There are now ways to help solve impotence problems. Impotence isn’t just age related, it can also be related to stress, anxiety, and many other factors. An effective Viagra treatment can help stimulate a male during sexual intercourse. Viagra was first created to treat hypertension and high blood pressure, but soon it was realized that it had a greater and more effective purpose.

Viagra works to regulate blood flow to the penis while the penis is erect. You need stimulation once you take the medication and it can last for up to 4 hours. Viagra is a prescribed medication, however, you can buy genuine Viagra online. Getting help to aid in conception can be very stress releaving. Once you make the decision to conceive, there is nothing worse then not being able to perform.

Getting help for performance issues to help you conceive will put you on track to having a bundle of joy in no time. You will soon hear the pitter patter of little feet and a small voice screaming, “DADDY!” To some people, those are the best words you could ever hear.

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Many families have dogs. When a new-born arrives into the family this is often an issue. Dogs are seen as unpredictable. Family members do not want to risk bringing dogs and small kids together. But if you happen to ask families that have had plenty of dogs and plenty of children you would know. Dogs can be taught to be really gentle on small children. In fact even ferocious dogs are gentle on small kids.

If you want to bring-up a dog, the best time would be when it is a puppy. During its growth you can change its personality to suit your needs. Training dogs is easier at the puppy stage. When dogs become big, they find it difficult to learn certain core skills.

Build a bond with your dog

A bond of trust and understanding has to happen between the dog and the master. This will help the master control the dog better. The dog responds to its master better if the bond is strong. In the future, when you have new-borns it will be easy for you to control your dog, and influence its behavior the way you want it to be.

Don’t tie the dog and get it used to children

When getting your dog used to children, don’t fasten it somewhere. You should hold your dog, while letting your children come and touch it. Children can be intimidating to the dog. Children have fast motions, will make eye-contact, and  raise their voice. All this might startle the dog initially. But if you have a firm grip on it, it should be OK after some time.

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Knowing what to do in an emergency could be the different between life and death. Arming your child with some basic knowledge about life threatening situations is an important part of the process of growing up. They will no doubt carry the skills with them into their teenage and adult years, and hopefully hand the knowledge onto their own children.

How to use 911

Teaching your child that 911 is the number to call in case of an emergency is the most simple and effective way of dealing with an emergency. Walk you child through the process, and talk to them about the different situations in which they may need to phone the number for help. It is always a good idea to have the information on the fridge at the child’s eye height just in case they forget what to do.

Fire Safety

Many children learn in school what to do in case there is a fire emergency. However it does not hurt to teach them what to do for the same emergency at home. Teach your child to get closer to the floor to avoid flames and smoke, also teach him or her to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothes catch on fire. It is also important to teach your child how to use certain items safely, such as stoves, hot plates, heaters and other electrical items that could spark a fire.

Teaching your child the basics about what to do in the event of an emergency is an important part of the parenting process, and one that could save lives.

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Given its standard 40-week calendar, pregnancy affords many joys and also some challenges. Ideally, you want to give birth the natural way. That’s how it’s been done for centuries and that’s how nature intended it. When you must have a cesarean, there are additional risks to face. Still, many women have C-sections and emerge healthy, as do their babies.

Deciding Between Natural and Cesarean

Many efforts are underway by governments and obstetricians to decrease the prevalence of C-sections. C-sections cause problems for the mother. Pain, bleeding, depression, surgery issues and infection are all C-section-related complications. In addition, babies delivered via C-section may experience breathing issues following their birth.

Being Induced and Cesareans

Research shows that being induced into labor can lead to an increased need for C-sections. It’s better to avoid this practice unless absolutely necessary. Some women choose this option as a convenience for their schedules. With a regimented calendar pregnancy can be better managed, but a schedule should not prevent getting the most appropriate care.

Reasons to Have a Cesarean

Legitimate reasons exist for having a cesarean and those include factors such as a baby’s oxygen being cut off due to the misplacement of the umbilical cord. Additionally, if the cervix has been blocked by the placenta, the baby cannot be delivered by way of natural birth.

Ways to Avoid C-Sections

Choose a doctor who supports natural birth options. Also, anxiety can slow the delivery process, increasing the possibility of a C-section. Be sure to choose a birthing facility that makes you feel comfortable and at home to reduce anxiety.

 

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There are things an older sibling should know when caring for younger siblings. It could be simple instructions given to the older siblings by the parent. Nevertheless, there could be emergency situations meaning that Mommy and Daddy need to be sure a plan is designed to handle these unforeseen situations. A plan should be in place or at least the older sibling should know what needs to be done in the event of an emergency. Many feel it is best for the babysitter to show responsibilities first before giving the job of caring for a younger sibling. This would ensure they can handle an emergency even if it is not something they have a plan to handle. They need to know who to call or what steps to take in an emergency, such as if they need to administer first aid.

Many of the responsibilities given to the older sibling who is babysitting should be age appropriate. Perhaps a 14-year-old would be told not to use the stove, but could cook in the microwave while an 18-year-old sibling is allowed to use the stove. Make sure the older sibling and younger sibling know who is in charge. The older sibling is working in place of the parents. The same rules are in place and these rules are expected to be followed by everyone.

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As your parents age, the roles in your relationship reverse and you begin to act as the parent, and they begin to act as the children. You need to recognize that you may not be able to help your parents every day. You may need to instead consider a nursing home. There are three things to consider as you make this decision.

Quality care. Your primary concern is the care your parents will receive. Elder abuse or neglect can be a big problem, as Los Angeles nursing home abuse attorney Peter K. Levine can attest. It is important that you research your options. You may also want to seek a professional opinion to see what services are—or are not—recommended in your area.

Type of care. You should first consider what kind of care your parents now require and what kind they may require in the future. If they are still fairly mobile, they may be able to settle into an assisted living apartment. However, if your mother has Alzheimer’s, you should consider looking for an Alzheimer’s unit.

Location. A nursing home can provide the support for your parents that you cannot. However, you may still need to help your parents with doctor appointments or finances. Consider finding a nursing home that is close to you or your siblings so that you can easily visit your parents when you need to, especially in an emergency situation.

Choosing a nursing home is one of the most important decisions you will make for your parents, and these suggestions can help you make the best choice.

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If you are a parent with a child that is coping with an illness that requires regular treatments, you may be wondering if there are ways to help your child deal with those treatments. It can be challenging, not only for the child, but for the whole family as well. Because each member of the family may be affected differently, each member will have different needs that need to be addressed and dealt with.

One way to help your child and family is to use active coping plans and strategies. Professionals from the healthcare industry maintain that these strategies will help the entire family. Here are a few strategies that can help you, your child and your family.

As the parent, you must take care of yourself. You should understand and be able to cope with your child’s illness. You will need to live a full daily life, combined with your child’s medical appointments. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. You don’t want to become ill while caring for your child.

Get your family, as well as your child, to maintain a family routine. While you may want to do all the “normal” things you did before the illness, you may find that you cannot attend all the birthday parties, volunteer as much as you’d like or other activities; you do need to realize this is not the end of the world. In fact, trying to maintain a busy schedule may add stress to the child.

If you need to, have you and your child find a support group. Being with others in the same situation will give you added support and help.

If your pet can be worked with, you can try working with your pet on this matter. This will require a lot of time and effort on your part. Watch you’re pet closely. When you see your pet going for your kids, discipline it right away. If you find that you do not have the time to do this, you can send your pet to a behavior school that deals with matters like this. Of course, you will have to pay a nice amount of money, but you will be working with experts.

If you do not think that working with your pet is a possibility or if you do not want to do it at all, you can do the next best thing. You can find a nice home for your pet. You can put an ad in the paper, letting people know about your pet; however, explain that the pet will do better in households where there are no kids. If you do not feel that this option is feasible and feel that you must get rid of the pet right away, you can give it to an animal shelter. The animal shelter will keep your pet safe and help him or her find a new home.

One way that you can learn pool safety is by going to any of your local public pools. Public pools will usually provide lifeguard classes that you can attend to learn about all aspects of pool safety. You will learn how to save people from drowning. You will learn how to perform CPR, if it is needed, and you will learn how to keep the pool a safe place. Public pools will usually charge a fee to attend these classes; however, the fee is not too expensive.

Another place where you can learn about pool safety is through a local college. Many colleges have indoor pools, and they host pool safety classes all throughout the year. At the pool safety classes that are offered by the colleges, you will learn all of the same things about pool safety that are taught at the public pools.

Then, there is the local YMCA. The YMCA offers a number of classes on a number of different subjects. One of these is pool safety. When you take pool safety classes at the YMCA, it will be cheap. All you need is a membership.

Because there are a number of ways to learn pool safety, there is no reason why you cannot learn it. It is highly recommended that you do not delay in learning pool safety; doing so can increase the risks of those who swim in your pool. Because you do not want to incur any responsibility for not being able to save someone when a crisis occurs, get to your nearest facility and learn pool safety right now!

Tell your kids to tell the medical staff what has happened to them. When kids tell the medical staff what has happened, it is less likely that medical staff will suspect abuse in the homes. Sometimes, medical staff will jump to conclusions and suspect abuse when, in fact, your kids are only being normal kids, and they will unnecessarily call CPS. To prevent this from happening, act natural and let your kids do as much talking as possible.

Be your kids’ advocate. Sometimes, doctors and medical staff may want to do treatments that you do not feel comfortable with and will want to be very forceful about it, even using threats. When or if this should happen, be calm, firmly stand your ground, and let them know that you are familiar with your right and will contact your lawyer if they do not back off and respect you and your kids.

You will also want to be careful what you are signing. If you are a blind parent, try to have someone there with you to go over the paperwork. You never know if you are signing your rights away. If you feel uncomfortable, document everything in writing.

Most of the time, things go okay when your kids go to the hospital. However, it is best to be prepared and to be on your guard. This way, you get your kids the care they need and insure their rights are respected.

Baby books are an excellent resource for learning how to deal with common ailments, as it concerns your baby. You can learn things, like how to treat a fever, the flu, diarrhea, or the common cold. It is important that you read these books thoroughly because treatments are not always the same for babies as they are for adults. Not to mention, babies must take medicines that are specific to babies. Anything else can be very harmful.

You can also ask your pediatrician. Your pediatrician will be able to give you pamphlets that will help you to address your baby’s health concerns, as well as provide you with expert advice.

Finally, there is the Internet. On the Internet, you can find out everything you need to know concerning how to treat a baby’s ailments. Just type what you want to know in the search engines, and you will be given tons of information. You can even join parenting message boards, where parents will provide you with advice based on their own personal experience.

Being a new mommy does not have to be scary. Just arm yourself with the information needed, things will be fine.

First things first, you must teach your kids the emergency number. Kids as young as 3 years of age can learn how to dial it. Explain that it is important that this number is dialed only for very serious emergency situations and that it is not to be for play. Work with your kids in learning the number, until they grasp it.

You will also want to teach your kids your home address. If they do not know your home address, they will not be able to properly get help. Work with them on this repetitively, until they can rattle it off with confidence. It is important that they can say your home address without thinking about it because when emergency situations actually occur, it will be very difficult for them to think of the address because they will be freaked out and upset. It is very difficult to think when one is like that.

If you have any health problems that could cause emergency situations to occur from time to time, you will want to teach your kids what to do when these occur. When they can address these emergency situations, they can stabilize you enough, until the medics come.

When kids know how to handle emergency situations, they will be less afraid. They will have confidence because they have proper knowledge, which will enable them to take charge and get things done.

Having an alarm system is one way that you can keep your home safe. An alarm system will provide safety in two major ways. The alarm system will keep intruders out, and it will keep your kids in. If you have a small child who likes to wonder out, especially in the middle of the night, the alarm will sound when they open the door. Your children will be kept out of the way of harm.

Something else you can do to insure the safety of your kids is to keep all things that are hazardous out of their reach. Kids are very curious and love to experiment, which can sometimes result in them getting into dangerous things and causing harm to themselves. Keep all hazardous things locked up where only you can get to them. Examples of things that can be considered hazardous to kids are house cleaning supplies, some glues, rubber cement, and anything that has the label that states it should be kept out of the reach of children. Of course, you can be more lax about this as the kids get older, but when they are younger, you definitely want to keep these sorts of things away from them.

When you have young children, especially those who are of toddler age, you will want to take the knobs off of your stove. Taking the knobs off of your stove will prevent your children from turning it on and getting themselves seriously burned.

One safety measure that you can implement to insure that your child is safe while attending school is to be in constant communication with the teachers and school administrators. Kids whose parents are very communicative with the school are better off and much safer than those kids who have parents who do not communicate with the school at all. When teachers and administrators know that parents will be in constant communication, they will be on their toes and will be more than likely to watch out for the kids of these parents. You can communicate with your child’s teachers and school administrators at least once a week by email. If you are not computer savvy or if using the computer is not your preferred method of communication, you can call your teachers and administrators on the phone.

Another measure that you can put into place to insure the safety of your child is to give him or her a cell phone. There are a number of child friendly cell phones on the market that you can control, so your child will not call the wrong people or run up the phone bill. When your child has this cell phone, he or she can call you when something is going wrong, such as if your child is being bullied or if he or she is being abused by a teacher or school staff. Then, you can quickly come to the rescue.

One reason that it is vital that you watch the news to see which items are being recalled is so you can keep your kids safe. If there is a danger with these items, you obviously do not want your kids to consume, use, or play with them. Watching the news will enable you to know what these items are, so you can get rid of them swiftly.

Also, when you watch the news and learn what these items are, you will steer clear of purchasing them for your house and having them around your kids. Failure to watch the news and learn of these recalled items will pose a potential safety risk to your kids. So, keep up to date.

There are a number of ways that you can keep up to date concerning such news. One way that you can get this news is by watching television. Often times, when a particular product is recalled, it will be announced on all television stations. You can also receive this news on the Internet or on radio stations. You can even find news concerning recalled items for kids in the newspapers. In short, there is no reason for you to keep up to date on recalled items. So, keep up to date and keep your kids safe.

Taking breaks is very important. As a new mommy, you may feel like you have to do it all. You feel the need to be super mom. Do not feel like you have to do this because it is not necessary. It is perfectly fine for you to take breaks because it is healthy. Taking breaks will enable you to recharge and be the best you can be for your baby. Leave the baby with someone you can trust and take some time for yourself. Go out and get a manicure and pedicure. Go shopping. If your baby has made you sleep deprived, take a nice long sleep.

You can also make a schedule for you and your baby. When you are making your schedule, watch your baby closely. See when he or she becomes hungry or sleepy, and then work around this schedule. When you have a schedule, you will have a solid routine, and both you and your baby will know what to expect. When the both of you know what is going to happen, you and your baby will be less overwhelmed, and you can better care for him or her.

As a new mommy, you may feel nervous. The good news is that it does get easier in time.

Are you interested in taking CPR and first aid classes in your area? Locating these types of classes is easy with Canada 411, a search engine directory. You can be on your way to a valuable CPR or first aid class in no time with this powerful tool.

Consider the advantages of taking a CRP and first aid class. It can certainly benefit your family should the need arise for CPR or some other type of first aid, the latter being inevitable to a certain extent (hopefully lesser situations of course). However, if the unimaginable occurs and a member of your family needs CPR or some quick first aid, you will want to be prepared. A CRP or first aid class can do that in case of an emergency.

Taking such a class can benefit you in other areas as well. Certain positions find value in a candidate knowing CPR, such as a day care worker and those in a school setting. You may find that CRP or first aid training is a benefit if you are in or looking for work in one of these positions.

In order to find classes in your area, try using Canada 411. With it you can find supplementary information, such as location and contact information will be given as you find locations that interest you. The next step would be to contact the locations directly to learn more and possibly enroll. You will find out information once they are contacted directly, such as cost and times.

Take a look at what is in your area with Canada 411 today. A CPR or first aid class can be a great help in preparing for an emergency in your home or line of work. Consider what these types of classes could do for you as you locate resources in your area to go through with it.

One benefit to learning pool safety is that you can rescue people when the need arises. Let’s say that someone is in your pool drowning. When you know pool safety, you are better able to save that person without causing risk to yourself or to the person who is drowning. Not having the knowledge of pool safety, however, can be extremely detrimental. For one, you will not be able to save the drowning individual effectively or at all. If you attempt to save the drowning individual without knowledge on how to properly do so, you can cause yourself to drown with the individual by being pulled under. Just think of how much of a disaster that would be.

Another benefit to learning pool safety is that by having this knowledge, your backyard pool will be a safe place for swimming. When you have the knowledge of pool safety, you can actually take safety precautions that you will not take if you do not have such knowledge. You will not be able to take these precautions because you will not know that they need to be taken. When you take such safety precautions, you decrease the instances of crises occurring.

Now that you have been made aware of some of the benefits of learning pool safety, it is a good idea that you go to your nearest facility and take up classes. Though nobody wants any sort of crisis to occur, it is always a good idea to have this knowledge handy. You never know when the day may come when you will actually need the knowledge of pool safety.

One way that you can learn pool safety is by going to any of your local public pools. Public pools will usually provide lifeguard classes that you can attend to learn about all aspects of pool safety. You will learn how to save people from drowning. You will learn how to perform CPR, if it is needed, and you will learn how to keep the pool a safe place. Public pools will usually charge a fee to attend these classes; however, the fee is not too expensive.

Another place where you can learn about pool safety is through a local college. Many colleges have indoor pools, and they host pool safety classes all throughout the year. At the pool safety classes that are offered by the colleges, you will learn all of the same things about pool safety that are taught at the public pools.

Then, there is the local YMCA. The YMCA offers a number of classes on a number of different subjects. One of these is pool safety. When you take pool safety classes at the YMCA, it will be cheap. All you need is a membership.

Because there are a number of ways to learn pool safety, there is no reason why you cannot learn it. It is highly recommended that you do not delay in learning pool safety; doing so can increase the risks of those who swim in your pool. Because you do not want to incur any responsibility for not being able to save someone when a crisis occurs, get to your nearest facility and learn pool safety right now!

One of the numerous ways that you can keep your children safe while they are swimming in the pool is by putting them in life jackets. While you may think that having your children wear life jackets in the pool is a silly idea, it is actually fantastic, especially when they are very young and unable to swim. When the children have life jackets on, they can roam freely about the pool without drowning and without causing you tons of worry. Of course, if the children are old enough to handle themselves in the pool and can swim well, then the life jacket is not needed.

Another way that you can keep your children safe in the pool is by watching them. Even if your children can swim well or are old enough, it is still a good idea to keep a good eye on them because there is always a chance that accidents will happen. If you are there watching the children while they are swimming, you will better be able to help them compared to if you were leaving them unsupervised.

Finally, you can keep your children safe in the pool by having the proper lifeguard equipment on hand all of the time and have quick access to it. You may think that such equipment is unnecessary, since your pool is not a public pool. However, a pool is a pool no matter where you are, and there are always freak chances that accidents will happen, so you will always want to have the proper equipment on hand to take care of things if accidents should happen.

Backyard swimming pools can be a wonderful highlight of summer and a great place for families with children to spend time together. Pools can also be dangerous when children aren’t educated about pool safety from an early age.

Adult Supervision
The swimming pool should always be closed off from the rest of the yard with a gate so that children cannot enter the pool area unsupervised. This is important for the safety of not only your children, but other neighborhood children who could wander through.

Children should be taught that swimming can take place only when a designated adult is available to supervise pool activities. Even sitting on the edge of the pool or playing near a pool without an adult should be off limits to children who have not yet learned to swim or who are not strong swimmers.

Behavior Guidelines
It is important for children to learn to follow special behavior rules when they are around a swimming pool. Rough and wild behavior is one of the leading causes of swimming pool accidents. There is no running around the pool area and this rule should be strictly enforced for both parents and children alike. Older children will need rules regarding swimming, jumping, and diving.

Restrictions Based on Skill Level
While some swimming pool rules will be the same for everyone-like avoiding wild behavior- other pool rules will vary based on skill levels. Young children can be taught that as they grow up and improve their swimming skills, they will be able to do more and more in the pool. It is a good idea to have a special area of the pool for children who are not yet swimming. This can be accomplished with a pool rope to section off an area in the shallowest area. If there is not an appropriate area, keep a children’s wading pool nearby for the littlest swimmers.

Shallow Areas
If your pool will be used by younger children who are not yet swimming or who are still learning to swim, you will want to provide ample space for them in your pool. A shallow area with water that children can easily stand in as they learn to swim is a great solution and a good place for adults to teach children swimming skills. This area can be at the steps of your pool and roped off to provide a children’s area for supervised games and swimming practice. Be sure that the pool depth does not drop off suddenly where it could be a hazard to swimmers who don’t know the lay of the land.

Diving Areas
If swimmers at your pool intend to do diving, you will want to be certain that there is enough depth for this to be safe. Most above ground pools and some in ground pools are too shallow for safe diving. It has been shown that close to 60% of all diving accidents occur in water that is less than four feet deep. If diving is important to you, plan for added depth, preferably greater than eight feet, in a certain area of your pool to ensure divers’ safety.

Slipping Solutions
Many pool supply stores offer paints and finishes for the bottom pools that provides a rough textured surface. This can be a great option for pool steps or in some cases for the entire bottom of your pool. Textured surfaces may be more difficult to clean, but the right one will provide added traction that is especially important to children in the pool. Anyone can slip on a slick pool surface, but there are many solutions to help prevent these types of accidents.

Stress Good Listening
Go over the rules with your children before arriving at the pool. They are expected to listen to you and, depending on their swimming abilities and ages, stay close by at all times. It is important for them to listen and follow directions in order to stay safe in the swimming pools and other areas of the facility. Good listening skills will also prevent behavior problems that can result in reckless behavior, running, and other things that could cause accidents.

Get to Know the Staff
If you will be spending a good amount of time at a pool, or even if you are only planning to be there for a few days, be sure your children feel comfortable with the pool’s staff. They should understand the purpose of a lifeguard and why it is important that swimming pools have people to help in case there is an emergency. Children can also know who they can go to at the pool, like the lifeguard or a staff member in uniform, if they become separated from a parent.

Set General Boundaries
Both literal physical boundaries of which pools they can stay in and boundaries for behavior that is acceptable at the pool. This will be a combination of the rules of the pool that are set by the staff and your own personal rules for your children. Be sure that they are clear on exactly what is expected of them before they are distracted by other children and all of the new things around them. As they get older, adjust the rules based on what works for you and for each of your children.

Game Behavior
Swimming pool games are often a big part of childhood summers. Some games, however, can easily create a dangerous situation. Keep track of your children’s games and watch closely, particularly when playing games like Marco Polo where one child’s eyes are shut. It is important for them to be careful and avoid situations where a child could slip and go under in the pool. Some games also encourage running, which should be strictly forbidden both in the pool and around the edges where it’s easy for a child to fall in or trip on the pool’s coping.

Strict Discipline
The swimming pool is not the time to ease up on discipline. While it should be a place to have fun, it is also a place where acting out can put the child, as well as others, in danger. If a child is getting too wild or acting out towards another child, they should be required to sit out for a specified period of time. Following through on time outs, or whatever mode of discipline works in your family, will ensure everyone’s’ safety at the swimming pool.

Swimmers and Non-swimmers
It is important to set guidelines when you have both children who are swimmers and children who are not yet swimming. Swimmers should treat non-swimmers carefully and not encourage them to engage in risky behavior. In pools with varying depths, there should be set pool spaces that are off-limits to children who are not yet strong swimmers. Non-swimmers should give swimmers space to practice on their own. Building respect between all children who are sharing the pool is an important step to safety.

Explaining in Advance
Before their friends arrive, explain to your children that you will need them to pay attention for a couple minutes to go over pool safety. This may seem unnecessary to your child, but it’s better that they understand in advance than feel bombarded in front of their friends. Explain that you care about their safety and their friends’ safety. It’s also important to stress that all pools have different rules, so their friends will need to know how things are done at this pool.

Your Pool Rules
Don’t feel pressured to allow jumping or diving if this worries you, it’s your pool and your safety rules. If these things can only be done in a certain area of the pool, explain that too. No running and no rowdy behavior are general guidelines that are worth repeating. Some pool owners may want to type up a list of pool rules that can be posted nearby–a good way to reinforce things with older children.

Reclaim Your Cool Parent Role
Some parents are hesitant to talk about pool safety with all guests to their pool for fear of being labeled the stickler for the rules. For everyone’s safety, it’s critical to do it anyway. Start the talk with popsicles or by allowing guests to pick out their pool toys. Let the kids eat lunch outside by the pool after swimming. There are plenty of ways stay the cool parent with the pool while still keeping everyone safe.

Explain and Enforce Rules
The child arrives with a blank slate, never assume that because he was trouble last time, he won’t follow the rules this time around. Lay out the rules at the start of the visit or party the same way you would any guest to your pool. Monitor behavior and make corrections at the beginning if rules are being broken. It is important to be clear and consistent in your pool rules.

Use Positive Peer Pressure
Talk to your child ahead of time about this friend. Encourage him to put some pressure on his friend to stick to the rules so that he can be invited back to the pool often. When your child understands why the rules are there and can help you keep a wild friend under control, the friend is much more likely to listen.

Talk to the Parents
If one child is a recurring problem, talk to his parents about these behaviors and why they aren’t okay at your pool. Frame it that you would like to have him back, but want to make sure everyone is safe. Most parents will respect this and talk to the child at home about good behavior and pool safety. If the parent is willing to come along to monitor the child at your pool, this can be a good way to keep wild behavior in check.

Get Serious
If behavior problems can’t be resolved and are putting the child or other children in danger, you may have to say that the child is not allowed back at your pool. Find other times for your child to spend time with the friend, but be clear that the pool is not a safe place for him. You can try again in the future when things may have changed.

When you have other young children over to your swimming pool for a pool party, it’s worth a little extra planning and attention to details to keep everyone safe for the duration of the party.

Find Out About Swimmers
Before anyone gets in the pool, find out if there are children at the party who don’t swim. If you are worried about embarrassing the child, check with parents beforehand. It’s too easy for non-swimmers to succumb to pressure to head to the deep end during parties. If it looks like it will be an issue, it may be wise to close off the deeper end of the pool and keep all of the children where they can touch the bottom of the pool.

Enlist Some Extra Eyes
Ask a couple friends or some other parents of children at the party to join you for the day and play lifeguard. Extra eyes are one of the surest ways to prevent risky behavior and be sure that you can handle any accidents that do occur. If one child has been a problem in the past and you want to invite him again, invite one of his parents to help you on the day of the party. This is a good way to keep behavior in check and give you a little extra help enforcing the pool rules. Be sure to go over your guidelines with your extra eyes before the party so they know what to watch for in the pool.

Monitor Games Carefully
Children’s games can be a great way to keep the party going, but they can also get out of control quickly. Keep an extra close eye on children who are racing or playing games that involve speed, a child having his or her eyes shut, or maneuvering around the edges of the pool quickly. “No running” is one of the important rules that you may find yourself repeating throughout the party.

Many parents choose to enroll their children in swimming classes to learn to swim. If you have a backyard swimming pool and want to teach your child at home, there are several ways to get started while keeping everyone safe.

Stay Right There
It’s important to stay close to your child as they are learning to swim. By being right there with them in the pool, they can feel safe knowing that nothing bad will happen and you’ll catch them if they start to go underwater. Encourage a young child by letting them lay across your arms to practice kicking and paddling skills. Encourage them to blow bubbles in the water and put their face in to show that it’s okay to go underwater for a few seconds and they will come up fine.

Go at Their Pace
Work at a pace that makes you comfortable and doesn’t scare the child. Some children may pick things up quickly and be swimming in no time. Others may need a whole year of holding on to the edge of the pool and kicking before they ever feel ready to take another step. Respect their pace and encourage every small step along the way. Every child learns at a different pace and swimming is no exception.

Use Teaching Tools
Pick up water wings and paddle boards at a pool store. Goggles may also help children feel more confident in the water. Use the wings starting out with small children so they have some help staying afloat and can begin to understand paddling and kicking. As they get older and their skills improve, change over to the paddle boards. Help them to go around the pool with their arms supported by the board and kicking their legs out behind them. For many children, this will be the final step before they take off swimming.

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Pool owners rely on chlorine to keep their pools clean, sanitary, and free of algae. There are times, however, when chlorine can pose problems. Understanding chlorine levels and when it is a good idea to sit out can help keep everyone healthy around the pool. When you shock the pool with a large dose of chlorine, usually done when the water has started to go green, it is best to call a pool time out for the following 24 hours. Try to time your chlorination for times of day when the pool is not in use to keep everyone safe.

Protecting Eyes
Children should use goggles when swimming underwater and adults who spend a lot of time under water may want to consider goggles as well. Opening the eyes under water can be very irritating, especially when chlorine levels are high. Be sure to keep all swimmers informed so they will know to take some extra precautions.

Sensitive Skin
Pool chlorine can aggravate sensitive skin, especially in children whose skin is generally more sensitive than adults. Adults with eczema may want to use extra care when swimming in heavily chlorinated pools. It is important to shower immediately after swimming to rinse chlorine out of the hair and off the skin. This is one way to help prevent skin rashes caused by the swimming pool.

Bleaching
Chlorine can bleach hair and clothes when levels are high. Rinsing out the hair immediately after swimming will prevent dark hair from getting lighter and blond hair from turning that dreaded green from the pool water. Wash out bathing suits after use to prevent bleached fabrics and damage from chlorine.

It is important for everyone in the family to understand the risks of chlorine and follow directions when the pool is off limits due to high levels. A little prevention can safeguard the whole family.

Provide Clean Water
Be sure that when your pets are enjoying the pool, they also have plenty of clean water to enjoy. Providing fresh water will help to discourage them from drinking the chlorinated water, which could cause illness and vomiting. Monitor your pet closely to be sure they do not try to drink the water or eat bugs from the swimming pool.

Consider a Life Vest
Many dogs enjoy the water, but may get tired easily. If you plan to let your dog swim with you, it’s a good idea to invest in a life vest that will fit snugly and provide good support for your dog in the water. A life vest, usually made of soft foam, can help them to stay afloat easier. It is also a good precaution if your pet is hanging out by the pool with you.

Keep Them Close By
Never allow your pet to swim unattended or spend time near the pool without supervision. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, it is possible for the dog to tire out and drown without being able to get out of the pool. Always be close by so that you can see when your dog needs to get out of the water and help them to exit the pool. Some pool owners may choose to use a specially designed pet ramp to provide another way for a pet to get out of the pool.

Many dogs love the water and are good swimmers. This is great exercise and great fun for dog and owner alike, as long as good safety precautions are followed at all times. It is important to take care in introducing your dog to the water so that he will not fear the water and know that it is okay to play.

Start with a Pool
A private swimming pool is the best place to start out with your dog. There are no other people, obstacles, or currents to worry about and your dog can explore the water peacefully with your undivided attention.

Go Slowly
Take your time when you introduce your dog to the swimming pool. Some dogs don’t like the water and it may take some time for them to be comfortable standing in the pool. Chances are you will already know if you have a dog that dislikes bathtime and may fear the pool too. Let your dog stand in shallow water and step around on his own at first. Your dog may splash in the water and this is a great sign that he is getting used to the new surroundings.

Offer Praise
Praise your dog with attention and pets as he plays in the water and continue this action each time he comes into the water. This will show your dog that the water is safe and that you want him to explore it.

Go Further
Once your dog is feeling comfortable in shallow water, you can gauge the best way to proceed. Some dogs will begin to paddle out on their own and you can throw a ball for them to bring back to the shallow end. This is a great way to help them explore their new skill in a controlled environment with a goal. Other dogs may need to be carried further in to know that it’s safe. Introducing your dog to swimming can be a great gift.

Watch The Heat
Dogs can overheat very easily in the hot sun, the area in and around the pool tends to get even more sunlight than the yard. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your pet while they are outside and take periodical breaks to encourage them to drink. It’s also smart to set a timer for a reasonable amount of time so that you take your dog inside to cool off and rest before he becomes overtired or dehydrated.

Be Careful of Chlorine
A heavily chlorinated pool can irritate your dogs eyes and cause them to become red and ooze. Your best line of defense is to keep your pet away from the water when you have just chlorinated. To fend off regular damage from chlorine, rinse your pets coat immediately after getting out the pool. This will remove excess chlorine and prevent skin irritation or an upset stomach from licking it off later on.

Consider an Alarm
Some dogs will find a way to get through even a strong gate and fence. Pet owners may consider a floating alarm for the pool. This device sits on the water and will go off if it senses movement. An alarm will ring in the house to alert you that someone is in the pool. This can be a smart decision for anyone with children and pets, or anyone who lives in a neighborhood where pets and children could find a way into the pool area when no one is around.

Provide Information
Teach your child through conversations or picture books about caring for a pet and about the animal. They can learn about what the animal likes to eat and what they like to do. You can also let the child help select the perfect name for your new family member. Talk about where the pet will sleep and what responsibilities the family will have in taking care of the pet. These preparations will help prepare the child for the new family member and create anticipation rather than fear.

Introduce in a Calm Setting
When your pet comes home, find a quiet time for the pet and child to meet. This will help discourage wild behavior on both their parts. Be sure you can be right there to keep an eye on things and help the pet and child to meet and get to know each other under good terms. Have your child offer a treat to the pet to feel connected and to show the pet that this is a nice person.

Teach gentle behaviors
Teach the child to let the new pet smell his or her hand and then gently pet the animal. Be sure that the pet stays calm and if you see your pet getting upset, take a break. Encourage your child when he or she acts nicely and encourage the pet when they are kind to the child. Positive reinforcement on both sides will go a long way in forging a good relationship between your child and your new pet.

Rescue Gear
For swimming emergencies, a rescue rope and a life preserver ring should always be close at hand. Teach your children that these are tools and not toys. Floats and pool toys can go in the pool, but these things only go in the pool when someone needs help. It is important for all family members and guests to your pool to understand the rules about these devises. A CPR kit with a face shield and rescue breather is essential to have on hand by your swimming pool, especially if you have children swimming in your pool.

First Aid
A fully stocked first aid kit should include various types of bandages, gauze, cleansing wipes, and compresses. An antihistamine for allergic reactions and an itch fighter for bug bites are also good to have on hand. If any of your children have bee sting allergies or use an inhaler for breathing, always have the appropriate gear with you when spending time around the pool.

Helpful Additions
A few added pieces of your safety kit can help make swimming more pleasant for everyone. Sunscreen is very important and its worth keeping it with you for frequent reapplications, even waterproof sunscreen can come off in the pool and needs to be reapplied frequently to be effective. Goggles are a good thing for anyone who swims underwater, but especially for children with sensitive eyes. Ear plugs are another helpful thing to have on hand for children who may be very susceptible to swimmer’s ear and ear infections caused by water.

Food and Water
For food, you will want high-calorie energy bars or protein bars that will be able to withstand the extreme temperatures of your car without spoiling. Avoid salty foods that will make you more thirsty and focus on what will give you energy if you should ever find yourself stranded in your vehicle. Water is extremely important to any emergency kit and even more critical than food for survival. Depending on what you can store in your car, opt for several water bottles or larger jugs of water.

Warmth and Light
Always have some warm blankets in your car for emergencies. These can be folded and easily stored in the trunk or under a seat. You may also want some warm packs in the kit or glove compartment for keeping hands and feet warm and some spare winter gear and rain gear for bad weather.

A flashlight or light sticks can be used as sources of light. These will be important to help signal your presence to others on the road if you are ever stranded along the shoulder. Road flares can be kept in the car for use as signals, but not for other sources of light.

First-Aid and Tools
A first-aid kit should always be kept up to date in the car. This should include gauze, bandages, cleansing pads, and any special things required by your family members. Paper towels, duct tape, scissors, and toilet paper can also be good to have in an emergency.

A tool kit should include some multipurpose tools, as well as an ice scraper and snow shovel for winter weather. Jumper cables are another good thing to have on hand in an emergency and can easily be stored in the car.

Identification
The most important thing you can do for your pet’s safety is to be sure his identification tags are up to date and that he is always wearing his collar with identification. If your pet is micro-chipped, be sure that all of the information is up to date so you can be found if you are ever separated in an emergency. If you have advance warning, keep your pet with you so that you can find him if you need to evacuate your home or seek shelter in the cellar.

Preparedness in the Home
Be sure to have enough water in your emergency kit for all of your pets and a good supply of their food. Keep these in the cellar or wherever you would go in the case of a tornado or other disaster that keeps you locked down in your home. Keep all of your pets medications and supplies in an easy-to-find place.

Boarding Options
Many shelters do not take pets if you are forced to evacuate your home. Your best option is to find pet-friendly hotels or motels outside your immediate area and keep a list of their locations and numbers if you need to make a last-minute reservation with one of them. You can also keep a list of potential boards or a veterinarian outside your immediate area who might be able to keep your pet if you had to leave. People with relatives in a good location can also consider making plans to stay with them or to leave their pets in their care in an emergency.

Basic Supplies
Your pet’s carrying case or crate should be in a consistent location so it is always easy to find in a hurry. Have a leash read and an extra one packed in the emergency kit. Pack containers of food for each of your pets–having their regular diet can help to keep them happy during a stressful situation. Be sure you have enough water for your entire family, animals included. If food requires a can opener, be sure to take one along.

Medical Gear
Have all of your pets’ medications and a first aid kit including gauze and bandages. Keep your pets’ medical records and immunization records in a safe place and take them with you in case they need medical attention at any point.

Information
Pack current photographs of your pets in case they should get lost. You will also want to have phone numbers for vets and emergency contacts with you. Have a written up list of your pets’ needs, food, and any special details about care in case you need to leave them in a kennel or with a veterinarian during an evacuation.
d the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.

Extras
If your pet is attached to their sleeping space and you have space to pack a pet bed, you may want to take it along for comfort. A favorite toy for each animal can be a big comfort during a tough time in their lives.

Have a Plan
You may worry about upsetting a worried child with details about an emergency plan, but many worriers feel better when they know that the adults in their life have thought things through and know how to take care of them in an emergency. Go over the details of your plan and what you would do in each situation. Go over the roles of each family member and what things the child is responsible for during an emergency (eg: getting to safety, finding a parent or trusted adult).

Answer Questions
Encourage your child to ask questions about different types of emergencies or what would happen in a situation. If you don’t know the answer, you can look for it together and learn more about what you would do. It is important for you both to answer questions and know how to act in a disaster. When a child has their questions answered, they often begin to relax and feel ready for any situation they may face in the future.

Discuss the Odds
It is important to remind all children, especially worried children, that we make emergency plans and hope that we never have to use them. In fact, most people who make plans will never find themselves in a situation where they need to use it. Plans are made to keep us safe just in case. You can use funny examples to stress the odds of things happening and help your child to feel better about the idea of the plan.

Understanding Disasters
Use children’s books to explain the idea of thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. There are many great options out there that will do a good job explaining what happens. You can also talk about which disasters are things that they probably will never see and which are more common, but can sometimes be harmless (like a thunderstorm).

Discuss Preparedness
Be sure that children understand that parents make plans for these situations to keep everyone safe and that there are lots of other people, like rescue workers, whose job is to help families in emergencies. We make plans not because we think bad things will happen, but because they can help keep everyone safe if something does.

Be Clear
Things that seem obvious to adults can be the missing piece for small children. Be sure to explain clearly that evacuations and disasters are temporary. You’re leaving until things are safe again and then you can come home. It can be tough for children to understand time, so be patient as they struggle to grasp what two weeks equates to in their mind, or how long it will be until they can return home. Evacuations are stressful for everyone, but for children who don’t fully understand what is happening, they can be extremely scary. Reassure and then reassure again that disasters are bad, but usually happen quickly and are over. Things will be normal again.

The National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families is examining what research tells us about the options facing women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. These articles reflect our concerns that women are not always given all the information they need to make the choices that are best for them.

This article is based on “The Need for Improved Informed Consent for Breast Cancer Patients”, published in the fall 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association.

Unnecessary Mastectomies:

Are Breast Cancer Patients Given Accurate Information About their Options_

By Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D.

It is shocking but true: approximately one out of every two American women who have a breast removed as treatment for cancer do not need such radical surgery. Whether a woman undergoes a mastectomy or a lumpectomy (which removes the cancer but not the breast) depends less on her specific diagnosis than on other factors, such as where she lives, her income and health insurance, where she receives medical care, her age, and when her doctor was trained.

Although it’s been known for years that lumpectomy and other breast-saving surgeries are just as effective as mastectomy for patients in the early stages of breast cancer, in most parts of the country most of the women who receive an early-stage diagnosis will undergo the more radical and disfiguring surgery. Limited information and biased recommendations are undermining breast cancer patients’ choices.

Articles published in some of America’s most prestigious journals show that many of the more than 182,000 women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer every year do not have access to all the information they need to make the treatment choices that are best for them. This raises questions about what doctors know and what they are telling their patients.

In addition, mastectomy is often followed by “reconstructive” breast surgery that involves the use of synthetic breast implants or tissue transfers from other parts of the body. These reconstructive surgeries have risks, but the lack of published epidemiological studies means that many of the women making these decisions have limited information about their safety.

After all the research that has been done on the safety of lumpectomies, why are so many women undergoing mastectomies they don’t need and then having reconstruction that can cause serious problems_ One reason may be economic. In many facilities, it’s actually cheaper to remove a breast than it is to perform a lumpectomy and provide the necessary follow-up radiation therapy.

Some striking research findings include:

In some hospitals, all breast cancer patients had mastectomies, regardless of their diagnosis. In one large urban hospital serving mostly poor women in Texas, 84% of the women with early stage breast cancer had mastectomies and only 16% had lumpectomies.

In a study of 157 hospitals, patients treated by doctors trained before 1981 were less likely to have lumpectomies or other breast-saving surgery than women who had younger doctors.

One study indicated that women getting mastectomies were more likely to have followed their doctors’ recommendations, but women getting lumpectomies were more likely to have obtained a second opinion, and felt more actively involved in making the decision.

A study of 175 surgeons found that even doctors who know that lumpectomy is as safe as mastectomy may persuade their patients to get mastectomies by making subtly biased recommendations. Other studies showed that some women were not even told that lumpectomies were an option.

Women deserve better. Breast cancer patients should make the choices that are best for them, wherever they live and no matter how affluent they are. We need to do a better job of making sure that all doctors and their patients have accurate, unbiased information so that women can make those choices, no matter who they are, or who provides their medical care.

The National Center for Policy Research (CPR) for Women and Families is an independent, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC, which “translates” medical and scientific information into news that can be used by consumers, policy makers, and the media. Contact us for more information or visit our Web site at .

Please visit our Newsroom for the Press Release of this article.

To read the article as it appears in JAMWA, click here.

You set the rules of your pool for children and children’s parties, but what about adult’s pool parties over the summer? While adults should know how to keep themselves safe at the pool, rules do vary and it is important to introduce a few basics to your parties to keep everyone safe.

Explain Depths
If the depth of your swimming pool is not readily apparent, take a few minutes to explain this to everyone. It’s just too easy for someone to think they’re jumping into eight feet of water when it’s actually only five. This can be an easy way for an adult, even an experienced swimmer and jumper, to get badly hurt. Explaining depths is also a helpful tip for people looking to sit by the pool or lounge in a few feet of water instead of going all the way in. Framing it as a helpful tip will keep it as a kind gesture instead of a safety lecture.

Set Food Rules
It’s your pool, it’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable with people eating in it. Set up tables and inviting spaces away from the pool, where people who are eating can still feel like part of the party, but aren’t encouraged to take their appetizers into the shallow end. Most guests will be completely understanding about these guidelines and anyone with a pool will understand that you don’t want to be fishing desserts out of the skimmer for the next three weeks.

Swimming and Alcohol
If there will be drinks at your pool party, be vigilant about people who are drinking staying out of the swimming pool and staying safe. Swimming while under the influence can be dangerous and diving, even after only a couple drinks, is not a good idea. Even slightly slowed reaction times can cause big problems in the water. It’s worth being strict to keep everyone safe.