Once you become a parent, everything starts revolving around your children. Your purpose in life, more or less, becomes keeping them safe and protected from anything bad. Here are some ways how to provide safety for your infants and toddlers in all aspects of everyday life.
Basic needs
When we talk about safety, the first thing you need to do is to tend to your child’s basic physical and emotional needs. This means that you have to feed your child well, making sure their food is fresh, healthy and contains all the necessary nutrients for them to grow and develop properly. Also, you have to take them to regular physical checkups with their pediatrician and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, you have to react without delay. Your child needs to be bathed frequently, with the water temperature a bit under 50°C. This will make it warm enough, so that your baby doesn’t catch a cold, but not too hot, since you don’t want your child to end up with burns. Your house should be clean, your child in clean clothes and you have to change their diapers as often as necessary. Teach them good hygiene, reminding them to wash their hands and brush their teeth. And finally, your child needs to feel your love and affection. Cuddle with them, talk to them gently, hold them and show them your unconditional love.
Car safety
When traveling by car with your toddler or infant, you need to restrain them in accordance with the law in order to prevent any serious injury in case of a crash. Babies up to six months of age need to be placed in a rearward-facing restraint, and it has to fit the baby snugly. As far as toddlers are concerned, you can use a forward-facing restraint, but only if it’s held firmly in place with the use of the adult seatbelt, as well as the top tether strap. In both cases, when you use the child restraint, the harness straps should be tight enough for you to be able to place two fingers between the harness and your kid, since making it too tight may hurt the child. Service your car regularly, buy good tires and check if your airbags are functional. Also, to be on the safe side, make sure you get a good car insurance quote and choose the type which is the most suitable for you. Last but not least, never, under any circumstances, leave your toddler or infant alone in the car. They can get dehydrated very quickly, which could even lead to fatal consequences. Your child is safest when they are with you, so keep them close at all times.
Outdoor safety
When taking an infant outside, make sure that their stroller protects them from the elements. You don’t want them getting soaking wet in the rain, and sunburnt during hot days. They should be dressed properly for the weather outside, and if it’s sunny, you should put some sun cream on them. You can now buy various brands of sun cream for sensitive children’s skin, so get some and protect your child from the bad influence of sun rays. Again, the most important thing is not to leave your baby unattended. When taking your toddler outside, if they’re walking, make sure they’re holding your hand, especially when crossing the street. Supervise your child’s play at a playground and when they’re inside a swimming pool, always be close enough to be able to reach them, even if they can swim or it’s just a small, inflatable pool in your own garden.
Home safety
Children love power sockets, so make sure yours have safety covers on them. You should make sure your bathroom and kitchen are child-proof, that your toolbox is out of your child’s reach, as well as any cleaning supplies. Cover the sharp edges of your furniture. As soon as your child is old enough to open the door, explain to them not to open it to strangers and teach them how to dial the emergency services. Remove any health hazards from your home. For example, mold doesn’t only cause allergies, but due to babies’ weaker immune system, they can cause more serious health issues than with adults, so find a way to get rid of it. Put cabinet locks in your kitchen and non-slip mats on your bathroom floor. Get window guards for all your windows and don’t let your child play with toys that aren’t age-appropriate.
Make your home and your surroundings safe for your little ones, but above all, be there for them at all times. By keeping them safe physically and emotionally, you will allow them to grow into healthy and intelligent people.
About the author:
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”
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