Young children keep parents busy chasing them around. Unfortunately there are many household hazards that don't occur to parents until they are sitting in the ER so I thought I would take some time to review some of the ones that we see.
1. Counters. We frequently see injuries from when kids fall off counters (and beds and couches.) Many times parents put their car seat or bumbo seat on the counter and don't realize that the child can scoot or get themselves out of the seat. One of my favorite sayings is "You can't fall off the floor!"
2. Cords. Everyone knows the dangers of outlet plugs but what about the cords. I see patients that find a cord dangling off the counter and then pull the attached object down on themselves. Irons, electric frying pans, curling irons are all dangerous. Keep the cords out of reach after unplugging an appliance.
3. Coffee Tables. Many young kids fall off the couch and land on the coffee table. They hit their head on one of the corners and end up getting stitches. You might want to consider putting the coffee table away or against a wall until the jumping on the couch phase has passed.
4. Buckets. Young children have large heads which make them top heavy. It makes it easy for them to fall into a bucket of water and then drown. Keep your buckets empty. When my kids were young I would wait until they were asleep for me to mop or iron.
5. Bookcases. Many children think that they are monkeys and like to climb. Things like bookcases and large heavy TVs can be pulled over and then they crush the child. Consider anchoring furniture that can tip to the wall.
6. Bunk beds. It recommended that kids not use bunk beds until about age 6. I repeatedly see young children who fall off the top bunk.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
What I Would Have Kept the Same
In my last post I talked about what I would have done differently when raising my kids. Now I will talk about what I would repeat if doing it again.
1. Reading. I started reading to my kids when they were babies and continued until they were in junior high. It helped them succeed in school as well as fostered a love of reading. We also have great memories of the times spent together. For example the time we read Harry Potter while camping in the pouring rain or the book I refused to read again after reading it 4 times. (The Wizard of Oz)
2. Outside activities. No one in my family has any athletic talent but we have always enjoyed doing things outside. When the kids were young we spent a lot of time at the park and playground. We also played a lot of ball. (I got my exercise chasing them all!) As they got older we progressed to swimming and bike riding. Now we will hike, camp, play disc golf or do yoga together. Next up parasailing!
3. Limited junk food. I have always kept little junk food in the house. No one ever seemed to miss the chips and soda. Then when we would have them in the house they would go uneaten in the pantry because my kids were so used to them not being around. I also would give small servings of things not as good for you. My kids got used to it and never asked for more and now, when serving themselves they do the same.
4. Consequences. I encouraged my kids to become responsible by letting them feel the consequences of their actions. If they returned library books late then they paid they fine. If they lost their lunch box then they had to look for it in the lost and found. If not found then they had to brown bag it or use an old lunch box.
5. Time. I have always made time to do things with my kids. Whenever they asked me to play with them I would. There was no reason the dishes and chores couldn't wait.
1. Reading. I started reading to my kids when they were babies and continued until they were in junior high. It helped them succeed in school as well as fostered a love of reading. We also have great memories of the times spent together. For example the time we read Harry Potter while camping in the pouring rain or the book I refused to read again after reading it 4 times. (The Wizard of Oz)
2. Outside activities. No one in my family has any athletic talent but we have always enjoyed doing things outside. When the kids were young we spent a lot of time at the park and playground. We also played a lot of ball. (I got my exercise chasing them all!) As they got older we progressed to swimming and bike riding. Now we will hike, camp, play disc golf or do yoga together. Next up parasailing!
3. Limited junk food. I have always kept little junk food in the house. No one ever seemed to miss the chips and soda. Then when we would have them in the house they would go uneaten in the pantry because my kids were so used to them not being around. I also would give small servings of things not as good for you. My kids got used to it and never asked for more and now, when serving themselves they do the same.
4. Consequences. I encouraged my kids to become responsible by letting them feel the consequences of their actions. If they returned library books late then they paid they fine. If they lost their lunch box then they had to look for it in the lost and found. If not found then they had to brown bag it or use an old lunch box.
5. Time. I have always made time to do things with my kids. Whenever they asked me to play with them I would. There was no reason the dishes and chores couldn't wait.
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