Safer Child Products

I posted a video on my Safer Child Products FB page the other day that really upset me.  It showed wonderful family bonding, but at least 2 out of the 3 children appeared to be improperly restrained.  The child sitting in the front seat couldn't have been more that 8y/o.  The front passenger's seat is not a safe place for young children to sit, especially if there is an active airbag.  Until you are at least age 13 you should ride in the rear seat if at all possible.

Then a friend asked me if I could give a ride to her small 1st grade daughter.  She is about 7 y/o and about 50 pounds.  When I asked if she rides in a booster, the mom said no.  After careful consideration, I realized that I was not comfortable with this.  My 8 y/o who is taller and slim but probably close to 50 pounds rides in a backless booster.  I told the Mom that in my car I would be more comfortable if her child would ride in a booster.  I explained that a Belt Positioning Booster Seat(BPB) raises the child up to a position where the Vehicle Seat Belt will fit them properly. Ideally, a child should be in a belt positioning booster seat from the time they outgrow their forward facing seat with harness (usually between ages 3-5) until they reach 4'9" tall.

The child should be able to pass The Safety Belt Fit Test.  Did I just say 4’9”?  Yes I did.  Did I forget to mention the age limit?  No, I chose not to, because it is not about their age, it is about how the adult seat belt fits them.  Whether in a BPB or not, the seat belt needs to cross between the shoulder and the neck and the lap belt needs to sit across the hard hip bones or upper thighs,  NOT on the soft tummy.  If a seat belt does not fit properly, a child is likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash.  The shoulder belt will not hold them back into the seat, and the lap belt can cause a number of injuries to the internal organs.

For more information on Booster Seat Safety and on the Safety Belt Fit Test go to http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/big-kids/on-the-way/booster-seat-and-seat-belts.html

Safer Child Products

My 8 y/o loves baths, but often times we just don’t have time and she needs to take a fast shower instead.  Whenever I run a bath, I close the door so that no one will accidentally fall in and drown.  I have always instructed her to wait for me before she enters the bathroom with the tub running and I never leave her alone in the bathroom if she is in the tub.  If she is in the shower, I may sit in the adjoining bedroom, in case she needs me for anything.

When I run the shower, I always check the water first to make sure it is not too hot for her. This past weekend after playing outside all afternoon, we came home to clean up and shower.  While I was cleaning up downstairs, she went upstairs and started running the water.  I was surprised, because she has never showed the initiative before and I figured I’d go up and check the water temperature before she steps in.  I was quite surprised when I went upstairs and found her sulking in her room with the door closed and the Bathroom door was also closed, but the tub was filling up.  I got very upset and had to explain to her, while remaining calm, that she cannot run the water on her own.  She needs to ask a grown up for help.  I explained that I do not want her to get burned, or to fall in and drown and that we need to keep an eye on the tub so that it does not overflow and cause a flood!  She does not know to check the lever in the tub to see if it is up or down, or what that even indicates! 

We walk such a fine line between fostering independence and hovering over them at all times, trying to keep them safe.  I am grateful that I caught the water in time before anything bad could have happened to her, or to the house!  It just reminds me that she is still young and still needs supervision. 

Also, I know that it only takes about an inch of water for someone to drown.  Here are some home safety tips around water from Safe Kids.  http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/drowning/home-drowning-prevention-tips.html

If you are a parent or a caregiver who routinely transports young children, then you know how difficult it is to get the child car seats installed properly.  Be sure that the child car seat is installed so tight that you cannot push or pull it more than 1 inch in any direction when you grab the child car seat at the rear where the seat belt or latch belt goes through the seat.

Our children all get to the age where they want to buckle their chest clip themselves.  It’s wonderful that they feel they can participate! Make sure the chest clip is secured snugly will top of clip at armpit height. Be sure to check that the straps are tight enough that you cannot pinch a fold in the straps at shoulder.

www.safekids.org/safety-basics/babies/on-the-way/carseat-safety-for-babies.html

Safer Child Products

April 9, 2012

Teeth are such a milestone and conversation piece throughout our lives.  When will baby get his first tooth; when will my daughter lose her first tooth.  It seems like braces and expanders are starting much younger than when I was kid.  My pre-teen daughter is concerned that her teeth are not white enough, while my parents and their friends are all discussing dental implant sugery!

Well, let’s get back to basics.  Besides looking cute, did you know that baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth?  According to the Amercian Dental Association, they are not only helpful for chewing, but they actually “hold space in the jaws for adult teeth. Both primary and permanent help give the face its shape and form.”

I never really thought about where teeth appear from.  Apparently, primary teeth are already in the baby’s jaw at birth. http://www.ada.org/3813.aspx

It’s very important to keep baby’s mouth clean and to prevent decay.  Do not put baby to bed with a bottle and avoid sugary drinks.  Be sure to wipe baby’s gums with a washcloth each day, and never dip the pacifier in sugar or honey before giving to baby.

Decay in primary teeth can often to lead to decay in permanent teeth, so teach your child good oral care habits from the beginning.

Safer Child Products

As a Child Passenger Safety Technician I come into contact with people from all income levels, all types of cars and car seats.  However, being in Delaware, I was surprised to receive a call from an expectant Mom in Mississippi this morning.  She told me that she is unemployed and will soon be welcoming her baby.  Parents are not allowed to leave the hospital with their newborn without an appropriate car seat.  This woman asked my assistance as she cannot afford to purchase one.

This is a common situation.  Child car seats can be very expensive.  There are programs in many states that offer low-cost car seat assistance.  The Department of Motor Vehicles runs this program in Delaware, but the best resource for low-cost car seats and other car seat related questions is to contact your local Safe Kids Coalition.  http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/coalitions/ .  This link is a great resource for all types of child safety information.  Just select your state to find a coalition or an inspection station near you.  It will even tell you if there is a Safe Kids Community Event being held in your area.

While we don’t advise buying or using a 2^nd hand seat unless you are sure you have all the parts, the instruction manual and know the car seat’s history, a used  car seat is better than no car seat at all.

Let's keep all our kids safe!