Tag: safetyfirst

Winter Fun and Safety

This Momma Juggles

After a snowy day or blizzard, what do children want to do? Yes, go play outside, make snow angels, build a snowman, or go sledding. They do not even think twice about the low temperatures and could care less if it’s freezing cold. Parents, on the other hand, know that low temperatures can lead to injuries and other conditions. But that does not stop children from going outside and we must keep them safe.

With that being said, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends etc. please remember safety first and follow the tips below.

  • BUNDLE UP!!! Dress children, babies, and yourself in layers of clothing, wear hats, gloves, scarves, and winter boots to prevent frostbites.
  • KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!! Even if nearby streets are closed to traffic please be very careful if sledding on the street. Poor Visibility is dangerous.
  • TIME CHECK!!! Remember to check on the children playing outside and ask if they are wet or freezing and have them go indoors.
  • CAUTION AROUND FIRE!!! Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and outdoor fire-pits are cozy but can present danger – especially to small children. 
  • SAFETY EQUIPMENT!!! Teach all children to wear helmets when snowboarding, skiing, sledding or playing ice hockey.
  • WATER SAFETY!!! TEACH children to stay away from icy or frozen bodies of water.
  • WINTER NOSEBLEEDS!!! Use a cold-air humidifier in their room if they suffer from winter nosebleeds. Saline nose drops can help keep their nose moist.
  • HYDRATION!!! Yes, children still need to be hydrated in the winter.
  • BE AWARE OF DANGER SIGNS!!! Look out for signs of frostbite, pale, grey or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose, and toes. If you think your child has frostbite bring the child indoors and put the affected area in warm (not hot) water. Signs of hypothermia are shivering, slurred speech, and unusual clumsiness. If you think your child has hypothermia call 9-1-1 immediately.

Sources: Save the children, national safety council

Thanks for stopping by!
-This Momma Juggles

Keep Baby SAFE with “Lull-A-Baby” NOT!!!!

This Momma Juggles

I came across an ad stating “Keep baby safe with a Lull-a-baby car hammock” and of course, I had to dig deeper. I discovered, that indeed it was a car hammock for infants and was invented in the “1960s”. (Ad Photo above)

I was surprised to see in the advertisement the words “safest, most comfortable car bed ever made.” Really! How could that be? How was that even accepted. I know I could never place my child in one.

Thankfully, times have changed and car seat safety have drastically, evolved and improved.

Did you know:
1900s – car seats were introduced
1930s – available to purchase (for the convenience of the parent rather then for safety)
1962 – invention of car safety seats (thank goodness)
1986 – law on child safety seats were established in all 50 states

It’s scary that car safety laws have been in place for only 33 years. Not too mention that many other countries still do not even have any type of enforcement for car safety seats.

FYI
* Car seats have expiration dates
* Be very cautious with second-hand car seats (you do not know if it was involved in an accident)
* Replace any car seat involved in a car accident
* If you need help installing your safety seat, contact your local health departments, public safety groups, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments have technicians or fitting stations to help parents. (If you go to one of these locations, be sure to ask for a certified child passenger safety technician.)

RI Seat Belt Laws & Car Seat Recommendations

Rhode Island has a primary seat belt law (R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22) that encompasses child restraint and child passenger safety.

  • A motor vehicle operator shall be properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness system while the vehicle is in operation of any of the roadways, streets, or highways of this state per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(g)(1).
  • Any passenger eight (8) years of age or older, in any seating position, shall be transported properly wearing a safety belt and/or harness system per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(b)(1).
  • Any person transporting a child under the age of eight (8), less than 57 inches (57”) in height and less than 80 pounds (80 lbs.), in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets or highways of this state, shall transport the child in any rear seating position of the motor vehicle properly restrained in a child restraint system approved by the United States Department of Transportation per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(a)(1).
  • All infants and toddlers under the age of two (2) years or weighing less than thirty pounds (30 lbs.) shall be restrained in a rear-facing car seat.
  • All children two (2) years of age or older who have outgrown their rear-facing car seat by height or weight should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness up to the maximum allowed by the child restraint manufacturer per R.I.G.L. § 31-22-22(a)(1).

NOTE: Vehicle operators are responsible for compliance of sections (a), (b), and (f) for all passengers. The fine for a child riding in the front seat and/or over 8 years old not in a seat belt is $85. A violation for transporting a child not in a child restraint system requires an appearance in court.

http://risp.ri.gov/safety/vehiclesafety/seatbelts.php

Resources
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812451

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/auto-baby-toddler.html

Thanks for stopping in!
-This Momma Juggles