Accidents in the home make up a major amount of the over 1 million children brought to ERs each year. Household accidents are also usually avoidable with some foresight and safety measures put into place. Toddlers are an active, curious bunch and it can be tough to know what they will get up to next. Taking safety measures, makes a big difference, but nothing compares to the steady, vigilant supervision of a guardian or parent. Here are some things you can do to make your home a lot safer for your small ones.
Showing posts with label baby safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby safety. Show all posts
3/24/12
Beware, This Baby Gate Eats Toddlers Hands!
I needed a baby gate to keep my toddler out of the kitchen (stove is low enough for him to reach hot places, unfortunately), so I went to Wal-Mart and bought the Even-Flo Position and Lock Tall Gate. It was just the sort of baby product I like, cheap ($23), functional and easy to use. I happily set it up and it worked great, toddler stayed outside the kitchen while I worked inside it.
8/8/11
Better than OraGel For Your Teething Baby
Teething Medicine: Oragel Alternatives
Now that my son is 11 months old, he has just cut another couple teeth, and it has been miserable for him as usual. He's come down with ear infection, and a cold that includes a sore throat, and I can hardly know what to do to help my sweet little boy who has turned into a whiny little bundle of misery. Especially with all the warnings about pain relievers.
7/20/11
Get a Childproofing Cord Blind Safety Kit Free
They offer kits for roman shades, roll-up shades, venetian blinds and pleated shades, and vertical blinds and traverse rods.
Free safety kits for cord blinds, window coverings, and all types of windows and window dressings. Get your free safety kit today. I did!
6/30/11
Childproofing Alert
On June 25, 2011 a funeral was held for an 18-month old boy in Delavan, Wisconsin, who had strangled on cords hanging from a set of venetian blinds. His mother had been in the house with him at the time, and she was the one who discovered him strangling. Emergency technicians were unable to save him. He was just the latest child in a heartbreakingly common story.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/513507_common-dangerous-mistakes-parents-and-caregivers-make-in-the-bedroom-and-nursery#ixzz1QnTEtroh
This tragedy and many others could easily have been prevented. It only takes one day and a small amount of money to baby proof your house in all the obvious spots. With all the stories I have heard on venetian blind injuries and deaths, I would guess this one was not so obvious to some people. Please do not be one of those people who quickly say in their head "It would not happen to me." as they ignore the evidence in front of them. It does not take much time. It does not take much money.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/513507_common-dangerous-mistakes-parents-and-caregivers-make-in-the-bedroom-and-nursery#ixzz1QnTEtroh
This tragedy and many others could easily have been prevented. It only takes one day and a small amount of money to baby proof your house in all the obvious spots. With all the stories I have heard on venetian blind injuries and deaths, I would guess this one was not so obvious to some people. Please do not be one of those people who quickly say in their head "It would not happen to me." as they ignore the evidence in front of them. It does not take much time. It does not take much money.
Venetian Blinds Cord Shortener
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Outlet Covers-plugs the outlet
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Outlet Cover-covers plugged in cord ends
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Cupboard Latches
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Stove Knob Covers
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Power Strip Cover
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Toilet Seat Lid Lock
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Table Corner Guards
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ChildProofing Kit
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Adjustable Multipurpose Strap
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Table Edge Bumper
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Rail Net
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Finger Pinch Preventer
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Door Knob Covers
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Baby Gate
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Anti-Tip Furniture Strap
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Clear Edge Cushion
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Click on any picture to learn more about the item and see how little they cost. All it takes is a minute.
6/23/11
Carseat Horror Story
First watch this, then read post!
That was something, wasn't it? And he is just a dad, discovering this on his own. He isn't a professional or a product tester, nothing like that. I bet after this you will be running to test your own carseat! I know I did (It passed the test, whew).
When you are looking for a car seat, the whole point is to keep your child safe and secure. So which one will do that best? Some people go to shop for one (new or used), see all the different ones out there which all look more or less alike, and decide to go for the cheapest because its a car seat, after all. Its made to be safe, right? But in reality, there are many things to consider.
When you are looking for a car seat, the whole point is to keep your child safe and secure. So which one will do that best? Some people go to shop for one (new or used), see all the different ones out there which all look more or less alike, and decide to go for the cheapest because its a car seat, after all. Its made to be safe, right? But in reality, there are many things to consider.
The first thing to know is NEVER buy a used car seat. It may have been in a crash, and you have no way of knowing. Car seats are only rated for one heavy crash, and then must be replaced. This does not apply to fender benders and such like, but how will you know what that car seat has been through, if it is used?
Car seats that are given to you or bought from friends and family might be more secure. You are more likely to know if they have been in any serious crashes, and they are more likely to tell you. But do you want their car seat? Or do you want the best one for your baby? Is it even that big a deal? Decide for yourself..
Consumersearch.com has three infant seats they have found to be the BEST rated:
Price Range $90-$200
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| Graco SnugRide |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Performs well in safety tests
- Many colors and patterns
Cons
- Fabric not very breathable
- Mixed reviews for ease of installation
Britax Chaperone
- for heavier or taller babiesPrice Range $180-$185
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| Britax Chaperone |
Pros
- Excellent safety scores
- Easy to adjust
- Ergonomic handles
- Accommodates larger babies
Cons
-for heavier babiesPrice Range $75-$90
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| Baby Trend Flex-Loc |
Pros
- Performs well in safety tests
- Easy-to-install infant car seat
- Triangular handle
- Comfortable for baby
- Holds heavier/taller babies
- Some say straps are too short
- Doesn't fit well in some cars
- Limited availability
What do you think you will do now? Which car seat do you have, and how do you rate it? Do you have any car seat stories, good or bad, that you have heard or experienced?
5/30/11
Finger Foods for Baby
Is your baby just getting to the age where he or she wants to eat by themselves but doesn't know how to use a spoon yet? Do you buy her pre cut baby snacks from the grocery store that she picks up by herself to eat?
How about using the regular food you already have at home? Here are some great ideas of things you probably have in your cupboards!
Frozen Peas: warm up a few of these and let them pick them up one at a time.
Canned Green Beans: right from the can or warmed a little, you may need to cut these into smaller bits but they are soft enough for baby to mush up in their mouth or swallow whole if they happen to.
Canned Garbanzo Beans: you can warm these and serve with the peas or green beans. You may want to pop the husks off the individual beans and discard them, as they might be a difficulty for inexperienced eaters.
Bananas: Peel a ripe one and break off an inch or two, then slice the chunk into tiny bite size pieces.
Macaroni Pasta: even if baby is too young for the milk cheese and butter in Mac and Cheese, you can still cook up the pasta, cooking it longer for extra smooshiness, and let them eat it plain.
Natural Wheat Bread: find a whole wheat bread that contains no funny stuff or nuts, and cut off the edges then slice into little bites. You can even toast it before you slice, for new snack experience for baby.
Canned Fruit: Slice up canned peaches and pears into tiny bites. The kind that come already in little chunks may be too big for little baby, but you can use them also if you inspect the size of each chunk baby gets.
I DO NOT suggest cutting up deli lunch meat or hot dogs for baby, even though this is a common food people feed their children. Simply because studies have shown processed meats containing Sodium Nitrate or Potassium Nitrate (preservatives) may significantly increase risk for cancer in children.
Instead I suggest going to your local deli and requesting sliced All-Natural Turkey, Chicken or Ham. All natural deli meats will not have any preservatives in them. This also means less salt and other icky stuff baby does not need. It means it will need to be used quicker though, probably within the week.
Most anything in its natural form can be fed to baby as long as you follow diet restrictions based on age (such as no milk, peanut butter, eggs or honey before the age of one) and make sure it is soft enough and small enough not to choke on.
Baby should ALWAYS be supervised while eating, even if you are sure there is no choking hazard.
How about using the regular food you already have at home? Here are some great ideas of things you probably have in your cupboards!
Frozen Peas: warm up a few of these and let them pick them up one at a time.
Canned Green Beans: right from the can or warmed a little, you may need to cut these into smaller bits but they are soft enough for baby to mush up in their mouth or swallow whole if they happen to.
Canned Garbanzo Beans: you can warm these and serve with the peas or green beans. You may want to pop the husks off the individual beans and discard them, as they might be a difficulty for inexperienced eaters.
Bananas: Peel a ripe one and break off an inch or two, then slice the chunk into tiny bite size pieces.Macaroni Pasta: even if baby is too young for the milk cheese and butter in Mac and Cheese, you can still cook up the pasta, cooking it longer for extra smooshiness, and let them eat it plain.
Natural Wheat Bread: find a whole wheat bread that contains no funny stuff or nuts, and cut off the edges then slice into little bites. You can even toast it before you slice, for new snack experience for baby.Canned Fruit: Slice up canned peaches and pears into tiny bites. The kind that come already in little chunks may be too big for little baby, but you can use them also if you inspect the size of each chunk baby gets.
Instead I suggest going to your local deli and requesting sliced All-Natural Turkey, Chicken or Ham. All natural deli meats will not have any preservatives in them. This also means less salt and other icky stuff baby does not need. It means it will need to be used quicker though, probably within the week.
Most anything in its natural form can be fed to baby as long as you follow diet restrictions based on age (such as no milk, peanut butter, eggs or honey before the age of one) and make sure it is soft enough and small enough not to choke on.
Baby should ALWAYS be supervised while eating, even if you are sure there is no choking hazard.
3/28/11
Baby Monitors
So I just found out they have such a thing as a video baby monitors
! They have been out for a while but I personally had never seen one before now. They are a little spendy but a good baby monitor usually is anyways, and none of us want to skimp when it comes to baby safety.
With a baby video monitor, you can actually see your baby from the listening end as well as hear them. How many times have you went to check your baby even when the baby monitor was quiet just to make sure they weren't silently suffocating themselves? I have, plenty of times! I have a baby that likes to roll on his side and hide his face against things when he sleeps. It makes me a nervous Nelly about suffocation.
So when I saw this video monitor I thought it would be a pretty smart thing for anyone who has a baby to have. I would actually put it on my baby registry first and hope someone got it for me as a gift at my baby shower, but if not, its totally worth the extra few dollars you need to shell out to have top quality safety items for your baby. 
Oh, speaking of baby registries, did you know you could sign up on Amazon? And with their huge selection of all the top brands, you don't have to settle for one store's line of baby products. Plus, the free shipping on a lot of stuff is a great bonus. Here's the link: Amazon Baby Registry
Even if you already have a audio baby monitor, investing in a video one isn't a bad idea, especially if you are planning on having more children. If not, there are plenty of places where you could sell it as used once you don't need it, (or generously give it to a grateful friend) or even put it to different uses. You don't have to use it just to monitor the nursery. What about the playroom or monitoring your child's room while you are folding clothes or working on the computer?
I really think these things are too useful to pass up, they are a huge investment for any parent!
Check out the prices and reviews on different video baby monitors here:
! They have been out for a while but I personally had never seen one before now. They are a little spendy but a good baby monitor usually is anyways, and none of us want to skimp when it comes to baby safety. With a baby video monitor, you can actually see your baby from the listening end as well as hear them. How many times have you went to check your baby even when the baby monitor was quiet just to make sure they weren't silently suffocating themselves? I have, plenty of times! I have a baby that likes to roll on his side and hide his face against things when he sleeps. It makes me a nervous Nelly about suffocation. |
| Baby is sleeping just fine! |
Oh, speaking of baby registries, did you know you could sign up on Amazon? And with their huge selection of all the top brands, you don't have to settle for one store's line of baby products. Plus, the free shipping on a lot of stuff is a great bonus. Here's the link: Amazon Baby Registry
Even if you already have a audio baby monitor, investing in a video one isn't a bad idea, especially if you are planning on having more children. If not, there are plenty of places where you could sell it as used once you don't need it, (or generously give it to a grateful friend) or even put it to different uses. You don't have to use it just to monitor the nursery. What about the playroom or monitoring your child's room while you are folding clothes or working on the computer?
I really think these things are too useful to pass up, they are a huge investment for any parent!
Check out the prices and reviews on different video baby monitors here:
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