Adolescent Drug Abuse Prevention

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with Child Safety. Research shows that the main reason that kids don’t use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is because of their parents – because of their positive influence and because they know it would disappoint them. That is why it is so important that parents build a strong relationship with their kids and talk to them about substance abuse – the earlier the better! Below are some tips from the National Crime Prevention Council about how to prevent adolescent drug abuse.

The good news is it’s easy to do! Here are a few ways you can build a positive relationship with your kids and start talking to them about drugs.

Note: “Drugs” refers to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

Establish and maintain good communication with your children.

Why? The better you know your children, the easier it will be to guide them towards positive activities and friendships.

How?

• Talk to your children every day. Share what happened to you and ask what happened to them during the day.
• Ask questions that kids can’t answer with “yes” or “no,” such as “what was your favorite part of the day.” Ask your children their opinions and include them in making decisions. Show your children that you value their thoughts and input.
• Be ready to talk to your children as early as the fourth grade, when they may first feel peer pressure to experiment with alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
• Listen to your child’s or teen’s concerns nonjudgmentally. Repeat them to make clear that you understand. Don’t preach.

Get involved in your children’s lives.

Why? Young people are less likely to get involved with drugs when caring adults are a part of their life.

How?

• Spend time doing something your children want to do every day.
• Support your children’s activities by attending special events, like recitals and games, and praising them for their efforts.
• Help your children manage problems by asking what is wrong when they seem upset and letting them know you are there to help.

Make clear rules and enforce them consistently.

Why? Research shows that when parents set harsh rules or no rules, kids are more likely to try drugs.

How?

• Discuss rules, expectations, and consequences in advance.
• If a rule is broken, be sure to enforce the consequences. This teaches children to take responsibility for their actions.
• Give praise when your children follow rules and meet expectations.

Be a positive role model.

Why? Children imitate adults.

How?

• Demonstrate ways to solve problems, have fun, and manage stress without using alcohol or drugs.
• Point out examples of irresponsible behavior, such as ones you see in movies or hear in music.
• Remember that you set the example. Avoid contradictions between your words and your actions. Use alcohol in moderation, don’t smoke cigarettes, and never use drugs.

Help your children choose friends wisely.

Why? When children have friends who don’t engage in risky behaviors, they are likely to resist them too.

How?

• Help your kids feel comfortable in social situations.
• Get to know your children’s friends and their families.
• Involve your children in positive group activities, such as sports teams, scouting troops, and after school programs.

Talk to your children about drugs.

Why? When parents talk to their kids early and often about substance abuse, kids are less likely to try drugs.

How?

• Short discussions go a long way. Engage your children in a conversation. Ask what they know, how they feel, and what they think about the issue.
• Talk to your children one-on-one and together.
• Educate yourself about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use before talking to your children. You will lose credibility if you don’t have your facts right.
• Set some time aside for you and your child to act out scenarios in which one person tries to pressure another to drink alcohol, smoke, or use a drug. Figure out two or three ways to handle each situation and talk about which works best.

When?

• Any time you spend together is the perfect time for a conversation.
• Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech.

What should I say?

• Explain the effects of drugs on the body and the legal consequences of using drugs.
• Make it clear that you don’t want your kids to use drugs and that you will be disappointed if they do.
• Discuss why using drugs isn’t okay. Explain that it’s against the law for a child or teen to use alcohol or cigarettes and that using drugs is always illegal—for good reason.
• Explain how drug use can hurt people in several ways—for example, the transmission of AIDS through shared needles, slowed growth, impaired coordination, accidents.
• Discuss the legal issues. A conviction for a drug offense can lead to time in prison or cost someone a job, driver’s license, or college loan.
• If any of your children have tried drugs, be honest about your disappointment, but emphasize that you still love them.

To view the original source of this article, please visit www.ncpc.org

To learn more about Child Identification, Ident-A-Kid, and Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com

Vehicle Safety Blog II

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with your child’s safety. You place your children's safety at the top of your priority list. You shopped for the safest car when you started a family. You read up on car seats for kids and figured out which one worked best for you and your family. You even took your car and car seat to a seat-checking station to let an expert check and approve of your handiwork.

But did you know there are other dangers in and around your vehicle that could seriously harm or even kill your child?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has compiled a list of vehicle dangers that we will be posting over the next couple of weeks. This week’s danger prevention tips from nhtsa.gov are about vehicle rollaway, seat belt entanglement, and back-over prevention.

Vehicle Rollaway

If you leave a child alone in a motor vehicle, whether the engine running or not, it doesn't take long for a child to unintentionally set your car in motion.

With the key in the ignition, automatic transmissions can be shifted out of “park” even if the vehicle’s engine is off and the driver’s foot is not on the brake. If you leave the key in the ignition and turned to the accessory mode (to listen to the radio, open/close the windows, etc.), your vehicle’s automatic transmission may be shifted out of “park” if you or your child move the gear selector.

Prevention Tips:

• Teach children not to play in or around cars.
  


• Supervise children carefully when in and around vehicles.
  


• Keep vehicle locked when unattended.
  


• Never leave keys in the car.
  


• Engage your emergency brake every time you park.
  


• Verify whether or not your vehicle has a Brake Transmission Safety Interlock (BTSI).
  

What you need to know, now:

• When the vehicle is set in motion, children may become scared and jump out of the vehicle only to be injured or run over. They can also be hurt inside the vehicle, especially if they are unbelted and the vehicle is in motion. Sometimes, the vehicle may end up running over someone else.
  


• Many vehicles today have a BTSI which is a safety technology intended to prevent children from accidentally putting a vehicle into gear.
  


• All vehicles with automatic transmission with a Park position, manufactured for sale after September 1, 2010, must have BTSI.
  

Seat Belt Entanglement

The majority of seat belts have a locking mechanism that is activated when the seat belt is pulled all the way out from the retractor. This feature is designed for child seat installation. In instances when the locking feature activates, the child may not be able to free him or herself.

This can happen if you do not properly restrain your child, for example, if you let the child lie down or sleep on the vehicle seat, instead of being properly restrained. Older children who are no longer in a child restraint system, can become entangled by pulling a seat belt all the way out of the retractor, or by playing with an unused seat belt.

If you used your vehicle's Lower Anchors and Tether for Children (LATCH) system to install the car seat, your child may be able to reach an unused belt.

Prevention Tips:

• Do not let children play in or around cars.
  


• Never leave a child unattended in or around a vehicle.
  


• Always ensure children are properly restrained.
  


• Teach children that seat belts are not toys.
  


• Be aware that some seat belts have a retractor that locks if pulled all the way out.
  


• If a child has an unused seat belt within reach:
  


• Buckle unused seat belts. Pull the seat belt out all the way to the end without yanking. Then, feed the excess webbing back into the retractor.
  


• If a child seat is installed with LATCH, consider completing the steps above before you install the child seat. Always consult your child seat and vehicle owner's manual for installation instructions.
  

Back-Over

Many children are killed or seriously injured in back-over incidents. A back-over incident typically occurs when a car coming out of a driveway or parking space backs over a child because the driver did not see him/her.

Prevention Tips:

• Teach children not to play in or around cars
  


• Supervise children carefully when in and around vehicles
  


• Always walk around your vehicle and check the area around it before backing up.
  


• Be aware of small children-the smaller a child, the more likely it is you will not see them.
  


• Teach children to move away from a vehicle when a driver gets in it or if the car is started.
  


• Have children in the area stand to the side of the driveway or sidewalk so you can see them as you are backing out of a driveway or parking space.
  


• Make sure to look behind you while backing up slowly in case a child dashes behind your vehicle unexpectedly.
  


• Take extra care if you drive a large vehicle because they are likely to have bigger blind zones. Roll down your windows while backing out of your driveway or parking space so that you'll be able to hear what is happening outside of your vehicle.
  


• Teach your children to keep their toys and bikes out of the driveway.
  


• Because kids can move unpredictably, you should actively check your mirrors while backing up.
  


• Many cars are equipped with detection devices like backup cameras or warning sounds, but they cannot take the place of you actively walking around your car to make sure your children are safely out of the way. Do not rely solely on these devices to detect what's behind your vehicle.

For more information about vehicle safety or to view the source of this article, please visit www.nhtsa.gov

For more information about Child Identification or Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com

Vehicle Safety Blog I

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with your child’s safety. You place your children's safety at the top of your priority list. You shopped for the safest car when you started a family. You read up on car seats for kids and figured out which one worked best for you and your family. You even took your car and car seat to a seat-checking station to let an expert check and approve of your handiwork.

But did you know there are other dangers in and around your vehicle that could seriously harm or even kill your child?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has compiled a list of vehicle dangers that we will be posting over the next couple of weeks. This week’s danger prevention tips from nhtsa.gov are about trunk entrapment and power windows.

Trunk Entrapment

Children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings. So, if you leave your kids unattended, in or near a vehicle, it won’t be long before they are playing in it. Hide and seek can turn deadly if they get trapped in the trunk, where temperatures can rise very quickly – resulting in heatstroke or asphyxiation.

Prevention Tips:

• Teach children not to play in or around cars. Teach them that vehicle trunks are for cargo, not for playing.
  


• Always supervise your children carefully when in and around vehicles.
  


• Check the trunk right away if your child is missing.
  


• Lock your car doors and trunk and be sure keys and remote entry devices are out of sight and reach of your kids.
  


• Keep the rear fold-down seats closed/locked to keep your children from climbing into the trunk from inside your car.
  


• Retrofit your car:
  As of September 1, 2001, auto manufacturers were required to equip all new vehicle trunks with a 'glow in the dark' trunk release inside the trunk compartment. Show your kids how to use the release in case of an emergency.
  If your car is older and does not have the 'glow in the dark' trunk release, ask your automobile dealership about getting your vehicle retrofitted with a trunk release mechanism.

What you need to know, now:

• Younger children are more sensitive to heat than older children and adults, and are at greater risk for heatstroke.
  


• High temperature, humidity and poor ventilation add up to the extremely dangerous environment of a vehicle trunk of your vehicle.
  


• Even in cooler temperatures, your vehicles can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. An outside temperature in the mid 60s can cause a vehicle’s inside temperature to rise above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The inside temperature of your car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes.
  

Power Windows

Children can hurt themselves with power windows. Many kids are injured when a window closes on their finger, wrist, or hand. Some kids have even been strangled by power windows.

Prevention Tips:

• Never leave your children alone in a vehicle for any reason.
  


• Teach your children not to play with window switches.
  


• Teach your children not to stand on passenger door arm rests.
  


• Properly restrain your children in car seats or seat belts to prevent them from accidentally activating power windows.
  


• Look and make sure your kids hands, feet, and head, are clear of windows before raising the windows.
  


• Never leave the key in the ignition or in the "on" or "accessory" position when you walk away from your car.
  


• If available, activate the power window lock switch so that your children cannot play with the windows.
  

What you need to know, now:

• All new vehicles will have "pull to close" switches, which, as their name indicates, require you to pull up on them to close the window. Older vehicles may have window switches that a child can accidentally step or put weight on, easily causing a window to close.
  


• Some vehicles have power windows that automatically reverse when an object (such as your child's arm or neck) is in the path of a closing window. Check both the individual vehicle rating pages on www.safercar.gov and your owner's manual to see if a vehicle is equipped with this safety technology.
  

For more information about car safety for children and to view the source of this article, please visit www.nhtsa.gov

For more information about Child Identification and Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com

Safety and Prevention Tips for Car Safety - Preventing Heatstroke

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with your child’s safety. Children die each year from heatstroke, after being alone in a vehicle. You live by your daily routine and it helps you get things done. Be extra careful, though, if you have to change any part of that routine. This is more likely to happen when you, or caregiver who helps with your children, forgets that a child is in the back seat. This can and does happen when you break a well-established routine. Below is some information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about leaving your child unattended and tips on how to prevent this.

Disasters happen quickly

At other times, you are on your way home and realize you need to stop in at the store and pick up one or two things for dinner. So, you leave your child unattended, thinking, "I'll just run into the store for a minute." Even cool temperatures in the 60s can cause the temperature to rise well above 110° Fahrenheit inside your car. The inside temperature can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes.

Some children die in hot cars after climbing into an unlocked vehicle without an adults' knowledge. Once in the vehicle, they may become confused by the door opening mechanism or trapped in the trunk, and unable to get out before heatstroke occurs.

Prevention Tips

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
  
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
  
• Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
  
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away.
  
• If you are dropping your child off at childcare, and normally it's your spouse or partner who drops them off, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure the drop went according to plan.
  
• Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare.
  
• Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, such as:
  
• Writing yourself a note and putting the note where you will see it when you leave the vehicle;
  
• Placing your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle; or
  
• Keeping an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy. When the child is buckled in, place the object where the driver will notice it when he or she is leaving the vehicle.
  
• Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach. If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk.
  
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

What you need to know, now

• Vehicles heat up quickly - even with a window rolled down two inches, if the outside temperature is in the low 80s° Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes.
  
• Children's bodies overheat easily, and infants and children under four years of age are among those at greatest risk for heat-related illness.
  
• Children's bodies absorb more heat on a hot day than an adult. Also, children are less able to lower their body heat by sweating. When a body cannot sweat enough, the body temperature rises rapidly.
  
• In fact, when left in a hot vehicle, a young child's body temperature may increase three to five times as fast an adult. High body temperatures can cause permanent injury or even death.
  

Dangers of extreme heat

Symptoms of heatstroke: Warning signs vary but may include: red, hot, and moist or dry skin, no sweating, a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, a throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, being grouchy, or acting strangely.

If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

To view the source of this article and to learn more, please visit www.nhtsa.gov

For more information about Child Identification and Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com

4th of July Safety Tips

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with you and your family’s safety during the 4th of July holiday weekend. This 4th of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate our nation’s independence and what is for many, the unofficial start of summer. If your traditions include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing days at the pool or beach, the American Red Cross has provided some safety tips below in order to keep you and your family safe during the holiday.

Firework safety:

There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.

• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.

• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable
materials.

• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.

• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Water safety at the pool and beach:

The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim and to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course. To enroll in a course, please visit www.redcrossla.org/classes.

• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone. Whether you are visiting a community pool or going to the beach, remember to keep your child’s Ident-A-Kid card on you at all times.

• Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.

• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.

• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

• Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.

• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

Safe Grilling:

Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your 4th of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:

• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.

• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

To view the original source of this article and for more safety tips or to register for a first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcrossla.org/classes.

The American Red Cross and Ident-A-Kid wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

For more information about Child Identification and Child Safety, visit www.identakid.com

June 21st is National ASK Day!

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned about your child’s safety when it comes to the growing question of gun control. Monday, June 21 is National ASK Day, which is a part of the Asking Saves Kids campaign of the PAX/Real Solutions to Gun Violence organization.

ASK (Asking Saves Kids) is a program established by the Solutions to Gun Violence group. The association reports that over 40% of homes have guns in them. Of that percentage, many are left unlocked or loaded. Children are curious by nature and every year many die senseless deaths due to a firearm found in the home.

Gun control is a touchy subject on both sides of the issue. In order to make the process of asking another family about whether or not they have guns in the house, the real Solutions to Gun Violence site has compiled a list of common sense ways to ask questions.

• Include your gun inquiry with several other questions. This will ease the situation and not come off as accusatory or confrontational.

• Know your facts. Feel free to quote the statistics.

• Introduce an ASK group into your community via a block party or homeowner's association meeting.

• Don't be confrontational. Common courtesy and politeness go a long way in easing tense situations.

In addition to asking about guns, National ASK Day is a good time to remember that you should ask about many other things before sending your kids over to the home of a friend or family member, such as:

• Is the home well childproofed?

• Will the kids be supervised?

• Do they have a pool or pond, and if so, is there a fence around it with a self-closing and self-latching gate?

• Who else will be in the home?

• Do they observe the ratings on video games, TV shows, and movies?

• Do they have a trampoline, all-terrain vehicle, dirt-bike, bb gun, or other 'toys' that can injure children?

• Will they have unsupervised access to the internet?

It is hard enough to keep your kids safe in your own home, but it is almost impossible if you send your kids to someone else's home who simply 'hides' a loaded gun under a pillow where the kids can find it, lets young kids play teen or mature video games, or play unsupervised in a pool, etc. So ask questions before sending your kids to someone else's home. You can't simply assume that they have the ideas about safety and parenting as you do, just because your kids are the same age, go to the same school, or you live in the same neighborhood.

To view the original sources of this article, please visit www.parentdish.com and http://pediatrics.about.com

To learn more about Child Identification and Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com

June is National Fireworks Safety Month!

In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are also concerned with you and your family’s safety during the upcoming 4th of July holiday. As June is National Fireworks Safety Month, below are some safety tips from the Fireworks Alliance to follow in order to keep you and your family safe during fireworks season.

The Fireworks Alliance is committed to educating people on the safe use of consumer fireworks. The following guidelines are recommended to help you enjoy your fireworks while minimizing the risk of an accident to yourself and others.

• Always read the instructions carefully before attempting to light a fireworks item.

• Do not throw burned out sparklers on the ground. The hot debris left over from the sparkler can burn someone if they step on it.

• Always wear proper clothing whenever you use fireworks. This includes cotton or denim clothing, long pants, eye protection, covered shoes, and (if necessary) ear protection.

• Never drink alcoholic beverages or take drugs when using fireworks.

• Keep fireworks away from open flames, including cigarettes. Do not smoke around fireworks.

• Keep your fireworks dry. Never attempt to light fireworks that have become wet.

• Store fireworks in a cool dry place, and away from children. Make sure small children cannot reach fireworks, and never allow a child to eat fireworks or put them in their mouth.

• Do not buy generic fireworks that do not have labels identifying the manufacturer. All consumer fireworks should be clearly labeled as "Class C" or "1.4G" fireworks.

• Do not buy illegal fireworks. Many of these devices contain explosive compounds that are sensitive to shock and friction.

• Never allow children to use fireworks without direct adult supervision. Children should be instructed on the safe use of fireworks before allowing them to participate.

• Never throw or toss fireworks at another person or animal.

• Do not light fireworks in crowded areas.

• Use proper instruments for lighting fireworks, such as instant-on torches, safety flares, punk sticks, and other suitable tools that provide some distance between the fireworks device and the person that is lighting it.

• Never pick up unlit or unexploded fireworks. Malfunctioning fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water for one hour before disposing. Never attempt to re-light malfunctioning fireworks.

• Never put any part of your body over the top of any fireworks device. Light all fireworks at arms length, and retire to a safe distance once the device has been ignited.

• When using fireworks that utilize mortar tubes, or repeaters commonly referred to as cakes), be sure the device is securely mounted or secured in a way that prevents it from tipping over once it is lit.

• When lighting fireworks, consider the direction of the wind and wind speed. Never light fireworks if the wind is too strong.

• Do not light fireworks near flammable objects.

• Keep unused fireworks in a closed container and upwind from the place you are lighting your fireworks.

• Use fireworks as intended. Do not disassemble fireworks.

• Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby to extinguish fires.

• Do not store failed or dud fireworks. These can suddenly ignite without warning.

• Keep a first aid kit nearby for treatment of burns. If you are burned in any area above the shoulders, seek medical attention immediately. The Aloe cactus can be an excellent source of salve for treating minor burns.

• Always clean your area of debris after you finish using fireworks. Children have a habit of looking for unexploded fireworks. Dispose of fireworks properly.

• Never light or hold lit fireworks in your hand or any other part of your body.

• Shoot fireworks one at a time, never try to light several fuses at one time.

• Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

• Use fireworks outdoors in approved areas only, and away from buildings and dry grassy areas.

To view the source of this article or to learn more about fireworks safety, please visit www.fireworksalliance.org

To learn more about Child Identification or Child Safety, please visit www.identakid.com