National Back-to-School Month

By Terry Orr

While driving to Silver Diner for breakfast this morning - our local all news radio station mentioned that one local school district starts their new school year today – while two other major areas would begin the last week of August and the remaining school districts after Labor Day.

So many things to consider and to get accomplished in a short time – clothes, supplies, health (eyes, shots, physicals, hearing, and more), new routines (study, sleep, early wake ups, packing backpacks, et al) and getting into the right, positive attitude – to name a few.

There is significant amount of help online – local, state, federal, organizations, blogs and websites to satisfy almost everyone.  Some of those are provided below under Resources, References, Links and Tips section below.

Many folks will be able to tailor a couple of the checklist to meet most of their individual needs.  We highly recommend checking with each school your children will be attending for any specific requirements – such as what foods can be brought; clothing restrictions; medical and medicines requirements; schedules and points of contacts.

Safety is once again an important topic to review with the whole family to cover any new material and refresh everyone the importance of Think Safety First.  Safety Checklist from the National Safety Council has an excellent list and here are some highlights:

[http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/SafetyObservances/Documents/Back%20to%20School/Back%20to%20School%20Safety%20Checklist.pdf ].

Transportation Safety

Walking to School

Riding a bicycle to School

Riding the bus to School

School Safety

Preventing backpack-related injuries

Preventing playground-related injuries

There are other important manners to consider as well:

Check-ups and Immunizations

Take your child in for a physical and eye exam before school starts

Make sure your child’s immunization shots are up-to-date

Keep your child’s health documentation handy

Plan Healthy Breakfasts and Lunches

Huge challenge these days with all the do’s and don’ts regarding what a child is allowed to bring their lunch – due to allergies and other health related issues.  Breakfast is such an important meal – and having a hot one has so many benefits.  Many kids are out of the house by 7 AM – so when do they find time for that all-important meal of the day?

So Mom and Dad, how do you resolve this dilemma?

Have you already got your planning activities undercontrol?

Resources, References and Links:

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Back-to-School.shtml

http://kids.usa.gov/grown-ups/for-parents/get-involved/index.shtml

http://www.momagenda.com/printable/back-to-school.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/family-health-12/back-to-school-prep

http://singleparents.about.com/od/yourchildseducation/tp/btschecklist.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/back-school-complete-checklist-parents/story?id=11407354

http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/762-back-to-school-checklist

http://www.parentfurther.com/blog/back-to-school-checklist-for-parents

http://www.parents.com/app/checklist/?checklistId=3002e

http://people.richland.edu/jodell/notes.html

http://www.arc.sbc.edu/notes.html

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic1/taking-notes-5-college-success-tips/

AUGUST 2013 OVERVIEW

By Terry Orr

As summer is coming to a close and autumn on the horizon – lots of folks are getting ready for school.  Some for the first time – how exciting and scary as well – meeting new friends and looking forward to seeing old friends.

In July, we posted “Back to School Checklist” [ http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2013/07/back-to-school-checklist.html to assist you in preparation for the upcoming challenges of getting everything in order and into the ‘school routine’.

This months article will focus on education and related topics – will a couple articles to assist the students and parents.  In addition, as Diane is taking time off to work on another project during August and perhaps some or all of September – there will fewer articles written and posted this month.  I will also use this time to recharge my batteries and do some new research on topics for the fall.

Many thanks for your continued readership and comments and please feel free to make comments, recommendations, and fresh ideas for future articles.

 [Photos from Google]

Back to School Checklist

By Terry Orr

Ugh….No!…its still July…I don’t want to think about school yet Mom. Three of five my grandson’s will be returning to school soon and granddaughter begins Kindergarten in a few weeks.  Earlier today, while working on the August Blog schedule – the light went off – what we need is a good checklist for folks getting ready of school and college. Well, the first list I found (mom’s back to school checklist) starts with…2 months before school starts!!  Yikes, I am already two weeks late with this article.  Guess this ‘forgetting things’ is yet another reminder, that perhaps I’m getting older.

Each of the references below have some excellent ideas to help the parent, children and students get ready of their upcoming routine and things that need to be done prior to starting classes.

Getting them back on the routine of getting to bed and up on time has always been a long pole in the tent in our home.  They love staying up late and sleeping in late. One of the links suggest to start going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night until you reach the desired bedtime and same with getting up in the mornings – sounds like a good plan. If this will be the first year using an alarm clock, recommend an early start for that as well.

In the family – shared calendars are a must these days – and having a wall calendar in the kitchen/hallway makes excellent sense.  It’s an easy reminder for all what is going on – two months (this and next) is another good idea.

Post new rules at school where everyone can see them.  This will save lots of time and frustration for all.  Do’s and Don’t list. Emergency Contact List posted and one carried at all times.

REFERENCES AND LINKS:

http://www.momagenda.com/printable/back-to-school.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/family-health-12/back-to-school-prep

http://singleparents.about.com/od/yourchildseducation/tp/btschecklist.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/back-school-complete-checklist-parents/story?id=11407354

http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/762-back-to-school-checklist

http://www.parentfurther.com/blog/back-to-school-checklist-for-parents

http://www.parents.com/app/checklist/?checklistId=3002e

 [Photos from Google) 

Fire Prevention Week and Month

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By Terry Orr

“Fire! Fire! Fire! Class Alpha Fire in compartment 01-….” Hearing this announcement over the ships 1-MC (general announcement system) gets all hands immediate attention.  The other related announcement starts with “this is a drill, this is a drill…Fire….”  This is equally important as practice makes perfect (or nearly) and hones your firefighting skills.  For those who spend the days on land – they seldom if ever practice basic firefighting skills, understand the different types of fires, practice emergency exits, or know to prevent most fires. So set us start by taking a short fire prevention quiz.

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Fast Facts About Fire

(From National Fire Protection Association)

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Home Fires

• One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010.
• Most fatal fires kill one or two people.  In 2010, 19 home fires killed five or more people. These 19 fires resulted in 101 deaths.
• In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

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Escape Planning 

• According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
• Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half actually practiced it.
• One-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!

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Smoke Alarms

• Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 92% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 77%  of the time.

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Cooking

• Cooking has been the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries since 1990. Unattended cooking was by far the leading cause of these fires; Two-thirds of home cooking fires began with ignition of cooking materials, including food, cooking oil, fat, or grease.
• Cooking caused two of every five (42%)  of reported home fires, roughly one of every seven  (15% ) home fire deaths, and two of every five (37% ) home fire injuries, and 11% of direct property damage from home fires in 2010.
• Ranges accounted for the 58% of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%.
• Children under five face a higher risk of non-fire burns associated with cooking than being burned in a cooking fire.
• 90% of burns associated with cooking equipment resulted from contact with hot equipment or some other non-fire source.

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Heating

• Heating equipment was the leading cause of reported home fires in the 1980s and has generally ranked second since them.  It is the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Fires involving heating equipment peak in December, January and February, as do deaths from these fires.
• The leading factor contributing to heating equipment fires was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Portable or fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in one-third (32%) of home heating fires and four out of five (79%) home heating deaths.
• Half of home heating fire deaths resulted from fires caused by heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.

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Smoking Materials

• In 2010, smoking materials started and estimated 17,500 home structure fires, resulting in 540 deaths, 1,320 injuries and $535 million in direct property damage. Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
• Sleep was a factor in two of every five home smoking material fire deaths. Possible alcohol impairment was reported in one quarter of these deaths.
• In recent years, Canada and the United States have required that all cigarettes sold must be “fire safe,” that is have reduced ignition strength and less likely to start fires.

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Electrical

• Half (49%) of home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Other leading types of equipment were washer or dryer, fan, portable or stationary space heater, air conditioning equipment, water heater and range.
• In 2010, electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in an estimated 46,500 home structure fires resulting in 420 deaths, 1,520 injuries and $1.5 billion in property damage.

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Candles

• On average, there are 35 home candle fires reported per day.
• More than one-third of these fires started in the bedroom.
• More than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.
• In 2010, candles caused 3% of home fires, 4% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries and 5% of direct property damage from home fires.

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Home Fire Sprinklers

• Automatic fire sprinkler systems cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about 83%.
• Home fire sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive on the scene.
• Sprinklers are highly effective because they react so quickly in a fire. They reduce the risk of death or injury from a fire because they dramatically reduce the heat, flames and smoke produced, allowing people time to evacuate the home.

Be sure to download and print Sparky’s “Home Fire SafetyChecklist” and make sure your home is prepared.

Remember to be fire and safety aware everyday – if you see something that is a potential hazard – fix it then!

References and Links:

• http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=1203&itemID=28255&URL=Safety%20Information/Fire%20Prevention%20Week/Fast%20facts%20about%20fire
• http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=2220&itemID=52182&URL=Safety%20Information/Fire%20Prevention%20Week/Fire%20Prevention%20Week%20quiz
• http://www.sparky.org/pdf/sparkychecklist.pdf