10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

10 Halloween Costume Safety Tips

Halloween is a fantastic holiday filled with fun for all ages. However, if you're not careful your fun can come to an abrupt end. There is no such thing as playing it too safe. These 10 Halloween safety costume tips will help ensure that your Halloween is filled with laughter, not tears.

1. Masks- Masks in general are not safe due to the fact that a mask limits your view. Don't be fooled if you try a mask on, and you can see fine straight ahead. Can you see and object resting on your shoulder while looking straight ahead? Not only should parents avoid buying mask for their children, but adults should avoid them as well.

2. Temporary spray hair dye- Most spray on hair dyes are highly flammable. As an alternative you can find temporary comb in dyes, but still check the packaging to any warnings.

3. Glitter face paint- Avoid putting anything with glitter around your eyes, especially on children. Without thinking children often wipe their eyes, especially if they are sleepy, and getting glitter in your eyes isn't fun.

4. Wigs- Most cheap Halloween wigs are going to consist of polyester, which is a highly flammable material. Check the label to see if it is flame resistant.

5. Face paint- If you’re going to use face paint, especially on a child, be sure to do an allergy test the day before. An easy place to test the paint is on the child's wrist. Grease paints are usually safe to use, however it is better to be safe then sorry.

6. Shoes- Halloween is not the time to try out new shoes. You want to make sure that the shoes you or your child is wearing are comfortable, and easy to walk in.

7. Dark Colors- We all know that you can't see dark colors at night. Yet time and time again parents dress their kids as ninjas, or other dark colored charters. Bottom line is, drivers can't see them. Wear bright colored costumes, or add reflector tape to darker ones.

8. Too Big- Costumes that are dragging the ground are not safe. These are easy to trip on or get snagged on things. Besides that, you cannot move very fast in something that is dragging the ground.

9. Props- What pirate doesn't carry a sword? Props might look nice, but are they practical? What does a child do when you hand them a sword? They swing it around. It is easy for someone to get hit in the eye or head due to the careless nature of a child having fun. If you can avoid props then do so. If not, look for props that have no sharp edges, or ones that are made out of foam. Inflatable props are also becoming very popular.

10. Trick-or-Treat Bags- When buying a bag or bucket, consider what the handle is like. Plastic bags weighted with candy, can rub blisters, or even cut into a child's skin. A canvas tote bag is a good alternative, plus they can carry it on their shoulder. You can also have the child dump their bag or bucket into a canvas tote that you carry when you see it getting heavy.

I hope these tips help you have a safe and

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

TOP 5 HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TREATS FOR YOUR LITTLE MONSTER

Spooky Jell-O:  Make a package of orange Jell-O and use Halloween cookie cutters to make spooky creatures. Top it off with creepy crawlers and you’ve got yourself a non-fat treat. 

 Trick or Treat Alternatives: This year, take initiative in your neighborhood by giving healthier candy alternatives like animal crackers, single serve boxes of cereal, or individual 100 percent juice drinks. 

Carrot Fingers: Take five carrot sticks and slice off the edges in an angle so they look like fingertips (optional: place sliced almonds on top of the “fingers” to look like finger nails). Stick them in a bowl of dip and you have an orange hand reaching out of the dip! 

Ghost Toasts: Take a piece of white toast (preferably with added fiber) and shape it into a ghost. Cover it with whipped cream cheese and use currants to add eyes and mouths! How’s that for a Halloween breakfast option?  

Mummified Pizzas: On half a slice of whole-wheat English muffin, add a little pizza sauce (and other preferred ingredients like vegetables!) and create the face of a mummy using shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced olives as eyes.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TREATS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? HAVE YOU TRIED ANY OF THE ABOVE? SHARE AWAY! AND HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SCARY HALLOWEEN!  

How can I make more money working for TLC for Kids?

This is a question we hear a lot. We have several suggestions for you. Please feel free to respond with any questions or suggestion to other nannies of how to make more money on your job, and how to get more jobs. Thanks!

1) Keep your availability up-to-date.
We need for it to be up-to-date and accurate in order to offer you jobs that fit your schedule. It is very helpful to us if you change your availability if your plans change. I know this isn't always easy, but it really helps us out.
Also, try to make your availability as broad as possibly for any given day. If you say you can work "3 to midnight", that's going to open you up to many more jobs than "4 to 10".
Lastly, we encourage you to submit your availability weekly, but you can post it as far into the future as you like. We often get jobs as far as 2 months in the future, and not many people have theirs posted that far out, but the ones who do will get the jobs. This is especially helpful going into the holidays, when many of you will have days or weeks at a stretch when you can work. This will also be our busiest time.

2) Be flexible.

We don't want anyone to drive an hour for a 4-hour jobs. That doesn't make any sense. Some of you are willing to do it though, especially for regular clients or when they probably won't get another job that day. Let us know if you are willing to drive in order to get a job. ALSO-- consider that an hour drive might make a lot more sense for an 8 or 10 hour day. Just think, would you rather have $80-$100 or nothing?

Another opportunity that many caregivers miss out on is last-minute, same-day jobs. If you sleep through the phone ringing, or have the ringer turned off, you will miss out on a lot of jobs. Please remember that this is a huge part of our business and we always call the people who were know will answer their phones first.

3) Be a good communicator.
It's pretty simple: Answer your phone if you can. (Keeping the ringer on is important here).
Return calls promptly.
Check e-mail frequently.
Check your text messages and reply to them.
I e-mailed or texted 7 people about jobs tomorrow, 2 1/2 hours ago. One of them responded. I don't know if the others are no longer available or what, but now all of the jobs are gone.
Jessica worked on Saturday morning and had to call at least 15 people to staff just 2 Saturday night jobs. I know calling TLC might not be a priority if you have made other plans, but believe me, Jessica will remember who helped her out on Saturday-- and who never called her back-- when she works this Saturday.
If you are not currently receiving text messages from me but would like to, please reply to this e-mail with your cell phone number and the provider (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) You do NOT need to reply if you are already receiving texts from me.

Follow our blog and our TLC Caregivers page on Facebook. You will get lots of good tips and information, and network with other nannies.

Blog: http://kimberlytlcforkids.blogspot.com Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/University-City-MO/TLC-for-Kids-Inc/101596193212888?ref=ts

3) Let us know when you love a client-- and let them know too!
Please send me a note when you really click with a family. I will pass it along to them and this may mean more jobs for you! Also please leave your TLC business card and a What We Did While You Were Gone sheet. If you do not have your own personalized cards yet, we will order them for you as soon as you have completed 10 jobs and your file is complete! Please e-mail kimberly@tlcforkids.com if you are ready for her to order yours!

4) Keep your file up to date!
We need everyone to turn in time sheets monthly and keep your CPR up to date so that you can stay actively working!

5) Refer people to us!
If you have a friend or family who has awesome child care experience and is a go-getter, please refer them to us! This can earn you $30-$50 in referral bonus, per person. No so-so people, please! Let people know about TLC when you are out and about. If you are at the mall or the grocery store, wear your TLC t-shirt and carry business cards! We have learned that most TLC nannies who refer new clients then get requested specifically by those clients. More $$$ for you!

6) Walk the walk and talk the talk of a TLC Nanny!
Families love nannies who are upbeat on the phone and in person. They expect you to show up in your TLC shirt with a TLC goodie bag, ready to engage their kids! They do NOT love nannies who sound very tired or distracted when they call, and who seem not interested in the kids. Other big no-no's include not cleaning up after meals and activities and using the TV as a babysitter.

Go the extra mile! A client called the other day and requested a sitter back because she actually emptied the dishwasher and she was thrilled! They thought she was a great sitter but the dishwasher made her Supernanny to them!

You can't predict who will tip you but happy parents are definitely more likely to tip, and to request you back!

Thanks everyone! We want to have a mutually beneficial relationship with you-- meaning we find you great jobs and you provide great care. We welcome your feedback! We may post your comments and question on our blog!

4 Tips to Ensure that you are Buying the Right Shoe for Your Child!

Four shoe-buying tips for children’s shoes

What’s usually the first thing on your kid’s back-to-school shopping list? Shoes.

Whether it’s a mandatory dress shoe or an optional gotta-have-this-now shoe, you want to make sure your kid’s shoes fit well. Myth buster: The right shoe doesn’t have a “break-in” period; they should be comfortable immediately.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers a few suggestions to ensure you’re buying a good shoe that will fit your child well:

*Buy for fit, not size. Let your child’s feet be measured. Don’t assume that because your child has grown but of one size that he or she needs the next size in the new pair of shoes, Sizing may vary from brand to brand or even within a brand. It’s common to have one foot larger than the other, so you’ll need to buy for the larger foot.

*Have your child try on both shoes. And with socks or tights, however the shoes are going to be worn. It’s best to go shoe-shopping with your kid later in the day, when the feet are already more swollen.

*Check for the right amount of flexibility & firmness. Shoes should bend with a child’s toes, but be firm in the middle, and stiff in the heel cup, for proper support. Grab the shoes from both ends and try to bend them. If shoe bends in the middle or if you can twist it around, there’s not enough support.

*Don’t go too big. Loose shoes may slide up and down, causing blisters. If you can put your finger down the back of the heel, the shoe is too big.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll have less tears and more money in your pocket!

By Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star

Time to Stock Up On School Supplies & Craft Materials

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL TAX HOLIDAY

Even though it’s mid-summer, the backpacks and school supplies have taken center stage at most local retailers. Most of these stores are offering tremendous door buster deals on these necessities just to get you in the door (knowing that you’ll spend more than you planned), but don’t forget to combine these great deals with the Back to School Missouri Sales Tax Holiday! The offer starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6^th, and runs through midnight Sunday, August 8^th.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, and St. Charles are joining the state in the sales tax holiday, so depending where you shop, you may only pay the ticket price for each back to school item!

The sales tax exemption is limited to:

• Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less

• School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase

• Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less

• Personal computers – not to exceed $3,500

• Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $3,500

Helpful Links:

Counties NOT participating

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/counties.php

Towns NOT participating

http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/school/cities.php

How Can I Get More Jobs?

From Laura L.

"Hi Kimberly, I would like to work as much as possible, but there are still days that I don't get jobs. Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do to get called more by the office and to get more clients to request me? Thank you so much."

I spoke with Angela, and she recommends that you put your availability in on time, and keep it accurate. It gets very frustrating if you say you're available, but when she calls you tell her that your plans have changed. If she thinks she can't count on you, she's going to call you less. Angela also said that it is helpful if you put your availability in as far in advance as possible so she can consider you for long term assignments. Another good idea is to let her know how far you're willing to drive. Sometimes a willingness to drive a few extra miles can make a really big difference!

Okay nannies, I'm turning the second part of Laura's question over to you. What do you feel gets you requested back by clients?

Questions about water safety

Here are two great questions that came to me after I sent out the first Water Safety email. Any thoughts? Also, I'd like to hear some of your suggestions for keeping cool in the summer!

#1. Good reminder Kimberly,

A quick question that I probably was told the answer to at some point and forgot....I know swimming is absolutely not allowed, but what about things like sprinklers, slip n slides, wading pools. etc......I don't think that ever came up on my jobs last summer, but those seem like "gray areas".....what's TLC policy??

~Sarah

#2. Hi Kimberly!

I know we are not allowed to take the kids swimming alone, but if a parent is there with us is it okay?

~Rachel

Drowning Prevention

|  Forward to a Friend  |  Take Action

Hi Sharon, Each year more than 800 children drown and more than 3,600 are injured in near-drowning incidents. In 9 out of 10 cases, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising a child that drowned. These deaths are preventable. Find out what you can do to keep children safe » As the weather warms up and more families head to the pool or beach, drownings and near-drownings go up dramatically. It doesn't have to be this way, we can keep kids safe around water. Find out how you can help prevent child drownings this summer » Thanks for making a difference! Andrea W. ThePetitionSite Prevent Child Drownings » Forward to a friend >> Read the petition >> Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFVZm/zkSk/ZYbT

April / May 2010 Home  |  INA Board of Directors  |  FAQs  |  News/Press  |  Annual Conference  |  Contact

Co-President's Message By Wendy Sachs INA Co-President

I have two unrelated thoughts I want to share.  Both are on my mind so I need to talk about them now.   Social Networking and Facebooking!  What a fantastic way to get connected, stay connected and feel the sense of a long-lost friend being just a keystroke away. But, and there is a BIG "BUT"...there is a time and place for it. I am hearing way too much about people texting/emailing/tweeting while driving and while at work. The idea it just takes a minute to do is not the point. Well, actually, that is the point. It takes more than just a minute. The problem occurs when all the minutes are added up. It takes time to glance, read and then keystroke a message. Multiply those seconds by the number of messages sent/replied to in one instance...I guarantee it will be more than 60 seconds. Not only do those minutes become hours, they become distractions. Take the scenario of the nanny who glances down to read her messages, while "watching" her charge on the monkey bars.  She can't read just one message; she must open/glance at all to see if there is something of interest. She quickly responds and so what? Well, she misses the fall or worse yet, she misses the snatching. Driving could be more devastating. So please everyone...disconnect during work hours and reconnect during expressed breaks or after work. And while I am on the subject....Think twice about your Facebook posts. Before including pictures of yourself with your charges on your Facebook page, ask for the express permission of your employer. Better yet, tell your employer you will not post pictures and suggest that to be a stipulation of the job for future nannies. Further, your employers have Facebook pages, too. I am beginning to get calls from parents complaining about their nanny posting messages on Facebook at the time they were supposed to be actively engaged with their charges. Employers are getting to this information in quite innocent and circuitous way. This almost cost a very good, well-paid nanny her job. We are bombarded with information; I know I can hardly keep up. Please think about the time and place for texting, Facebooking and tweeting, though. Wendy

Easter Seals

Did you know that every 20 minutes, another child is diagnosed with autism? Autism is a growingpublic health crisis – with millions of families desperate to find help.  That's why I'm writing you now.  To raise awareness about autism, I just signed Easter Seals' Act for Autism petition ateasterseals.com/autism2010.  If we can help Easter Seals add 10,000 new petition signatures this month, Autism Awareness Month, a national corporate partner has agreed to donate $10,000 to Easter Seals' programs and services supporting people living with autism!  These funds will help provide the personalized treatment programs that can help people living with autism lead more independent lives and realize their dreams.  It would mean so much to me if you would join me by adding your name to the Act for Autism petition today.  You can learn more about how Easter Seals helps families with autism and find the petition here:  easterseals.com/autism2010  Thank you for helping me raise awareness about this growing public health crisis! Easter Seals and its affiliates are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Easter Seals Headquarters, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606

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04.12.2010 12:13 pm

Poll: Are you blown away by a perfect storm of allergies?

By Harry Jackson Jr.

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This year is going down as one of the worst allergy seasons on record. Experts are saying that lots of conditions have joined forces to make thousands of people in the St. Louis area miserable.
Those who struggle with asthma and allergies are dealing with staggering amounts of pollen this year, says SLUCare allergist, Dr. Raymond Slavin, and it may get a whole lot worse.
Tree pollen is the big offender. Normally intermittent freezes in the late winter and early spring space out the releases from different trees.
This year, however, despite the early cold, the area hasn’t had a hard freeze since February. Now , a warm spell has fueled a veritable love fest of trees firing their pollen into the air at once. Just for a look, check the yellow dust on your car windshield each morning. That’s tree pollen.
“In my 44 years in St. Louis, I have never seen a more severe tree pollen season,” said Slavin, a professor of internal medicine at S t. Louis University School of Medicine.
Allergy sufferers know this already. They’re enduring itchy eyes, stuffy and runny noses, and sinus pressure. Those with asthma may have increased cough and shortness of breath.
Slavin says he has been seeing a tidal wave of patients who are grappling with allergies.
The tree pollen season runs through mid-May.
“I have written multiple prescriptions of cortisone eye-drops for patients suffering from severe allergic reactions,” said Slavin. “I simply have never had to prescribe that level of treatment, to that many people in one season.”
Slavin recommends closing windows and doors to limit exposure, changing filters on air conditioning units, driving with the windows up and minimizing certain outdoor activities. Pet owners are also recommended to regularly clean their houses to control allergens that pets pick up outdoors.

Claiming Mileage on Your Taxes

"My accountant just told me that I can claim mileage on my taxes since I am an independent contractor.  Is this true?"

~Charlotte L.

I contacted Breedlove & Associates about this, and they referred me to the IRS website. After finding the following information, I spoke to someone at the IRS to verify that I was reading this correctly.  

The law states that you may not write off milage as a work expense as long as you are working in your "tax home" which is basically the St. Louis Metro area.  The only exception to this is if you are working two jobs, then it may  be possible to claim the mileage between the two locations.  The exact qualifications for this exception were not really clear, so please consult the IRS website or a knowledgeable accountant.  

Please understand that we, at TLC, are not tax experts, so please review the below information and contact the IRS, Breedlove & Associates, or your own accountant before filing your taxes.  

Travel expenses defined.   For tax purposes, travel expenses are the ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job.  An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be required to be considered necessary.

Traveling Away From Home You are traveling away from home if your duties require you to be away from the general area of your tax home (defined later) substantially longer than an ordinary day's work.

Tax Home To determine whether you are traveling away from home, you must first determine the location of your tax home. Generally, your tax home is your regular place of business or post of duty, regardless of where you maintain your family home. It includes the entire city or general area in which your business or work is located.

Good luck with your taxes, and please use the following links:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf   www.breedlove-online.com 

~Kimberly

Looking for Teaching Position

Leslie H. writes:

"I am new to TLC, and after attending the CPR class, I found out that there are lots of nannies in my boat. We are all looking for teaching positions! I am interested in networking so we can talk about leads!"

Send a comment with your contact info, and I'll forward it to Leslie. Also feel free to leave comments on districts that may or may not be hiring, or any other helpful info for teachers looking for a job!

~Kimberly

TLC Goody Bag

From Katie L.

"I just started with TLC, and love working in the temp staff, but I need some help filling my Goody Bag. I have the usual paper, markers, crayons, and paint, but I would love some ideas that are out of the ordinary. I've found some fun ideas on your blog site in the links section, but it's hard to know which ones are really good, and which one's are just so-so.

I would also love some ideas for the older kids, sometimes it's hard to get them interested in anything other than video games!"

Discipline on Temp Jobs

From Sarah B.

"Another nanny and I were talking the other day about a discipline issue on one of her jobs (and I've had one or two similar situations). Basically we were both wondering what to do when a child simply won't take instruction. For instance if they are doing something like being intentionally disrespectful (or mean-spirited towards siblings...) and after giving a time-out they refuse to stay in their room/wherever they're supposed to stay. Once your control/authority slips it's hard to regain and can make the rest of the job really difficult, but is there anything to do beyond re-directing?" 

Okay ladies, any thoughts?