Happy Halloween Coloradans ~ Giveaway ($50 Value) From SmartCo Foods!

All ye ghosties and goblins listen up! It’s that time of year again! We’ll all be doing our best to get fat on 9lb bags of miniature candy bars.  I like to think of it as a pre-holiday warm-up for the coming months of excess. Our friends at SmartCo love to help us get our Spookly on, but they’d also like us to be safe this Halloween. Have you had a chance to visit any of the new SmartCo locations? I’ve become a big fan; on Wednesday I bought three of the most beautifully perfect pumpkins. I almost grabbed a bunch because they were only 2.98 EACH!

In response to my frequent tweet-happy shopping trips SmartCo asked if I’d like to partner with them to share some great safety tips and spread the Halloween spirit with a great giveaway valued at approximately $50!!  Of course, I said YOU BETCHA! Safety first, friends!

10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe this Halloween

1. Keep Your Home Safe – For your own home, candles in jack-o’-lanterns should be off the ground and out of reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for a safer option.
2. Keep Little Ones Close – Younger children should always go out trick-or-treating accompanied by a responsible adult and as early in the evening as possible. Consider also making sure each child has a buddy to hold hands with when crossing the street.
3. Plan for the Older Ones – For older kids who are responsible enough to go out in a group by themselves and who have cell phones, adults should plan a safe route in advance so they will know where their kids will be at all times. Older kids should also be given a set curfew, asked to check in with parents throughout the night and instructed to stay on well-lit streets.
4. Have the Stranger Talk – Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Tell them what to do if a stranger should try to get them into their home or car – scream as loud as they can to draw attention and run away as fast as they can to a safe place.
5. Light is Right – Have each child carry or wear something lit such as: a flashlight, headlamp, glow bracelet or necklace, and/or fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags. Also, only trick or treat at houses that are well-lit.
6. Head out After a Meal – Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won’t be as tempted to eat candy before they bring it home for you to check. You can even serve them hearty Halloween-themed snacks at home like mini pizzas decorated to look like mummies.
7. Comfortable Shoes are Key – You don’t want to be carrying shoes or your child, so make sure children are wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes like sneakers. Light-up shoes add an extra bonus on a dark Halloween night.
8. Avoid Costumes that Drag on the Ground. While cute in theory, costumes that drag or have long tails can trip up little feet, get caught on bushes and be a nuisance.
9. Consider Avoiding Masks and Props – If a mask or prop must be used, let children try on masks in advance to make sure they allow full visibility and breathing. Feel free to cut larger openings to maximize comfort. Only carry flexible and soft props that can’t cause injury if a kid accidentally falls.
10. Dress Appropriately for the Weather – We all know that Halloween in Colorado could mean snow or 70 degrees and sunny, so plan costumes accordingly to make sure kids are comfortable. Always bring an extra layer of clothing just in case.

ENTER TO WIN!!

SmartCo will send one lucky reader all they’ll need to celebrate this Halloween!  Including:

• A trick-or-treat bag filled with candy

• Halloween party supplies

• Pumpkin carving tools

• $25 SmartCo Foods gift card

(all valued at approximately $50)

To Enter: Leave a comment telling me what your Halloween plans are.  Do you dress up? What will your kids dress as?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like SmarCo Foods on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this: Shop in Colorado? I just entered Halloween Giveaway ($50 Value) from @SmartCofoods & @banteringblonde http://bit.ly/9J38iN

Winner will be chosen by Random.org at NOON Oct. 27th and will receive gift in time for Halloween!

Happy Halloween Coloradans ~ Giveaway ($50 Value) From SmartCo Foods!

All ye ghosties and goblins listen up! It’s that time of year again! We’ll all be doing our best to get fat on 9lb bags of miniature candy bars.  I like to think of it as a pre-holiday warm-up for the coming months of excess. Our friends at SmartCo love to help us get our Spookly on, but they’d also like us to be safe this Halloween. Have you had a chance to visit any of the new SmartCo locations? I’ve become a big fan; on Wednesday I bought three of the most beautifully perfect pumpkins. I almost grabbed a bunch because they were only 2.98 EACH!

In response to my frequent tweet-happy shopping trips SmartCo asked if I’d like to partner with them to share some great safety tips and spread the Halloween spirit with a great giveaway valued at approximately $50!!  Of course, I said YOU BETCHA! Safety first, friends!

10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe this Halloween

1. Keep Your Home Safe – For your own home, candles in jack-o’-lanterns should be off the ground and out of reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for a safer option.
2. Keep Little Ones Close – Younger children should always go out trick-or-treating accompanied by a responsible adult and as early in the evening as possible. Consider also making sure each child has a buddy to hold hands with when crossing the street.
3. Plan for the Older Ones – For older kids who are responsible enough to go out in a group by themselves and who have cell phones, adults should plan a safe route in advance so they will know where their kids will be at all times. Older kids should also be given a set curfew, asked to check in with parents throughout the night and instructed to stay on well-lit streets.
4. Have the Stranger Talk – Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Tell them what to do if a stranger should try to get them into their home or car – scream as loud as they can to draw attention and run away as fast as they can to a safe place.
5. Light is Right – Have each child carry or wear something lit such as: a flashlight, headlamp, glow bracelet or necklace, and/or fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags. Also, only trick or treat at houses that are well-lit.
6. Head out After a Meal – Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won’t be as tempted to eat candy before they bring it home for you to check. You can even serve them hearty Halloween-themed snacks at home like mini pizzas decorated to look like mummies.
7. Comfortable Shoes are Key – You don’t want to be carrying shoes or your child, so make sure children are wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes like sneakers. Light-up shoes add an extra bonus on a dark Halloween night.
8. Avoid Costumes that Drag on the Ground. While cute in theory, costumes that drag or have long tails can trip up little feet, get caught on bushes and be a nuisance.
9. Consider Avoiding Masks and Props – If a mask or prop must be used, let children try on masks in advance to make sure they allow full visibility and breathing. Feel free to cut larger openings to maximize comfort. Only carry flexible and soft props that can’t cause injury if a kid accidentally falls.
10. Dress Appropriately for the Weather – We all know that Halloween in Colorado could mean snow or 70 degrees and sunny, so plan costumes accordingly to make sure kids are comfortable. Always bring an extra layer of clothing just in case.

ENTER TO WIN!!

SmartCo will send one lucky reader all they’ll need to celebrate this Halloween!  Including:

• A trick-or-treat bag filled with candy

• Halloween party supplies

• Pumpkin carving tools

• $25 SmartCo Foods gift card

(all valued at approximately $50)

To Enter: Leave a comment telling me what your Halloween plans are.  Do you dress up? What will your kids dress as?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like SmarCo Foods on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this: Shop in Colorado? I just entered Halloween Giveaway ($50 Value) from @SmartCofoods & @banteringblonde http://bit.ly/9J38iN

Winner will be chosen by Random.org at NOON Oct. 27th and will receive gift in time for Halloween!

Emergency Preparedness In the Aftermath of Disaster ~ $25 Visa GC Giveaway

During the month of September I have joined The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness. This will be the final installment in our series on Emergency Preparedness. If you are just joining us be sure to click on the links for important information on creating an emergency preparedness plan and building an emergency preparedness kit.

Emergency Preparedness Plan: Check!

Emergency Preparedness Kit: Check!

So, what happens AFTER disaster strikes?  What do you do when you get home?

In the wake of disaster there is often confusion and chaos. The most important thing to do before you return home is to check communication channels to ensure that local officials have declared it safe to return home.
Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be a daunting task. Ensure the health and safety of your family with the following:

• Before entering the home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage
• During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots
• Look for flooding or large pools of standing water surrounding your home. These waters can be contaminated with high levels of bacteria that can make you sick, so disinfecting with a solution of bleach and water may help to remove mold and prevent the spread of infections and illness

General Health & Safety Tips:

• Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer
• If you feel feverish or sick after a disaster or during clean-up, see a doctor immediately
• Eat healthy foods and drink lots of clean water

REMEMBER – your emergency preparedness kit should include a minimum three-day supply of water for evacuations (2 weeks for home) for your entire household.  This means approximately one gallon per person, per day for washing and drinking. If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create drinkable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home

• To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
• To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you must disinfect your water using bleach. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several times.



For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

UPDATE: Congratulations to winner #343

ENTER TO WIN $25 Visa Gift Card From Clorox

I’m giving away another $25 Visa gift card again this week! Wouldn’t it be nice to be $25 closer to a completed preparedness kit?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like Clorox on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this:      Enter to win $25 Visa GC from @Clorox @banteringblonde http://bit.ly/cHLB0X #preparedness

Winner will be chosen by random.org 12pm CMT Wednesday October 6th.

*As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by The Clorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

How to Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit ~ $25 Visa GC Giveaway From Clorox

Last week I shared my concern over the situation with the Fourmile forest fire in Boulder county. I outlined the three critical steps to creating an emergency preparedness plan for your household. Thankfully the fire in Boulder has been contained and residents are beginning to survey the tragically damaged landscape left behind. As officials in Boulder continue to monitor “hot spots”, the burn area remains dangerous. I imagine that residents who are able to return to their homes will have learned quite a bit about being prepared for a disaster like the one they have just witnessed. September is National Preparedness Month and I’m joining The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen, along with several other bloggers, to spread the word about emergency preparedness.

An important component of emergency preparedness is building a comprehensive emergency preparedness kit. Please feel free to use this emergency preparedness checklist as a base to building the kit specific to the needs in the area of the country you reside.

• Water (minimum three day supply for evacuations, two week supply for home)washing and drinking)
• Non-perishable foods (minimum three day supply for evacuations, two week supply for home)
• Assorted battery pack (purchase the pack that provides a variety of battery sizes so that you’re prepared no matter the need)
• Flashlight
• Multipurpose tool
• First aid kit
• Medications (at least a 7 day supply)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible)
• Extra clothing
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Copies of important documents – In case of emergency, you’ll need copies of birth records, household lease or deed, medications list, passports and insurance policies
• Household liquid bleach. Did you know bleach, like Clorox Liquid Bleach, can not only disinfect surfaces but also can be used to create drinkable water? Here’s how:

To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you may disinfect your water using bleach. If water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

Visit your local home supply store. Many of them stock pre-assembled emergency preparedness supplies that you can use to as a foundation for the full kit you will build. Emergencies can happen ANYWHERE so be sure to keep a kit at work and in your car, as well as at home.

Lastly, discuss the contents and locations of your kits with all members of your household. It is essential that even your children are aware of the kit’s existence and it’s location.

I’m giving away another $25 Visa gift card again this week and for the next two weeks – wouldn’t it be nice to be $25 closer to a completed preparedness kit?

Bonus Entries (leave one comment for each):

1. Subscribe to Bantering Blonde

2. Follow @banteringblonde on twitter

3. Like Clorox on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

4. Tweet this:      Win a $25 Visa GC from @Clorox @banteringblonde to build a http://bit.ly/d1ciou  #preparedness kit!

Winner will be chosen by random.org 12pm Friday September 24th

Are your pets included in your preparedness plan?  If not, they should be!  Next week we will create a plan for your pets.

For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

*As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The Clorox Company and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by The Clorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

CONGRATS Jessie C. Comment #13

National Teen Summit on Internet Safety ~ TODAY!