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Posted On: September 30, 2011

7 Year Old Boy Hit While Riding Bicycle in Waterford Lakes - Florida (Watch Out for Pedestrians and Bicyclists)

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The Orlando Sentinel reported that a 7 year old boy suffered personal injuries when he was hit on his bicycle while crossing a street. At the time of the bicycle accident, the 7 year old boy was with his grandmother. The driver of the van involved in the accident told police that she stopped at the stop sign and then began to make her turn when the accident took place. The driver was issued a citation by the Florida Highway Patrol for Careless Driving. See Child Hit on Bicycle by Van - Importance of Safe Driving.

Florida Laws regulate drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Due care should be taken anytime that bicyclists or pedestrians are on or near the roadway. Drivers should slow down and pay close attention to the movement and location of pedestrians and bicyclists. Unfortunately in Central Florida and many other areas, children are the unfortunate victims of bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Many such accidents can be avoided or prevented with better driving and the reduction or elimination of driver distraction.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injuries - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Damages / Compensation, Automobile Accidents, Medical Treatment / Medical Bills, and many other topics. You can get a free copy of this book at Free Book to Parents Looking for Answers to Common Questions Involving Child Injuries.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Bicycle Injuries , Pedestrian Injuries

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Posted On: September 29, 2011

Former Jacksonville (Duval County) Elementary School Student Pleads Guilty in Sex with Minor Child Case

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Unfortunately, in Jacksonville (Duval County), Florida and other cities, teachers, tutors, babysitters, day care providers, and others entrusted with the supervision of a child abuse the very children under their care. The health, safety, and welfare of a child should be paramount to everything else. The Florida Times Union (www.jacksonville.com) reported that a former 5th grade teacher (Kristina Hartless) recently plead guilty to having sex or unlawful contact with a minor who she was tutoring in math and who she counseled at church. See Former Jacksonville Teacher Pleads Guilty in Sex Case with Student.

Ms. Hartless will spend 13 months in Florida State Prison and then be on probation for another five years. It is amazing that a teacher, who spent years training for the job and years on the job, would abuse her position of trust in such a disturbing and criminal manner.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Crimes Against Children , Day Camps / Summer Camps , Day Care Centers and Child Care , Education , School Safety

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Posted On: September 28, 2011

Dangers of Unsecured Televisions to Children - Important Safety Advice for Parents, Schools, and Day Care Center Owners

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A Three year old child suffered multiple skull fractures when an unsecured television fell on his head. The Las Vegas, Nevada child used the drawers of a dresser as a ladder to climb on top of a piece of furniture. The child was attempting to fix the picture on the television he was watching. The weight of the child toppled the television, causing it to hit him in the head. The surgeons at University Medical Center in Las Vegas used 100 metal screws to put Tyler Adams skull back together. The injured child had been battling cancer when this accident happened.

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, injuries resulting from unsecured furniture are on the rise. Several professional believe that the increase in injuries may be due to larger flat screen televisions. Flat screen televisions tend to have small bases that make them easier to topple over. When child proofing your home remember to secure heavy furniture to the wall. Make sure that televisions are properly anchored to furniture. There are several inexpensive products available on the market to help you anchor your television either to the wall or your furniture. For more information see, Dangers of Unsecured Televisions to Children- Important Safety Advice For Parents, Schools, and Day Care Center

It is important for parents, school teachers, and day care operators to secure televisions and other common furniture and items. A television is a common item in many homes, schools, and day care centers. It is clear that a television which is not anchored or properly secured can be a very dangerous item in the home, school, or day care center.


Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety

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Posted On: September 27, 2011

Girl and Grandfather Attacked by Pit Bull Dog in Central Florida

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A Central Florida girl was attacked by a pit bull dog. The 8 year old's grandfather was also attacked when he attempted to rescue the child. Both victims are recovering from the attack. According to reports the dog had the head of the girl in the dog's mouth.

In the State of Florida, there is strict liability when it comes to dog bite cases. If you are a victim of a dog bite you may file a suit in civil court. If you have been attacked of bitten by a dog, it is important to contact a lawyer who handles dog bite legal matters and injury cases. There are laws regarding the statue of limitations. The owner of the dog may be liable and you may be entitled to economic compensation. It is the dog owner's responsibility to keep their dog properly restrained. Appropriate "bad dog" signage should also be posted on the dog owners property. For more information see, Girl and Grandfather Attacked by the Pit Bull Dog in Central Florida.

Florida dog bites can be especially serious when a young child is bitten by a dog. Because of the size of a child and the child's inability (in most instances) to defend himself or herself, a dog bite injury can be life threatening and even deadly in some instances. The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Dog Bite Injuries, Damages / Compensation, Medical Bills / Medical Treatment, and other topics. You can received a free book at Free Child Books Offer - Dealing with Dog Bite Injuries and Other Child Injuries.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Dangerous Dog Laws , Dogs / Dog Bites / Animals / Pets

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Posted On: September 26, 2011

Florida - Appellate Court Rules on Parental Spanking - What Is Abuse? What Isn't Abuse? Questions Still Linger.

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There is often times a fine line between parental discipline and child abuse. There was a recent Florida Appellate Court ruling that addressed the issue of the rights of parents to discipline and whether such acts constituted child abuse / neglect under Florida law.
The Florida Appellate Court ruling dealt with a very specific fact pattern. Namely, the question presented before the court was whether a single smack spanking fit under any of the definitions of child abuse or child neglect. In other words, did a single smack spanking amount of a crime under the laws of the State of Florida? The question or issue presented before the Court was whether the punishment was unreasonable and excessive. The Court ruled that such an act under the particular facts presented to the Court was not abuse or neglect under Florida law. It is still unclear under Florida law how each and every case of corporal punishment by a parent will be handled. As long as corporal punishment is allowed, there will always be some debate or uncertainty as to what acts constitute abuse and neglect and what acts do not. You can read more about this topic at Florida Appellate Court Rules that One Smack / Spank Does Not Constitute Child Abuse and Neglect.

The topic covered in the previously mentioned article dealt with parental use of corporal punishment. The laws are quite different when applied to schools and day care centers. Schools may be able to utilize corporal punishment in the State of Florida but it depends on whether the school is public or private and the location (county) of the school. Some public school districts allow corporal punishment and some prohibit it. Private schools have policies in place that either allow or prohibit corporal punishment as well.

For more information on corporal punishment prohibitions in Florida day care centers, see - What Rules Apply to Discipline and Corporal Punishment?

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Crimes Against Children , Day Care Centers and Child Care

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Posted On: September 17, 2011

Toddler Sustains Serious Personal Injuries in Driveway Backing Out Accident In Orange County Florida

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A 50 year old man was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injuries to a 15 month old toddler. The driver, Manuel Mendez backed over the Israel Williams, who was in the driveway of his Orange County, Florida home. Mendez left the scene of the accident that left the child in critical condition. The driver was arrested several hours later.

Accidents involving drivers backing into children are all too common. These type of accidents can be prevented by carefully checking for children or objects behind you. Always pay special attention to the blind spots. Many new model automobiles have backup cameras to assist in viewing what is behind the automobile. Never leave the scene of an accident and always call for assistance if someone involved in the accident is injured. For more information on the article Toddler Sustains Serious Injuries in Driveway Backing out Accident in Orange County Florida.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Child Safety , Pedestrian Injuries

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Posted On: September 16, 2011

Magician Agrees to Criminal Plea Agreement in Lake County, Florida

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Howard Scott Kalin of Baltimore County, Maryland was arrested on charges of seeking sex from a minor. Kalin, an attorney and balloon magician was arrested outside of Orlando in Lake County Florida for attempting to solicit sex from a 14 year old child via the internet. According the the Lake County Sheriff's cybercrime division, the 47 year old man was attempting to make contact with a 14 year old male, but instead was in contact with a member of the sheriffs department posing as a minor. Kalin signed a plea agreement and could face up to 10 years in prison.

Children who have access to computers should be educated by their parents regarding cyber-saftey. Parents should monitor and be aware of how and when their children use the internet. Cybercrimes against children are on the rise. For more information on Magician Agrees to Criminal Plea Agreement in Lake County, Florida.

Unfortunately and tragically, not all child molesters and abusers are caught in an attempt to solicit or have sex with a child. The Internet is just another venue that child molesters and abusers are using to attempt to lure children into danger and abuse.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Crimes Against Children , Internet, E-Mail, Text Messaging , Sexual Offenders / Predators

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Posted On: September 15, 2011

Sorority - Delta Delta Delta - Tri Delt - UCF - Placed on Probation Following Death of Ann Hefferin

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The Delta Delta Delta Sorority from the University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, was recently put on probation for the alleged alcohol related death of a freshman student. Anne Hefferin, a member of the campus Tri Delt, sorority attended a fraternity party with Sigma Chi on August 24. The next morning Hefferin was found by her roommates unconscious in an apartment on the UCF campus. She died later that day. According to Hefferin's roommates, it was evident that she had been drinking.

The University is investigating the cause of death to determine what part (if any) the fraternity and the sorority played in the death of Hefferin's death. It has been determined that alcohol was available at the fraternity the night the party. This is a direct violation of the University of Central Florida's alcohol policy.

This is not the first incident involving alcohol and the Delta Delta Delta sorority In April, the sorority was sited by the University for alcohol related violations.

Under age drinking and alcohol related accidents are a problem on many college and university campuses around Florida and the rest of the United . University, State, and Greek Council officials are trying to prevent or reduce the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths by forbidding alcohol at registered events and putting other measures in please to stop the serving of alcohol during fraternity and sorority sponsored events. for more information regarding this story see UCF Sorority Placed on Probation Following Death of Freshman Student.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Alcohol & Drug Issues , Wrongful Death

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Posted On: September 14, 2011

Hit and Run Accident in Sunny Isles Neighborhood Causes Serious Personal Injuries to Six Year Old Boy (Jacob Shaked)

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A Sunny Isle, Florida child, was put in critical condition at the Joe DiMaggio Children's hospital after being hit by a car . Six year old Jacob Shaked was riding his bicycle in his quiet gated neighborhood when he was struck by an unidentified driver. The driver sped away without helping. The child was hospitalized with a broken bone, a head injury, and was placed on a respirator. The child was found on the side of the road by a neighbor who called 911. The parents of Jacob, are asking for any information regarding this tragic hit and run.

The quiet neighborhood of Sunny Isle, Florida has several speed limit signs posted as well as speed bumps to warn drivers to slow down. The police are reviewing the community surveillance tapes in an attempt to identify the hit and run driver.

When operating a motor vehicle you must obey the rules and laws of the road. Obey posted speed limit signs and watch for bike riders and pedestrians. Drivers have a responsibility to stop and provide assistance when in a motor vehicle accident.

If you have any information regarding this accident call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. For more information regarding Sunny Isle Florida Hit and Run Leaves Six Year Old Boy in Critical Condition with Serious Personal Injuries.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Bicycle Injuries , Child Safety

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Posted On: September 13, 2011

Basketball Coach (Omar Curry) Admits to Sex with Students and Fathering Child with a Student - Belleview High School in Marion County, Florida

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Omar Curry, high school basketball coach and social studies teacher from Belleview High School in Marion County, Florida, is facing life in prison after admitting to having sex with three of his teenage students and fathering a child with one of them.

Curry was found to be the father after the teenage girl came forward and DNA tests were confirmed. The girl said she had sex with Curry in January 2008, and that Curry called her out of class, took her to the girl’s locker room, and they had sex. The child is now two-years-old.

In 2009, Curry was arrested for sexual battery charges after a 15-year-old-student student claimed they had sex in the school’s locker room. But, Curry was never fired from Belleview.

Another girl, age 17, came forward a few days after Curry’s most recent arrest. She said the two had sex in March 2008.

Curry has since been fired from Belleview. While awaiting sentencing for three counts of sexual battery on a child, Curry was remanded into custody. Circuit Judge Hale Stancil will determine his sentence. Although the maximum penalty is life, his crimes usually call for less than 25 years in prison.

For more information on the subject, see School basketball coach facing life in prison after having sex with three of his students - and fathering a child with one.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Sport Related Injuries

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Posted On: September 12, 2011

Florida Day Care Centers - What Disciplinary Acts Are Prohibited?

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With over 800,000 children under the age of six in the State of Florida needing child care, it is important that Florida's Day Care Centers abide by the Florida Statutes 402.305. One area of this statute that is of particular concern in provision dealing with child discipline.

Section 12 provides that age will play a part in determining what course of action is necessary when disciplining a child. Next, the statute lays out the minimum requirements that each Florida Day Care Center must abide by. First, Florida Day Care Centers are not allowed to discipline in any way that is humiliating or frightening. Second, the discipline cannot be associated with food, rest, or toileting. Finally, Florida Day Care Centers and its staff are prohibited from spanking or physically punishing children in any form. The statute also requires Florida Day Care Centers to inform the parents of the child of the daycare's disciplinary practices prior to the child's admission.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Day Care Centers and Child Care , School Safety , Statutory References (Florida)

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Posted On: September 11, 2011

Florida Day Care Centers - What Standards Apply to Plan of Activities for Children?

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Section 402.305 of the Florida Statutes 402.305 sec. 13, sets forth the requirements regarding the plan of activities that each Florida Day Care Center is required to provide for their children. Minimum standards ensure that each Florida Day Care Center has a written daily provision of active and quiet activities appropriate to the age of the child. Implementing these standards according to age helps in preventing physical and mental abuse of the children.

It is well known that a child's first few years are very important towards their brain development. At three-years-old, a child's brain is operating at twice the speed of an adult's brain. This is why it is extremely important for daycares and other child care services to make sure they have a strong and detailed plan in place to assist children with this process. Activities like playing outside and interacting with other children can help improve a child's foundation for learning language and developing proper motor skills. It is also important to allow them to participate in inside activities such as puzzles and coloring books to help enhance all areas of the brain at such a delicate age.

Even with a good plan in place, Florida Day Care Centers can still lose sight of the most valuable things that a child needs at this age such as loving care and new experiences. Talking, singing, playing and reading are some of the key activities that build a child's brain.

To learn more please see, Understanding Brain Development in Young Children.


Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Day Care Centers and Child Care , Education

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Posted On: September 9, 2011

Dangers of Florida Surf and Waters - Father Drowns Teaching Kids to Surf in Daytona Beach, Florida

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Florida's beaches and oceans are enjoyed by residents and tourists alike throughout the year. Unfortunately, many lives are lost every year due to drownings in Florida's oceans, rivers, swimming pools, and other water ways. The Volusia County (Florida) Beach Patrol reported that Richard Kerr drowned while in the Atlantic Ocean teaching his children how to surf. The incident took place in a location where there were no lifeguards posted on a day in which there was a strong current. Labor Day Weekend brought with it thousands of people to Volusia County beaches. It was a busy weekend for the lifeguards and for the Volusia County Beach Patrol.

Tragically, Richard Kerr was not breathing when he was brought ashore. He was later transported to the hospital where he as pronounced dead. The death of this father is certainly a great loss for his family, his community (St. Petersburg), as well as for the Daytona Beach community.

Whether the swimmer is an adult or child, due care should be followed when swimming or surfing in Florida's oceans. Not all beach areas are patrolled by lifeguards. Furthermore, the surf on some days are much rougher than others. You can read more about this story at St. Petersburg Florida Father Dies While Teaching Kids to Surf in Daytona Beach.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Swimming Pool & Aquatic Injuries

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Posted On: September 4, 2011

Bee Colony Attacks Children at Our Saviour Catholic School in Cocoa Beach, Florida

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Hurricane Irene was not the only thing hitting Florida's east coast last week. On Thursday, August 25th, thirty-eight school children were attacked by a rabid swarm of honey bees at Our Saviour Catholic School in the northern part of Cocoa Beach, Florida. The odd thing about it is that no one knows what caused them to act in such a manner. "No one knew they were there, and the bees just started attacking them," Kristyn Ernest said. Ernest is a mother of two of the children that were stung during the incident.

When hearing about the attack, city and county rescuers rushed to the scene. The main cause of concern for these rescuers was the possibility of a child suffering an allergic reaction to the bee stings. Especially since most of the students had never been stung by a bee before. "Some of the students still had bees in their clothing when they came inside," said G.C. Wine, interim chief of the Cocoa Beach Fire Department. "They came out of the hive and attacked (the firefighters) . . . It's a very aggressive hive." Luckily, none of the thirty-eight student, who ranged from six to seven-years-old, were seriously hurt. Just down the road, Cape Canaveral Hospital had prepared for a "mass casualty incident" with about 50 victims, if hospitalization were necessary.

Officials are saying that the behavior of these bees is very unusual, matching that of the African honey Bee. Nevertheless, officials did hire an exterminator to get rid of the hive barring any delay due to bad weather.

For more on this story, see honey bees swarm, sting students in Cocoa Beach.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Playground & Recreation Injuries , School Safety

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Posted On: September 3, 2011

15 Year Old (Kirt Smith) Suffers Serious Personal Injuries from Bicycle Accident on Seminole Woods Parkway

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On Friday August 26, 2011, at around 8:45 p.m. a 15-year-old bicyclist and his friend were riding home when he was struck by an Ford pick-up in Flagler County, leaving the young man critically injured. Kirt Smith, the victim in this accident, was taken by ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida after AirOne, the Volusia County helicopter, had technical difficulties getting off the ground. Reports say that Flagler County did have a working helicopter that was close to the scene but the county had not used the helicopter outside its 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. service time for over two years in order to save money. Smith's friend did not sustain any injuries in the accident.

The driver of the Ford pick-up, 31-year-old Gary Wright Jr., of Palm coast, was driving southbound in the inside lane on Seminole Woods Parkway when the accident occurred. After the accident, Wright turned his truck around and came back to the scene to await local authorities to arrive. Wright spent most of the time sitting on the back of his truck bed with Flagler County Sheriff's officers and paramedics making sure he was okay and giving blood samples for testing.

According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, Smith's bicycle was shattered into several pieces at impact and both southbound lanes were closed for over an hour to clean the debris up. The impact had been strong enough to smash the truck’s left headlight and buckle its hood.

Authorities said Smith was not wearing a helmet.

For more on this story, see Palm Coast bicyclist injured in collision on Seminole Woods Parkway.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Bicycle Injuries

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Posted On: September 2, 2011

Car Seat Alarm - Affordable Product that Could Prevent Serious Injuries and Death

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With more children dying in 2010 from being left in their over-heated cars than ever before, parents, child care providers, babysitters, schools, and day care centers, and grandparents are starting to take action to stop these preventable accidents. One man, Russ Rusakov, is leading the movement with his company Suddenly Safe 'N' Secure systems. Rusakov, who is a father of four, started to realize how easy it was to get distracted and forget a child once he started watching his three grandchildren. It was through this experience that Rusakov invented the safety seat alarm system to make sure his grandchildren, as well as thousands of other children, are protected from the risk of an over-heated car.

The safety seat alarm system is a weight sensitive pad that slips under a car seat, and is connected to a tiny transmitter. Once the adult walks only six feet away from the car, an alarm that is connected to a key chain begins to alert the driver with an 80 decibel sound and vibration. Rusakov put the device has on the market in March at $70 an alarm and has already sold over 400 of them.

An invention like the safety seat alarm is especially helpful in states like Florida, which has among the highest number of child-heat related deaths in the country every year. "It should not happen, but it can happen. We've got to be prepared for it," Rusakov said. "The ultimate goal is to keep children safe."

To read more about this interesting product, see New child safety device.


Continue reading " Car Seat Alarm - Affordable Product that Could Prevent Serious Injuries and Death " »

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety

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Posted On: September 1, 2011

Child Safety Alert - Palm Beach County Florida Ordinance Requires Alarms in Day Care Vans

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In Florida and other warm weather States, there is a significant risk of hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke when a child being left in a vehicle when the weather is hot. Hyperthermia, more commonly known as heat stroke, is a condition that occurs when a person's body temperature temperatures elevates significantly. In instances where body temperatures are dangerously high, medical attention is required to prevent disability or death. Because of these dangers and risks to children, Palm Beach County commissioners unanimously approved new requirements for child care centers: specifically, centers must provide mandatory alarms on vans or other vehicles that transport children. The vote came one-year after the death of 2-year-old Haile Brockington; Haile died as a result of being left in a hot van all day, the van belonged to Katie's Kids of Delray Beach, Florida. Children's Services Council is providing $100,000 of funding toward the ordinance, the alarms cost between $250 and $400. For more details please read Palm Beach County, Florida, passes new ordinance to require alarms in day care vans.

Florida child care centers have a duty to provide quality care to the children under the center's care. This duty includes ensuring a child is not left inside an automobile. Temperatures inside vehicles can be significantly higher from the temperatures outside, as must as a twenty degree difference in severe conditions. A child's body is not fully developed and does not have the capability to adapt to these deadly conditions. The new changes in Palm Beach County show a trend in advocating for quality child care and safety.

The book titled - The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Day Care Injuries, Playground Injuries, and other topics. A free book is available at Free Book for Parents - Helpful Information for Parents of Injured Children in Day Care Centers. The book is also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Apple iBookstore.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Automobile Accidents , Child Safety , Day Care Centers and Child Care , Education

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David Wolf

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