Posts Tagged ‘safety’

In this world, where my 3 year old can use a mouse on my computer, as well as, if not better than me online safety is another part of ’street proffing’ your kids.  

While we are not that stage of chat rooms, messenger or Facebook, we will soon be, It’s never to early to talk about online safety with your kids.

The Street Smart Kidz program is a great site for general safety and they have a wonderful ‘contract’ for parents to discuss with children and for the child to sign.

 With rules like, I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable and many more, it is worth the visit. 

As we head to the malls and online, ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, shares 4 safety strategies with York Region Parent to make sure your holiday gifts are free of lead and other dangers: 

1. Know what toys to avoid. Steer clear of no-name toys and, regardless of your child’s age, don’t buy toys with small magnets, even if the magnets seem safely contained within the toy. Don’t buy metal jewelry, especially the cheap stuff, for young children or allow them to play with key chains or items with metal charms. If you have an infant or toddler who still puts almost everything in her mouth, don’t buy squeezable soft plastic toys or books. Unless it says “no phthalates” on the package, there’s no way of knowing if they contain the chemical or not.
2. Buy according to a kid’s age. Look for manufacturer’s recommended age ranges on toy packaging. Age grading is more than a friendly hint. It can alert you to a possible choking hazard, the presence of small parts, and other dangers. And think twice before buying a toy with small parts for a child older than 3 who has a younger sibling. Keep all small round or oval objects, including coins, balls, and marbles, away from kids under 3.
3. Check for recalls. Before shopping, go to www.cpsc.gov, a government Web site(US),  and Healthy Canadians, http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/index_e.html to see whether the toys you plan to buy (and the toys already in your home) have been recalled. Also, sign up for free e-mail notices of recalls at www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. And if a product you buy comes with a registration card, fill it out and send it in so you will be notified directly by the manufacturer if the item is recalled. It’s up to retailers to take recalled toys off store shelves but, once a recalled toy is in your home, it’s up to you to keep it away from your family or return it ASAP.
4. Watch where you shop. Be leery of drugstores, airports, and dollar stores. They’ve been known to carry flimsy plastic toys with dangerous sharp edges or small parts that can break off easily. Thrift stores, consignment shops, yard and garage sales, and eBay often have toys in excellent condition, but check to see that they’re well made and have no small magnets or parts. Wash the toys before giving them.

OTTAWA, October 8, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, distribute, or sell the Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins described below. This product is being recalled due to positive test results for melamine conducted by the CFIA.

The affected product, Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, is sold in 840gcontainers containing 240 pieces per container bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.

This product is sold nationally through Costco stores and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada.

If the original product identity and UPC code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

Retailers and distributors are advised to stop distributing Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins and to initiate a voluntary recall of this product. The CFIA will be working with the importers to remove the affected product from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into milk and milk-derived products sourced in/from China that may have been distributed in Canada.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Melamine is a chemical compound used in a number of commercial and industrial applications.  Canada does not allow its use as a food ingredient.

For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

This just arrived in our inbox from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  While the statistics are American, read through it for some safety tips about water in your home.

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CPSC Reminds Parents of Drowning Dangers Inside the Home Nearly 100 reported deaths of children in buckets

WASHINGTON, DC - Water anywhere can be a potential drowning hazard. While pools are an obvious risk, parents should not let their guard down around other hazards such as bathtubs and buckets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents that children need to be supervised around these common but sometimes hidden drowning dangers.

After pools, more children drown in bathtubs than in any other product in and around the home. From 2002 through 2004, CPSC has reports (pdf) of 221 children younger than 5 who drowned in bathing-related incidents. Most of these children were younger than 2 years old. Often these incidents involve caregivers leaving the room momentarily to answer the phone/door or to retrieve an item like a towel. In other incidents, an older sibling was left to watch a younger sibling.

Reported drowning incidents received by CPSC confirms another drowning hazard – buckets. CPSC has reports of 94 bucket-related drowning or submersion fatalities from 1999 through 2006. All but one of these deaths were to children less than 2 years old.

“A child can drown very quickly in only inches of water,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Bathtubs, buckets, and other containers in and around the home pose drowning hazards all year long.”

CPSC recommends parents and caregivers follow these safety tips when children are around bathtubs, buckets, spas, or decorative ponds or fountains:

• Never leave young children alone even for a moment near any water. Young children can drown in even small amounts of water. 
• Always keep a young child within arm’s reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you. Never leave to answer the phone, answer the door, get a towel or for any other reason. 
• Don’t leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child. 
• Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers can fall headfirst into buckets and drown. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Don’t leave buckets outside where they can collect rainwater. 
• Prevent children from gaining access to spas or hot tubs when not in use; always secure with safety covers and barriers. 
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when there are only seconds to act.

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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Last week myself and my 10 month old were in a car accident.  While accident was minor and we are both ok, I thought I would post a refresher on car seat safety and organizing your car!

Ensure that your child is in the right seat for your child’s age.  While my 10 month old is well over the weight to be forward facing, she is not yet one, so was still rear facing. Don’t be tempted to change your child to early.  Follow your car seat instructions and check out the following websites for more information.

York Region’s Information on Car Seats

York Region Car Seat Clinics - You can find local car seat clinics to make sure your car seats are installed properly.  They are located all throughout York Region.

Check out Transport Canada’s website for more information on stages for car seats, booster seats and more.

As well, while it might be tempting to buy a second hand car seat, experts agree this is not a good idea.  The car seat could have been in a crash and therefore no longer safe.  Even though our car accident was minor our insurance company told us to purchase 2 new car seats for our little ones.  We cut the straps and wrote in permanent silver marker that the seats were unsafe and not to be used.

Our accident happened while running an errand and I wasn’t prepared.  I would suggest that you have a small bag with diapers, snacks, wipes, an extra change of clothes, toys and a blanket.  

Be safe!