For those of us with children, an afternoon at the local park is a real joy. During National Playground Safety, April 26-30, we take a few days to focus on children’s outdoor play environments. As parents, we take a look at our judgment when kids are playing. I recently discovered that 200,000 children are injured on America’s playgrounds annually. And there’s no nationally coordinated effort to help kids stay safer–it’s usually left up to local communities and schools.
As the National Program for Playground Safety points out, playgrounds don’t become safer all by themselves. They’re advocating for that national program to:
1. Provide proper supervision of children on playgrounds
2. Design age-appropriate playgrounds
3. Provide proper surfacing under and around playgrounds
4. Properly maintain playgrounds.
How you can help (from NPPS)
* Design and distribute surveys to discover favorite and least favorite equipment, as well as recurring playground problems and injuries.
* Send letters to your state governor encouraging them to proclaim National Playground Safety Week.
* Create and hang posters in schools and community areas outlining S.A.F.E. playground practices.
* Complete playground equipment safety checks and evaluations.
* Challenge your school to an injury-free week on the playground.
* Check out your local playgrounds. If there is hard surfacing, such as asphalt, concrete, dirt, or grass underneath play equipment, call the owner and politely voice your concern. Ask if there is anything you can do to help.
* Write to the editor of your hometown newspaper commenting on any playground safety issues in your local community. Give credit to those facilities with safe playgrounds as well.
* With children, make a maximum of five playground rules that they can remember and follow.
* Check for safety using NPPS Lesson Plans. To order, call 800-554-PLAY (7529).
Posted in: Home Security
As you spread holiday cheer, Monitronics wants you to be fire smart, especially when it comes to your Christmas tree. That beautiful decoration can turn a small fire into a huge one in a matter of minutes. These tips come from our friends over at the National Fire Protection Association.
Picking the tree
* If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
* Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Placing the tree
* Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1–2” from the base of the trunk.
* Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
* Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
* Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
Lighting the tree
* Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
* Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
* Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
* Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
After Christmas
Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.
FACTS
Each year, fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees.
* 48% of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
* A heat source too close to the tree causes 27% of the fires.
Posted in: Home Security
As the ghosts and goblins get ready for this Saturday, we take a quick look at Halloween safety tips for families.
- Go trick-or-treating in groups with an adult supervising during daylight, if possible. If it’s dark, carry flashlights.
- Never go into a strange house for your treats—stay outside the door.
- Set a route and a time limit for trick-or-treating. Stick to well-lit streets, avoid shortcuts, and make sure someone not with your group knows where you are.
- Watch out for dogs—this is not the night to make friends with a new four-legged creature.
- Keep the treats until you go home. Take time to spread them out on a table and look for any packaging problems. Do not eat any candy that looks like it has been tampered with.
- Have fun!
Posted in: Tuesday tip
Got some tasty treats cooking up in the kitchen? Keep it safe with these fire prevention tips. Your safety and home alarm system needs aren’t limited to anti-theft protection. Statistics show that the No. 1 “home intruder” is fire. In fact, cooking is the number-one cause of all home fires: almost 40% start there and most start during the dinner hours, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The sooner a fire is detected and emergency responders are notified, the greater the chance that your loved ones and possessions will be safe
• Think prevention when you’re cooking. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and have monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the U.S. Home Safety Council, 97% of U.S. homes have at least one basic smoke detector – but an off-the-shelf smoke alarm may not be enough to protect your family and property. Monitored smoke detection and fire alarm systems work even when your alarm system isn’t armed – and early detection of smoke or fire is the key to faster response.
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking and avoid cooking when you’re tired.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing around burners or gas flames.
• Move flammables away from stove-tops—paper and plastic catch on fire easily.
• Smother grease fires with a lid, metal tray, or cookie sheet. Don’t spray with an extinguisher. You could spread the fire to the walls.
• Unplug small appliances when you aren’t using them.
Posted in: Home Security
