Baby on Board
By on Apr 10, 2008
By Kevin McCarthy
Whether buying a new home or renovating your present one, if there are small children in your life, or near future, home safety is a matter worth considering. Planning around child safety issues will serve to enhance the enjoyment of your home. A safe home is beautiful indeed.
When my wife and I were preparing for the birth of our first child, concerns fell to such lofty matters as the sort of friends our child would have or managing the demands of extended family, especially around holidays. Safety in our home was not an early or particularly high priority. Later, we would tend to over react to matters of safety. I recall an alarmed discussion over purchasing a change table. Would a moment of distraction during a diaper change end in peril for our newborn? To reduce the safety risk we put together a little basket with wipes, diapers, and a change mat, having decided to change the baby on the floor. Our thought: reduce hazards to near zero. While safety around change tables is a concern, hindsight suggests thoughtful planning around safety issues is an improvement over undue panic.
Parents want their home to be a safe and secure abode. It's natural that you would want your home to be aesthetically pleasing, however, never lose sight of your child's safety: keep window treatment cords out of reach, carpets should be anchored to the floor, window/balcony latches secure, plants and greenery displayed out of reach, solvents and cleaning liquids too.
Following a baby's birth you may find yourself inundated with gifts, some new and others quite used. One item we received was a retro looking baby walker. You may even recall spinning around the kitchen floor, tottering on four spinning wheels. Long before its use, a nurse informed us that walkers did not lead to early walking, rather, they are a hazard. The young child moving toward steps is not able make a sudden stop to avert a possible fall. With added height boost and mobility, a child may now reach surfaces previously out of reach. According to Health Canada's Consumer Product and Safety website, a comprehensive ban on baby walkers was enacted in April 2004. The "Stationary Activity Centre" is a modified version of the same toy providing stimulation without jeopardizing safety. Keep close watch on items such as cribs or strollers that are passed on through friends or garage sales. The website notes that cribs made before 1986 or strollers made prior to 1985 do not meet current standards. A well-intentioned gift such as an old playpen, highchair, or safety gates may not meet current safety standards. When in doubt, it is safer to pass on an item, no matter how interesting or cheap it may be.
Anticipate your child's development and plan accordingly: the infant who lies still on the couch one day may roll over the next and a toddler cannot foresee the risks of climbing on balcony furniture. A friend once offered the strange suggestion of crawling on hands and knees around our home. It might sound odd, but it reinforces the importance of understanding your little one?s growth and development. The delightful milestones of rolling over, crawling, and first steps reveal how a child's world is quickly expanding. Prepare. As the child's developmental capacity builds, so too does their interest in the environment. Generally, this is a positive development, but crawling through open doors, reaching for electric outlets, and climbing balcony furniture has suddenly become appealing as well. Think ahead. Encourage your child's exploration of their environment, comfortable that you have addressed safety issues.
Today's parent has access to a vast array of informational supports around their child's development: books, professional supports, websites, and television programs. Every child's development is wonderfully unique. Choose credible sources of information that support understanding your child, but remember that you are the most knowledgeable person concerning your little one's growth.
The purpose of safety information and products is to reinforce your care and supervision. But in the end, you make your home safe and sound.
