Free Child Identification Program This Weekend

On Saturday October 8-9, the Ann Arbor Masonic Lodge #262 and the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge #159 will be providing a free child identification program to area residents and their families.  The program 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sunday, will be held at the Sears Store of Briarwood Mall (900 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor) as part of the Sears Safety Weekend Event.

Each child that goes through the process will receive a dental impression kit that can be done at home as well as a CD containing a photo, video, digital fingerprints and their vital information.  Parents or guardians of children who participate must be present and fill out a permission slip for the child to receive this service.  Children who have already received the service are encouraged to repeat the process every two years to keep the information in the completed packets current.

The Michigan Child Identification Program provides the family with everything needed for the Amber Alert System and since 2005 several thousand Michigan families have received this valuable service. The program is also considered one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Several years ago we had both kids done, however it's a great time for us to repeat doing the program for the most up-to-date information on our children. I encourage other Ann Arbor families to take advantage of this free service.

For questions or more information about the event you may call 989-466-3087 or consult the Michigan Child ID Web Site at www.michiganchildid.org.

FREE: Child Passenger Safety Week Carseat Inspections

Does your child have the proper fit in her carseat? Find out
September,  21 during a free child safety seat inspection.

I'm astounded to learn that misuse rate of child safety seats, car seats and booster seats is 77.8 percent! That means that 3 out of 4 of us aren't giving our young children our full attention as they buckle into their seats! So are mine being used incorrectly? Are yours?

On Wednesday, September 21, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Moore Pediatrics (13699 Old US 12, Chelsea), Safe Kids Huron Valley is doing a free car seat check event for parents.  If you are unable to head over, there are many locations around Ann Arbor for a free child safety seat inspection typically by appointment. So this month during Child Passenger Safety Week, which begins Sunday, consider having your children checked in their booster seats, 5-point harness or other child safety seat for proper fit and usage.

Check back later for additional free checks occurring around the area September 24.

Free Car Seat Safety Check

My kid's grow so quickly that I sometimes don't notice where their heads are in the auto booster seats - My son my have sprouted a ton, because just before vacation I realized he was riding around with his head above most of the back of the booster! Top that off with the changes in car seat safety laws for children passengers in Michigan last year and it gets very confusing very quickly.

I was lucky enough to have a safety seat check when my son attended Safety Town camp, however that was 2 years ago! And a LOT has changed in that time...  Questions that pop into my mind are, is my daughter big enough to ride without the five-point-harness and When will my son be able to ride without a car seat. It's sometimes just too much to remember. The bottom line is, am I protecting my children well enough in their car seats?

Did you know that studies show that 8 out of 10 booster seats are used incorrectly? So are mine being used incorrectly? Are yours? Luckily there is a real easy solution for those families living in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities - This Saturday, September 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. families can attend a free car seat safety check by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department at The Little Seedling (355 S. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor 48103) to make sure your little ones are riding safely while in the car.

Toy Safety Press Conference at Beaumonth Hospital, Royal Oak

Tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. at William Beaumonth Hospital the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) will host the 24TH Annual Trouble in Toyland report on dangerous holiday toys. PIRGIM will release its annual toy safety report, which has led to corrective action on more than 130 toys over the last two decades.

Participants at the event will demonstrate toy hazards and alert parents to hazards that are still on store shelves, such as toys with small parts, toys that are excessively loud, and toys containing toxic chemicals.

PIRGIM will also launch a new interactive tool, accessible via smart phone, that will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common toyhazards.

The event will be help at Beaumont Hospital (3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road - west of Woodward Avenue - Royal Oak) South Tower on the fifth floor in the Pediatric Garden. Complimentary parking will be available in the South Parking Deck.

The AnnArborMom site will also publish a follow-up to this event for parents unable to make it.