Holidays Safety

December holidays are the most fun and excited season of the year; however, they can also be the most dangerous. Based on the National Fire Protection Association website, approximately 6% of the reported fires that started with a Christmas tree resulted in death.

In order to avoid the deadly results, the following list is the top safety tips.

1. Unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
2. Choose a strong tree stand designed not to tip over.
3. Be sure to purchase a fire-retardant artificial tree.
4. Place the tree away where it may block exits and from heat.
5. Keep an eye on food. Don’t leave it unattended.
6. Keep candles away from places and items that can catch fire.
7. Keep matches and lights out of sight and reach of children.
8. Make sure the lights cord does not come in contact with water.
9. Use a fire screen.

For more holiday safety tips, visit the Texas department of insurance website at www.tdi.texas.gov.

Have safe and happy holidays!

Top 9 manners that all 9 year old should know

There is not a completed book to instruct parents how to educate their children. However, teaching children the basic rules of etiquette, will get them noticed and will recognize the parent’s job.

The following list is the top 9 manners that all 9 year-old should know. The child should . . .

1. Be Polite by using frequently and correctly key words – “Please”, “Thank you” and “Excuse me”.
2. Cover his mouth when cough or sneeze, do not picking his nose in public.
3. When eating, use utensils properly and ask for unreachable items to have them passed.
4. Do not call people mean names, make fun of anyone or comment on their physical characteristics, unless it’s to compliment them.
5. Do not interrupt grown-ups conversations, unless there is an emergency.
6. Hold the door open for someone else.
7. Before entering, knock on closed doors and wait to see if there’s a response.
8. If asked for a favor, gratefully and with a smile provide help to adults – parents, teachers, and neighbors; he or she might learn something new.
9. Respond accordingly to people’s questions or comments, such as: How are you? Fine, thanks and you? …

Every child, who masters the top 9 manners list, will shine in our society and will make every parent to be more proud of them. For a complete list, click here http://yhoo.it/jNHQd7

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips

Ghost, spirits and monsters aren’t the only things to be afraid of on Halloween. Accidents and misadventures increase dramatically when children trick-or-treat. To avoid the many dangers that Halloween night might bring, please keep in mind the following tips.
-        Wear bright and nonflammable costumes.
-        Plan your route ahead of time.
-        Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods and in groups.
-        Use battery powered flashlights – never use candles.
-        Instruct children to stay away from open flames.
-        Remove objects from the yard that present a hazard to children (garden tools, hoses, etc.)
-        Do not allow children to carry sharp sticks or other objects that could cause injury to them or others.
-        Use glow in the dark reflective tape on your costume.
-        Use hypo allergic and non-toxic make-up rather than mask which could obstruct vision.
-        Hem customs to avoid to trip and fall.
-        Wear comfortable, practical shoes.
-        Closely inspect all candy before eating it. Discard any unwrapped treats.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Germ & Virus Facts

A clean area gives a good impression  and helps prevent the spreading of illness.  Daily, a worker comes in contact with 10 million bacteria. With that been said, it is important to know the following important facts about germs:

-        A germ is a microorganism, which includes bacteria, viruses, and also some types of fungi; viruses  cause diseases.
-        The common types of viruses are influenza, the common cold, and HIV.
-        The majority of germs are transmitted by touching surfaces and transferring germs to the eyes, nose and mouth.
-        Germs can also travel through the air, such as sneezing.
-        Some of the dirtiest areas in an office is the phone, keyboard, mouse,  copy bottom, elevator bottom,  doorknobs, desk surface, bathrooms, and kitchen.

Here is a list of recommendations to prevent the spread of germs.

-        Proper and regular hand washing
-        Avoid touching your nose, eye or mouth,
-        When coughing or sneezing, always cover your mouth.
-        Keep items like pencils and pens out of your mouth.
-        Try to eat in a break room or restaurant. Food is a big contributor of germs.
-        Always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by yourself and co-workers.
-        When looking for a cleaner, please acquire the items that say “disinfecting” or “sanitizing”.
-        Avoid the “antibacterial” items, since they have no effect on viruses such as the flu.

For your health, co-workers, customers, and visitors, following these recommendations will keep your office area free of harmful germs.

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Back To School!!!

Back to School Time!!!

It’s school time again! You’re probably feeling excited and maybe a little sad that summer is over. Some kids feel nervous or a little scared on the first day of school because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. Luckily, these “new” worries only stick around for a little while. Here are some tips that might be helpful for you, as a parent, as well as for your children:

• Review all of the information and material sent by the school as soon as it arrives.
• Make copies of all your child’s health and emergency information for reference.
• Plan to re-establish the bedtime and mealtime routines (especially breakfast) at least 1 week before school starts.
• If your child is young or in a new school, visit the school with your child. Meeting the teacher, locating their classroom, locker, lunchroom, etc., will help ease pre-school anxieties and also allow your child to ask questions about the new environment.
• Try to get the supplies as early as possible and fill the backpacks a week or two before school starts. Some teachers require specific supplies, so save receipts for items that you may need to return later.
• Check with your school to confirm dress code guidelines.
• Designate and clear a place to do homework
• Designate a spot for your children to place their school belongings as well as a place to put important notices and information sent home for you to see.
• Freeze a few easy dinners. It will be much easier on you if you have dinner prepared so that meal preparation will not add to household tensions during the first week of school.

The transition from August to September can be difficult for both children and parents. Even children who are eager to return to class must adjust to the greater levels of activity, structure, and, for some, pressures associated with school life. Take things patiently, get informed, and stay involved in your children’s school always keeping in mind that every problem has a solution.

Eating Healthy

Life is tough these days. We are all so busy with work, family, and specially children now that they are on vacation. Somehow, even though we want to do our best for ourselves and our kids, cooking and eating together, seems to get left out. Here are a few tips that can be helpful in saving you time and avoiding doctor’s visits.

1. Pack lunches with whole grains, fruits, lean, all natural meats and healthy snacks, such as nuts and dried fruits.
2. Try to keep sealed, non-perishable healthy snacks in your car for when your little one is hungry on the road. Dried fruits, nuts and healthy individually-packaged snacks are a good option.
3. Fill your cooler with healthy lunches, snacks and drinks when you plan a long road trip or when you are traveling to a vacation spot. This can help avoid the need to stop at a fast food restaurants in the middle of nowhere when your children suddenly declare, “We’re STARVING!” With a well-stocked cooler you’ll be prepared.
4. If the meals are safe to be placed in a vacuum-sealed container and put in the freezer, they can often keep for several weeks. If you take the time to make a healthy, homemade meal, why not make a few extra batches? This comes in handy during those particularly busy evenings: You don’t have time to cook but the family still gets a nutritious, home-cooked meal.
5. As difficult as it can sometimes be, try your best to have at least one (preferably two) family sit-down meals a day. This is important for a few reasons. It helps strengthen the family bond–nothing brings people together like food! It also helps show children the importance of taking time to be with people they love. Family meals can also be good for picky eaters. The more they see their parents and siblings enjoying different foods together, the more likely they are to eventually try new things.

For more tips like these, visit http://www.nourishinteractive.com and remember eat healthy for better years of life.

Summer Time!!!

It’s June! Summer and vacation time for children. Children are out of school and are relaxing at home. The question in mind is how are we going to keep them active and not bored at home?

Safety plays an important role in our children’s life and we want to guard our children and not expose them to harm. The beaches, waterparks, even swimming pools are not among our priority list for their entertainment. The Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum, and the Discovery Green Park are just a few other options available for children and their families to enjoy quality time together. These places offer a great deal of events and activities in which the whole family can get involved and participate in while having fun. Let’s keep our children active and safe. Remember to keep yourself and your family hydrated, drinking plenty of water, and protecting your skin with sunblock.

For more information and details, visit the Houston Zoo at www.houstonzoo.org, the Children’s Museum at www.cmhouston.org, and the Discovery Green Park at www.discoverygreen.com to see what activities they have planned this summer.

Mother’s Day History

May is here… Mother’s Day is too. May 8, 2011 is the day to celebrate that special someone who has helped and guided us throughout our lives. That person who held our hand when we took our first step, the one who applauded and filled her heart with happiness when we pronounced our first word.
One of the earliest historical records of a society celebrating a Mother deity can be found among the ancient Egyptians, who held an annual festival to honor the goddess Isis, who was commonly regarded as the Mother of the pharaohs.
Mother’s Day takes us back to the year 1908 when a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Elmer Burkett, proposed making Mother’s Day a national holiday at the request of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). The proposal was defeated, but by 1909 forty-six states were holding Mother’s Day services as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. It’s celebrated on different days and dates around the world. Most commonly, Mother’s Day occurs on the second Sunday in May.
It’s this day that Mothers are lavished with presents and special attention from their families, friends and loved ones. Among the most common gifts are flowers, poems, crafts, cards, roses, gift baskets, chocolates, trips, hugs and kisses.
We tend to run out of ideas as to what special gift to give our mother this year. Are you in that situation? Don’t worry, J&B has the solution to the problem. Allow us to clean for your mother on a special day by checking our Maid Service at http://www.jb-cleaning.com/maids.html