Prom Night Safety for Your Teen

Prom is usually a highlight of a student’s high school years—a time to get all dressed up and dance the night away with their friends. But Prom Night is stressful for parents. Any occasion that combines teen drivers and partying means an anxious evening for Mom and Dad.

Nothing except your teen walking through the front door safely will erase your stress, but there are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare your child for a safe prom night and ease your mind, at least a little.

-First and foremost, have an honest discussion with your teen about making smart decisions and resisting peer pressure. Talk to them about the dangers of alcohol and other substances and the potential consequences of irresponsible behavior. Reassure them that if they’re in an uncomfortable situation, they can always call you for a ride at any time.

- Do you know who your teen will be with and where they’re going? Make sure that you get a call or text when your teen arrives at the prom and/or any after-parties.

        

- If your child will be driving, give the car a once-over a few days before the prom. Check the air in the tires, wiper fluid, wiper blades, headlights, and make sure the gas tank is full!
         

-Think about hiring a limo for your teen and their friends.  This way no one in the group has to worry about driving and everyone’s parents can rest assured that their child will be home at a reasonable time.
  

- Keep your cell phone on all night so you’re ready to pick up your teen at a moment’s notice. But at the same time, don’t check your phone constantly, waiting for a call or text. Give them a little breathing room!
        

- Finally, trust your teen to make good decisions. They’re smarter and more capable than you might think.

Are there any other tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Life Insurance Options for Children

Life insurance is one of those things that none of us want to think about.  But if the unthinkable happens, your loved ones will have the peace of mind and financial resources they need to pay your final expenses, everyday expenses like mortgage, or set a portion aside for the future (i.e., a child’s education or spouse’s retirement).

But life insurance isn’t just for adults. There are also policies available for children.  True, life insurance is a tough subject to discuss, and it’s even tougher when it applies to a child, but it’s also a wise long-term purchase for your child’s future.

Life insurance is essentially a means to replace lost income when the insured passes away. For this reason, it’s important that the parents have their own life insurance policies—if the unthinkable happens, the family will receive a lump sum payout from that policy and won’t have to rely on the children’s coverage for expenses.  There are two kinds of policies—term and permanent. Most agents will likely recommend a term life policy for a child, which can be cashed out when the term expires and used as an additional source of income.

The other option is a permanent life policy (also known as whole or universal life) which is suitable for parents or grandparents with a generous amount of disposable income.  These policies are more like an investment (such as bonds or stock) that combine a death benefit payout with a savings component.  Cash accumulates in the savings portion and in some instances the recipient can withdraw cash. Permanent life policies can be complicated, so it’s best to work with a financial planner or insurance agent to design the best plan for your needs.

ETA Benefits Group works with several carriers that sell life insurance policies for both children and adults. Contact us to learn more about the different types of coverage available.

Do you have life insurance for your child? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Choosing the Right Bike Helmet for Your Child

Summer vacation means that it’s time for kids to get outside and get some exercise. Whether it’s taking a walk, going swimming, or riding their bikes, there’s no shortage of fun outdoor activities that they can do before they head back to school.

In Pennsylvania, approximately 900 people are killed in bike accidents each year; approximately 200 are under 12 years of age. Approximately 130,000 riders suffer from head injuries due to bike accidents. With stats like these, it’s important to keep your child safe. If your child is ready to put some serious mileage on their bike, be sure they have the proper equipment, namely a helmet.  Most states have laws about safety gear—in Pennsylvania, children age 12 and under are required to wear helmets when bike riding. But with so many models and styles on the market, how do you choose the best one? Below are a few tips to help you with your decision:

•         Get the right fit. Fit is the single biggest deciding factor when it comes to choosing a helmet. The helmet should fit your child’s head right now; unlike clothing or shoes, don’t get a larger size with the thought that they’ll “grow into it” in a few months. It should be snug and secure for them to use right away. The helmet should sit comfortably in the center of their head—not too far back or too far forward. The child should still be able to see. The straps should be fastened securely
•           The brighter, the better. Visibility goes a long way towards safe bike riding, especially if your child will be riding their bikes anywhere other than your driveway or immediate neighborhood.  Encourage your child to select a helmet in a bright color so that they can be seen by drivers easily.
•          Make sure it meets safety standards. In the United States, must meet the safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; those that do will be labeled with a sticker.

      You must purchase a new helmet if your child takes a spill or the helmet hits the ground. Wearing a helmet can reduce your child’s risk of a skull fracture by 85%, but they are still at risk for a concussion. Make sure your child sees a doctor if they fall off their bike and hit their head.

      Any other tips you’d offer for choosing the right helmet? We’d love to know in the comments below!

Keeping Little Ones Safe In Your Home

Summer—the season of pool parties, picnics, barbecues, graduation parties, weddings, and any other excuse for a get-together you can think of.  If you plan to host some of these events in your home, make sure you’re prepared for any small children on the premises. If your kids are older, chances are you don’t give a second thought to household dangers, but if you look closely, you’d probably find dozens. (Of course, if you have small children, every square inch of your home is already baby-proofed.)  But if it’s not, below are just a short list of chemical and safety hazards that could be lurking in or around your home:

Cleaning Supplies

Laundry detergent packets, dishwashing liquid, bottles of bleach and other cleaners…you probably use these products regularly, and their bright colors, interesting scents, and attractive packaging are all lures for young children.  These items should be kept out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet or other storage area.

Medications

The bright colors of liquids and tablets can be irresistible to little ones, who often mistake them for candy. Unfortunately, this is one mistake that can have devastating consequences. Just like cleaning supplies, all medications should be tightly sealed and stored well out of reach of curious little hands.

Cords and Electrical Outlets

It’s easy to forget about the numerous cords that we try to conceal under tables and in corners, but crawling babies can easily find them and think they’re fun to play with. The same goes for electrical outlets—sticking tiny objects into these units is just too tempting for little ones to resist. Make sure to invest in plastic outlet covers to protect small fingers and keep items besides plugs away from the outlet.

Choking Hazards (small toys, etc.)  

You probably don’t realize how many small objects are strewn around your home. For instance, kids’ toys can be a goldmine of choking hazards. Think Legos, action figure and doll accessories, or any other toys that come with little pieces. Babies and toddlers are especially prone to sticking everything in their mouths and they are surprisingly clever at finding the most unlikely things, so be extra diligent about checking for small items on your floors and around your furniture.

Pools

Pools are great for relaxing and cooling off on a hot summer day, but they can also be very dangerous. The pool area of your backyard should be fenced in; the only entrance should be a gate that locks, and it should be locked anytime a responsible adult is not supervising all swimmers.
This post offers more suggestions for keeping your backyard pool area secure. 

Entertaining should be fun and relaxing for you as well as your guests, no matter their age. How do you keep the little ones in your life safe when they visit you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!    

Splash Safely in the Pool This Summer

Summer is the time for pool parties, barbecues, and picnics.  Spending time poolside is a great way to relax with friends and family, or just enjoy some alone time and soak up some sun on a lazy afternoon.  But they can also be dangerous. According to the American Red Cross (ARC)’s website, 200 children drown in backyard swimming pools each year.  If you have a pool, make sure you and your guests follow these basic rules to keep everyone safe:

Install a fence. Whether it’s basic chain link or something more elaborate, you should have a 4-foot high fence around the whole perimeter of the pool area. Ideally the gate should be self-closing and self-latching, and the lock should be well out of the reach of little ones.  If you live in a rural or wooded area, a secure fence will also keep out any unwanted animal visitors. The pool should be covered whenever it’s not being used.

Supervise all swimmers. If you are entertaining guests or cannot give your full attention to swimmers, designate a responsible person to supervise everyone in the pool at all times.  Never let anyone swim alone. Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets, stay in the shallower end, or remain with an adult or strong swimmer the whole time they’re in the water.  

Keep pool chemicals out of reach. It’s important to keep the pool water clean and clear. Murky water increases the risk of earaches, rashes, or other conditions. Check chemical levels regularly and adjust as needed. Be sure to keep chemicals away from children, preferably in a locked cabinet or other storage area.

Set safety rules. Make up a clear list of safety rules that everyone must follow, such as no running, diving, or swimming alone, and stick to them.

Know how to respond to an emergency.  Will you know what to do if the unthinkable does happen?  First, make sure everyone in your household can swim. Take water safety, first aid, and CPR courses through the Red Cross and have the proper safety equipment on the premises so you can respond quickly in a crisis.

Are there any other tips you’d add? Post them in the comments below!