I have several of these in my hair and I love them. They are small, unique and very pretty and keep my skinnier dreads nicely. I am glad you asked this question though because I have been wondering the same thing. I am glad that they will be fine because I bought a whole bunch of them. 
I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but while I'm at work I keep my hair in a head-scarf - mainly to keep all the loose hairs out of my face but also to keep things relatively tidy while I'm on the job. I have not noticed it causing any problems with my dreads - except flattening them a bit. There are loads of beautiful scarves and head-wraps you can use and many creative ways to use them. SE - if it is not a good idea to keep a scarf on let me know - I do take it off when I'm home.
Good luck, Becky!
Yea, I'm in a similar boat - my dreads were started last October and my hair was kind of short - just past my chin - so I know what you are talking about! Somehow, my hair is still, just past my chin - and my hair grows fast! The locking has happened pretty quickly tho so I can't really complain, but I can't wait for them to be long enough to start doing stuff with them - at least be able to pull them back in some kind of hair tie! I just keep learning more and more about patience...
Well said.. I hope that the attempts being made by friends, family and everyone else is able to shield the family from the village idiots in this tragedy.
