Beginner's Guide to Child Safety

When designing your baby’s nursery, consider adding a baby monitor to help you listen for your sleeping baby while in a different room. This will help give you peace of mind that baby is okay without having to constantly press your ear against the door. Baby monitors allow you to hear or see your baby’s cries through sounds and lights broadcasted over a radio transmitter, which gives you freedom to move about the house or even work in the garden outside while baby is napping during the day or sleeping at night. Baby monitors can be especially helpful for a concerned parent with a sick baby since you can listen for coughing, wheezing or other signs of discomfort through the monitor.

Typically, baby monitors come in two parts - a transmitter and receiver - and can be plugged into the wall or carried around with the parent while operating on batteries. If they are placed within ten feet of the baby’s bed, monitors can pick up sounds and movements that baby is making. Some models allow you to view your baby on a television screen, while some models even let you talk to your baby through the receiver and soothe him with your voice from a distance.

Baby monitors are very convenient, but can have operational difficulties at times. Cordless phones, concrete walls or other baby monitors in close proximity can interfere with the reception that you receive and produce static feedback. Sometimes you can even hear a neighbor’s conversations (or vice versa) through a monitor if you have them set on the same channel. If this happens, simply change the monitor channel to see if the problem clears.

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Choosing which type of baby monitor is best for you can depend on how close of a check you want on your child, where the baby’s room is in relation to your bedroom, the type of building you live in and what features your budget allows. A few different types of monitors are sold in the marketplace today:

• Audio Monitors: This most basic monitor allows you to listen for your baby from another room. The transmitter sits in your baby’s room near the crib and the receiver goes with the parent. The receiver can either broadcast your baby’s cries or light up when baby becomes fussy. In most cases, the receiver can work off of batteries and be carried around with the parent while working around the house, or it can be plugged into the wall by your bed. These basic audio monitors can come with additional features, such as having two receivers so that one can be mobile while the other remains stationary.

• Audio and Movement Monitors: This type of baby monitor comes with three parts instead of two. The transmitter and receiver are the same as the basic models, but these movement monitors also come with a pad that lies underneath your child’s mattress that detects sensitive movements from your baby such as breathing. If the movements stop for ten seconds or more, an alarm goes off alerting the parents. This feature is becoming increasingly important, as parents are learning more and more about sleep apnea, or the sudden stop in baby’s breathing, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

• Audio and Video Monitors: Parents can actually view their babies sleeping or playing on a television screen with these high-tech types of monitors. A small camera attaches to the wall or sits on a piece of furniture near the baby’s bed while the small television screen sits on the parent’s end. The picture is usually black and white and the television comes with an adapter to plug into the wall. Some models come equipped with infrared cameras that allow parents to more easily view their child who is sleeping the dark. The more money you are willing to pay for these monitors can dictate how clear of a picture you will receive.

• Temperature Sensitive Monitors: In addition to the features listed in the basic audio monitors, these monitors can detect a change in temperature in the baby’s room. The monitor will alert you if the room becomes too cold or too warm.

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As mentioned before, there are several features to consider when purchasing your monitor:

• Frequency: The monitor’s frequency is an important consideration that you should think about before shopping for the monitor. The least expensive and most popular monitors operate with a frequency of 49 megahertz. This amount can be sufficient in most cases, but is very susceptible to interference from cell phones, cordless phones or other monitors. 900-megahertz monitors deliver clear reception at further distances and are less likely to experience interference. The most powerful level of megahertz is 2.4GHz, which provides the best clarity and the widest possibly frequency.

• Power Source: Buying a monitor that can be mobile while working on batteries is a convenient feature, but look for monitors that offer a base that charges the receiver or use rechargeable batteries so that your budget won’t be blown on the amount of batteries you have to buy.

• Low Battery Indicator: If you do use a receiver that operates on batteries, it is a good idea to buy one that will alert you when the batteries need to be changed. This will prevent you from missing your child’s cries in the middle of the night if the batteries have worn down.

• Volume Control: Adjustable volume is important if you are a heavy sleeper and still want to hear from your baby, or if you are in a different room from the receiver.

• Multiple Channels: Monitors with multiple channels allow you to select a channel that will give you the best reception. This can be handy if you live in an environment that produces a lot of interference, or if you have two monitors in your house for two different babies.

• Sound Activated Lights or Vibrations: These monitors light up according to the intensity of your baby’s cry. This is important when you are busy doing chores, such as vacuuming, where you may not be able to hear your baby’s voice through the receiver but can see it. Some monitors even vibrate when baby is crying so that if you can’t hear or see your monitor, you can definitely feel it.

• Size: The more compact the model, the easier it will be to carry around with you. Some monitors come with a belt clip that allows you to attach the monitor to you.

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When using your monitor, follow these simple safety tips:

• Keep all cords, transmitters and adapters out of baby’s reach.

• Make sure your batteries are always charged so you don’t miss baby’s cries.

• Even though your monitor should alert you of any distress, don’t rely solely on it. Check on your baby every now and then if he is alone in a room for a long period of time.

• Don’t ever use the monitor near water sources such as in the bathroom or kitchen.

• After you purchase your monitor, send in the registration card so the manufacturer can alert you of any recalls.

Your budget will depend on what features you decide are important to your family. Expect to pay $40 - $90 for the radio transmitter monitors, and up to $300 for the video monitors.


Sources:

1. “The Lowdown on Baby Monitors”: www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenancygear/426.html
2. “Choosing a Baby Monitor”: www.thenewparentsguide.com/choosing-a-baby-monitor.htm
3. “Learning About Feature of a Baby Monitor Makes Buying Easier”: www.greatbabygear.com/baby-monitors.html

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Each year, more than 2.3 million children age 14 and younger are treated at emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, according to National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Infants are most likely to fall from furniture, baby walkers, and stairs; in fact, 76 percent of baby walker-related injuries are caused by falls down stairs.

Prevention is key. Nothing, of course, will ever take the place of parental supervision. There’s no getting around that. However, baby gates, installed properly, could be a literal lifesaver when it comes to keeping your children safe. Baby gates are also a handy tool for keeping kids or pets corralled, making your job a bit easier.

There are two basic types of baby gates: Pressure gates, or tension-mounted gates, and hardware-mounted gates. Pressure gates generally cost less and are easier to install. However, they are also much easier to knock out of place. Also, these gates usually must be removed and replaced each time you want to get through an opening, meaning they often don’t have a swinging door that lets you through. Parents often choose to just climb over the gates instead of removing them each time they pass through a room or go down the stairs, and that actually increases the chances of injury to the parent—and to the child he or she is carrying. For this reason, it’s best to use pressure-mounted gates to separate two rooms on the same level. Never use pressure-mounted gates at the top of stairways.
Hardware-mounted gates use screws to attach to walls and banisters. These gates generally cost more, and are more secure. Generally, this type of gate is recommended for between doorways, and at the top and bottom of stairways, when installed securely. These gates open and close like doors, making them more convenient.

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Location: There are a variety of kinds and qualities of baby gates available, costing anywhere from $10 to $125 or more. When choosing the gate that is right for you—keeping your child’s safety top of mind—consider first where you intend to place the gate. Are you blocking off one room from another on the same floor? Or are you trying to keep a child from falling down stairs, or from climbing up them from a lower-level floor? Pressure-mounted gates work well between rooms on the same floor. At the top or bottom of stairways, however, you really need to invest in a wall-mounted gate that will be harder for a child or pet to push over, and easier for adults to open and close without knocking out of place.

Slats: Next, look into the slats of the gate itself. Make sure the gate has closely-spaced slats, making it difficult for a child to get his head or body stuck. Also, gates with square holes in them are easier for children to climb, so you’ll want to avoid this style.

Size: Measure the opening that you’re purchasing the baby gate for. Is it an extra-wide space? Will you need to invest in an extender to make the gate fit? Or do you need to spend a bit more to get a larger gate? Sure, it’s an extra expense, but it’s your child’s life you’re striving to save. Also, if the child has a penchant for reaching over the gate, or the gate is placed in an area that has temptations on the opposite side, you might want to get a taller gate. Some come in sizes up to about 41 inches tall. Standard gates are often just 29 inches.

Safety: Baby gates are safety certified. Look for the ASTM/JPMA certification seal on the packaging before making your purchase. The seal assures you that the product complies with all voluntary safety standards.

Swing: Does the gate swing open easily? Can you maneuver the gate one-handed? When carrying a squirming child downstairs for a bottle of milk in the middle of the night, the last thing you want to deal with is opening a difficult gate. Make sure it’s easy enough for you to open while holding your precious cargo—child or otherwise.

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Some homes have extra wide openings between rooms that standard baby gates won’t cover. For this reason, some manufacturers make extra-wide baby gates. Extender systems are also available for some baby gates to adjust standard baby gates.

Other types of gates exist to keep baby safe in rounded stairway openings, around the fireplace, and to block of certain areas of a room.

If you travel a lot, such as to visit Grandma and Grandpa’s house that hasn’t been childproofed since you were a tot, you might want to look into travel safety gates. These collapsible gates are easy to haul with you and set up in just about any area. They even are great for hotel visits.

Play yards are another common type of baby gate, which is actually more of a play-pen than a gate. These play yards are great for use indoor or out, to enclose children into a certain area, or even to keep them away from exercise equipment, Christmas trees, or other fragile or hazardous areas. Outside, these work well to contain children at picnics, while camping, or to keep smaller tots safe while the big kids are running around the yard. Enclosing a space of about 18 feet, these play yards give kids plenty of room to move—while giving parents peace of mind.

Gates even exist to cover the openings of banisters, to prevent children from slipping their heads or bodies through---and possibly falling through—the slats. These are especially helpful in older homes, which were not made with child safety in mind.

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As we mentioned earlier, there is never any substitute for parental supervision. Your child’s safety depends on you keeping an eye on him or her, checking the gate regularly, and making sure everything is in working order. Some more tips on keeping your child, and the baby gate, safe:

• Test the gate every time you use it to make sure it is latched securely. A gate that doesn’t completely latch is nearly as dangerous as having no gate at all, because a child could push on the gate and slide right down the stairs.

• Close the gate at all times, to make it a habit. You never want to forget to close the gate while baby is up and running.

• Use wall-mounted gates at the top of the stairs. Make sure to follow manufacturers’ instructions carefully to ensure proper usage.

• Don’t buy old gates from second-hand stores or garage sales if you’re unsure of their quality, condition, and age. Older gates often have too-wide slats that are dangerous.

• Don’t use gates with square openings, such as those used for pets. These are easy for children to climb over.

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One of the many concerns that cross a new parent’s mind when bringing a new child into the world is choosing the right car seat. Car seats are, after all, one of the most important pieces of equipment you purchase for the newest member of the family. However, choosing and purchasing car seats can be confusing because of the several different types, models and even regulations that need to be followed. Here’s a look at the different types of car seats you will be purchasing over the next several years:

• Infant Seats: The first type of car seat you will need to purchase is the rear-facing Infant Seat. Infants are required to sit in a rear-facing position until they are at least 20 pounds and around 27 inches in height, or until the baby is one year old. These seats come with a detachable base that locks into the car and multiple harness slots that can be adjusted to get just the right fit for your baby’s height and weight. Infant seats also come with a handle that raises and lowers to make transporting the infant convenient for new parents. Infant seats allow parents to detach the car seat from the base in the car and carry the baby in the seat without having to move (or wake) baby.

• Convertible Seats: A Convertible Seat can be used in the rear-facing position for infants, but serves double duty by also being able to face forward once the weight and age requirements are met for the rear-facing stage. These seats can be used from birth up to 40 pounds. Newer models continue to be introduced, so always check with the manufacturer for height and weight limits. If you do not purchase a Convertible Seat, Forward Facing Only seats are available.

• Booster Seats: Once the child outgrows the height and weight limits for a forward-facing seat, a Belt Positioning Booster seat is required. Boosters are used with the automobile’s seat belts and are designed to raise the child so that the lap and shoulder belts fit properly. Booster seats come in high back and backless models and should be used until a child reaches 80 pounds, 8 years of age or stands 4 feet 9 inches tall.

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Installing a car seat properly can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 75%. However, studies show that car seats are installed improperly as high as 80% of the time.

Here are some tips on how to install your car seat properly to ensure safety for your child:

• When installing a car seat, carefully follow both the car seat manufacturer’s manual as well as the owner’s manual for your vehicle.

• The car seat should be as tightly secured into the vehicle as possible, and the child should be buckled snuggly into the seat.

• Once installed, car seats should not move more than one-half to one inch in any direction.

• Rear-facing infant seats should rest on a 45-degree angle.

• The harness straps should rest at or below the baby’s shoulders and the chest clip should lay flat at armpit level.

• If the car seat comes equipped with a tether strap, use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent the seat from moving forward.

• Make sure the seat belt is routed through the correct belt path and that it is buckled as tightly as possible.

• If your vehicle and car seat were manufactured in 2002 or later, they should be equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. You will not use a seat belt to secure the car seat if you have the LATCH system; instead, you will hook the tethers from the car seat to tethers in the automobile. This was designed to make the installation process easier and more secure.

• If you still have questions regarding the installation of your car seat, Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians can help. You can find a list of CPS Technicians by state or ZIP code on the website for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There are also inspection stations that can help ensure you have your car seat installed correctly, and these locations are listed at www.seatcheck.org. Your local Police Department should have someone on-hand that is knowledgeable about car seat installation as well.

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There are important safety tips to remember when using and installing your car seat:

• Always use the seat that fits your child’s height, weight and development.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct installation, use and height and weight requirements.

• Ensure that your child is secured properly by checking harness straps and using a tether strap if possible.

• The safest place for a rear-facing infant seat is the middle of the vehicle’s back seat.

• Keep children under the age of 13 away from airbags. If your vehicle has side air bags, refer to the owner’s manual to see if they need to be deactivated.

• All car seats sold in the United States have met federal safety standards, but you can also check consumer guides for crash test ratings and the best type of car seat for your child’s stage of development.

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• Comfort: If time allows, try the car seat out on your child before you make the purchase to make sure all straps are comfortably placed on your child (remember, though, that hospitals will not let parents take their babies home without a rear-facing car seat already installed). Also – it is very important to make sure the seat is compatible with your vehicle, as not all car seats are compatible with all vehicle makes and models.

• Harness Type: There are different types of harnesses offered on car seats at every stage. The 5-point harness has a total of five straps – two for the shoulders, two for the hips and one for the crotch. This harness is similar to what racecar drivers use in their vehicles. A T-shaped Shield is a padded shield in the shape of a T that is attached to shoulder straps. An Overhead Shield is a padded tray-like shield that swings down and around the child, resembling an amusement park ride restraint system. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends any of these harnesses, but does not recommend a Shield Booster harness system. Choose the type of harness that you think would be most comfortable for your child.

• Used Car Seats: If purchasing a pre-owned car seat, buy from someone you know and trust and check the seat out carefully. For instance, make sure the car seat has all of the instruction booklets and all necessary hardware included with it. Check to make sure the car seat has not been in a moderate to severe collision. Look for cracks, worn harnesses and/or stress marks on the seat. Never buy a car seat that is ten years old or more. Check to make sure the car seat has not been recalled.

• Stroller Compatibility: Most rear-facing infant seats are compatible with strollers and can lock into their frames. This may be convenient and important for you to consider when buying an infant seat since you can lock the baby in the stroller without having to unfasten and refasten a resting and sometimes floppy infant.

• Price: Don’t worry about prices for car seats. In car seats, higher prices can mean added features that aren’t necessary and may or may not foster ease of use.

• Vehicle Equipment: Some newer vehicles come equipped with built-in Forward Facing car seats or Booster Seats. Be sure and check the owner’s manual for your vehicle before purchasing your car seat.

Researching a car seat may seem exhausting or overwhelming, but definitely worth the effort when it comes to the care and comfort of your child over the next several years.


Sources:
1. “Safe and Secure : Choosing the Right Car Seat for Your Child”: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.htm
2. “Saint John’s Health Center – How to Chose “Best” Infant Car Seat”: www.stjohns.org/services/womens/labor/journey/preparing/car_seat.htm
3. “How to Choose a Car Seat That Meets The Needs Of Your Baby”: www.organizedregistry.com/event_articles.php?article=15
4. “Car Safety Seats 2005: A Guide for Families”: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
5. “Car Seat Types”: www.carseat-safety101.com/1-car-seat-types.htm

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The home is a dangerous place to young children. Hazardous chemicals, extension cords, broken toys, and stairs are only some of the common household items that newborns and toddlers have not yet learned to avoid. Consequently, each year, home accidents injure or kill more than 2.5 million children in the United States.

Before your baby is born, or at least before he or she becomes mobile (approximately six months of age), you should childproof your home; in other words, make your home a safe place for curious young children. As your children age, they will learn to avoid the dangerous items in the home, and you can gradually de-childproof your home.

As you prepare your home for children, try to think from the perspective of the children. What items will be within their reach? How much strength do they have? Childproofing a home for a three-year old will likely be different than childproofing for a six-month old.

Even after you have childproofed your home, remember that the best form of childproofing for your home is parental supervision. Not only will you be able to protect them from hazardous items, but you will learn the ways in which they think and process, and thus you can even more adequately childproof your home.

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Whether you design a nursery for your child in your home or convert another room into a nursery, make sure you childproof this room because it is the room where the baby will most often be left by himself or herself.

First of all, examine the crib to make sure it is secure. Make sure the crib has no cracks, and put an item that is of at least equal weight as the baby into the crib to make sure the crib supports the weight.

In addition, do not put anything into the crib on which the children might choke. Childproof toys, blankets, and stuffed animals; remove any loose tags and make sure there are no cracked parts.

If you choose to use a baby monitor, the bedroom is probably the best place to use it. A standard baby monitor costs less than thirty dollars, but you can also purchase a video and audio monitor for well over a hundred dollars.

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