No more bumpers

The truth is out ... the evil crib bumper has hit the poverbial dust bunny. Apparently, they are hazardous to infants who can't get their face away from the fluffy sides of their environment. I accept that. But when the child gets older and can move his head with much dexterity, wouldn't keeping a bumper in the crib eliminate some bumps and bruises from knocking into the side of the crib? Maybe... maybe not. All I know is that my kids survived the wrath of the crib bumper. They also survived lying on their tummies in that crib. And the crib they survived as infants is probably not safe for my grandchildren! I'm sure there are a lot of other innovations in the past thirty years that have improved the plight of the young. HOWEVER, nothing surpasses the watchful eye of a mindful parent who cares enough to know where her child is and what she is doing at all times.

Happy parenting!

Kids and Off-road Vehicles

I took this as a sign that this should be my next blog topic... I received a blogpost from KidProof on Friday about how kids can stay safe on off-road vehicles.  Then on Saturday, I found that the son of a friend's friend had been killed while riding his quad.  A careless young driver on drugs had hit him with his pickup truck.  He did not survive the ride to the hospital.  Such a sad, life-changing event for that family.  Therefore, I'll summarize here what the KidProof blog recommends:

• Off-road vehicles are designed to be just that - vehicles for fields and farms, not the side of the road.  More fatal accidents happen when kids ride these vehicles too close to regular traffic.
• Not all off-road vehicles are created equal.  Some go up to 75 miles per hour and are designed for adult riders.  Others will only go to 30 miles per hour and are designed for younger drivers.
• Make sure your kids wear helmets while riding.  Young drivers don't have the strength to right a vehicle when it tips.  A helmet won't save a crushed leg, but it will prevent brain damage.
• Keep the keys locked away so children can't decide to take a joy ride on their own.  Here is an article that proves that point: http://www.legalinfo360.com/2010/03/child-killed-in-atv-accident-ruled-accident/ 
• According to KidProof, "You can protect your kids and teens by keeping them off ATVs and mini-bikes until they’re at least 16 and have a driver’s license."

And here are some alarming statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission: There were more than 540 ATV-related deaths and more than 150,000 ATV-related emergency room visits in America in 2007 alone. One out of five deaths and more than a quarter of the injured were kids under 16. Nearly one in 10 of the deaths was a child younger than 12. 

That's enough information for me to say I'd never, ever want my child to ride an off-road vehicle, even for only a few minutes.  The risk is just too great.

In Support of Kiddie Leashes

When my twins were toddlers, I decided that safety trumped gossip and bought leashes to tether my girls in crowded or dangerous locations.  The trip to a mall, the boardwalk, and beach brought disapproving glances from parents of all ages who obviously considered me a bad mother.  They probably thought I'd allow them to poop on the sidewalk, too, like a poodle.  However, I can only be in one place at a time and had only two hands for three children.  The leash seemed like the solution to this safety-minded mother's nightmare.  So off I went, two kids on leashes in one hand and my older daughter holding the other hand, safe in the knowledge that I knew where my kids were at all times and could come to their assistance at a moment's notice if needed.  An added attraction for me was that I didn't have to push a bulky twin stroller and my daughters exercised their leg muscles in the process.  It was a win-win situation.  Plus, holding childrens' hands for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable -- imagine how you'd feel keeping your hand raised above your head for hours!

Naturally, there are two sides to every story. The writers at www.child.com in an old post discouraged leash use for two-year-olds, claiming that "the leash conveys an innapropriate message by using physical force instead of words to keep your child near you." I say that sometimes kids just don't listen (you think?) and words aren't enough to ensure safety.

Maureen Dempsey Baker, creator of the By My Side child safety harness explains, "We were informed by pediatricians that (many) common injuries are to shoulders and arms from parents pulling up when a child falls while holding their hand. The harness allows you to gently guide your child while supporting them in their strongest place, the chest."

Now there are backpack-style leashes that provide a better fashion statement than my old-fashioned harness variety that really did look like a dog leash.  Plus, the kids are agreeable to being leashed because they can keep "stuff" in their backpacks as they walk along.  I support kiddie leashes all the way and the tongue waggers can just keep wagging their tongues.  After all, they probably never had to ensure the safety of twins and a singleton at the same time. 

Happy Parenting!

Hotels vs. Toddlers - The Hidden Dangers

It's vacation time!  Here are some tips to make sure your littlest visitor stays safe throughout your trip:

1.      Keep an eye on your kids the whole time.

2.      Teach little people to fingers away from elevator doors.

3.      Move furniture away from windows that can open.

4.      Ask the front desk if they have a kid-safety kit with outlet covers.  Better yet, bring your own!

5.      If your room has a mini-bar, ask the hotel staff to remove the alcohol. Or store them on a high shelf until you leave.

6.      Tie up dangling drapery cords.

7.      Inspect the safety of the TV, wall units, and any other furniture that can fall over if a little person climbs or pulls on it.

8.      If the hotel uses glass beverage holders, substitute them for plastic.

9.      Check the temperature of the water before putting your toddler in the bath.  Many hotels set their water heaters higher than most homeowners with toddlers. 

10.  If you use the hotel crib, check for modern safety regulations:

a.       No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats unless you get a porta-crib.

b.      No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed hardware.

c.       A firm, tight-fitting mattress

11.  If you have older children, allow kids over six to sleep alone on the top bunk.

12.  Finally, if your hotel room has a balcony, never leave your children out there unattended, even when you leave briefly for a bathroom visit.

Kids and the Internet

How can you find out which sites your children visit most frequently?  By doing a search of the browsing history.  Here;s how:

Open Internet Explorer and press and hold the “Ctrl” and “H” keys for a list of websites your child has seen in the recent past. Use the drop-down menu to see the sites your child has visited the most, or choose “Search History” to learn the keywords your child has been using. (The process is similar for other browsers.) If you find that your techy child has deleted the search history, ask him why.  You probably won't like the answer! 

Naturally, you can place child controls on the computer to filter out porn sites and any others you feel are unacceptable for young computer uses. Most major search engines, including Google, Bing and Yahoo, allow you to turn on a “safe search” mode that blocks sites that aren’t appropriate for kids, and most Internet service providers provide parental controls. However, it's also good to sit down with your children to discuss the problems associated with these sites so they understand your reasons for concern rather than your reasons for controlling their browsing. 

Be alert to any surrepticious behavior like turning off the computer or lowering the screen when you walk in the room.  That's a sure sign your child doesn't want you to see what he was researching on the computer.  Gently discuss the reason for this behavior.  If you jump in with a tirade about safe searching, your child will back away from your good intentions.  Open the computer while your child is in your presence and together look at the history.  That way you can discuss the situation without making it look like you're going behind his back to find out his browsing habits.  Remember, children need respect for their privacy, too, but not when their welfare depends on your knowledge. 

For more tips, go to http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html and find a CyberSafe Program in your area: https://kidproofusa.com/course/CyberSafe.aspx

The New Stranger Response

According to Kidproof, a publishing company dedicated to children's safety, instead of teaching your children to not go with strangers, the new golden rule of stranger safety is to tell your kids, "Never go anywhere with anyone without asking permission first."  Why?  Because instructing kids to not go with strangers, places them in a difficult position.  Should they go with a policeman?  Security guard?  Uncle Milty?  Children may feel secure going with the family member or law enforcement official, but statistically, these people are more likely to abduct or abuse children (the abducting policeman is usually not a policeman, but someone dressed like one.)  By instructing your children to ask you first, you assure yourself that they will always let you know where they are.  Also tell them that if you are unable to answer for whatever reason, to go to a woman rather than a man.  Statistically, women are less likely to abuse or abduct a child than a man.

What marvelous advice in an unsettled world!