The holiday season is coming to an end and it’s time to create your 2010 New Year’s Resolutions. Before you get overwhelmed with planning tonight’s celebration, sending your kids back to school, and putting away all the holiday decorations; take a moment and think about this: What are you going to do in the New Year to make your home a safer place for all?
Along with resolving to spend less, eat better, and exercise more; add safety to the list this year. Start with one of these five simple resolutions today. Ok, maybe tomorrow after going to the gym!
1. Be prepared for an emergency. Have a first aid kit and know where it is! Have you taken a CPR class in the past year? Look no further… Click here to schedule your private, in-home Safe Baby CPR class today; or visit the Red Cross to find a class in your area.
2. Beware of recalled products. Keep up-to-date on the ever-changing list of product recalls. You can sign up here to receive product recalls. To view a list of all recalled products for 2009, visit http://www.recalls.gov/.
3. Check your safety devices. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside every sleeping area. Learn about the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to prevent it. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors should be located on each level and outside sleeping areas. While you’re at it, make sure your flashlights work too.
4. Program emergency numbers into your phones. Have the numbers for fire and emergency medical services, doctors, family members and a neighbor. Don’t forget to add the Poison Control Center number: 1-800-222-1222.
5. Childproof your home. Start with exploring every room at your child’s eye level. Try getting down on your hands and knees and crawling around. You may be surprised by what you see! If your overwhelmed by the thought of babyproofing, visit the Safe Start Baby webstore where you will find hundreds of quality safety products to solve almost any childproofing challenge. Not sure where to start or need help with installation? Email the Babyproofer, or find a Safe Start Baby Consultant near you.
For safety questions and other resolution ideas, ask the Babyproofer today! We would love to hear from you.
Wishing a Safe and Happy New Year to all!
Your friends at Safe Start Baby
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Company GoodGuide Says Ooops- Mr. Squiggles Passes Fed Standards!
Have you been scrambling wondering what gift could ever replace your “good as gold” Mr. Squiggles? Never fear, the holiday favorite is back on shelves. Safety Watchdog group GoodGuide has issued an official press release stating that the methodology they used to test for antimony and chromium was outside of federal standards and have retracted their previous statement. Based on federal standards, Mr. Squiggles makes the grade.
How do you feel about GoodGuide and the misinformation they released to the public? As a safety consultant and mommy to four, I find GoodGuide an excellent resource. I appreciate that they erred on the side of caution. As for Mr. Squiggles? I think all this press will make him a hot ticket this season!
GoodGuide Press Release:
Dec 07, 2009 14:24 ET
GoodGuide Issues Correction About Its Toy Testing Methodology
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - December 7, 2009) - In a press release we issued on Saturday, December 5th, we published the results of our testing of chemical levels in toys and stated that certain toys we tested had antimony and chromium levels that exceed federal standards. Since issuing our release, we have learned that the testing methodology used in the federal standards (a soluble method) is different than the methodology we used in our testing (a surface-based method). Accordingly, while we accurately reported the chemical levels in the toys that we measured using our testing method, we should not have compared our results to federal standards. We regret this error.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Holiday Safety: The Naughty and the Nice
Celebrating the holidays with a curious tot brings joy and laughter, but the safety concerns can be your holiday humbug. Check your home for common holiday hazards and see if it belongs on the Naughty or Nice list this year!
THE TREE
Naughty: What child wouldn’t risk life and limb to grab the precious angel at the top of the tree? Your precious angel can easily pull over a tree by tugging on an ornament or a string of lights. Those enticing lights also pose a strangulation and even electrocution hazard.
Nice: Use picture wire or twine with an eye bolt to anchor your tree to the wall, or consider a Play Yard to block your tree completely.
Additional Tip: Picking the Right Tree- If you buy a live tree, make sure it stays well-watered and keep away from heat sources such as fireplaces and radiators. When purchasing an artificial tree, check for the “fire resistant” label. Visit the National Fire Protection Agency for more information and safety tips.
ORNAMENTS:
Naughty: Think of your baby’s mouth as the “analyzer” where everything he or she is curious about is tested. Be aware of small ornaments, hooks, tinsel, and other intriguing holiday objects which could pose a choking hazard to your tot. Consider as well that many older ornaments may not pass today’s legal regulations regarding lead content. Ornaments are not the only lead concern you will have during the holidays- and year round; most electrical cords, including your string of Christmas tree lights, are coated with plastic containing lead!
Nice: Unless you expect your tree to appear on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, bare is better on the bottom of the tree within your toddler’s arm’s reach. Storing questionable ornaments altogether, or at least locating them high on the tree may be a wise consideration as well. As for your electrical cords, use wire cover to conceal them.
HOLIDAY DECOR
Naughty: Do you know which plants make the naughty list? You may be surprised! They may be beautiful, but Holly, mistletoe, and Pyracantha (Firethorn) are on the naughty list as they pose a significant poisoning hazard for both your baby and your pets. Keep these plants out of reach! Other items to keep out of reach? Your menorahs and candles which are a sure attraction to kids of all ages.
Nice: Despite belief, a child would have to eat more than 500 Poinsettia leaves to be even potentially hazardous and even this is largely un-confirmed. The Poison Control Center states that although the leaves can cause an upset stomach, they are not dangerous.
THE HOLIDAY BOUNTY:
Naughty: For many families, the holiday kitchen is a whirl of hustle and bustle as the holiday feast is prepared. During this time, slow down and look around. Watch that your tot doesn’t wind up underfoot as hot food is dashed from the kitchen to the table. Setting the perfect holiday table can also be a challenge as the edge of a table cloth can represent a bright enticement for little hands to pull.
Nice: Use your back burners when possible and always turn your pot handles towards the wall. If you plan on using a tablecloth, consider securing it to the table with binder clips or something equivalent. In the kitchen set up your child’s play area away from the cooking area.
Take this holiday season to celebrate your child’s natural curiosity, but remain vigilant and watchful as she tests boundaries and explores new terrain.
THE TREE
Naughty: What child wouldn’t risk life and limb to grab the precious angel at the top of the tree? Your precious angel can easily pull over a tree by tugging on an ornament or a string of lights. Those enticing lights also pose a strangulation and even electrocution hazard.
Nice: Use picture wire or twine with an eye bolt to anchor your tree to the wall, or consider a Play Yard to block your tree completely.
Additional Tip: Picking the Right Tree- If you buy a live tree, make sure it stays well-watered and keep away from heat sources such as fireplaces and radiators. When purchasing an artificial tree, check for the “fire resistant” label. Visit the National Fire Protection Agency for more information and safety tips.
ORNAMENTS:
Naughty: Think of your baby’s mouth as the “analyzer” where everything he or she is curious about is tested. Be aware of small ornaments, hooks, tinsel, and other intriguing holiday objects which could pose a choking hazard to your tot. Consider as well that many older ornaments may not pass today’s legal regulations regarding lead content. Ornaments are not the only lead concern you will have during the holidays- and year round; most electrical cords, including your string of Christmas tree lights, are coated with plastic containing lead!
Nice: Unless you expect your tree to appear on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, bare is better on the bottom of the tree within your toddler’s arm’s reach. Storing questionable ornaments altogether, or at least locating them high on the tree may be a wise consideration as well. As for your electrical cords, use wire cover to conceal them.
HOLIDAY DECOR
Naughty: Do you know which plants make the naughty list? You may be surprised! They may be beautiful, but Holly, mistletoe, and Pyracantha (Firethorn) are on the naughty list as they pose a significant poisoning hazard for both your baby and your pets. Keep these plants out of reach! Other items to keep out of reach? Your menorahs and candles which are a sure attraction to kids of all ages.
Nice: Despite belief, a child would have to eat more than 500 Poinsettia leaves to be even potentially hazardous and even this is largely un-confirmed. The Poison Control Center states that although the leaves can cause an upset stomach, they are not dangerous.
THE HOLIDAY BOUNTY:
Naughty: For many families, the holiday kitchen is a whirl of hustle and bustle as the holiday feast is prepared. During this time, slow down and look around. Watch that your tot doesn’t wind up underfoot as hot food is dashed from the kitchen to the table. Setting the perfect holiday table can also be a challenge as the edge of a table cloth can represent a bright enticement for little hands to pull.
Nice: Use your back burners when possible and always turn your pot handles towards the wall. If you plan on using a tablecloth, consider securing it to the table with binder clips or something equivalent. In the kitchen set up your child’s play area away from the cooking area.
Take this holiday season to celebrate your child’s natural curiosity, but remain vigilant and watchful as she tests boundaries and explores new terrain.
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