PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Prioritizing toy safety is essential to ensure a happy holiday. It’s that time of year again, and the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), as part of its annual observance calendar, is calling on the community to ensure safe holiday experiences for the entire family.

The 2025 holiday season is here, and CPS advises shoppers that one of the key points this holiday season is to make sure that whatever gift you buy for a child, make sure that it's safe – Shop Smart, Shop Safe. Check the safety information of toys before you purchase them.

When shopping, always check the recommended age grade on the packaging. A toy marketed for older children may contain small parts that pose a serious choking hazard to infants and toddlers (children under three).

Avoid toys with sharp edges, loud noises (which can damage hearing), or exposed wires. For stuffed animals and dolls, ensure all parts like eyes, buttons, and noses are firmly secured. It is also crucial to verify that any paint or material used is non-toxic and lead-free.

Finally, confirm that battery compartments are secured with screws to prevent children from accessing or swallowing the batteries, which can be extremely dangerous.

Beyond physical characteristics, consider the seller's reputation, especially when purchasing toys online. Counterfeit toys sold through unauthorized or unknown websites may not meet stringent safety standards (like those set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the USA).

These products are often made with substandard, hazardous materials that can break easily, creating dangerous fragments or exposing children to harmful chemicals.

Always look for certifications and markings that indicate compliance with safety regulations (like the CE mark in Europe or relevant US safety seals).

Prioritizing reputable retailers ensures that the toys your children receive have undergone necessary quality checks, giving you peace of mind during the holiday season.

Magnets — For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

Small Parts — For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

Ride-on Toys — Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should always be sized to fit and worn when operating the aforementioned. Help instil safety discipline and road safety.

Projectile Toys — Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.

Chargers and Adapters — Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

One of the most important gifts of all to give a child is time spent with you as a parent/guardian this holiday season.

As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, let us be mindful of how precious time is, stay close to home with immediate family and enjoy quality time from all the hustle and bustle.

Cupe Coy:--- Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), hosted its first First Aid / Heart Saver CPR AED and Stop the Bleed training for justice personnel. The session stems from discussions Minister Tackling held with AUC representatives earlier this year, focused on strengthening the Ministry’s capacity, readiness, and service to the public.

The training was facilitated by Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS) and AUC students and certified trainers, with participation from customs officers, the Secretary-General, cabinet staff, Immigration officers, and representatives from several justice departments.

This initiative reflects Minister Tackling’s commitment to strengthening the justice system from within, with additional capacity-building opportunities expected as the Ministry continues prioritizing preparedness and resilience across the justice chain.

By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean

During my visits to Sint Maarten, I learned quickly that people are careful with the word ‘hurricane.’ If you mention it, someone may stop you: ‘Don’t bring that into existence.’ It’s more than an instinct — it reflects how deeply the memory of Irma lives on, and how vigilant life on a small island must be. Having been based in Jamaica during Hurricanes Beryl and, more recently, Melissa, I can now say, “I get it.”

As this year’s hurricane season draws to an end, there is reason for Sint Maarten to breathe a sigh of relief; having been spared major storms. Yet the devastation brought by Hurricane Melissa to Jamaica is a powerful reminder that in the Caribbean, no one is ever truly out of reach. For Sint Maarten, where geography defines both beauty and vulnerability, every hurricane season brings the risk of seeing years of progress swept away. Hurricane Irma alone caused damage estimated at more than twice the island’s GDP, leaving deep scars but also lasting lessons.

In the years since, Sint Maarten has taken those lessons to heart. The country is shifting from rebuilding after disasters to reducing risks before they strike — strengthening preparedness, investing in safer infrastructure, and planning with future storms in mind.

At the World Bank, we’ve worked closely with the government to support this shift — through the Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery, and Resilience Trust Fund, a partnership with the Government of Sint Maarten and the Government of the Netherlands.

Established after Hurricane Irma, the Trust Fund was designed not only to rebuild what was lost but to build systems that make recovery faster and stronger when the next storm comes. Across the island, that resilience is now taking shape in tangible ways. Homes are being repaired to higher building standards so families can return to safer roofs. The Princess Juliana International Airport – the backbone of the island's tourism economy - has been rebuilt with stronger structural standards to protect lives and keep the country connected when the next storm hits. A new hospital is being constructed, engineered to withstand earthquakes and strong winds, ensuring continuity of care even during the most severe storms.

Preparedness also extends beyond physical structures. Through the Trust Fund, Sint Maarten is strengthening its digital systems — ensuring that government services and critical data remain functional even in times of crisis. The education sector, too, is adapting: teachers are better equipped to respond, and a disaster-preparedness game "HURRYcane Run" is helping children learn how to stay safe when storms approach.

The Trust Fund also introduced the Early Grade Reading and Mathematics Assessments, giving Sint Maarten its first consistent way to track students’ progress and address learning gaps that widened during the pandemic. All of these efforts point in the same direction: Sint Maarten is not simply rebuilding, it is redefining what resilience means for a small island nation. This commitment is reflected as well in the government’s plan to establish a Disaster Reserve Fund — a dedicated reserve for emergencies — developed with guidance from a World Bank study. Steps like these help ensure that when storms strike, resources are ready.

Yet resilience is never finished. As climate risks intensify, Sint Maarten — like all small island economies — will need to keep expanding its protections: strengthening financial buffers, investing in faster early-warning systems, and ensuring that every recovery plan is backed by dedicated, ready-to-use financing. Continued regional collaboration — sharing expertise, pooling risk, and strengthening institutions — will be essential to sustain these gains.

While Sint Maarteners avoid saying the word “hurricane,” their actions speak louder than words. They are preparing, adapting, and rebuilding stronger each time — and experience shows that this commitment always pays off.

MARIGOT:--- Reviving Heritage by the Basketful: A Sunday of Taste, Memory, and Identity at Bellevue Garden on November 16, Bellevue Garden came alive with the sights, scents, and sweet island spirit of Saint Martin’s culinary heritage as the Business and Professional Women Concordia BPWC continued its vibrant Motion Series. The afternoon gathering, chaired by member Maria Chemont, unfolded as a heartfelt celebration of the island's roots and a reminder that Saint Martin culture goes far deeper than the familiar Johnny Cake and chicken leg that many young people believe define local cuisine.
Chemont opened the event with a clear purpose: to revive traditional flavors, showcase forgotten dishes, and strengthen the bond between generations through food and storytelling. She reminded everyone that the island's heritage is a rich tapestry of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness, stitched together through the dishes passed down over time.

The buffet spoke for itself.
There were pigtail and rice; the tasty “locrey”, salt fish soup that quickly became the day's favorite; stew chicken, peas and rice, hearty lentil soup, stew chicken and stew salt fish, honoring the days when salting was a necessity long before electricity.
Tables were filled with fritters, crisp Johnny Cakes fried and baked, local provisions, and the ever-loved pumpkin fritters.
The pastry table brought the warm feel of Caribbean remembrance, offering coconut drops, potato pudding, pound cake, and coconut and peanut sugar cakes. Guests cooled off with sorrel, mauby, mango juice, lime juice, and the lively ginger mauby blend that always gets people talking.

Before anyone could share their dish, BPWC added a touch of island humor. Each participant had to introduce themselves the old-fashioned way, starting with the familiar and playful question:

“Who yo fah?”
Laughter rippled through the crowd as members and guests answered in true Saint Martin style, proudly naming their families, their roots, and the households that raised them. It set the tone, broke the ice, and added that unmistakable Caribbean warmth to the afternoon.

Then came the stories.
Melba Wescott earned first prize with a rich, heartfelt tale about her lifelong love for plantain, how it started, how it shaped family moments, and why the fried plantain she presented carried so much meaning. Her story blended memory, humor, and island pride. Agnes Aventurin also received top honors after sharing the touching story behind her potato pudding. She told of learning the recipe at her mother's side, keeping the tradition alive after her passing, and proudly carrying on the legacy exactly the way Mama taught her.
Children listened attentively as elders recalled pet milk days and demonstrated how everyone once sat with their frock tucked between their legs, mimicking the old-time pounding melee. For the younger generation, it became a glimpse into daily life from long ago and a reminder that culture lives in the details.
Another member, Soshina Stephen, added to the celebration with a beloved salt fish soup prepared by her father, earning special recognition.
These dishes and the stories around them highlighted the island's long relationship with preserved foods. In the days before electricity, salting was not just a method but a way of life. Saint Martin, known as Swaliga, the island of salt, relied on salt fish, salted pork, and countless salted recipes that shaped the flavors of the island today.
Not every dish could be displayed, but the conversations were rich, weaving together family memories, cultural lessons, and a shared sense of identity.

A Mission Fulfilled
By the end of the afternoon, Chemont expressed that the goal of the activity had been fully achieved. The event showcased a proud culinary inheritance, reconnected generations, stirred cultural curiosity, and reaffirmed that Saint Martin cuisine remains a beautiful blend of resilience, creativity, and community pride.
The BPWC Concordia left Bellevue Garden with fuller baskets, lighter hearts, and plenty of stories to carry forward.