Articles
Safety
House Cleaning Tips & Concerns around COVID-19
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- Parent Category: Newsflashes
- Category: Newsflash, Safety in the Home
While the shelter in place has not been lifted, folks may be starting to think about having their house cleaners return. Hopefully you’ve been able to continue paying your domestic workers and have stayed in touch with them during the lockdown. As you reconnect and invite them back into your home, these tips and things to consider can help keep both your cleaner and your family safe.
Winter in the City: Top Tips for Weathering the Storm
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- Parent Category: Newsflashes
- Category: Newsflash, Winter Fun, Safety in the Slope
NYC.Gov’s Snow Response Page (you can track the snow plows!)
Ready.Gov’s Winter Weather Resources
Your Family:
Shop early and shop smart. Definitely pick up hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows, but also make sure you have easy-to-eat foods on hand in case the power goes out.
Buy some “hot hands” or other hand and feet warmers.
Keep your cell phones and other devices charged in case of a power outage.
Check in on family members outside your home to make sure they are okay.
Have extra water on hand just in case. (Filling up a bathtub or some big pots works.)
Get blankets, fuzzy socks and fun layers ready in case the heat goes out. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat to keep your whole body warmer. A warm neck helps too, so remember to wrap up in a scarf!
Co-sleep if the power goes out!
Have flashlights, candles, and books on hand to read if the power goes out.
Heat up a blanket or towel in the dryer and snuggle up if you have power. Watch the flakes fall and talk about fun times in the snow.
Convincing Kids to Wear a Face Mask (and some great recommendations)
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- Parent Category: Newsflashes
- Category: Newsflash, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
Face coverings are crucial in keeping yourself and your neighbors safe, but some little ones are having trouble coming around to the idea. If your toddler or young child is finicky about face masks, these tips sourced from PSP members might do the trick!
Top Tips for Tick Bites
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- Category: BK Life, Prospect Park, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
It’s once again the time of year to protect yourself against tick bites, particularly if you’re in a rural area and/or one where Lyme disease is more prevalent. There’s no need to panic, as Lyme is often avoidable and treatable, but knowledge is key—so be sure you’re informed, and tuck those pants into your socks before tromping out into the forest!
Pictured above is a wood tick, which does not carry Lyme disease, but is nevertheless gross.
Staying Safe & Reporting Crime in Prospect Park
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- Parent Category: BK Life
- Category: Prospect Park, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
What you need to know about staying safe and reporting a crime in Prospect Park
The PSP Podding Guide
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- Parent Category: Advice - Childcare and Education
- Category: Childcare Advice, Education Advice, Education Advice ( The Process), Advice - Childcare and Education, Safety in the Home, Safety in the Slope
Thinking through creating childcare solutions with two (or more) families to help reduce costs, get childcare coverage, and create opportunities for safer socialization will take some planning. Park Slope Parents to the rescue!
Planning on outdoor activities with your pod this winter? Check out our article on Dressing Kids for Outdoor School & Play!
The PSP Guide To Hiring a Nanny/Babysitter: Step 5: HOW can I make this a great working relationship?
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- Parent Category: Advice - Childcare and Education
- Category: Nanny 101, Nanny Relationship Advice, Hiring a Nanny, Safety
Learn about doing doing due diligence and the precautions you need to take - both before you hire and on the job.
Important Information You Need To Know About Hiring & Firing A Nanny
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- Parent Category: Advice - Childcare and Education
- Category: Nanny 101, Hiring a Nanny, Ending the Relationship, Important Member Communication, Safety in the Home
Have a nanny in your life or looking for one? You definitely need to read this.
Important Info to Exchange with Your Nanny/Babysitter
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- Parent Category: Nanny 101
- Category: Hiring a Nanny, Safety, Nanny 101, Safety in the Home
Important Reminder: Nanny Update
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- Parent Category: Nanny 101
- Category: Hiring a Nanny, Safety in the Home, Important Member Communication
An important email PSP sent to members on January 19, 2014 about recent trouble we've experienced with nannies in Park Slope.
Fun in the Age of Coronavirus: Playground Safety Reminders
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- Parent Category: Activities Advice Articles
- Category: Summer Fun, Activities Advice Articles, Safety in the Slope
After a dismally empty three months, NYC’s beloved playgrounds are once again up and running—but in the Covid era, even typically carefree activities like swinging from the monkey bars require an extra level of caution. These top tips can help keep your kids safe and keep you sane.
Safety Reminders for Your Home
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- Parent Category: Help
- Category: Important Member Communication, Safety in the Home
Earlier this month, a PSP member came home to an intruder in her home. It was after she had put her toddler down for a nap that she discovered him hiding in her bathroom. The intruder was able to force his way into her apartment because the lock had not been deadbolted. This is a reminder to the community that locking the knob or lever lock is not enough to protect against break-ins and should never be relied upon as the main security lock.
Tips to Prevent Losing & Forgetting Keys
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- Parent Category: Parents of Tweens
- Category: Raising Tweens Tips, Tween Advice from Parents, Safety in the Home
Tips from parents on how to get your Teen/ Tween to remember their keys!
Subway Safety: Kids Riding Alone
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- Parent Category: Parents of Tweens
- Category: Tween Advice from Parents, Safety, Managing Urban Life, Tween/ Teen Safety
From train safety to travel manners, here are tips and suggestions for what to do when your Tween/Kid is ready to ride the Subway alone.
Dealing with Street Harassment
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- Parent Category: Parents of Tweens
- Category: Tween/ Teen Safety, Safety in the Slope, Managing Urban Life
PSP members talk about how to handle street harassment (like cat calling, sexual remarks, lewd comments, leering).
Immigration Resources
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- Category: Support, Advice For Nannies, Safety
You can be an ally for nannies, house cleaners, and others who are dealing with immigration and deportation issues. As one PSP member shares, "I saw my house cleaner and her account of the worry, fear and uncertainty highlighted the need for employers to do what they can to help." Here are resources of people who can help and what YOU can do to help our vulnerable community.
The PSP Lead Safety Guide
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home
Lead is dangerous, and lead poisoning can be life-threatening. Here are some starting points to help you understand lead in your home and keep your family safe.
Top 10 Safety Reminders for Children
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- Category: Safety, Child & Family Safety
Things to remind your child about safety.
Talking to Your Kids about Safety
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- Category: Safety, Child & Family Safety
How to talk to your kids about staying within the parent's sight.
Top Ten Tips For Safer House Cleaning
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home
Safety tips for cleaning the house.
Time to take the American Medical Chest Challenge
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home
tips and resources to clean up the medicine cabinet...
Southern Exposure
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope
What do you when you see a flasher in Park Slope.
A Cautionary Tale for Christmas
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- Category: Safety, Holidays and Special Events, Safety in the Home, Christmas
A personal tale of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors.
Fireworks and Cities Don't Mix
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope
Rogue Fireworks are a nuisance perpetrated by folks who think it's just hilarious to set them off on the street at 3:00am on the 4th (or rather 5th) of July. But they aren't just that.
Yes, Virginia, There are Earthquakes in New York City
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope
What to tell kids when an earthquake hits (which has happened in Brooklyn!!)
NYPD Safety Alert
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope
NYPS safety alert: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT
SCAM ALERT (or "Brother can you spare a dime?")
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope
Reports of a scam in the neighborhood.
Family Fire Drill
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home
Learn how to conduct a FAMILY FIRE DRILL with your kids and family so you have a plan on what to do in case of emergency.
Steam Pipe Radiator Covers and Keeping Kids Safe from Radiators
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- Category: Safety, Home Management Advice
Radiator covers are your responsibility as a parent (not the landlord's). How do you make sure kids don't touch the radiators or pipes? You can either purchase covers (price ranges from $150 - $500) or fabric pads (e.g., Rad Pads, $50-$100), have covers especially made (see PSP recommendations of people who can make them for you), or some of the less costly alternatives given by PSP members::
Is my son being abused. What YOU Should Do
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- Category: Safety, Child & Family Safety
Is my son being abused. What YOU Should Do
Hey All,
Last week someone wrote about suspected abuse possibly occurring at a local daycare. I have talked to many of you who were worried for the children but also wondering, "What IS the right answer about what to do?" We've checked with our team of professionals (thanks to Safe Horizons, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Gold) and here is their advice...
Baby Safety and Grandparents
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- Category: Safety, Child & Family Safety
How to handle “rusty” grandparents who might not be as fully informed of child safety issues and laws like lead paint, car seats, cradles and more.
Inside the PSP Safety Section
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- Category: Safety
In the event of a life threatening emergency, always call 911.
Victim or witness to a crime? HERE'S WHAT TO DO.
Safety on the Streets & in the Slope
In this section, reads tips for negotiating your urban surroundings with advice on:
Staying Safe & Reporting Crime in Prospect Park
Child Abuse & Neglect in Public: What Can We Do?
Tips for Protecting Personal Property
Precautions Against Mugging & Rape
Make sure your home is safe & you are prepared for home emergencies! Read advice on:
How to Conduct a Family Fire Drill
Tips for Cleaning Safely the House
Important Information to Exchange with your Nanny & Babysitter
In this section, you will find articles like:
Top 10 Safety Reminders For Children
Reducing Stolen Packages in the Neighborhood
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope, Christmas
JOIN the Park Slope Parents Community. We watch out for each other (including making sure no one steals your packages)!
If you're a parent in Brooklyn, we're here for you!
Expecting some packages to be delivered? Here are our top tips to keep your packages from being stolen.
Join Us: Neighborhood Forum on Street Safety in Park Slope
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
What do you think when you hear the phrase “public safety?”
What to do if you Witness or are a Victim of a Crime
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- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home, Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
Park Slope Parents outlines the steps you need to take...
Stranger Danger: an important message from PSP Founder, Susan Fox
- Details
- Category: Safety
Dear PSP Members,
I wrote last week about stranger danger and it’s important to bring it up once again. There have been a few occurrences of strangers approaching kids in the last week. I’m in contact with Brad Lander’s office and the local police precincts to get more information to clarify what we know about the different incidents and the danger it may mean for our children. For what it’s worth, I was pleased to hear that children acted appropriately to the situations they faced such as going into a local business to report someone harassing them, reporting to school authorities when they were approached, etc.
Even if these situations don’t pan out to be legit (there is reason to believe that one story was not) it is a good reminder discuss how to educate and arm your kids with good tools IF it were to ever come up. Teaching children the ways to deal with situations will help them build confidence and act in ways that won’t make them a victim. Sheltering our kids and not giving them any freedom may make them think that the world is a scary place when in fact it’s filled with wonderful, interesting people and just a few “skeevy” people to avoid.
The information HERE came from a letter that went home to parents of PS 172. There is some great information here. Please take some time to discuss with your kids.
Here’s an article on the value of fostering a child’s independence and letting go of our kids. It also reminds us that we may need to put a little more trust in other parents that they know what they are doing before we call 9-11 and assume neglect if we see a kid walking alone.
And one statistic from the article worth noting: Kidnapping by strangers is wildly uncommon; in New York State, for instance, the Division of Criminal Justice Services announced that 20,309 children were reported missing statewide in 2011; exactly one of those children was confirmed abducted by a stranger.
Susan Fox
Park Slope Parents
Other useful reading around the web:
Fire Safety
- Details
- Category: Safety, Safety in the Home
Below is a copy of the Fire Safety Notice that is should be visible in people’s multiple dwelling buildings. It outlines what to do in case of a fire. Print this out and go over it with your kids (ESPECIALLY) if your kids are home by themselves at times).
Prescription safety - Pharmacy Mix-ups (IMPORTANT)
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Home
The idea of getting the wrong prescription IS extremely scary and life-threatening. I talked to my local pharmacist and he gave me some tips on what to do to be diligent about the prescriptions your health care provider is prescribing.
How to Do Background Checks on a Nanny
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Home, Child & Family Safety, Hiring a Nanny
You may want to run a background check on your potential Nanny. Here's how...
Home Safety with Home Help
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Home, Home Management Advice
Information about safegaurding your house when hiring housekeepers/nannies/caregivers and other hired help around the home.
How to Handle a Mold Problem
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Home, Safety, Home Life
PSP Members share advice about handling mold.
Window Guards
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Home
Frequently asked questions about window guards, home safety, and responsibility.
Staying Safe on the Streets: Precautions Against Mugging & Sexual Assault
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
Tips to protecting yourself from being a victim of mugging or sexual assault
Pedestrian Safety Tips
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety
As parents, we have an especially crucial obligation to teach our kids to walk safely. Walking in the city presents many challenges that parents in more rural or suburban communities don't have to deal with. There are many NYC-centric problems pedestrians and drivers face. From one-way streets to bike lanes, stop and go buses and speeding taxis – the bustle of the city traffic can make for complicated walking.
DOWNLOAD THE PSP PEDESTRIAN SAFETY GUIDE HERE
13 Tips for Personal Property Safety from the NYPD & PSP
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
Don't Be A Victim: Never Leave Your Personal Property Unattended.
Assertive police strategies have cut crime dramatically making New York City the safest large city in the nation. You can help the NYPD keep New York City safe by following these simple tips...
Child Abuse & Neglect in Public: What Can We Do?
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Posting Policies
Sledding Safety Tips
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety, Winter Fun
Sledding can be a LOT of fun, but it can also cause a LOT of injuries. Each winter, thousands of children and teens end up in the emergency room because of a sledding accident. Park Slope Parents has pulled together some tips to help you sled SAFELY.
Know Your Zone! Are You Hurricane Ready?
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
The New York City Office of Emergency Management has prepared a ton of great information and resources about where to go and what to do in the event of another bad storm.
PSSSP Appreciates our Crossing Guards!
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
Don't forget the folks who get you to school safely. Park Slope Street Safety Partnership (PSSSP) appreciates our cossing guards! Here are some photos from the 78th Precinct crossing guards.
What To Do When You Encounter Unaccompanied and Suspicious Adults in Playgrounds
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
Over the years the issue of unaccompanied adults at playgrounds has come up quite a few times. Here are some guidelines...
Talking about Safety: Basic danger rules your child should know
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Child & Family Safety, Safety, Tween/ Teen Safety
The information below came from a letter that went home to parents of PS 172. There is some great information here. Please take some time to discuss with your kids...
Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 2016!
- Details
- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
The 78th Precinct, Brad Lander, Park Slope Parents, Park Slope Neighbors, and the Park Slope Street Safety Partnership appreciated the local crossing guards on May 10, 2016 in honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day! All the guards were extremely thankful that their hard work was appreciated. It was a cold winter and they are out there braving all kinds of weather (like today) to help our kids/families stay safe.
Here's a slideshow of all the attendees!
Aaaand the event was covered by New 12 as well!!
If you filled out a Shout Out regarding your crossing guard outside the 78th, fear not-Brad Lander's office will be sending those appreciative messages out to the appropriate folks later this week.
Here are some of the great things folks said about their favorite crossing guards:
"She is so attentive to all of our families and makes us feel loved and cared for, rain, snow or shine. She knows so many of the kids' names and greets them with a warm hello and smile. She is also very effective and managing traffic-- there are many parents who drive their kids to school is a tired, groggy state and therefore are not the best at following traffic rules."
"Despite the stresses of maintaining the safety of a school with an outdoor lunch, early arrivers and busy dismissals, she handles her job with a bright smile and kind words. I've never heard a cross comment or a negative sneer, even though she has to constantly place herself at risk to protect potentially unruly children. Moreover, she recently suffered a significant family hardship - one that would impact even the most positive personalities - yet she continues to keep it positive. I've encountered many crossing guards, and nearly all perform their jobs effectively, but Ms Ripo-Ramos takes it a step further and has become a pillar of our school community in terms of safety, familiarity and personality. Our school grounds are safer and happier as a result of her presence."
"She makes a point of asking our daughter every day about whatever stuffed animal she's carrying. she keeps an eye out for her even when she's with her after school group."
"Rain or shine Anita is always out on her posts greeting children and helping them smile during the transition from home to school and vice Versa. She has been at PS 107 for many years and is an active member of the school community. She deserves to be recognized for all her years of her commitment to the safety of our park slope children."
"Ida is no nonsense, takes great pride in her work and cares very much about the kids she protects. She is always joking with them and knows many by name. We see Ida around the neighborhood off duty, too, and she is always friendly!"
"She is ALWAYS supremely capable, calm, professional, reliable, in short everything you want in a crossing guard!"
"She greets everyone by their names. She always has a smile."
"We live nearby, and Ida cheerfully says good morning to me each time I see her. She even knows my three kids' names, and asks how they are once they've moved on to high school. In the afternoons, she lets me know whether my youngest, who has always been pretty small, has headed home yet or not. It's like having an extra set of eyes -- looking out for my precious children when I'm off at work. Or rather, a bit like having Mrs Weaseley's (from Harry Potter) kitchen clock on the corner, letting me know whether I need to worry or not!"
"They are lovely to our children and help keep them safe!"
"Ask your school's admin if they can help the whole school appreciate your crossing guards!"
A big thank you! to the crossing guards of the 78th Precinct (and beyond) for your work on the front lines keeping neighborhood kids safe!
Susan Fox
Founder, Park Slope Parents
&
The Park Slope Street Safety Partnership
Member Discussion About Being Street Smart: What Would You Do?
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope, Managing Urban Life
"Hey All,
I receive lots of emails, some funny, some serious, and some that I feel are useful to post so that our members can learn from other people’s experiences.
I’d love to know what YOU would do in this situation as a way to discuss best practices and action plans. While it’s sometimes hard to think clearly when things like the below scenario happen, having a discussion about it might just help you come up with ideas if it were to happen to you down the road.
Here’s the situation....
Electronic Thieves and Car Break-Ins
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Safety in the Slope
There's a new kind of car break in, and it's not the kind you think.
Are car break-ins like this a thing of the past?
General Safety Reminders about Drowning
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Child & Family Safety
As parents, we can do our best to stay safe to protect our children's health and safety. When it comes to drowning and secondary drowning, here are some reminders.
Emergency Preparedness 101: What is in Your GO bag?
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Child & Family Safety, Safety in the Slope, Safety in the Home, Safety
What to have a "Go Bag" ready in the event of an emergency.
Street safety and crossing the road with a two-year old
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- Parent Category: Safety
- Category: Child & Family Safety
PSP parents share what they know about crossing the steet with a toddler.
PSP Announcements
