Safety Cautions
by Rebecca Klein
I can still remember the look of pride on my husband's face, as he ushered me upstairs to admire his construction skills. After several grueling hours of deciphering diagrams and battling an uncooperative banister, our son's first baby gate was up. It seemed safe, sturdy, and ready to stop our new crawler.
Then, I looked down. I'll spare you my visions of blood. It looked like Seth could slither under the gate or get his head stuck. No wonder the gate seemed so tall. Oh, and did I mention it was upside down? Sure, our efforts to stain our furniture left behind dribbles of character. Our bookshelves slant slightly. Our bathroom paint job is far from professional. But, do-it-yourselfers have to start somewhere. Only, we knew our childproofing had to be perfect.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, in the United States, accidental childhood injury is the leading killer of children 14 and under. "Each year in the United States, approximately 1,900 children, mostly ages 4 and under, die from accidental injuries in the home, and 3.4 million kids are treated in emergency rooms for accidental injuries occurring at home," reports the organization. Back to our home. We started googling childproofers.
Until a friend in another city hired one, we never knew the profession existed. During our initial consultation, Colleen Driscoll, owner of Baby's Home Safe Home, Inc. combed our house for potential hazards. "It's frustrating for the baby and the parent if playtime becomes all about "no, no, no,'" says Driscoll. "If you can create a safe environment for the baby to play, then everyone is happier, because the baby can explore safely, and you've guided his or her boundaries in a safe manner."
Turns out the cheap kitchen/bathroom cabinet latches and drawer stops we had purchased were headed back after learning a toddler could break or outsmart them. We went with sturdier ones as well as a kitchen cabinet lock, opened with a magnetic key. We opted for the sliding, irremovable outlet covers after learning the plastic inserts pose danger if pulled out and plugged into tiny mouths. There's also the chance of adults forgetting to reinsert them after using an outlet.
Our other proofing measures included more gates, moving our fire extinguisher and cleaning supplies up high, toilet locks, doorstops without removable end caps, keeping blind cords out of reach, and cushioning for a sharp-edged coffee table. During our consultation and on installation day, Driscoll repeatedly emphasized that supervision is the best protection.
Depending on each home's needs and family's wishes, she says costs run $250 - $1000, and less if going the do-it-yourself route. Driscoll recommends research and selective shopping for anyone taking on that challenge, and as she tells her clients, you can budget by proofing in stages.
As I signed the check, I kept telling myself I've paid more for car repairs, and this is our child. Ever the frugal one, I've since rationalized our Seth-proofing cost down to half. Baby two is on the way. Additional Resources: International Association for Child Safety: www.iafcs.com Offers safety tips and a directory of proofers Safe Kids Worldwide: www.safekids.org Includes safety information and a listing of Safe Kids coalitions and chapters Safe Kids Baltimore: (410) 328-7532, safekidsbaltimore@umm.edu
