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8 Fire Safety Tips 8 Nights of Hanukkah

December 4, 2015 By

If you and your family celebrate Hanukkah, this week will involve lighting the menorah. But in all the holiday fun, it’s easy to forget that having an open flame in your home is always cause for greater safety measures. Here are some tips for a safer holiday.

  1. Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface: Your menorah, especially when lit, should rest on a stable fixture in your home. You and your family’s guests may accidentally bump into a wobbly table and knock it over. Non-flammable surfaces like glass, metal, or marble work best.
  2. Keep the menorah and matches out of children’s reach: Make sure that your menorah is positioned in a place where your children can enjoy it, but is out of their reach so they don’t hurt themselves. Be sure to store all matches and lighters safely after each candle lighting; kids may find them if left out.
  3. Never leave a lit menorah unattended: All the excitement of the holidays can sometimes lead to carelessness. When burning, the menorah should always be under some sort of supervision.
  4. Place menorah out of reach of pets: Furry friends are eager to join in on the holiday festivities. They could be drawn to the new object in your home and want to investigate, so keep it at a height where they can’t get their paws on it.
  5. Use only non-flammable menorahs: This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth reiterating. Any ornamental menorahs made by your kids in arts and crafts should be admired, but not used in your Hanukkah ceremony.
  6. Don’t walk around with lit candles: Choose the area of your home where your menorah will be lit, then keep it there. Don’t carry your menorah from room to room to avoid potentially dropping it.
  7. Decorate with care: The area surrounding your menorah often receives extra decorations. That is absolutely fine, as long the adornments are non-flammable and not likely to tip over and displace the menorah.
  8. Place your menorah in a secluded area of your home: You’re already going to put your menorah out of reach of children and pets, but it’s equally important to keep the menorah out of your home’s general flow of traffic to avoid accidentally knocking it over.

 

Following these helpful fire safety tips will ensure that you and your family have a pleasant and safe Hanukkah celebration.

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Slow Down and Enjoy Your Thanksgiving

November 25, 2015 By

By Matt Gentile

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday. Spending time with family and friends, watching your favorite sports team on the TV and of course, eating A LOT!  Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, warm buns, corn, squash, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, broccoli…makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

In the past I would have smashed Thanksgiving dinner down like competitive eater, Geoff Esper does in our #C21EatSlow video below, but this year I’m planning on turning a new leaf.

 

Instead of eating like it’s a competition, I’m going to actually try and enjoy my food, savor the conversation and enjoy the experience.  By spending more time focused on your friends and family you may increase the time between bites and maybe even enjoy the taste of your great Aunt’s green bean casserole.

How many of us have a tendency to eat like we may not eat again for a week?  According to WebMD,

It takes approximately 20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to send out signals of fullness. Leisurely eating allows ample time to trigger the signal from your brain that you are full. And feeling full translates into eating less.

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are good from a personal perspective, as well as professionally.  Working out regularly and eating slower will go a long way toward maintaining a healthier weight and optimizing mental clarity.  Here are a few tips to help you get started.

  • To master the art of slow eating, put on some music, light a few candles, turn off the TV and any other distractions, and concentrate on your meal.*
  • Youcan have your cake and eat it, too — as long as you only take a few bites. Take a bite, eat it slowly, savor it, and do nothing but enjoy the flavor, texture, and experience of the delicious dessert. You will find that one or two bites give you the sweet indulgence without a lot of extra calories.*
  • Take 15 minutes to relax, recharge, and refuel. These minibreaks can help you relieve stress, too.*
  • Push away from the table, leave the second helpings on the stove, and drink a large glass of water.*

*WebMD – http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/slow-down-you-eat-too-fast

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How to Baby Proof for The Holidays

November 16, 2015 By

If you’ve got a little one this holiday season, don’t make the mistake of being unprepared. This time of year brings about unique potential dangers for him or her that you might not have considered. Follow these five tips on how to baby proof your home for the holidays.

  1. Skip the tablecloth. Infants are known to be grabby, and the hanging end of a tablecloth is too tempting to resist. In one quick tug, your tyke could accidentally pull down the entire dinner table setting, including your dishes, silverware, and candles. Yikes!
  1. Keep flowers out of reach. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias aren’t actually poisonous, but there’s still no reason for your child to ingest them. Keep all plants out of reach. They’re not food, and you never know which one may make a particular individual sick.
  1. Don’t wrap with ribbons. Stick to wrapping paper only when giving gifts. Leftover ribbons can easily fall on the ground, presenting a choking hazard for you baby. Additional tip: Gather up and throw away wrapping paper as soon as it’s discarded. Again, you never know what your child might put in their mouth.
  1. Secure your tree. Fasten your tree to the wall and consider blocking off the area with a baby gate because after all, the tree is for looking, not for touching. If you want to bring your baby closer, do so under strict supervision, and don’t let them tug on any branches.
  1. Hang ornaments higher. Hang all ornaments out of reach on the top half of the tree, just in case your tot does get closer to the tree. Smooth, shiny decorations will be sure to attract their attention, and all too many are easily breakable. If you feel like your tree is a bit bare, opt for paper or felt ornaments on the lower half.

 

These simple changes to your holiday decorating routine may make for a safer celebration for your newest family member.

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