Posts Tagged ‘safety’
An Important Review: Child-Proofing Household Electrical Dangers
May 2nd, 2011 | 
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By Jakob Barry, Guest Writer
Newborn babies are cute and need a lot of attention, but it’s not until they start crawling and walking that the home becomes a risky place, especially regarding electricity. Once they reach that age, gadgets adults find useful end up being most dangerous.
Even when they begin to comprehend how things work, curiosity often pushes children to explore and unfortunately electrical accidents occur.
In the spirit of keeping a closer watch on your children here’s a review of a few ideas on how to make the living space less worrisome for the parent and more kid friendly when it comes to electricity:
1. Outlets: According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission , of the estimated 3900 yearly electrical injuries originating from wall outlets one third involve young children getting electrocuted from slipping a hair pin, paper clip or other similar item inside one of the holes.
Precautions:
- Block outlets with caps or tamper resistant covers
- If outlets are not being used attach protective covers that seal inserts.
- Place furniture in front of outlets making it difficult for little hands to reach.
2. Extension cords/loose wires: These must be kept as far out of reach as possible to prevent being chewed on, which could lead to severs burns, or pulled at, which could bring down heavy appliances.
Precautions:
- If possible, remove any cords in view that may become an attraction.
- Supervise temporary usage, and never forget to unplug when done.
- If a permanent cord is necessary in a room, run it firmly stapled along a baseboard, behind furniture or tie up the excess so it cannot be tampered with.
3. Appliances: Examples include irons, mixers, toasters, electric razors, hair dryers, power strips and surge protectors.
Precautions:
- Unplug when not in use.
- Prevent power cords from hanging over counters or shelves in reach of children; a child pulling on a chord can bring a heavy appliance crashing down.
4. Heaters: They are generally in reach, and in complete view of children.
Precautions:
- Block all sides of standing heaters so children’s hands cannot touch them. If possible, mount on a wall.
- For baseboard heaters childproofing isn’t easy, but special covers can be purchased that block entry of fingers to the vents.
- Place furniture in the path of the heater.
- When playing with toddlers, keep the focus away from heating sources.
5. Outdoors precautions:
- Children should not be allowed to climb walls or trees near power lines or utility poles.
- Be sure when machinery like drills or lawnmowers are not in use they are unplugged and turned off, locked up and out of reach.
- Don’t leave extension cords idle.
Finally, it’s understandable every home has its own unique obstacle courses. That’s why along with taking the above ideas into consideration, try to go a step further: get down on your knees and view the home from the vantage point of your infant to see what other challenges may exist.
Eventually you’ll be able to have a real conversation with your son or daughter, teaching them some basics about electricity, explaining why it’s dangerous and beneficial at the same time and give them a few pointers on simple tasks like how to change a light bulb.
However, while you’re waiting for that moment to arrive, be the best parent you can be leaving no stone unturned when trying to protect your children from possible electric shock.
Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com, a growing community of users sharing and monitoring home improvement projects allowing homeowners and contractors to get the most from their resources. He covers various home improvement topics including green lighting and professional electrical repairs .
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Is Santa a Stranger?
By Melissa, Contributor, Confessions of a Dr. Mom (@Melissa_DrMom)
Seriously, our 5 year old son lobbed this question to my husband and me the other day. We were left speechless; staring at each other hoping the other would tackle this one. After a few minutes of silence and our son showing no signs of leaving to go play, I started in and probably gave him more than he bargained for.
It got me thinking again about stranger safety and all the things we have taught him about strangers so far. A stranger is someone you don’t know. A stranger can be good or bad, there is no way to tell. You do not talk to strangers unless mom or dad is with you. You have your safe people (mom and dad) and those are the only people you ever go with.
These are some absolutes, but of course there are so many gray areas. What about his teacher, his soccer coach, his friend’s mom or dad, and the list goes on…like Santa.
These are people he kind of knows. People he knows about, people he may see on a daily basis, but they are not his safe side adults.
I like the term safe side adults. It gives young children some absolutes in this often murky area of stranger safety. Give your child 3 adults whom you consider safe. These are the only adults that your child is ever allowed to go anywhere with.
There is a DVD on stranger safety called The Safe Side. It is co-produced by John Walsh. This is an excellent informational and entertaining DVD for children ages 4-8. At first, I thought it was silly but then I saw the light bulb go off in my son’s head. He got it. He was able to categorize the adults in his life. I highly recommend this DVD.
Here are some key stranger safety concepts to reinforce in your child. You may need to alter some of these depending on your child’s age. We have introduced concepts in stages. First, at age 3 he could only grasp the concept of a stranger and that was about it. Around 4.5 years old, we started getting more specific:
- A stranger is someone you don’t know. They are “don’t knows”. These people are never safe to talk to or go with.
- A “kind of know” is a person that you know like your teacher or soccer coach but is not your “safe side” adult. You never go with a “kind of know” unless your mom or dad is present and gives their explicit permission.
- Make sure your child knows his address, phone number, and first and last name.
- Teach your child to stay with friends when at parks, school, or other activities. There really is safety in numbers.
-Teach your children that a stranger should never ask them for help. If they do, your child should back away and shout “NO” or “this is not my mom, this is not my dad!”
-Go over practice scenarios with your child. They really do work and this gives your child practice in using his loud voice.
-Teach your child to never leave a store should you get separated. Teach him to go to the checkout cashier to report you missing. Extremely important to tell him to NEVER leave the store looking for you. Remind him that you would never leave the store without him.
This is not the fun part of parenting. It’s the part that gives me knots in my stomach and I dread giving my children “what if” scenarios. However, it’s essential. Please don’t gloss over it.
So, how did we handle the Santa question? We said that yes, Santa is a stranger. If anyone were to approach him dressed as Santa and tried to sway him with the promise of gifts, he knows that sometimes “strangers” can dress up to look like Santa. Seriously, knots in my stomach just writing this, but I went on. Although we love it when Santa visits us on Christmas, he is a not a safe side adult.
I’m just thankful he didn’t ask why it’s okay that Santa slides down our chimney and enters our house while we’re sleeping. We would never let a stranger do that!
Have you discussed stranger safety with your child? Any tips or advice to add here?
Melissa is a part time pediatrician and full time mom of two. She candidly writes about her adventures in parenting on her blog, Confessions of a Dr.Mom
Decisions on Sleepovers
By Bethany, Contributor, Organic Enchilada
My boys had a party last month and amidst the planning of the games and food, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to make this a sleepover?”
But so many questions and doubts pummeled my brain that I couldn’t quite make heads or tails of my feelings until the party was over. Are sleepovers taboo? Do boys even have sleepovers, or is that strictly girl territory? What is an appropriate age to allow sleepovers?
My tween years were filled with slumber parties at my house or the homes of my friends. A weekend rarely passed without such a gathering and those nights were some of the most memorable of my childhood. But that was all before the age of the anti high fructose corn syrup movement, internet pornography and a plague of child predators.
I’m a pretty laid-back mom; I let my kids eat Twinkies, we have a “one minute rule” instead of the usual five seconds and I introduce them to a few select Stephen King movies at the tender age of six. But when it comes to their physical safety, I’m a chicken. I prefer they invite their friends to play at my house rather than go to their friends’ houses. I only let them ride their bikes around the neighborhood if they stay together. I bought them a cell phone to be used only to call me when they arrive at school each morning and when they leave each afternoon.
I do this because we live in a world where the unthinkable has happened and will happen again. And sexual abuse, unlike the effects of an occasional Twinkie, is something that is permanently damaging.
According to YellowDyno.com, almost 5 of every 6 sexual assaults on children occur in someone’s home and most perpetrators of sexual assault will be someone the child knows. The statistics on child sex abuse are shocking, and while it remains my biggest concern, it isn’t my only concern.
I have met and liked many of the parents of my child’s friends, but I can’t say that “like” warrants complete trust. How do I know that if I leave my child in the care of another parent, he won’t have unsupervised access to the internet? How do I know that this parent won’t let his teenager drive my kid anywhere? How do I know that my son won’t be shown any R or PG-13 rated movies? (Besides the Stephen King movies he’s already seen.)
These are just my own most extreme concerns; other parents will have other concerns unique to their beliefs and wishes. Someone might hesitate to send their child to my house simply because they’d be almost guaranteed to have an unlimited supply of Pixie Stix. Understandable.
The more I thought about all of these sleepover complications, the more hesitant I felt to allow them for my kids. When it comes right down to it, I can tell the friend’s parents my wishes regarding movies and video games, internet and food choices, and of course my kids know the rules, but there is always that unknown. That one small chance that something bad and irreversible could happen. So for now, I think the best thing for my family is to say no to sleepovers. Maybe we’ll re-evaluate that rule down the road, when the boys are a little bit older. But maybe we won’t. So now I just have to deal with the Mommy Guilt of denying them such memories and experiences.
What are your feelings on sleepovers? Do you think they are strictly girl territory? Do you feel that it’s better to be safe than sorry? Let us know your thoughts in the Our Mommyhood Forum!
Bethany spends her days attempting to survive her four young boys and is always on the lookout for a better hiding place for her chocolate stash. So far, the kids have sniffed it out every time. She blogs at Organic Enchilada, but you won’t find any tips there for going green. The only Earth Bethany has the time to worry about is how to get the mud and grass stains out of the boys’ good pants.
Turkeys and Toddlers
By Melissa, Contributor, Confessions of a Doctor Mom (@Melissa_DrMom)
Does the thought of Thanksgiving dinner at your in-laws fill you with warm, fuzzy thoughts about spending time with family? Or, are you outright dreading this Thanksgiving holiday because it means not only packing for and traveling with a toddler, but also being on high alert the whole time in order to ensure your toddler’s safety?
Visiting a relative’s home with a toddler in tow for any extended period of time can be exhausting if that home is not toddler proofed. For the last five and half years, I’ve spent many Thanksgiving dinners unable to hold a decent conversation, playing chase the toddler and essentially not relaxing at all. You can bet once that toddler was finally conked out in bed, I was ready to dive in to my lonely glass of wine.
What can you do to lessen your anxiety, actually complete a coherent sentence and perhaps sit down and enjoy some turkey and wine? I’ve put together some Thanksgiving Dinner Tips for you in the hopes you’ll be able to enjoy some of the festivities.
Bring Safety Gear
It may seem like a hassle at first but well worth it in the end. If stairs are involved, bring one of those pressure mounted safety gates. They work and will save you the constant back and forth of having to pry your little tyke off that step yet again. Outlet covers are easy to transport and at the very least you won’t have to worry about him sticking something in there and getting electrocuted.
Rearrange Some Furniture
I’m not talking major redecorating here; just some minor tweeks to make it more kid friendly. Hopefully everyone else will be on board with this one. Pointy edged coffee table? Why not move it to an area the kids won’t be playing? I’m telling you, I’ve had my heart jump out of my chest on more than one occasion after watching my child fall and his head barely missing the edge of the table. Not fun. If furniture rearranging is not well received, offer to place one of those ever fashionable and, not at all eye sore, bumper guards around said coffee table.
Place Choking Hazards Out of Reach
This goes for toys and food. Older children often have toys that can be dangerous for children under three. Enlist the older children to help place tiny choking hazards out of reach. Those tiny Legos and marbles need to be put away. Also, be sure those hard candies, flavored popcorn and peanuts stay out of reach as well. While they may be popular appetizers at parties, these can be downright dangerous for toddlers.
Is There a Pool in the Backyard?
If there is, it should be properly fenced in and childproofed. If not, I would seriously consider not going. I’m not kidding; parties can be chaotic, it’s easy to lose track of a toddler, even for a minute. If that pool isn’t fenced in, I would not risk it. I’ve been to parties where there were pools in the backyard and not fenced in. I did not enjoy myself at all because I was glued to my child, worrying the whole time. Seriously, I have nightmares about this.
Toddlers and Dogs Don’t Mix
If your child knows this dog and the dog knows your child and is good around children then you may be just fine. However, even dogs accustomed to children can be pushed to the limit with a toddler constantly in their face. And, believe me; they will be. Better to be safe than sorry. My son was bit by a dog proclaimed to be “nice” by his owner and I was told to just “relax and have a drink”. My glass barely touched my lips when I heard the screams, just when I let my guard down.
Play Tag Team
Enlist your husband’s or significant other’s help. Be specific; unfortunately, this may need to be spelled out for them. My husband was slow on the uptake with child number 1, but now he knows better. It may mean eating in shifts, but at least you both get to enjoy some dinner and conversation.
*Side note to husband: If you catch sight of your lovely wife in the middle of her toddler wrangling and you blissfully assume she his looking lovingly into your eyes; you’re wrong. She is glaring at you, wondering when you’re going to take the hint, put down that drink, and realize it’s your turn to play chase the toddler.*
These tips may seem a bit cumbersome but I believe with a little preparation upfront, you will be able to enjoy a more peaceful and safe Thanksgiving Dinner. It sure beats having to wrap your little tyke up in bubble wrap and strapping him to your hip.
Do you have any safety tips or stories to share about toddlers and Thanksgiving? Come share them in the forum!
Melissa is a pediatrician on hiatus, taking care of two rambunctious children who are her on the job training in more ways than one. She is a wife, mother, blogger, writer, and coffee lover in no particular order. She is (mostly) enjoying this journey through Motherhood and all the laughter and tears that comes along with it. You can read more from Melissa at Confessions of a Dr. Mom
Safety Mishaps: They Happen to the Best of Us
By Melissa, Contributor, Confessions of a Doctor Mom(@Melissa_DrMom)
We have all been there at one point or another. Your baby rolls off the bed in the split second it took to turn around and grab a blanket. Your toddler reaches for the knife on top of the counter as you turn to answer the phone. You forget to buckle in your preschooler after having spent an inordinate amount of time securing your newborn baby in her own car seat. The last one happened to me.
These safety mishaps happen; in spite of our best efforts and intentions something goes awry. We get distracted, tired, we let our guard down. And, wouldn’t you know it? That will be the moment we’ll get our wake up call. Thankfully, for most of us that’s exactly what it is. A wake up call. A free pass. A warning that when it comes to safety, we can never be too safe.
The following examples illustrate how easily things can take a wrong turn. Hopefully by highlighting a few common mishaps, we can all become more aware of the little things we do or don’t do on a daily basis that should not be overlooked when we have little ones underfoot.
Imagine life as a newly inducted mom of two. Your newborn is a mere 4 weeks old and yet life for your firstborn, a preschooler, must go on. You attempt to get on with your daily routine in spite of a spotty three hours of sleep the night before. You get the three of you prepared for a little outing. The diapers have been changed, snacks are packed, change of clothes in the diaper bag and sippy cup in hand. You clumsily manage to get your newborn secured in her car seat while your preschooler hops in his. Finally; you are off.
You barely make it half a mile before your preschooler announces “Mom, I don’t have my buckle”. Without thinking you shout an expletive, pull over and are horrified to discover that you did in fact forget to buckle him in his car seat. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, I know this scenario all too well and so do many of my friends who have confessed this safety mistake to me. I’ve dubbed mishaps like these, Mommy Lost Her Brain Syndrome. It happens.
How about this one? Has your toddler gone from barely walking then to running and now suddenly can work a lock like Houdini? Sometimes, it seems we can barely keep up with all the new skills they master on a daily basis. Before you know it, that toddler who could barely walk to the front door has now made it out that door because it was not childproofed. Again, this scenario unfolded in our very own household. It just happened to be one of those days; full of chaos, conflicting schedules, a newborn who needed a nap and a preschooler in search of his “mommy”. It was awful but we were lucky.
Very lucky I realize. So what can we learn from our safety mishaps? I’ve put together a few safety rules to live by:
1. We should never become complacent about safety. Reassess your baby and child proofing needs every 6 months. Children become more capable with each milestone they reach. Though he can’t open that lock now, soon he will and it will be at that exact moment that you leave him alone. Don’t wait to latch those doors or install those safety gates on the stairs.
2. Be extra cautious and vigilant during times of family changes or stress (like a new baby, moving, new job, etc). New schedules, sleep-deprivation and stress can potentially set us up for unforeseen safety issues. Beware of the Mommy Lost Her Brain Syndrome.
3. Institute a buckle safety check. Make it a habit to do both a physical and verbal check. After physically checking each child, ask, “Everyone buckled?” That way you have a back up just in case it was one of those days you forgot to do the physical check. I cannot emphasize enough how something this simple really works. This is second nature to us now and if it’s not done, inevitably one of the kids pipes up and reminds us.
4. Lock up those medicines and cleaning supplies. Just because an older sibling never climbed those shelves or reached for that medicine cabinet, doesn’t mean your second child won’t try her hand at it.
5. Never underestimate the saying “it only takes a second”. This is so true; my friend, an ER doctor, took her hands off her baby to grab a towel before bath time and she fell off the counter onto the floor. Yikes! Besides some crying, mostly on Mama’s part, the baby was fine.
There you have it, some all too common safety mishaps that I share in hopes it may prevent another Mom from making the same mistake.
Do you have any safety mishaps you would be willing to share? We promise not to judge; we’ve all been there. Besides, you may just prevent another Mom from making the same mistake.
Melissa is a pediatrician on hiatus, taking care of two rambunctious children who are her on the job training in more ways than one. She is a wife, mother, blogger, writer and coffee lover in no particular order. She is (mostly) enjoying this journey through Motherhood and all the laughter and tears that comes along with it. You can read more from Melissa at Confessions of a Dr. Mom.
