To Hold or Not To Hold: Creating Guidelines for Management of Unexplained Child Death November 30th, 2011

Study Title: To Hold or Not To Hold: Creating Guidelines for Management of Unexplained Child Death
Approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hackensack University Medical Center- November 2011.
___________________________________________________________

Dear Parent, Grandparent, Step-parent or Guardian,

You are being invited to participate in this descriptive research survey that will examine your personal experience with professionals and the timeline and frequency of events that occurred after the death of your child. The purpose of this survey is to collect information regarding the current standard of care received from professionals after the sudden and unexpected death of a child. Your participation will involve completing this survey which will take approximately 30 minutes.

The benefits of participating in this research study include contributing to the current body of knowledge regarding the standard of care newly bereaved parents receive from professionals. This information will be used to inform guidelines for professionals when working with families after the sudden and unexpected death of a child. Please be advised that a risk of participation may include discomfort or negative emotions. Some of the questions request specific information surrounding your child’s death. You may stop the survey anytime. If you feel you need additional support after completing this survey you may contact SUDC program at 1-800-620-SUDC, please note this is not a hotline or monitored 24 hours. For immediate assistance please contact the National Crisis Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 which is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, you can go to your local emergency room, or dial your local emergency department (9-1-1). You may also find a therapist in your area at www.psychologytoday.com or www.helpstartshere.org/find-a-social-worker.

The survey questions will not ask for, or collect, any identifying information or be linked to you in any way. There will be no compensation for your participation in this study. You have the right to skip any question you do not wish to answer and you may stop the survey at anytime.

By clicking the link below I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information above and I am agreeing to participate in this study.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ToHoldorNotToHoldFamilySurvey

Sincerely,
Laura Crandall
Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy
Program Director and Co-Founder SUDC program
The CJ Foundation
1-800-620-SUDC

Becky Rudd PhD, LMFT, LMHC, NCC 1(509) 879-4860

Lisa Marain, MSW, LCSW
Support Service Coordinator, SUDC Program
Senior Social Worker at The Joseph M, Sanzari Children’s Hospital
Hackensack University Medical Center
1-800-620-SUDC

Advocacy Alert November 14th, 2011

AAP Task Force on SIDS and Sleep-Related Infant Deaths Newest Policy Statement October 18th, 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS and Sleep-Related Infant Deaths released an updated policy statement on October 18, 2011.

• Read the media release here:  http://www.healthychildren.org/English/News/pages/AAP-Expands-Guidelines-for-Infant-Sleep-Safety-and-SIDS-Risk-Reduction.aspx
• The policy statement is available here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2011-2284
• The technical report is available here: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2011-2285

Jogging Strollers Recalled by B.O.B. Trailers Due to Choking Hazard October 12th, 2011

NEWS from CPSC and HC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
www.cpsc.gov

Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2011
Release #12-006

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (855) 242-2245
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Jogging Strollers Recalled by B.O.B. Trailers Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: B.O.B.(r) single and double strollers
Units: About 411,700 in the United States and 27,000 in Canada (357,000 units were recalled in February 2011 due to strangulation hazard posed by canopy drawstring)

Importer: B.O.B. Trailers Inc., of Boise, Idaho
Hazard: The stroller canopy’s embroidered logo’s backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received six reports of children mouthing the detached patch. Gagging and choking were reported in two incidents. The backing was removed from the children’s mouth without injury. In each of the reported incidents, the children were seated in an infant car seat attached to the stroller.

Description: This recall involves all B.O.B. strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label affixed to the back of the stroller’s leg with the manufacturing date. Strollers with no manufacturing date listed were produced prior to October 2006 and are included in this recall. The strollers were sold in single seat and double-seat models. The BOB(r), Ironman(r) or Stroller Strides(r) brand name is embroidered on the canopy of the strollers.

Sold at: REI, Babies R’ Us and other children’s product and sporting goods stores nationwide and Amazon.com between November 1998 and October 2011 for between $280 and $600.

Manufactured in: Taiwan and China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until they remove the embroidery backing patch from the interior of the canopy’s logo. Consumers should contact B.O.B. Trailers for instructions on removing the backing.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B.O.B. Trailers toll-free at (855) 242-2245 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.bobnotices.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1411

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12006.html

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at JCPenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards October 6th, 2011

Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at JCpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Drop-Side Cribs
Units: About 8,000
Importer: J. C. Penney Purchasing Corp., of Plano, Texas
Manufacturer: Yu Wei Co. Ltd., of Taipei, Taiwan

Hazard: The drop-side rails on the crib can malfunction, detach or unexpectedly fall down, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position. When this happens, a space is created into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop-side incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly and due to age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firms are aware of nine incidents involving drop side rails that malfunctioned or detached, including one report of a child who sustained minor abrasions to the arm.

Description: This recall involves Yu Wei full-size cribs sold under the Scroll and Lauren model names. The cribs were sold in antique white, pecan and dark cherry, and have the following model numbers and date codes listed on the inside of the crib’s end panels.

Model #  | Description | Date Code Between
343-8225 | Scroll Crib | 01/2006-12/2010
343-9117 | Lauren Crib | 01/2007-12/2010

Sold at: jcpenney.com and in the jcpenney catalog from January 2006 through December 2010 for between $300 and $450.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Yu Wei to get a free immobilizer kit that will immobilize the drop side. In the meantime, parents are encouraged to find an alternate, safe sleep environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on your child’s age.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Yu Wei at (877) 806-8190 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.yuweicribrecalls.com. Consumers can also email the firm at yuweiparts@aol.com to order a free immobilizer kit.

Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. Effective June 28, 2011, new, mandatory federal crib rules require that all cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements. Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov.

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12003.html

Rhyme Snaps Shirts on sale Buy One Get One 50% Off! September 20th, 2011

Check out our store to purchase your snap shirt!

Toys“R”Us, Inc. Helps Parents Keep Kids Safe August 24th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:

Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Jennifer Albano
(973) 617-5632
Jennifer.Albano@toysrus.com

Katie Reczek
(973) 617-4381
Katie.Reczek@toysrus.com

Toys“R”Us, Inc. Helps Parents Keep Kids Safe With ‘Great Trade-In’ Event, Following Successful Removal Of Nearly Half A Million Potentially Unsafe Baby Gear Items Since Program Began In 2009

Following Recent Enhancements to Product Safety Standards for Cribs and New Recommendations for Use of Car Seats, the ‘Great Trade-In’ Event Provides Parents and Caregivers the Opportunity to Save on the Newest Models of These and Other Baby Products

In An Effort to Remove More Potentially Unsafe Products, Addition of Four New Product Categories Eligible for Trade-In Provides Even More Opportunities to “Be Safe and Save”

WAYNE, NJ (August 24, 2011) – Toys“R”Us, Inc. today announced it will host its fifth “Great Trade-In” event in Babies“R”Us^® and Toys“R”Us^® stores nationwide from Friday, August 26 through Sunday, September 18, once again providing parents and caregivers with the opportunity to trade-in used and potentially unsafe baby gear in exchange for 25% savings on a new item.  Since the company launched its first “Great Trade-In” event in August 2009, nearly half a million items have been turned in at its stores across the country.  In an effort to help parents and caregivers remove even more unsafe products from circulation, four new product categories – swings, walkers, bouncers and entertainers – have been added to the “Great Trade-In” event.

The “Great Trade-In” event is a national safety program designed to call attention to the fact that certain used baby products, such as cribs and car seats, are not the best candidates to be handed down or resold.  In addition to concern over recalled products that may still be in circulation, advances in product safety in recent years may have rendered older models unsafe and noncompliant with the newest standards.  For example, new crib standards recently took effect on June 28 that prohibit the manufacture or sale of traditional drop-side rail cribs, strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, improve the quality of hardware and require more rigorous testing.

“As a company dedicated to children’s safety, Toys“R”Us, Inc. continues to stay at the forefront of emerging safety issues and concerns, and is committed to offering parents and caregivers the safest products available,” said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “With increased product safety standards for items such as cribs, the ‘Great Trade-In’ provides an excellent opportunity to bring older, and potentially unsafe products, to our stores in exchange for savings on those that meet today’s more stringent requirements.”

New Crib Safety Standards
On June 28, 2011, new crib standards from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took effect that prohibit the manufacture or sale of traditional drop-side rail cribs, strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, improve the quality of hardware and require more rigorous testing. All cribs sold in Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores and online meet these updated federal requirements, and the company has not carried drop-side cribs as part of its assortment since December 2009.

While all new cribs sold must meet these new requirements, consumers should be aware that these new standards also prohibit the re-selling of older cribs that do not meet these rigorous requirements.

“Consumers should be extremely wary of using second-hand cribs, whether they’ve borrowed one from a friend or purchased one from a yard sale, as it is most likely they would not meet the new crib standards and could present safety hazards,” said Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids in Danger (KID), a consumer advocacy organization. “These updated standards are the toughest in the world, and the ‘Great Trade-In’ event is an opportunity to exchange an old item for savings on a new crib that is sure to meet these rigorous new requirements.”

Child care facilities have until December 28, 2012 to ensure that the cribs they use meet the new standards.  The “Great Trade-In” event provides these centers the opportunity to begin immediately complying with these enhanced requirements, and save significantly on their new cribs.

American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Recommended Use of Car Seats
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age two, or until they reach the maximum height or weight for their seat.  In its new guidelines, the AAP also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

For parents whose little ones are about to outgrow their infant car seat and transition to a convertible car seat or even outgrow their convertible seat and now need a booster seat, the “Great Trade-In” event provides the opportunity to save on one of the most important items for keeping kids safe while on-the-go.

Helping Parents Be Proactive on Children’s Safety
In addition to the “Great Trade-In” event, Toys“R”Us, Inc. offers the following resources to help parents and caregivers keep their children safe:

• Toysrus.com/Safety, the company’s dedicated Safety website, features information on the company’s industry-leading safety standards for products sold through its stores and websites, seasonal tips for preventing accidental injury and product recall information.
• Recall notifications sent via e-mail by signing up through Toysrus.com/Safety, which nearly 250,000 customers have done since the feature was made available.
• Current recall information is posted on easily-visible Safety boards at each store location.
• Tools and resources for parents to keep track of the products in use in their homes with a Product Record List and Eight Steps to Keep Kids Safe checklist is available online at Toysrus.com/Safety and in-stores upon request. These tools are designed to make relevant product information readily available in the event of a recall so parents and caregivers can act quickly to remove unsafe products from use.

‘Great Trade-In’ Event Details
The “Great Trade-In” event begins Friday, August 26 and continues through Sunday, September 18 in Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us locations nationwide. During this time, stores will accept any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards, high chairs, kids’ beds, and newly eligible for this year’s “Great Trade-In” event, swings, walkers, bouncers and entertainers, in exchange for a 25% savings on the purchase of a new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.

Brands participating in the “Great Trade-In” event include Babi Italia^®, Babies“R”Us, Baby Cache^®, Baby Einstein^™, Baby Trend^®, Bergamo^®, Bright Starts^™, Britax^®, Carter’s^®, Chicco^®, Combi^®, Contours by Kolcraft^®, Delta^™, Europa Baby^®, Evenflo^®, Graco^®, Jeep^®, Lamaze^®, Little Tikes^®, Maxi-Cosi^®, Safety 1^st®, S1 by Safety 1^st®, Signature Series by Graco^®, Sorelle^™, Step2^® and Summer Infant^®.  Customers can save 25% on a new purchase, within any of the specified product categories, from any of the aforementioned manufacturers, in Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us stores nationwide on the day they trade in their used item.

In addition, customers may exchange any number of used items, from any manufacturer, in the specified product categories.  Day care centers or other organizations who wish to exchange items in bulk are encouraged to contact their local Babies“R”Us or Toys“R”Us store prior to trading in their used items to ensure adequate availability of new merchandise.

Online Continuing Education Program August 24th, 2011

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled August 18th, 2011

Table-Top Clip-on Chair Recalled by phil&teds USA Due to Fall and Amputation Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: “metoo” Clip-on Chair
Units: 54,000 (these were the subject of a product safety alert issued May 6, 2011)

Importer: phil&teds USA Inc, of Fort Collins, Co.

Hazard: Missing or worn clamp pads allow the chairs to detach from a variety of different table surfaces, posing a fall hazard. In addition, when the chair detaches, children’s fingers can be caught between the bar and clamping mechanism, posing an amputation hazard. Also, user instructions for the chairs are inadequate, increasing the likelihood of consumer misuse.

Incidents/Injuries: phil&teds and CPSC have received 19 reports of the chairs falling from different table surfaces, including five reports with injuries. Two reports of injuries involved children’s fingers being
severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated. The three other reports of injury involved bruising after a chair detached suddenly and a child struck the table or floor.

Description: The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering the clamp. The chair is sold in three fabric colors – red, black and navy. Chairs subject to this recall do not have black plastic spacers between the cross bar and the clamps.

Sold through: Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us and their online sites; philandteds.com; Amazon.com; other online retailers; and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores from May 2006 to May 2011 for between $40 and $50.

Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit and revised user instructions. Consumers who previously received a repair kit with only rubber boots
should also stop using the chair and contact the company for the new repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact phil&teds USA at (855) 652-9019 or visit the company’s website at www.philandteds.com/support

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11306.html

The Voice E-Newsletter July 21st, 2011

Better Not Bitter

Since Kathy and Shawn Spradley tragically lost their son Holton to SIDS on March 28, 2007, they have worked everyday to be, “Better, not Bitter.” It is with this motto that they have tirelessly worked to raise $160,000 for First Candle in Holton’s memory.

This year the Spradley family is gearing up for their 5^th Annual Holton’s Drive for SIDS. The golf tournament will be held at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless, TX.  This larger venue was selected because the Spradley family hopes that in it’s fifth year, the tournament will be even bigger then in years past.

The tournament has become an incredibly important piece of the Spradley’s lives. The entire family, Kathy, Shawn, Hudson, and Nash take the time not only to commemorate Holton’s short life, but also to raise funds and awareness in Holton’s memory. This event and the lives it has touched is part of Holton’s legacy. Kathy Spradley shares, “I can proudly say that his short 5 months mean more to this world than my 38 years. It is our hope that we help take this away from people and help ease the pain for those who have experienced it.”

Holton’s Drive for SIDS starts with a golf tournament. The tournament uses the 4-player scramble format where each team of four starts at the same time at different holes. The day’s golfing is followed by a banquet dinner with live and silent auctions. Once the meal is complete, Shawn Spradley takes a few moments to appreciate all who have worked to make the tournament possible, to remember Holton’s life, and to recognize as a group the impact that he’s had across the country.

The golf tournament is just one way that the Spradley family works with First Candle to fight SIDS. In 2009 they spoke to members of congress in Washington, DC about legislation for SIDS funding. They’ve also donated their time to appear in First Candle’s promotional video, “Who We Are.”

As many of First Candle’s families will attest, the loss of your baby changes you forever. The Spradley family’s journey is forever different. Each step along the way they give to others, work to keep Holton’s memory alive, and always look back on their motto of, “Better not Bitter.”

To learn more about the 5^th Annual Holton’s Drive for SIDS and to view photos and footage from past tournaments, go to http://www.holtonsdriveforsids.com/

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