Safety is critical for children, and an entire industry has sprung up to help keep our children safe. Guidelines are strict and when we discover that something we believed to be safe is in fact, not, there is a powerful reaction from parents, media and even the government. Sometimes we can’t avoid dangers, such as when toys from reputable companies are painted with lead-based paint, but other times we can prevent many of the potential dangers that surround us and our children every day.
Research
The most important step parents can do to keep children safe is to research a decision. In the case of a small toy, the research will obviously be much shorter and might simply be comparison based in the store. But for large items such as cribs and car seats, take plenty of time and read reports to be sure you are purchasing the safest products available.
Recalls can tell you much about products, but be sure to understand the basis of the recall. Cribs were recently recalled because parents were installing part of it upside down. While this can be dangerous, it is not as dangerous as a much smaller recall for crib slats whose screws were falling out. (Both recalls were for Simplicity cribs.) Price doesn’t always mean quality, but there is usually a line where price assures quality without paying for brand names or logos.
Consumer Reports and other research-based magazines test car seats and other child gear frequently. Read these reports and take them seriously. In our mobile society, a baby and child should be as protected as possible in the car to ensure everyone’s safety.
Age Appropriate
One of the easiest ways to keep all children, but especially young children, safe is by purchasing items and toys that are age appropriate. Most children under three are still inclined to put items in their mouth, so simply don’t purchase anything with small parts that could be a choking hazard. Manufacturers can and do label items.
That being said, consider your purchase carefully. Sometimes items are labeled as three and up simply to protect the manufacturer. For example, a wading pool might be labeled three and up, but is not necessarily unsafe if your child is never left unattended. But be sure if you decide to make the decision to buy the pool that you stay with your young child 100% of the time.
Use as Directed
Finally, the best way to keep your children, and everyone in your home, safe is to use products as directed. A recent recall of Bumbo seats makes this point perfectly. A label on the back of the seat instructs parents to never use on an elevated surface or to leave a child in a Bumbo seat unattended. Unfortunately, some parents used the seat on the counter and when their child fell, were upset with the company. As part of a voluntary recall, the manufacturer offers parents a new warning sticker to place on the seat. They are not offering refunds or exchanges.
The instructions were clear about how the seat should be used, but parents disregarded the notice and children were seriously injured. Similar situations involve car seats that are not installed properly and cribs and other furniture items that are misassembled or not secured properly. When purchasing a product, especially one for a child, at least glance at the directions to be sure you are using the product as directed, otherwise you are playing with danger, no matter how innocent the transgression might seem.
