By Maria Wells of www.Housekeeping.org
Your child’s home is his safe haven, where he is free to explore and learn about the world while still being in the comfort and security of a safe, familiar environment. There are, however, a variety of household hazards that can present very real dangers to youngsters, especially if they go undetected. Test your knowledge of household safety and hidden hazards for kids with these questions.
1.) You’re just bringing your brand new bundle of joy home from the hospital and preparing to put him in his crib for the very first time. How does his crib look?
A) Filled with fluffy pillows and blankets to keep him warm and cozy, with an adorable matching bumper to protect his head from accidental impacts and a few plush toys for comfort.
B) No toys or pillows, but plenty of blankets to keep him warm and a bumper to stave off drafts and bumps.
C) Almost empty, with only a fitted sheet.
2.) Burns are among some of the most common injuries for children to sustain in the home. Of the many types of burns, which is the most frequent cause?
A) Curiosity that leads to the touching of a stove or oven.
B) Scalds from dangerously hot water.
C) Accidental burns resulting from contact with heat-styling hair products, space heaters or radiators.
3.) Tall furniture should be secured tightly against the walls of your home in order to prevent injury to your children. Why?
A) Because shelves and other tall, slender pieces of furniture can tip over, falling on a child that’s pulling or climbing on them.
B) To prevent kids from becoming trapped behind them.
C) So that the paint or wall coverings aren’t damaged by the furniture if older children jostle them and cause contact with the wall behind them.
4.) Your television should be mounted to the wall if at all possible, with all cords and wires to media players and sound systems secured. Why is this?
A) Because expensive components can be damaged when children pull on the cords.
B) Because these components, especially newer televisions that are lighter and less stable than their predecessors, can be pulled off shelving units and surfaces by curious toddlers and present an injury risk by falling onto the child when the cords are pulled.
C) Because children can become entangled in loose wires and cords, which is a strangulation hazard.
5.) You’re arranging the nursery to prepare for the birth of your child. What is the ideal placement for her crib?
A) Near the window, so she’s visually stimulated by the outdoors and can get plenty of fresh air.
B) As close as possible to central heating and air conditioning vents, in order to ensure that she gets the full effect of heating and cooling.
C) Away from the window and as removed from drafty areas as possible.
6.) Grandma is coming to visit, and has a tendency to drop her handbag on low surfaces where your toddler can reach. How do you react to this?
A) Let him play. Grandma’s purse is probably filled with stimulating new objects, which encourages him to explore and learn more about the world.
B) Insist that she move it out of reach because you know that she carries medications in it.
C) Say nothing in order to avoid offending your mother, but keep a very close eye on your little one while she’s there.
7.) There are a variety of baby proofing tools and gadgets on the market, including locks for all toilet seats. Why are these implements important for your child’s safety?
A) To keep him out of the bacteria-laden water.
B) Preventing drowning, as top-heavy toddlers can fall headfirst into the toilet as they peer over the seat to investigate and aren’t always able to get themselves back out.
C) They’re not important and are a nuisance for adults in the house.
8.) You’ve heard a rumor that your child’s stroller has been recalled, but aren’t sure. How do you proceed?
A) Calling the store you purchased it from to ask if any of their strollers have been recalled.
B) Looking up the make and model on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website.
C) Watching news outlets closely for any further mention of stroller recalls.
9.) You’re buying equipment to prepare for the birth of your first child, and find that your budget can’t quite accommodate everything as easily as you’d like. Which of these items is NOT okay to purchase second-hand?
A) Cribs. Even if they meet all safety standards and are in good working condition, your child’s crib should always be brand new.
B) Strollers, because they’re likely to be unhygienic if they’re used.
C) A car seat, because you don’t know a used seat’s history.
10.) When your baby begins walking and exploring, how do you make sure that your cleaning supplies are safe?
A) Switch to the “green” products manufactured by your favorite brand.
B) Plan to teach her that the cabinet containing those items are off limits, and rely on her obedience.
C) Purchase cabinet locks for lower cabinets, and move all cleaning fluids and products to higher cabinets far out of her reach.
Answers:
1.) C. Crib bumpers have been banned by the city of Chicago and are not recommended by the American Pediatric Association due to a SIDS-risk correlation, which also applies to pillows and thick, fluffy blankets.
2.) B. In order to prevent accidental scalds, it’s a good idea to turn the setting on your water heater to 120 or below.
3.) A. Attempting to climb shelves in order to reach objects high above them is common behavior for young children, and can be very dangerous if unsecured shelving topples over from the additional weight.
4.) Both B and C. While newer television models are lighter and can be more easily pulled off of a surface than older ones, they’re still far too heavy for children to pull onto themselves without sustaining injury. Also, should your child access those cords, he could easily become tangled in them.
5.) C. Placing your child’s crib close to the window poses the double danger of strangulation presented by the cords or ties on blinds and curtains, along with the falling risk when she gets older.
6.) B. Grandma’s will only be miffed momentarily, but the number of children rushed to the emergency room each year after accidentally ingesting prescription medication speaks for itself.
7.) Both A and B. The water in your toilet could be home to plenty of nasty germs, but it can also present a very real drowning risk if your curious little one falls into it.
8.) B. The most effective and dependable method of determining whether or not any item has been recalled is to check with the CPSC.
9.) C. Used car seats may be expired, or could have broken internal parts that were damaged in a previous crash that aren’t obvious to the naked eye. These parts could be central to the seat’s integrity, so it’s always advised to buy new car seats.
10.) C. You can’t rely upon a toddler’s ability to follow instructions to keep her out of dangerous chemical cleaning solutions within her reach, and many products marketed as “green” contain the same chemicals as other products on the market.
Thank you for this quiz; we can never be too careful with our children’s safety. Pat
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