Dear Supporter,

I usually kick off An Ounce of Prevention with a personal story that hopefully makes you smile and reminds us all that when it comes to keeping kids happy and safe, we’re all in this together. This holiday season, the message of coming together is even more important.

It’s hard to believe, but there are still thousands of families throughout New York and New Jersey who are struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. They have lost their homes and their belongings. They continue to persevere but too many are not doing so well. And they need our help.

I know we are all busy with too many demands on our time and budgets, but this holiday season I’m asking that you please make a donation to help show these families that they are not alone.

Every dollar we raise will go directly to our coalitions in New York and New Jersey, who have been working seven days a week to provide everything from car seats to cribs to basic necessities that so many of us take for granted.

Please give what you can to help and share this request with your friends, colleagues and family members. We will reach out periodically over the next month to share stories about the impact you’re making so you know exactly where your donations are going.

Let's work together to help make the holidays safer and more secure for families who have lost so much.

Thank you.

A Blanket of Love and Support

Instead of the Kiddo award this month, we thought it might be more appropriate to share a portion of an e-mail from one of our partners at Safe Kids Monmouth County, New Jersey. At least 90 employees at Monmouth Medical Center have lost their homes or have homes that are uninhabitable as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Just today I spoke with one of [the] housekeepers [at the hospital] who lost her apartment and all of her belongings. She has been sleeping here at the hospital. Our Human Resources Department is working with her to find temporary housing but she has no family and is frightened and doesn't want to leave. I asked her what I could do right now for her and she whispered, "I'd like to have my own blanket to take with me.” Such a great loss and such a small request. We have so many stories and have cried so many times as we try to help those in need.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Flooding Support in Thailand

Coming together in a difficult time is nothing new to Safe Kids and its partners around the world. Last summer, there was severe flooding in Bangkok, Thailand as a result of Tropical Storm Nock-ten. More than 800 lives were lost and 13.6 million people were affected by flooding that persisted in some areas for seven months.

Our partner at Safe Kids Thailand distributed toys and supplies to children and worked with the Ramathibodi Pediatric Hospital, which provided health advice, treated patients and distributed children’s medication to those in need. See images and learn more.

In the Wake of a Storm - Remember Carbon Monoxide

As temperatures get colder and storms cause the loss of electricity, fuel-powered devices such as generators, camping stoves or grills can provide wonderful benefits. They are also an important reminder about the need for a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide is a gas that you cannot see, taste or smell. That’s what makes a carbon monoxide alarm so important. If you don’t have one, please pick one up for every level of your home. Learn more.

Adventures in Babysitting

One of the hidden benefits of visiting with relatives for the holidays can be the free babysitting from grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even older nieces and nephews. Before you sleep in or escape to the movies (the new James Bond movie looks good), talk to your relatives about medication safety – pills can sometimes look like candy – and being careful to keep small objects away from young kids. Then go out, don’t worry and have fun. You deserve it. Learn more.

Keeping You Informed

Safe Kids is constantly collecting information about important product recalls that may affect children and families. As more people prepare to use generators following a storm or loss of electricity, we want to highlight two important recalls:

• Champion Power Equipment is voluntarily recalling its portable generators as a fire hazard because of fuel leakage. Exclusively sold at Costco.

• Pramac America is voluntarily recalling its Powermate generators due to a fire hazard caused by fuel leakage. Sold exclusively at Home Depot.

Please remember that it’s important not to use generators inside your home, garage or near a window. For other storm safety tips, read our blog.

We have more than 600 teams of Safe Kids professionals working around the country. This month, we’re proud to feature the efforts of our partners in New Jersey and New York, who are proving every day that keeping kids safe is a team effort.

• New Jersey: Our partners at Safe Kids Monmouth County, and their colleagues at the Monmouth Medical Center, are working with their Center for Infant and Toddler Development and a newly-established Disaster Support Office to provide portable cribs, car seats, blankets and other necessities to employees and families in the community.

• New York: In addition to providing materials to families in need, Safe Kids New York City and Safe Kids New York are joining with partners to make deliveries and distribute resources in their communities.

See the Impact of Your Generosity

We want you to see the difference you’re making, so stay tuned for a few updates over the next month. Please remember that every dollar makes a difference in our effort to reach all the families that need our help. Thank you for showing the families who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy that they are not alone.