We just got this notice in from the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS) re. the dangers of roman shades and roll-up blinds. Bottom line — strangulation hazard. Read more at cpsc.gov or download the CPSC Bulletin.
Delta cribs just announced a huge recall affecting nearly 1.6 million drop-side cribs — one of the biggest crib recalls in U.S. history. Was your crib included? Read this to look for model numbers and find out what to do if your crib’s been recalled. Here are some other recalls of interest:
You may have seen the headlines:
As a parent, I’m sometimes frustrated with our kids’ school’s check-in process. Next to your child’s name you sign in, note the time you dropped them off, and add a note if someone else is going to pick up the child. While our school is small, and the teachers do a great job of keeping an eye on who’s picking up your child (they’ll call us if they think there’s a problem), I can’t help but wonder about other institutions. There may be more kids. The caregivers/teachers might be less attentive to who’s picking up the kids. And if a child goes missing, it may take an hour or more before anyone is notified.
So, a couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine introduced me to a great child-security system for schools, day care centers and anywhere else a parent might leave their child. It’s called KidCheck. At a glance, it’s an affordable check-in system that gives parents and child care professionals peace of mind. For the affordable cost, I’m amazed at the features, which include:
If you’re a parent, a child-care facility director, or teacher, attend a free online KidCheck demo to learn more. Implementing KidCheck is likely the easiest, and most secure decision you’ll have to make about your child’s safety and well-being.
Doug Metzgar will host a talk on Home Safety For Toddlers at Saint Alphonsus. It will be a room-by-room presentation to help parents identify hazards in the home that can cause injuries to their children.
This event is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2008 at 10 a.m.
For more information about reservations, location and more, visit the Saint Alphonsus class schedule.
Join Safety For Toddlers and Babies “R” Us for an afternoon of ideas and advice on how to make your home safe for baby. You’ll get ideas on safety products for the home, including bumpers, latches, as well as access to informative resources. Stop by our table and say hello.
The Baby Safety Fair is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 6, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., at Babies “R” Us in Meridian, ID.
Babies “R” Us
1200 N. Eagle Road
Meridian, ID 83642
Tel: (208) 884-0488
Google Maps
When I visit homes that have a second level, I never cease to surprise parents when I advise them not to place furniture near second-story windows. This is because window screens can be fatal.
In April, six kids in the Twin Cities area fell from second- and third-story windows. One child popped through after bouncing on a couch. Another fell to her death after climbing on a sofa.
Screens are not designed to be safety barriers for children. Falls from windows account for an estimated 12 deaths and 4,000 injuries among children under 10 years of age every year in the United States, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Last year a new Minnesota law was passed requiring the installation of safety screens on any house or apartment built or remodeled after Jan. 1, 2009. The law is called “Laela’s Law” for toddler Laela Shaugobay, who was injured when she fell out of a Minneapolis apartment building in 2006.
The solution lies in some good general practices. First, avoid furniture near windows regardless of which floor you’re on. This includes night stands, changing tables, chairs, beds, cribs, etc. Kids can be incredible climbers. You can install window security latches, which may be a little easy to unlatch for older kids. And there are gates designed for windows if you’ve got an especially challenging toddler who likes to climb a lot.
For more information on on the Twin Cities story, visit the Star Tribune.
What measures have you put in place for second- or third-story windows?
Safe Kids Week 2008 runs from April 28 to May 3. This year’s theme is “Gear Up for Safety.” During the week, the Safe Kids Treasure Valley Coalition is partnering with the Ada Community Library to present displays on child safety and scheduled readings for kids of all ages.
Mon., April 28, 5 a.m.-9 a.m.
We’ll kick off Safe Kids Week at the Ada Community Library with KTVB’s Larry “Where’s Larry” Gebert. Coalition members will be on hand to answer questions about gearing up for safety for activities such as cycling and swimming.
Sat., May 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Ada Community Library will host several scheduled readings for kids of all ages. Coalition members will be on hand to answer questions about gearing up for safety, including water sports, wheeled activities, fire safety and more. Download the Gear Up For Safety Flier for more information.
More Information
Ada Community Library
10664 W. Victory Rd.
Boise, ID 83709
Tel.: (208) 362-0181
Google Maps
Visit Ada Community Library, or SafeKids.org for more information.
I often get questions about car seat safety, so I thought I’d share this story with you. In short, Debbie Dubrow, of DeliciousBaby.com, was traveling and rented a baby car seat with her car rental. What she discovered was a very poor selection of baby seats in grim, disgusting, old and useless condition. And the staff was poorly informed – several car seats had been in various car seat recalls over the last few years. Read her story and learn some good car seat tips along the way.
Boise, ID recently moved up a notch to second-best place in the country for business and careers, according to Forbes magazine That’s great news for working adults, but don’t assume that Idaho’s anywhere near any top-ten list when it comes to being safe for kids. For a state that boasts family values, we have a long way to go. The criteria: laws protecting our children.
Car Seat Safety
The Idaho Legislature finally closed it’s session last week, and House Bill No. 462 never made it out of the Transportation and Security committee. We blogged about it during the course of the bill’s life in committee. In fact, the bill never made it to committee discussion due to internal opposition. Unfortunately, Idaho is one of 12 remaining states in the U.S. that allow kids to be unrestrained in a moving vehicle. (more…)
Earlier I blogged about outlet cover inserts and their inherent dangers. This week, while talking at a Baby and Me seminar, one of the moms turned me on to a recent Today Show episode (based on a Parents magazine article) on child safety products that may harm our kids. I thought it was a very common-sense approach and I was happy to see attention at a national level. Here’s a quick summary.