What’s most important in a scary situation is that you’re
calm and reasonable, and the key to level-headedness is being
prepared. Check with your local Red Cross and find a class on CPR
and first aid, for starters. There are also many helpful resources
online to determine if a particular situation is, indeed, an
emergency,
how to handle that emergency
and hints to
bulk up on practical advice for potentially scary
situations so you’re ready for just about
anything.
It’s a given that life changes when you have a child, but
if you take the right precautions and prepare yourself you can
relax a little and enjoy the toddling first years of your baby’s
life. The following steps will help you prevent and prepare for
common accidents.
The List
To help set your mind at ease, make a list of emergency numbers and
place it by the phone. Include on the list your child's
pediatrician, your health care provider, your family doctor, a
24-hour nurse-on-call number, the police department, the fire
department and poison control. That way, you’re ready for
anything.
Furniture
Kids like to grab/climb/push things of all shapes and sizes, and
that often leads to furniture toppling over. To prevent this, bolt
high chests and other potentially unstable furniture to the floor
or wall and keep cabinets closed. Otherwise, shelves tend to look
like steps to a toddler, who could climb them in a matter of
seconds. Also, keep up with the latest
product recalls.
Choking
You want your baby to experience a wide variety of flavors and
textures as they grow and learn. But
many foods can actually be a choking
hazard for the small ones. It’s important that
you cut round foods, such as grapes and melon balls, into small
pieces. Also be extra vigilant when it comes to firm foods, like
hot dogs, hard candy and nuts, and sticky foods, such as peanut
butter and caramels. Always make sure your child eats while sitting
up.
Drowning
First,
learn what to do in an emergency.
Swimming pools can be tempting and dangerous to kids. If you have a
pool, it’s important that it’s bordered on all sides islolation
fencing that is at least five feet high with self-closing and
self-latching elements.
But it’s not just swimming pools that pose a drowning risk. It takes just one inch of water for a child to drown, so always supervise bath time. Buckets of water around the house can pose danger, too. Empty all containers after use and store out of reach.
--Article by Kate Silver for Parents.com
Related Links:
Babyproof Your Home From Top to Bottom
Caution: Dangerous Recalled Products For Sale Online
Photo courtesy: Getty Images
