By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Most of the year 2020 has been more of a "trick" than a "treat," and as people continue to limit their activities because of the ongoing COVID situation, it looked like Halloween would be the next holiday to get scrapped. But it doesn't have to be that way! Halloween is actually one of the most adaptable holidays, since it's all about creativity and flexibility. And of all the Halloween activities, Continue Reading...
Fourth of July pet safety tips
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun It's almost time for the Fourth of July! That means food, family and friends, and fireworks! As far as your pets are concerned, they probably love food and like (or at least tolerate!) your friends and family, but when it comes to fireworks, most pets are NOT fans. Every year around this time plenty of articles with Fourth of July pet safety tips spring up, and with good reason, too: According to Petfinder, Continue Reading...
Beyond a touch-a-truck: VDOT Incident Management Open House
By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun Kids (and adults!) love trucks, and touch-a-truck events in Northern Virginia are plentiful and popular. Beyond learning about trucks and industry vehicles and what they do, you can learn about what it takes to keep traffic flowing and how local agencies coordinate emergency work by attending the annual Incident Management Open House. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) hosts this event to Continue Reading...
Local fire stations host annual open house events
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com October is a perfect time to enjoy a fall festival, go apple picking, plan for the holidays -- and make sure your home is safe from fires. Each year, local fire departments host, as do many others across the country, a Fire Prevention Week Open House. This year, national Fire Prevention Week runs October 6-12, 2019. Local events related to this campaign in Northern Virginia take place primarily the Continue Reading...
Local stations to host fire department open house events
October is National Fire Prevention Month -- a good time to check to make sure your home is safe from fires and that your family knows what to do in an emergency. Each year, local fire departments across the country host Fire Prevention Week Open House events to help the public learn about safety. At various fire stations, firefighters and paramedics have displays and activities emphasizing fire and life safety -- with some fun activities, Continue Reading...
New baby, new car? How Cars.com can help
This is a sponsored post, developed for Cars.com. Hello, baby… goodbye sports car. That’s pretty much how it went when I was pregnant and my husband and I went to the local police station for a child safety seat inspection. We knew it was important to get this done BEFORE the baby arrived. You don’t want to leave the hospital with a precious new life only to find out you’ve installed the car seat wrong! Thankfully we could take advantage of Continue Reading...
How Fairfax County schools make the call on snow days
Winter is here, and while we're focusing on the holidays, fun, and family vacations, it also means that snowy and icy weather can happen at any moment, and with that comes the possibility of school "snow days." Those two magical words, while embraced by probably every single student -- along with a fair number of parents and even teachers -- are dreaded by others. From parents who have to get to work (and have difficulties making alternative Continue Reading...
Kid Care Anywhere offers Black Friday child care service
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.comFor some, it's all about the "hunt," finding those great advertised bargains. For some, it's a family tradition when they shop on the busiest day but doing so with friends and family makes it a fun adventure. And for others, it's all a matter of necessity, since it may be the only time they really have to go shopping.Whatever your situation, if you're shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, it's probably MUCH Continue Reading...
Join your neighbors at National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 5
Join your neighbors in strengthening your community at National Night Out this coming Tuesday, August 5. The event is an annual celebration of neighbors bonding together to raise awareness of crime and drug prevention and strengthen police-community partnerships. Held annually in the United States and Canada on the first Tuesday in August (at most locations), it's a night of tackling serious issues in a fun and friendly way. The event, Continue Reading...
NCMEC hosts Child Safety Fair in Alexandria May 25
By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.comFrom the outset, Fairfax Family Fun has been all about helping local families create wonderful, fun moments together. While I try to keep the mood here light and happy, I never for one minute take for granted how lucky we are to have our kids and how important it is to do everything we can as a society to protect all children.No one knows that better than the folks at the National Center for Missing and Continue Reading...
