safety

November Is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month: Keep Your Family Safe

Posted on November 17, 2013 Written by Tonya

The last time I saw my parents alive was the day after my wedding, Sunday, August 5, 2007.

Sometime between Friday, October 12, 2007 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 8:00 AM they died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A faulty water heater in their kitchen emitted carbon monoxide into their home and killed them.

They were 61 and 58 respectively… too young to die.

November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness month in California, but frankly it should be throughout the world. Every day should be.

I implore you to make sure your home and all of your loved ones homes have a working carbon monoxide detector/alarm. You can get one as low as $18.00 at Home Depot. If you do not have a CO detector and comment on and share this post, I will personally purchase one for you. If you do have one, please make sure the batteries are still good. We change ours every time the time changes.

As of July 1, 2011 state law requires owners of single family homes with attached garages to install carbon monoxide alarms in every California home. In addition, all other dwellings, like apartments, were required to have an alarm as of January 1, 2013.

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people and sending more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices. The best way for homeowners to stay protected from CO is to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area. A recent study found that nearly nine in 10 California households did not have a CO alarm. Having a CO alarm is a small investment that can truly help save your life and the lives of your family.

The dangers of CO are real, please keep your family and friends safe.

For more information on carbon monoxide visit the CAL FIRE Web site. _______________________________________________________

Day 17: I’m thankful for silence, peace and quiet, a place where I can find healing, listen to my deepest intuition and hear the wise whispers of the divine. Shhhh…. #30daysofgratitude

Enough

Posted on March 28, 2011 Written by Tonya

I had heard about this viral video but hadn’t watched it until today.

Is this really what our young people are capable of?

A teen gets bullied one too many times and finally snaps and another gets body slammed for thinking he’s better, smarter, faster, more powerful? Insane!

I’m sad and disturbed and want to sign my son up for karate as soon as he’s old enough.

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One Year Ago

Posted on March 2, 2011 Written by Tonya

Exactly one year ago today, March 3, I wrote this post: Safety First. We were having our home baby proofed by a professional baby proofing company (because God knows we couldn’t have done it ourselves) and discovered that our home was unprotected by a carbon monoxide detector.

This was shocking news to me because 1) I thought we had one and 2) My parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Boy, did I feel stupid! We immediately rectified this oversight. I urge all of you to make sure you too have a CO detector and that it is in working order. It can save lives!

Also a year ago…

Lucas turned nine months old, just learned how to clap, went into a swimming pool for the first time and started wearing the Doc Band, my sister turned 26, we were starting to really listen to nursery rhymes, I was lusting after Pretty Things and I read Kelly Corrigan’s beautiful memoir, The Middle Place.

Last week I wrote my 500th Letters For Lucas post, Lucas is almost 21 months old, Leah will be 27 on Monday, we have a new address, my husband has his own vintage car showroom, which has been (knock on wood) very successful so far and I’m reading One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and I’m still lusting after pretty things:

Bailey Console Table – Pottery Barn

Love Letters Sheet Set – Anthropologie

Wall Art – Land of Nod

The last week has been rough. Lucas has been sick with the worst cold/flu of his young life and we have been to the pediatrician’s office twice, most recently to find out he now has a double ear infection. I’ve been sick too and so has Todd. Taking care of a sick child when you’re sick too is no fun!

Never a dull moment…

As always, then and now, our life is full of ups and downs, but also a lot of humor along the way.

How has your life changed in one year?

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop Prompt 3) What were you blogging about last year at this time? What has changed?

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Always Go With Your Gut

Posted on January 26, 2011 Written by Tonya

There are many mommy moments when your patience is tried, your strength tested, your heart strings pulled and you are forced to make a from your gut decision.

The scariest thing happened to me today and I am so glad that I went with my gut.

I took Lucas to San Diego to visit a friend, who just had a baby and on the car ride home, he fell fast asleep. 30 minutes into our hour long drive, he woke up and started coughing and I can only assume got scared and then started crying.

From the front seat, I reminded him that we were in the car and on our way home and asked him if he was okay. Typically he would say “yes” and then work on clearing his throat. Today, his coughing turned into choking and as I looked at him in the rear view mirror, I could tell that he was really having trouble breathing. I turned around to get a better look and he was banging his hands on his car seat and gasping for air.

I started to panic.

Here I was, going 80+ mph in the car pool lane, five lanes from the next exit, which was less than a mile away.

What’s a mother to do?

I had no choice.

My son was choking!

I went for it!

I put the hazards on, crossed the double yellow lines risking life and limb, not to mention a hefty fine, crossed five lanes of traffic like I was Mario Andretti on his best day all in an effort to help my son.

Just as I whipped into a gas station parking lot, Lucas threw up all over himself, thus clearing his air passageway. He could breathe!! I rushed around to get him and he threw up again.

After I cleaned Lucas and his car seat, changed his shirt and held him for a while, we sat there in the parking lot sharing a turkey sandwich. He was fine. It was a trying few moments for both of us and while I know I didn’t do anything that heroic, but he sure looked at me like I did.

I’m proud of myself for going with my instinct even if I did break all kinds of laws in the process.

Have you ever had to do anything potentially more dangerous than the current situation you were in, in order to help your child?

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Stunt Man

Posted on May 21, 2010 Written by Tonya

Confession Time!

Two weeks ago you fell off the changing table.

It was on my watch and I am riddled with guilt and very thankful that you were fine 30 seconds after it happened.

After screaming bloody murder for 15 seconds, the next 15 seconds you spent trying to squirm out of my arms because I thought you were mad at me for letting you fall.

As soon as I put you down on the floor, you crawled faster than I have ever seen you, over to a huge bottle full of change in our bedroom, one of your favorite things to play with. Upon reaching it, you started laughing and it was as if the fall didn’t even happen.

I can’t help but wonder if you just might have a career as a stunt man or a leading man in your future.

I know letting you fall off the changing table is no joking matter, but it was an accident and very careless of me to walk away without strapping you in. Throughout the night of the fall, I checked your shoulders and arms repeatedly to make sure that you could move them and continued checking for bruises the whole following week. I have definitely learned my lesson.

By the way, the photo above was taken this morning. Lucas wanted to check in on his college fund and I couldn’t resist taking the shot.

The best is yet to be.

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On The Move

Posted on March 29, 2010 Written by Tonya

Guess where you headed yesterday morning?

Scary! Thank goodness we had the house baby proofed almost a month ago.

It’s crazy to think that just a week ago, I could put you on the floor and know that you couldn’t get very far by pivoting and scooting around on your belly. Now, you are a little man on the move who has completely embraced crawling. And, if there is a lone Cheerio on the floor, you are sure to find it.

It has been so fun to watch you enjoy your new found independence and explore our ENTIRE house. You are definitely keeping me on my toes and I should be able to lose that last five pounds of baby weight in no time. 🙂

The best is yet to be.

Day 34/100

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Keeping Our Children Safe

Posted on March 15, 2010 Written by Tonya

People in San Diego are understandably enraged and confused: a convicted sex offender (who, in the past, had beaten and raped young girls and got only five years in prison) was let out on parole…to rape and kill a young woman again.

This is a heartbreaking story and I, too am outraged and very scared for my child’s safety.

Thousands Gather to Mourn Chelsea King
Outpouring of Grief Revitalizes Shaken Community at Teen’s Memorial Service

By Lisa Fletcher
POWAY, Calif., March 13, 2010

More than 6,000 mourners held sunflowers tied with blue ribbons as they said goodbye to Chelsea King, the straight-A student and cross-country runner who was known for her kindness and compassion.

“She was a person who brought sunshine and light to school every day,” said Dakota Douglas, Chelsea’s friend and cross-country teammate. “She was an incredible person, was nice to everyone. I just can’t believe that she’s gone. School’s not the same without her.”

King, known for her gentle spirit, helped plan a prom for developmentally disabled kids, packed relief boxes for those in need in Africa and served as a peer counselor at her school.

During the memorial, a giant monitor over the high school football field reminisced of happier days — Chelsea laughing with her friends, loving life. The school band filled the air with music; Chelsea had played the French horn in the band.

As everyone grieved, there was a message of hope. This strongly Christian community praying together that something good would ultimately come from something tragic, that laws would change, eyes would be opened and accountability would be had.

Chelsea went missing while running in a Rancho Bernardo park last month, just outside of San Diego. Thousands in this close-knit community turned out to search for her. Volunteers passed out flyers by the thousands and tied blue ribbons on trees across the city to remind people she was missing.

This community is now turning that same energy into demands for change — outraged that a paroled sex offender may have slipped through bureaucratic cracks.

“This is just an assault to everybody’s child,” said Christy Georgedes, as she choked back tears. “I’ve got three daughters and she’s my fourth daughter, and this is going to stop! So we’re going to show our love today but after that, beware. You just watch how powerful things are going to get.”

Parents we spoke with say they will do anything within their power to change the laws if necessary, but most of all they will demand accountability from those whose job it is to track the whereabouts of convicted predators.

Police arrested convicted sex offender John Gardner three days after Chelsea’s disappearance. Two days later, her body was discovered in a shallow grave.

Terri Francy, who has kids at Poway High School, told us this community won’t stop until families have the protection they deserve.

“Seven times that he [Gardner] violated parole and had they got him, had they put him behind bars where he should have been, then he wouldn’t have been out there to commit this crime,” Francy said. “I hate to live in the ‘what ifs’ and ‘it shouldn’t have happened,’ but it’s true. It shouldn’t have happened. We want to stop it now.”

It is unclear whether Gardner violated his parole or whether the state didn’t properly track him. But enough questions have been raised that on Friday, Gov. Schwarzenegger ordered a probe into the way the state handled Gardner’s case.

Officials say that Gardner, who’s now charged in Chelsea’s death, is also the focus in the murder investigation of 14-year-old Amber DuBois, whose body was found in a neighboring community last Saturday.

Gardner was released early from prison in 2005, after molesting a 13-year-old girl.
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My friend Wendi sent me a link to the Web site Family Watchdog and I was shocked to find that there are 15 (!!) registered sex offenders within a five mile radius of my house!

As a parent, it is our job to keep our children safe. We have to do our best to prepare them in case they are ever in danger or threatened in any way. I have a nine month old and I’m already thinking about this stuff!

I’m afraid these days, it goes a lot further than “Don’t talk to strangers” and “Look both ways before crossing the street”. There’s Internet stalking, identity theft, bullying, child predators in our parks and playgrounds, child abductors, substance abuse, etc., etc., etc. How do I teach my son to be safe without frightening him? It’s enough to make you want to put a GPS tracking device in your child!

A parent should never ever ever have to bury a child. My heart goes out to the parents of Chelsea King. May they find peace.

The best is yet to be.

Day 20/100

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Safety First

Posted on March 3, 2010 Written by Tonya

The baby proofer (Baby Safe Home) we hired is here today outfitting our house with baby gates, drawer and cabinet latches, toilet locks and furniture braces, all in an effort to keep Lucas safe.

We discovered that our home is NOT protected by a carbon monoxide detector. I am sick over this and needless to say we are having one installed right now.

My parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning, so this is a topic that is very near and dear to me.

I feel like such an idiot! I was under the impression that all homes built after 1980 (in this country) were automatically equip with one. I didn’t know how wrong I was!!

In North America, only state, provincial and municipal governments have statutes requiring installation of CO detectors in construction – among them: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia, as well as New York City.

Please, please, please check that your home has one and if not, get one immediately!!

The devices, which retail for $20-$60 and are widely available, can either be battery-operated or AC powered (with or without a battery backup). Battery lifetimes have been increasing as the technology has developed and certain battery powered devices now advertise a battery lifetime of over 6 years. All CO detectors have “test” buttons like smoke detectors.

CO detectors can be placed near the ceiling or near the floor because CO is very close to the same density as air.

Since CO is colorless, tasteless and odorless, detection in a home environment is impossible without such a warning device. It is a highly toxic inhalant and attracts to the hemoglobin (in the blood stream) 200x faster than oxygen, producing inadequate amounts of oxygen traveling through the body. It can kill.

For more information, please visit the Public Safety and Security Information Hub Web site.

The best is yet to be and I will sleep a little sounder tonight.

Day 8/100

Baby Proofing Season

Posted on February 26, 2010 Written by Tonya

It is only a matter of days before you start crawling and as I look around our home, there is a lot to be done to make it a safe zone for you. Lucky for us, you have your very own helmet to protect your head for the next few months!

I have read dozens of articles on baby proofing that include outlet covers, gates, and cabinet and toilet locks, but it’s the not-so-obvious things like; blind cords, carpets without nonskid backings and loose tiles that have me worried. For all you seasoned moms out there, what else should we be considering?

Looks like I’ll be crawling around on my hands and knees this weekend trying to discover other potential Lucas hazards and then we’ll be calling in the professionals.

Shocking facts about child safety:

Each year in the Untied States, approximately 6,000 children die, and another 120,000 are seriously injured or permanently disabled due to preventable household accidents.
Every day, almost 39,000 children sustain injuries serious enough to require medical attention, totaling more than 14 million children each year.
Children are 7 times more likely to die from a preventable household accident than from all childhood illnesses combined.
Each year, more than 2.5 million children are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.
The number one cases of death among infants and toddlers are preventable household accidents.

This household will NOT be a statistic!

The best is yet to be.

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No Phone Zone Pledge

Posted on January 19, 2010 Written by Tonya

Millions of people text, talk or e-mail on their cell phones while driving—a recent survey finds that 71% of people between the ages of 18 and 49 admit they text or talk on the phone while they drive.

If you think you can call, text and drive at the same time, you cannot. That message you can’t wait to send could kill. Distracted driving is an epidemic that is sweeping through our country, claiming lives and destroying families.

California’s text-messaging law went into effect on January 1, 2009 making it illegal for drivers to use wireless devices to send, receive or read electronic files while on the road. I have been breaking the law since January 1, 2009. I don’t know how lucky I have been.

Yesterday’s Oprah Winfrey show was very sobering, to say the least. I just watched it on TiVo and I’m still shocked and moved to make a change.

One of the mother’s featured on the show said it best, “Get off the phone. Save a life. Don’t talk and drive,” she says. “You’ve got precious cargo in that car. Your life. Your children’s life. They are not worth a phone call, a text, an e-mail. It’s not worth it.” She lost her nine-year old daughter when an SUV hit her. Police say that the driver had recently finished a phone call at the time of the accident. “The driver said: ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t see her,'”

You are my precious cargo and today, I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.

I encourage you to take this pledge too!

The best is yet to be.

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