of at least 30. While there are higher SPFs, most experts acknowledge that the difference become less significant as the SPF exceeds 30 (i.e., SPF 30 offers protection against 97 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 which provides protection against 98 percent of UVB rays)
• be water-resistant. Even if you aren't going swimming, if your children are outside, they will likely be sweating, so a water resistant may offer better protection than a regular sunscreen
• be hypoallergenic and fragrance free, especially if your children have sensitive skin
• be easy to use on your child (i.e., formulated as a stick, gel, lotion, or spray, etc.) 

Unfortunately, many sunscreens that say that they are broad-spectrum don't block rays from the full UVA spectrum. To get the best protection from UVA rays, look for sunscreens with the following ingredients: 

• avobenzone, 
• titanium dioxide, 
• or zinc oxide.

If your child has sensitive skin, be sure to review the ingredients, be sure:

• to choose one that is PABA free
• it gets its UVA protection from a sunblock (i.e., titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since they are less irritating than avobenzone)
• to do a test application on a small area of your child's skin before you need to use it for real