Things We Dont Think Of

[mollyandkurtsmum]

I have just been reading the thread on the little boy who drowned in the bath and realised that there are many things that we as parents just dont realise are hazardous. A friend of mines nephew was killed bye the cords on the blinds getting wrapped around his neck while he was playing. Since hearing this I have always kept my blind cords up and out of the way. Tonight was another learning instance for me as I will never leave water in the bath again.
Does anyone alse have any thougth on little things that us busy mums may not think of???

[mysonroger]

our bathroom window is on the second story right next to the bath. Ds could climb on the bath and get to the window and fall out, so i never leave it open.

also we have a deck on a second level and i make sure all furniture and props are away from the railing so he can't climb up and fall over the side.

[V8]

My Health nurse told me a story about someone who left a plastic shopping bag over the top of a chair, a little kid was playing and got the plastic bag around their head and strangled themselves. Very tragic.

[mysonroger]

i always knot my plastic shopping bags. any bag that comes into the house i tie a knot in it. as soon as i open bread, i throw the little plastic tab away too and just twist the bag shut

[jaimie]

Spilled washing powder on laundry floor. Im sure even little amounts would be toxic.

[ashtons mum]

:hugs: thank u mummies for getting out this topic, its such a tragic thing.....
i hope all the mums who read this go and check all there stuff to make sure its bubby proof,....
cause if u loose your lil one, they r irreplacable..:kiss:

[cwsmum]

Pressure fit safety gates :eek:
I don't trust them at all, as soon as DS could pull himself up to stand at them he was pushing them over. Just him holding onto it and bouncing up and down was enough to move it.
I now use one that screws into the door frame to keep DS out of DD's room and keep the doors shut to the stairs and the rest of the rooms I don't want my bubs in.

I live in a rental and I would much rather repaint a door frame or 2 when I move out than have either of my bubs get into something they shouldn't.

[mollyandkurtsmum]

I just went to put my dishwasher on and realised I dont have a lid on my dishwashing powder. my kids are either too old to try eating it or one is to young but this is something I should fix now before my little fella is old enough to try.

[Miaow]

Spilled washing powder on laundry floor. Im sure even little amounts would be toxic.

Tomorrow Im washing the laundry floor

[Chickadee]

I've moved this thread to the safety issues section. If you have a look at older posts in this section you'll find lots of warnings on kids zippers, loose buttons, tall bookcases, babyproofing homes, etc. There is also this older Accidents (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=5390)thread where some of us reported the various accidents our bubs have had, some of which should have been predictable :( . Hopefully some other parents can learn from our mishaps.

[2 Cherubs]

Another one is chest of drawers....Children can stand on the bottom drawer and topple over onto them..... Maybe put safety catches on them so children cant open the drawers
Also book shelves....With mine in DS room it came with some sorta bolt screw thingy to attatch to the wall so it cant be pulled over or if they stand on the shelves it wont topple....( as yet we havent done this...Every night while im feeding I look at it and think....Must do that) Tomorrow it will be done....
Great idea for a thread mollyandkurtsmum, some things we just forget about and would be good to get reminded of

Thanks
Kim

[JnA]

There are lots of hazards around the house that I report on almost daily, but I'll go through the ones I usually tell mums groups when I visit them.

Choking
Small objects - if it can fit through the cardboard insert of a toilet roll, it's too little for your baby to be playing with. Check dummies for worn nipples. Do not let infants play with balloons (unless it has a cover, but still supervise).
food - watch that your baby / toddler can chew sufficiently and eats and drinks slowly and while sitting down. (had a case where the child was sucking on a chupachump while walking around and fell, forcing the lollypop to down the throat.) Watch sweet drink containers outside. Make sure they have a secure lid that needs to be opened to drink from or are seethrough. Flying insects (such as wasps) like sweet things and will enter the drink container. Cans are notorious for this.
someone has mentioned the cords from blinds, tiebacks from curtain etc. Also, if you have a washing line hanging over the bath or shower, make sure it can't be reached (by the child standing on the side of the bath).
ALso been mentioned is plastic bags.. but don't forget other plastic things, like the ties off bread, or the ones for some rubbish bags.
tablet and capsules - also a poison hazard. Do not make light of medication in front of toddlers (eg mummy is taking her happy pills) either take medication out of their sight or always reinforce the poison aspect of meds.

Drowning
I realise this is a sensitive topic ATM.. I don't mean to cause offence.
Toilet seats always down and locked for older children (especially if they have younger sibs)
Buckets for nappies/soaking etc - should have a secure lid on them.
Pet water - should be in a place that is difficult for the child to reach or do not leave child unsupervised in this area.
Bathtub water - emptied immediately. Attach a chain or similar to the plug so it's easy and quick to let out water, just in case.
Swimming pools - secure locked fences and constant supervision.
Teach children water safety ASAP.

Burns
Set water heaters no higher than 70c
Run bath water cold, hot, cold
Keep hot liquids out of reach of children. (that includes your coffee and tea) Do not use table cloths on tables.
Saucepan handles turned in use back burners as much as possible.
Constant supervision on low ovens.
Buy non flammable clothes.
Have guards on heaters.
Store chemical out of reach or in locked cupboard.
Use dummy plugs for power points.
Fix broken or worm cords on electrical equip.
Use sunscreen at least 15+
Educate children ASAP on dangers of heaters, hot water, stoves, ovens.

Poisons (some was covered in choking, forgive me if I go over it again)
Keep cleaning and houshold products out of reach or locked away (probably both)
Do not put harmful products in other containers. (they may be unmarked with appropriate ingredients, this not only confuses children, but also hinders the process of appropriate identification of ingredients in the event of a poisoning).
Medication, as stated above, plus, take unused meds back to a chemist for proper disposal (sometimes out of date meds are sent to third world countries to use)
Teach your child the warning symbols (the red triangle, the skull and crossbones)

Wounds
Kids can wound themselves with nothing, so complete prevention may prove difficult. However, sharp, pointy or serated objects need to be kept out of reach or locked away.
Put buffers on doors so they won't slam fingers.
Lock draws and cupboards for the same reason (and to stop them getting potential hazards inside)

And finally

learn first aid! that is the most important tool you can have.

Accidents do happen, it's inevitable (unfortunately) and although, in theory, 'constant supervision' sound great, it is not always possible. Making a home as safe as possible, knowing basic first aid and life support and having an emergency plan is a great start.

An emergency plan involves having someone to drive to an emergency room if needed (if hubby isn't home cue up a neighbour or friend just in case)
Keeping emergency numbers in perfect view near your phone (poisons info, your local GP, the nearest Hospital with an emergency dept., Health Direct (WA) or your states equivalent, your emergency people and your local dentist)

I hope this helps.

[Kaycee]

We were living in a small home so DH stored his tools on a high shelf. One day he was rifling around up there and a hammer felt out narrowly missning my toddlers head. Still gives me the ***** when I think of it.

[mum33]

thanks for this thread. i am a new mum and alot of those things (although common sense) didnt occur to me.

[JnA]

One thing I forgot last night was to crawl around your house and look at it from a crawling baby's point of view. You'll be suprised what you can see and it'll give you some more ideas on what to move or be aware of.


Having said all that I wouldn't advise moving absolutely everything. (unless your child is incredibly curious and won't listen to 'no') Some things that are not a physical danger, but may get broken, should be left out so the child can learn what is 'out of bounds' to them. You may have to sacrifice a couple of broken ornaments for the sake of this. Otherwise going to places that aren't childproofed will be dnagerous and a nightmare for you. Children need to learn the value of (verbal) boundaries just as much.

[Mum&bubs]

Another thing i remember hearing about is that football player whos baby died when she pulled the cords that hang out the front of ur tv as you may think your tv is too heavy for your bub to pull down on themselves but some tv's only have to be moved a tiny bit to fall down & crush your little one. So put your cords at the back :thumbsup:

[Chickadee]

some tv's only have to be moved a tiny bit to fall down & crush your little one. So put your cords at the back :thumbsup:
Even better, find that anchor strap that came with your tv (or get a new one) and fasten it down at the back so that it can't be tipped forward by little ones.

[Mum&bubs]

Even better...buy a plasma tv they are so light...if yous have one & want to give it to me because you just want to get it off your hands feel free ill be there with open arms ready to catch it :laughing:

[Melo]

Replace your dummies every month! One mum in our mothers group woke up the other morning to the sound of her son choking, the teat has fully came off the dummy :thumbsdown:. She got it out in time, she was very lucky!