Child Safety - Parenting Essentials

Babyproof your home. Your baby's furniture should be sturdy and well balanced. We don't want high chairs or changing tables to tip over. Slats on the crib need to be close enough so a child's head cannot get stuck. Don't put pillows in the crib. They could smother an infant. Before you know it, time will fly and your infant will be a very curious toddler. All electrical outlets need to be covered to protect little fingers from nasty and dangerous shocks. Now is the time to remove any slippery little accent rugs that may be about. Put them away for now. Remove anything breakable, sharp or valuable from low shelves and tables and move them higher up. You will be glad you did. You can trust me on this.
Get references from baby sitters and nannies. Learn as much as you can about the person who will look after your child while you are not at home. Talk to previous employers and ask about their experiences with this individual. Post a list of phone numbers including yours (at work or where you will be), your doctor's and a close relative or friend's in the event that you cannot be reached. As a precaution it is a good idea to come home at times when you are not expected in order to see how the child and the nanny (or baby sitter) are getting along. If you have any serious concerns you may be interested in installing a hidden camera also called a nanny cam.
Take extra care in the bath. Never, ever leave an infant or toddler alone in the bath even for a few seconds. A child can drown in only 2 inches of water and very quickly. Always test the temperature of the water before putting the child in the tub.
Never lose sight of your child on outings. When outdoors, in shopping malls, amusements parks and playgrounds make sure that you can always see the child and the child can see you. Make sure the child knows this and always remind him/her when you do go out. It cannot be repeated too often. There are even gadgets available that the child can wear that will warn you if he/she has wandered off.
Make playtime a safe time. Never let the child play outside in front of the house if you are not there. It is always better for the child to play in back of the house where he/she cannot be seen by predators. Unfortunately, there are too may child molesters on the loose. There are numerous websites where you are able to look up child molesters in your neighborhood. Do it now! Always meet the parents of your children's friends especially if your children will be playing at their home.
Teach basic safety lessons to your children. From the time your children are toddlers be sure to teach them their name, address and phone number. Always make sure they have some form of ID with them that will not be easily viewed by strangers. Encourage them to walk to and from school with a group. Sanction and empower them to be aware of strangers and act appropriately and report anyone hanging around that does not belong. Remind them not to give personal information or photos over the internet to strangers or make dates with internet acquaintances. Tell them to delete and block anyone weird or unpleasant. If you are concerned about your child's internet activity there are keystroke loggers available that will let you see each and every keystroke.
Be alert and use common sense. Pay attention to your children and listen well to them. Hearing what they have to say will tell you a lot about them. As a parent you want nothing more than to provide a happy, healthy, safe and secure life for your offspring.
Anne Reade, a mom and grandmother, is the owner and operator of http://www.tobesafeandsound.com dedicated to offering safety and security products for the home. See her child safety products
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