“It will never happen to me…” Cpt. EJ Smith (Captain of the Titanic)
None of us want to believe that it could happen to our family. However, the sad truth is that 3.4 million children are injured in accidents in the home. 2300 of those children die from these injuries.
Common problems in the home leading to major accidents include:
- Falling
- choking hazards
- Poison
- Suffocation
- Submersion
- Drowning
- Inadequate railings and banisters
- Unsafe storage of drugs and medicine
- Water heaters set at too high of a temperature
- Fires and Burning
- Improper storage of firearms
Our youngest are the most susceptible to many of these hazards, the good news is that a few simple precautions and safety measures can drastically reduce and in some cases eliminate the threat of these common household problems.
It truly is better to be SAFE than SORRY!
Here are some great tips you can follow to help make your nursery and your home safe for you precious little ones.
Safety in the nursery starts in the babies crib. Clear the crib of clutter. This includes stuffed animals, pillows blankets, and toys.
Also never use crib bumpers as these can be a major suffocation hazard for your little one. I know it is tempting to protect your child from hitting their little head on the crib rails in the middle of the night but these cushions are a major risk and should be avoided completely.
The only thing you need in your crib is the mattress and the mattress sheets.
You should always buy the best mattress you can afford and is one item in your nursery that you should never skimp on.
- Find a mattress that is as firm as possible while also comfortable enough for your little baby to sleep soundly.
- Ensure your crib mattress fits tightly into the crib. You should not be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib.
- You may even want to look into a breathable and organic crib mattress like the one I reviewed here on BabyBedtimeBliss.
- Make sure that the sheets fit snugly across the mattress. There should be no clumping or folding of the sheets when placed properly on the crib mattress.
- Position the crib safely away from any windows or curtains.
- It’s just as important to clear the area outside the crib as it is the area within it. There should be no hanging wires or cords near the crib and anything on the walls should be securely mounted well outside of your child’s reach.
Secure Furniture To The Walls To Prevent Suffocation
The furniture within the nursery is a major risk to your child. We all love to put great looking quality pieces in our child’s room and it helps us create the perfect nursery theme. The problem is these items are heavy and are easily toppled by an adventurous toddler.
It does not take much effort or force to upend a dresser or bookshelf on top of a climbing child where he is crushed and suffocates. I am sure you have heard the horror stories of a mother going upstairs to check in on her little one only to find her pinned under a heavy piece of furniture unconscious or worse.
There is an easy way to solve and eliminate this threat from your nursery and home. Simple furniture straps should be used to secure any potential threat to the walls to prevent them from falling over.
Unlike this heartwarming video where one twin saves the other, most of these stories end in tragedy and all it would take to prevent is a basic furniture strap and ten minutes of your time.
Child Proof The Curtains And Drapes
As you know children love to play with everything. This includes that colorful cloth hanging over the window and the hanging cord attached to the blinds.
Just take a few extra minutes to ensure the curtains are mounted securely to the wall and that any loose hanging cords are stashed away in a child proof cord wraps or shorteners. They only cost a few dollars and can literally be a life saver.
Bath Time Should Be Fun Time
You always hope that you kids love bath time because it is such a huge part of your child’s day and an amazing time to develop and learn. It can also be super dangerous.
Many adult bathrooms can be like some crazy obstacle course from an episode of American Ninja Warrior for a young child. There are just so many things they can grab, slip on, or fall from.
The biggest tip for bathroom safety is just constant adult vigilance, but it is also key minimize temptations for your little one.
One of the biggest dangers is the water itself. An infant can drown in less than two inches of water.
Wash infants in an approved baby tub that allow for cleaning without the risk of submersion in water. Keep toys and soap out of reach when not in use. Finally, ensure that adult toiletries and products are kept securely out of sight.
Use rubber mats in the bath and floor to help prevent slipping and child proof the cabinets with simple locks.
These simple steps can greatly reduce the risks to a child in a bathroom and help keep bath time fun time!
