Child Passenger Safety Awareness
Did you know, that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19? Although this is a leading cause, there are many ways that we can prevent injury and death among children, while they are passengers in our vehicles.
Here are some helpful safety tips to follow when driving with your child(ren):
- Tug on your kid’s car seat where the seat belt goes. If it moves more than 1 inch at the base, be sure to tighten it.
- Make sure your child is using the proper car seat. Using the proper seating based on your child’s age can very well save their life in case of a crash. You can view proper car seat choices at http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Right-Car-Seat-Age-Size.htm.
- Make sure your child’s car seat is installed properly. Studies show that about 75 percent of car seats are improperly installed. To properly install your car seat, carefully follow the instructions that come with your seat. After installing your car seat, be sure to get it inspected. You can find local inspection sites near you at http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm.
- DO NOT text and drive. Not only does texting and driving put you and your child’s life at risk, but it teaches young ones, bad habits. Avoid being distracted by beeps and buzzes by putting your phone in airplane mode, turning the volume down or completely turning it off.
- Never leave children alone in or around cars. More than 600 children died from heatstroke in vehicles between 1998 and 2013. Many children also die from playing near cars and getting struck by a car backing up. Be sure that you know where your children are at all times when traveling with them.
Please be cautious, attentive, and safety minded with children. Not only can you help make sure they are safe in and around vehicles, but you can save their life.
For more information on child passenger safety please visit http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm.
Written by: Amanda Haase
Disney Pin Trading
Are you looking for a way to make your 
next trip to Disney a little more magical? Have you ever tried pin trading? With all the collections and series to choose from, there are pins out there for everybody. And what makes it even more fun is that you get to interact with the cast members while trading. Each cast member at every merchandise location has a full lanyard of new pins. They are always excited to trade with you and sometimes they even make a game out of it. If you see a pin with the back facing forward then you found a mystery pin. Depending on the cast member you can either choose that pin or answer a trivia question to see it. Whether it’s a mystery pin or a visible pin, it’s always fun to find all the pins you need to collect the set.
Even though the cast members are always eager to trade and interact with you. There are always rules to this fun filled game. Here are the top 7 rules to remember while pin trading.
1. Make sure to ask the cast member to see their lanyard without touching or grabbing their land yard without permission.
2. Don’t feel obligated to trade. If they don’t have a pin you need, it’s okay! Just thank them anyway.
3. If you would like to trade, tell the cast member which one you need and which one you are trading.
4. There is a limit of 2 pins per trade.
5. Make sure to put the pin back on the pin before handing it to the cast member. This prevents anyone from getting poked.
6. Keep your hand open so the cast member can place the pin on your hand without dropping it.
7. Thank the cast member for the trade and they will do the same.
Pin trading is fun for all ages and the perfect way to interact with the cast. You can purchase starter packs of pins that come with lanyards at most merchandise locations. You can also buy individual pins and lanyards. There are also pin specific locations in each park that have exclusive pins. Next time you are in Disney, don’t forget to check out the pin trading works. Happy trading!
Written By: Sandra Costanzo
National Wear Red Day 2016
Today, February 5th, is National Wear Red Day. Today is a special day in which we bring awareness to women’s heart disease, stroke, and critical research to discover scientific understanding about cardiovascular health.
Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year. Fortunately, 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with awareness and lifestyle changes.
It is important for all women, to take care of their hearts. It is essential to know the signs of a heart attack and know how to further prevent this from effecting you and your loved ones.
When a heart attack strikes, it doesn’t always feel the same in women as it does in men. Women have more silent symptoms that can go unnoticed.
These six heart attack symptoms are the most common in women:
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw.
• Stomach pain such as heart burn or a stomach ulcer.
• Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness.
• Sweating or breaking out into a cold sweat.
• Fatigue.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
The American Heart Association encourages everyone to wear red and take action to live longer and healthier lives.
For more information on women’s heart health and ways to keep your heart healthy in every age spectrum, visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/live-healthy/prevent-heart-disease/.
You can show off your red attire by posting a picture on all your social media profiles and use the hashtag #GoRed. It’s time to raise awareness and it all starts with you.
Show your support today!
Written by: Amanda Haase
The Legend of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day has been a popular tradition in the United States for as long as most of us can remember. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole to look for his shadow.
If he sees his shadow, he considers it a sign of six more weeks of winter, and returns to his hole. However, if he doesn’t see his shadow, we will expect beautiful spring days ahead.
The groundhog tradition comes from similar beliefs associated Candlemas. This old European theory believes that a sunny Candlemas day would lead the winter to last another six weeks.
Gradually these traditions became associated with other different folklores. The Germans added the belief of an animal (originally a hedgehog). If the hedgehog was frightened by his shadow on Candlemas day, this would predict winter to last another six weeks.
This belief was then brought to America during the 18th Century by German settlers. These settlers then adopted the groundhog as their weather predictor.
Now, each year on February 2nd, we gather for fun events, crafts, stories, and other Groundhog Day celebrations as we await for the weather predictions.
Be sure to visit Long Island’s favorite groundhogs, the Malverne Mel and the Holtsville Hal as they predict what the rest of winter 2016 will have in store for us.
For more Groundhog Day celebrations and events on Long Island, visit http://www.longisland.com/news/01-12-16/groundhog-day-2016-events.html
Written by: Amanda Haase