Monday, October 25, 2004

Sensory Integration Safety

By Kay Green http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ Copyright 2004

Child safety has always been a passion of mine. I am mom to 4 great kids. Our youngest daughter (adopted at birth) has always been a bit of a wanderer and given me a few more grey hairs. I have been even more diligent about making sure she ALWAYS is wearing a physical ID product every day.

SID - Sensory Integration Disorder My 4 1/2 yr old daughter Haley has recently been diagnosis with SID. This diagnosis was an answer to so many questions we have had about her - why she needed to be touched to sleep - why she would not eat certain foods - why she was always moving. This diagnosis has so many facets and looks differently for all children but mostly they either crave sensory input or avoid it. Their brain system to handle sensory information works differently than for other people.

Infancy - As a result Haley has tightly bonded to me as an infant. She solved all stressful situations by nursing. She wanted to be held at all times (mostly in a
baby sling ). She cried if anyone else held her. She required one of us to be holding or touching her at all times in order to sleep. And she slept very little (30 minute naps). She needed the physical touch in order to sooth down to sleep.

Toddler - As a toddler she was constantly on the move. She is afraid of nothing. She is always looking to climb higher, jump taller, run faster, sing louder. So when we are out of the house there is always the worry that she will wander away. Her
ID bracelet with my cell number and phone number in it, give me some peace of mind. When she was tiny I could keep her in a cart. As she is getting bigger that is harder. She loved toys that gave her sensory feedback like TAGGIES.

Preschool - As a preschooler now, she is also sometimes without me: at school, church, a friends. I want to be sure if she should wander away from someone else she is protected. So she wears an ID bracelet (even when swimming) and has
ID stickers in her shoes. I have taught her that if mom is lost to find another mommy and give them her shoe to call me. I also make sure if anyone else is caring for her they have a signed medical release card that explains her SID diagnosis and needs plus her doctors number.

SID - Sensory Integration Disorder is many times mis-diagnosed as ADHD. And while most ADHD kids also have SID not all SID kids are ADHD. SID can also be associated with Autism and Aspersers and other disorders. However SID can be the single diagnosis for a child, like Haley. It is suggested that roughly 25% of all kids have some form of SID but most are mild enough they function within it.

Therapy for her includes meeting with an occupational therapist weekly to give her tools to regulate her system. ...........................

Read the rest at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/sensory-integration-safety.html


See our many other safety and travel items for your special child. We offer
back packs, sports packs, safety books, baby sling, adult safety products, pet safety products, TAGGIES, First Aid Kits and much more. We also have some combination packs of these items for even better pricing. Family Safety Products / Wholesale purchasing is available through our rep program.

More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green!
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/ Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 22, Jordan 19, Allison 17, Haley 4. Her and her husband of 25 years live in rural Oregon with their children. Kay owns My Precious Kid, Kay Green All rights reserved. Reprinting permissible with this author's box and copyright intact.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Vacation Safety

By Kay Green http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ Copyright 2004

You are going to Disneyland (or other vacation) with your children and want to make sure they are safe. We can help protect your children and give you peace of mind too. We have recently been linked on the http://www.wdwinfo.com/ Disneyland forum boards as a great product for Disneyland traveling families. Below are my favorite Disneyland travel ID products plus some ideas for keeping your children safe while there.

Q: During summer vacation to Disneyland, I am concerned with keeping my children safe. What do you suggest I do if they get lost?

A: As concerned parents, there are several things we can do to protect our children at Disneyland or on vacation.

1. Have each child (ages 0-18) wear a physical ID at all times.

2. Play the "What if ..." game with your children. If you ask my toddler, "What if Mommy gets lost?" (they never think they are lost) she will tell you, "Find another mommy, take off my shoe (or bracelet or scope) and ask the mommy to call you!"

3. Make a game of remembering what color each of you is wearing to Disneyland each day. If you are at a large group, wear matching T- shirts to help identify your group.

4. Have a plan: If we get separated, stay where you are, and Mommy will find you. If you are scared, ask another mommy to stay with you and call me.

5. Have a photo ID of each child in your wallet. In case of separation, you have a photo and description to help others looking for the child. Each adult with the group needs these.

6. Have multiple family contacts and telephone numbers in the glove box, in your purse, in backpacks, on shoe stickers, on strollers, etc. Add numbers for family members not traveling with you (grandma, sister, uncle, brother).

7. Every child and teen should carry an ID card with family contact numbers, cell phone numbers plus a medical release signature. Put it in their wallet, in their backpack and on their car seat and stroller.

8. Teach the child to drop to the ground and scream loudly, "He is not my daddy/mommy. HELP!" if someone tries to take them.

If your child has a hard time traveling bring along a favorite toy of lovie. That will make the vacation more pleasant for everyone. TAGGIES make a wonderful sensory blanket with little satin tags around the edge. Many children find this comforting while traveling.

Look below for some great safety product to protect your child on your next vacation.

Velcro Waterproof ID Bracelet $8 This is a strong durable bracelet that will last a long time. It has a small pocket inside and several small plastic tabs that slide inside. On the tab I write our cell phones, Disneyland hotel phone, home phone, and other contact information with a ink pen or extra fine point permanent marker. Fits children up to 95 pounds or so. More info on ID Velcro Bracelet

Disneyland ID Braeclet Vinyl ID Bracelet $5 This has 3 red vinyl strap child's ID bracelet with no writing on the outside. Attach the child ID bracelet to the child’s wrist, ankle or belt loops while at Disneyland. It is meant to come off easily to not injure a child who gets it stuck on something. These can usually be used 1-4 times. More information on Vinyl ID Bracelets.

Disneyland ID Shoe Tag $9 (2) BLUE Velcro banded Shoes ID tag, and free Child ID card. One size fits all: 2" long x 3/4" wide folded, 6" long x 3/4" wide unfolded. It is made of high-quality Velcro TM and a water resistant information label. Fits over laces, Velcro, boot loops and sandals while at Disneyland. More information on ID Shoe Tags

Disneyland ID Shoe Stickers $10 (20) Safe Shoes Child ID™ is a unique label which solves the problem of children carrying (not practical) or wearing (not safe) visible identification while at Disneyland. Each label has space for 5 phone numbers. Place them inside shoes, bike helmets, back packs, clothes, etc. I teach my kids that if Mommy is lost find another mommy and have them call me with the number in their shoe. More information on ID Shoe Stickers.

Disneyland ID Pocket Identitee™- Contact Card & Stick-on Pocket $5 This smart little pocket (3) holds key information to help lost kids and parents reunite quickly wherever they go. Just fill in the contact card, stick the pocket onto your child’s clothing, and seal the card inside. These are perfect for one day excursions to Disneyland. More information on Identitee ID Pockets.

Disneyland ID Scope- Childs ID Scope $14 At Last! A way to carry your child's confidential information in a nickel-size piece of jewelry! Just instant emergency information when you need it the most! Wear on neck, wrist shoe or coat zipper. Child protection for your family. Takes 3-4 weeks to get the personalized plug back for the scope so plan ahead before you go to Disneyland. Available for adults and pets too. More information of Childs ID Scopes.

See our many other safety and travel items for your special child. We offer back packs, sports packs, safety books, baby sling, adult safety products, pet safety products, TAGGIES, First Aid Kits and much more. We also have some combination packs of these items for even better pricing. Family Safety Products / Wholesale purchasing is available through our rep program.

More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green! http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/ Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 22, Jordan 19, Allison 17, Haley 4. Her and her husband of 25 years live in rural Oregon with their children. Kay owns My Precious Kid, Kay Green All rights reserved. Reprinting permissible with this author's box and copyright intact.

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Back to School Safely

By Kay Green
www.MyPreciousKid.com
Copyright 2004

August is the month we begin to think about "Back to School". You know the normal tradition of buying new clothes and new school supplies. It is also the month to think about sending our kids "Back To School Safely". Will your kids be safe and protected when they go back to school?

Here is a list of 8 ways to can protect your child and their belongings.

1. LABELS - We label our kids clothes and belongings. Lets also protect our kids by having them all wear a physical ID everyday at school. That can be an ID Scope, ID Bracelet, Shoe stickers or tags. This leaves your contact phone numbers with your child at all times.

2. TEACH your kids what to do if they are ever lost. I teach my daughter to find another mommy and take off her shoe and ask the mom to use the sticker information to call me on my cell phone.

3. CODE WORD- Teach them to never go anywhere with someone they do not know. Have a family CODE WORD that only family members know.

4. WALK or DRIVE them to and from school and the bus stop. In this day and age it is not safe to let our kids walk alone or wait alone for a bus.

5. IDENTIFY - Use shoe stickers to identify all their belongings with your family name and several contact phone numbers. Do not however have the child's name in plain view to strangers (on back packs and lunch boxes). Put the info INSIDE.

6. FRIENDS - Know your children's friends, their names, addresses, and phone numbers. Remind them they are to never go to a friends after school without calling home FIRST!

7. DAILY PLAN - Talk each morning about the days plans and remind them to call you BEFORE changing any part of the daily plan.

8. MEDICAL RELEASE - Give every person who ever cares for your child in your absence a Medical Release ID Card. ..........................

Read the rest at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/back-to-school-safely.html

More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green! http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/

See our many other safety and travel items for your special child. We offer back packs, sports packs, safety books, baby sling, adult safety products, pet safety products, TAGGIES, First Aid Kits and much more. We also have some combination packs of these items for even better pricing. Family Safety Products / Wholesale purchasing is available through our rep program.

More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green! http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/ Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 22, Jordan 19, Allison 17, Haley 4. Her and her husband of 25 years live in rural Oregon with their children. Kay owns My Precious Kid, Kay Green All rights reserved. Reprinting permissible with this author's box and copyright intact.

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Is Your Child’s Car Seat Safe?

By Kay Green
www.MyPreciousKid.com
Copyright 2004

Four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly. How can you be sure your child's is installed correctly? One way is to read the instruction manual that came with your child's car seat and your car's owner's manual. That will give you some good clues. You can also have it checked by your local fire station or car seat safety clinic.

Parent's Magazine tells us the 8 most often made mistakes? Have you made any of them? http://www.parents.com/articles/health/5198.jsp

Mistake #1: Seat Too Loose
Mistake #2: Harness Too Loose
Mistake #3: Facing Wrong Way
Mistake #4: Wrong Angle
Mistake #5: Retainer Clip Wrong
Mistake #6: Wrong Slots
Mistake #7: No Booster Seat
Mistake #8: Recalled Seat

Another mistake I see often is taking kids out of the 5-point harness too soon. The child needs to stay in the harness until they are tall enough that the car's seat belt crosses them at the correct position at their shoulder in the booster and they are over 40 pounds. When you switch to a booster with no harness remember to belt the booster seat into the car even when your child is not in it. If not the booster seat can become a flyer projectile in a wreck.

Is your child in the right size car seat? I saw a mom with a 17 month old in an infant car seat. She said "He is under 20 pounds so I can not move him" WRONG! Car seats have weight, height, and age requirements. Most babies will be out of the height requirements for an infant car seat at 6 months. Their legs should not extend past the end of the car seat. My daughter was under 30 pounds in her 40 pound limit convertible car seat and I thought fine. But then saw the straps were not staying on her shoulders well. She was too tall for it and had to move to a booster seat that held 22-80 pounds.

Additionally your child's car seat should have emergency contact info attached. In a car accident professional's need to be able to reach dad at work or grandma if you are not able to help your child. A car seat ID card with a medical release signature will protect your child in a car accident giving medical professionals all the information they need to treat your child immediately.

Safety Pillows for car seats and booster seats also can protect your child. Some car seats come with them. I found a car seat pillow that connects through the booster seat strap slots. It allows it to protect her neck, gives her neck added support when napping, and allows her to push it up out of the way when she does not need it. It does not end up on the floor either. My almost 3 year old loves hers and tells me "Thanks You Mommy!" when I slide it into place for her.

Most state rules now require that children's stay in the booster seat until 6 years AND 60 pounds. This means safer kids and fewer fatalities for children in car wrecks. I am glad to keep my child in her comfortable car seat. She is happier and healthier every time we go in the car. I also use it for every plane trip. Since she is so comfortable in her favorite booster seat she travels much better.

Please take the time to be sure that your car seat is installed correctly, fits your child, has emergency contact information, and a safety pillow for their neck. If the event of a wreck you will be glad you covered all the bases.

See our many other safety and travel items for your special child. We offer back packs, sports packs, safety books, baby sling, adult safety products, pet safety products, TAGGIES, First Aid Kits and much more. We also have some combination packs of these items for even better pricing. Family Safety Products / Wholesale purchasing is available through our rep program.

More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green! http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/ Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 22, Jordan 19, Allison 17, Haley 4. Her and her husband of 25 years live in rural Oregon with their children. Kay owns My Precious Kid, Kay Green All rights reserved. Reprinting permissible with this author's box and copyright intact.