Fire Prevention Tips

October 9–15 is National Fire Prevention Week. Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Here is a recipe for safer cooking, provided by www.firesafety.gov.

To Prevent a Cooking Fire in Your Kitchen

•     Keep an eye on your cooking and stay in the kitchen. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires.
•     Wear short or close-fitting sleeves. Loose clothing can catch fire.
•     Watch children closely. When old enough, teach children to cook safely.
•     Clean cooking surfaces to prevent food and grease build-up.
•     Keep curtains, towels, and pot holders away from hot surfaces and store solvents and flammable cleaners away from heat sources. Never keep gasoline in the house.
•     Turn pan handles inward to prevent food spills.

New Educational Walking Trail    

A new walking trail at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey offers visitors a spectacular view of the Treasure Valley along with interpretive signs about birds, wildlife, and the region’s fragile sage-steppe ecosystem. The trail extends for a quarter-mile to a knoll, where a gazebo and benches provide a shady place to enjoy the scenery and watch for wildlife.

“The trail is designed to educate visitors about the connections between plants and animals in our region,” said Jack Cafferty, interpretive center director. “Students and other visitors will see how cheat grass, for example, affects the food supply for birds of prey. It’s becoming more important than ever, as computers, phones, TV, and technology pull young people away from valuable outdoor experiences,” Cafferty said. “We want to help strengthen the connection with the natural world, and this trail is a great way to do it.”

The trail is open year-round during the same hours as the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center and is included in the price of admission. For directions, hours, and pricing information, visit www.peregrinefund.org, 362-8687.

Rubbish Warriors  

Kids become “rubbish warriors” in Garbage: Investigate What Happens When You Throw It Out. Encouraged to think about the choices they make that generate garbage in the first place, readers learn ways to reduce, reuse, recycle—and rethink their actions. Along the way, kids explore the science of garbology, discover fascinating information archaeologists learn by excavating middens, and use projects to investigate the world of trash. The book is full of engaging ideas, including Trash Flashes, Words to Know, Try It, and Just for Fun. These sections give readers plenty of opportunities for learning, creating, and having fun with garbage.

Keeping Mouths Happy & Healthy     

Fall for Smiles® and Oral Health America have some simple ideas and suggestions to share with your kids to help keep their teeth and mouth happy and healthy.

Brush – Brushing teeth may be the most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy smile. Remind children to brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, using less than a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Eat – Nutritious foods are an important part of keeping children’s smiles healthy and their teeth strong. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, and cheese help build strong muscles and bones in their bodies and also help build strong healthy teeth and gums.

Floss – Have children gently floss once a day to remove food that can get stuck between their teeth and sticky plaque that forms on their teeth. Brushing alone cannot reach all of the surfaces on a tooth—flossing is very important in maintaining healthy gums, which provide vital support for each tooth.

Avoid – Avoid soda, juice, and sticky and sugary foods. Bacteria that live in our mouths love these sugary substances and turn them into acids that cause tooth decay. When kids do have a special treat, make sure they brush and floss afterwards.

Routine – The more you help kids incorporate healthy dental care habits in their everyday life, the more likely they will initiate self-care on their own as they grow. Parents should set a great example by taking care of their own mouths, too.

For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org/fallforsmiles.

Muppets Music

Disney has compiled a tribute album to the iconic puppets called Muppets: The Green Album. A wide variety of musicians have contributed to this album, including My Morning Jacket, OK Go, Weezer, and many more. Childhood musical favorites will be passed on to a new generation, sharing fresh and unique sounds for tunes that have stayed with us for years. Images of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie will make you smile as you listen to the new versions of their classic songs.