10 Potty Training Gadgets under $10

Toddler: Check. Potty Chair: Check. Mom pulling her hair out while chasing a naked child around the house: Check. Let's face it potty training can be one of the most challenging times in toddlerhood. Why not spruce up the adventure with some cool accessories that aid you and your child along the way. Did I also mention the accessories were cheap? Check out these 10 potty gadgets for under $10 bucks a piece. At these prices the only thing going down the drain is your kids poop.

Potty Watch: ($9.99) This potty gadget created by Potty Time reminds your little one when it is time to try to go potty. It does so by singing a whimsical tune and flashing colored lights. The potty watch can be set in 30-60-90 minute intervals. Once it begins to sing and flash it will automatically reset itself for the next time to go potty. This device is sure to cut the time spent potty training in half. The watch comes with your choice of pink, blue or green wrist band. Purchase Potty Watch Here

Mom's Helper Folding Padded Potty Seat: ($9.99) This product is perfect for mom's on the go. The folded seat is thickly cushioned for tushy comfort and safety. Bottom side brackets keep seat in place. Best of all it fits most toilets and is still small enough to fit into a diaper bag. Also comes with its own carrying case. Purchase Potty Seat Here

Potty 911 Public Restroom Survival Kit: ($9.95) This kit helps you and your child remain germ free in public restrooms. Kit includes: 5 flushable toilet covers, 10 flushable wet wipes, 1 travel size bottle of hand sanitizer, a card that teaches your child proper hand washing procedures, and a convenient carrying case. Purchase Kit Here

Potty Party: ($9.95) Once your toddler has completed the hard task of potty training it's time to celebrate! This kit comes with everything you need to have a small potty party! The includes: 3 potty-themed party hats, 6 assorted balloons, 2 noise makers, a potty success chart, 40 stickers, a winner's medal, a quick-start guide. Purchase Party Kit Here

Seasame Street Reward Kit: ($7.95) Potty training should be fun and rewarding. This kit is the perfect incentive for training your little one. The kit includes: 70 Seasame Street stickers, a potty training progress chart, and a potty training completion certificate. The chart allows children to mark their success by placing stickers on areas such as sitting on the potty, using the potty, washing hands and flushing. Purchase Kit Here

Piddle Pad Car Seat Liner: ($7.95) With potty training comes accidents. This waterproof car seat cover is here to save the day. The liner is made of soft absorbent terrycloth with vinyl backing and is machine washable. It fits most harnesses. Perfect for strollers as well. Purchase Liner Here

Potty Mitts: ($5.95) How cute. These disposable mitts are a fresh concept for keeping your toddler safe from germs in public bathrooms. The mittens are waterproof and decorated in child-friendly designs. A must have for families on the go. Purchase Mitts Here

Tinkle Targets: ($5.25) Ready aim go! These targets were created for little men who are just learning to aim. They are flushable and come in several manly themes (i.e. construction, sports) . Best of all they are flushable. 15 per pack. Purchase Targets Here

Wee Friend Stickers: ($4.95) No ordinary sticker, this one is sure to keep your toddler smiling! Place this black sticker at the bottom of any potty chair. When your child pee-pees in the pot a fun smiley design will appear. There are several designs to choose from. Once you clean the potty, the sticker will return to black and will be ready to use again! Purchase Sticker Here

Flush Stopper: ($2.95) Toilets can seem like monsters to little people, when they hear them flush. The flush stopper is made for toilets that have the automatic flush. You simply place it on the wall or pipe so that it blocks the toilets sensor. when your child is done and you are read y to leave the bathroom remove the stopper and the toilet will flush. Comes with a storage pouch to carry in purse or diaper bag. Purchase Stopper Here


                          *Attention: All photos used on this page belong to their rightful owners*

Temper Tantrums:Stop Them in Their Tracks

We've all been there. You're out shopping with your toddler who seems to want everything within arm's reach. You lightly mutter the words "not this time honey" and within seconds you have a whirl wind going on in your shopping cart. Passer byes are giving you the eye (you want to give them the finger), and your toddler is screaming, falling to the floor, with body parts flailing everywhere! Here are a few simple solutions to stop temper tantrums in their tracks!


Be Consistent: Consistency is an essential key to modifying meltdowns. Set a daily routine for your child and try hard not to stray. Even a few moments off schedule can be enough to cause your child to go haywire. Consistency also means never giving in to tantrums. Children tend to remember the one time you did give versus the 12 times you didn't. Be sure your yes means yes and your no means no.

Be Private: When your child is in an uproar immediately guide him/her to a quite area ( a corner will work if you are in public) and wait. Allow your child to finish their tantrum before continuing activities.

Be Snub: Ignore your child's behavior. Do not look at your child as they have their meltdown. Paying attention to this behavior may cause the fit to last longer. Be sure to remain within eyesight.

Be Realistic: Toddlers do not yet have the sentence structure to express their wants and desires. This is one of the main reasons tantrums occur. They also have very short attention spans, making it critical to be conscious of the amount of time spent away from home.

Be Understanding: Talk to your child when he/she is upset. Let them know you understand they're frustration. Normalize their feelings by saying things like " I understand you are upset, when you stop crying, we can go outside." This helps ensure them that it is ok to be upset at times. Try not to make negative remarks when your child is having a tantrum, remember they are a normal part of early childhood.

Be Silly: Making a silly face or small tickle is a great way to redirect a tantrum before it is full blown. Getting a laugh can help your child forget why he was upset. You can also try redirecting your child's behavior by offering something else for them to do.

Be Diverse: Allow your child the freedom of choice. For instance holding out two shirts to choose from instead of just picking one for them to wear. Offering two items is a great start, several choices can be overwhelming to a small child.

Be Encouraging: Reward your child for learning to handle their tantrums. Use a Tantrum chart. Reward your child with stickers if he/she is able to shorten their tantrums or express themselves in a better way.

References
Center of Child & Family Services, Inc.

Physical Activities for Toddlers 18-24 months

Rolling and Throwing
Age: 18-24 months
Materials: Small ball
Development: Physical
Objective: Encourage child to roll and throw a ball

Have your toddler pick up and ball and ask him/her to throw it to you. When your toddlers does, roll the ball back to him so he/she can throw it again. If throwing is too difficult right now, just try rolling the ball back and forth to one another, and in time your baby will soon throw as well.

Throw the ball to Daddy, Carlos. Good job!
You threw that ball so far!


Run is Fun
Age: 18-24 months
Development: Physical
Objective: Enjoys Running

Toddlers love to run outdoors. Interact with your toddler to encourage him/her to run. You can have him/her chase you, or chase a ball or run to a tree. Run with your toddler to encourage them to do the same.

Come on Oliver. Let's run and touch the tree.

Baby in a Blanket
Age: 18-24 months
Development: Physical
Objective: Rolls body in blanket

Spread a soft blanket on the floor. Help your toddler lie down on the blanket. Show your child how to hold one end of the blanket and wrap himself in the blanket by rolling. Remain close by in case your child becomes scared if the blanket wraps too snuggly. Encourage your child to hide under the blanket, shake the blanket or wear the blanket like a cape.

Look at Beverly roll herself in that blanket.
Now roll out of the blanket, Beverly.
Blanket rolling is so much fun!

Balance Board
Age: 18-24 months
Materials: 6-8 inch board or several sheets of paper
Development: Physical
Objective: Walks on wide balance board

Place a 6-8 inch board or a paper trail on the floor for your toddler to practice walking with balance. Encourage your child to stay on the beam or paper without stepping off.

Abigale, can you walk way over here?
Take it slow. I know you can do it.

Curvy Road
Age: 18-24 months
Materials: Several strips of colored construction paper, riding toy
Development: Physical
Objective: Scoots on riding toys

Place several strips of construction paper on the floor to form a road. Have fun with it and make the strips form a curvy road. Show your child how to follow the road as he/she scoots along on his/her riding toys.

Paris, follow the road with your bike.
That’s the way! Can you follow it all the way to the door?
Excellent!

Lacing Plates
Materials: disposable plate, hole puncher, shoestring
Development: Physical/fine motor
Objective: Strings with some help

Punch several holes in the disposable plate. Tie the shoe string to one hole. Help and encourage your child to lace the shoestring through the holes.

Sharon, do you see the string on in and then out of the whole?
Can you give it a try?
You've got the idea! Keep going.

References
Welcome To Learning (1997)
KCLC, Inc.
Montgomery, AL

Physical Activities for Toddlers 12-18months

Push-N-Pull

Materials: A variety of push-n-pull toys
Objective: Encourages Walking
*Supervise child with push toys, children who have not learned their balance may place their weight on the toy which cause them to move really fast and fall.

Provide you baby with push-N-pull toys so he/she can hold on and walk while at play. As your child begins to find their balance, encourage him/her to walk to get toys.


Dazia, which push toy would you like?
Oh my! Look at Dazia go!


Ball Toss
Materials: A variety of balls
Objective: Throws a ball


Provide a variety of balls for your toddler. Encourage your baby to toss the ball in a large bucket. For a fun you can also use safe items such as rolled socks, balls of yarn, or stuffed panty hose as "balls".


Toss the ball into the bucket, Taylen.
Awesome! You can really throw that ball!
This let's see if you can get it in the bucket.
Hooray, that’s it!


I Can Write
Materials: paper,tape,crayons,music
Objective: Begins to scribble


Tape a large piece of paper to the wall, table or floor. Provide your child with several colored crayons. Play a mixture of fast and slow music (multi-cultural music is a great choice) and encourage your child to the music.


Nataveous, I see you like writing to the fast tunes.
How fun! Would like to try one of these colors when you write next?
Red seems to be your favorite color lately.


UP and Over
Materials: Large shirt (size 10-12 years)
Objective: Gets dressed and undressed with some help


Provide a large slipover shirt for your toddler to practice putting on and taking off. An older child's clothing is great because the size is big but not too big. Talk to your child as you do this.


Where is LaCresha's head?
There it is! Now, where is your left hand?
Oh I see it! Where is your other hand, Cresha?
There it comes. Wiggle it through the sleeve.
You did a great job putting this shirt on.
Now, let's see if you can take it off.


Towering
Materials: 3 shoe boxes, tape
Objectives: Stacks tower of 2-3 blocks


Provide you child with 3 shoe boxes, with the lids taped. Show him/her how to stack the boxes to make a tower. Talk as you go.


James, mommy is stacking the boxes to make a tall tower.
Can you put your box on top of mine?
Excellent, now we have two boxes.
Oh, there they go down on the floor!

Hoppy Little Bunny
Objective: Encourages jumping with excitement


Encourage your baby to jump along as you sing:


Little bunny, Little bunny, hop,hop,hop
Little bunny, Little bunny, stop,stop,stop (clap hands)
Little buny, little bunny, hop really high
Little bunny ,little bunny hop to the sky
Little bunny, little bunny wave good-bye (wave good-bye)

Bottle Bowling
Materials: Several empty plastic bottles, ball
Objective: Rolls ball; hit some targets


Position a few bottles upright on the floor. Encourage your toddler to roll a ball toward the bottles to knock them down. Ask your child to help you set the bottles back up and roll the ball again. If your toddler prefers to carry the bottles instead, save the roll game for another day.


Let's roll the ball at the bottles, Jonny.
Yes, that’s it!
Whoops! Down goes the bottles!


Strong Baby
Materials: Variety of Inflatables
Objective: Carries large toys around


Visit you local dollar store and provide your toddler with large inflatable toys. These are numerous in the summer months. Allow your toddler to carry large inflatable balls, floats, and other objects. Talk to your child as he/she explores carrying big things around.


Oh, look at this big ball, Meka.
Wow, Meka can carry that big ball.
You are a strong girl, Meka!

Jumping in and out
Materials: tape, paper, scissors
Objective: Jumps in and out


Cut out a circle and tape it to the floor. Encourage your toddler to jump in and out of the circle. Talk about in and out as you play. With younger toddlers you may need to hold hands and jump in and out of the circle together before they do it alone.


Let's jump in the circle, Jesus
Now let's jump out of the circle.
Jesus is jumping into the circle!
This is fun, Jesus.

Potty Wars: 10 Tips for Conquering Potty Training With Ease

As a proud mommy of 7, I am a no amateur to the potty training crusade. I am proud to say I have successfully completed 5 missions, with only two operations left before I can officially earn my PPT (Professional Potty Training) merit badge (well if there was one of course). The only catch is the last two operations may have to be completed simultaneously! I have twin sons, 18 months old, who are showing signs of preparing for battle (i.e. removing diaper without warning every time they go #2). I have my toilet paper helmet, equipped with plunger and I'm ready to take on any potty that’s stands in the way! Luckily I'm armed with enough combat experiences for us all. As moms we're all on the same team so here are a few secret weapons to help you make your mission a complete and care free success!

Secret Weapon #1: Patience
Potty training curiosity usually blossoms around the same time toddlers are emerging their independence. It is best to remain patient and take cues from your child, who will inform you when he/she is ready to go to the bathroom. Signs of showing interest in the potty are remaining dry for long periods of time, tugging at their diaper when they are wet or have had a bowel movement, having regular bowel movements at about the same time every day, or simply asking to be changed. A child should never be forced into potty training simply because of his or her age. Potty training is a procedure that requires love and patience to be implemented for success.

Secret Weapon #2: Consistency
Once your child shows interest in the potty its a good idea to place a potty chair in the bathroom and invite  your child to go when you go. After a few times with you, have your child sit on the potty every 30-60 minutes. Allow them to sit for as long or as short as they would like. This will help keep their interest and see potty training as fun. Remember consistency is the key. To help with timing, its good to sit on the potty on the hour.You can set a timer that goes off when its time to go to the potty or try one of these cute potty watches.

 Secret Weapon #3: Decorating
What better way to have your child feel comfortable in the bathroom then to decorate it in his/her favorite character. This allows the bathroom to be bright and inviting. Who says potty training can't be fun?!

Secret Weapon #4: Praise
Children love praise (who are we kidding even adults love praise). Remember to Cheer your child on for his efforts and especially for his successes going to the potty. You can do this by creating your very own cheer personalized for your child, giving extra hugs, kisses or even tickles to show you are proud of him. If your child is still against the potty it doesn't hurt to show your child you are proud of yourself! Clap for yourself and your partner as you both use the potty. Your child will catch on quickly!

Secret Weapon #5: Bribery
Ok so I know bribing others may be looked down upon, but this is the one time when it is completely ok! For many children praise may be all they need for motivation, but then there are kids like mine. Praise may work at first but bribes are just a sweeter deal! I personally am not a huge fan of bribing with food (for example candy) but don't get me wrong if that’s what works by all means go for it! I would start out with things such as stickers, inexpensive toys (age appropriate), time together outside or phone calls to loved ones (uncle, aunt, nana, papa etc.) to brag about the accomplishments. If you would like to reward with treats then bite size m&ms are a great choice. Also keep in mind that each child is different so it is helpful to use unique bribes that work for your child.

Secret Weapon #6: Aimers
If you have a son this is a fun way for him to interact with the potty. You can purchase "targets" to place in the toilet and have your child aim at them. They can be purchased here. A quick way to save money and still have fun is to simply use cheerios or fruit loops as targets instead.

Secret Weapon #7: Cool Underwear
Similar to decorating the bathroom in your child's favorite characters you can also purchase underwear in your child's favorite characters. If you are using pull-ups perhaps you can find a character that your child is familiar with. I have found myself purchasing pull-ups and then a pack of underwear of my child's choice and then putting the underwear over top the pull-ups. That way your child stays dry from accidents but still gets the motivation of big boy/girl panties.

Secret Weapon #8: Figure out the Fears
Potty training can honestly be a very scary process for some children. If your child cries or seems to fear the potty try to figure out what is causing the fear. Is the bathroom to dull? Is the toilet too big and a potty chair preferred? Is your child scared only when in a bathroom that is unfamiliar? Talk to your child and see if you can gather what may be the problem and do everything you can to fix it.

Secret Weapon #9 Comfort
It is important to ensure your child is comfortable while potty training. If your child seems to fear the bathroom all together try placing a potty chair in their bedroom or in a play room. If he/she is often in the living room, that is a great place to start. Children fear public bathrooms because they are often different than the ones in homes. Public toilets can be a lot larger and more noisy than private bathrooms. A good way to familiarize your toddler with public bathrooms is to allow them to go and flush toilets when you are out. This way they will be used to the difference in sound before the time comes to actually use the public toilet.

Secret Weapon #10: Books
There are several books on the market that are geared towards potty training. If you read to your child at bedtime or before naptime, why not implement a potty book into the book choices? This is a great way for your child to hear about other children and their success with the potty. It's fun to have a doll of choice that can "go to the potty" as well. here are a list of books that are great for potty training just click of the name of the book to find out more:

Potty Time With Elmo

Potty Time With Abby

 Everyone Poops

Social/Emotional Activities for Toddlers 18-24 months

Happy/Sad Emotions

Age: 18-24 months

Materials: Mirror

Objective: Have show various emotions

Use a mirror to demonstrate happy and sad faces to your toddler.

Encourage him/her to make happy/sad faces in the mirror.

Look at my happy face Kenya.
Can you make a happy face?
Just look at that happy smile.

It's okay

Age: 18-24 months

Materials: Arms

Objective: To teach child to comfort others

Encourage your child to show compassion when friends or family members are upset or hurt. Talk about being kind to others when they are upset.

Yes, Jacob, Laila is upset that that her sister went to school.
I'm sure your hugs make her feel better.
Maybe Laila would like to build with blocks with you. That’s very sweet of you to help Laila this morning, Jacob.

Setting the Table

Age: 18-24 months

Materials: cups, napkins

Objective: Child pretends detailed house work

Show your baby how to put cups or napkins on the table for snack. Encourage him or her to clean up their own place after eating (wipe with sponge, put dish in sink, trash in trash can etc.)

Thank you, Michael for setting the table.
Yes, the trash goes in that can, honey.


Put Away Game

Age:18-24 months

Materials: Toys

Objective: To have child place toys in appropriate places

Encourage your child to help pick up toys. Hand your toddler items to put in the appropriate places. Make a game out of putting toys away. Remember to praise your child for their efforts!

Here's a drum L'oreal.
Where does it go?
Yes, the drum goes there!


Wet Sponge

Age: 18-24 months

Materials: Sponge/water

Objective: Encourage child to copy housework

As you are cleaning up a table, provide a damp sponge for your child to wipe the table as well.

Oh, I see you're cleaning the table with mommy, Kali.

That's the way to do it!
The table is clean now.
Thank you!

Social/Emotional Activities for Toddlers 12-18months

Taking Turns Game


Age: 12-18 months

Development: Social /Emotional (Sharing)

Materials: Child's favorite toy

Objective: Baby offers the toy back, but quickly retrieves toy from adult

Give your little one an object, like a favorite toy. After he/she has had a chance to touch, look at, and explore the toy, ask for the toy back. If your baby returns the toy to you, hug and praise the him/her for taking turns. Continue trading, taking turns, and dividing resources.

Here is your race car, Hunter.

Will you give the car to Mommy, please?



Do What I Do

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Social/Emotional (Imitation)

Materials: Your hands

Objective: To have child attempt to imitate your actions

Play a game of imitation with your toddler. Perform different actions such as clapping or stomping and encourage your child to imitate these with you. If the child watches at first, move his/her hands or arms to make the action. Include lots of hugs as you play.

Can you clap your hands like Daddy, Sarah?

Yes, Sarah can clap her hands.



Dancing with Teddy

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Social/Emotional (Imitation)

Materials: Doll or Teddy bear

Objective: To have child imitate your actions

Set the stage by playing "Ring Around the Rosy" with your child. Then show your baby how to play the game with his/her teddy or doll. As he/she holds the bears arms, sing the song and encourage him to move in a circle. Play as long as child is interested.

Mommy is singing, and Shon is dancing with his bear.

Yeah that was fun Shon.



Mirror Play

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Recognition, Self Awareness

Materials: Mirror

Objective: Child recognizes his/her self in the mirror

Place a mirror low on a wall or use a hand held mirror so that your child can see themselves easily. Talk to your toddler about their reflection and who they see in the mirror.

What do you see in the mirror, Kelly?

I see Kelly there she is!

Yes, that’s Kelly in the mirror.



Which One?

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Indicates wants without crying

Materials: two objects (such as two toys)

Objective: Child indicates wants with language or gestures but without crying

Hold up two toys for a toddler to choose which one he/she wants. Encourage the child to say the name, but accept a reach, a look, or pointing finger for the desired toy.

Grandma has a block and a ball.

Brian wants a toy. You're reaching for the block, Brian.

Block, Brian. You want the block.



Housekeeping Supplies

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Pretends housework

Materials: Toy house hold items ( vacuum, mops, brooms)

Objective: Child enjoys imitating and pretending housework

Put brooms, mops and other cleaning supplies out for your toddler to explore with.

You did a awesome mopping Keisha!

Here's another spot you can mop.



Picking up Toys

Age: 12-18 months

Development: Picks up toys

Materials: Child room or other toy area

Objective: Child picks up toys and places them where indicated

Singing is an excellent way to help children complete necessary task. Once your child is done playing, have him/her help pick up toys and place them in appropriate places.

Song1:

We're picking up the toys.

We're picking up the toys,

High ho the derry-o,

We're picking up the toys.

Song2:

Clean up, clean up everybody everywhere

clean up, clean up everybody do your share.

Reference
Welcome To Learning (1997).
Kindecare Learning Centers, Inc.
Montgomery, AL

♥101 WAYS TO PRAISE A CHILD♥

WOW ♥ WAY TO GO♥ SUPER♥ YOU'RE SPECIAL ♥OUTSTANDING♥ EXCELLENT♥ GREAT ♥GOOD ♥NEAT ♥WELL DONE ♥REMARKABLE ♥I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT♥ I'M PROUD OF YOU♥ FANTASTIC ♥SUPER STAR ♥NICE WORK ♥LOOKING GOOD♥ YOU'RE ON TOP OF IT♥ BEAUTIFUL♥ NOW YOU'RE FLYING ♥YOU'RE CATCHING ON♥ NOW YOU'VE GOT IT♥ YOU'RE INCREDIBLE♥ BRAVO ♥YOU'RE FANTASTIC ♥HURRAY FOR YOU♥ YOU'RE ON TARGET ♥ YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY♥ HOW NICE♥ HOW SMART♥ GOOD JOB ♥THAT'S INCREDIBLE ♥ HOT DOG♥ DYNAMITE ♥YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL ♥ YOU'RE UNIQUE ♥ NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW♥ GOOD FOR YOU♥ I LIKE YOU♥ YOU'RE A WINNER ♥REMARKABLE JOB♥ BEAUTIFUL WORK ♥SPECTACULAR♥ YOU'RE SPECTACULAR ♥YOU'RE DARLING ♥ YOU'RE PRECIOUS ♥ GREAT DISCOVERY ♥ YOU'VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET♥ YOU FIGURED IT OUT ♥FANTASTIC JOB ♥HIP, HIP, HURRAY ♥ BINGO♥ MAGNIFICENT♥ MARVELOUS♥ TERRIFIC ♥ YOU'RE IMPORTANT♥ PHENOMENAL ♥YOU'RE SENSATIONAL ♥SUPER WORK ♥CREATIVE JOB ♥SUPER JOB ♥FANTASTIC JOB ♥EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE ♥YOU'RE A REAL TROOPER ♥YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE♥ YOU ARE EXCITING♥ YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT ♥WHAT AN IMAGINATION ♥WHAT A GOOD LISTENER ♥ YOU ARE FUN♥ YOU'RE GROWING UP♥ YOU TRIED HARD♥ YOU CARE♥ BEAUTIFUL SHARING♥ OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ♥YOU'RE A GOOD FRIEND ♥I TRUST YOU♥ YOU'RE IMPORTANT ♥ YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME ♥ YOU MAKE ME HAPPY ♥ YOU BELONG ♥YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♥ YOU MAKE ME LAUGH ♥ YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY ♥I RESPECT YOU♥ YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME ♥ THAT'S CORRECT♥ YOU'RE A JOY ♥ YOU'RE A TREASURE♥ YOU'RE WONDERFUL ♥ YOU'RE PERFECT ♥ AWESOME♥ A+ JOB ♥ YOU'RE A-OK-MY BUDDY ♥ YOU MADE MY DAY ♥THAT'S THE BEST♥ A BIG HUG ♥ A BIG KISS♥ SAY I LOVE YOU!

                          ♥P.S. A SMILE IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS♥

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