Now that summer’s around the corner a lot of good-intentioned parents are getting ready to plop their toddlers into the pool expecting a “drown proofed” child in return.

If you’re one of them, first of all, congratulations on wanting to introduce your little one to swimming at an early age, but secondly, it may be time to back off just a wee bit, especially when considering what the American Association of Pediatrics has to say. They recommend that parents hold off on formal swimming lessons until after their child’s fourth birthday. According to the AAP, that’s the age when children become developmentally able to learn the skills needed to stay afloat.

Still, don’t let that stop you from at least introducing your little one to the water, having fun, and staying cool this summer. There are plenty of programs out there that focus on games and safety, all designed to help make you and your child more comfortable around the water.

Taking your baby in for a dip? Here are some tips to help keep them safe:

• Keep your baby in your arms , and in your sight at all times.

• Never “dunk” your small child under water. Even little children, especially, those under three years old, can swallow a large amount of water – and this can be fatal.

• If you have a pool, be sure it has at least a four-foot fence on all sides. Also install a self-closing, self-latching gate that’s positioned out of your child’s reach.

• Beware of all water hazards, including inflatable baby pools, buckets, toilets, and tubs — an infant can drown in as little as an inch of water in less than 30 seconds.

• Keep rescue equipment handy. A plastic ring buoy, a pole, a first-aid kit, and a portable phone should be close by at all times.

Lastly, get in touch with your local Red Cross, YMCA or community organizations for more information on programs that properly introduce your toddler to the water.

While bringing a pet into your home can be an important and fabulously rewarding part of family life, it’s also serious business.

Even for those who don’t have primary care responsibilities, it’s still a huge responsibility for the entire family. Especially when you consider that, depending on the type of pet you select, it can be with you for up to ten and even 20 years. And that’s what you initially need to focus on, especially during the pet selection process, because that’s where emotions usually reign supreme. And if you’ve ever taken your kids to a petting zoo before – let alone a per store – you know exactly what we mean.

Ultimately, it comes down to this: pets are far easier to love and play with than take care of. And that’s really important to keep in mind while you go through the process of deciding whether or not yours can be a pet-friendly household. Here are a few specifics to help you along:

• Are you and your child comfortable around animals? Some adults and many children find they are not.
• Do you have adequate room for a pet – both indoors and out? Keep in mind pets – especially dogs – don’t stay tiny forever. They will eventually occupy and require more space, perhaps even their own.
• Do we have adequate time for a pet? (This is a big one!) All pets require time and attention. In your heart of hearts, it’s vitally important to be fair to your pet, and to yourself. Answer honestly, “Can we as a family devote the necessary time a pet deserves?”
• Can we afford a pet? If you don’t think pets are like family members, wait until you see how much it can cost to keep one, especially when you factor in vet care. Do the math before casting your final vote.
• Is everyone committed to the responsibility? It may not take a village to raise a pet, but typically it takes more than one devoted care giver. So don’t wait until you have the pet before asking for volunteers for specific responsibilities – ideally, that should be decided well in advance.

When all is said and done, raising a pet truly is a labor of love. Just keep in mind that there’s plenty of both to be expected – labor AND love – and that one is no good without the other.

In today’s paced-faced world, sometimes we all just need a day to unplug. A moment to appreciate the people and places around us. To stop and smell the roses, if you will. But between career, home, and family obligations, finding the time to slow down is no easy feat. Add in the texts, tweets, and emails that are constantly vying for our attention and it might seem like a lost cause.

Well maybe a National Day of Unplugging can give you the push and motivation you need. This day, celebrated on the first Friday of March, challenges us to step away from our electronic gadgets and devices for 24 hours and focus on reconnecting with the world around us. And here are a few ways you can join in on the fun of unplugging.

Host an Unplugged Party – Invite friends and family over or just celebrate with those in your household. Put the phones and tablets away and enjoy some old-school games and activities, ask musically talented guests to bring their instruments for an “unplugged” concert, or simply enjoy catching up face-to-face.

Reach Out – When was the last time you talked to your cousin across the country, or even your neighbor across the street? Remember, commenting on their status updates doesn’t count. Bring some coffee, tea, or cookies to folks in your neighborhood, and get to know them better. Call (yes, technically it’s plugging in) someone who’s voice you’ve not heard in a while. Write your mom a note of appreciation, or sit down with your spouse to let them know just how much they mean to you.

Look Inward – Sometimes, the person we need to reconnect with the most is ourselves. Use some time to reflect on who you are as a person, what motivates you, and what makes you happy. Think about goals and make a realistic plan to attain them, or reexamine them if you think the goals may not be all that realistic to begin with.

Commit to Unplugging – Unplugging for a day is great, but if you find that more of your life unfolds on a screen than it does in person, make a plan to unplug more often. For example, leave the phones and other hand-held devices in another room during meal time, set aside some time each day to catch up with the kids, or check in with the virtual as you must and then designate the rest of the day for yourself, your friends, and family.

By the way, if a sudden heating or cooling emergency arises in the middle of your quality unplugging time, it’s okay to call us for assistance. No one will hold that against you, least of all your local heating and cooling professionals at Absolute Air.