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MarniHughes's Blog

by MarniHughes from Twin Cities

Last Post 39 days, 13 hours Ago


Baby Proof
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:43 PM
Category: News
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Tonight, we reported on a tragedy, involving a 2-year-old girl in St. Paul.  She opened a dresser drawer, and a 27-inch television fell on top of her.  Her precious life was cut short... all because of a preventable accident.  My heart goes out to her family.

As a parent of young kids, hearing stories like this forces me to look around my own home, for possible dangers.  There are so many we don't even realize.  For instance, do you know about the toilet paper roll test?  Anything that can fit inside the cardboard roll... is also small enough to fit in a child's mouth, creating a choking hazard.  You may be surprised the items around you home posing a potential danger.

At my house, some of the things we do, that are obvious and simple... cover eletrical outlets, put all cleaning supplies up and out of reach and gate off stairs.  We close bathroom doors and make sure the strings hanging from window treatments aren't within reach.  And don't forget the stuff up high.. that can also be a danger, like tv's, computer monitors, free standing microwaves, or other household appliances. 

I know I'll go home tonight, and take another look around.

 

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CherokeeKid read my blog view my photos
Aug 1, 2008 | 8:55 PM

During the summer months you hear of child care providers and some of the heat related ailment that they report about in daily observations.

Parents in summer obviously have an altered schedule in the things that they do with their children of all ages. Variable ages of children and parents visit pools in summer months.

As a swim instructor in summer I noticed that although when people think of pools they think of cool relaxing enjoyment for recreation. Even psycologically, your mind thinks and avoids realizing the signs of thirst and needing hydrated.

Heat Stroke, Heat Spot, Heat Exhaustion, and dehydration are some of the most common elements that children, from adolescent, and toddlers, to teens and young adults experience in pool and water recreational activities.

Signs of these are dizziness, sudden tiredness and feeling sleepy, nausea, redness of eyes, and headaches, to vomiting in some more sever instances. Even though you may be in a pool, cholorinated water does not always induce a redness of eyes, dehydration can as well.

So be aware, although if you and your children are at the pool remember to bring water, use a water fountain, and stay cool on the inside as well as the outside.

It only takes about 30-45 minutes to bring on the symptoms of dehydration and heat related ailments in a pool, due to the fact of all the muscles and energy it takes to do.

Swimming, it is a total recreation, and a total exercise.

CherokeeKid
MarniHughes read my blog
Aug 3, 2008 | 4:15 PM

CherokeeKid-

All good advice. It's important to always be prepared... whether it's the pool, the park, or just a walk. The summer heat can get to us all.

Thanks for your comment.

Marni
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MarniHughes

Marni's first interest in journalism came while attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She also attended the University of Montana, where she graduated with a degree in Communications and Broadcast Journalism. While in school, Marni interned at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, for the TV magazine show CNN and Fortune. She also won a Hearst Award for her series work on Montana PBS and recieved honors for a documentary on Methamphatamine abuse, which is still shown in schools across Montana.

Member Since: 11/15/2006


 

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