How safe is your baby’s room?
Keeping your child happy and healthy is always going to be a top priority as a parent. And once you have a baby, you become aware of so many hidden dangers that could be lurking, things that you simply didn’t give a second thought to before. Chances are you feel like your home is a very safe place to be, but it might not be the case. Here are some things to bear in mind, particularly when it comes to your child’s bedroom safety.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is known as a ‘silent killer.’ The gas is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is often produced due to faulty gas appliances and other kinds of devices that burn fuel. You probably have smoke alarms fitted already. Be sure to fit carbon monoxide sensors too, it’s something that could be fatal to your family.
Black mould
Black mould usually forms in areas that have been left damp for prolonged periods. It often happens during the wetter months of the year. A leaking roof or guttering which has allowed rainwater to spill onto the render of your house can cause water to permeate through and lead to wet walls.
Using an extractor fan and regularly opening windows can prevent condensation from sitting too long, and of course, you’ll want to get to the route of the problem if there is one. Have a roofer replace slipped or lost roof tiles, or get someone up to clear out your gutters. Black mould releases spores which affect respiration and breathing. It’s even more problematic in vulnerable groups like babies.
Risk of falling
Children grow up quickly and develop every day. Once they reach a certain age, they change weekly. This might mean a toddler is now able to climb out of their cot, or even onto furniture close to a window which could be a falling hazard. Just because your baby can’t climb up to the window now doesn’t mean they never will.
It’s worth practising window safety right from the beginning. Purchase a safety latch so that the window can never open past a certain amount. This allows you to let some fresh air in but prevents the risk of a child climbing up and falling.
Choking and suffocation
Choking and suffocation is something that worries most parents, but it’s not just mealtimes you need to worry about. Consider what’s in their bedroom too, babies have been known to grab nappy bags through their cot and choke on them.
Things like hats and headbands can also cover their mouth and nose and be a suffocation risk. Small items left on the floor can be grabbed and choked on, so it’s important to be really careful with this. Keeping your home, floors and surfaces immaculately clean can prevent debris being grabbed by babies, plus it stops the spread of germs too.
