HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS OVERLOOKED: KEEP YOUR BABY SAFE!

Here at It's Hip-Hop Baby, we care so much about keeping children safe at all times! Cnn.com ran a very helpful article on many household hazards that are commonly overlooked. We thought we would share what we found to keep your precious babies and children out of harm's way.



While most parents know to cover outlets and put chemical cleaners out of arm's reach, there are still some things in the house that can be very dangerous.

The article warns parents that putting furniture right under a window can be very hazardous, giving a child a clear opportunity to climb the furniture which could lead to falling out of the window. It suggests using window guards instead of screens, which may not hold the weight of a child. You can find these for around $30 and it's worth it!

We know it sounds like an old record, but we think it's worth mentioning over and over again!

Window treatment cords can also be a danger, so they should be tied up high enough that child or baby wouldn't be able to reach them. Also, keeping cribs or changing tables away from window treatments is a smart idea!

Power cords can potentially be incredibly dangerous, as well. They can cause electrical burns, tripping, strangulation and head trauma if an appliance is pulled with the cord.
Parents should always remember to unplug and secure these cords whenever possible and keep appliances out of the way, too. **This includes exercise equipment cords! If you have a gym, limit the child's access to this room - shut and lock the door if possible.

Link: Remembering Mike Tyson's daughter and the importance of treadmill safety!
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/mike-tysons-daughter-in-preventable-treadmill-accident-treadmill-safety-tips-.html

In the article, they stress another commonly overlooked hazard - tipped over furniture. Dressers and flat screen televisions are common dangers. Leaving one drawer pulled out makes a dresser less stable if it isn't mounted to the wall. You can buy inexpensive wall mounting kits at baby stores and hardware stores that can hold up to 400 pounds of weight!

With flat screen televisions, try to mount it on the wall but if that's not an option, push it back as far as you can on a stand so a child still wouldn't be able to reach it.

Read the full article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/27/hidden.home.hazards/index.html

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES SAFE!