So if you are expecting, about to become a grandparent, already a parent or you (or your child) just got a summer job as a nanny or babysitter: READ this post! Car seat safety guidelines have changed radically in the last few years. So, even if you have younger kids, you might not be aware of the new rules. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their recommendation on car seat guidelines, urging parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age two, or until the...

Halloween season is upon us, with lots of local festivals and events happening before the big day. As your little ghouls and boys head out to collect their candy, make sure they follow these three tips for staying safe: 1. Never let your child trick-or-treat alone.   Children should only trick-or-treat with a group that includes enough responsible adults to manage excited kids in costumes that might make it difficult for them to be seen. A little reflective tape on costumes can also ...

Last week we talked about trick-or-treating tips for your kids; this week, its all about safety guidelines for homeowners. Lots of people really get into Halloween decorations, with homemade "cemeteries" in their lawns, DIY Haunted Houses on their driveways, loads of lights, and lots of hanging skeletons, cobwebs and, of course, Jack o Lanterns. But, as with anything, these decorations can pose a safety risk if youre not careful. Here are 5 safety tips every homeowner needs to follow: ...

This week, were wrapping up our Halloween-themed posts with a fun one: alternative treats to hand out. Now were not suggesting you hand out toothbrushes or boxes of raisins; but nowadays, there are lots of treat options that wont put you at risk for having a tree full of toilet paper on November 1! Here are 25 ideas: Cereal bars/Nutrigrain bars Mini bags of microwave popcorn Snack bags of pretzels or Goldfish crackers Juice boxes Applesauce cups or squeeze...

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare - your child. Missing. Not too far from Cincinnati, in Indiana, the Indiana State Police have issued two Amber Alerts in the past two days. That is highly unusual for our Western neighbors, according to Andre Clark, Program Director for Missing Children and the Amber and Silver Alert programs. Nevertheless, these alerts have heightened parent anxiety everywhere. With the recent days history in mind, its helpful to know the ins and outs of A...