Unlike in cartoons, children can’t identify poison by the skull and crossbones on the bottle. It would be nice if they could understand signs such as on the picture to the left, but even if there were such a label, a child wouldn’t recognize harmful substances. In truth, parents are often not aware of the prevalence of toxic substances. Preventing children access to every dangerous substance in the home is simple; however, as with defending against other dangers, a degree of diligence is required in the short run. Keeping complacency at bay is necessitated for the long run. Here are some suggestions to keep poisons away from your child, along with some common examples of dangerous household items.

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There has never been a time, at least in recent memory, when our children were more vulnerable to the threat of strangers. Whether online or in rural areas and big cities, we are facing a pandemic of kidnappings; online pedophiles,  and what appears to be an attack on our children. It is vital, then, that you talk to your kids about strangers.

Some pre-K schools have already begun the practice of teaching children what to do when confronted by strangers. This has to be reinforced at home as well. Because children are so trusting, it is all the more important to explain to them what to do in case they are approached by someone they do not know. Here are some of the things you can tell them:

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As a father and parent the [tag-cat]safety[/tag-cat] of my children are very important to me. It seems wherever you turn there is something to worry about. We have found a great resource we would like to share with all our readers. Even though sex offender registers have been on the internet for many years, they can be difficult to find and use.

The Familybeacon.com has created a very easy to use map. Based on your IP address it will bring up a map with red flags of [tag-tec]sexual offenders[/tag-tec] in your area. You can easily zoom in or pan out on the map. You can also put in a different area. This is useful if you are traveling, thinking about relocating, or have family in a different location. Clicking on a flag will bring up the address and picture of the offender. There is also a link to the state registry that goes into more detail.  

Currently the following states are available with plans to eventually cover all 50 states:
ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, INDIANA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING.

By Alan and Shonna Hammond

Suffocation is the fourth leading cause of unintentional child death. Not “intentional” suffocation as with homicide, but accidental, unexpected death by suffocation. Most people can imagine the horror of going into your infant or child’s room in the morning and finding the little one lifeless. It is a very real occurrence, but also one that is preventable.

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Our children are our most precious gifts, and as parents we understandably want to do everything possible to protect them from harm. Today, that often includes - some would say is first and foremost - teaching them to be wary of others. Parents will often instill a (healthy, they would argue) fear of others, along with providing practical tips on staying safe. Read More

Dangers are present for the child around every corner. Many of them are the common hazards most parents protect against; fire hazards, poisonous substances, electrocution, choking hazards. However, there are many others hazards that are equally as dangerous. Parents can’t protect children from all potential hazards, but they have the ability to be resolute in their identification of dangers. Here are some hidden danger areas, places and things that a care giver may not necessarily see as posing an inherent danger. These are not simply limited to the home, but may be found at places children commonly visit or activities in which they may take part.

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By Alan and Shonna Hammond

A lost child is certainly a parental nightmare. Unexpected parent and child separation is, however, not only terrifying to the parents, but also the children. Most everyone has experienced the anxiety associated with the possibility of loosing a child, or becoming lost as a child, in a grocery store, department store, or at the mall. If the emotion felt by a parent at the first realization that a child is missing could somehow be turned into energy, it would be more powerful than an atomic bomb. At that moment, it is critical that parents channel that energy in the correct direction and make good decisions.

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