• Tweet

• Tweet

If your child care center cares for infants and toddlers, your number one priority must be to keep them safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment.  High chairs and strollers can be extremely dangerous for young children if they are not built correctly. Infants and toddlers may be at risk of falling and choking hazards if these childcare products prove to be faulty. Take note of the following recent high chairs and stroller recalls:

Some 2011 Playpen and Crib Recalls

April 2011: Arm’s Reach Concepts Recalls Infant Bed-Side Sleepers Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards, manufactured by Manufacturer: Arm’s Reach Concepts Inc., of Oxnard, Calif.About 76,000 units recalled. “When the fabric liner is not used or is not securely attached, infants can fall from the raised mattress into the loose fabric at the bottom of the bed-side sleeper or can become entrapped between the edge of the mattress and the side of the sleeper, posing risks of suffocation.

This recall involves a product called a “co-sleeper” by the manufacturer. One side of the bed-side sleepers is lower than the others to allow positioning near a bed and access to the infant for care and feeding. This recall includes all Arm’s Reach Original and Universal styles with manufacture dates between September 1997 and December 2001. The manufacture date and model number can be found on a sticker on one of the product’s legs. Model numbers included in the recall begin with: Originals – 8108, 8133, 8111, 8112 & 8199, Universal – 8311

March 2011: AOSOM Recalls Wooden Playpens Due to Choking and Laceration Hazards, Imported from AOSOM LLC, of Tualatin, Ore. “The wooden playpen can break, split and/or crack at points where screws and other hardware are located. Small, broken wood pieces and hardware from the playpen can pose a risk of choking and laceration hazards to children. In addition, an unstable playpen can fall over onto a child, posing an entrapment hazard”.

May 2011: Dream on Me Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation, Laceration, and Fall Hazards, Manufactured by Dream on Me, Inc. of Piscataway, N.J . 22,000 units were recalled. “The drop-side rail hardware can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop-side rail partially detaches, it creates a space between the drop side and the crib mattress. An infant or toddler’s body can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to strangulation and/or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib”.

Some 2011 Stroller Recalls

July 28, 2011: Strollers Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Risk of Injury from Brake Failure imported by phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Colo. 7,400 Explorer units recalled in the U.S. and 1,900 units recalled in Canada; 160 Hammerhead units in the U.S. and 65 units in Canada. Eight incidents have been reported globally; none in North America. No injuries were reported.”The brake mechanism on the strollers can fail, posing an injury hazard”.

June 2011: Britax Recalls B-Nimble Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure, imported by Britax Child Safety Inc., of Charlotte, N.C. About 20,000 units recalled in the United States and 800 in Canada. “An audible click heard when the brake pedal is pressed can give a false impression that the brake is fully engaged when it is not. When the brake is not engaged, the stroller can move unexpectedly posing a risk of injury to the child occupant”. Britax has received seven reports of the brake not being fully engaged. No injuries have been reported.

Parents and child care providers MUST check with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list which can be found at cpsc.gov. You can even sign up to be on an email list which will inform you of current recalls. They continually updated the recall list, so be sure to check frequently for recalls on toys, cribs, and daycare equipment. Depending on the severity of the recall, the manufacturer might mail kits with parts to repair faulty products.  Sometimes consumers are told to take the product back to where they were purchased for refunds, store credits or replacement items.

Strollers and high chairs are an expensive investment for a daycare business. However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used strollers or high chairs for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the crib has not been previously recalled.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Head Lice in Daycare photo by Eran Finkle

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a clinical report saying parents can send their children to school with lice. This report is of importance to anyone working with children and especially daycare business owners. In our two-part interview, The Lice Lady of Westchester, Anna Albano-Krosche, details important information for daycare centers about lice and lice prevention and comments on the recent AAP report.

OwnADaycare: Please explain what lice are and how it is spread?

Anna Albano-Krosche: Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny human parasites that attach themselves to hair and feed on blood from the scalp.  While head lice cannot fly or jump, they can spread from person to person through close contact or possibly through sharing hats, brushes or other items that have been infested.  Lice lay eggs (or nits), which hatch in around 7 days, making infestation an ongoing problem.  Having head lice is very common, as many as 6-12 million people worldwide get head lice each year.

OwnADaycare: How often should children be checked for lice?  How is lice treated?

Anna Albano-Krosche: Children should be checked for lice at school/daycare at least 4 times a year on a routine basis.  In September and after every school vacation is the best time for head checks. Checking for head lice is always best done as a routine rather than as crisis intervention when reports of infestations are made. Reports may encourage everyone to be more diligent which is a good thing, but the key to making head lice less of an issue is to detect them early and remove the lice and nits when few are present.

If head lice are found then it needs immediate attention. The reproduction of head lice is an ongoing cycle. Every day that is allowed to go by is another day for the female to lay her eggs.  Removing head lice is a difficult process and very time consuming.

Head lice have commonly been treated with over-the-counter shampoos that contain pesticides. Head lice have become resistant to the over-the-counter shampoos resulting in “super lice. “   Natural treatment of head lice is the safest way.  My treatment process consists of an all natural enzyme shampoo that breaks down the exoskeleton of the lice, causing them to perish. Because the biology of insects depends on the creation of enzymes for survival, it is impossible for lice to develop a resistance to enzymes when used as a pest control device. Next, a complete natural wet combing is performed using an expert combing technique and the highest quality metal lice comb for removing nits (eggs).  We will rinse and blow dry the hair and perform a dry check under the magnification lamp to ensure that every louse and nit has been removed.  Our services are 100% guaranteed.

OwnADaycare: How can daycare providers and preschool teachers diagnose lice and prevent the spread of lice?

Anna Albano-Krosche: Daycare providers and preschool teachers should be taught the signs of a lice infestation. Itching is usually the first noticeable sign of a head lice infestation. Check the scalp area above the ears and at the nape of the neck and look for nits.  Nits are tiny white to light gray eggs with a pearly shine and are a tear drop shape.  Nits always attach to one side of the hair shaft and do not come off easily.  This is the difference between nits and dandruff.  A nit will feel hard like a shell and will not move.  It is glued on tight to the hair shaft.  Also check for small, red bumps at the nape of the neck.

To prevent the spread of lice, it is important to treat the home environment or daycare.  A louse can live for 48 hours off the head.  It will die of starvation without a blood meal.  All rugs should be vacuumed, toys cleaned, stuffed animals should be bagged for 48 hours, rest mats wiped down and should be stored in individual bags not piled on top of each other.  Coats should be stored in individual cubbies or placed in the child’s backpack.  Girls’ hair should be worn up in a ponytail or braid and sprayed with a lice prevention spray.  Children ages 3-12 are more susceptible to head lice because of their close contact during play and interaction. Teach children not to share personal items.  Parents should check their child’s hair for signs of head lice once a week.  Once a week, take a peak!

The Lice Lady of Westchester, Anna Albano-Krosche, is a Mom just like you.  In 1997 and 1998, she experienced the frustration of lice with her daughters who “lovingly” shared it with her.  She did what she was told to do; use a pediculicide and nitpick. In two weeks, a re-infestation occurred. At that time, there was very little information available since it was before the internet.  After properly educating herself on how to eradicate every last nit without the use of pesticides, she was able to help others in her community.  In the fall of 1998, it became clear that there was a great need for someone to help. She opened a full service lice and nit removal salon offering the people of Westchester a more affordable way for treatment.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

Owning a daycare business comes with great responsibility. Childcare jobs include the responsibility of teaching young children about strangers and personal safety.

Helping children protect themselves is a joint effort of adults and children. Most of the responsibility is on the adult to protect the child. Childcare providers may educate parents about the grooming process of offenders. This means explaining how offenders befriend a family and seek situations where they can have secrecy with a child.

Some excellent tips for keeping children safe:

• Childcare providers and parents need to know how to screen caregivers and ask questions to help ensure their child’s safety.

• Teach and reminded children that their body belongs them. This means NO ONE is allowed to touch their private parts except if a doctor needs to look at them and a parent is present.

• Explain to parents that both adults and children have to have the understanding that, “In our family, we don’t keep secrets.” In cases when children are unsafe, the perpetrator is looking to develop secrecy with a child. No secrets allowed.

• Children should have a home and family in which they know they can tell their parents or caregivers about any worries, fears or concerns without being punished and that no matter what, their caregivers will always love them. Encourage children to have open communication with parents and other trusted adults.

Additional safety tips for school age children:

Child care providers that care for older children should teach the following:

• Don’t travel alone. Take a friend, or two, or three. The more the merrier and the safer!

• When in doubt about an adult in your company, say “no” and flee to tell a safe adult.

• Children don’t have to be polite or obedient to any adult that is asking them or telling them to do something they don’t think is right. Teach children that if they feel uncomfortable, they must pay attention to that feeling. Teach children they have permission to say “no.”

• Walk with head up high, eyes looking around, and carry something in your hand that can be used for defense.

• Children should always let their parents know where they are and with whom. Children should check in on the phone every few hours if they are away for a long time.

The children in your care should k now how to locate “safe” adults. Teach young children to look for a woman or a mom. If they can’t find a mom, they should find someone wearing a nametag.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

If your child care center cares for infants and toddlers, your number one priority must be to keep them safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment.  High chairs and strollers can be extremely dangerous for young children if they are not built correctly. Infants and toddlers may be at risk of falling and choking hazards if these childcare products prove to be faulty. Take note of the following recent  high chairs and stroller recalls:

2009 High Chair Recalls:

April 2009: Evenflo Recalls Envision High Chairs Due to Fall and Choking Hazards manufactured by Evenflo Company Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio, 643,000 units. “Recline fasteners and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to detach or recline unexpectedly. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer bumps and bruises to the head, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached hardware also poses a choking hazard to children”.

April 2009: Evenflo Expands Recall of Majestic High Chairs Due to Fall and Choking Hazards, Manufactured by Evenflo Company Inc., of Miamisburg, Ohio 90,000 units (95,000 were recalled in December 2008). “Plastic caps and metal screws on both sides of the high chair can loosen and fall out, allowing the seatback to suddenly fall back or detach from the high chair. Children can fall backwards or fall out of the high chair and suffer bumps and bruises to the head, broken bones, abrasions, cuts and bruises. Detached hardware also poses a choking hazard to children”.

March 2009: Fisher-Price Recalls 3-in-1 High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard, manufactured by Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y. 24,000 units were recalled.” The seat can fall backwards from high chair frame if the booster seat release is unlatched while the child is in the product. Also, the seat back can detach if not fully snapped in place, posing a fall hazard and risk of serious injury to young children”.

2009 Stroller Recalls

August 2009: Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers Recalls Strollers Due to Fall Hazard, manufactured by Baby Jogger LLC, of Richmond, Va., 41,000 units recalled. “The stroller’s restraint buckle could break or unlatch allowing the child or infant to fall out”.

June 2009: Bugaboo Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure, Bugaboo Bee Strollers manufactured by Bugaboo Design & Sales, B.V., of the Netherlands. 22,500 units were recalled. “One or both sides of the brakes can fail, causing a stroller to unexpectedly roll away on an incline. This can pose a risk of injury to the child occupant”.

Parents and child care providers MUST check with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list which can be found at cpsc.gov. You can even sign up to be on an email list which will inform you of current recalls. They continually update the recall list, so be sure to check frequently for recalls on toys, cribs, and daycare equipment. Depending on the severity of the recall, the manufacturer might mail kits with parts to repair faulty products.  Sometimes consumers are told to take the product back to where they were purchased for refunds, store credits or replacement items.

Strollers and high chairs are an expensive investment for a daycare business. However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used strollers or high chairs for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the crib has not been previously recalled.

No related posts.

• Tweet

• Tweet

If your child care center cares for infants, your number one priority must be to keep children safe by maintaining a secure and healthy environment. On the list of child care equipment that may be extremely dangerous for young children are cribs for infants. Infants may be at risk of entrapment, suffocation, strangulation, or asphyxiation if childcare products prove to be faulty.

Parents and child care providers MUST check with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list which can be found at cpsc.gov. You can even sign up to be on an email list which will inform you of current recalls. They continually updated the recall list, so be sure to check frequently for recalls on toys, cribs, and child care equipment.

Depending on the severity of the recall, the manufacturer might mail kits with parts to repair faulty products. Sometimes consumers are told to take the product back to where they were purchased for refunds, store credits or replacement items.

2009 Crib Recalls

In order to reduce the risk of injury or even death of children in your care, it is important to take note of the following crib recalls so far in 2009. All information is taken directly from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website:

January 2009: Stork Craft Baby Cribs, Mattress Support Bracket Failures Create Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation, Manufactured by Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, 535,000 units. “The metal support brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate”. Some have the Fischer Price logo on them.

April 2009: SunKids Convertible Cribs recalled by Suntech Enterprises Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards, Suntech Enterprises Inc., of City of Commerce, Calif., 1900 units. “The sides of the crib are made of mesh that expands, creating a gap between the side and the crib’s mattress if it’s not zipped into place, or a gap between the side and an added mattress. A young child can slip into this gap and become entrapped or suffocate. Also, the crib’s drop side can fail to fully latch posing a fall hazard to young children”.

April 2009: Jardine Announces Second Recall Expansion of Cribs Sold by Babies’R'Us; Cribs Pose Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards. Jardine Cribs, Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan, About 96,000 (320,000 units were previously recalled in June 2008 and 56,450 units were recalled in January 2009). “The wooden crib slats can break, creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers”.

June 2009: LaJobi Recalls Bonavita “Cabana” Drop Side Cribs Due To Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards, Bonavita “Cabana” Drop Side Cribs, LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J., 2000 units. “The wooden crib slats can detach or break creating a gap, which can pose an entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants and toddlers”.

June 2009: LaJobi Recalls Babi Italia Pinehurst and Bonavita Hudson Drop Side Cribs; Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation. Bonavita “Hudson” and Babi Italia “Pinehurst” Drop Side Cribs, LaJobi Inc., of Cranbury, N.J., 2900 units. “The lower spring pins on the footboard and headboard can pop out of the tracks located on the drop side causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, it creates a hazardous gap between the drop side and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become entrapped and suffocate or fall from cribs”.

July 2009: Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Retailers Due to Risk of Death from Suffocation. Simplicity Drop Side Cribs, Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. of Reading, Pa., 400,000 units. “The crib’s plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress. Infants and toddlers can roll into this space and become entrapped which can lead to suffocation”.

Cribs are an expensive investment for a daycare business, However it is an investment that is essential for licensed daycare providers that care for infants. Be aware that if you must buy used cribs for your daycare center it is imperative that you check against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list to be sure the crib has not been previously recalled.

No related posts.