PARENTS: How You Can Win the Battle To Keep Your Child Safe From Strangers This Holiday Season

Written by Michelle Annese


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3.Know what your child is wearing that day, and carry a recent picture with you in your wallet. Most moms and dads have lots of pictures ofrepparttar kids, but baby pics are not helpful if your child is lost and security needs to search for them. 4.Teach your child what to do if a stranger approaches them. First – Run away! Second – Tell somebody! 5. Role play with your child ahead of time. Use tactics that some kidnappers have used inrepparttar 110768 past and teach your children not to ‘fall for a stranger’s sneaky tricks!” i.e. stranger favorite lures: candy, video games, comic books, toys, telling them “your mommy told me to bring you home etc. 6.Do not have your child wear anything with their name on it – i.e. back packs, purses, and jackets. Child offenders with pick up these clues and userepparttar 110769 child’s name when speaking with them to gain trust. 7.Practice, Practice, Practice! Reviewing these strategies not only will help your child remember, but keep it on your mind as well. We all want our children safe and happy for more holidays to come.



Michelle Annese is a 3rd degree Black Belt with 15 years experience in the martial arts specializing in effective self-defense programs and seminars for women and children. She has extensive training with law enforcement and security experts. Ms. Annese is the author of “The Realtor Survival Guide” and has written many articles on safety awareness. Many of these articles can be seen at www.michelleannese.com.


Stuffed Toys that are Suitable and Safe.

Written by Carolyn Schweitzer


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2 to 3 years ========= Finally, you can graduate to nice, furry stuffed dogs! The long pile isn't considered a hazard--mainly because children age 2 to 3 no longer place everything in their mouths.* Kids this age have developed good hand coordination and like to put it to work with arts and crafts and simple puzzles. Plain stuffed dogs make use of a creative imagination. You might also consider a doggie hand or finger puppet. These workrepparttar mind as well as hands and fingers! *No more thumbs or pacifiers at this age!! It will affect your child's oral and dental development. 3 to 6 years ========= After age three, make-believe is a favorite pastime and children interact with each other, using toys as props. It's common at this age to develop strong attachments to favorite toys, and express feelings towards a particular doll, teddy bear, or stuffed dog. Toys representing favorite cartoon or TV characters might berepparttar 110767 objects of affection. Puppets are also lot of fun for games of make-believe. 6 to 9 years ======== By now, more sophisticated games and toys are likely to have replaced stuffed toys. The exception is young collectors, looking for stuffed dogs to add to their menageries. Collectors defy age categories;repparttar 110768 "beanie baby" craze is a great example of this. Personally, I never played with dolls as a kid but had an enviable collection of stuffed animals, and am still a sucker for a cute stuffed toy. Puppets are still appealing, as well as some ofrepparttar 110769 nontraditional forms of stuffed dogs. These might include a pair of slippers inrepparttar 110770 form of a favorite dog breed, or bookmarks made to look like stuffed dogs. 9 years and up ========== Especially as they approach their teens, children want to impress their peers and leave "childish" toys behind. Stuffed dogs, and stuffed toys in general, are only for young collectors in this age group. There are variations on stuffed dogs you might do better with. For example, a pair of dog slippers, a dog backpack or purse, or stuffed dogs suspended from key chains. Young (and old1) golfers would love a plush golf head cover inrepparttar 110771 shape of their favorite dog.

Finally, since your household (orrepparttar 110772 one you're shopping for) may have children of different ages, here are some general rules you can follow for fun and safe play:

TEN STEPS TO FUN AND SAFE PLAY *

1. When shopping for toys, keep in mindrepparttar 110773 child's age, interests and abilities. 2. Read toy or packaging labels for age ranges and safety warnings. 3. Be especially careful when choosing toys for children under three. Select toys that are free of small pieces (or pieces that separate or can be broken off), are lightweight, have no sharp edges or points and are non-toxic. 4. At home, read instructions for assembly and use. Keep product literature in case of future questions and complete warranty cards. 5. Remove and discard all packaging from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child. 6. Considerrepparttar 110774 home environment in which a child will play with a toy and younger children who may be there. A toy intended for an older child may be dangerous inrepparttar 110775 hands of a younger one. 7. Always provide toys in conjunction with sensible supervision. Supervise children when they play and set good examples of safe play. 8. Remind caregivers, including grandparents, of play-related safety concerns 9. Do not leave toys on stairs. Choose a safe storage place for toys. ( Anything large enough for a child to climb inside should have a cover that's easily removed). 10. Check toys at least every three months to determine their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw away damaged toys.

* Source: www.toy-tia.org



© 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer.   Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com. If you need inspiration for stuffed dogs, visit her at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/stuffed_dogs.html. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.


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