Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • It’s Summertime, Cars are Hot… Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

    It bothers me–and it should bother everyone–that children are left in cars at all… especially when the weather is warm. Or, as it must have been yesterday in Joliet, Illinois, hot, in the mid-80s–when a woman thought her 7-month old baby boy was with her baby’s father.  The woman was in a meeting for two hours and did not answer her cell phone.  According to accounts on the local news stations, her boyfriend had called her concerned about where the baby was…  When she realized that the baby could be in the car, she immediately went to her car hoping to rescue her child. The SUV’s windows had been rolled up and the doors were locked for approximately 2 hours. The baby who was found unresponsive is in critical care in hospital.  The child’s internal temperature was 107 degrees when the paramedics arrived. That’s the story. (abc7chicagonews.com, July 28, 2015)

    I am sorry for the parents of that child. This is a tragedy that was not supposed to happen. Even if that child survives this experience, there may be physical deficits, such as brain damage… who knows? And who knows if charges of child neglect will be brought? Who knows?

    Perhaps the public service announcement that hammered our television screens and radio channels in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, ought to be brought back to life, because it’s apparent people need re-educating. The old PSA asking, “It’s 10 p.m., Do you know where your children are?” ought to be re-broadcast in a different fashion, “It’s hot out! Are you in your car, and do you know where your children are?” Maybe that would get people’s attention from whatever is going on so they could count precious noses…

    There have been at least 7 hot car childhood deaths this spring-summer season in 2015–and although it seems to be unintentional, there’s no excuse for this kind of harm coming to a child in a parent’s or guardian’s care.  None..  You simply cannot FORGET your child.  Not if you are conscious.

    Please tell me what is more important than your child’s wellbeing! Certainly not your best friend’s cell phone text message…  or whether or not you get a loan on your home… or whether or not you have a successful job interview or a hair appointment… All of that can wait when you stack it against your child’s welfare.

    It just doesn’t wash, folks.

  • Kyber Outerwear Recalls Children’s Sweaters Due to Strangulation Hazard

    Recall Date: July 28, 2015

    Recall Number: 15-198

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Cyber Outerwear Children’s Animal-themed Sweaters

    Hazard: The sweaters have a drawstring around the neck area that poses a strangulation hazard to children. Drawstrings can become entangled or caught on playground slides, hand rails, school bus doors or other moving objects, posing a significant strangulation and/or entanglement hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines about drawstrings in children’s upper outerwear. In 1997, those guidelines were incorporated into a voluntary standard. Then, in July 2011, based on the guidelines and voluntary standard, CPSC issued a federal regulation. CPSC’s actions demonstrate a commitment to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumer Contact: Call Kyber collect at (613) 724-2579 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or email kyberouterwear@gmail.com or online at www.kyberouterwear.com and click on the link in the “Our Latest News” box in the bottom, left-hand corner of the homepage for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 3,100

    Description: These animal-themed, hooded children’s sweaters are 100 percent wool when produced in Nepal and 50 percent wool and 50 percent acrylic when produced in Bangladesh. The sweaters have a tag sewn on the left seam several inches above the hem with the company name and the place of origin. The company name is also located on a patch on the left sleeve at the cuff and on a patch in the collar.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sweater away from kids and remove the drawstring, or return the sweater to Kyber Outerwear for a full credit for Kyber products.

    Sold at: Independent children’s stores nationwide and online from January 2010 through December 2013 for between $10 and $50.

    Distributor(s): Kyber Outerwear USA Corp., of Ogdensburg, NY

    Manufactured in: Nepal and Bangladesh

  • Heatstroke Communications for Calendar Year 2015

    The summer is heating up and NHTSA’s heatstroke prevention and awareness efforts are in full swing. This marks the fourth summer that NHTSA has spread awareness about the dangers of child heatstroke in hot cars, while urging parents and caregivers to think, “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock.”

    Already, nine children this year and more than 30 children in 2014 lost their lives from heatstroke after adults left them in unattended vehicles. Heatstroke tragedies are 100-percent preventable, which is why we are looking for every opportunity to educate consumers on the importance of making sure that children are neither unintentionally locked in, nor able to gain access to (and become trapped in) unattended vehicles.

    We are asking our highway traffic safety partners to ramp up activities this summer to augment the national effort. NHTSA is offering tools to assist you in communicating with the public. The 2015 campaign “Act Fast. Save a Life.” includes resources and tips on what bystanders should do if they see a young child locked in a parked car.

    NHTSA is also asking our safety partners to help raise awareness about the dangers of kids and cars on July 31, National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Every hour on the hour starting at 7 a.m. EST @NHTSAgov will be using the hashtags #heatstrokekills and #checkforbaby on all its social media posts. Please join us in the concerted day-long social media conversation.

    For more information, please see http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/newtsm/heatstroke/11713-HeatstrokeCommMemo-july2015.pdf

  • Eight E.Coli Cases Linked to South Carolina Daycare Facility

    June 10, 2015 –One of the reasons I began writing this blog was that I was moved to honor the memory of a young child named “E. J.” who died from an E. Coli infection. He was only about eight years old. He may have eaten a contaminated hamburger–maybe that could have caused the problem, no one seemed to know. They took him to the emergency room of the local hospital, but his diarrhea persisted and his parents really did not know what to do. Maybe they thought it would just go away given time? E.J. died in the bathroom shower one night. His feces had completely soaked the living room couch and he was apparently attempting to bathe himself. E.J.’s death–and the very little publicity it received– really stung my heart. I was soon to learn that he lived only a mile away– if only someone had asked, “Please care for my child while I take a break?” I didn’t know them, they certainly didn’t know there was anyone willing to do that.

    Now, at least 8 years later there is another flare up of E. Coli: Eight E. Coli cases have been linked to a Daycare facility in South Carolina according to Food Safety News, today. One child, a two-year old, died on May 31, 2015–other individuals have been hospitalized. The daycare facility has been closed temporarily and has been cleaned twice. People are still trying to find the source of the E. Coli infection.

    All of this said, there are ways to reduce the ability for E. Coli to kill children, the elderly and infirm, those with compromised immune systems, and the rest of us. And one important way, first and foremost, is to make sure people wash their hands. Especially people who interact with others in a personal way, i.e., caregivers, family members, baby-sitters, daycare employees and staff, wait staff and food preparers in restaurants, teachers, medical professionals, just about everyone, needs to wash their hands several times a day, especially and always after going to the bathroom. I cannot believe that we need to say this. But that’s it, somewhere along the way, this very basic fact of cleanliness protection has gone by the wayside… lost in translation? If you take the subway or go to the mall, wash your hands after you touch the doors, railings, etc. If you go to the grocery, most of the groceries give you a sanitary wipe to use on your hands before you touch a grocery cart… But washing with warm soapy water and drying with a clean disposable paper towel (or warm forced-air drying) is truly the best thing you can do!

    Wash your hands–and your children’s hands– after you or they go to the bathroom and before you touch food… or children…or prepare someone’s food. Wash your hands after you touch raw meat, fish, poultry or eggs! Wash the vegetables you buy at the grocery store (fertilizer residue may still be on fresh produce!)– and THEN wash your hands! Wash your hands before you eat! Wash your hands before and after you touch a child’s or an adult’s diaper. Make sure that diapers are always disposed of properly. Some people (very few, I’m guessing) still use cloth diapers–and launder them in very hot water with some measure of chlorine or other bleach.

    E. Coli can be spread in other ways… through contamination of food by raw sewage, contamination of food, liquid or water by fecal matter. It has been found on food including ground meat, cantaloupes and on imported green onions in the past. But the real bad-actor is on dirty hands that may have touched feces. For E.J.’s sake, I am hoping ‘nuff said on this subject. But I feel sure more is still to come until we launch a real campaign. Until that day, please, please remember to wash your hands!

  • Pali Design Recalls Children’s Furniture Due to Tip-Over, Impact, Suffocation Hazards

    Recall Date: June 9, 2015

    Recall Number: 15-160

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s furniture

    Hazard: The plastic restraint strap used to attach armoires, combos, dressers and hutches to a wall can break and allow the unit to tip over. Falling furniture can result in a wide range of injuries to young children, from soft tissue bruising to broken bones, head injuries and death by suffocation when a child is pinned under a heavy piece of furniture.

    Remedy: Repair

    Consumers should immediately place the recalled armoires, combos, dressers or hutches out of the reach of young children and contact Pali Design for a free retrofit kit that contains newly designed restraint straps, mounting hardware and installation instructions.

    Consumer Contact: Pali Design toll free at (866) 840-4140 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email customerservice@pali-design.com, or online at www.pali-design.com and click on “Safety Notice for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 18,000 in the U.S. and 2,160 in Canada

    Description: This recall involves Pali Design armoires, combos, dressers and hutches sold separately or in the following collections: Karla Collection, Mantova Collection, Milano Collection, Salerno Collection, Volterra Collection, Wendy Collection and West Point Collection. The recall also includes a separate bookcase/hutch available in finishes to match the collections. The recalled furniture was manufactured from January 2006 to September 2010. Combos combine drawers and a cabinet in one unit.

    The model number, product name and manufacture date are printed on a white sticker on the back of the units. The manufacture date is in the YYYY-MM-DD format. To view a full list of model numbers and product names from collections of units being recalled, click here: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Pali-Design-Recalls-Childrens-Furniture/

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a restraint strap on a Wendy Double Dresser breaking and allowing the unit to tip over. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold at: Independent specialty stores nationwide, at Pequeno Angelito in San Juan, Puerto Rico and online from January 2006 to September 2010 for between $420 and $750. The Karla collection was sold exclusively in Babies R Us stores.

    Importer: Pali Design Inc., of Canada

    Manufacturer: Associate Yang Enterprise Co. Ltd., of Vietnam

    Manufactured in: Vietnam

  • Kids and Food Allergies!

    Children and food allergies are a daunting mix!  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports “Food allergies are estimated to affect 4 to 6 percent of children and 4 percent of adults.”1  Food allergies can be not only challenging to combat, but dangerous if parents, caregivers and teachers are not aware of the foods to which children in their care are allergic.  Did you know that food allergies are most common in babies or children? But adults can develop an allergy to foods they have consumed for years… at any time!

    The American College of Allergy, Immunology and Asthma gives the definition of allergy on their website: “An allergy occurs when your body’s natural defenses overreact to exposure to a particular substance, treating it as an invader and sending out chemicals to defend against it.”2

    Hence the allergic “reaction” to a substance–whether it is food, beverage, smoke or chemicals in the air or even medicine!

    Numbering among the known food allergy offenders, FoodSafety.gov tells us, are:  Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy beans. Seeds, malt (from malted barley), food coloring and even chocolate can cause an allergic reaction!  Allergic reactions in children who have consumed these foods may vary from an itching hard palate (roof of the mouth), swollen lips and/or tongue, inflamed mucosa, watery eyes, runny nose, skin rash, hives, swollen airway, to anaphylactic shock! Vomiting and stomach cramps can occur; so can shortness of breath, wheezing, repeated coughing, difficulty swallowing, a tight or hoarse throat, weak pulse, dizziness, blue-color in the face, inability to move one’s neck and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction and can often happen within minutes to hours of consuming the substance to which a person is allergic. Often, an itchy mouth after consuming a raw fruit or vegetable can signify that a person could be allergic to pollen–not necessarily to the fruit or vegetable itself.3

    Sometimes children who are allergic to certain foods are also allergic to other related foods:  i.e., shrimp and lobster or other seafood. An allergy to walnuts might also indicate an allergy to other tree nuts.  Parents and caregivers need to listen well, when a child removes food from his or her mouth and says something like,  “Mommy, my mouth [or throat or tongue] feels scratchy…” That is a pretty good sign that this is not simply a picky eater rejecting his meal. Parents and caregivers need to be present, pay attention and listen well when their young child eats or drinks something for the first time.

    Food allergies are serious conditions that can be life-threatening.  Most food allergies appear in childhood.  If you suspect your child has a food allergy, see your Pediatrician or Primary Care Physician promptly and have them recommend an allergist.  An allergist is a physician who will take your child’s family and medical history and determine which allergy tests to perform to determine if a food allergy exists.  FoodSafety.gov says, “Approximately 30,000 Americans go to the emergency room each year to get treated for allergic reactions to food.”4  If you think your child is experiencing an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately!

    ———————

    1 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), 1600 Clifton Road, Altanta, Georgia 30329-4027 www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.htm
    2 The American College of Allergy, Immunology and Asthma, 85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005, acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies
    3 Ibid.
    4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C 20201, www.FoodSafety.gov, “Learn About Food Allergens, You Could Save A Life”, May 10, 2012.

  • Baby’s Dream Recalls Cribs and Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

    Recall Date: May 8, 2015

    Recall Number: 15-131

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Cribs, furniture and accessories with vintage grey paint finish

    Hazard: The vintage grey paint on the cribs, furniture, and accessories exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested, lead can cause adverse health effects.

    Remedy: Replace

    Consumers should immediately contact Baby’s Dream to arrange for an exchange.

    Consumer Contact: Baby’s Dream Furniture at (800) 835-2472 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.babysdream.com and click on the recall image for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 4,600 cribs and furniture pieces

    Description: This recall involves Baby’s Dream full-size cribs, furniture and accessories sold in a vintage grey paint finish under the Brie, Braxton, Heritage, Everything Nice and Legendary collections. Cribs and furniture included in this recall were manufactured between March 2014 and March 2015 in Chile. A label affixed to the bottom of the crib’s back frame and the back panel of the furniture lists the product name, date and location of manufacture, model number and purchase order number (PO#). Model numbers included in the recall can be viewed here: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/Babys-Dream-Recalls-Cribs-and-Furniture/

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold at: Specialty furniture stores nationwide and online at BabysDream.com from March 2014 through March 2015 for between $350 and $900 for the cribs, and between $450 and $1,000 for the dressers, hutches, nightstands, bookcases and chests. Additional accessories were sold for between $100 and $300.

    Manufacturer: Baby’s Dream Furniture Inc., of Buena Vista, Ga.

    Manufactured in: Chile

  • Safety and Your Child!

    Do you talk with your child about personal safety? The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children advises that parents and guardians need to discuss safety with children, hopefully, before safety becomes an issue.1 There is no perfect time to teach a child about their personal safety. So why not begin now? Safety needs to be kept simple for young children as a child’s ability to understand and practice safety measures will be affected by their age and levels of development and education. Does your child know their full name, home address and telephone number? Does your child know how to use a cell phone to call you or 911? (Many of my friends’ children and grandchildren know how to use a cell phone and a Smart phone better than I do!) Parents, do you know where your child is at all times? If not, you should!

    Before you talk with your children about personal safety, make sure you are and have been listening to them–know what they do each day, what their habits are, who they play with, where they play (at the playground, at school, other?) and whose homes they visit. Listening to them and fostering open dialogue without penalty is a big factor in keeping communication coming. They need to know that you as a parent or guardian are their first line of protection and that you are approachable when they have safety questions. Parents need to be the trusted adults their children can call when they feel uncomfortable, confused, or there is an emergency. But having another trusted adult–a close friend of the parents or a family member– that a child can call upon is also a good idea in case a parent or parents would be unreachable in times of emergency.

    We all know that it is good to carefully choose a child’s caregivers (a.k.a. babysitters). Getting references for your child’s caregiver from friends, neighbors and even family members is a good idea. If you choose a caregiver, make sure to give them specific instructions–even write them down for them to read and check–so there’s no doubt about your “house rules” or about who or what is permitted in your home and who or what is not. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children advises that it’s even a good idea to visit your home unexpectedly when the caregiver is there with your child, to make sure your child is okay. Ask your child about the caregiver following the babysitting experience and listen well to their response.

    Does your child know whose homes in your neighborhood they can visit and whose homes they should not (e.g., because there may be no parent or guardian at a home to supervise play)? Draw a neighborhood map for your child with their boundaries on it. Point out where and how far they are allowed to go with your permission. Children need to know that adults should not be asking kids for directions, that if this happens it may be a trick (to get your child near or in a car) and your child should be alert, scream loud and run away if necessary! Children should be taught by you NEVER to go anywhere with anyone, without getting your permission first.

    For certain, life is not as simple and worry-free as it was when I was growing up. My parents could do things seemingly without worry that parents today can not do. Dropping children off at malls, theaters, game arcades, or even parks, alone, without a trusted adult in supervision, is NOT a good idea, no matter who does it! And parents should NEVER leave children unattended in a car. Parents need to be careful about putting their child’s name on clothing or accessories like lunch boxes and notebooks. If a child’s name is obvious, a perp may call the child’s name to get her/him to come closer. Walk to school with your children, show them where it is safe to walk. Show them where they can go if they should be followed or need help. Remind them not to take shortcuts, walk through alleys or isolated places. If they take a bus to and from school go to the bus stop and make sure they know which bus is theirs! Teach them that at the least there is safety in numbers and to take a buddy when they walk to and from school or the playground.

    Without becoming a helicopter parent, present in every waking moment of your child’s life, you can keep your child safe by teaching them to be aware of their own safety without being scared.

    ##

    1With grateful thanks to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for all they do to keep our kids safe. Information for this public service message was adapted from “Personal Safety from the Know The Rules brochures series as well as “Safety For Children: A Guide for Parents and Guardians” (NCMEC, 1998, 2002, 2005)

  • Roberta Roller Rabbit Recalls Children’s Pajama Sets Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: April 23, 2015

    Recall Number: 15- 122

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s Pajama Sets

    Hazard: The children’s pajama sets fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.

    Remedy: Refund; Replace

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them and return them to Roberta Roller Rabbit for instructions on receiving a free replacement pajama set or a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Roberta Roller Rabbit toll-free at (866) 227-6938 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.robertarollerrabbit.com and click on the Recall tab located under the Product Recall section on the bottom left side of the homepage.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 32,000

    Description: This recall involves children’s pajamas from Roberta Roller Rabbit by Roberta Freyman. The pajamas are 100% cotton, two-piece pajama sets sold in toddler size 1 through youth 12. The sets were sold in two styles; long-sleeve with pants or short-sleeve with shorts. Both styles were sold in eighteen prints in various colors; Babar, Bump, Christopher, Colada, Dino, Elephant, Goby, Hathi, Heart, Heebo, Moby, Monkey, Owl, Rain, Rico, Scotty, Teddy, and Ticochon. Roberta Roller Rabbit is identified on a yellow label sewn into the neck and waist of both the top and bottom. This recall includes all children’s sleepwear garments with a sewn-in label at the neck. Garments that are screen printed at the neck are not affected.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold at: Roberta Roller Rabbit retail stores, online at www.robertarollerrabbit.com and through other retail and wholesale outlets from January 2012 through February 2015 for between $55 and $65.

    Importer: Roberta Roller Rabbit, of New York, N.Y.

    Manufactured in: Peru

  • Children’s Pajamas Recalled by Smooth Industries Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

    Recall Date: April 8, 2015

    Recall Number: 15-108

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Children’s Pajamas

    Hazard: The pajamas fail to meet federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children.

    Remedy: Replace

    Consumers should immediately take the recalled pajamas away from children, stop using them and return them to Smooth Industries for credit towards another Smooth Industries product.

    Consumer Contact: Smooth Industries toll-free at (844) 216-2076 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Tuesday through Friday, or online at www.smoothindustries.com and click on the Product Recall link on the homepage.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 7,600

    Description: This recall involves children’s one- and two-piece Smooth Industries pajama sets. The pajamas are made of 100% polyester and were sold in four styles: Ride Smooth, Honda, MX Superstars and Moto X. The racing-themed pajamas have large motocross-related graphics and were sold in red, white and black; orange, white and black; and red, blue and black. One-piece pajama sets were sold in sizes: 6 to 12 months, 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months. Two-piece sets were sold in sizes XS to Youth XL. “Smooth Ind.” and “smoothindustries.com” is printed on the garment’s neck label.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Sold at: Authorized Smooth Industries motorcycle and motocross stores nationwide and online at SmoothIndustries.com and other motocross websites from October 2012 through January 2015 for between $30 and $35.

    Importer: Smooth Industries, Oceanside, Calif.

    Manufactured in: China