Want to make your home safer for your family in the New Year? Here are a few simple steps. They don't take a lot of time to do and you'll feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete them. 1) Subscribe to product recall alerts. Products are recalled all the time. In the last week, swimsuits, infant rompers, candle holders and ceiling fans were recalled. I would venture to say that you may not have heard about any of them. The fact is that very few recalled products ac

I love a practical gift and always fill my family's stocking with extremely practical things like dental floss, socks, etc. As I've been working to get my family's stocking stuffed, I started thinking about easy to pick up items that would enhance your family's safety. Here are some ideas if you like practical gifts, too. -Smoke Detectors for every floor of your family's home and near every bedroom -Carbon Monoxide Detectors for every floor of your family's home -Batteries fo

We're still in COVID times and families are home together more than ever. Recently, poison centers are reporting increased calls about unintentional marijuana edible poisonings in young children. The fact is that even though we have laws in Illinois about the shapes of edibles, to curious kids, they look a lot like regular treats. Edibles also contain high concentrations of THC which can be quite dangerous to kids. Parents - please keep you marijuana edibles up high and out

Check out the latest big recall to make the news. This time it's 122,000 pairs of Toddler boots sold at Target. They were recalled for having toggles that detach and cause a potential choking hazard. We usually hear about these big recalls somehow through social media or on regular news sites. The fact remains, however, that literally hundreds of recalls happen each year that don't get as much publicity. In fact, in October, a sippy cup, scooter, crib and even antifreeze were

School-at-Home Safety during COVID-19 Around the country, decisions are being made about the upcoming academic year in light of the...

This article in the Chicago Tribune outlines the dilemma perfectly. It’s a hot summer and we want a way to cool off but beaches and public pools are closed. So, we are turning to some alternative ways to cool off that may present some unintended safety risks. I, too, bought one of those self-set pools referred to in the article. Being the safety-oriented person that I am, I did put a fence around it per our town’s municipal code. But th e fact remains that there is an awful

Since the stay at home order was issued in Illinois, I've been working remotely. Luckily, my home office is right next to the window. As I look outside, I'm seeing more and more kids riding their bikes. Most of the younger kids are wearing helmets, many of the older ones are not. Everyone and I mean everyone (little kids, big kids, teenagers AND parents) should be wearing one when they're riding. They are a really important safety device and can prevent brain injury in many

I know the world is very concerned about the spread of COVID-19 right now and rightly so. I do want to take the opportunity to spread the message about another epidemic in our lives that kills thousands of people each year - distracted driving. The statistics are staggering. One in four car crashes involves distraction. Right now, 10% of the drivers on the road are using their cell phones. When you look down at your phone to text, it's like driving with your eyes closed for

Many of us are spending a lot more time at home with our families due to social distancing measures and stay at home orders. Those of us...

Hello, Thank you for your interest in the Buckle-Up Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Out of abundance of caution regarding the...

It's National Poison Prevention Week. Here's a story from my family. It was the evening of the 4th of July several years ago and I was at a fireworks display with my family. I looked over at my young son and his whole mouth was glowing in the dark. He had bitten his glow stick. I panicked for a second because it looked so awful - how could something like that NOT be toxic? Then I remembered I had a number in my cell phone contacts that I could call for help. 1-800-222-1222

FAQ about Infant Inclined Sleepers and Crib Bumper Pads On December 16, 2019, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019 passed the U.S. House in a bipartisan vote. If enacted, this Act would ban infant inclined sleep products and padded crib bumper pads which have led to dozens of infant deaths. To ensure a true understanding of safe sleep we point parents and caregivers to the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) principles on safe sleep . We strongly encourage paren

Every year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) releases a report based on the most recent statistics regarding injuries and deaths associated with nursery products used by children ages five and under.Injuries and fatalities are collected through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). NEISS is an online database that holds emergency department visits and statistics associated with commonly used consumer products. Nursery product-related i

When other parents find out what I do for a living, they assume that I might insist my two children are wrapped in bubble wrap all the time and that my home is completely free of any chance of injury. While I do insist that my family wear seatbelts EVERY time they ride in a car and always use a bike helmet, I am definitely not perfect when it comes to safety practices in my home and car. That said, each year I make a New Year’s resolution. Some I’ve done a good job with lik

I was at the doctor’s office the other day and happened up on the December issue of O Magazine. Of course, the first section I turned to was Oprah’s Favorite things. Immediately, I started looking up a lot of the great gifts for others and (who am I kidding?) myself. Lots of really good food, clothes, gadgets. That list inspired me to write a blog about some of favorite safety things. While I can’t recommend specific products, maybe you’ll be inspired to buy one for someone o

Guest Blogger - Rebecca Wear Robinson, Make the Minute Matter When the first snow hits before Halloween, you know it is going to be a cold winter. When you think of ice and snow, you don’t think of drowning, but you should. Lake Michigan may look frozen close to the shore, but those ice slabs are constantly shifting and changing. Rivers, ponds, drainage ditches - they all appear to be great for skating and sledding, but it’s impossible to tell whether the ice is thick enough

It's the time of year when we are hosting a lot of parties. Here are some simple tips to keep the holidays safe for our youngest guests. -Keep those choking hazards out of reach of young guests -- hard peppermint candies, nuts, lollipops, popcorn. All are easy to choke on so keep them up high and out of reach. -Half finished alcoholic drinks can look just like something a child might drink. When you see them left somewhere, pour them out before young children can get to them

Online shopping is expected to account for 59% of holiday spending. I know I have spent a lot of time scouring the internet for online deals for presents. Shoppers need to know what to look for whether making retail or second-hand purchases. Many on-line product descriptions may leave out important safety warnings or precautions on the item's description. Some sites are better at listing warnings than others so shoppers should read item descriptions on a few sites to make su

The Holiday Season is upon us and it's time to deck the halls. With the Holidays come lots of decorations. If you have a young child at home, follow these simple tips for decorating safely. - Make sure to keep small ornaments or other small decorations that may be choking hazards up high and out of reach of young children. -Button batteries found in toys, flameless candles and many other items are very dangerous if swallowed. Make sure these batteries are secured . -Do you k

While families, parents, and children across the U.S. are trying to soak up their remaining few weeks or days of summer, grocery stores are quickly preparing for the next season. Not only are the aisles beginning to fill up with back to school supplies, but orange and black, over-sized candy bags are also beginning to reemerge. Furthermore, as pop-up Halloween stores start to reappear in our local shopping centers over the next couple of weeks, kids will begin to plan what Di