Take a Staycation and Save!

This year our family, much like many other families, will be taking a "stay"cation. That's right, we are staying home! I know that this trend is increasing among my friends and family and the numerous others I have spoken to about it. The truth is, more and more families are going through tough times and there is just no money left over for a vacation.

There are so many things you can do around your house that are either free or cheap! Some things that we do are: Visit the playground or pool, visit the nature center, visit the Library and story time, and play outside in the kiddie pool or with our outdoor toys (bubbles, trucks, sand toys, etc).

Mom Central and Clorox have teamed up with the MommyDocs to offer you and your family 5 tips for safety during your Staycation.

BBQ Safety. Keep children away from the flames as well as sharp knives. Also, make sure your child's food has been cooked thoroughly. You may even want to keep a thermometer on hand to check it.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. Make sure to dump the water after each use and to clean with a 3/4 cup of bleach to gallon of water. Never let the water stand stagnate! Stagnate water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria! Never let your child play unsupervised.





Stay Hydrated and Healthy. Make sure your child has plenty of fluids when they are out in the heat. Also, frequent breaks from the heat are important! Remember that your child's body is different from your own tolerance levels.

Playgrounds. Check the heat of the playground equipment before your child decides to slide on hot plastic! Also, you will want to check for broken or loose parts that could injure your child. Some of the surrounding grounds can be hot depending on what they are made from so always check. As always, never leave your child unsupervised.

Sanitize your Sponges. If you are spending more time around the house that means your chances for more spills goes up as well. Make sure you either throw out your sponges or that you soak them in a 3/4 cup of bleach to one gallon water solution for about 5 minutes. Bacteria grows fast! You can also microwave a sponge to get rid of bacteria.