The School Bus is Coming!

What happened to make the little broom miss the school bus?

She overswept.

You may (or may not) think that was a funny joke, but riding the school bus is actually serious business. Many students rely on the bus as a safe mode of transportation to school. Your child's school has rules for school bus safety, and Illinois law requires that students practice school bus evacuation each year. The drills happen on school property with the bus driver and school staff.

As your child's first teacher, you may want to talk to your child about bus safety. Staying Safe on the School Bus by Lucia Raatma could help with that conversation.

As a driver, it is also important to make sure you understand the rules of the road to keep children safe. The complete 2012 Illinois Rules of the Road publication is available at the Illinois Secretary of State's website, but here are a few reminders.

When approaching a marked school zone between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., on days when school is in operation and children are present, a driver must discontinue wireless/cell phone use, reduce speed to 20 mph, and stop and yield the right-of-way to any children or adults in the crosswalk area.

You must stop before meeting or overtaking a school bus loading or unloading passengers on a two-lane roadway. The bus driver will flash amber and red lights, then extend stop signal arm. You must then come to a complete stop. You must remain stopped until the stop signal arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights are turned off or the driver signals you to pass. Your driver’s license or vehicle registration will be suspended for three months and you will pay a minimum $150 fine if you are convicted of illegally passing a stopped school bus.

Your Family's Sun Screen Adventure Begins!

A Cautionary Tale:

Two years ago, on a vacation to San Diego, I broke out in an incredibly itchy rash.  As someone who's skin sometimes reacts weirdly to different lotions, I thought perhaps I used the hotel shampoo or body wash and was having some sort of allergic reaction (although honestly... I was already taking two allergy medications a day!).  After several trips to the drug store, and several frantic calls to my family pharmacist, I took some Benedryl and it calmed down.  I was back home anyway, and the reaction stopped.

As it wasn't the first time I had reacted to various lotions/beauty products, I went to have my allergies re-tested and the results came back that I wasn't allergic to any chemicals.  So, I forgot about it.  I made it through a whole summer without a reaction.

One year ago, on a vacation to Ft. Myers, Florida, I broke out in the exact same rash.... still very itchy all over my body.  So bad that I actually broke the skin while scratching.  By this time my mother (a nurse) was fairly concerned.  I already had an appointment with a dermatologist and while there, I asked about my reaction.  I thought I had done the right thing in already talking to the allergist, but thought since they are experts in skin issues, I might as well ask.  I couldn't believe what she told me.

As it turns out - it was SUNSCREEN that was the culprit.  My reaction: 'I am the palest person I have ever met! I can't live without sunscreen, and I use it all summer long.  I was tested for chemical allergies and had none.  How is it possible that I could be allergic to sunscreen?' 

And that is when she explained about sunscreen allergies.  As it turns out, you can have two different types of allergies to sunscreen.  One is just a plain old reaction to the chemical you are allergic to.  No matter where or when you use it, you will react to it.  The other kind of allergy (the kind that I have) is a little more complicated.  It is an allergy that is 'photosensitive', and the reaction only occurs when activated by the sun.  This type of allergy normally shows up when you get closer to the equator (hence the reaction in San Diego and Flordia, but no reaction here at home).

Today, I read an article about protecting your family from some sunscreens that can contain harmful ingredients.  You can see the article for yourself here.  It also contains a link a website where you can research the sunscreen you are currently using and see how its active ingredients work. 

As Summer begins, don't neglect your family's skin.  Make sure to have plenty of sunscreen on hand.  Also, make sure to keep in mind that when you travel on whatever vacation plans you have this summer, your family's sun screen needs may change.  Keep your kids safe this summer, and have fun on your own adventures!  Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and remember that the library is closed on Sunday and Monday, May 28th and 29th. 

Child ID Theft

With all the things parents have to worry about when it comes to protecting our children, it just doesn't seem right that we should have to worry about someone stealing our child's identity. Unfortunately, we do need to be on the look out for this possible problem.

A recent study on child identity theft by Carnegie Mellon University Cylab found a child only five months old that was a victim of identity theft. What a horrible surprise years later for that child to have problems getting a student loan or job because of a credit rating ruined by a stranger!

What can you do to try to protect your children from this problem? One free resource is AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report. Don't be fooled by websites with similar names that sound free, but actually charge a fee.

A new website IDTheftinfo.org also has helpful information and links. It was created by the Consumer Federation of America to help you learn how to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, detect identity theft quickly if it does happen, and deal with the consequences.

Click here for a link to resources at the Des Plaines Public Library.

The Importance of Keeping an Eye on Your Child

Although they rarely make national headlines, as people who work in the library system, we often hear the horror stories of what can happen when children are left in the library unattended.  But the truth is, it doesn't take leaving your child alone in the library for something awful to happen.  Recently, at Gail Borden Library in Elgin, a child walked away from a mom who was helping her other child.  It took an hour for police to find him, during which the library was in lock-down, but when they eventually picked him up, he had walked a mile away.

You can read more about it here, but the truth of the matter is... here at the library we keep policies about keeping children under 8 near you for a reason.  It isn't that we think this is an unsafe area in which to live, but accidents can happen anywhere.  There are sliding glass doors that move when there is motion, and although we do our best to keep an eye on the library, there are always moments where we are helping others and can't see every person or child that leaves the library.

We hope that you are understanding of our policies, but most of all, we hope that all children stay safe while they are in our library.

Preschoolers and the Television

The TV: for adults, although it wastes our time, it can create hours of entertainment.... but for kids, and their still developing brains, it can be detrimental.  Most parents know this, but what they don't know - is how much TV exposure their children are getting when they aren't there.

This past fall, I read an article about how much television children in the United States are exposed to.... two-thirds of them are exposed to more than the recommended two hours per day.  I found the article incredibly eye opening.  Some caregivers aren't aware that there are even guidelines about television exposure for kids.  Make sure that whomever is taking care of your children, they know what YOUR guidelines are for what you want your children to experience.  If you want to read the article, check here.

"Peanuts... Get Your Peanuts!!!"

For most people, the thought of a man walking up and down stairs screaming this at the top of his lungs brings back fond memories of family trips to ball games and circuses, but for some parents, it can be a nightmare.

Between 4 and 8% of children have allergic reactions to foods, but of all of them, the most dangerous is a peanut allergy, which afflicts 1% of children.  While that might sound like a lot of children, parents can sometimes feel isolated by their child's condition and it can cause a fear of public places if the allergy is severe.  If you, like many other parents, have a child in your family with a peanut allergy, the website www.peanutallergy.com is a great resource for information including prevention, treatments, and foods to avoid as well as food brands that are 100% peanut free.

Friendly Reminder About Internet Safety

We've posted on Kidding Around before about internet safety, but we felt it was time for a reminder about keeping kids safe online. Here again is our post about internet safety, with some additional links added at the bottom:

Now that school is underway, the phone is ringing off the hook and the computer is always in use. Whether for personal enjoyment or homework, the computer has become an everyday part of the typical American home. It can be a blessing as long as you know how to keep it safe for your children.

Check out the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan's website for some great information and tips about internet safety as part of her 'Safeguarding Children' campaign to have every child grow up in a safe community.

You might also want to look at some internet safety software that blocks inappropriate content on computers and cell phones here, or check out the KidsHealth website to find out more about what you can do as parents to keep your child's internet experience safe.

Want to learn even more? Visit the PTA's website to access materials like their Internet Safety Checklist for Parents. The National Crime Prevention Council's website has helpful information about keeping girls safe online and a guide for parent's about social networking websites, as well as other information.

Recent Children's Drug Re-calls

Looking for more information on which batches of Children's Tylenol, Children's Motrin, Children's Benadryl, or Children's Zyrtec were recalled? Look here for more information straight from the source.

In general, products that are recalled can be found on the FDA's website on drug and food recalls here.

As always, if you have any questions, you can come into the library and ask at the desk.

Cyber-bullying

It's no secret that kids can be cruel to other kids. Bullying is not a recent problem. However in recent years cyber-bullying has become a new issue for parents to deal with.

What is cyber-bulling? Cyber-bullying utilizes the new forms of technology that kids are familiar with. These technologies include: text messaging, instant messaging, You Tube, social media websites such as Facebook and MySpace, and photos taken from cell phones.

To help parents, the District 62 Foundation will be having a free presentation on Tuesday April 6th from 7-8:30 pm in the Algonquin Middle School Gymnasium, located at 767 E. Algonquin Road in Des Plaines. The presenter will be John Halligan, an expert on the topics of bullying, cyber-bullying, and teen depression. For more information, please call 847-824-8070 or click here to read more about the presentation. To learn more about the presenter, click here to visit his website.

A Safe and Happy Halloween

Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to be extra watchful for possible safety hazards so that your children will have a fun and safe Halloween. Here some tips to make your family's Halloween safe:

Costume Safety:
-costumes should be short enough so that your child won’t trip and fall.
-select ones made of flame retardant material.

-face paint should be nontoxic and hypoallergenic.
-masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well.
-knives, swords and other props should be made of a totally flexible material.

-if it is a cold night, make sure that costumes are large enough for warm clothes.

-add some reflective tape or bright colors to the costume or bag to make your child visible in the dark.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:
-adults should go with children under the age of twelve.
-carry a flashlight and walk on the sidewalks of well lit streets.
-choose well-lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only.
-older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.
-avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys.
-drivers: follow traffic signals, rules of the road; drive slowly, watching for trick-or-treaters.

Safety Tips for Homeowners:

-prepare for trick-or-treaters by: lighting the house well, removing obstacles from the front yard, and restraining dogs and other animals.

-provide candy treats that are individually wrapped by the store.
-offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.

Candy Safety:

-instruct your children to bring all candy home before eating it, so that you can carefully inspect it.

-children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating, before parents have a chance to inspect the goodies.
-to prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go. Don't send them out on an empty stomach.
-tell children not to accept and, especially, not to eat anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
-throw out candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or that appear to have been tampered with (pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, etc.).
-remove any potential choking hazards for small children (gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys).

For more information on how to have a safe Halloween, see :

www.halloween-safety.com

www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/autumn/halloween_safety.html

www.pediatrics.about.com/od/kidsandhalloween/a/1006_hlwnsafety.htm

You Watched What!?!

You might be surprised to find out what your children watch on the television when you aren't around.

I remember being excited when my mother went back to school to get another degree because it left me alone with my dad on Wednesday nights, the very night that Beverly Hills 90210 was on.... a show I wasn't allowed to watch. I remember that I couldn't ever watch the previews for the next week's show because I needed to run up the stairs in order to be in my room by the time my mom got home from class.

Now, not all dads are as clueless as mine, however if no parent is home, what is to stop a child from watching unapproved television? Enter... the V-Chip, a government required chip on all televisions bigger than 13 inches made after 2001.

The V-chip allows parents or other caregivers to block programming on their televisions that they don’t want children to watch. If you have concerns about what your children are watching, take the time to look at the V-chip FCC web page, where it describes how to use it and how they determine ratings for the different shows.

As a parent, you are the first line of defense against things that you are not comfortable with... and we love to provide you with information about different tools available to help. Please share other resources with area parents by commenting on this post!