Missing Children Success Stories

Abductor Leads Authorities to Missing Children

On April, 24, 2008 a concerned father contacted NCMEC to report his children missing. After receiving proper documentation and photos of the children, a NCMEC poster was created and posted on the NCMEC website, www.missingkids.com. The poster was also disseminated through NCMEC’s corporate photo distribution program in the hope that someone would see the poster and recognize the children.
About a week later, the abductor contacted NCMEC; at which time, the Call Center took a lead on the case. Utilizing information from that lead, a search was conducted and a location was obtained. The information was passed on to law enforcement, who acted on the information and recovered the children in Colorado. The abductor was arrested and the children are in good condition.

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Child Located After Three-Year Investigation

A detective with the Central Point Police Department in Central Point,OR contacted NCMEC on February 1, 2005 to report that a 17-year-old girl had run away from her foster home. After law enforcement obtained the proper documentation and a photograph of the child, a poster was created featuring the child. The poster was posted on NCMEC's website at www.missingkids.com and distributed in the areas where law enforcement believed the child may travel.
NCMEC continued to work with law enforcement over the next three years to distribute posters, run public database searches, and disseminate information received about the child. A breakthrough in the case came on December 12, 2007, when law enforcement learned the child may have been arrested, but provided an alias name at the time of her arrest. Using both the descriptive information of the child and the arrest photo, law enforcement went to NCMEC's website and compared the information to NCMEC's poster of the child. The photo of the child was then forwarded to the searching mother, who confirmed that it was in fact the missing child. The child was recovered on February 27, 2008.

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15-Year-Old Recognized from NCMEC Poster in Nail Salon
A father called NCMEC’s Call Center on September 23, 2007 to report his 15-year-old daughter missing. The child left her house to walk to a high school football game and school dance but never arrived. When the child did not return home later that night, the father became concerned and contacted law enforcement and NCMEC.
NCMEC obtained a photo of the child and created a poster to distribute. Posters were disseminated through ChoicePoint’s ADAM Broadcast fax program, one of NCMEC’s Photo Partners, to various businesses within a 20-mile radius of Santa Ana, Calif.
A detective with the Garden Grove Police Department in Garden Grove, Calif. worked with NCMEC to follow up on leads received by NCMEC’s Call Center over the following two months. A break in the case came when the child was recognized by employees of a nail salon from a poster sent to the business by ChoicePoint.
The child was recovered safely by law enforcement on November 11, 2007.

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Father Reunited with Daughter Missing for 25 Days
A father contacted NCMEC on October 16, 2007 for help in recovering his 10-year-old daughter. The child’s mother had abducted her from the Cayman Islands and fled to the United States, where the mother had relocated eight years earlier after leaving the child behind with her father.
Before contacting NCMEC, the child’s father obtained an emergency order from the local family court granting him full rights to the child and declaring the Cayman Islands the child's habitual residence.
Three days after receiving the case, a case manager with NCMEC's International Missing Children Division coordinated search efforts with the Cayman Police, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Virginia State Police, which ultimately led authorities to the location of the child and mother. The father worked with an attorney from NCMEC's International Child Abduction Attorney Network (ICAAN), a group of attorneys who volunteer to represent left-behind parents of children from other countries who have been wrongfully removed from or retained in the United States, to assist him in registering his Cayman order with the local U.S. court.
The father's U.S. attorney registered the Cayman custody decree under Virginia's UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act) on November 3, 2007 and obtained an emergency pick up order from the local family courts. That same evening, county police officers executed the order, and upon service of the court papers, the mother agreed to return the child and not to contest the court's decision. The father was reunited with his daughter 25 days after she had been wrongfully removed, and they returned safely to the Cayman Islands.

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Child Returned to Dominican Republic After Abduction to the U.S.
A father in the Dominican Republic contacted officials at the U.S. Embassy in Santo-Domingo in June 2007 to ask for help in locating his 7-year-old daughter who had been abducted to the U.S. by her mother earlier that year. Familiar with NCMEC's resources and expertise in international family abductions, the U.S. consular officer immediately contacted NCMEC's International Missing Children Division (IMCD).
Working closely with the searching-father, a case manager with NCMEC's IMCD coordinated efforts with Interpol officials in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, as well as with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Embassy, and the U.S. Department of State. With the help of the Georgia Clearinghouse, NCMEC located the child and the abductor through school searches.
A Dominican court awarded the father provisional custody of the child in August 2007, and an attorney from NCMEC's pro bono network, the International Child Abduction Attorney Network (ICAAN), agreed to assist the father with his case. NCMEC worked closely with the father and his attorney to coordinate travel to and court dates in the U.S.
Four months after NCMEC received the case a U.S. judge scheduled an emergency hearing and ordered the child to be picked up by the U.S. Marshals. On October 19, 2007, the court ordered the child be returned to the Dominican Republic. The father and child were happily reunited, and on October 22, 2007, they traveled safely back to their home in the Dominican Republic.


Proud Mama To

NetSmartz411

Have questions about how to keep kids safer on the Internet? NetSmartz411
is here to help!

NetSmartz411 is a first-of-its-kind, online service provided
by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to
answer questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web. NetSmartz411
is provided at no cost to the public and made possible by a generous donation
from the Qwest Foundation.
The general public — especially
parents and guardians — can directly access the NetSmartz411 Library
to search for answers to their questions, as well as contact NCMEC experts
to ask specific questions related to online safety and the Internet.
All research and answers provided by NetSmartz411 are prepared by highly
skilled professionals who work in the Exploited Child Unit at NCMEC. These
individuals are rigorously trained to understand the Internet and all areas
of emerging technologies, and are well-versed in the online techniques
used by child predators.
NetSmartz411 is powered by CA’s Unicenter^® Service Desk. In
addition to providing the service management solution, CA provided on-site
technical support to assist NCMEC in the installation and configuration
of NetSmartz411.

Visit NetSmartz411 now! Bookmark it!

NetSmartz411 is an extension of The NetSmartz
Workshop, an interactive, educational safety resource for children aged
5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate,
3-D activities to
teach children how to stay safer on the Internet.

Proud Mama To

HISTORIC AGREEMENT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Agreement Will Help Reduce the Proliferation of Child Pornography Online

Washington, DC – Cable operators that bring Internet service to 87 percent of homes in the United States will take additional voluntary measures to limit the distribution of child pornography on the Internet under an agreement announced today among the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
Under the unprecedented industry-wide agreement, all cable operators represented on NCTA’s Board of Directors have agreed to help reduce the proliferation of child pornography by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NCMEC.  This commitment represents the largest number of broadband subscribers protected by the terms of the MOU as these operators offer broadband Internet service to more than 112 million homes.   
"Building on our strong commitment to online safety, the cable industry wants to help combat child pornography and exploitation," said Kyle McSlarrow, President & CEO, NCTA.  “By signing the NCMEC MOU, cable Internet service providers are reaffirming their strong commitment to online safety and Internet literacy for all American families."
"We are deeply grateful for this industry-wide attack on child pornography," said Ernie Allen, President & CEO, NCMEC. "It is not possible to arrest and prosecute every offender.  We must be creative and build new public-private partnerships to address this insidious problem more effectively.  Today's announcement represents a bold step forward."
On behalf of NAAG and the 45 Attorneys General who have signed a letter in support of the NCTA-NCMEC MOU, Rhode Island Attorney General and NAAG President Patrick C. Lynch commended NCMEC and NCTA on the agreement.
“Although NCMEC has recently signed similar agreements with individual companies, this agreement is notable as the first such agreement NCMEC has reached with an entire sector of the nation’s communications industry,” Lynch wrote.  “The NCTA agreement with NCMEC will limit the ability of predators to store and exchange images of exploitation of those who are, by definition, among the more vulnerable in society.  We congratulate the cable industry for taking a strong stand in support of child safety.”
Specifically, the cable companies have agreed to use NCMEC's list of active websites identified as containing child pornography, to ensure that no such site is hosted on servers owned or controlled by those companies. The companies will also report these instances to NCMEC's CyberTipline and where appropriate revise their policies around other potential sources of child pornography, such as, for example, newsgroups.
The agreement with NCMEC will provide cable broadband service providers with an invaluable source of information to help them enforce their terms of service, all of which forbid the hosting of such illegal materials on their servers.  The information provided by NCMEC to cable service providers will also help them identify instances of child pornography, facilitating their reporting of such material to NCMEC as required by federal law.  This in turn enables NCMEC to refer these cases to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution.
The cable operators that have agreed to execute the MOU within 30 days include: Comcast Corporation; Cox Communications; Charter Communications; Cablevision Systems Corporation; Bright House Networks; Suddenlink Communications; Mediacom Communications; Insight Communications; Bresnan Communications; Midcontinent Communications; Broadstripe; GCI; Harron Communications; US Cable Corporation; BendBroadband; Eagle Communications; and Sjoberg’s, Inc.  Time Warner Cable has already signed the MOU.
 NCTA’s agreement with NCMEC is the latest milestone in cable’s efforts to ensure online safety and promote Internet literacy for all families and Internet users.  When NCTA launched its PointSmartClickSafe online safety initiative (www.PointSmartClickSafe.org) in June 2007, cable ISPs pledged in a code of conduct to support law enforcement in its efforts to ensure online safety for American families. 

# # #

NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks.  The cable industry is the nation’s largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access after investing more than $130 billion over ten years to build a two-way interactive network with fiber optic technology.  Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to millions of American consumers.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children’s hotline which has handled more than 2.2 million calls.  It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 126,000 children.  The organization’s CyberTipline has handled more than 594,000 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification program has analyzed 14,437,865 child pornography images and videos.  The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) was founded in 1907 to help Attorneys General fulfill the responsibilities of their office and to assist in the delivery of high quality legal services to the states and territorial jurisdictions.  NAAG’s mission is: "To facilitate interaction among Attorneys General as peers. To facilitate the enhanced performance of Attorneys General and their staffs."  NAAG fosters an environment of "cooperative leadership," helping Attorneys General respond effectively - individually and collectively - to emerging state and federal issues



Proud Mama To

Know the Rules...For Going To and From School More Safely

Every day millions of children take to the streets and roadways to get to and from school. For many children this experience is a new one, and they may not understand or be able to use the safety rules. Young children do not have the same frame of reference for safety as adults do. They may not “look before they leap,” which is why it is so important for families to supervise young children and practice safety skills with their older children. The tips noted below will help prepare for a safer journey.
Tips for Parents and Guardians

1. Instruct your children to always TAKE A FRIEND and walk and ride in well-lit areas and never take shortcuts or go into isolated areas. When walking and biking teach them to stay aware of their surroundings and observe all traffic rules in place to more safely share the roads and sidewalks with others.
   
   
2. Walk the route to and from school with your children pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.
   
   
3. If anyone bothers your children while going to or from school, teach them to immediately get away from that person and TELL you or another trusted adult. If an adult approaches your children for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults. Instruct your children to never accept money or gifts from anyone unless you have told them it is OKAY to accept in each instance.
   
   
4. Even though there can be more safety in numbers it is still not safe for young children to walk to and from school especially if they must take isolated routes anytime during the day or night. Always provide supervision for your young children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school.
   
   
5. Instruct your children to leave items and clothing with their name on them at home. If someone they don’t know calls out their name, teach them to not be fooled or confused.
   
   
6. Ensure current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children at their school. If you, or another trusted family member or friend, need to pick your children up, make sure to follow the school’s departure procedures. These procedures need to include the school’s confirmation of your children’s departure with only those you authorize to pick them up.
   
   
7. Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away” or “This person is not my father/mother/guardian.” If anyone tries to grab them, teach them to make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
   
   
8. Teach your children if anyone follows them on foot to get away from that person as quickly as possible. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and try to quickly get to a spot where a trusted adult may help them. Advise them to be sure to TELL you or another trusted adult what happened.
   
   
9. Instruct your children to never leave school with anyone they don’t know. If anyone tells them there is an emergency and they want your children to go with them, teach your children to always CHECK FIRST with you before doing anything. Also teach your children to always CHECK FIRST with you if they want to change their plans before or after school. Make sure your children always play with other children, have your permission to play in specific areas, and let you know where they are going to be. Instruct your children to TELL a trusted adult if they notice anyone they don’t know or feel comfortable with hanging around them.
   
   
10. Remember to practice these safety rules with your children to make certain they really know and understand them. Make the walk to and from school a “teachable moment” and chance to put their skills to the test. Teach your children to trust their feelings.

Key Tips to Reinforce With Your Children

1. Always TAKE A FRIEND with you when walking, biking, or standing at the bus stop. Make sure you know your bus number and which bus to ride.
   
   
2. Say NO if anyone you don’t know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused offers a ride unless I have told you it is OKAY to do so in each instance.
   
   
3. Quickly get away and yell, “THIS PERSON IS NOT MY MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN” if anyone tries to take you somewhere or is following you. If anyone tries to grab you, make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
   
   
4. NEVER LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS. Always check with the school office before leaving school.
   
   
5. NEVER take shortcuts or walk through alleys to get to or from school faster. We will talk about which way to go to and from school. Remind me of activities in which you participate causing you to leave earlier or arrive later than usual. Remember to call me once you have arrived home.

For additional information about specific modes of transportation to and from school visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.



Proud Mama To

Sorry I have been out of comission!

We had a family trip, I busted my ankle, and we just got busy this month!! Now that is is dying down, I need to write more! I am slacking on my blog 365, and I still have not gotten all my blogs transferred over. I have one a day, or more, everyday since January!!! I wish I could get them all in lol.


So we are back, and I will post more later!



Proud Mama To

10 Tips for Parents of School-age Children

1. Read aloud with and to your child every day

  Experts recommend 30 minutes a day
  Pick books that are too long or difficult for your child to read on his own
  Choose genres that your child prefers
2. Create a print rich home environment

  Include both books (and books on tape) and writing materials
  Include newspapers and child-oriented versions of popular magazines (e.g., Time for Kids, National Geographic for Kids)
  Set aside a special reading area in your homeand make sure everyone uses it
3. Model reading and writing

  Make use of the family reading area on your own
  Let your child see you reading for work or to learn something
  Let your child see you reading for pleasure
4. Read and write with your children in your home language

  Let your child see you reading and writing in the language(s) which are most comfortable to you
  Stock your home library with books in English and books in your home language
  Let your child read at home for fun in whichever language she prefers
5.  Cook with your child to develop literacy

  Read recipes together
  Read the labels on ingredients together
  Make a family cookbook of favorite recipes
6.  Explore books together

  Ask your child questions
  Point out new vocabulary and ideas
  Explore the characters motivations and relate them to your familys life
7.  Tell stories together

  Talk together about your family history and perhaps, do a geneology chart
  Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip
  Tape your storytelling
8.  Write with your child

  Provide lots of writing materials and papers
  Encourage your child to draw and write on her own
  Encourage your child to write thank you notes to grandparents, make to do lists, write signs such as Torys roomkeep out! and the like
9.  Communicate regularly with your childs teacher about his literacy development

  Find out what is happening at school
  Ask questions about your child and what you can do to support her
  Volunteer and/or observe in your childs classroom
10.  Visit the library often

  Encourage your child to get her own library card
  Take advantage of library programs such as family book clubs
  Find out who are your childs favorite authors and genres and go with him to the library in search of interesting books



Proud Mama To

Tips for Getting More Involved in My Child's School

• Attend back-to-school nights, student exhibitions and other school events. Get to know the teachers and other school personnel. Listen to their plans, know what they hope to accomplish with their students, and understand why they chose these goals.
  
• Attend parent organization meetings. Voice your hopes and concerns for your child and for the school. Help organize parent-teacher meetings around your interests and those of other parents.
  
• Offer to tutor students. If you are comfortable with technology, volunteer to be a computer tutor for both students and teachers, or ask if there are other ways that you can help the school to use technology.
  
• Offer to help in the office or the cafeteria or to chaperone field trips and other outside events.
  
• Agree to serve on parent and community advisory groups to your school. They may consider everything from school policies and programs to the kinds of parent involvement activities the school plans.
  
• Work in a parent resource center or help start one. In these school centers, parents may gather informally, borrow materials on parenting and children's schoolwork, and get information about community services.
  
• If you are unable to volunteer in the school, look for ways to help at home: Call other parents to tell them about school-related activities, edit the school newsletter or make educational materials for teachers. If you are bilingual, help translate school materials or interpret for non-English speaking parents in your school.

Proud Mama To

Getting the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Set up a conference early in the school year. Let the teacher know that you are interested in your child's education and that you want to be kept informed of his progress. If English is your second language, you may need to make special arrangements, such as including in the conference someone who is bilingual.
  
• If possible, also arrange to observe the teaching in your child's classroom. Afterward, talk with the teacher about what you saw and how it fits with your hopes for your child and your child's needs.
  
• Before a conference, write out questions you want to ask and jot down what you want to tell the teacher. Be prepared to take notes during the conference and ask for an explanation if you don't understand something.
  
• Talk with the teacher about your child's talents, hobbies, study habits and any special sensitivities he might have, such as concerns about weight or speech difficulties.
  
• Tell the teacher if you think your child needs special help and about any special family situation or event that might affect your child's ability to learn. Mention such things as a new baby, an illness or a recent or an upcoming move.
  
• Tell the teacher what kind of person you want your child to become and what values are important to you.
  
• Ask the teacher for specific details about your child's work and progress. If your child has already received some grades, ask how your child is being evaluated.
  
• Ask about specific things that you can do to help your child. At home, think about what the teacher has said and then follow up. If the teacher has told you that your child needs to improve in certain areas, check back in a few weeks to see how things are going.
  
• Approach the teacher with a cooperative spirit. If you disagree with the teacher about an issue, don't argue in front of your child. Set up a meeting to talk only about that issue. Before that meeting, plan what you are going to say. Try to be positive and remain calm. Listen carefully. If the teacher's explanation doesn't satisfy you, and you do not think you can make progress by further discussion with the teacher, arrange to talk with the principal or even the school superintendent.

Proud Mama To

10 Tips for Choosing Books for Children of All Ages

• Have children choose their own books as soon as they start showing a preference for one over another.
  
• Find the children's section of your local library. Get to know the librarian, who can be a great resource.
  
• Find out what your child is interested in, and help choose books that are related to his or her interests.
  
• Ask friends, family, and teachers what books their children have enjoyed; try a book swap.
  
• If your child does not like a book you are reading together, put it away. Reading is a fun time to share, not a time to fight.
  
• Again, Again, Again! Children may want to read the same book many times, even if you think they have outgrown it. 
  
• Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations; they usually have good suggestions. For example: American Library Association, International Reading Association, Children's Book Guild
  
• Look for books that you will like reading aloud. Your enjoyment will shine through and become contagious.
  
• Try out different kinds of books to see what appeals to your children.
  
• Have fun! Show your children the joy of reading and how it can open up a brand new world!

Proud Mama To

Using Poetry to Build Community Partnerships

• Poetry Placemats
  Have children write poems about RIF or their favorite storybook characters on large sheets of paper. On the back of each decorated poster, attach a letter with information about RIF and how people can get involved in your program. Laminate each poster, and ask a neighborhood restaurant to use them as placemats during the month of April.
  
  
• Gift of Poetry
  Have children write thank-you poems to RIF volunteers. Decorate or wrap each poem and give it to a community member who volunteered this year. (This is also a nice way to recognize volunteers during National Volunteer Week)
  
  
• Poetry Contest
  Ask a bookstore or other retailer to sponsor a poetry contest for kids. Stores can donate gift certificates as prizes, or winners can participate in a poetry reading at the store.
  
  
• Rhyming Bookmarks
  Ask kids to write short poems on strips of cardboard, and then decorate them. Laminate the strips if possible, and arrange to have them distributed at the public library or a bookstore (with a purchase).
  
  
• Publish an Anthology
  Organize a poetry contest, in collaboration with your local newspaper, bookstore, or school paper. First prize could be to have the poem printed in the paper, or posted at the bookstore. All winning entries, including honorable mentions, could be included in an anthology produced by the sponsoring publisher, with a copy given to each contributing child, and copies given to local school and public libraries.
  
  
• Poetry Cafe
  Hold a poetry slam (a performance competition for writers and readers of poetry), a poetry reading, or a discussion group in a local coffee shop or restaurant. Or transform a room at your RIF site into a caf and invite members of the community to attend and participate in the event.
  
  
• Writing Poetry
  Kids sometimes have trouble getting started writing poems. Look for fresh idea-starters on www.gigglepoetry.comincluding fill-in-the-blank poems, and help writing nursery rhymes, limericks, and list poems. Look for lively tips for writing (or teaching) poetry provided by Jack Prelutsky, Karla Kuskin, and Jean Marzollo on www.teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/
  poetry/index.htm. And check out www.rif.org/educators/articles/poetry.mspx for more poetry resources including activities, booklists, information about poetry slams, and tips for exploring nursery rhymes and poetry with kids.

Proud Mama To

20 Ways for Parents to Encourage Reading

1.  Scout for things your children might like to read.  Use their interests and hobbies as starting points.
2.  Leave all sorts of reading materials including books, magazines, and colorful catalogs in conspicuous places around your home.
3.  Notice what attracts your children's attention, even if they only look at the pictures.  Then build on that interest; read a short selection aloud, or simply bring home more information on the same subject.
4.  Let your children see you reading for pleasure in your spare time.
5.  Take your children to the library regularly.  Explore the children's section together.  Ask a librarian to suggest books and magazines your children might enjoy.
6.  Present reading as an activity with a purpose; a way to gather useful information for, say, making paper airplanes, identifying a doll or stamp in your child's collection, or planning a family trip.
7.  Encourage older children to read to their younger brothers and sisters.  Older children enjoy showing off their skills to an admiring audience.
8.  Play games that are reading-related.  Check your closet for spelling games played with letter tiles or dice, or board games that require players to read spaces, cards, and directions.
9.  Perhaps over dinner, while you're running errands, or in another informal setting, share your reactions to things you read, and encourage your children to do likewise. 
10.  Set aside a regular time for reading in your family, independent of schoolwork, the 20 minutes before lights out, just after dinner, or whatever fits into your household schedule.  As little as 10 minutes of free reading a day can help improve your child's skills and habits. 
11.  Read aloud to your child, especially a child who is discouraged by his or her own poor reading skills.  The pleasure of listening to you read, rather than struggling alone, may restore your child's initial enthusiasm for books and reading.
12.  Encourage your child to read aloud to you an exciting passage in a book, an interesting tidbit in the newspaper, or a joke in a joke book.  When children read aloud, don't feel they have to get every word right.  Even good readers skip or mispronounce words now and then.
13.  On gift-giving occasions, give books and magazines based on your child's current interests.
14.  Set aside a special place for children to keep their own books.
15.  Introduce the bookmark.  Remind your youngster that you don't have to finish a book in one sitting; you can stop after a few pages, or a chapter, and pick up where you left off at another time.  Don't try to persuade your child to finish a book he or she doesn't like.  Recommend putting the book aside and trying another.
16.  Treat your children to an evening of laughter and entertainment featuring books!  Many children (parents, too) regard reading as a serious activity.  A joke book, a story told in riddles, or a funny passage read aloud can reveal another side of reading. 
17.  Extend your child's positive reading experiences.  For example, if your youngster enjoyed a book about dinosaurs, follow up with a visit to a natural history museum.
18.  Offer other special incentives to encourage your child's reading.  Allow your youngster to stay up an extra 15 minutes to finish a chapter; promise to take your child to see a movie after he or she has finished the book on which it was based; relieve your child of a regular chore to free up time for reading.
19.  Limit your children's TV viewing in an effort to make time for other activities, such as reading.  But never use TV as a reward for reading, or a punishment for not reading.
20.  Not all reading takes place between the covers of a book.  What about menus, road signs, food labels, and sheet music?  Take advantage of countless spur-of-the-moment opportunities for reading during the course of your family's busy day.



Proud Mama To

Saying "I Love You"

"I love you". Can any words possibly sound sweeter or offer greater comfort? Is any statement more natural--or necessary--between a parent and child? In many families, these words come easily. But if you grew up never hearing them, saying "I love you" may feel somewhat unnatural to you. Or if members of your family used loving statements to control or manipulate, you may be very uncomfortable using them with your own children.
Many families either don't communicate loving feelings very often or they communicate them in destructive ways. A counselor friend once told me she was appalled to discover that some of her clients had never heard the words, "I love you" from their parents: "I couldn't imagine parents who couldn't say 'I love you' to their children, probably because I grew up hearing it all the time. But in the middle of my shock and self-righteousness, I realized that in my family, that statement was always loaded with expectations for me to do something. Most of the time when my parents said 'I love you' they would stand there and wait for us to say 'I love you, too'. So that statement always came off as a solicitation, rather than an expression of how they really felt about us."
If either of these extremes describe your upbringing, chances are, you aren't using loving statements as often--or as "cleanly"--as you might. A few simple guidelines can help.
Let's hear it! We all need to hear loving statements from people we care about. It may be easy to assume that your kids know you love them. After all, you do love them and you probably do a lot of loving things for them. That's important.
But feeling love for someone is not the same as expressing it. Nor is doing loving things. Loving feelings and loving behaviors are not loving words--and those are important, too.
If you find it hard to get the words out of your mouth, either from lack of familiarity or fear of rejection, start slowly. A parent in one of my workshops confessed to practicing on the dog for a few days before she could get up the nerve to try it out on her kids! Another started by writing love notes to her children, sneaking them into their lunch bags or under their pillows. Both reported such a strong, positive response from their children, that saying "I love you" came much more easily after that.
Let's hear it some more. None of this "I-told-you-I-love-you-in-1985" stuff, OK? This isn't like going to the dentist twice a year. So maybe it's still not easy to say, even with the practice and little successes. Maybe hearing "I love you" even gives your kids the creeps (this is more age specific than anything else and less likely to happen if you don't say it in front of his entire 5th grade class). Say it anyhow. As a gift to yourself, communicate your love daily. At least.
Keep it simple! "I love you" is a complete sentence. We don't need to tie our feelings for a person to the person's behavior. In fact, whenever we connect it to something the other person has done, "I love you" becomes a statement of conditional caring.
"I love you when you make your bed", or "I love you when you make the honor roll", suggest that you love your child because of his behavior or accomplishment. It also suggests that the love wouldn't be there--or be quite the same--if the child hadn't made the bed or the grades. (Don't you love your kid in either case?) You can still be excited and happy about the behavior, but avoid communicating that your loving feelings for your child exist because he's doing what pleases you.
"I love you". Period.
No "buts" about it! By the same token, watch the tendency to use "I love you" as a lead-in to a confrontation about something your child has done that you find disturbing. If you need to address the child's behavior or set a boundary, by all means do so. But deal with the behavior--not the worth of the child, or your feelings for him or her.
If the child needs to clean her room or miss the movie because her chores were not done, deal with the situation, not your feelings. You don't need to say, "I love you but..." to soften the blow. Your feelings are not an issue here.
Besides, because of the way the brain processes the words we hear, whatever you say before the word "but” automatically gets canceled out anyhow. (In other words, if you say, "I love you, but your room is a mess," all the child ends up hearing is, "Your room is a mess.")
Using "but" in the same sentence as "I love you" is confusing and manipulative. As in the previous example, this type of statement suggests that the child is only lovable conditionally. Cut to the chase. Avoid tying the feelings you express to the way the child is acting--good or bad.
No expectations. Say "I love you" because you want to say "I love you." Say it because you feel love toward the person you're talking to. Say it because it feels good to say it.
"I love you" is a powerful statement and lots of times it will evoke a loving response from the recipient. But attaching an expectation for a response to the statement is a set-up--both for you and the other person. If the expectation is there, your child will know it. If he does respond, it will probably be to avoid guilt or conflict rather than genuine, spontaneous caring. Is that what you really want?
If your children haven't learned how to say "I love you" yet, it's OK to tell them that you need to hear those three little words sometimes, too. Then give them some space to risk, practice and learn. By far their best lessons will come from your own unconditional modeling.
Turn the love inward. Next to unconditional love, the best gift you can give another person is the love you give yourself! In fact the ability to love, appreciate and care for yourself is essential to healthy, loving relationships with others.
So, look in the mirror. Look into your eyes. Say "I love you." No "buts." No qualifiers. Say it out loud. Say it often. Mean it.
What better way to affirm how worthwhile and lovable you are. And what better way to practice one of the most basic, most precious and important parenting skills there is.
When your children aren't very loving...
"I HATE YOU, MOMMY!"
OK. You're really working hard on your boundaries and recognize that sometimes responsible parenting means saying "no" to your child's request for Milk Duds for dinner or a plea for a 4 a.m. curfew. If your child is doing her job, you can count on her to occasionally resist you efforts at setting even reasonable limits. And sometimes that means she is going to fight dirty, especially if it's worked in the past.
"I HATE YOU, MOMMY!"
Nothing will trigger anger, shame, shock and a sense of inadequacy faster than this statement. It's hard to hear someone you love tell you that he hates you and not take it rather personally. Children know this. They figure out, often at a very early age, that this is a short-cut to a lot of attention (negative attention though it may be) and often to getting their own way.
So, how do you respond?
It's actually pretty simple--at least on paper. First of all, resist the temptation to talk about how this statement "really hurts me and brings up all my abandonment and inadequacy issues." Sure, tell your therapist or your sponsor, but don't dump on your 4-year-old. (Even if your children happen to have degrees in psychiatry, do you really want to make them responsible for your feelings? They're not, you know, and the burden can be overwhelming even for healthy, well-adjusted adults with excellent personal boundaries!)
Instead, acknowledge the feelings behind the statement: "You sound pretty angry," "You're upset about that'" or even "I understand."
Disengage--especially if you find yourself getting upset. Watch out for the temptation to hurt back. Saying "I hate you too, sometimes!" may be exactly what you are feeling at the moment, but it won't help you, your child or your relationship for you to become a 4-year-old who is acting out. If you need some support, encouragement, reassurance or understanding, call on your adult resources.
And leave the door open for further discussions with your child at a later, and calmer, time: "Let's talk about this in a little bit."
If you are able to stay "unhooked" and refuse to change your mind because your child has said that she hates you, she's far less likely to continue using this statement to manipulate your feelings and behaviors. Plus, you'll be able to hang onto the idea that you're still a wonderful and lovable person--no matter what your kids say!
*Yes this works on Daddies, too.


Proud Mama To

Deciding to Spare the Rod

Imagine if someone with authority said to you that you could not use corporal punishment to discipline your children. Stop and think...how would you handle it?
Would it cause dramatic changes in the way you discipline your kids? Would you go into a panic? Would you give up disciplining all together?
Eliminating corporal punishment means more than forgoing bottom spanking. It includes a slap on the wrist, the smack on the face and any other body parts that may be struck.
Numerous studies have revealed that if we were raised with corporal punishment we will most likely raise our children the same way. What we know about being parents generally comes from the parents that raised us.
Some of you may be asking at this point, so what’s really wrong with a swat on the bottom? It’s fast, effective and has nothing to do with child abuse. However, very few people can say with confidence that they have never hit their kids just a little harder than they intended. It’s possible for well intentioned loving parents to get angry enough with their children to use spanking as a means of releasing their own anger. Although these parents are well aware that the purpose of discipline is to teach, when corporal punishment is used, the danger of using and abusing children is greater.
Most parents will agree that children learn a great deal through imitation, especially when they see their children dress up in their clothes, repeat familiar phrases or even pantomime cigarette smoking. When mom or dad spanks little Tommy they are using hitting as a form of communication. They are in fact teaching him through imitation to communicate with his hands (hitting) instead of with words.
When our children see us become so angry with them that we strike them, we not only lose sight of why we are disciplining them, but we show them that it is an appropriate way to deal with anger.
So where does that leave our imaginary situation where corporal punishment is not permitted? In order to teach our children right from wrong we know that discipline has an important place in rearing a child. The following case studies offer alternatives for parents who would like to, or are considering dropping corporal punishment from their lives.
Time-out (For you)
You walk into your bedroom and find red nail polish splattered all over your recently purchased white cashmere sweater. Needless to say you are quite upset and can feel a rush of adrenaline through your body commanding you to act immediately. This is probably not the best time to discipline your children. Give yourself time to deal with your own anger; take deep breaths, a hot bath, dust the house. The point is to deal with your own anger first so you don’t risk taking it out on your children. Then you can begin to think about how it happened. Was it an accident, a deliberate cry for attention or are your children mad at you?
Consider the possibilities. After you are calm and have a reasonably open mind call for your children. Having taken some “time-out” to deal with your own emotions you will be better equipped to deal effectively with the situation. Your children won’t be exposed to an irrational role model and most of all you will be capable of choosing the most appropriate form of discipline or simply finding out if something is bothering them.
Time-out (For them)
Four year old Lisa proceeds to throw a temper tantrum every time you tell her "no". It doesn’t matter whether you’re at the supermarket or a friend’s house; she kicks and screams until she eventually wears you down. Four year old Lisa has learned how to push your buttons. Fortunately, it’s not too late. Children who throw temper tantrums invariably want and receive attention. Whether the parent ends up consoling or yelling, the child receives attention for her negative behavior. This in turn reinforces her belief that temper tantrums gain your attention.
Lisa’s parent might try designating a place in the house where she can express her tantrum. Every time she is getting ready to have one, tell her you recognize her right to express her emotions (to be angry) and take her out of the environment and into a “Temper tantrum zone.” Stay with her without giving her attention. Read a magazine with one eye and watch her with the other (you want to prevent or intervene if she begins to hurt herself).
Temper tantrum zones can also be found outside the home. For example, if the tantrum begins in the grocery store, ask an employee to watch your cart while you take the child outside. Again watch her and listen to her but don’t give her any direct attention. When she has calmed down is the time to give her a treat like a box of Animal Crackers. Giving them to her during the tantrum again only reinforces the negative behavior.
A method for preventing tantrums in public places before they become a problem involves the use of "tickets". Before making your next trip to the store, cut three circles or squares out of cardboard or heavy paper for each child. Decorate them with stars, sparkles and a smiling face.
Before giving the children the tickets tell them the rules you want them to follow (as simply as possible) while you are in the store. When handing over the tickets to them, let them know that every time they break a rule you’re going to take a ticket away. Tell them they must have at least one ticket left if they want to play outside when you get home. If they lose all three tickets they will stay inside. For they child who is extra good and doesn’t lose a ticket, surprise her with an ice cream cone or something you know she likes.
When you use time-out to discipline children you are taking negative attention away. That is, you are not spanking or yelling. When attention is taken away however, it needs to be replaced somewhere else. Lisa’s parents might try going out of their way to give her attention for all the good things she does; thanking her because she was quiet while you were on the telephone or telling her what a great job she did putting on her own socks and shoes. If she’s getting enough positive attention she won’t need to seek it in a negative way.
Taking Away a Privilege (vs. a Right)
The first time your six year old son Mark drew a masterpiece on the kitchen wall you thought it was so cute that you signed and dated it. After a few attempts to get him to use paper, you decide that it’s time to rid him of this bad habit.
After Mark’s parents explained to him and he understood that writing on the walls is a no-no, and he continued to do it, taking away the privilege of using crayons will help to teach him why it is wrong. Explaining to the child why the crayons are being taken away and for how long demands a lot more from the parent than a swat on the bottom. In the long run however, the child will learn that if he wants to keep his crayons the walls are not for scribbling.
It is important here to discern between a right and a privilege. Basic needs such as shelter, food, clothes and sleep are rights. It is our responsibility as parents to care for the needs of our children and not withhold the things that sustain them.
Sending Mark to bed without any dinner when he is hungry is depriving him of a basic right; the need to eat. Privileges, on the other hand are the desserts after the meal. A trip to the ice cream parlor, watching a cartoon show on television or having a set of crayons are all fun but not essential to his daily growth.
When Mark drew on the walls it would not have made sense to discipline him by not letting him play with his friends that afternoon or taking away his television privileges for a day or two.
The punishment must make sense if the child is to learn from it. Taking away Mark’s crayons for doodling on the walls will cause him to think about how he must act if he wants to use his crayons. An important point to remember when using this method of discipline is that young children generally have very short memories. When a privilege is taken away from them for two or three days they may forget about the punishment the second day. It’s the parents job to remind the child (as many times as necessary) why he has lost the privilege and for how long. With young children three days is a fairly long time and should be used as a guideline.
Not giving in on the second day of a three day punishment is the key to using this method successfully. It’s imperative to let them know that the terms of the punishment stand (no matter how hard they try to talk you out of it) while continuously showing your love for them.
Additional Chores
Seven year old Jimmy has broken several items around the house probably due to a combination of carelessness, inattentiveness and roughhousing. This time he has broken a favorite vase of yours. After you have dealt with your anger and let him know you are upset at what he did, to discipline him by having him help with the vacuuming and dusting might not help you, but it might change his behavior. Jimmy’s carelessness could be a sign that he doesn’t feel important to the household or family. It could be this child’s way of communicating that he needs more attention.
As with taking away privileges this method is demanding on both the parent and child. It requires reminding the child how long, why and what the punishment is. It also requires the parent to let the child do these extra chores which may or may not be helpful.
In this case to discipline by adding chores is a double edged sword. On one hand tour teaching Jimmy through discipline that breaking things is not appropriate behavior and on the other hand you’re making him feel more a part of the household by giving him more to do. In addition, if the chores you add involve parent - child interaction, like helping with dinner or folding laundry, you’re also spending more time with him and giving him the attention he was asking for.
Energy Releasing Activity
You’ve noticed that after dinner your children begin yelling, fighting and eventually saying no to bedtime. They may have left over energy which they need to release.
Sometimes children get so wound up from either too much or too little activity that an 8:00 p.m. bedtime seems impossible. Pent up energy can cause the normally obedient child to find trouble.
In this case the parent might try having the children run laps in the backyard, do jumping jacks or other calisthenics, dance fast to music or perform any other non-destructive but physically demanding activity. The key to this method is to divert the children immediately from the negative behavior while giving them a positive way to release their energy.
Reasoning
Nine year old Bob ate an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies after you had told him he could only have a couple. Now Bob has a stomachache.
Sometimes with an older child the most appropriate way to discipline is simply to talk it out. If your child is punishing himself for his wrongdoing, all you may need to do is calmly discuss the situation. Bob’s stomachache is probably enough punishment for disobeying you. By reasoning with him you explain the cause and effect relationship between his disobeying you and why he’s not feeling good.
With these methods and all methods of discipline discussed above, talking with your child about the wrongdoing and the discipline will help you both assess what the child has learned from it.
All the corporal free methods of discipline discussed share the same guidelines in working effectively. First the discipline (if there is one) should be decided on and then begun immediately. That is, telling a child “If you do that one more time...” only invites her to do it again.
Second, following through with discipline not only shows a child that you are serious about changing her behavior but also causes the child to think and learn from it. No child will take discipline seriously if she knows she can usually talk the parent out of it.
Consistency is the third guideline. This entails using similar discipline for similar transgressions. This will actually make decisions about discipline easier for the parent since future punishment is based on past discipline. It will also give the child a clearer understanding of what behaviors are expected out of him.
The final guideline is having the punishment make sense. As discussed earlier, the punishment should be designed so the child learns from it.
To discipline without hitting is easier for both parent and child if corporal punishment was never used at all. However it is possible to effectively discipline without hitting even if corporal punishment was the only method used previously.
By persevering in your discipline and using a combination of the alternative suggested in this article parents can become better role models for their children by teaching them how to handle their own anger. The transition from corporal to corporal free discipline may take time and patience, but will, in the long run, make better communicators out of the entire family.



Proud Mama To

Just 4 more days...

And my baby girl will be going to kindergarten every day! She had her staggered entry day Tuesday. Mama is sad, she is excited. Noww, what to do all day lol



Proud Mama To

Recalls and warnings!

This message consists of the following:

1. Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models

2. Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To Strangulation Hazard

3. Countertop Water Dispensers Recalled by Greenway Home Products Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

4. Regal Lager Recalls to Repair Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Laceration Hazard

5. Children's Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by Orioxi International Due to Strangulation Hazard

6. Wooden Infant Toys Recalled by Habermaass Corp. Due to Choking Hazard

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1. Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008
Release #08-378

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

CPSC is issuing this safety alert because SFCA Inc., the company which purchased all of Simplicity Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the products. SFCA maintains that it is not responsible for products previously manufactured by Simplicity Inc.
The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars spaced farther apart than 2 3/8 inches, which is the maximum distance allowed under the federal crib safety standard. The metal bars are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.

Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.
The Commission voted, using its new authorities in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, to release this warning upon making a finding that the health and safety of the public require immediate notice.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08378.html

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2. Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To Strangulation Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-381

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Six Retailers Agree To Stop Sale and Recall Simplicity Bassinets Due To Strangulation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging retailers across the country to protect the health and safety of babies by stopping sale and recalling nearly 900,000 dangerous Simplicity bassinets. Yesterday, CPSC warned parents, caregivers and consumers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., due to a serious safety risk. Today, CPSC is announcing that the following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. – (800) 925-6278 or www.walmart.com

Toys "R" Us Inc., of Wayne, N.J. - (800) 869-7787 or www.toysrus.com or www.babiesrus.com

Kmart Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill. – (800) 659-7026 or www.kmart.com

Big Lots!, of Columbus, Ohio – (866) 244-5687 or www.biglots.com

Target of Minneapolis, Minnesota sold at www.target.com only

J.C. Penney, of Plano, Texas – (888) 333-6063 or www.jcp.com

Below is a listing of Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible "Close-Sleeper" model bassinets that are included in this recall. The model number can be found on a label on the underside of the bassinet.

RECALLED Model Numbers:

3000CL
3112DOH6
3011WHE
9250A
3016LAU
3046GTM
3010BIJ
3112DOH7
3011WHK
3012SOM
3016MIR
3046HAN
3010HAV
3122BAN
3012BIJ
5750SAR
3017NCB
3047MON
3010NGS
3122TGC
3012OXF
3012TGT
3020SFB
3050LIL
3010TGT
3010BIJC
3012SFD
3013PRO
3025BER
3050SAR
3010WHE
343-8363
3040SAR
9250B
3025C
3060GFS
3040LAU
343-8399
3040SPR
3014LOL
3026CRT
3060TFS
TD2500
3045FEL
3050SWT
3014NGS
3027MIS
8393
3040WDS
3111DPC
3060BTL
3015GFR
3030SAR
3040SPRC
3045DRM
3012LLTC
3112BDY
3070MAN
3040CLA
3040LAC
3111ZOL
3050SWTC
3045OXFC
3112DOH
5730FKB
3045DRMC

CPSC learned that on August 21, 2008, a 6 ½-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the co-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap which is attached by velcro. The fabric is folded down when the bassinet is converted into a bed-side co-sleeping position. If the velcro is not properly re-secured when the flap is adjusted, an infant can slip through the opening and become entrapped in the metal bars and suffocate. This warning does not cover bassinets produced in recent months that have fabric permanently attached over the lower bar.

Due to the serious hazard these bassinets pose to babies, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with day care centers, consignment stores, family and friends to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08381.html

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3. Countertop Water Dispensers Recalled by Greenway Home Products Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-376

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 279-0088
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Countertop Water Dispensers Recalled by Greenway Home Products Due to Fire and Shock 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.

Name of Product: Countertop Water Dispensers

Units: About 44,000

Manufacturer: Greenway Home Products, of Northwood, Ohio

Hazard: The internal heating element could overheat and drop molten metal through ventilation openings in the water dispenser’s base onto the countertop, posing a fire hazard. The internal heating element also poses a shock hazard to consumers who touch it through the vents.

Incidents/Injuries: Greenway has received one report of a fire involving the recalled countertop water dispenser outside the United States that resulted in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled countertop water dispensers include the following Vitapur, Greenway and Polar models. They dispense hot or cold water and use three or five gallon water bottles. The model name is printed on the front of the dispenser’s base. Model and serial numbers are printed on a white label on the back of the dispenser’s base. File number 218326 is printed on a silver sticker on the back of the dispenser’s base.

Models:

Greenway GWD2630W
Polar PWD2635W
Vitapur VWD2636W
Vitapur VWD2636BLK
Vitapur VWD2636RED

Serial Number: Starts with 0606 through 0711
File Number: 218326

Model numbers followed by a “1” or “2,” (i.e. GWD2630W -1 / PWD2635W-2),or dispensers with no ventilation openings underneath the base are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Discount retailers nationwide from June 2006 to November 2007 for between $70 and $80.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled water dispensers immediately and contact Greenway Home Products to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Greenway Home Products toll-free at (866) 279-0088 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.greenwayhp.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08376.html

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4. Regal Lager Recalls to Repair Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Laceration Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-377

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 242-5676
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Regal Lager Recalls to Repair Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Laceration Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Phil & Teds e3 Single Buggy, e3 Twin Buggy and sport v1 Single Buggy Strollers (an additional 425 e3 Twin Buggy Strollers were recalled on May 5, 2006)

Units: About 44,000

Importer: Regal Lager Inc., of Kennesaw, Ga.

Hazard: The stroller’s hinge locking mechanism poses a laceration hazard to the user folding and unfolding the strollers.

Incidents/Injuries: Regal Lager has received nine reports from consumers who injured their fingers in the stroller’s hinge locking mechanism.

Description: The recalled single strollers all have metal frames with three wheels, a cloth seat and canopy. The twin strollers have a metal frame with four wheels, side-by-side cloth seats and double sun canopies. The strollers were sold in a variety of colors including red, orange, green, black, charcoal and navy. The Phil & Teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness.

Sold at: Baby furniture and baby products stores nationwide from August 2003 through August 2008 for between $400 and $650.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and contact Regal Lager to obtain a free hinge cover repair kit and instructions.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers can Regal Lager toll-free at (877) 242-5676 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.regallager.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08377.html

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5. Children's Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by Orioxi International Due to Strangulation Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-379

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 875-4352
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Children's Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by Orioxi International Due to Strangulation Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts and Jackets

Units: About 43,000

Importer: Orioxi International Corp., of Brea, Calif.

Hazard: The sweatshirts and jackets have drawstrings through the hood which pose a strangulation hazard to young children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled garments were sold in children’s sizes small, medium and large in the following colors: white, ivory, red, black, navy, brown, green, charcoal, blue, and pink. “BAC” is printed on the sewn-in tag on some of the garments. “Breckenridge”, “Keystone”, “Jackson Hole”, “Vail”, “Steamboat”, and “Mackinac Island” is printed on the front of the garments.

Sold at: “Shirt off My Back” retail stores located in Colorado, Wyoming, and Michigan from September 2005 through May 2008 for between $20 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard. Consumer can return the garments to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Outfitter Trading Company at (800) 875-4352 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.shirtoffmyback.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08379.html

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6. Wooden Infant Toys Recalled by Habermaass Corp. Due to Choking Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2008
Release #08-380

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 468-6873
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Wooden Infant Toys Recalled by Habermaass Corp. Due to Choking Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Wooden Puzzles, Infant Rattles, Pacifier Holders, and Stroller Toys

Units: About 118,000

Manufacturer: Habermaass Corp. Inc., of Skaneateles, N.Y.

Hazard: The wooden rattles, pacifier holders, and stroller toys contain small pieces including glued on mirrors and/or prisms that can detach, posing a choking hazard to infants. The head of the ladybug puzzle pieces also poses a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Habermaass Corp. has received 15 reports of incidents involving the recalled puzzles, rattles, and pacifier holders including pieces of the rattles detaching and being mouthed by young children.

Description: The puzzles, rattle toys, pacifier holders, and stroller toys are wooden and are described in the chart below. “HABA” is printed on them.
Sold at: Specialty toy stores nationwide and at specialty online retailers from January 2002 through August 2008 for between $10 and $35.

Manufactured in: Germany

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled puzzles, rattles, pacifier holders and stroller toys away from children and contact Habermaass to receive a free replacement product or a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Habermaass Corp. at (800) 468-6873 ext. 107 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.HABAusa.com/safety

Model: Description
Triolino Puzzle: Lady bug puzzle is 7 inches x ½ inch thick
LUCY Clutching Toy (rattle): Hearts have mirrors and prisms. The rattle is about 4 inches in diameter.
Little Heart Clutching Toy (rattle): Heart has mirror. The rattle is about 3 ½ inches in diameter.
Pixie’s World (rattle): 2.5” rattle with mushroom, flower, person and house with mirror.
Belinda Clutching Toy (rattle): Flower clutching toy has face in the middle. The rattle is about 4 inches in diameter.
Miro Clutching Toy (rattle): Rattle center contains blue plastic ball with 10 holes. The rattle is about 3 ½ inches in diameter.
Bunny Pacifier Holder: Pacifier holder is 8.6 inches long with fabric bunny on the end and wooden star with mirror in the middle.
Bear Pacifier Holder: Pacifier holder is 8.6 inches long with bear at the end and wooden circle with mirror in the middle.
Bonita (rattle): 2.5” bouquet of four shapes on wooden ring.
Bella (rattle): 3” diameter with four wooden hearts with two mirrors.
Pirate Joe (rattle): 4” pirate theme with bell and mirror.
Rally (rattle): 4” triangle shape with three cars.
Flori (rattle): Six petal shapes on elastic band. Includes three mirrors & three bells. 5”
Triola (rattle): 4” triangle with two flowers and round corner.
Trio (rattle): 4” triangle shape with squeaker, bell and mirror.
Speedy (rattle): Wooden car about 4.5” L x 3” H. Squeaker in back and mirror on car hood.
Little Hearts Stroller Toy: 18” pram-chain with ten various size wooden hearts.
Discovery Balls, Set of 4: Set contains 1 orange, 1 red, 1 blue and one bicolor blue/yellow ball. Red ball contains three small mirrors.
Discovery Ball with Rattle: Blue/Yellow round wooden ball with small mirror.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08380.html



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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.




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