After 30 hours of classroom and hands-on skills training, as well as participating in a car seat check event, Doug Metzgar, vice president of Safety For Toddlers, is a certified child passenger/car seat technician.

The certification, established by Safe Kids Worldwide, follows a strict curriculum set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Look for Safety For Toddlers at upcoming car seat check events. We’ll also keep you posted here.

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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

It’s not a travel site, exactly. But for the new parent seeking tips on traveling locally and abroad, check out DeliciousBaby.com. I enjoy their tips on whether to check the baby seat or carry it with you through the gate; airlines that are child-friendly; good travel games for kids; setting expectations when traveling with baby; and lots more.

Check it out. And let us know if you come across other good travel resources for parents.

I’m often asked about using outlet covers — specifically those two-pronged plastic outlet inserts. Bottom line — I’m not a fan of them. Let me explain why.

Choking Hazards
The general rule of thumb about dangerous objects around the house is that if one can fit into a toilet paper tube, it’s too small for infants and toddlers. For example, marbles, small rubber balls, stuffed animal decorations like plastic eyeballs, etc. Some cheap outlet inserts aren’t designed well and obviously fit into this category.

Read the rest of this entry »

In our previous alert, we brought you up to date on the status of child passenger safety legislation, House Bill No. 462.

It may be heard in the House Transportation and Defense Committee sometime this week. This hearing would be the bill’s first step on its way to becoming a law. It has not been scheduled as of today.

This bill not only protects children, but it also makes Idaho eligible to receive Section 405 funding totaling an estimated $250,000 annually. These funds would be used to increase the use of seat belts and child safety seats. Idaho has been ineligible for these funds due to the current vehicle code.

How Can You Help?
Read the rest of this entry »

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?