The  AAP now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

The previous standard was 12 months/20 pounds as a minimum for facing backward. 

To read the full report, go to www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm.

A reference guide for all age groups can be found at www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Well, today my “baby” got her driver’s license. I’m sure she’ll hear plenty of remarks, some in fun, some congratulatory.

But, for my husband and me, it’s scary.

As I said, she’s our “baby.” She will always be, no matter how old she gets.

Lacking the mileage of an experienced driver, she isn’t as quick to react. And, like any driver, she can make mistakes.

After riding with her the other night, there had been a discussion of my hesitation when I told her whether a lane was clear. After we were home, and we’d destressed a bit, I sat down with her.

“The decisions you make when you’re driving are life and death decisions,” I told her. I didn’t like having the conversation, but it’s exactly what every driver needs to be told.

I remember when I first got my license, and I’m sure my driving wasn’t perfect. If it had been, my mother wouldn’t have been applying the invisible brake on her side of the car every time she rode with me.

Now, I seem to be pressing on the invisible brake when I’m in the passenger’s seat. It’s annoying to my daughter, but it’s just a reaction on my part.

Although we’re still not ready to let go and give her full reins of the car, I know this rite of passage will be helpful in the future. Those early morning band rehearsals, trips to the store for last-minute items, meeting friends … these are all reasons that another driver in the family could prove useful.

Friends and family also are encouraging. They’ve experienced first-hand how it made their schedules a little more manageable. 

I’m not sure we’re ready, but she is. She is moving forward, growing.

I just want her to keep in mind the responsibility she carries with her every time she gets behind the wheel of a car. My baby’s in that car.

Linda Lynn

llynn@opubco.com

A drop-side crib.

According to a story by The Associated Press,  the government Wednesday officially outlawed drop-side cribs. This move comes after millions of recalls and 30 infant deaths in the past 1o years.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reached a unanimous decision to ban the manufacturing, sale and resale of drop-side cribs, which have a side rail that moves up and down.   Hotels and day care centers also would be prohibited from using these types of cribs.

To read the full story, click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

1. Always choose age-appropriate toys for children.  Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

2. Include safety gear whenever shopping for sports-related gifts or ride-on toys including bicycles, skates and scooters. Helmets and other safety gear should be worn properly and be sized to fit.

3. Be aware of your child’s surroundings during play. Young children should avoid playing with ride-on toys near streets and traffic, pools or ponds.  They should avoid playing in indoor areas near hazards such as kitchens, bathrooms or rooms with corded window blinds.

4. Once gifts are opened, immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging from toys.

5. Battery-charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose a thermal burn hazard to young children. 

6. For children younger than 3, avoid toys with small parts and small balls. For Children younger than 6, avoid toys with small magnets. Keep all young children away from broken balloons.  Keep deflated balloons away from children 8 and younger. Balloons are a choking hazard.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

But a few reminders could never hurt. 

Here’s some tips from Safe Kids USA (which includes Safe Kids Oklahoma):

• Encourage children not to trick-or-treat alone. They should go in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Place reflective tape on their costumes or on their treat bags so they are visible to drivers.
• Examine all candy thoroughly.  Check for any signs of tampering.
• All children should have their own flashlight so they can see and be seen.
• Emphasize to your children the importance of looking both ways when crossing a street. Tell them to use crosswalks, if possible.
• Be sure costumes fit well, to prevent trips and falls.
• Let children know they are NEVER to enter a person’s home unless they are with a trusted adult.
• Try to purchase flame-retardant costumes and keep away from open flames.

Have a very SAFE and HAPPY Halloween!

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I knew things wouldn’t go smoothly, but I was trusting.

Lesson learned. Don’t assume.

Today was to be my 5-year-old son’s first day to ride a school bus to school.

He is attending an extended school year program during the summer to give him an extra boost. Children with varying circumstances participate in this program. My son qualifies to attend because he has Down Syndrome.

Leading up to this day, I had been hesitant, but teachers and school administrators had said he would love riding a school bus. It would help us out, too, since the school system would provide transportation to and from the daycare he attends,  something the schools won’t do during the regular school year due to school boundaries.

A few days ago, the bus driver called our house and talked to my husband, letting him know what time the bus would pick our son up. … It didn’t occur to my husband that they wouldn’t know where to pick him up. 

So, this afternoon when my husband called and said, “Guess who showed up at the house,” I immediately answered, “The bus.” He was befuddled that I would know.

But I did, because I knew something would go wrong. It was one of those gut feelings you have, but I had talked myself into thinking I was just stressing and worrying too much.

Then my son’s daycare teacher called, telling me the bus hadn’t shown up and that she had already called the bus barn.

That’s when I felt like I had ”dropped the ball.” I should have known I needed to take more steps to make sure everything was right.

But, then his daycare teacher said one more thing: “What’s important is that we know where he is and that he is safe.”

I agreed, “That’s No. 1.”

So, despite my beating myself up about what I should have done, and despite the mixup on where the bus arrived, and despite the unsuccessful communication … He was safe.

-Linda Lynn

LLYNN@opubco.com

Most U.S. airlines have the following age-based unaccompanied minor qualifications (but call your airline to get all the information):

Age 5 and younger: Cannot travel alone.
Age 5 to 7: Can travel alone on nonstop and through flights.
Age 8 to 11: Can usually travel alone on any flight.
Age 12 to 17:  For domestic flights, can travel alone on any flight without restrictions.  For international flights, can travel alone on any flight but many carriers require unaccompanied minor procedures.
For ages 5 to 11, unaccompanied minor procedures are required on all flights.

Booking a flight

When booking flights for children, always try to book a nonstop flight, or if no nonstop flight exists, then try for a direct or “through” flight, where children won’t have to change planes.

If the flight has meal service, ask about reserving a child’s meal if available, because these have to be arranged in advance.

Ask the airline about “electronic ticketing” where no paper ticket is issued (and therefore, no ticket is lost).

Check all itinerary and ticket information to make sure names, destinations and other information are correct.

Ask the airline about getting a gate pass so that you may accompany your children through security to the departure gate.

Preparing for the flight

If your child hasn’t flown, visit the airport before the trip to have them be familiar with their surroundings.  Be sure they know where assistance can be found.

Have your child dress in comfortable clothes. Put their first initial and last name on any article of clothing, like a jacket, that may be taken off during the flight.

Get to the airport at least one to two hours before departure for a domestic flight and two or more hours for an international flight.  Don’t plan to just drop your child off at the entrance or ticket counter.

Bring to the airport the address and phone number of the person meeting your child. The airline will request this information.

Have your child use the bathroom in the gate area before boarding.

Stay in the gate area until the flight has taken off.

What to pack

Consider having your child bring a small carry-on bag.  It could include books, small toys, games, crayons, and even a surprise or two.  Also include a light snack and any essentials your child may need for the next 24 hours, in case of delays. Be sure to pack a copy of the child’s complete itinerary, including the names and cell phone numbers of the person meeting them.  Make sure your child knows this is in their carry-on bag. 

Things to tell your child

The most important to tell them is NOT to leave the airport unaccompanied or with a stranger.

Tell them if the flight will have a stop or connection.

Let them know there will be pressure changes in take-off and landing, that can bother their ears. Tell them they can yawn or chew gum or swallow a few times to help with this.

If it’s their first flight, explain the different sounds they’ll hear and that there may be some patches of bumpy air that pose no threat to the aircraft. 

Advise your child to keep their seat belt fastened at all times.

To see all of their tips and procedures, go to http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/pubs.htm and click on “When Kids Fly Alone” under “Other Publications.”

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has for years discourage swim lessons for children age 4 and younger. But this morning, they have changed their stance.  According to their news release:

“New evidence shows that children ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. … The new guidance recommends that parents should decide whether to enroll an individual child in swim lessons based on the child’s frequency of exposure to water, emotional development, physical abilities, and certain health concerns related to pool water infections and pool chemicals.”

You can read the entire news release by clicking here.

You can also watch a segment from the “Today” show that features different ways kids learn to swim and about the Infant Swimming Resource program that is available here in Oklahoma.  To watch the “Today” show May 24 clip, click  here.

As the Memorial Day long weekend approaches, now is the time to get your child familiar with the water and the ways to survive if he or she were to fall in.

And remember, nothing can replace a watchful and attentive parent or guardian. Don’t take your eyes off your children for a moment if there’s water nearby.  Be sure your pool has the proper fencing/barriers to prevent your child from getting to the water unattended.

For everything water safety, go the AAP website: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/watersafety.cfm.

Have a fun, but SAFE summer.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

This Saturday, May 22,  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be tons of safety fun in the parking lot at 3800 N. MacArthur.  Kids can meet members of the Warr Acres Police and Fire departments, the Bethany Fire Department, EMSA, Medi-Flight, OG&E, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department and much more.

Activities will include a moon bounce, face-painting, a dunk tank, safety demonstrations (including a really cool smoke trailer demo), car seat checks, health checks, emergency vehicle walk-through and more.

So bring the kids to Warr Acres Saturday for some great safety fun!

For more information, go to cityofwarracres.com.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

While you and I are scrambling for cover in a tornado siren, this kid’s eyes get as wide as saucers and the excitement level gets beyond control.   Everything he sees is tornado-related.

But not all kids are ready to brave Mother Nature’s fury.  Especially if those kids have had to go through an actual tornado and witness firsthand the destruction and injuries it can cause.

To help parents and caregivers explain how a tornado works, what to do when one is coming and how to deal with the destruction and aftermath of these storms, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Office has put out a coloring book called “After the Tornado.”

It’s a good read for parents and kids of any age and children will surely appreciate the fun-to-color pages.

To download the coloring book, click here.

For more information about the book, click here.

And for all your severe weather information, coverage and safety tips, go to the Know-It: Severe Weather page by clicking here.

If your family has any tales of storm survival or tips to help kids get through storms, comment here or e-mail me.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com