National Fire Prevention Week Autumn ushers in amazing, colorful foliage, crazy corn mazes, and pumpkin patch fun. Fall also opens the door to our major holiday seasons of the year when we find ourselves celebrating with cherished family and friends. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when we face a greater risk of fires in our homes. Therefore, it’s no coincidence, that National Fire Prevention Week falls on the second week of October. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most house fires occur each year during the long holiday season, making it the most dangerous time of the year.  […]

From tiny tots to tenacious grandmas, preventing falls is an important part of healthy aging. So I’ve dedicated two posts to the subject. In the first, I identified risk factors and prevention measures for children, and in this second, I’ll identify risk factors and prevention measure for older adults and those with mobility issues.  […]

From tiny tots to tenacious grandmas, preventing falls is an important part of healthy aging. So I’m going dedicate two posts to the subject. In this, the first post, I’ll identify risk factors and prevention measures for children; and in the second, I’ll identify risk factors and prevention measures for older adults and those with mobility issues.  […]

  Back to School Back-to-school season comes with mixed emotions. This means your children’s schedule-free, relaxing summer days have come to a close, but school doors are open bringing much anticipation and excitement for a new school year. It also ushers in a little anxiety for us as parents—even for the most experienced. The what-ifs that plague us when we aren’t there for an immediate assist to help our kiddos when they need it. Giving them a quick dust off, clothing adjustment, hug and wink of reassurance, before sending them back on the road of life. Let’s face it, we all worry!  […]

  The Total Solar Eclipse On August 21, America is going to have first-row seats to the only solar eclipse most of us will see in our lifetime. The path of totality—the area in which viewers will see a total eclipse with the moon completely blocking the sun—will cross Missouri starting around Kansas City and ending near the boot heel. The path is a little over 300 miles long, and the expected number of visitors is 1.2 million. Missouri is going to be pretty crowded along those 300 miles. If everyone spread out evenly over those 300 miles, that’s still 4,000 visitors per mile. That doesn’t include that people who already live in the area.     An increase in population density of this magnitude means several things:   Emergency response times will be lengthy in the event of an emergency. The possibility for an increase in traffic accidents is real. The number of people on the road will lengthen drive times. So how do you safely enjoy the solar eclipse and all of the great events that have been planned in your area?  […]

Staying Safe at Work You’ve all taken the mandatory class. You each passed the test at the end. What else do you possibly need to know about work safety? You might be surprised. Sure, you learned that the best way to protect your eyes is to wear safety glasses. It’s hysterically obvious to you that it’s a bad idea to use the forklift and a chain for removing stumps on your break time for kicks. And you know from experience when your coworker decides he doesn’t need to follow standard safety protocol and asks you to, “Hold my soda,” that you should definitely not hold his soda but instead try to talk him out of whatever crazy idea he just came up with. You get it. You’re a common sense kind of person. But common sense doesn’t cover everything, especially in high-pressure situations. So here are three tips to keep you safe at work.  […]

  Time for a Road Trip Road trip time! Whether cruising across country, heading to sandy shores for needed beach time or the cool, clear mountains for some hiking, the open road is calling you. And you’re not alone. Three-quarters of Americans plan to take a road trip in 2017. If you plan to be among the road-trippers, start your trip with some careful prevention and planning. While I can’t rescue you from any “Are we there yet?” requests, I do have a few tips to save you stress, time, and money later on down the road.  […]

Enjoying the Outdoors Do you enjoy the outdoors? My kids and I love being outside. We especially enjoy our hikes because it gives us a chance to explore and learn while we move around. If you live in a rural area as we do, then you have plenty of wildlife and plant life to admire anytime you’d like. Camping gives you the perfect chance to unplug and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you plan to camp out or go on a hike, these tips are for you.  […]

Summer Heat Safety Tips There’s no denying it, summer is an amazing time of year. The earth is in full bloom. The great outdoors calls to us, promising adventure and memories. As we head out to enjoy all that summer sunshine, let’s cover some of the heat hazards that can come into play during our outdoor fun. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Hot Facts Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be life-threatening. The more you are aware of the risks, symptoms, and prevention methods, the better the chance that you can avoid any life-threatening heat issues. Sadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 350 people die each year due to the effects of heat. At what temperature should you become more diligent about guarding against heat stroke?  […]

Summertime Swimming Fun Are you ready for summertime fun? My family certainly loves the warm months when we can swim and play outside without bundling up. Before you go to the pool this year, put water safety at the top of your list. Before you find yourself poolside, lakeside, or beachside, there are a few safety strategies you can easily follow to keep yourself and your family safe. Swimming is an excellent way to keep our kids active and outside. But on these fun-filled days on the water, the danger of drowning is ever present.  […]