UNIQUE `BABY SHOWER' STRESSES CHILD SAFETY

This particular baby shower wasn't just for one baby.

About 40 people, including several expectant mothers, attended the Baby Shower for Safety Workshop on Saturday at the Drury Lodge. The third annual workshop was sponsored by the Safe Communities Program, the Safe Kids Coalition and the Missouri Division of Highway Safety.

Expectant parents and new parents attended the workshop to learn about safety in the home and while traveling with their new baby. The workshop focused on purchasing and proper use of child safety seats, fire safety in the home, and additional consumer safety products for children.

"The number one concern that we have, because we see the highest injuries in, is child restraints or child car seats," says Sharee Galnore, coordinator of Safe Communities Program who also works for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

There are many things to consider when purchasing a car seat.

A car seat should be purchased for the child's current height and weight, not one that the child will grow into, says Kathy Liemer, a nurse at St. Francis Medical Center who works with the Safe Kids Coalition.

The straps should be snug, but not tight, with a two-finger maximum space between the child and the strap. She recommends trying a car seat out first, to be sure how it works and that it fits in the car properly.

Where the child sits in the car is important too.

"The safest place in the car is in the center back seat," Liemer says.

Air bags are another safety concern, as a number of children have recently been injured or killed by air bags. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a child under the age of 12 should not sit in the passenger seat of a car that has dual air bags. When the air bag is released it comes out right at the child's face.

Mike Morgan of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department presented information on safety in the home. He said that preventing something from happening in the first place is the best safety precaution one can take.

Cigarette lighters, he said, is a big problem in the home. His solution is to create a "No Strike Zone," putting all matches and lighters up high in a safe place, away from children.

He stressed the importance of checking fire alarms regularly and changing the batteries once a year. He encourages families to have an escape plan for their children, with at least two escape routes in the home, along with a meeting place outside.

Brenda Harris, a family specialist with Educare, a program that helps women with their needs and concerns raising children birth to 5 years old, presented information on the early stages of infant development. She cites the main goal of the mother as being "a need meeter," meeting all the needs of the child.

The time to form a bond with a child is from birth to 3 months of age, says Harris.

Forming a bond with the child early on will allow that child to be more cooperative, control his anger and aggression, have better relationships later on in life, and be more successful and well adjusted to groups, she said.

Her suggestions on forming a bond were to spend time with the baby, touching it and being affectionate, and talking to the baby.

In addition to the safety presentations, a maternity fashion show was provided. Several prizes were given throughout the shower, including two car seats and several gift certificates. A grand prize of a free night's lodging at Drury Lodge and dinner for two at Cedar Street Restaurant was also given away.