7 Essential Safety Tips: What ER Pediatricians Won't Let Kids Keep in Their Rooms
The phrase "childproofing" usually brings to mind measures taken to secure our houses against infants and young children, such as setting up safety barriers and blocking off power sockets. However, it’s equally crucial to ensure that our children's spaces remain hazard-free as they grow into older kids.
"We often focus on safety tips for children aged 3 and younger, however, it’s crucial to keep in mind that many injuries tend to occur more commonly as children become increasingly mobile," he mentioned. Dr. Anita Patel , a critical care specialist working at Children’s National Hospital.
The house is among the top locations where children often get hurt and subsequently wind up in the emergency room — moreover, numerous such accidents can be avoided, as noted. Dr. Brad Sobolewski , an emergency medicine doctor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Safety at home is essential since accidents can occur rapidly, and this is where children predominantly stay," he stated. "Minor modifications can significantly help in avoiding an urgent visit to the hospital.
We talked to Patel and Sobolewski about unexpected items they would never allow in kids’ rooms, why they can be harmful and what to use instead.
1. Open-sided Dressers, Shelving Units And Reflective Surfaces
“O One of the scariest and indeed heart-wrenching injuries children can suffer occurs when an unsecured chest of drawers or bookcase topples onto a small child," Patel explained.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission According to reports from 2023, approximately 6,400 children annually experienced injuries severe enough to require treatment at the emergency room due to furniture tipping over incidents.
"Dressers, bookshelves, and similar items that children might use to climb should be ... anchored to the wall, preferably into studs or using drywall anchors along with the supplied hardware," according to Sobolewski.
Patel mentioned that free-standing mirrors are similarly prone to toppling over and ought to be secured to the walls.
At what age can you safely secure furniture and mirrors?
Patel suggests securing even heavy furnishings when children are around. As for lighter objects, such as a freestanding mirror, she takes into account two key aspects: 1) Should the mirror drop, could it harm the child? 2) Could the child manage to escape unaided?
I'm reluctant to specify ages because children vary greatly in terms of their level of activity and developmental milestones," she noted. "However, from my perspective, I wouldn’t remove a freestanding mirror until the child reaches early adolescence.
2. toy boxes featuring heavy lids
Although a toy box might appear as an ideal solution for storing plush toys, building blocks, and various playthings, some designs can pose hazards.
Although toy chests might appear harmless, those featuring heavy, flip-top lids have the potential to drop suddenly, causing injuries such as crushed fingers or bumps to children," Sobolewski stated. "Additionally, kids risk getting trapped within them, which could lead to dangerous situations like suffocation if they end up locked inside.
Instead, the CPSC recommends opting for toy chests or bins equipped with sliding doors, light-weight detachable tops, or even leaving them without lids altogether. Should parents possess a chest featuring a bulky top, it would be advisable to take off this cover. Alternatively, installing a mechanism to hold the lid up can also serve as an effective solution.
3. Long, Loose Cords
“ “A tragic and often unintentional injury... is suffocation due to window blind cords,” Patel stated. “That’s why we took out all corded window blinds [in our child's bedroom] or made sure the cords were securely placed out of reach.”
Many children pass away annually due to window coverings with cords, and such accidents impact kids up to age eight, as stated by the source. CPSC When buying window treatments, search for the term "cordless" in the item details.
Sobolewski recommended keeping away from lengthy electric cables since a child might get tangled in them, potentially causing harm.
Make sure to place furniture and electronic devices close to power outlets to avoid having cables stretch across the room," he advised. "In cases where lengthy cords can’t be helped, think about utilizing a cord shortener or cable cover.
He suggested opting for cordless or battery-powered alternatives instead.
4. Bunk Beds
Loft beds save space and can add an element of enjoyment for children who share a bedroom or during slumber parties.
“[But] Bunk beds lead to numerous injuries from falling," Sobolewski stated. "The rails might not stop falls entirely, and using the ladder can pose risks as well.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children younger than 6 should avoid sleeping on the top bunk. These young ones are particularly susceptible to falls, potentially leading to head injuries, as Sobolewski pointed out.
If you decide to use a bunk bed, position it in a room’s corner so that it has walls on two sides. Additionally, fit guard rails on both edges of the upper bunk and put a nightlight close to the ladder, as suggested. AAP and the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital .
5. Electric Heaters or Room Heaters
These might seem appealing during the cold season but come with a risk of fire, particularly in a child's bedroom," Sobolewski warned. "Kids could unintentionally put combustible materials such as blankets close to the heater, which might result in injuries from burns or even cause fires.
Approximately 4,000 fatalities and 20,000 hospital admissions happen annually due to fires and burns, as stated by reports. AAP . Winter poses particular risks due to appliances such as space heaters.
Children younger than 6 years old have a higher tendency to tip over items such as space heaters, yet kids who are slightly older might also lack the knowledge to handle these devices safely, according to Sobolewski.
"He suggested using additional blankets, well-layered bedding, or sleep sacs instead of space heaters to keep children warm," he clarified.
You might consider enhancing the insulation within the space and installing a centralized heating system to minimize the chances of fire hazards and scalding incidents.
6. Floor Lamps
If additional illumination is needed in a space, a floor lamp often serves as an easy solution. Nonetheless, such lamps may pose hazards in children's bedrooms.
These can tip over quite readily, particularly when kids are dashing about or scaling things," Sobolewski stated. "Moreover, uncovered light bulbs can become sufficiently heated to result in injuries.
He recommended overhead lights, table lamps, or wall sconces as safer options provided they are properly secured. Additionally, cool-touch or LED bulbs could minimize the risk of injuries from burns.
7. Weighted Blankets
Although they are gaining popularity for enhancing sleep quality and alleviating anxiety, weighted blankets, Blankets can present a suffocation hazard for young children, particularly those under According to Sobolewski, 'The added weight may limit their mobility or hinder their capability to properly adjust the blanket while sleeping.'
The AAP Additionally, they stressed the significance of avoiding weighted blankets, sleepers, swaddles, and other sleep accessories for babies. These items can cause decreased oxygen levels and raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Actually, several major retailers They recently declared that they have completely ceased selling weighted infant sleep items.
Make sure to frequently revisit your child's room for updates.
“Children face different dangers as they age,” Sobolewski stated. “Parents should continually review safety practices as their kids develop.”
He suggests maintaining uncluttered spaces in children’s areas and involving older kids in discussions about safety to foster responsibility and awareness. Furthermore, make sure to periodically review announcements of recalls concerning furniture and other products. CPSC’s website .
"By thinking ahead about safety and foreseeing potential risks, we can greatly decrease the likelihood of these typical household mishaps," he stated.
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