5 Pool Safety Tips Every Parent Must Know

When school is out and the weather is hot, kids love swimming in pools. They can spend hours splashing around with their friends and playing fun pool games. However, swimming pools can be dangerous for children if the proper precautions are not taken. As a parent, you have to take the proper steps to keep your kids safe in the pool. Here are five pool safety tips every parent must know.

Teach Your Child How to Swim

Before you let your child swim in a pool, teach her how to swim. If you do not want to teach her, have her take swimming lessons with a professional. If she knows how to swim, she will be less likely to drown while she is in the pool.

Set Rules Beforehand

It is important to set rules and explain them to your child beforehand. If you set safety rules, your child is less likely to get hurt. For example, you can tell your child that she is not allowed to dive into the pool or run around the pool. If your child breaks a rule, do not take it lightly. If you let her get away with breaking a rule, she will continue to break them. Ground her from using the pool for at least a few days if she breaks one of your rules.

Supervise All the Time

Even if all the children in the pool are great swimmers, you can’t leave them alone for even a minute. It is important to watch them all the time so that nothing bad happens. If you are unable to watch your child and her friends, ask another adult to supervise them. Also, do not rely on floating devices. They are not foolproof because they can pop or break.

Keep Pool Area Locked

Every pool needs to have a fence installed by a qualified professional. There are a range of companies who specialise in pool fencing in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne and a quick Google search will point you in the right direction. Make sure to keep it locked at all times so that children can’t just get in the pool when there isn’t a responsible adult present to supervise. Another thing you can do is install an alarm on the fence so that you know when it has been opened.

Take Toys Out of the Pool

When the pool is not being used, make sure to take all the toys out. If you leave pool toys in the pool, your child might be tempted to reach for one of the toys and fall in. After your child gets done using the pool, put all the toys away.

Keeping your child safe in the pool is a huge responsibility. Even if your child is a great swimmer, you should still be extra cautious when she is in the pool. If you follow these helpful tips, you will keep your child safe while she is in the pool.

- Written by Casey Stevens

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5 Best Restaurants in Sydney for Mother’s Day Brunch

Treat your mom to something special by taking her out for Mother’s Day brunch then shower her with Mothers Day Flowers and gifts. Celebrated on May 12th, Mother’s Day is one day out of the year that is dedicated to moms all over the world. Show your mother just how much you care for her and how thankful you are for all of her love and care over the years by taking her out to eat. Those in Sydney may opt to enjoy brunch at one of these top 5 restaurants in the city. Brunch combines classic breakfast and lunch dishes with a bit of a twist to give diners something new and exciting to taste. Not too early and not too late, brunch is the perfect meal to spend together with your mother and family.

ECQ Bar

Located in the City Centre of Sydney, Australia is the ECQ Bar and Restaurant. This fine establishment typically serves up some of the best hamburgers and traditional Australian cuisine in the area. Enjoy a Mother’s Day brunch at ECQ Bar with amazing views looking directly over Circular Quay. Here you will find a variety of food choices for your brunch meal including a main course, fruit, cereal, yogurt, meats, cheeses and pastries. Mothers can also enjoy a glass of sparkling wine, available at an affordable rate. Brunch reservations can be made by telephone in advance.

Flying Fish

Located at the finger wharf at inner-city Pyrmont, the Flying Fish restaurant is an excellent choice for Mother’s Day brunch. Enjoy beautiful waterfront and pier views and admire the interior design and decor as well. A private room is also available for those celebrating Mother’s Day with a large group of family. Many favorites at this restaurant are themed around fishy flavors such as the grilled fresh John Dory. Special menus are provided for Mother’s Day and other occasions.

Glass

Glass is a contemporary restaurant that is located in the heart of Sydney’s business district. Using fresh, seasonal produce from local farmers and markets, Glass created delicious Australian-inspired dishes for each meal. Lamb rack and barramundi filets are just a few entree choices that you may find on the everyday menu at Glass. On Mother’s Day, take advantage of special menu items that include a drink, main course with fruit and dessert.

Two Forks Restaurant And Bar

Two Forks Restaurant And Bar specializes in Mother’s Day brunch annually. Starting at 10:30 A.M. and finishing at 1:00 P.M., diners can each expect to pay a fixed rate for their brunch. The buffet features favorites including Tasmanian smoked salmon, spiced chicken breast, fresh baked bread, bacon, eggs, fruit, pastries and more. Start the morning off with Mothers Day flowers and gifts, and then enjoy the Chef’s special Mother’s Day cooking demonstrations as you dine.

Bloodwood

Located down Kings Street is the fabulous restaurant known as Bloodwood. Typically a popular spot for dinner and after-hours dining, Bloodwood offers an excellent Mother’s Day brunch from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. for just $30 per person. At this price you will receive a Raventos Cava Mimosa upon arrival and a special menu just for the occasion.

Jessica is a stay a home mum and when her kids are at school she loves the art of flower arranging in her spare time. She loves sharing her tips and tricks with other fellow green thumbs and trying new things with her garden.

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5 Design Tips for an Open Kitchen

From double storey house plans to renovated cottages to tiny inner city apartments, homeowners, decorators, architects and designers are all catching on to the advantages of the open kitchen. It’s a great use of space that combines style and practicality, creating a kitchen space that allows a unity of elements in the home, maximises space, and shows off the kitchen design.

Here are a few design tips if you’re considering working an open kitchen design into your home.

Lighting

To give a space an open feel, good lighting is essential. If possible, let lots of natural light in; large windows and/or glass sliding doors do wonders for opening a space up. Sliding doors near the kitchen are especially advantageous if you’re got an alfresco dining area outside.

Your open kitchen should also be well lit in times of reduced natural light, so make sure that all of your kitchen work areas are illuminated. Ceiling lights or hanging light fixtures are perfect for island bench tops, while bright down-lights can be perfect for any spaces that sit underneath shelving or cupboards.

Air Flow

Good ventilation is vital for an open kitchen because cooking smells can easily permeate furniture and curtains when the kitchen is open to your lounge and dining spaces. Invest in a good quality exhaust system to be installed over your stove, so that strong smells are effectively managed. While cooking, keep doors and windows open if possible, to ensure the best possible air flow and safeguard against any unpleasant lingering of aromas.

Partitions

In order for your kitchen to be truly open, you must minimise any walls or fixtures that create a partition between the kitchen and your living/dining area. An island bench top is fine, it’s really the overhead and eye-level obstacles like walls, cupboards and shelving that separate spaces from each other.

If there’s a diving wall separating your kitchen from the rest of the house, seek professional advice to ascertain whether or not it’s possible to have the wall removed. If not, you may still be able to knock some of it out, creating a more open feel.

Stylish Storage

One vital aspect of a truly open kitchen is a lack of clutter and optimisation of space. Have plenty of storage that’s designed to suit the decor of your open kitchen, giving a clean and sleek aesthetic that creates a spacious feel.

Cupboards and shelves with ample storage should be built in to the space against the wall and underneath bench tops, to ensure all visible spaces are free of clutter. Appliances should be stored out of sight or built in to the kitchen fixtures to optimise the sleek effect of an open kitchen, and don’t forget to keep the most unsightly of kitchen essentials, your bins, out of sight too.

Unify

To achieve the full aesthetic potential of an open kitchen, your whole design should be well unified. This means unity of kitchen fittings, decor and appliances, but also the unificiation of all the elements of your kitchen design with those of the rest of your living space.

Mismatched furniture and decor create a cluttered and confused feel in the home, and if your kitchen is noticeably different to your living/dining areas, the aesthetic effect is one of separation, reducing the open feel.

Aim to unify all the elements of all these combined spaces. Consider colours, forms, style, and space; if your lounge room is minimalist, keep your kitchen minimal; if your dining area is characterised by lots of sharp lines and smooth surfaces, try to do the same in your kitchen; if your home has lots of warm colours and retro fittings, work a similar scheme into your kitchen.

It’s a simple concept that truly makes the most of your kitchen space, combining all the elements of your living and entertaining areas and making the most of existing space and light within the home. An open kitchen is certainly a design choice worth making.

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What to Look for When Searching for the Perfect Suburb to Build Your Family Home

Finding the perfect home and land can be difficult. What should you look for? What can you be lenient with? The following article helps you to get thinking. It lists some things that you should consider when liking for the perfect property.

Requirements

Before you can start looking for a property you need to understand what your needs are. This will make your life a lot easier and narrow down your search. If you were to imagine the perfect location what would it look like? Do you want the house to be fully renovated or are you ready to commit to a fixer-upper. Yes you may have to make compromises; reality brings us back to earth. Get a piece of paper and list what you feel you need out of the property and what you would like. You need to think further than just the present, is this home going to suit your lifestyle now and in the future?

Background search

You need to do research! This will follow on from you creating your list of wants and needs. The factors that you need to inspect are; crime statistics, the suburbs it is located near, schools, child care services, shops and restaurants.

Beating the trend

Popular suburbs can be costly. You need to consider looking at suburbs that have the potential to become “hot” suburbs. These are normally the suburbs located on the edge of the suburbs that have high property values. Save yourself a rude shock; look at the suburb next to your dream neighbourhood. These neighbourhoods always end up increasing their value.

Transport

What is the commute to work going to be like? You need to consider what the travel time to and from work will be. Close proximity to work means you won’t have to waste hours commuting. You should also consider how close you are to family and friends; you don’t want to be on the other side of town. The last thing you should consider looking at is public transport in that area. Is there a bus stop or train station close? This can make life so much easier, reducing your reliance on your car and being held up in traffic.

Extras

Employment opportunities, hospitals, future construction sites, airports, parks and recreational activities should also be considered. You want to get the most out your area. If you have to keep driving for an hour to get to a park you are going to be regretting your decision. You want an area that promotes a happy and healthy life style.

So start the search today. Be honest with yourself about what you really feel you need in the property rather than want. Take your time; there is no need to rush. You want a house that you can picture yourself living in for years to come, home sweet home.

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When Your Kids Spin Yarns and Tell Tales: What to Do When Children Lie

Telling lies is never good. This is a lesson that we teach our kids every day. But, there are times when we catch them lying about big and small things. This is a dilemma that many parents around the world face. According to experts, some amount of lying is normal. It is not unusual for kids to spin yarns and tell tales. In fact, this behavior is often found in those who are highly intelligent. This does not make it right, however. Parents should know how to examine this kind of behavior so that they can steer their children towards honesty and truthfulness.

Lies can consist of stories that they make up about real people rather than fictional characters. These lies could also be about things that they did or did not do. Recognizing truth from reality is one of the things that children should be taught. When fictional stories are made about real life situations, parents should already talk to their children about the implications of such lies. In other occasions, lying is done to escape responsibility or punishment. This would require a different approach. Providing an non confrontational and non judgmental environment will help kids realize the value of telling the truth instead of hiding it.

In encouraging kids to tell the truth, parents should first teach by example. No matter how unpleasant the truth is, parents should learn how to explain them to their children. Using an age-appropriate language is the best way for them to understand the concept of honesty and truthfulness.

Providing kids with an environment that fosters support and understanding is one way to prevent lying in kids. When they know that their parents love and understand them, kids are less likely to lie about things. In cases when you find out that your kids are lying, take the time to draw out the truth from them and understand their perspective. Once the lie has been acknowledged, you can then go on an explain how important it is for everyone in the family to be honest with one another so you can work together to resolve whatever issues or concerns they have.

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Personal Data Protection in Mobile Phone Disposal