Home Baby Safety

You may be thinking “My windows have screens, they’re ok.” Screens cannot prevent a fall. They’re meant to keep bugs out, not kids in. Think about how little force it would take to push out a screen. They’re designed to be pushed out easily in the event of a fire. Perhaps you’re thinking, “My windows open from the top.” Unfortunately that’s also a hazard. Opening windows from the top is certainly a better alternative than opening from the bottom, however most children are strong enough to simply push the window up from the bottom themselves.

So what’s a fresh air lover to do? We recommend two different solutions, depending on the frequency with which you open second floor windows. If you only open them occasionally, or just open them slightly, then a Window Stopper will do. It allows you to open your window 4” – enough for some fresh air but not enough to allow a fall. We recommend a clear plastic adhesive stopper called the BurglaBar or a hardware mounted Wedge-type Window Lock. Both varieties can be overridden if you insist on opening your window more than 4”. (Please be advised this is not our recommendation.)Window Stoppers are an inexpensive solution for parents who don’t open their windows much. They generally cost between $5-$7 per window.

Our preferred alternative is to install window guards. I know, I’m losing you here. You’re conjuring up images of your child living out his days in a prison cell. No worries, window guards are not bad at all. In fact, they’re a wonderful product because they allow you to safely open your windows as wide as you please! We use Guardian Angel Window Guards exclusively because parents can remove them easily in the event of a fire and they’re attractive and clean looking. Window Guards are around $65 each depending on the width of your windows.

We usually recommend a combination of products. Perhaps go with Window Guards in the bedrooms and Window Stoppers in the bathroom. As children get older they may figure out how to override the Window Stoppers. At that point Guardian Angel Window Guards are the way to go. They generally can’t be unlocked by a child under the age of 5. We also advise keeping climbable items such as toy boxes and chairs away from windows.

Please take these important steps to keep your child safe from a window fall in your home.

1) Many parents use plastic grocery store bags to line the bathroom trash can. Crawling children, however, love the crinkly sound plastic bags make. They can easily pull off small pieces, making the bag a potential suffocation hazard as well as choking hazard, right at a baby’s level. We suggest ditching the plastic bags. Also, remember that anything you throw in the bathroom or bedroom trash can is within your child’s reach so be careful what you throw away. If the trash can becomes too tempting for your child just keep it in a locked cabinet for now.

2) We all know to lock up the cleaning supplies that are in the cabinets under our kitchen and bathroom sinks. But what many parents aren’t aware of is how dangerous cosmetics and personal care products can be to children. Even items like soap, shampoo and perfume can be toxic. They would be toxic to us as adults if we ingested them in large quantities but it doesn’t take much to have damaging effects on a child’s little body.

3) Sometimes even heavy furniture, like changing table/dresser combos, needs to be secured to the wall. Many parents assume that because the piece is heavy their child won’t be able to tip it. But children use open drawers as well as shelves to climb. Just a little leverage is all it takes for a child to accidentally pull a heavy piece of furniture onto herself.

4) Don’t forget the basement stairs, even if you have a door. Many children learn to open doors as early as 18 months old, giving them access to a dangerous stairway. Avoid using door knob covers, as children can defeat them fairly easily. For in-depth solutions please read our article below.

5) Avoid using energy-saver light bullbs in childrens’ bedrooms, playroom and family room. They contain mercury that doesn’t pose a threat when the light bulb is intact but can be toxic if broken (more likely to happen in these busy rooms). If broken, proper clean-up is essential to avoid mercury exposure, particularly to children and pregnant women

Did you know that most young children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had been missing from sight for less than five minutes and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.

Did you know that…

• Drowning is usually quick and silent.
• A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.
• Entrapment can occur when a child’s body, swimsuit or hair become trapped in the drain of a pool or hot tub and the suction is too powerful for them to free themselves.
• A child can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14.

(Statistics provided by Safe Kids Worldwide)

 10 Tips for general water safety:

• When near water an adult should be within arm’s reach of children under 5 years old at all times.
• Don’t rely on water wings or inflatable toys to keep your child safely afloat.
• When swimming in a pool keep a phone nearby in case of emergency.
• Don’t rely on bath tub rings to keep your child safe in the tub. Always stay within arm’s reach.
• Empty kiddie pools after each use.
• Whirlpools should have proper covers with locks.
• Become aware of drain entrapment dangers.
• Remember to always have your child wear a proper life jacket aboard boats.
• Remember the other places a child could drown: toilet, buckets/pails, coolers containing melted ice, wells, fish ponds, fountains.
• Know CPR.

Tips to keep your child safe if you have a pool:

• Pools should have 4-sided fencing w/ auto close and lock gate. The gate should separate the house from the pool.
• After swimming remove all toys so children aren’t tempted to reach for them. Lock the gate.
• Any door that leads outside of the home should be kept locked, including pet doors.
• Pools with only one drain should have an anti-entrapment drain cover and shut-off release system should entrapment occur.

Something to keep in mind as you begin the gardening season (as if you have time to garden!) If eaten some cause rashes and upset stomach and others have more serious effects. These plants and flowers are categorized as poisonous by the MA/Rhode Island Poison Control Center….

- Azalea
- Daffodil bulbs
- Holly berries
- Hyacinth
- Hydrangea
- Lily of the Valley
- Mistletoe
- Philodendron
- Poinsettia
- Rhododendron
- Rhubarb leaves
- Wisteria

Mike Tyson’s 4 yr old daughter passed away tragically yesterday when she was strangled by a cord while playing on a treadmill (link below). According to the CPSC each year more than 25,000 children are injured by home exercise equipment. We recommend to clients/parents that any type of exercise equipment be completely off-limits to children. We’ve installed “surround” style gates around home gyms or just around one piece of equipment. Even if the machine isn’t on children can suffer burns, lacerations, finger pinching, and sadly suffocation (or possibly electrocution) from the cords. If you have exercise equipment in your home please be sure to take appropriate safety measures to insure your child doesn’t have access to it.