It’s Our 2 Yr Bloggiversary! Join Our “Help Save a Child” Giveaway!

We want to jump up and down and shout from the rooftops…
It’s been 2 YEARS since we launched Pediatric Safety!!

Back in 2009, our goal was to create a place where everyone who cares about children’s health and safety could get together to stay informed on the topics that have the potential to affect them and the children in their care. Since our launch, we’ve had the fortune to meet and work with some wonderful folks – a pediatrician, a nurse and child safety expert, a family psychologist, a water safety specialist, a dentist, an environmental safety lawyer, an EMS safety specialist and a special needs parenting expert – all of whom volunteered their time to help make this site a community where you can find answers and hopefully give answers to others when they need them.  At it’s heart, it’s a place where people can support each other – the village needed to raise a child.  If we’ve been able to accomplish even a little of that, then this has been 2 years well spent

So where does this “Giveaway” thing come in???   We want to celebrate…and we’re hoping you’ll join us AND maybe help save a child’s life all at the same time!  

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, (NCMEC), is a private, nonprofit organization created over 25 years ago to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children.. As of 1984, police could enter information about stolen cars, stolen guns, and even stolen horses into the FBI’s national crime computer – but not stolen children. That is no longer the case. Thanks to NCMEC, more missing children come home safely today and more is being done today to protect children than anytime in the nation’s history.  And in light of the recent tragedy in New York where a young boy was abducted and killed after getting lost on his way home from camp, we’d like to lend them a hand…

Introducing: Pediatric Safety’s “Help Save a Child and We ALL Win” Giveaway

Something for the kids…and a little something for you too!!

• For each person who signs up to join the Pediatric Safety community, we will donate $1 to NCMEC
• And for two first place winners – to thank you for helping us celebrate 2 years of making a difference, we’d like to give you each
  a $25 Amazon gift card.

Here’s How it Works:

For your MANDATORY ENTRY:

• Register to join the Pediatric Safety Community by clicking here and select “I just joined” on the form below. . If you are already a member of Pediatric Safety, then select “I am already registered” on the form below Also, it’s not required but we’d love if you leave us a comment below.

For your BONUS ENTRIES:

• Retweet one of the following:
  • “Amazon gift card 4 u & $1 for Nat’l Center for Miss & Exploited Children! Help celebrate our 2 yr Bloggiversary http://tinyurl.com/3m3f3m5”  (you may tweet this once daily = 1 entry)
  • “Help celebrate 2 yrs for @pediatricsafety! Join us & we’ll donate $1 to the Nat’l Ctr for Miss & Exploit Children http://tinyurl.com/3m3f3m5″ (you may tweet this once daily = 1 entry)
• Click on the “Share This” at the bottom of this post & submit this to your favorite social network  (= 1 entry)
• Blog about this giveaway and link to this post http://tinyurl.com/3m3f3m5  (=2 entries)

Below you will find our CONTEST ENTRY FORM. After you have completed either your MANDATORY entry or one of the BONUS entries please fill this out.  For simplicity you can use this form for each bonus entry – simply skip the mandatory entry box and check the “bonus entry” box

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Contest Rules:

Giveaway is open to readers in the USA and Canada only. Giveaway starts Tuesday July 19, 2011 (our Bloggiversary) and ends at 5pm EST Friday July 29, 2011.  Please fill out a separate form for the mandatory entry and for each bonus entry so we can make sure each entry gets counted. (…that means if you completed a bonus that has 2 entries, please submit 2 forms). Please make sure each form has your name and a valid email address. Winner chosen using random.org. You will have 48 hours to email us if you win.  Good Luck to all entrants!

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**THE GIVEAWAY HAS NOW CLOSED**

Our 2 Winners are:

#17 Paul Shearer

#12 Christel Ide

Thank you to all participants!

Code Adam…Because You Don’t Have Eyes in the Back of Your Head

Sometimes, as a parent, you have to give yourself a break. Even mothers have to heed the call of nature. But with a headstrong and mischievous three-year old in tow, a parental potty break in a public building can become an exercise in surprisingly emotional fear and guilt.

I mean, we are supposed to be able to keep our children safe. We aren’t supposed to lose them! But what can any reasonable parent do wedged in a tight bathroom cubicle with a toddler and sitting in a very compromising position when the wiggle worm decides it would be the height of fun to crawl out under the stall door and run out of the bathroom? I can still feel the brush of his jeans across my fingers as I just failed to grab hold….

Thankfully, with Code Adam, a nation-wide program administered by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), my anxiety in our local children’s museum was contained by a very orderly and confident process. Code Adam, created and named in memory of 6-year old Adam Walsh who went missing while shopping with his mother and was later found murdered, is a simple but powerful search process focused on marshaling employees of public buildings, such as stores, libraries and museums, in a systematic search for lost children in the crucial moments immediately following their disappearance.

 My Code Adam Experience:

• As soon as I could make myself decent and get out of the bathroom I approached nearby museum staff who were manning the entrance to the exhibit space we had just visited, and learned that my wayward son had not decided to return to the water or sand tables
• The staff then asked me very specific questions to compile a detailed description of my child – including his clothing and shoe color/style (I remember he was wearing those shoes with a light that flashes when he walked)
• A “Code Adam” page including this description was then given within the venue and designated staff immediately began a systematic search
• All potential exits other than the front doors were either closed or closely monitored and a member of the security staff escorted me to the front entrance to ensure my son, Elliott, did not leave the premises. I spent what felt like a wretched eternity desperately scanning the sea of kids, choking back tears, and constantly affirming to my security pal that I’d never lost my kid before…honest!

If my son wasn’t found within 10minutes, the next step would have been for security to call law enforcement. If he had been found in the company of someone other than a parent or legal guardian, the procedure would call for reasonable attempts to delay their departure until the arrival of police, without putting anyone in danger.

Thankfully, I was reunited with my wiggle worm within that timeframe, a staff member having found him obliviously and happily playing on a computer screen in another area of the museum. When he was back within arms’ reach I didn’t know what I wanted to do to him (or what would be considered the politically correct behavior)…wrap him in my arms and say “Thank God”…or berate him for running off from Mommy? So I fudged and did a little of both!

Making Use of the Code Adam Program

Code Adam originated in Walmart stores in 1994 but is now one of the largest child-safety programs in the U.S., used in around a hundred thousand establishments around the country and, since the Code Adam Act was made law in 2003, in all federal public facilities (click here for list of participants). Use of the program in a venue is proclaimed by a Code Adam decal at the building entrances. Thanks to NCMEC and its sponsors, the program is free to participants, who can apply online for a Code Adam kit, including: 

• A training video for employees
• A break-room poster explaining the program steps
• Two decals to put on entrances announcing participation in Code Adam

So what can parents and safety advocates do?

• Check building entrances for the Code Adam decal. Know whether Code Adam is used in that venue before you and your children enter.
• Know the Code Adam procedures. I’d like to say my story above is the only example of our use of Code Adam in the past eight years, but my son has triggered 2 other experiences in large retail stores. In one of these venues, the staff I located did not know the Code Adam process. Thankfully I did…and suggested they call security and institute a Code Adam page….missing child quickly found. Lesson: Don’t rely on the quality of any given store’s staff training.
• Make sure caregivers know. Even if you are very familiar with Code Adam and its procedures, what about babysitters or grandparents? How often are they out with your children in a public venue? Be sure that they also know about Code Adam and how to ensure it is appropriately implemented.
• Suggest Code Adam to local venues. If a local store or establishment with a focus on families or children does not display the Code Adam decal, consider finding the manager and suggest that they participate. They can find everything they need at www.missingkids.org (search “code adam”).  Additional information can be obtained by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or emailing codeadam@ncmec.org.

Facebook Now Provides Local AMBER Alerts for Missing Children

Thanks to a partnership between Facebook and NCMEC (the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children), Facebook users can now sign up to receive localized AMBER Alerts through their news feed.

The AMBER Alert™ Program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases.  The goal of AMBER Alerts is to quickly involve the local community in helping to facilitate the safe return of the missing child. Since its birth, the AMBER Alert program has helped to save the lives of 525 children nationwide

Currently there are 56 new Facebook AMBER Alert pages that have been created – one for each U.S. state, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia – as well as 3 pages for Canadian provinces Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. Additionally Australia, France, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ireland all have AMBER alert systems in place, so it is hoped that Facebook pages will soon be available for these locations as well

Today, January 13th 2011 marks the 15th anniversary of the abduction and murder of 9 year old Amber Hagerman – the little girl who is the namesake of the AMBER Alert program. In her memory, I ask the Pediatric Safety readers who use Facebook to please sign up for these alerts.

Amber Alerts Go Wireless – Register Today!

In the 25 years since the founding of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, AMBER Alerts have helped to safely recover more than 495 children . Wireless AMBER Alerts are a new nationwide initiative to distribute AMBER Alerts to wireless subscribers who opt in to receive the messages – in essence, subscribers become the “on-the-street” eyes and ears of law enforcement.

When a child is abducted, the first three hours are the most critical to recovery efforts. Passing a road sign displaying an AMBER Alert provides a single, one-time point of information. Wireless AMBER Alerts on the other hand have the potential to reach more than 242 million wireless subscribers with information that can be repeatedly referenced, making identification easier and greatly improving law enforcement’s ability to bring abducted children home quickly and safely.

Wireless subscribers capable of receiving text messages and those whose providers participate in the initiative can sign up to receive free text message AMBER Alerts in one of three easy ways:

• Text AMBER followed by a space and five-digit ZIP code to AMBER (26237); (available for most eligible wireless subscribers);
• Visit www.wirelessamberalerts.org or
• Register on your carrier’s web site.

Register today and join those who have already signed up for Wireless AMBER Alerts™ and help bring an abducted child home safely. Click here for more information about this critical program.

…Finally to help us help as many kids as possible…

Introducing: Wireless AMBER Alerts – Bring Them Home Safely Contest

For two first place winners - to thank you for helping us support NCMEC’s efforts to bring abducted children home safely – a holiday full of Starbucks cheer (or $15 worth on a Starbucks card)

And Here’s How it Works:

Below you will find our CONTEST ENTRY FORM.  It  includes our MANDATORY entry for the contest as well as the opportunity for you to enter a BONUS entry…For simplicity (and so that you can tweet multiple times) you can use this form for each bonus entry, however, if this is an additional entry, please check the box saying this an additional entry so we know you have already completed your mandatory entry requirement

For your MANDATORY ENTRY:

Register for Wireless AMBER Alerts here, fill in the form for your mandatory entry and please leave us a comment below.

For your BONUS ENTRIES:

1. Retweet the following “#PedSafe Starbucks Giveaway! Register for Wireless Amber Alerts today & help bring an abducted child home safely! http://ow.ly/39BSa Plz RT!” (you may tweet once daily = 1 entry)
2. Click on the “Share This” at the bottom of this post & submit this to your favorite social network (= 1 entry)
3. Join our community at the top right of every page or click here:  ( = 2 entries)
4. Blog about this giveaway and link to this post http://ow.ly/39BSa (=3 entries)

Contest Rules:

Giveaway is open to USA and Canada readers only. Giveaway starts Monday November 15, 2010 and ends at noon EST Friday November 26, 2010.  Please fill out a separate form for the mandatory entry and each bonus entry so we can make sure each entry gets counted. (…that means if you completed a bonus that has 3 entries, please submit 3 forms). Please make sure each form has your name and a valid email address.  You will have 48 hours to email me if you win. Winner chosen using random.org. Good Luck to all entrants!

Enjoy an Eggnog or Gingerbread Latte on us knowing your efforts may help a child get home for the holidays.

*****************************************Our Contest is now Closed****************************************

Our two winners are:

• Lisa Moore Gee and
• Julie Maloney
  

Thanks everyone for helping us to bring abducted children home safely!!!

Halloween 2010: Make It a Treat This Year

Close your eyes…think about your favorite childhood Halloween memory? What made it special?? Was it the year you got the costume you really wanted?? Or maybe the year you got so much candy you had a belly-ache all week, but it didn’t matter?? Think back for a minute. Parents who joined in trick-or-treating came to calm our fears…not their own. Halloween was a kid’s holiday – pure and simple.  So when did scary go from what your child was going to wear to fear for their safety?? Can we give them back a kid’s Halloween?

Truth be told, times have changed, but we have too. Parents today have access to so much more information than our own parents did…it’s what we do with it that makes the difference. I propose the following: I’m going to share with you the top safety tips from some of the best sources I know (…my thanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Dr Kristie McNealy)……and in return I’m going to ask the following:

Take 10 minutes – read through the list – highlight the top 4 or 5 tips that most apply to you and your child – and then give yourself a break and toss the rest. We can drive ourselves crazy trying to anticipate every “bad thing” that could possibly happen or we can be smart, prepared and hopefully a little more relaxed…and maybe, just maybe we can give our kids a little glimpse of the Halloween we loved.

Trick-or-Treat…Safely (AAP)

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. For the littlest trick-or-treaters, you may want to avoid masks and hats altogether. (Pediatric Safety note: Please keep in mind that studies have found that many face paints have lead and other toxic ingredients, so research any face paints carefully before applying http://ow.ly/xldL )
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries (or glow-sticks) for all children and their escorts.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
• Feed your kids a meal or small snack before they head out so they’ll be less tempted to sample candy along the way before you’ve had the chance to check it out.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Also, remind kids not to eat or drink anything that is given to them until you look it over. This includes any potions or weird substances that might be part of a haunted house or Halloween decorations. Make sure kids know that even though things may look like food, they might not be.

Don’t Let Food Allergies Spoil the Fun (Dr McNealy)

• Review the Rules – If they are old enough to understand, remind your child which foods are safe, and which are not. If there are candies or treats that they should be sure to avoid, discuss that. Tell them to bring their loot to you, so you can be sure to remove anything that might be harmful. Also let them know what to do if they do eat something that they might be allergic too.
• Read Labels: When you check over your kid’s Halloween candy, remember to read labels. Formulations change pretty frequently, so you should even check foods that have been safe in the past. Remove anything that doesn’t have an ingredient list.
• Keep Your Epi-Pen or Allergy Medication Handy: Remember that accidents happen, and be prepared as usual with your child’s epi-pen, or whatever medication your doctor recommends for an allergic reaction.
• Keep Safe Treats on Hand: Keep some safe candy, treats or small toys on hand to replace anything you have to confiscate. If you have the chance, you can even make up a few treat bags to drop with friends or neighbors, so you’ll know that at least a few people on your trick-or-treat route will have surprises that your child can keep and enjoy.

And Unfortunately Because There Could Be Predators Out There… (NCMEC)

• Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets. Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods, streets that are isolated, or homes that are poorly lit inside or outside.
• Never send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should always travel in groups.
• Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats and don’t let children enter a home unless you are with them.
• Be sure children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
• Teach children to say “NO!” or “this is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. And teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
• Remind children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement.

Remember – you have 10 minutes with this list…and then move on – smart, prepared and relaxed.  Make Halloween 2010 the year you all get a treat!

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References:

1. Halloween Safety Tips: American Academy of Pediatrics, October 2010
   http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.cfm
2. Trick-or-Treat Food Allergy Safety: Dr Kristie McNealy October 26, 2009
   http://www.kristiemcnealy.com/trick-or-treat-food-allergy-safety-medical-monday/
3. Ten Things Parents Can Do To Make Halloween Safer: National Center for Missing and Exploited Kids, October 2010
   http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=4388

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