Quiet Care is a relatively new system of care that allows seniors to remain independent and at home for longer. The program works on a monitoring system consisting of five activity sensors and a small sub-station all placed strategically and discretely within the home. Activity, such as getting out of bed safely and remembering to take medication, is collected daily. Amazingly, the Quiet Care system “memorizes” a person’s regular schedule and denotes any unusual changes as well. It also takes note of environment issues like extreme temperatures within the house.

Should an accident take place, the appointed caregiver or family member will be alerted immediately either by phone, email, text message or fax. This empowering form of elderly care allows the senior to designate who will be contacted in the case of an emergency. This is just one example of how Quiet Care also offers seniors the ability to remain involved in their own healthcare. And gone is the need for daily visits from nurses or the use of intrusive cameras and microphones.

Originally developed as a way for seniors to be able to stay in their homes, Quiet Care has proven to be a valuable tool elsewhere as well. Assisted living centers, seniors-only independent living communities, and other more restrictive elderly care arrangements are successfully using Quiet Care because of its safety potential. And recently, GE Healthcare has developed a Quiet Care system made specifically for residential communities.

With the typical family caregiver devoting 15 hours or more a week providing elderly care to a loved one, a system like Quiet Care is sure to be a welcome timesaver. Those 15 hours also lead to lost wages and added expenses, making the $3-a-day price tag on starting Quiet Care packages seem most affordable. Visits with Grandma can once again be enjoyable, social experiences with the use of this system.

Quiet Care is currently offered in three different package options. Take a look and see if one is right for your family. Note: prices will vary locally.

Silver

A 24/7 early detection and warning system where the monitoring is done by a personal caregiver or family member, which includes an installation and activation cost of $149 and a base price of $59.95 per month.

Gold

A 24/7 early detection and warning where the monitoring is done by a qualified third-party, an AARP-endorsed LifeFone Personal Emergency Response service (PERS) for $79.95 per month.

Diamond

A 24/7 early detection and warning and a full-service PERS system monitored by LifeFone for $89.95.

Playground equipment provides outdoor fun and exercise for children of all ages. It can also prove to be a source of childhood accidents without the proper playground safety. Well maintained equipment and adult supervision top the list of playground safety rules. But, none of that will matter if the children themselves don’t understand the importance of safe play.

Top 6 Playground Safety Rules for Kids

1. Use the equipment as intended, meaning going down a slide feet-first, using the ladder to climb up the slide, no standing on the swings, etc.
2. Do not push or play roughly while on top of the equipment.
3. Do not wear clothing with drawstrings or necklaces, as they can pose a choking hazard.
4. Stay off any wet playground equipment to avoid slipping accidents.
5. In the summer, check equipment surfaces to ensure they are not too hot to touch.
6. Take playground safety seriously.

While there is no replacement for a good set of playground safety rules, the latest trends in playground surface materials have certainly done their part to lower the occurrence of childhood injuries. Rubber nuggets made from recycled tires, and other synthetic nuggets like the ones made from old sneakers, have changed the look of playground equipment. These new surfaces meet strict government regulations and are not only softer than the standard sand or mulch found on older playgrounds, but they are also cleaner and more economical.

Along with these new surfaces, changes have been made to the construction of a lot of common playground pieces. With that in mind, here is another list for you to consider:

Top 6 Playground Safety Rules for Parents

1. Swings should be made of a flexible material-like rubber, not wood that can splinter or metal, which conducts too much heat.
2. Rope swings or rope being used to suspend another type of swing is no longer acceptable.  Rope can fray and poses a severe strangulation hazard.
3. Glider swings that hold more than one child also pose a safety threat.
4. Loose-fill surface materials, like rubber nuggets or wood mulch 12 inches deep should be used for equipment up to 8 feet high.
5. Broken, chipped, or splintered equipment should be removed immediately.
6. Take playground safety seriously.

Swimming is one of the best exercises available and a fun, warm weather activity. Children are especially fond of pools, which is why swimming pool safety is so important. The statistics surrounding swimming pool accidents and children are quite startling:

•    Drowning is the fourth leading cause of accidental death in the United States, claiming 4,000 lives annually. Approximately one-third is children under the age of 14.
•    Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children under the age of 15.
•    A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 4 and under.
•    Children under 5 and adolescents between the ages of 15-24 have the highest drowning rates.
•    Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less.

Such sobering statistics make it easy to grasp the need for proper swimming pool safety and owning the right pool safety products. While nothing can undermine the importance of constant supervision, even older children, pets, and neighbors will benefit from some the great pool safety products on the market today.

Pool Alarms:

A typical pool alarm sounds off an alert whenever anything enters the water.  Models for both in-ground and above-ground pools are available and can be set up in minutes.

Fencing:

Closing in the area around your pool is likely the best swimming pool safety advice you will obtain. In fact, many communities require all homeowners with pools to have some type of fencing. There is even a type of fencing that attaches to above-ground pools, making them safer as well. Swimming pool safety doesn’t have to be ugly; special pool fencing comes in many attractive designs and colors.

Door or Gate Alarms:

Further secure the gate or door to your fencing with an alarm system that alerts you whenever the entrance has been opened. Perfect for preventing anyone from helping him or herself to your pool, as well as providing a warning should a little one wander into the swimming area.

Safety-Vacuum Pool Pumps:

Recently, we have heard of the dangers of pool pumps, as they can cause strong suction that can hold small children under water. Newer pumps have emerged with safety systems in place to detect when the drain is being blocked and then promptly shuts itself off. A real peace-of-mind product for parents with little swimmers or anyone with small pets.

Safety Pool Covers:

Winterize your pool and keep the water fresh from leaves with a safety rated pool cover. There are many types of covers, but it’s important to seek out a safety cover since they are able to withstand the weight of a typical adult or more should someone accidentally step onto the surface.

Life Preserver:

Still an important part of swimming pool safety, this simple product can literally be a lifesaver. Take the time to teach your family how to properly use a life preserver to save themselves or a potential drowning victim.

With so many child safety locks on the market, it may be difficult to decipher which model or brand is best for your home. Of course, you want something effective, preferably with a proven track record, but there are other things to consider as well. Some child safety locks are so safe that even the parents can’t seem to open the door once they’ve been installed. And then there are the locks that are simple enough to use, but too difficult for a less-than-handy parent to install. Price, durability and appearance are deciding factors as well. So, let’s take a look at some of the hottest child safety locks on the market today.

Door knob covers can take the place of child safety door locks in some areas of the home. These covers simply fit over the door knob, making it difficult for tiny hands to grasp the knob and accidentally open the door to places like the basement. Both easy to install and easy to use, the larger hands of an adult can open the door quite handily, whether he or she needs everyday access or in the case of an emergency.

Brands to look for: Safety 1st, American Red Cross

Door top locks are also popular and effective child safety door locks. In most cases, they require only one screw to install and rest at the top of the door, so even if your wise toddler can figure out the system, he or she still cannot reach. This is another easy-to-use and-easy-to-install product. Unlike the knob covers, these child safety locks can be used on all types of doors, including those with a lever handle.

Brands to look for: Safety Innovations, One Step Ahead

Cabinet door locks are another form of child safety locks that require a little research. All the same ease of use and installation requirements apply, but because there are so many cabinets in a standard home, visual appeal is often an additional concern.

For those most concerned with ease of use and installation, a sliding cabinet child safety lock is a good place to start. These locks work on double door cabinets with either knobs or handles. There are no screws or glue to contend with, so sliding locks can be installed in a single minute. And, Mom or Dad can easily work the sliding lock while baby’s fingers are too small or weak. Brands to look for: SecureTech, KidCo, Safety 1st

Rather new to the child safety lock market is a series of magnetic locks that make for a more attractive cabinet. If you are good with a screwdriver, then these are simple enough to install (although more time consuming). The locking mechanism is secured to the inside on the cabinet door. And a special ‘key’ or magnet, which can be stored somewhere out of your child’s reach, is all you need to unlock these child safety door locks. More expensive than other cabinet locks, they are also very sturdy, making them great for a family with multiple children or anyone likely to need child safety locks for several years.

Brands to look for: Safety 1st, Tot-Lok

There are still more child safety locks to consider. For the kitchen, you may wish to install an oven door lock, drawer locks, and appliance locks. For the bathroom, there are toilet seat locks to add to your safety list. Window locks are an important consideration for apartment dwellers or anyone with a second floor to his or her home. When shopping, simply weigh your options, knowing what key considerations are most important for your home, and you’re sure to find exactly what you need.