Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays from Dorel Juvenile Group
By now you’re probably into the swing of things for the holidays but before you go decking the halls, stringing up the lights, and wrapping gifts, take a moment to read our 10 day plan for keeping your family jolly during the holidays. TOP
Last Minute Gift Ideas
Looking for that perfect gift this holiday season? Look no further than our Eddie Bauer® Adventurer Travel System in our Cambridge Fashion (available at Babies “R” Us). This infant car seat and stroller combo are the perfect gift for a new family and make traveling during the holidays so much easier. Our 1-hand fold ‘n stand makes storing a breeze and the extra-large spring-down storage basket can even carry home the teddy bear from Grandma.
Shower a new mom with a gift that will make a splash with baby. Give our new Warm Me Shower & Bath (available at Wal-Mart). It has a dual control showerhead for spray or stream options to bathe baby (without the use of batteries) and a warm water backrest to soothe baby and keep her warm and comfortable from the first bubble to the last.
TOP
The Countdown to the Holiday Season
PRINT THIS ARTICLE
It’s not surprising that more accidents and injuries occur when parents and children are out of their typical routine. New surroundings, added decorations, family faces, and the hustle and bustle of the holidays can all cause distractions that could lead to an accident. Remember to keep an eye on your little one – even more closely than usual during this busy holiday season.
With the holidays in full swing, it’s time to deck the halls, trim the trees, and light the candles. While your kids are counting down the days until they can rip open the presents, consider doing a countdown yourself for an injury-free holiday season.
Day 10 – It’s Cookie Making Time!
Whether your kids are helping you bake a gingerbread house, holiday cookies, or just heating a cup of hot chocolate, establish some rules. Make sure they understand that they can only be a good kitchen helper when an adult is in the room; they should stay away from hot appliances and older children should be reminded to never plug in electrical appliances with wet hands (younger children should not be allowed to plug in appliances). Be aware of pots and handles hanging over the edge of your stove. Always stress good hand washing after touching any food to avoid cross contamination.
Day 9 – Deck the Halls
Glass ornaments can easily slip from a tree and shatter into dangerous splinters. Help children create homemade decorations or use plastic and wooden ornaments. Smaller ornaments, or ones that have small parts that can easily break off should be eliminated, or hung higher up on the tree, out of reach of curious toddlers. Be aware of mantel decorations as well – especially those that may hold up a stocking. Children could pull on the stocking and pull down a heavy decoration on top of them.
Day 8 – Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother’s House we Go
While your home might be child-proofed, it’s more than likely that Grandma’s home will present some hazards. Be sure that medications, household cleaners, and alcohol are locked away. Consider bringing a portable gate and outlet covers to secure your child’s room away from home.
Day 7 – Mistletoe Mishaps
Unfortunately many of the plants associated with this time of year can be dangerous to children. The white berries bound in clumps of fresh mistletoe, holly berries, and boxwood are very poisonous. When ingested these plants can cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Artificial plants work just as well!
Day 6 – The Magic of Holiday Lights
Many of our holiday decorations, both inside and out, require electricity. Be sure that all electrical wires are taped to the wall or enclosed with cord shorteners. Secure outlets that are in use with outlet covers.
Day 5 – Trip to Visit Santa
Malls and stores are more crowded than ever during the holiday season. Many distractions such as carolers and, of course, Santa Claus entice children away from their parents. Be sure children know their home phone number and your cell phone number in case you become separated.
Day 4 – Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Nothing is cozier than a roaring fire in the fireplace but make sure children are aware of the dangers of fire. Install a gate completely around the fireplace as glass and metal doors can burn a child. Keep matches locked away once the fire has been lit. Be mindful of the placement of candles. Place all candles out of reach of children and in holders with large diameters to contain any wax dripping.
Day 3 – Check Holiday Presents for Mom and Dad
Check all food gift baskets that you receive for choking hazards such as nuts, popcorn, peanut brittle, and hard candy. Pull these items out immediately and store in a secure place. Toiletry gift items such as perfumes and soaps can also be harmful to children if ingested.
Day 2 – … and Holiday Presents for the Kids!
Be sure that any toy your child is given is age appropriate. Children under 3 years of age should not be permitted to play with any toy whose parts are less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Always check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website www.cpsc.org for product recalls.
Day 1 – Home for the Holidays
Elegant table settings can easily become a heap of china and crystal if a toddler inadvertently pulls a tablecloth off the table. Use a festive runner in the center of the table with matching placemats instead. Holiday punches and eggnog can look enticing to a toddler and child as well but can cause severe damage if even just a little is consumed. Be on the lookout for abandoned, half-empty glasses that might be within a child’s reach.
For additional safety tips, visit getonboardwithsafety.com.
TOP
A Recipe for Success – Cooking With Kids
PRINT THIS ARTICLE
During the holiday season it’s likely that you’ll be entertaining more than usual, and with that comes more cooking – holiday cookies, pot luck suppers, and more. Getting kids involved with meal preparation is a great way to spend time together while teaching lessons about measuring, following directions and nutrition. It’s important when cooking with kids to keep a few guidelines in mind:
- Maintain a kid-work area free of sharp knives and hot appliances.
- Wash, wash, wash! Be sure kids understand the importance of washing their hands frequently during meal prep to eliminate cross contamination. Keep them away from raw meat and eggs due to the risk of salmonella.
- Assign age appropriate tasks. Tearing lettuce leaves for a salad and pouring water into a mixing bowl are great tasks for little ones. Older children can get more involved by stirring sauces or making cookie dough.
- Carefully monitor the use of electrical appliances such as blenders, electric mixers, and food processors not only for sharp blades but potential shock or burn.
- Have siblings take turns helping. Your full attention should be focused on the child who’s cooking. Do not allow yourself to be distracted – accidents can happen in seconds!
- A fire extinguisher should be close by in case of fire and emergency numbers should be posted on the refrigerator for easy access.
TOP
Meet Our Author
Let me introduce myself. My name is Alison Rhodes and I live in Wilton, CT with my husband, three children and two dogs. My first child, Connor, died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1997 – he would have been 9 years old. My son Spencer is 7, my daughter Kelsey just turned 3 and we just had a little girl, Hannah this November. Needless to say, my life is crazy sometimes! I’ve teamed up with Safety 1st to develop this newsletter because I wanted to provide parents with important information on child safety. After Connor’s death, infant and child safety became my passion. I might not be able to prevent SIDS but if I can help prevent one childhood accident I’ve done something in honor of him.
When Kelsey turned three (she constantly reminds me that “she is a big girl now!”) we were able to remove some of the babyproofing items around our house such as the toilet locks and the baby gates. But now that our new daughter Hannah has arrived, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s amazing how quickly we forget all the things babies can get into when they start crawling! Check out this month’s articles to see what you might not have thought about. And the one thing I realize now as a “veteran mom” is to never put “to-do” items off until tomorrow, because tomorrow inevitably brings strep throat, extra homework or the trip to the store for the team uniform you forgot about. Since my husband Kenny and I are babyproofers you would think it would be easy to get everything done in time but it’s always the case of the shoemaker’s children. So, I’ve started giving him the ultimatum now that if he doesn’t get the gates back up he will be in charge of all diaper changes! I remember when I was pregnant with Connor – my baby registry included the layette, stroller, high chair and all of those beautiful blankets. But I never considered registering for the most important items – baby safety products. Wouldn’t it be great to have your entire house set up before the baby arrived, not just the nursery? So this time, after I buy Kelsey’s “big girl” furniture and set up the new nursery with her old furniture I’m going to have everything else in place as well.
Alison is the founder of Peek-a-Boo Babyproofing, a baby-safety company servicing Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The company partners with parents to create a safer environment for infants and toddlers through education and installation of baby safety products. For additional baby safety tips visit their website at www.peekaboobabyproofing.com.
TOP
If you have any questions regarding Safety 1
st products please contact Dorel Juvenile Group Consumer Relations at
consumer@djgusa.com.
Missed the last issue? Check out the
Safety 1st and Foremost archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL PRODUCT
Q: Where can I purchase your products in my area?
A: Visit www.djgusa.com for a complete list of retailers.
Q: I have lost the instructions for my product. How can I obtain a new copy?
A: Email us at: consumer@djgusa.com or contact our Consumer Relations Department at 1-800-544-1108 Monday – Thursday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST. The model number and manufacture date of the product are required for replacement instructions.
Q: Where can I purchase replacement parts for my product?
A: Contact our Consumer Relations Department at 1-800-544-1108 Monday – Thursday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST. The model number and manufacture date of the product are required for replacement parts.
CAR SEATS
Q: I’m ready to convert my car seat to a booster seat. Should I still use the tether strap with the booster seat?
A: No. The lap/shoulder belt of your vehicle should be used to belt in the child and the child restraint.
Q: If my child is still under 1 year of age, but meets the weight and height guidelines for a forward-facing car seat, can I go ahead and place my child in the forward-facing position?
A: No. Even if your child meets the weight and height guidelines for a forward-facing car seat the child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until at least 1 year of age.
Q: When I install my child’s car seat with the LATCH and tether should I still use the vehicle seat belt as well?
A: No. The latch and tether are designed for use instead of the vehicle seat belts.
Q: Where can I have my car seat checked to ensure it is installed properly?
A: Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov to access the Child Passenger Safety Contact locator. Type in your zip code and you’ll receive contact information for a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station in your local area.
Q: What are the cleaning instructions for my child’s car seat?
A: The seat pad should be hand washed with warm, sudsy water, then rinsed and air-dried. The harness straps should be spot cleaned only, do not machine wash.
MONITORS
Q: How can I troubleshoot interference issues on my Safety 1st nursery monitor?
A: Other wireless products in your household may run on the same frequency as your monitor. Try unplugging anything in your home that could be creating the interference and then plug the monitor in for about a half hour so that a good connection is established. Once the monitor has established a good connection, you can begin plugging back in the other products in your home one at a time while checking to see if there is a particular product that is interfering with the monitor.
Q: Can I purchase additional transmitters for my monitor?
A: Safety 1st manufactures a variety of nursery monitors. Some are equipped to monitor one room while others are capable of monitoring two or even three rooms. Each nursery monitor is designed for use with a specified number of transmitters; therefore it’s not possible to add an additional transmitter to an existing product. Doing so could cause interference.
RIDE-ONS
Q: How long should I charge the battery for my Safety 1st Ride-On?
A: Always charge the battery for a FULL 24 HOURS the first time you use it. Always charge the battery for a FULL 16 HOURS after each use. Although the light indicator on the charger may be green, the battery may not be fully charged. Charge the battery once a month, even if you are not using the vehicle. Do not leave the battery on the charger for more than 30 HOURS.
