While it is true that “accidents happen” and that children are injured in their own homes even with attentive parents. All three of these examples happened in licensed day care centers. However, of the three examples given, only one of the centers called the parents immediately and gave a full explanation of what happened. It is easy to guess that it is example #2 where the child suffered a serious broken leg. It’s hard to hide a broken leg. There were significant time delays in the day care providers contacting the parents in the other two examples.

You could ask your child’s day care provider what they would do in each of the circumstances and see what the answers are. If you do, I would be happy to hear whether you were satisfied with the answers.

Facebook’s new format –“Timeline” — was rolled out in September and will go full scale soon — maybe before you read this blog post. (You can even access this blog post on my Facebook page! It’ll be there for years and years.)

What does this mean? Every single post, ‘like’ link, friendship, and photo you have ever published on Facebook will be kept in an endless stream . . . for anyone to access.

Think about this:  Your nine year old has a Facebook account and ‘likes’ certain pages and bands; has photos of friends and herself up, makes comments about her life and family, and shares her views and opinions, and she continues to do so as she grows.  When she is 18 and applies for jobs and colleges, her Facebook page will still show a history of what she posted from age NINE.  When she is 35 and up for a job review or decides on a career change, her new employers can still see what she was doing every year since she was nine years old.  Anyone with any sort of authority can access Facebook accounts — police, lawyers, employers.  They will have access to an incredibly extensive record, won’t they? Plus, the potential for misuse of information is mind boggling.

“Timeline” is mandatory. It started on December 15. Once you upgrade to Timeline, if you don’t like the way Facebook is publishing your information, you have seven days to make changes. After that, it’s too late.

Frankly, Facebook continues to make changes, and I am confident this is not the last change it will make. Our children are comfortable in this worldwide arena, but we adults know that sometimes youthful indiscretion can come back to haunt. Facebook is making it easier for all to see those youthful indiscretions – for a long time.  The bigger message is that we need to figure out ways to help our kids figure it out so they can stay safe and preserve as much privacy as there is left.

ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A COURT OF LAW.”

You have probably heard these words hundreds of times in movies and read them in books. These words – or some version of them – are part of what we have come to know as a “Miranda Warning,” named after Miranda v. Arizona,  a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case.

Although Miranda dealt with rights of someone in police custody, we ought to teach children that what they SAY online can be used against them in many ways. I recently read a blog written by a man who was a juror in a case that was decided based on all kinds of social media evidence.

Jon Mitchell, a writer for ReadWriteWeb.com, wrote about his recent jury duty experience.  The jury had to decide who was telling the truth by comparing what live witnesses said in court with what they had written on MySpace, Facebook and in emails, some of which were written years before.

Mr. Mitchell’s advice was to “write like what you say will be read to a jury.” For teens and children, maybe a better test would be, “write like what you say will be read by your grandmother.”

We are living in a wired world. Boundaries between public and private lives are becoming blurred, and what children and youth “say” online can follow them for the rest of their lives.

Walk down any toy store aisle, browse through any catalog or check out any online business and you will see that electronics are common everywhere — along with numerous small pieces to attach (and detach) to all of them. Electronics and small pieces each have hidden dangers  for children of all ages. And while most children seem to be born with some innate understanding of technology, it’s still a good idea to remember the basics:

1. Be sure you are using the proper battery, charger, and plug outlet for the toy.
2. Make sure your child knows how to store the toy properly (e.g., keep it dry and at the right temperature).
3. If the child’s toy links to the internet or has an online play aspect, make sure the site is secure before you let the child access the internet.  (Make sure your computer safety settings have been adapted for these sites.)
4. Be sure video games and site links are age appropriate for the child. (This goes for on-lookers, too!)
5. Set rules so the child understands that her laptop and IPhone are different from yours.
6. Replace all batteries yourself.

Keeping these simple things in mind will allow your techno-savvy youth to enjoy their gift responsibly and safely.

You have probably read and heard what I am about to say many times, but especially at this time of year with pressures and stress, here are some reminders for your SAFETY FIRST list.

• Many top toys, such as Legos, Kinect, and Hot Wheels, have extremely small pieces that can pose as choking hazards if in the wrong hands or misused.
• Dolls and many other toys often have things attached to them that can come loose become extremely dangerous. Check them over carefully before taking them home.
• Be mindful of toys that are wired or “pose-able” (such as the Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Doll). After a certain amount of wear, the wire may become exposed and dangerous.
• Always help your child remove the toy from the box. Most toys are zip-tied, twist-tied, and secured and need some type of knife or scissor to free it.
• Put batteries in your child’s toy for them and make sure they know how to properly attach all chargers and accessories to electronics.
• And make sure someone got Johnny and Jenny helmets to go along with their new scooters —  and all other safety gear that goes along with bikes and moveable toys.

And, always keep an eye on the national recall list after the holiday season, because recalls and safety alerts are published well after people have the toys in their homes.

Here is a link to a best toy guide. The site has recommendations for toys for different age groups and reviews of pluses and minuses about various toys. I have no connection to the creators of the site and merely draw your attention to the site as another source of information.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes frequent information about product recalls, including toys.

For years, stores have used that day as the beginning of holiday shopping and many stores open very early, often at 4:00 a.m. or even earlier. Families have added that early-morning trip as part of their holiday traditions.

More and more, people bring their children along on these shopping sprees. Here are tips for keeping your children safe if they’re out on Black Friday.

• DRIVERS. There are lots of people – tired and cranky people -  who have been up since two or three in the morning -  driving around. They are in a hurry and stressed, which adds greater a threat on the road. Never skip buckling your child – or yourself – while driving from one store to the next, even if you are in a hurry and stressed. It may save time to skip the buckle, but taking the time to buckle could save a life.

• Also, watch how you store your purchased items in the car; items that are stacked too high may topple over on you or  passengers in your car.

• MASS HYSTERIA never brings people to their finest moment, whether it’s over attacks from aliens or trying to get one of twenty holiday-fad items marked down for a dollar.  It is easy for adults to get caught up in the undertow of excitement, but imagine how easy it is for a child to be trampled or knocked about.  Shoppers herd in certain parts of the store to find a specific item and will stop at nothing to get it.  Last year, a friend of mine witnessed a petite lady summon the strength of Superman to tip over a fully loaded cart, clearing a path to reach the last of the marked down vacuums.

• KEEP UP WITH THE KIDS. It’s crowded, cluttered and dangerous when kids are in the mix.  They can get lost easily.

• TOO MUCH MERCHANDISE, TOO FEW CARTS.  Stores often run out of carts for properly securing children. Excess stock kept stacked in aisles and endcaps can pose a challenge for children walking low to the ground and can fall on top of a child if they get bumped.   If a cart is unavailable, never put your children inside other items such as a suitcase or duffle bag! (I didn’t make that up.)

• STROLLERS AND PURCHASES. Use caution if you decide to use your child’s stroller to carry your purchases (like hanging bags on the stroller handles). The extra weight may throw the balance of the stroller off and cause it to tip over and hurt your child.

So remember deal-hunters: Always make sure your children are safe and accounted for while shopping. Happy shopping!

And, while it’s normal for children to get a little “banged up,” parents must beware.

• Make sure your child has had plenty of rest before extra outdoor physical exertion. Children who are tired may be clumsier than usual – and not use the best judgment.
• Watch out for a child’s unusual behavior after getting a little “banged up.” What may at first appear to be minor (and probably is) may be more serious if pain persists. Take your child’s complaints seriously.
• Watch for redness, swelling, fever, bleeding, etc. after your child has been playing hard outside.

Go out and enjoy the beautiful season. We’ve got all winter to heal.

• Use glow sticks, reflectors and “spooky” shoes that have little lights for after-dark spooky activities.
• Try glow earrings, bracelets and even glow-in-the-dark stickers for your child’s candy bag.
• Be sure your child’s mask doesn’t inhibit her ability to see.
• Travel in a group.
• Have an adult in front and an adult in back of the group — with reflective clothing and flashlights. (Even if your children are too “old” for adults, make sure they have reflective clothing and flashlights and are in a group.)
• Go to homes with lights on.
• Check candy before your child eats it — wrappers intact, no open or unmarked candy.
• If your child has, for instance, a peanut allergy, make sure everyone in the group knows about the allergy. Prompt them to trade what they can’t eat right away.

The food (catered by Blue Ridge Cafe) was delicious – especially the blueberry cobbler), the bluegrass music (Gary Shifflett and the Shenandoah shakers, and Tommy Wood and the Dixie Hill Bluegrass Band) was outstanding. And the day was beautiful.

The volunteers at Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company practice regularly so they will be prepared for the next emergency. The station itself is spotless, as is every piece of equipment. The volunteers are prepared for brush fires in the wooded areas surrounding Ruckersville and for home kitchen fires and other emergencies, including medical emergencies.

Most of all, though, the firefighters were friendly, helpful, rightfully proud of the important work they do — and they encouraged youngsters to safely enjoy the equipment.

Thank you volunteers!