BABY/CHILD PROOFING YOUR HOME

By Nurse Diane

One of the first things expectant parents do when learning about their new bundle of joy is to prepare a room.  Careful thought and planning goes into a baby's nursery, with safety being the main concern.  From bumper pads around the crib, to flame retardant clothing to safe toys with no small parts that could cause choking.  Keeping your baby safe from harm is a huge task.  There are accidents waiting to happen around every corner.

Some parents wait to child proof when the baby becomes mobile.  By then it could be too late.  Babies grow and begin moving very quickly in that first year.  When my son was a baby I would place him on my bed for his afternoon nap.  I had a large queen bed and would lay him in the center.  He wasn't crawling at this time, so I assumed he would be safe. One day, I heard him wake up from his nap and went to my room to get him, but he wasn't on the bed.  I could hear him crying, and then I found him, he had crawled the length of the bed and fallen on the floor.  Luckily, he fell on carpet, and not a very far fall, and he was fine, however I was a wreck.  I never put him on my bed again and made sure he was in a safe environment.

Parents worry endlessly about how to protect their children from stranger abduction and violence, but many overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's safety and well-being — their own home. Experts say that children between the ages of 1 and 4 are more likely to be killed by fire, burns, drowning, choking, poisoning, or falls than by a stranger's violence.  About 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why it's so important to carefully childproof your home.

There are many products available to secure drawers and cabinets, cover outlets and keep babies away from certain areas.  The best "gadgets" available are your own eyes and ears.  Experts say that one of the best ways to check for hidden dangers in your home is to get down on their level and look around to see the dangers your child sees. On thing some people fail to consider is visiting other's homes.  While your home may be secure and free from any possible harm, when you take the baby to grandmas, her home may not be as safe.

Accidents are going to happen, babies are curious and check out everything.  The important thing is to check your home before the baby gets there, prevent as many possible accidents as you can, then check back frequently the older the child gets.  It is a constant struggle trying to predict what your child can get into, so what every measure you take to baby proof your home.  The best safety measure will always be your supervision.

For other safety products, check out this site:  http://www.safebeginnings.com/

[Photos from Google]

Think Ahead

As we continue our efforts on Safety, Baby Safety is the first of nine articles we will address this month on safety and prevention.  Having been a parent, grandparent, baby-sitter, caregiver for babies and small children, I have learned a few lessons along the way.  First and foremost – have someone who is an expert on Baby and Child Safety inspect your home!  Those of us who live there and or visit frequently will overlook many items – they are where they always are located and we don’t consider them a danger – small scissors, small objects that the cats play with, ensuring baby/child will not fall while sleeping are good examples.  Plants are another item to keep in mind – my wife has a green thumb and lots and lots of plants throughout the home make sure they are out of reach because some are poisonous if eaten.

When it comes to the health and safety of your baby, it needs to start even before your child comes home from the hospital.

First, baby-proof your home while the mother is still pregnant.

·         Babies will roll and crawl before you know it. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury.
Install gates, window locks and secure all furniture to walls
 It's also a good idea to install your car seat ahead of time. Over 75% of car seats are used or installed improperly. According to new AAP guidelines, babies should be rear facing up to 2 years of age.
Talk to your OB/GYN about banking your child's cord blood in the event of a traumatic accident or illness even into their teen years.
Remove toxins from your home and your baby food. Look for baby food that is organic and free of salt and preservatives.
 Eliminate cleaning products that have chemicals and other items such as dry cleaning bags, air fresheners, etc.
 Keep them safe in the car at all times.
Check your state's rules about booster seat use. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children 1 - 14 years of age.
Finally, be sure your child is secure in the car seat