Protecting babies from swine flu is parents' business

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

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The Aarons said they hang these signs from strollers and car seats.

PASCO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A Pasco County couple is marketing a product they say could help keep babies from getting the swine flu virus.

Steve and Cristie Aaron were prompted to develop the product after they welcomed one-year-old triplets Kinley, Maxe and Rhys into their family. The Aarons say that, everywhere they go, people want to touch their hands and tickle their toes.

"Of course, I want to show them off," Cristie Aaron said. "You know, how many triplets do you see out there? It's exciting for people. I just want to make sure the germs are, you know, not spread."

The Aarons worry about germs because the triplets were born prematurely. They say they don't want to take any chances.

"It kind of puts you in an awkward position where you have to tell a family member or tell a friend, or even a stranger, 'Hey, can you please wash your hands before you touch my baby?'" Steve Aaron said.

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Aaron came up with a solution after a friend helped him create a set of rubber signs to hang on the triplets' strollers and car seats. The pink and blue signs are shaped like stop signs, they feature a cartoon baby and they say "wash hands before touching baby!"

People soon began to show interest in the signs as well as the babies.

"A lot of people kept saying, 'Where did you get those? That's such a great idea,'" Cristie Aaron said.

The couple decided to mass-produce the Hand Off Baby products a few months back. Now, with the threat of swine flu looming, they say their new business has taken off.

"You turn on the TV, it's swine flu, you read on the Internet, it's swine flu," Steve Aaron said. "Everywhere you go, it's swine flu."

Customer and family friend Mariettte Toribio said her signs quietly help protect her six-month-old daughter in public.

"That sign is like a voice for me, because I don't want to be rude or, you know, offend anyone," she said.

The Aarons say that 21 hospitals across the country have picked up their Hands Off baby products. In the Bay area, the signs can be found at gift shops at Tampa General Hospital and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.