Fall is here, and we are looking forward to celebrating Halloween and connecting with families during our library office hours, the preschool showcase, and our next community cafe!

Halloween Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that an annual average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

55% were related to pumpkin carving;
25% were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or walking while trick-or-treating;
20% of the injuries included lacerations, ingestions and other injuries associated with costumes, pumpkins or decorations, and allergic reactions or rashes.

Have a spooky and safe Halloween with these safety tips;

Carry glow sticks or flashlights and use reflective tape or stickers to increase visibility.
Wear well-fitting costumes to prevent tripping. Choose face paint over masks so as not to obstruct your child’s vision.
Accompany children under 12. Hold hands and look both ways before crossing the street.
Inspect candy before letting your child eat it. Throw away candy and treats that are already open or appear to be tampered with.
Have a plan for if your child gets lost or separated from you (i.e., a meeting spot, emergency contact information on them, etc.).
If your child has food allergies, make sure they are aware of what types of treats they can and cannot have. You can find houses and events on the Teal Pumpkin Project Map for locations that are giving out non-food treats. Need ideas for non-food treats? Find ideas here.

Another option is to participate in community events. The ECCS will be exhibiting at both Halloween at the Barnes Museum and Halloween in the Village (see Events below). We are also sharing details of other Halloween and fall events on a pinned post on the ECCS Facebook page.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence (DV) is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that includes different types of abuse (emotional, psychological, physical, financial, sexual or litigation). DV incidents are rising and can impact anyone. Survivors who received services from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence organizations increased from 37,223 in the fiscal year 2020 to 38,989 in 2021. The impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children is also a great concern, with 17.9% of children of all ages having been exposed to physical IPV in their lifetime. Note that this does not include any arguments or yelling that may be witnessed or overheard by the child.

If you are concerned about an abusive situation, call or text Safe Connect Connecticut at (888) 774-2900.

This 24/7 statewide domestic violence hotline that covers 18 member programs, including the Prudence Crandall Center, will receive the calls, do a thorough assessment of needs, emotional support, safety planning, and options. Then, depending on what the clients are searching for, they may provide help obtaining counseling/support groups, shelter, housing assistance, basic needs. The Prudence Crandall Center shared that in the last fiscal year, just for the town of Southington, they served 187 total clients, of which 148 had completed lethality assessments and 95 participated in community education.

For emergency abuse or domestic violence concerns, contact the Southington Police Department by calling or texting 911. More domestic violence and mental health resources can be found on our website.

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Product Recalls

While we try to share recalls related to products used by children as we see them on our Facebook page, there are inevitably some that we miss.

For product recalls on items like car seats, toys, furniture, appliances, clothing, etc., go to www.cpsc.gov/Recalls. You can use the search function to check on specific items you already own or are thinking of obtaining second-hand. You can sign up for emails to be notified of new recalls. A few recent recalls include all models of Fisher-Price Snuga Swings, Droyd multi-purpose helmets, and Gimars Playpen with Mat.

For food and drug recalls, go to www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.You can look at the most recent recalls, search for specific recalls, and sign up for emails to be notified of new recalls.

Survey Reminders

As a reminder from our September newsletter, we are looking for families to share their opinion in these two surveys.

RAPID Survey #3 - The CT Project's third survey, which focuses on financial well-being, closes on Friday, October 25th. Families in CT with children under the age of 6 can take this survey at https://tinyurl.com/rapid-eccs1 and will receive a $10 gift card from RAPID via email. (Please do not post this link online.)
Community Needs Assessment - The South-Central Health District wants to hear from you so they can determine what services they should provide to Southington in the future. Please take their survey at https://schd-ct.org/take-our-survey.

Upcoming Events

Trunk or Treat event at The Barnes Museum - Saturday, October 19th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. There will be Halloween games, crafts, photo booth and more. The ECCS will be in the Barn. To learn more or to sign up your vehicle visit https://tockify.com/the.barnes.museum/detail/267/1729371600000/.

Halloween in the Village of Plantsville - Sunday, October 20th from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Raindate, October 27th. The streets in Downtown Plantsville will be closed for trick or treating and fun family activities. The ECCS will be there!

ECCS Library Office Hours – October 21 from 9 am to noon. Stop by, say hello and pick up a fine motor skills item for your child. We will also have lockable bags for drugs, and emergency contact stickers for car seats.

Preschool Showcase at the Southington Public Library - Saturday, November 9 from 9:30 to noon. The ECCS, along with many of the nursery schools and preschool centers in town, will have a display. If you have children who will be starting preschool in the next year or two, stop by and visit us; no registration is necessary. Children are welcome to attend, there will be a craft activity for them. The Southington Lions Club will have their free KidSight eye screening at this event for children of all ages.

ECCS Community Café: Encouraging a Play-based Childhood – November 21 at 5:45. This event is for parents, grandparents, foster parents, childcare providers and other caregivers. Dinner will be provided. Childcare is available if requested during registration. The goals are to:

Learn about the impact of play on a child's development.
Hear about what happened in society over the last 50 years that discouraged parents from allowing their children to play independently and why attitudes are now changing towards more play.
Learn about CT legislation which gives parents more freedom to allow their children independence, and the requirement that schools provide younger students with time for play during the school day.
Discussion of challenges or limitations your family has faced around this issue.
Brainstorm how the Southington community can encourage all children to play safely and independently.

This free event is funded by a grant from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood as administered by the Connecticut Children’s Collective (CTCC).

Ways You Can Support ECCS

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3) Volunteer your time as a board member or advocate.

4) Help with one-time or periodic donations.

About Us

The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is a group of committed educators, parents, grandparents, healthcare and childcare providers, business owners, civic organizations, and members of the community who are deeply invested in the growth, development, and academic success of young children in Southington.

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