Tag Archives: safety

Preventing Dehydration in Hot Weather

Dehydration means that the body lacks the necessary amount of fluid. Infants and small children are more likely to become dehydrated than older children or adults, because they can lose relatively more fluid quickly.

Here are some steps to take to make sure children remain hydrated in the summer months:

  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. On hot days, children should drink significantly more water than usual, as they are losing more due to the heat.
  • Do not wait until your child is thirsty to give him water. By the time they feel thirsty, they are already becoming dehydrated.
  • If your child is resistant to drinking enough water, have other liquids on hand for your child to drink throughout the day.
  • Be alert to changes in behavior. A child may act confused or more irritable when they are becoming dehydrated/overheated. Get them into cooler temperatures and drinking more fluids.
  • Dress your child in lightweight clothing in the summer months, particularly if she’ll be playing outdoors in warm weather. You may also consider clothes that are well ventilated as they do not trap heat close to the body.
  • When there are heat and/or air quality advisories because the weather is dangerously hot, you should avoid taking the children outdoors. Check with your host parents for further guidance on this topic.

Remember to follow these tips for yourself too, so you stay well hydrated.

Photo: Darwin Bell (Flickr)

Do you have a car safety kit?

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What should you have in the trunk of your car in case of an emergency? I’ll give you a hint- it’s not a cat. While they are cute, they are not very helpful in a crisis. Below is a list of some more helpful things to keep in the car.

Recommended items to have in the car in case of emergency

  • Cell phone car charger
  • Jumper Cables (be sure you know how to use them)
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Flares & Reflective triangles
  • Bag of sand or kitty litter (to help if stuck in ice, snow)
  • Small shovel, snow brush and ice scraper
  • Extra windshield solvent
  • Blankets and extra clothing
  • Nonperishable food items and water (e.g.. snack bars)
  • List of emergency telephone numbers on a card in the glove compartment
  • Auto club card (AAA or roadside assistance)

Here is another post with a list of what to keep in the car glove box.

It is always a good idea to keep the gas tank at least half full at all times, especially in the winter.

Photo: Bart Everson

Make safe decisions!

Driving 

· Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules with your host family, if not talk to them about it or call me

· Ask permission if you need the car to go somewhere other than where you would normally go

· Do not take the car to areas that may not be considered safe, especially in and around cities, ask your host family if you are not sure

· Be careful at night, park in well lit safe places, avoid empty looking car parks and indoor garages

· Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving

· Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so they can help you

Alcohol Laws in the United States

· It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol in the United States.  If you are over 21 please be mindful if you are with other au pairs who are under 21 and the risk they take if they break the law.

· Using a fake id’s is illegal.  You can be arrested for using a fake ID.

· Drinking and driving is illegal and is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk.  You should never drink and drive.  If you are arrested for drinking and driving there are very serious consequences in this country including jail time.   Also, be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and driver.   Make safe choices and don’t take unnecessary risks.

· Do not risk your year and participation on the program by drinking underage, it is not worth it!

Home Alone

 · If your host parents are going away overnight and leaving you at home,  talk about the house rules ahead of time and respect them

· Talk to your host parents about having friends over when they are away including friends staying overnight and male guests too

· If you are under 21 years old do not offer alcohol and/or drink alcohol in your host parents home or offer alcohol to other au pairs in their home

· If you are over 21 talk to your host family about their house rules regarding alcohol use.  Do not offer alcohol or buy alcohol for anyone who is under 21.

Always make safe choices!

Pool Safety

Parents and families can build on their current safety systems at pools and spas by adopting additional water safety steps. Adding as many proven water safety steps as possible is the best way to assure a safe and fun experience, because you can never know which one might save a child’s life—until it does.
  • Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
  • Teach children basic water safety tips
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
  • Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
  • If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
  • Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
  • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
  • Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
  • Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency.

If you own a pool or spa:

  • Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
  • Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
  • If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
  • Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
  • Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
  • Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
  • Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

From http://www.poolsafely.gov/parents-families/simple-steps-save-lives/ and iaff523.org

Have a safe holiday!

As we approach the holiday season, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the laws regarding alcohol consumption in the United States. At this time of year you may be invited to holiday parties and events where alcohol is served.

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol. Even if you are over 21 please be mindful if you are with other au pairs who are under 21 and the risk they take if they break the law. Using fake id’s is also illegal. Of course, drinking and driving is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. You should never drink and drive and getting arrested for drinking and driving has very serious consequences in this country. Also, be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and driver. You have invested a lot to be here to enjoy your experience in the United States and I want all of you to be successful. Be safe and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Always put safety first and enjoy the holidays!

Download the Red Cross First Aid App!

red cross logoWe are pleased to recommend the official American Red Cross First Aid app, which puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hands. Available for iPhone and Android devices, this app gives you instant access to info about how to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to learn more about first aid…invaluable for au pairs and host families!

Winter driving safety tips

Driving safely on icy roads

  1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
  3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
  4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
  5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
  7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
  9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Are your toys safe?

This is a good time to check toys for broken parts, sharp edges and loose pieces that could be swallowed by very young children. If you are choosing a holiday gift for children you care for, make sure any toy is age appropriate and cannot harm the child. Getting children to help put toys away is another way to be safe around toys.

Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to check for recalled toys.

It’s Baby Safety Month

Smiling infant on back with legs raised in the air

Baby Safety Month

There are safety tips throughout this site to keep the children safe. Here are some more tips for baby in honor of Baby Safety Month:

  • Check condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any that have sharp edges or are broken or falling apart.
  • Check children’s clothing for loose buttons and remove strings.
  • Is baby’s pacifier still in good condition? Be sure it isn’t coming apart. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby’s clothes or crib.
  • Where do you set baby’s carrier when she’s in it? Not on the counter please, or any high surface. Babies can wiggle and tip themselves over.
  • Are you using an old walker? It’s time to throw it out. Walkers can be dangerous (especially old ones that don’t meet today’s safety standards).
  • Stroller check. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won’t get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don’t hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller; this may cause it to tip over.
  • Can you name the 12 most common choking foods for kids under five? Popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raisins, ice cubes, chunky peanut butter, peanuts (nuts of any kind), hard candy, grapes, raw carrots, potato chips and corn chips.
  • Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating; if they begin to choke you need to be nearby to assist.
  • Get a piggy bank: this is a great place to put coins so they don’t end up on the floor, in the couch cushions and then baby’s mouth.
  • Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub. If the phone rings, let the machine get it, or bring a cordless phone into the bathroom with you. Wait until baby can sit alone to give baths in the tub. It’s easier in the sink until then.

Enroll in an infant/child CPR and first aid class. This will be a valuable investment of your time, and Au Pair in America will pay for it if you have at least 3 months remaining on your visa.

School safety

It is that time of year again when students of all ages get ready for the first day of school.  Here are some tips to assist with the “back to school” transition and hopefully great start to the new school year.

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

  • Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
  • Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
  • Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
  • If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

BACKPACK SAFETY

  • Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
  • Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.
  • Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
  • Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

To be safe when they travel to and from school, follow these simple safety rules:

AT THE BUS STOP:

  • Always walk to the bus stop. Never run.
  • Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.
  • Always go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
  • While at the bus stop, wait in a safe place away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting.
  • Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and tell you parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.
  • Wait for the bus to arrive, watch for red flashing lights and the stop sign to be extended, and cross only when all traffic has stopped. Look left, right, and left again before crossing.

ON THE BUS:

  • Go directly to a seat. Remain seated and facing forward for the entire ride.
  • Talk quietly (so the driver will not be distracted).
  • If you need to talk to the bus driver: wait for the bus to stop, raise your hand, and call the driver’s name.
  • Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Never play with the emergency exits.
  • Keep the aisles clear at all times.
  • If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

EXIT THE BUS:

  • When getting off the bus make sure you walk (not run) three more steps away from the door. This is the best place to be around a bus. Stay away from the bus wheels and watch out for moving cars!
  • Once you get off the bus, go straight home so an adult will know where you are.
  • Only get on and off the bus at your designated stop. If you need to get off the bus somewhere else, you will need to have a note from your parents.
  • If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and they may begin moving the bus.

    • Also, if you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where you are.