As spring begins to set in, many of us are eager to take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather to spruce things up around the house. And whether it’s spring cleaning, general household repairs or even getting bit by the gardening bug, one thing you should always take into consideration is the safety of those in your household. This is particularly important if you have young children living in your home who may even lend you a hand in your home project.

According to the CDC, more than 80 people die every day from accidental poisoning and nearly 2,000 are sent to the emergency room. This can occur from any harmful substance that is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, and can easily occur to anyone when not taking the proper precautions.

You should always take care to keep poisonous items properly stored, but this is also true while you are using them, such as cleaning products, paints, adhesives or other chemicals. Never leave young children unsupervised or allow them the opportunity to handle these items.

The CDC has a great checklist of information to help you familiarize yourself with the dangers. Here are some helpful prevention tips to minimize the risk of your kids falling ill or worse.

• Lock them up. Always store medicines or toxic items in locked or child-proof cabinets.
• Read labels. Always read warnings on medicines and follow dosage directions carefully.
• Don’t keep it if you don’t need it. Pay attention to expiration dates and unneeded prescription drugs, and dispose of unnecessary items.
• Know the number. Keep the nationwide poison control number handy in your home. 1-800-222-1222 should be placed on or near any phone in your home. The poison control center can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We’ve got some more great tips right here at the AMW Safety Center that will help you learn of the various poisoning dangers that may be lurking in your own home, and how to respond in case of an emergency.

If A Plant’s Unknown, Leave It Alone

Responding Quickly To A Poisoning

Guidelines for Giving Medication to Children

Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Drug Abuse

Every year, more than 3 million children witness acts of domestic violence in their homes. The majority of these attacks are never reported, but the repercussions of this violence are far reaching.

Being raised in a violent home greatly increases the likelihood of a child growing up and continuing the cycle of violence and victimization. Boys who witness abuse are more likely to become abusers of both spouses and their children, and girls have an increased likelihood of becoming victims themselves.

Domestic violence can include any type of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Generally, an abuser will engage in behavior that is used to exert power and establish control over another person, usually through intimidation, threats or other violent actions. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, there is help. (more…)

But along with that casual convenience, you always have to consider what information you are putting out there, and who might be able to see it. Most of the time that includes your intended audience of online friends, but sometimes your personal information can spread out beyond your known circle. The web allows for information to travel extremely quickly, and unfortunately we can’t always control who ends up having access.

As in every situation, prevention is your best weapon, and so being aware of the dangers in others accessing your personal information means you can take the necessary steps to protect your personal information. And if you’ve got kids with active online lives, you should be sure to have a conversation with them about savvy web surfing as well. (more…)

AMW has been working hard at pointing the white hot light of the law onto one of the most dangerous and far reaching crimes, human trafficking. This practice of modern day slavery has allowed for the exploitation of people all over the globe, into forced labor and commercial sex. AMW has been working various angles of such victimization, and has been responsible for bringing to justice both traffickers and predators who take advantage of those victimized by the sex trade. Criminals such as An Soon Kim, who cops say forced dozens of Korean women into sex slavery, and Loren Oulman a convicted American sex offender who attempted to evade authorities by laying low in Southeast Asia.

While a global phenomenon, a significant number of victims and perpetrators are located right here in the United States. Filmmaker Libby Spears recently took an inside look at the global sex trade, and ultimately found an alarming number of American children forced into the industry. This is a less an issue of people getting kidnapped and forced into work, but more often a situation where vulnerable victims may have initially traveled voluntarily or begun working under different circumstances. But there are currently more than 300,000 American children who have fallen into the illegal sex trade.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, provides support to anyone who has been victimized by any type of sexual crime, and resources to anyone who is interested in helping victims. Through both their telephone and online hotlines, there are more than 1,000 trained volunteers at any given time available to help through their national network of crisis center. Completely confidential, a caller always has the option to remain anonymous. (more…)

When your young kids begin to get more active, you will probably be thinking about whether it might be the right time for your kid to carry a cell phone. You know how indispensable a cellphone has become in your own life, whether for work or keeping connected to your family.

And as our lives all become increasingly fast-paced, a cell phone can be a helpful tool that facilitates both convenience and most importantly our kids’ safety. When it comes to your children carrying one, age is a major consideration, and though many parents are choosing to equip younger and younger children with phones, it’s ultimately up to you to decide what age is appropriate.

Additionally, there are plenty of other considerations to keep in mind before you make the purchase for your child, which you should discuss with them once you do decide to move forward. When is it appropriate for them to use it? How much use is appropriate? What should they do if they get a call or message from someone they don’t know? How can you protect personal information from being shared with inappropriate people? (more…)

This year’s winter weather has been brutal for many parts of the country, and many of us are experiencing weather extremes unseen in decades. But when you bundle up to protect your extremities and your face from the cold, make sure you don’t block yourself off completely from your environment. It’s always important to keep in mind your personal safety as well. Just as in any warm weather season, you should always be aware of your surroundings.

January is National Self-Defense Awareness Month, and the start of a new year is a great time for you to think about your personal safety. Have you developed any bad habits that could put you at risk? Does your routine take you through any poorly lit or dangerous areas? Even your winter clothing could put you at greater risk if you must wear a hooded coat that might be obstructing your field of vision.

The AMW Safety Center has plenty of great tips to help you stay prepared and aware in any situation. And learning some basic self-defense tactics could go a long way toward helping you stay ready. Remember, self-defense is primarily about avoiding a fight and being able to get out of a dangerous situation–awareness is a big part of that. (more…)

Many of us have been thrust full on into the chaos of holiday shopping, diving headfirst into the rush to find that much-wanted gift for our kids. But despite the excitement and joy in your kids eyes when unwrapping that brand new toy, the holidays aren’t without dangers.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 250,000 kids were sent to the emergency room in 2009 as a result of toy-related injuries, a large number of these children under the age of 5.

For the past 25 years, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group has compiled a report entitled Trouble in Toyland, an annual survey of toys that could be hazardous to children of various age groups, and has led to recalls and regulatory action. Some of these injuries include choking, strangulation, cuts from sharp edges, and even poisoning from toxic chemicals used in manufacturing.

According to the PIRG, choking is the leading cause of toy-related injuries. The Trouble in Toyland report offers safety guidelines to help parents in shopping for toys for their kids, giving examples of some of the dangers that may be present in even some of the most popular toys. The U.S. PIRG also offers a helpful interactive mobile site accessible via smartphone so you can refer to some of the hazards or recalled toys while you are out shopping. (more…)

It’s that time of year again. The leaves have turned, twinkling trees line the streets, and the stores are calling us in with their holiday displays. For so many of us, the holiday season can be a somewhat hectic period with social and family gatherings, or maybe trying to track down that special gift for a loved one.

And in avoiding the holiday crowds, you might decide to do a lot of your holiday shopping online. But while online shopping can be fast and convenient, don’t let a scam ruin your holiday fun. As always, be careful when entering your personal information online or placing any orders over the phone. (more…)

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are beginning to solidify our plans for seasonal family gatherings. If you or any family members expect to do any air travel this year, you should be aware of some new changes in the security and screening process.

More and more airports are being equipped with advanced imaging technology, or full-body scanners. But for passengers who opt out of this type of screening, you should be aware of the new procedures being utilized in light of a heightened security measures.

Typically, screeners would employ a hand-pat down method to detect hidden items a passenger might be carrying. Now screeners may use more of a hand-sliding motion, and passengers should be aware of the change.

According to TSA officials, passengers should expect an “unpredictable mix of security layers” when traveling by air. Fortunately, you can help facilitate a more efficient trip through security by just planning ahead and taking heed to a few simple tips from the TSA.

• Pack an organized carry-on and observe liquid rules. Innocent items can seem like potential threats under an X-ray, just by how they are packed. Be sure that any liquids, aerosols or gels are packed in the limited quantities specified by TSA regulations.
• Dress appropriately. If any clothing sets off the metal detectors, you may be required to remove the article or undergo additional screening.
• Keep your boarding pass and proper identification handy as you pass through the security checkpoint.
• Get to the airport on time. Give yourself enough time to check your baggage and move through security. Review the list of prohibited items to be sure you haven’t packed anything in your carry-on that you probably should have checked.

October marks the National Crime Prevention Council’s annual Crime Prevention Month. You know that you and your family’s safety is something that should be on your mind year-round, but it’s helpful to take a moment to think about your habits and consider whether or not you are doing everything you can to avoid falling victim to any potential threats, and to make sure you aren’t just taking things for granted.

The NCPC offers a helpful checklist as part of their Crime Prevention Month toolkit, filled with reminders that help you boost your street smarts.

So whether it’s shopping online and credit card fraud, 21st century bullying and school safety, online safety for your kids, or preventing gang violence and working towards safer communities, Crime Prevention Month is a great opportunity to take the time to review how any of these issues could affect your family’s lives, and evaluate what you can be doing to stay safe.

Take a look at the NCPCs Crime Prevention Month toolkit for a good starting point, and check out some of our great resources right here at the AMW Safety Center to help you make sure your family is always equipped with preventative knowledge.