Those things are very important;  however, there are even more precautions to take to keep your kids safe in this environment.   Many people aren’t even aware of this particular danger that we are going to discuss today.   The danger I am talking about is the vacuum or suction that allows for the water in the pool, or hot tub to circulate.

         A child or even some adults are in danger because of the design of those drains, in some pools.   The power of these drains  can drastically alter or cause the loss of life.  Pools that aren’t up to date, or equipped, with various layers of protection, regarding the force of the suction in these drains, can kill or permanently harm human lives.  

         It is important to note that people on vacation may not be aware of the quality or level of protection that a hotel/campground/waterpark may or may not have.  It’s even possible for people to take for granted that the neighbor’s or grandma/grandpa’s pool is “safe” for their children’s use this summer. 

        Using large drain covers  that are considered to be blockage free; and, that are firmly attached with screws are the first step towards protecting lives.   Equally important to the issue of safety and well-being is to have back up systems that help to restrict, or reduce the amount of suction through these drains. 

        There are safety shut off valves, that can save lives too; those safety shut off valves can sense when a drain becomes blocked and the force increases on the surface of the drain cover.    This powerful suction can occur when the skin of a person covers the drain and pulls with a large force trapping a person underwater; so a shut off valve is critical for saving lives.  

        Precious time is often lost because people believe that they can just pull a small person off of the drain cover…but, it just isn’t so.   Even with adult men pulling on the victims, that have lost their lives, they could not be freed from the force of that suction and they drowned or had their intestines pulled from their bodies because of that force.   No one should die such a senseless death when it is possible to avoid such a tragedy.   It is a horrible situation that can be prevented if only all pools and hot tubs were equipped with these safety measures.

        Imagine the helplessness of those survivors of such incidents…watching an innocent swimmer suffer and needlessly die because they could not be freed from a pool or hot tub drain.  It is a vision that would be hard to live with.  There are safety advocates that are trying to enforce legislation to protect us all; if you would write to your representatives in Congress and express your desire for layers of safety measures to be implemented and enforced, all around the nation, it would help.

          Swimming is a great summer activity and there is no reason to avoid taking part in it as long as you are aware of  the risks and take appropriate precautions.  Check out those pools that you “visit”…make sure that they are equipped with large safe drain covers.   Don’t be afraid to ask question and don’t be willing to be pacified with answers that don’t address the issues of safety for your family.   See for yourself  if there is a shut off valve available that is quick to reach (we’ve been in hotels where those are behind a locked door). 

          If a public pool does not appear to be safe; report it to authorities outside of the organization or facility where the pool/hot tub is housed; you could be saving lives.   Don’t take chances.  Teach children and teens to avoid the drain areas of pools and hot tubs or better yet; teach them not to get into an unknown pool without checking it’s safety features.  

           It doesn’t take a genius to realize that by the time a hotel employee could be located with a key…someone could drown before help could arrive.  Protect your loved ones by being safe…being aware, and sharing this information with those who may not know of this danger!

        Human trafficking or modern day slavery is nothing new unfortunately…it has been in existence since the beginning of time documented in the Bible even.  It is a horrible way to live and it is dehumanizing.  It must stop.  No one should own, buy, or sell another human being for sexual purposes or any other purpose.  Help to spread the awareness of it.  Help to educate people that even joking about or ignoring the prostitute on the street is ignorance of the fact that they may not be prostituting themselves willingly.  They may be a victim of human trafficking/modern slavery. 

        For those people who patronize prostitute, men or women, you may not only be guilty of illegal activity, immoral activity; but, also of an inhuman indecency by subjecting another human being to dehumanizing behavior.  There is a growing trend to visit other countries with the intent of sexual tourism…meaning going to other countries with the intention of using other people for their sexual pleasure.   

        Speak up, speak out tell someone that it is wrong….help someone who needs help by lending a hand to those who are homeless and on the streets, runaways who are vulnerable to those who prey on individuals who appear to be fragile and without a friend, with no one to turn to.  Get involved and call the authorities, talk to teens and tell them of the dangers.

         People disappear every day on the streets of America and all around the world; this includes men, women, teens, and children.  Where do they go, many individuals are never heard from again.  Those that are found and rescued have horrible tales to tell.  A life time of scars and emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual, and sexual healing to do. 

          Believe it or not, but there are actual networks of predators who buy/sell/trade human beings from one area to another all around the world.  Some individuals actually take vacations to other countries to take advantage of those in sexual servitude.  Speak out against such practices.  For updates on this subject and more please visit:  http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/869

Going out to eat when you are trying to save money means, well, that you eat off of the dollar menu at fast food places.  On the rare occasions that you treat yourself, for those who are strapped for cash, you generally can’t find healthy food cheap; so…just know that going in.

Wanting to see a movie; prepare to spend, spend, spend…unless you rent a video/dvd….do people still do that?  Going out to the movie theater means spending money for the ticket, for snacks and for drinks; it becomes quite costly.  For years, our family just purchased dvd’s and video’s, so that they could be rewatched, saving  us a pretty penny.  If you happen to do yard/garage sales you can save even more by purchasing your video/dvd’s at a pre-owned price.  At the same time, buying things pre-owned is a way of reusing, reducing (trash), and recycling items by repurposing them for someone else’s use.  I like that!

The trick to saving money when it comes to your personal or family’s entertainment is to look for coupons, specials, two-for-one deals or even free entertainment.  What’s that you say…what is free now days?

When it comes to free entertainment…I believe people are going to go back to the old fashioned entertainments.  You will begin to see individuals and families going back to the basics with gardening, picnics, swimming, sports, walks in the park, short sunday drives, and yes, even reading.

What other kind of entertainment can you get as much bang for your buck?  With a book you can travel the world, educate yourself, comfort yourself, ride the waves of emotions, connect to people, places and time, have a historical encounter, explore a new culture or career; you will be able to read people’s minds through the expertise of a great writer!  A great writer knows how to take you on a trip and make you feel like you could smell the flowers on the page of the most vividly described page in the book.  A great writer will make you feel like you have just  met the most physically attractive and the most impeccably dressed individual you have ever known.  You will grieve when you have to part at the end of the book.  A great writer, or word specialist, will take their time to make you feel, see, and hear the story that they have to share with you.  It is their skill with descriptive words that takes you to the world between the pages.

I recently heard, on a Good Morning America video piece, that sales in the romance book industry is flying high.  http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7603141 It  is cheap entertainment to pick up a romance book/or other paper back books for a mere $5-$8.oo investment.  It is a book…it can be read over and over again; or, creative people can do book exchanges with one another.  Those with a real frugal personality, and maybe a greener nature  than the average bear, can be found at the library…checking out books for free; just so that they can occupy themselves with the cheapest form of entertainment there is: reading!   Let’s not forget the techie who often reads books/novels on their kindle…therefore wasting little money and no trees that were cut down for printing of the book.   Ok people, go amuse yourselves!!!

        To all the sons and daughters in the armed forces (military) who have fought and defended our country’s honor, freedom and way of life…we say thank you; we can never thank you enough for your sacrifice.  To those who made it possible to look upon the visage of Lady Liberty and to take pride in her message; we also are grateful.   To those who have worked to give money to her restoration and those who have labored and done the work…we appreciate you.  We must take good care of our symbol of independence and freedom, we must protect her from the elements and from all things which seek to destroy her message.   In this way we can continue to inspire and impact the lives of others around the world.

          Once again, Lady Liberty will be making a statement just by standing her ground and welcoming those who come to her.  Of course, they are making some adjustments to the way things are handled regarding visitors; but that is ok.  She will be open!   People can once again begin to travel to the place where so many of our families were greeted when they came to this country to begin life anew with hope and expectation of a long, healthy and prosperous life as an American.  The visitors will see the view of the shore from Lady Liberty’s crown. 

            There is such a rich history relating to the Statue of Liberty and how she came to represent freedom to those who traveled to the United States.   The gift that was made of her to our country from the people of France; to the comfort that she brings to the hearts of those who have come here from around the world…Miss Liberty speaks volumes about all who have been oppressed and have since broken free from their oppressors.  She is a marvel to look at and a reminder that we must always remember to lift up those who have not known such freedom in their lives.

         Extortion is usually about money; whatever the plan was…it is happening at a terrible time.   The family is still grieving the loss of their son Jett.   Some people seem to take joy in other people’s pain.  The Bahamas is a beautiful place to visit…but it is turning into a place associated with celebrities and their nightmares.  This could have a major impact on travelors or tourism if this investigation is not properly handled.  That would make me sad as it is one of the most beautiful places i have ever traveled to.