Happy New Years=Same old safety precautions

As we celebrate the New Years Eve and look forward to a great 2008, we can't forget that danger never takes a holiday. Safety dads resolution is to bring you and your family into 2008 with nothing but good tidings and no trips to the emergency room. Unfortunately, New years eve usually involves alcohol, fireworks and other related dangers. Plan ahead and your night will be filled with joy and hope for a great 2008.Safety Dad's tips for a safe New Years Eve.

Alcohol-The smallest amount of alcohol can have catastrophic consequences to a child. Drinks are usually colorful and appear to look like juice. Children are attracted to these colors and are naturally inclined to drink them.

1.Keep your bottles of alcohol away from the reach of small children. If you have a bar set up for guests, make sure the bottles are up at counter level

2. Warn your guests to please not leave glasses of any form of alcohol laying around for your child to pick up and drink. Leave little notes on low lying tables to warn against leaving drinks laying around.

Fireworks- Fireworks are a tradition for many families. Unfortunately, injuries from fireworks are another tradition that often seems to follow when kids are allowed to play with fireworks..

1.Never let a child handle or light a firework or sparkler. EVER!!!!

2. Sparklers, which can reach over 1000°F, cause half of the injuries to children under age five though, and 10 percent of fireworks-related injuries overall

3. 4 people died in 2006 associated with using fireworks

4. Over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks in 2006

5. Almost half of the injuries were to children under age 15

6. Firecrackers caused the most injuries, followed by rockets and sparklers

7. Burns are the most common injuries from fireworks

Candies/nuts-Small- candies and nuts are a serious choking hazard for children

1. Move all candies, nuts, popcorn etc.. up to levels that a small child can't reach. These objects are an instant choking hazard

Confetti

Though fun for everyone, please note the most recent confetti recall that could be quite dangerous to your child, even when not released in celebration.
DesignWare® Confetti Bursts ,Distributor: American Greetings Corp., of Cleveland, Ohio .The surface paint on the individual bags of confetti contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. This latest recall came out 11/29/07.

New years Eve is meant to be fun and a start of new beginnings for everyone. Don't let the party get out of hand and please take precautions. And as always ,BE AWARE!!!!

Winter vacation safety tips

Every year at this time, schools let out for winter break and children everywhere are free to enjoy all of winter’s fun. Skating, skiing, sledding etc.. All seem like harmless home family fun but when not careful, these everyday activities can turn dangerous if not deadly. Don't let poor planning ruin your family’s holiday break. Each year thousands of children are seriously injured or killed from preventable home winter accidents. Safety dad can help you manage your holiday so accidents are less likely to occur.

Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent frostbite. Have children come inside periodically to warm up.

What to Wear:
· Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Clothing for children should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.

Ice Skating
· Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces. All too often children fall through unfrozen ponds with catastrophic results. Check for signs posted by local police or recreation departments to find out which areas have been approved.
· Advise your child to: skate in the same direction as the crowd; avoid darting across the ice; never skate alone; do not chew gum or eat candy while skating.
· Consider having your child wear a helmet while ice-skating.
Sledding

* Keep sledders away from motor vehicles.

*Children should be supervised while sledding.
· Keep young children separated from older children.
· Never send two children down on the same sled
· Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down headfirst, may prevent head injuries.
· Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding.
· Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes.
· Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
· Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30º), and end with a flat runoff.
· Avoid sledding in crowded areas.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding
· Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.
· Never ski or snowboard alone.
· Young children should always be supervised by an adult. Older children’s need for adult supervision depends on their maturity and skill. If older children are not with an adult, they should always at least be accompanied by a friend.
· The AAP recommends that children under age 7 not snowboard.
· Consider wearing a helmet.
· Equipment should fit the child. Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year. Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards.
· Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder. Avoid crowded slopes.
· Avoid skiing in areas with trees and other obstacles.
Snowmobiling
· The AAP(American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.
Hot tubs

INFANTS SHOULD NEVER BE IN A HOT TUB!!!

Holidays are meant to be a fun time where memories are made. Don't make these memories that will haunt you forever. Be careful and be safe.

When the rubber hits the road-Winter driving tips for parents

1. Always have an ice scraper in the car. Ice can form in minutes in extreme conditions.

2.When removing ice from windshields wipers, use caution. Ice around wiper can tear the rubber if not removed with care, causing it to work improperly or fail outright. Chopping at the ice can also tear the tube delivering fluid to the wipers. Having experienced this firsthand, it can be a scary proposition when you are pulled off on a dangerous highway, sitting close to passing traffic

3. If you are stuck on a narrow, snowy road with high traffic, it is best to get away from the car and try to seek shelter near by. Rear-end collisions from out of control vehicles are the cause of countless fatal injuries.

4. Always carry some sort of thermal blanket in your car. If stranded, huddling together will create body heat that could keep you alive if your cars system were to shut down.

5.Antifreeze: This is an important one for winter, as it keeps vital fluids in your car liquid, instead of frozen, during cold winter storms. Make sure your antifreeze is fresh, and that it is filled.

6.Exhaust System: During the winter months, windows are closed, the air is often re-circulated, and snow or ice can shroud a car. If your exhaust system is not working properly, this could result in excess noxious fumes being put into your car's interior. Exhaust fumes are poisonous, and, in large enough quantities, fatal.

7. If stranded and snow is building up around you, make sure your exhaust pipe is clear from snow. If blocked, fumes will have no where to exit and will eventually fill your car, making for an almost fatal situation.

8.Tires: Depending upon the area of the country you live in, you may require a completely different set of tires for winter (snow tires or studded tires). Other people prefer to carry snow chains when snow isn't a months-long constant, so they don't have to be changing tires over and over. If it's time for snow tires, most people in an area talk about it, and most people know it. However, if you carry chains, just because they're in your trunk doesn't mean you'll know how to use them. Do a "dry run", putting on chains with someone who knows how, when the weather is nice. That way, when you encounter a snowstorm you'll have some confidence about putting on the chains. Some chains are easier to put on than others. They usually cost more, but can be applied without even rolling the car back and forth over the chains.
9.Battery: One of the less expensive parts of a car is a battery, yet it can shut the entire system down if it's dead. Batteries last varying lengths; the more expensive ones last longer. When a battery is installed, the date of installation should be indicated on the top of the label. If it's not, be sure to put it on yourself when you install a new battery. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere during a torrential rain or freezing snowstorm with a dead battery --- that means no heater or lights, either. Find out today when your battery was installed. If it's getting close to the end of its life, think about replacing it.

10. Winter Storm Bag: Every motorist should have a bag in his or her trunk that contains potentially life-saving gear. Most of this can be obtained from around the house without spending a dime --- such as a blanket for each family member, matches or lighters and towels, and some nonperishable foods, such as granola bars. Canned fruit and nuts are great as long as you keep the hand-cranked can opener with them. Some bottled water, extra socks, and gloves are useful and at hand for most people. Rain gear that fits into a small purse is available in many variety stores very reasonably, so that enough for an entire family can easily go into your supply bag. If you're the type who always brings along appropriate shoes along during a storm, then you won't have to worry about adding some collapsible rubber galoshes to the bag. You'll need a flashlight with extra batteries in case you're on a dark road and need to change a tire or put on chains at night. Some models allow you to use your cigarette lighter to get a tremendous amount of light --- but you can't take it with you if you need to walk somewhere --- so keep the traditional kind on hand as well.
10. A small sack of sand not only helps keep the back of your car heavier and adhered to the road, but can provide traction when spilled on slick surfaces as well. A folding camping shovel doesn't take up much space, but you'll be glad to have it if stuck in mud or snow

11. Always carry enough medication for a three day carry-over.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN - IMPORTANT CAR SAFETY TIPS FOR MOMS

All aboard!!!! Today’s moms wear so many hats and make it look so easy. Unfortunately, one of those hats might as well be a chauffeur’s cap. When you combine all of the many after school activities, dance classes, sports clubs, religious classes, play dates and other events, it seems that moms spend the majority of their time shuffling the kids from one activity to another. If you have more than one child, chances are you are driving to multiple locations in a single day. Those frequent trips make create opportunities for trouble on the road. Safety dad is here to help prepare moms for when the rubber hits the road and how to get from A to B with as little safety risk as possible. Follow our safety tips and increase your chances of making your trips safe and sound.

*Never let your gas tank go below half way.
*Make sure your windshield wiper fluid is always full. Running out of fluid in bad weather can cause a windshield to become dirty and this can dramatically increase your chance of an accident.
*Always travel with the proper safety gear. The items you should always have are a spare tire, air pump, jumper cables, flares, flashlight and reflector triangle. Familiarize yourself with these items, as you don’t need to spend valuable time learning while stuck on the size of any road.
*Know how to change a tire. If you are stuck in a desolate area that has no cell service or roadside assistance, you could be stranded for many hours or longer. The ability to change a tire can make a huge difference.
*Baby/Children on board sign alerts others to your family traveling with you.
*Sunshades to block irritating sun that can cause a child discomfort. A fussy child can distract a mother easily. The consequences can be catastrophic.
*Have a fire extinguisher specific to automobiles. Learn to use this beforehand, as improper use can be extremely dangerous. Stand 6 feet away from fire as spray is strong and a backlash could occur if you are to close to the flame.
*If you are in an accident, don’t pull off to a secluded spot to exchange information. If you are in an area that is desolate and unsure of the other driver’s intentions, drive until you see a police station, officer of other well trafficked area to exchange information. Too often predators use fender benders as a tactic for more serious crimes.
*Never pull over for someone flashing just a badge in an unmarked car. No real police officer would attempt to pull you over this way. Be cautious and drive directly to the nearest police station, firehouse or well-lit and high traffic location.
*Always have dry foods and lots of water stored in a sealed container that can last you a few days. If you are ever stranded, it is important to have these foods to live on. Having the sealed container will protect from moisture seeping in and spoiling your much needed food.
*Never turn around to discipline a child while driving. If necessary, pull over and deal with the issue. A distracted driver can have catastrophic consequences not just for your car but also others on the road.
*Never drive with a child in the front seat. Deployed airbags can cause severe injury or death to a child.
*When making long trips by car, leaving later in the day will increase the chance your child will sleep along the way. Leaving early in the morning means your just woken child will have lots of energy and increase their desire to get out of their seat and be rambunctious.
*Travel with many fun items your kids can use. Multiple items mean the risk of boredom.
*Loose fitting close also will make a child more comfortable.

These tips are not meant to scare you but to serve as a reminder that there are many elements that can work against you as soon as you leave the house. Safety Dad is here to make the trip as easy as possible. Have a great trip.

To learn more about Safety Dad, visit Baby Safe-Inc today.

KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Happy Holiday’s!!! Safety Dad is here to help keep it that way. Each year hospital emergency rooms treat about 8,700 people for injuries, such as falls; cuts and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. Christmas trees are involved in about 400 fires annually, resulting in 20 deaths, countless injuries and about 15 million in property loss and damage. House fires increase dramatically during the months of December and January. They facts speak loudly and clearly. Safety Dad is well aware of the imported safety risks that await you during the holiday season. These simple but easy to follow tips will help make this holiday a safer and happier time for both kids and parents alike.

TREES
* Make sure your tree is freshly cut and not dried out. Shake the tree a few times, if the needles fall out than your tree is too dry. Bend the needles as well. If they break in half, it is too dry.
* Make sure you’re the tree stand has water up to it’s base. A well watered tree will be less likely to dry out
Trees should never be near direct heat sources (heater, fireplace) this direct heat will accelerate the drying process and creates a fire hazard
* Throw your tree out as soon as it becomes too dry
* Cut the lower branches off the tree as these branches can poke a child in the eye causing injury or worse
* Make sure there are no lit candles near the tree
* All artificial trees should be labeled fire resistant
* Place your tree out of people traffic and do not block doorways
* Fasten all outdoor lights to protect from wind damage and potential fire and use GFI circuit interrupters to prevent shocking

HOLIDAY LIGHTS/DECORATION

*It is important not to overload sockets with holiday lights. Overloading outlets can create a short and start a fire
*Do not string lights on the lower branches as they can become a strangulation hazard
*When using metallic or artificial trees, do not string lights across. The metal can attract electrical currents and cause shocking
*Do not use lights with frayed or cracked wires
*Make sure that all lights are turned off when going to bed or when leaving the house. Trees make look pretty at night but should be shut off.
*Use only lights approved by a recognized testing laboratory
*Sharp and breakable items should be removed from the lower branches.
*Remove trimmings that resemble candy-This will avoid children trying to eat and swallow them

CANDLES - Candles account for over 10.000 fires each year (CPSC)

*Candles that are tall and thin are more likely to tip over and fall to the ground. Use smaller, wider candles that are very easy to tip
*Candles should never be lit near trees
*Keep candles away from children. Candles should be on high shelves at all times
*Never go to bed with candles still lit.

TOYS
*Toys with small removable parts should be separated from children. Dolls and other small toys have many small removable parts that can become a choking hazard.
*Lead poisoning has become an issue with many toys this year. Keep track of recalled toys

PLANTS
*Most holiday plants look pretty and make for a festive atmosphere but certain plants pose hazards to children that should be avoided. Though not deadly, these plants can cause sickness that can ruin any holiday for a child.
*Poinsettias-Can cause stomachache and irritation around the mouth area.
*Mistletoe-The berries on the plants can cause mild cramps, vomiting and/or diarrhea
*Holly-As with Mistletoe, the berries of this festive plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. It is also important to watch the sharp leaves of this plant that can cut the inside of a childs mouth and throat if swallowed.

Now that you've got the tips to keep you and your children safe this holiday season, have a great time and enjoy this wonderful time of year. For more information about how you can protect your family, visit Baby-Safe at http://www.babysafeamerica.com/.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

Role Mommy welcomes a brand new columnist to the site - SAFETY DAD, better known as James Hirtenstein, founder and president of Baby Safe-Inc. Born in 1996, Baby-Safe has pioneered the field of child-safety risk management. Baby-Safe is the only full service safety company serving the tri-state area. Not just a safety expert, James Hirtenstein is also a founding member of the International Association for Child Safety(IACS). Our 12 years of safety expertise have made us a regular guest on shows such as The CBS Morning Show, Dateline NBC, Good Day New York and many others. Let our experienced professionals leave you and your family with the peace of mind you deserve.

As the holidays are quickly approaching, Safety Dad offers important tips on travelling safe with your kids.

SAFETY DAD'S TRAVEL TIPS ON THE RUN

“Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go” may sound like the fairy tale trip you intended for your family but without the proper safety preparations, your trip can all too easily end by way of the big bad wolf. DANGER!!!! With the holidays rapidly approaching so will family travel. Do you have a comprehensive safety plan to deter common and preventable injuries? Are you prepared if something catastrophic were to happen to you or a loved one???? When pressed for an answer, most parents answer “what plan?” or say, “I never even thought about it”. Planning family trips are difficult at best but don’t forget those precautions or recovery plan that might end up saving you or one of your loved ones from major injury or worse.

Questions to ask yourselves and the hotel/home before we depart on any trip

How would you contact 911(local emergency eqivalent) in a foreign country?
Where is the best hospital within driving distance of your hotel???
What is the nearest Hospital with a trauma unit?
Do you have a pre printed map quest from your hotel/residence to local hospitals?
Do you have all vital medical information of your Family?
Are all your documents/fingerprints copied to a USB flash drive around your neck?
Do you have a first aid kit?
Do you have at least 2 extra weeks worth of any vital medications?
Is your hotel/apartment room baby-proofed?
Are there exposed stairs without gates?

Most accidents are preventable. With proper planning and execution, your trip can be made easier and you can have peace of mind. These simple hints will make your trip easier and safer. Bon Voyage!!

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

Remember, no matter your mode of transportation, keeping your children happy when traveling will also keep them calm and inevitably safer. A screaming and disruptive child can easily become a safety hazard and traveling only exacerbates that fact. It only takes an instant for catastrophe to happen and it happens everyday all across America. Below are tips that will greatly decrease the chance of an accident while traveling by car, air or train

1) Bring plenty of activities to keep them busy and occupied (games, movies, bookies, toys)
2) Bring plenty of dry snacks, water & juice- have enough for at least 4 days longer than your trip is planned- Plan for unexpected holdovers.
3) When driving put a yellow “baby on board” sign in the rear window. An indication to your fellow motorists that your family is on board.
4) Place sun stoppers on the rear windows of your car- any baby in direct sunlight will be fussy and soon to cry.
5) Have an air pump, flashlight, fire extinguisher, flare, reflector triangle, jack and spare tire in the trunk
6) Have an extensive first aid kit that has a bottle of ipecac
7) A large and sturdy plastic golf umbrella and a change of clothes for each member in your party in case you are stranded out of your car in bad weather

Do you have hotel reservations? We do!!!!

If you don’t have reservations about safety, you should. Most hotels/motels aren’t baby-proofed and their in-room safety deterrents are minimal at best if at all. Taking 10 minutes before you depart on your trip and 10 minutes once you’ve arrived to re-arrange your room and secure a few areas will make your trip less dangerous and envitably, more enjoyable. If you can’t find a hotel that is baby-proofed while booking your trip you can easily pre-pack the following and secure them when you arrive. The items below should all fit in a small knapsack or easily fit in your luggage without taking up much room.

Suggested items:
1) 8 soft cushion corner guards- Adhesive won’t mar furniture but can cover most of the low lying corners of any desk, nightstand ,counter or any other sharp corner.
2) 1 toilet lock-easily removed from one at home and re applied at hotel
3) Tie any blind cords up into a bow up high.
4) Adhesive latches-take all dangerous items and place in a drawer/cabinet that can be latched Also, latch any low lying cabinets that might tip over
5) Move all soaps, razors, sewing kits etc.. from tub/sink & low lying areas into latched cabinet.
6) Keep access to mini-bar away. Alcohol kills. Keep key securely away.
7) Move all pens/matches from coffee/nightstands and desks
8) Always have a First aid kit that has a bottle of ipecac-
9) Flashlight & transistor radio and extra charged phone battery in case of power outage
10) Printed map quest directions or better to best local hospital and hospital with best trauma unit.

Traveling with the family is fun and these safety tips are intended to help enjoy the time away with your family. These tips will help you be safer on your travels but it is important to stress that these hints can’t prevent accidents and that is that there is no substitute for parental supervision and even homes that have been baby-proofed aren’t 100% safe.

For more information about Safety Dad and Baby-Safe, Inc., then Click Here today!