A couple of weeks ago in the Philippines I saw a Facebook post about a two-year-old toddler who, being curious as most kids are, die after sticking the handle of a spoon in an extension cord socket. It broke my heart. Think of a lifetime of grief for the unfortunate, broken-hearted family.
As parents of children, we are constantly busy with this or that and can easily lose sight of what our kids are doing. Sometimes their curiosity leads to their untimely death or injury. Let’s pay more attention and follow some easy tips to avoid needless tragedies.
Yes, kids are going to fall, skin their knees, bump their heads and cut their precious fingers or hands. That’s life and part of growing up. But we need to be more responsible if we really love our children. They are God’s gift to us and are precious in His sight. Can we not show them the same love?
Here are some useful tips to avoid needless heart wrenching tragedies.
Keep your floors swept clean and free of objects. Your baby can find things that you have no clue are even there. She or he can easily choke on food, small objects like coins and buttons, and other things. It takes mere minutes to sweep a floor. For the love of God, do it! Often, if necessary.
In the same manner, supervise your child when she or he is eating. Teach them to sit and eat rather than running around with food. And don’t feed them adult food that is difficult for them to chew. They can easily choke in mere minutes.
Toddlers have a fascination for fans. They love the whir and the breeze than emanates from them. But in a moment’s notice, they could lose a finger. Buy a fan cover to prevent injury. Here's mine.
The cost is less than 50 cents (25 pesos). An ER visit and a loss of a finger lasts a lifetime and is considerably more costly.
Secure your extension cords.
Yes, we all need extension cords, but open sockets are a definite hazard. Years ago my child placed a paper clip inside a live wall socket. Fortunately, she was only burned. What if it had been a knife, fork or a spoon?
Avoid suffocation. Babies love plastic bags and balloons. It doesn’t take but a couple of minutes of not paying attention for a baby to die from suffocation. Balloons are fun, too. But we must be careful, anyway. Harmless when inflated, they can become deadly choking hazards when they pop or naturally deflate.
Never leave you child unattended on a chair or sofa. Falling hazards can result in serious brain damage or death. Use a highchair or sit with your child on a sofa.
If you live upstairs, be sure to lock your screen or front door. Additionally, use a wooden baby gate so they cannot access the stairs if they do get outside. Toddlers love to explore and love going outside. Always supervise them when they do go out. Never leave them unattended.
Don’t buy a cheap baby walker or high chair. These made in China items can be extremely dangerous. They can easily tip over when the baby begins rocking or may collapse because of the cheap manufacturing. Here is what we use. It is sturdy.
Close all doors at night. When you are fast asleep, they may awaken without your knowledge and easily explore and harm themselves.
If your house has sharp corners like on desks and tables, use rubber protectors so when they eventually (and trust me, they will) bump their heads. You can pick up a strip of these for less than a couple of cups of coffee. On the other hand, an ER bill even with insurance can be expensive.
Babies love to reach for things. Be sure when you are cooking that you keep pot and pan handles turned sideways to prevent serious burns if your child attempts to grab them when you’re not looking. Along with this, keep lighters and matches out of their reach. Burns from these devices last a lifetime!
Never, and I mean NEVER, leave your child unattended in a bathtub or swimming pool. These lead to quick drownings. In the time you’re making a phone call or a TikTok video, your child could have quietly drowned. If your child is in a pool, always have them wear a life preserver. Most kids love the water, but have an inability to swim.
Kids are prone to drinking whatever they can get their hands on. Keep poisonous products out of their reach. If you use a different container for a toxic substance, be sure to label it. You or the toddler can mistakenly use it improperly and die. Also, keep all medications out of reach.
There are many more preventative tips parents can take. Take a look around your house or apartment and look for possible dangers.
Above all, keep a close watch on your child. In only takes seconds for them to find trouble. Be a wise parent. Your child’s life is in your hands.
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