Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Baby Proofing Professional
It’s that time of year again when all professional child proofers get together and share their trade tips, secrets and problems. As a member of the IAFCS since 1999 All-star baby safety considers their attendance mandatory to remain the leader in the childproofing industry on long island and new York city. For three days, new and old members will finally be able to relate in person the ups and downs of being a bay proofer. This is quite the exclusive industry. The entire state of California only has about 11 child proofing companies total.
So how does one become a professional babyproofer ? It used to be as simple as taking an ad out in the local parents magazine. In fact one child proofer, in his advertisement, claimed that he had successfully child proofer his own home and then helped baby proof a few of his friends home too, so it was time to start charging for their services. This is why customers should always check references as well as how long someone’s been in their chosen career.
We are thankful for the hard work of officers at the iafcs there is finally a certification and standard for child prooofers. Members of the organization can now opt for the test that will give customer confidence in making a decision. Sure this makes it a little harder to become a child proofer but when someone someone is charging you to make your home baby safe, it's not right to have someone who has "helped a few friends" install (possibly incorrectly) potentially life saving devices in your home.
A old friend of mine Tom Connolly who distributes lifesaver pool fences in Massachusetts, and has been child proofing homes for 11 years, took the test on the same day as I. I met Tom many years ago when he worked at the child safety product distributor I used to order from. Both having Sunday afternoon and evening open we continued on with our discussion about best baby proofing installation tips, trick, and techniques.
We had some guest speakers and also a member of the IAFCS our own Peter Kerin did a 20 minute presentation on efficiency in the baby proofing service industry. Peter was so efficient in his task it only lasted 17 minutes. From outside our organization, somewhere further west than California and way left of Nancy Pelosi was the “baby planner”. A young woman so passionate about being "green" I have absolutely reassessed my own possible information overload during child safety consultation with my clients.
Making it a true "international" association my morning workout friend, Nancy Renolds, of Baby Secure in Canada made the trek from Montreal. It seems her mission in life if to find the perfect child safety gate. It seems like Nancy does more product research than Lindsy Lohan in a pharmacy. A true stickler for perfection I know one day we will see the biggest smile on her face carrying a baby gate into the conference for all of us to see.
Also from the west coast, the representatives of "Boo Boo Busters" (minus Kimberly) showed up and appeared to have breezed through their test. This company has baby proofed for the elite in and around Hollywood. I’ve had the pleasure to work for some big name but come on guys send me some client referrals in Manhattan already. Oh that right I forgot you partnered up with safety first and have started "The Safety First Squad". Kind of like best buys Geek squad only with baby proofers instead of "geeks" . Alton Chen who was at last year’s conference took his mask and cape off this year and disclosed his true intentions as the leader of the safety first squad and product distributor. Quite a nice guy it's unfortunate that so many small business are afraid this large company might take over the industry. I would point out that there are still very successful computer and audio techs in business side by side with geek squad.
So how does one become a professional babyproofer ? It used to be as simple as taking an ad out in the local parents magazine. In fact one child proofer, in his advertisement, claimed that he had successfully child proofer his own home and then helped baby proof a few of his friends home too, so it was time to start charging for their services. This is why customers should always check references as well as how long someone’s been in their chosen career.
We are thankful for the hard work of officers at the iafcs there is finally a certification and standard for child prooofers. Members of the organization can now opt for the test that will give customer confidence in making a decision. Sure this makes it a little harder to become a child proofer but when someone someone is charging you to make your home baby safe, it's not right to have someone who has "helped a few friends" install (possibly incorrectly) potentially life saving devices in your home.
A old friend of mine Tom Connolly who distributes lifesaver pool fences in Massachusetts, and has been child proofing homes for 11 years, took the test on the same day as I. I met Tom many years ago when he worked at the child safety product distributor I used to order from. Both having Sunday afternoon and evening open we continued on with our discussion about best baby proofing installation tips, trick, and techniques.
We had some guest speakers and also a member of the IAFCS our own Peter Kerin did a 20 minute presentation on efficiency in the baby proofing service industry. Peter was so efficient in his task it only lasted 17 minutes. From outside our organization, somewhere further west than California and way left of Nancy Pelosi was the “baby planner”. A young woman so passionate about being "green" I have absolutely reassessed my own possible information overload during child safety consultation with my clients.
Making it a true "international" association my morning workout friend, Nancy Renolds, of Baby Secure in Canada made the trek from Montreal. It seems her mission in life if to find the perfect child safety gate. It seems like Nancy does more product research than Lindsy Lohan in a pharmacy. A true stickler for perfection I know one day we will see the biggest smile on her face carrying a baby gate into the conference for all of us to see.
Also from the west coast, the representatives of "Boo Boo Busters" (minus Kimberly) showed up and appeared to have breezed through their test. This company has baby proofed for the elite in and around Hollywood. I’ve had the pleasure to work for some big name but come on guys send me some client referrals in Manhattan already. Oh that right I forgot you partnered up with safety first and have started "The Safety First Squad". Kind of like best buys Geek squad only with baby proofers instead of "geeks" . Alton Chen who was at last year’s conference took his mask and cape off this year and disclosed his true intentions as the leader of the safety first squad and product distributor. Quite a nice guy it's unfortunate that so many small business are afraid this large company might take over the industry. I would point out that there are still very successful computer and audio techs in business side by side with geek squad.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Furniture Tip Overs
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2010
Release #10-351 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances in Child-Proofing Efforts
On average, one child dies every two weeks due to tipovers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Many parents and caregivers may not be aware that one of the top hidden hazards in the homes where young children live or visit is unsecured and unstable TVs, furniture and appliances. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to take a moment to inspect and secure these items to prevent any more tragedies.
Between 2000 and 2008, CPSC staff received reports of nearly 200 tipover related deaths involving children eight years old and younger. Nearly all of these fatalities (93%) involved children five years old and younger.
More than 16,000 children five years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers according to CPSC staff’s most recent estimates from 2006.
“Large TVs and unstable furniture can be a deadly combination. Taking simple, low-cost steps to secure furniture and TVs can save lives,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents need to know about this hidden danger and take action now.”
Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture will tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
To help prevent tip-over hazards, the CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests, dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall. Call in a professional childproofer if needed.
Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.
Push the TV as far back on its stand as possible.
Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach and teach kids not to play with them.
Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won’t be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
This year, the CPSC is intensifying its outreach efforts by partnering with numerous organizations, including clinics and second-hand stores, to disseminate a two minute PSA (transcript) including a powerful testimonial of a parent who lost her two-year-old in a TV tipover incident and a poster (pdf). In addition, consumers will be able to stream a 20 second version (transcript) of the PSA through October 23, 2010 by texting TVFALL to 878787.
Consumers can also contact
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2010
Release #10-351 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances in Child-Proofing Efforts
On average, one child dies every two weeks due to tipovers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Many parents and caregivers may not be aware that one of the top hidden hazards in the homes where young children live or visit is unsecured and unstable TVs, furniture and appliances. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging families to take a moment to inspect and secure these items to prevent any more tragedies.
Between 2000 and 2008, CPSC staff received reports of nearly 200 tipover related deaths involving children eight years old and younger. Nearly all of these fatalities (93%) involved children five years old and younger.
More than 16,000 children five years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TVs, furniture, and appliance tipovers according to CPSC staff’s most recent estimates from 2006.
“Large TVs and unstable furniture can be a deadly combination. Taking simple, low-cost steps to secure furniture and TVs can save lives,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents need to know about this hidden danger and take action now.”
Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture will tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
To help prevent tip-over hazards, the CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests, dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall. Call in a professional childproofer if needed.
Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.
Push the TV as far back on its stand as possible.
Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach and teach kids not to play with them.
Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won’t be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
This year, the CPSC is intensifying its outreach efforts by partnering with numerous organizations, including clinics and second-hand stores, to disseminate a two minute PSA (transcript) including a powerful testimonial of a parent who lost her two-year-old in a TV tipover incident and a poster (pdf). In addition, consumers will be able to stream a 20 second version (transcript) of the PSA through October 23, 2010 by texting TVFALL to 878787.
Consumers can also contact
Baby Proofing Service Long Island