by Jo.H

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

Babies are curious and will touch everything, so it is up to the parent to spot potential hazards. Most burn accidents occur through scalding with hot liquids, either when cooking or in the bathroom.

The first rule is NEVER leave your baby unattended unless they are in their cot or playpen.
I was shocked the first time my baby learned to roll over, she literally rolled from one side of the room to the other.

The second rule is to try to look at your house from a child's point of view. Walk round each room looking for hazards, then eliminate them.

Baby proof your house.

In the kitchen; Buy a cooker guard which will stop little hands reaching across the hot plates.
Always put your saucepan handles facing backwards.
For kettles, get a curly lead so you don't have any lead dangling over your work top.
NEVER leave the iron on and always put it some where safe to cool down.

Bathroom.
Turn your thermostat down to below 125 degrees so that if a toddler does get into the bathroom they will not scald themselves on the hot water.
ALWAYS check the temperature of the bath before putting your child in the water.

The rest of the house.
Every plug socket should have a safety plug inserted to prevent little fingers reaching in.
Buy fire guards for open fires and radiators.
Remember that hot water pipes leading to radiators can also burn, you can get plastic sleeves that fit over the top to keep little hands safe.

CARSEATS.
IN summer the metal buckles can get hot enough to burn. Cover the seat with a towel when you get out of the car, this also applies to seat belts for older children.

SUN.
Read the label of your sun screen. Some need reapplying up to every four hours. Use total sun block, not just a high factor sun lotion.
One of the worst mistakes I made with my eldest daughter was I forgot to put sun block behind her ears. She had her hair tied back and was playing in the sand, her ears blistered in the sun. I felt terrible so please do not make that mistake.

IF you live in a hot country, buy an all over body suit for outdoor play. They look like a swimsuit but with long arms. If you cannot afford one, put a T shirt over your kids swim suit, anything to cover their delicate skin.

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