Choose Peace for our Children

Sounds good "Choose Peace". This grass root group is not talking world peace (nice), but peace in the inner neighborhoods of our cities here in America and around the world.

In Indianapolis, Indiana, the horrible homicide rate has become unbearable. Children and families are suffering and injured while sitting in their homes or front porch. Drive by shoot outs and gun battles are hurting and killing way too many people. By spreading "Choose Peace", we can make a change.

The group is new and hopes to spread to help take back neighborhoods and cities. It is one person at a time, talking to another person and spreading the word. Choose Peace and hope will return.

Go To: http://www.decidetochoose.com for more information.

Child Harness

When you walk your pet, you protect the dear pet with a collar and leash. It is for the protection of the pet.

When you walk your child, you hold hands. The child can slip out of you grip and get hurt. When you travel or shop, your attention is split between your child and the activity that needs to be accomplished.

A child harness is a safety restraint for walking with small children. What a wonderful safety net this is for your peace of mind!

There is debate about the pros and cons of the harness. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_harness for more information.

I for all its worth am in favor of the harness and safety!

Kid Safety at the Petting Zoo

It's time to take the children to the zoo. Are you thinking about the extra safety need at a petting zoo?

E. coli infections can be picked up at petting zoos. I have not always cleaned my hands after petting a horse, goat etc. Children must be protected more than adults.

Go to: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/safety/a/petting_zoos.htm for more information.

Back to School Safety

Ok, its only July 7, 2008 and going back to school is 6 weeks to 8 weeks away. NOW is the time to get ready to get back to school safety information!

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has great information and down loadable checklists. It is impossible to top the information.

Just go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/america.html and you will be pleased!

This site offers safety tips on playgrounds, bicycles, skateboards and additional issues.

Children and Dog Bites

A web site with dog rules for Children.

Teresa's Bad Rules

These are rules that kids in Teresa's dog obedience classes call the "bad rules" because they don't like some of them.

Following these dos and donts will help keep promote child safety around dogs and prevent dog bites.

Do not hug a dog, put your face close to his face or lie on him. Do sit beside your dog, rub his chest or scratch him on the side of the neck.

Do not play chase-me games with a dog. Do play hide and seek - where the dog has to find you or an object that you hide.

Do not play tug-of-war games with a dog. Do play fetch with the dog - teach the dog to trade the object for a treat so he won't try to tug.

Do not lean over or step over a dog. Do respect a dog's resting place - go around him or ask an adult to move the dog.

Do not bother a dog who is sleeping, eating, has a toy or bone, is hurt or has puppies. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

Do not dress a dog up in play clothes. Do dress up your stuffed animals.

Do not hit a dog or poke him with a stick. Do be gentle with dogs.

Do not pull a dog's ears, tail or fur. Do scratch the dog's chest or the side of her neck - most dogs enjoy this.

Do not stick fingers or hands into the dog's crate. Do ask an adult to let the dog out of the crate if you want to pet her.

Do not play in the dog's crate. Do play "in and out of the crate" with the dog - toss a treat in - dog goes in to get it - dog comes back out - toss another treat in etc (with adult supervision).

If your dog does not welcome you with wagging and panting - leave him alone. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

If your dog gets too rough or excited, be a tree until he gets bored and goes away.

Do not run and shout around a dog that is not in a crate. Do be calm around dogs; involve the dog in an activity such as chewing on a bone or playing fetch so he doesn't feel that he needs to chase you to have fun.

For more information GO TO: http://www.doggonesafe.com/keep%20kids%20safe%20around%20other%20people's%20dogs.htm

Child Safety Publications

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has a large list of publications about child safety.

The concerns of these publications vary. It is a good place to look for up to date information on safety in the home but also in the neighborhood.

Go To: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chld_sfy.html for the free information.