Halloween printable for children with Autism.

This is a great idea for children with Autism. It's simple and to the point. Help them enjoy Halloween a little more this year. Simply print this out and use as needed. Have a safe and Happy Halloween. 

Arizona braces for Odile

After the flooding we saw last Monday we need to be prepared for more water. Most fire departments are handing out sandbags to local residents. The news is suggesting we stay inside and be prepared. Since the ground is already saturated from last weeks storm the water won't seep into the ground. The water will just create a huge flood across the area. 

Make sure you don't become a victim of Odile. 

Here's how to protect your property with sandbags.

Step one: Contact your local fire department and see if they are offering FREE sandbags. If they are not you will have to purchase some at a local hardware store. Places like Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware will have them. 

Step two: Figure out how many bags and how much sand you would need to complete the wall. The staff at your local store should be able to help you with this. Just tell them how large of an area you need to protect.

Step three: You will need to purchase bags, sand and plastic sheeting or a tarp from your local hardware store.

Step four: Have a friend help you fill the bags. One person will hold the bag open while the other person uses a shovel to add sand to the bag. Fill the sandbags half way so you have excess to material to create a flap at the open end. Some bags will come with something to secure the bag closed. If yours does not, you can simply fold the flap over to seal it.

Step five: Place the plastic sheeting or tarp on the ground where you want to keep the water out. Place the plastic sheeting or tarp halfway up the wall, window or door where you want to keep the water out. This will help create a barrier to divert the water.

Step six: Start placing the first row of sandbags on the plastic sheeting or tarp. Make sure that each bag is tight against the next bag by tapping it down. Start the next row on top of the first in a brick pattern as seen below. 

Stagger the placement of sandbags to create a strong barrier. Continue packing the bags down as you go. Build the wall up until you reach the desired height to safely divert the water.

Step seven: Relax; you are now protected from flooding waters. Stay inside and be safe.

The importance of helmets.

I was recently reading a magazine cover while waiting in line at the grocery store. It had a picture of two celebrities riding bikes with their children. The children all had bicycle helmets on but the celebrity Mom and Dad did not. I started thinking, what would happen if the Mom was to fall off her bike and hit her head? What if the fall was really bad and she ended up in the hospital? I see this everyday in my own neighborhood. Parents who insist that their children wear helmets but refuse to wear one themselves. I always make my children wear a helmet while riding bike and I always wear one too. I think it's important to lead by example. Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is like wearing your seat belt while riding in a car. It's meant to protect you. Most importantly, it's protecting your brain from injury in the event that you fell and hit your head. I guess we have to ask ourselves, who will take care of my family if I am seriously injured? Is it worth the risk to not wear a helmet? I don't think so. 

Do you think it's important to wear a helmet while bike riding with your children?

This helmet can be purchased at  www.bikerumor.com/

If you would like more information on bike safety please visit KidsHealth.org

Why you should stop texting and driving.

Texting and Driving, The truth and why it's BAD! 

Question: How many seconds are your eyes off the road while texting?

Answer: The average time is 5 seconds. If you were traveling at 55 mph that is enough time to cover the length of a football field.  

Think you have mad driving skills and can text and drive? Try the simulator and see now http://www.itcanwaitsimulator.org/

Did you know, a texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident than a non-texting driver? 

Over 100,000 accidents per year are caused by people texting. 

Here are some pictures of cars after the accident.

 http://teensagainstdistracteddriving.com

http://www.examiner.com

As of 2012 drivers are subject to a fine of $100.00 or more if caught texting and driving. This amount varies state to state. If it can be shown that texting while driving was the cause of an accident the fines go up considerably. As of today they start at $250.00 per each incident.

The police use technology in our cars and cell phones to accurately gauge the precise time you were texting. You can' t just say "I wasn't texting". 

If you were to cause an accident that ended in death, you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter. 

You can be pulled over if you appear to be texting, even if you have not broken any other laws.

If you cause an accident while texting, you WILL be sued for not only negligence, but for punitive damages as well. Texting while driving constitutes a course of conduct which creates a substantial risk of significant harm to others. 

Research has been done that shows texting while driving has the same effect as driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. 

Please take that time to pledge not to text and drive >>>> Pledge Now

#itcanwait 

New threat to our children.

There is very scary news circulating on Facebook. It says that people are going door to door pretending to sell books for children. They have very thick accents. They ask tons of questions about your kids and most people answer them without even thinking. After all, they are selling children's books. They are acting exhausted from the heat and ask to come in to get out of the heat and to get some water. They ask about the neighborhood and about other children who live nearby. These people are hitting neighborhoods on all sides of town. They are very pushy and refuse to leave when asked. Local police have explained that this is a new way for sex traffickers to find children. Yes, they are coming right to your home.

Get in the habit of taking your cell phone with you when you answer the door. This way if they do show up you can quietly take a video of the people and call the police if needed. Please protect your family by not answering any of their questions. Try to get a description of the people and any vehicles they may be driving and call the police right away. This is hitting really close to home for me. Another family who lives at Ina and Old Father just experienced this first hand. Kids are missing right now across Arizona because of these disgusting people. Don't be fooled if you have boys, It's not just girls they are looking for.  

If you think your neighborhood is safe, Think again.

Please share!

Yet another thing for us women to worry about.

I would consider myself a news junkie. I love reading it. I love sharing interesting stories. I've even been on the news once lol. The problem is I occasionally come across news like this one. A crime that is targeting women. It makes me sick that we have so much to worry about. Something as simple as getting gas is now another way to target us.

Please watch the news story below and spread the news. I will definitely be more aware of my surroundings and I will be taking my purse with me while I pump gas.

Please click the link to watch the story. http://www.today.com/video/today/52692928#52692928