A Child + A Garden + Sprig Toys = Green Friendly Fun

My grand daughter has been fascinated with gardening and gardens for several years now.  When the snow melts here in Utah, she's out in the garden digging, planting, pruning and generally getting muddy from head to toe....and loving every minute of it.  When her 6th birthday came around this year, we incorporated her love of gardens and gardening into her party.  Red Butte Garden near Salt Lake City was  our choice and the kids had a blast!

photo from www.redbuttegarden.org

 They went on a scavenger hunt for garden-friendly animals, walked through the kid-sized, ivy-covered mazes, painted pots and planted herbs to take home with them. They also sang songs about plants and bugs, and so on.  We received several remarks from parents thanking us for encouraging their kids to think green, rather than another bounce house or arcade party.  We spent some money to have the party at the gardens, but I think, with enough planning, a similar economy version of this garden party could be done in your own back yard. 

photo from www.sprigtoys.com

 A real plus is the eco-friendly Dunebug Sand Truck from Sprig Toys that can hold little brother's attention for hours in the garden, right next to big sister.  

States Act to Address Global Slavery and Human Trafficking

Product Safety is not just about what happens to a product in the hands of our children.  It also includes the safety of the lives of those who produced it.  So often our toys and learning materials are produced in other countries, and sadly the laws in many of those countries do not protect child or the poor from child labor or human slavery and trafficking.  My heart was opened to this disgracing truth many years ago during a humanitarian visit to Sri Lanka, and subsequent discussions with a dear friend who fights sexual trafficking of young girls in Thailand, India and Vietnam.  Every year, billions of dollars in profits are generated by victimizing millions of people around the world. Human trafficking is considered to be one of the fastest growing criminal commercial activities in the world.

The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 is one state’s attempt to address the global problem of slavery and human trafficking.  The State of California is often battered with complaints about how its restrictive laws and regulations make it so difficult for businesses to thrive.  This new requirement is likely to have a good share of opponents as well.   I, for one, applaud the attempt to take a stand against this all too well-disguised evil. It is one way to shine a light on a practice that many simply have not wanted to recognize.  Evaluating my own personal “supply chain” may have to be adjusted, and that means that I may make different decisions about where I go to purchase that cup of coffee, pair of shoes or new nightgown.   It allows me to be one step closer to knowing that I am not contributing to the harm of a young child or indentured slave. I am pleased to know that many other state and federal legislation is addressing this issue with vigor.


Here are some brief details about this new law that becomes enforceable on January 1, 2012.

§  Applies to retailers and manufacturers with annual worldwide gross receipts of $100,000,000 or more.

§  Requires that retailers and manufacturers doing business in the State of California provide consumers with information about their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking (SHT) from their supply chains

§  The disclosure to be posted on manufacturer/retailer's Internet Website, or otherwise made available to the consumer within 30 days of request.

In this “disclosure” manufacturers/retailers must explain how they are vetting their suppliers for compliance with their policies on Slave and Human Trafficking; how they maintain vendor accountability throughout the year,; and what SHT risk-reduction training they provide to employees involved with selection of suppliers.


For more information on Child Slavery and Human Trafficking, check out some of my favorite humanitarian groups that are on the ground every day working to eliminate this practice.   Might I suggest that if their work touches your heart, why not see how you might contribute toward their efforts.  

International Justice Mission 

Children of Grace 

Polaris Project 

Finding Freedom                   

Not For Sale

isanctuary   

Trade as One

CDC's 2011 Vaccination Schedule for Youth

I realize that vaccines for children are a controversial topic for many parents, pediatricians and researchers. I happen to believe in them, and I hope that the mom whose child is sitting next to my granddaughter in Kindergarten believes in them, too!  Having personally seen first hand the devastating effects of what TB and Hepatitis can do to a young child deprived of the vaccine; I take my place on one side on the topic.  Others don’t agree with me, and that’s cool.

Whatever you believe  - the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has just come out with their 2011 recommended immunization schedule for children from birth to 18 years of age.  I thought those of you out there that do vaccinate your kids would be interested in this information.

Remember that you have the choice (and the responsibility) to make an informed decision for your child. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act requires that parents or patients be given copies of Vaccine Information Statements before administering any vaccine listed in the schedules.

You can find  additional information from the Department of Health & Human Services  and from the CDC right here.

Bike Helmet Safety

Last week I took my grandson into the local bike shop to purchase his first bike helmet. He is four years old and his Auntie had just given him his first bike for Christmas.  He was anxious to start practicing, but that would need to wait until a proper fitting helmet was covering his little noggin.  

Many reliable studies show that appropriate bicycle helmets worn by young children significantly reduce the risk of head injury in case of fall. There is no federal law in the United States that requires a child to wear bicycle helmets, but many individual states have passed laws to address this hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does regulate the performance requirements for bike helmets (16 CFR 1203), so when you choose a helmet for your youngster, you’ll want to be sure that it is labeled for compliance to this 16 CFR 1203 standard. Every bicycle helmet must come with instructions explaining how to assure a proper fit and how to wear it properly. The instructions should have a picture showing the correct way to wear the helmet. When in doubt, take your child and the helmet to the local bike shop and ask them to show you exactly how to adjust the helmet to best fit your child. 


 Proper Helmet Fit

Toddler Bike Helmets (for children under 5 years old) should include extended coverage, as specified by the 16 CFR1203 CPSC Bike Helmet Safety regulation.  Extended coverage is an extension of the thick foam inside the hard shell, that covers the ears and vulnerable back of neck of a toddler.


Toddler Bike Helmets

While CPSC strongly urges the use of bike helmets while riding a bike, they also warn that children should NOT wear bike helmets when playing off the bike, particularly on playgrounds. Sadly, there have been strangulation deaths, injuries and child-related incidents involving bike helmets used on climbing playground equipment and trees.

It’s best to sit down with your young child and talk about why the helmet is important, and when it is important to take the helmet off.  Children as young as four years old can begin to understand this. Starting these safe riding habits early will help reduce the risk of injury later.