Child Safety

Lately I've been thinking about child safety and I've had the urge to somehow get involved in child safety advocacy.  I don't know that I have the time to fully commit to such an important cause.  I do try my best to follow safety procedures and be extra cautious for my children.  There are many times that I am concerned for other's children because of a safety issue.  I debate with myself whether I should say something to the parent and "cause a situation" or let them parent, but there are times I just can't look away.  The number of times I've seen very young children not in a car seat is alarming.  All it takes is one accident.  One that isn't even your fault.  It doesn't matter how safe you drive because you can't guarantee the driving abilities of every other driver.  Ask my husband.  He'll tell you about the day he was driving  carefully home with our newborn son from the hospital and we still got hit.  Thankfully, we were okay. 

My husband and I took the kids to our mall's little play area last weekend.  It's nothing fancy, but it's for kids 42in and under to play in.  The number of parents versus children just didn't add up.  We started matching children to parents sitting and watching and noticed several unattended children.  Sure enough after some time a parent that was no where in sight would show up and pick up a kid or two.  There were at least 3 - 4 adults that just showed up to pick up kids they had left and most were very young.  I don't get it.  I could never leave my child unattended at the mall.  I don't even like leaving them unattended in my own house! 

Is it just me?  Am I just one of those paranoid mothers that is always worried about what could possibly happen?  Are some parents just too relaxed?  Is it a little bit of both?

www.safekids.org has a lot of safety tips for parents, teachers, etc. 

I read through some of the safety laws for my State.  Some of them should be obvious, but I've seen many of the laws broken. 

Check out your safety laws for your State. http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/safety-laws/