Adorable Baby Pics

Baby Gate Tips

“Babygate” being the best sounding label I can come up with for this controversy.

First, interesting posts from the Stryde Hax blog on “Google hacking” information about He Kexin. Essentially this involves using Google’s advanced search features to target very specific kinds of information. His queries on Google.cn and Baidu lead him to cached versions of spreadsheets from the General Administration of Sports of China that pretty clearly list a 1994 birthday for the golden girl of Chinese gymnastics. The Baidu cache versions (here and here) were still live when I looked. Interestingly, however, the files started evaporating from Google.CN’s cache more or less as the Stryde Hax blogger was doing his digging.

What does it mean? I invite you to draw your own conclusions.Serling> But it’s also worth reading a post from the always interesting Fool’s Mountain blog that looks at the problem of age manipulation in Chinese sports and wonders if He Kexin’s age could have been massaged down rather than up:

In fact, in the comments to a prior post, I’ve raised the point that
Chinese parents change birthdays of children quite often for a variety
of reasons or advantages, to older or younger, hence the possibility
that things could go either way with He Kexin. He really could be 16,
yet still nobody would want to come out and explain the age changing in
local competitions — that’s just another can of worms. Anyway, this
certainly isn’t proof of anything nor is it great news. The point is
simply that, before jumping to conclusions on something having to with
China, it is worth considering the other possilities, and at the least,
consider that other possibilities do exist.

That last thought is definitely worth bearing in mind. Nevertheless, Imagethief had the good luck to be in the stands for the finals of the women’s uneven bars on Monday night, which meant I had the pleasure of seeing He, her only slightly less microscopic teammate Yang Yilin, and American Nastia Liukin (who seems gigantic by comparison) compete. All the Chinese female gymnasts are tiny. He is teeny tiny. If it’s a stretch to accept her as turning 16 this year, imagining her any older is downright impossible. Still, it was thrill to watch all three of them perform. They’re all great athletes and they all deserve recognition.

While He has got most of the attention, both because she’s a pint-size medalling machine and because the controversy hovers most closely over her, Yang has come in for her share of attention as well. I was interested to see a commentary from the AP that is constructed around the theme of Yang as helpless victim:

How fragile she looked, like a baby deer in the headlights of an oncoming SUV. Little pink hearts and the word “love” in blue letters decorated her hair clips.
The glitter on her forehead twinkled under the lights. Chalk was
encrusted where the skin met her slender fingernails. So thin, so
uneasy, so out of place she seemed, in a downstairs room in Beijing’s
National Indoor Stadium. She’d just won an Olympic bronze medal in
all-around gymnastics, one of the toughest sporting tests there is.

***

[A little hesitantly], Yang started to
answer the questions. And the more she said, the more shocking it was.
The answers were brief, spoken without heart. What emerged was a
picture of a young girl who has been kept largely cut off from family
and the outside world for more than a year, so she could be intensely
trained to win medals for China at its own Olympics.

I have no doubt that China’s gymnastics training regimen is brutal, and the cold mechanics of China’s national sporting machine definitely deserve scrutiny. I also think the evidence of an age scandal is pretty compelling. Perhaps Yang is a victim. But she, along with He, is also a talent and should be celebrated as such. The rest of the world, America included, has had its grim training stories, especially in sports like gymnastics and figure skating for which the feedstock is young girls. This article has a whiff of the old cold-war double standard. Ours=plucky, heroic achievers. Theirs=manufactured robots/slaves/dopers.

Perhaps she’s a victim of the Communist Sports Machine. Perhaps she’s just a teenage girl who is a spectacular gymnast, who’s had a hard year of training, and who is uncomfortable talking to the media. As Nimrod wrote on that Fool’s Mountain post, consider that other possibilities do exist.

Hat tip: Adrian.

Golden girls.

Safety 1st 41817 Easy-Fit Security Gate Baby Monitor
I gave birth to me baby boy just last year, I was so excited and shopping was just a blast! And I had to purchase this security gate for my baby boy. Honestly, I didn’t buy something like this for my first born because it wasn’t such a big deal …

IKEA Antilop Children Chair
If you need just a baby chair or kid’s chair and you do not want to pay too much for the chair, I suggest that you buy IKEA Antilop baby chair. It is just a very basic baby chair. I bought this chair for 12 Eur in Ikea store. But …

Wooden white cot bought from IKEA store
I bought a wooden cot in IKEA store back in 2007 before I had my baby. The one I’ve got at home is in color white. This cot is almost the same as any other cot in Mothercare but I noticed that the cot in mothercare store …

Ikea Baby Changing Table
This is the cheapest baby changing table that I ever found in the store. This Ikea Changing Table is suitable as changing table for children up to 12 months. But you also need to buy the cover to put on top of the table. It’s not included in the package …

Baby Changing Cabinet Leksvik
Do you know where I get this Baby Changing Cabinet Leksvik? Yes, you’re right! It’s from Ikea Furniture Store. As usual, I always shop furniture in Ikea store. And this time, I just bought Baby Changing Cabinet Leksvik. There are few options that I can choose in Ikea for …

IKEA “Another Baby” (television commercial)
In this commercial, a clearly middle aged black woman thumbs through the latest IKEA catalog. She stops on a page that has a beautifully assembled children’s room, complete with furniture and the accoutrements that IKEA is known for. The woman turns to her equally aged husband …

Supergate III by North States Industries
Although this gate appears to be easy to use and “baby proof”, I would not recommend it, unless you just want a gate to step over, and your child is pretty young. The gate can be used as a pressure mounted gate, or can be mounted as a swing gate. …

Kusiner Mesh basket with lid from IKEA store
I was actually not intending to buy this piece of storage bag which I’ve got for less than 4 GBP from IKEA store but one time when my husband and I had a wandered around the display inside the IKEA store this one caught my attention and decided all …

IKEA Furniture
I love IKEA Furniture. Why? IKEA Furniture has so many modern, inspirational, fantastic designs for many different types of furniture. Every season they bring out a whole new range of furniture ranging from lamps and desks to closets and chairs. Their use of colour and innonative, creative designs for their …

IKEA furniture
IKEA furniture are really targetted for the mass consumer market. Therefore, I will not consider them as very upmarket or high end. However, for the new home maker, they are certainly one of the most affordable. Many of the furnitures produced by IKEA are not made from solid wood. Some …

Safe Kids Watauga County is teaming up with Boone Ford, Lincoln, Mercury for a child safety seat inspection. The free inspection, called “Staying Sweet,” will held at Boone Ford on New Market Boulevard in Boone Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. N.C. certified technicians will conduct the inspections. Anyone transporting a child is encouraged to stop by for an inspection and information regarding the appropriate seat for a child’s age and weight. For more information, contact Watauga Medic Aaron Miller at 295-5218, or Safe Kids coordinator Tammy Nelson at 264-9486.

PERRIS - Sheriff’s deputies will be at a Perris elementary school for four days next week to conduct child safety-seat training clinics for parents and children who attend the school.

Deputies will be at the Enchanted Hills Elementary School at 1357 Mount Baldy from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Lingo.

The training on the proper way to buckle a small child into a safety seat will be given only to those parents whose children attend the school, as well as students, Lingo said.

Perris police will hold other training clinics throughout the city in the future, Lingo said.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information that is exempt from public disclosure. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this message in error please contact the sender (by phone or reply electronic mail) and then destroy all copies of the original message.

Baby Gate Tips

Exercise TV, The Kind Diet and The Baby Gate

This week I bumbled across ExerciseTV on demand on cable. It has gobs of workout videos available instantly, some killer and some painfully cheesy. Normally I don’t have the attention span for exercising in front of the television but curiosity and bad weather got the better of me. So far my favorite has been Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred. It has no dancy choreography or silly stuff, just lots of push-ups, squats, lunges jumping jacks and crunches. It’s very Turbulence Training-esque.

I finished reading The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone. Food politics and celebrity nutrition claims aside, it has some beautiful color photos and tasty looking vegan recipes. If only I could get someone to make them for me, starting with the cupcakes. That’s always my problem with cookbooks. I like reading them. I like looking at the pictures. I like eating. I don’t like cooking.

Ripley is a menace. A few days ago it started snowing, which I guess smells sort of like rain, which must in some way remind her of thunder, which resulted in a full-tilt, head-spinning panic attack. She darted out the front door and down the street in a blind terror, chased by invisible demons and imaginary thunder monsters. Yes, a slush-colored dog darting through traffic in a snowstorm, oblivious to any calling, pleading or commands. It took forever to catch her and aged us like ten years. We have since purchased the biggest most ridiculous baby gate we could find. It’s like four feet tall and you need three hands to open it. There will be no more door-darting!

 

 

I use an affiliate link when discussing these products. I will receive a portion of the sale if you buy. See my Disclosure Statement.

The Cow & Gate Mum and Baby Club has a wealth of baby freebies for mums and babies and all you need to do is register. The form isn’t that long won’t demand the endurance of a marathon runner to complete and there are some great extras to be had.

• Click here to mooo on over to Cow & Gate

Baby freebies are a complete and utter winner in my book. If I’d realised exactly how many different clubs and extras there were for mums I would have been rolling in stuff when I had my first. I can tell you that when the second comes along, I’m registering for everything under the sun.

The Cow & Gate Mum and Baby Club gives you a free pregnancy diary as long as you join before you hit 32 weeks and, of course, if there is stock. You also get free money off vouchers, emails that detail the latest offers and tons of expert advice.

You can even spend time online meeting other parents, whether you are a mum or a dad, and reading up on the latest news and views.

Related posts:

1. Free Pregnancy And Baby Packs @ Emma’s Diary
2. Brilliant Baby Freebies @ Hipp Baby Club
3. Baby Freebies @ Aptamil Baby Club

A baby gate is a child proofing measure that many parents take on to keep their home safe for their babies. This is especially critical when your baby begins to take his or her first steps and you have a home that is multiple levels with stairs. Knowing how to properly install a baby gate on the stair and stair banister will keep your child safe and protected from any unnecessary falls or injuries that may occur accidentally as a result.

Installing a baby gate simply requires you to purchase a gate that fits the size and width of your stair’s banister and following the instructions that come inside. This article will provide a generic description for the process of attaching the baby gate to the stair banister. You should read the instructions before attempting the installation and be sure that you know what you are doing for the safety and well being of your baby.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Baby gate
• Stair banister
• Tape measure
• Baby gate installation instructions

Step 1: Purchase a Baby Gate

Go to the store and purchase a baby gate for your home. The baby gate should be sturdy and durable and not collapse inward under the weight or pressure of the baby. If the baby gate cannot withstand the weight of your baby search for one that can.

Ask the store associate for information on the different models of baby gates that the store sells and as for any recall notices or consumer product safety recalls that may be associated with the product or the company manufacturing the product. 

Step 2: Assemble the Baby Gate

In more cases than not the baby gate will come pre-assembled out of the box. This will make life easier for you when installing the baby gate to the banister of your stairs in the home. If you need to assemble any of the parts to  the baby gate, follow the assembly instructions that came with the baby gate and make sure that you follow them exactly.

Step 3: Install the Baby Gate

You will need to attach the baby gate to the banister once it is assembled or the pre-assembled baby gate is taken out of the box. Most baby gates have a locking mechanism that holds it in place when you click it and stays rigid regardless of the actions of the baby. Secure the baby gate to the banister in manner prescribed in the instructions for the brand or model that you purchased. You need to pull on the baby gate forcefully to make sure that it is attached properly and that the baby gate does not move when pressure is applied. 

Be sure to check the baby gate thoroughly before, during and after installation in order to make sure that it does not buckle or fold or give way. If there is any wiggle or slack in the baby gate, remove it immediately and return it to the place of original purchase.

Blaize is currently doing well and according to his mother, Leya Ozwald, “very excited” to get on his skis again soon. There are no protection bars on the Cougar chair, which, as a father of a young child who enjoys  taking skiing on the mountain, sucks. The bar is not a guarantee that shit won’t go bad. From my personal experience, when a safety bar is 1) Low, like on the Casper Chair at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, or 2) have the arms that come down from the bar which touch the chair as on the Teewinot lift at Jackson Hole, which you can situate in between the small child’s legs (or adult legs if not 3 or less are on the quad chair) that offers greater security (for child and for parent!).

The lift to the summit of Snow King, Exhibition, has a safety bar, I believe, every fourth chair. It is surprising that the folks at Snow King don’t put in safety bars on all the chairs on Exhibition, at least during the Hill Climb. During the Hill Climb, and throughout the year, Non-skiers/boarders are required to use only the chairs with safety bars. During the annual Hill Climb, this causes a huge backup of people wanting to ride the lift. If there were bars on all the chairs the wait time would be much less, and safety arguably increased. In addition, I would think this action would increase revenue for the mountain. I don’t know how much a safety bar costs, but it is a fairly simple device with minimal hardware required to install, taking only a few minutes for each chair. Snow King can hire Lawrence Bennett, artist and metal worker with a shop at the base of the mountain, to make custom ones for them, if they don’t have a line on some. I bet there are used ones that can be bought from a ski area that doesn’t use them because they went out of business or upgraded their double chair to a triple or quad. Hopefully monetary gain would follow doing the right thing, which in my opinion is to keep the kids and adults using the lifts at Snow King, our beloved town hill, safer. OK…what the hell is safer? Well we can debate that, but to me it is having bars on the Cougar lift so that I don’t have to hold my son or clip him in to the lift with a cord to prevent him pitching off and getting hurt or killed while out trying to have a good time.

On Sunday Axl and I were at Jackson Hole for the day where we ripped the animal trails off of Teewinot Lift and then ventured up to Casper and over to Thunder. I am learning the easiest ways down from all the lifts as I go out with Axl these early days of his skiing. Giradelli larger milk chocolate chips and GU Chomps got us through the day. I heard about using a ski pole to help slow Axl down but have not yet tried it. I have been skiing without poles and grabbing him and carrying him like a football over the steep sections, which unfortunately interrupt many of the cat tracks, at least for enough time to not have it be a smooth, super easy ride down from the Thunder, the Gondola (getting onto Amphitheater for a brief moment until one can cut east to Nez Perce is steep and challenging) and even Casper (below the restaurant to the cat track). This being said, there may be some easier ways which I haven’t learned yet and hopefully won’t have to as Axl is getting stronger and ripping more every time out!

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Help support StephenKoch.com and protect your child’s noggin with the Giro Slingshot Helmet at Backcountry.com. Or for up to 60% off, click here. Backcountry.com’s semi-annual sale starts Today!

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OKLAHOMA CITY — OU football head coach Bob Stoops is teaming up with Gov. Brad Henry and State Superintendent Sandy Garrett to back a new program to help find missing children.

The National Child Identification Program is a voluntary program designed to give families tools to identify their children if they are lost or missing.

“This is an easy way for parents to keep track of information that could someday save a child’s life,” Henry said.

Statistics show that 800,000 children are reported missing every year, the governor said.

“That means a child goes missing every 40 seconds,” Henry said.

The state plans to launch the program, which is co-sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association, within the next 30 days.

“Coach Stoops brought the idea to my office, and through a federal grant, we are implementing this program,” Henry said.

Many other football coaches have backed the program in other states, Stoops said.

“We work with young people every day and it is important that we do everything we can to keep them safe,” Stoops said.

A missing girl from Dallas was found in Phoenix with the help of a kit the girl’s parents had picked up at her school, said Bret Phillips, National Child Identification Program spokesman.

“In states where these programs exist, we’ve had many success stories,” he said.

Garrett said the state will encourage parents to participate.

“The program is purely voluntary, and parents will keep the information at home,” she said.

Phillips said the kit’s contents will not expire or require replenishment, but the child’s photo should be updated as the child gets older.

Henry said the government does not want to create a database that stores the information in the kit.

“The only time you will ever need to give this to a government official is if your child goes missing,” he said.

The governor said the state received a portion of the Federal Safe School’s Grant, so state funds would not be used to purchase the kits.

The federal grant allowed the state to purchase 360,000 kits for $300,000.

“We hope that we will get 100 percent participation, but at this time, we only have enough for students who are currently enrolled in public school,” Henry said.

Garrett said because of the small number of kits available, home-schooled children and some private school children will have to go without for now.

There are only enough kits for children in public schools who are in grades kindergarten through sixth grade, she said.

Baby Gate Safety

Moveon.Org has produced one of the most shameless political ads since Lyndon Johnson put a little girl plucking a daisy underneath a nuclear bomb. The ad depicts a young woman and her baby, Alex and suggests that John McCain wants to send Alex to Iraq.

The ad is based on the big lie being promulgated by the liberal Democrats that Senator McCain wants to fight a war in Iraq even if it takes a hundred years. Thus, cute little Alex, was born just for the purpose of being tossed into the Iraq meat grinder sometime in the year 2026.

Of course John McCain doesn’t envision a “Forever War” in Iraq at all. His suggestion was that Iraq would become a country like Germany, Japan, or South Korea, home to an American military presence meant to keep the peace and show the flag.

Under this scenario, eighteen year old Alex, who will be a big, strapping lad should he choose to join the all volunteer military, would not be chasing Al Qaeda guerillas in the deserts of Anbar or the swamps around Basra. Instead he would be fighting the boredom of garrison life at a base near Baghdad, spending his time training and dreaming of his next three day pass when he can go down to Abu Dubai to visit the fleshpots, presuming that post Saddam Iraq hasn’t built any of its own.

We’ve had troops in Germany decades after Hitler met his deserved end, and indeed a couple of decades after the Soviet Union fell. We’ve had troops in South Korea long after the Red Chinese were casted back from the gates of Seoul and pounded into submission. It doesn’t stretch credulity that we’ll have troops in Iraq long after Al Qaeda and the Shiite militias are on the ash heap of history.

Of course baby Alex, when he grows up, doesn’t have to be part of all that if he doesn’t want to. We have an all volunteer military and, barring an invasion from outer space, are likely to have one as long as the Republic lasts. Alex can go to college, become a burden on society, or maybe even become a lunar colonist in 2026 if he so desires. And if he makes any of those choices, perhaps his unborn little sister will want to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force instead. That’s the beauty of being an American. One can choose what one does with one’s life.

So rest assure, John McCain is not going to snatch baby Alex from the arms of his lovely mom and force him to go to war. But if Alex does grow up and become a soldier, ninety year old retired President McCain will probably be very proud of him for his choice of public service.

. If you hear an Islander say “HHBT” or “beach and tennis,” they are talking about the Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort. Located mid Island in what is termed The Chapin or Folly Field beach area, Hilton Head Beach and Tennis is a gated ocean front resort catering primarily to small families.

The resort occupies more than fifty five beautifully landscaped ocean oriented acres, containing eight hundred, one and two bedroom units. With more than five hundred feet of beachfront, the many ocean facing condos have one of the Island’s most dramatic sunrise views.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people flock to Hilton Head Island for its 14 miles of beautiful beaches. Whether you enjoy sun tanning, walking, bike riding, digging in the sand or riding the waves, a day at the beach on Hilton Head Island is always a blast.

Safety:

Most resorts on the island have a guard shack and require you to sign in your vehicle. HHBT (Hilton Head Beach and Tennis) is no different. They do not let anyone on the property that is not staying there or has not received permission to visit. There is access to the property from the beach and know that this is not monitored. There is no patrol on the property but the guard shack will investigate calls made to the office.

Things to do:

The HHBT resort has the Island’s largest ocean front pool complex. For the little ones, there is a children’s pool next to the Olympic size main pool. There is also a third pool near the Admirals Row buildings.

Adjacent to the main pool area are a fitness course, outdoor showers and a pool side cafe.

The ten tennis courts are lighted for evening and night play, and are free to the resort guests. The pro shop runs clinics and offers tennis instruction, and can arrange playing partners. Alongside the tennis club is a large children’s playground and a lagoon side cook out area.

The beach, one of the Islands widest and whitest, is large enough for many games and activities. Like the name implies, Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort is beach friendly. Beach access is super convenient, there are three boardwalks leading directly to the sand and a near pristine beach. The boardwalks are needed because we do not want to trample the Sea Oats. The Sea Oats are the indigenous plants you see waving in the dunes, and are vital to the beach’s ecosystem.

In the welcome center you will find a deli, cocktail lounge, restaurant, concierge services, real estate office, the conference center event ballroom, and the administrations’ staff offices.

For the young at heart, the island’s largest arcade and a golf driving range are a short walk up the bike trail. The Westin Hotel is a ten minute walk up the beach.

Getting around:

After coming over the bridge, y’all go straight for about six miles. It can be a real pleasant drive. Those villas on the right are Mariner’s Point, and just around the bend is the entrance to Windmill Harbour. Before the first light is the Coastal Discovery Museum where you can learn how to shrimp and next door is the Crazy Crab restaurant. The first light is the Squire Pope Road Light which leads to the back gate of Hilton Head Plantation. The second light at Spanish Wells Road leads to Spanish Wells Plantation and a couple of good crabbing spots. If you are not already in the right lane you will need to merge into it in order to avoid the first entrance to the Cross Island Expressway.

After passing the expressway you will come to the third light. This is the Gum tree road light. Right is another entrance to the Cross Island Expressway while left goes to the Island Rec center, Hudson’s, Hilton Head Plantation and the Country Club of Hilton Head. The next light is the school light. A left would take you to the public school campuses and the western end of Main Street. The fifth light is the half way point, and you may see mile marker three. That’s what those little green signs with numbers on them are. Wendy’s is on your right. As you pass through this light, on the right behind the wood line is Wal Mart, Publix, and Blockbuster, and on your left behind the wood line is the Main Street shopping area. Harris Teeter is in this center. The next light is the Hilton Head Plantation Light; a left would lead you to Main Street, the Plantation and the Oyster Reef Club while a right will lead to Indigo Run and the Golden Bear. The seventh light is Beach City Road. A left here would take you by the library, Palmetto Hall, and the Hilton Head Airport. Between this and the next light at Matthews Drive, Pineland Mills shopping is on the right while Northridge and its ten-plex movie theatre is on your left.

The eighth light is at Matthews Drive. You could take a right here and it would lead to the resort. But, you will have plenty of opportunities to take Matthews Drive later, so unless the traffic is stalled, stay straight. A right at the ninth light would take you to McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Bi-Lo, and Port Royal Plaza. After this light think about merging to the left lane. The tenth light is the green arrows at the entrance to Port Royal Plantation. By the way, there are three excellent golf courses in Port Royal Plantation. You should be in the left lane when you pass the fire station entrance and the eleventh light. At the next light you will take a left onto Folly Field Road, you might think of it as an extension of Matthews Drive which was mentioned at light eight. After turning, the entrance to Adventure Cove will be on your right and some beach cottages on the left. The entrance to Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort is only seconds away. Take the next right and you are there.

Rates:

A price within reach, right on the beach. You’ll feel right at home in any one of our 1 or 2 bedroom villas. Each with a fully equipped kitchen, living area with sofa sleeper and bath.
2 bedrooms range from $775 to $1125 based on ocenview to middle of resort.

Cleanliness:

For an older property, HHBT is extremely clean. The building are well-kept, the pool is always nice, the walkway to beach is great, and access to dumpsters is excellent.

Charm:

The property, as mentioned, is older than most on the island. This adds to the charm but there is nothing special about HHBT in this regard. It is well kept, clean, with a great location, but I would not say the property has a special charm to it.

Baby Gate Tips

This is a document Southern States Mastiff Rescue sends out to foster/adopters who take rescue dogs in. Maybe you can follow the steps outlined here to help you with the introduction/integration of this boy should you decide to bring him home. 

 

 

Introducing a New Dog into the Household

 

Everything is new and scary

 

Try to see things from the new dog’s point of view. Remember that, although you know what is going on, they do not. Rescue dogs are stressed and confused. They do not know that all will be OK or what is to come next.

For your current dog(s), try to see their side too. They may see their status as threatened by the arrival of a new dog. Though we want dogs to become instant best friends, this is often not the case. Even dogs that get along famously at the first will have moments of aggravation with each another. For this reason, a well-planned process of introduction assures you of the greatest chance for a peaceful household.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?  Some dogs will breeze through this process in days, for some, it may take weeks or even months. – PATIENCE is the key.

 

Giving your new dog the best chance at success.

 

Adding a new dog to the family is a big deal, even as a temporary foster.  A careful introduction period ensures success. Better to be overly cautious than to have a bad beginning you will have to repair.

 

1. NEUTRAL TERRITORY –If you do not know your new dog’s history or you are aware of any aggression issues from either the new dog or your own – DO NOT PROCEED with a meeting at this point and start at step 2.

 

*If both your dog and the new dog have a history of being friendly with other animals you may consider proceeding with an on-leash introduction away from your home in neutral territory. If all goes well you could consider skipping to step 6. If there is any posturing, definitely take things slowly and move to step 2.

 

2. GETTING THEIR BEARINGS – Allow the new dog its own space for at least a couple of days. This means away from the other dogs completely. Once they are relaxed in their new surroundings (wagging tail, soft eyes, responding to your voice, not panting or pacing) you can proceed to the next step.

• During this time, it is a great idea to switch some bedding with your pet. Get your pets scent on a towel or blanket and vice versa and put them item in each other’s resting area. This will give them a chance to get familiar with each other’s scents in a relaxed state.
• Pottying should be at separate times so they can smell each other’s scents.
• Do not allow fence interactions at this time. Fence fighting is common even for dogs that may not be aggressive under other circumstances.

 

3. A CHANCE TO OBSERVE – Allowing the dogs to see and observe one another without a face-to-face meeting will help them get to know one another without too much pressure.

 

• One of our volunteers is successful with early introductions using a crate or x-pen in her kitchen with a baby gate separating rooms. That way, her dogs can see the new dog and vice versa but they do not have physical interaction at this point.

·         I use baby gates at either end of a hall so that the dogs can see each other from a distance.

After a period of the dogs being comfortable observing one another, and showing relaxed body language, it is time to move to the next step.

4. WALKING  TOGETHER -  With the help of another person, leash walk the dogs together. Keep some distance and do not allow them to interact (sniffing, etc).

 

The point of this exercise is to perform an activity together with you in charge and to afford them another opportunity to observe one another. You may need to do this activity for several days and in some cases even longer before you feel they are relaxed enough to move to introductions.

5. BACK TO STEP ONE - After you have successfully moved through Steps 2, 3, and 4, you are ready for NEUTRAL TERRITORY. It is safest to set up the first physical interactions away from areas that are perceived as territory. *Remember this step is on leash.

                                 

6. SUPERVISED TIME TOGETHER - If you have had non-confrontational     interactions to this point, allowing the dogs to interact off leash while supervised is the next step.

1. This time should NOT include toys, treats, or food.

 

2. If you have multiple dogs and they start to play, separate them. This is an excitable state which can lead to a confrontation between dogs that do not have a good understanding of one another.

 

3. Keep the time limited so they do not become overwhelmed, ending a session on a happy note is the goal.

7. HAPPY TOGETHER – Separating the dogs whenever you are not able to supervise should continue for some time. This phase may last weeks or even months.

 

Things such as thunderstorms, visitors, new toys, etc., can change the dynamics of a household. Continue to separate the dogs when not supervised until you are confident they are comfortable enough with each other to not be upset by new stimulus.

 

CARDINAL RULES

Following these rules will only make the process of introduction easier regardless of whether your dogs are instant best friends or the process of getting to know each other is lengthy.

·         SEPARATE WHEN FEEDING (separate rooms or in crates)

·         BE THE BOSS - During this introduction period, it is NOT ok for the new dog or original dog(s) to snark, growl, posture, or stare each other down. Correct and re-direct. If you are experiencing this behavior, go back a step or two and allow a little more time.

·         WORK FOR THOSE TREATS – A good lifelong rule is to require something of the dogs before they get a reward (sit, down, wait, etc). Say the dog’s name before they are given a treat or toy. That way, when they are integrated, there is no confusion as to who is to get the treat.

* DO NOT give treats with dogs together during the introduction process.

·         OLD IS FIRST – The original dog to the household should continue to get preferred treatment. If the new dog sees you first giving the original dog(s) attention, treats, or food first, they will associate the other dog’s getting something desirable as a signal that they will be next to get something good. It will also help the original dog(s) not to think that the new dog threatens their way of life.

·         ONE-ON-ONE – Throughout this process and after, spend one-on-one time with your new dog teaching commands and developing a line of communication. It will be easier to manage your household if your dogs understand what you want of them. Training for reliable responses is one of your best management tools!

 

__________________
Jennifer Patterson
Crossroads Mastiffs
http://www.crossroadsmastiffs.com

“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom.”

Well this week turned out OK even though I left all my coupons sitting on the kitchen counter today.  Did I mention my fuzzy Robitussin brain?

I spent $64.06 on all this which is a little over my $50 budget but $14 of that is baby formula which I don’t normally include in my grocery budget.  So basically I was right on track this week.

To see the breakdown click below!

Safeway $28.32
Diet Soda (4) .69 each
Diced Tomatoes $1
Enchilada Sauce $1.59
Chili Powder $1.99
Lucerne String Cheese $1.99
Safeway Wheat Bread $1.50
(2) packages bacon .99 on clearance (these go straight to the freezer anyway!)
Deli Fresh Ham .99- also on clearance
Beef $2.03
Pumpkin ice Cream on clearance for .99
2 cucumbers $1.58
Red Pepper .99
Gala Apples $1.47
Pears $1.03
Salad Mix $1.98
Gorgonzola Cheese $3.79

Target $21.82
2 pack baby formula on clearance $13.85
2 5lb Flour on clearance $1.34
Shredded Cheese $2.99
Sonoma Jack Pretzels/Cheese $1.59 (my lunch!)
2 Hefty Freezer Bags $1 each- used $1/2 coupon

CVS: $1.07
I did 2 transactions and I had $4.70 in ECB that were expiring.
Milk $2.59- used .30/1 Real CA milk coupon
Colgate Toothpaste $2.99- used $1/1 from RIB magazine
2 Hormel Chili at .97 each- used .55/2 coupon
and I got $2 in ECB back from the Colgate

Savemart: $6.85
I had a $3 catalina to use
Bread Machine Yeast $6.99 (!!!)
Sour Cream $1.39
10lb Potatoes .97
Roma Tomatoes .50

diapers.com: $6
I got the Plum Organic baby food for $6- I told you about it HERE
(We needed a baby gate so I looked around, found a good deal, got a price match on diapers.com and then added the baby food and got free shipping)

How did you guys do this week? Any great scores?

We have an Evenflo Top of Stair Gate. It’s a wooden gate with metal hardware. It swings. VERY secure.

I mounted the hinges to a 1x4 piece of oak stained to match the newel post on our stairwell then ziptied the 1x4 to the newel post. This worked well for years. Setup was approved by childcare agency for a home daycare. However, once the kids got bigger, and started shaking the gate, I noticed the zipties getting worn (took at least 3 years). I eventually broke down and put 1 screw in at the top and 1 at the bottom to replace the zipties. Unsing the industrial strength, large zipties it is very secure. Just keed an eye on the condition of the ties. The standard cheap wire zipties do not stand up to this use. Do not use them.

Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2009. These are predictions of what Obama supporters, if there are any remaining, will say after Obama fails:“The Republicans, especially Bush, messed things up so much it needed a superhuman effort to make things right. It probably needed more than 8 years by Obama to fix it”“The Republicans and the traitorous moderate Democrats (probably closet Republicans themselves) did their very best to obstruct Obama’s policies.”“The Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate did not rally around him like they should have.”“The Congress cared more about their own power than about supporting Obama.”“Obama had traitors working with him.”“People demanded too much out of him.”“God is punishing the nation for not backing Obama.”“The ‘Birthers” wanted to bring him down. They should have left the birth certificate issue alone. Where Obama was born was nobody’s business. They act like its a Constitutional issue or something.”“Wall Street wanted to bring him down.”“Rogue elements of the Antiwar movement worked against him when they should have kept their mouths shut about Obama continuing Bush’s policies. And they should have kept it a secret that Obama was expanding the war in Afghanistan. They were only supposed to protest Bush only!”“Those right-wing blogs and right-wingnut idiot writers on the internet confused clear-thinking people and got them brainwashed.”“You all didn’t give him a chance.”“Racist white Americans (every white person who did not vote for Obama) did not want to unify this country.”“The Media, like Chris Matthews, only pretended to love him. Then they showed their true colors.”“Sellout black conservatives and sellout anti-Obama black liberals conspired together.”“Anti-Obama YouTube viral videos passed around destroyed the Presidency.”“The Daily Kos, The Huffington Post, etc. did not do their jobs correctly to set the record straight.”“Those evil right-wing talk show hosts brought him down. We told you they should have been silenced!”“Those ‘Tea Party’ people should have been put in prison for treason and sedition.”“You all didn’t give him a chance.”“MoveOn.org, ACORN, and Organizing for America did a lousy job in supporting our President. No excuses!”“The fascist Pro-Life Movement did everything they could to undermine our President.”“They all worked to make sure that the first black president failed.”“Those PUMA Hillary Clinton Democrats brought him down.”“He had bad advisors.”“They set him up.” (Who are “they”?)“You all didn’t give him a chance.”“You all resisted the will of God by resisting Obama.”“Bush set him up to fail.”“He was a public servant, not a perfect servant.”“He is only human. He had good intentions.”“You cannot expect one man to have all the answers.”“The weight of the world was on his shoulders. It was just too much for him. He is a good man. He really tried.”“He was misunderstood.”“He is an imposter! That was not the real Obama. It was a Republican Obama clone who was paid off to fail. The real Obama was kidnapped! He never had a chance!”I predict “The Honorable Brother X” will say:”IT’S BUSH’S FAULT OBAMA FAILED!”

Tips for Enhancing Child Safety at the Window From American Blinds, Wallpaper and More

When it comes to increasing child safety in the home, the window is a fixture that should not be forgotten.  American Blinds, Wallpaper and More offers tips for enhancing child safety at the window:

•·          Don’t forget window covering cords can be hazardous.

•·          Use window guards on all windows above the first floor.  Screens aren’t strong enough to stop a fall; they are meant to keep insects out, not to keep children in. 

•·          If it’s necessary to keep windows open for ventilation, install locks that limit the size of the opening.

•·          For sliding glass doors, install safety glass that won’t shatter.  Additionally, apply bright stickers at a child’s eye level (and also adult eye level) to alert him or her to the presence of glass. 

•·          Be sure to keep all furniture and cribs away from windows.

Put safety first in your home during Window Covering Safety Month with Cordless Blinds from American Blinds, Wallpaper and More. One of the most recent safety innovations is the cordless lifting system that allows shades or blinds to be raised and lowered with the touch of a finger.  Cellular shades eliminate pull cords, enhancing child & pet safety and creating a clean look.  Colorful and durable, cellular shades are a great choice for a child’s room.  They not only help block the sun’s harmful UV rays, they feature a unique honeycomb construction that “traps” air for greater energy efficiency, helping to reduce energy bills during the upcoming winter months.  The shades also softly diffuse incoming natural light to cut the glare and heat on warm days.

“We’re happy to partner with the Window Covering Safety Council and our product vendors to inform consumers about these very important safety tips” said Rick Isenberg, Chief Marketing Officer of American Blinds, Wallpaper and More.  “As parents, we tend to focus on child-safe things like car seats and outlets, and may forget about dangling cords.  We’ve put extensive information in our Resource Center on Child Safety, including the Window Covering Safety Council’s SuperBaby videos, which will help parents focus on safety and smile at the same time.”

Join Window Covering Safety Month and keep your children safe and warm with cordless blinds from American Blinds, Wallpaper and More. To purchase cordless window blinds or shades, visit www.americanblinds.com/cordless.

ABOUT AMERICAN BLINDS, WALLPAPER AND MORE:
American Blinds, Wallpaper and More is the largest online retailer of brand name custom window treatments and wall coverings at savings from 25% – 85% off most retail store and home center prices. They carry all brand name blinds and wallpaper, including Hunter Douglas®, Bali®, Levolor®, Kirsch®, Waverly® and American Blinds®, their most popular brand. The company also sells home decorating products including curtains, draperies, custom framed wall art, and area rugs. Their website, www.americanblinds.com can search for over 500,000 wallpaper, border and fabric patterns by color, style and other keywords. Most merchandise is shipped via free ground delivery and is covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a Lowest Price Guarantee. For more than fifty years American Blinds, Wallpaper and More has provided high quality products to over 6 million customers nationwide.

Cheap CARES Child Aviation Restraint System Discount Review Shop

After reading reviews we were in two minds whether or not to worry about this – I’m so glad we did! It worked exactly as we hoped would.br / br / We have just returned from a visit to Britain with his 16-month old son and this worked perfectly for us. J is the point where he will make little attention to wiggle right out of my arms, if you do not want to sit on my lap so we were waiting to take our ‘child within’ an internal flight followed by a transatlantic flight with a vehicle thatunits at each end. br / br / Some ‘more points: br / br / 1) J was traveling as a child on the lap, so we do not want to tow his car seat with us just for the chance to even get off a home – the harness CARES slipped easily into our hand luggage. (As has happened we talked to the assistant to check-in and on both routes is unable to get a row of 4 seats all to ourselves – for those not already doing so, it is always worth a long talk about where you are trying to place bothcheck-in at the gate and even once you are seated, if the plane is obviously not full!). br / br / 2) The wiring mounted easily and securely over the seat for education. The passengers behind us were not even bother took a few seconds to slip over the chair and under their table.br / br / 3) J We are tied in without him even flinching – I think that thought was only be tied to how he would be in his seat and was very happy to stand still. br/ Br / 4) It took only a minute or so to make sure the harness is properly adjusted and J seemed very comfortable and content in it. On long flights has happily remained in all the way through taxiing and take-off and drink and meal service. However, because each time we had 2 empty seats between me and my husband when he was ‘bed / nap time’ we lay J among us in his long sleep sack (so I could sit on one end of it for a more security!) and with the belt wrapped around normalaround its center. He was very glad to be back in the saddle once again and had to land and taxiing.br / br / 5) J remained in harness for the whole of the last flight from Philadelphia to Detroit and was lower than in If he was made to sit on his lap. We did pass some heavy turbulence and I was very happy to have him so firmly linked in. Has just moved.br / br / br / No negative as such, but some points of caution … br / br / 1) Notwithstanding the height and weight declaredChildren range should be at least 2 years old to use this item. Since J is tall and heavy for her age we were happy to use it, and fortunately so were the North West and the United States Airways.br / br / 2) Check with your airline to make sure that you will use , esp. If you travel outside the United States. In our experience with it in this one trip, North-West have been totally fine with it, U.S. Airways were beautiful but we recall that should have been 2, even if they were happy for us to do what wepreferred (the alternative is to hold the baby in her lap without a seat belt at all!), Lufthansa did not allow us to use it during taxiing, takeoff and landing (they insisted I hold him and use an extra lap belt, instead), but they were comfortable with its use during flight.br / br / 3) Like any car seat or restraint, do not expect your child will be comfortable enough to sleep, while it … more a matter of sitting upright than the wiring itself. That said, if they sleep quite well in the carwhen I do not see why not with this.br / br / 4) Even when properly installed regulators Large / buckle on the front vertical straps may be uncomfortable for a child depending on how the harness fits them. I preempted this by taking the cozy covers off our stroller straps (JJ Cole Velcro fastening ones) and put them on buckles. Jack was well and may even have been good without them, but I felt that was good around the shoulder / / neck area to get the chin cushiness.br extra / br/ 5) We had to hitch J a couple of times in his place, but this was nothing serious and certainly not worse than if it were just using the lap belt. br / br / All I recommend this product to all those flying with young children.
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“CARES Child Aviation Restraint System Low price” Feature

• Safety harness designed specifically for aviation travel
• Compact – fits into 6″ stuff sack – weighs just 1 pound
• Easy to install takes less than 1 minute
• Adjusts to fit almost every size airplane seat
• Designed for children 1 year and older weighing 22-44 pounds and up to 40″ tall

“CARES Child Aviation Restraint System Discount” Overview

CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to protect them. Their bodies cannot withstand the jolts that are common in routine transportation, much less emergency situations, and they flail forward or slide beneath the seat belt if they are not held securely in place.

Each year more and more young children fly. But until CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint came along, what was missing was a convenient, hassle-free way to keep young flyers safe. Here’s what makes CARES such an invaluable travel solution:

CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is the first and only aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat.

CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is an elegantly designed belt-and-buckle device that works in conjunction with the regular airplane seat belt and provides young travelers the same level of safety as a car seat.

CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint weighs just one pound and fits into a 6″ stuff sack! It is easily portable, simple to install, adjustable to nearly every size airplane seat, and usable on any seat in the airplane, except in the emergency exit rows.

Need your car seat on the other end of the trip? Just check it through as luggage and carry CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint on board in your pocket!

CARES is manufactured exclusively by AmSafe Aviation, the foremost manufacturer of aviation seatbelts and pilot restraints in the world. (Turn over your airplane seat belt buckle. Chances are it says AmSafe.)

CARES is made of the same industrial-strength webbing as your own seat belt and is engineered to the highest aviation-safety standards.

INCLUDES: Restraint, instruction card, instruction video on DVD, and travel bag.

Customer Reviews Buy shopping

So easy – Alicia D. Volkheimer – Mebane, NC United States
I bought this harness for my 3 years of use on the plane. Our friends at our destination was a parking space we could use there, so we do not need to bring ours. The wiring was very easy to install and use, and my daughter seemed comfortable in it. The flight attendant said, “Oh, you have the seatbelt imagination!” my daughter, who seemed so. I think even if we have to travel with a car seat for the future, I gate check the seat and use the cabling on plane.br / br / I shoppedaround the sling and the best price I found was on Amazon with free shipping. Even with a discount of 20% to a local dealer, would be more tax.

So much easier than lugging the car seat! – Sara – WI USA
It is rare that a product is perfect, and the CARES harness is definitely a couple of points that could be improved. However, the ease of use compared to a car seat is worth any defects could have.br / br / The pros: br /-You do not have to lug your car seat through the airport, come off by something like the Go Go Travelmate Car Seat Toddler or travel accessories, in order to get through security, etc.br / – Installing a car seat on an airplane puts the child in a series of kicksthe seat in front of you, the CARES harness (most) prevented the foot of my son to reach the seat in front him.br / Easy to install-seat plane. Slip on your back, run the belt with the straps, and strap your child inside, I was able to do this in less than two minutes, flying alone with a toddler.br / br / The cons: br / — As other reviewers described, the position chest clip is not perfect. If you are not careful installation finishes alignment with the neck. I was able to obtainthe chest clip in a better position, however.br / red-strap is not flush with the curved seat backs.br / – Lack of leg, the child can slouch, messing with the positioning of the harness and putting them in a series of kicking the seat in front of them.br / br / All in all, this product is * overpriced for what is, but since has gone through the approval process for the FAA, it’s worth not having to travel with a car seat. Improvements could be made,however.

For the most part, it’s working – A. Clodfelter – North Carolina
I purchased this product in order not to bring a car seat with us on the plane. For the most part, you do the work. The only problem is that my son (3.5 years) could not get comfortable when she was falling asleep (and I was really waiting for this moment so that we can all get a break). Without support, his head kept falling making him wake up. I ended up stuffing his blanket behind his head just to give some sort of padding, but it was still difficult to manage. In general, it is a good voice,particularly on a short flight or an older child who can feed themselves.

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“CARES Child Aviation Restraint System” Related Products

• Going on a Plane (First Experiences)
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• JL Childress Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag, Black
• Little Airport Sticker Activity Book

Baby Gate Tips

Need Help with your Dog or Puppies?

• Can a police go over the speed limit to save his police dog?
• What is the difference between going to jail for the rest of your life for killing a police dog?
• Latest Shih Tzu Auctions
• Do you think PeTa have gone to far? They want to end dog shows on TV – Vote and have your say against PeTa?
• DOG ON JOG A DOG TREADMILL
• puppy play time Pitbull and Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix
• Shiba Inu puppy and German Shepherd playing
• storm and tyson playing american bulldog x safford and irish stafford pups
• ( 2009 ) Hovawart Hélios TRES attentif !
• 2-HOVAWART SALTAGAVIAS ERA RCI

Need Help with your Dog or Puppies?

• Can a police go over the speed limit to save his police dog?
• What is the difference between going to jail for the rest of your life for killing a police dog?
• Latest Shih Tzu Auctions
• Do you think PeTa have gone to far? They want to end dog shows on TV – Vote and have your say against PeTa?
• DOG ON JOG A DOG TREADMILL
• puppy play time Pitbull and Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix
• Shiba Inu puppy and German Shepherd playing
• storm and tyson playing american bulldog x safford and irish stafford pups
• ( 2009 ) Hovawart Hélios TRES attentif !
• 2-HOVAWART SALTAGAVIAS ERA RCI

Need Help with your Dog or Puppies?

• Can a police go over the speed limit to save his police dog?
• What is the difference between going to jail for the rest of your life for killing a police dog?
• Latest Shih Tzu Auctions
• Do you think PeTa have gone to far? They want to end dog shows on TV – Vote and have your say against PeTa?
• DOG ON JOG A DOG TREADMILL
• puppy play time Pitbull and Shih Tzu Pomeranian mix
• Shiba Inu puppy and German Shepherd playing
• storm and tyson playing american bulldog x safford and irish stafford pups
• ( 2009 ) Hovawart Hélios TRES attentif !
• 2-HOVAWART SALTAGAVIAS ERA RCI

I just read SuperFreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, and I enjoyed the book as much as the best-selling original Freakonomics book. While much has been made of the chapter on global warming, I actually found the material on children’s car seats to be more fascinating, particularly as a father of three young children. Levitt’s research suggests that car seats may not prevent fatalities more effectively than traditional lap and shoulder seat belts for children older than the age of 2. To examine the empirical work behind the book, take a look at this scholarly paper. Here’s an excerpt from the conclusions to that research paper:

“The empirical evidence presented in this paper, however, suggests that for children aged two and up, child safety seats provide no discernible advantage over traditional lap and shoulder belts, and only a marginal improvement relative to lap-only seat belts in preventing fatalities. These conclusions are robust to the inclusion of a wide array of covariates, analyzing a variety of sub-samples of the data, including vehicle fixed-effects, and correcting for sample selection in the way the FARS data set is constructed. An obvious question to ask, although one which is beyond the scope of the FARS data, is the extent to which the failure of child safety seats to outperform seat belts is a consequence of child safety seats frequently being improperly installed. Indeed, NHTSA (1996)estimates that more than 80 percent of all child safety seats are incorrectly installed. Based on crash tests, Kahane (1986) argues that properly installed car seats reduce fatailities by 71 percent, compared to 44 percent for improperly installed safety seats. Thus, there may be potential gains to achieving better installation. On the other hand, it is worth noting that when I conducted my own crash tests at an independent lab using lap and shoulder belts on dummies corresponding to children aged 3 and 6, the seat belts performed well within the guidelines the federal government has established for child safety seats, and just about as well as the (properly installed) child safety seats that I tested. While far from definitive, the crash tests I conducted suggest that even with proper installation, there may not be clear advantages of car seats over seat belts.”

I must say that I admire Levitt for taking on such controversial topics. I also liked his response to Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood’s criticism of his research.

Child safety: How to prevent drowning - MayoClinic.com
Most children are drawn to water. It’s sparkly. Things float in it. And it’s fun to splash. But child safety takes on new meaning near water. Anyone can have a water-related accident — even children who know how to swim. To keep your children safe

A recent article in our local paper about a 9 month old baby almost drowning in a pool while being watched by grandparents is a stark reminder of our need to be vigilant when having children around swimming pools.

Even though both grandparents said they had a eye on the baby, a brief period of distraction has the potential to lead to a heartbreaking consequence .

Child and Infant Pool safety information is important for every parent. From KidsHealth.org, the Dodson Law Firm  provides a list of pool safety reminders for adults and kids.

• Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool — even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if an adult is not  around.
• Gates are around pools for a reason — to keep kids away from the water when there isn’t a lifeguard or adult around to watch them. Never go through any pool gates when they are closed. Stay safe and stay out!
• Always obey pool rules.
• Swim with a buddy.
• If you’re learning to swim, ask your mom or dad to make sure your flotation devices are Coast Guard approved.
• Walk slowly in the pool area. Don’t run.
• Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you’re just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.
• Don’t push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.
• Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they can’t do is save a life. They’re toys that can lose air or float away.
• Don’t chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke.

Be safe around pools and other swimming sources. With Spring around the corner, these rules are important to pool safety for children and infants.

{Baby Gate | Baby Gate Safety | Baby Gates | Child Safety Gate | Pet Gates

When your baby is just born it’s Vital to put up a baby gate. You may think that you can get by without one for a bit until your baby starts to crawl , but things are going to develop faster than you think. Before you know it your child will be crawling everywhere so it’s vital to put up gates to protect your children .

One of the most essential places to put a gate is at the top of the stairs . If you have a house with two stories chances are at {some point | some point in time | your baby is will be upstairs so it’s 100% essential that you have a baby gate at the top of the stairway to know that your child won’t accidently fall down the steps .

A lot of people don’t {consider | think about | that it’s also important to put a gate at the bottom of your stairs . Babies are going to start exploring every part of your house. They might attempt to crawl up the staircase , to avoid that you’ll have to put a gate at the bottom of the stairway .

Besides stairs you might want to put a gate at the entrance of your kitchen. If your pantry is tile then you shouldnt let want you baby crawling all over it because he might fall over and bump his head. So to keep him or her out of the kitchen you’ll want a gate there too.

Those are the main places that people store gates at. Of course all houses are unique so if you have a diffrent layout that you don’t want you baby to crawl into then by all means put a gate there to protect them. Babies crawl quicker than you may think so you don’t want to risk anything. Put a gate wherever you don’t want your baby to go. You can’t monitor your child all the time so keeping him out of areas of the house can make your life a lot easier, you’ll be able to focus on life and know that your child is in a safe place.

Baby gates are one of the best safety features to add to your home when you have a baby. They can prevent a lot of accidents.

To buy a baby gate check out IBabyGate.com

Baby Gate Tips

8 Responses to “Help me baby proof! =]?”

1. Apple Juice Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 6:20 pm

   All you have to do is put outlet covers in if she is inticed by them, but you must put those cabinet stoppers on the chemical cabinets, but as far as everything else, you just learn. I mean you have to keep your eye on her, and eventually you will know what EVERYTHING sounds like, so I can leave my son alone (19months) in the living room while I am in my bedroom, and I can hear when he is playing with the trashcan, or trying to get into drawers. Nothing in my house is baby proofed.
   References :

2. Thumbs Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 6:37 pm

   go 2 babys r us htye have a whole seciton for child proof things
   References :

3. Wynny Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

   Just cover up all your plugs and make sure there aren’t any stairs to fall down. Other than that I just put a baby gate up when I have the oven or stove on so my son can’t get in the kitchen and I have door knob covers on the bathroom since he is opening doors now. Move anything heavy that she could pull down on top of her and that is basically all you can do. Just watch her close when you first let her explore she will find the things that need to be moved and show them to you, haha. Good luck with your little one.
   References :

4. #1 finally here! Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 7:37 pm

   follow her around for a day or two and see what she gets into. you will quickly learn what you need to move/secure.
   References :

5. springbaby077 Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 7:44 pm

   My daughter is 10 months this week and she’s standing and crawling and into EVERYTHING. Our house is old and the doorways are weird, so gates don’t work. We just have to make sure that nothing on her level is dangerous. Target sells plug covers and cabinet locks that are cheap and work well. We even had to buy wall mounts for my husband’s guitars because she was pulling them down on herself. We hid all the electric cords, cat food, water, and litter, and got a toilet seat lock. Good luck!
   References :
   Mama of a little terror!

6. Mama of Zee Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 7:53 pm

   I needed cabinet locks for some of my kitchen cabinets. I used corner protectors on my coffee table initially. But it was too in the way, so I moved it to the side. I locked a couple of doors with my DVDs. I didn’t care so much about the DVDs, but those drawers cam go flying when she uses the handles to pull up. My blinds have child safe cords.
   References :

7. ~Liam’s mommy 2008~ Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 8:37 pm

   Here are some things I found out that helped me worry less….
   *Make sure the cords of your blinds are shortened so they can not accidentally hang themselves
   *I had to eventually move objects off the coffee table
   *Make sure rugs have the non slip backing on them
   *Liam has his kitchen cabinet he is allowed to play in, the others we put safety locks on (like the ones with glass)
   *We put safety locks on bathroom cabinets also
   *Use ties to tie cords of lamps so they do not dangle
   *Put tape on back of remote controls or things with batteries that are always out or put away . We found Liam playing with a battery one day and freaked me out
   *Keep toilet lids down or buy a lock
   *We took the drain out the tub when Liam learned to turn on the water in the tub during bath times. I was afraid he would climb in and turn the water on with the drain in.
   *Do you have door stoppers on the wall by doors? Liam would pull off the plastic tip and chew on it. Finally we super glued them on.

   Otherwise, make sure you teach her what she is allowed to play with and what not to touch. Like you I do vacuum quite often, use the outlet covers.
   References :
   Liam is 14 months

8. mama Says:
   January 29th, 2010 at 9:22 pm

   get a pen and paper and then get down on the floor on your hands and knee’s. Everything that you can reach from this position needs to be assessed for safety.

   Use the pen and paper to note down all the things that need to be purchased (e.g how many outlets plugs you’ll need for the apartment).

   Everything smaller than a matchbox is a choking hazard. So put it all up high or in a locked cupboard/drawer.
   Cords on the floor can trip her or she may like to chew on them, so put them along the wall or under a rug.
   Check she can’t pull any furniture down ontop of herself (bookshelves are often unstable).
   Check that she can’t hurt herself on any furniture corners (glass coffee tables have sharp corners, you can buy plastic corner covers to prevent her cutting her self)

   It’s a good idea to give her one or two cupboards that are for her to use. this will keep her out of “mummy’s cupboards”. I let my son in one cupboard in the kitchen (filled with plastic ware) and the linen cupboard in the lounge room (filled with linen of course). He can play in there as much as he likes, but all other cupboards are out of bounds.

   Have an area of the house that is hers. Fill it with books, toys and pillows. That way you can keep her interested in her area by rotating toys etc. this will keep her out of the entertainment system hopefully! if not, use your gates to protect the tv/dvd/etc from her.

   If you have low door handles, you can buy door handle covers so she can’t access rooms that you have closed off.

   it’s a good idea to baby proof one area at a time. She can gradually learn what she is allowed to touch, and not touch, so it won’t be overwhelming and confusing. Try letting her in the lounge/kitchen areas one week. and the next open up a bedroom or something.

   it’s a good idea to block off the doors to outside using baby gates.
   References :

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107553 Commentshttp://earsucker.com/2010/02/06/photo-lady-gaga-with-a-baby-looking-strangely-dressed/Photo%3A+Lady+Gaga+with+a+baby%2C+looking+strangely+dressed2010-02-06+06%3A32%3A04roberta »

1. It’s obviously hard for Gaga to go out incognito, even to visit the Dollar Store. I hope it was relaxing – her crazy busy schedule resumes soon. I peg the baby at about 18 months, at most. No shoes on that baby – he’s not a yet a toddler from the looks of it. What a big baby!

   Comment by chuckjones — February 6, 2010 @ 6:48 am

2. And the store in the background that she visited is the classic clothing store Greenspan’s. She was recommended by a friend to shop there, and found many unique items that the world will see her in. more can be seen about greenspan’s south gate at http://www.greenspans.com and http://www.myspace.com/greenspans. she bought Pendletons, a vintage wool suit, sunglasses, a hat custom made for Greenspan’s, and accessories,

   Comment by Evan Greenspan — February 6, 2010 @ 9:27 am

3. the baby is dada’s a member of the haus of gaga

   Comment by chris — February 6, 2010 @ 8:32 pm

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If you need a baby gate, have a baby or are pregnant jump on this deal. Right now Amazon has The First Years Hands Free Gate for just $47.99 that is $12 off. Plus it ships FREE. We own 2 of these gates and my parents even bought one for their house. This is the only gate that I can find nothing wrong with. We have owned several others and none live up to this gate. It is pressure mounted so no damage to walls and it is truly hands free you just step and push the gate. Kids can not open it, my almost 4 year old jumps on the foot pedal and can not get it to open. I can not say enough about how fabulous this gate is and I have NEVER seen it on sale anywhere so jump on this one. Plus it has extension options and can be used in wide doorways as well. If you need The First Years Hands Free Gate Extensionthose are on sale too for $15.36 so you will still pay less than the $79.99 combo gate pack.

(thanks Rachel)

• February 8 - Bentley airnorth embraer erj-170-100ar • airliners.net
• February 8 - Bentley packing for airnorth and then charter flight back to sydney - going to be a very busy week (already tired)
• February 7 - Bentley RT @abcnews Joyce has the knack like Black Jack: Abbott http://bit.ly/9GLrzm
• February 7 - Bentley i totally enjoyed kevin mccloud’s discomfort at being dressed at l’eclaireur in the grand tour
• February 7 - Bentley nytimes: smoke the bigots out of the closet - http://nyti.ms/cMr2Gl
• February 7 - Bentley fridgewatcher: another fetish blog - this time inside people’s fridges
• February 7 - Bentley walked 10.6km today in something like 90% humidity (i think i was the sweatiest man in timor leste)
• February 7 - Bentley beach kids, liquiçá â€¢ flickr
• February 7 - Bentley heading off to liquiçá for the day (how is your tocodede?) - lets hope that the rain holds off
• February 7 - Bentley latvia puts abandoned russian military town up for sale: $300,000 and it is yours • flickr
• February 7 - Bentley south bronx has put a rooftop farm on the top of an affordable housing project to promote food security • treehugger
• February 7 - Bentley at this point, the womb chair was played out — so he created his very own womb room • unhappy hipsters

For the past year and a half, I’ve been a part-time caregiver for my father. One of my responsibilities is putting his pills into one of those pill minders. It’s a complex task, as his cardiologist tweaks his medication often. Some medications are given on alternate days, some have to be cut in half and one is different every third day. If a visitor drops by while I’m filling the pill holder, I find myself having to count and recount the pills. Being interrupted during this process is a big problem.

Being interrupted while dispensing medication is a problem for nurses, too, but nursing staff at one California hospital came up with a solution. The nurses wear a bright-colored vest or sash while passing out medications, and the staff is educated not to interrupt them during the process. During the pilot program, the hospital experienced a 47% decrease in errors.

What’s the takeaway for grandparents? If you are handling or dispensing medication, whether for yourself, a parent or a grandchild, don’t allow yourself to be interrupted. You may not have a vest to put on, but you can put on your best grumpy grandparent act. And if you are putting medications into a pill minder, be sure that it’s a child-resistant model. You’ll also want to remember that packaging is child-resistant, not child-proof. Child-resistant means that 85% of the children in the trial must have been unable to open the package within five minutes. Obviously this means that up to 15% of children could open the package within five minutes. We all know some of those children, right? So keep all medication out of the reach of children.

Read more about medication safety.

For the past year and a half, I’ve been a part-time caregiver for my father. One of my responsibilities is putting his pills into one of those pill minders. It’s a complex task, as his cardiologist tweaks his medication often. Some medications are given on alternate days, some have to be cut in half and one is different every third day. If a visitor drops by while I’m filling the pill holder, I find myself having to count and recount the pills. Being interrupted during this process is a big problem.

Being interrupted while dispensing medication is a problem for nurses, too, but nursing staff at one California hospital came up with a solution. The nurses wear a bright-colored vest or sash while passing out medications, and the staff is educated not to interrupt them during the process. During the pilot program, the hospital experienced a 47% decrease in errors.

What’s the takeaway for grandparents? If you are handling or dispensing medication, whether for yourself, a parent or a grandchild, don’t allow yourself to be interrupted. You may not have a vest to put on, but you can put on your best grumpy grandparent act. And if you are putting medications into a pill minder, be sure that it’s a child-resistant model. You’ll also want to remember that packaging is child-resistant, not child-proof. Child-resistant means that 85% of the children in the trial must have been unable to open the package within five minutes. Obviously this means that up to 15% of children could open the package within five minutes. We all know some of those children, right? So keep all medication out of the reach of children.

Read more about medication safety.

Baby Gate Tips

As we talked to those who had been at Christianville, we got news that much of Chrisitianville had been destroyed. The high school, elementary school, dental, eye, and medical clinics, much of the housing, the university, the Academy: all demolished. Dr. Jim Wilkins and his wife, Sandy barely escaped their crumbling apartment by jumping from a 2nd story balcony. The damage was catastrophic, and the injuries were massive and numerous.

Somewhere in this initial craziness, I managed to get my phone and send a text message to my wife, letting her know we were safe and unharmed. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but later we realized that I had the only working cell phone for the 26 Americans at Christianville.

We realized that the injuries coming to Christian were not going to slow down, even as darkness was approaching, so we had to set up some sort of system to see the patients that would keep things calm and organized. We picked a spot in the open area where we were, and began seating patients there, with the non-patients in another area.  We closed the gate, and began limiting access to those who injured.

I spoke enough Creole to get me in trouble, so I was assigned to the gate. I knew enough to say, “If you can walk, you can enter by yourself” and “If you can’t walk, you can enter with one person.” I helped support, carry and guide the wounded, crippled, dying and dead to the medical team. It was heart-breaking to have to turn away the un-injured, yet scared and confused people who just wanted to be inside the gates of a place they knew to be a place of comfort, hope and peace.  But, order and calm was most important for the sake of the injured.

We saw God’s blessings in so many little things that night.  Two massive, battery powered, florescent lights appeared out of nowhere and gave the medical team the light they needed. I am not really sure how many injured people were treated during those next 24 hours, but my guess is 250.  All those patients were seen, stitched, bandaged, or splinted by 1 Physician, 1 Physician’s Assistant, 1 Optometrist, 2 Nurses, 1 Dental Assistant, 2 Pre-Med Students, A Mechanic, A Carpenter and a few other non-medical personnel. WOW!

I could tell you so many small stories of gritty hope, grisly death, exuberant relief from those next 24 hours. I will share just a few:

Beni is the normal gate guard at Christianville.  He is a fun guy, who I have spent some time talking/connecting with.  Tuesday, at lunchtime, I took him a meal, and visit with him and his daughter.  We got a good laugh because his daughter’s name is a combination of our names: Beni-Billy.  Beni told me he was going to visit some family that afternoon, I think in Carrefour, and I didn’t think much of it.  At the time of the earthquake he was there, and separated from his family.  I will never forget his voice yelling “Madam Beni, Madam Beni” as he entered the gate. Madam Beni, and Beni-billy were waiting for him. It only took one word from her mouth to drive Beni to his knees, arms stretched to Heaven, weeping and praising.  “Madam Beni” turned to “Mesi Jezi!” I wish all the experiences I lived through had great endings.

When a father brought his infant daughter to the gate, the end of that story was already determined.  The Haitian’s word for a sick person is “Malad”, and he came saying that and holding his child up to us. There were three of us as the gate then: myself, Bill Hauser, a preacher from Iowa, and Nanee, the local medical clinic administrator.  Nanee took one look at the baby and yelled, “Oh my God, I think this baby is dead.” We rushed the tiny, crushed girl to Dr. Jim, but it was too late.  I will never forget her precious face, or her father’s moans as he was told the news.  But even in the midst of death, we saw life.

The earthquake sent some pregnant women into labor, three of whom had their babies the next morning.  But one lady was in a bigger hurry than that.  She came to the gate with her husband yelling, “I’m pregnant!” in Creole. She could have been a little more clear by telling us “I’m in active labor, pushing and about to have a baby RIGHT THIS MINUTE.”  Which she promptly did, one step inside the gate. She literally stepped inside, squatted and the baby’s head came out.  Doug was there with two gloves on, and caught the baby.  Mom and baby did just fine.  It was a remarkable reminder of new life in the midst of such massive amounts of death and destruction.

We made it to morning.  There was pain felt, death seen, blood spilled, life given and hope only glimpsed through the night, but we made it to morning. That dawn is forever imprinted on my mind as a great paradox.  As light broke we could see the remnants of the night’s chaos; bloody rags, trash, and sheets littered the area that was still full of people suffering in agony.  But dawn also brought a time of praise and worship that I not so much participated in, but really was blown over by.  In their darkest hour of despair, fear and uncertainty, the Haitian followers of Christ greeted the morning light with a time of earnest prayer and heartfelt praise.  In many times of corporate worship I have seen beauty and excellence, but at that moment, I saw power and confidence.  And that is what they had through their “fwa en Jezi”, their faith in Jesus.

The doctors got a touch of rest, and we decided to moved the emergency clinic up the road to the church building, which was damaged, but standing.  People who had laid awake all night with their injured relatives were growing impatient and couldn’t understand why their family members weren’t considered more urgent.  We needed a place where we could close the doors and the medical team could focus on one patient at a time.  I carried children with broken bones and lacerations down the road.  I helped load adults onto the back of trucks that were helping to transport.  I reassured parents that the church building was safe, while being nervous about it myself.  We saw patients till dark, and slept. Outside. There were still tremors.

With most of the urgent medical needs met, the 26 Americans met Thursday morning to set priorities and assign tasks. Our priorities included fixing the big generator so that we had a more stable power source for the remaining building, and to power the water pump.  We were concerned about water.  Our supply was limited without the well, and we were concerned about whether or not the well had been damaged in the quake.  We also needed to get into some of the half-crumbled buildings for supplies, food, keys to other buildings and personal effects of the full-timers.  We also had to buy gasoline and diesel for the vehicles and generators, as well as food for ourselves.  We went our separate ways and got to work.  I helped with unloading apartments, and whatever else they needed me for.

The next few days fog together in my mind.  I just remember always being busy, and always having something to do. Whether it was bagging food, going to market, or helping organize the pharmacy, I remember working to leave Christianville better than when we left it. I remember laughing alongside new friends as we worked hard to help those in great need.  I remember weeping with those who told stories of great loss.  I remember exuberant joy as we met people we had yet to receive contact from. I remember learning and relearning things in ways I never though I would.

I learned that when Jesus calls you to love Him and His mission/call on your life more than yourself or your family, He means it.  My family was struggling. They worked every avenue they could to find a way home for me.  The information changed moment  by moment it seemed.  We would hear that the road to Port au Prince were safe, and then that there was massive roadblocks and rioting.  We heard that the airport was open and there were flights out, and then that the airport was closed and damaged.  We heard that the US Embassy wanted all Americans wishing to leave to stay put, and then they wanted us to get to the airport.  But my goal was not to get home, or even to stay.  My goal was to be who or what Jesus needed me to be right where I was.  And I would keep at it in Haiti until the leaders at Christianville said it was time to go. And I will be that here now that I am back.

I learned that worship and spirituality is in everything we do. Tuesday night, the most spiritual thing we could do was be the hands and feet of Jesus by stitching wounds, and caring for the urgent medical needs that presented themselves.  One of the greatest acts of worship and service wasn’t a sermon or a song, but a mechanic fixing a generator to provide power and water. Everything is spiritual.  Everything is an act of worship.

I learned the power of prayer in real and dramatic ways. The generator was fixed. The water was clean. The food was found. The roads were clear when we finally went. A rich Nascar dude donated the use of his plane to get us out. We had a phone that worked. We had no causalities among our team. We were praying.  You were praying. God was stitching together a magnificent tapestry of grace and power.

I learned that the kingdom of God is unshakable.  In the midst of this great terror and disaster, we saw the Church showing God’s love and grace in amazing ways.  We began to see the church outside of Haiti flood Haiti we support and aid. In fact, we managed to rally aid for Christianville specifically right after I returned.  The whole time we were in Haiti, we saw no foreign aid. But we did receive an unexpected blessing. As we were drifting to sleep one night, Thursday I think, we heard loud honking at the gate.  It turns out that another mission further down the coast, which was less affected by the earthquake, loaded up a truck full of clean water, bulk food, sheets and a few medical supplies to help us out at Christianville.  We distributed food through the local churches with great joy the next day. We saw one of our team come to Christ, as well as at least 12 Haitians. The kingdom of God cannot be stopped!

So, what’s next?  As with any story of brokenness and death, the next chapter is reconstruction and resurrection.  In the midst of their most dreadful hour, there is great hope for Haiti, through the power and work of Jesus and His Church.  Perhaps He has appointed you for such a time as this.

[The end.] [Or maybe just a beginning.] [Pics/Video soon.]

The wooden baby gate is not only solid and sturdy it is also stylish. Most baby gates are made of plastic which can be possibly be not as stable and certainly not as eye appealing as a beautiful wooden gate. Although safety should be the key factor in choosing a baby gate, the look of the baby gate is also important. Most baby items or baby furniture is made of white plastic or sometimes bright bold colors which stick out like a sore thumb in the home. The wooden baby gate often blends into the decor of the home and actually adds style to the room.

Wooden baby gates come in multiple finishes making it easy to match the trim or furniture already in the home. This is great for consumers who would rather have the baby furniture or kid items in the home coordinate, rather than stick out. Not only will the wooden baby gate blend in with he decor of the home, it will provide a solid barrier between the child and harmful places such as stairs.

A baby gate made of wood is more likely to last longer than a plastic gate. A plastic gate would be more likely to break from a child kicking it or a dog chewing on it. While a wooden gate could still get damaged by such abuse, it seems logical that it would with stain it better.

The durable wooden baby gate is roughly the same price as a plastic baby gate which really makes it a great choice. The wooden baby gate is more solid and definitely more eye appealing. There are multiple finishes to choose from and also many different models. Some models can be swung open with one hand while others are stationary and have to be completely removed to walk through the door way. Whichever model is chosen the interior decor of the home will not be comprised with the addition of a beautiful wooden baby gate.

Related posts:

1. How To Make Your Baby Nursery Look Fantastic
2. All Kinds Of Baby Cribs
3. Childrens Wooden Playhouse Restoration
4. How to Make Baby Booties to Keep Your Baby’s Feet Warm
5. Baby Crib Ideas and Things You Will Need

Baby Gates For Stairs

In the United States alone, more than a thousand people die each year due to stair related accidents. Most of these are the very old and the very young. The majority of parents have the desire to do whatever they can to minimize the risks their children are exposed to. When it comes to expandable baby safety gates there are so many different ones to choose from. Consider that baby gates for stairs, doorways and even fireplace safety gates average in size from widths of about 20 inches to 36 inches, however there are extra wide baby gates as well for larger doorways and stair openings. Baby gates have an average height of about 30 inches or taller if need be, and come in many different price ranges, a parent might struggle with which one to buy. This article is designed to shed some light on this issue and to help a parent make an informed choice. In this article, you will find which baby safety gate could be right for you, where to install the baby safety gate and how to install the baby gate.

Baby safety gates are designed to prevent accidents, such as falls down the stairs, but also to prevent access to “off-limit” areas. Because different gates serve different purposes, just how different child safety cabinet locks work better for different cabinets, determining which one to use on your staircase might be difficult. Pressure mounted baby gates are an example of a gate which is safe to use in other areas of the home, such as to block off a doorway or an opening between rooms, but they should never be used to prevent injuries on the stairs. If enough weight is applied to a pressure mounted safety gate, it can “pop out” from between the walls. Pressure mounted gates are normally cheaper than other gates and are generally safe to use in areas where the floor on either side of the gate are level with each other. For use on stairs, a person would want to purchase a gate that is hardware mounted. This means the gate is securely applied to the wall or banister with screws or some other piece of hardware. If a person does not want any lasting damage, “no hole” post mounts can be purchased also.

In high traffic areas, it is better to splurge on a more expensive, but convenient children’s safety gate such as a retractable baby gate, than to buy a gate that is less expensive but more of a hassle to use. Recently, baby gate manufacturers have been developing gate handles than are easier for adults to latch and unlatch. This is important because the more convenient a gate is to use, the more likely an adult will be to use it. A gate can only serve its purpose of protecting a child if it is used every time a child is around.

It is better to install a gate before a child becomes mobile. This allows everyone, including other children, to become accustomed to using the safety gate regularly. But then a person might wonder where he or she will need a gate. Some general “off-limit” areas are the top of the stairs, home offices, exercise areas, and even playrooms that might contain toys and objects unsuitable for infants and toddlers. After a person decides which areas in the home need to be partitioned off, it is wise to carefully examine the opening for which a safety gate is needed and to select the safest and most appropriate type of gate. The gate you choose should be selected by which one is the safest for each particular room or opening and not one based on how you want it to operate or look.

Last, a person needs to consider how to install the baby safety gate. Most gates will come with instructions on how to install the baby safety gate. They should be followed exactly the way they are written out for the utmost safety. Also, if the gate should malfunction and an accident occurs, the manufacturer may not be able to be held responsible if the gate was not installed correctly in the first place.

Of course all parents want their children to be safe, but before someone runs out and buys the most expensive safety equipment, stop and consider what it needs to accomplish. The amount spent will not keep kids safe. Only thoughtful planning and consideration will.

Heber Springs, Ark. -

I have been getting some phone calls in reference to car seats and when can their children not be required to be in one. The state law says that a child six (6) years of age and who weighs less than sixty pounds (60 lbs.) shall be restrained in a child passenger safety seat properly secured to the vehicle. Some parents tell me that their child weighs more than the sixty pounds but is under six years of age. A lot has do with the child and how the vehicle factory seatbelts fit the child. If the factory seatbelts do not fit the child properly, injury can happen. There are booster seats available that work with your vehicle seatbelts to protect your children. If your child is at least 6 years old or 60 pounds then your vehicle safety belts will be sufficient. If your child meets the 6 or 60, and you are not sure if your vehicle safety belts fit your child feel free to get in contact with me by calling City Hall or come by to see if I am working.
Another issue that seems to becoming more frequent is smoking in your vehicle with children. Act 13 of 2006 amends the child passenger safety Code Annotated 27-34-104. The following are a summary of Act 13 of 2006 and Arkansas Code Annotated 27-34-104. Summary of Act 13 of 2006 
The Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children
Prepared by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, April 2006 
Act 13 of 2006 amends a section of existing law that requires children who are under the age of 6 and weigh less than 60 pounds to ride in a “safety seat properly secured to the vehicle,” according to Arkansas Code Annotated 27-34-104. Violation of this law may result in a fine between $25 and $100.
The Act bans smoking in all motor vehicles carrying children who are restrained in safety seats as described in Arkansas Code Annotated 27-34-104. The Act authorizes a $25 fine per violation. Fines may be waived if drivers prove they have entered a smoking cessation program.
Violation of Act 13 is classified as a “primary offense,” meaning police may stop and cite an adult motorist for smoking in a vehicle carrying a child in a safety seat.
State Statues
27-34-104. Child Passenger Safety Requirements.(a) Every driver who transports a child under fifteen (15) years of age in a passenger automobile, van, or pickup truck, other than one (1) operated for hire, which is registered in this or any other state, shall provide while the motor vehicle is in motion and operated on a public road, street, or highway of this state for the protection of the child by properly placing, maintaining, and securing the child in a child passenger restraint system properly secured to the vehicle and meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards in effect on January 1, 1995. (b) A child who is less than six (6) years of age and who weighs less than sixty pounds (60 lbs.) shall be restrained in a child passenger safety seat properly secured to the vehicle. (c) If a child is at least six (6) years of age or at least sixty pounds (60 lbs.) in weight, a safety belt properly secured to the vehicle shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of this section.
27-34-103. Penalty. (a) Any person who violates this chapter shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more than one hundred dollars ($100). (b) In determining the amount of fine to be assessed under this section, any court hearing the matter shall consider whether, if the offense is for failure to secure the child in a child passenger safety seat properly secured to the vehicle, the child was restrained by some alternative means such as seat safety belts properly secured to the vehicle. (c) Upon satisfactory proof being presented to the court that the defendant has acquired, purchased, or rented an approved child passenger safety seat as described in § 27-34-104, the court shall assess no more than the minimum fine allowed.
 

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While the world of the web opens a world of possibilities for kids, broadening their perspectives along with exposing them to distinct cultures and ways of life, they might be exposed to dangers as they hit the road discovering the information highway.

You will find people that try to sexually exploit youngsters through using on-line services and the World wide web. Such individuals gradually seduce his or her targets through the use of consideration, affection, kindness, and even presents.

These types of persons are normally happy to devote significant amounts of time, dollars, as well as energy with this process. They will listen to and empathize with the problems of youngsters.

They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, along with interests of kids. These kinds of persons make an effort to progressively reduce kids inhibitions through little by little presenting sexual context along with content within their conversations.

You will find other people, on the other hand, that immediately engage in sexually explicit dialogue with youngsters.

Some offenders primarily collect and trade child-pornographic photos, while others seek face-to-face meetings with kids via on-line contacts.

It can be important for mom and dad to realize that kids might be indirectly victimized through discussion, i.e. “chat,” as well as the transfer of sexually explicit information and material.

Computer-sex offenders could also be evaluating kids they come in contact with on-line with regard to future face-to-face contact and direct victimization.

Mum and dad and children could keep in mind that a computer-sex offender could be any age or sex whomever does not have to fit the caricature of a dirty, old man wearing a raincoat to be someone that might harm a child.

Children, in particular adolescents, are often interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material.

Since they could be curious, children/adolescents at times use their on-line access to help actively find such materials and also persons. Sex offenders concentrating on youngsters will use and exploit these kinds of qualities and needs.

Some adolescent kids may perhaps in addition become attracted to as well as lured by on-line offenders nearer to their particular age that, though not necessarily technically child molesters, could be dangerous. They can be seduced and manipulated by your smart offender and also usually do not fully understand as well as recognize the possible danger of these contacts.

If you visit this web site you can learn how to block websites so your child cannot visit them. BUT where do you start – there are billions of web pages ?. You can also learn that there is a much better way of ensuring your childrens safety on the net.

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Baby Gate Safety

Just a few simple steps can reduce the dangers in your home and could make a difference between life and death in some situations. Knowing that your home is safe and secure both inside and out will give you peace of mind.

Prevent Falls

Keep all stairways and halls well lit. Keep these areas free from clutter as well. Consider using night lights in hallways, stairways, and bathrooms.

Install grab bars in your shower to hold on to and a non-slip mat or have adhesive safety strips or decals inside bathtubs and showers.

Use rug-liners with all bath mats and rugs or make sure they have a non-skid back.

Keep all cords to lamps and other electrical products out of the flow of traffic to prevent any tripping.

Use ladders or step stools to reach things up high. Climbing up on wobbly things is dangerous and most likely falls will occur.

Get into a routine of performing exercises often to help improve balance and strength and increase stability when walking.

General Child Safety

If there are any electrical outlets in your home that are not being used place electrical outlet safety plugs into them.

Keep drapery and blind cords tied up and out of children’s reach. Kids can get tangled up in the cords and choking could occur.

If you have toddlers install safety gates at the bottom and top of any stairs.

Do not hang pictures, quilts or decorations with ribbon or string on or over a crib. They could fall and harm or suffocate the child.

As soon as your child is old enough, have them memorize 9-1-1 and your street address and phone number.

Childproof all medicine cabinets as well as kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Keep the cords to all kitchen appliances out of the reach of children.

Keep your yard and gardening products inside of a locked cabinet so that young children can’t get to them.

Never leave a small child unattended in the bathtub. It only takes a second for a child to drown.

Keep all the lids to toilets closed. Smaller children can lean too far into a toilet and fall in and drown. Little fingers can get slammed and mashed if a toilet seat crashes down on them. Children also have a tendency to put things in the toilet and this could cause plumbing problems.

If your home has a swimming pool, never leave a child unattended for any reason. Install either a four sided fence that surrounds the entire pool or a gate which closes by itself. Don’t forget that spas and whirlpools can also cause injuries and drowning, especially for little children. Don’t forget to seal off doggy doors and alarm all windows and doors leading to the pool area. Keep a cordless, water resistant phone in the pool area with emergency numbers posted nearby.

Empty large buckets of water and wading pools after you use them. Keep them turned upside down when you’re not using them.

Fires and Natural Disaster Safety

Make plans with each family member on what to do and where to go if and when severe weather approaches. Keep an emergency supply kit on hand with batteries, flashlights, weather radio, blankets and non-perishable food items. Also buy, or put together, an emergency first aid kit. Make sure everyone in your household knows where you keep the emergency supply and first aid kits.

Place smoke alarms throughout your home and set a regular schedule to check the batteries to keep the smoke alarm working properly.

If you have young children, store all matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.

Keep curtains away from portable heating units and try to buy curtains and window treatments that are made from flame resistant material.

When you are cooking on the kitchen stove turn the handles of pots and pans in towards the stove to prevent them from getting knocked off or grabbed by a child and causing burns. Never leave the kitchen area when you are cooking something on the stove. Even if there are no small children around, you could become distracted by another activity and food could boil over or flame up and pose a potential hazard.

Keep fire extinguishers in your home and keep them in a spot where you know where they are. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area. Be sure to practice a home fire escape plan at least twice a year so everyone in your family knows at least two exits out of every room and is aware of the designated meeting place for all family member to meet outside in case of a fire.

General Home Safety and Security

Install lighting at both the front and back entrances to your home. This can help deter thieves and light pathways for safety while walking outside at night.

Install deadbolt locks on all doors. Deadbolts locks are harder for thieves to break open.

Install security cameras both inside and outside your home.

If you are working inside a garage make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Always pull the car out of the garage after starting it to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.

Install a UL-listed carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in the hallway near bedrooms.

Always wear protective shoes and safety glasses when mowing the lawn or using any type of yard and gardening maintenance equipment.

Post the National Poison Control Hotline number (1-800-222-1222) along with other emergency numbers next to every phone in your home, or in a central location that all family members are aware of.

Keep all products that can burn your skin such as oven cleaners and rust remover, as well as all potential poisons, in their original and labeled containers.

Always open flues before using your fireplace and make sure they are clean and clear of debris and bird nests.

Destroy all unknown medicines or medicines that have are past the expiration date. Keep all medicines in their original containers with the original labels.

Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent burns on your skin.

For more information about home safety go online and visit homesafetycouncil.org.

Your baby’s safety along with your safety is the most important factor when shopping for baby equipment. There are certain safety requirements that all baby equipment has. When shopping for baby equipment, you may be tempted to pick the cutest item or the one that matches the best, but what you should be looking for is the safest item and then pick from those that you like the best. So, before you go shopping for any new baby equipment, here is what you should look for in safety requirements for each piece of baby equipment.

Baby Stroller
No matter what kind of stroller you are buying for your baby, make sure that it has a seal from Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This association will only put a seal on the strollers that adhere to the specific safety requirements that it has. After you have found a stroller with a JPMA seal, look for a stroller that is safest for you. Look for one that will not cause you to strain too much to push or pull it or to fold it up and put in the car. The stroller should not only be comfortable for your baby, it should be comfortable for you.

Baby Car Seat
Car seats have to meet certain safety requirements to even be sold in on the market. Look for a car seat that protects in all types of car crashes, from the side and front impact ones. A good idea is to get a carrier car seat where a carrier will snap into place on a car seat base that you leave in your car. This way, you don’t have to take your baby out of the carrier to get them in and out of the car. This carrier can protect them from the harsh weather, be it extreme cold or heat. Usually the number one problem with car seats is that they are not properly installed. Take your car seat to your local fire stations and they are trained to install car seats properly for you.

Play Yard
A play yard, also known as a playpen or portable crib should meet certain safety requirements as your baby may spend lots of time in it. Make sure that when you get your play yard home and set it up, that the sides lock into place all the time and there should be no slack at all. If there is, it may be possible for the sides to collapse in on your baby. Return the play yard and get a new one. Don’t use any play yards that have holes or tears in the mesh sides.

Baby Crib
The biggest safety precaution when using a crib is that the slats on the sides can only be so far apart. If you are considering using a secondhand crib, test the width of the slats first. If you can fit a pop can through the slats then they are too large. This is a risk for your baby to get their head stuck in their and a risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Make sure that the mattress that you buy is the proper size for the crib. There should be no room on the sides of the mattress for the baby to slip into. Check for any loose pieces of hard wear that a crib may have on a regular basis.

Baby Gates
If you have stairs in your house, then you should take safety precautions and everywhere there are stairs, a baby gate should stand in the baby’s way. Look for baby gates that have tiny openings and are strong enough to resist the pushing and pulling by a baby.

Baby Swing
When shopping for a new baby swing, look for one that has a stable base with a non-skid surface on the feet. Make sure that there is a harness on the baby swing to keep the baby stable and secure while sitting in it. The type of swing and how many speeds it has is up to you to decide which is best for you. Keep all baby swings away from the stairs.

Baby Bottles
With all the controversy over plastic bottles with bisphenol-A (BPA), consider buying baby bottles that are BPA-free. Make sure to inspect all nipples and bottles before giving them to the baby for any tears or holes in them.

Baby Gate Safety

It’s vital to make your home safe as soon as your baby becomes mobile, as it’s natural for babies to want to explore by crawling, touching and putting things in their mouths. Babies don’t understand danger, so once your baby is on the move, the risk of accidents increases dramatically.

Research proves that every year, half a million under-fives end up in hospital as a result of an accident in the home. Therefore, you need to keep a close eye on your baby to avoid such a hazard. Make sure that you:

·Kkeep a close eye on your baby

· Never leave her alone with an older child or pet and, if you do leave her alone for a few moments, put her in a play-pen or cot. If your baby stays with relatives, make sure their home is safe, too.

Moreover you need to take few precautionary measures at home also to make your home safe for the baby to move around.

Precautionary measures around the house

· Medicines (including vitamins and iron supplements), alcohol, cleaning fluids - lock them away in a high cupboard with a child-proof lock. Never decant chemicals into food containers. For instance, chemicals like white spirit if put in lemonade bottles may create confusion about the liquid and anyone including the bay might mistake it for lemonade.

· Cigarettes, matches and ashtrays should be banished from home as soon the baby reaches a considerable age.

· Electrical appliances can be thrown into water or switched on so make sure they are not left lying around.

· Knives, scissors, razors, pens, pencils, sewing and knitting tools, and plastic bags- all these can be dangerous, so keep them locked away always.

· For your windows, fit windows catches and keep chairs on tables away from windows to prevent your baby from climbing out. Tie back blind or curtain cords.

· Floors- polished floors can be slippery and dangerous.

· Buttons, beads, hard sweets, peanuts, coins and small parts on toys are easily swallowed; keep them away away from your baby!

· Fires should always be covered with a fireguard.

· Electrical sockets should be covered with safety covers.

· Stairs- fit stair gates at both the top and bottom to avoid falls.

· Trailing flexes on lamps- these make it easy for your baby to pull a lamp onto her head; get rid of these!

· For tables, fit safety pads over sharp corners.

· Changing mat- babies may push themselves off. Never leave your baby unattended on one.

· Hot drinks- don’t try to drink them while are holding your baby. Place all cups and mugs out of reach.

· Smoke alarm- fit at least one in your home and test it regularly.

Precautionary measures around the kitchen

· Saucepans- put them on the back burner and turn the handles away from the edge of the stove. Fit a stove guard if possible.

· Washing machines and tumble dryer- make sure your baby cannot climb in.

· Kettle- models with a coiled flex which cannot hang over the counter and be grabbed are safest.

· Tablecloths- Babies can easily pull them along with the table contents on top of herself. Therefore you should avoid their use.

· Iron and ironing board should be kept well away from the baby.

In the Bathroom

· Bath- put cold water in before hot to avoid scalding. Never leave your baby alone in the bath and empty it as soon as you are done with bathing the baby.

· Cosmetics like nail varnish remover, perfume can be poisonous so you should lock them up.

In the Garden

· Pools, ponds, buckets, paddling pools should be emptied or covered up.

· Garden chemicals and tools must be kept in a locked shed or garage.

· Plants- some are poisonous. If you’ve got any suspect species in your garden; pull them up.

With these baby proofing techniques, you can ensure maximum safety for your baby. These will definitely lessen your worries when your baby is moving around the house.

When my husband and I moved into our new house that we had just built, we didn’t think about what problem we were going to soon come across with our son just learning how to walk and crawl. We were able to install child safety gates at the bottom and top of the staircase but we didn’t know how to block our son from getting out of the family room into the kitchen and away from the dog room. I searched everywhere and came across the Summer Infant 07160 Super Wide Custom Fit Gate. This child safety gate was the answer to our problem.

Our family room has two extremely wide openings. No standard child safety gate would be long enough to fit the openings. One of the openings is 13 feet long and the other is 9 feet long. I needed to buy two of these safety gates. I used one and half for the wide opening and half for the other opening. This worked great. I felt such relief once we installed the gates and my son was safely playing in the family room. I didn’t have to worry about him wandering into the kitchen and getting hurt.

Installation of the gates is another story, not so easy. You need to find a stud in the wall when installing the gates. My husband needed to use concrete dowels and screws (not the ones that come included). If he just used those, my son would have been able to push the gate right out of the wall. However, even after installing the gates with the concrete screws, my 115 pound dog walked right into the gate and almost ripped it right out of the wall. Needless to say, we did major damage to our brand new walls.

After almost two years of having the gates up, I was jumping for joy when my son was old enough to be careful in the kitchen and near the dog room. The reason I was happy to take the gates down was that they were really hard to operate. Opening and closing them was not easy. Actually, one gate was easier to operate than the other. I think it had something to do with the way the gates were installed. They need a certain amount of “play” and if you don’t install them correctly, the lock on the actual door of the gate won’t work properly.

I did like the color of the gates though. They are a tannish brown color and blending in nicely with my family room furniture. They have a mesh material so if your child puts his/her face up against the gate, (which they all do at one time), you don’t have to worry about them suffocating.

Another thing I did not like about the gates was the foot stands they rested in. I always knocked into them and my son would try to take them out and play with them. They worked well in keeping the gate in place, but were in the way at the same time.

I remember paying a lot of money for these gates at Babies R Us. They ran me about $100 per gate. In the end it was worth every penny to ensure my son’s safety. They are now in the garage until I need them again.

In order to repair the damage from the installation we needed to replaster the holes they made in the wall. Then we had to repaint. You can still see the spots where the screws were. I don’t think our brand new walls will really ever be the same. Overall, I do recommend the gates if you need to close in a wide opening. I am just not sure they are the made from the best materials. They could have been a little stronger.

Baby Gate Safety

Baby door jumpers can provide your little baby with a little safe fun time while. There are many door jumpers on the market today. Here are a few of the most popular models that are baby tested and parent approved.

The Graco Jump N Jive Door way jumper comes with a little musical mat that your baby can bounce on. As the baby jumps on the mat, musical notes are made. This encourages your child to continue jumping and playing. You can use the mat as a dance mat when your baby outgrows the jumper.

The jumper comes with two adjustable and removable toys. The padded seat is washable and is designed to make it easy to get your your baby in and out. The Graco Jump N Jive has gotten top reviews at Amazon.com with a reviewer stating that it was the best jumper they had ever bought for their son. You can buy the jumper for $49.99 at Amazon.

The Graco Bumper Jumper is another fun door jumper that parents and babies love. It features an adjustable clamp that you can attach to a standard door frame. Just like the Graco Jump N Jive Jumper, the bumper jumper is easy to put your child in and take out. You can also adjust the height of this jumper. The jumper is also made to protect your door frame from damage.

The Bumper jumper provides your little one with bouncing entertainment. It has many fantastic features, toys, and sounds to entertain and stimulate your Baby. You can purchase the Bumper Jumper for $33 at Amazon.

The Evenflow ABC 123 Jump and Go jumper provides fun and activity for your baby. Parents love this jumper because it’s compact,doesn’t take up a lot of floor space, and attaches quickly and safely to standard door frames.

The jumper has many toys your child can play and interact with, has a variety of songs, and fun activities to keep your child engaged. You can buy the Evenflo ABC 123 Jump & Go for 39.99 at Babies R US.

Finally, the Combi Activity Door Jumper is a colorful automotive jumper that is built to give your baby a positive, fun, and stimulating experience. The jumper safely attaches to standard door frames. It features a unique ‘Safe Lock Feature’ to make sure your child can play safely. The material on the seat is easy to wipe and clean.

The Combi Activity Door Jumper features fun music, lights, sounds, and toys to give your baby a fun and safe play time. You can purchase this jumper for $69.99 at Babies R Us.

Your baby’s safety and welfare should be a primary factor when it comes to door jumpers. If your baby seems scared or uncomfortable in the jumper, remove him or her. Reintroduce the child to the jumper after a few days or weeks.

As with any baby toy, please follow standard safety precautions when using any door jumper. Pediatricians recommend never letting an infant play in a door or stationary jumper longer than 10 minutes. Additionally, you shouldn’t leave your baby unattended in a door jumper.

Paramount’s Kings Island is a 364 acre park located about 40 miles NE of Cincinnati, Ohio off I-71, actually located in Mason, Ohio. Paramount’s Kings Island has been open since 1972 as a major regional amusement park. Paramount aquired the park in 1992. I have frequented Paramount’s Kings Island since the 1970’s, and in my opinion it was a much better park in those days. I returned to Paramount’s Kings Island after a 20 year absence, I was living on the West Coast, and it seemed to me to have gone downhill somewhat. In the 70’s and 80’s it seemed to have had many more thrill rides, more coasters, and many more rides the whole family could go on together. The major log rides were gone, and most importantly, the monorail through the African Tundra was gone. In those days Paramount’s Kings Island sported a major African Tundra exhibit with lions, tigers, and elephants, etc. You boarded an air conditioned monorail, and viewed the animals from the comfort of your train. I asked several employee’s about what happened to the exhibit, but they had no idea what I was talking about. Another major ride gone from the park was the skyride. It was very convenient in getting from one side of the park to the other side. All these points aside, Paramount’s Kings Island is still a great park. However, the park could use more major rides, such as more world class coasters, and more thrill rides. The marketing of the park seems to be concentrating on being a family theme park, rather than a high thrill theme park. My stay at the Paramount’s Kings Island lasted about 8 hours. We simply felt there was nothing more to see and do after this amount of time. Like I said, more rides are needed to keep you entertained beyond 8 hours. At about 10:00 PM there are fireworks to close the park. Paramount’s Kings Island is open from April to October. The hours to the park are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM high season, but change monthly in low season.

I visited Paramount’s Kings Island in June 2006, and had a very good time, with no crowds, minimal heat and humidity, and the price was discounted. June is a very good time to go to Paramount’s Kings Island, the tickets are often discounted, and there are no major crowds yet. I have gone to Paramount’s Kings Island in the past in late July or August, and had to wait over one hour or more to board the major rides. I doubt if we had to wait 5-10 minutes to board any ride in June. Also, heat and humidity in the Midwest can be crushing in July and August. I purchased the discounted tickets at Blockbuster, they were having a regional promotion for Paramount’s King’s Island, I live in Indiana. The discount was a good $15.00 off the front gate adult admission of $49.99. Tickets are also available online for $37.99 directly through the Paramount’s Kings Island official website, $34.99 if you buy a 3-day advance ticket. One other current online promotion is to get a 2 day pass for $49.99. The price of admission for kids aged 3-6 is $29.99. The admission price for Seniors aged 60+ is also $29.99. The official Paramount Kings Island website is as follows: www.pki.com. My best friend and I stayed at a Super 8 Motel in nearby Mason, Ohio for $68.00 dollars a night/single. The motel is less than 5 miles from Paramount’s King’s Island. A very good value, and very convenient for the price.

We arrived at Paramount’s Kings Island at opening time which was 10:00 AM. There was absolutely no one there! We parked right up by the gate, and basically just walked up to the cashier and paid, and we were in the park. We received a free map of the park at the gate and started off. However, the map is kind of cartoon like and not real accurate. We simply could not find some of the rides according to the map. We had to ask several times where the damn ride was! The park could be laid out better than it is. It is laid out in a circular design, and is sort of maze-like, and at 364 acres, quite large. Some rides are way off the beaten track, and way back into the adjacent woods. Paramount’s Kings Island is divided into theme areas such as International Street, Coney Island, Nickelodeon Land, etc. Many of the rides are named and themed after Paramount’s hit movies.

Once in the park we went straight to the coaster named Son of Beast. It is aptly named after it’s predecessor, The Beast. It is a wooden coaster like the classic Beast, but with a twist. It has a 118 foot high metal loop after the first 214 foot drop. It is touted as the tallest and fastest coaster in the world. The metal loop is unique, because it is integrated into a wooden coaster. Don’t miss out on this coaster even if there is a long line. Paramount’s Kings Island does have limited major coasters, only seven. Only four are truly world class. The other coasters are: The Racers, a twin wooden Coney Island style coaster with speeds up to 55 mph. The classic wooden Beast with speeds up to 78 miles per hour with several tunnels, and it is still after 25 years, the longest wooden coaster in the world at 7, 419 feet long. The Beast is a very fast and jarring ride with extreme g-forces on the turns. The Vortex is a twisting metal, six inversion, multi-looping coaster with a top speed of 55 mph that is quite fun, and surprisingly very smooth and non-jarring. Face/Off, it is a standing coaster that basically goes up, and then down backwards while you are facing other people. The point being to see each others horrified faces. There is also a Magic Mountain sort of coaster (that is enclosed in a building). It is called The Flight of Fear. It is aptly named and quite fun. The twist on this coaster is that you go from 0-54mph in 4 seconds! You are in the dark during most of the ride, with various projections shown on the walls and ceiling. Warning - it is very fast, rough, and twisting. I felt like I needed a Chiropractor after this coaster! The last major coaster is called Top Gun. It is a hanging car type of coaster, with a top speed of about 50 mph. It was probably major at the time of it’s release many years ago, but now it is quite slow and mild in my opinion. Now, about the other rides at Paramount’s Kings Island. One ride that I was disappointed to not see was a major log ride, the log ride they have is very small and short lived. I doubt if the drop into the water is 25 feet high. However, I did get quite wet from the drop. One very exciting ride is called, ‘Lara Croft Tombraider.’ It is enclosed in an air-conditioned building. You initially walk into a very dark sort of cavern, and then you are admitted into the main chamber in small groups. All the while you don’t know what to expect. When you finally board the ride you sit down in a long row of seats. I was under the impression that the ride would be quite mild. Wrong, it was the scariest ride I have been on in years. You are in the dark most of the time, and at one point the seats turn upside down, and you are suspended for what seems like an eternity! I thought I was going to fall out of my seat, or lose my wallet! Word of advice to all men - make sure your wallet is secure! I almost lost my wallet several times because I did not have a button on my shorts pocket. The rides are jarring, and some go upside down. Your wallet will try to work its way out of your pocket.

The ride called Delirium is a 137 foot high spinning wheel ride with multi seats. It was closed the day I was there for unknown reasons. The Italian Job is an interesting ride that is worth a ride or two. It is a stunt track sort of ride. It is sort of like a coaster, it is a car on tracks. It is modeled after the movie “The Italian Job.” It takes you on a ride through sets from the movie, and with special effects going on all around you. The last truly major ride is called The Drop Zone. It is a 26 story, 315 foot high drop ride. It is the tallest in the world, and the drop speed is 61 mph. I did not go on this ride. I sat and watched the ride for quite some time, and the patrons looked genuinely horrified. The rest of the rides in the park are the standard sort of rides you would find at most any other amusement park. There is a nice little train that I would recommend to ride, to just sit and relax on for awhile. By the way, there is an adjacent waterpark called Boomerang Bay. We had no interest in this, so I cannot advise you on it. From what I saw of it, it looked quite major with many slides and whitewater rafting rides. The waterpark is included in your admission, and is about 15 acres. Lastly, be sure and go up into the Eiffel Tower, it is a 1/3 sized replica of the one in Paris, France. It is roughly 300 feet high. The view is amazing from the top. It will also help orient you to the park layout.

At about 1:00 PM we decided to have lunch. I expected throngs of hungry tourists, and outrageous prices. The lunch was reasonably priced to my surprise, and with no waiting. The only thing really expensive at Paramount’s Kings Island are; soft drinks, tea/coffee, and any water. The beverages are sold at a stunning $4.00 dollars, in any form, anywhere! I tried to ask for a cup of ice water several times. The response was: four dollars! The name of the restaurant we ate at was called Bubba Gump’s. Yes, from the movie ‘Forrest Gump’. My fish basket was a reasonable $6.50. It had 4 fish nuggets, fries, and coleslaw. My friend ordered the shrimp basket for $8.00 with the same sides. No beverage was included with the meal, if you want a drink you pay the ubiquitous $4.00. The restaurant had indoor and outdoor seating by a nice little lake. We sat by the lake and watched the ducks. There was alcohol available at this restaurant, and it is available everywhere at Paramount’s Kings Island. The restaurants are laid out well throughout the park, with a wide array of choices. In between restaurants there are hot dog stands, etc. You will have no problems finding something you like to eat. Note: no food or drink is allowed into Paramount’s Kings Island.

About amenities like shopping, restrooms, drinking fountains, shuttles, benches, and parking at Paramount’s Kings Island. Restrooms are well distributed throughout the park, we had no problem finding one. Drinking fountains I felt were few and far between. Perhaps, that is because they want you to buy the $4.00 dollar beverages sold everywhere at Paramount’s Kings Island. Shuttles are available in the parking lot, and at the front gate to take you back to your car if needed. The parking lot is huge, it is kind of airport like. It is well marked with numerical signs, don’t forget your number! There is a rather high fee for parking, $10.00 dollars, payable when you leave. If you get there early like I did, you will have no problems finding a space up close. Baby strollers are for rent at the front gate, there were also wheelchairs available for free. A note to smokers: smoking is in designated areas only, you cannot just walk through the park with cigarette in hand. Benches are located everywhere throughout the park, often they are shaded by a tree. If you are at Paramount’s Kings Island hoping to shop, you will be disappointed. The shopping is not good at Paramount’s Kings Island. Most of the shops carry the same made in China merchandise. Things like sunglasses, hats, maps, beverage glasses, etc., all marked with the Paramount’s Kings Island logo. However, you can buy a mini Eiffel Tower. I remember when I went shopping here years ago when I was a kid, the shopping was much better and the merchandise much more diverse. However, the shopping strip is beautiful, it is named International Street. It is modeled after the Champs Elyesses area in Paris, France. It is complete with beautiful fountains, trees, tables, benches, and a view of the Eiffel Tower. Cafes’ and ice cream shops line this strip as well. It is a nice place to sit down and rest for awhile, and to imagine you are in Paris, France.

There are shows available at Paramount’s Kings Island. We didn’t see any, however. Two major ongoing shows are, The School of Rock and Star Search Live. I just did not feel like sitting for 60-90 minutes with so many exciting things to see and do. To my knowledge there did not seem to be any aquatic type of shows, with dolphins, etc. In the 1970’s there was an aquatic show with dolphins, but no more. The show should be reintroduced, it would be a nice addition to the park. I do not have kids, so I cannot advise you on the parks kiddyland. We walked through it to get to a ride. It looked quite major and large. I saw many kid sized coasters, and other cartoon themed rides for all age ranges. They just added 18 new rides to this area according to television promotions, and renamed it Nickelodeon Land. When I was a kid it was named Hanna Barbera Land. Many of the rides were themed after kid’s television shows, as they are now. There are many arcade games for kids and adults scattered throughout the park as well. Paramount’s Kings Island is a wonderful place to visit for the entire family, there is something here for everyone.