During this holiday season, many of us will be decorating our homes with lights and candles as we celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately, holiday fun can bring along some potential dangers as well. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there are over 2,600 people who are injured by fires over the holiday season, with over $930 million in damages. So just because you can fit one more plug into that socket, doesn’t mean that you should. The USFA reminds us of some helpful things we can do to be aware of some of these dangers and how we might avoid them Continue reading ‘Tis The Season To Think Fire Safety »

Here at the AMW Safety Center, we’ve talked a lot about the dangers of kids getting lost in crowds, and how important it is to keep close tabs on your child when you’re out in public places. During the holiday season, you need to be even more careful than usual, because shops and streets are extra-crowded. But with family visits and holiday parties, it’s possible for kids to come into contact with strangers even in your own home, or the homes of relatives or friends.

How can you help protect you child from possible danger in these situations? Julie Clark, who’s John Walsh’s partner in “The Safe Side” series of safety videos, teaches kids and parents how to recognize dangerous situations, how to make the right decisions at the right time, how to trust their instincts, and when to say “no.” Here are some of Julie’s tips for kids and parents during the holidays – ideas that you should keep in mind all year long: Continue reading Holiday Safety Tips With The Safe Side’s Julie Clark »

Like most parents, Patti R. from Sweeny, Texas wonders how parents can know if public schools are safe for their children. It’s an excellent question, and John Walsh has the answer. You can take comfort in knowing that nearly all states require comprehensive background checks before hiring teachers. But for your child’s safety (and your own peace of mind), the best thing you can do is teach them the skills they need to stay safe: Continue reading Ask John Walsh: How Can I Be Sure My Child Is Safe At School? »

When it comes to accessing your money, ATMs were designed to be easy, saving you time during a short lunch break or after the bank closes. And especially now during the holiday season, most of us are grabbing our cash wherever is most convenient. But a new scam is out there and con artists have found a way to quickly and easily steal your account information and PIN access number without you even knowing. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Don’t Get Cashed Out At The ATM This Season »