The New Year brings resolutions; let one of your resolutions be to keep kids safer.
At home or at school, we need to help our kids keep safe and protect them from online predators and online (and offline) bullies. Here are a few things to help you keep that resolution of a safer environment for our children.

• Preventing Cyberbullying
• Responding to Cyberbullying
• Online Lingo
• Internet Safety Quiz for Adults
• Internet Safety 101.org
• 10 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Facebook and other Social Networking sites have become very popular with teens and younger kids too. Here are a few articles and websites to help you keep your kids safe while online.

• Kids and Socializing
• Facebook for parents
• Facebook 101
• Privacy setting on Facebook for teens
• Social media safety

Although the weather outside feels like winter, spring is just around the corner. With warmer weather and travel plans for spring breaks, it is important to remember warm weather safety for our kids. Let's make our travels and time with each other memorable and fun.

• Child Passenger Safety
• Protect your family while traveling
• Kids Traveling Alone
• Spring Cleaning and Safety
• Sun Safety

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him." John 3:16-17

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Below are a few articles that will help us be more aware of abuse, how it can happen, and how we can prevent it:

• 10 Ways to be a Better Dad
• 10 Ways to Prevent Motherhood Burnout
• Dealing with Tantrums
• Keeping Your Family Strong
• An Approach to Prevention
• Recognizing Abuse
• Protecting Kids Online
• Make Your Pinwheel
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Missing Children's Day is May 25

On May 25, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school. His photo, taken by his father, a professional photographer, was circulated nationwide and appeared in media across the nation and around the world. Etan became the poster-child for a movement. The powerful image came to symbolize the anguish and trauma of thousands of searching families.

The widespread attention brought to Etan’s case and several others eventually led to a nationwide movement to help locate and recover missing children. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25^th – the day that Etan went missing – as National Missing Children’s Day. Since then, each administration has recognized this day as a time to renew efforts to reunite missing children with their families, remember those who are still missing, and make child safety a national priority.

In honor of National Missing Children's Day, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children encourages you to take 25 minutes to help make children safer.

• Conversation Starters
• 25 Ways to Make Kids Safer (English)
• 25 Ways to Make Kids Safer (Spanish)
• Missing Child Guide
• FBI Child ID App
• National Child ID Kit 

"See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10

Just because school is out does not mean we have to stop learning. We can't take a vacation from keeping kids safe, so here are a few things to help you keep on track for a great summer!

• Know the Rules for Children Home Alone
• Summer Safety Tips
• Child Safety in Amusement Parks
• Kids Coloring Book on Safety
• Surviving Summer Boredom 

Safely celebrate our country’s freedom! Take the time to enjoy your families, friends, and your freedom; remember that we are never free from keeping our kids safe. 

• Fireworks Safety Tips
• 4th of July Safety Tips
• 11 Tips for a Safe 4th
• Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts
• Drowning Happens Quickly

Now is a time for new beginnings and new lessons. Our contribution is to help parents, teens, and children learn new ways to stay safe in the world. We've shared a few links to get you started.

• Back to School Safety Checklist
• Kids Safety Checklist
• Wearing a Bike Helmet: Myths and Facts
• Kids and the School Bus
• Know the Rules when Home Alone
• Know the Rules for Traveling to School

Check the site regularly for updates and please feel free to email the Office of Safe Environment if you have articles or websites that you have found helpful in keeping kids safe. 

School is in full swing, and it's not just kids who will be learning constantly.

We must all continue to learn how to keep our child safe. Parents, teachers, and every adult must help keep kids safe from bullies, accidents, predators, and people and things that can harm our children. We must all continue to make the world a safer place for our kids.

12 Steps to Stop School Violence

• For Parents
• For Principals
• For Students
• For Teachers

Autumn is here, and while getting ready for Halloween and other seasonal events, don't forget to think ahead about safety.

• Playing it Safe on Halloween (English) (Spanish)
• Tips to Create Safer Schools
• What About the Children?

October 8-4, 2017 is Fire Prevention Week! Refresh yourself and your children on Fire Safety at home and elsewhere.

• Fire Safety Checklist
• Kids in the Kitchen
• Hidden Picture Puzzle for Fire Safety
• Make an Escape Plan

It is that time of year, when we get together with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings. Let us give thanks this year for all our children and work to keep them safe now and throughout the year.

• Autumn Health and Safety Tips
• Know the Rules for Holidays
• Know the Rules with Kids Traveling
• Thanksgiving Safety 

Children are our most precious gift of all: let us cherish and protect them in every way throughout the year. May you have a joyous Christmas season.

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2).

• Holiday Fire Safety
• Holiday Health and Safety Tips
• Holiday Safety Tips
• Seasonal Fire Safety

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​​​​​​​Other Safety Information

Family Watchdog

Winter is here! We hope your family is staying safe and warm this holiday season. Don't forget about us at Family Watchdog. Make sure to check your neighborhood to see if anyone moved in/out of your area lately. You can always sign up to get e-mail notifications for when an offender moves in/out of your location.

Staying Safe in the Cold

With the cold season fast approaching, and here already for most of us, we wanted to highlight winter safety in this months newsletter. Too many cold weather incidents happen yearly, most of them easily prevented. Check out the following tips and pointers we have gathered for your reading (and learning) pleasure.

Protect your hands and feet. Wear mittens when possible because your fingers can share warmth (regular gloves are good, but mittens have the edge.) Wear socks that will keep your feet dry and warm. Some people wear a light liner sock made of a material that wicks away moisture ext to the foot and then put a natural fiber sock over it. Try to wear the higher cut socks, not the low risers. 
Protect your lips. Use lip balm to keep your lips from drying out from the cold and windy weather. 
Avoid dehydration. As long as fluids are not restricted by your physician, drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated. 
Dress properly. Wear outer clothing that shields the wind and sun from your skin. Cold and windy air causes a wind-chill effect that is much colder and more dangerous than the measurable air temperature. 
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol causes your body to lose heat, in addition to contributing to dehydration. 
Be prepared. When traveling by car, keep extra socks, blankets, water and snacks on hand in case a mechanical problem, storm, or empty gas tank leaves you stranded (see below for car safety). 
Inquire about your meds. Ask your physician or pharmacist if any of the medications you take can make you more susceptible to a cold-weather illness. 
Protect your children. Instruct the kids to come inside when they feel cold, or if their clothes get wet. Play it safe. Because they pose a strangulation risk, it's best not to wrap children in scarves. Instead, use a neck "gaiter", which stays in place and keeps your child warm without risk. 
Eat light. A snack before going out in the cold is better than a heavy meal, which requires a large blood flow to the gastrointestinal system to aid in digestion. The digestive process may prevent warm blood from circulating to your fingers and toes. Save the heavier meal for when you are safely back inside. 

Just as you dress yourself in extra layers and winterize your house to protect it from the cold, your car needs extra preparation to make it through the winter as well. But getting ready is only half the battle. Winter driving conditions also make driving differently. Snow and ice need to be taken seriously and prepared for.

 

Winterizing Your Home

Hopefully you have not waited until now to winterize your home . Need to winterize your home quickly? While you can hire home improvement professionals for the big stuff, most of it you can do yourself easily and effectively. Click here for winterizing tips from Bob Vila.

 

Fireplace Safety

The winter holiday season is the most joyous time of the year for many families. Bright decorations on the mantle make warming by the fireplace even more special than usual. But before enjoying your fireplace during the wintertime, it's important to get your annual chimney cleaning and inspection. In addition to that, there are special fire prevention steps to take especially during the holidays. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends getting your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. There are several hazards that can be eliminated when a professional chimney sweep cleans your chimney, including the removal of soot, creosote, and glaze.

Heater Safety

When buying a small space heater, follow these guidelines:

• Only purchase newer model heaters that have all the current safety features.Make sure the heater carries the Underwriter's Labratory (UL) label.
• Choose a thermostatically controlled heater, because these heaters avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.
• Select a heater of proper size for the room you wish to heat. Do not purchase oversized heaters. Most heaters come with a general sizing table.
• Locate the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater.
• More heater information here.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

This winter, make sure your car is as prepared as you are. Going the extra mile by getting your vehicle ready for winter and learning what it takes to drive safely through ice and snow could save your life and the lives of others. Some of the following tips can be performed by any do-it-yourselfer; others require the skilled hands of a professional auto technician.

Engine Performance: Have a funny humming? Get engine driveability problems corrected at agood repair shop. Cold weather makes existing problems worse.
Fuel: A bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. Try to keep your gas tank over a quarter full so it does not freeze.
Oil: Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual — more often (every 3,000 miles) if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips.
Cooling Systems: The cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a pro.
Windshield Wipers: Replace old blades. If your climate is harsh, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Stock up on windshield washer solvent-you'll be surprised how much you use. Carry an ice-scraper.
Heater/Defroster: The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
Battery: The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care: Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections. If battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
Lights: Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
Exhaust System: Your vehicle should be placed on a lift and the exhaust system examined for leaks. The trunk and floor boards should be inspected for small holes. Exhaust fumes can be deadly.
Tires: Worn tires will be of little use in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressures once a month. Check the tires when they are cold, before driving for any distance. Rotate as recommended. Don't forget your spare, and be sure the jack is in good condition.