Wednesday, November 28, 2012

11 Ways to Protect Your Kids During the Holidays

We’ve worn the silly and scary costumes and stuffed our faces with turkey and pie and now it’s almost everyone’s favorite time of the year—present time! You may be excited because it’s time for your favorite traditions, time to decorate your house and, time to bake holiday treats, but your kids are just excited because they’re about to get new toys and gadgets to keep them occupied for the next year. Now we don’t want to be the Grinch, but it is important to know that the toys and gadgets you or your family members buy for your kids are safe.

Here are 11 easy ways to ensure that your kids aren’t in any danger this holiday season:

  1. Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.  Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.
  2. Inspect all toys before purchasing.  Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
  3. For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy. If magnets or batteries are ingested, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
  4. Sports equipment gifts should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, or a face guard with a new batting helmet for baseball or softball).
  5. Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult.  Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
  6. Always save the warranties and directions for every toy. If possible, include a gift receipt.  Repair or throw away damaged toys.
  7. Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
  8. Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
  9. Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.  If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
  10. Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children, as they can become wrapped around a child’s neck.
  11. Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the CPSC, more children have suffocated from these than any other type of toy.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Roaring Success

The 2nd annual Eye Stroll was a roaring success! Over 400 walkers raised over $23,000 for the Prevent Blindness Southeast Texas Region!

Wendy Montalbano was the top fundraiser with a total of $2620, exceeding her fundraising goal by $120. Wendy was inspired to raise over $2500 in order to win the iPad for her son, Jeffrey, who was born without sight. On her fundraising site, Wendy says, “Jeffrey’s teachers and therapist all use an iPad for music therapy, vision stimulation, cause and effect, etc. He also can play the drums and piano on the iPad. The iPad is one of very few things we have identified to bring such enjoyment to Jeffrey.” The iPad is an essential learning tool for Jeffrey so we were all very excited when Wendy reached passed the $2500 fundraising goal!

Wendy Montalbano with her daughter and son, Jeffrey, and Khambrel Marshall from Channel 2 News to Houston (Photo: Caroline Sam Photograph)
The event honored Dr. Amy Coburn, a PBT board member and a huge advocate of the Eye Stroll. Dr. Coburn raised a total of $1620 and was the second top fundraiser!

Dr. Amy Coburn cutting the ribbon at the start of the stroll (Photo: Caroline Sam Photography)
This event could not have been as successful without the wonderful support from our sponsors and volunteers. Our sponsors included the Houston Zoo, where the event took place, News to Houston, Sparkling Faces, Hoya, VSP, Methodist Hospital, Houston Eye Associates, Vitamin Water, Liberty Mutual, VisionWorks, Geico, Harris County Optometric Society, Caroline Sam Photography, Sunny 99.1, Kletzmer Entertainment, and Clear Channel Media Entertainment.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful event! We hope to see all of you again next year!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

"And the Number 3 is Now Lucky to Me"

Roxkishia Warner received a free vision screening in Galveston, TX, unknowingly changing the way she would see life. Here’s her story about her experience in receiving a vision screening and in participating in our Healthy Eyes Eyeglass program:

“I heard about the free [vision] screening from a friend [so] we arranged a time to go participate together. When we arrived to find a one hour wait, my friend began to get impatient and complained of hunger. I told her that this was worth the wait, because if she left, I would have to as well, since we rode together. Somehow she received patience. We both failed our screening and got instructions to visit an eye doctor for the discounted exam, and to fax in our original application and prescription and in 3 weeks we will get a voucher for a pair of eyeglasses. Well thank God for my friend and a little patience, because instead of 3 weeks to receive the voucher, it was 3 days. I’ve been in need of glasses for 3 years since my last pair was broken. Now I can see better and the number '3' is now lucky to me. Thank you!"

Roxkishia, September 2012
Through our state-wide Healthy Eyes Eyeglass program, we have been able to help thousands of Texans, like Roxkishia, receive a much-needed pair of eyeglasses. Every 11 minutes someone goes blind but we hope that one day, with the help of our partners, donors and supporters, we will be able to end preventable blindness.