Safety 1^st and Foremost

Earth Day is April 22^nd!

On April 22^nd we celebrate Earth Day – a day of awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Whether you recycle in your home, or at work, you can always learn more ways to help the Earth and teach your children to do the same. Use energy efficient appliances, turn off or unplug lights and electronics when they’re not in use, and try to choose products and packaging made from recycled materials. Every little step you take to protect the Earth helps to ensure a better world for your children.

In this month’s issue we’ll share some fun and easy Earth-friendly tips and learn about travel and car seat safety. Don’t forget to check out some of this year’s new car seats and meet our latest addition to the Safety 1^st family, baby Blake!

Make A Difference

1. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle – utilize your weekly garbage and recycling pickup to recycle everyday items like junk mail, magazines, newspapers, cardboard boxes, plastic, glass, and aluminum and metal cans.
2. Unplug unnecessary electronics – many electronics like your cable box, computer, and cell phone chargers continue to use power even when they’re turned off.
3. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs) – fluorescents use 75 percent less energy than regular light bulbs.
4. Turn down your water heater to 120° - most water heaters are set at 140°, turning yours down 20° could help you save up to $10 per year.
5. Lower your thermostat by four degrees – doing so could save you up to $40 annually. Install a programmable thermostat and let it do the work for you.

Reader’s Response
Several of you shared your opinion on whether you try to buy baby furniture that complements your home décor. The results were mixed. Some of you are excited to buy items that blend in with your home, especially large items like high chairs, swings and play yards. Others didn’t factor it into their purchase decision and don’t mind the added visible presence of a baby in their home.

Safety 1^st Tip for Used Furniture: Always remember to check the expiration date on second-hand products and ask the history of the product if you purchase at a yard sale or borrow from a friend. NEVER use a second-hand car seat if possible.

 

On the Road Again

As the weather warms up many of us feel the urge to get outside for a little fresh air. One great way to spend time as a family is to take a nice Sunday cruise in the car. It’s important to remember some key tips for keeping your road trip a safe one. Did you know that motor vehicle crashes account for one out of every three injury-related deaths of children 12 and younger? In fact, children ages four and under account for 33 percent of motor vehicle-related deaths among children, and approximately 220,000 children ages 14 and under suffered injuries in motor vehicle crashes in 2002. The good news is that many of these deaths and injuries can be avoided by properly restraining children. The Get On Board With Safety!™ website estimates that 71 percent of the deaths and 66 percent of the injuries children suffer in traffic collisions could be prevented if children were properly restrained.

How You Can Keep Your Child Secure

• Always use a car seat. Start with your newborn’s first ride home from the hospital.
• The back seat is the best place for all children to ride.
• Set a good example - always wear your seat belt. Help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.
• Purchasing decisions should not be based on price alone. All car seats available for purchase in the United States must meet strict safety standards established and maintained by the federal government. Higher prices usually reflect the cost of added features (like extra padding, fabrics, or cup holders).
• When you find a car seat you like, try it out. Put your child in it and adjust the harnesses and buckles. Make sure it fits properly and securely in your car. Keep in mind that pictures or displays of car seats in stores may not show them being used the right way.
• Read your vehicle owner's manual and the installation instructions that come with your car seat to learn how to correctly install it. Look for local car seat checks to have your seats installed or checked by certified technicians.
• Remember that each car and car seat is different. Read and keep the instructions that come with the car seat, and follow the manufacturer's instructions at all times.
• Never place a child in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a vehicle, especially one with an active air bag.
• Babies under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
• Toddlers over age 1 and weighing 20 to 40 pounds can ride in a forward-facing car seat, only in the back seat. It is best to keep toddlers in a rear-facing position up until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed by the car seat.
• Children weighing 40 to 80 pounds (and under 4’9” tall) should be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat.

For more information, check out www.getonboardwithsafety.com

Did You Know 85% of Car Seats in the US are Installed Improperly?
We’re proud to announce that on March 22nd fifteen more of our employees completed the intensive Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician program sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Safe Kids Worldwide organization. This program is designed to teach adults how to properly select and secure child restraint systems (aka car seats) in motor vehicles, teach parents how to properly install their child restraint systems, and to serve as a national resource for educating the public on child restraint systems as well as help host national child restraint system check-ups. We now have over 60 employees who are CPS certified technicians.

If you or someone you know needs help installing a car seat, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician. To locate and set up an appointment, call toll-free at 866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243) or visit www.seatcheck.org.

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Hot New Products

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Cosco® Scenera™ Convertible Car Seat
Our Cosco® Scenera™ Convertible Car Seat has been re-launched at Wal-Mart® packaged in an innovative carry bag instead of a large corrugated box. The patent pending carry bag was designed in an effort to help conserve our natural paper resources, reduce the size of the package (which in turn frees up space during shipments and warehousing), reduce the likelihood of theft, and improve the appearance of our car seats on the store shelf. For parents, the new carry bag features a handle so traveling with the car seat is easier (especially on planes), and protects the car seat during storage.

Features:

• Rear-facing 5-35 lbs and forward-facing 22-40 lbs.
• 5-point harness system
• 4 harness locations
• 3 buckle locations
• Up-front harness adjustment
• 2-piece harness retainer
• 2-position recline
• Detachable cup holder
• LATCH equipped for easy installation
• ID tag on the carry bag is great for air travel

Click here for more product information.
Available at Wal-Mart® or online at www.walmart.com

All-in-One™ Convertible Car Seat
Designed for your growing child, the All-in-One™ Convertible Car Seat features our Quick-Fit™ Harness System that never needs rethreading and EPP energy absorbing foam. For infants it features a padded head support and insert to softly surround your little one. Toddlers will ride in style with a 3-position recline that adjusts with one hand so you can send your little one off to dreamland easily. And young children will enjoy the detachable cup holder that keeps drinks and snacks close by.

Click here for more product information.
Available at Wal-Mart® or online at www.walmart.com

Question of the Month
Email us at: comments@djgusa.com and tell us the 3 most important features you look for when buying a car seat. We’ll share some of the great insights we receive with you next month.

Alpha Omega Elite™ Convertible Car Seat
Our Alpha Omega Elite™ Convertible Car Seat fits infants rear-facing from 5-35 lbs, toddlers forward-facing from 22-40 lbs, and young children forward-facing from 40-100 lbs, making it the only car seat you’ll ever need! Designed with all of the unique features you’ve come to expect from Safety 1st® like a Quick-Fit™ Harness System and EPP energy absorbing foam, it also features comfy, pivoting armrests that let your child ride in style and comfort.

Click here for more product information.
Available at Wal-Mart® or online at www.walmart.com

Apex 65™ Booster Car Seat
The Apex 65™ Booster Car Seat is perfect for children 22-65 lbs when used with the 5-point internal harness, and for children 40-100 lbs when used with your vehicle’s seat belt. It features a height adjustable headrest for your growing little one, padded armrests, and extra deep side headrests that are ideal for napping!

Click here for more product information.
Available at specialty stores nationwide.

Prospect™ Booster Car Seat
Another great solution for your older child, our Prospect™ Booster Car Seat fits children 40-100 lbs and has an extra wide seat to fit growing children. Its deluxe seat pad has extra cushioning for a comfy ride and two integrated cup holders store drinks and toys for long car rides.

Click here for more product information.
Available at Wal-Mart® or online at www.walmart.com

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Spotlight on Blake!

This month we chatted with Safety 1^st Fashion Merchandiser, Richard Graumann, about what it’s like raising his first child, a 7 month old baby boy named Blake. Blake is constantly amazing Richard and his wife, Sarah, with little developmental milestones like rolling over on his own and even trying to sit up unassisted. He definitely recognizes their faces and amuses himself by staring at his hands. Blake likes to “chit-chat,” but his new vocal sounds include random, loud, steady screams! He also enjoys kicking his feet up in the air, or resting them on the sides of his crib. Every time he wakes up, he’s managed to wiggle his way to the end of the crib and then turn himself sideways. His favorite toys include a Disney® Eeyore that jingles and a soft little duck that he likes to cuddle with. Blake tries to hold his own bottle and has recently been introduced to solid foods. His favorites include bananas, sweet potatoes, and berries with rice cereal. Although Blake sleeps soundly through the night (a true miracle), he tends to get wound up right before going to bed. Blake also loves to travel – the car and stroller put him to sleep every time. Richard thinks Blake’s on the verge of teething because he’s been drooling more than usual (good luck with that!). For fun activities, Blake enjoys listening to his young Aunt Emily play the violin, giggling on his changing table, and flirting with everyone he meets.

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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 1^st and Foremost archive.