Generic Prescriptions – Money Saver or Safety Hazard? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Top Toy Hazards

• Scooters and Ridings Toys- The chance of serious injury increases for children not wearing helmets and other safety gear.
• Toys with Small Parts- Most parents are aware of the danger of small parts on toys that can pose a choking hazard for smaller children. It is important to buy age appropriate toys and to make sure older children keep their toys out of reach from their younger siblings.
• Balloons- Do not let children under 8 play with or have access to un-inflated or broken balloons as they pose a choking hazard if swallowed.
• Magnets- Many popular toy manufacturers use small magnets as components of toy sets. Magnets pose a serious danger if swallowed as they can stick to each other across a bowel wall. This can lead to infection, surgery or even death. Note: Written warnings are not mandatory on toys containing magnets.
• Battery chargers and adapters- As it becomes harder and harder to find toys that don’t require batteries, the need for battery chargers and adapters has grown. When unsupervised by an adult children can be exposed to the risk of thermal burns.

While many people may scoff at the idea that these toys (many of which children have been playing with for years) pose a danger, at some point a child did suffer injury or possibly loss of life to bring the hazard to our attention. Personally, I feel one of the most overlooked hazards to children are the parents themselves. Many children find themselves in the emergency room or worse due to a lack of common sense or supervision on the parents part. As the parent of a small child I understand how quickly things can happen, it is important to not only use caution when purchasing toys for you children but to also have the foresight to see potential danger and take steps to prevent accidents from happening.

Child’s Play-Keeping Your Kids Safe was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Check your vehicle….twice- It would seem obvious but some people are so eager to get their trip rolling they fail to do a basic maintenance check on their vehicle. Before hitting the open road make sure your primary means of transportation- your vehicle is up for the task at hand. Winter months can be brutal on car maintenance so be sure to check the following things to make sure your car is in tip top shape.

• Make sure tires are in good condition and are properly inflated to ensure a comfortable, safe and fuel efficient trip.

• Top off all fluids and check oil for all appropriate systems such as engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.

• Consider a tune up to check for leaks, lose belts or other items that may be showing wear and tear.

• Make sure your battery is in good condition.

Get a map and a plan- One of the great things about a road trip can be the adventure of ending up wherever the road take you. While this can be great fun if you are traveling with a friend or companion you may want to have a general idea of where you are heading and how you are getting there. There is nothing wrong with taking the road less traveled unless it leads you to places you would prefer not to discover. It is especially important if you are traveling on a tight budget or with children to have a plan on where you would like to end up and how you will finance your trip to your destination and the return trip home.

Prepare for the unexpected- When traveling by the seat of your pants it is important to have a few things stocked in your car in anticipation of unexpected situations. Your vehicle may have passed all pre-road trip inspections but accidents can happen. Be sure to pack extra food and water in the event you get lost or experience car troubles in an isolated area. If you are not already a member of a travel club, consider signing up before heading out on the road. It is probably well worth the cost of membership to have backup in the event you find yourself stranded or locked out of your car in an unfamiliar location.

Plan games to pass the time- It may seem very romantic or adventurous the first hundred or so miles on the road but you may soon find that both you and your kids can quickly get bored with the passing scenery. Consider packing games or having road trip activities to pass the time when the miles seem to stretch longer than anticipated.

Stay alert- This is especially important when traveling to parts unknown. You should always remain aware of your surroundings and implement safe travel practices to ensure your adventure is just that- a fun adventure that will likely produce great memories to share for years to come.

Ready For A Road Trip- Check This List Before Venturing Out was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Keep your pantry stocked.

Depending on what part of the country you live in, the likelihood of getting “snowed in” for several days or even weeks is a thing of the past. In the event of a severe winter snow or ice storm however you may not be able to predict how long you may be stuck at home and having a fully stocked pantry can make your stay not only survivable but comfortable as well. You should aim for stocking your pantry with the minimum of three days worth of emergency food and water. In addition to these items you should also make sure you have simple winter safety tools on hand such as flashlights (with working batteries), extra blankets and an emergency weather radio.

Keep your car stocked.

This is especially important for individuals who regularly travel on rural or out of the way areas. While most folks living or working in these areas are seasoned at “reading” the weather no one can truly predict when a severe storm or blizzard may hit. Whether your car becomes disabled or the roads become impassable it is important to have a winter safety kit close at hand. Included in this kit should be blankets, canned heat (my mother always packed a candle-in-a-can), nonperishable food and water.

Keep yourself informed.

By far the best way to remain safe in the winter is to not get caught off guard when a winter storm approaches. With the technology available today there is really no reason to be unaware of an impending storm. In many cases as winter progresses people living in harsher climates tend to ignore or pay less attention to winter storm warning and advisories. Take heed when the forecast is calling for inclement weather; it is better to be safe than sorry.

For people living in areas affected by winter weather it remains unlikely that you will have to rely on these safety tips for survival but if the situation arises that you find yourself stranded either at home or in your vehicle being prepared will definitely make riding the storm out –a much more comfortable situation with which to deal.

Safety Reminders For Winter Weather was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Shoveling snow is a prime source of emergency room visits. Using improper posture and inadequate shovels can lead to serious back or other injury. There have been many reported cases of heart attack due to the stress shoveling imparts on the body. Spend the money on a good solid snow shovel in the beginning. Buying cheap, plastic ones will only end up costing you more money as you may need to continually replace them when they break. It may also increase your risk of injury. New shovels are designed with your physical health in mind and help take the weight off your back and knees.

If you already suffer from health problems, consider buying a snow-throwing machine. There are many options now available, including a compact and lightweight model that can easily be maneuvered by the young and old to clear smaller areas like sidewalks. They are relatively inexpensive and may not work well in deeper snow. The bigger industrial ones are good for clearing bigger areas and are able to work in higher depths of snow. Find a neighbor who has a snow-thrower and offer to pay a reasonable amount to come and clear your driveway. You could even try the barter system – your homemade blueberry pie for his snow-blowing services. Always use common-sense during inclement weather. You will end up saving yourself a lot of frustration, pain, injury, and money!

Practical Tips for Staying Safe in A Winter Storm was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

During changes in the weather, it is imperative you keep your tires in check. Do not try to estimate the air pressure levels in the tire by looking at them. Instead, you need to purchase a handheld tire pressure gauge and keep it handy in the car to ensure you always get an accurate reading. Oftentimes, the gauges on public air machines are broken or working ineffectively. Simply eyeballing the tires can leading to over-inflating or under-inflating the tire by up to as much as 20%.

Always check the pressure before driving the car to be sure the air inside is cold. As the tires move, the air inside begins to warm. Testing warm tires will not produce an accurate pressure reading. You should also refer to the car manual or the label on the inside of the driver-side door for the correct amount of tire pressure. Do not use the recommended amount printed on the tire.

Owning a vehicle is a big responsibility and at times an even bigger expense, especially now with the cost of gas and the rising cost of maintenance and upkeep.  Place a little note in your car reminding yourself to perform little safety checks, especially on your tires, before pulling out of the driveway. The few minutes it takes you to double check your vehicle can save hundreds of dollars in your pocket. It also will give you peace of mind knowing your vehicle is safe for yourself and your passengers.

Safety In Inflation was created by and is property of American Consumer News.