child safety

Packed parking lots and crowded stores aren't playgrounds for kids, but most parents have to take their tykes shopping at some point during the holiday season. To ensure your children's safety during trips to the mall — especially during the hustle and bustle of this season — check out these simple tips that provide peace of mind.

Pay Attention in Parking Lots
People in a mad dash to the mall can make parking lots especially dangerous, as they don't always look both ways before backing out. Winter weather is also worrisome because visibility isn't as good. Make it a rule to hold hands when you and your wee ones walk through any lots and garages.

Map Out a Plan
Once you get to the mall, map out a plan in case your family gets separated. Pick a central and easily accessible place to meet up. Your tot's favorite store is an ideal destination, as the youngster will likely remember its location and name. Advise small kids to seek store personnel or a security guard for assistance.

Stay Seated in Shopping Carts
While it's tempting to let an antsy tot climb in or around the shopping cart, it's not a safe practice. Children, especially babies, are at great risk of injury in doing so. So follow the rules and strap your wee one in the front seat and never leave her unattended.

To see the rest of the tips, read more

If a kid likes it, put their name on it! Many moms slap a label on the inside of their child's school sweater or jacket so it doesn't get lost. But does personalizing everything from the kid's lunch box to his baseball cap and sneakers, potentially put the tot in harm's way? Sixty-six percent of our moms thought personalizing belongings could help a predator lure a youngster. Here is what the women had to say:

• "It's not really an opinion issue, it's been proven to be a danger. A child gets a sense of security when someone knows them by name. For the same reason, it's strongly recommended that a woman not do things like have a personalized license plate with her name on it. We always put the kids' name on the inside of bags and clothing for identification if it's lost. I wouldn't even consider having it put on the outside of anything. — Anonymous
• "If you want to monogram the backpack or lunchbox, use their initials. Also, come up with a secret word that your child can remember and if someone claims that they have come to pick up your child, they must know the secret word. This is something my mom did with me, especially for when I went on field trips." — Anonymous
• "Yeah this isn't really an opinion thing. It is dangerous! Initials are safer. " — Amber512
• " Unfortunately it's not safe. I got some super cute barrettes with my girls names on them when they were about 2, 4 and 5. I only used them when the environment was controlled: no strangers. It's sad, but there are people who will take advantage of your child. I don't allow the schools my children attend to use pictures of them on web sites or n brochures. To me it's as if you ate saying, "look where THIS child is Monday thru Friday!!!". Not a good idea." — lickey split

Nothing says Labor Day like a car full of loved ones headed for an end of Summer getaway or celebration. Before you brave the road with your precious cargo, check out these little-known safety tips! I spoke with Becky Michalkiewicz, the statewide child safety seat coordinator of the California Highway Patrol, who offered up this expert advice.

• Watch out for anything in your car that's loose, like toys. "It is important to make sure the environment of your car is the safest possible," says Michalkiewicz. "Make sure there is nothing that isn't strapped down because that becomes a projectile" in an accident.
• Don't clip items on your car seat, even something like a toy mobile.  Attaching items that didn't come with your car seat voids the manufacturer's liability if you are in an accident and the car seat malfunctions.
• It may sound simple, but make sure you know how a car seat looks and sounds when it is installed correctly. Michalkiewicz said the CHP commonly sees car seats that are not attached at all.

If you need help, contact your local highway patrol. The CHP, for example, will schedule an appointment with a trained technician to check your car seat and how it fits your child.

We have a shoebox-size kitchen, so I have rules when my kids help me cook. Once the stove is lit, they need to stay seated at the table. All the tales of dropped pots of boiling water, hair caught in hand mixers, and fingers severed by bread knives have made me cautious. It's moments like a burner flaring or a glass dropping when your heart jumps into your throat that you realize you can never be too careful. Here are some tips for keeping your lil chefs safe.

• If children are helping prep, sit at a table rather than chance a fall by having them stand on a chair or stool.
• Do not allow children to crawl on counters or stoves when you aren't cooking. This way they won't feel comfortable doing so when the areas pose hazards.
• Keep knives out of reach.
• Use the rear burners when possible.

Keep reading for more helpful tips.

It's time to stock up on folders, notebooks, and backpacks! Crowded stores aren't playgrounds for kids, but most parents have to take their tykes shopping at some point. To ensure your children's safety during trips to the mall — especially during the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season — check out these simple tips that provide peace of mind.

Pay attention in parking lots: People in a mad dash to the mall can make parking lots especially dangerous, as they don't always look both ways before backing out. Make it a rule to hold hands when you and your wee ones walk through any lot and garages.

Map out a plan: Once you get to the mall, map out a plan in case your family gets separated. Pick a central and easily accessible place to meet up. Your tot's favorite store is an ideal destination as the youngster will likely remember its location and name. Advise small kids to seek store personnel or a security guard for assistance.

Stay seated in shopping carts: While it's tempting to let an antsy tot climb in or around the shopping cart, it's not a safe practice. Children, especially babies, are at great risk of injury in doing so. So follow the rules and strap your wee one in the front seat and never leave her unattended.

Don't talk to strangers: In a crowded place, a predator can easily slip away with a child. Remind your kids to stay by your side and not to accept goodies or go off with strangers.

Carry a snapshot: It's better safe than sorry so use your phone to capture your child on film before entering a crowded place. That way if anything were to happen, you would know what he was wearing. Along those same lines, it takes a matter of minutes for an abductor to change a child's appearance, so carrying pictures of your wee one's identifying characteristics, whether it be a birthmark, a scar, or a unique eye color, could help in the event that he or she goes missing. While this is unsettling, it's best to be prepared.