Oh Baby!

You have a new baby in the house and there’s no better time to make fire safety a top priority. Kids under the age of five are at twice the risk of dying in a residential fire than those in other age groups, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Click on the graphic below to find a check list to help get you started:

Safe Kids Montgomery County Celebrates Safe Kids Day

To Protect Kids from Preventable Injuries, the Number One Cause of Death for Children in the U.S. 

WHO:
• Safe Kids Montgomery County
• YMCA Youth and Family Services

WHERE: JoAnn Leleck at Broad Acres Elementary School
          710 Beacon Road
          Silver Spring, MD 20903

WHEN: Saturday, April 30th 2016, 10:00am-12:30pm

WHAT:  In partnership with YMCA Youth and Family Services and their Healthy Kids Day, Safe Kids Montgomery County, is hosting a fun family event to celebrate kids and help families learn simple things they can do to keep kids safe. At the event there will be activities focused on nutrition and health, bike safety, pedestrian safety, home safety, fire safety, water safety and child passenger safety.

The event is presented by Nationwide,® with support from Johnson & Johnson, FedEx, Chevrolet, Kidde, Safety 1st and Tide. Safe Kids Worldwide’s national events have attracted the support of celebrity heroes including Mark Wahlberg, Sir Elton John, Gwen Stefani, Piers Morgan, and more. To learn more about Safe Kids Day, please visit: https://www.safekids.org/safekidsday.

WHY: Around the world, a million children die each year from preventable injuries. Millions more are injured in ways that can affect them for a lifetime. In fact, preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and resources to celebrate kids, prevent injuries and save lives.

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About Safe Kids Montgomery County
Safe Kids Montgomery County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Our coalition members include police officers, nurses, firefighters, paramedics, school staff members, product safety specialist, transportation experts and other safety advocates.  Safe Kids Montgomery County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Montgomery County was created in 1989 and is led by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. For more information, visit safekids.org or www.safekidsmontgomerycountymd.info.

It's Child Passenger Safety Week

September 14 - 20 is Child Passenger Safety Week.  As part of the week we would like to highlight our own awesome, and year round, Child Passenger Safety Program and remind everyone that you can have your child's car seat checked/inspected/installed at one of our Car Seat Inspection and Installation locations.

See below for further information as well as some helpful safety tips!

Infant & Child Car Seat Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Carseat and Parent Info ( NHTSA)

Car Seat Fact Sheets

•  Selecting the Right Car Seat (PDF, 435 KB)
•  Installing Your Child's Car Seat Tightly (PDF, 657 KB)
•  Check Your Child's Car Seat! (PDF, 407 KB)

Car Seat Inspection Station Locations

To schedule an appointment call 240-777-2223. There can be a 2-3 week wait so plan ahead. Please contact Emilie Crown, Program Manager, at 240-777-2467 for any other issues. Need to have a car seat installed/checked/inspected? Montgomery County residents may click here to schedule an appointment.

Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am - Noon

1st Saturday of the month 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

By appointment only at SAFE KIDS Montgomery County MD, Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
14111 Georgia Avenue (behind 7-11), Aspen Hill, MD 20906

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Thursday Evenings 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

3rd Saturday of the month 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

By appointment only at Criswell Chevrolet
503 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

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Wednesdays 8:00 am - Noon

2nd Saturday of the month 8:00 am - Noon

By appointment only at Great Beginnings Children's Store
18501 North Frederick Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

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Child Seat Laws & Seat Check Information

•  MD Child Safety Seat Law (PDF)
• Inspection Station Flyer 
• Directions to Seat Checks
•  5-Step Booster Seat Check (PDF)

Our goal is to ensure that the children of Montgomery County are properly secured in car seats and seat belts while traveling. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children under 15. The inspection stations are sponsored by the Montgomery County Fire Rescue and SAFE KIDS Montgomery County. Montgomery County Car Seat Inspection Stations are for Montgomery County Residents only. Non-county residents are welcome to participate in Fitzgerald Auto Mall's monthly (no appointment needed) seat check in Rockville. Call Montgomery County's Child Passenger Safety Hotline, 240-777-2222 to get the next date and phone numbers for other inspection sites.

Heatstroke: Could it Happen to Your Child?

Today is National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Please take a moment to view the video below from our partners in safety SafeKids.

Fire Chief Lohr Cautions Parents on Dangers of Hot Cars in Summer

A friendly reminder from Chief Lohr on the dangers of hot cars that fits right in with this week's Summer of Safety program theme: Child Passenger Safety.

Help Us Prevent A Tragedy!

Nation wide seven kids have died from heatstroke in hot cars this year. Along with our partners in child safety, SafeKids, we are asking for your help to spread the word to prevent more tragedies from happening. Learn more (click on photo):

CHILDREN IN CARS Heatstroke Prevention Tips for Parents and Caregivers

A good safety tip from our partners at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Heatstroke Safety Tips

When is My Child Old Enough to Stay Home Alone?

Parents often ask, "When is my child old enough to stay home alone?" Decisions involving child safety go far beyond the law and require careful, realistic evaluation of each individual child's readiness.

Maryland State Law:

• Maryland Child Protective Services Procedures (SSA95-13) define an "unattended child" as:
  • A child under eight left alone or in the care of a person who is not reliable or who is under 13.
  • A child aged eight through 12 left alone for longer than brief periods without support systems which should include phone numbers of parents, other family members or neighbors, information about personal safety, and what to do in an emergency. Children in this age group may not be left to care for children under the age of eight.
  • A child 12 or over who is left alone for long hours or overnight or with responsibilities beyond capabilities or where there is some special risk factor such as mental retardation or physical handicap that would indicate that the child may be in jeopardy.
  • A child who has been abandoned.
  • A child of any age who is handicapped and left alone, if the handicapping condition constitutes a special risk factor which indicates that the child is in jeopardy.
• Maryland Family Law, 5-701(p) states that NEGLECT is "the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision under circumstances that indicate: that the child's health or welfare is harmed or placed at substantial risk of harm."
• The Montgomery County Child Protective Services defines neglect as "the chronic failure of a parent, caretaker, household or family member to provide a child under 18 basic needs of life, such as: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, attention to hygiene, educational opportunity, protection and supervision. Cultural standards which differ from those of most of the community are not necessarily neglect." To make a report call 240-777-4417.

Deciding if Your Child is Ready to Stay Home Alone When the Law Permits:

You know your child and can best determine when she or he is ready to be alone. Factors such as emotional maturity, common sense and self-confidence must be considered. Ask yourself these questions to help you reach your decision:

• Does your child want to stay alone?
• Can your child use the telephone?
• Can your child lock and unlock the door properly?
• Can your child follow directions?
• Does your child know what to do in an emergency?

Prepare Your Child:

Help your child to be ready to stay home alone gradually, beginning with very short periods of time. Make certain that your home is safe. These guidelines will help prepare your child for this important step:

• Post important phone numbers and make sure your child understands when and how to contact parents, reliable neighbors, and emergency aid
• Have your child call a parent at work or a responsible adult to report safe arrival home from school.
• Practice situations that may occur when your child is alone - (What will you do if someone comes to the door? How will you answer the phone if someone calls for your parents? When should you call your parents at work? Etc.)
• Plan time after you return home to listen to your child's account of day's events and deal with problems and questions.
• Be sure you have a Family Emergency Plan in place. 
• Make sure they know what to do in an emergency:

Sparky Says: Keep Your Family SAFE! 

"Learn Your Address!" Activity for Kids

Make Sure Your Child Is Prepared For A Fire

Teach Your Children About 9-1-1

Other Situations to Consider When Deciding Your Child's Needs

• It's not okay to leave children alone at the library or other public facilities. Staff members have many duties. They are not responsible for child care and your child may not be safe.
• Is your home location safe? Do you know neighbors who can be trusted to provide good advice if called upon by your child?

Resource Library:

The Rockville Regional Library at 21 Maryland Avenue maintains the Children's Resource Collection of books, videos and magazines on child development and other topics of interest to parents. Your local library or book stores will also have books which you might find helpful. Recommended are:

• Home-Alone Kids, by Bryan E. Robinson
• Safe Passages, by Hull
• Home Alone Video for Kids, Produced by KidSafety of America

Other Resources:

• LOCATE: Child Care - for child care information and referral services. 301-279-1773
• Child Care Subsidy Infolink - information about eligibility for child care subsidies. 240-777-1155
• ChildLink - for information or resources to help with a child from birth to five years of age, such as Early Education, Parenting, Support for Families, Special Needs, Health Care, Mental Health Care, County Resources and more. 240-777-4769
• Montgomery County Schools (MCPS) Call Center - Information about Montgomery County Schools. 301-309-MCPS (6277)
• MCPS Division of Family and Community Partnerships - provides resources and services from the community to strengthen family practices. 301-279-3100
• Montgomery County Health and Human Services Information Line. 240-777-1245
• Montgomery County Child Welfare Services - fact sheets and parent tip sheets are available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov , search for Child Welfare Services or call 240-777-3555
• Some area hospitals community education departments offer workshops for youth in topics such as Home Alone, Babysitting, and Safety
  • Children's National Medical Center (Washington D.C.) - 202-884-4500
  • Holy Cross Hospital - Community Education Department - 301-754-7160
  • Shady Grove Adventist Hospital - 800-542-5096
  • Suburban Hospital - 301-896-3939 x 1