DECATUR - We can all remember the phrase that crushed little Ralphie Parker's spirit over and over in the classic holiday flick "A Christmas Story." Multiple characters tried to dissuade Ralphie from asking for his own official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle with five little words: "You'll shoot your eye out."

These days, in the age of the toy recall, it seems parents are not only concerned with preventing unsafe gifts from finding their way into the hands of their children. Some are hoping for presents for themselves that will promote the safety of their little ones.

Child safety guru Alison Rhodes of Wilton, Conn., who is better known as The Safety Mom, offered her safety picks for this holiday season.

Rhodes lost a child to SIDS in 1997, so a large part of her mission is SIDS risk reduction. Because parents are urged to keep all blankets and pillows out of the crib, Rhodes recommends a blanket babies can wear called the HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket.

"It's really nice because it keeps them warm, and then you really don't have the blankets in the crib," Rhodes said.

The SleepSack reduces the risk of babies covering their faces with a loose blanket, and its inverted zipper makes it difficult for them to inadvertently wiggle out. It is available at www.halosleep.com.

Because car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children ages 3 to 14, Rhodes recommended a lock that attaches to the seat belt of a child riding in a booster seat to ensure that it fits correctly. The SeatSnug device reduces the risk of the booster seat moving, sliding around or tipping and is available at www.seatsnug.com.

For parents of increasingly computer-savvy young teens, Rhodes recommended the gift of software that allows them to monitor and control their children's Internet usage.

"There's so many cases now of cyberbullying and online cyber issues," she said.

Rhodes also encouraged parents to consider safety during the shopping rush. Make sure a properly fitting helmet is included with any bike or scooter gift this year. Adhere to labels and age restrictions on toys, she advised.

"You really need to think about that," she said. "Just because a mom or dad has a hot new toy down the street doesn't mean it's right for your child."

agetsinger@herald-review.com|421-6968