Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross wantsyour family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips,

the Lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing  to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a  safety gamble!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no  to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
13. For additional information on how you and your family can be prepared for emergencies on Halloween or on any day of the year, please visit www.RedCross.org

On October 23, 200 Au Pair in America Au Pairs went on a Scavenger Hunt in NYC.  They searched all over Manhattan for the items on the list snapping pictures by smiling policemen, in front of Mood fabric store, visiting Tiffanys and so much more!  Fun for everyone and the top 4 teams even won cash prizes!

International Day of Peace was celebrated by countries around the world on Sept 21.  In recognition of this day and 9/11, Global Awareness, a program of Au Pair in America sponsored a peace contest. Au Pairs answered the question, ‘What does Peace mean to you?’  Paint a picture, take a photo, write a poem, or sing a song.  Entries were received from young women participating in the Au Pair program and were judged for creativity and message.

Tatiana Dulcey from Colombia, an Au Pair for a family in East Hampton, took 3rd place in the Global Awareness for her painting “No Borders, No War.” 

You can see all the painting and poetry entries at 

http://www.globalawareness.com/art/gallery.asp

 Special Needs Family

Fall Festival

Was held on

 October 15

  Lots of families visited the Au Pair in America Booth fo learn more about the program.  The children enjoyed creating their own passports with flag stickers from the countries that the au pairs are from around the world.  The kids colored Global Awareness placemats.  The globe tattoes were a big hit with all the children!    

October is Fire Prevention Month and the American Red Cross is encouraging people to take steps to lessen the risk of a fire in their home.

It is recommended that people check each smoke alarm in their home by pushing the test button at least once a month and replacing batteries every year, or as needed. Fire escape plans should include at least two escape routes from every room in the home and a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from the home. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year and revise as necessary. Families are encouraged to pay particular attention to developing and regularly practicing escape plans for children and older adults.

Additional recommendations include:

• Keep matches and lighters away from and out of reach of children.
• Don’t leave the kitchen, and don’t leave the home while you’re frying, grilling or broiling food.
• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home.

During Fire Prevention Month, visit www.redcross.org for more steps people can take to lessen the chance of a fire in their home.

Effective communication with your Host Family is the key to a successful year:

1.  If you don’t understand something your host family has said, tell them. They will be happy to help you. Nodding and saying yes if you don’t understand will only result in a problem later on.
2. Sit down with your host family and review your responsibilities, schedule and house rules as soon as possible.  Make sure you understand them.
3.  Sit down with your host family at the end of every week to review how the week went. This is the perfect time to evaluate how things are going and to decide if changes are necessary. 
4. Speak up! If there is a problem, a concern, something you don’t understand, tell your host family about it immediately. 
5. Talk to your community counselor.  Sometimes it’s helpful to have a neutral person to “bounce an idea off of.”  The counselor is here to help you as well as the host family. Everyone wants this to be a successful match. 
6. Try to resolve conflicts as they arise.  TALK, TALK, TALK! No one will know you are upset if you don’t say something. 
7. It is important to try to see the other person’s point of view. You may not agree with it, but it’s helpful to understand how the other person views the situation. 
8. Don’t expect your HF to read your mind!  Speak up!  Don’t say, “The Host Family should know how I feel!” No one can know unless you SPEAK UP! 
9. Do not keep your negative feelings to yourself.  No one will know what’s troubling you unless you SPEAK UP!! 
10.  In Conclusion: Talk, Talk, Talk!!