Hanging By a Thread

Recycled Post: Fireworks Safety Tips

Note: When I read this post from last year, I was thankful that much has changed. Our Darling Boys are now almost 5 and almost 3. Our lives are still filled with chaos, and we all still throw fits from time to time, but our Boys are a little less unpredictable.

Fireworks, on the other hand, are still quite lethal and tricky. Handling these explosive devices can turn a fun holiday tradition into a fiery nightmare. Please read or re-read this post on Fireworks Safety.

If You Play with Fire You Might Get Burned: Tips for a Safe Fourth of July

The Fire Storm

Our household is in the midst of those precarious years called "The Toddler to Preschool Stage." It's a stage that's filled with risks. That is, risks to the parents. One of the biggest issues in our household involves naps, or resting, as Darling 1 prefers to call it. On some days, our Darling Boys nap with minimal struggle before they actually nod off to sleep. On other days, the Darling Boys scream, shout, cry, whine, throw books and other objects in protest. It's those days that I know they need to rest the most, and usually after much struggle on my part, they both sleep peacefully for a few hours. But then there are the days that the schedule gets filled to the brim and there's no time for a nap or they simply keep on happily playing, reading and laughing which tricks me into thinking they don't need a nap.

These are the days that will really get you into trouble by dinner time. Everything seems to be going along well; everyone is happy. But then some small thing happens like a wheel coming off of a toy car that Darling 1 is playing with or Darling 2 can't quite get the page turned in the book he is "reading" and it all starts to crumble. It takes only one to get upset about something, the other Darling Boy will soon follow, whining and crying, miserably inconsolable. At that point, you might as well skip dinner and go straight to bed, which is what happens on occasion.

At ages 21 months and 4 years old, and being highly spirited individuals, it isn't just missing a nap that can set them off, it could be too short of a nap, too long of a nap, the wrong part of the day, the wrong side of the bed, the wrong toy, the wrong snack, the wrong book, the wrong week or month. The toddler to preschool years bring lots of angst, independence and exploration. Fortunately, these volatile moods or years don't last long …usually. Yet, right now the fact remains that our household is smack in the middle of it, and if you play with fire, you might get burned. So, we as parents must do everything within our control to play it safe, with naps, or resting time; plenty of breaks to re-group and lots of very parent-sounding lines like, "Don't slap your brother. Use your words! Tell him how that made you feel when he tackled your head." at the ready.

Fireworks Safety Tips

So it is with fireworks. It seems like such a happy, fun, holiday tradition to have a little fireworks display of your own. The problem is that things can go from fine and safe to bad and dangerous very quickly. It's safest to plan to attend a professionally orchestrated city or area-wide fireworks display, but if you insist upon setting off a few of your own, please take the time to read these safety tips and visit these great websites in order to be fully prepared should an accident occur.

The good news is despite the fact that the American fireworks consumption has dramatically increased since 1976 from 29 million pounds to over 265.5 million pounds in 2007 there has been a 90% decrease in fireworks-related injuries since the Consumer Products Safety Commission began to closely monitor the fireworks industry. That said the need to always use precaution and take safety measures when around fireworks remains.

Here are some great tips for staying safe around fireworks:

• If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In 2003, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.
• The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals.  
• Lighting fireworks at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:
  • Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.
  • Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
  • Never try to make your own fireworks.
  • Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
  • Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
  • Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket — the friction could set them off.
  • Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
  • Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
  • Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
  • Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
  • Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
• If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention — your child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.

Websites

This is Phantom Fireworks' website. It has all kinds of information about fireworks from safety tips to how fireworks are made to history and trivia. Check it out at: http://www.fireworks.com/safety/. I think this is a great site with so much information.

Another good website for fireworks safety information is www.Fireworksafety.com. This is the site of the National Council on Fireworks Safety. This site offers information on state laws, injury statistics and safety concerns.

The Scoop

I wish you all a happy, safe, fun-filled 4^th of July weekend. Please do take a few minutes to read these safety tips here and on the websites. It's important and could save a life. Over and out…

Anna

Before You Jump In: Pool Drain Covers Recalled

CPSC Investigates

As the temps soar in many parts of the country pools, both public and private, will be filling to be sure. In the Twin Cities, pools are just beginning to open as we have abnormal near 100 temperatures this week. So, the question is how safe is the drain in the pool?

I have mentioned several times now that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been investigating what had been thought to be new and improved pool and spa drain covers that complied with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. These drain covers were supposed to have been designed to prevent drownings and injuries by suction entrapment.

Safety Recalls

However, the CPSC issued a press release a little over a week ago announcing widespread recalls of 8 manufacturers' pool and spa drain covers. In its investigations, CPSC strived to determine whether the testing methods used to approve these new drain covers were sufficient in checking the safety of these products.

Drain covers from A&A Manufacturing, AquaStar Pool Products, Inc., Color Match Pool Fittings, Custom Molded Products, Hayward Pool Products, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Rising Dragon USA and Waterway Plastics have been recalled. These drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover and could still pose an entrapment hazard to swimmers.

No incidents have been reported, but the CPSC has advised pool owners with these drain covers to close until drain cover is replaced or retrofitted. Some of these manufacturers do have replacements or retrofit available now. For more information, regarding the manufacturers and the drain covers involved in this recall, please see the CPSC press release.

It is vital that if you have a private pool or frequent a private pool that you check the drain covers and discontinue use of the pool or spa if the recalled cover is being used until a new drain covers is in place. Entrapment injuries and deaths are tragic and horrific. You do not want this to happen to your family, friends, or anyone using your pool.

The Scoop

I understand it's hot, but it's not worth the risk involved in using an unsafe pool. Need another reason? Read my post on Abigail Taylor who eventually died from excruciatingly painful and horrible suction entrapment injuries after sitting on a drain cover in a kiddie pool at a country club. If you are using a private pool, be sure to ask about their drain covers. It may sound over the top and paranoid, but better than dead or disemboweled.

Tomorrow I will post about lake safety. After all, I live in the land of 10,000 plus lakes. Be sure to peruse my sun and pool safety posts below too. Over and out...

Anna

You may also like:

The Overly Cautious Traveler: Must Read Pool Safety Tips

Distracted Vigilance: Tips for Preventing Drownings

What's Your SPF? The Dangers of Sunscreen

Sunburn... I mean Summer Memories: Tips for Playing it Safe in the Sun

Distracted Vigilance: Tips for Preventing Drownings

Unaware

On a recent early morning, I awoke to find my 2.5 year old Darling 2 sitting next to me holding the orange juice carton, saying "juice please" "juice please". It took me a minute to fully realize the situation. Apparently, he had gotten up out of bed, decided he wanted some juice and finding me still asleep in bed, decided to bring the carton to me to open for him.

While nothing happened to him or the orange juice and later it seemed comical, it still made me think what if he had unlocked a door and gone outside or opened the dishwasher and gotten a knife out or other equally frightening scenario. DH and I are normally fairly light sleepers when it comes to hearing our kiddos in the night. Neither of them are good sleepers, and it's not uncommon for one or both of them to call out in the night or get out of bed, etc. Yet there are times that I am beyond tired and half asleep before my head hits the pillow. And on those nights or mornings, I'm liable to sleep through Darling 2 getting up to fetch himself some juice.

It only takes a minute for my kids to make huge messes, grab things they shouldn't or get themselves into trouble. They are young children, after all. They learn by touching, tasting and trying to do new things on their own. This is why taking precautions and keeping your eyes on your kids near or in a pool is of utmost importance.

Unintentional Drownings

I was reading an article about pool safety that stated in the first four months of 2011 there have already been 37 drownings and 38 near drownings. It occurred to me that many parents, nannies, grandparents and others who are sitting near a pool watching their young charges probably tend to take that time to make a phone call, send a text, a tweet or an email, check Facebook or look up information online. All of these things can be done with ease in virtually any setting thanks to the convenience of today's smartphone.

I have not seen any statistics on the number of drownings that occurred because the person watching the child was preoccupied with his or her phone, but I would be interested to see that information. While this is speculation, it warrants a reminder that one should not do anything that distracts his or her attention from the child(ren) in the pool.

Drowning is silent. There may not be a big splash, thrashing about, screaming or calling for help. If a child accidentally falls into a pool or goes too deep and you aren't paying attention, you might not even realize it until it's too late. If your attention is diverted by your phone conversation or twitter stream, you may be too distracted to even notice a child has fallen in, gone too deep or been trapped under the water.

As the CPSC notes in the tips below, it's important to have a phone nearby the pool area in case of emergency, but the person watching the kids in or near the pool should never be on the phone or using any of the smartphone's applications or capabilities. There are no laws banning using phones around pools, but the same principle applies in these situations as it does while driving; our brains are not capable of true multi-tasking.

This means that no matter how long you intend to be on the phone or checking email, etc. during that time you are not focused on your kids in or near the water. In those few minutes, your child could be severely injured or dead.

Pool Safety Tips

Here's what the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests for those who own a pool or have regular access to a pool:

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa
• Always watch your child when he or she is near the water
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, etc. to avoid entrapment
• Keep phone nearby in case of emergency
• If a child is missing, check the pool first
• Make sure family, friends and neighbors know the pool safety information
• Learn to swim and make sure your kids know how to swim
• Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults
• Understand the basics of life-saving to assist in a pool emergency
• Install a 4 ft or taller fence around the pool and spa area with a self-closing or latching gate; ask your neighbors with pools to do the same.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa
• Install door alarms and use them if your house opens up to the pool with no gate between
• Install pool and gate alarms that alert the adult when children go near the water
• Check to make sure the drain covers are compliant with CPSC standards*
• Maintain pool and spa
• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

www.poolsafely.gov

The Scoop

As summer nears and more and more people flock to the pools and beaches, it's extremely important to make sure you, your spouse, your kids, your nanny, babysitter, neighbors, parents and anyone else who watches your kids are reminded about the pool safety rules. And remember to be clear about no phone usage at all during pool time. Over and out...

A note about pool drain covers: The CPSC is investigating  the safety of pool and spa drain covers and the adequacy of testing procedures used to determine the flow rating of these covers. They have found the testing protocols used by some laboratories may have been improper and some covers certified by these labs may not comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SSAct) and may fail to prevent the hidden hazard of a drain entrapment.  

Anna  

You might also like:

Phone Down; Eyes Up: Distracted Driving Statistics Update & Driver Challenge

Distracted by Technology: Are Hands-Free Devices in SYNC with Safe Driving?

The Overly Cautious Traveler: Must Read Pool Safety Tips

Some Call It Worrying, I call it Accident Prevention

Mommy Brain

As a mom, part of my brain is dedicated to coming up with worse-case scenarios of what might happen to my Darling Boys if.... and then devising plans and solutions to avoid and/or survive such imagined occurrences.

Much has been written, spoken and tweeted about the death of Osama bin Laden this week. I'm thrilled he is out of the picture and that the U.S. has been able to thwart so many terrorist plots over the last 10 years, but interestingly enough, as much as I'm horrified of being caught in a terroristic attack, that's not the kind of scenario that usually pops into my head.

It's the everyday, freakish, what-are-the-odds-of-that-happening kind of catastrophic event that really concerns me.

Here's What Really Scares Me:

I'm scared to death of the day they are old enough to take off on their bikes {wearing well fitting, undamaged bike helmets} on adventures up and down and across streets; streets with no sidewalks or shoulders where drivers recklessly careen about in their vehicles without concern for the well-being of my children.

I'm petrified my Boys will choke on popcorn, marshmallows, tomatoes, small Lego pieces, Star Wars figurine heads {why, oh why do they detach from the body} or a million other items. Darling 2 did choke on a tomato just a few weeks ago. I did not freeze up and was able to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him and get the tomato unstuck. Thank God! I have played this scene over and over and prayed I would be able to do what I needed to do out of instinct; and I did.

I worry that my children won't get the proper servings of veggies per day or enough of the right kind of veggies or that the veggies they do eat will be contaminated with pesticides which will lead to cancer in the prime of their lives.

I contemplate what I will say when they come to me with broken hearts because their true loves don't love them back or kids they thought were their friends did something or said something that was not at all friendly. I fret about whether they will be well liked, well mannered, well accepted, well adjusted and happy as they grow and mature and become young men who never think this world is too much and contemplate their own demise.

I pray that a driver distracted by sending a text, reaching for coffee, putting on makeup, looking for a CD or having an in depth discussion over the phone does not cross into the lane I'm driving in and smash us to smithereens, but should this happen I pray that I will not die or be critically injured and leave my babies; and that the hand of God would protect my precious boys securely and lovingly strapped into their seats behind me.

I hope they never ride their bikes or run while listening to music through earphones that could muffle the sound of a trash truck, train or rabid dog fast approaching.

I take measures to ensure they don't accidentally ingest a poisonous plant or mistake a bleach bottle for a milk bottle or have access to brightly colored pills of medicine that look eerily like candies.

Crazy Lady?

Whew! I said it. Sometimes I even worry that by actually voicing these fears, they could come true. This list is not exhaustive and it changes as they grow, but this is how my heart and brain work; this is how I get through the horrible things that happen all in our world. And then I can focus on the beautiful, wonderful, magical things that also happen every day.

I think through these things; I take precautions; I implement plans; I teach my boys safety; and I pray a lot! Now don't mistake me for saying that I dwell on these things constantly and am all-consumed by tragedy and disaster. I'm not. Intense; paranoid; empathetic; analytical; planner; pray-er: yes.

The Scoop

I cannot always be there. I cannot stop everything from happening to them; and nor would I want to. In the words of a spunky, blue fish named Dory, "Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo. {Nemo}" From Finding Nemo.

I want them to take risks; the kind of risks that lead to innovation, creativity, discovery, love, laughter, success and sometimes failure. After all, it's from good, bad, happy, sad, interesting, boring, small and big happenings that a person learns and grows and experiences. These are good things, but, Please Lord, no shattering events that would break my heart in two forever!

You can tell by the links in this post that I've written posts about many of my motherly fears. What do you worry about? Or maybe you don't! Here's to a safe Thursday! Over and out...

Anna

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A Funny {or not so funny at the time} Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Travel Distractions & a Focus on Things Learned

Misgivings

On Sunday evening I was beginning to wonder if I should have agreed to go to New York. My flights had me traversing the Eastern side of the country: MSP to MKE to ATL to LGA. It was already going to be a long day, but then in Atlanta, I got delayed by the unrelenting rain and wind in New York.

I finally left ATL an hour and a half later than scheduled, but then we were sentenced to a holding pattern above the thick white storm clouds, circling in broad sweeps above New York. Just when I thought I couldn't stand it one minute more, we started to descend into the pitch black. The landing was one which the passengers clap upon finally touching down on solid ground after being tossed about in the pouring rain and strong winds.

I rallied. I had finally arrived. Except I hadn't; no, LaGuardia had lost electricity in parts of the airport. So, we sat on the runway and waited for electricity to be restored to our gate. I'm not making this up.

I had gate checked my bag which meant that I would not be picking it up until New York. This was done quite by accident and is quite another story. Regardless, I couldn't shake the feeling that my bag would not make it to LGA on Sunday night. My driver and I waited patiently while all the bags were unloaded and picked up at baggage claim. Mine wasn't there. My heart was sinking, but I kept hope for divine intervention. Alas, divine intervention arrived along with my bag; it had made it to LGA before I did and was waiting for me in the baggage claim office. I can't help but wish I had been on whatever flights my bag took to arrive earlier.

The drive to Yonkers was dark and wet; water flooded parts of the highway we drove on. My experienced driver assured me she had witnessed this scene often on this road {that highway and two others were later closed and remained closed on Monday due to flooding}. Finally, after 13 hours of traveling, I arrived at my hotel, having missed the dinner and pre-panel meeting that had originally been my idea. Nonetheless, a hotel room has never looked so good to this weary, hoarse, coughing traveler. Monday was a whole new day; the sun was shining, and I had things to do.

The Forum

Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports held the Distracted Driving Forum in their bright, sprawling headquarters in Yonkers, NY. It was an informative event and I hope those who were in attendance or streaming from home thought so too. I was honored to be a part of the panel discussion at this event. I met many wonderful people from Consumers Union/Consumer Reports, Focus Driven, the media, etc.

The Lists

I like to make lists of things to summarize things in my brain, and here is a list of a few things I learned while at Consumers Union {some relating to distracted driving and others relating to Consumer Reports and the tour of 3 of their 53 testing labs}:

1. When police stand on a corner and give tickets for using hand-held phones and texting while driving, it effectively reduces the number of those engaging in this risky behavior;
2. I would LOVE the chance to work with Don Mays, Senior Director of Product Safety & Technical Public Policy, for even one week of testing products for safety issues {I'm not kidding. If he asked me to I would...wink, wink};
3. My explanation of what social media is all about {engaging, having a dialogue, interacting, building relationships} was well received by at least a few participants;
4. Jacy Good is an amazing, resilient woman, with a strong message; as are all the survivors who share their stories in hopes of saving others.
5. If you break a CFL light bulb remember there is a small amount of Mercury in it. To clean it up, don't vacuum it; use tape to pick up all of the debris;
6. New Jersey has a program where GDL (Graduated Drivers License) or provisional license holders must have a red sticker on their car bumpers to notify police they are under 21 and legally should not be using a cell phone while driving.
7. You can text SAFE to 76666 to sign up to receive texts from Consumer Reports once a week or so informing you of any safety alerts and/or product recalls. But if you receive these or any other texts while driving, just ignore them until you have stopped driving; and
8. U.S. Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood and the DOT are advocating for a federal distracted driving law.

And here is a list of information I already knew, but it's worth mentioning again:

1. In 2009, distracted driving killed close to 5,500 people;
2. 30 states have laws barring texting while driving;
3. Only 8 states have banned hand-held phone usage while driving;
4. No states have totally banned cell phone usage while driving for all drivers;
5. People under the age of 30 are more likely to text while driving;
6. Most people think there should be laws against texting while driving, but think they are not distracted by using a phone while driving, especially if it's a hands-free device;
7. Most people don't know what the laws in their respective states are regarding these issues; and
8. Awareness of these issues and the data that the distracted driving studies reveal do lead to reduced distracted driving activity.

The Scoop

Overall, the people I came in contact with throughout my trip helped me stay upbeat despite being exhausted, feeling lousy from having a cold with a constant cough and getting delayed: both drivers from Blue Chip Limo were wonderful; all of my seat mates on my 5 different flights were lovely people to chat with; the front desk attendant at the Residence Inn by Marriot in Yonkers offered me some of her pizza when I arrived at 10:30 PM and still hadn't eaten dinner; and all of the Consumers Union/Consumers Report people I came in contact with were warm and friendly and seemed to really care about the work they are doing.

On Thursday, I will be updating the statistics from last year's posts on distracted driving and providing additional resources, etc. If you missed the live stream of the forum, but would like to view it, you can click here for the Ustream feed. Oh, and the photo above is from the anechoic chamber  at Consumers Union. Anechoic means without echo. And the lack of sound and echo was really confusing to the brain, but very interesting. Over and out....

Anna

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In Search of a Suit: My Personal Shopping Experience with Fabuliss

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Distracted Driving Forum: The Role of Social Media & Public Safety Campaigns

Know It. Name It. Stop It. Stalking Awareness Month Part II {Repost}

Friend or Foe

Through the years, I've had a friend or two who crossed the line of being friendly and became overbearing; who showed up at my door uninvited at inconvenient times; who was angry with me for not answering my phone when she called, repeatedly; who sometimes drove to my home to tell me she had been calling and I was not answering; who was jealous of the time I spent with DH (who was then Dear Boyfriend); who gave me expensive gifts; and the list goes on. These things made me nervous at times; angry at other times; and left me feeling stuck in the "friendship."

I severed ties with these folks years ago. And while I never feared for my safety, to this day I worry that one of them will show up at my doorstep some day. In fact, just a few years ago, I got a Christmas card from one. The card was sent to an address she should not have had. Every few years, I get emails from these people sent to email addresses they shouldn't know about. One or both of these people could be reading this very post for all I know. These experiences serve as reminders that anyone can find just about any kind of information he or she is looking for on the Internet.

I wrote in yesterday's post that I have never been stalked and while I wouldn't have called these "friends" stalkers then, when looking at the definition of a stalker they come very close to fitting the bill.

Stalking Statistics

Only 10% of victims are being stalked by strangers. The majority of stalking is done by someone the victim knows. And generally, not only do the victims know their stalkers, but they have had close relationships with these people. According to National Center of Victims of Crime (NCVC), people with disabilities have a higher chance of being stalked. "Stalkers may target these victims because of their disabilities or exploit their disabilities in committing crimes." Source: NCVC

StalkingAwarenessMonth.org reports that only 37% of male victims and 41% of female victims report this crime to police. The website says there are three reasons for this: 1) the person minimizes the seriousness of his or her experience; 2) the person does not understand the behavior of the stalker is criminal; and 3) the person being stalked doesn't think the police will take the stalking incidents seriously.

What Constitutes Stalking

In many jurisdictions , the crime of stalking begins with the second harassing, intimidating, threatening or terrorizing encounter. If you, a friend or family member is experiencing any of the following, you, your friend or family member may have a stalker:

• Follow you and show up wherever you are.
• Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails.
• Damage your home, car, or other property.
• Monitor your phone calls or computer use.
• Use technology, like hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS), to track where you go.
• Drive by or hang out at your home, school or work.
• Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends or pets.
• Find out about you by using public records or online search services, hiring investigators, going through your garbage, or contacting friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers.
• Posting information or spreading rumors about you on the Internet, in a public place or by word of mouth.
• Other actions that control, track or frighten you.

These behaviors may make the person being stalked feel afraid, threatened, nervous, insecure, confused, unable to sleep, angry, unsafe, alone or a host of other emotions.

Source: www.NCVC.org

Resources

The best website for stalking information and resources is the National Center of Victims of Crime. The NCVC partnered with the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women to create the Stalking Resource Center (SRC). The NCVC provides a good list of Things a Person Being Stalked Can Do like keeping a written record of each incident, calling a crisis hotline, developing a safety plan, trusting your own instincts and calling 911 when you feel you are in danger, etc. The items on the list are simple and involve common sense, but if your safety and sanity are being compromised, you may need this type of list. The website also has a great number of Resources listed.

The Scoop

Stalking rarely stops on its own. In fact, stalking often escalates over time. NCVC reports that 11% of victims have been stalked for over 5 years. Stalking is a serious crime and should be regarded as such.

Click Stalking Awarenes Quiz to test your Stalking knowledge. Hint: If you have read this post and yesterday's post you should get all of the answers correct.  Over and out…

Anna

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Crossing the Line: Stalking Awareness Month

Paranoia

While I have never been stalked, at least I don't think I have, the mere thought of it unnerves me. As I have told you multiple times, I have a paranoia-prone brain (remember the post about being a paranoid traveler). For instance, one of the reasons I love all the snow in the winter is that I can see if there are any fresh footprints around my house. Now, mind you, there are many reasons I love the snow, but that seriously is one of the reasons.

Yes, I know that sounds crazy and over the top, but hear me out. I am also the kind of person that will keep driving if there is someone driving behind me who has made too many of the same turns. Anything that could be termed out of the ordinary, strange, odd or weird does not set well with me. I am a people watcher. I sometimes have a strong sense of foreboding that something foul is afoot; and often I'm right. I take the cautious approach. I try not to leave much to chance. I don't need a stalker to keep me looking over my shoulder.

Stalking

While the crime of stalking is nothing new, the avenues for stalking have changed as our society has evolved into a social media loving community. It's not hard to find out where a person lives; who a person lives with; where a person works; whether the person is on Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, My Space, etc.; how to contact a person by phone or email; information about a person's friends and family; if a person serves on boards or committees; which candidate(s) a person has supported through donations; and thanks to FourSquare and other applications, you can often track the exact whereabouts of a person at any given time.

Last week a reader tipped me off about January being Stalking Awareness Month. I was glad for the information and for the chance to learn more about stalking issues and laws. Stalking crimes affect 3.4 million Americans per year, according to the National Center for Victims of Crimes (NCVC). The Stalking Awareness campaign slogan is "Stalking. Know It. Name It. Stop It."

Types of Stalking

There are traditional methods of stalking and there's cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is when a person uses the Internet, email and other social platforms to harass, threaten and/or frighten a person. Stalking is threatening, harassing and/or frightening a person by following, calling, showing up in the same locations as a person, sending mail or objects to a person, vandalizing a person's property. A stalker may use online resources to find out information about a person, but not necessarily stalk the person online. This post is about traditional methods of stalking and the laws meant to protect those being stalked. On Wednesday, I will post on cyberstalking laws.

Findlaw defines three types of stalking:

1. Erotomania: often committed by a female and is delusional obsession with a public figure or someone out of the stalker's reach;
2. Love Obsessional: Involves an individual stalking someone with whom they think they are in love; and
3. Simple Obsessional: Stalking by someone the victim knows; often an estranged spouse or partner.

Stalking is generally not a random crime, but is most often perpetrated by someone who knows the victim. In fact, stalking is often a domestic violence crime; a Simple Obsessional Stalking. Stalking involving estranged spouses or partners often includes:

• Repeated threatening or harassing behaviors, such as phone calls;
• Following a person;
• Showing up at a person's home or place of business;
• Vandalizing property; and
• Other activities that make a person fearful for his or her safety.

Source: http://family.findlaw.com

Stalking Laws

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories and under Federal statutes. Stalking laws do vary by jurisdiction. You can check your state's stalking statutes on the NCVC State by State Legislation page. But I will use the MN stalking statute as an example of how stalking is defined. MN Statute § 609.749 defines "stalking" as "conduct which the actor knows or has reason to know would cause the victim under the circumstances to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated; and causes this reaction on the part of the victim regardless of the relationship between the actor and victim." In Minnesota, no specific intent is required.

In IL a new stalking law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. Prior to the Stalking No Contact Order Act, not all stalking victims were protected; only those victims in a domestic relationship with the stalker or victims of sexual assault. Now, IL stalking victims can seek a No Contact Order even if there was no previous relationship between the victim and stalker.

NCVC provides these statistics on stalking laws:

• Less than 1/3 of states classify stalking as a felony upon first offense.
• More than 1/2 of states classify stalking as a felony upon second offense or subsequent offense or when the crime involves aggravating factors.
• Aggravating factors may include: possession of a deadly weapon, violation of a court order or condition of probation/parole, victim under 16 years, or same victim as prior occasions.

Since there is often very little, if any, evidence of stalking it's often difficult to recognize and name the crime, hence the Stalking Awareness slogan. Minnesota’s Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project has developed and applied the Stalking Response Program. This program trains law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers and judicial participants in "the nature of stalking and its intersection with domestic violence and sexual assault in addition to providing technical assistance to those who are looking at developing a CCR (Coordinated Community Response) in their community." This program has been well received.

The Scoop

On Tuesday, I will write about how stalkers act and things they do in stalking, as well as how a victim or family member should respond. Please share this post and pass along the information that January is Stalking Awareness Month. Over and out…

Anna

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Accident-Prone: Insurance Coverage Above and Beyond; the Umbrella Policy

The Klutzes    

I am a klutz. My first sprained ankle occurred prior to the age of 4. I'm quite apt to open a cabinet door to retrieve something and then turn and ram my head into said cabinet door. I repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, knock the hell out of my knee when I attempt to get up from the dining table. I trip over nothing and everything and walk into door frames. I always have bumps and bruises all over my body. Yet I am continually surprised to find new bumps and bruises, and marvel at how they got there.

Don't even get me started on DH's long list of injuries caused by clumsiness. And the Darlings…well, you can imagine that the apple does not fall far from the tree in this instance. In fact, last night, just minutes away from going to bed, Darling 2 bent down to pick up a toy and smacked his poor head on the corner of their little play table. He had a blue egg on his forehead within seconds. He'll be fine, but to say our family is accident-prone is an understatement.

Litigious Society

Unfortunately, we live in a world where "accidents" rarely occur. Instead, terms like "negligent," "lawsuit," "personal injury," "liability" and "damages" are used when talking about incidents. Certainly there are times when a person is negligent in his or her actions or a company ignores reports or warnings and allows faulty or dangerous products to be sold, etc. However, there are other instances when an accident is just an accident, such as the case of the 4 year old riding her bike on a sidewalk and accidentally colliding with an elderly lady.

In our litigious society, the best defense in avoiding having to hand over your life savings should someone be injured or sustain property damage by your action or on your property is to have adequate insurance. I don't happen to have hoards of cash sitting around in case, God forbid, someone is injured by me, my family, my pets or on my property, but my insurance company has got my back in the event of such an occurrence.

Insurance Coverage

If you own a home, you have a homeowner's policy which generally covers attorney fees, court costs, medical expenses and settlements should a claim be brought against you for property damage or bodily injury to another. If you rent, you could (& should) have renter's insurance, and this policy usually covers such injury related costs as well. If you own a vehicle, you have insurance covering that vehicle and the operation of that vehicle, and again, many of the costs associated with injuries to others and damage to another's property are covered in that policy. However, many times the limits on those policies are not enough to cover all of these expenses. In that case, an umbrella policy could kick in.

Umbrella Policies

An aptly named umbrella policy covers the policy-holder above and beyond the limits of other policies. Umbrella policies are often misunderstood. Many people think they are too expensive; not necessary unless you are ultra-rich; too complicated or confusing; and some people simply don't know about these types of policies.

Here are examples of the types of coverages provided by an umbrella policy and how they protect you, as a policy-holder:

Bodily Injury Liability – covers the cost of damages to another person's body. Examples include the cost of medical bills and/or liability claims as a result of:

• injuries to other parties due to a serious auto accident where you are at fault,
• harm caused to others as a result of your dog
• injuries sustained by a guest in your home due to a fall, or
• injuries sustained by a neighbor's child who falls while playing in your yard.

Property Damage Liability – covers the cost of damage or loss to another person's tangible property. Examples include the cost associated with:

• damage to vehicles and other property as a result of an auto accident where you are at fault,
• damage claims incurred when your pet rips a friend's priceless oriental rug to shreds, or
• accidental damage to school property caused by your child.

Owners of Rental Units – protects against liability that you may face as a landlord. Examples include the cost of liability claims as a result of:

• someone tripping over a crack in the sidewalk of your rental property and suing you for damages, or
• your tenant's dog biting someone and you being held responsible for the injuries.

Coverage is also provided should you be sued for:

• slander – injurious spoken statement,
• libel – injurious written statement,
• false arrest, detention, or imprisonment,
• malicious prosecution,
• shock/mental anguish, and
• other personal liability situations.

Source: Geico.com

Umbrella policies are sold in increments of $1 million dollars, with a maximum of $10 million, typically. So, if an insured has an auto insurance policy with liability limits of $500,000 and a homeowner's insurance policy with a limit of $300,000, then with a million dollar umbrella, the insured's limits become in effect, $1,500,000 on an auto liability claim and $1,300,000 on a homeowners liability claim. In addition, the insured won't have to worry about legal fees and court costs.

You might think that such a policy would cost an arm and a leg, but alas it's quite affordable. What's expensive is what you have to pay should you be embroiled in a lawsuit and not have an umbrella policy. Umbrella policy premiums usually start at $200 to $300 per year for $1 million in coverage.

If you are interested in purchasing an umbrella policy or finding out more information, as it pertains to you, contact your insurance agent. Your agent will be able to guide you through the process of deciding what amount is right for you.

Tips for Avoiding Injuries that Lead to Lawsuits

Once you are sufficiently covered by insurance, there are ways to try to prevent injuries from happening on your own property. Here are a few considerations:

• Make sure all steps and/or stairs are clean, clear and in good condition;
• Be sure to remove snow and/or ice from steps, sidewalks, driveways, etc.;
• If you have pets, keep them current on vaccines and be sure to keep them on leashes and/or behind sturdy fences;
• If you have a trampoline and/or pool in your yard, put up a fence and/or gate or other safety features to ensure that children do not fall into the pool or off the trampoline; and
• Regularly inspect your trees for dead branches or branches that hang over into a neighbor's yard;
• Keep all guns and other weapons unloaded and locked away at all times.

   

Click here for a list of additional ways to avoid a personal injury lawsuit .

The Scoop

Sometimes accidents can't be avoided, no matter how careful you are. Therefore, it's important to have appropriate coverage. The appropriate amount will be different for everyone, depending on where you live; whether you own or rent; whether you own a vehicle; how much income and other assets you have, among other things.

If you ever have any questions about your insurance policies, be sure to call your insurance agent. I happen to have an awesome agent; someone you want to hang out with; go to dinner with; go shopping with. It's like calling a friend to ask a question when I call our agent. It's easy for us to call and check on something or discuss our policies with her, and it should be for you too. An insurance agent is there to ensure that you are well represented should disaster strike.

Now go check your insurance policies. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice. Over and out…

Anna

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Never Take Candy from Strangers….Except on Halloween: Tips for Trick-or-Treating Safely {Timely Re-Post}

Hitting the Streets

What's wrong with this scenario: OK kids, let's get dressed up in costumes and go door to door in the dark asking neighbors, some known and many unknown, for candy and other treats. On any other day of the year other than Halloween this idea sounds absurd, right? Seriously, doesn't this tradition contradict many of the rules we teach our children about strangers? As a paranoid mom attorney, the concept of trick-or-treating really goes against every fiber of my being…except for the free candy part. I can conjure up too many evil outcomes. Maybe this is why we have mostly attended various area events and activities and not really, truly gone trick-or-treating, except once. However, the fact remains that kids and adults love this entertaining and sometimes frightening custom.

History of Trick-or-Treating     

Have you ever wondered why we don silly, scary or creative get-ups and go out in the night, sometimes braving cold and snowy weather (at least here in the Northern climes) to get free candy? It's thought that the American form of trick-or-treating originates from "souling" in Britain and Ireland. In preparation for All Souls Day or Hallowmas, children and poor people would go door to door offering to sing and say prayers in return for "soul cakes" or other food. The custom of wearing masks and costumes at Halloween is a Celtic tradition attempting to copy evil spirits or placate them, according to Wikipedia. The many European customs combined to form the trick-or-treating traditions we now practice on Halloween after immigrants from various locations began coming to America. Ironically, the United States' Halloween traditions are now starting to rub off on European children due to widespread Internet, television and movie access.

Playing it Safe

This week's posts will be dedicated to making this Halloween as safe as possible. Today's post touches on safety tips for going trick-or-treating in your "hood", checking candy, being aware of any sex offenders in your area, etc. Wednesday's post will focus on making sure that costumes are safe, i.e., flame retardant, the right fit, easily seen, etc. Halloween traditions can be fun and harmless if safety precautions are followed.

Tips

Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers these general Halloween safety tips:

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
	Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

 

Home Safety    

If expecting trick-or-treaters at your home, follow these safety tips for offering a safe environment for little witches, ghosts and goblins to grab their goodies, provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics :

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Goodie Safety

Let's face it, the best part for the kiddos (and the parents) is hauling in the loot, but make sure to follow these steps to ensure your child is safe when gobbling up that candy. As recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating.  Urge your children to wait until they get home and you have had a chance to inspect the contents of their "goody bags." 
• To help prevent children from snacking, give them a light meal or snack before they head out – 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.
• Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
• Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.  Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Avoiding Sex Offenders

Sex Offenders are typically instructed to keep lights off at their homes during the trick-or-treating hours in order to avoid coming in contact with youngsters. If you see a home with no lights on that doesn't mean a sex offender lives there, but is best to bypass any homes with lights off in your neighborhood. There are many online sources that allow users to locate where sex offenders are living in their neighborhoods and even register to receive alerts when sex offenders move into the area.

Prepared for an Emergency

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. So, just in case of an emergency, POISON CONTROL : If anyone suspects a problem or a potential poisoning, contact the poison center at 1-800-222-1222. This an important number to keep at hand at all times, not just on October 31^st.

The Scoop

Halloween can and should be a fun time for all involved, but it does take some thought and planning. For more great tips, visit Halloween-Safety.com . What safety tips have you taught your children? What do you do to celebrate Halloween in a safe way? On Wednesday, I will post about how to ensure that a costume/makeup is safe. Over and out…

Anna

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Welcome to the 21st Century: Laws to Protect Children Using the Internet

Welcome to the 21st Century: Laws to Protect Children Using the Internet

Technology Savvy

Uh, do you remember a few months ago when I said I don't text? Well, I need to retract that statement. I now text (kind of). Yes, it's true. I just bought a Smartphone. I have now entered the 21^st Century.

I am still not a huge fan of texting (yet), and I still advocate for no texting while driving, but the fact is many people just don't like to communicate in any other way (not to name any of my sisters-in-law). And I just might like to communicate with them.

Not only am I able to easily send and receive text messages on my new phone, I can also tweet, blog, access the Internet, post on Facebook, map where I am and where I would like to be, etc, etc, etc. And of course, if anyone is still interested in actually speaking to me, I can use it as a phone.

Quite honestly, the timing of this purchase is related to my forthcoming trip to NYC. I did not want to be left out of the communication loop when I go to a blogging conference in a couple of weeks. I knew I would be the only one in attendance without some kind of Smartphone. OK, I admit it. I folded to peer pressure, but regardless of the reason I have one.

The next step is to learn to use it. Technology savvy I am not. As easy as it is to send a text on my new phone, I still made a mistake the first time I attempted it. We were shopping in IKEA. DH and the Darlings were in the bathroom. I was in the bedding department. I thought I would be all smart with my Smartphone and text DH asking him, "Do you need a new pillow?" So, I did - only I mistyped DH's phone number by one digit and sent some total stranger a text about his or her bedding needs. I realized it before I got a quizzical reply, but in my panic was not sure what to do. I did reply explaining I had sent my message to the wrong number. I am definitely going to a need a tutorial.

Our Kids and Technology

The landscape of technology is changing with lightning speed. Every few months there are new and better versions of phones, computers, search engines, social media outlets, etc. We now have access to the world at our fingertips, and that access continually gets faster and broader with each passing year. Our children will not know life without technologies like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google, iTunes, texting, email, and all the Internet has to offer.

The Internet provides so much wonderful information for inquisitive kids seeking out answers to their never-ending questions; students writing papers and doing homework; families staying in contact with friends and family across the country and so much more. The problem is that with all the good that comes from the Internet, it also allows the bad to creep in too.

There's a never ending stream of junk email, pop up ads and circulating forwards. While these things are more irritating than harmful, there are many evils lurking in the dark corners of the Internet waiting to prey on young, naïve and unsuspecting users. It's easy to mistype a website url or give the url the wrong ending, like .com instead of .gov or .org, thereby leading you to a very different site. It is also simple to "meet" or "friend" the wrong kind of people on popular social media sites. Many sites ask for or require personal information that could expose your child to identity theft or other crimes. And these are just a few examples of the dangers of children using the Internet.

Internet Safety Laws

There are a few federal laws that are meant to protect kids using the Internet. One is Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule and the other is the Federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The primary goal of COPPA is to give parents control over what information is collected from their children online and how such information may be used. CIPA provides for three different types of funding to states that have Internet filtering laws for libraries and/or public schools: 1) aid to elementary and secondary schools; 2) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to states for support of public libraries; and 3) the E-rate program that provides technology discounts to schools and public libraries.

COPPA

COPPA applies to:

• Operators of commercial Web sites and online services directed to children under 13 that collect personal information from them;
• Operators of general audience sites that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13; and
• Operators of general audience sites that have a separate children's area and that collect personal information from children under 13.

COPPA requires operators to:

• Post a privacy policy on the homepage of the Web site and link to the privacy policy on every page where personal information is collected.
• Provide notice about the site's information collection practices to parents and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
• Give parents a choice as to whether their child's personal information will be disclosed to third parties.
• Provide parents access to their child's personal information and the opportunity to delete the child's personal information and opt-out of future collection or use of the information.
• Not condition a child's participation in a game, contest or other activity on the child's disclosing more personal information than is reasonably necessary to participate in that activity.
• Maintain the confidentiality, security and integrity of personal information collected from children

CIPA

Twenty-one states have Internet filtering laws that apply to public schools or libraries. The majority of these states simply require school boards or public libraries to adopt Internet use policies to prevent minors from gaining access to sexually explicit, obscene or harmful materials. However, some states also require publicly funded institutions to install filtering software on library terminals or school computers.

CIPA requires public libraries that participate in the LSTA and E-rate programs to certify that they are using computer filtering software  to prevent the on-screen depiction of obscenity, child pornography or other material harmful to minors. The act allows adult library patrons to request that a librarian disable the filtering software. In order to receive E-rate discounts, libraries are not allowed to disable filtering programs for minor users. For a table of specific state laws click here .

Criminal Statutes

There are other laws that protect minors from exploitation, enticement, solicitation and other crimes against a person which are in penal codes of each state and the federal code. These laws may not exclusively apply to the Internet, but do extend to that platform.

When to Contact the Authorities

If you find out that any of the following has occurred in your household via the Internet immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

• Your child or anyone in the household has received child pornography;
• Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age;
• Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18.

If any of these scenarios occur, keep the computer turned off in order to preserve any evidence for future law enforcement use. Unless directed to do so by the law enforcement agency, you should not attempt to copy any of the images and/or text found on the computer.

The Scoop

The point is not to forbid your child from accessing the resources on the Internet, but to make using the Internet safe for your child. On Wednesday, I will post ways to do just that. There are many methods and products available to protect your child from the Internet hazards. Have you or your children encountered any of these dangers while using the Internet? Over and out…

Anna

 

The Cautious Approach to Life: Tips for Teaching Your Kids Gun Safety

The Sibling Difference

While my brother and I have many similar personality traits, I have always been the more cautious one whether it was the first day at a new school; learning to ski; learning to drive; or heading off into the wild blue yonder. I am the older one; the more type A personality. I am not known to take risks. I have taken some career risks and other calculated risks, but I'm certainly no daredevil.

I see the same difference between Darling 1 and Darling 2. While neither one seems to heed any of my requests, warnings or commands, Darling 1 certainly takes note of any dangers I warn of even if he doesn't appear to at the time. I know Darling 1 will always stop to think about the safe option. Darling 2 is another story. He is hell-bent to do whatever it is he has made up his mind to do – there is no stopping him. Darling 2 is quite tall, sturdily built and strong, and there are times he can out-power me, even though he isn't even two yet. I can already tell it's Darling 2 that we will have to watch in particular during his teenage years.

Teaching and Letting Go

You can't be with your kids with every step they take; every experience they encounter; every new person they meet. This is why it's so important to teach them right from wrong; self-respect; leadership skills; and how to be safe in every situation. One particular situation that scares me, especially with boys, is guns that could be in the homes my Darling boys visit as they grow older and go to friends' homes to play. The children in these homes may or may not be aware of the guns; they may not know how to handle a gun; they may not know whether it is real or whether it is loaded; the guns may not be properly stored as to prevent children from finding them and playing with them. But it's my job to educate my Darling Boys about firearms even though there are not any in our home.

The Statistics

The statistics are really scary when it comes to kids and guns. According to pediatrics.about.com injuries caused by firearms are the leading cause of death in children, including unintentional injuries, homicides and suicides. Surprising, isn't it? The following statistics also surprised me.

• Every nine hours a child or teen was killed in a firearm-related accident or suicide in 2005.
• On average, 3 children died every day in non-homicide firearm incidents from 2000-2005.
• In 2005, there were 16,298 kids injured by a firearm -- and an additional 14,052 kids were injured from BB or pellet guns.
• On average in each of the last 10 years, more than 1,000 kids committed suicide with a firearm; 105 were under 15-years-old.

There are also quite a few additional injuries to children caused by non-fatal gun-related injuries. Although gun-related injuries peak in adolescence, they can affect infants and younger children too. Younger children are most likely to be injured, either shooting themselves or a playmate, after playing with a gun that they have found in the home, not realizing that the gun is real or that it's loaded.

It's estimated that guns are in half of all homes in the United States. Although most of these guns are purchased for safety reasons, reports find that firearms in homes are much more likely to kill or injure a family member or friend than an intruder.

Gun Safety Tips

There are several programs aimed at educating children about the dangers of firearms. To name a few: Eddie Eagle, a gun safety program from the National Rifle Association; Kids and Guns, Project ChildSafe; and American Academy of Pediatrics' "Keep Your Family Safe from Firearm Injury" program. These programs may have different approaches, but the desired outcome is the same: to keep kids safe from firearms they may have access to in their homes or someone else's home.

Children are never too young to begin the lessons of safety. Teaching can begin long before the child is old enough to understand detailed instruction. Start by setting a proper and consistent example. If parents treat guns with care and respect, children will likely follow their lead.

It's a serious mistake to assume that keeping children ignorant will prevent accidents. Nothing could be further from the truth. Where firearms are concerned, there is no such thing as blissful ignorance. Keeping youngsters in the dark only insures that they will not understand the potential danger and increases the likelihood that they will seek to satisfy their curiosity without proper supervision. Also, the hazards that the parent wishes to eliminate are greatly increased if the child does not know how firearms function. A study published in the June 2001 issue of Pediatrics proves this point.

In this study, 'Seeing is Believing: What Do Boys Do When They Find a Real Gun?,' 29 groups of boys aged 8-12 years were observed in a room where a gun was hidden. Many of the children found and handled the gun, and half of the children actually pulled the trigger. Interestingly, most of the children that handled the found gun and pulled the trigger had previously received gun safety education.

This study helps to prove that to keep your children safe and prevent firearm related injuries, it's important to restrict their access to guns, either by not having a gun in the home or by storing it properly, which means keeping the gun in a gun safe, lock box, or a locked cabinet or drawer. The gun should also be stored unloaded with the bullets locked separately.

A gun put in a shoe box on the top shelf of a closet is not considered to be a safely stored gun, nor is hiding it any other place you think your child would never find it. Children are naturally curious and if a gun is not stored properly, there is a good chance that a child may find it and injure himself or someone else.

Here are some other key safety steps to take to protect your children:

• Use a gun lock or trigger lock.
• Make sure that your children do not have access to the keys used to lock your guns and bullets.
• Teach your children to not handle guns without adult supervision.
• Avoid letting your children play with realistic toy guns and nonpowder firearms, such as pellet guns, air guns, air rifles and BB guns.

Even if you don't have a gun in your own home, it's important to educate your children about firearm safety in case they discover a gun outside the home or in the homes of their friends. They should know the 4 steps of the Eddie Eagle gun safety program, including:

• Stop!
• Don't Touch.
• Leave the Area.
• Tell an Adult.

These steps are so easy for you to teach and for your child to remember, even if, or especially if, your child is young. You should also discuss gun safety with other parents or family members if your child spends time in their homes (as I plan to do). It's not enough to assume that if they do have guns in the house, they have them stored properly.

If you do decide that you want to get rid of your guns to protect your children, you can look to see if a gun 'buy back' type program is available in your area. Or call the non-emergency number of your local police department and ask if they will pick it up. Additionally, many communities have free gun lock and/or trigger lock give away programs.

Websites

Project ChildSafe has safety information and advocates use of a cable-style gun locking device: http://www.projectchildsafe.org/Websites

Here is a website for kids. It explains the dangers of guns and provides gun safety tips easy enough for kids to understand: http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/gun_safety.html

Kids and Guns is another website with great safety information and current news topics related to guns in the home: http://www.kidsandguns.org/

The Scoop

As the slogan on the website Kids and Guns states, "The child's life you save might be your own." Please take gun safety seriously and do your part to educate your child about gun safety, and if you have a gun in your home, please store it safely.

Do you have a gun in your home? Is it properly stored? How have you educated your kids about guns? Thanks for all the great comments yesterday in regards to Tuesday's post. I welcome all viewpoints as long as they are respectful to other's viewpoints, as well. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice. Over and out…

Anna

The Right to Bear Arms in Your Home: McDonald v. City of Chicago

Boys and Weapons

My Darling Boys seem to turn everything into a weapon: a stick or baseball bat can easily be a sword; some Blocks stuck together quickly become a ray gun, etc. We don't expose them to violent situations; we don't watch TV; we don't own weapons of any kind. The Darling Boys do watch children's animated movies though, and if you really pay attention, you will notice there are quite a few weapons and dangerous situations in those movies (think Beauty and the Beast; Madagascar; Bambi and many others). There is also the occasional ray gun or sword in their books too (think Too Many Toys and Peter Pan). Yet there is always a good v. evil theme to stories, movies and life. I think that it's an innate male characteristic to gravitate toward the use of force and aggression. It's how they deal with this need for physical force that makes the experience positive or negative. And for this issue, I read books on parenting boys. On the issue of weapons, Dear Husband and I are a united front.

Liberal Viewpoint

As I stated from the first post of this blog, I tend to lean to the left on the political spectrum. I have tried to present the post topics in a straight up, "just the facts, ma'am" manner. And I think I have done just that. I don't intend to impose my ideals on you, my readers. I will say that our household does not own any guns, or other weapons; we don't hunt; and we don't shoot for sport (meaning clay pigeons and the sort). I have handled guns. I have read about the internal mechanisms of guns; studied about how guns fire; learned about ammunition and the marks left by the gun when it fires. I have viewed my fair share of homicide scene photos of blood spatter and dead bodies. I have heard and read testimony telling of the tragedies caused by gun-wielding individuals. We don't feel the need to "protect" ourselves by owning a gun. I worry about my children visiting friends whose homes do contain guns and how those guns are stored.

Analysis of a Gun Control Case

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision written by Justice Alito handed down an opinion to a case that ultimately limits the amount of authority states and municipalities hold in regulating guns. While the premise of the case and its implications have to do with the 2^nd Amendment, the right to bear arms, the Court's decision in last week's case, McDonald v. City of Chicago, actually determines whether the 2^nd Amendment is included in the 14^th Amendment, thereby making the 2^nd Amendment applicable to the states.

District of Columbia v. Heller

For the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 2^nd Amendment, you have to go back two years to District of Columbia v. Heller, a case that originated out of the DC Circuit. In Heller, the Court struck down a flat ban on handguns that had been enacted in Washington, D.C. This was the first time the Court had found that the Second Amendment guaranteed a personal right to have a gun for self-defense in the home, enforceable against federal laws or those in the federal capital city. Heller nullified that law without saying that it was using a "strict scrutiny" test. Instead it broadly stated that the ban would fail using any constitutional test. Bear in mind, Heller applied only to federal laws.

McDonald v. City of Chicago

At issue in McDonald was a City of Chicago ordinance that provided that "no person shall ... possess ... any firearm unless such person is the holder of a valid registration certificate for such firearm." The Code then prohibited registration of most handguns, thus effectively banning handgun possession by almost all private citizens who reside in the City. Similarly, Oak Park made it "unlawful for any person to possess ... any firearm," a term that includes "pistols, revolvers, guns and small arms ... commonly known as handguns." The Petitioners complained that these laws left them unprotected and defenseless in their homes. The Court held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the Second Amendment right recognized in Heller and sent it back to the Seventh Circuit Court.

A Fundamental Right

The Court did not specifically rule on the constitutionality of the laws at issue, nor did it tell the Seventh Circuit Court what constitutional standard to apply in judging that law when the case returns there. In fact, the Court gave the Seventh Circuit Court judges little guidance on how to analyze these laws at all. What the Court did state is that the right to have a gun for self-defense in the home is a "fundamental" constitutional right. The term "fundamental right" carries a lot of clout when you are talking about the constitution. Generally, if a right is deemed to be fundamental, any law that seeks to limit it will be judged by the stiffest constitutional test there is: it must satisfy "strict scrutiny," meaning that it will be struck down if the government's need for it is not "compelling" and if the approach it takes is not the narrowest possible way to get at the problem. Most laws don't survive strict scrutiny.

Questions Remain

In his dissent, Justice Breyer noted, "countless gun regulations of many shapes and sizes are in place in every state and in many local communities." He then catalogued some of the questions that will now arise as many of those laws are tested: "Does the right to possess weapons for self-defense extend outside the home? To the car? To work? What sort of guns are necessary for self-defense? Handguns? Rifles? Semi-automatic weapons? When is a gun semi-automatic? Where are different kinds of weapons likely needed? Does time-of-day matter? Does the presence of a child in the house matter? Does the presence of a convicted felon in the house matter? Do police need special rules permitting patdowns designed to find guns? When do registration requirements become severe to the point that they amount to an unconstitutional ban? Who can possess guns and of what kind? Aliens? Prior drug offenders? Prior alcohol abusers? How would the right interact with a state or local government's ability to take special measures during, say, national security emergencies?…These are only a few uncertainties that quickly come to mind."

And to this, Justice Alito responded, that "the right it was newly protecting was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose." And Alito repeated, from the Heller opinion, the assurance that "our holding did not cast doubt on such longstanding regulatory measures as 'prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill,' 'laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."

The Scoop

While the Heller decision was profoundly important for finding in the Second Amendment an individual right to own a gun, it applies to federal laws. The vast number of laws that seek to regulate gun possession and use are those enacted at the state and local levels, not by the federal government. So, it will be interesting to watch this issue as the lower courts test and flesh out what the Court actually means by the McDonald decision. On Wednesday, I will post tips on gun safety in the home. Over and out…

Anna

If You Play with Fire, You Might Get Burned: Tips and Websites for a Safe Fourth of July

The Fire Storm

Our household is in the midst of those precarious years called "The Toddler to Preschool Stage." It's a stage that's filled with risks. That is, risks to the parents. One of the biggest issues in our household involves naps, or resting, as Darling 1 prefers to call it. On some days, our Darling Boys nap with minimal struggle before they actually nod off to sleep. On other days, the Darling Boys scream, shout, cry, whine, throw books and other objects in protest. It's those days that I know they need to rest the most, and usually after much struggle on my part, they both sleep peacefully for a few hours. But then there are the days that the schedule gets filled to the brim and there's no time for a nap or they simply keep on happily playing, reading and laughing which tricks me into thinking they don't need a nap.

These are the days that will really get you into trouble by dinner time. Everything seems to be going along well; everyone is happy. But then some small thing happens like a wheel coming off of a toy car that Darling 1 is playing with or Darling 2 can't quite get the page turned in the book he is "reading" and it all starts to crumble. It takes only one to get upset about something, the other Darling Boy will soon follow, whining and crying, miserably inconsolable. At that point, you might as well skip dinner and go straight to bed, which is what happens on occasion.

At ages 21 months and 4 years old, and being highly spirited individuals, it isn't just missing a nap that can set them off, it could be too short of a nap, too long of a nap, the wrong part of the day, the wrong side of the bed, the wrong toy, the wrong snack, the wrong book, the wrong week or month. The toddler to preschool years bring lots of angst, independence and exploration. Fortunately, these volatile moods or years don't last long …usually. Yet, right now the fact remains that our household is smack in the middle of it, and if you play with fire, you might get burned. So, we as parents must do everything within our control to play it safe, with naps, or resting time; plenty of breaks to re-group and lots of very parent-sounding lines like, "Don't slap your brother. Use your words! Tell him how that made you feel when he tackled your head." at the ready.

Fireworks Safety Tips

So it is with fireworks. It seems like such a happy, fun, holiday tradition to have a little fireworks display of your own. The problem is that things can go from fine and safe to bad and dangerous very quickly. It's safest to plan to attend a professionally orchestrated city or area-wide fireworks display, but if you insist upon setting off a few of your own, please take the time to read these safety tips and visit these great websites in order to be fully prepared should an accident occur.

The good news is despite the fact that the American fireworks consumption has dramatically increased since 1976 from 29 million pounds to over 265.5 million pounds in 2007 there has been a 90% decrease in fireworks-related injuries since the Consumer Products Safety Commission began to closely monitor the fireworks industry. That said the need to always use precaution and take safety measures when around fireworks remains.

Here are some great tips for staying safe around fireworks:

• If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In 2003, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.

   

• The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals.

   

• Lighting fireworks at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:
•  
  • Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold.

     

  • Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
  • Never try to make your own fireworks.
  • Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
  • Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
  • Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket — the friction could set them off.
  • Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
  • Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
  • Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
  • Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
  • Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.

• If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention — your child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.

Websites

This is Phantom Fireworks' website. It has all kinds of information about fireworks from safety tips to how fireworks are made to history and trivia. Check it out at: http://www.fireworks.com/safety/. I think this is a great site with so much information.

Another good website for fireworks safety information is www.Fireworksafety.com. This is the site of the National Council on Fireworks Safety. This site offers information on state laws, injury statistics and safety concerns.

The Scoop

I wish you all a happy, safe, fun-filled 4^th of July weekend. Please do take a few minutes to read these safety tips here and on the websites. It's important and could save a life. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice. Over and out…

Anna

Celebrating the Red, White and Blue: Be Prepared to Follow the Law

The Rocket's Red Glare

 

I love fireworks. That is, I love to watch a fireworks display from afar. I do not under any circumstances want to handle fireworks, detonate fireworks or be nearby when anyone else does. Nor do I want my Darling Boys or Dear Husband to do any of those things. I don't think this is so unreasonable; I think this is a healthy fear. Fireworks are dangerous.

 

When I was child, my dad instilled this unease of fireworks that remains with me today. Not only were we never allowed to shoot off any fireworks of our own, we couldn't even go to any firework displays. We could view the fireworks from a safe location (Read: a hill somewhere in the city – many miles from the actual site of detonation). For some reason that I don't really understand as I look back on my childhood, my brother and I were allowed to have sparklers – under adult supervision, of course. Even still, sparklers are like a bazillion degrees when lit. So, why were sparklers OK and everything else off limits? Not sure. But despite the ban of firework displays, or maybe because of it, I love to watch the blasts of dazzling colors and designs each 4^th of July.

 

I also love the brightly colored, intricately designed packages these explosives come in. I have always wondered why the packages are so fancy, and in many cases beautiful, when they are just going to be torn apart once lit. But that's beside the point. The point is, to be safe and law-abiding you must know what your city and state allows regarding the how, and when and where of fireworks.

 

Laws Controlling Sales and Use of Fireworks

 

Here in Minnesota fireworks are sold everywhere from grocery stores to parking lot stands to big box department stores. And our neighbors feel compelled to shoot off rockets for a month or so before and after July 4^th and in celebration of every other holiday. This is something we've had to get used to since moving from far more fireworks conservative states. For instance, in Iowa, fireworks were not permitted to be sold in any location in the entire state, with exception to certain sparklers. On the flip side, in Texas, many types of fireworks are legally sold, but permitted use is greatly dependent on the weather and whether burn bans are in place; a frequent occurrence in that drought-prone state.

 

My research on this topic reveals that the laws regulating permissible and prohibited fireworks, dates of sales and minimum age to purchase fireworks are greatly varied throughout the states. I found a great site with detailed state-by-state law information. Just find your state and click to find all relevant information about what you can buy and when: http://www.americanpyro.com/State%20Laws%20(main)/statelaws.html.

 

You should also check your local city's ordinances. Often, the local regulations are stricter as to where and when one can set off fireworks. For local ordinances, check your city's website.

 

The Scoop

 

It's important to know and follow your state and local laws regarding fireworks. Not only could you or someone else be harmed, but you could get an expensive citation if you are not following state laws and/or local ordinances as to where and when you can detonate fireworks. It's better to be safe than sorry!

 

Do you buy your own and shoot them off? Do you go to your city's fireworks display? Maybe fireworks aren't your thing. We have a great city fireworks display nearby. We are thinking about trying to go with the kids this year. Not sure how the loud explosions will go over with our two Darling Spirited Boys. Drop me a line and tell me your thoughts. On Wednesday, I will post tips for having a safe 4^th of July celebration. Over and out…

 

Anna

The Daily Wrestling Match: Tips for Surviving the Presence of Radon in Your Home

Innate Boy Qualities

 

Every night there is a migration of sorts that takes place in our home. Every night the Darling Boys start out each in his own bed, but by morning light there are two little boys sleeping in bed with me and DH. I don't mind them sleeping in our bed. This means I get a few more zzz in the morning. What I do mind is the early morning wrestling match that takes place every morning in my bed with me in the middle. I get pummeled, pinched, bumped, bruised, whacked and smacked, all the while the Darling Boys are laughing uproariously at each other, oblivious to my inconvenient position.

 

I am not a morning person to begin with, and I don't care to be awoken in this fashion. I am a girl. I don't wrestle. Some girls might, and that's fine, but I don't. I did not teach them to wrestle, and neither did DH, as far as I am aware. They just do, just like DH and his brothers do (even still). This behavior is innate. They are boys. I thought the statement "boys will be boys" to be cliché, stereotypical, an excuse before I had two such species, but now I see that the aggressive, physical, active traits of boys are innate. I don't mean to say that girls do not have these traits or that all boys are exactly like mine, but for the most part I think that boys have these inherent characteristics. For example, we did not teach our Darling Boys the fine art of swashbuckling, yet they are working on perfecting it with anything that is long and stick-like. For that matter, we did not introduce our Darling Boys to swords or guns, but that does not stop them from noticing a ray gun or light saber in a book or a water gun or sword at the store or making a ray gun out of blocks or using a drum stick as a sword.

 

While I do not appreciate nor advocate for physical violence or even play fighting, I can't get rid of it entirely. I believe it's an inherent male urge that goes back to the hunters and gatherers. What I can do is shape and mold this urge into positive energy. I can talk to them about why fighting and the use of weapons, whether real or play, is not a positive response to any issue. I can help them tone down the aggressive behavior and turn it into a strength, rather than a weakness.

 

Tips for Getting the Uninvited Guest to Leave

 

It's the same with radon. If radon is present in the ground where your house is built, you can't get rid of it per se, but you can take steps to prevent it from entering your home. Radon, found in soil and rocks is high in Uranium, seeps into your home through cracks in the foundation, drains, etc. Certain parts of the country typically have higher levels of radon than other parts. To view the EPA map of radon zones click here. The EPA recommends that you get your home checked no matter where your home is located because dangerous levels of radon can build up even in Level 2 and Level 3 areas, not just Level 1 counties.

 

You can get a test kit and do it yourself or you can hire a certified radon professional to conduct the test. Various testing methods are used depending on individual needs and time constraints. Testing can be passive (using charcoal canisters, alpha-track detectors, etc.) or active (continuous radon monitors). Passive testing materials are inexpensive and readily available at hardware and building supply stores. Active testing is generally only performed by radon professionals and more expensive than passive methods, but may be more reliable. Short-term testing lasts from 2 to 90 days. Long-term testing lasts greater than 90days. Every radon test should last a minimum of 48 hours. Click here for more information about contacting your state radon contact and how to find a certified radon professional and/or radon testing kits.

 

There are several methods a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. EPA generally recommends methods which prevent the entry of radon. Soil suction, for example, prevents radon from entering your home by drawing the radon from below the home and venting it through a pipe, or pipes, to the air above the home where it is quickly diluted. There are other radon remediation options. The professional will evaluate the best method to employee depending upon the construction of your home. The cost generally ranges from $800 to $2500.

 

Informative Website

 

The EPA site on radon is a great place to start in your quest to learn more about radon. It has a tremendous amount of information whether you are the homeowner, buyer, seller, builder or contractor; whether you are looking for a test kit or a professional tester; whether you already know you need radon remediation or you are just getting started trying to figure out what radon is and why it's a concern. Check out their site: http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html.

 

The Scoop

 

The funny thing is that the topic of radon was brought to my attention by a friend who was moving to Colorado and was concerned for her family's health because the house they were buying had level of 4 pCi/L or higher, yet if you look at the map of areas with high radon levels, the Twin Cities area is a Level 1 too. So, the odds are that many homes in the Twin Cities area also have radon seeping in at concerning levels, but neither I nor any of our friends had heard of this being an issue before the Colorado house dilemma. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Clearly, it is an issue to be dealt with now. Don't ignore it just because you can't see it, smell it, taste it or feel its presence. On Friday, I will post a bit of Motherly Advice; the Father's Day Edition. Over and out….

 

Anna

The Five Senses: Finding and Disclosing the Presence of Radon in Your Home

Sweet Memories

 

I have discovered that the root of my memories originate from my senses and feelings. I have a great memory for the most part, but I have never been able to remember things like which TV or radio station is which number, specific dates on which something occurred or phone numbers. These things don't mean anything to me. They are just numbers, and to my memory they are inconsequential.

 

On the other hand, I have noticed that it's the minute details of seemingly trivial happenings in my life that I recall with the most vivid description; all recollections from my senses. For instance, when I think of chocolate croissants, I think of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yes, Santa Fe, not Paris. Specifically, I recall a French bakery in La Fonda hotel that my family visited when I was 13. I can tell you exactly where my family sat; I can hear the noise of the other patrons and the wooden chairs being scooted about, echoing off the ceramic tiles. I can taste the chocolate croissant. When I think of the beach I think Texas Gulf Coast, and I can feel the sand on my feet, the sun on my shoulders and the cold spray of the waves. I can taste and smell the salty air, and the constant roar of the waves beating on the sand lulls me into a dream. My memories of Rome usually start at a Gelato shop in Piazza Navona. Again, I know exactly where the shop was located. I can hear the sounds, taste the "Best Ice Cream in the World." I can recount every detail to you. And the list goes on and on.

 

I will admit many of my memories are connected with great food. And it's true, I can not only remember just about every fabulous food I have had, I can taste it, and know every detail surrounding the experience. I do remember other things besides food in detail. The memories of the births of my children are centered around how I felt about things; my emotions. Time had no meaning. It's the impression made on my senses that is recorded in my brain. I use my senses to collect all the details.

 

Undetected Presence

 

I rely on my senses not only for my memories, but also to keep my family safe; prepare meals; know when I need to change Darling 2's diaper or give the dogs a bath, but there are some subtleties I may not be able to perceive with my senses. I am talking about gases seeping into my home from the ground totally undetected, specifically radon.

 

Radon is a natural occurring, radioactive gas found in soil and rock in all parts of the United States. It is formed by the decay of uranium, which is a natural process. Areas of the country with high levels of uranium will have high levels of radon. Radon moves through the ground to the air above, and into buildings through foundation cracks, drains, other structural openings and well water. Once in the house, it can become trapped there. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and can be identified only through proper testing.

 

Health Concerns

 

What's the big deal with an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas seeping into your home. Well, plenty. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarette smoking. The higher the radon level indoors, the greater the amount you breathe. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue. Inhaling indoor air containing radon over a period of many years can increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Your chance of getting lung cancer from radon depends on how much radon is in your home and how much time you spend in your home. If you are a smoker or a former smoker, the risk of getting lung cancer from radon is even greater. There is also a higher risk for children that live in or spend a great amount of time in a home with high levels of radon.

Testing, Disclosure and Building Laws

 

While there are currently no federal laws or regulations controlling radon detection or testing, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed standards and guidelines of what is considered dangerous levels. The average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L, and the average outside radon level is 0.4 pCi/L. The EPA-established action level is 4 pCi/L or more. In September 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) lowered their action level to 2.7 pCi/L or more. The WHO actions do not supersede or otherwise affect the EPA's guidance concerning radon in the U.S.

Although there are no laws that require a homeowner to conduct testing or remediate any radon found in one's home, a number of states do mandate a seller of a home to disclose to a buyer that radon is or has been present in the home based on prior testing. Even so, high levels of radon in a home can cause problems when trying to sell, transfer or finance the property, and could expose a property owner to resident complaints and uninhabitablity claims. There are a few states that now have laws calling for radon resistant building techniques and materials in newly constructed residential and commercial properties. And a handful of states also require schools and/or daycare facilities to conduct radon tests and conform to the EPA-established levels.

 

Table of State Laws by Topic

Seller Required to Disclose Presence of Radon	Schools/Daycare Facilities Required to Conduct Tests	Radon Resistant Building Code
AK	CO	FL
CA	CT	ME
CO	FL	MI
CT	ID	MN
DE	IL	RI
DC	IA	WA
FL	MD
IL	MI
IN	MN
IA	NJ
KS	NY
KY	RI
ME	VA
MD	WV
MI
MS
MT
NE
NH
NY
NC
OH
OK
OR
PA
RI
SC
SD
TN
TX
WA
WI

For the specific laws and language of these state laws, go to http://www.elistore.org/Data/products/iaq_radon_database-2010.pdf.

The Scoop

Don't go running from your house just yet. There is something you as a homeowner can do. You can get your home tested for radon to determine if there is an issue. If there are high levels of radon in your home there are products that can reduce the amount to a tolerable level, based on EPA standards. On Wednesday, I will provide valuable tips and websites regarding testing, ways to fix the problem and areas of the country that are more apt to have high levels of radon. Over and out…

Anna