Category: Child Safety

The recent AP report¹ told of an accidental childhood death that should not have happened.  Noah Thomas was five years old and would have been entering first grade this week… if he were still alive.  His parents are in jail without bond for felony child neglect. Noah’s body was found, fully clothed, in a septic tank near their home in Pulaski County. The coroner’s office says Noah died March 26, 2015.  A homicide charge against the mother has been dropped. The cause of death is currently listed as “undetermined”. Hypothermia contributed to the little boy’s death.

Unintentional injury is still the leading cause of deaths in children, ages 1 through 14 (National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.). Fourteen children have died in “hot car” deaths in the U.S. so far this year. There seems to be a trend today of parents and caregivers who are so busy or so oblivious that they forget their kids. Then there are people who don’t know how to care for young children. I do not understand when there are many ways of contraception, why people who don’t really want to take responsibility for raising children, have children at all. It has been indicated in the literature that offspring of teen mothers often become abused or neglected because the parents don’t know how to care for them.²

Alerting young parents to raise children safely and healthfully is a daunting task. In 2003, the death of an 8-year old boy here in the Valley made an impression on me. This child suffered severe diarrhea, but his parents did not know how to care or what to do for him. He had been taken to the emergency room at least once. He was found in the shower where he had been trying to wash himself when he died. He was alone. Please ask yourselves, what these examples say about the state of child safety. Could these childhood deaths have been prevented?
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¹ “Medical Examiner Says Boy Drowned”, Associated Press, The Daily News Record, August 13, 2015, p. B3
² Teen Parent Child Care Quality Improvement Project, Florida State University, Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy, 4/15/2005

July 30, 2015 – A child was left in a hot car and was rescued by a Bergen County Sheriff’s officer. Reports indicate the mother has been charged with child endangerment. YouTube video:

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.

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

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.

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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)

April is a lot of things… It’s a time for my family to celebrate some family birthdays. It’s the month when spring flowers’ natural beauty revives the Virginia landscape where I live. It’s celebrating Easter, Passover and a host of holidays.  But, for us here at BeChildSafe.org, it is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and a special time “to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.” (National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2015)  This year, April also marks the 40th anniversary of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, also known as CAPTA, or Public Law 93-247.

CAPTA was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Nixon in 1974, and represents America’s strong stance against child abuse and neglect in our society. The law underwrites federal assistance to the states for prevention, identification and treatment programs and establishes the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, currently known as the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) within the Children’s Bureau. In 1983, President Reagan designated April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Over the years, the law has been expanded to create State Children’s Trust Funds to fund child abuse prevention.  During the 1990s, a grants program entitled Community-Based Family Resource and Support (CBFRS) was created promoting cooperation between public and private child abuse and prevention treatment programs. Also in the 1990s, a Federal Inter-Agency Work Group on Child Abuse and Neglect was created (FEDIAWG) and now includes representatives from more than 40 federal agencies who interact with each other and with OCAN.

Since the inception of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, there have been many steps forward in the identification and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Awareness has grown thanks to dedication to initiatives such as “We Can Make A Difference” in the 1990s and the 2003 partnership between OCAN’s Information Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, and Prevent Child Abuse America to raise the public’s awareness. Child abuse prevention has come a long way from recognizing the symptoms of child abuse and neglect to proactively using evidence-based home visiting programs to help address the root causes of child maltreatment and enhance efforts that strengthen the family.

Although child abuse and neglect awareness has advanced, the problem of child abuse and neglect is still everyone’s business.  If you see, hear or suspect a child is being abused or neglected, we urge you to say something–to the Child Protective authorities in your community, or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1-800-422-4453). All calls to the National Child Abuse Hotline are anonymous. You can also obtain the local Child Protective Services phone number in your state by checking this website:  https://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/?CWIGFunctionsaction=rols:main.dspROL&rolType=custom&rs_id=5

Our local chapter of the SafeKids Coalition sent these tips yesterday, and I want to post them for our readers who are parents, family members and caregivers of young children. Thanks to Wanda Willis of the Harrisonburg Fire Department for forwarding these to me. And I am hoping everyone who follows our blog has a happy, healthy and safe Valentine’s Day!
Marianne Halterman

Winter Cold Weather Safety Tips
February 14, 2015

Here are a few tips to keep your families safe during the bitter cold this weekend:

1. During a power outage avoid using candles for emergency lighting. Use flashlights and battery-powered lamps when possible.
2. If you must use a kerosene heater be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case of tip overs.
3. Keep young children away from any space heaters.
4. Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire in a woodstove or fireplace.
5. Keep a metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace opening at all times.
6. Have a CO Alarm when there are any appliances in your home that produce a flame.
7. Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device.
8. Every level of your home must have a working smoke alarm.
9. Practice a fire drill with your children and all members of your household.
10. Keep a car disaster kit in your car in case you are stranded or caught in traffic for an extended period of time.

The Central Shenandoah Valley SafeKids Coalition is also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Shenandoah-Valley-Safe-Kids-Coalition/103390966384968. Like their page and follow them for other safety tips throughout the year!

SB 781- Passing with a double yellow line: drivers allowed to pass a pedestrian, stopped vehicle, etc.

SB 803- Speed limits in school zones; counties allowed to increase or decrease.

SB 925- School zone speed limit photo-enforcement system.

HB 1309- Local school boards; arming of school security officers.

HB 1317- Speeding; reckless driving.

HB 1324- Boating safety education.

HB 1355- Photo monitoring; use of systems to enforce traffic light signals, appeals.

HB 1515- Safe sleep education

HB 1531- Speed limits in school zones.

HB 1644- Commonwealth Transportation Board; membership; terms; vacancies.

For more details, please visit www.virginiageneralassembly.gov.

It’s 2015 and I wanted to write something inspiring for the first BeChildSafe piece of the year.  Then I heard some news.  A deranged parent, a father, had thrown his 5-year old daughter from a bridge in Florida yesterday.  The child’s mother who has Multiple Sclerosis was inconsolable.  Not ten minutes later, I read about an 8-year old child in a Bergen County, NJ school (where I grew up) who was at the school for a soccer program and somehow a folding table collapsed on him and killed him. There were no more details.

Learning of these two sad events within moments of each other, to be honest, my spirits were dashed. I cannot dare to imagine how devastated the families of these children must be.  I had wanted to say in this first piece of the year, that perhaps children were safer than in any other year. I wanted to say that parents are really paying attention to their children and were carefully, lovingly caring for them. And these two random events made me question, all over again, where we are going in our society… Crime against the very young is becoming a common theme in today’s news.  A father in Chicago was recently charged with the murder of his toddler.  Did drugs enter in? It’s no longer difficult to imagine the worst.  A young woman in Virginia most likely will go to prison for her part in the death of a child in her care.

Such sad news only makes me more determined to continue alerting parents, caregivers and family members to safety issues we learn about, because the safety and the care of children is probably the most important duty– as a caregiver or family member, as extended family members, as “A Village”, as a society– that we have.

Also, I urge anyone who reads this blog or cares about kids to remember and practice, “If you see something, say something.”  If you suspect a child is being neglected, hurt or abused in any way–whether it is by a parent, extended family member, caregiver or even a family friend, to contact the appropriate authorities.

Please do what you can do to keep kids safe in 2015!

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