Fall means cooler temperatures, beautiful fall colors, apple and pumpkin picking, and building excitement as Halloween approaches. We love Halloween and all of the pre-holiday prep that goes into from deciding on costumes, procuring items to wear, and choosing candy in preparation for the Halloween night. As the sun sets and costumes are being put…
Safety
Stop Medicine Abuse Raises Awareness About Cough Medicine Abuse #NotMyTeen {sponsored}
Throughout the month of October we’re inundated with causes that increase our awareness about various issues but one campaign that families should take time to learn about is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month. Stop Medicine Abuse is a prevention campaign funded by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and their goal is to alert parents and…
What You Say When Your 9 Year Old Asks for a Beer
“When do I get to have a beer?” our almost ten year old daughter asked as we were standing in the line for $5 beers on a gorgeous first day of fall that also marked the last Washington Nationals game of the season. Looking her in the eyes, I said very matter of factly, “Alcohol…
Fall Allergies or a Cold? How to Tell the Difference to Feel Better Fast {sponsored}
I suffer from seasonal allergies which usually means sniffling, sneezing, and red watery eyes in the spring but this fall has thrown me for a loop since I’m experiencing similar symptoms. How do I know I have allergies instead of a cold? At first it was tempting to think that I had a cold but the…
8 Ways to Prep Your Home and Devices for Severe Weather {sponsored w. video}
If you don’t start making plans for severe weather until you hear about it, sometimes it’s too late. When bad weather starts to hit the news, a frenzy hits, often resulting in looting of stores for emergency supplies such as batteries, flashlights, and even generators. Smart families know that it’s important to always be prepared…
6 Tips for a Healthy School Year {sponsored}
Our seven year old son has suffered his bumps, bruises, and trips to the hospital when he was younger and just as I sat down to write this post, my husband came inside to tell me that he fell out of a tree while playing outside. We’re fortunate that he’s fine and there’s no trip…
Long-Life Sealed-In Battery Smoke Alarms Required in Maryland {sponsored PSA}
In an effort to reduce home fire deaths, the State of Maryland has a new law requiring homeowners to replace any battery-operated smoke alarm more than 10 years old with a unit powered by a 10-year sealed-in battery. Sealed smoke alarm technology seals the batteries into the unit’s housing and circuitry, making them tamper resistant…
7 Ways to Survive Family Travel Without Sedating Your Kids {sponsored}
Growing up on the West Coast, it’s pretty common for our family to travel to California to see grandparents, other family members, and friends. At 9 ½ and 7, our kids are pretty travel savvy but when they were younger, I’d get a lot of travel advice from fellow parents like “just give them a…
{sponsored} 4 Ways to Become More Sunscreen Savvy
During the summer we live at the pool and while it’s essential to slather on the sunscreen in the warm weather months and throughout the year, sometimes it just seems like a pain. Our kids cringe and squirm when I try to apply the lotion or spray varieties despite knowing the importance of protecting their…
{sponsored} Did you remember to put #MedsUpAway?
Since it’s still June and it’s still National Safety Month for at least a few more days, I thought I’d take the risk of sounding like a nag to remind you to store medicines up and away especially as you embark on summer vacations. Disclosure: I receive compensation as part of the CHPA OTC Safety Ambassador…
