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Thom Golden RN, BSN ("Dr. Baby Proofer") is America's leading expert in the
field of child and family safety. He is the founder of the International
Association for Child Safety (IACS). A well-known personality seen on CNN,
Fox News, TXCN Cable News, WFAA-TV, and KRLD radio, Thom
has provided child safety
education throughout the major media, is a specialist in child safety
product installation in the home, and is widely renowned as a leading
authority on car seat safety. Thom has prepared a basic guide to baby
proofing for
readers of MetroplexBaby.com.
BABY
PROOFING BASICS
Why baby proof •
Best time to baby proof
• Where do I start
Top 10 baby proofing basics
• Can I do it myself
Why baby proof?
Did you know that more children die from home-based trauma
than from ALL childhood diseases combined? Baby proofing is
designed to primarily benefit the child by preventing
trauma/death. But baby proofing also benefits the parents
who suffer emotional trauma if their child is injured -
especially when that injury could have been prevented.
Before your baby is born. Baby
proofing products require a period of transition for you
to become comfortable with their use.
The “Next Best Time” is
before your child crawls. Long term
effectiveness is enhanced if your child never knows that
the cupboard under the sink “ has pretty stuff in it”.
Before the baby walks is next best.
WORST time? After an Emergency Department visit.
Use high quality slide-by style outlet
covers on ALL electrical outlets.
Lock ALL cabinet and drawers - from hip
level down.
Hide or shorten all electrical cords.
Turn hot water tank to 120 degrees or
less.
Use only Installed gated at stairs -
never pressure gates.
Use the all metal door top locks.
If an older sibling is in the home, be aware
to separate the baby from the toys of the older child to
prevent chocking hazards. Injury rates increase as the
family adds members. It’s much more difficult to watch two
children than it is to watch one child. Remember:
Baby proofing is on duty 24 hours a day.
Top 10 baby proofing
basics
1. PROTECT BABY’S FINGERS: Lock ALL cabinets
and drawers from hip level down, in every room. We’ve tested
them all and can only recommend latches by Mommy’s Helper,
the Tot Lock, and the European Super Latch.
2. KITCHEN ALERT: Apply Appliance Locks to oven & dishwasher
doors. Stove top Shield-A-Burn acts to prevent many types of
burns. Stove Knob-Locks should always be in use. Use only
back burners.
3. Cover all electrical outlets, especially the high ones.
NO PLUG INSERTS (possible choking hazard) We recommend the
Care Cover (The best slide-by style cover), the box type
outlet covers, or one of our other custom designed
electrical safety products. Avoid rotating-type covers.
4. Lock up all toilets to prevent drowning, loss of
valuables and huge plumbing bills. We recommend only two of
the twelve on the market. This is your child’s FIRST
swimming pool. LOCK IT UP!
5. Make sure you always have at least one hand on your baby
at all times. Use our safety Tub Tray that way your baby and
everything you need to bath your baby is right in front of
you. Lower your hot water temperature to 120 F or less to
prevent scalding.
6. Use only installed gates at stairs. Never use pressure
gates at stairs. We use Kidco and Summer Infant gate
products. Apply Safety Mesh (never Plexiglass) to all
railing to prevent climbing and falls. Mesh is easier to
install, easier to clean and doesn’t affect your home’s A/C
or heating.7. A raised hearth
fireplace requires a professionally installed surrounding
safety gate. We can help with professional installation.
8. All care providers need to be trained
in CPR and first aid.
9. All care providers should SEE where the
following important items are stored: Your child’s
Authorization Letter, Your Emergency Telephone and Reference
Chart, Fire Extinguishers and your First Aid Kit. (All forms
are available free from Dr. Baby Proofer)
10.
Not sure if something is
a choking hazard? If the item is small enough to fit through
an average cardboard toilet paper tube, then it poses a
choking hazard.
Can I do it myself?
There are hundreds of baby
proofing devices on the market. Unfortunately, not all
are effective. An in-home evaluation by a trained child
safety expert gives you not only knowledge on what and
why safety measures should be implemented, but also how
to maintain the long term effectiveness of the measures
taken. Information on which products are dependable and
which are of poor design/quality is basic to every Dr.
Baby Proofer evaluation visit. The initial
audit/evaluation in your home gives you the opportunity
to gain insight as to which product will work most
effectively in each room. The “ABC’s of Long Term
Effectiveness” should be discussed.
A room by room
assessment of hazards found around your home will be
very rewarding for you and your child. Many
seemingly innocent, common items will be noted as
dangerous. Trauma prevention is much more than mere
use of a few common safety
items. Many common child safety products are
actually a hazard themselves!
No parent wants their child to suffer the
consequences of an unintentional injury. Nothing is
more effective at preventing an injury than an in
home safety audit by Dr. Baby Proofer. In our 20+
year history, there has never been a severe
traumatic event in any home where we have provided
our services. Nothing takes the place of close,
constant parental supervision. “But I just turned my
back for a second” are the most frequent words
spoken by a parent in the emergency department.
“He/She has never shown an interest in that before”,
is usually the next statement. Now, do you see why
you, or anyone else, can’t possibly watch your child
every minute of the day? Yet, baby proofing is “ON
DUTY” 24 hours a day to protect both baby and you!
This article can only touch the surface of the whys, whats
and wheres of baby proofing. We encourage you and your
friends/family to contact us with your questions and /or
challenges. Schedule an in-home safety evaluation today.
Waiting may lead to forgetting which may lead to a
preventable traumatic event occurring in your home.
Please don’t take a chance with your child’s safety. It may
cost far to much!
To learn more about Dr. Baby Proofer or to schedule an
in-home evaluation, please call
(972) 380-1116 or visit
http://www.drbabyproofer.com.
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