Kelly Bonanno

Life & Wellness Coach & Matchmaker helping you make your next chapter your best chapter

Safety

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Would You Know How To Tell If Someone Was Drowning? It’s Not As Easy As You Might Think

Playing in the pool, hitting the surf, water skiing at the lake… summer fun is here and I plan to enjoy every minute! Not to put a damper (pun intended) on the water play, but did you know that drowning does not look the way you think it might? This is such important information which is why I post it every summer.

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Drowning is quiet. It is not often obvious that the person is in distress. There isn’t all the splashing we see in movies. When someone is drowning, they make very little noise or no noise at all because they are trying to breath.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning, by marine safety specialist, Mario Vittone is a very helpful article. In it, he talks about what drowning really does look like, signs to watch out for and what to do.

“It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) — of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening…”

You really can’t take your eyes off of your kids for even a minute. Drowning victims are typically unable to speak or wave their arms for help so you must be aware of what’s going on in the water at all times.

Water safety is crucial, it takes only a few short minutes for someone to drown. Even the strongest swimmer is at risk when someone pushes him in or jumps on top of him.

Check out his article, it’s valuable information we can all need to know, particularly this time of year. Please share this post on Facebook & Twitter, Pin it & forward it to everyone you know who has kids, keep them safe this summer!

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How Private Are The Fitting Rooms At Retail Stores?

mall $ park 001I stopped into TJ Maxx the other day – which, by the way, is one of my absolute all time fave places for great deals and awesome stuff, but I digress… I’ll share my top places to shop in another post. I took a look at the slats on the door of the fitting room to see if they were going up or down. 

Do you ever feel as though you’re being watched while trying on clothes in a dressing room in a department store? I sometimes get that eerie feeling. How about the signs that say the dressing rooms are “monitored by loss prevention personnel,” does that mean hidden cameras?! 

Fortunately the slats on the doors at TJ Maxx did not face downward towards the inside of the room. When they do, that means the doors have been installed backwards so store personnel can see right in and have a bird’s eye view if you’re stuffing sweaters into your handbag.

This also means that and anyone else walking by can get a gander so check those slats before you try on swim suits this summer! That is, unless you want to let out your Erica Jane exhibitionist side out ?!

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Learn The Facts & Take A Stand Against Child Abuse & Neglect

5 children a day die from child abuse and neglect in this country #FiveTooMany. 80% of those children are under the age of 4. Sadly, that number is growing, 15 years ago it was 3 children a day.

What’s worse is that there are actually 3 times more children than that being killed at the hands of their abuser because this statistic does not account for all of the cases that go unrecorded.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month 

There are several organizations working hard to help children. Child Help has been dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect and helping its victims since 1959 . The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides necessary resources and information to parents, victims and law enforcement.

PROTECT is a national association providing political strength and leadership for the protection of abused, exploited, and neglected children. Your time or financial assistance will be put to good use with any of these organizations.

baby washing her faceHelp Spread This is raising awareness by encouraging those on Twitter to donate 1 tweet a day in an effort to stop child abuse. Another easy way to help is visiting Click to Give, ad money raised will go to Child Help.

It is estimated that there are 3 times more incidents of child abuse than the 3.3 million cases reported each year

Writing this post was difficult. The images I saw and the stories I read about innocent little children who need love and nurturing but get instead get brutalized moved me to tears.

  • Approximately 60% of child fatalities that are caused by mistreatment are not listed as such on their death certificates
  • Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime
  • About 80% of 21 year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder
  • Up to two-thirds of people being treated for drug abuse report being neglected or abused when they were children
  • More than 90% of victims are acquainted with their abuser in some way
  • The vicious cycle of abuse continues as about 30% of those abused and neglected will go on to abuse their own children

file1591340859301A child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds

Please seek help if you need it. It is available for both victims and abusers. Send this to your friends, post it on Facebook and tweet it so we can bring awareness and potentially save lives.

Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes safety and welfare of children and families by connecting them with proper resources and tools. #StopChildAbuse

National Child Abuse Hotline: 1.800.4.A.Child (1.800.422.4453)

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Unwrapping Smartphones: Is Your Child Ready?

Guest Post by Cassie Brewer

‘Tis the season for blinking lights, soulful tunes, family traditions, and of course: a child’s wish list of toys and gadgets they long to see under the tree come December 25th. As our children plot and plan their detailed lists of wants and desires, many parents are noticing that at the top of our son’s and daughter’s beloved Christmas list is a Smartphone.1

Before we place a wrapped Smartphone under the tree this year, we first need to consider a child’s ability to handle responsibility.

It is estimated that three quarters of eight year olds and younger children have access to “smart” devices. And it’s not just our youngest family members dreaming of cell phones and tablets. Roughly 78 percent of all teens own mobile phones- with a majority upgrading to Smartphone technology.

Even though our kids are using handheld technology, they might not possess the necessary skills to safely handle the responsibility of digital citizenship. Before surprising a child with a phone of their own this holiday, answer the following questions:

  • Can my son or daughter take care of their belongings?
  • Does he or she demonstrate good reasoning or judgment skills?
  • Is my child able to grasp the concept of social media permanence?
  • Has the family discussed social media etiquette?

Tips For Dialing A Merry Christmas

If you answered “yes” to the majority of the questions posed, your child might be ready for a Smartphone. As parents, we need to be prepared before introducing a world of disappearing messages, sexting, online predators, and cyberbullies into our child’s life.

Unlike the man in the big red suit, many of us haven’t mastered the ability to magically know what our son or daughter is doing at all times. Listed below are six tips to keep a child safely snapping selfies and sending emojis to their friends long after the ornaments are put away:

  • Know common dangers trolling the Internet and social media. Sexting is now viewed as normal development and rates of cyberbullying still continue to rise.
  • Develop a family technology contract that lists all consequences and expectations for proper Smartphone ownership.
  • Help children and teens set their privacy settings to make sure they are protected.
  • Have a conversation about social media etiquette, social permanence, online predators, sexting, and cyberbullying.
  • Utilize monitoring software to access a child’s cell phone and Internet activity to ensure they are safely using technology.
  • Keep devices in common living areas and limit access to bedrooms. Children are less likely to get into trouble if they know mom or dad can walk in any minute. Also, you will be helping a child get a good night’s sleep without the glow of a screen or messages interrupting their shut eye.

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Do You Know What To Do If You Get Caught In A Rip Current?

I’ve been soaking up the sun taking in some fun, relaxing beach days this summer. I’m very blessed to live by the beautiful Pacific Ocean. There’s an endless amount of fun to be had at the beach but the surf can be rough and dangerous.IMG_4221

Tragedy struck over the weekend here in Southern California. On Sunday, the surf was especially rough with lots of rip currents. Lifeguards made several rescues but sadly, a 28 year old man was caught in a rip current and did not survive. A friend of my son’s was there ans saw them try to revive him. We were at the beach the next day. The water was still rough but the lifeguard said it was much worse the day before.

In light of this tragedy, I thought it was a good idea to share this video on how to recognize a rip current and what to do if you get caught in one. Karina Fraley of Mommywood.com gets the answers in her interview with Ventura County lifeguard Derek Doler. Derek shares some valuable tips on being water wise and sun savvy so you can enjoy your day by the sea. Be sure to share this on Facebook & Twitter & with friends who have kids. Surf’s up.

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Do You Have A Fire Safety Plan & The Right Type Of Smoke Alarms In Your Home?

Temperatures reach 500 degrees within 3  –  4 minutes & 1000 degrees within 8

In the event of a fire in your home, do you have a fire safety plan in place? Jeff Rossen did a very important investigation for the Today Show that will help you come up with a good plan for your family. I was surprised by his findings.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Do you have the right type of smoke alarm? Fire alarms that are typically used in most homes do not always work properly, if at all.

The most popular type of smoke alarm uses ionization technology, 90% of the homes in America have them.

The ionization technology works well in a fire with fast flames but they don’t always sound fast enough in a fire that starts with smoldery smoke.

These types of fires can fill your home with toxic gases while you sleep and this alarm goes off when it’s already too late.

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60 – 80% of victims die from smoke and chemical inhalation, not burns

Texas A & M scientist Don Russell has performed hundreds of tests that proves this. He has found that smoke detectors using photo electric technology work far faster in a smokey fire. Tests run by the government also show that they go off much sooner in a smokey fire.

The ionization detector went off 20 minutes later and in many fires, people would not be able to get out safely at that point. In some real life cases, the ionization detector never even went off and people parished.

Companies primarily sell the ionization detectors because they cost less money to make. Russell says they will only respond when the government pressures them.

In the mean time, if you want to keep your family as safe as possible, experts recommend installing a photo electric detector in addition to the one that uses ionization technology or install a duel detector that uses both technologies.

With the holidays upon us this is a good idea. Lots of fires are started because of holiday lights, candles and such. Remember that tragedy in New York a few Christmases ago? A mom lost all 3 of her children and her parents in a house fire. Devastating.

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Paint Your Thumb Red & Stop Texting While Driving

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#Redthumbreminder

Why paint your thumb red? It’s a simple but effective way to remind yourself that texting while you drive is absurd. It’s distracted driving to the 10th degree.

Check out how this dad came up with a simple and cool idea that will potentially save lives (be sure to protect yourself from the most harmful chemicals that are found in most polish formulations and use a nail polish brand that is 5 free)…

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Tips For Staying Safe At The Beach

Whether you live by the beach or are planning a seaside summer vacation, 
play it safe while you’re having hot fun in the summertime 

IMG_4202What’s more fun than a day at the beach?! I’m lucky to live in the lovely golden state of California where I can head to the beach for a day of sand and surf anytime. Boogie boarding, building sand castles, tossing a frisbee, surfing, soaking in the sun… there’s an endless amount of fun to be had at the beach but there are a few things that can put a damper on your fun in the sun.

How do you recognize a rip current and what should you do if you get caught in one? Karina Fraley of Mommywood.com gets the answers in her interview with Ventura County lifeguard Derek Doler. Derek shares some valuable tips on being water wise and sun savvy so you can enjoy your day by the sea. Be sure to share this with your friends who have kids. Surf’s up.

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5 Tips For Healthier Summer Grilling

Grill season is here! Getting ready for a fun 4th of July BBQ with friends and family? Before you fire up the grill and enjoy those yummy burgers, hot dogs and steaks as we honor our great country’s independence check out these tips to help make your grilling experience a little healthier.

2-summer-grilling-lgn1. Marinate
Heterocuclic amines (HCAs) are substances that form when a chemical found in muscle called creatine reacts with amino acids which are the building blocks of protein during high heat grilling and pan frying. Research shows that these compounds increase the risk of certain cancers such as stomach cancer. Marinated meats produce less of these substances. Lemon and vinegar based marinades work well because the acidity prevents HCAs from adhering to the meat. Marinating with fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, oregano, sage or thyme lowers risk of the cancer causing compounds by up to 90%. Are you a beer drinker? Crack open a bottle, marinating meat in beer can slash the risk by 88%

2. Don’t Overcook
You can also help counteract the adverse effects of HCAs by not over cooking the meat, frequently turning meat on the grill, cooking at lower temperatures and using smaller cuts of meat

3. Be Careful With Raw Meat
Keep food in the refrigerator right up until the time you’re ready to throw it on the grill. Handle raw meats properly, cross contamination is the leading cause of food poisoning. Use different cutting boards for meats and veggies and wash your hands and untensils regularly. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove pathogens

4. Don’t Leave Perishable Foods Out
When left out, food can begin to develop harmful bacteria after 2 hours. Various bacteria can cause food poisoning so put all perishable foods back in the frig within that time frame

5. Choose Grass-fed Beef
It has more omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. It’s also lower in fat and calories. Organic is best. Use a food thermometer to make sure your food is cooked to the proper temperatures. Throw some veggies on the grill too, they taste sublime when they are grilled and you’ll get a nice dose of antioxidants. Happy grilling!

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Cell Phone Use And Radiation ~ Should We Be Concerned? Part II

More and more studies are discovering links between cell phone use and tumors. Part I of this article was published last week, you can read it here. As I stated in that post, scientists at the World Health Organization [WHO] conducted a world wide study revealing that just 30 minutes a day of cell phone use for 10 years increased the risk of a rare brain tumor by 40%. This is of particular concern for children because they absorb 10 times the amount of radiation as an adult. Some countries ban children from using cell phones because of the health risk.

Distracted driving isn’t the only reason using a cell phone in the car is dangerous. According to the Research Center for Wireless Technology, when you use a cell phone in the car, the reflective properties of the car’s metal chassis and frame increases the radiation exposure exponentially to everyone in the car, not just the person using the phone. This also occurs inside buses, motor homes and elevators.

The health risks that cell phones potentially cause is an ongoing concern, one that needs more research. We are still using cell phone radiation safety standards that were put in place 17 years ago! The FCC is FINALLY reevaluating them and the Environmental Working Group has launched a campaign to make sure it gets done! Love that EWG! In the mean time, there are steps we can take to keep ourselves safer and limit exposure to cell phone radiation:

  • Use the speaker phone when possible
  • Only make calls when necessary and keep them short
  • Turn the phone off if it’s in your pocket
  • Wear an air tube headset – avoid wireless headsets, they intensify radiation to the ear canal
  • Allow children to use a cell phone only for emergencies
  • If you must use the phone in the car, make sure a window is open

Remember, there was a time when cigarettes were believed to be harmless. Considering what we now know about cigarettes it’s shocking to think that women actually smoked while they were pregnant. It will be interesting to see what we learn about cell phone use in the coming years. Forward this and part I of this article to your friends, anyone who uses a cell phone should be aware of the risks, especially those who have given cell phones to their children.