Baby and Toddler Safety Mistakes
Parents often think that if we are around and keeping an eye on our young ones, everything will be okay and that they are not in danger of anything. But we don’t take into consideration that accidents happen quickly and without warning, even if the child is in our plain sight. Mistakes are the best teachers and it will almost always drive the message home that we should be extra careful. We often think that nothing happened i the past and so we let our guard down and then, the unthinkable happened. The following are some of our habits that we think are safe.
1. Leaving your child unattended in the bathtub
Of course, we don’t leave our child alone in the bathtub yet, there are many cases of infant drowning that occur in the bathtub. You dash out, and in those few moments your child can get submerged and drown. A child will lose consciousness within two minutes underwater, and irreversible brain damage occurs after four minutes. Don’t be too sure that the suction cups of the bath seat won’t come off and the seat can tip over. Your child, especially if they are on the small side can slip through the leg openings. The best thing to do is to never, ever leave your child unattended even for a moment. Don’t attend to other matters if you are bathing your child. Make it clear to older siblings who may be eager to help that they can’t give the baby a bath unless you are present. As a further precaution, install latches on your toilets and empty and store all containers that collect water.
2. Serving unsafe food
One of the major causes of child choking injuries is caused by food. Foods that are small, round, hard or gummy can easily block a child small airway. These unsafe foods include nut, grapes, gummy and hard candies, popcorn, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, hotdogs, taffy, marshmallows and caramels. Children 3 years and below should be watched closely as they tend to put everything in their mouth. To avoid choking, cut all food into really small pieces and make sure that your child is sitting down while eating, no running around allowed. Tell your child to eat slowly and chew the food well. Don’t take a large bite of the food.
3. Forgetting about the pool next door
Even if you don’t have a pool, don’t be lax especially if your next door neighbors have one. You might let your attention wander a bit and next thing you know, your child is already on his way to the pool or worse, is already floating on the pool, unconscious. If you don’t have four wall fencing on your house, get alarms on your doors that will sound off if it is opened. This way, you will be alerted that you child has already breached the door barrier. You can ask your neighbors to lock their pool gates. If it is okay with them, offer to buy a pool alarm that will sound off when something falls into the water. You can get these alarms at stores were pools are sold.
4. Using soft bedding
Children under one year are in danger of suffocating on soft and fluffy pillows, quilts, comforters as well as stuffed animals that parents liked to place on the baby’s crib. The baby can easily get covered with these things and get suffocated. If you must use a blanket to cover your baby, make sure that it only reaches up to his tummy and tuck the blanket so that it can’t be pulled over his head. On cold nights, dress your baby in warmer sleepers rather than piling on more bedding. Get that cute comforter out of the baby’s crib.
5. Forgetting to introduce your child to a fireman
It can be very frightening for a child if a fire will break out in your home. It can be dark and there will be lots and lots of smoke everywhere. Adding to his fear and confusion are the piercing smoke alarms and sirens of rescue vehicles. Then a stranger shows up looking like a space alien, wearing heavy bunker gear and a helmet and carrying an ax. Tragically, many child fire deaths occur because children run and hide from firefighters because they are afraid of them. To prevent this from happening to your child/children, practice fire drills at home and from time to time refresh their memory by going over your fire drill routine. You can also bring your child to the fire station and introduce him to a fireman. During fire prevention week, most fire department will schedule demonstrations. It will be good if your child can watch this activity. In your house, let your kids help you test the smoke and fire alarms, this way, they will hear what they sound like.
6. Drinking coffee or tea while holding your baby
Many parents are very guilty of this crime. Scalds from hot liquids are the most common type of burns for young children, whose thinner skin burns more easily than an adult’s. If you are desperate to have that cup of coffee, by all means, put your baby down in his crib before taking a sip. Make sure that your coffee/tea maker is placed far back on the counter with the cord safely tucked away. Don’t place your coffee mug near the table’s edge. If you are on the go, be extra careful and watch your steps.
7. Setting the water heater too high
Hot tap water is one of the major causes of scald burns in toddlers and preschoolers. There is no need for tap water to be hot. Make sure that you set your tap water heater no hotter than 120 degrees or set in the lowest setting. Ask you plumber to check it, just to be sure.
8. Placing baby in the walker
There are many cases of children getting injured while placed on a walker. This is because kids can glide quickly when placed on these things. If you really must place your baby on the walker, make sure that are very near so that you can quickly control the walker. You can also tie the walker to something stable or you can hold the end yourself. Make sure that it is short so that your baby can’t go too far. If you can’t be on the watch all the time, then you can opt for a stationary entertainment center. It will be much safer for your baby.
8. Getting latex balloons
Very few parents know that latex balloons are not safe for kids. When latex balloons pop, the balloon will be torn into pieces and toddlers can put them into their mouth. The latex will easily get lodged in their small throat and will choke your child. If you must have balloons for your child birthday, then get some Mylar balloons. Mylar balloons are filled with helium and will just deflate and won’t pop. Beware also of the balloons that your child might come across at other parties.
9. Forgetting about Grandma’s purse
Granny’s handbag is a real mine of bad things for your baby and toddler. It can contain loose change, medicines, cigarettes, sewing kit and hard candies and gum. To prevent your child from having a peek at Granny’s purse, make sure that when Grandma visits, stow away her handbag in an out of reach place. Remind Grandma also to lock her bag and don’t let her grandkids have a go with it.
10. Turning the car seat around too soon
You may be eager to see your child’s face in the mirror as you drive but for the sake of safety, refrain from turning the car seat around too soon because children should be in a rear-facing seat until he is at least 20 pounds and 1 year old, at the minimum. Under age 1, a child’s head is disproportionately large compared to his body. If he’s facing forward in a crash, his head will fall forward dramatically and do serious damage to the spinal cord and neck. If a child rides backward, the force of the crash is distributed over a larger surface of the body like the shoulders, back, and buttocks. Don’t be tempted to purchase mirrors sold in baby stores that attach to the seat or the rear window, giving a peek at baby’s reflection; they can be dangerous in a crash, as baby can smash into or be hit by them.