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.

1. Plastic outlet covers — Outlet covers help prevent your child from getting electrocuted, but small plastic plug-in models can pose a deadly choking hazard. Get covers that screw into the wall and slide shut when outlets aren’t in use, or block unused outlets with furniture. (more…)

Join Safety For Toddlers and Babies “R” Us for a toddler safety seminar. We’ll conduct a room-by-room presentation on making your home safe for baby.

The toddler safety seminar is scheduled for Tues., May 20, between 7 and 8 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

This is a good article for the spring when some of us are considering installing a pool for exercise or good family fun. When it comes to baby safety, Safety For Toddlers cannot stress enough the need for pool fencing. Check out our Resources section for several Treasure Valley dealers. I was especially impressed with Randy at Life Saver Pool Fence. In addition to his quality level of installation, the materials are outstandingly strong.

Do you have other installer recommendations?

Join Safety For Toddlers and Babies “R” Us for an afternoon of ideas and advice on how to create the nursery of your dreams. You’ll get ideas on colors, furniture and safety products for your child’s nursery.

The Dream Nursery Design Workshop is scheduled for Sat., March 15, 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

You may have felt the recent quake in Idaho. Read the article in the Idaho Statesman.

According to the Idaho Geological Survey, Idaho ranks fifth in the nation in terms of seismic danger. Based on the Uniform Building Code seismic zones, only California, Nevada, Utah and Alaska have a greater overall seismic hazard than Idaho.
Today’s quake is a reminder that tall bookshelves, dressers and entertainment systems can be dangerous to young children. Regardless of a quake, these items should be safety anchored. Safety For Toddlers carries a range of hard-, if not impossible-to-find brackets, wall anchors and furniture cables. They keep furniture standing during a quake or while an adventurous toddler starts climbing. Just remember, babyproofing isn’t a substitute for adult supervision.

For more information about family safety, download the USGS publication “Protecting Your Family From Earthquakes—The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety.”

Approximately 2,300 children in the United States, ages 14 and under, died from accidental injuries in the home in 2004, and 3.4 million kids are treated in emergency rooms for accidental injuries occurring at home. Most fatal injuries at home are caused by suffocation, fire and burns, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning or firearms discharged unintentionally. Read the article here.

Critical to any parent’s efforts to safeguard their children is the car seat, including seat installation, use and maintenance. Unfortunately, proper seat installation falls to the bottom of our new baby to do list.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, an international nonprofit organization formed to prevent unintentional childhood injuries, more than 80 percent of safety seats are not installed correctly.

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Safety For Toddlers joins Safe Kids for their free safety seat check event at Babies R Us in Meridian. We’ll be on hand to provide free safety seat checks and vehicle safety tips. Also be sure to check out the cool new Safe Kids van (the only one in Idaho).

The event is scheduled for Sat., April 12, 2008 between 10 a.m. and Noon.

Address
Babies R Us
1200 N. Eagle Rd.
Meridian, ID
Google Maps