This weekend, Washington D.C. city leaders expect somewhere between 4 and 5 million visitors to descend upon the city during the four-day celebration of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. This may be one of the largest crowds in American history, and personal and family safety should always be a primary concern.

Whether in a busy airport, a crowded shopping mall or at a parade, you need to take special care to be aware of your surroundings, both keeping children close and safe, and watching out for suspicious situations. Continue reading Keep Your Kids Close At Crowded Events »

A lot of people ask John Walsh about which is the best child identity kit. There are so many options that he wanted to make sure you know what’s important. Here are a few things that a good kit includes:

• A fingerprint card
• A place for a recent photo of your child
• A form to note physical characteristics for your child and medical information
• A sanitary way to collect a DNA sample, i.e. cotton swab or hair sample.

It’s important to keep this information up-to-date, especially the photos. Be sure to keep these items in a safe and secure location, that’s easily accessible so you can immediately get the information to law enforcement in an emergency. And remember any good child ID kit won’t cost you more than a few bucks.

 

For millions of American households, this time of year is marked by families celebrating around the Christmas tree. But according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), holiday season fires account for more than $900 million in property damage each year. It only takes a few seconds for a holiday tree fire to engulf an entire room. By making sure your tree is kept well-watered, you can prevent serious injuries or even death.

The USFA has a few tips to keep in mind for making sure a holiday tree in your home is as safe as possible Continue reading Make Sure Your Christmas Tree Doesn’t Go Up In Flames »

You never know when you’ll be called to be a hero and save someone’s life. You could be out hiking on a trail or playing basketball when your friend collapses. You might be the only witness of a terrifying car crash or wake up to a fire in your neighbor’s home. There are countless emergency situations where you could be faced with a split second decision that will be the difference between life and death for someone you know or a complete stranger. Without a first responder nearby, what will you do?

Your local Red Cross chapter offers many types of emergency training courses that teach the public how to respond in an emergency situation. Even learning simple skills like administering first aid or CPR can be important in being that quick responding Good Samaritan who springs into action, saving someone’s life in those critical moments before help arrives. Continue reading Good Samaritans: Responding To An Emergency »