Fire Safety Tips for Kids Are Essential Since There are 44,000 House Fires Annually

Safety

As a mom who has written about characters like Sparky the Fire Dog and fire safety education for kids before, I can't stress this enough. Each year hundreds of children fall victim to avoidable electrical mishaps. In fact children and parents have become so accustomed to electronics that they too often forget the physical dangers associated with them, such as overcrowded outlets, frayed wires, using devices near water, leaving electronics on unattended for long periods of time and more.

One of my triplets visits our local Fire House Station

The sad statistics about family electrical safety hazards speak volumes

• On average, 496 children ages 14 and younger die due to an unintentional fire of burn-related injury
• Electrical failures are the cause of almost 44,000 home fires annually
• Each year, fires caused by electrical failures result in $1.47 billion in property damage

According to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) tragedies such as these can be minimized and even avoided simply by educating children as well as their parents and other caregivers about fire prevention.  

To spread the word on fire safety, ESFI hosts a wonderful Kids Corner on their site where your kids can learn through free cartoons and fun games how to be safe and avoid electrical fires and what to do if a blaze unfortunately breaks out. There is also a parent and teacher section with additional resources.

Here's just one example of the many really cute and informative interactive Kids Corner cartoons you and your child will discover. This one is about smoke alarms and it talks to little ones about proper usage and maintenance of smoke alarms as well as what to do if one starts beeping in case there is a real fire.

  

We can't do enough to protect our children while they are growing up. Safety lessons in general and fire prevention in particular are definitely important agenda items in your imaginary parenting manual that was supposed to come with your child when he or she was first born. The ESFI Kids Corner will help you be the best parent you can be. It's free and informative, so why not take advantage of it?

FTC Disclosure: Just sharing some valuable fire prevention information and resources with my readers as a community service. I did not receive payment or other compensation for this post and all opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

National Geo Travel Photography Contest Announced Win a Dream Trip to Galapagos

Contest

I'm a huge Baby Boomer fan of National Geographic. Not only do I have fond memories of my own Daddy collecting every bright yellow bordered issue of the original monthly magazine when I was a little girl more than 50 years ago, I've raised my own children reading an assortment of titles for kids from family friendly National Geographic Books. So when news comes in like this, I just have to stop everything else that I'm writing content about to share something my readers will also appreciate.

Photo by Manish Mamtani, Image from National Geographic Traveler

That's right. It's that time of year again, time to think and dream about summer vacations and the National Geographic Traveler 2013 Photo Contest. Stakes are high this year because one lucky amateur photographer will win the Grand Prize which includes an all expenses paid National Geographic Expedition to the Galapagos plus have his or her image published in National Geographic Traveler. Other cool prizes you can win include Second Prize: a 7-day National Geo Photo Workshop and Third Prize: a 6-Day Maine windjammer schooner cruise. Seven Merit Prizes $200 B&H Photos gift cards are also up for grabs.

Get inspired by photos on the National Geographic Traveler site like this amazing starry Milky Way night, beautifully composed photo pictured at the top of this post. Titled "The Wisdom Tree," the image was captured in Joshua Tree National Park here in California the state where I live. I know in years past I've really enjoyed seeing all the amazing creative entries that people sent in and, to say the least, last year's 2012 winning photos were nothing short of breath taking.  

Photo entries are $15 each and there is no limit to the amount of times you can enter. Entrants are invited to submit photos in any of four categories including Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. Hurry because the submission window closes June 30, 2013.

All you have to do is share your own original travel experience anywhere around the world and submit your best photo of it online. It's that easy. 

Good luck to everyone submitting images for this year's competition! I can't wait to see the winning entries on National Geographic Traveler which is one of my favorite internet destinations.

Image from National Geographic Traveler

Entry Info

FTC Disclosure: I'm a life-long fan of National Geographic and it's various publications both on the internet and in hard copies. I did not receive payment or other compensation for this post and all opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Mom Bloggers Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims With Posts of Support & Where to Donate

Community

The news continues to roll in about the horrific aftermath of yesterday's 2-mile wide tornado that has leveled two schools and multiple towns in the Moore, Oklahoma area near Oklahoma City. As this post goes live, 24 people are dead including 9 children who were in their last week of the school year. At latest count there are also 242 people who have been reported injured. Meanwhile, the destruction is overwhelming and the total cost of physical damage to property is still being tabulated.

Worst Tornado in Oklahoma history struck May 20, 2013, NY Daily News Image 

Immediate aftermath of Oklahoma Tornado yesterday, CNN Image

For the latest updates on recovery efforts my go to source is ABC.com.

When giving to the charitable effort, please be extremely careful about being scammed by unsavory characters who may be trying to take advantage of this most unfortunate situation that has impacted thousands of people. At a time like this, it is so sad to know that a few opportunists do indeed lurk among the masses who truly care and want to help. 

If you'd like to lend a hand there are a number of legitimate things you can do to help. This list originally posted by Kelly Kinkaid appeared today on MomSpark.com which is published by my friend Amy Bellgardt, a leading mom blogger with kids who has resided in Oklahoma her whole life and lives just about 20 miles away from the storm's worst devastation. 

I'll add additional resources to the list below as I can confirm their legitimacy.

OKC area homes, business & 2 schools were flattened, Perez Hilton Image

Here's where to Donate

• Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999
• The Salvation Army USA has mobilized emergency relief services in Oklahoma, including Moore, to dispense food, water and emotional support to first responders and survivors. Donate via their website or text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army's relief efforts. You can also make a donation by calling 800-SAL-ARMY.
• Disaster Relief of Oklahoma Donate here
• United Way of Central Oklahoma Disaster Relief Fund Donate here
• Feeding America Disaster Relief Donate here
• Central Oklahoma Human Society To help pets Donate here
• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Donate here or text FOOD to 32333

Amy, your A Day in Hell in Oklahoma post today made me cry. How I wish I was there so I could give you and your kids a hug. But even though I'm in California I want you and everyone else in Oklahoma to know that you are in my constant thoughts, heart, and prayers and I will do everything I can as a mom who blogs to spread the word of how we can all show our support and reach out to your local community at this most difficult time.

Don't forget: You can also help spread the word simply by retweeting this post.


FTC Disclosure: This post is a community service to inspire mom bloggers to come to the aid of those in need. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.