Here at Ident-A-Kid, in addition child identification, we are also concerned with your child’s safety when they are online. The Federal Bureau of Investigations www.fbi.gov has issued a pamphlet on your child’s internet safety. Below are some highlights from the pamphlet that we here at Ident-A-Kid think are very important. For more information on internet safety, visit http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/parentsguide.pdf
One thing that is important to be aware of are the signs that indicate that your child might be at risk when they are online. The Federal Bureau of Investigations outline the following indicators of internet risk:
1. Your child spends a large amount of time on the internet, especially at night
• Many children that fall victim to computer sex offenders are those who spend a lot of time on the internet and internet chat rooms. Children who spend a lot of time online are looking to chat with friends, make new friends, find information, and just generally pass the time. Sometimes children spend a lot of their time looking for sexually explicit information as well. Parents should be acutely aware of the time their child is spending on the internet and what they are doing while online
• Many sexual offenders spend their evenings searching for pornography and trying to locate or lure children. Children are at the greatest risk when they are online during the evening hours. However, it is important to remember that these things can happen at any time of the day as well.
2. You find pornography on the computer your child uses.
• Sexual offenders will often give their potential victims pornography in order to start sexual conversations. Child pornography is sometimes used by offenders to show children that sex between adults and children is “okay.” Your child may also try to hide the pornography by putting it on a separate drive, like a flash drive. Be sure to know what is on your children’s electronic devices.
3. Your child is making or receiving calls from people you don’t recognize or numbers you don’t recognize.
• Sex offenders will try to get your child to talk on the telephone to either set up a meeting or engage your child in explicit conversations. Although your child may not give out his/her number, the offender will give the child their number. The offender may also ask the child to call collect or the offender may set up an 800 number so that the parents will not find out.
4. Your child is receiving mail, gifts, or packages from someone you do not know.
• Offenders will commonly send their potential victims letters, photos, gifts, or even plane tickets. It is important to know what your children are receiving and who they are receiving it from.
5. When you come into the room your child quickly turns off the computer monitor or changes the screen on the monitor.
• If your child does this, they may be trying to hide that they are looking at pornography or having explicit conversations.
6. Your child has become withdrawn from the family.
• Offenders will take any chance they can to drive distance between you and your child. They may accentuate minor problems at home in order to do this. If your child has been sexually victimized, he/she may also withdraw from the family and those close to them.
7. Your child is using an online account that belongs to someone else.
• Your child may be using the internet at a friend’s house or at the library. Computer sex offenders sometimes will provide potential victims with a computer account so that your child can communicate with them.
If you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator online, the Federal Bureau of Investigation gives the following suggestions as to what steps can be taken to ensure your child’s safety:
1. Talk openly about your child about your suspicions and tell them what dangers are out there involving computer sex offenders.
2. Review what is on your child’s computer. While using the internet browser select tools, then internet options. This way you can look through the internet history on the computer.
3. Use Caller ID service and use the telephone company’s service to block your number from showing on other Caller IDs. You can also use the telephone company’s service to reject numbers that you specifically block. This will help to prevent sex offenders from calling your home anonymously.
4. Monitor your child’s access to live electronic communication like chat rooms, instant messaging, etc. and child’s email.
Should any of the following situations arise in your household, via the Internet or on-line service, you should immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
1. Your child or anyone in the household has received child pornography;
2. Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age;
3. Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18.
• If one of these scenarios occurs, keep the computer turned off in order to preserve any evidence for future law enforcement use. Unless directed to do so by the law enforcement agency, you should not attempt to copy any of the images and/or text found on the computer.
For more information about internet safety, visit http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/parentsguide.pdf or www.fbi.gov
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Back to School Safety!
As you and your children transition into the back-to-school routine, important safety tips and precautions should be given top priority. In addition to making sure that you have an up-to-date Ident-A-Kid card for your child’s Identification, The U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have compiled ten Tips for Parents or Guardians for back to school safety.
1. Instruct your children to always take a friend, always stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts, and never go into isolated areas. Teach them to stay aware of their surroundings and observe all traffic rules in place to more safely share the roads and sidewalks with others.
2. Walk the route to and from school with your children pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they're being followed or need help. Make the walk to and from school a "teachable moment" and chance to put their skills to the test. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.
3. If anyone bothers your children or makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, while going to or from school, teach your children to trust their feelings, immediately get away from that person, and tell you or another trusted adult. If an adult approaches your children for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults. Instruct your children to never accept money or gifts from anyone unless you have told them it is okay to accept in each instance.
4. Even though there can be safety in numbers it is still not safe for young children to walk to and from school, especially if they must take isolated routes anytime during the day or in darkness. Always provide supervision for your young children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school.
5. Instruct your children to leave items and clothing with their name on them at home. If anyone calls out their name, teach them to not be fooled or confused. Teach your children about the tricks someone may try to use to confuse them or engage them in conversation. Children should also be taught that they do not need to be polite if approached and to get out of the situation as quickly and safely as possible.
6. Ensure current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children at their school. If you, or another trusted family member or friend, need to pick your children up, make sure to follow the school's departure procedures. These procedures need to include the school's confirmation of your children's departure with only those you authorize to pick them up.
7. Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should quickly get away and yell, "This person is trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father/mother/guardian." Teach your children to make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting if anyone tries to grab them.
8. Teach your children if anyone follows them on foot to get away from that person as quickly as possible. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and try to quickly get to a spot where a trusted adult may help them. Advise them to be sure to tell you or another trusted adult what happened.
9. Instruct your children to never leave school with anyone until they've checked with a trusted adult. If anyone tells them there is an emergency and they want your children to go with them, teach your children to always check first with you before doing anything. Also teach your children to always check first with you if they want to change their plans before or after school. Make sure your children always play with other children, have your permission to play in specific areas, and let you know where they are going to be. Instruct your children to tell a trusted adult if they notice anyone they don't know or feel uncomfortable with hanging around them.
10. In the event your children may be lost or injured, make sure they carry a contact card with your name and telephone numbers such as work and cellular. This card should be hidden from plain view.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also highlight the following 5 tips to reinforce with your children:
1. Always TAKE A FRIEND with you when walking, biking, or standing at the bus stop. Make sure you know your bus number and which bus to ride.
2. Say NO to anyone you don’t know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused
3. Quickly get away and YELL, “THIS PERSON IS NOT MY MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN” if anyone tries to take you somewhere or is following you. If anyone tries to grab you, make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
4. NEVER LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS before the regular school day ends. Always check with the office and me before leaving school early.
5. NEVER take shortcuts or walk through alleys to get to or from school. We will talk about which way to go to and from school. Remind me if activities you participate in cause you to leave earlier or arrive home later than usual. Remember to call me once you have arrived home.
For more information or to see the source of these Child Safety Tips, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Website at www.missingkids.com
1. Instruct your children to always take a friend, always stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts, and never go into isolated areas. Teach them to stay aware of their surroundings and observe all traffic rules in place to more safely share the roads and sidewalks with others.
2. Walk the route to and from school with your children pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they're being followed or need help. Make the walk to and from school a "teachable moment" and chance to put their skills to the test. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.
3. If anyone bothers your children or makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, while going to or from school, teach your children to trust their feelings, immediately get away from that person, and tell you or another trusted adult. If an adult approaches your children for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults. Instruct your children to never accept money or gifts from anyone unless you have told them it is okay to accept in each instance.
4. Even though there can be safety in numbers it is still not safe for young children to walk to and from school, especially if they must take isolated routes anytime during the day or in darkness. Always provide supervision for your young children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school.
5. Instruct your children to leave items and clothing with their name on them at home. If anyone calls out their name, teach them to not be fooled or confused. Teach your children about the tricks someone may try to use to confuse them or engage them in conversation. Children should also be taught that they do not need to be polite if approached and to get out of the situation as quickly and safely as possible.
6. Ensure current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children at their school. If you, or another trusted family member or friend, need to pick your children up, make sure to follow the school's departure procedures. These procedures need to include the school's confirmation of your children's departure with only those you authorize to pick them up.
7. Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should quickly get away and yell, "This person is trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father/mother/guardian." Teach your children to make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting if anyone tries to grab them.
8. Teach your children if anyone follows them on foot to get away from that person as quickly as possible. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and try to quickly get to a spot where a trusted adult may help them. Advise them to be sure to tell you or another trusted adult what happened.
9. Instruct your children to never leave school with anyone until they've checked with a trusted adult. If anyone tells them there is an emergency and they want your children to go with them, teach your children to always check first with you before doing anything. Also teach your children to always check first with you if they want to change their plans before or after school. Make sure your children always play with other children, have your permission to play in specific areas, and let you know where they are going to be. Instruct your children to tell a trusted adult if they notice anyone they don't know or feel uncomfortable with hanging around them.
10. In the event your children may be lost or injured, make sure they carry a contact card with your name and telephone numbers such as work and cellular. This card should be hidden from plain view.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also highlight the following 5 tips to reinforce with your children:
1. Always TAKE A FRIEND with you when walking, biking, or standing at the bus stop. Make sure you know your bus number and which bus to ride.
2. Say NO to anyone you don’t know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused
3. Quickly get away and YELL, “THIS PERSON IS NOT MY MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN” if anyone tries to take you somewhere or is following you. If anyone tries to grab you, make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
4. NEVER LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS before the regular school day ends. Always check with the office and me before leaving school early.
5. NEVER take shortcuts or walk through alleys to get to or from school. We will talk about which way to go to and from school. Remind me if activities you participate in cause you to leave earlier or arrive home later than usual. Remember to call me once you have arrived home.
For more information or to see the source of these Child Safety Tips, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Website at www.missingkids.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
THE SUPER SITTER
In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are concerned about your child’s safety. There are certain things that you as parents should expect from the sitter and the sitter should expect from you. That's why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has prepared this Super Sitter Guide. It is to help you become more aware of some of these guidelines, particularly:
• the need for constant observation and alertness to the child's environment
• selecting toys for children that are not dangerous
• the importance of children playing with toys in the proper manner
• the need for keeping children's products in good condition so they don't become dangerous for them to use
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE SITTER
There are certain do's and don'ts. In addition to "sitting" with the children, these are a few of the things you should know and remember as a Safe Sitter.
• Before the parents leave, get the names and phone numbers suggested in the Super Sitter's Very Important Phone Numbers List.
• Have the parents show you through the house or apartment and point out where the items you will need are located, such as the children's clothing or playthings.
• Always know where the emergency exits are located. In case of fire don't stop to try to put it out by yourself! Get the children out of the house without stopping to phone. Take them to a neighbor. Call the fire department, and then call the parents to let them know where you and the children are.
• Keep the youngsters safe by preventing accidents. Know where the potential hazards are, such as electrical outlets, appliances, and exposed heating elements. Also ask the parents if all medicine, bleaches and household cleaners are securely locked up.
• Stairs can be dangerous for youngsters. Keep a curious toddler from playing on or around them. Running or horseplay on them can lead to falls, particularly if the youngsters are wearing socks or other "slippery" footwear. Remember, too, that stairs are not meant to be a storage area. Anything placed on the stairs can become an obstacle to fall over.
• If there is a gate across the stairway, make sure it is kept latched. Babies in carriages, walkers or strollers should never be left unattended, especially in an area around stairs or ramps -- whether indoors or out. A malfunction of the carriage's safety brake or a sudden movement by the child could put it right over the edge. If a gate is not provided, place a barrier of some kind in front of the stairway that a child cannot climb over. Accordion-style gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings should not be used since they can entrap a child's head, causing strangulation. A gate with a straight top or small V's and diamond-shaped openings is safer. Make sure pressure gates are firmly in place and can't be dislodged by the child.
• Caution the child about the dangers of glass doors or windows. A child running or riding on a trike or bike could easily go through the glass. Be sure you keep toys, scatter rugs and other articles that could cause someone to slip or trip away from these areas. If you are caring for a particularly active child, place a large chair or other piece of furniture in front of the glass area for safety's sake. You also can suggest to the parents that large, colorful decals at eye level for both children and adults can make glass doors safer.
• Unless specifically instructed by the parents, do not bathe the baby. A clean facecloth in lukewarm water will suffice in most cases for cleaning the skin. Bathing a baby calls for utmost care and supervision; aside from the risk of hot water scalds, there is always the danger of drowning. While you may want to be of help to the parents, bathing the infant is not recommended.
• If you are changing the baby's diapers, plan on having everything within immediate reach so you won't have to step away from the infant even for a second. If you are not constantly watching them, babies can roll over and fall from changing tables or other high places. Have diapers, pins, etc., next to you so the baby is under constant supervision.
• Infants may choke on small items which they put in their mouths. Small pieces of food, coins, pins and other non-toy items could lodge in the baby's throat and cause choking or asphyxiation. It could also occur with small toys or parts of toys intended for older children. Watch the baby carefully to make sure these objects are not within reach. In the event of accidental choking, apply first aid measures to clear the child's airway. Also call the rescue squad. (If you don't know first aid, contact your local American Red Cross office or an approved community agency for instruction.)
• A "super sitter" will look for hazards before they surface. Loose, baggy clothing can be dangerous if it gets caught on furniture, cribs, playpens, etc., as children climb, play or scamper about the room. Clothing can also be a problem if it becomes tightly wound around the baby. Be on the alert for hazards such as these, and adjust the clothing so that it cannot become tangled.
• To prevent accidental injuries, keep doors and windows locked at all times. Remember that children, though under your supervision, can at times just "seem to disappear" from your watchful eye.
• Never open the door to strangers. If there is a question about someone at the door, call the parents to check with them.
• In case of accident or illness, don't try to be doctor or nurse except for minor cuts and bruises. Call the parents for instructions. If they cannot be reached, call your own parents or go to a neighbor for help. The sick or hurt child may require a doctor or emergency care.
WHERE THE CHILD IS ...
With several children -- particularly toddlers (2 and 3 year olds) -- you won't be doing much sitting." You'll be playing with them and supervising their play activities. Where They Play ... Just a reminder that whether you're actually playing with the children or supervising them, keep them within safe play areas, preferably within your sight. Keep them away from potential danger areas in the home such as the kitchen, bathroom, workshop and storage areas. They move fast, so you will have to be able to move even faster!
The Playpen
You should be aware of hazards to a child left alone in a playpen. A string of toys across the top or even to one side of the playpen could be a strangulation risk. Dropside mesh playpens and portable mesh cribs, used with a side left down, can pose a serious hazard to newborns and infants. When the side is down, the mesh forms a loose pocket into which an infant can fall or roll and suffocate. Dropsides should ALWAYS be up and locked securely in position when a child is in the playpen or crib. Don't put any toys in the playpen that a child can climb on to get out. And little fingers can get caught in hinges.
Baby Walkers ... the baby hot rod!
Baby walkers seem fun to scoot around in, but they also can scoot down a flight of stairs, into a hot stove, against a table edge or into a glass door. They offer limited balance to a child not yet completely able to stand or walk. If unstable, walkers can easily tip over. Stay with the child when he or she is in the walker, and assist it over thresholds or carpeting.
High Chairs
A child in a high chair requires almost constant attention. Babies can slip out of a high chair in an instant if not properly strapped in. An unstable high chair can tip over ... with the baby in it! Make sure that any safety belts or straps on the high chair are securely fastened and that the tray is properly secured. Don't let the child stand up while in the chair, and keep other children from climbing on it. Keep the chair away from "traffic lanes," doorways, refrigerator and stove, and far enough away from tables and walls so that the child can't push the chair over.
The Crib
If baby is to sleep safely, make sure that the crib is as safe as you can make it. If there is too much room (more than two fingers width) between the mattress and the side of the crib, an infant's head could get caught in between and the infant could suffocate. Roll up a couple of large bath towels and place them in the space. If the slats are more than 2-3/8 inches apart, the baby's body can slide between the slats and the baby can suffocate.
If the child is old enough to stand up, the parents should set the mattress at its lowest position, with the side rail at its highest position. Check the mattress support frequently to make sure it hasn't become unhooked from the end panels. Any toys you leave in the crib should never be ones that could be used to help in climbing out. Also, do not use crib toys that may have strings or elastic attached to them -- these can strangle or choke! Cribs with decorative knobs on the cornerposts can be a strangulation hazard. Children's clothing and strings or necklaces can catch on the protrusions, especially if the child is trying to climb out. Crib gyms should be removed from the crib when the baby is five months old or can push up on hands and knees, otherwise the baby can get his/her chin across the crib gym or catch clothing on it and strangle.
TOYS THEY PLAY WITH ...
Teach children to play safely by showing them how to use their toys in a safe manner and by teaching them to put their toys away after play.
Be particularly aware of safe and unsafe toys. These are some toy dangers you should be aware of:
1. SMALL PARTS.
Tiny toys and toys with small removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child's throat, windpipe, ears or nose. The seams of poorly constructed stuffed dolls or animals can break open and release small pellets that can be swallowed or inhaled.
2. SHARP EDGES.
Toys of brittle plastic or glass can be broken easily, leaving dangerous, sharp, cutting edges. Metal and plastic toys sometimes have sharp edges due to poor construction.
3. SHARP POINTS.
Broken toys can expose dangerous prongs and knifelike sharp points. Pins and staples on dolls' clothes, hair and accessories can easily puncture an unsuspecting child.
4. LOUD NOISES.
Toy caps and some noise-making guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. Do not allow children to fire cap guns closer than one foot to the ear; also, do not use indoors.
5. PROPELLED OBJECTS.
Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Teach children that these toys should never be aimed at people or pets.
6. ELECTRIC TOYS.
Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or used can shock or burn. Electric toys with heating elements are only recommended for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys cautiously and under adult supervision.
7. WRONG TOY FOR THE WRONG AGE.
Toys that may be safe for older children -- like a chemistry or hobby set or games with small pieces -- can be extremely dangerous in the hands of little ones.
8. CORDS AND STRINGS.
Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops or ribbons in cribs or playpens. Pacifiers should never be attached to strings or ribbons around a baby's neck.
SUPER SITTER'S SURPRISE BOX
To overcome any outbursts from the children when the parents are leaving, you may want to have your own Super Sitter's Surprise Box. This can be anything in the way of toys or treasures for them to play with, to stimulate curiosity and to take away fear of being left "forever."
The box can be of your own design. It can be as complicated and complex as an overnight case filled with colorful, new, exciting and safe toys you buy (or borrow from a younger sister or brother). It can be as simple as a shoe box filled with toys you have made. It will help ease those first difficult moments and many more besides.
Here's how you can make your Super Sitter's Surprise Box:
A variety of colors of "sticky-back" tape and a medium sized box with a lid or an old overnight case are all you need. Cut the tape into strips, squares, triangles and circles and tape them on to the box or case. Besides being attractive and eye-catching, the shapes can be educational. Fill the Surprise Box with any of the "surprises" below:
• rubber animals
• plastic or wooden animals with smooth edges
• soft plastic or cloth covered books
• plastic or wooden toy cars or trucks with no small detachable parts
• large rubber ball
• playing cards
• set of measuring cups
• different colored bandage strips to use as "puppets" on your fingers, or on the baby's fingers.
Try to put a surprise or two -- a book, coloring book, game, puzzle or some item of amusement into your box for an older brother or sister.
When making your Surprise Box, remember to use only safe toys! Check to see that they don't have any of the toy dangers. Make your Super Sitter's Surprise Box a safe surprise!
PLAYING OUTDOORS
Some of your daytime sitting may include playing outdoors with the children. Outdoor play equipment -- swings, seesaws and slides -- can be fun, but can be dangerous too. Play safety can be taught to even the youngest toddlers.
Children often do the unexpected on playground equipment. They are naturally and normally curious and adventuresome. Standing in a swing is "bigger and better" than sitting in one. Climbing to the top, sitting or swinging on it shows great daring. Little ones are unaware of risk ... often jumping off or in front of swings, seesaws or gliders. They may walk in front or in back of a moving swing. In an atmosphere of "the more the merrier," they may overload any one piece of equipment and tip the entire structure. Hanging "rings" are particularly dangerous to small children whose heads may be small enough to go through the ring, turning it into a hanging "noose."
All children should be supervised when playing on this kind of equipment. They should be told to sit in the center of a swing. Explain the following hazards: walking in front or in back of a swing; pushing other children off of the swing; swinging empty seats; twisting the swing chains; and, climbing up the front of the slide. Roughhousing, overloading equipment and misuse can be curbed from the start if you're there supervising their play.
Older children can be taught certain safety rules and why they are important. Asking them to assist you in supervising the younger ones will help them to understand these rules better. Dangerous roughhousing, stunts, overloading, abuse and misuse of equipment and showing off are unacceptable.
POOL SAFETY
Daytime sitting can also include time in or around a swimming pool, wading pool or spa. Children are naturally attracted to water, therefore, a "super sitter" must take precautions at all times to prevent accidents from happening. Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death nationwide to children under five years of age. In addition, some 3,000 youngsters in the same age group are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms as a result of near-drownings; some of these children are hospitalized for life as a result of near-drowning.
Drowning is a silent killer. When a child drowns, a baby sitter won't hear a cry or even a splash. Drownings can happen very quickly.
How do children drown? How can you prevent a tragedy from happening?
• Seconds count. In seconds, a child can leave the house and walk to the edge of the pool. In seconds, a child can drown in only a few inches of water. A child can drown in the few seconds taken to answer a telephone in the house.
• Eyes on the child at all times is your best bet. There is no substitute for constant supervision of the child.
• Children should be supervised and accompanied at all times, even though the parents previously instructed the children not to go near the water.
• Make sure gates leading to the pool are closed and locked. Lock all doors leading from the house to the pool area. Locks should always be out of reach of children.
• Don't consider a child to be water-safe even if the youngster has had swimming lessons or water-familiarity class.
• Don't assume a pool to be safe, even one with a pool cover or a fence.
• Don't allow children to play on the apron surrounding the pool.
• If the pool is above-ground, remove the ladder to prevent access by anyone.
• Learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on infants and young children. Contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross about registering for classes.
• If for any reason you discover the child to be missing, check the pool, wading pool, spa or hot tub first.
• Know the telephone numbers to call for emergency medical service. In some locations you dial 911, in others a seven-digit number. As a "super sitter" you can teach the children that safe play can still be fun play!
POISON: FOOD FOR THOUGHT ONLY!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT...
Not everything that goes into a child's mouth falls into the category of food. Too often, what ends up in mouths and stomachs may be deadly! Growing children are curious about things that glitter and shine, pretty colored pills, bottles and containers of all kinds, and what's in them. Children under the age of five are in stages of growth where they are constantly exploring and investigating. This is how they learn. Unfortunately, what children see and reach for, they put into their mouths and swallow.
Every year thousands of youngsters across the country receive emergency hospital or doctor's care because of accidental poisoning. These are chiefly children under five who have ingested some common household item which suddenly becomes poison in the wrong hands (and mouths). These include medicines, cleaning products and preparations, insect sprays, lighter fluid and kerosene, turpentine and paints.
You can help prevent accidental poisonings, while baby sitting and in your own home too. Here are some things you should remember:
All household products and medicines should be stored out of sight and reach of young children -- preferably locked up! (If you are sitting where household cleaning agents are stored under the sink and you are in charge of a "crawler" -- or the medicine cabinet is accessible to a "climber" -- you can put protective tape across the front of the cabinet as an extra precaution.)
As a baby sitter you should not be expected to give any medication. But in certain circumstances, you may be asked to give a medication during the time the parents are away. If it is absolutely necessary that you do this, have the parents leave explicit, written instructions for you.
SOME GENERAL POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MEDICATIONS ARE:
1. Read the label on the container carefully as well as the instructions from the parents.
2. Never leave the child alone with the medication. If the phone rings take the medication with you.
3. Return the medication to its safe storage place with the safety closure on securely.
4. Do not call the medication candy.
5. Do not give the medication in the dark.
6. Do not take any medication yourself in the presence of the child.
7. Be careful of what you might be bringing into the house.
Children are normally curious and can get into a pocketbook, briefcase or overnight case of a guest which could contain medications. An otherwise "poison-proof" household can become the scene of an accidental poisoning incident.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO DO...
IF THERE IS A POISONING ACCIDENT:
1. DON'T WAIT to see what effect it may have. If you think the child has swallowed medicine or a household product, call a Poison Control Center, doctor, or hospital IMMEDIATELY! (These should be emergency numbers on your list.) Describe what was taken and how much, giving as much information as you can. Describe the condition of the child -- vomiting, drowsiness, change of color, coldness of skin. In the event no medical instructions are available, check the label on the container for emergency procedures and directions, if any. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL OR THE LABEL GIVES SUCH INSTRUCTIONS. IF INSTRUCTED TO INDUCE VOMITTING, GIVE SYRUP OF IPECAC. (NOTE: PARENTS SHOULD KEEP ON HAND A ONE-OUNCE BOTTLE OF SYRUP OF IPECAC FOR EACH CHILD IN THE HOME).
2. Call in a neighbor who can help you take care of this emergency; get the child medical aid, or help take care of other children in the family. At this point, don't try to take on all of the care and responsibility yourself.
3. Call the parents. Explain what has happened, what has already been done and what is yet to be done. If the child is to be taken to a hospital or doctor's office, it may be more expedient to get the child there and have the parents go there immediately rather than come home first. Speed, of course, is important. But equally important is the way you handle the situation. Try to keep control. A frightened and sick child will become more frightened if you are excited or show panic. Accidental poisoning is a frightening experience, but if you know preventive measures, you will be able to handle the situation when it happens. (Tell the parents about child resistant safety packaging which can help prevent these kinds of accidents.)
Time to Leave
Before you realize it, the parents have arrived to find you and their children safe and sound, and to see you home safely. During your first sitting experience, you may have been nervous, but with each new one, you will gain confidence, especially if you remember the Super Sitter Tips we have discussed. Here is a summary of those tips which you should keep foremost in your mind until you are confident that you know them:
• Know what to do in emergencies by being prepared for one, knowing what could happen and how to react to it. Take first aid instructions.
• Always know where the emergency exits are located.
• Keep doors and windows locked for the safety of both yourself and the children.
• Know where the "danger" items are -- medicines, bleaches, household cleaners and electrical appliances. Keep them out of children's reach if the parents have not locked them away in a secure place.
• In case of accident or illness, don't try to be a doctor or nurse except for minor cuts and bruises.
• Keep your emergency telephone list handy -- use these numbers when you need them.
• Depend on the parents or a neighbor in any emergency situation that you are not sure how to handle yourself.
• Prevent play accidents by keeping the youngsters safe -- supervise where they play, what they play with and teach them safe play. Keep these safety tips in mind ... they will make your baby sitting experience both safe and fun for you and the children. They will make you a SUPER SAFE SITTER.
Super Sitter's Very Important Phone Numbers
Post these names and phone numbers by the telephone. Then you'll have them when and if you need them.
Where parents will be:___________________________________________
Nearby friend____________________________________________________
or relative______________________________________________________
or neighbor______________________________________________________
Children's doctor________________________________________________
Fire Department__________________________________________________
Police Department________________________________________________
Poison Control Center____________________________________________
Hospital_________________________________________________________
for more information about Child Identification, visit www.identakid.com
In addition to Child Identification, we here at Ident-A-Kid are concerned about your child’s safety. There are certain things that you as parents should expect from the sitter and the sitter should expect from you. That's why the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has prepared this Super Sitter Guide. It is to help you become more aware of some of these guidelines, particularly:
• the need for constant observation and alertness to the child's environment
• selecting toys for children that are not dangerous
• the importance of children playing with toys in the proper manner
• the need for keeping children's products in good condition so they don't become dangerous for them to use
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE SITTER
There are certain do's and don'ts. In addition to "sitting" with the children, these are a few of the things you should know and remember as a Safe Sitter.
• Before the parents leave, get the names and phone numbers suggested in the Super Sitter's Very Important Phone Numbers List.
• Have the parents show you through the house or apartment and point out where the items you will need are located, such as the children's clothing or playthings.
• Always know where the emergency exits are located. In case of fire don't stop to try to put it out by yourself! Get the children out of the house without stopping to phone. Take them to a neighbor. Call the fire department, and then call the parents to let them know where you and the children are.
• Keep the youngsters safe by preventing accidents. Know where the potential hazards are, such as electrical outlets, appliances, and exposed heating elements. Also ask the parents if all medicine, bleaches and household cleaners are securely locked up.
• Stairs can be dangerous for youngsters. Keep a curious toddler from playing on or around them. Running or horseplay on them can lead to falls, particularly if the youngsters are wearing socks or other "slippery" footwear. Remember, too, that stairs are not meant to be a storage area. Anything placed on the stairs can become an obstacle to fall over.
• If there is a gate across the stairway, make sure it is kept latched. Babies in carriages, walkers or strollers should never be left unattended, especially in an area around stairs or ramps -- whether indoors or out. A malfunction of the carriage's safety brake or a sudden movement by the child could put it right over the edge. If a gate is not provided, place a barrier of some kind in front of the stairway that a child cannot climb over. Accordion-style gates with large V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings should not be used since they can entrap a child's head, causing strangulation. A gate with a straight top or small V's and diamond-shaped openings is safer. Make sure pressure gates are firmly in place and can't be dislodged by the child.
• Caution the child about the dangers of glass doors or windows. A child running or riding on a trike or bike could easily go through the glass. Be sure you keep toys, scatter rugs and other articles that could cause someone to slip or trip away from these areas. If you are caring for a particularly active child, place a large chair or other piece of furniture in front of the glass area for safety's sake. You also can suggest to the parents that large, colorful decals at eye level for both children and adults can make glass doors safer.
• Unless specifically instructed by the parents, do not bathe the baby. A clean facecloth in lukewarm water will suffice in most cases for cleaning the skin. Bathing a baby calls for utmost care and supervision; aside from the risk of hot water scalds, there is always the danger of drowning. While you may want to be of help to the parents, bathing the infant is not recommended.
• If you are changing the baby's diapers, plan on having everything within immediate reach so you won't have to step away from the infant even for a second. If you are not constantly watching them, babies can roll over and fall from changing tables or other high places. Have diapers, pins, etc., next to you so the baby is under constant supervision.
• Infants may choke on small items which they put in their mouths. Small pieces of food, coins, pins and other non-toy items could lodge in the baby's throat and cause choking or asphyxiation. It could also occur with small toys or parts of toys intended for older children. Watch the baby carefully to make sure these objects are not within reach. In the event of accidental choking, apply first aid measures to clear the child's airway. Also call the rescue squad. (If you don't know first aid, contact your local American Red Cross office or an approved community agency for instruction.)
• A "super sitter" will look for hazards before they surface. Loose, baggy clothing can be dangerous if it gets caught on furniture, cribs, playpens, etc., as children climb, play or scamper about the room. Clothing can also be a problem if it becomes tightly wound around the baby. Be on the alert for hazards such as these, and adjust the clothing so that it cannot become tangled.
• To prevent accidental injuries, keep doors and windows locked at all times. Remember that children, though under your supervision, can at times just "seem to disappear" from your watchful eye.
• Never open the door to strangers. If there is a question about someone at the door, call the parents to check with them.
• In case of accident or illness, don't try to be doctor or nurse except for minor cuts and bruises. Call the parents for instructions. If they cannot be reached, call your own parents or go to a neighbor for help. The sick or hurt child may require a doctor or emergency care.
WHERE THE CHILD IS ...
With several children -- particularly toddlers (2 and 3 year olds) -- you won't be doing much sitting." You'll be playing with them and supervising their play activities. Where They Play ... Just a reminder that whether you're actually playing with the children or supervising them, keep them within safe play areas, preferably within your sight. Keep them away from potential danger areas in the home such as the kitchen, bathroom, workshop and storage areas. They move fast, so you will have to be able to move even faster!
The Playpen
You should be aware of hazards to a child left alone in a playpen. A string of toys across the top or even to one side of the playpen could be a strangulation risk. Dropside mesh playpens and portable mesh cribs, used with a side left down, can pose a serious hazard to newborns and infants. When the side is down, the mesh forms a loose pocket into which an infant can fall or roll and suffocate. Dropsides should ALWAYS be up and locked securely in position when a child is in the playpen or crib. Don't put any toys in the playpen that a child can climb on to get out. And little fingers can get caught in hinges.
Baby Walkers ... the baby hot rod!
Baby walkers seem fun to scoot around in, but they also can scoot down a flight of stairs, into a hot stove, against a table edge or into a glass door. They offer limited balance to a child not yet completely able to stand or walk. If unstable, walkers can easily tip over. Stay with the child when he or she is in the walker, and assist it over thresholds or carpeting.
High Chairs
A child in a high chair requires almost constant attention. Babies can slip out of a high chair in an instant if not properly strapped in. An unstable high chair can tip over ... with the baby in it! Make sure that any safety belts or straps on the high chair are securely fastened and that the tray is properly secured. Don't let the child stand up while in the chair, and keep other children from climbing on it. Keep the chair away from "traffic lanes," doorways, refrigerator and stove, and far enough away from tables and walls so that the child can't push the chair over.
The Crib
If baby is to sleep safely, make sure that the crib is as safe as you can make it. If there is too much room (more than two fingers width) between the mattress and the side of the crib, an infant's head could get caught in between and the infant could suffocate. Roll up a couple of large bath towels and place them in the space. If the slats are more than 2-3/8 inches apart, the baby's body can slide between the slats and the baby can suffocate.
If the child is old enough to stand up, the parents should set the mattress at its lowest position, with the side rail at its highest position. Check the mattress support frequently to make sure it hasn't become unhooked from the end panels. Any toys you leave in the crib should never be ones that could be used to help in climbing out. Also, do not use crib toys that may have strings or elastic attached to them -- these can strangle or choke! Cribs with decorative knobs on the cornerposts can be a strangulation hazard. Children's clothing and strings or necklaces can catch on the protrusions, especially if the child is trying to climb out. Crib gyms should be removed from the crib when the baby is five months old or can push up on hands and knees, otherwise the baby can get his/her chin across the crib gym or catch clothing on it and strangle.
TOYS THEY PLAY WITH ...
Teach children to play safely by showing them how to use their toys in a safe manner and by teaching them to put their toys away after play.
Be particularly aware of safe and unsafe toys. These are some toy dangers you should be aware of:
1. SMALL PARTS.
Tiny toys and toys with small removable parts can be swallowed or become lodged in a child's throat, windpipe, ears or nose. The seams of poorly constructed stuffed dolls or animals can break open and release small pellets that can be swallowed or inhaled.
2. SHARP EDGES.
Toys of brittle plastic or glass can be broken easily, leaving dangerous, sharp, cutting edges. Metal and plastic toys sometimes have sharp edges due to poor construction.
3. SHARP POINTS.
Broken toys can expose dangerous prongs and knifelike sharp points. Pins and staples on dolls' clothes, hair and accessories can easily puncture an unsuspecting child.
4. LOUD NOISES.
Toy caps and some noise-making guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. Do not allow children to fire cap guns closer than one foot to the ear; also, do not use indoors.
5. PROPELLED OBJECTS.
Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Teach children that these toys should never be aimed at people or pets.
6. ELECTRIC TOYS.
Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or used can shock or burn. Electric toys with heating elements are only recommended for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys cautiously and under adult supervision.
7. WRONG TOY FOR THE WRONG AGE.
Toys that may be safe for older children -- like a chemistry or hobby set or games with small pieces -- can be extremely dangerous in the hands of little ones.
8. CORDS AND STRINGS.
Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops or ribbons in cribs or playpens. Pacifiers should never be attached to strings or ribbons around a baby's neck.
SUPER SITTER'S SURPRISE BOX
To overcome any outbursts from the children when the parents are leaving, you may want to have your own Super Sitter's Surprise Box. This can be anything in the way of toys or treasures for them to play with, to stimulate curiosity and to take away fear of being left "forever."
The box can be of your own design. It can be as complicated and complex as an overnight case filled with colorful, new, exciting and safe toys you buy (or borrow from a younger sister or brother). It can be as simple as a shoe box filled with toys you have made. It will help ease those first difficult moments and many more besides.
Here's how you can make your Super Sitter's Surprise Box:
A variety of colors of "sticky-back" tape and a medium sized box with a lid or an old overnight case are all you need. Cut the tape into strips, squares, triangles and circles and tape them on to the box or case. Besides being attractive and eye-catching, the shapes can be educational. Fill the Surprise Box with any of the "surprises" below:
• rubber animals
• plastic or wooden animals with smooth edges
• soft plastic or cloth covered books
• plastic or wooden toy cars or trucks with no small detachable parts
• large rubber ball
• playing cards
• set of measuring cups
• different colored bandage strips to use as "puppets" on your fingers, or on the baby's fingers.
Try to put a surprise or two -- a book, coloring book, game, puzzle or some item of amusement into your box for an older brother or sister.
When making your Surprise Box, remember to use only safe toys! Check to see that they don't have any of the toy dangers. Make your Super Sitter's Surprise Box a safe surprise!
PLAYING OUTDOORS
Some of your daytime sitting may include playing outdoors with the children. Outdoor play equipment -- swings, seesaws and slides -- can be fun, but can be dangerous too. Play safety can be taught to even the youngest toddlers.
Children often do the unexpected on playground equipment. They are naturally and normally curious and adventuresome. Standing in a swing is "bigger and better" than sitting in one. Climbing to the top, sitting or swinging on it shows great daring. Little ones are unaware of risk ... often jumping off or in front of swings, seesaws or gliders. They may walk in front or in back of a moving swing. In an atmosphere of "the more the merrier," they may overload any one piece of equipment and tip the entire structure. Hanging "rings" are particularly dangerous to small children whose heads may be small enough to go through the ring, turning it into a hanging "noose."
All children should be supervised when playing on this kind of equipment. They should be told to sit in the center of a swing. Explain the following hazards: walking in front or in back of a swing; pushing other children off of the swing; swinging empty seats; twisting the swing chains; and, climbing up the front of the slide. Roughhousing, overloading equipment and misuse can be curbed from the start if you're there supervising their play.
Older children can be taught certain safety rules and why they are important. Asking them to assist you in supervising the younger ones will help them to understand these rules better. Dangerous roughhousing, stunts, overloading, abuse and misuse of equipment and showing off are unacceptable.
POOL SAFETY
Daytime sitting can also include time in or around a swimming pool, wading pool or spa. Children are naturally attracted to water, therefore, a "super sitter" must take precautions at all times to prevent accidents from happening. Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death nationwide to children under five years of age. In addition, some 3,000 youngsters in the same age group are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms as a result of near-drownings; some of these children are hospitalized for life as a result of near-drowning.
Drowning is a silent killer. When a child drowns, a baby sitter won't hear a cry or even a splash. Drownings can happen very quickly.
How do children drown? How can you prevent a tragedy from happening?
• Seconds count. In seconds, a child can leave the house and walk to the edge of the pool. In seconds, a child can drown in only a few inches of water. A child can drown in the few seconds taken to answer a telephone in the house.
• Eyes on the child at all times is your best bet. There is no substitute for constant supervision of the child.
• Children should be supervised and accompanied at all times, even though the parents previously instructed the children not to go near the water.
• Make sure gates leading to the pool are closed and locked. Lock all doors leading from the house to the pool area. Locks should always be out of reach of children.
• Don't consider a child to be water-safe even if the youngster has had swimming lessons or water-familiarity class.
• Don't assume a pool to be safe, even one with a pool cover or a fence.
• Don't allow children to play on the apron surrounding the pool.
• If the pool is above-ground, remove the ladder to prevent access by anyone.
• Learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on infants and young children. Contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross about registering for classes.
• If for any reason you discover the child to be missing, check the pool, wading pool, spa or hot tub first.
• Know the telephone numbers to call for emergency medical service. In some locations you dial 911, in others a seven-digit number. As a "super sitter" you can teach the children that safe play can still be fun play!
POISON: FOOD FOR THOUGHT ONLY!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT...
Not everything that goes into a child's mouth falls into the category of food. Too often, what ends up in mouths and stomachs may be deadly! Growing children are curious about things that glitter and shine, pretty colored pills, bottles and containers of all kinds, and what's in them. Children under the age of five are in stages of growth where they are constantly exploring and investigating. This is how they learn. Unfortunately, what children see and reach for, they put into their mouths and swallow.
Every year thousands of youngsters across the country receive emergency hospital or doctor's care because of accidental poisoning. These are chiefly children under five who have ingested some common household item which suddenly becomes poison in the wrong hands (and mouths). These include medicines, cleaning products and preparations, insect sprays, lighter fluid and kerosene, turpentine and paints.
You can help prevent accidental poisonings, while baby sitting and in your own home too. Here are some things you should remember:
All household products and medicines should be stored out of sight and reach of young children -- preferably locked up! (If you are sitting where household cleaning agents are stored under the sink and you are in charge of a "crawler" -- or the medicine cabinet is accessible to a "climber" -- you can put protective tape across the front of the cabinet as an extra precaution.)
As a baby sitter you should not be expected to give any medication. But in certain circumstances, you may be asked to give a medication during the time the parents are away. If it is absolutely necessary that you do this, have the parents leave explicit, written instructions for you.
SOME GENERAL POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT MEDICATIONS ARE:
1. Read the label on the container carefully as well as the instructions from the parents.
2. Never leave the child alone with the medication. If the phone rings take the medication with you.
3. Return the medication to its safe storage place with the safety closure on securely.
4. Do not call the medication candy.
5. Do not give the medication in the dark.
6. Do not take any medication yourself in the presence of the child.
7. Be careful of what you might be bringing into the house.
Children are normally curious and can get into a pocketbook, briefcase or overnight case of a guest which could contain medications. An otherwise "poison-proof" household can become the scene of an accidental poisoning incident.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO DO...
IF THERE IS A POISONING ACCIDENT:
1. DON'T WAIT to see what effect it may have. If you think the child has swallowed medicine or a household product, call a Poison Control Center, doctor, or hospital IMMEDIATELY! (These should be emergency numbers on your list.) Describe what was taken and how much, giving as much information as you can. Describe the condition of the child -- vomiting, drowsiness, change of color, coldness of skin. In the event no medical instructions are available, check the label on the container for emergency procedures and directions, if any. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL OR THE LABEL GIVES SUCH INSTRUCTIONS. IF INSTRUCTED TO INDUCE VOMITTING, GIVE SYRUP OF IPECAC. (NOTE: PARENTS SHOULD KEEP ON HAND A ONE-OUNCE BOTTLE OF SYRUP OF IPECAC FOR EACH CHILD IN THE HOME).
2. Call in a neighbor who can help you take care of this emergency; get the child medical aid, or help take care of other children in the family. At this point, don't try to take on all of the care and responsibility yourself.
3. Call the parents. Explain what has happened, what has already been done and what is yet to be done. If the child is to be taken to a hospital or doctor's office, it may be more expedient to get the child there and have the parents go there immediately rather than come home first. Speed, of course, is important. But equally important is the way you handle the situation. Try to keep control. A frightened and sick child will become more frightened if you are excited or show panic. Accidental poisoning is a frightening experience, but if you know preventive measures, you will be able to handle the situation when it happens. (Tell the parents about child resistant safety packaging which can help prevent these kinds of accidents.)
Time to Leave
Before you realize it, the parents have arrived to find you and their children safe and sound, and to see you home safely. During your first sitting experience, you may have been nervous, but with each new one, you will gain confidence, especially if you remember the Super Sitter Tips we have discussed. Here is a summary of those tips which you should keep foremost in your mind until you are confident that you know them:
• Know what to do in emergencies by being prepared for one, knowing what could happen and how to react to it. Take first aid instructions.
• Always know where the emergency exits are located.
• Keep doors and windows locked for the safety of both yourself and the children.
• Know where the "danger" items are -- medicines, bleaches, household cleaners and electrical appliances. Keep them out of children's reach if the parents have not locked them away in a secure place.
• In case of accident or illness, don't try to be a doctor or nurse except for minor cuts and bruises.
• Keep your emergency telephone list handy -- use these numbers when you need them.
• Depend on the parents or a neighbor in any emergency situation that you are not sure how to handle yourself.
• Prevent play accidents by keeping the youngsters safe -- supervise where they play, what they play with and teach them safe play. Keep these safety tips in mind ... they will make your baby sitting experience both safe and fun for you and the children. They will make you a SUPER SAFE SITTER.
Super Sitter's Very Important Phone Numbers
Post these names and phone numbers by the telephone. Then you'll have them when and if you need them.
Where parents will be:___________________________________________
Nearby friend____________________________________________________
or relative______________________________________________________
or neighbor______________________________________________________
Children's doctor________________________________________________
Fire Department__________________________________________________
Police Department________________________________________________
Poison Control Center____________________________________________
Hospital_________________________________________________________
for more information about Child Identification, visit www.identakid.com
Friday, July 30, 2010
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
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
Monday, July 19, 2010
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
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
Monday, July 12, 2010
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?
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
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)