Talking Child Safety with Carolyn Ziegler from Dreambaby.

People often ask me for advice on childproofing once their little ones become mobile and I always start by saying get down on all fours and look up at the world from the point of view of a crawling child. It’s amazing the hidden dangers you will immediately identify such as dropped coins (a choking hazard) and medicines (a poison and choking hazard). Pick up anything you see on the floor and regularly sweep and vacuum your floors. Move sharp objects, knives and poisons including medicines out of the reach of children. Keep them up high where they can’t be reached and in secured cupboards.

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If your cupboards and drawers don’t lock with a key, then keep children out of them by properly securing them with inexpensive child locks and latches. And mix it up! Try a variety of different locks throughout the home. Kids learn through repeated observation. By using a variety of different locks and latches that work in different ways, it becomes harder for young children to work out how to open them. Also, make sure you have the right lock or latch for each cupboard depending on the type of handle.

Also check out: 5 Helpful Ways To Manage Juggling Work and Kids

Remove tablecloths – crawling children can reach up and pull them down – a problem if you have heavy articles on the table including pepper grinders and candlesticks as they will come tumbling down too, potentially harming your child.

 

Reconsider your coffee table. Choose either a very rounded cornered table that is really solidly made (NO GLASS), or nothing at all. Remember to also keep an eye on any food and coffee that you place on your table as they can be a hazard of their own.

 

Also invest in blind cord wind-ups. They keep blind cords out of the reach of babies and toddlers in their cots and from older siblings in general. Over-long cords can lead to strangulation. But remember to keep cots and beds away from windows and window fittings whenever possible.

 

Block off power points with outlet plugs. Make sure you use corner cushions on all your sharp-edged counters and tables. Prevent doors slamming on little fingers by securing them using a door stop or under door gripper. Last but not least, secure your dishwasher at all times with a latch – dishwashers can be toxic even after the load is finished. Remember children or pets can touch this as they go about their day. You might consider blocking off kitchens and bathrooms completely by installing a child safety gate and always install gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Try Big W, the Dreambaby Newport Adapta Gate® RRP$99.95 and Dreambaby® Retractable Gate RRP $99.95 are both affordable and new to their lineup.

 

Remember children can be crushed from falling furniture. Busy toddlers left to their own devices can use drawers as climbing steps by pulling them out into a makeshift set of stairs so always bear this is in mind. Nowadays, furniture is designed with all the features at the front for aesthetic reason but the backs are very flimsy. It’s simple physics that they topple. Always secure heavy furniture with straps or anchors. And make sure you install them correctly. You need to follow the instructions and always secure them to a solid part of the furniture and a solid part of the wall. And don’t forget about free-standing flat screen TVs – always secure them with straps. I actually did a recent interview on this topic for Studio 10 if you want to know more check it out on our home page: http://www.dreambaby.com.au

 

Increasingly parents are choosing to raise their children in apartments to stay connected to work and and the urban lifestyle. There are special considerations for childproofing apartments and solutions all start with good storage. By good storage I don’t mean better aesthetics –  although that is also a welcome benefit of good storage –  but storage that allows for a safe space for small kids. Children can trip over toys, bikes and prams so it’s important to stow them away when you’re not using them. Store bikes and trikes on bike racks and also your strollers on StrollAways®s. This is new, clever and safer storage for your stroller. Use toy chains to store as well – not only does this make the room safer for your child but it also adds a design element to the room as you can hang them vertically or horizontally. If you have a balcony remember to move all furniture away from ledges as children use them to climb up and over.

 

For more information on keeping child safe check out the Kidsafe website for general safety information and of course visit the Dreambaby® website – www.dreambaby.com.au – for safety product suggestions and solutions.

 

More about Carolyn Ziegler

Carolyn Ziegler; Co-founder and Product Development Director of global child safety and care brand, Dreambaby® has been involved in child safety for 35 years. Carolyn’s work has extended to various affiliations with other child safety organisations and initiatives, including the “Kids Can’t Fly” campaign through Westmead Children’s Hospital. She is also a big supporter of Kidsafe Australia – the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia. These days, Carolyn’s expertise is focused on product development, by proactively identifying and assessing risks posed to babies and young children and developing the solutions to deal with those dangers. Dreambaby® continues to develop and distribute safety products which are innovative, affordable and ever-evolving to suit today’s changing needs.

 

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Top reasons why you might choose this gate.

• If space is at a premium as it retracts when not in use for space efficiency and to allow easy passing. Made from see-through mesh which adds to a sense of space.
• If you only have the kids part of the time – great for grandparents – again it retracts out of the way when not in use. Helps eliminate tripping hazards as well.
• One-handed operation – means you can use it even when carrying your little one.
• If you want to use it outside as well as inside as it’s UV protected for use on patio stairs etc.

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WIN A DREAMBABY® RETRACTABLE GATE RRP $99.95