guest post

Swimming Pool Safety: Protect Your Kids This Summer

July 11, 2014 by Kathryn 97 Comments

Whether they’re toddlers, mid-size models or teen versions, kids and pools go together like milk and cookies. Regardless of the ages of your kids, you can ensure that everyone stays safe in and around your pool all season long. Read on for common sense tips that will maintain a safe environment for everyone who joins the fun in and around your pool.

swimming pool

Pool Safety Starts Inside

Let’s start with the basics: skin care. Keep a variety of sun block products stocked, such as sensitive skin formulas, lotions, spray-on, water/sweat-proof, etc. Ideally, sun block should be applied at least 10 minutes prior to getting into the water, to allow it to penetrate the skin and fully absorb. If it’s put on too soon, it will already begin breaking down. Remember, the lower the sun protection factor (SPF), the more frequently you’ll need to re-apply.

Sun blocks with an SPF of less than 15 should be reapplied on dry or damp (not dripping wet) skin every hour, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest. For higher SPF formulas, less frequent reapplications (every two hours, for example) are fine, unless you are in the water constantly or sweating profusely, which would pull the sunscreen away from your skin faster. Using a higher SPF formula for the face and top of shoulders is also a great idea. A word about sunscreens: like expired medicines, it’s best to start each new swim season with fresh, maximally effective sunscreen. Check the labels for expiration dates when the weather begins to warm up each year and replace outdated ones. [Read more…]

Anna’s Budget Tips-Budgeting for the New Year

January 1, 2013 by Kathryn 13 Comments

Happy 2013! There’s nothing quite like the start of a new year to give you a renewed sense of hope, purpose and motivation to accomplish just about anything. Tap into the power of this season and get your family budget in shape for the new year. A little effort now could really pay off by the time we’re saying hello to 2014.

[Read more…]

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canadian Pet Wellness Report-Guest Post

July 7, 2011 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

I love our cat Racer, but I never really thought about how much time I spent with her until recently. I never thought a cat needed exercise, but according to most veterinarians, cats need exercise just like dogs and spending time playing with your cat can be beneficial to both your health and the animal’s. I know that many of my readers have pets of their own and so I wanted to pass along the results of a recent survey conducted on behalf of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Many of the results were surprising to me, especially the negative scores pet owners in the Prairies received about many pet health issues. Why not check it out and see if maybe your special friend could use a little more playtime?

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canadian Pet Wellness Report

Internet and channel surfing overshadow pet exercise time

According to the study, owners might not be making pet exercise a priority and as a result veterinarians are seeing the consequences:

On an average weekday, pet owners spend nearly twice as much time surfing the Internet (48 minutes) and three times as much time watching TV (79 minutes) as they do playing with/exercising their pets (25 minutes).
Even on the weekend, when pet owners might have more disposable time, they still spend an average of three times as much time per day watching TV (89 minutes) and far more time surfing the Internet (44 minutes) than playing with/exercising their pets (29 minutes).
Veterinarians believe that the majority of dogs (55%) and cats (70%) they see do not receive an adequate amount of exercise to maintain good health.

“Pet owners need a better understanding of the health implications of inadequate exercise of their pets and the importance of basic decisions, such as what and how to feed them,” says Dr. Berry. “Otherwise their pets might be at risk for a range of broader health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes and mobility issues.”

Dishing the goods on obesity

The findings suggest pet owners also need to adjust how they evaluate what food to buy for their pets and how they feed them, since their choices could have weighty consequences:

When it comes to pet food shopping, veterinarians believe pet owners consider the price and best value offered by a pet food over the food’s ability to meet their pets’ health or life stage-related needs.
Pet owners admit that they are nearly twice as likely to buy a pet food based on what their pet likes to eat (60%) vs. what will actually meet their health needs (33%).
Just two in 10 (18%) pet owners feed their pets the amount recommended on the pet food package and only 17% closely review the ingredient information.
Overall pet owners (44.5%) are most likely to feed their pets by “making food available to their pet(s) at all times”, which is more common among cat owners (57%) than dog owners (32%).

Furthermore, the research indicates that veterinarians are seeing the consequences of poor decisions about pet nutrition:

Veterinarians (63%) are most likely to cite weight control as one of the most important things pet owners can do to increase the length and quality of their pets’ lives, yet only one in 10 pet owners proactively ask veterinarians about nutrition.
Veterinarians (65%) say overfeeding is by far the most common mistake pet owners make when feeding their dogs or cats.
Veterinarians say pet owners are often surprised when their pets are diagnosed as obese.

Missing the Signs of Health Issues

One of the most compelling findings from the study is that pet owners might be missing the obvious signs of health issues in their pets. Obesity and dental disease are the two most commonly diagnosed health problems dog and cat owners are surprised to learn about during veterinary exams. Meanwhile, veterinarians consider a pet’s weight, clean teeth and fresh breath among the best indicators of good overall pet health that pet owners can observe at home.

Big health issues on the Prairies

The research revealed that only half (51%) of dog owners and 58% of cat owners say their pets are in perfect health. Other pet owners claim their pets suffer from a range of health issues with weight problems near or at the top of the list for cats and dogs. One of the most surprising findings was the extent to which pets in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most likely to suffer from a host of health issues:

Cat owners on the Prairies were by far the most likely to say their pets are overweight (32.7% vs. national average of 19%) and to suffer from allergies (10% vs. national average of 2.8%), arthritis (6% vs. national average of 2.8%) and a dry coat/flaky skin (12% vs. national average of 7.5%).
Dog owners on the Prairies were by far the most likely to say their pets suffer from a poor/picky appetite (11.6% vs. national average of 6%), digestive problems (11.6% vs. national average of 5.5%), dental disease (9% vs. national average of 4%) and low energy (9% vs. national average of 3.7%).
Pet owners on the Prairies are also the most likely to feed their pets canned/wet food, table scraps, home-prepared food and raw meat.
Pet owners on the Prairies are also most likely to buy their pet food from a mass merchandise store.

About the research

Canada’s Pet Wellness Report is based on the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between April 18 and April 27, 2011, on behalf of the CVMA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. A sample of 1,043 pet owners from Ipsos’ Canadian online panel was interviewed online. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. A survey of practicing Canadian veterinarians was also conducted using a sample provided by the CVMA. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 9.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, developed Canada’s Pet Wellness Report to help educate Canadians about how proper exercise, love and attention, nutrition and veterinary care can all help ensure pets live long, happy and healthy lives. Canada’s Pet Wellness Report can be downloaded at www.Hillspet.ca, www.canadianveterinarians.net and www.facebook.com/ScienceDietCanada

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view full Terms of Use and Policies

Canadian Sun Care Survey and Sun Safety Tips-Guest Post

July 6, 2011 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

As regular readers will know, I’m pretty picky about the sunscreen I use on my family, but I also know that everyone has their own thoughts about what products are best for protecting themselves and their children from sunburn. Regardless of which brand of sunscreen you use, one thing is certain: proper sun protection is important. The following guest post created by Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic has some fabulous information about sun safety and tips to ensure that your family stays protected no matter what kind of summer fun you are enjoying. Check it out and have a sun-safe summer!

Canadian Sun Care Survey and Sun Safety Tips
presented by Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic

Sunshine and warmer weather; Canadians are finally starting to get it. Understanding the importance of sun protection and prevention; Canadians aren’t getting it at all. According to a new Canadian Sun Care survey nearly one third of respondents are not using any sunscreen while outdoors, putting them at risk from the sun’s harmful rays. Proper application of a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection, protective clothing and shade are all essential to prevent harmful damage to your skin, according to dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll, MD FRCPC.

“Canadians who don’t wear sunscreen are playing with fire and might get burned, literally and figuratively,” says dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll MD FRCPC. “These are alarming statistics given that roughly 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Proper application of a sunscreen designed to provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, such as those offered by Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat, is one of the best ways to defend against the harmful effects that the sun’s rays can have on your skin.”

The survey, which polled over 5,000 Canadian Households, found that only 38% of the surveyed household’s primary shoppers purchased sunscreen in the past 12 months, and less than 10% of adults apply sunscreen every two hours while outdoors — a guideline recommended by the Canadian Dermatology Association. Overall usage ranked highest in children under 12 with 85% using sunscreen in the past 12 months – the highest in any age group.

“Getting your kids involved and aware early can help them develop safe sun habits that will last them a lifetime,” says Dr. Carroll. “Adults need to be just as careful as children. More than one in five respondents have been sunburned in the last 12 months.”

Other highlights from the survey include:

64% of Canadian Adults prefer some colour while 10% prefer a dark tan
Top reasons why respondents aren’t using sunscreen: they aren’t spending much time in the sun (52%), wearing protective clothing (25%), and forgetting or not being bothered to wear any (24%)
Top factors influencing purchasing decisions are: offers longer lasting protection (83%) and easy to apply (81%)

No matter your age or lifestage, make proper sunscreen application a part of your daily routine to protect your skin and yourself. Regardless of the sunscreen brand you use, it is essential to use enough sunscreen to achieve the necessary level of SPF protection. That would be one fluid ounce (30mL) or more for adults, and at least half of that for children each time you apply.

Here are some sun safety tips from Dr. Julia Carroll:

General protection:

Apply sunscreen at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outdoors.
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Protect yourself appropriately.
Don’t forget to wear protection on cloudy days as well as sunny. UVB rays may be partially blocked by the grayness, but UVA rays are not.
Don’t forget those often-missed spots like ears, lips, eyes and nose. Use a lightweight lotion like Hawaiian Tropic® Sheer Touch sunscreen that is great for faces and all over protection.

Family:

Make sure to reapply sunscreen frequently, at least every two hours, and more often if children are dipping in and out of the pool, ocean or lake—or running through the sprinkler.
Always use products designed specifically for the sensitive skin of babies and kids. The Banana Boat® brand babies and kids lotions and sprays are all pediatrician-tested, hypoallergenic and formulated to be tear-free so they don’t sting eyes.
Little ones, especially babies, become dehydrated more easily than adults. When outside with the family, always have extra drinking water on hand.
Make sunscreen application a part of the daily routine. That way you’re likely to encounter fewer struggles, and you’ll be teaching your kids a life-long healthy habit.

Sports:

Reapply sunscreen frequently, at least every two hours. If you’re in the surf or if you’re breaking a good sweat, reapply more often.
Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean you should skip the sunscreen. Up to 80% of the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate clouds. If you’re on the court or the course under clouds or haze, use at least a mid-range SPF like Banana Boat® Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30.
Remember that water acts as a lens, reflecting the sunlight to your skin and magnifying the effect. So whether you’re on a board or a boat, use a high SPF sunscreen that’s also water-resistant for more hard-hitting protection.

bananan boat and hawaiian tropics sun safety tips

About the Energizer Sun Care Survey

The 2011 Canadian Sun Care Survey was fielded to a custom online sample of 10,461 adult Canadians aged 18+ by Nielsen, between May 11-25, 2011. Of those invited to the survey, 5,949 households responded. The survey responders were statistically projected to the total Canadian household population. This survey was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of consumers’ usage, attitudes and perceptions around the Sun Care category. As the survey is sample based, Nielsen calculated an expected margin of error for each question’s individual response as +/- 2.

About Banana Boat

Banana Boat is a registered trademark of Sun Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Banana Boat® Sunscreen offers a wide range of products for adults and kids with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB Protection. Banana Boat is the #1 brand of Kids Sunscreen in Canada*.

For more protection tips, or to learn more about Banana Boat® products call 1-888-SUN-TIPS

About Hawaiian Tropic

Hawaiian Tropic sun care is a registered trademark of Tanning Research Laboratories, LLC. Founded in 1969, Hawaiian Tropic is one of the top selling sunscreen brands in Canada. With a range of products and SPFs up to 70, Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

For more protection tips, or to learn more about Hawaiian Tropic® products visit www.HawaiianTropicCanada.com

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view full Terms of Use and Policies

Chasing Supermom-Mom Spotlight Feature

February 18, 2011 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

My reviews are full of information about me and my family, but if you’ve ever wanted to know just what makes me tick, hop on over to Chasing Supermom and check out my Mom Spotlight feature! It’s full of all kinds of fun facts about life with two trying boys and covers topics from cooking to entertainment to how I de-stress when I’m on my last nerve. (Or how I try to de-stress, anyways!) Check it out!