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Category Archives: Tech Safety

9/11 Tribute And Apps For Emergencies

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Today is 9/11, a day to pay tribute and to make sure we are prepared for emergencies. I started my day by showing my kids the news filled with touching remembrances and then also showing them the 9/11 Memorial website. The 9/11 Memorial website has a guide that not only shows the memorial but also provides a section that lists the names on the memorial.

 

 

A dear friend who is bravely fighting a medical condition shared an app on Facebook that is a good reminder that we all need to be prepared for emergencies that may come up. The app is called ICE Standard (In Case of Emergency Standard). Their is an ICE Standard iPhone and also the ICE Standard Android app on Google Play.

 

The In Case of Emergency standard also has a website that explains the goal for everyone to prepare by having : “Easily accessible medical data in critical care circumstances”.  The apps offer a way to gather that information and then have it available in an emergency. Of course, it is also good to carry a printed emergency form in your bag, briefcase, child’s backpack and car just in case of another familiar not so emergency (that feels like an emergency): low Battery on your phone! To be fully prepared in the modern world, it is always best to also have a mobile charger (there are even models with batteries so they can be kept separate until needed).

 

 

Another app that is in the emergency category is the Lots Kidz app, which helps you gather important information about your child then share to others in an emergency.

 

What emergency apps or procedures do you use?

 

 

 

Beta Launch of Kazaana – Family Friendly Social Platform (was PixyKids)

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As my 9 year olds become more interested in sharing media with family and friends, I have started to look into family friendly social platforms that are appropriate for 9 year olds. Just recently I received a brief demo of the family centric social platform called Kazaana (was called PixyKids). I appreciated the beautiful graphics and the ability for everyone to create their own space – and then share with family and friends. But most of all, I appreciated that the parental controls would allow me to approve every friend (or family) that my 9 year olds would invite into their space. Now that the Beta is live I can’t wait to take a test drive with my 9 year olds to learn more about Kazaana.

 

Below is the press release I received with more info:

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First of April – My Favorite Things

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Today is April 1st and here are my favorite links of the day:

Think Geek finally has a tee shirt about the computer overlords, edible gummy iPhone case, Angry Birds Pork Rinds and De-3D glasses. I know Cool Mom Tech agreed with the good finds at Think Geek.

Cool Mom Tech also covered Smart Starterz – learning language in the Womb (darn, why didn’t I do that?).

@JeffElder found a data dock that is also a toaster!

Finally – Google Motion (motion controlled email) is in beta and ready to goooo (as in jump around instead of typing).

And best yet, now my kids can pretend to wait in line at the Apple Store with the Playmobile Apple Store:

Happy April 1st!

 

Oprah Winfrey’s “No Phone Zone” Campaign – Take the Pledge!!

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After I dropped my kids off at school I headed to the bakery to buy some muffins for a school meeting. At the red light, I checked my phone and saw a text message from a friend who wanted to take a walk this morning. I thought it was a great idea to take a walk, so I promptly replied by texting that I can take a walk as soon as I go home to write my post in honor of the “No Phone Zone” campaign to help bring understanding to distracted driving.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?  Writing a text in my car – at a red light – to tell someone that I am writing a post about no distracted driving?

Even though I was texting at a red light – it was still texting in a car and it was distracting me from driving. This helped me realize how easy it was to get distracted while driving and that I NEED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO GET ON BOARD AND TAKE THE PLEDGE. From now on, my cellphone will be placed out of reach while I am driving. First thing I did when I got home was to sign the pledge.

CLICK ON THE BUTTON ABOVE TO JOIN ME IN TAKING THE PLEDGE

Other ways to join the “No Phone Zone” Pledge:


MOBILE – Text to pledge = Text NPZ to 30644 

Project Overview Video on the “Create a No Phone Zone” = http://www.citizenglobal.com/harpoproductions/nophonezone/ 

No Phone Zone Causes Page = http://www.causes.com/nophonezone

TWITTER – The Oprah Show Profile = http://twitter.com/theoprahshow 

FACEBOOK – The Oprah Show Fan Page = http://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfreyshow 

and No Phone Zone Pledge – http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/455 

Here is more important statistics and information from the Oprah Winfrey “No Phone Zone” campaign:

  • Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road – even
    for just a few seconds – they put their lives and the lives of others in
    danger.  Distracted driving is
    unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be
    devastating. ~ U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood

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