For Americans the Forth of July is a jovial event, full of food, fun, and normally- the beautiful lightshow that is fireworks.

The bright displays are a real treat, and to make sure it stays a happy memory there are some safety tips to avoid injury for the families setting off the displays on their own.

According to the CDC:

*4 people died in 2005 associated with using fireworks
over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks in 2005.
*Most injuries from fireworks occur in the few weeks around July 4th.
*Almost half of the injuries were to children under age 15.
*Firecrackers caused the most injuries, followed by rockets and sparklers
burns are the most common injuries from fireworks.

Most people assume that sparklers are safe, but the temperatures for them can easily reach over 1000°F so they are best avoided for young children especially.

Use fireworks outdoors only.

Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.

Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).

Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.

Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.

Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”

From Fireworks Safety

While there is no absolute 100% safe way to handle fireworks, the tips above can keep people safer.  Don’t let anyone who isn’t experienced in safety procedures, or immature, handle fireworks.

After all they are explosives.

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Donovan O'Neill with his family

It’s not too difficult to feel bad for this dad. He did what many, many parents have to do- bring a child of the opposite gender to the bathroom.

Unfortunately for Donovan O’Neil, three security guards apparently didn’t take kindly to him bringing his daughters (ages one and three) to the bathroom at all.

The department of Social Services in their area doesn’t have a family bathroom. At age three, most kids after saying they have to go potty it means you have about five seconds to find one (at least in my experience).  So, naturally  due to his wife being busy he took his daughters to the restroom.

“He banged on the (stall) door like he was a cop,” said Donovan O’Neil. “He was just really inappropriate about it.”

The scene that occurred Friday morning turned ugly, O’Neil said, when the guard reprimanded him outside the bathroom in front of a crowd.

“We would just like an apology, that is all,” said wife Ashleigh O’Neil, the girls’ mother.

From WTop

While,  the reaction of the guards was overdone in a way you can see where they were coming from (doesn’t make it right).  However, there are moms that do the same exact thing and they aren’t  accosted. Instead it’s understood and  not a huge deal.

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My Sister's Keeper Movie Image

My Sister’s Keeper,  a heart wrenching move about a younger sister born to keep her older sister alive.  Expected to make more and more sacrifices to the elder sister due to their parents.  It’s heartbreaking yes, however it’s based on a culmination of true stories in the beginning, it degrades into the usual cinema fare soon enough.

While, that’s not to say it a bad movie.  It’s merely saying it’s just that, a movie.

There is a fear that the movie may raise public scrutiny and fears of misuse of the procedure with the over exaggeration of what is expected of the younger child.

While it’s understandable in movie terms, the real story of the procedures used in the movie isn’t nearly as bad.  While it does fall under a few other categories that people may not understand and may reject as an ethics issue, it’s something that does save lives.

Babies are born for many different reasons, they can be a surprise, a baby can be meant to keep two people together, and quite a few other reasons.  Keeping a family member alive is perhaps a more noble reason.  Most of the time, the chord blood is used from the baby, causing absolutely no physical harm to the child.

Most parents say and will do anything to save their child, including at times having another baby.  The baby to be is screened to be sure they are an identical  genetic match to the sick child.  Granted, this is one of the places the ethical dilemma stems from, while also encompassing the whole reason of having a child to save another.

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“A true friend has my back and will stick with me no matter what. He keeps my business private, and he appreciates and respects me.”–Justin, 11

“The friends I’m closest with are always truthful, even when the truth may hurt. They are always looking out for my best interests.”–Lucia, 14

When it comes to the middle school years, it can feel like everything is changing at once, especially friendships. Will you still be friends with the kids you were close to in elementary school? How will you make new friends? And what is a real friend, anyway?

Written by an expert on tween and teen issues, REAL FRIENDS VS. THE OTHER KIND offers insider information on making friends, resolving disputes, and dealing with common hazards of the middle school social scene–like gossip, exclusion, and cyberbullying. There’s also expert advice on crushes, peer pressure, and being there for friends who need help. Filled with character narratives, quizzes, quotes from real kids, and resources, this book is a survival guide for the middle school years.

REAL FRIENDS VS. THE OTHER KIND offers middle schoolers helpful, realistic advice on how to:

• Identify what being a friend means to you–and what it doesn’t.
• Stand up for beliefs and resolve conflicts with friends.
• Deal with peer pressure, especially from someone you consider a friend.
• Reach out to friends who seem to need help.

“This book lays out a guide for finding out who your real friends are with added tips on how to be a great friend.”
–Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years

Press

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By now most people have heard enough about reality television drama.

We’ve all heard all the bitterness from the soon to be exes Jon and Kate.  They’ve been publicly denouncing one another, being verbally outspoken about all the negatives with the opposing spouse and generally acting like, well, children.

Granted, divorce is never an easy process but most still keep in mind that they have children.  Then again, most divorcing couples don’t have a popular ‘reality’ television show.

They invited us into their lives, and entertained us.  Now, they both seem to be using the same fame to hurt the other.  It does need to end, they need to get out of the spotlight, it’s not entertaining anymore it’s come around to outright horror.

Can you imagine one of the children finding clips of their parent’s being so bitter when they are older?

Looking around the Internet, one can find advice articles on how to talk to your children about Jon and Kate’s divorce,  Which, alone seems to  prove this has gone too far.  Most however, are calling for it to all stop.

The network has temporarily put the show’s production on hold, until August.

“Following a retrospective of Jon and Kate’s first 10 years \[of marriage\] on June 29, the show will be on hiatus until Aug. 3,” the spokeswoman said in a statement. “During this time the family will take some time off to regroup, and then a modified schedule will be in place to support the family’s transition.”

Read more:http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/23/2009-06-23_jon__kate_plus_8_goes_on_hiatus_.html#ixzz0JvMh9xLT&C

What about dignity?  Common courtesy?  Or maybe even enough respect for their children to not drag each other so publicly through the mud?

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