#30 Back to School

Oh, boy.  My oldest son, 14,  started high school last week. Security at the high school is much different than it was when I was in high school. One of the school policies is that all students that use a backpack must have one made of mesh or clear plastic. Apparently having the ability to see through the backpack is tantamount. I searched every store in my area and finally found a clear vinyl backpack at kmart for less than $20. It is not a fashionable backpack: it looks like something a person who is fond of wearing PVC would love. It is a very thick, firm, clear plastic with black seams. Kmart even offered a warranty for one year for an additional $2.99. But we are talking about a 14 year old high school freshman who has to deal with peer pressure about being cool. Of course, all his friends have to obey the same rule, so it's not like he's the only one. In the meantime, I've been looking at local stores to see if I can find a mesh backpack. I was amazed to see that regular backpacks can run upwards of $70! I was told to try some sporting goods stores. Other parents told me they tried and there was none left. So I went to my favorite store...the internet! Here is what I found:
This is JCPenney's website. They have a Jansport mesh backpack, available in a variety of colors, for $30.  http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/dorm-shop/bags-backpacks/jansport-mesh-backpack/prod.jump?ppId=1b8644b&navState=navState-:catId-:subcatId-:subcatZone-false:N-:Ns-:Nao-0:ps-24:pn-1:Ntt-mesh+backpack:Nf-:action-search&catId=SearchResults
Notice that even though the backpack is mesh, it's really not see-through. I'm having a hard time understanding how this makes my kid safer.
Now here is a website that offers a dozen different backpacks from a variety of different manufacturers: http://www.ebags.com/category/backpacks/f/mesh?sort=PriceLowToHigh Prices range from $10.80 for a small, over-the-shoulder type to $36. Better than I anticipated, but only because they are having a 20% off sale. Also, shipping is free for orders over $99.
I strongly suspect that a mesh backpack will not last under the wear-and-tear of heavy textbooks being hauled in them.
I'm also aggravated that the school thinks this is an effective security measure. In fact, in a school several years ago, a student contemplating suicide brought a rifle to school - in his guitar case. http://articles.mcall.com/2006-05-26/news/3667295_1_students-or-teachers-district-s-zero-tolerance-senior-prom My point is that if someone wants to sneak something into the school they will find a way and it seems silly to trust that see-through backpacks are going to solve this issue. A small gun can easily be hidden on a person, in a purse, or even between books.
One common theme among these incidents seems to be that the perpetrator was suffering. Either socially, romantically, psychologically, or a dangerous mixture of these. It seems these actions are almost unsuprising in a lot of cases. I don't know why ten people can suffer whatever life's cruelties offer and the next one cracks and does something to hurt people. Or why anyone would think hurting others is justified in the first place. Here are some recent statistics:
http://news.yahoo.com/school-shootings-weapons-crimes-2012-comparison-223400001.html

It makes me fear for my children's safety. And it makes me sad.

#28 On Safety & Common Sense in a Salon

Last week I was asked by a salon professional for a list of ingredients in each of our products. When she first asked, I thought she was asking me for an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), the information sheet required by federal law that lists content, associated hazards and proper storage procedures.  She did not know what I was talking about. Every salon should have an MSDS for every product they use in the salon, from Windex to hand sanitizer to hair color and perm solutions. If your staff doesn't know what an MSDS then they should not be working on clients.

 Fortunately, all of our products have the ingredients clearly listed on the bottle, but I must say I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of her clients if anything should happen. Everyone who works in a salon has the right to know what chemicals they are being exposed to and what the risks are.

 I know I was taught about OSHA, MSDS, and Efficacy Labels while I was in beauty school.



If you don't know what these terms are, please educate yourself for the safety of yourself, your co-workers, and your clients.

http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=usdoloshapublicwebsite&query=salon OSHA regulations regarding salons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_safety_data_sheet
What is an MSDS?

On product labeling: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/CosmeticLabelingLabelClaims/default.htm

Please take this seriously. Salon professionals and clients have been seriously injured or become ill from repeated exposures to normal, every day use of chemicals in the salon without proper steps being followed. Don't put yourself or your clients at risk!