droolicious : keeping kids safe

PG Key Aims to Help Your PC Keep a 'G' Rating

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

We've given Babble readers plenty of compelling reasons to monitor kids' computer activity, but PG Key is different than some of the other policing tools we've seen in that it's, well, a key: Pull it out of your PC's USB port, and the kids can't access the computer anymore. Pop it back in, and it throws your computer into a safe-using/safe-browsing mode that looks to be more G-rated than PG. (Full disclosure: We haven't actually tried the thing yet.)

It seems like a great idea in concept: No bloated software installation to deal with; no tiresome content filters to manipulate (though you do have that option if you'd prefer to go beyond PG Key's built-in filtration). And while the Big Brother-esque recording feature -- up to 60 hours' worth of computer activity recorded for you to see -- might seem a little oppressive to some folks, when's the last time your jaw hit the floor after checking the kids' search history?

$59.95 (Windows only; Mac version en route) from PG Key.

Keep Crocs From Eating Your Children's Feet This Summer

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:04:00 GMT

[Photo: CityNews.ca]

Moderndaydad's recent "7 Days of Summerwear" post about Crocs -- which, full disclosure, I also endorse for their convenience, comfort, and non-toxic construction -- came at a good time, because while the shoes may be great for warm weather, they're also raising serious questions about when and where else it's appropriate to wear them.

From the CPSC's carefully worded May 13 warning about "popular soft-sided flexible clogs and slides" to this more specific story from last Thursday (complete with not-suitable-for-mealtime-viewing video), to a pending $7 million lawsuit against the company, Crocs are as infamous for posing a potential danger to children's feet as they are for having questionable aesthetic value. The reason: Escalators' moving parts seem to have an unhealthy, potentially grisly attraction to the popular soft-soled shoes.

Oddly enough, Crocs seems to be taking an "Ignore it and it'll go away" stance on the problem, at least on its online FAQ: You can get answers to questions such as "Can I boil and then eat my Crocs shoes?" (not recommended) and "Can I microwave my Crocs shoes?" (ditto), but not for something as basic as "How can I keep my kids' feet from getting mangled in an escalator while wearing Crocs shoes?"

Well, fear not, because Consumer Reports has compiled this handy list of 11 tips for keeping your kids' Crocs from meeting certain doom, some excerpts of which follow:

To avoid the sides of steps where entrapment can occur, stand in the middle of the step. Always face forward and hold the handrail.
Step over the comb plate. Always pick up your feet and step carefully on or off the escalator. Never drag or slide your feet off the edge of the escalator.
Stay clear of moving parts. Keep your hands, feet and clothing clear of the side panels of the escalator. Remember: loose shoe laces, rubber boots and baggy clothes can get caught in the moving parts of the escalator. Make sure you have no dangling clothing or loose shoelaces that could get caught.

Of course, the simplest way to avoid Crocs-related escalator injuries is not to let your kids wear the things on escalators in the first place, but as the tips above show, such injuries aren't just limited to recyclable, rubbery footwear. Any loose-fitting shoe, as well as dangling laces, baggy apparel or stray limbs, can pose just as big a risk, so use some common sense and teach the kids to dodge that comb plate -- or, you know, take the stairs.

Consumer Reports' Child-Safety Mega-Guide Hitting Stores May 13

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:03:00 GMT

It's a big, scary world out there, and it becomes even scarier when you start having kids, as everything from an open window (falling hazard!) to that wonderful end table your grandparents handed down to you (lead paint!) takes on new life as a potential danger. Hitting stores this Tuesday, the Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety collects 600 tips for averting everyday hazards, starting with the nursery and ending at the neighborhood swimming pool. Among the tips, highlights of which CR will also be making available online (though, fair warning, the site's not live yet):

Is Your Sitter Safety Savvy? A checklist for helping to pick the best, most safety-conscious caregiver for your child.
Playroom Pitfalls: Toy-safety checklists (from stuffed animals to play food), and how to identify hazards, including lead, in the playroom.
Top Summer Fun Tips: How to spot unsafe equipment and toys in the playground, and how to identify poisonous plants and flowers that should be kept out of little ones' reach.
Safe Surfing: Seven Signs Your Child May Be at Risk: Keep your kid on the safe side of the Web, and identify risks and predators before they infiltrate your home PC.
Nursery: How to choose the right crib and mattress, along with other nursery essentials, and how to spot potentially health and safety hazards when you're decorating.
Everyday Objects That Can Harm Your Child: Get some surprising tips about the potential dangers behind everyday household objects.

The Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety is available for just under $11 (normally $12.95) at Amazon.