Summer Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

YAY!  It's finally here... Summer! The warm, beautiful weather, outdoor activities and family fun are plentiful this time of year. Unfortunately, so are the opportunities for sunburns, heat rashes, bug bites, water dangers, and many more summer activity hazards. Below are five important summer safety tips to help ensure a super spectacular summer!

Why yes, that is Ollie and Professor "The Bloody Cat" playing at the beach!

1. Avoid sunburns like the plague: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, getting one blistering sunburn when you are a kid doubles your chances of developing melanoma. It goes without saying the best way to avoid sunburn is to avoid the sun, but during the warm summer months that is near impossible, so always apply at least an SPF 15 sunscreen to exposed skin 30 minutes before exposure. Also, whenever possible try to provide shade for your child in the form of umbrellas, loose clothing, long-sleeves, light pants, and wide-brimmed hats.

For children under 6 months old, consult your physician before using any sunscreen. For children over 6 months old, but under 2 years old, visit The Environmental Working Group’s website (EWG.org) for an extensive list of safe sunscreens for sensitive skin.  (To read my complete post on the BEST and WORST sunscreens for the little ones Click Here.)

*If sunburn occurs and your child starts to feel ill, consult your pediatrician – seek immediate medical attention if your little one’s temperature reaches 105f.

2. Swim Smart- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800 children drown every year. That number is scary and beyond heartbreaking. For that reason, when around any body of water with young children and poor swimmers, stay within arm's reach.

Here are a few top tips from the Red Cross on pool/water safety-

• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. 
• Do not trust a child’s life to another child 
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

  

  This is what I have Ollie in this Summer--They are called Puddle Jumpers.

• Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail. 
•  Safety covers and pool alarms should be added as additional layers of protection.
• Teach children to always ask permission to go near water!
• If you are around water and your child is missing ALWAYS check the water first. Seconds count. 

* Secondary drowning occurs after a child has struggled in the water. It is rare and accounts for only 1-2% of drowning cases, but still be aware that if your child has struggled in the water, and swallowed water. As a result, secondary drowning is possible. Look for these warning signs:

• Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a cough
• A sudden change in behavior 
• Extreme Fatigue

The bottom line is that you know your child, after a near-drowning incident or a long day of swimming,  Be aware of any sudden changes from the norm.

3. Stings and Bites-With lovely warm weather comes evil pesky bugs. Unfortunately, bright colors and floral prints (summer colors!) attract bees and wasps, as do those sweet sticky faces and hands. If you are going to a park or area that you know will have a high concentration of bugs, bees, and wasps, stick to clothing with muted light solid colors.

If your child is stung, don't pull out the stinger with fingers or tweezers. Scrape gently with a credit card to push the stinger out in the direction in which it entered. Once the stinger is out, make a paste out of baking soda and water, or a 0.5 percent hydrocortisone cream can provide relief.

As for insect repellents… DEET can be toxic! Repellents with 10 to 30 percent concentrations of DEET can be used on exposed skin, clothing and shoes, but do not apply it too little faces or hands. If you want to avoid DEET, the (CDC) recommends repellents that are made of picaridin are non-toxic and work just as well as formulas with low levels of DEET.

*The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend that for children older than 2 months of age use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should never be used on children younger than 2 months of age.

*Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.

We LOVE and use the Honest Company All Natural Bug Spray and their sunblock stick for squirmy little faces...

4. Over Heating/dehydration/and heat rashes- The key to avoiding overheating is to stay hydrated. Always have cool drinks, preferably water or sports drinks readily available to your children. Never wait for your child to tell you he is thirsty. According to the AAP, your child is already dehydrated when he asks for something to drink, so offer lots of fluids both before going outside and once your child is outside playing.   

* Hot, humid weather can lead to blocked sweat glands that lead to nasty rashes in the folds of your child’s skin. If this occurs, place your child in a cool, soapless bath.  Dry him completely then apply cornstarch powder to the rash, and avoid unnecessary clothing.  The rash should clear up in two to three days.

5. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CHILD UNATTENDED IN THE CAR FOR A MINUTE! Next time you are alone in your car, turn it off and count to 60 - Not very comfortable is it?  Within one minute your car can increase by ten degrees Fahrenheit!  TEN! Under no circumstance should your child be left in a car. 

*Even the very best parents and caregivers have been known to forget about a sleeping child in the backseat. A good rule of thumb is to keep a small stuffed animal in the car, and every time you get in place the small stuffed animal in your lap to remind you that your child is in the car. Or place your purse/laptop bag in the backseat with your child, so you have to get in the backseat before leaving your car. (Thanks for the tip, Mel!) This is especially useful in the mornings.  This may save your child’s life.  

If you have any experiences or tips that you would like to share...please leave a comment below.  Have a happy and safe summer!

And last, a bonus, and something near to my heart, proper eye care during the summer season, and all year long... you don't want crows feet right?  The following infographic will blow your mind!

*Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics


American Academy of Dermatology


Safe Kids USA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Red Cross

PBS.org
The Vision Council

5 Sanity Saving Hacks For Family Holiday Travel

After dragging my son around the world and back, I feel pretty solid about sharing a few tips for meltdown free family travel. So, if you're dreading heading to Grandmas for the Holidays, or even trading bitter temperatures for warm sands, I can help make the trip not suck, because regardless of the mode of transportation or destination, one thing remains the same, the kids are coming and you need to prepare. 

1. Pack as light as possible. Between the gadgets, toys, clothes, blankets, bedtime bears and favorite pillows, it's easy to over pack. Very easy. Combat this by making a list of essentials for each family member, and stick to it. It's not like you're leaving for good, it's a week! 

Road Trip Tip: Check to make sure the headlights and taillights are working. Give em' a wipe while you're at it. Double check tires' air pressure and tread and look for nails or debris that could be potentially dangerous. You may want to invest in an air freshener too!

2. Snack Attack. Whether it's a hungry kid or a chatty kid, snacks will come in very handy.  Skip the traditional sandwiches for bento box lunches to keep kids busy.  Also, have a bribe treat. The go-to to your kid won't turn down. Like a scooby-snack. This is your miracle worker. Don't leave home without it.

Road trip snack TIP: Freeze small bottles of water and use them in the cooler instead of ice. The frozen bottles will keep things cold and the cooler from filling with melted ice that sloshes back and forth with every turn, begging to pour out all over the floor of the car.

3. Floors Are For Feet Only. Let's face it, the floors can be valuable real estate when traveling, but not so great for the person losing the foot space. Free up the foot space by hanging bags on the back seat. Backpacks fit nicely over the 'shoulders' of the seat or secured by the headrest. When in flight, slip things over the back of the tray table to free floor space.

4. Check Your Tech. Before embarking on any trip, check your tech; replace the batteries in your camera, charge everything, and bring a car charger. Pack all tech stuff in the same bag. When it comes to a crying kid over a dying tablet, the last thing you'll want to do is search four bags to find it. 

5. Set expectations very low. With all the planning, comes high expectations. Kill them. Now. Expect everything to go wrong. Make sure the children think they are on their way to hell and it will take hours to get there. The lower the expectations and understanding that shit happens, the happier everyone will be. 

Road trip tip: Whether you're traveling with a child or not, invest in a box of baby wipes. The pre-moistened wipes clean messy faces and surfaces in a pinch, and without stinky harsh chemicals! Not to mention, those little wipes will be a lifesaver at those grimy roadside and airport bathrooms that haven't seen an attendant in at least a decade.

6 Tips For Planning Your First Family Trip

Families all around the world look forward to their first vacation together. Whether you escape into the mountains on an all-natural retreat or head to the nearest tropical beach, it can be an exciting time for everyone. Here’s the thing: it can also be extremely stressful if you don’t have the right planning tips. To avoid this stress impacting on your family vacation, it’s always a good idea to turn to some trusty advice.

Book everything in advance



Everyone knows that the later you leave it to book everything, the more expensive it’s going to be. This is especially true with family trips, as you’ll be more likely to travel during peak season. Peak season is known for being hard to avoid, as it’s the only time you can take the kids on vacation with you. Luckily, it’s easy to save money when you start planning early, but booking a year in advance isn’t necessarily the best idea. In fact, you can avoid sky-high flight fares by booking between three and four months in advance. Make sure to book resort accommodation directly with the company to get the best rates. With these points ticked off your to-do list, keep stress low and enjoy the build up to your first family vacation.


Choose a family-friendly resort

There are regular resorts, and then there are family-friendly resorts. While most resorts cater to couples and adults-only, family-friendly ones are tailored towards families of all ages, and you can be sure there will be an abundance of activities for you to indulge in. Striking the right balance can be tricky with some resorts, as you need this vacation to be as calm as it is fun. When you are searching for a resort to stay in, make sure to pick a relaxing resort that also appeals to young children. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many options there are. At resorts like these, you can expect the day to start with a hearty breakfast and beachside activities, with lots of time to unwind on the hot sand.

Consider the kids



This goes without saying, as this trip is as much for your kids as it is for you. Although it will be impossible to cater to every child’s wishes, it’s a good idea to consider what they want to do on your first family vacation together. If you’re keen to keep it a surprise, there are a few getaway options that promise smiles all round: beach getaways are perfect for sandcastles and swimming, and kids old enough to explore might enjoy camping trips. Parents going on their first vacation with younger children- like babies and toddlers-should pick a destination that offers great babysitting, cool and comfortable nighttime weather, and a safe environment.

Pack everything you need

No one wants to turn up to their destination without some important essentials, but this happens almost every time people go away. When you have more people in the family to pack for, there’s more room for mistakes. It sounds simple, but making a list in the few weeks leading up to your vacation is the best way of making sure you have everything you need. You can add to this list when you remember something else, taking inspiration from online list examples. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you should always take sunscreen and loose-fitting clothing, which will keep you cool in hotter climates. A first aid kit, travel adaptor and travel documents should also be at the top of your list- no matter where you’re going.

Try out some new activities

Vacations are perfect for relaxing, but family vacations are also an ideal time to jump into some new activities. When you want to take a break from building a sandcastle, beach sports like swimming and ultimate frisbee can be enjoyed by adults and young children alike. If you’re taking older children on their first family vacation, volleyball or kayaking might be a better option. Before you arrive at your destination, it’s worth looking at the local area alongside your resort, to see what kinds of options there are. If you’d like to be super organized, make a small itinerary to squeeze everything in. In any case, these activities are the best chance you’ll get to take some valuable family photos. You might want to take a waterproof camera with you to get the best underwater shots.

Don't forget to leave some free time for yourself

Your first family vacation is all about spending some quality time with your kids, but it’s also a time where you should be able to unwind and de-stress from your usual daily life. This means that for every activity you enjoy with the kids, you should also schedule some downtime to relax in. This could be as easy as sunbathing on the beach or indulging in a candlelit evening meal with your partner. As long as you leave your vacation feeling refreshed, and the kids leave smiling, you’ll know that you’ve nailed your first vacation together.

What Families Should Consider Before Booking A Hotel Or AirBnB

There's a new trend in the hotel industry making it easier for families to travel and stay in a serviced home-away-from-Home. Think: Airbnb with Amenities. What is it?  Apart'hotels. 

Photo Credit: Ascott Limited

Offering more than a cubicle with a bed and bathroom, Apart'Hotels provide a fully equipped home away from home, with plenty of room for a family to move around.

I've stayed in three, from Melbourne, Florida to Melbourne, Australia. They are the real deal, super budget-friendly for family travel and offer SO MUCH MORE ROOM!

While in the past, fully equipped serviced apartments were considered only for relocation and extended stays of more than a week or two, times are changing. Serviced apartments or Apart'hotels are popping up in major cities across the world. With comparable nightly rates to traditional hotel rooms, these multi-room apartments are staking their claim on the hotel industry. 

Pictured above is a two bedroom serviced apartment at the Apart'Hotel Citadines on Bourke, in Melbourne Australia. The Hubs, kid and I stayed in that beautiful space our first two nights in Melbourne. Offering two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen (with Dishwasher!), a separate living area and workspace. We were FLOORED! The place was huge, with beautiful views from the 25th floor, and centrally located in the Heart of Melbourne's CBD on the biggest shopping street in the city! 

But that's not all... The room rate was comparable to a traditional hotel room down the street! 

The trend towards Apart'hotel development is showing the growth of serviced apartment units to far exceeded traditional hotel unit expansion over the next two years. According to a survey conducted by the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP), 48 serviced apartment operators show expansion targets both in the UK and globally, at an anticipated global increase in the supply of 145,000 serviced apartment units through 2018. 

The shift towards Apart'hotels is great news for budget-friendly family travel. With the larger room footprint, fully equipped kitchen, and in-room washer and dryer facility, families can pack lighter and prepare meals in the room. This is especially helpful when traveling as a large family, or with young children. The money saved on baggage fees and eating meals out may even pay for the room.

We were able to eat breakfast in the room, store leftovers from meals out, keep bottle waters cold, do laundry, and be centrally located. I cannot stress it enough, before you book a traditional hotel room, look for an Apart'hotel or serviced hotel first. Your family will thank you. YOU, will thank you. Most of all, your family-budget will thank you.