www.family-club.ie
Dec 2010/Jan 2011
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WRAPPEDfor UP Winter Bright Sparks
Animal Watch
Why it’s never been more important to think about safety in the home
Discover the cute Grey Seals at the Irish Seal Sanctuary
From mud pies to mince pies Things to do whatever the weather
Introducing the exciting new magazine for parents and kids that’s absolutely free
It’s always thrill time at the wild and wonderful world of Dublin Zoo. Come and experience the excitement of animal adventure at first hand and get ready to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and even splashes of some of the world’s most amazing creatures.
It’s thrilling to go wild !
Dublin Zoo • Phoenix Park • Dublin 8 • Tel 00353 (0)1 474 8900
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to Family Club and a big thanks to everyone who gave us such great feedback on the pilot issues we sent out in Sept/Oct. We’ve loved hearing from you on what you enjoyed reading, what you think we should be covering, and what particularly concerns you as a parent/guardian in Ireland today. With all the snow about in the last few weeks, we’ve had winter very much on our minds, so this issue is packed with ideas on how to make sure the whole family enjoys the season, whatever the weather! We also have a Paediatric Consultant giving advice on how to keep the family healthy, plus a special recipe to give a delicious twist to those festive left overs. Family Club is brought to you in association with the National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA), so do keep an eye out for each new copy at your local NCNA-registered childcare facility. Please keep your thoughts and ideas for features coming, you can email us at info@family-club.ie, we look forward to hearing from you!
The Family Club team 2
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CONTENTS
6
THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING
2
CHOOSING GIFTS FOR CHILDREN
3
DEHYDRATION
4
CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE
5
ANIMAL WATCH – IRISH SEAL SANCTUARY
6
IMMUNISATION
8
‘TIS THE SEASON...’ TO BE CAREFUL
10
FESTIVE RECIPE
12
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THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING... Eating sweets, watching TV, vegging out – the holiday season could be so much more that that! It’s a time when most of us are off work and have a real chance to spend some quality time with our children. Christmas can evoke a lot of emotion in us (stress, worry, upset) but we must remember that our adult emotions are not what children feel – wonderment, excitement, happiness, joy and anticipation are children’s feelings! Quality time spent with your child is one of the most important aspects of Christmas. Here we outline a number of different activities you could carry out during the holiday season. Christmas hunt In the garden/house/local park – this is a fun game that can be adapted for young and old children. For younger children you can hide items or leave a trail of items for them to find. Try to ‘reinvent’ everyday items as exciting collectables (buttons – from Santa’s coat, carrot tops – dropped by hungry reindeers, sweets left by treasure fairies). You could use this game for older children also by hiding items and giving them cryptic clues. Great fun for all the family!
Outdoor walks Although this sounds obvious it’s not always the most appealing activity for the Christmas time. Quiet roads, deserted towns and cities are the perfect opportunity to explore and experience your local area. Don’t let the cold put you off – wrap up in hats, scarves, gloves and wellington boots! Experience the joy of jumping in puddles, looking at ice patterns, ploughing through leaves and seeing your breath in the cold air – revisit your childhood!
Build a snow man Get involved. Grab your shovel or dustpan – start rolling balls of snow through the garden or your local park! Don’t forget to dress your snowman or snow woman. Discuss what will happen to the snow man when it gets warmer again – you might be surprised what they can tell you.
Water play or mud play If there’s no snow what about mud? Bring a container of water, a hose pipe or a watering can into the garden, make the area as small or large as you want, next just add water! Spoons, spades, fingers and imagination are the only tools required the more water you add the muddier it gets! Think about mud pictures, mud castles and scrumptious mud pies….
Baking Get your child involved. It can be as simple as making rice krispie buns or as complex as helping to bake a cake. If you are 2
planning on doing a baking activity ensure you have enough time to complete it and that you can give all of your attention to the child – there’s nothing more disappointing than a half finished rice krispie cake. There are countless recipes available for free online if you are looking for inspiration. The Christmas holiday will bring early mornings, stressful situations, tired parents, fights over toys, crackers and the usual craziness of the holiday season! By setting aside small pockets of time for you and your children to simply enjoy each other you will find that time spent together laughing, talking, playing is much more important than the latest toy or gadget. Enjoy these times with your children – they are truly precious.
CHOOSING GIFTS FOR CHILDREN Placed in a toy super store with aisle after aisle of toys stretching to the ceiling in a never-ending whirl of brands, colours and noises it’s understandable that buying a present for your child can be a daunting experience. Faced with the current economic climate it also important to buy toys that are durable, have more than one use and will be reused again and again. Bearing this in mind we have devised a clever list to help you choose toys that your children will love and that you can be involved in. Gardening tools
Vouchers
Children can be a great help in the garden but it’s safer if they have their own tools to use. If you have a garden, select a small part of it and donate it to your child. Tell them that this garden is theirs to do with it as they wish. There are lots of gardening tool kits you can buy from toy stores, your local garden centre or online. Tools can include: watering can, trowel, shovel, rake, gloves, seeds, kneeling pad, overalls or an apron, spade, wheel barrow, etc. It may be a good idea to start with a few essential tools to see if your child has an interest in gardening and then add to their collection.
For family days out, a trip to the local swimming pool or zoo. Think about what your child enjoys most – is it going for walks, going to the library, playing football or going to the playground – whatever they enjoy – get your inspiration from this! Vouchers don’t have to cost anything & you can make them yourself with some coloured card & decorations.
Book or tapes There are many different types of books on the market – but which do I choose? You can foster an appreciation of books from an early age which will assist your child as they progress through school. Children’s books can take their imaginations to places they’ve never been before! Before you buy books think about what age your child is, what reading skills they have, their hobbies or interests and your own abilities. If you are unsure then why not ask your child or the staff in your childcare centre? For those who find reading to be a challenge there are a number of books available on tape/cd – so you can listen to these with your child or sit with your child looking at pictures in a book making up your own story!!
Treasure box This can be a pretty box or tin you already have or that you buy. You can begin your child’s treasure collection by adding something special that you treasure. Maybe it’s a shell from a holiday or a piece of cloth with a spray of your favourite perfume, a button from your favourite coat or a picture of you and your child. Children can store their favourite toy or drawing inside.
Musical instruments Not exactly the key to a quiet Christmas but none the less great fun for children of all ages. Musical instruments like shakers, clickers, tin whistles or bodhran’s can be bought inexpensively. You can also make your own instruments by filling plastic bottles with rice or pasta, sealing them and adding your own decorations. Frame a special picture or drawing that your child has done and place it in a
special place in your home. So as you can see you don’t have to buy expensive gifts or the latest gadget to give a child the enjoyment of play and imagination. The only limit is your own imagination!
Arts & crafts materials Pencils, pens, paint, crayons, chalks, paper, glue, glitter and much more! Think about different textures and colours for your child to enjoy. You can use household items for decorating as well – buttons, wool, rice, dry pasta etc can all be used in arts and crafts activities. Again it might be a good idea to consult with the staff in your childcare service to see what activities your child enjoys. Bear in mind your child’s age and stage of development – glue may not be suitable for young babies or toddlers without adult supervision. You could also make your own play dough – its simple! Ingredients: 2 cups of flour; 2 cups of warm water; 1 cup of salt; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; food coloring (liquid, powder, or unsweetened drink mix). Mix the ingredients together and stir over low heat. When the dough starts to thicken, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle. Knead the dough until it becomes silky-smooth. Divide the dough into balls for coloring. Add the colouring to the dough and fold, adding more as necessary to achieve your chosen color. When you’re done, store your play dough in an air-tight container or buy some containers of your own. 3
DEHYDRATION We all know how easily our little treasures can pick up bugs and sniffles in the course of their daily routine. That’s why we have enlisted the help of Professor Alf Nicholson, General Paediatric Consultant of Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin to tell you about gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, and dehydration and what causes these things in your child – and how to deal with them when they happen.
Professor Nicholson: This article gives you some guidance about how to recognise if your child may be dehydrated, and what you can do if you think this has happened. But first let me be very clear about one thing: if you are ever unsure about the health of your child – in any regard – seek help from your doctor. There is no substitute to a doctor’s analysis and opinion. I know the health of your child is not something you would wish to cut corners on, so remember the golden rule: if in doubt, call a doctor. Having said this, the vast majority of infants and children in this country with gastroenteritis only develop mild dehydration.
What is gastroenteritis / diarrhoea? So: what is gastroenteritis? Medically it is described as ‘the rapid onset of diarrhoea with or without nausea, vomiting, fever or abdominal pain’. It can be caused by a virus (by far the most common reason), bacteria, and in some cases by parasites like cryptosporidium, which became well known in recent years for infecting water supplies in Co. Galway. Some of the viruses that cause gastroenteritis and thereby diarrhoea – such as the rotavirus – are very contagious and spread quite easily, moving quickly through a family or from child to child. Diarrhoea is a problem for children, particularly infants less than 12 months old, because it can lead to dehydration – the loss of water and essential salts that the body needs to function. Severe dehydration can be dangerous, so if your child becomes dehydrated, it is vital to get him or her rehydrated as quickly as possible.
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How will I know my child is dehydrated? As a general rule, the frequency and volume of urine passed in the last 24 hours is a good indicator of whether or not your child is dehydrated. This reduction in the amount of urine passed is the body’s way of conserving water. Other signs and symptoms include: • Thirst • Dry or sticky mouth • Few or no tears when crying • Eyes that look sunken into the head • Soft spot (fontanelle) on top of baby’s head that looks sunken • Lack of urine or wet nappies for 6 to 8 hours in an infant (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine) • Lack of urine for 12 hours in an older child (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine) • Dry, cool skin • Lethargy or irritability • Fatigue or dizziness in an older child
How do I rehydrate my child? I highly recommend the use oral rehydration solutions. Ask your pharmacist and they will give you sachets of powder to mix with water. This oral solution contains sugars and salts that will help to rehydrate your child. These essential salts are formulated to maximise your child’s absorption of water and salts when they are made up in water. For infants under 12 months, consult your doctor first. It is important to give oral fluids in frequent, little measures, as children with gastroenteritis are not able for large volumes of fluid. In a young child this is best achieved by administering fluids with a cup or via a spoon rather than a
bottle. Rehydration should take place rapidly over a three to four hour period. If the child is vomiting, use small amounts of oral rehydration solutions (initially 5mls every three to five minutes) and as the child’s condition improves larger volumes may be given. The oral rehydration solutions can be frozen and offered in the form of an ice lolly or use flavoured version if the child is over one year of age. Avoid the use of antibiotics, antidiarrhoeals or medicines to stop vomiting as these are not recommended for children with gastroenteritis.
When should I start feeding my child again? Food and solids should be reintroduced as soon as possible (after four hours of oral rehydration solutions), even if the diarrhoea is still ongoing. This is because there is some good evidence which shows that food restriction or starvation can lead to weight loss, prolong diarrhoea, and slow the recovery of the gut. But avoid fatty foods, or foods that are high in simple sugars, and steer clear of fizzy drinks – that means 7up too! – and fruit juices with high levels of sugar.
And finally… I would like to finish as I began – with a word of caution. If you are ever unsure about the health of your child, talk to your doctor. Always wash your hands carefully to try and avoid spreading infection to other family members, including yourself!
CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE Family pressures at Christmas It can be easy at Christmas to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotions and begin to expect that because it’s Christmas all tensions and family disagreements should be forgotten. While Christmas is often a time of forgiveness and coming together, the pressures on families to have a wonderful time, free of stresses and full of fun can be too much.
Dealing with cries of “I’m bored”.... Christmas can seem like a long period to have to spend together at home, particularly if you are looking out at rainy, windy days! It may help to break up the holiday period if you have a few special activities planned…be sure to include doing something special together as a family in your list of activities etc Also maybe it would be a good time to remind Santa to choose toys with some long winter days in mind! Your child may also miss their friends and it’s probably a good idea to invite some of their friends round after Christmas to give them a chance to compare notes on Santa!
These expectations can be unrealistic and often cause additional stresses for the family, which could be the added extra that actually causes the bickering and fights. Just because it’s Christmas its unfair to expect your children to suddenly start behaving like little angels too. It’s a time of great excitement and expectations. While the imminent arrival of Santa may help to focus children’s attention on ‘being good’ because of the anticipation and excitement children will be ‘full of beans’ and ‘raring to go’! Call on your resources of patience and understanding and if you can - join in the excitement. Christmas is a time for families and no matter what type of family you are part of, your children’s main needs are for security and a stress free Christmas Day. While many will feel the need to fix any difficulties they may be having in their relationships within their family, Christmas day is not the best day to try to solve any of these problems. The main priority has to be the children and their needs on this special day. So if there are issues that you think may cause problems on the day look at ways of avoiding them. Remember that no matter how much planning you put into Christmas and how you picture it will go there will be surprises - good and bad. While being prepared is wonderful, be equally prepared for plans not working out and not taking these setbacks too seriously.
Change of routine
Financial worries
Christmas is often a time when children are allowed to stay up way past their usual bedtime. This can be fun and exciting for your child but it may have some knock-on effects. Your child may become tired easier during the day and a tired child is often an irritable child!
Christmas is such an emotional time that we can sometimes leave our common sense at home when we go Christmas shopping! If you are on a tight budget you may be dreading Christmas and the added expenses. It will help if you plan ahead and decide on what your actual budget for Christmas is. Remember Christmas is about memories and emotions and money doesn’t necessarily buy happy ones.
If you are allowing your child to stay up late give them the opportunity to sleep for longer in the morning (no argument there, I hear you say!) but remember they may not make up for lost sleep by sleeping in. The reason for this is that it can take some time for children to get used to new sleeping habits and while they are adjusting they may be tired and irritable. So while it is inevitable that your child will have some late nights over the Christmas period, try to be a little more patient with them if they are tired during the day.
Anne O’Connor is a clinical child psychologist and founder of the parenting website, www.RollerCoaster.ie
If you provide your children with an atmosphere free of tensions and fear where they are loved and cherished that is really what they will remember as adults and the short term disappointment of not getting that ‘impossible to get’ toy will soon fade. Wherever and however you spend your Christmas the most important things in terms of your child’s development and emotional well-being are the memories they bring with them of these special times. To a great extent these are well within your control so have fun creating these memories with your children. 5
IRISH SEAL animal SANCTUARY watch
The Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) (formerly Skerries Marinewatch) is a nongovernmental organisation and a registered charity (No. 11450) which has been operating since 1986 as a sanctuary for rescued marine and other wildlife, in particular seals. They provide shelter for rescued animals and run a follow-up programme of rehabilitation and release. All animal handlers are trained in rehabilitation practices and lend expertise to the protection, conservation and study of Ireland’s marine wildlife. The ISS has now treated over 800 seals and, on average, deal with over 2,000 wildlife distress calls per annum. They have also participated in a number of oil-spill responses and are currently developing plans for an oil care unit within the ISS. Alongside the rehabilitation and release of mainly grey and harbour seals, their aim is to bring education and awareness about marine bio diversity to a wider audience. ISS Mission:
To Provide Shelter, Treatment and Rehabilitation for Rescued Marine Wildlife Found in Difficulty Around Ireland’s Coast.
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In addition to their animal rehabilitation operation, the ISS: • Run extensive educational and outreach programmes through the schools and community nationwide • Partner in research and training with state agencies and academic bodies • Have a very active and successful Sea Fisheries Advisory Group, represented at EU level, promoting sustainable fisheries • Are a Member of Environmental Pillar in Social Partnership, and are socially inclusive in all of our activities • Have observer status at the International Irish Whaling Commission (IWC) and NASCO • Are members of Empower, the European network of oiled wildlife responders and are a point of reference within the National Oil Response Network
FACT SHEET:
GREY SEAL PUPS Grey seal pups are suckled on land by their mother. However, the pup is in great danger when left exposed on the beach. The following are top tips if you come across a grey seal pup and how you can help if they are in distress. Watch out for:
How old is the pup?
Drowning
White coat: Unweaned (less than 3 weeks old). Grey coat: Weaned (more than 4 weeks old).
This is probably one of the most common hazards. This can happen on the large spring tides or if the pup is disturbed and frightened into the water. Starvation If there is a lot of disturbance on the beach, the mother seal (cow) will not return to the pup.
Wet umbilicus: Less than 3 days old. Dry umbilicus: 4 - 7 days old. Less than 3 foot long: This year’s pup. More than 4 foot long: At least a year old. If the pup is unweaned, check for the mother at sea. This may take some time.
Infection Young pups are particularly prone to infections, especially to the eyes and respiratory tract. Abandoning Cows may abandon their pups due to inexperience or disturbance on the beach. Without regular feeding, the pup will die in 3 to 4 days. Predation Ill or weak pups are very susceptible to predation by crows and gulls. It is possible that you might come across a Grey Seal Pup as you take a stroll along a rocky seashore any time during the months October to December.
What should I do? Observe from a distance until the next full tide, unless it is obviously sick or injured. Interference too early may prove fatal.
Does the pup look well fed? Malnutrition is the most common condition encountered. Unweaned pups separated prematurely from their mothers have inadequate reserves to fall back on after weaning and often succumb to malnutrition. If you can see the underlying bones (the pelvic bones particularly), the pup is underweight. After the first week of life, pups should be well rounded, with no obvious neck and no visible bones.
Does the pup look healthy? A healthy pup should NOT exhibit the following: • Heavy or noisy breathing. (Normal respiratory rate is 5 - 15 per minute) • Continual coughing or sneezing • Very runny eyes and nose (N.B. A small amount is often normal) • Cloudiness or damage to the surface of the eyes • Wounds (cuts, grazes, abscesses) • Sealpox lesions occur primarily on the flippers, abdomen and chest • Don’t worry if the pup is quiet. It is probably asleep and will remain so until approached closely. If the pup appears well rounded and healthy and, in the case of an unweaned pup. the mother can be seen, leave it well alone and make sure other people do so as well. The only exceptions to this are; rough seas, marauding dogs and curious people • Never Put A Pup Into The Sea
The ISS e to th is open days six public d k (close e e w r pe m a 0 ys) 1 Monda All are . m p 6 to e. welcom To learn more or adopt your own seal, log onto www. irishsealsanctuary.ie or call 0539424980. Irish Seal Sanctuary, Courtown Harbour, Courtown, Co. Wexford. Telephone: 053 942 4980 Web: www.irishsealsanctuary.ie
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IMMUNISATION In this second article on common childhood illnesses we will cover the topic of immunisations. Having your child immunised can be a nerve wracking time for first time parents as you don’t know what to expect. The good news is that your baby will now be covered for many serious childhood illnesses. So what is immunisation? Immunisation is a safe and effective way of protecting your child against certain diseases. The risk from having these diseases is greater than the risk of any minor side effects from the immunisation. Common reaction to immunisation: • Redness or swelling where the vaccine has been injected • Soreness or tenderness where the shot was given • Mild to moderate fever • Irritability and fussiness in the infant These are common reactions that should not panic you. These subside in a couple of days. Infant fever after shots is a sign that the body’s immune system is fighting against the organisms introduced into the body and is preparing the body for future infections. Although these reactions are mild, in very rare cases some infants may develop severe reactions to certain vaccines. Such reactions may manifest in the form of breathing problems, wheezing, hives, weakness, fainting, dizziness and irregular heart beat. In the case where an infant does develop such reactions, a doctor must be immediately called. These reactions are triggered within a few minutes or hours of the shot.
Infant Fever After Immunisation– Reason Vaccines are killed or weakened strains of disease causing organisms that are introduced into the body. The body recognizes these organisms as foreign bodies. The immune system destroys these organisms and ‘remembers’ them so that the next time the individual is attacked by the organisms naturally, the body fights them back. Rise in temperature of the body is a sign that the body is fighting off the strain of organisms introduced through vaccines. Bacteria and viruses thrive inside the body at temperatures around 98.6°F. High temperature during fever helps to kill these germs. Also the elevated temperature helps the body in producing more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents. 8
Type of Vaccination At Birth
BCG tuberculosis vaccine ( given in maternity hospitals or a HSE clinic)
2 months Free from your GP
6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough Hib Polio Hepatitis B PCV
4 months Free from your GP
6 months Free from your GP
6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough Hib Polio Hepatitis B Men C 6 in 1 Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough Hib Polio Hepatitis B Men C PCV ( Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
Infant Fever After Immunisation – Care Vaccines are an integral aspect of proper baby care. However, there are ways in which parents can reduce the anxiety and pain of their children. Besides the physical pain, shots tend to unsettle children. Give them emotional support by staying close to them. After the doctor is done with giving the shot, take the baby into your arms and press him close against your chest using your arms. This will soothe the baby and give him a sense of security. Parents need to be careful while handling their infants, especially the area where the injection is given. Avoid contact with that area. In the case where there is swelling or redness, dip a clean cloth in ice water and apply it to that area. Not only would this reduce the baby’s pain, but it may also calm the child.
IBUPROFEN
Age To Vaccinate
Type of Vaccination
12 months Free from your GP
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella PCV ( Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
13 months Free from your GP
Men C Hib
4-5 years Free in school/ GP
4 in 1 Diptheria Tetanus Whooping Cough Polio MMR Measles , Mumps, Rubella
11-14 years Free in School
Td Diphtheria Tetanus
12 years Girls only Free in school
HPV Human Papillomavirus
In the case of infant fever after immunisation, monitor your child’s temperature on a regular basis. Mild to moderate infant fever after shots is acceptable. Infants should be given plenty of liquids when they run a temperature. Avoid overdressing kids at such times. A cool cloth can be used to comfort the baby. You may want to help reduce the fever by giving your baby a fever reducing medicine such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol if the temperature is very high. Nurofen for Children which contains Ibuprofen and is suitable for children over 3 months has been clinically proven to bring down higher temperatures (over 39 degrees C) more quickly than paracetamol. Always check the correct doses, warning and age requirements on pack. You should consult your pharmacist or GP if you need any help or advice. Infant fever after shots is a natural reaction after a vaccination. Just try to make your child as comfortable as you can and consult your pharmacist or GP if you have any concerns.
Sponsored by Nurofen for Children 9
‘TIS THE SEASON...’ TO BE CAREFUL James Gleeson, Risk Survey Manager with Allianz, offers advice on how to make Christmas safe for you and your family. The Christmas season is celebrated with trees, candles, ornaments, and strings of glowing lights. A magical effect when it all comes together...but, if anything goes wrong with any one of the elements, disaster can strike. Many of our heart-warming traditions, and even the toys we offer children at Christmas, can pose risks of fire, electrocution or other injury if used improperly or carelessly. Observing the rules of common sense when using these items won’t dampen the holiday spirit, if anything, it will ensure that the magic remains from start to finish. Toy safety Toys will be the highlight of many children’s Christmas. Consideration needs to be given to safety to ensure that risk of accident or injury is minimised. Gifts should be selected that are suited to the child’s age and abilities. Look for the manufacturer’s age recommendations on the package. It should be remembered that very young children put things in their mouths. Toys should be checked carefully for small parts that could be pulled or broken off (such as the eyes on stuffed toys or the wheels on toy cars). They should also be checked for sharp points or edges. Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed closely for correct toy assembly and use. Ensure that older children will have adequate adult supervision with toys that may pose a safety hazard if used incorrectly, such as chemistry sets. Keep in mind that the use of batteries in toys should be monitored for the following potential dangers: incorrectly installed batteries (with wrong ends in contact) may overheat and explode; old batteries may leak - the chemicals inside can cause burns. Small “button” batteries can be swallowed and may cause poisoning. Broken toys should be kept out of reach until they can be repaired and toys that cannot be repaired should be discarded. Include necessary protective gear with a gift of sports equipment (such as a helmet with a bike, or knee, wrist, elbow protectors and helmet with roller blades). 10
Candles, they can make the occasion but they could also spoil it! The use of candles in the home has greatly increased in recent years, not just at Christmas time but year round. Fires caused by candles are most common in December. A high percentage of these fires start when Christmas decorations ignite. According to the US National Candle Association, seven out of 10 households now use candles. With increased usage, Fire Protection Associations’ statistics, in particular those from the US Fire Protection Association (NFPA), indicate that candles are becoming the increasingly prevalent cause of home fires. In the US in 2001, candles started fires in 18,000 homes, a 15 percent rise from 2000, and more than triple the number in 1990. In those 18,000 homes, an estimated 190 deaths resulted. Injuries came to 1,450 and property damage rose to US$265 million. A not insignificant statistics for something that should be preventable. One-third of those fires occurred after candles were left unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled. One-quarter occurred when combustible material came too close to the
flame, and 6 percent were started by people - usually children playing with the candle. Last year in Ireland, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) urged consumers to be extra safety conscious when purchasing candles and candleholders. A survey undertaken by ODCA inspectors in 2003 found that consumers are very exposed to serious risk due to the lack of warnings, or inadequate warnings, in relation to the use of candles and candle holders. The survey also revealed that a number of candles and candleholders failed to meet basic safety norms set out in European Product Safety Regulations. These included unstable candleholders and potentially flammable candleholders. Of the 482 items inspected, 117 or 24.3 percent failed a visual risk assessment either due to lack of warnings, warnings not provided in English, or because the items clearly presented a safety hazard. As a result, twelve items were withdrawn from the market. Fire statistics in Ireland do not yet include listing candles as a root cause of a fire, but the following US data gives considerable food for thought. Four out of ten candle fires start in the bedroom, and one in six start in common rooms, such as living rooms or family rooms. Nearly half the people killed by candle fires in the home were younger than 20; children aged 5 to 9 accounted for a disproportionate share of the victims, with a candle-fire death rate 2.5 times higher than the general population.
Christmas tree lights When it come to Christmas lights ensure that all light strings (used on the Christmas tree or for decoration elsewhere) are properly wired. Check that the lights meet an approved standard (for example, IS EN 60598-2-20-1991, or British kite mark BS4647). Carefully examine strings of lights for damage before placing them on the tree. Discard any light sets with exposed wires, cracked sockets, loose connections, or worn insulation. Plug in lights and observe them for fifteen minutes for signs of smoking or melting before attaching them to the tree. Never string lights while they’re plugged in, and avoid setting lights on tree decorations. Do not overload outlets, and use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension lead. When you replace a bulb on a light string, ensure the voltage and/or wattage marked on the light set is compatible with the replacement light. Unplug the light string before you replace the bulb so there is no danger of shock. Tree lights and other electrical decorations should always be unplugged when leaving the house or going to bed. The lights could short out and start a fire. Outlets should be readily accessible for quick disconnection if necessary.
Candle safety The problem with candles is that most people don’t realise how quickly something can go wrong, or they don’t know the precautions they should take for safe candle use. All candles should be in double-insulated containers or in a sturdy, non-combustible base. They should be located away from combustibles. The following safety points should also be observed where candles are used: • Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. • Keep candles away from things that can catch fire, such as clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, or decorations. • Place candles on stable furniture in sturdy holders that won’t tip over and that are big enough to collect dripping wax. • Don’t place lit candles in windows, where they may ignite blinds or curtains. • Place candles only in areas where they won’t be knocked over by children or pets. • Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Extinguish votive and filled candles before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt. • Avoid candles with combustible materials embedded in them, or with holders or decorations that could ignite. • Don’t allow children or teens to use candles in their bedroom. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the house. And, lastly, ensure that there are at least two smoke detectors installed in your house, and check that they work.
Holiday gatherings bring friends and family together. However, hosts and guests who are not accustomed to having little children around may need to be reminded to keep dangerous items out of reach: Nuts, sweets and small snack foods can cause choking. Hot drinks are a frequent cause of scalding burns. Cigarettes are poisonous if eaten, and lit cigarettes are a burn and fire hazard. And of course... drinking and driving do not mix!
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To make your life “supereasy” this Christmas we have put together a recipe for you to enjoy. It is quick to prepare and to cook and is a great way of using up any left over ham from your Christmas dinner. Look out in your local EUROSPAR supermarket for all of our other Christmas special offers. Hearty Pasta Bake This can be frozen for extra convenience.
Recipe Key Facts Prep time: 5mins Cooking time: 20mins Egg free | Shellfish free | Nut free* Serves: 4 Calories: 575 Kcal per serving
Ingredients/Shopping List • • • • • • • • • • • • •
200g (8oz) penne pasta 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 celery sticks, chopped 100g (4oz) carrots, diced 100g (4oz) mushrooms, chopped 100g (4oz) ham, diced or cut into large chunks 25g (1oz) butter 25g (1oz) plain flour 400ml (15fl oz) milk 100g (4oz) Cheddar salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method 1. Put the pasta on to simmer. 2. Fry the onion and garlic for a few minutes, and then add the rest of the vegetables, and ham. 3. Meanwhile, make a roux sauce with the butter, flour and milk, adding the milk gradually and stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the cheese. 4. Preheat the grill to medium. 5. When the pasta is cooked, drain, and mix with the vegetables and ham and sauce. Transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some grated cheese on top and grill for 7 minutes.
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