Is Your Child Safe? Accident Prevention Measures

Did you know that accidents are the leading cause of injury and death to children in the United States? As a  Health & Safety Coordinator for Knowledge Learning Cooperation for several years, I would like to share with you some accident prevention measures that will help insure the safety of children in your home.

Basics
* Learn CPR and first aid for infants and young children
* Keep a first aid kit on hand in case of injuries
* Find out if your home has lead
* Install safety outlet covers
* Never leave children unattended
* Have emergency numbers immediately available
* Do not let people smoke near baby
* Keep children away from windows

Precautions
* Never treat medicine as candy
* Label products and always check labels before giving or taking any medicine
* Destroy discarded medicines
* Keep all poisons in original containers

Common Poisons Ingested
* Asprin and other salicylates
* Contraceptive pills
* Iron pills
* Pesticides
* Disinfectants
* Laxatives
* Furniture Polish

Nursery
* Be certain that cribs are in good working condition and meet national safety requirements
* Always keep sides of cribs up while child is occupying it
* If toys are tied to crib, assure that strings are short and tight so child does not tangle himself
* Be aware of all safety recalls on toys and other baby products
* Be sure matress fits snug into place to prevent suffocation and strangulation
* Remove all toys, pillows and comforters from sleeping area
* Install window guards on windows (unless it is a designated emergency exit)
* Install a smoke detector
* Use flame-resistant pajamas
* Remove all cords and wind-ups on blinds out of children reach
* Be sure that toys are age appropriate for your child
* Never give infants and toddlers toys that have small or removable parts
* Be sure toys do not have any sharp or rough edging


Family Room
* Install and maintain  smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
* Plan and practice a fire escape plan (it is also helpful to post plan)
* Bolt heavy furniture such as the television and book shelves to the wall
* Keep clutter off of stairs and out of hallways
* Keep loose electrical cords out of reach
* Be sure electrical cords are not frayed
* Install edge protectors on edges of furniture
* Store unloaded hand guns and rifles in a securely locked cabinet and use gunlocks, lock boxes, or gun safes
* Install safety gates on both ends of the stairs


Kitchen
* Cook on back burners and turn pot handles towards the stove
* Keep hot meals in the middle of the table and be aware of hot grease splatter while cooking
* Keep appliance cords such as coffee makers out of reach
* Place poisons such as cleaners and pesticides in a locked cabinet or out of reach of children
* Keep a fire estinguisher on hand
* Be sure plants that may be poisoness are out of reach
* Post emergency contacts near phone
* Store knives and other sharp utensils in a drawer with child safety locks
* Keep hot beverages out of reach of children
* Never carry a child and a hot beverage at the same time
* High chairs should have a wide base to prevent tipping, safety straps and tray for baby


Bathroom
* Use slip-resistant strips in the bath tub to prevent slippery falls
* Lock medicines and sharp objects such as razors out of reach
* Supervise children in bathtub at all times
* Place safety locks on toilet lids
* Hot water that reaches 140*F can cause third-degree burns in just 5 seconds
* Set water tempertaure to 120*F or less
* Bath water should not exceed 100*F
* Keep electrical appliances stored away from water in locked cabinet
* Keep all electrical appliances stored away from water in locked cabinet
* When turning on faucet on cold, then hot water
* When turning off faucet turn off hot then cold water
* Do not place children in bathtub while the water is running
* Be cautious of small objects such as peas, buttons, popcorn, beads, nuts within children's reach


Car 
* Be sure your child's car seat is approved by law
* Follow manufacter's instructions for installation or have a certified safety seat tech install the seat for you
* Always place the safety seat in the back row
* Never use a safety seat in a seat that may release an air bag
*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends booster seats for children until they are at least 8 years of age or 4'9" tall.

References
Riverside Health Inforamtion: Accident Prevention Birth to 12 Months (2010)
Virginia Department of Health Caring for Your Baby: About Newborn and Infant Care (2005)
Prevent Child Abuse: Virginia

Newborn Care

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Motherhood and fatherhood are  the most rewarding times in our lives, though I know we sometimes wish babies came with a manual. Since they don't, I have created a guide for you!  Here are a list of tips to help you care for your little one once you leave the hospital.

Feeding
* Your newborn should eat about every 3-4 hours (formula) or every 2-3 hours (breastfed).
* You should burp your baby several times doing feedings.
* A small amount of spit up is normal and is usually the lack of burping, over eating, eating to fast, or swallowing to much air.
* Solid foods are not recommended until 4-6 months of age.

Diapering
* Choose the type of diaper you feel is most comfortable for your baby
* Fold diaper down until umbilical heals or falls off
* Newborns should be checked every hour and changed as often as needed
* Wipe diaper area with a clean, damp washcloth (wipe front to back)
* Allow diaper area to breathe  for a short time
* Your baby should have at least one bowel movement a day
* Never leave baby unattended on changing table or other high surface areas
* Remember to wash your hands before and after diapering

Umbilical Cord Care
* Keep the cord clean and dry
* Using a cotton ball apply rubbing alcohol with each diaper change (continue until cord falls off, usually within 14days)
* Fold infant's diaper below the cord so that it will remain dry
* Contact your child pediatrician if you notice excessive blood, foul odor, drainage that is green, or if it looks red and irritated.

Circumcision

* Use soap and water to keep the area clean
* Apply ointment to sooth area which should heal in about 10 days
* If you observe fresh blood, swelling, redness or irritation call your pediatrician
* If your son is not circumcised remember to clean area with soap and water

Bathing
*Sponge bathe is best until the umbilical cord falls off or if your baby is a boy, until the circumcision is healed also(usually within 7-10 days).
* The bathing room should be warm with no drafts.
* Find a flat surface and lye your child on a towel
* Using a damp cloth (you may also use damp cotton balls) gently wipe all over your baby. Be sure to wipe between fingers, toes and behind ears

Sleeping
* Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back or side, not the stomach
* Remove any fluffy bedding including pillows, comforters, quilys and large toys from the baby's crib or sleeping area
* Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby
* If needed use a clean dry pacifier to sooth baby to sleep

Clothing
* Dress baby in clothing appropriate for the weather
* If it is winter layers may work best in case baby gets hot or cold
* Clothing should be loose and light weight

Nails
* Use baby nail clippers or scissors to trim nails
* It is usually the easiest to clip nails while baby is sleeping or right after a bath

Bonding
* Hold your baby often (Remember to support his/her head and neck)
* Cuddle and sing to your baby
*Read to your newborn, the sound of your voice will comfort him/her
* Respond to your infants cries which is his only way of communication
* Remember babies usually cry when they are hungry, wet, in pain, or uncomfortable
* Help your baby get aquainted with other family members (with other children you may need to teach how to hold baby gently)

Signs of Illness

*High or low temperatures (normal is 97.6 to 101.0 rectally)
*Vomiting
*Refusing to eat
*Lethargic
*Unusual rashes
*Extreme irritability
*Unable to wake baby
*Remember to take your babies temperature before calling your health care provider

Well-Baby Check up
*First check up is at 2 weeks
*Second check up is at 4 weeks
*Remember to keep well-baby check up and shots up-to-date

Take Care of Yourself
*Try to get sleep  or at least relax (even if it is just sitting or lying with with your eyes closed)
*Eat a healthy Diet (proper nutrition can help with a speedy recovery)
*If you are breastfeeding you need to add about 500 calories to your daily reccommendation
*Exercise (helps shed those baby pounds)
*Family Planning (be sure you have chosen a birth control option as it is very easy to become pregnant right after birth, even if you are breastfeeding)

 References
Virginia Department of Health (2005)., Caring for Your Baby: About newborn and infant care
  Channing Bete Company, Inc. South Deerfield, MA 01373
Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics, p.214
 Hornig, Current Problems in Pediatrics (1975). p.6-8