Baby Safety Continued

A while back I discussed some baby safety issues in bathrooms and kitchens.

But let's not forget bedrooms and living rooms.  A young infant can't be left alone on a bed.  Not even a 3 month old on a king sized bed.  The child can choose that moment to try her first "roll over", and roll right off the bed!  (It happened to my daughter over 30 years ago; we were lucky as the floor had a thick carpet and she only got a small bump on the scalp.)

Coffee tables have no place in a home with a toddler.  They are an accident waiting to happen!  Whether glass or wood, the hard, unforgiving edge is an invitation to severe cuts, bruises, or knocked out teeth.

Getting outside is an adventure with babies but safety must come first.  With kids riding in an automobile, you HAVE TO worry about the closing of the car door.  We played a compulsive game with our daughters to always have their hands on their head when we were about to close their door.  That is a good ritual to develop.  And always, always, always, in their car seat.

We don't want to frighten children unless there is a powerful justification.  But walking with a toddler outside in the suburbs can be really dangerous.  We made it a rule with our little ones that they would hold the hand of a grown up.  And we taught them from an early age that stepping off the curb was SCARY.  We WANTED them to have fear of the roadway, because a toddler running into the roadway can end in tragedy.  Once they get older, the kids can learn to cross the street with care and without fear. 

Next we'll discuss playgrounds.....