Guess I Should Worry More About Electrocution & Less about Swine Flu

This is what my toddler does when she manages to get her hands on my keys:

Let's pretend this outlet is a car ignition and put a key in here!

Now before you freak out and call DFS on me, I did NOT risk my baby’s life for a photo opportunity. This outlet is protected by one of my favorite child-proofing devices. The outlet cover swivels, and it takes some dexterity and know-how to use the prongs of a plug to swivel the covers into place so the prongs can slide into the outlet.

That brings me to another of may favorite child-proofing devices, which is featured in the video below. It’s called a “Double-touch Plug N Outlet Cover” by Safety 1st which allows you to have items plugged into an outlet while also keeping it baby-proofed.  As you will see in this video, my toddler was NOT happy about having her favorite, face-level outlet covered with a more effective device. We had been using those little plastic outlet plugs, which she promptly used her teeth and tongue to remove.

I’m not sure what her fascination with outlets is, but between keeping her from getting electrocuted and preventing her from falling off of furniture or securing furniture to prevent it from falling onto her, I don’t have enough time to worry about the swine flu. So far, we’ve secured one bookcase and one antique radio as a result of this story on CBS This Morning.

Here is a post on two of my other favorite child-proofing devices. Do you have a favorite device of child-safety tip?

Shopping Cart Dangers for Children

I recently went to a grocery store with my 1-year-old DB and had to plow through at least four carts before I found one with safety straps that were functional.  And I conducted this search in the cold air that hovers by all grocery store entrances, with DB perched on my hip, frantically signing “eat,” which is her way of telling me she expects that free cookie RIGHT NOW!  But I digress. 

This shopping-cart search didn’t happen at a “discount” grocer, although I think that’s irrelevant.  It was a nice store and a regional chain that charges above-average prices for their groceries. 

My experience reminded me of a conversation I had with my pediatrician when DD (now age 13) was turning one.  Doc was going through the usual safety spiel about the hazards lurking in the home , the hazards of choking, the dangers of riding in a car without a safety seat, etc.  And he said to me, “Always use the safety straps in shopping carts.  As a pediatrician, I’ve never lost a baby to SIDS*, but I have lost one to the injuries resulting from a fall from a shopping cart.”  That statement made a big impression on me.  After all, I was a first-time mom , and I worried myself SICK over SIDS  (I never got over that). But I’d never given a second thought to the possibility of a shopping cart-related death. 

And it seems that my doctor wasn’t exaggerating the facts.  According to the policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Shopping cart-related injuries to children are common and can result in severe injury or even death.” The same statement goes on to say that an estimated 24,200 children younger than 15 years were treated in emergency rooms in 2005 for shopping cart-related injuries.   Fractures are the most common injury, and deaths have been reported from falls and tip-overs.

So, when you’re shopping with your little ones, take the time to find a cart with straps that are operational.  And let the store manager know if there are carts with straps that need to be repaired or replaced.  Do the same thing when you’re at a restaurant and the highchair they bring you has broken straps.  It’s been my experience that restaurant highchairs — in addition to being filthy — almost NEVER have straps that work.

* (Unfortunately, my pediatrician’s office can no longer say they’ve never lost a patient to SIDS).

My Favorite Childproof Gadget

My baby is almost 10 months and is crawling all over the place.  We have a finished basement, and my two older children cannot remember to close the basement door.  I won’t be able to change that fact no matter how much I nag. (The first step is acceptance.)

When my oldest was a baby, we lived in another home with an unfinished basement.  While there weren’t other children around to forget to close the basement door, the fall would’ve been down wooden steps to a concrete floor.  The thought of that door being left open caused me to break out in a cold sweat.  So, I searched until I found a baby proofing gadget to fit my needs — something that would automatically close that door.  It did the trick and I loved it, but we left it behind when we moved.  I didn’t even know what it was called.  A few days ago, I did a Google search for “child safety door closer” and I found it — the same gadget  that I had before.  It arrived today and I’m so pleased.  My husband will be installing it tonight.

Here is my other favorite baby proofing tool.  I’ve had these on my pantry doors since my 10-year-old son was 2.  I still use them to “lock” the pantry and “announce” that it’s closed because I’m fixing dinner!

Now, I’ve got to start baby proofing the rest of the house.  Do you have any favorite products or suggestions for things like electrical cords, fireplaces, drawers that might smash little fingers, etc.?