I loved field trips and my kids love field trips.  In fact, I too remember looking for fossils during a field trip once. But last week, massive rains resulted in weak earth that gave way under a group of fourth graders digging for fossils, killing two of them.

This awful occurrence in Minnesota really tugs at our parental feelings. “Why did something like this happen?” many parents are surely thinking. It’s our greatest fear come to life.  Could it have been prevented? I can’t speak to the preventability, but one news article does state that some local people were aware of the ground moving or collapsing as a consequence of rain in the past.  This sets off a bright lightbulb in my mind, because what if someone knew it would be unsafe for the elementary school children to be out there moving around and digging?  The authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the accident and specific circumstances surrounding it, though they say an event like this is unprecedented.

This is certainly tragic.  It should help us remember to always be aware of our surroundings, and it should be another reason to teach our children to be aware, as well.  Activities that are fun (even if school related) still have to be safe and taken seriously.  Parents should voice safety concerns they have over school-related events with school administrators.  I don’t think it is too much to ask for schools to take extra precautions to secure field trip sites, either.

Another important issue this brings up is safety in public parks.  With all their natural beauty, parks beg for kids to come and play.  But, parks must be properly maintained, and depending on local law, it may be the government’s responsibility to address known problems that could reasonably lead to injuries.  This again raises the issue of being aware of your surroundings – if a park area looks unsafe, then report it to the authorities and find another place to play or hang out.

Laura Gradman

When we send out kids off to school everyday, we are trusting them with our most precious assets. Preschool is the first step in a child’s educational career, and that is why I am excited to share this guest post from Laura Gradman with you all. Laura is the founder of Chicago Preschool Pro, a service that helps families successfully navigate the preschool admissions process in Chicago. Laura lives in Chicago and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has been involved in education for over 10 years, and is devoted to answering parent questions and demystifying the preschool admissions process. For more information about Laura and Chicago Preschool Pro, check out ChicagoPreschoolPro.com.

As a consultant guiding families through the preschool admissions process, discussing safety is an important part of my job.  A school responsible for a large number of small children must make it a priority to keep the environment safe.  As a parent, safety concerns should be at the top of your list of questions to ask while touring a school.  Here are a few examples of areas of importance when it comes to safety…

1. Drop off and pick up security
There are many things to consider during these potentially chaotic times of day.  A school shouldn’t be easily accessible to those outside of the school community.  There should always be some sort of barrier between the school and the outside.  Doors could be locked during the day, with access gained either by a person physically unlocking it or through the use of a buzzer system.  Security staff could be posted at main entrances.  Many schools also have cameras that allow them to keep an eye on what’s going on outside the front door.  Additionally, many schools use a sign-in/sign-out system that allows them to keep track of who is coming and going from the building.  Schools should also ask for the names of any adults who have permission to pick up/drop off each child.

2. Environmental safety
The school space should be child-appropriate.  It’s important that all toys, tables, chairs, and play equipment be safe for the children utilizing them.  Buildings should be up to code and well maintained.

3. Student: teacher ratios
There are state standards pertaining to the appropriate number of children to teachers at any given time.  Aside from ensuring that all students are given the attention they need at school, this is also a safety concern.  Too little supervision can lead to accidents.

4. Teacher qualifications/background
It goes without saying that you must be able to trust the teachers at your child’s preschool.  It’s not unreasonable to inquire about teacher qualifications and background checks.

5. Food Safety
Between food allergies and potential choking hazards, food safety is a hot topic in schools today.  Many schools do not allow nuts or nut products.  Additionally, snacks and meals should be prepared with care so that they are safe for the children enjoying them.

There are many things to consider as you go about choosing the right school for your child.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions or expect certain answers.  There is nothing more important than your child’s safety!

Water parks are a great way for kids to have fun while escaping the summer heat, but injuries at public waterslides numbered about 5,200 in 2011, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That’s an increase of almost 1,500 from the injuries reported in 2009.  So before taking your children to the water park, consider these safety tips so that the fun doesn’t have to come to an early stop.

1. Know Your Surroundings. Lifeguards can react quickly to emergencies in the water, but talking to your children about waterpark safety can go a long way in preventing emergencies in the first place. When enjoying water slides, children should watch out for others who might slide into them. The same idea goes for wave pools, where bigger kids or less-skilled swimmers could push your child underwater.  Being aware of what’s going on around you is also very important for children who wear glasses or contacts. If they are with a group of friends, make sure the friends keep an eye out for the child who can’t see well without glasses – and makes sure they stay with the group!
2. Sunscreen.  In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration prohibited sunscreen manufacturers from labeling their products as “waterproof” and “sweatproof” because sunscreen is not actually waterproof. It is only water-resistant.  Make sure you get the sunscreen that is water-resistant up to 80 minutes (manufactures can label sunscreen as 40-minute and 80-minute protection).  And don’t forget to reapply throughout the day!
3. Wear Proper Clothing.  A loose-fitting shirt is a way to protect against the sun in the event you or your child gets too much exposure.  A hat and sunglasses are also a must-have to protect your head and eyes.  Waterproof shoes are also a good investment, especially if your child is prone to scraping his or her feet on the bottom of the pool – and they also protect from stepping on loose rocks or other sharp objects.
4. Be Sanitary. Don’t drink the pool water! And take bathroom breaks (maybe this can be done at the same time you are re-applying sunscreen?) If you have cuts, make sure to cover them with waterproof bandages.
5. Have Fun! Having to follow rules and re-apply sunscreen might sound like a damper on the fun, but it is way more fun to play safe than it is to play and get hurt.

I hope these suggestions enhance your kids’ summer fun! In an upcoming post, I’ll talk about what happens in the unfortunate situation where a child is injured at a water park. Until then, you might want to read this related post on waiving your child’s right to sue for injuries. 

Obeying traffic signs and signal lights is very important when biking on busy streets.  So is biking in the direction of traffic. The Illinois Secretary of State has a useful publication on bicyclist safety: Bicycle Rules of the Road. You should make sure your biking child reads and understands these rules. There is even a handy quiz at the end of the pamphlet!

An important reason that bikers are considered drivers is that when bikers follow the same rules, car drivers can easily know where a bicycle will go and when. This predictability makes bike riding much safer for everyone! As a parent, making sure your children know and follow the rules of the road leads to increased safety and better driving skills. One of the first things to learn and remember to apply when biking are the hand signals so that other people (bikers and drivers) know where you’re going:

Image credit: http://nymblog.com/bike-commuting-101-rules-of-the-road/hand-signals-2

Drivers can see these hand movements, which helps them to see a biker if they hadn’t before, and provides information so that the driver and biker can proceed safely.

The City of Chicago is expanding its bike-only lanes, and bikers’ now even have their own signal light at some intersections (Dearborn Street in the Loop): it is a green light with the outline of a bicycle. Be careful – since the light is part of the typical signal, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the green light you see is green for a car or green for a bicycle. If you or your child is biking, make sure you are in the bike lane. When you are driving a car, always be mindful of bike lines and the bike riders in them! Note that sometimes, a bike lane will be on the other side of a row of parked cars, so it might be difficult to see.

Chicago also provides a comprehensive guide for bikers: Safe Bicycling in Chicago. Some laws that you might not know about include:

• You must bike single-file on the road, unless you are in a bike-only lane or path
• You can’t carry anything that prevents you from biking with at least one hand on the handlebars (But my guess is you wouldn’t want to try out hands-free biking in this way!)
• It is illegal for drivers to leave doors open into bike lanes for longer than it takes car passengers to get in or out
• Biking on Lake Shore Drive is illegal. And, so is biking on Chicago sidewalks if you are over 11 years old.

Bike on the street in bike lanes or on the right side of car lanes. Here are more tips from the City of Chicago.

Biking is a great way to get around without paying for gas, and it also is great exercise, especially with this warm weather! Check out my last post on staying safe while enjoying summertime activities.

I urge you to look over these safety tips from last year, as they can help protect your child.

I also want to point out some additional sources of injury, and point out some things you as a parent can do to keep your son or daughter out of harm’s way this summer:

• Watch out for windows – screens are meant to keep bugs out, not children in!  Experts say not to open your windows more than 4 inches.
• Speaking of windows, consider engaging the window lock in your car, to avoid children accidentally opening or closing a window.
• At any playground, make sure there is a soft surface.  A hard cement surface will do more than just scrape a knee.  If the playground at a public park or school does not have a soft or wood-chipped surface, call the park district of the local government and ask them to make it safe.
• Buy a new helmet if the “old” one experiences a crash.  Used and worn-out helmets won’t provide the same level of protection in a second crash.  (Bonus: check out this list of products that you should never buy used.)
• You, and your kids, should wear sunscreen!  And sunglasses and hats if you have them.  No one likes the pain and itchiness of sunburn, especially children.

As always, these tips and warnings aren’t meant to keep everyone inside.  Awareness of risks and dangers is the best way to be safe – and to avoid injuries.

If your child does enjoy the mall playground, don’t forget that injuries can happen there just as easily as at an outdoor park.  In fact, about 12% of personal injuries in children are from the playthings at small venues like malls, arcades, and restaurants.  The press release quoting the authors of a new study stated “that in the U.S. a child is treated in an emergency department, on average, every day for an injury from an amusement ride located in a mall, store, restaurant or arcade.”  Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can be especially worrisome.

While at the mall, even though it might interrupt your shopping trip, keep an eye on your child in the play area.  Be mindful of the height and age requirements, too.  Steer clear of rides that lack safety restraints or padding, and play areas that don’t have soft surfaces.

Another important note from the study is that the head and neck were the most frequently injured.  These injuries are especially troublesome, because while they might not seem like the most severe at the time, they could develop into serious problems later.  Since there is a limited amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit for personal injuries, if your child was injured at a mall playground, call an experienced child injury lawyer to explore your options.  There are also other considerations an experienced child injury lawyer can help you with, such as whether a signed waiver is valid.

The pods are colorful and small enough to fit into a child’s mouth, so children are naturally attracted to them.  Besides being a choking hazard, what makes these products especially dangerous is that they contain highly concentrated amounts of chemicals. The chemicals, if ingested, can cause all sorts of problems, from lightheadedness to vomiting to trouble breathing, and other problems.

In 2012, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that there were over 6,000 incidents involving children and these poison-packs.

Even though this form of detergent or dish soap might seem more convenient for adults – or just look cooler than regular powder or liquid – don’t forget that to a child, it looks like something to play with or chew on, and it most certainly is not.  If you do have these chemicals in your home, keep them far out of reach of children – and consider keeping them, with all chemicals, in a locked cabinet.

The Safest Line is proud to sponsor: The Tristin Speaks Benefit April 6th, 2013 3-8p On July 26th, 2012 3359 West 115th Street – Merrionette Park, IL 60803

Tristin Jeras went missing from his home in Bridgeview, IL. An Amber Alert was sent to the surrounding communities to help with the search for Tristin. Tragically, he was later found 4 houses away non-responsive in a neighbor’s pool.

Tristin was a fun-loving little boy with eyes full of hope. He loved to play with his brother and sister and learn from those around him. Tristin was autistic; learning how to live life through curiosity and play.

As parents, the Jeras’s are committed to giving their children a full life despite their challenges. Tristin’s younger brother is also living with Autism while his older sister is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. They would like to give back to the organizations that assisted their son and enriched his life. Proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, AERO School Education Cooperative, developing a program to raise swimming pool safety awareness in their city, as well as, various other charitable organizations.

I had the honor of meeting and representing the Jeras’s during this very difficult time. I have been continuously moved by their charity and commitment to supporting autism awareness.

We need your help to make this event a success. This is a great opportunity to show your support for Autism Awareness.

April 1st Pre-purchase Purchased At Door
Adults $25 – Children $15 Adults $35 – Children $20
Children 5 & Under – Free

Price of Ticket Includes:

• Appetizers, Full Buffet, Draft Beer, House Wine, Pop, and Water
• Complimentary Valet
• The Mason River Band & Other Live Entertainment
• Raffles & Silent Auction

Contact tristinspeaks@yahoo.com for pre-purchase of tickets or inquiries.

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