Earthquake Guidelines

Since Christian is the leader in their Emergency Response Team in their entire office building he has always given me guidelines on what do in case things happen, especially when the kids are with me. Here are the things we have to think of when an earthquake is occurring.

---------------------------

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Say "No" to Spanking

Healthy Methods for Disciplining Your Child

• Prevention is the first step in dealing with problem behavior. When you childproof your home, protect it as well as your child by placing breakables and untouchables out of reach.
• For infants and toddlers, distraction often works best. Offer a toy or something to distract your child from what she can't have or a tantrum that's under way.
• Time out (at the rate of one minute for each year of age) works well with preschool and early elementary children. A lengthy time out often isn't feasible for young children and can defeat the purpose. If a small child refuses his time out, calmly place him there. If he repeatedly leaves, sit with him or hold him until he learns that time outs will be enforced.
• Use natural consequences. If your child leaves without a jacket, providing the weather isn't dangerously cold, allow him to learn from his mistake. Being uncomfortable or missing school recess will be strong motivators to wear a jacket in the future.
• When you make rules, choose logical consequences that relate to them. If your child destroys something, make her pay for it. If your child ignores a request, take the toy or activity that she's involved with. Television and video games are often culprits, and the loss of these activities can do wonders. If older children overuse the telephone or don't come home on time, put a temporary halt to social privileges.
• Give yourself a time out if you lose your cool. If another adult is around, ask him to take charge; if not, make sure your child is safe, then step out of the room. Take plenty of deep breaths. When you're thinking clearly again, determine the best course of action before confronting your child.
• For children with AD/HD, special needs, or behavior problems, use a token economy to reinforce positive behavior and reduce the negative. Reward and penalize your child with tokens for various behaviors, which can later be exchanged for rewards. For tips on introducing such a program, see Harvey C. Parker's Behavior Management at Home: A Token Economy Program for Children and Teens (Specialty Press, 1996).
• Finally, choose your battles wisely.

-----------------------------------------

I have tried so hard not to spank my children (it is really hard) ... spanking i have to come realize is doing more effect on the parent as it is for the child ... it is the need for the adult to release the frustration and the child gets the heat ... something that we should never ever succumb.

We are being looked up by our children and we should at all times be someone they can rely on and not someone to be afraid of.

Let us please try to control ourselves and be responsible parents .. our children are our treasures .. let's keep them safe and secure.

Two Years and Beyond

The benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby start from day one, say campaigners.

Yet more than half of 500 women did not realise this, the National Childbirth Trust found.

The findings come as the NCT boosts efforts to encourage more breastfeeding.

A government poll of 427 men found 79% would want their baby to be breastfed, contrary to popular belief that they might not.

Nine out of 10 did not know that breastfeeding for just one month has a lasting impact on health during the first 14 years of a baby's life.

Although formula milk does not negate all the protection offered by breastfeeding, only a third knew that feeding babies under six months on both breast and bottle milk still provides them with a certain amount of protection from infections.

Health benefits

Almost half of respondents did not know that breastfeeding also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and cancer of the ovary for the mother.

Belinda Phipps of the NCT said: "Because the benefits start right from the first feed, any amount of breastfeeding is a reason to feel proud.

"This is especially important for the nine out of 10 women who stop breastfeeding before they want to, generally because of a lack of good information or support from those around them.

"It's encouraging that the majority of men are supportive of breastfeeding.

"However, with over a fifth of men not showing support, there is still more to be done."

Christine Carson, the Department of Health's National Infant Feeding Advisor, said: "We encourage every new mum to try breastfeeding.

"Sometimes it may not be easy, but with the right advice, support and encouragement, particularly from those closest to them, we hope to see a marked increased in the amount of mothers and their babies experiencing the many benefits that breastfeeding brings."

-----------------------------

I nursed all my three kids, but the longest one was till my little boy almost turned four years old. I must say he is reaping the rewards now .. he hardly gets sick and the bond that we have is really something to reckon with.

I strongly suggest new mothers to take on the challenge and exclusively breasfeed their children from two years and beyond.

Earthquake Hits LA

An earthquake hit Los Angeles by surprise and we were on the phone right away as soon as we heard the news and asked how are relatives are doing there. It was amazing that none of them got hurt but they really attest to the strong jolts and they all had to sit down and recover from the dizziness.

The quake hit at 11:42 a.m. local time (2:42 p.m. EDT) about 30 miles east of Los Angeles in suburban Chino Hills and registered magnitude 5.4 -- making it the strongest seismic event centered near America's second-largest city since the 6.7-magnitude Northridge quake in 1994.

It was followed in the next few hours by more than 50 aftershocks, the largest measuring 3.6, and geologists said there was a small chance it could be a foreshock to a larger earthquake.

Seismic activity is analyzed on a computer screen at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California July 29, 2008, after a magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Southern California centered in the Chino Hills area.

Earthquakes are really scary and we should always be prepared and not to panic as it can really spell disaster. I am just so thankful that no lives were perished in this earthquake.

Relatively Relevant

This blog will talk about things that i feel are important to blog and talk about but are not suited for my personal blog ... but i deem it relatively relevant to talk about .. thus the birth of this blog.

I hope to see my blog friends here as well to update and connect.