PSA-IMPORTANT HEARING REMINDER

"Did you know that when MP3 players are purchased as gifts, the majority of purchasers are moms? That finding emerged at the Mommy Tech summit at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show.

But do you know about the potential risks? Kids often don't know how to use audio technology safely and they can harm their hearing as a result. In fact, hearing loss among young people is reported to be on the rise and there are strong concerns that a generation of young people could end up with prevalent hearing loss.

"For some time, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has warned that hearing loss in the United States could rise significantly due to the misuse of personal audio technology," ASHA President Tommie L. Robinson, Jr. explains. "Unfortunately, a report released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation cites some alarming trends about excessive entertainment media consumption among our nation's children, indirectly supporting ASHA's concerns. This should be a warning to parents that they must regulate children's exposure and fully understand the potential health threats associated with misuse and over exposure to such technologies."

"ASHA will continue to bring these issues to the forefront and appreciates the Kaiser Family Foundation's contributions to the national dialogue," Robinson adds.

According to a 2004 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children were reported as being exposed to 6 hours and 21 minutes of media (TV, music, internet, etc) per day. By 2009, this statistic had increased dramatically to 7 hours and 38 minutes per day. When media multitasking is taken into account, this leaps to 10 hours and 45 minutes per day. This massive consumption of media has led to decreased grades in school and ASHA contends it puts kids at an increased risk of hearing loss.

One thing that is clear from the study is that parents can be very positive influencers on how their children use entertainment media.

How You Can Help - Spread the Following Message

Whether your child received an MP3 player, gaming device, cell phone, laptop, or any other device with headphones, don't overlook the important health threat of hearing loss. Now is the time to reach out to other parents about the importance of hearing loss prevention, the damaging effects of excessive media consumption, and the resources available to them through ASHA.
Here are two simple ways to protect your children's - and your own - hearing.

· Keep the volume down. A good guide is half volume.
· Limit listening time. Give your hearing 'quiet breaks'.

Find more information and statistics at ASHA's website. You can also follow their Twitter feed or fan them on Facebook to get real time updates on their work."
-Amy Lupold Bair

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Times to Travel

Saving money by traveling during the low times for travel is a good way to save a lot of money. Times to avoid traveling are often during school year breaks and other related hot times depending on the destination. For instance, Disneyland is super expensive and busy on the weekends and during any holidays. If however you go on the off times, like after January 4th, the rates go down greatly. Chances are their will also be less waits in line because their are less people traveling then as well.

Cruises seem to be dirt cheap in October from what I have seen for many years. Perhaps because their are more storms, children are still in school, and people are saving for their December and January planned celebrations like Christmas and Hanuka. So if you can possibly plan for a cruis during this time frame, plan to save some money.

Last minute travel can also save money. Companies do not like to have empty hotel rooms or cruise ships so they will have last minute prices. Why pay the full price if you can save a little by traveling at a different time of year?

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Great time to travel

As the economy is down it is a great time to find last minute deals on travel. Hotels and resorts that were previously priced out of your price range may now be available. Do your searches and find that perfect getaway.

One of my favorite things to do is to keep track of where I have been and where I want to go. Now with the girls as well, they are added into the mix. I think the best way to do this that I have seen is by having a giant map on the wall. Then color code push pins for each family member. Have a color for the wish list versus where you have been.

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