Safe and Secure

Watching her three-and-a-half year old son use a chair to reach countertops, had Natalie Koifman thinking there must be a better, safer way for kids to reach things above their height. So, she invented the “Little Helper” which she hopes will be on the market in a year or so. In the meantime, parents should remember that supervision is key to keeping kids safe - what kids can’t reach, they will climb to get.

Since the process of gaining a license and patent for the “Little Helper” is still ongoing, Koifman is not able to give specific information about the information.

“I can say that it basically acts as a substitute for a chair by providing much better support for a child when he or she stands on it,” Koifman said. “It could possibly cut down on the risk factor.”

Because a lengthy amount of time is spent receiving a license and patent, as well as waiting to be picked up by a major manufacturer, the “Little Helper” may not be out in stores until a few years later.

Boca Raton News - The Leader in Local News Online

A Michigan company offers temporary tattoos for children, with a twist. The tattoos contain identification and contact information in case the kids are separated from their parents while traveling or separated from a group while on field trips. Tattoos are also available for people with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Designed by a Michigan woman, the tattoos come in six colors, with kits for boys and girls. The tattoos cost about $2 each or $10 for a travel kit that includes six tattoos, a marker for writing a phone number, towelettes to apply the tattoo with and alcohol wipes for removing it. The tattoos generally last for a week, said Cindi Aldrich, who owns Temporary Tattoos With A Purpose. Frey said his daughter’s tattoo started to rub off a little on the way to the airport.

More information from Tattoos With a Purpose

courant.com | Tattoos Give Children Identification That’s Hard To Lose

ISO ratings are used by your insurance company to help set your homeowners insurance rates. They also can provide some insight into your area’s overall fire safety. ISO rates fire departments and also rates city’s based on building codes.

The Public Protection Classification Program for fire departments rates departments on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best possible score. A score of 10 is not the worst outcome; the worst possible is to fail to qualify for rating. A better rating generally means a better equipped department with better reliable water sources and a better rating results in lower homeowner’s premiums, all other factors being equal. Requirements to receive a rating of 8 or better in the PPC program are:

To receive a Public Protection Classification (PPCTM) of Class 8 or better, a community must first have the minimum facilities and practices needed to get a PPC rating and must meet the minimum criteria for Class 9. In addition, the community must have these additional minimum facilities:
* There must be a minimum water supply of 250 gpm for a two-hour duration for fire protection in the area.

If the fire department delivers the 250 gpm through tanker shuttle, large-diameter hose, or other alternative water supply, the water must be available within five minutes of the arrival of the first due apparatus, and the department must maintain the flow, without interruption, for the two-hour duration.
* The fire department must have at least one piece of suitably equipped apparatus with a pump of at least 250-gpm capacity rated at 150 psi.

Source: ISO Mitigation

The Albuquerque Police Department provides this excellent advice for parents on safety for kids home alone:

Being home alone can be a scary proposition for kids and parents. Many parents who work all day are faced with the daunting task of making sure their children are safe and protected before and after school. By following the tips listed below, parents can ease some of the anxiety associated with leaving their children home alone as well as general child safety advice.

* Regardless of age, make sure your child is mature enough and can comprehend rules to your satisfaction before leaving them alone.
* Can your child be trusted to go straight home after school, easily use the telephone, locks, follow rules and instructions, and stay alone without being afraid?
* Parents should teach kids basic safety rules and house rules. They should also know where their children are at all times, what they’re doing, and who they’re with.
* Instruct your child to check in with a trusted neighbor or call you as soon as they get home.
* Make sure they know how to call 911 in case of an emergency and post important numbers.
* Do they know their telephone number, address, and directions to the home?
* Establish a pre-arranged code word in case someone has to pick them up for you.
* o they know how to operate all doors and window locks as well as an alarm system?
* Install eye viewers at a level comparable to your children’s height.
* Explain to your children to never let anyone into the home or let them know that they are alone.
* Establish set rules about having friends over or going somewhere without your permission.
* Children should never carry their house/apartment key in full view. Place the key in a shirt pocket, sock, or other secure place.
* Teach them never to go into the home if signs of intrusion are noticed (broken windows, ripped screen, open doors).
* Establish a fixed route to and from school and walk that route with your children. Point out designated locations they can go for help including neighbors.
* Encourage them to walk with friends at all times.
* Avoid danger spots like alleys, wooded areas, construction zones, public restrooms, empty buildings and remain in well lit, active locations. Avoid locations where strangers are present.
* If a stranger (any one they do not know) attempts to follow or grab them, teach them to scream, +Stay away from me” or “This person is trying to hurt me,” and run to an established safe place.
* Regularly communicate with your child about unusual incidents, contact with other people, or any event that makes them uncomfortable.

Source: Albuquerque Police Department

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluated minivans in side and front impact crash tests. The Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, and Honda Odyssey earned a rating of “good” (the highest possible) in side impact tests. The Sienna and Quest earned “best pick” designations for side crashes and the Sienna also won a “best pick” designation for front impacts. Compared to the federal side impact tests, the IIHS tests used a barrier more comparable to today’s average vehicle to simulate a crash.

Federal test doesn’t reflect many real-world crashes: The federal government also conducts side impact tests for consumer information but uses a barrier that was designed in the 1980s when cars represented most vehicles on the road. The height of the barrier’s front end is below the heads of the dummies that measure injury risks in side-struck vehicles. The federal test doesn’t assess the risks of head injury from impacts with vehicles like SUVs and pickups.

IIHS News Release: November 2, 2005

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Two recalls issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the last week:

• Dorel Juvenile Group USA Battery-Powered Ride-On Vehicles
• Target Pillar Candles With Jewels

See complete information on all recalls by reading more…

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There are lots of safety tips for parents on Halloween - trick or treat with your kids instead of letting them go alone, find safety in numbers, avoid strange houses, us makeup instead of masks. Check Halloween-Safety.com for lots of safety tips.

But even for those without kids Please remember to drive carefully Halloween night.

For drivers, Palermo said, it’s important to remember that kids are so often full of sugar and excited about the holiday that they forget where they are and may dart into the road.

“Drivers need to be more aware and really just slow down,” he said. “Essentially, you can’t count on the children to keep themselves safe. They’re not going to be paying as close attention as they should, and that puts more of a responsibility on those who are driving.”

Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com - Norwich, Conn.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued two recalls:

1) Delta Cycle Corp.: Picasso Two-Bike Folding
Racks
2) Hellenic Rug Imports Inc.: Shag Leather Rugs

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission

More information available by reading more…

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Following are the complete list of Class I food and drug recalls from the FDA from October 1 to October 24.

Hirzel Canning Company Recalls Prima Qualita Meatless Spaghetti Sauce Due to Undeclared Cheese (October 21, 2005)

Corrected Release: Home Made Brand Foods Inc. Issued Allergy Alert on Listeria in Classic Tuna Salad (October 21, 2005)

Public Health Notification: Boston Scientific ENTERYX Procedure Kits and Injector Single Packs (October 14, 2005)

Baroody Imports Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Baroody Dried Apricots (October 14, 2005)

Home Made Brand Foods Inc. Issued Allergy Alert on Listeria in Classic Tuna Salad (October 14, 2005)

Fortuna Sea Products, Inc. Recalls Frozen Cooked Clam Meat Because of Possible Health Risk (October 7, 2005)

Aurora Products, Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Little Michael Dried Apricots (October 7, 2005)

Orca Bay Foods, Inc. Recalls Red King Crab Legs and Claws Due to Possible Health Risk (October 7, 2005)

BioMerieux Issues Worldwide Correction Recall of VeriCal® Calibrator Set (October 6, 2005)

Drug Labeling Safety Information — Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) (October 5, 2005)

Henretty’s Prime Meats Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Crab Cakes (October 5, 2005)

The White Lily Foods Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat Flour in Three Rivers Self-Rising Cornmeal (October 3, 2005)

FDA Issues Nationwide Health Alert on Dole Pre-Packaged Salads (October 2, 2005)

Full information on these and other FDA recalls can be found at the FDA website.

November is the top month for deer-auto collisions, so it’s time to start watching more carefully as you drive. Deer are not just a danger to property; deer related collisions result in injury and sometimes even death.

The state patrol reported Tuesday that an Ironton man died just east of Brainerd on Highway 210 after a deer crashed through the windshield of his pickup. The 28-year-old was dead at the scene.

This is the worse-case scenario of what continues to be a growing problem. Deer/car collisions rise annually. Unfortunately, so have the number of deaths that result.

In 2004, eight people died from injuries sustained in a deer/car crash. The collisions resulted in 489 personal injuries as well, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Sources: St. Cloud Times |
Roadkill alert sounded