Fastened Things are Safe Things

One thing people keep forgetting when they decorate their homes is to fasten and/or secure their big furniture.

Take for example high shelves or big display cabinets. Even if you're not in an earthquake-prone area, an errant child can just as easily topple these over with a stubborn pull. Best to make sure to fasten them, using some hex head cap screws  or at least secure them with other items (like a storage chair or low shelf) so that if they do fall, there will be that gap to make sure no one will get really hurt.

You also want these items to help boost you up, in case you need it, and really hold whatever is put in them instead of leaning this way and that (and yes, best not to put heavy things on top shelves).

Do a quick inventory of your things and see how better you can secure your home from your own furniture.

Outdoor Fun in Guimaras by Camp Alfredo

As I was researching things to do in Guimaras, I came across Camp Alfredo. A family-, nature- adventure destination,  Camp Alfredo turned out to be near (on the way to) our resort (Raymen Beach Resort) so it should definitely be part of the inland tour if you're staying there too. You also only spend around 30 minutes to an hour there, depending on how fast you can go through the hanging bridges, so it's easy to squeeze in on your way to the resort or back to the wharf.

Their rates include zipline, hanging bridge and rapelling and they were a stickler for safety. I was a mountaineer once so I have a pretty good idea of really cautious men who have respect for... well, in this case, heights.

you register at that building down there

then trek back up for this 330-meter zipline

we had few pictures here because we were busy keeping our balance

Current charges are:

PhP 425 1 zip ride
PhP 625 2 zip rides
PhP 825 unlimited zip ride

+ PhP 200 high rope obstacle course/hanging bridge

For those wanting to stay there (say, team building purposes), you may contact BingBing at 09192768259 or 09172505816 for rates and reservations. You may also e-mail them at CampAlfredoGuimaras@gmail.com

Per Camp Alfredos Facebook page, their current facilities include:

- 330 meter zip line
- high rope obstacle course (vine walk, mciro log burma log, burma bridge)
... - hanging bridge
- restaurant and bar
- camping grounds
- cabins
- rapelling
- "mini" zip line
- tree house
- uphill and downhill trail
 

Future amenities will include the following:

- infinity pool (this was already being excavated when we were there)
- prayer deck at the highest point of the camp
- stations of the cross
- airsoft ground
- football area
 
 

Shop Smarter and More Safely this Christmas

On my way to Divisoria last week, a man sat beside me in the jeep egging the driver to go faster. It turned out, he was trying to get away from the man he snatched a cellphone from.

Cases like this are rampant during the Holidays as even the poor and the sinful are intent to give themselves a Merry Christmas. I know, it's not like people will be shopping with gold bars
in bag, but here are some tips for everyone to shop smarter and more safely:

1) Have a separate coin purse for the transport fares so people don't see the thousand peso bills in your wallet.

2) Don't keep all your eggs in one basket, in case you lose a wallet or someone picks your pocket.

3) Leave valuables behind when going into crowded places.

4) If you can, go on leave on a weekday to do and finish all your shopping. Less people about so even the lines at the cashier will be shorter too.

5) Use your debit/credit card instead, if you're not going to flea markets, bazaars, etc so you don't need to carry cash.

6) Try to shop early, when attendants are still alert and fresh. Shopping in the evening when all store clerks are already exhausted may result in wrong change, left purchases and poorer customer service.

7) Think of a theme so you need only go to one or two places for all your gift-giving needs.

8) Don't shop alone, so that someone will always have your back. Or...

9) Divide and conquer with a friend/partner, so that someone else can already get other things in your list.

10) Keep a watchful eye and err on the side of caution.

Prevent more stress from coming into your life this Holiday season.

Summer Abroad: Time for Repairs

It's summer abroad and the perfect time for repairs.

Adding a verandah to your house? Cement is sure to dry faster! Paint will dry faster too.

In a location of drastic winters? Time to do repairs on the roof, check your fireplace inserts, clean up chimneys and check (or replace) heaters

Located in areas known for terrible storms? Check your storm shutters, revisit your cellars and panic rooms.

This is also a good time to take stock of your furniture and appliances. Anything you haven't used for the past two years, consider selling (to maybe would-be college students), giving away or throwing away. And then make the repairs and refurbishing in your home to give it a fresher, uncluttered feeling.

Make lemons out of the lemonade that is intense heat. Take advantage of the kids being home as there will be extra hands to do the work.

Prevent Accidents, Manage Your Cables

Is your house like ours where there are baskets of cords and cables for the different appliances and gadgets you own? Then maybe you should invest in a floor cord cover for extensions you're using as well as make sense of the cables by tying them up together. Feel free to just use any old ribbon, even pipe cleaners, to keep them out of the way and untangled.

Little things like this can prevent tripping or your child tugging at wayward cables. It saves you from accidents and saves your equipment from getting broken too.

Safety Vigilance

Maybe you don't really need hot tub covers especially since you're not likely to leave a hot tub unattended, but maybe you also ought to think again.

Same way that you should reconsider reusing old shampoo and mineral water bottles as containers of potentially harmful substances like dishwashing liquid, ironing aids and solutions for cleaning jewelry and other stuff.

The thing is, we always mean well. And we always assume we're vigilant enough. Sometimes, however, just a ringing phone can distract us enough from our curious kiddos and can result in an emergency hospital visit.

So, those heavy medical or law books should nowhere be on a high shelf where they can fall and seriously harm your child. Trust me, better risk having your kid have fun ripping it apart, than it making a bad landing on your kid's head or chest.

A Safety Reminder

Last week, a topic of conversation in my ygroups was someone's neighbor who accidentally dragged her child with their car. It was a classic accident involving an SUV's blind spot. A friend of mine once ran over his child's foot because of the same issue.

No matter how careful we are, accidents will happen. Still, that is no reason to be less vigilant about safety and security.

Have protocols in place at home, one that you implement strictly. Install mirrors and lighting where necessary or helpful. Invest in ATV Lights if you need them. Install gates, alarms, etc. and brief your household regularly about different kinds of hazards.

Once keeping safe is a habit, it will be easy.

Save for Good Wheels and Save Your Life

With Christmas bonus looming in the horizon, I would like to take this opportunity to remind vehicle owners to save part of their bounty to replace old or worn wheels. This not only saves from future hassles on the road, it just may translate to lives saved as a new wheel with good treads is less likely to spin and slip during rainy weather (and heaven knows we still have a lot of those these days).

It may also be good to consider insuring your wheels and even getting a 5th wheel warranty.

I cannot stress how important it is to maintain vehicles properly and not scrimp on its parts. People may also want to change their oil, have brakes checked or replace broken lights as well as renew/upgrade their car insurance.

Mom's Purest Love at Eastwood City Mall

Pregnant moms going through your Robern Medicine cabinet for some relief for your all-day nausea, listen (or should I say, read?): Shopping can sometimes perk you up and make you feel better more than Maalox can.

Breastfeeding moms who feel limited by the notion of nursing in public, listen: there's a new maternity and nursing line for you!

Moms looking for earth and family-friendly products, listen: a mommy market is ongoing at the mall as I type.

Read on!

=====================



Hello Breast Friends,

Hi Friends and Countrymen,

I'd like to personally invite you to a LATCH/Eastwood event this Sunday Aug 8 :-) This month is World Breastfeeding Month and my breastfeeding advocacy group LATCH has been working with Megaworld to help celebrate the occasion. We've been having activities this whole week, starting with the launch of the breastfeeding room and a photo exhibit. Right now, there is an ongoing mommy marketplace selling baby stuff and breastfeeding-friendly merchandise.

The culminating event is on Sunday and we prepared a great line up of activities!

Kindly see attached photos...they are evites to the various activities that will happen on Sunday.
Here's a quick look at the schedule:
1-2 pm Talk on Breastfeeding and Babywearing by LATCH
3-3:30 Yoga demonstration by Jornada Yoga
3:30-4:00 Cooking Demonstration by CCA
4:00-4:30 Make-Up demo by Face Shop
4:30 pm A celebrity fashion show featuring Bianca Araneta-Elizalde's maternity/nursing line called Eden. The children will be dressed in Periwinkle and Baby Fashionista. Accessories by Tweetie de Leon.




I hope you can help us in raising awareness about the breastfeeding culture we are trying to promote :-) Hope to see you there! Thanks again.

Sincerely,
-----


*LATCH stands for Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling and Help

Mind Toys' Age Guidelines

As a parent, we often buy toys sometimes because we had one, wanted one, or just want one. We also buy some toys for our kids thinking it's cool, cute, or that our child is sure to enjoy it. Some, on the other hand, buy the most expensive they can find, or the most educational they can see.

Few really care about the age guideline usually stamped on the box. I know I seldom did. It was just a minor consideration, if at all. But the longer I become a Mom, the more I also realie that such age guidelines do serve a purpose.

First, there is of course the safety issue. Toys with small parts will not be appropriate for kids three years and below as it may pose a choking hazard, as toddlers are still far too curious to follow reminders. Toys with sharp or hard edges are also not really appropriate for infants yet.

Then there is the kind of play the toy was made for. Stacking cups or blocks are okay for a vast age range but say, electronic toys are likely to just be banged and thrown by kids two years and below. Before they can really appreciate what each button is for, the toy is already banged up so much that it's broken. Then there are miniature toys that will be fragile for pre-schoolers who still don't have much self-control.

But the most important thing is this: toys are meant for play that's meant for the child to have fun and learn. So the toys you should buy should be age-appropriate for your child to actually manage it and be succesful playing with it. As much as visual,electronic toys entertain, they also limit a child's imagination if given too early. Toddlers and pre-schoolers need more of toys they can mix and match, and throw and taste and build from.

So, next time you're about to make an impulsive buy, mind the age guideline and really think: what do I want this toy to accomplish for my child?

Holidays and Fire

No matter how many times TV programs, magazines and other media remind us, there will still be several fires because of faulty or forgotten Christmas lights. Sure, your home insurance may be great but fires are very non-discriminating as to what they will destroy. Fires do not care if it's an old sofa set or a life, if it's just a painting or your entire picture and film collection.

So be vigilant against fires. Firstly, buy lights that have the proper seals. And only turn them on when you are still awake, usually between 6-10 PM. And make sure you unplug everything (except the fridge) in the house before you turn in.

Make sure also that there are no firecrackers in the house and should you be handling one, not to throw it towards your house or your neighbor's. And if throwing parties, make sure inebriated guests who might sleep over are not also smoking. Make sure there are ashtrays and garbage cans around for people to throw their butts in. And again, before turning in, inspect everything.

Sometimes, it really seems a hassle for us to always be checking for whatever could go wrong while we sleep. But these habits can save the lives of those that are really important to you, including your own.

Gift Card Mall

I found this wonderful gift idea online that lets the recipient shop for what he wants but lets you keep all the credit for the gifts. A Bass Pro Gift Card is a customizable gift card available at GiftCardMall.com. They have Bass pro shops/retail stores and catalogs as well as the site to shop from. For kids, they have gift cards for Pottery Barn, Buy Buy Baby and Build a Bear. For the women in your life, there are SpaFinder, Bed Bath and Beyond, KMart, Kohl's and Sears among other brands. Holiday gift cards are even being shipped free and inactivated, so only the intended recipients can really activate the card.

So for those in the US who still haven't shopped for their loved ones, get them a Bass Pro Gift Card asap. Just think how you're helping move the economy!!!

Toxic Fragrances

Part of babyproofing our home is making sure all industrial supplies and cleaning equipment are kept out of reach of children. Unfortunately, we have also started making these cleaning supplies in wonderful fragrances that somehow makes us forget thay they can prove toxic to kids.

Case in point: I just bought dishwashing liquid in watermelon, Irish Spring and raspberry scents. They came in mineral water bottles (1 liter) and candy-like colors. And we forgot to put the bottles somewhere high that my nephew thought it was juice and managed to open one. He is one and a half years old. My two year old son, on the other hand, can already prop a chair near the sink where the liquid hand soap and dishwashing liquid dispensers are easily within reach. And since these smell fruity, fresh and sweet, they don't get turned off.

Even some fabric conditioners and bleach come in fragrances that may even attract kids.

And one disadvantage of reusing some containers is that they can confuse kids, and even parents. My sister-in-law once thought she was putting alcohol on her son's hands. Good thing she smelled the different scent of the cleaning agent and washed my nephew's hands in time before they got really irritated. Clear cleaning agents, like alcohol or diluted dihswashing liquid should also not be put in mineral water bottles to avoid confusing people.

Be warned so you can be more vigilant. Sweet-smelling cleaning agents are still cleaning agents and can be toxic or fatal to babies.

A Time to Replace

Twas only two months ago that typhoon Ondoy wreaked havoc here in Manila. So many homes had something that was touched, submerged, or marinated in flood. Now that Christmas bonus has come, we can replace and repair more of them.

Since refrigerators are generally heavy and loaded, those who failed to put it up shiuld be having its motor checked and maybe replacing their refrigerator water filters. Those with tables who wallowed in flood should have these checked also for rot. You don't want a child climbing on top of it, or you leaning just a tad too heavily on it, or putting so many dishes on it only to have it collapse. Cabinets, if they cannot be repaired, should be torn down and replaced as well. Electric lines should be checked, most especially the plugs.

Carpeting and linoleum shoudl be replaced too, if you cannot have it professionally cleaned.

I know that spending more on these things is one of the last things you'd consider doing with your Christmas bonus. But not doing so may spell more trouble for you in the end. Even air conditioning units, for example, that were not submerged in flood but got rained on a lot during the typhoon season should be professionally cleaned. An ounce of allergy prevention is worth more than a pound of antihistamines, after all.

TSA Locks

More expensive bags and luggage right now, like Samsonite luggage, all sport TSA locks which supposedly makes securing your luggage easier. Supposedly also, it's a durable, secure locking system.

However, my husband's recent trip to Malaysia proved that such locks are really easy to pick. Unfortunately for him, he also forgot that his media player was in the luggage so he lost it.

So although TSA locks are easy to use, lock and open, make sure you also hand carry your valuables. You can also secure your luggage by shutting the zips together with plastic locks.

Crayon Rocks

A new find that I am really excited about are Crayon Rocks from Mama.Baby.Love. They are all natural soy wax crayons made from USA grown soybeans and colored with natural mineral powders. Designed to strengthen the tripod grip muscles, they are used by occupational therapists to develop fine motor skills. They're recommended for children age 3 and up, however, because since they look like pebbles and are very attractive, they still pose a choking hazard to curious toddlers. So go over to Mama.Baby.Love and order these wonderful crayons for your kiddo, or as birthday or Christmas gift to budding artists.

Check the other items too while you're there!

Extend Aircon Use

The heat is driving us all insane.

What's more, our electric bills have started to soar along with the temperature. So why am I suggesting that we extend aircon use?

Well, of course, there are other things you can do to control your electric usage. Like use the electric fan more, or an exhaust fan. Like take more baths maybe, and avoid diuretics that make you lose fluids and therefore make you feel more hot.

But see, one of the more common solutions people come up with is going to the mall to avail oneself of free air conditioning. It is actually not a bad idea IF you can also control your spending once you're there. Can you guarantee that you won't take a cab going to and fro? Won't you snack somewhere? When you see something that's a real bargain, won't you buy it? Won't you remember that your stocks of so and so are running low? Won't you buy anything for the people you'd be coming home to?

Before you know it, there went your budget.

Going to the mall appeals to the consumer in you, and chances are, you'd spend some P100-200 up each time you go. Now, how many times will you go in a month? The money you save from going to the mall CAN be spent on the additional electric bill. Plus, chances are, extending aircon use will actually end up being cheaper.

Summer Sprucing

Summer has come indeed. With it, mosquitoes and other bugs/pests are not far away. It is certainly time to check your home for much needed repairs. Hinges have gone rusty? Oil them or replace them. Have doorknobs been giving you a hard time? Maybe you want to consider installing industrial knobs instead?

Gutters and roofs have broken down or are filled with litter, debris and who knows what else? Declutter, fix or replace. And repaint them. At least the summer heat is sure to dry the paint up in no time, and your home will be ready for the rainy months. Replace screens, clean air-conditioning units, and go through all your stuff with a garbage bag for all the things you really have no use again for.

This is also the perfect time to get your sewage tank pumped or to build additions to the family home.

Also, check for wires that may have gotten exposed to avoid fires this summer. Invest an entire weekend for this project so you need not get hassled bythem later on. Plus, your home's safety and security is your family's as well.

Car Insurance and Maintenance Fund

Cars are luxury items. They're a necessity now and really go a long way in making things convenient for us, but the fact that their value starts dropping after you buy them while also requiring much in terms of gas, registration, insurance and maintenance.

But you really have to allot funds for these. You may get better deals if you conduct some sort of car insurance comparison first before getting one, but always make sure to read the fine print. Do not just be attracted by cheaper rates nor a lot of freebies (which you may not even need).

And make sure you tuck away a monthly allowance for the maintenance and insurance fees. Doing this monthly is actually easier on the pocket than having to come up with cash at the last minute. Monitor oil and brake fuel change schedules and tire replacements. Don't make the mistake of trying to scrimp on maintenance because it just might make your vehicle into a death trap. Driving around with ragged tires and problematic clutches not just endanger you or anyone in your family driving the car, you also endanger other innocent people on the road with you.

Working at the Port Area

If you're working at the port area, or frequenting it, chances are, you've had your share of truck hassles and near-misses, maybe even accidents.

It's part of the port scenario, trucks going to and fro, loading and unloading cargo from ships and barges. In Manila, trucks are only allowed to haunt our roads at certain times because they can create such traffic the whole day if allowed to be on the roadwhenever they please. And we shouldn't really let their presence stress us so, after all, they deliver the goods and facilitate trade which fuels the economy.

Still, it would do you good to know the hours when they're around so you can plan your schedule and avoid them. Or at least, consider their presence on the road when setting up back to back appointments in and out of your office.

If you're working in the port area, or any area where you have to deal with cargo trucks, you also might want to check what your company offers in terms of insuance benfits for any truck-related accidents and injuries. Are they paying some truck accident lawyer a retainer's fee just for these instances? If not, convince colleagues or your union to push for measures to cover such possibilities. In the South Harbor alone, I know of three different circumstances wherein a container fell off a truck, and that's three major accidents too many.

And really, don't mess with truck drivers. Don't drive too close to them and be on the alert when you're driving alongside one.