Here’s a look at where — and how – school-related injuries occur and a few simple precautions you can take to keep your kids safe…

Playgrounds account for the majority of school-related injuries with falls from equipment making up more than half of these. Adequate playground surfacing – at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch or other loose-fill safety surface – that’s maintained throughout the year is proven to help prevent injuries from falls. Kids will be kids on the playground, and scrapes and bumps are just part of it, but adequate surfacing at your child’s school can really help minimize the risks.

Back-to-school time also increases kids’ risk of injury due to traffic, bicycles and school buses. Take a moment to review ALL basic traffic safety rules (just ignore eye-rolling) with your walkers, car riders and bicycle riders to ensure safe to-and-from school habits. Bicycle riders should always wear a helmet (buy a “cool” one if necessary – it’s cheaper than brain surgery!) and be certain that bike riders know and follow bicycle rules of the road. Bus riders should arrive at the bus stop early, know and follow the driver’s safety rules, walk several steps away from the bus upon exiting, and wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street.

Another effective preventative measure against traffic injuries is being organized and on time. Yes… easier said than done, but it’s true that when kids and parents rush to arrive at the last minute safety rules and caution can be forgotten. Kids dash across the street and parents roll through stop signs – that’s just how accidents happen. It’s a challenge, but adding 15 minutes to your morning routine can dramatically decrease the risks to your family and to others.

Clothing such as drawstring hoods and accessories like backpacks also account for several injuries each year – and have even been the reported cause in a few deaths. Drawstrings and backpack straps can become caught in bus or car doors, they’re a very real and dangerous hazard, especially for young kids. Remove or shorten drawstrings on younger kids’ garments and, once adjusted to size, cut loose or dangling backpack straps to help prevent these injuries.

Organized sports are another contributor to the tally of school-related injuries, but these don’t have to be “just part of the game.” Be fully aware of all risks, and make sure kids are properly conditioned and prepared for the physical demands of the sport, and that proper safety equipment is always used. Also ensure that the school’s sports program is prepared to treat emergencies during both practice and competition.

Kids will always be kids. Accidental scrapes, bumps, falls, and even a break or two are just a few of the things we signed on for as parents. But a little extra effort on the side of caution as the busy school year gets underway can be the difference between a simple band-aid fix and a run to the emergency room.

For more information on school-related injuries and preventative measures, see:  http://www.safekids.com/ ; http://www.cpsc.gov/

And visit our website, www.KidSmartLiving.com, for ideas on keeping family homes safe and organized… with style!

When it comes to looks and pricing, Polycarbonate and Tritan plastic glasses are very similar. Glasses made from both of these plastics are rigid with glass-like clarity, are dishwasher-safe, and will last for years in household use. Drinkware made from these plastics are widely used in hotels and restaurants too, so you know they’ll hold up at home.

Polypropylene, the third unbreakable plastic, looks and feels very different from Tritan and Polycarbonate. Polypropylene plastic drinking glasses are generally tinted or opaque and often come in colors. They also feel softer and more rubbery.

But don’t fret about excessive breakage if you already have plastic glasses and you’re not sure of the type. Plastic drinkware made from acrylic and acrylic blends (the most common plastics found in stores) is still quite durable. It’s more likely to crack if dropped on tile or concrete than the tougher plastics, but still much safer in a busy family home than glass!

And last, if you’re concerned about BPA in plastic glasses but definitely want unbreakable plastic, just look for Tritan or Polypropylene items. Polycarbonate is the one plastic that’s made using BPA — all the rest are BPA-free.

Can you really rely on recycling numbers when shopping for BPA-Free plastic tableware?

A popular plastic, polycarbonate, has been the focus of  recent media stories questioning whether the chemical BPA, used in this particular plastic, is safe for use in plastic glasses and dishes. 

In truth, the the facts, science, pros and cons behind the BPA question could fill a lengthy article. But if you’re a concerned shopper, you probably aren’t  too into scientific arguements… you just want to know how to avoid BPA. Unfortunately, the media reports about polycarbonate and other types of  plastic are a bit conflicting, making  it tough to  choose plastic dishes with confidence.

Happily, we can offer a little peace of mind. There are many different plastics used to make quality plastic dishes and glasses, and most have always been BPA-Free! But you need to know what to look for, and what to avoid. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

Tip 1: In Plastic Tableware, if it’s not Polycarbonate, it’s BPA-Free
Among the many different plastics used to make glasses, cups and dishes, only ONE contains BPA, and that’s polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is FDA-approved for food use and is usually found in better quality, unbreakable, dishwasher-safe plastic tableware. It’s often clear or tinted, feels rigid, and appears glass-like. 

But it’s not the only type of plastic used in plastic tableware. Acrylic, an acrylic blend called SAN, Tritan co-polyester and even corn-based bioplastics are all used to make clear, glass-like items similar to polycarbonate. Plus, opaque plastics like melamine and polypropylene are used to make a variety of dinnerware. Unlike polycarbonate, these other plastics are, and always have been, BPA-free. So, if the BPA question worries you, look for items made of these other plastics instead of polycarbonate.

Tip 2: How to tell if an item is made of polycarbonate… or not
Identifying plastic tableware by the label can be discouraging since items are not always marked by plastic type. Your best bet is to shop somewhere that clearly identifies the type of plastic used in products, like on KidSmartLiving.com.

If shopping in a store where product information is scarce, first look for items labeled “BPA-free.” With media attention on BPA, many manufacturers are clearly labeling their non-polycarbonate plastic items “BPA-Free.” These include acrylic, SAN, or Tritan for clear items, and rigid melamine or rubbery polypropylene for solid or semi-opaque items.

If not labeled BPA-Free, look at the care instructions. In clear and tinted plastics, acrylic items are generally marked “Hand-wash,” or “Top-rack Dishwasher-safe,” while most SAN items are marked “Dishwasher-safe” and sometimes “Microwave-safe.” But these plastics aren’t usually labeled “Unbreakable.” Unlike polycarbonate, acrylic and SAN can break.

In solid-color plastic items, you’ll rarely find polycarbonate on store shelves. Solid-color plastic dishes are more commonly made from melamine and marked “Not for Microwave Use.” Polypropylene is also used for solid and semi-opaque dishes, and is easily identified by its rubbery feel.

The only clear tableware plastics you’ll find labeled “Unbreakable, Dishwasher-Safe” and occasionally “Microwave-safe” are Tritan and polycarbonate. Luckily for shoppers, being BPA-free is a major selling point for Tritan, so these items are always labeled as such. If a clear or tinted glass-like item is labeled “Unbreakable, Dishwasher-Safe” but is not marked “BPA-Free,” it’s probably polycarbonate.

Tip 3: Don’t count on the numbers… because they don’t count for identifing these plastics
Contrary to some media reports, the recycling numbers printed on plastic items don’t specifically identify polycarbonate or BPA-free plastics. In fact, it’s the reverse. Almost all non-disposable tableware plastics fall under the same catchall #7 recycling code, which simply means ”Other.”

“Other” plastics are usually durable and have a longer useful life than disposable plastics, so they’re not collected in most recycling programs. These widely different #7 plastics include acrylic, SAN, Tritan, bio-plastics, melamine — and polycarbonate.

Even more confusing, recycling codes aren’t required for “Other” plastics and many of these items don’t carry a recycling mark at all. So, knowing how to tell these plastics apart, or shopping with a reliable seller, is really much more helpful than relying on the numbers when it comes to buying BPA-free plastic dinnerware.

KidSmartLiving.com carries just about the largest selection of high-quality plastic glasses and dishes in the nation, so we’re definitely keeping up with the BPA story. To make finding BPA-free plastic tableware even easier for our customers, we list all of our BPA-Free plastic products on one page.

Please let us know if you have any plastic dinnerware shopping tips or comments on the BPA issue.

Step 1: Easy access hang-ups
“Big kids” love taking care of their own things and wall hooks are an ideal way to let them put up bags and jackets themselves. Select hooks or hook units with rounded, blunt hooks to prevent accidents, and securely install them within reach, a bit above the child’s eye level.

Step 2: Keep furniture where it belongs
Furniture-related injuries are a common hazard even for “big kids,” but easily prevented using simple furniture anchors. It’s a good idea to anchor any chest or bookshelf, short or tall, to the wall in kids’ rooms to prevent accidents from climbing — or from kid-initiated rearranging.

Step 3: Steer clear of windows
It’s still a good idea to place beds and other pieces away from windows even in “big kids” rooms. It’s just too easy to topple into the window when jumping on the bed or climbing on furniture to take a peek outside… and yes, they will do these things if given half a chance!

Step 4: Make closets kid-accessible
Keep kids off chairs and step stools in the closet by placing their much-used items in easy reach. If possible, hang closet rods lower so kids can reach them, or if closets have double rods, hang current-season clothes on the lower rod. If there’s room, add shelves or organizer cubes so kids can manage their clothes and toys themselves (mostly).

Step 5: Give them a break-free bedroom and bathroom
Breakables are still best avoided in kids rooms and bathrooms. If you have delicate decor or knik-knacks to display, consider out-of-the-way places like above-window shelving, and secure items with Quake-Hold Putty to keep them put. In the bathroom, choose accessories made of plastic, metal or acrylic to avoid the hassle and danger of breakage.

So, congratulations parents if you’re exiting toddlerhood! You’ve made it so far, and you should have no trouble keeping them safe until your next stop… Elementary School. You might want to brush up on your Algebra, I think they’re starting it in 3rd grade these days!

Questions about Make-a-Plate Group & Classroom Kits? Here’s all you need to know to make lasting Make-a-Plate memories…

Just click on the player button above for answers these common questions about Make-a-Plate Group & Classroom Kits:

• What are Makit Group Kits and how do they work?
• What can I make with Makit Make-a-Plate, Bowl, Mug & Travel Tumbler Kits
• How much does it cost?
• Is there a minimum order?
• How long does it take?
• Can I use other markers or paper?
• Can I use computer art or copies of the same image?
• Can I save kit materials for later?

See our Make-a-Plate Group/Classroom Kit Page  and the More Makit Info pages for the details mentioned in the recording.

Here are some great ways to make the most of shoestring-budget decorating projects.  If you’re stuck for ideas on how to make low-cost, high impact changes to your home, check out my list of must-see shows; “Design Cents,” “FreeStyle,” “Mission Organization,” and “Design on a Dime” on HGTV, and “Sell This House” on A&E. Each of these offers loads of inspiration and creative solutions that cost little to nothing.

Looking for No-Cost Decorating Ideas? Start at Home…

Design Tip Number 1: Shop… At Home
When was the last time you rearranged your furniture? Now go one step further. Have you swapped major pieces or decorative accents between rooms lately? Try shopping your own home to create a fresh look at no cost – it’s easy and as budget-friendly as it gets.

Swapping out decorative pillows, artwork, rugs, or a few accent pieces between rooms is a simple job; and rearranging larger pieces such as chairs, shelves and wall units within – and between – rooms can create a whole new feel. And don’t forget to scour closets and storage areas for useful finds. Need inspiration? Watch a few episodes of “FreeStyle” and “Design Cents” on HGTV for scads of no-cost room redo ideas.

Design Tip Number 2: De-Clutter Your Way to Style
Often, the basics in a room are fine but any sense of style is lost in the clutter. Culprits include too many accessories clustered on tabletops, accent furniture-lined walls, and stacks of magazines, books, DVD’s, toys, games, and such. In these cases, a good clean-out can feel like a room makeover for free.

To de-clutter, grab some moving boxes and mark them: Keep, Trash, Donate, Another Room, and Store. Begin sorting, working around the room until the floor, table and shelf surfaces are clear. Then look at your furniture with a critical eye. Remove fussy fill-in pieces that serve no decorative or useful purpose. Keep pieces that you like, especially those that can be used for storage.

Once you know what you want to keep in the room, begin putting it back together. Don’t be afraid to move furniture or pictures, and remember Tip no. 1 – you just might find the perfect accent for this room in another. To see no-cost clutter clearing solutions in action, watch a few episodes of “Mission Organization” on HGTV.

In Decorating, a Little Can Go a Long Way…

Design Tip Number 3: Paint Your Way to High-Impact, Low-Cost Style
Decorators differ on many things but virtually all agree that a coat of paint is the fastest way to perk up lackluster style on a tight budget. A fresh coat of paint is just that – fresh. It covers smudges and wear to bring a sense of clean and new to a room. Updating walls takes just a few gallons of paint, and clever uses of color can tie a look together more effectively than hundreds spent on new furnishings.

If you like your existing wall color but still want something new, try painting one accent wall or sponge an accent color right over the existing paint on a wall or two. Check the “oops” bin at the paint store for great deals on accent wall paint – you might find the perfect color for just a few dollars.

In just a day’s work, painting a room or a few accent walls can wash away decades of drab, usually for less than $50. Need ideas? The designers on A&E’s “Sell This House” are masters of turning rooms around with bit of paint.

Design Tip Number 4: When in Doubt, Light it Up
Give an instant makeover to dark or dreary-feeling rooms with new or repurposed lighting. Regardless of color scheme and furnishings, most any room can be invitingly styled with proper lighting using a few tips from the pros.

In large bedroom and living areas, forego stark overhead lights that cast hard shadows and make rooms feel cramped and small. Instead place table, floor and small accent lamps in appropriate places to create a comfortable wash of soft light. You’ll find stylish yet inexpensive lamps in most home and department stores and even consignment shops – or shop your other rooms and storage nooks for no-cost finds.

Lighting curio cabinets, bookshelves and display cabinets also combats the shadows while highlighting interesting pieces and collections. Installing inexpensive under-cabinet accent lights and strip lighting couldn’t be easier with sleek new battery-operated and plug-in styles. These lights are ideal for lighting kitchen workspaces, too. See the many ways inexpensive lighting can be used as a decorative tool on “Sell This House.”

***
I hope some of these ideas help light that spark of inspiration (while keeping the wallet closed) for your upcoming home decorating projects. I’ll be working on our guest/room office this weekend – starting with the De-Clutter tip, then moving on to the Shop.. at Home tip. Happily, I painted just before school started — one down…

Please share any great ideas you have!

Decorate a Safe, Festive Christmas Tree
As the centerpiece of the holiday home, Christmas tree safety is a primary concern. The tree should be set in a stable stand and can be further secured by tying twine or fishing line from the upper trunk to a hook on the closest wall. Tree needles can be a choking hazard for small children, so check a live tree closely for shedding needles, try to keep the floor clear of dropped needles, and remember to keep the tree well watered to retain freshness.

Traditional Christmas tree decorations can pose child safety risks, but parents have several safer decorating options. If using lights, wrap strands close to the trunk, well away from little hands. Pre-lit artificial trees usually have well-secured lights, so these are a safer choice if going artificial. Garlands and ribbon streamers, too, should be placed out of reach of small children because of choking and tree-tipping dangers. Fragile glass balls and ornaments, including any with small pieces, can be securely tied high on the tree, but avoid using tinsel icicles and hook-style ornament hangers around small children, as both pose choking risks.

Deck the Hall… Safely!
Parents can comfortably decorate with swags of boughs, garlands and lights placed well out of reach over doorways and in other high areas, with electrical cords secured to the wall and plugged into inaccessible outlets wherever possible. When decorating a stairway in a home with children three years old or younger, avoid wrapping boughs, garlands or light strands around the stair railing or banister. These decorations pose the risk of choking or strangulation, and they also can make the stairs inviting to play on and railings difficult for small hands to grip. For a safer holiday touch, securely tie individual decorative bows or other durable accents onto the railing or banister, on the side away from the stairs.

Decorate child-accessible areas on the tree appropriately for children’s ages. Some kid-tough ornaments to consider include mini frames made from fun foam, felt, or fabric; cloth-covered foam balls, canes and other shapes; solid wood shapes; and fabric bows.

Remember to check gifts under the tree for wrappings that may be dangerous, such as tied-on ornaments and stretchy elastic cording. For added safety around the Christmas tree, a versatile child safety gate such as KidCo’s Configure Gate or Hearth Gate can be installed to keep little ones at a safe distance.

Festive, Kid-Smart Holiday Home Trimmings
Parents can easily decorate child-accessible areas throughout the house using child-friendly items with a festive twist. Consider topping a coffee table with durable wooden bowls filled with colorful children’s blocks, or quilted holiday baskets spilling festive fabric-covered foam balls. Other kid-friendly holiday décor ideas include tough acrylic candy dishes filled with holiday cookies, and carved wooden figures and charming toys tied with bright holiday bows. A children’s wooden nativity scene can make a homey, worry-free holiday centerpiece in any room, and a child-safe dash of holiday color can be added to sofas using piles of festive holiday pillows.

Add Holiday Color with Throw Pillows or Slip-on Covers
Pillows are great, worry-free way to safely add festive color and pop to a room frequented by toddlers. Switch out everyday throw pillows for seasonal colors – or look for inexpensive pillowcovers in to slip over your everyday pillows. Bed, Bath & Beyond offers a line of removable throw pillow covers in standard throw sizes. Or you can make your own no-sew pillow covers out of festive fleece patterns. See our super-easy No-Sew Fleece Pillow Project for instructions.

Kid-Smart Entertaining and Durable Holiday Table Styles
Families can enjoy festive and elegant dinner tables even in a home full of active kids. It’s easy to adorn holiday tables and buffets with plastic dinnerware, drinkware and serving pieces in styles that mimic the beauty of fine glass, ceramic and porcelain – without the danger of breakage. And make the Kid’s table the best seat in the house with ways to serve little ones in style – and keep them happy while you enjoy dinner, too!

Child Safety On-the-Go
If spending the holidays away from home, parents with small children should take a quick moment to rearrange for safety upon arrival. Consider packing a few portable childproofing devices such as removable cabinet locks, electrical outlet covers and a pressure-mounted gate like KidCo’s Center Gateway. If playing host this season, ask houseguests to keep medicines and toiletries safely hidden out of children’s reach, or consider clearing an inaccessible shelf for guests’ use. A careful moment will make holiday visits safer for children and more relaxing for all. See our Child Safety on the Go Checklist entry for more tips on traveling with little tykes.

Home Safety Never Takes a Holiday
Whether celebrating baby’s first Christmas or maintaining a home full of busy older kids, all parents should remember that safety never takes a holiday. But a little caution and creative planning can make an inviting, safe and stylish home easy to achieve for merry family holidays.

Thanksgiving wreath decoration diy project

This richly colored fall wreath is so easy to make, I actually pulled it together one Thanksgiving morning when I realized I didn’t have a door decoration to greet my guests. 

Luckily, I had wreath form and a bag of fall-hued silk leaves tucked away in the crafts cabinet. I just added a little hot glue, a bow, and voila!

It’s versatile, too. Without the bow, the leaf-covered wreath makes a great tabletop piece for ringing candles or other fall decorations.

To make this quick and  simple Thanksgiving Wreath, you’ll need:

• Wreath form – foam or straw works well
• Hot Glue
• 2-3 Handfuls of medium to large silk leaves in various colors and sizes
• Wire-edged ribbon

To assemble:

Step 1: Lay the wreath form on some newspaper and arrange the leaves along the wreath form, overlapping them. Make sure they cover the sides. You don’t have to cover the back.

Step 2: Using hot glue, attach the leaves. You’ll have to remove some to get this going. Just begin in one spot and continue layering and overlapping the leaves as you glue them down.

Step 3: For a wreath, make a bow from the wire-edge ribbon and attach. For centerpiece rings, you can wrap with a length of ribbon, or just leave plain.

Options:Make it your own! Twist raffia around the wreath and use a raffia bow. Add berries, pinecones, feathers or other seasonal embellishments.

 1. Start with Kid-friendly, Flame-free Candles and Votives:
Battery-operated candles offer the same flickering ambiance of wax candles… without the danger of fire. What’s not to love? You can find inexpensive battery -operated tea lights at the dollar store, or choose more realistic real wax drip-rim battery operated candles. Flameless candles usually last about 40 hours or so, and the batteries can be replaced, so you’ll be enjoying them long after the Halloween candy is a distant memory. Use them in Lack-o-Lanterns, votive holders, or anyplace you need a touch of light. 

2. Search Everyday Items for Halloween-ish Colors:
Have any orange or black placemats on-hand? How about colorful drinking glasses — maybe in white, frost, orange, smoky gray, green or purple? Any white candle pillars stashed in a drawer? These everyday things can do double-duty as Halloween decor! For example:

• MYO-Votives: Add some construction paper bits to colorful drinking glasses, pop a flame-free candle in the glass and, Presto! Instant Halloween votive candles that kids can easily help make. We used Bentley 11-oz plastic tumblers  in Smoke and Tangerine, construction paper and double-sided gift tape. 
  

  Plastic glasses do double-duty as Halloween votive candles

• Create a Ghostly Glow: Don’t spend your money on fancy Halloween candles that you’ll just have to store in a few weeks! Grab simple white or orange pillar candles (of course, battery operated candles are best) and attach paper or fun foam bits to make Jack-o-Lantern faces or Ghosts. (If you use real candles, place embellishments well below the burn region and keep an eye on them when burning).

Arrange several candles, homemade votives or a combination of these across the mantle for a Halloween spookscape, or place a few on orange or black placemats for a flickering centerpiece.

3. For a Spideriffic Centerpiece, Start in the Backyard:
What could be spookier (or cheaper) than a cluster or spindly branches hung with paper or pipe cleaner spiders? For this simple project, you just need some branches, an empty soup or coffee can, floral foam or dried beans* to hold the branches in place, some pipe cleaners or construction paper, and glue. If you want to get fancy, spray paint the branches and can before assembling. (*If decorating around toddlers, use foam instead of dried beans – if spilled, beans could be a choking hazard)

Battery operated candles offer a spooky and kid-safe glow

4. Safe — and Spooky – Trick-or-Treating Lights:
Add a little extra creepy to your little ghouls’ and booys’ costumes this year. Instead of flashlights, give them a battery-operated pillar candle to hold. These cast a spooky flickering glow without a flame — perfect if you have a little witch or wizard who really gets into character!

Let us know about your kid-safe, budget-friendly Halloween ideas!

The National Fire Protection Association reports the number of home fires started by candles is on the rise. Three main factors contribute to candle-related house fires; unattended candles that are allowed to over-burn, candles placed near combustibles such as wall hangings, and children playing with lit candles.

Fortunately, some clever candle makers now offer safer display options for traditional and jar candles. Plus, worry-free alternatives like battery-operated candles have made great strides in appearance and styling in recent years. So it really is possible to enjoy candles, or the look of them, without the safety worries.

First things First — Basic Candle Safety
This almost goes without saying, but to be thorough…

• The first rule of candle safety is to never leave a burning candle unattended
• The second rule - do not position it near or under anything combustible, or where it can be tipped or knocked off a surface
• The third rule - keep them out, out, out of the reach of children

Other factors that will minimize fire danger include trimming the wick to about 1/4″ prior to lighting, and not overburning. For more burning safety tips, see the The National Candle Association’s Safety Page

The Kid-Friendliest Way to Burn Candles…

Get the Look Without the Worry using Flame-Free Candle Alternatives
Battery-operated candles have come a long way in the past few years. The best styles are crafted in real wax for a realistic glow and have a flicker-style light bulb that mimics a flickering flame. Most battery-operated candles come in pillar or votive styles, including realistic drip-rim designs and even scented varieties.

Another advantage of battery operated candles is that you can enjoy them wherever and whenever you want them — on the dinner or coffee table, outdoors on a windy day, on buffets or side tables, around paper decorations — and even around kids! While battery-operated candles certainly aren’t toys, they are the safest way to add ambiance without a flame to any space accessible by little hands.

Love the Burn? Try Wall-mounted Candle Sconces
Affixed to the wall and designed to keep votives, pillars and jars securely in place, candle sconces are an ideal out-of-reach solution. Install sconces with safe placement in mind; not in a tight or highly trafficked area, and far from drapery and other combustibles. Also, if you have small children, position sconces away from furniture so they can’t reach them by climbing.