Infant carriers. Carseats. Boosters. By the time you've traveled through your child's young years, you've cursed more than your fair share while struggling with the hooks, belt clips, and non-pushable buttons on child safety seats.
Well let me tell you something. It's worth it.
No, I don't have any terrifying car accident stories to share, but I've heard enough to make me know that despite the inconvenience, hooking your child into the right seat, the right way, is worth a few pinched fingers.
"So many injuries are preventable," said Edmond Fire Department Major Gary Dill, when I asked him some question about the subject. He added that it's important to remember the statistics prove there were more injuries and deaths before child safety seat guidelines and laws were put in place. And in the interest of helping parents, Dill had several things to recommend, with an emphasis on not making your life more complicated but keeping your kids safe.
Recommendations are there for a reason. I remember heading into my daughter's one year appointment thinking, "Finally!" At one year, we would be able to turn her seat around! No more talking to the back of a carseat. No more trying to make eye contact in the mirror that never stayed in place. No more trying to toss binkies over the top of the seat while sitting at stoplights!
However, I quickly discovered that the guidelines had changed, and I couldn't turn that carseat around for another year! But according to Dill, the rate of injury and death did prove that turning the seat around too early had a negative impact when a child between the ages of one and two was in an car accident. That's a good point to remember, if you're impatient, like me.
With a little effort, you can ensure that seat is installed correctly. I remember the sheer terror of putting my daughter in that infant seat the first time and sitting in the back on the way home, thinking she was too little to ride in the car. The hospital staff didn't check out our infant seat, but thankfully, you can get help with installation from most fire departments before you ever make that fateful trip to the maternity ward!
If you live in the Edmond area, you are definitely in luck. The fire department has 27 personnel trained to properly install a car seat and teach you how to install it as well. They will also make sure you are aware of what your car seat and vehicle guides say about the process. Dill said getting an installation check is critical because they see at least one to three mistakes on each car seat they check.
"It's easy to get things wrong," he told me. "There are so many different varieties of seats and vehicle restraints, but we can help you."
If you do take advantage of this service, just be sure to call ahead to schedule an appointment. And Dill said don't worry if you're outside the city; they are happy to help parents whenever they can. For other car seat safety check locations, check out http://www.seatcheck.org/.
And finally, resources abound, so if you have questions, just ask. There's a lot I didn't know before I talked to Dill, such as, pediatricians and fire departments recommend that kids don't ride in the front seat until they're at least 13 years of age. That's much older than what the law requires, but it can make a big difference in a car accident. And everyone should wear seatbelts. Always. That might seem like, "Duh," but because it's easy to make an exception here or there, it's worth repeating.
With more complicated stuff, don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Either call the Edmond Fire Department or check out the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines here. Or just talk to your child's doctor. No one is going to snap at you for wanting to protect your child in the car.
Because at the end of the day, you are your child's best advocate. "No one cares more about your kid than you do," Dill said, urging parents to get the proper information and installation. And then he added, "Don't push your kids to grow up too fast!"
Because sometime in the near future, you'll miss those car seat days. Just wait.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Toys - Sometimes not as harmless as they seem...
Just the other day, I stumbled across a bin of my old toys in the attic. Does anyone remember Sweet Secrets, Key Keepers, Sweetie Pups, Polly Pockets (the really tiny ones), or the original My Little Ponies (the current ones have an alien-type vibe going on)?
I've found all of those, along with some Wuzzles.
So, my three-year-old is pretty much over the moon about this development. I mean, new toys (well, new to her)! Toys she gets to play with by herself (when brother's napping)! Toys that she hasn't ever seen on our weekly strolls down the toy aisles!
Score for her.
And since she's three, I figure, as long as I'm vigilante with those itty bitty Polly Pocket pieces, all will be well, right? I mean, 3+ is the magic age on all the toy boxes containing toys inside that I'd like to play with. Because, one can only get so much satisfaction out of the Little People Barn (ages 1+).
Here's the thing though. When it comes to toy safety, it's good to remember that the age on the box is a recommendation. A recommendation. So here's a few things to keep in mind...
About 500 children a day are affected by a toy-related injury. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, in 2010, an estimated 181,500 children were treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury. That’s 500 kids every day. Nearly half of those injured were children ages 4 and under.
Safe Kids recommends looking at the parts of the toy to see if it fits your child, and remember to consider the ages of other children who might come into contact with the toy, especially any small pieces that could be choking hazards for little ones.
It's easy to check toys to see if they've been recalled--especially with that handy dandy phone that is surgically attached to your hand. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is dedicated to the purpose of helping people become aware of recalls, and you can specifically search by "toys" or for a particular product. They also have a blog and Twitter page that can give you a heads up.
There's a lot to think about--but so much is just good common sense. Check out the parent.com toy quiz. Really, it's a simple way to remind you of ways to prevent tragedy. This includes checking toys for long straps, small pieces, and broken pieces. It also helps to remember that leaving metal toys out overnight allows them to corrode, or toy chests can be a safety hazard if a child gets him or herself locked inside.
So, in sticking with the theme this month, you can't be a perfect parent, but an ounce of prevention with a dose of vigilance goes a long way to avoiding those trips to the ER.
Just sayin.'
I've found all of those, along with some Wuzzles.
So, my three-year-old is pretty much over the moon about this development. I mean, new toys (well, new to her)! Toys she gets to play with by herself (when brother's napping)! Toys that she hasn't ever seen on our weekly strolls down the toy aisles!
Score for her.
And since she's three, I figure, as long as I'm vigilante with those itty bitty Polly Pocket pieces, all will be well, right? I mean, 3+ is the magic age on all the toy boxes containing toys inside that I'd like to play with. Because, one can only get so much satisfaction out of the Little People Barn (ages 1+).
Here's the thing though. When it comes to toy safety, it's good to remember that the age on the box is a recommendation. A recommendation. So here's a few things to keep in mind...
About 500 children a day are affected by a toy-related injury. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, in 2010, an estimated 181,500 children were treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury. That’s 500 kids every day. Nearly half of those injured were children ages 4 and under.
Safe Kids recommends looking at the parts of the toy to see if it fits your child, and remember to consider the ages of other children who might come into contact with the toy, especially any small pieces that could be choking hazards for little ones.
It's easy to check toys to see if they've been recalled--especially with that handy dandy phone that is surgically attached to your hand. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is dedicated to the purpose of helping people become aware of recalls, and you can specifically search by "toys" or for a particular product. They also have a blog and Twitter page that can give you a heads up.
There's a lot to think about--but so much is just good common sense. Check out the parent.com toy quiz. Really, it's a simple way to remind you of ways to prevent tragedy. This includes checking toys for long straps, small pieces, and broken pieces. It also helps to remember that leaving metal toys out overnight allows them to corrode, or toy chests can be a safety hazard if a child gets him or herself locked inside.
So, in sticking with the theme this month, you can't be a perfect parent, but an ounce of prevention with a dose of vigilance goes a long way to avoiding those trips to the ER.
Just sayin.'
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Taking on home safety - Kitchen and bathroom childproofing
This month, I've been focusing on keeping those kids of ours safe. Last week, I gave you the skinny on what to do (and not do) to keep your little ones from falling their way into the emergency room.
But when you've got a curious toddler or preschooler, a few spots in your home become danger zones. Some of the biggest culprits of injury...the kitchen and bathroom.
Well, I had the chance to talk to Stephanie Zerr, owner of Red Bud Baby Planners right here in Edmond. Maybe you don't have any little people on the way, but you may have friends or family with young children, or you may be a grandparent. And while going full-speed-ahead on the babyproofing may not be necessary for a short visit, as a parent or a host, you may want to consider these innocent-seeming items.
The awesomely enticing cabinet. Best to keep these locked with a child-safety lock (much to my mom's annoyance when she visits. "They're made for babies and the older population!" she'll complain). But really, keeping pots and pans locked up ain't a bad idea. But that's not all. Think--really think--about everything you've got in those kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Blenders? Nail polish remover? Cleaning supplies? Yep, I shiver too when thinking about a toddler getting his or her hands on those. And consider whether you really do want to make a play drawer or cabinet in your home, as it may be hard for small ones to understand the difference between "safe" cabinets and "no way" cabinets.
The stove and the oven--bring on the heat! Maybe playing with pots and pans doesn't seem so harmful, but Zerr warns that allowing children to play with them can make it difficult for them to understand why they can't pull one off the stove. On that note, safety companies make some great stove knob covers these days and oven latches. Yes, yes. I know. So frustrating to take an extra step to do anything in the kitchen, but...well, you know the phrase. And how hard is it to open those child locks, really (complaining grandmothers aside)?
Keeping them out of the can. Toilets are filled with water you really don't want your cat and dog drinking. Safe to say you probably want your kiddo to stay out of that water as well (especially since the bowl doubles as a drowning hazard). So, lock it up. You gotta do what you gotta do.
All the rest... Tub faucets--cover them! Plastic bags--put them away! And keep the poison control number posted in an easily accessible area. I know you're busy. I know, because so am I. But an ounce of prevention goes such a long way. These are your kiddos. And in a few years, when those kids are older and wiser (although still accident prone in other ways), you can toss those child locks out--followed by a "Thank you."
But when you've got a curious toddler or preschooler, a few spots in your home become danger zones. Some of the biggest culprits of injury...the kitchen and bathroom.
Well, I had the chance to talk to Stephanie Zerr, owner of Red Bud Baby Planners right here in Edmond. Maybe you don't have any little people on the way, but you may have friends or family with young children, or you may be a grandparent. And while going full-speed-ahead on the babyproofing may not be necessary for a short visit, as a parent or a host, you may want to consider these innocent-seeming items.
The awesomely enticing cabinet. Best to keep these locked with a child-safety lock (much to my mom's annoyance when she visits. "They're made for babies and the older population!" she'll complain). But really, keeping pots and pans locked up ain't a bad idea. But that's not all. Think--really think--about everything you've got in those kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Blenders? Nail polish remover? Cleaning supplies? Yep, I shiver too when thinking about a toddler getting his or her hands on those. And consider whether you really do want to make a play drawer or cabinet in your home, as it may be hard for small ones to understand the difference between "safe" cabinets and "no way" cabinets.
The stove and the oven--bring on the heat! Maybe playing with pots and pans doesn't seem so harmful, but Zerr warns that allowing children to play with them can make it difficult for them to understand why they can't pull one off the stove. On that note, safety companies make some great stove knob covers these days and oven latches. Yes, yes. I know. So frustrating to take an extra step to do anything in the kitchen, but...well, you know the phrase. And how hard is it to open those child locks, really (complaining grandmothers aside)?
Keeping them out of the can. Toilets are filled with water you really don't want your cat and dog drinking. Safe to say you probably want your kiddo to stay out of that water as well (especially since the bowl doubles as a drowning hazard). So, lock it up. You gotta do what you gotta do.
All the rest... Tub faucets--cover them! Plastic bags--put them away! And keep the poison control number posted in an easily accessible area. I know you're busy. I know, because so am I. But an ounce of prevention goes such a long way. These are your kiddos. And in a few years, when those kids are older and wiser (although still accident prone in other ways), you can toss those child locks out--followed by a "Thank you."
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Fall injury prevention - A parent's do's and don't's for keeping junior out of the ER
We all fall. And at this time of year, with more ice hitting the U.S. than that seen on Disney's Frozen, staying upright is a real challenge.
But when it comes to our kiddos, preventing emergency-room worthy falls becomes a true calling. And it's not just that pesky ice outside that can send a child to the hospital.
One of my New Year resolutions is a renewed commitment to keeping my kids safe (within reason, of course--no child-size bubbles at this house). And I'm sharing my little "fall prevention" list with you. By no means is this list comprehensive, but if you manage to stick to the following, you may avoid the worst or, best case, the type of injury that makes for a long, scary night in the ER.
Do...strap kids into their seats. A new study from the Nationwide Children's Hospital showed a sharp increase of babies and toddlers needing emergency room care, and ninety-three percent of injury visits related to a high chair or booster seat were from a fall. 'Nuff said.
Do...childproof sharp corners. Babies like to pull themselves up and waddle around, all on those very unsteady legs of theirs. Toddlers run around like mad people, with little thought to corners (or furniture in general). You're not going to keep a kiddo from bumping into things, but you can lessen the injury by softening the edges of furniture. Check out local Red Bud Baby Planners for tips and help.
Do...wear helmets for certain activities. Wearing a bike helmet seems like a no brainer (sure, you survived without one growing up, but statistics show not everyone fared so well). But other sports, such as ice skating, are also activities where a little pre-planning will save you a preventable head injury.
Do...use nightlights. You can't see in the dark. Neither can your kids. Sometimes they come to your bed when the monsters come out at night. So, light the way.
On the other hand...
Don't...set children on countertops. It's tempting, I know, because they love it and it puts them on level with you. But whether you're drying their hair or making cookies together, the impact of a fall from that distance can be devastating. So pull out that little, colorful stool, and while your at it, you'll keep ideas of climbing on the counters out of their sweet little heads.
Don't...get lazy about child gates. They are a pain to step over (take it from me, at five-feet-tall). But there's some nifty ones with little doors in them now, and keeping a kiddo from falling down a flight of stairs seems like a small price to pay for the inconvenience.
Don't...leave ladders or stepstools out or readily available. Just too tempting. My toddler son can scale one in a matter of milliseconds. Milliseconds, I tell you. Put these things away as soon as you use them. Also, think about tethering large furniture to the wall. "As a mom and child proofer, I explain to clients that although every child is different and yours doesn’t climb (now), we don’t want to see what may happen the first time they try," says Stephanie Zerr of Red Bud Baby Planners.
Don't...be a slob. I have stepped on Legos, Barbie, Octonauts, and a variety of other, not-so-feet-friendly toys. Remember that thing I said about toddlers and babies wobbling and running around like crazy people? They don't pay attention so much to toys. And you know what? When you've got a mile-high pile of laundry in your arms, neither do you. So pick up. Or make the kids do it. And you might just keep the dog from eating a few toys in the process!
That's all for now! Check in next week for kitchen and bathroom safety tips...
But when it comes to our kiddos, preventing emergency-room worthy falls becomes a true calling. And it's not just that pesky ice outside that can send a child to the hospital.
One of my New Year resolutions is a renewed commitment to keeping my kids safe (within reason, of course--no child-size bubbles at this house). And I'm sharing my little "fall prevention" list with you. By no means is this list comprehensive, but if you manage to stick to the following, you may avoid the worst or, best case, the type of injury that makes for a long, scary night in the ER.
Do...strap kids into their seats. A new study from the Nationwide Children's Hospital showed a sharp increase of babies and toddlers needing emergency room care, and ninety-three percent of injury visits related to a high chair or booster seat were from a fall. 'Nuff said.
Do...childproof sharp corners. Babies like to pull themselves up and waddle around, all on those very unsteady legs of theirs. Toddlers run around like mad people, with little thought to corners (or furniture in general). You're not going to keep a kiddo from bumping into things, but you can lessen the injury by softening the edges of furniture. Check out local Red Bud Baby Planners for tips and help.
Do...wear helmets for certain activities. Wearing a bike helmet seems like a no brainer (sure, you survived without one growing up, but statistics show not everyone fared so well). But other sports, such as ice skating, are also activities where a little pre-planning will save you a preventable head injury.
Do...use nightlights. You can't see in the dark. Neither can your kids. Sometimes they come to your bed when the monsters come out at night. So, light the way.
On the other hand...
Don't...set children on countertops. It's tempting, I know, because they love it and it puts them on level with you. But whether you're drying their hair or making cookies together, the impact of a fall from that distance can be devastating. So pull out that little, colorful stool, and while your at it, you'll keep ideas of climbing on the counters out of their sweet little heads.
Don't...get lazy about child gates. They are a pain to step over (take it from me, at five-feet-tall). But there's some nifty ones with little doors in them now, and keeping a kiddo from falling down a flight of stairs seems like a small price to pay for the inconvenience.
Don't...leave ladders or stepstools out or readily available. Just too tempting. My toddler son can scale one in a matter of milliseconds. Milliseconds, I tell you. Put these things away as soon as you use them. Also, think about tethering large furniture to the wall. "As a mom and child proofer, I explain to clients that although every child is different and yours doesn’t climb (now), we don’t want to see what may happen the first time they try," says Stephanie Zerr of Red Bud Baby Planners.
Don't...be a slob. I have stepped on Legos, Barbie, Octonauts, and a variety of other, not-so-feet-friendly toys. Remember that thing I said about toddlers and babies wobbling and running around like crazy people? They don't pay attention so much to toys. And you know what? When you've got a mile-high pile of laundry in your arms, neither do you. So pick up. Or make the kids do it. And you might just keep the dog from eating a few toys in the process!
That's all for now! Check in next week for kitchen and bathroom safety tips...
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Happy Safe Year - Easy, breezy tips for the let's-do-this-right parent
Nobody likes that phrase, "Better safe than sorry." If we followed its advice to the letter, not only would we never step foot in an airplane, take a road trip, or go to the zoo, but really, we wouldn't even leave the house (not that it's completely harmless either). Nope, in life, we have to step out, take risks, and hope for the best.
But as a parent, the stakes get higher. It's one thing to risk one's own safety, but when it comes to your kids, no precaution is unnecessary. Well, there is that commercial about the six-year-old in the Baby Bjorn. I guess when it comes down to it, we have to do what we're comfortable with as parents, while balancing our kids independence with their safety.
That being said, there are some precautions that are pretty universal. Accidents are the leading cause of death for children of all ages. So, over the next month, I'd like to take a look at some of the top areas where parents can take measures to protect their children.
Fall prevention - Kids like to run, climb, and hop around like crazy people. We know this. But all that craziness can be harmful, even fatal, if certain precautions aren't taken in the home to keep kiddos from unnecessary dangers. Strapping kids into high chairs, not letting them sit on top of counters, putting ladders and stools away, and picking up the floor are all ways to prevent the accidental fall. Check out more tips for preventing falls on next week's blog!
Kitchen & bathroom safety. Water, cutlery, drugs, stovetops, ovens, and throat-blocking objects are all hazards of these two frequented rooms. Thankfully, child safety products can help a parents protect kids from many of these dangers, but as always, one can't just rely on a piece of plastic to keep your child safe. If you can figure out a child safety device, your kiddo might just figure it out too. Check out basic tips for childproofing these areas right here on the Mom Around Town blog on January 16.
Toy safety. There's a reason manufacturers list age-appropriateness on those boxes in the toy aisle. But, as always, you've got to consider your own kids' maturity and habits no matter what any colorful box says. For example, three is the age when most small toys (choking size, to be exact) are considered to be safe. However, if your kid's like mine and still puts everything in his or her mouth, then the Barbie doll with five million accessories may be a better thought for next year. Check here on January 23 for more tips.
Car safety. Carseats. Boosters. Carseat boosters. Oh yeah. It's a whole new world in safety seats for parents. Gone are the days when my mom would tie my little brother to his carseat (he was such the escape artist), while my older, six-year-old sister giggled from the front seat. Yep, we have a whole new set of rules these days, but as I'll tell you on January 30, there's good reason for all the new laws.
So check back this month for in-depth tips on keeping the kids safe. We shouldn't live in fear, but as parents, we can be smart. And finally, having just messed with a round of the flu, I would like to mention this statistic from the National Center for Health Statistics: "During 2007–2010, emergency department visits by children resulting in hospital admission were more likely to be related to illness (78%) than injury (22%)."
So wash those kiddies' hands. And yours too.
Happy Safe Year!
But as a parent, the stakes get higher. It's one thing to risk one's own safety, but when it comes to your kids, no precaution is unnecessary. Well, there is that commercial about the six-year-old in the Baby Bjorn. I guess when it comes down to it, we have to do what we're comfortable with as parents, while balancing our kids independence with their safety.
That being said, there are some precautions that are pretty universal. Accidents are the leading cause of death for children of all ages. So, over the next month, I'd like to take a look at some of the top areas where parents can take measures to protect their children.
Fall prevention - Kids like to run, climb, and hop around like crazy people. We know this. But all that craziness can be harmful, even fatal, if certain precautions aren't taken in the home to keep kiddos from unnecessary dangers. Strapping kids into high chairs, not letting them sit on top of counters, putting ladders and stools away, and picking up the floor are all ways to prevent the accidental fall. Check out more tips for preventing falls on next week's blog!
Kitchen & bathroom safety. Water, cutlery, drugs, stovetops, ovens, and throat-blocking objects are all hazards of these two frequented rooms. Thankfully, child safety products can help a parents protect kids from many of these dangers, but as always, one can't just rely on a piece of plastic to keep your child safe. If you can figure out a child safety device, your kiddo might just figure it out too. Check out basic tips for childproofing these areas right here on the Mom Around Town blog on January 16.
Toy safety. There's a reason manufacturers list age-appropriateness on those boxes in the toy aisle. But, as always, you've got to consider your own kids' maturity and habits no matter what any colorful box says. For example, three is the age when most small toys (choking size, to be exact) are considered to be safe. However, if your kid's like mine and still puts everything in his or her mouth, then the Barbie doll with five million accessories may be a better thought for next year. Check here on January 23 for more tips.
Car safety. Carseats. Boosters. Carseat boosters. Oh yeah. It's a whole new world in safety seats for parents. Gone are the days when my mom would tie my little brother to his carseat (he was such the escape artist), while my older, six-year-old sister giggled from the front seat. Yep, we have a whole new set of rules these days, but as I'll tell you on January 30, there's good reason for all the new laws.
So check back this month for in-depth tips on keeping the kids safe. We shouldn't live in fear, but as parents, we can be smart. And finally, having just messed with a round of the flu, I would like to mention this statistic from the National Center for Health Statistics: "During 2007–2010, emergency department visits by children resulting in hospital admission were more likely to be related to illness (78%) than injury (22%)."
So wash those kiddies' hands. And yours too.
Happy Safe Year!
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