Fall 2012

Great Fall Activities to Enjoy with Your Kids

Don’t think that just because summer has come to an end it’s time to pack in the fun for the season. Get outside and enjoy the brisk fall weather with your kids! Sure, the beach days may be behind us until next year but there are plenty of fun activities that are perfectly suited to fall enjoyment. Here are some ideas to get you started. See what else you can think up to add to your fall activity list.

• Take a Hike: Summer provides ample opportunity for outdoor adventures with your kids, but let’s face it. Even adults like to relax in the air conditioning when temperatures on the trails get too hot. Grab a sweatshirt and head off to the hiking trails with your kids this fall. Cool temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy fall foliage beneath the canopy make fall hikes a great idea for fun fall family outings.
• Have a Cookout: Summer may be prime time for BBQ’s but there’s no reason to pack the grill away just yet. Put on an extra layer and enjoy the crisp autumn air with an outdoor dinner. For added fun, build a fire and cook over the open flame. After dinner the fire will keep you warm enough to extend your family time outdoors.
• Enjoy the Harvest: The fresh corn and berries of summer may be a fading memory, but fall has a bounty all of its own. Apple picking, pumpkin patches and a variety of fresh squashes make for great seasonal activities and meals. Teach your kids about the seasons with the foods that come with them. It’s a great way to enjoy each other’s company and get some quality time around the dinner table.
• Take a Nature Walk: You don’t have to go for a full–on hike to enjoy the autumn scenery. Falling leaves and bare branches provide a great opportunity for wildlife viewing and species identification. Grab a geographically specific field guide, get some exercise and educate your family about their local environment.
• Make Chores Fun: Why only rake the leaves once? It’s amazing how motivated kids can be to help in the yard with the added fun of leaf piles to jump in. Sure, there’ll be a little extra clean up, but the quality time is worth it. Grab some fabric and stuff it with leaves for a homemade scarecrow project. And don’t worry if there aren’t any crows on your property: it’s just proof that your project was a success!
• Halloween, Plain and Simple: Halloween is one of those holidays that is best enjoyed for its pure, unadulterated sense of fun. Try making homemade costumes. Carving a pumpkin? Save those seeds for a healthy, fun snack. Outdo your neighbors with creative, homemade decorations. The possibilities are endless, as are the opportunities for family fun.

We hope that these tips have gotten you excited and inspired for fun filled fall family activities. Summer will come again. Make the most of the days that lie ahead.

 

7 Steps to Prepare for a Natural Disaster

Although autumn leaves are pretty and the weather can be quite enjoyable, fall is also a season for natural disasters throughout the United States. It is the height of hurricane season for those on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Heavy rains often occur, as do the first snowstorms of the year. Tornados, although occurring most often in spring, are also possible during the fall.

Below are some steps you can take to help keep you and your family safe:

1. Have an Emergency Kit – You’ll need to include things like bottled water, canned food, flashlights, batteries and a radio. Checklists are available online to help you create your own kit, such as at the website of the US Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
2. Check Safety Equipment – Make sure your home’s existing safety equipment is fully operational. This includes smoke detectors, water alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Clean them and replace any old batteries with fresh ones.
3. Create a Plan and Practice with Your Family – This includes going to the basement for tornadoes, how to escape in case of a fire, and so on. Hopefully you will never need to use this plan, but it is important that everyone knows what it is.
4. First Aid – Get trained in first aid and CPR, in case of medical emergencies during a disaster.
5. Turning Off Utilities – Learn how to turn off the gas, water and electricity in your home. These utilities can quickly become a hazard during a fire, flood or other natural disaster.
6. Contact Lists – Make a list of emergency contacts, such as neighbors, family members, the local fire and police departments, the utility companies’ emergency response lines, poison control, etc. Laminate the list for durability and post it in a conspicuous place.
7. Be Proactive – Inspect your home for hazards and get them fixed before a potential problem occurs. This includes fixing leaky spots in the roof, patching bare wires, replacing cracked windows and sealing any gaps in the caulk or weather stripping.

Although we all hope we never have to deal with a natural disaster, it is vital to be prepared just in case. Develop an emergency response plan with your family and practice it, so that you will all be safe if the worst does happen.