Injuryboard Commentary - Child Safety

Keeping Children Safe

Timothy Smith — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:03:58 GMT

I wanted to take a quick moment to bring to my reader's attention a book that is a must read if you are a parent or you are friends with someone who is a parent. "365 Ways to Keep Kids Safe", is a book authored by Attorney Don Keenan who is one of the leading advocates for child safety in the country and an excellent trial attorney as well.

The book can be ordered here: http://www.balloonpress.com/365wayssample.html

An excellent review of the book can be found here.

As a fellow attorney dedicated to raising the public's awareness of safety issues through this particular website, Attorney Keenan is an excellent example of how to educate our friends an families to lead a safer day-to-day existence.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Timothy Smith

Pet Doors are a Danger to Small Children

Billy Cunningham — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:16:23 GMT

This past week in Mobile a 2 year old girl crawled out through a pet door and nearly drowned in the family swimming pool. Her mother had left her in front of the family TV long enough to go check on laundry. When she returned, her daughter was not there and her 7 year old brother spotted her in the pool. The family pulled her out and called 9-1-1. CPR was performed at the home by the paramedics and she was taken to the hospital. On last report she was in critical condition at the hospital. The only way she could have gotten out to the pool was through a pet door was all the other doors were locked and the alarm system was on.

A website has been created by Carol Ranfone who lost a 2year old son, Matthew, by drowning. She created http://www.petaccessdangers.org/ to provide access for the public to be aware of the problem. Her tragic story was followed by Good Moring America ABC News report on May 12, 2009. It is too bad that the Mobile family did not see that report or know of the website.

More than a hundred children have died or been seriously injured in the last decade after squeezing through tiny pet doors and getting into swimming pools or other dangerous places, new research has found. "What we see is a picture that's emerging which shows that the pet door is a really serious hazard in a home that no one has really had on the radar screen," said Sean Kane, of Safety Research and Strategies. The pet door that the Rafones had contained no warning that young children could get through them. The news report also demonstrated the possibility of children getting through these rather small door. You can view it here. Click here to see the demonstration.

In most states the law requires that if there is a known hazard in the use of a product, the manufacturer is obligated to either ‘engineer’ out the hazard, guard against the hazard (like a guard over a pinch-point) and/or warn against the hazard.

The manufacturer of the door that Matthew went through also makes a pet with a remote device attached to a pet's collar unlocks the door as the pet approaches. The door then locks again after the pet exits. In its marketing materials, the company touts that the electronic lock "will prevent children from leaving the home." I also read reports where some manufacturers supply a plate that go over the opening to prevent the pets access. Those certainly should be employed to keep children from gaining access.

If you have pet door and small children around, please take all safety steps you can to make sure they do not get out through the door undetected.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Billy Cunningham

There Are Far Too Many Bullies In School

Mike Bryant — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:48:00 GMT

I've written before about the school assault bill that got passed on the last day of the legislative session, but was later vetoed. It was the anti-bullying bill. It's intent was to add sexual orientation and physical appearance to the sorts of bullying not allowed in schools.

With the veto the Governor did say that he would direct Department of Education Alice Seagren to review the existing anti-bullying policy and to contact school districts to ensure they are meeting the requirements of the current law, which was implemented in 2005.

The Minneapolis Tribune recently had a real life story that is heartbreaking. Their 12 year old son:

an honor student who faced merciless teasing on the school bus, came home on the afternoon of Feb. 8, 2006, went into the family's barn and hanged himself.

Numbers from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs suggest that something needs to change. In Minnesota, there were 73 cases of hate crimes committed in 2008, a 48 percent increase. There was a 185 percent increase in the number of incidents involving violence, and a 20 percent increase in the number of incidents involving more than one assailant.

The Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey, was published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that:

More than 60% of youngsters had either direct or indirect exposure to violence within the past year
Nearly half the children surveyed were assaulted at least once in the past year, and more than one in 10 were injured as a result.
Nearly one-quarter of the children were the victim of a robbery, vandalism, or theft.
About 10% were victims of maltreatment (including physical and emotional abuse, neglect or a family abduction), and one in 16 were victimized sexually.

There is a debate as to if these increased numbers are due to better reporting, but the numbers are so big, it is imperative that this issue be revisited this next session.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Recall Of Children’s Metal Pendants Expanded

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:50:00 GMT

Team Work Trading, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is expanding a previous recall of Children’s Metal Pendants because they contain excessive levels of lead. The original recall was announced in September.

Lead is particularly damaging to children as it interferes with the developing nervous system and can cause permanent brain disorders such as learning, memory, and behavior.

To this date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled products.

The recall includes 11 types of metal pendants sold with silver-coated chains. They feature symbols from the following animations/cartoons: “Bleach,” “Death Note,” “Naruto” and “One Piece.”

The recalled items should be taken away from children. Consumers can contact Team Work Trading for a refund or replacement product.

Consumer should immediately take the recalled pendants away from children and contact Team Work Trading to receive a full refund or replacement product.

Consumer Information: Call Team Work Trading collect at (213) 680-4489.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Stork Craft Recalls Two Million Baby Cribs

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Stork Craft Manufacturing, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced a voluntary recall of more than two million drop side cribs.

The agency is aware of the deaths of four young children who suffocated in the cribs. Additionally, there have been 110 reports of incidents in which drop-sides detached from the cribs.

The recall includes 1.2 million Stork Craft cribs sold in the U.S. and one million sold in Canada. Approximately 150,000 of the recalled cribs carry the Fisher-Price logo.

The federal government has recalled nearly 5 million cribs in the past two years -- many of them with drop down sides.

The cribs have had ongoing hardware and assembly issues. In January, the Stork Craft recalled about 500,000 cribs because of problems with metal brackets that support the mattress. The new recall includes some of the same models from the earlier recall, CPSC said.

Consumers are urged to contact Stork Craft for a free repair kit that will convert the drop-side crib to a fixed side. In the meantime, the recalled cribs should not be used.

For more information on the recall, visit the Stork Craft Web site or call the company toll free at (877) 274-0277. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Stork Craft Recalls 2.1 Million Drop Side Cribs

Mike Bryant — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:16:03 GMT

Today, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada recalled 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs. drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

CPSC, Health Canada, and Stork Craft are aware of 110 incidents of drop-side detachment; 67 incidents occurred in the United States and 43 in Canada. The incidents include 15 entrapments; 12 in the U.S. and three in Canada. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation: a 7-month-old in Gouverneur, N.Y.; a 7-month-old in New Iberia, La.; a 6-month-old in Summersville, W.Va.; and a 9-month-old in Bronx, N.Y. Included in these incidents are 20 falls from cribs; 12 in the U.S. and eight in Canada. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2JehETgNjc&feature=player_embedded

The cribs involved in these incidents had plastic drop-side hardware that had broken, missing, or deformed claws, connectors, tracks, or flexible tab stops; loose or missing metal spring clips; stripped screws; and/or drop-sides installed upside-down.

The cribs were sold at major retailers including BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

This recall includes Stork Craft cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between January 1993 and October 2009. This recall also includes Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo that have manufacturing dates between October 1997 and December 2004. The Stork Craft cribs with the Fisher-Price logo were first sold in the U.S. in July 1998 and in Canada in September 1998. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm’s name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm’s insignia “storkcraft baby” or “storkling” is inscribed on the drop-side teething rail of some cribs. In Stork Craft cribs that contain the “Fisher-Price” logo, this logo can be found on the crib’s teething rail, in the manufacturer’s instructions, on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board, and on the end panels of the Twinkle-Twinkle and Crystal crib models.The cribs were manufactured in Canada, China and Indonesia.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side. Stork Craft can be contacted at (877) 274-0277or through their website www.storkcraft.com

If you or a family member is injured by a product, you need to get immediate medical care. If there is a significant affect or injury, you should contact an attorney concerning the problem. Early investigation can include the collection of product, checking recall alerts, and the proper notifying of those who caused the problem.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Car/Bus Accident In Rochester

Mike Bryant — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:08:38 GMT

Wednesday night, there was a car/ school bus collision in Rochester. On the school bus were 22 students from Wabasha-Kellogg school district which collided with a U-turning vehicle. Eight students were taken to Saint Marys Hospital. The two people in the vehicle were also taken to the hospital. One occupant of the vehicle was air lifted by mayo one and the other was taken by ambulance. The incident is still under investigation.

In covering a past collision the Pioneer Press had an extensive list of bus accidents in the State:

March 19, 2009: An 81-year-old woman dies after crashing into a Northfield, Minn., school bus. She had failed to stop at a stop sign.

May 23, 2007: A 6-year-old boy waiting for his bus in downtown St. Paul is crushed to death after he falls under the wheels of a school bus carrying fellow students.

May 17, 2007: A 14-year-old Scandia girl and the man driving her home from school die when their minivan crashes into the back of a school bus stopped along a northern Washington County road. Eleven students riding the bus are uninjured; the bus driver suffers minor injuries.

Jan. 31, 2007: Seven people are injured, including five students, when a St. Francis school district bus crosses the center line, colliding with a car and flipping onto its side.

Dec. 8, 2006: A school bus loses control at Minnesota 65 and Constance Boulevard in Ham Lake. The bus clips a station wagon and broadsides an SUV before slamming into a traffic-signal pole, injuring 24. The bus driver said the accident was caused by brake failure.

Sept. 15, 2006: A St. Paul elementary school bus lands in the middle of Interstate 94 in rush-hour traffic. A low gas tank caused the bus to stall and roll backward. A child is taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

June 2, 2006: An empty school bus strikes and kills a boy crossing a street on his way to school in Rice Lake, Wis.

March 30, 2006: Two Chaska High School students are injured when the car they are riding in collides head-on with a school bus.

While the collisions all could have been worse, it is always scary for any parent to hear that a school bus is involved. The most resent research indicates that 17,000 children end up in the emergency room each year after being injured on the bus. Hopefully, more consideration will be given to adding seat belts to these buses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a nice handbook that all children should review and parents should talk to them about. Each of my boys seemed to get something from it. I want to make sure on those days they take the bus they get back safely.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

One Million Baby Strollers Recalled By Maclaren

Mike Bryant — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:47:21 GMT

The first week of November, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn., recalled 1,000,000 Maclaren Strollers. The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. There has been 12 finger amputations as a result of the problem.

This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

The strollers were sold at Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360. The products were made in China.

Consumers should immediately stop using he recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit Consumers can contact Maclaren USA at (877) 688-2326 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Time For Arizona, Florida, and South Dakota To Protect Those Kids

Mike Bryant — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:23:00 GMT

The safety of booster seats for 4 to 8 year olds is beyond question. As was pointed out by my partner Joe Crumley, there are many advantages to extending the protection. The Minnesota Legislature went through the issues and with very little opposition, went for protection over the doubters. It's a group that needs to be protected. I was reminded of this last week when a mother called me and had two kids who were all shaken up after a rear end collision destroyed the back of the car. Thankfully, that's all they were and I would suspect that it was the safety of their being wrapped in booster seats that made the biggest difference.

Right now 47 states and the District of Columbia require booster seats for kids who are too big for child safety seats with harnesses, but too small to properly wear a regular seat belt. The hold outs are Arizona, Florida and South Dakota. The National Transportation Safety Board is working to change that. "If they use a booster seat and a seat belt, rather than a seat belt alone, they reduce their risk of injury by 59 percent," Deborah Hersman, head of the NTSB says. "And what the data and the facts tell us is that it's much safer to be in a booster seat that restrains your child properly in the event of an accident."

I'm a big fan of Mad Men on AMC. It was interesting last year when they showed the mother driving down the road and suddenly having to stop. The daughter, who was standing up in the back seat, went flying off the seat and ended up in the foot area on the passenger side. A different time and while a very simple scene, was indeed a scary moment. Hopefully, these states will come up to speed and join in the protection of these small children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

It Seems Texans Don’t Know the Difference between Sex-Ed and Child Porn

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:12:00 GMT

A father who forced his children to watch hard-core porn, including group sex can’t be charged under Texas law according to the Randall County District Attorney. The children are and 8 and 9 year-old daughters whose father, divorced from the mother “made them watch adults having group sex and various other acts at his home in Amarillo. The parents of the girls, and their 7-year-old sister, are divorced and share custody.”

Texans do everything big, including making bigger mistakes than who they vote in for Governor. The law allows parents to show “harmful material” to their children. Which this lawyer-prosecutor believes sanctions parents showing porn to their children. Here in Iowa we make a distinction between educational materials and those considered pornography. The one is to educate the other In this instance the facts might lead one to conclude the parent’s actions fit in the prurient interests category. Most

An appeal to "prurient" interest is an appeal to a morbid, degrading and unhealthy interest in sex, as distinguished from a mere candid interest in sex.

In most states they look at the goal to be achieved and perhaps this father sees group sex as a way to achieve his goal of sex-ed. Apparently the mother, who wanted her ex jailed, wasn’t too happy. We can't blame her. Maybe moving to Iowa would be a better environment for raising her daughters.

Pornography is the depiction of sexual behavior that is intended to arouse sexual excitement in its audience. During the twentieth century, Americans debated whether pornographic material should be legally protected or banned.

So the question remains, what was his intention? So when Texas officials aren't beating up on injured people what else do they do? It appears they've found the Internet...

HOUSTON – March 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W0HKK5HA2k

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi