Child safety is certainly on the scene these days, with thousands of crib and stroller recalls, and even some car seats that are said to have the potential to amputate toddler hands. Has there been some drop of industry standards that's causing less than perfect baby contraptions? The truth is, brands that are cutting corners to cut costs in tough times will not fare well in the end - accidents and fatalities will cost millions in lawsuits and recalls. These companies will also have permanently destroyed their own reputations; most parents aren't big fans of purchasing the same stroller for baby number two after their first born had a brush with death in it. Conversely, when things work well, parents are extremely loyal to particular brands, even if they are well out of their price range.

Can we safely theorize that the economy has something to do with shoddy kid carriers and cribs? Well, the laundry list of companies might suggest that. Graco, Stork Craft, Regal Lager, Jenny Lind, Ikea, Delta, Dorel, and many more have recalled millions of cribs, strollers, highchairs, and car seats.  And the list goes on. Many of these companies recently moved operations to China and other offshore manufacturers.  Why?  It certainly wasn't for quality control.  It was strictly to lower cost. In the end, companies in the crib and stroller industries should never let safety take a backseat to production cost; sadly, this is exactly what's happening, and until companies do experience a recall, they are very unlikely to come clean.

So what do parents and guardians do? First things first. Number one, make a list of everything your child sits, stands, sleeps, eats, or pretty much does anything in or on. From swings to strollers, play yards to papasans, bassinets to convertible cribs. Check on the Internet to see if any of the brands, makes, or models have been recalled. And here's where you don't want to just leave things be: If you feel you haven't gotten a clear answer, keep tracking. Call manufacturers, stay on hold, e-mail customer service - whatever it takes. If you do find that something has been recalled, find out what you should do (return, repair, exchange, etc.) Become a "Papa Bear" or "Mama Bear": Face the facts head on and deal with the situation like General Paton faced Nazi troops. This is no time to pussyfoot around an issue. Your child's safety is not the place to negotiate with any one or any set of circumstances.

Once you know what you should do if any products in your home are not safe, it's time to move into accountability mode. The bottom line is, as adults, and after very long days at work and doing all manner of never-ending housework, we get tired.  It's easy to relax and rationalize by saying things like, "Oh, the baby will be fine in her chair if I just make one quick call in the other room." It makes life more difficult, yes, but there isn't a hurdle in this world not worth taking for the safety of your child. Remember, you're the adult, you're in charge, and you're the lifeguard in every situation - that includes situations that involve strollers and cribs, and that includes staying educated on recalls and other issues that create a clear and present danger to your child.

The makers of recalled products will face their day in court - and not only in the justice system, but the court of public opinion. If you are a parent, make it known that you don't support companies that manufacture unsafe products for children. Child safety is among the most important causes we can take up as a society. Wanting to protect children is an innate human trait - let's live up to the standards our instincts demand of us by making child safety a national priority for car seats, cribs, and anything else that lulls, feeds, swings, carts, or cradles our babies.
 

Anti-Monopololy The Board Game 

 

Train on Florida East Coast Railway Kills Three Teen Girls Crossing Florida Bridge