Toddler-Proofing

Toddler-Proofing Checklist for Your Home

TEXT SIZE: When your baby started to crawl, you baby-proofed your house. Get ready to “toddler-proof” your home. Your toddler has the ability to open more cabinets, drawers and bottles than before. The last thing you want is to hover or discourage your toddler’s growing independence and discovery. So make sure surroundings are safe and then supervise, but don’t discourage your toddler. Use this check-list to make the safety rounds at your home to make sure your adventurous toddler is safe and sound. Windows: Install window gates to prevent falls. Stairs: Put safety gates across top and bottom of steps. Electric outlets: Plug them with plastic caps. Electric cords: Keep out of reach so a toddler can’t pull lamps and appliances over. Houseplants: Many are poisonous, so hang or place all plants high out of baby’s reach. Tippy furniture: Test for wobbles and remove shaky pieces that could fall on a toddler. Toy boxes: Large ones with heavy lids can injure toddlers. Use shelves or small storage bins instead. Knives and sharp tools: Keep well out of baby’s reach. Needles, pins and small objects: Keep out of reach. Matches and ashtrays: Keep out of reach. Cigarette butts can be fatally toxic if swallowed. Cleaning supplies, laundry products and paints: Many of these are fatally toxic. Keep on a high shelf or locked in a cabinet. Pots on stove: Keep the handles turned toward the wall so they don’t get pulled down on top of anyone. Medicines: Keep in a high locked cabinet. Ask pharmacists for childproof caps. Put emergency numbers near the phone and be sure to include the number of the local Poison Control Center. In case of accidental poisoning, call Poison Control before taking action. Outside the house: Steps: Put safety gates across steep porch steps. Access to the street: Fence in the yard where a toddler plays. Pools: Fence in swimming pools. Don’t leave a toddler unattended near a portable wading pool. Driveway and garage: These are dangerous places for a toddler. The garage is full of hazardous materials and cars come into the driveway without warning. When you visit: Friends and relatives without small children usually do not have toddler-proofed houses–and this includes loving grandparents. So be extra careful when you’re in someone else’s home. Be watchful, while allowing your child the freedom to explore and discover–an important step towards independence. By: Huggies

Recalls!!

Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations

Name of Product: Maclaren Strollers

Units: About one million

Distributor: Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Conn.

Hazard: The stroller's hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller's hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word "Maclaren" is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies"R"Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10033.html

The Great Meconium!

We recently had a question from a viewer concerning baby's first poo - the dreaded meconium. This nasty tar-looking bowel movement has often caused some confusion to first time parents.

According to The National Institute of Health, the Meconium is "a thick, sticky, greenish-black substance". It is composed of amniotic fluid, mucus, lanugo (the fine hair that covers baby's body), bile, and cells that have been shed from the skin and the intestinal tract.

"During pregnancy, the baby floats in the amniotic fluid that fills the mother's uterus. This fluid protects the baby while he or she grows and develops. The baby swallows the amniotic fluid, which contains all the other constituents mentioned above. All of the contents other than the amniotic fluid itself are filtered out and remain behind in the intestine while the amniotic fluid is absorbed and re-released into the uterine space when the fetus urinates. This cycle maintains the amniotic fluid in a clear, healthy state during the nine months of pregnancy. This process of recycling the amniotic fluid occurs about every 3 hours."

Below is a picture of my own daughter's meconium poo. (Edited version :D) Being 10 1/2 months old, I'm sure she won't care if I post this.