Strollerderby : safety tips

Consumer Reports Responds to Sling-Hate Outrage

Madeline Holler — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:31:00 GMT

When Consumer Reports issued its warning against five products they thought should never find their way onto a baby registry, the response was one of outrage. Especially with regard to two issues: baby-wearing and co-sleeping.

The venerated watchdog group warned of serious injury and death from both, adding that co-sleeping products pose their own set of risks, but got hammered by co-sleeping baby-wearers. So in a follow-up post to all the angry comments, here's how they defended their findings.

On slings:

Slings can be very difficult for some people to tie, position and wear securely. Not all are intuitive and it’s easy for caregivers to get them wrong. If they do, the consequence can be dire. Many of the injuries associated with slings happen when the baby falls out of the carrier or bangs his head against a hard surface, say a door frame. There’s also a risk of positional asphyxia, which occurs when a baby is curled up in the sling and the head is pushed so far forward that the airway is closed off.

It may be possible to make sling carriers that don’t pose safety risks and that are not as easy to use incorrectly as many currently on the market. We’ll reserve our judgment until an adequate safety standard can be developed for these products.

And on co-sleeping:

... infants younger than eight months old who are placed to sleep in adult beds are as much as 40 times more likely to suffocate than if they are placed to sleep in cribs. Even when researchers provided a more conservative estimate by eliminating all deaths from parents physically overlying an infant and then doubled the estimated number of infants who may be put to sleep in adult beds, the risk of fatality from bed sharing was still 20 times greater than that of infants who sleep in cribs.

The short post (which was startlingly defensive, but OK) went on to recommend that parents put babies in a bare crib to sleep only. (Maybe I'm feelng a bit churlish, but I'd like to point out that the very next post is about the second-round of a massive crib recall).

As for carriers, they recommend only Baby Bjorn or Snugli style carriers. Which, as you can read in comments, just aren't right for people who prefer to sling.

Sling Babies At Your Own Risk

Dangerous Baby Gear: Why Can I Buy It?

Consumer Reports Picks 5 Baby Gifts Never to Buy Again

Dangerous Baby Gear: Why Can I Buy It?

Madeline Holler — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:01:00 GMT

A recent press release for the May 2009 issue of ShopSmart, by the publishers of Consumer Report, lists some safety tips and includes many of the usual: don't turn your back even for a second while baby is in the tub; keep bouncy seats off tables; and actually buckle the straps on the stroller.

And then there's this tip: don't use bath seats.

And also this one: don't put your baby in a walker.

Okay, I have heard those last two safety tips -- along with don't use crib bumpers -- since I signed on to this whole mothering thing eight years ago. Every parenting magazine I read, every website I checked, every "safety tips" list in the OBs office always included those three tips among the others.

Yet I spent last weekend watching our hosts' nine-month-old zip around his house full of stairs in a brand new walker.

I've been given a number of bath seats over the years (my experience: indeed, they tip, and even if they didn't, they're too much of a bother). You can't swing a registry gun in BabiesRUs without hitting a crib bumper.

So here's my question: why can one still buy bathseats, walkers, and crib bumpers in a wide array of fabrics -- even though they make the dangers Top 10 every time? Why? Are they actually fine and these safety people are just looking for filler tips? Or do these manufacturers get some kind of pass?

I'm not 100 percent Safety Tips adherent. For example, ShopSmart recommends changing tables have four walls around the pad, yet we've always set up our changing pad on a dresser. We can see the possibilities so we're careful. We don't have a baby monitor. I've let my toddlers roam while I take a (quick!) shower. Still, it's weird to me that walkers and bath seats are not only sold ... but also bought ... even though their benefits hardly outweigh their danger.

Any hardcore baby seat users care to explain the appeal? Anybody else confused by the availability of walkers? I thought exersaucers took care of all that. And crib bumpers? Are we seeing a lot of bruising from reckless baby rolling? What banned and/or dangerous/"dangerous" baby gear are you still using?

Photo: naturescrib.com

Family Members Eating Peanuts May Trigger Allergies In Kids

Kelly Mills — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:33:00 GMT

Okay, so one of the theories about peanut allergies is that a lack of exposure to peanuts may be responsible for an increase in the allergy. Folks point to the fact that peanut allergies are evident at a much lower rate in countries where peanuts are a big part of a baby's diet. And it makes sense, since allergies are an immune system overreaction, so less exposure might be bad, right? Um, maybe not. A study funded in part by the British government found that in households where more peanuts were eaten, kids were more likely to develop peanut allergies.

Now, we should be clear that the study wasn't talking about the kids themselves eating peanuts, but other family members. The thinking is that dust and oil from the peanuts get into the kids' skin and noses, triggering the immune system and leading to an allergic reaction when the kid finally has peanuts for the first time. Here's your quote: "These results suggest that higher environmental exposure to peanuts in early life in families of those children who went on to develop peanut allergy may have promoted the development of peanut allergy." By the way, they also found Brazil nuts cause worse breathing problems for the allergic than peanuts, so throw out all that Brazil nut butter.

Are Your Holiday Decorations Really Instruments of Death?

Kelly Mills — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:29:00 GMT

Or something. Actually, the article is titled: "Can my holiday decorations kill me?" and the answer is: Yes, yes they can if they include a lead-leaching plastic tree and strings of lights. So by "holiday" they mean "Christmas" unless some other holidays have co-opted the fake tree shtick unbeknownst to me. 'Course your menorah or your Kwanzaa candles could also burn the house down, but right now we only care about lead danger, because we see our society falling like Rome over lead secreted in every damn thing we own.

Okay, maybe decorations "killing" is a little strong, and there is a solution: wash your hands after you fondle the pine. See, "Artificial trees are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, in which lead is used as a stabilizer and softener. Research has shown that lead dust tends to leach out from fake trees over time, so if yours is more than a dozen years old, be careful." But of course, kids are slightly less likely to swallow lead trees than they are to put their playthings in their mouths, so you probably ought to focus your hysteria on the toy presents this year. And I loooove this: "...parents should be more concerned about the shock danger if their kids are mouthing electrical wires." Ya think? Gee, we always let Junior chew on electrical cords because it is so darling to see him suddenly freeze and levitate, but what with the combined risk of lead and electrical shock, why this year we'll keep him away from the strings of lights. Here honey, play with these Aqua Dots instead.

Your House Is a Minefield of Hazards For Your Baby

Kelly Mills — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:37:00 GMT

Think you baby-proofed? Think again. (Ba ba buuuuum.) Parenting has a list of the most common causes of infant injury and death, which household items or practices are possible culprits, and how to make your home safe and secure for your little whippersnapper. It's a good list, but perhaps not quite comprehensive enough. So let's take a look at a few of these and add a couple cautions of our own.

Big Bad: Falls. Parenting lists insufficient baby gates, walkers, and leaving a carrier unattended as danger zones. We'd also like to remind you not to put your infant carrier on top of your car and drive off (did anyone NOT have that nightmare?) Also, don't dig a well in your living room unless you are looking for some media attention.

Big Bad: Suffocation. Culprits include sleeping with the baby in your bed (it's okay co-sleepers, they advise attaching a crib to your bed,) a cluttered crib, and "coin-size" foods. Those of you on the coin-size diet will have to be especially careful. And we'd like to add that plastic bags do not make good sleep sacks, unless you have a preemie.

Big Bad: Drowning. Don't leave buckets of water around, skip bathing seats that give you a false sense of security, and be extra careful with kiddie pools (also known as "malaria breeding grounds.") We also want to remind you that the ocean is very deep and therefore potentially dangerous.

Big Bad: Fire and Burns. Danger lurks in too-hot water heaters, an outdated smoke alarm, and your morning cappucino. (Not the coffee! Say it ain't so!) I read somewhere that stoves and matches are also kinda hot. You should also be careful if you live inside a volcano, because one misstep and that lava spells disaster.

Be safe now.

Last Minute Halloween Safety Tips, Cuz It's the Scariest Holiday

Kelly Mills — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:32:00 GMT

I feel we can't post enough about the myriad dangers of Halloween. After all, it involves masks, darkness, strangers, and candy--for god's sake, it sounds like a party at Rachel's house, and we have to sign a waiver to get into those. So let's take quickly do a last-minute recap of what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones on this fun but perilous day.

1. Watch that costume. Did you know falls are the number one cause of injury on Halloween? For kids, that means you should check to make sure the costumes aren't too long and trippy, and that any masks have large enough eyeholes to allow for clear vision. (You may want to make sure there's airholes while you are at it.) For adults, this means you should exercise caution when selecting who to be this year. For example, I know of at least one person who dressed up as Amy Winehouse and really lived the part, resulting in some hilarious photos, a few falls, and a de-invitation to next year's party. So be cautious when deciding to emulate a messed-up celeb, giant baby, or lecherous forest creature.

2. Be sure others can see you. Kids and cars and poorly-lit streets create a deadly cocktail. (You like that line? I got it from Fox News.) Invest in flashlights and glow sticks--in fact, you could convince your child to dress up as a giant glow stick if it makes you feel better. Keep the kiddies close when crossing the street to vandalize pumpkins. But while you want to make sure your outfits are well-lit, please do check that the costumes are flame-retardant. That poly costume fabric ain't pretty after you brush up against a lit jack-o'-lantern. Brrrrgh.

3. Inspect the candy. We know the tales of razor blades in apples are largely hoaxes (yeah, like a kid would eat an apple) but you can't be too safe. Toss all unwrapped candy and the Whoppers (just cuz they are gross.) You might also wanna confiscate anything chokeable. I've been trying to convince my kid that Reese's are totally the kind of thing that gets lodged in kids' throats. Wish me luck.

Have a safe and spooky holiday, and I hope it's only scary in a non-traumatic way.

Floating Babies: Fear-Based Parenting Meets Stupid Pet Tricks

Madeline Holler — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:37:00 GMT

I, too, raised a skeptical single eyebrow at all this talk of infant swimmers. Babies who swim before they can walk? That just smacks of competi-mommies and monkey trainers.

Then I watched this video and thought, “where do I sign?” (Note: Turn off the sound so that (1) you don’t have to hear the plinking sounds of water music and (2) you don’t get weepy when the baby, floating face-up in a swimming pool for five minutes (in his jammies!), starts screaming something about water.)

The lessons are expensive as hell and there’s still the risk of diarrhea and all that but still. A baby who can float on her back? If my kids could do that, they'd so be better than your kids! They could even join the circus! Or better yet, I could manage a little calm around all these damn open swimming pools here in Southern California.

Basic Halloween Safety Tips (Oh, Just Read 'Em - A Reminder Never Hurts)

Alisyn — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:09:00 GMT

Really, most of these tips are no-brainers - but brushing up on the basics of Halloween safety in the run-up to Halloween night never hurt anyone, right? Right!

According to the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), most serious Halloween-related injuries involve burns from flammable costumes and decorations, and open flames, such as candles and Jack O'Lanterns, as well as abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or costumes. To prevent any major mishaps, and to help your kids stay visable in the dark, and comfy in their costumes, follow the CPSC's basic safety tips.

Costumes:

* Buy or make costumes that are light, bright, and clearly visable in the dark, or trim costumes and/or treat bags with reflective tape (available at hardware or bicycle stores). Older kids will whine about looking like dorks, but you should be used to that by now.

* Carry flashlights.

* Have kids wear well-fitting shoes for trick-or-treating, if you possibly can.

* Tie hats, scarves, sashes, etc. securely to prevent them from slipping over kids' eyes or under their feet.

* Make sure kids can see and breathe in their masks. It is amazing how many kids will forgo oxygen and vision for fashion's sake.

* Swords, knives, wands, and other accessories should be made out of flexible materials. Real swords, knives and wands should only be wielded by parents trying to keep their kids in line.

TREATS:

* Warn kids not to eat ANYTHING until an adult has carefully "examined" or "sampled" EVERYTHING. (Tell kids Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are actually called "Cheesy Peanut Butter Cups," insist that the brown stuff is "peanut cheese," then confiscate and consume at least a dozen of them. It works for me every year!)

* Carefully examine the toys that the anti-candy families (like mine) proudly throw into your kids' treat bags. Throw out the crappy ones that look like they're from China.

DECORATIONS:

* Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps, where costumes could brush against the flame. (I've actually seen this happen. Not pretty.)

* Indoors, keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains and decorations that could catch fire. DO NOT leave burning candles unattended! Come on, people!

* Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, stoops, and porches if you expect trick-or-treaters. Do you really want to see the jack o' lantern you worked so hard on be splattered to hell by some jacked up 10-year-olds?

* Don't pull a Clark Griswold by overloading your light sockets and extension cords. That's straight amateur.

Miracle Crib Tent Keeps Mommy From Going to a Home

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:29:00 GMT

Once upon a time there was a sweet darling little baby who liked to sleep in her crib. She slept and she slept and she slept. Every day she grew cuter and cuter and more beloved. And every day she was smarter and smarter and smarter. Until one day (a dark day) she learned how to crawl out of her crib. And she was ecstatic! And thrilled with her new skill. So thrilled that she tried it over and over.. at regular REM destroying intervals....

Having lived through this sort of revolution in personal toddler freedom before, the nice but very tired parents decided to order some sort of contraption that would neither scar the sweet little child nor get them arrested.

Enter the Magical Miracle Crib Tent (pictured right)... Technically it's simply called "crib tent", but if it isn't a miracle, I don't know what is...

The best part is that it's all in the name of safety. The crib tent will "...help prevent your child from being injured by falling out of the crib" And what is more loving than that? It's no secret that very very young children are particularly scritchy and screamy when they don't get enough sleep.

If you want to keep your love alive (and here I'm referring to you and your co-parent) do yourselves a favor. Get that kid a crib tent! Otherwise, you'll find your sanity slip, slip, slipping away...

Booster Seat Safety Questioned

Madeline Holler — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:02:00 GMT

We went all out with installing our first daughter's infant carseat carrier: appointment with the county sheriff, certified installation specialist, the whole thing. After a few months, we moved up to the convertible carseat and, again, we went to the experts.

Then she turned three-and-a-half and weighed in at 32 pounds, so her pediatrician said she could transition to the next level of safety seat: a booster. After spending hundreds of dollars on the other seats and setting aside entire afternoons to get them properly and tightly installed, the $35 booster seemed a little, uh, questionable? Flimsy? Anti-climactic?

Installation involved brushing crumbs off the back seat and setting it down. No LATCH systems, no belts to tighten, nothing. The booster behaved more like a nicely upholstered phone book. It slid around a lot and mainly seemed to give her a better view from the window. One family argues that such booster seats are just about as safe as a phone book too, especially for the very young.

More than 30 states require children who are not yet 4 and not yet 40 pounds to sit in a booster seat. This family, whose son flew out of a window in a car wreck, argues that booster seats should be like a toddler carseats that hold more weight: straps and five-point harnesses and bases buckled tightly into the car.

Car accidents are the number one killer of children, so maybe they have a point. Are these little boosters just convenient cup-holder supports or are they actually saving lives? What do you have and when did you transition your kid from the belt-heavy carseat to the easy-in, easy-out booster?

Forgetting Kids In Hot Cars

Kelly Mills — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:24:00 GMT

Yesterday I mocked an infant alarm system designed to keep people from forgetting their kids in the car. I figured, "How often do responsible parents do that?" Well, elmomma23 pointed us toward an article on this, and apparently, about three dozen kids die in overheated cars annually. Ugh. I really sat up when I read, "'The biggest danger is that people think they wouldn't do it,' said Janette Fennell, president of Kids and Cars, a Kansas advocacy organization that tracks non-traffic-related child auto deaths." See, my motto as a parent is "Never say never." In other words, I truly hope I ain't next.

So check it out, and notice how it says that sleep deprivation can be a factor in memory loss. In fact, according to a sleep researcher, "Going 24 hours without sleep or sleeping only four to five hours a night for a week is equivalent -- in terms of impairing your performance -- to having a blood alcohol level of 0.1." Sigh. Apparently I'm at least buzzed all the time. Now I'm going to go give my kid a big hug.

Pregcellent: Eat Up That Raw Fish

Kelly Mills — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:06:00 GMT

While I like to kid about the fact that food in pregnancy is like a giant minefield of potential hazards, the truth is I think there's way to much pressure to be so super-duper extra careful in pregnancy that the stress alone is probably yet another risk factor. That's why I love this piece on why it's probably just fine to eat sushi when you are expecting. Of course, I get the news a few years too late (sushi was my big pregnancy craving, and while I abstained out of paranoia, it was the first thing I ate after giving birth.) As the author points out, most sushi fish aren't susceptible to parasites; the fish goes through a flash-freezing process designed to kill parasites; and in a clean kitchen, the risk of contamination is minimal. So bust out the wasabi.

The author makes the point that the sushi ban speaks to a larger pregnancy issue: "...pregnancy should be a time of joy, not stress. The result of an over-regulated pregnancy is fear and negativity. Perhaps the best antidote would be to relax with a salmon roll and a nice sake." Oh my lord, did he advocate alcohol too? That one might bring on some fallout. Hmmm, I'm just going to take my spicy tuna roll over to the corner here and watch.

Things Fall Apart: Gerber's Clumping Choking Organic Baby Cereal

Karen Murphy — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:03:00 GMT

Feed your baby organic rice or oatmeal cereal? Sure you do. Organic = good, right? And that baby cereal, it's pretty handy, it just mixes with your chosen liquid and poof! cereal for your baby.

Except when it has lumps that won't dissolve. Yeah, you know and I know that you're unlikely to force your baby to actually eat those lumps, but hey, maybe somebody out there may overlook one inadvertently, or some precocious baby actually feeds himself (I've heard this happens), and all of a sudden you've got a choking baby on your hands. Which is not good. We try to avoid that.

I'm a little bothered that there's no mention of this on Gerber's actual site as of yet, but the known facts are that the recall involves Gerber organic rice and oatmeal cereal (in an 8-oz. box). You can call the Gerber parent's resource center at 800-443-7237 or 231-928-3000 to return the product and receive a refund.

Don't Blow Up in the Fireworks

Kelly Mills — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:03:00 GMT

Part two of the 4th of July safety bonanza has to do with everyone's favorite drunken pastime: blowing shit up. Fireworks are super illegal where I live, but our very sweet, mild-mannered neighbor turns out to be a closet pyro, and she always sets off tons of 'em. I'm not a fan (traumatic childhood sparkler injury) but should you be like her, here's what you need to know, from Home Ec 101.

Bad Bad Ivy makes a wonderful list, and I'll only add two more: don't set fireworks off on a rooftop in San Francisco (and if that was your window, I wasn't even there) and consider earplugs for the kids, even for the pro shows. Not only will you protect their tender little ears, but the show will probably be somewhat less scary for them. Now get that Roman Candle away from me!

Pregcellent: Why BBQ Sucks If You Are Knocked Up

Kelly Mills — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:25:00 GMT

Because I'm only posting about the potential dangers of the Fourth of July today (you can tell I'm a super-fun mom) I come bearing bad news to those with buns in the oven. BBQs have all kinds of hazards for you. Sorry. No, not because of the toxic smoke (though there is that too) or the possibility of firecracker injury, or even the fact that once again you'll have to watch everyone get drunk around you while you abstain. Nope, the badness of BBQ is the food. Which sucks, because really, the only joy of pregnancy is eating alot, unless you are still puking non-stop. Cheerful, eh?

So you probably know you should avoid any nice grilled swordfish or tuna steaks, and limit the mahi mahi. But there's also the issue of undercooked meat, a big problem for the amateur griller who sears the outside of the chicken and leaves the inside cold and raw. Ditto for the burgers. Deli meats are a problem too. The article says hot dogs are okay if they are cooked to steaming. I guess the grill version would be shriveled little twigs. Mmmm, good.

Oh, and beware the potato salad that has sat out, or anything mayonaise-y that hasn't been refrigerated. Homemade ice cream and Caesar salads are off-limits because of the raw eggs. Soft cheeses like brie shouldn't go down the hatch. And skip the diet coke, or anything with aspartame. So yeah, have fun with your burned wieners and veggies minus the dip. No wonder we get so moody when we are with child.

Don't Burn Up In the BBQ

Kelly Mills — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:42:00 GMT

Happy Birthday, United States! Hope your day is wonderful and you don't fall like the Roman Empire, what with all your infidels and greenhouse gases and Spongebob Squarepants. (Oooh, my husband just pointed put that Rome didn't have Spongebob. But it did have Cicero, same thing.) Should you be partying with the U.S. of A. today in BBQ style, we want to throw down a word of caution with this tip sheet. Because, "According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, warm-weather activities such as hosting a barbeque led to product-related injuries for more than 3.7 million people in 2002." Hmm, I'm not sure if eating bad potato salad counts as a "product-related injury" but you're better safe than sorry.

Should you decide to char some meat and veggies on the outdoor grill, you should be very careful. If you have a propane grill (like me, it is da bomb) make sure there's no leaks in the tank, and don't go flicking your Zippo right next to it. If you use a good, old-fashioned charcoal grill, don't bring the coals inside; don't pour lighter fluid on lit coals (truly); have a fire extinguisher on hand; and don't wear loose sleeves. The tip sheet also covers ways to reduce the risk of cancer with a-grillin', so read up before you eat up.

Flying with Kids Just Got a Whole Lot Easier

ChagHolland — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:28:00 GMT

If you are brave enough to travel by plane with your children this summer, CBS's The Early Show recently profiled some products and tips to make your flight a little less crazy.

The program mentioned a vest which attaches to your seatbelt that keeps your baby on your lap and out of the overhead compartment when the plane hits a pocket of turbulence. For those of you who do not feel like dragging a toddler and a car seat through a busy airport, there is a portable restraint system available that only weighs a pound.

One of the many tips the segment provided was to keep your baby's bottle chilled by storing it in an ice-filled air-sickness bag. Here's a bonus tip from me: you can also stash your airplane bottle of vodka there until your kid finally falls asleep.

Unfortunately, the program did not state how to pack a playard, a box of diapers, pool supplies, a ton of beach towels, forty-eight changes of clothes, and all the other crap needed for a vacation with a toddler.

Cars and Kids=Trouble

Kelly Mills — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:26:00 GMT

The Automotive Coalition on Traffic Safety surveyed 900 parents, and learned that most parents underestimate the risks of cars to kids. For example, two-thirds thought it was unlikely a child would die from heat after being left alone in a car, when it turns out that kids' bodies heat up faster than adults, and so far this year at least five kids have died from heat stroke after being left unattended in a ride. The president of the coalition says, "Kids are run over in driveways and parking lots, suffer from hypothermia, they put a car in motion while playing, are strangled by power windows, or trapped in the trunks of sedans."Yeesh. Now even my crappy old mom car is looking like a death trap to me.

Obviously we need to do the basics: buckle up, hold hands, and exercise caution around streets and driveways. But this issue of leaving kids in cars is a temptation I'm sure many parents have felt. You know, kids are asleep or tired, the hassle of dragging children out of the carseats seems like such a pain and you are only going to run in for a second... Of course the consequences if something goes wrong are so awful, it really isn't worth it. When I was small, my sister and I were alone in a car and accidentally kicked it into neutral, and slowly began rolling down a slope. I leaped out of the car and tried to push it back up the hill (that's kid logic for you.) Luckily we were both fine, but the experience stayed with me. Now my kid is forced exit the vehicle and come everywhere with me, which is sometimes a real drag, but ultimately gives me way more peace of mind.

Don't Trust a Dawg

Kelly Mills — Sun, 27 May 2007 17:04:00 GMT

My child has had a terror of dogs ever since she was an infant. I don't think she ever had a bad dog experience, but we used to have to cross the street every time a tiny terrier approached us. If a dog somehow managed to sneak up on us, she'd shriek and sob with fear and literally scramble up me like she was climbing a tree. In a way I can hardly blame her: what would you do if an animal the same size as you or bigger came barreling up to you and put its wet nose in your face? For a while we were determined to help her overcome this phobia, so we'd find gentle dogs and practice approaching them and petting them slowly. But after reading these tips and statistics on dog danger from the American Humane Society, I'm kind of glad we haven't had to worry about her running over to every strange Rottweiler for a snuggle. Ugh, did you know children account for about 70 percent of all dog bite victims?

Here's the lessons to teach your kids about dog safety:

-Never to approach an unknown dog or a dog who is without his owner, and always ask the owner's permission before petting the dog.
-If approached by an unfamiliar dog, stand still like a tree. Oh god, good luck with that one. I don't think my child even knows what "still" means.
-Never run from or scream around a dog. We have to work on this one.
-If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle. Or a taser.
-If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and stay still.
-Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies. I think they meant "...eating, or caring for puppies." Cuz I can guarantee we'll never get near a dog eating puppies.

Be safe, and bring a muzzle.

Street Smarts: Tips for Your Kids

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:41:00 GMT

We cannot always be with our children. Right now my kids are both two years old. Sometimes it feels like I am with them every minute, but we all know that is impossible. From what I understand (and what I remember from being a kid myself) when they get older they will spend even more time away from me. I guess it would be pretty creepy if I went to high school with them.

So do you need help street-proofing your kids? Here are a couple of tips:

Make sure your kids know their name, address and phone number. I know it sounds simple, but if they were to get lost and they didn't know where they lived, how would anyone be able to help them get them back home?
Have the stranger talk. Make sure your kids know not to talk to strangers unless it is a police officer.
Teach your kids to use well lit streets that are more likely to have a lot of people around instead of taking dangerous shortcuts.

A few more? Try to accompany any children under the age of ten to a public restroom, make sure your kids pay attention to their surroundings and have emergency plans.