Pool Safety and Your Baby

Pool safety is extremely important for your baby, especially if you live in Florida.  In 2008 - 2010, drowning fatalities were 64% of the fatalities for children under the age of 15. These tragedies are totally preventable using protective measures like alarms, gates, and safety covers. But, if you're like me, these products are way out of your price range. If that is the case, techniques have been developed to help your child be safe in the pool. Teaching your child to go completely limp while they're in the pool can prevent them from drowning, as shown in this video:

 When children kick and struggle, they begin to panic and are unable to float. Also, teaching them to swim early on is always helpful.  Here are some simple tips from the government: 

-Always watch your child when they are in or near a pool or spa

• -Teach children basic water safety tips
• -Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• -Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa
• -If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• -Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
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• Now, we take Dahlia to the pool pretty frequently. She doesn't hate it, but she's definitely not comfortable. It's important to take your baby often so they can become comfortable and don't panic if they do begin to drown. Have any other ideas for pool safety? Leave a comment below!

Absent-mindedness or Laziness? Thoughts on "Hot Car" Deaths

In the news recently, there have been a string of "hot car" related deaths of children. I'm not sure if this is a case of the news hyping up something that has always been going on, or if these types of deaths really are becoming more frequent. But, either way, really? Here's an example of some of the stories in the news right now:
Wichita, KS
North Richmond Hills, TX
Atlanta, GA
Lancaster, SC
Ridgefield, CT
Ardmore, OK
Centuria, WI
El Paso, TX
Those are just a few examples of cases in the last month. My biggest question is, how?  First off, you have nine whole months of preparation, of knowing you have a kid before it's even born! And most of these children are more than six months old. So, on top of that nine months, you had another 6+ to get used to having a kid and taking it out of the car. And then, one day, you just up and forget the last year or so of your life? So, is it malice, absent-mindedness, or just pure laziness? I know there has been a few times, when I want to run into 7-11 real quick, and I've been tempted to leave Dahlia in the car, but I don't. Hot cars aside, what about kidnappers? Kids have gotten abducted out of their driveways, so you're going to leave your kid in a parking lot? Anyway, it really doesn't take long for a car to become uncomfortable and some of these parents are leaving their kids in the car for hours. One case that I linked above, the child was left in the car overnight!! Where did these parents think their kid was all night?!? This Texas police officer made a video of himself in a hot car and he wanted to leave after 30 minutes, but forced himself to stay inside. Here's an interview with him about the video:

I feel preventing this from occurring is a responsibility set squarely on the shoulders of the parents. But, of course, not everyone feels this way. Many feel it's the responsibility of the auto manufacturers; "Death in Hot Cars: Why Can't the Automakers Prevent the Danger?" To which I say, bullshit. That's like blaming the company that manufactured your spoon for making you fat. The spoon company didn't do it, your eating habits did (unless you have a legitimate health problem, of course, but still, not the spoon's fault). Preventing these deaths is as simple as pulling your head out of your ass. So, my question to you is, do you think this is just a case of journalistic sensationalism, or are these deaths really on the rise? Leave your opinions in the comments below!