Home Safety for the Holidays

It seems like this year just flew by! I’m off to the garage to hunt for all of my favorite holiday decorations, but before that I wanted to announce an exciting new contest I’m launching with Evenflo® Home Safety today. We are giving the gift of a home safety makeover (by yours truly) this holiday season to the most deserving family!

From December 1, 2009 through January 15, 2010 enter the Evenflo Home Safety Makeover Contest by telling your story, in 500 words or less, about how you can benefit from a Home Safety Makeover in the New Year at www.evenflo.com/homesafetymakeover.  The Grand Prize winner will receive a home safety consultation with me, Evenflo gates and other home safety products (valued at nearly $2,500!) tailored to their home and family’s needs. Five lucky runners-up will receive an Evenflo Symphony65™ car seat, valued at $199, to help your baby stay safe on the road.

To jump start your safe holiday season, keep these tips in mind:

• Always anticipate the unexpected, and stay one step ahead of your little ones.
• Consider children’s ages and developmental stages. Baby-proofing is not a project you can do and forget about it. Be vigilant; continuously monitor your baby’s developmental stages.
• Gates can provide safety zones within your home where you can keep a closer eye on baby, while helping to prevent him or her from wandering into harm’s way.

Don’t forget to submit your story to www.evenflo.com/homesafetycontest by January 15, 2010 to win!

Car Safety Tips For Travelling With Infants and Babies

  

 

 

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travelling days of the year. If you’re going to be on the road tomorrow, keep these tips in mind if you have a little one in the car:

• Install a “baby mirror” so that you can easily see your baby as you’re driving.
• Keep blankets out of reach as a toddler could innocently put it over the head of a sleeping infant.
• Place a neon colored sticker on the side of the car seat with your child’s vital statistics including allergies to medicine and blood type. If you’re in a crash and renedered unconscious, EMTs will have a better idea of how to treat your child.
• Many cars have built in window shades but if there isn’t one, a shade should be securely installed.
• Be sure that the straps on the baby’s car seat are positioned properly. In a five-point harness system the shoulder clip should be at the level of the child’s arm pit. The straps need to be snug enough to hold the baby properly. No more than one small pinky finger should be able to fit between the baby and the strap at the shoulder. For rear facing seats the belt should be at or below the child’s shoulders, for forward facing it should be at or above the child’s shoulders.
• Children should not wear heavy coats in a car seat as this compromises the fit and security of the belt.
• Keep in mind that children need to be rear facing for up to 20 lbs and one year of age.

I’ve Been Misrepresented In The Media Tonight

Regrettably, what you say during a media interview is not always what is aired.  Once the camera stops rolling, you have no control over what ends up on the cutting room floor, and what airs; often what happens is that a sound bite is aired without the full context and therefore you end up being misrepresented.  I was deeply disappointed to see that is what happened to me tonight.

Unfortunately over 90% of what I said in a media interview was edited out.  My most important message that I stressed again and again was that the safest place for a baby to sleep is still in a crib.  Over 515 deaths have occurred with infants sleeping in adult beds rather than cribs.  I also said that most manufacturers are deeply committed to creating safe, high quality products for babies and I do believe this.   The media loves to create hype and instill fear – it’s what sells.  Scaring parents into deciding not to place their baby in a crib is putting them at a far greater risk for death or injury. 

Why I choose to work with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is precisely because there were no laws in place.  The only voluntary testing has been done by the JPMA.  Companies who decide to have their products go through this rigorous testing, want to bring the safest products to market.  Any company I have chosen to work with is one that I believe shares my passion for saving babies lives.

To close, please understand that I am foremost a bereaved mother, and my loss of a child drives my commitment every waking moment.   I stand by what I said in my interview – that most manufacturers deeply care about the safety of children and that the safest place for a baby is in a crib.

Massive Recall of 2.1 Million Cribs Just Announced

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, today announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The recall involves approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada.

CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side.

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

While this recall is significant, it’s equally imperative parents recognize that a crib is still the safety place for a baby to sleep. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has NEVER said that a properly assembled crib with fully functional hardware should not be used. Each year hundreds of deaths occur when children are placed in a sleep environment that is not specifically designed for children. Parents should continue using properly assembled cribs in good condition as it provides the safest sleep environment for children.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) suggests the following safety tips to sustain the proper lifespan of your crib:

• Parents should not use any crib with missing, broken or loose hardware parts. Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and none should be loose or missing. Also NEVER use a crib with corner posts over 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless they’re over 16 inches high for a canopy).

• NEVER place infants to sleep on pillows, sofa cushions, adult beds, waterbeds, beanbags, or any other surface not specifically designed for infant sleep. NEVER place the crib near windows, draperies, blinds, or wall mounted decorative accessories with long cords.

• When using a drop side crib parents and care givers should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving parts operate properly. Parents should be sure that hardware is installed properly. When assembling and disassembling drop side cribs, parents should always confirm that the parts are reassembled following the manufacturers guidelines as listed in the instructions.

• Always check all sides and corners of the crib to assure proper assembly with no openings that may entrap a child. The crib mattress should fit snugly with no more than two fingers width, one-inch, between the edge of the mattress and the crib side. Otherwise, the baby can get trapped between the mattress and the side of the crib.

If you are uncertain as to whether your crib is part of this recall, contact Stork Craft toll free at (877) 274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.

Massive Crib Recall To Be Announced Tomorrow

There have been several news reports today about a massive crib recall that will be announced tomorrow. Unfortunately this little bit of information is only serving to terrify new parents because they have no idea if their crib will be one that is recalled.

This is a classic case of keeping things in perspective. I’ve had dozens of calls and e-mails today from moms asking me if I feel it’s safe for their baby to sleep in the crib tonight. What I’ve continue to stress is that, until we know more information, providing a safe sleep environment for a baby is crucial. This means a crib with a firm mattress, a tight fitting sheet and nothing else. Or a co-sleeper that attaches to a parent’s bed.

As always, I will be posting a blog and information on my website as soon as I learn more about this recall.

My Tribute to Oprah Winfrey

I didn’t have a chance to watch Oprah Winfrey’s show yesterday and her announcement that she will be retiring in 2011.  I must admit, I never watch her show.  At 4P in the afternoon I’m either working or shuttling one of my kids to an afterschool activity.  But when the segment popped up on the front of Yahoo last night (which is how I get all of my news) I had to watch.  And I will fully admit it moved me beyond words.  I never expected that but, over the past year dealing with tons of difficult stuff in my life, I find myself crying at the smallest and strangest things. 

My two daughters (ages 7 & 4) were standing there with me as I was watching it. They have never seen Oprah’s show before or any other daytime talk show for that matter.  So they asked me who she was.  I will admit, I’ve never considered myself a big Oprah fan.  I had the privilege of meeting her about seven years ago when she taped a public service announcement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the power that emanated from her was incredible.  But aside from that, I really didn’t keep up with her show.

So how do I describe one of the most powerful and successful women in the world to two little girls?  It actually surprised me when I tried to find the words to describe who Oprah Winfrey is.  It was only then I realized how much I respected and admired her on so many levels.  As I explained to them, she is a pioneer for women in general and broadcast professionals in particular.  She overcame incredible tragedies in her childhood and worked her way up to become one of the most powerful women in America.  And she’s used that power to do amazing things around the world to help people.  Every day, I told my girls, she shares stories about personal triumph, loss and spiritual awakening with millions of people who, because of this, feel a little less alone or sad.  She connects with viewers who have walked similar paths to her guests and are searching for answers or comfort.  She’s not afraid to discuss her past and the abuse she had to overcome because she knows that in doing this she might help one other person who has had to deal with similar abuse. 

In following her passion and working hard, she has become successful possibly beyond her own dreams.  And now she works to use her success to make a difference in other’s lives – girls in South Africa who might otherwise never have a chance to get an education. 

So Oprah, thank you for providing a role model for my daughters of how, when you work hard and follow your dreams, there’s nothing you can’t do.  And once you do reach your goals, it’s time to give back and pay it forward.  These are life lessons I try to teach them every day but being able to show them a living example of it makes all the difference.

 

Pledge to Stop the Spread of Germs

If you peek into my daughters backpack you will instantly know it is cold & flu season by the container of  Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes that I have her take to school.  Proper hand cleaning is so important this time of year and quite often kids don’t have the time after recess or lunch to wash their hands.  Wet Ones are the perfect solution because they kill 99.99% of germs. 

And to help get the word out, Wet Ones  has started a great campaign.  They are asking us moms to pledge to help stop the spread of germs in our community.   The first 100,000 pledges at www.wetones.com will generate a donation of a travel pack to the Kids In Need Foundation.  This is a national organization that provides school supplies to children in thousands of schools across the country.   And just for signing the pledge, you will receive a downloadable coupon redeemable for $1.50 off a Wet Ones® product purchase.

Buckling Up And Flying Safe WIth Kids For the Holidays

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is almost here!  It seems like yesterday that it was the first day of school.  This weekend kicks off  the busiest travel time of the year and, when you’re travelling with kids, it becomes even more stressful.

Whether you’re travelling by car or plane here are some tips on the regulations on booster seats and some tips for safety:

Car Travel

The booster seat laws are extremely confusing.  How long do kids need to be in a booster seat?  Do you determine whether they need to be in a booster seat by age or height and weight?  Are backless booster seats or ones without backs better?  The reality is that every state has different laws regarding the use of booster seats and it’s imperative if you’re travelling through several states that you abide by the strictest law.  CLICK HERE for a chart of booster seat laws state by state.

In regards to backless boosters versus high backs, high back belt-positioning booster seats give children head protection if your vehicle does not have head restraints. If your vehicle has head restraints, a backless belt-positioning booster seat will work and make the safety belt fit properly. Make sure your vehicle’s head restraints cover at least the top of your child’s ears if you are using a backless belt-positioning booster seat.

In the event that you are in a car accident and rendered unconscious, it’s important that first responders have all pertinent information regarding your child.  I recommend purchasing a bright neon sticker that can be attached to the side of your child’s car seat with information including an emergency contact number and any important medical information.

And of course, set a good role model for your kids by always buckling up.  According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, one out of five Americans still doesn’t wear their seat belt.  And half of the 14,000 people who die in car crashes would have lived had they been wearing a seat belt.

Airline Travel

Dealing with long lines and delays at airports is always annoying, but doing it with three kids in tow will really test your patience!  While dragging one more item along is the last thing you want to do, having your kids in an FAA approved car seat on a plane really is important.  Booster seats are not allowed on planes and you need to be sure that your car seat is indeed FAA approved.  Here are some great tips from the FAA on travelling with kids:

• Make sure your child restraint system (CRS) is government approved and has “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage.
• Measure the width of your CRS. It should fit in most airplane seats if it is no wider than 16 inches.
• Ask your airline if they can provide a CRS for your child. If so, you may not be permitted to bring your own CRS on board, and may need to check it as baggage.
• A child may also use an alternative, such as a a harness-type restraint, if it is approved by FAA. FAA has approved one restraint appropriate for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. This type of restraint is not safe for use in motor vehicles.  Visit www.kidsflysafe.com to learn more about this restraint.

For more great tips, visit http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

When flying on domestic flights, ID for your child is not required however depending on the airline, they may require that you show proof your child’s age with a birth certificate. Before heading to the airport, check with the airline to learn about their specific rules and even though children do not need identification, it’s a good idea to have ID for them anyway. Forms4Travel is a great source which compiles information from medical information to emergency contacts and more on a computer chip attached to a card.

Happy and safe travels!

Your Daugher can be Featured in Alloy magazine! Enter to Win the Playtex®, Confidence Rocks Sweepstakes

I frequently write and blog about how vital it is for teens – and girls in particular – to have confidence and healthy self-esteem.   They’re surrounded by images of gorgeous celebrities and often wonder if they measure up.  What they don’t realize is that most of these photos have been digitally enhanced!  There are, however, some wonderful role models out there for girls – young female athletes and performers who have gained success and are brimming with self confidence.  I’m constantly congratulating my daughters on their successes and work hard to support them in the activities they enjoy most.  And I remind them that everyone is unique and has different strengths.  My oldest daughter is a bookworm and is now showing and interest in soccer.  My youngest thinks she’s Hannah Montana (maybe because her name is Hannah!) and loves singing and dancing.    I see how confident they are when they are doing what they love.

Whatever your daughter is into, you can see the pride and confidence on her face when she’s achieving success.  And when companies and brands recognize the importance of teen girls’ self-esteem I want to support them!  That’s why I was so excited to learn about the new Confidence Rocks Sweepstakes by Playtex Sport.  Playtex® Sport® tampons believes that confidence is the secret ingredient to teens feeling and doing their best.

Celebrating this confidence, teens can enter a new sweepstakes to tell Playtex® Sport® tampons why confidence rocks!  The winner will receive a professional photo shoot with a fashion photographer and stylist with up to ten of their friends!  The photos could appear in a Playtex® Sport® print ad in the Alloy Spring 2010 catalogue, as well as online on the Alloy Network and on playtexsport.com.  The winner will also receive a $500 gift card redeemable on alloy.com!  Entrants can come back each day for a chance to win a daily $10 iTunes gift card.   And, just for entering, girls can request a Playtex® Sport® tampon sample and coupon.

Simply follow the hyperlink to  www.playtexsport.com/confidencerocks and enter by completing one of the confidence statements in 50 characters or less. The sweepstakes begins at noon November 12 and runs through December 17.  Winners will be announced around December 28, 2009. To enter and for official rules, please visit http://www.playtexsport.com/confidencerocks

Important Recall of Maclaren Strollers

Please be advised that stroller maker Maclaren and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are recalling approximately 1 million strollers after the company received reports of children’s fingertips getting amputated by a hinge on the strollers.

The recall includes all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers including the following models: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Parents are urged to stop using their Maclaren strollers until they can get a repair kit. Maclaren is providing a hinge cover that can be ordered through its Web site. You can also call (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

We have noticed that their website is currently down. However, you can visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website for addition information.