Safe Kids Seat Check Event

A cheap way to buy magazines

This idea isn't for free magazines or super cheap magazines just a unique way of purchasing them. My husband suggested to me a few years ago when I couldn't decided which scrapbook magazines I wanted to buy to try this: Subscribe to a new magazine every few months and after a year keep the ones you want and cancel the rest. In doing this you spread out the inital payments as well as the renewal payments throughout the year. You could also ask for subscriptions for your birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or Mother's Day. I would also suggest if your child or a child you know sells magazines for school to order through them to help them out. Yes, I know Start Sampling has free magazines as well as many other places on the web, BUT if you do have to buy a magazine keep in mind what else is due or how you can get a subscription as a gift.

Thirteen Things for Summers End

1. Enjoy Nature- take your child fishing, kite flying, or on a walk to enjoy the last of the warmer days.
2. Get ready for school- have a Back-to-School fashion show for your children to try on clothes from last year or clothes bought ahead to make sure they will still fit.
3. Don't forget the shoes- i try to buy 2-3 sizes ahead, but they may not always fit across different brands. Have your children try on shoes to make sure they have gym shoes and school shoes ready to wear.
4. Safety First- check your smoke detectors and fire alarms. replace batteries as needed. Create an escape plan that all members of your family can follow.
5. Outerwear check- make sure you have the proper coats, jackets, sweaters, ponchos, raincoats in the sizes that your family will need this fall.
6. Vehicle Check- Make sure your vehicle is up and running smoothly. Get your oil changed and keep a full gas tank. Get your fluids and brakes checked to be sure everything is up to par!
7. Stock up the refrigerator- make sure to buy healthy snacks that are quick to prepare. Make ahead pancakes or waffles or muffins and freeze them for early school mornings.
8.Fill your water bottles. Keep plenty of cold, fresh water handy to grab on the go. With school, practices, and meetings you will want to stay hydrated on the go!
9. Check shot records and physicals- not just for your children but your pets as well.
10. Check car seats and make sure your child still meets the height and weight requirements for that seat. Check your states law and make sure you have everyone secured properly.
11. Schedule a family meeting to coordinate schedules and plan meals. Meal planning cuts down on the rush and anxiety as well as the extra expense of drive-thru food. Remember to add breakfast and after-school snacks to your grocery list.
12. Remember your child's teacher with a note of appreciation or a gift basket of goodies for the first week of school.
13. HAVE FUN!! Enjoy the last days of summer before the cool weather strikes.

Hot Cars+Forgotten Child=Disaster

Just saw this video that I wanted to share with everyone about the danger of leaving your child in your vehicle when it is hot out. Please take the time to watch it as well as pass it on to family and friends!

Child Passenger Safety Tech

What is a CPS Tech?

Who can become one?

How do you become one?

A CPS Tech is someone who is a child passenger safety enthusiast. Techs are people who share their knowledge about child restraints with parents and caregivers at car seat checks, fitting stations, and informal education sessions. Often police, firefighters, and nurses become tech in order to help families in their communities.

Any person over the age of 18 can become a certified tech. A qualified candidate should be interested in occupant safety or child advocacy and should be physically capable of installing child restraints.

A 32 hour certification class can be taken to become a Child Passenger Safety Technician. If the Tech is more interested in pursuing a career in CPS then becoming an Instructor via the Instructor Candidacy program would be a good path to follow.

I Did it!

I finally officially registered for the Instructor Candidacy program last week. The craziness of my brother's wedding is over. My sister and twin nieces are back home in Texas and the dust is starting to settle from our interior "remodel" and painting project.

I talked with my mentor and will be able to assist with a Renewal Class in August and then be a Course Assistant for the 4-day Child Passenger Safety Technician Class in September. I will also Tech at two car seat check events in September and attend a 1-day Occupant Protection conference next week. Early 2009 I will go through a class as an Instructor Candidate to become certified. Lots of exciting stuff and lots of reading, researching, learning as well as practicing teaching my knowledge of CPS!!

I still plan to start my blog talk radio show in August. Day and time are still to be determined but will be sure to post as soon as I know.

Safe Air Travel for Children

VideoJug: Safe Air Travel For Children