Santa’s helpers are busy shopping for every good little boy and girl this holiday season. There are 3 billion dollars worth of toys sold in the United States each year and 65% of those sales are made between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are many things to consider before purchasing that special toy.
Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) released a Trouble in Toyland report. They created a website for parents that list toys that didn’t pass current safety guidelines. WISPIRG groups the toys into three categories: hazards of choking, excessive noise and toxic chemicals. They report that last year 82,000 children were sent to the hospital with toy related injuries. Nineteen of those injuries were fatal. A study published in the 1998 Journal of the American Medical Association stated that 15% of children ages 6 to 17 showed signs of hearing loss. At this time there are no federal regulations in the United States that limits the noise level of toys so this consideration can be important for the whole family.
Consumer Reports state that toy companies are making safer toys. In 2009 there were only 38 toys recalled compared to 162 in 2008. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published a safety checklist for parents to review before buying toys.
1. Scooters and riding toys – always buy a helmet
2. Small balls and toys with small parts – check for the appropriate age
3. Magnets – can be fatal if they detach from small toys and young children ingest them
4. Balloons – deflated balloons pose a suffocation risk to children under 8 years old
5. Chargers and adapters – require adult supervision
To ensure a safe and joyful celebration this holiday season make sure you follow the safety recommendations and age appropriate guidelines for the toys you purchase.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Coping with holiday stress
The holiday season has begun and your already busy schedule just became more demanding. Preparations of the family traditions that create the magic you want your family to experience take a lot of time. When you are stressed to the maximum it is very difficult to stop and assess your mental well being. You just know that you are tired, angry and resentful of the demands you believe are expected of you.
Before you reach that burn out point Mayo Clinic has twelve steps to keep your holiday brighter.
1. Acknowledge your feelings. Don’t force yourself to feel happy just because it is expected.
2. Seek support. Don’t be a martyr. Call your friends and family when needed.
3. Be realistic. Let go of old traditions and make new ones that are more compatible to your current lifestyle.
4. Set differences and grievances aside until after the holidays. Try to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
5. Stick to a budget. You can’t buy happiness.
6. Plan ahead. Write those lists and cook some of the meals ahead of time. If traveling you may want to mail your gifts before you leave to make sure they arrive on time.
7. Learn to say no. Everyone has their limits. Know what yours are and set the boundary.
8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Good self-care will keep you healthy and happy.
9. Take a breather. Make time to replenish yourself and your spirit.
10. Rethink resolutions. Try to make small goals that are attainable so that you can see your progress.
11. Forget about perfection. You are not a television program that displays a perfect ending to the story.
12. Seek professional help if you find yourself persistently sad and anxious.
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed and remembered by all family members. So try some of those ideas to help you manage your stress. It will be the best present you ever gave yourself.
Before you reach that burn out point Mayo Clinic has twelve steps to keep your holiday brighter.
1. Acknowledge your feelings. Don’t force yourself to feel happy just because it is expected.
2. Seek support. Don’t be a martyr. Call your friends and family when needed.
3. Be realistic. Let go of old traditions and make new ones that are more compatible to your current lifestyle.
4. Set differences and grievances aside until after the holidays. Try to focus on the positive rather than the negative.
5. Stick to a budget. You can’t buy happiness.
6. Plan ahead. Write those lists and cook some of the meals ahead of time. If traveling you may want to mail your gifts before you leave to make sure they arrive on time.
7. Learn to say no. Everyone has their limits. Know what yours are and set the boundary.
8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Good self-care will keep you healthy and happy.
9. Take a breather. Make time to replenish yourself and your spirit.
10. Rethink resolutions. Try to make small goals that are attainable so that you can see your progress.
11. Forget about perfection. You are not a television program that displays a perfect ending to the story.
12. Seek professional help if you find yourself persistently sad and anxious.
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed and remembered by all family members. So try some of those ideas to help you manage your stress. It will be the best present you ever gave yourself.
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