Posted on 02/27/2010 10:57:04 AM PST by JoeProBono
Is it time to fiddle with the frank?
When her boys were younger, Laurel Blackett always sliced hot dogs lengthwise and then horizontally before serving the food.
The East Kingston mother knew about the hot dog's choking hazards and took precautions, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says more needs to be done to keep children safe.
The agency issued a policy statement this week with recommendations for government agencies, manufacturers, parents, teachers, child-care workers and health care professionals to help prevent choking among youngsters.
The recommendations include redesigning foods to minimize the choking risk, meaning the hot dog could get a new shape that's easier to swallow.
But is that really necessary? Local parents and hot dog lovers say no.
Blackett, whose sons, Donnie and Billy, are now 10, said parents and adults need to be responsible when feeding hot dogs and similar foods to kids.
"What next, are they going to try and genetically redesign the cherry so it doesn't have pits?" Blackett said.
Kristen Smith, a mother from Nottingham with children ages 13 and 8, agrees that the great American hot dog should be left alone.
"It says something about parents, that we would need a 'safe' hot dog. Good Lord, what's next ... 'safe' oatmeal? Kids choke on everything. Be a better parent," Smith said.
Grace Barrett, co-owner of Nana Mal's Hot Dogs in Seabrook, said a hot dog wouldn't be a hot dog if it had a different look.
"We have too much government intervention in our lives and I think that's a lot of what's going on," she said. "What happened to the knife? Don't parents remember that we used to cut them up for our kids?......"
Is this satire? Sorry it is hard to tell the difference now a days!
What happened to the knife? Don't be surprised if you're asking that question again, but for a different reason.
Yes, be responsible parents and Do Not feed your children hotdogs.
Sadly, no, it is not satire.
I agree there are just some things in life the nanny state just needs to keep their paws off of and this is one of them! If parents are too lazy to cut the kids hotdogs for them then it is their fault if their child chokes to death.
Have any of these people ever heard of chewing your food?
It’s good when the stupid die. It’s Darwinian and it’s OK.
I haven’t noticed any shortage of people or spoiled brats lately.
Change has already been accomplished...it’s called balogna!!
Since the sausage and hot dog were invented, how many billions have been served and safely eaten?
Out of these billions and billions served and safely consumed, how many kids have died from choking on a hot dog?
Once again, minority rule. More kids drown in 5 gallon buckets and swimming pools than from hot dogs and guns.
I knew we would find something to agree upon. :)
I am fixing one right NOW! Lol!
I love fried bologna sandwiches...burn it though...like hot dogs.
Why the hysteria about choking on hot dogs. We only have about 10 deaths a year because of them. You can only foolproof society so much.
Now give me an Oscar Meyer Jumbo Beef.
No, NO bologna. :(
Why the hysteria about choking on hot dogs??? We only have about 10 deaths a year because of them. You can only foolproof society so much.
Now give me an Oscar Meyer Jumbo Beef.
The fried bologna looked better. You know something that I love that is absolutely gross: potted meat on white bread with mayo and dill pickles. I know disgusting right? I don’t eat them anymore because potted meat and white bread are so unhealthy.
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