Summer Camp Safety

With summer quickly approaching, your kids might be making plans to stay busy while school's out. A popular summer activity is always summer camp- a chance for the kids to break away from the parents and experience life in the great outdoors. However, before you send your kids to an overnight camp, making sure they (and you) are prepared is the key to keeping them safe and happy. Here are some tips to ensure your kids are getting a great experience out of a summer camp:

• Choose the best camp for your kids. If your child has a health condition like diabetes or asthma, make sure the camp is equipped to medically handle a crisis situation.
• Schedule doctor's and dentist's appointments before your child leaves. This will make sure your kids are in tip top shape before you ship them out. Plus, most camps AND schools require physical exams, so plan accordingly so you don't have to double up. 
• Check the camp's sun protocol, and make sure there is an ample supply of sunscreen during the daytime activities. Teach your kids that a palmful of sunscreen is a good start when applying it before sun time. Pack a hat and suscreen in your kids suitcase, too.
• Prepare the camp staff for your kids' food allergies. Develop a plan of action with your kids in case an allergic reaction hits.
• Plan for your kids' emotional health as well. Managing homesickness is a major part of experiencing summer camp, and little reminders of home can make a child feel safe and happy while away. 

For more information on summer camp safety, click here.

Recall Roundup Part 3

Check out this video from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, called "Recall Round-Up," highlighting the most recently recalled products. The products include Banzai inflatable in-ground pool water slides, Kennedy Internationals folding step stools, and Kolcraft Tender Vibes and Light Vibes bassinets.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a time to remind everyone about how to stay safe around unfamilar dogs, and how dog owners can keep their beloved pets from becoming violent. Nevada is a “one-bite” state, which literally means that the dog gets one free bite before any liability is imposed on its owner. However, dog owners are strictly liable (meaning the party is liable regardless of fault), for any harm caused by a dog with a known propensity for danger to others. The dog basically has one “get out of jail free” card, and then once the dog is considered dangerous the owners must take extra care in protecting others from harm.

The American Veterinary Medical Association gives pet owners these guidelines for dog bite prevention:

Carefully select your pet. Puppies should not be obtained on impulse.

Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals.

Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.

Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of trust between pets and people.

Walk and execrcise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog.

Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and other health care are important because how your dog feels affects how it behaves.

Neuter your pet.

If you have a fenced yard, make sure the gates are secure.

For more information on National Dog Bite Prevention Week, click here.

National Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week

Every year, the week before Memorial Day is designated National Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week. Recreational water illnesses (RWI's) are caused by germs spread by ingesting or having contact with contaminated water in pools, hot tubs,water play areas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. These illnesses can also be caused by chemicals in the water that can cause indoor air quality problems. Because of the number of BBQ's and pool parties that occur over Memorial Day Weekend, this week focuses on simple steps to help ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone. Here are some helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control: 

Keep an eye on children at all times, kids can drown in seconds and in silence.

Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.

Don’t use air-filled swimming aids (such as “water wings”) with children in place of life jackets or life preservers.

Protect against sunburn by using a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection, and be sure to re-apply it after swimming

When using a hot tub, observe limits, if posted, on the maximum allowable number of bathers.

Exclude children less than 5 years of age from using hot tubs.

Avoid drinking alcohol before entering the hot tub or pool. 

If pregnant, consult a physician before hot tub use, particularly in the first trimester.

For more information on RWI's and pool safety click here.

May 2012 Recalls

We want to get you up to speed on recent recalls from this past month- and some are particularly dangerous. Recalled products that enter the marketplace pose a considerable risk to consumers. Click the links in the list of products below to learn more about the recalls.

• Dog foods manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, recalled for possible salmonella contamination. 
• Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster, recalled for risk of salmonella.
• Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides, recalled after reported death and severe neck injuries.
• Sportspower BouncePro 14' Trampolines (sold only at Walmart), recalled due to netting breakage. 
• Kolcraft Tender Vibes & Light Vibes bassinets, the child's bassinet may become detached and fall.
• Spinbrush Rechargeable Toothbrushes, recalled after reports of the charging base overheating. 
• Water Pik SinuSense sinus irrigation devices, water is found to seep into battery compartment.
• FunFresh Foods World Berries Organic "Cacao Nibs", recalled for possible E. coli contamination. 
• Figi's Lemon Bar Bites, recalled for containing undeclared almonds.
• O'Neill Pluto hooded flannel shirts, recall due to a drawstring strangulation hazard.
• LA Fashion Hub Girls' Hooded Winter Jackets, recall due to a drawstring strangulation hazard. 

For a complete list of recalls, click here.