The Cradle: As each child graduates to a new stage (crawling, cruising, walking), what safety changes do parents need to make to accommodate their growing child?
Safety Mom: Babyproofing should follow the developmental stages of a child and the hazards they face along the way - namely falls, airway obstructions, and burns. Gates should be the first layer of safety that is installed. As children become more mobile and begin to explore, locks should be placed on cabinets containing choking hazards and poisonous items. Burns occur more often from scalding water than from hot stoves. Set the water heater at 120° F or place a scald protector on your faucets to prevent your little one from turning on the hot water and burning herself. Keep in mind, however, that items such as gates can actually become a hazard as your child gets older and tries to climb over them.
The Cradle: How can parents-to-be or new parents test for environmental toxins in their home?
Safety Mom: There are home-based tests for radon, lead, and other toxins available at local hardware stores, but it’s important to keep in mind that these tests are not completely reliable and can result in false positives. It’s best to call a professional environmental specialist to test for these toxins.
The Cradle: How can parents encourage their child’s other caretakers to follow their safety rules?
Safety Mom: The most important thing is to make sure that anyone who cares for your child has been certified in CPR and First Aid. Have a conversation with your caretaker and make your expectations clear. Be sure that anyone caring for your infant understands that the only acceptable sleep position is on her back and that nothing should be placed in the crib, such as stuffed animals, pillows or blankets. Since the Back to Sleep Campaign was initiated, the rate of SIDS has declined by 50%.
Keep in mind that babyproofing does not take the place of constant adult supervision. If you are concerned that your nanny or baby sitter is not being as watchful as you would expect, it’s smart to purchase a nanny surveillance camera to monitor activity.
The Cradle: What are the most important safety measures new parents should be up-to-date on?
Safety Mom: Everyone caring for a child should have the following training:
- Take a CPR and First Aid course. A refresher course should be taken every year since guidelines change frequently.
- Be aware of SIDS risk-reduction measures including:
- Placing baby on his or her back to sleep
- Keeping the crib free of any items including blankets and stuffed animals
- Not over-bundling the baby
- Never smoking around the baby
About The AuthorAfter experiencing the death of her child from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Rhodes became committed to saving children's lives and is the national voice for child safety. As one of the country's leading child safety authorities, Rhodes provides tips and advice to parents on a broad range of issues. She has been featured on numerous television segments including NBC's The Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, CNN, and CNBC. Rhodes has also been featured in a variety of publications including American Baby Magazine, Parents, BabyTalk, and The New York Times. Rhodes has worked with many leading brands including Safety 1st, VTech Toys, and Norton Technology as a spokesperson and brand ambassador. Alison lives with her husband and three children in Wilton, Connecticut.
