Did you know that you can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it? Child safety devices are available at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home and linen stores, and through mail order catalogues.
Here are 10 child safety devices you need to help prevent injuries to young children.
1. Safety latches and locks — use on cabinets and drawers to help prevent children from gaining access to medicines and household cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp objects.
Look for safety latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but that are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches are not a guarantee of protection, but they can make it more difficult for children to reach dangerous substances. Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away, out of reach. A safety latch or lock usually costs less than $2.00
2. Safety gates — use to help prevent falls down stairs and keep children away from dangerous areas. Look for safety gates that children can’t easily dislodge, but that adults can open and close without difficulty. For the top of stairs, gates that screw to the wall are more secure than pressure gates.
New safety gates that meet safety standards display a certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, be sure it doesn't have "V" shapes that are large enough for a child's head and neck to fit into. A safety gate will cost from $13.00 to $40.00
3. Doorknob covers and door locks — use to help keep children away from places with hazards, including swimming pools. Be sure the doorknob cover is sturdy enough not to break, but allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency.
By restricting access to potentially hazardous rooms in the home, doorknob covers could help prevent many kinds of injuries. To prevent access to swimming pools, door locks should be placed high out of reach of young children. Locks should be used in addition to fences and door alarms. Sliding glass doors, with locks that must be re-secured after each use, are often not an effective barrier to pools. A doorknob cover usually costs about $1.00 and a door lock usually costs $5.00 and up.
4. Anti-scald devices — use for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water. An anti-scald device will cost from $6.00 to $30.00
5. Smoke detectors — use on every level of your home and near bedrooms to alert you to fires. Smoke detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries.
Check smoke detectors once a month to make sure they're working. If detectors are battery-operated, change batteries at least once a year or consider using 10-year batteries. A smoke detector usually costs less than $10.00.
6. Window guards and safety netting — use to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Check these safety devices frequently to make sure they are secure and properly installed and maintained. There should be no more than four inches between the bars of the window guard.
If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows. A window guard or safety netting usually costs from $8.00 to $16.00.
7. Corner and edge bumpers — use to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on furniture or hearth edges. A corner and edge bumper usually costs $1.00 and up.
8. Outlet covers and outlet plates — use to help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution. Be sure the outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them. An outlet cover usually costs less than $2.00.
9. Carbon monoxide (CO) detector — use outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning. Install CO detectors near sleeping areas in your home. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector usually costs from $30.00 to $70.00.
10. Cordless phone — use to make it easier to continuously watch young children, especially when they're in bathtubs, swimming pools, or other potentially dangerous areas. A cordless phone costs $30.00 and up.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to childproof your home. But you do need to do it now.
Messenger Bags
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
All About Diaper Bags
A diaper bag, as the name suggests is quite obviously a bag that stores diapers. However, most have enough space for a wide range of baby accessories and have proved to be a wonderful solution for busy parents. A diaper bag stores diapers, toys, medicines, pacifiers, snacks and anything else you might need to keep baby comfortable and happy. As a matter of fact, diaper bags are as important as a diaper -- an equally indispensable part of a baby's growing up years.
Over the years, diaper bags have evolved immensely and are now custom-made in a variety of styles and colors to compliment mom and baby on their day out. Created primarily for convenience, some modern bags are a superb blend of logic and design, proving to be extremely functional as well as fashionable.
Traditionally, diaper bags were bulky carry-alls, made out of plastic(meant to be leak-proof) with one huge pocket and several smaller ones. They looked outdated and highly unattractive. Now, you may come across bags made out of micro fiber with plenty of pockets. There are others made of a combination of tweed and leather.
When buying a diaper bag, remember that the most essential convenience the bag should have is space for a variety of products beyond diapers.
Also keep in mind that prices for diaper bags start low and can go high(particularly if you choose a designer bag). Another thing to keep in mind would be the budget. Parents should opt for bags that suit their lifestyle and those of their children the best.
Diaper bags, as we can see, diaper bags are extremely important for a baby. They contribute to the baby's mobility and also provide ready relief for parents who dread excess baggage while traveling with their babies.
Baby Diaper Bags
Over the years, diaper bags have evolved immensely and are now custom-made in a variety of styles and colors to compliment mom and baby on their day out. Created primarily for convenience, some modern bags are a superb blend of logic and design, proving to be extremely functional as well as fashionable.
Traditionally, diaper bags were bulky carry-alls, made out of plastic(meant to be leak-proof) with one huge pocket and several smaller ones. They looked outdated and highly unattractive. Now, you may come across bags made out of micro fiber with plenty of pockets. There are others made of a combination of tweed and leather.
When buying a diaper bag, remember that the most essential convenience the bag should have is space for a variety of products beyond diapers.
Also keep in mind that prices for diaper bags start low and can go high(particularly if you choose a designer bag). Another thing to keep in mind would be the budget. Parents should opt for bags that suit their lifestyle and those of their children the best.
Diaper bags, as we can see, diaper bags are extremely important for a baby. They contribute to the baby's mobility and also provide ready relief for parents who dread excess baggage while traveling with their babies.
Baby Diaper Bags
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Essential Supplies for your New Baby
As every parent has surely discovered, you are never quite prepared for the arrival of your new baby. No matter how much time and effort you might put into preparing yourselves and your home for your new arrival, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked. This is not without good reason, mind you. It is such a wonderfully exciting time for expectant parents, so naturally you are going to be less focused on trivial day-to-day matters. For all of the expectant parents our there, this article is for you!
The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don't forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child's nursery.
The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children's needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often. Baby supplies are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby's fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby's bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base.
After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children's toys.
Blue Dot
The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don't forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child's nursery.
The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children's needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often. Baby supplies are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby's fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby's bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base.
After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children's toys.
Blue Dot
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