azapta.org

Recently, the popular social network site, MySpace, hired Hemanshu Nigam as it’s new Security Officer.  Nigam had been serving at Microsoft as the director of consumer security outreach and child safe computing. He also has worked as a prosecutor for the Justice Department focusing on child exploitation cases.

MySpace states that it has already hired 100 new employees just for the effort of policing their site more aggressively to keep it safer for teens according to the company.  These additional personnel also will form partnerships with many child safety organizations, work with federal as well as local law enforcement agencies and maybe even appear in Washington to address child safety issues.

On July 16 in Miami, Florida a 4 year old girl nearly drowned when she was sucked to the bottom of her family’s pool by the strong vacuum suction of the drain.  Fortunately, her mother was able to free her, give her CPR and she is recuperating at a local hospital.

Many children have been injured and several children have died due to the drain power in pools and spas.  Child Safety advocates have pushed for it and finally the Consumer Product Safety Commission has enacted a law that will go into effect this December requiring every public pool to have a drain cover to help prevent these needless tragedies.  You can read the law here:  http://www.cpsc.gov/pssainterp.pdf.

Child Safety is every parent’s number one priority, and while it’s not a law to have a drain cover on private pools, it only costs about $49.  I’d say the expense is well worth it.

Since children travel at speeds faster than light, we can’t always keep our eyes on them at all times.  But often, it’s just as important to know where they are NOT as to know where they are.

That’s where door and window alarms can be of help.  Simple door braces for sliding glass doors can ensure that your little ones can’t escape into the back yard without your knowledge. 

Easy to install window alerts will sound an alarm if a window is opened or broken or even jostled quite a bit letting you know your kids are messing where they shouldn’t be.

These inexpensive child safety products can keep your kids from being where they are NOT supposed to be.

Help Themselves….

Obviously, educating your children (in age appropriate ways) to possible dangers is the first step in helping to protect them but you can also aid them with devices that will help them protect themselves.

A simple whistle can help but an even better idea is an electronic pocket whistle one that requires only a push of a button and is extremely loud.

A personal alarm is also a simple and effective child safety device that only requires a pull of the pin to activate it.  Some also come with a light so can double as a flashlight.

We at Azapta.org (formerly the Arizona Physical Therapy Association) feel that you can help to protect your children by empowering them to protect themselves.

It was HOT! today in Phoenix. Some news stations reported 114 degrees!!!  I had to run some errands and getting back into the car was miserable.  It was actually difficult to breath for a minute until the AC finally started to really have an effect.

Every year there are several instances of people forgetting (I CANNOT see how this is possible) or just not thinking and leaving their pets and their children in their cars in this unbelievable heat!!!!  Sadly, many pets and children die this way every summer.

We at AZAPTA.org (Formerly Arizona Physical Therapy Association) ask you to PLEASE think of your pets and children and NEVER leave them in the car EVER!!

I read in the news today of another carjacking.  Scary in itself, but there was a child in a carseat in the back at the time.  The mother only left the car running for “a minute to drop off a video” when it was taken.  Fortunately, for all concerned, the car was discovered abandoned a short time later and the child was not harmed.

Azapta.org (formerly the Arizona Physical Therapy Association) suggests that a simple solution for all parents is to acquire a second set of keys and remotes so if it’s absolutely necessary to leave the car running (due to extreme heat or cold), you can still lock the car doors.  It’s still not an ideal situation as the window can be broken but it’s one more layer of protection for your child’s safety.

We at Azapta.org (formerly Arizona Physical Therapy Association) found a great site geared towards kids that gives some advice on how to stay safe.  Everything from how to deal with bullies, what to do if they are home alone and there is an emergency, Stranger Danger, online safety and more. 

There are also games and downloads to help educate children on how to stay safe.  Here it is:

http://www.mcgruff.org/Advice/

Have fun teaching your kids about Child Safety.

Many women and men are Physical Therapists in Arizona as well as loving parents.  And, while they are very dedicated to their profession, being away from home means their Child’s Safety is in someone else’s hands. 

One important way parents can protect their children is to do some basic Child Proofing with Home Safety Products.  Of course, protection for your Pool in the form of a gate, fencing, cover and perhaps a Pool Alarm, goes without saying.  But inside your home there are many ways to keep your kids safe too.

Be aware of your child’s reach (it may surprise you) and keep unsafe items further onto the countertops or hidden in cabinets secured by latches.  This is not only true in the bathroom for medications but in the kitchen and other living areas as well.

Even older toddlers and children tend to be fascinated with electrical outlets.  These can be inexpensively secured by using basic outlet covers.

If your young toddler is just beginning to walk or your older kids get a little rambunctious, consider using Corner Cushions on the sharp edges of your tables and cabinets.

Even a doorknob can be a source of injury for a small child’s head but can be protected with simple Doorknob covers.

There are Kits for Child Protection that contain several of each of these important items so keeping your Children Safe at home doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. 

Whether you belong to Azapta (Arizona Physical Therapy Association) or another professional group, chances are you have to leave the Care and Safety of your Child with someone else while you are at work.

As a mother, I find it difficult to feel 100% confident in someone else’s ability and desire to protect my children while I am at work. However, with a little research and preparation, my kids and I can both feel good about their safety.

Of course, research, research, research the facility or babysitter you are considering including doing a background check on each responsible caretaker. Yes, it costs a little bit of money, but can you afford NOT to know exactly who is taking care of your child?

Surprise visits to the facility can also ensure that you know your Child is well taken care of and safe.

Also, there are some wonderful (and inexpensive) Child Safety Products you can purchase to increase your Child’s Security.

If you are leaving your Child at home with a babysitter or Nanny, consider getting a Nanny Cam (or Hidden Camera) to know EXACTLY what’s happening when you aren’t there.

Finally, if you are a parent and a member of an organization like Arizona Physical Therapy Association (AzAPTA), consider pitching in monetarily for a community babysitter at work where you’ll be able to observe the Safety of Your Child firsthand.