Winter Fun with the Help of Technology

>> Apr 20, 2013

Winter has always been a time for a lot of fun activities, some indoor and some outdoor. The indoor ones are certainly drier and often times quieter than the other ones. Such activities as having a quiet conversation by a roaring fire, or even listening to some music while watching snow gently fall outside from large bay windows, is an image that appeals to just about everybody. Even decorating the Christmas tree is an annual ritual that most families enjoy. Children know that there are going to be some surprises under the tree come Christmas time, and that only adds to the excitement.

Outdoor activities are no less entertaining, but do require a little bit more preparation. The major logistical issues that need to be addressed are wet and cold, the two overwhelming characteristics of winter itself. But with solid and waterproof boots, plenty of layers of warm clothing, some great waterproof gloves and a sturdy windproof jacket, even the smallest toddler can be ready for just about anything. They look forward to running amok in their wintry wonderland that Father Winter often leaves behind. They relish anything from snowball fights to being towed along the neighbourhood streets on a small sled, often relying on their older siblings to make it happen.

Winter Fun for Adults

Especially for those that grew up with winter fun as children, the transition to adulthood does not necessarily mean having to leave all those enjoyable pastimes behind. Even at an early age, children can learn to ski and therefore begin to appreciate all of the excitement and entertainment that this winter sport can bring. In the last two decades, snowboarding has also emerged as a preferred activity for today's youth. Both ways, all one needs is a decent mountain or some minimum amount of snow and the fun can begin. There are many places where one can go, but the United States certainly has a wide variety of unique locations, especially in the Western parts the country that offer a memorable experiences. Renting luxury ski chalets America is the perfect way to make the most of what some of these trendy and fashionable locations can offer.

Handy Accessories to Make Winter Fun Special

While people have been enjoying winter sports and related activities for centuries, if not millennia, modern technology has provided many different small improvements which many people find not only enjoyable, but in some cases essential. Some of the latest plastics technology has allowed for hot and cold packs to be easily carried around so that they can be used whenever required. In winter weather, that basically means a heat pack, so that one can slip it into their gloves and get instant relief from fingers that have gone numb. Many people are using the latest electronic technology to provide either some entertaining solutions, such as goggles that have a small camera built-in for filming one’s activity during the day. But there are also some more serious and potentially life-saving solutions, such as small transponders that can alert authorities as to one's location, if one gets lost on a mountain or should inadvertently get buried under a pile of snow.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any more exciting, modern technology has showed us that there are always ways to increase one's enjoyment of winter activities.

Is Your Child Safe in Your Own Home?

A young boy has died after eating an omelette accidentally contaminated with rat poison in India. The 13-year-old boy was home alone and mistakenly added unlabelled rat poison to his food, instead of pepper. The boy was admitted to the hospital on February 21 and later passed away.

The incident has revived calls for parents to be aware of the risks of accidental child poisoning in the home. According to the NSW Poisons Information Centre (http://www.chw.edu.au/poisons/poisoning_prevention.htm) every year thousands of children require medical care for poisoning from chemicals found in the home.

While children under five are most at risk, poisoning can occur at any age without the proper prevention in the home. There are many simple steps parents can take to help avoid poisonings.

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Child Proof Your Home

Child proofing your home may seem like an obvious tip but the truth is, young children will explore and often put anything they find in their mouths. Any poison should be stored in a high, lockable cupboard. Childproof handles should be secured to cupboards containing cleaning products, chemicals or any other toxic substances. Always make sure that poison is placed well out of reach of children.

Make Sure Toxic Products Have Labels

All poison should be labelled correctly and stored in their original packaging. This helps to ensure if poisoning does occur medical professionals have the full and correct information on what has been ingested.

Use Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Go non-toxic; there are thousands of eco-friendly, natural and non-toxic products for cleaning and pest control on the market these days. Baking soda, lemon and vinegar can all be used in place of most household cleaners. They are cheaper, greener and safer for your children. For tips on non-toxic alternatives see the Healthy Child Healthy World website (http://healthychild.org/) or the Earth Easy Website (http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm).

Lock Toxic Materials Away

Chemicals are not the only items which need to be locked away. 70% of accidental child poisonings are the result of children swallowing medication. (RaisingChildren Network 2012) http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/preventing_poisoning.html/context/378. Be sure to store medicines in a locked box or medicine cabinet out of children’s reach. Children also like to imitate their parents. Avoid taking medicine in front of your children, or if age appropriate, explain what medicines are and that they can be harmful if not taken correctly.

Educate the Bigger Kids about Poison

As children grow up parents need to educate them about the dangers of poison. Teach older children how to read the warning labels, the appropriate emergency numbers and their address so they are prepared to act in an emergency. List emergency numbers such as ambulance, hospital, poisons information centre and contact people, close to the phone within easy access. In the event of a poisoning, acting quickly is critical. Giving children the information and skills to call in an emergency can save valuable time.

Learn First Aid

Learn first aid. Many people think the appropriate response to a child poisoning is to induce vomiting. According to the Better Health Channel (http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Child_poisoning_in_the_home_symptoms_and_treatment) you should not try to cause vomiting as it can actually cause more harm to the child. If you suspect a poisoning but the child is not showing symptoms call the poison information line. Symptoms of poisoning can vary depending on the amount of the substance swallowed. Some symptoms may include: burns and redness to the mouth, vomiting, fainting, drowsiness, nausea, seizures or stomach pain. If the child is showing poisoning symptoms call an ambulance immediately.

Author Bio:

Jessica Josh is an Australian freelance writer and blogger. Since 2007 she has been writing about rodents, cockroaches, household pests and articles for http://www.advancedpestmanagement.com.au/