Parenting raises awareness to safety mistakes many parents make without even really thinking about it. As I read these over I feel so grateful that no one in my family has been hurt by me inadvertently putting them at risk from the following:
- Escalators: These really are super dangerous! They steps are too narrow to accommodate a stroller properly making it a tipping hazard. Not to mention that they just keep on moving regardless of what panic situation is happening. There have been reports of tips, wheels getting caught on the metal ridge at the bottom, parents not being able to get them off fast enough, etc. The best bet is to look for an elevator or fold up the stroller and carry the baby.
- Baby Carriers: I know that I’m guilty of this… placing the baby carrier/carseat on a high surface like a table or couch. It is so very easy for these to topple over, especially when on an uneven surface. Always remember to set them on the floor or the absolute lowest possible level surface. Do not put them on the seat part of a grocery cart! They are absolutely not meant to sit there.
- Wandering Hands: Babies and toddlers are so curious… they get into everything. This includes everything that they’re not supposed to touch. Poisons and other dangerous household objects may be at arms reach for your child without you knowing it. Here are some suggestions from Jennifer Tzeses with Parenting: “Get down on your hands and knees and look carefully for any potential dangers between the floor and about three and a half feet above the ground. Remove items that are within reach from his crib and high chair. Check the carpet for buried items (such as pins, coins, and buttons) that your child could put in his mouth.Keep locked away — or at least out of reach — household products that may be harmful: cosmetics, art supplies, medicines, vitamins, and alcohol. Leave the toll-free number for the poison control center (800-222-1222) by your phone, and call right away if your child swallows something you think may be toxic.”
- Car Alone: Sometimes it seems so much easier to just run into a store and leave the kids in the car, especially if it’s a super quick trip and you can see them from in the store. This is NEVER a good idea. Depending on the child’s age, they could set the car into motion, mess with controls, or hurt themselves on car lighters, or fall out of a window. Even if the car isn’t running, they could get caught up in the seatbelt, fall between seats and get stuck, or overheat. It’s amazing the things that kids can get themselves into in a matter of seconds.
These all seem like common sense suggestions, however, I think we all need the reminder of how dangerous these situations can be.
