You can never go too far in caring and protecting your bundle of joy. There are potential dangers for your child at home, outside the home, in the car, and everywhere else you can imagine. Some safety measures need to be in place as you watch over your child. Below are tips that would help keep your child safe.
A. GENERAL
1. Take proactive measures: They are called ‘accidents’ for a reason as they happen without any warning. Although it is said that “experience is the best teacher”, parents and guardians should work at taking proactive steps in ensuring the safety of the child: double-check that the door is well closed, that the mug of steaming coffee is not within reach, and that sharp objects are tucked far away from the reach of the child(ren).
2. They are babies for a reason: There are a myriad of unintentional injuries that could harm your child, if you leave them alone even for a second. When your child is in the tub or any pool of water, please NEVER leave him/her alone for any reason, as even the bath seats might not be able to hold the child as you would hope. An average infant will lose consciousness within two minutes underwater. Double of that time and an irreversible damage could mar the child.
3. Watch the food: If parents and guardians watch the foods given to their children always, maybe it would drastically reduce the choking injuries. Carrots, nuts, and allergenic foods can easily be stuck in the tiny oesophagus of any child below three years. Watch the food sizes - ensure that it is cut into tiny bits and the temperature of the food is appropriate. In addition to these, always ensure that an adult is present during each feeding session.
B. STROLLER USE
1. Get it right: It is important to get the right stroller for your child. Strollers that recline are advisable for new-borns because they cannot hold their heads up on their own. Jogging strollers are for babies from six months, as they are not designed to recline. Your routine and location should also influence the choice of strollers but choose wisely.
2. Consider safety features: There are certain features that increase the safety of the stroller. Strollers that have a wide base are recommended, as they are less likely to tip over – this does not mean you should hang heavy items on the handlebars as there is still a possibility for it to tip over. Additionally, strollers with a brake to lock the wheels – when stationary – would come in handy. However, ensure your child will not reach the brake release lever. In any case, the rule of thumb is to stay close always.
C. CAR SEAT SAFETY
1. Proper placement: Ensure that your child is placed in the backseat of the car, particularly if the car has passenger air bags. Generally, children of ten years and below are advised to ride at the back.
2. Rear or front: Your child should be above a year and weigh over 20 pounds to ride facing the front, else the rear restraint should be employed. Always double check that the safety belts and harness hold your child firmly before each ride.
All things considered, safety measures have proven to be very helpful when caring for children. Every action from lifting your child, to laying him/her to sleep, to playtime can pose serious risks if not properly done. Babies are likely to pop something into their mouth or other body parts, but with proactive actions and safety measures in place, they would remain safe or injuries will be minimal as response would be swift.
