Childproofing advice - anyone got any neat tricks?

[Laminar Lou]

I would like to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions! I think I have most of these covered but there were a few I didn't think about and need to remedy (like the hot water setting - although I have a little time before she can reach a faucet).

Good advice about the CPR, both my wife and I have taken the classes but it has been about 10 years for me and I could use a refresher. It sounds like the decision to completely bar her from the kitchen (by a permanent baby gate) was a good one since most of the perils seem to be there anyway. I still will install safety latches on the under the sink chemicals - and anything super dangerous is now up high in the garage.

We have a CO2 alarm, and a wired fire alarm that is remotely monitored (son of a fire chief - I've got a fire extinguisher under the bed and in 3 other locations in the house.) The CO2 issue is real, we had a tragedy in our family where the entire family was wiped out by Co2 from a faulty furnace. Unbelievable bad luck because they were moving out of the house the next morning.

No Aluminum wiring - That would have been a deal breaker when we bought the house.

Again, thanks for all the advice! And, yes, the wife and I are trying to make the most of every day. She is already growing up too fast!

 

[Bret Chase]

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We have a CO2 alarm, and a wired fire alarm that is remotely monitored (son of a fire chief - I've got a fire extinguisher under the bed and in 3 other locations in the house.) The CO2 issue is real, we had a tragedy in our family where the entire family was wiped out by Co2 from a faulty furnace. Unbelievable bad luck because they were moving out of the house the next morning.

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It's CO, not CO2. a properly running furnace puts out CO2 as it's the byproduct of complete combustion. terrible way to go, CO removes your bodies ability to take in O2 by binding to the hemoglobin in your blood.

 

[obbop]

Valuable advice up there regrading cold-wet/ice for a lengthy period for burns.

I was around 14 or so and was gonna' cook some oatmeal. The electric stove's burner was on high and glowing bright red.

Pot with water on counter, should have had it atop the burner. Climbed the counter to grab oatmeal. Slipped, fingertips of one hand with all my bodily weight behind them came down directly upon the red-hot burner. Had to shift my weight, taking a second or so, before I could remove the paw from the heat source. BIG blisters formed immediately and the pain was extreme.

Turned off burner and grabbed the metal ice cube holder from the freezer. Held that cold critter with the tips of my fingers for 20 minutes or so.

Upon removal, no pain. Just the faintest outline of where the blisters HAD been. Went onwards with no further indicators that anything had happened. Of course, the body heals quicker and better when young. That sort of incident was never allowed to happen again. Heck, even an amoeba can learn to avoid painful stimuli. I emulated the amoeba. Well, I walk instead of crawl but I learned akin to the amoeba. No wonder I'm a klutz at math. Amoeba-like.

Of course, too much cold for too long can also cause problems. Use thine common sense and advice from a properly trained medical-type medico humanoid.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

Neat childproofing tricks? Here's an oldie but a goodie, though it's pretty politically incorrect these days:

"NO!" [Smack!]

"I said, 'NO!' " [Smack! Smack! Smack!]

Hey, it worked for almost everybody years ago.

Just kidding. Actually, you've already received a lot of great suggestions.

Yup. My parents' only childproofing device was a leather belt.

 

[Matt_S]

Quote:

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Neat childproofing tricks? Here's an oldie but a goodie, though it's pretty politically incorrect these days:

"NO!" [Smack!]

"I said, 'NO!' " [Smack! Smack! Smack!]

Hey, it worked for almost everybody years ago.

Just kidding. Actually, you've already received a lot of great suggestions.

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My wife and I use this on our 9 month old when he gets too close to the stove, although we eliminate the "Smack" part. He does get a stern verbal reminder that he cannot be near it, however. What else are you going to do with something like that? We can't exactly keep our kitchen off limits without severely inconveniencing ourselves.

Besides that, we've moved ALL cleaning products up out of reach, put covers in the outlets, rearranged the living room, where we all spend most of our time, to be child safe (the biggest thing was eliminating the coffee table (sharp edges)). We also put a quilt, folded over, and a mattress pad on the stone hearth that comes about 1 ft high and has a pretty sharp edge. That should at least keep him from killing himself.

 

[kkreit01]

It sounds like you have things covered, and there are lots of good suggestions already. You daughter sounds like my 2nd one. Ours will be 2 in Nov, and still into everything.

You already have the main things covered. Here are others we have done:

* Removed all the knobs off of drawers in the living room -- to protect CDs, remotes, etc.

* When she's tall enough, place drawer locks on everything you do not want her into: kitchen knives, tool drawer, etc.

* When she's tall enough, place door knob covers on the bathrooms, and other rooms you do not want her in. This will prvent her from playing in the toilet. It will also eliminate the need for cabinet locks in the bathroom.

* When she's even older, place a safety chains on all exterior doors (above her reach). Toddlers have been known to wander outside of the house on their own.

* If she has an issue with pulling electrical cords out of outlets, there are large covers that lock cords in place.

* Make sure she can't fit her fingers into any fans. Or make sure she can't tip over the humidifier during winter months.

* Make sure to lock up any firearms if you have them.

And remember, they had none of this when we were kids (including seat belts nor car seats), and we are still here

 

[wantin150]

You may want to purchase the stove knob protectors. The go behind the actual knob and only spin if a child tries to turn the stove on. You have to open them to access the control.

On the same principle, there are door knob protectors you can purchase that will only spin if a child attempts to open a door (say a closet). You have to squeeze the sides to turn the handle.

Good luck as you are fighting an uphill battle. My son is 3 1/2, smart as a whip and sharp as a tack. If they see you defeat the thing one time, they will know how to do it.

My windows have an "up" limit which only allows them to open a few inches. You may want to invest in some of the battery powered alarms which stick on windows (and doors) and are activated if the window or door is opened. This is also an anti-burglar device too although I don't know how effective it will be.

 

[Razl]

The spring loaded outlets suggested is worth it for those outlets you use often. Those standard plastic covers can be a real pain to remove, regardless of age.

Locking cabinets is a must, but you may want to dedicate one draw just for her. This is where you can put all kinds of this that are stimulating to her. My sons loved plastic to-go containers as well as banging pot lids together. In fact each room you or your wife need some extra time (bathroom, kitchen)put a dedicated draw just for her.

Secure anything large to the wall that is top-heavy (bookshelves) and climable.

Keep heavy objects (even a soup can) away from the edges of tables, counters, etc.

A gate is a must for stairs. Don't get the spring loaded ones as they are false security for you and child.

All they best!

 

[Schmoe]

Don't laugh at this, but this is more for YOU than her. Keep a set of house keys hidden somewhere outside. One day when your in the garage or outside, she WILL LOCK YOU OUT!!! Happened with my 3 year old this weekend. Talk about freaking out on my part! One other thing that I'm now using. When your out shopping or whatever in your vehicle, train or teach or some other way of etching into their brain that they are to put BOTH HANDS on the vehicle until your ready to get them. Especially like at Walmarts or Malls where there are always idiots screaming down the parking lot with their cars or motorcycles. This way, you know where she's at and it's not enough distance that she can get hurt or put in dangers way. With my child, I've had to really yell at her a few times (and of course here comes the crying and the little old lady's looking at me like I'm a child abusing father but hey!!!! it's MY kid) but she finally got the picture. Just keep saying "Both hands on the truck/car." You'd be surprised how much this will help you as your getting the rest of the stuff from the car unloaded.

 

[obbop]

A stray thought enters the mind. Who knows what prompted that random bit of electricity to arc across from one lethargic blubber-bloated brain cell to anuddah'?

I recall the lass who trained her feline critter to refrain from certain acts, such as jumping onto a visiting male's leg and latching on with extremely sharp claws.

As the male screamed in extreme agony, envisioning the hurling of the mangey cat out the window into the path of any large truck's tires passing by. the lovely lass grabbed her ever-present spray bottle of water and squirted the offending horrid creature. She then sprayed the cat. Obviously aware of my thoughts I received the first blast of water.

Never thought of hurling the foul creature again and said disgusting mammal never inserted its claws into my leg afterwards.

Perhaps the spray bottle of water method could be used upon your cuddly critter. When the munchkin begins doing a forbidden act a firm "No!!!!" accompanied by a blast of water to act as a reinforcement would speed the learning process.

Of course, gueats, in-laws, sundry kin folk and visiting child welfare folks informed of the unique method may have differing viewpoints but it sure sounds like a mighty fine idea to me.

Better than the well-used fly swatter the old man used upon me. At least he coulda' removed the mangled bug carcasses before using it on me.

 

[Laminar Lou]

Quote:

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Don't laugh at this, but this is more for YOU than her. Keep a set of house keys hidden somewhere outside. One day when your in the garage or outside, she WILL LOCK YOU OUT!!! Happened with my 3 year old this weekend. Talk about freaking out on my part! One other thing that I'm now using. When your out shopping or whatever in your vehicle, train or teach or some other way of etching into their brain that they are to put BOTH HANDS on the vehicle until your ready to get them. Especially like at Walmarts or Malls where there are always idiots screaming down the parking lot with their cars or motorcycles. This way, you know where she's at and it's not enough distance that she can get hurt or put in dangers way. With my child, I've had to really yell at her a few times (and of course here comes the crying and the little old lady's looking at me like I'm a child abusing father but hey!!!! it's MY kid) but she finally got the picture. Just keep saying "Both hands on the truck/car." You'd be surprised how much this will help you as your getting the rest of the stuff from the car unloaded.

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Wow you guys have definately been through it all! Great advice on both counts - the getting locked out of the house has happened to a friend of mine. I really like the "both hands on the car rule". Never heard that before - good rule.

 

[Matt_S]

Obbop, your stories never cease to amuse me and many others, I'm sure.

Of course that method sounds a lot more humane than spanking and would probably be just as effective.

 

[schwartr88]

Trojan: the ultimate in childproofing.

 

[Kestas]

I used to have to babysit my kid sister. She would always get in my hair. I simply put her crib upside-down over her. Problem solved!

 

[Schmoe]

That's hilarious!!!!!