When I visited my grandchildren in Calgary, I attended the Family-a-Fair, Alberta’s largest show for expectant parents and families with newborn through pre-school age children.
My role was baby-sitting my six-month-old grandson Leif, while Jaime was staffing the booth for the store she co-owns. Over the two-day period, we took turns “wearing” him in a baby carrier, allowing hands-free movements to sell or buy products, visit booths and eat lunch.
Infant and child safety tips
What I read 30 years ago while raising babies and toddlers was similar yet different from today’sinformation. There are now many more products and stricter safety standards.
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We were the first generation to put our children in car seats. Our local Kinette club rented seats to new parents for a minimal cost. Today they are expensive but absolutely necessary for transporting children. There are severe fines for improperly installed car seats.
With this responsibility comes the necessity of a vehicle large enough to carry the number of children you have. Gone are the days when we carpooled and double-buckled two kids into one seatbelt. Baby car seats today must be safety approved, properly installed and used according to manufacturer’s specifications.
In terms of children’s sleepwear, Health Canada’s recommendations include snug-fitting cotton sleepwear that will not easily catch fire. When making loose-fitting sleepwear, use slower-burning fabrics like polyester or nylon.
Keep these safety tips in mind for children sitting around fireplaces, stoves and campfires in their pajamas. Keep lighters, matches and burning candles out of reach of children. School-aged children should learn to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothes catch fire and role-playing with younger children is also a good idea.
Bunk beds are popular but before you buy, look for the safety label or ask if the bunk bed meets standard safety requirements.
Top bunks need guardrails on all four sides of the bed and are not recommended for children younger than six or for more than one child at a time. The mattress needs to fit tightly against all four sides of the sturdy bed frame, and the ladder should be attached securely to the bed. Teach children to use the ladder to climb into or out of their bed, keep the area around the bed clear of clothes and toys and not to play on or under bunk beds. Children have been badly hurt or killed in bunk beds after falling or getting their head caught between parts of the bed.
Cribs in Canada must meet the safety requirements of the Hazardous Product Act’s Cribs and Cradles Regulations. Any crib made before September 1986 should not be used. Knowing this may influence your decision to hang on to your crib for the next generation or caution you in buying items at garage sale.
It is a criminal offence to advertise, sell or give away non-compliant cribs or car seats. Check to be sure the frame is solid, tighten screws regularly and be sure the sides lock into place. Replace any mattress that is not firm, and move the mattress down to its lowest level as soon as the baby can sit up. Do not let the baby wear a necklace or a soother on a cord around the neck and do not tie the baby in the crib. The crib must be placed away from windows, curtain blind cords, lamps, electrical plugs and extension cords.
Health Canada recommends babies sleep on their backs alone in an empty crib that has a tight-fitting cover sheet over a tight-fitting mattress. Babies should wear only diapers and snug-fitting sleepers, with one light infant blanket covering the child to the chest. Babies have smothered from blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumper pads or an extra mattress in playpens and cribs.
Always supervise babies when they are using toys and bottles. Babies also should not be placed in upright positions to sleep, such as car seats or strollers. Their head can fall forward and constrict their airways due to under-developed neck muscles.
For more safety tips, consult Health Canada’s consumer bulletin on safe sleep practices for infants or the Crib Safety Booklet.
Infant swings, suspended baby jumpers and stationary activity centres are still popular with parents today. With proper supervision, these baby aids are useful to parents. If buying secondhand items, check for damage, manufacture recalls, and the label with the manufacturer’s name, model number and date of manufacture.
With swings, follow recommended weight and age requirements and be sure the head is well supported and the straps are properly adjusted so the baby cannot lean over the sides. Hip, crotch and shoulder straps are recommended. With baby bouncers or jumpers, a baby can bounce too hard or be hurt when a jumper is damaged or is not properly secured to the door frame.
When the stationary activity centre tips over, a baby can be hurt or trapped under it. Children reach out and up and grab things, and pull unsafe things down on their heads.
Be sure the activity centre is away from stairs, doors, windows, coffee table, plants, lamps, TV, woodstoves, fireplaces, heaters and any other items deemed unsafe for babies.
Another common danger for children is strangulation by blind and curtain cords.
Since 1989, more than 20 child deaths by strangulation have occurred from such cords. Keep them out of reach of children.
Cut the cords short when blinds are fully down or when curtains are fully closed, and remove the loop in the cord by cutting it in half, and putting plastic tassels at the end. For vertical blinds, install tie-down devices following manufacturer’s instructions to be sure the device is securely attached to the wall beside the window.
For more information, contact Product Safety, Health Canada, in your province, phone 613-957-2991, 866-225-0709, or 866-662-0666 toll-free or e-mail cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca
Safe summer travel tips
More Canadians die on the road during summer than at any other time of year, according to the Canadian Safety Council.
Here’s a checklist to ensure travellers don’t take a vacation from safe driving practices.
- Check the vehicle for worn parts, correct fluid levels and tire pressure and condition.
- Check all lights and signals to ensure they work properly and are clearly visible.
- Store a flashlight, first-aid kit and flares in addition to non-perishable food, sunglasses, maps or a global position system.
- Do not drive after drinking alcohol, ask all passengers to wear a seat belt and drive defensively.
- Pack carefully to keep mirrors and windows visible.
- Get a good sleep before leaving on long trips and keep your mind active on monotonous routes.
- Only pull trailers and boats after ensuring your vehicle is equipped for the haul.
Barbara Sanderson is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
