National Preparedness Month: A Good Time to Prepare Your Family

This month is National Preparedness Month which means it is a great time to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared if a disaster ever strikes your area. You can never be too prepared for an emergency, which is why following these key tips and tools will help make sure you are prepared as possible.

Some disasters that could strike your area include hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or even a house fire in your home. A disaster plan can ensure you are ready if you and your family ever have to deal with one of these emergencies. A plan should include the following:

§  A meeting place right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire or gas leak

§  A location outside the home where family members can meet if you are unable to get to your home

§  A contact such as a family member or close friend that lives outside of the area that can help connect

The Red Cross provides a planning sheet that you can easily download and print off: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m12140360_ARC_Family_Disaster_Plan_Template_r083012.pdf?campmedium=internal_link_download&campname=family_disaster_plan_english

It is a good idea to hold a family meeting and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies. Each member should have a duty assigned to them so that everyone can work together when stress can usually be high due to an emergency occurring. Plan out an evacuation plan from the home and keep all important documents in one location. The documents should be secured in a safe box that is fire proof. Have a plan in place for your pets as well.

The Red Cross also has a great site set up to let your family know you are safe in the event of an emergency. Visit this site for more info: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

Remember, if you find yourself in an emergency; please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.  

September is Baby Safety Month

With summer coming to an end, now is a great time to focus on protecting babies and their health. Baby Safety Month was created as a month-long education campaign that focuses on increasing consumer awareness of safety issues regarding baby products and how to correctly use baby products to protect children from harm.

There are many ways you can keep your baby safe, but one important focus is on a baby’s sleep and making sure they are safely secure. Here are some great tips for a safe sleep environment for your baby:

Ø  When putting a baby down for a nap, always make sure to put your baby on its back.

Ø  Make sure the mattress the baby is sleeping on is firm and that the sheet is fitted so they don’t get tangled up in the sheet.

Ø  Remove soft objects like stuffed animals or blankets from the crib.

Ø  When you put a baby down to sleep, make sure they are in a onesie or sleep sack for warmth. A blanket is not needed and can cause more of a hazard to their sleep.

Ø  The room temperature for a baby should be between 68 and 72 degrees. You do not want your baby to overheat.

Ø  When your baby is sleeping, make sure to check on him or her frequently.

Ø  Always make sure the products you use around the baby or put on or in their crib meet federal safety measures.

If you make sure to follow these simple tips, your baby will have a much safer sleep environment. Another key area to focus on in protecting your baby is making sure you follow car seat safety guidelines. Here are a few tips to make sure you are providing the best safety for your child while in the car:

Ø  For the best protection, make sure you utilize a car seat that is rear-facing. (The American Academy of Pediatrics suggest utilizing a rear-facing car seat until at least two years of age.)

Ø  Make sure to read the manual for installing the baby car seat and follow it step for step to ensure the utmost safety for your baby.

Ø  To make sure you have installed the car seat correctly, you can make an appointment to have it checked out. Visit www.seatcheck.com or www.nhtsa.dot.gov for more info.

Keeping a baby safe is important. For more tips on baby safety, visit these websites:

http://jpma.org/content/parents/baby-safety-month

http://www.babycenter.com/baby-childproofing

http://www.safekids.org/